116 15 1774 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/de0f5ddf37890aa839a2349a766fed18.pdf 6e1e2579f52d07057c032cfb6ffddb94 PDF Text Text The Beacon - May 5, 2021 HEBEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Volume 73, Issue 18 Wilkes Universi 1 Senior Farewell Edition - Wilkes-Barre, Penns lvania President Cant reflects on his first year, challenges and all By Sean Schmoyer Co-News Editor Dr. Greg Cant's time as Wilkes' seventh president has been a complicated one. His first year was one filled with obstacles. The COVID-19 pandemic and a large budget deficit going into Fall 2020 created many challenges for the administration, faculty and students. Efforts to overcome such challenges have resulted in a slow return to normalcy, allowing for the end of these past few semesters to look a little like the years before. Before mid-May of 2020, the administration was faced with an obstacle when some faculty, specifically tenuretrack and contract-yearly appointed faculty, received non-reappointment letters. Cant explained the letters were in response to budget issues and that sending out those letters and making other cuts around campus were not easy decisions. Faculty were allowed to appeal the decision, but many complicated aspects of the letters meant that it would not be a short or easy challenge. As of the end of April 2021, Cant was pleased to announce that all current faculty who had received those letters almost a year ago will remain employed and in their positions. "Over the period of about 11 months, each of the academic units worked through other options that saved the money that was important for us to save that allowed the jobs to be preserved," said Cant. "Some of those fairly early decisions where those individuals were able to work out something, we were able to go back to them and say, 'We told you one thing, but as it turns out, your · position is going to be preserved: Between the departments, deans, provost and others, they came up with solutions and the final three were resolved within the last few weeks, and there are no outstanding letters of termination." Chair of the Faculty Affairs Council Dr. Donald Mencer explained in detail the beginnings of the issue. He expressed that before the pandemic, the university had recognized that its spending patterns had become unsustainable in relation to income. "Our largest expenditure category is payroll and benefits;' said Mencer. "Almost all of Wilkes revenue is linked to student enrollments. The problem was exacerbated by the decisions under the (Pat) Leahy administration (Wilkes' sixth president) to pursue capital projects for which complete funding had not been secured. To make up the deficit, the university's cash reserves were utilized, and $6 million was borrowed on a line of credit." In Fall 2019, $10 . million in bonds was secured to pay down the $6 million line of credit and to also provide a cushion. The trustees worked closely with then Interim President Paul Adams to stabilize and reduce spending that could not be covered by revenue, while attempting not to have to cut positions. The pandemic served to add more complications: The non-reappointment letters were forced to be sent out; Summer 2020 staff furloughs occurred; a conversion of 30 12-month staff positions to 10-month positions and another two from 12 to nine months resulted; elimination of some staff positions (full-time and part-time) took place; and the elimination of visiting faculty positions occurred. E 4) ::I ii, "i m c 0 Join The Beacon staff in sending off our seniors! Our final centerspread spotlights graduating members Kirsten Peters, Dylan Mehl, William Billingsley and Steffen Horwath from our editorial staff. Visit pages 12 & 13. C: (I) (/) 0 c::: ~ 0 f 0 .c: a. ICJ REFLECT, page 3 I N ::I FOODTRUCK Faculty who did not leave or see positions removed immediately were given a year's notice in advance, as their positions called for. One such faculty member was Dr. Benjamin Toll, assistant professor of political science and criminology. "As someone who received that letter in the spring, it was difficult not to be sad. We had moved here from several states away for a job that we were very excited about;' said Toll. "I was finishing my first year at the university and really liked my colleagues and students. The thought of having to apply for jobs was not exciting, made even more true by the fact that universities across the country were cutting budgets and not hiring for faculty positions." Ii -~ ~ (!) All ot"chrhun, \'Vilkes-Htwr<ts '•" newt·st Uclghm waf:'tle ck~sert t:ruck, page 11 H,-e sh<n,! re'-"Ommendations with new ~eason:--. nn the hor.izri.m~ pagl' l S r �d The Beacon- May 5, 2021 2 News 1he Beacon - May 5, 2021 News Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the co-news editors: Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu and Sara.Ross@wilkes.edu TREC award winners to be recognized virtually in spring By Sean Schmoyer Co-News Editor Every year, Wilkes University recognizes its faculty with 10 different awards from the Teacher Recognition and Effectiveness Committee. TREC members have four major responsibilities: Monitoring and recommending changes in procedures for gathering information on the teaching effectiveness and other areas of faculty evaluation; coordinating and recommending procedures for the selection of annual awards; evaluating and nominating candidates for the awards; and planning and hosting the annual TREC Awards Ceremony. "Each award has specific criteria and stipulations for consideration, and each award winner is selected by the committee and is a committee decision;' said TREC member Dr. Troy Lewis. ''Award recipient names are inscribed on a permanent plaque located in the Eugene S. Farley Library. In addition, each winner receives a personally engraved award. "Traditionally, we hold a live ceremony on-campus to celebrate and recognize our award winners; however, due to the pandemic, we are creating a 'virtual ceremony' where the TREC committee will announce the winners and showcase acceptance speeches via a video compilation." In regard to the virtual ceremony, CoChair Dr. Amy Sopcak-Joseph remarked that the TREC regrets being unable to hold the ceremony in-person, but she is hoping that the faculty award recipients will be able to be recognized and celebrated alongside next year's winners in the spring. Alongside Sopcak-Joseph, Dr. Edward Bednarz III serves as co-chair for TREC and is a Wilkes graduate who has been an award recipient in the past. "The annual TREC awards give us an opportunity to recognize our colleagues for all the great work they do day-in and day-out with the students," said Bednarz. "It is even more special that many of the awards for faculty and staff are studentnominated." The first award given out is the Carpenter Award, which is Wilkes' most prestigious teaching award. The Carpenter Award is given annually to recognize an outstanding faculty member for their excellence in teaching and student-centered research/ projects at Wilkes University. Dr. Abas Sabouni, associate professor of electrical engineering, was the recipient of the award, being recognized for his drive, dedication and passion for the students at Wilkes, as demonstrated by his five previous TREC award honors. Sabouni has actively involved students in cutting-edge research in electromagnetics and antennas, most often related to problems in the medical field, such as cancer detection. Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Benjamin Toll received the Outstanding New Faculty Award. Toll joined Wilkes University in 2019 and has since established himself through creation of multiple student-centered initiatives, teaching excellence, scholarly works and media contributions. The recipient of the Innovative/Nontraditional Teaching Award is Dr. Ka Lok Hong, assistant professor in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. In his First Year Foundations course, Hong introduced cooking techniques into his lectures and allowed students to try food based on different techniques of breaking down chemical bonds. Hong has also incorporated a variety of technology innovations in order to successfully deliver content to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Outstanding Advisor Award recognizes one outstanding academic advisor for each college or school and requires the individuals to have "gone above and beyond the call of duty as an advisor to support students," as stated by TREC. This year, five faculty received recognition as outstanding advisors for their schools and colleges. Dr. Charlie Smargiassi, assistant professor and master's level department chair/ coordinator of educational and school business leadership, received the award for the School of Education. The recipients for the School of Business and School of Pharmacy were Dr. Dina Udomsak, assistant director of Sidhu School Initiatives and instructor for the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, and Dr. Letitia Warunek, assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Finally, Dr. Deborah Tindell, professor of psychology, received the award for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dr. Prahlad Murthy, interim dean for the College of Science and Engineering and professor of environmental engineering, received the award for the College of Science and Engineering. Dr. Adam VanWert, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology and director of the master's program in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, received the Scholarship Award for having nearly 1,000 citations on his peer-reviewed publications and for his research advancing scientific knowledge and discoveries in the areas of drug transporters and kidney stone therapies. Dr. Michael Berry, adjunct faculty in the School of Education and Head of School for the Bandung Independent School in West Java, Indonesia, received the Multiculturalism Award. This award is given annually to recognize a faculty member who demonstrates leadership in the advancement of multiculturalism in the classroom. The Adjunct Faculty Award was awarded to Robert Richards, adjunct faculty for the School of Education. TREC states that the recipient is "an instructor annually who demonstrates excellence in teaching through innovative practices, forming relationships with students and/or contributing to the school/university:' The final award, the Academic Support Award, recognizes full-time, nonfaculty support personnel who facilitate classroom activities, laboratory activities or coordination of experiential learning opportunities. Pamela Koslosky, administrative assistant for the School of Education, is the recipient of the award this year. "The committee members also extend their thanks to all of those who took the time to nominate their professors, advisors and colleagues, as well as to all of those nominees who submitted materials for consideration," said Sopcak-Joseph. "Wilkes has so many talented teachers and mentors working with students and adapting to the challenges of the past year." @wilkesbeacon Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu ·• e Wee < Wlly._a.••· ·. ·. ~ < •m~/ .· \< _.· .. pitcher. She · • · ·• > . .• · < ~-~.. --~· Opinion ............ 14 Favorite building on campus? My favonte building is the library it allows for a quiet area to study; ,_ ____ l in the future somehow -posstoitthrough the conservation of wildlife. Favorite memory a& a Colonel? I actually have two favorite. memories while being a Colonel. '.Ihe first one has Upcoming Events: Spring 2021 to be playing against King's College and getting my first collegiate start and win. My second favorite memory has to be our most recent game against Lycoming, where we came together and won our first series of games. I wasn't playing the second game, but cheering on the sidelines for my team while we played hard and passionately overall was a great time and memory. & Passan School of Nursing 1:30 p.m. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences & College of Science and Engineering 5 p.m. Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership & School of Education 28 - Spring 2021 Commencement: 6 p.m. Nesbitt School of Pharmacy 29 - Spring 2021 Commencement: 10 a.m. Passan School of Nursing 1:30 p.m. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences 5 p.m. School of Education 30 - Spring 2021 Commencement: 10 a.m. College of Science and Engineering 1:30 p.m. Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership I enjoy doing different types of art ~~ Sports................ 19 May 15-22 - Final Exams Period 22 - Spring 2020 Commencement: 10 a.m. Nesbitt School of Pharmacy Otherintere.stsorhobbiesoffofd of softball, as well as hanging out, group of friends. News .................. 2 Life, A&E ............ 7 ed her overall record to 3-2 ~ on the team with a 2.52. ~·-··. ··•······ ~-.•.•· U..°"® Table of Contents om Ap · 14 -•~!IC!Din: Mullins led the team to win t Hopes for thi$$tlaSOD as a Colonel? I hope that our team is able to slowly climb up the ranks in our conference and win our post season games. When/Why did you. first begin playing? I nrst started playing softball when I was eight because of my dad. He brought me outside one day and decided to start throwing the ball around, and since then I have never stepped. What color/flavor of Gatorade favorite? Cool Blue is my favorite flavor. If your life was a movie, who 'WO w.ant to play you and why! If my life was a movie, I would d want Sandra Bull~ to play me overall she isagreat actress and has a, side to her. I feel as if our persona very similar. whi.c:h would create character dynamic. If you could h~ dinner with a person from the past, who would t It would have to be Robin Willian: to watch his movies all the time whe child and found him to be a great a, would always make people happy. I he would be a great dinner guest ar keep great conversation while m4 laugh. J Most inftuential person in your I The most influential person · 11 would have to be my mom. She h role model since I wa$ a little girl, not know where I would be withou A quote you Jive your life by? The qu1'>te I live by is: " Eve · for a reason." I grew up with repeating this to me throughout life, - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Sp �The Beacon - May 5, 2021 REFLECT, from front When Toll applied for his position at Wilkes, there were over 125 tenure-track jobs that fit his specialty. This year, there were only 15. "I knew that many students were fighting to keep my position;' said Toll. "I had colleagues in my department and across campus who did whatever they could to keep my position, and I am eternally grateful to them for their effort ... I enjoy teaching here and am happy the letter was rescinded, and I can think about being here for the long-term. I have no ill-will toward the administration because of the very difficult position they were put in last spring." It was a collective effort to keep all of the faculty positions, an effort that Cant, Mencer and the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Paul Riggs stressed they alone could not take credit for. "Securing these positions now seems like a simple matter, but it entailed a great deal of hard work and flexibility by the faculty and chairs involved;' said Riggs. "Reaffirming the commitment involved - on both sides - in these tenure-track positions was important to our community and a great result for our students. I again want to stress the crucial role played by the faculty members themselves and their chairs. They were collegial, civil and flexible, and together we were able to make a compelling case in each instance:' A major aspect that made the rescinding of the letters possible was federal and state aid to the university, as well as strategic cuts to move some staff and faculty to positions for only parts of the_ year and/ or sharing faculty across two or multiple programs. Mencer also noted that recruitment of incoming students for the fall semester has been going well. "I am sure the faculty who had their letters rescinded are all relieved; however, the process was stressful for all involved;' said Mencer. "The entire community has felt the impact of the budgetary cuts coupled with all of the stresses that everyone has experienced over the months of pandemic closures and restrictions. I do not think this process will repeat any time soon. I believe the faculty positions have been restored based on realistic budgetary adjustments made by each department (or program or division) chair and supported by the deans involved:' Another aspect of these potential cuts News was a worry about the impact it would have on programs that professors were involved in, such as the marching band. The university has since released a statement addressing those concerns and plans for the future, and that information is presented in the accompanying sidebar to this piece. The budget was not the only thing that Cant recounted about the year. With the university addressing the pandemic through a large collection of policies, Cant also takes pride in the work everyone has done in remaining safe. There were no new COVID -19 cases for the entire week of April 26, and many of the students and faculty are beginning to be vaccinated. Cant recounted some of the enjoyable events he has gotten to experience with his family and the campus community from the fall athletics games that were able to be held to performances from the theatre department and the music program. For Cant, his appointment still stands as an important moment in his life. ''A pinnacle moment of my professional life was being introduced as the seventh president of Wilkes," said Cant. "There was this personally amazing moment because of all sorts of things. We were telecasting it, and my family, my mother and sisters and essentially nearly the whole family back in Australia watching in real time. They were all watching this life-changing moment in real time. I will never ever forget that:' In addition, Cant was excited about an upcoming event to be hosted in his backyard for the students living in the Honors housing next to his home. He expressed that it would give the students an opportunity to have a good time and talk with him and his family through an ice cream social, and that he hoped to get the chance to meet and talk in-person with more students in the years to come. Despite the protocols that resulted in a lack of events in the Fall 2020 semester, this spring semester has started a small push back to normalcy. "Everything since then (Cant's appointment), there have been challenges, but I do not wake up on a single day, with the exception of after I got the second vaccine, that I do not think what an amazing place we are and what an honor it is to be the president. That to me, it just does not get better than that;' said Cant. Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet 3 Wilk~s ceases to offer marching band costs to operate the program had become unmanageable. He . e.x:pressed that the univeJ"sity would continue .to try to identify ttnique ways that Wilkes can that tht current d.irector of the m~chipg c~ntrali;,;e programs and activities to band, Dr. Mark Johnson, had received offer rewarding experiences to students. a non-reappointment letter, current "'Moving forward, the university pep students along with alumni expressed band will play at various events including concern over the future of the program. athletic competitions,V said Cant. "The Johnson's.letter was recently rescinded, pep band has historically provided the and it has been announced that he will musical backdrop for our scliool spirit "ontint.J;e,to run th, civic and pep bands. at Wilkes and we are -eager to hear thejr 1 - ' l am incr~iitl,,ly proud Qf the b1md t\lents continue this fall:' stu~ts her.e,at Wilkes and tliat I'm vety · Lauren Johnson~ junior biology major privileged to be- able to remain at Wilkes and member of the Color Guard who and continue working with them;' said rnarched piccolo, responded to the news. Johnson. · "I am extremely saddened by the In an email sent out on Thursday, momentary termination of the marching President Greg Cant addressed the band. as it was a defining characteristic of campus in matters relating to Wilkes' why I chose to attend Wilkest said Lauren music programs. Aft,er remarking on th~ Johnson. "Music was an essential for me variety of programs the campus offers·; when choosjng a college, and finding out from civic and pep hands to chorus and I could also continue my career in Color chamber singers, he announced that Guard made the deal even sweeter. The the marching band program would no program itself is so much more than the longer be offered. performances the campus community "'A.$ you know, rnuch time and effort sees; we are a family." has been dedicated over the past year Lauren Johnson did note that she to evaluate tlie co ts, benefits and understood the toll COVID-19 has taken opportunities related tQ the experience on everyone, including the university. we offer here at Wilkes;' said Cant. ~Arter Despite that~ she is · hoping to see the a careful review of our musical offerings. program reinstated in the future. it has been ' determined that Wilkes The university also announced that it will cease to otfe:r the marching bal);d will 1:>'e looking fot a tenure ..track choral program after this academic year." director, as Dr. Leesa Levy has filled in The marching band has been a since the death of Dr~ Ste-ven Thomas. tnainstayat the university since 20H and , Dean of the College of Arts, distinguished W&.es as lYeing th.e only Humanities and Sodal Sciences Paul un~vtrsity with , a colleglate marching Riggs co:inmented on the importance of band th~ ft,km. . ',, _ . · musk in, the liberal arts curricu(um. ._It is o1sheattefiing . that Willc~s hil§ 1cMl1$ic as aA·.• academk dlscipline decided to :sack the marching han<l; Wa$ a. founding element of the liberal said Erika ·Wintersteen, junior earth arts generally:' said Riggs. ~Though and environmental science major who Wilkes has changed over the decades ma:t~hed fl.ut¢/picc()fo. 'Ttn not alQne and now offers many professional and in saying that one of the main reasons graduate degrees, the liberal arts core of I chose Wilkes .was be<:ause they had a our mission endures ... and musk as an marching band. ·academic di$cipline remains an essential ~Whe~ I toured Wilkes in 20l7j th¢y pQ;rt of that." boast~d about lfeing the only colleg~." Cant' concluded his email with a in NEPA with a marching band. They statement reaffirming the university's seemed proud of it. Dr. (Pat) Leahy commitment to the music program as a my freshman year would always tell us whole: "We are eager to continue to make how much he enjoyed hearing us play. music at Wilkes. But we also recognize Faculty and staff would tell us how much that the end of the Marching Colonels is they enjoyed hearing us play. The band disappointing news. We are committed was clearly appreciated by students and to offering a pep band program and faculty alike" so why is it ol)e of the first the musical offerings that reflect our things to go?" _ · students> passion and enthusiasm. We Cant noted the central reason for encourage their vision and ideas?' disbanding the program was that the ~Sean Schmoyer When non•reappointment letters went out to.faculty, one area of concern ~as the univer$itfs marchirig band~ the Marching Ccn,o:nel$. Once word ·got ()U.t i, 0 �.J The Beacon -May 5, 2021 News 4 Race and diversity courses outlined for Fall 2021 semester By Emlly Cherkauskas Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor If any students are interested in taking a course in the Fall 2021 semester that discusses race and diversity, they are able to choose from a catalog of handpicked courses a list compiled by Dr. Christopher Zarpentine. Zarpentine, associate professor of philosophy and chair of the Division of Global Cultures, played an important role in organizing the list of courses, which can be viewed in the Today at Wilkes email announcement chain. With this list of courses, new and relevant topics for student discussion can bring forth fresh perspectives on what diversity and race can mean to the campus community on an intersectional basis. This comes after February's Open Forum on Race and the Curriculum and a handful of small student focus groups throughout April. Additionally, the Fall 2020 semester's Black Lives Matter protest on campus sparked an outspoken need for inclusive courses. "One of the things that came out of these discussions is that students don't always have an awareness of the courses and programs that we are already offering that address these topics," said Zarpentine. As chair of the Division of Global Cultures, Zarpentine is always aware of the various programs on campus that allow students to engage in societal discussion, including the minors in global cultures and women's and gender studies. Overall, the courses are offered in the programs of anthropology, economics, English, history, philosophy, political science, psychology and sociology. Many of the courses included on the list are designated as credited courses for the women's and gender studies minor. These courses are still open for registration, so it is encouraged that any interest.ed students should sign-up for them as soon as they can to ensure a seat. A large portion of the courses on the race and diversity list include English classes, with a handful of them being the general education requirement of ENG 120. Dr. Mischelle Anthony, associate professor and chair of the English department, feels that making more legible diversity values in Wilkes courses can allow the community to have a better sense of inclusivity. By engaging in the ENG 120 course, students can discuss a variety of authors with ranges in gender, identity, race and ethnicity and see how those perspectives have changed over time. "What better place to witness and discuss writings and research by diverse authors in our general education classrooms, where students across majors can take part and be changed by these conversations?" said Anthony. "Part of being interested in English studies is about examining the way our language and literature influence us." Another course that stands out from the rest is BIO 368: Medical Botany, a summer course offered by Dr. Kenneth Klemow, professor and chair of the biology department. It is the only STEM course currently featured on the race and diversity list, which can give the opportunity for interested STEM students to also partake in these discussions about diversity. BIO 368 involves the scientific overview of how plants can be used to treat various ailments, with the focus being placed on different cultures. "Plants have been used for thousands of years in that manner, and their specific usage is largely determined by cultural factors:• said Klemow. "Herbal remedies are the mainstay treatments for people living in Asia, Africa and South America. In Western cultures, they are the basis of a multi-million dollar industry:' A specific project includes Klemow, students and other professors actively researching to understand the ways that Japanese knotweed is able to produce a medically active chemical called resveratrol. These courses regarding diversity and race will also have the potential to help pave the way for the proposed interdisciplinary minor in African American and Africana Studies, a topic that was discussed during February's Open Forum. For Zarpentine, education is not just making the effort to let students learn new topics. He believes the quality of the education students receive plays a role in raising awareness on these issues. "We want to raise awareness about the courses that we already are offering that facilitate these important discussions and to help students understand their value;' said Zarpentine. "We also want to build on the foundation we have and find new ways to enrich the educational experience of our students by engaging with questions of diversity and inclusion throughout the curriculum." @wilkesbeacon Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Questions raised about campus-wide vaccine requirement By Arlel Reed Sports Editor Since the beginning of the school year, Wilkes has been battling with various difficulties surrounding COVID-19. A year with masks, limited events and condensed semesters has not been easy to overcome, but the hope of returning to normal may be possible through a potential campuswide vaccine requirement. "After seeing the immense amount of people on CPAPs (continuous positive airway pressure machines) and working with them in the hospitals, it's hard to forgo the numerous benefits of the vaccine," said junior nursing major Jess Turnitza. "I do believe the school should support the vaccine and consider mandating the vaccination. If you have the opportunity to receive the vaccine, get it. If you think of it this way - (Pennsylvania) schools and childcare centers require vaccines or at least a plan to complete appropriate vaccinations. If not, you may be unable to attend school (barring medical or religious 7 exemptions). I can see how this can be applicable to universities, especially since we're gathered in a small area:' Currently, the university is offering vaccines to those who want to get one. The next available reservation that students can make is on May 8. To secure a spot, students should check for an email from Today at Wilkes. As per the university's website, students who are living in the area can return to Wilkes for their second dose. Students who are returning to a home that is outside of the area or in another state should work with a local provider to arrange their second dose. This applies to those who are anticipating receiving their first dose on May 8. Although no official statement has been written on whether or not the school will require a vaccine, the members of Student Government stood at 63 percent in favor of requiring students to receive a vaccine. "We strongly encourage that members of our campus community get vaccinated:' said Justin Kraynack, associate vice president of operations and compliance. "At this time, vaccines are not required, but we will continue to revisit the topic as we approach the fall semester. As you'll see in many of the national new stories, this is something that many businesses, including colleges and universities, are grappling with. It may take some time before a final decision is made. We will continue to rely on guidance from the CDC, Department of Education and other federal and state sources as we weigh our decision:' Once an official decision has been reached, students will be made aware of what they will have to do. Not all Wilkes students are in favor of a vaccine, as some are skeptical of how quickly the vaccine was created. "The amount of time it took them to create the vaccine was much quicker than usual, which is pretty amazing," said Haley Greshko, sophomore political science major. "However, in order to do it that quickly, they did not complete the proper amount or types of trials. In my opinion, no establishment, whether a hospital or a school, should be able to mandate a vaccine that is not FDA approved. The COVID vaccine is only FDA authorized, an important difference, and should not be required in order to attend school. We do not know the long-term side effects of this vaccine, and until we do for sure, it should not be a consideration to mandate it." As per the FDA website, FDA "may authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products in an emergency to diagnose, treat or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions ... when certain statutory criteria have been met, including there are no adequate, approved and available alternatives." Questions as to whether or not the vaccine will be required for next semester have been addressed. No official decision has been made, as this is a decision that will require further consideration from administration. @wilkesbeacon Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Fall teams play exhibitio11 By Baylee Guedes & Kirsten Peters Sports Staff Writer, Editor-in-Chief Following the COVID-19 pandemic that created a halt in the athletic world, fall athletic teams were unable to compete in a regular season during Fall 2020. As spring sports have been underway for the Middle Atlantic Conference in a close to traditional fashion this season, the decision was made to allow fall sports to simultaneously play in a condensed exhibition season this spring. As a result, Wilkes' men's soccer, women's soccer, football, field hockey and women's volleyball teams competed in various exhibition contests during Spring 2021 that did not count toward their respective records. "Unfortunately, our fall sport teams missed a season of competition and the opportunity to compete in the MAC title games," said Athletic Director Addy Malatesta. "With guidance from the MAC presidents, every MAC school was given the option to conduct fall sport competition. Most fall sport teams played a compressed four-game conferenceonly schedule, and the football team played one exhibition game. It was very important to our coaches and the athletic department to give all of student-athletes an opportunity to wear their uniforms this semester:' Although the games did not count toward any team's record, Colonels from these five fall sports were enthusiastic about the opportunity to play again and face other teams. "After waiting over 500 days to play a game, we were so excited to get out on the field and play," said junior field hockey player Lauren Shiplett. "There is no feeling like playing with your teammates and being able to do amazing things together on the field. Everyone was excited to make themselves and the team better." As long as athletes tested negative and adhered to proper guidelines, they were able to participate in exhibition games. Prior to their exhibition "season:' athletes followed different phases of play that allowed them to slowly build-up their skills and return to practice. "Each phase added a few more players, but the predominant session was still based around technical skill work;' said men's soccer head coach Michael Piranian. "In the last phase, our players were able to compete in small-sided Men's soccer senlo a goal during WIike Andrew Slusser (ba sessions. Through a players kept masks o Additionally, ath: to the new regulati, place, which inch wearing a mask (for as well as having Ii and modified pract easing into full-tear "Due to COVl schedule was defii sophomore volleyb "Wearing masks r1 being able to com1 and not being able (team) in the fall." Murie was not al as sophomore Nie �L The Beacon - May 5, 2021 News 5 Wilkes hosts Pain and Addiction Summit with Dr. Drew Pinsky By Maddy Kinard News Staff Writer Wilkes University hosted the third Pennsylvania Pain and Addiction Summit virtually via Zoom, featuring well-known medical expert Dr. Drew Pinsky as the keynote speaker on April 23. The idea behind the Pennsylvania Pain and Addiction Summit was prompted in 2018 by Associate Professor of Pharmacy Dr. Thomas S. Franko. It was made possible by Margaret M. Petty, the director of the Center for Continued Learning, as well as Tonyehn Verkitus, executive director for the Lackawanna and Luzerne County Medical Societies. The Lackawanna and Luzerne County Medical Societies sponsored the summit. "The inspiration to start actually came from a presentation that two students and I gave on naloxone:' said Franko. "The real interesting thing was that the audience represented a bunch of different professions. After that session, (Petty) and I started talking and came up with the idea of a day-long summit, where we can get all of these professions together to learn with and from each other. When we approached (Verkitus) at the medical society, she loved the idea and that partnership really set the stage for collaboration between professions for the summit:' This summit provides the opportunity for physicians to be in the same room with all of the other professions that work on these issues. It also serves as the medium for an important goal: To fight against addiction stigmas and prevent overdoses. "It is rare that physicians get to hear from social workers, physical therapists, law enforcement or any of the other various folks we bring together at this conference; said Verkitus. "The opportunity for all of these passionate professionals to learn from one another is what makes this event so rewarding:' Last year, the summit had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To cooperate with COVID-19 guidelines and ensure their message was still being spread, a compromise was reached and a virtual event was created this year, consisting of multiple webinars for attendees to view throughout the day. "In 2018 and 2019, the summit was held live in-person at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs;' said Petty. "We are planning on holding the program in-person again in 2021:' The summit's theme for this year was ALL INCLUSIVE PREMIUM STUDENT APARTMENTS SINGLE ROOMS-... Doubles, Triples Available for 21-22 Student Housing 21-22 Apart:ments and Mansion Style Living 279 & 281 South River Mansions 165-167 West River Loft apartments... REGISTER NOWI WWW. ZNPROPERTIES.COM znpropertlesllc@gmall.com or call 570-592-3113 ' The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Dr. Drew Pinsky, a medical expert on substance abuse, gave the keynote lecture on the opioid epidemic during the Pain and Addiction Summit. "Collaboration for Change;' pulling from Luzerne County's STOP Coalition. 'This alliance was formed with the goal of creating a healthier community by reducing the lives lost to overdoses. "The evidence is clear that when we all bring our collective strengths together, the patient wins:' said Franko. This year, the summit brought in Pinsky as the keynote speaker to lead the webinar, "The Opioid Epidemic: How Did We Get Here and What Do We Do Now?" Pinsky is an addiction medicine specialist who has been featured on MTV series "Teen Mom'' and "16 and Pregnant;' as well as has published multiple books on the subject of substance abuse. "Having such a highly respected professional come speak is truly something special;' said Hunnter Maxwell, a P3 pharmacy student. "It speaks volumes to how passionate he is for topics such as pain and addiction to come speak at such an event close to campus:• During Pinksy's webinar, he discussed his career and how he got started in the medical industry, along with the origins of the opioid problem and its surge into an epidemic. "I saw the miracle of recovery,' said Pinksy. "I saw young people going from dying to better than they ever knew they could be:' Most importantly, the summit continues to hold beneficial information that is available to anyone who registers for the event. It is not just tailored to those in the healthcare field, as anyone can walk away learning something critical to not only their own well being but for those around them as well. "I am sure most people have had some type of pain in their lives;' said Maxwell. "How to handle your symptoms short- and long-term was something discussed a lot throughout the sessions I was in. On the topic ofaddiction as well, if you or someone you know has this issue, it was great to hear the support systems in place for people battling addiction:' The message does not end there for Maxwell, as he hosts a podcast, "Saturday Pharmacist: Hosted by Hunnter Maxwell" that airs every other Saturday on Youtube. Maxwell, accompanied by Franko, touches on public health topics that are pertinent to current issues in our world today. Wilkes University also has future healthcare seminars planned, including a free program on medical cannabis on May 6. Speakers include Dr. Jenna Carmichael an,d Second Lady of Pennsylvania Gisele Fetterman. For more information, please visit: https:/ I www.wilkes.edu/ academics/ continuedleaming/healthcare-seminars.aspx. @wilkesbeacon Made/ynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu r ��The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact life, arts & entertainment editor: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu American Society of Mechanical Engineers hosts car show Benefitting Veteran-s Promise, located in Dickson City, Pa. Compiled by Emily Cherkauskas Photos: The Beacon/Anna Culver The cloudy weather on April 25 could not stop ASME's car show. Owners of the vibrant blue Corvette (left) showed off Its beautlful deep blue finish. From pure white to chameleon print (right), cars enthusiasts made do with the potentlally rainy day and showed up to create a sea of shiny colors to assist ASME In donating funds to Veteran's Promise for Veteran suicide prevention. Cars of all types llned up In the Henry Student Center parking lot. All cars, even these two red mustangs, had unique variations between them from model and style to even the smallest detalls that visitors were able to take a look at. Classic, vintage and sports cars of all models and styles were parked with their hoods popped open to show off their Intricate engines, letting curious car enthusiasts take a peek at the care put Into their styles. Justin Burda,-mec-hanlc::al-and electrlcal engineering senior, took a seat In ASME's Baja. Burda was one of the many student volunteers at the car show, with proceeds and funds going to Veteran's Promise, a non-profit organization. r �_J The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Opinio1 Game night delight: Moody Foodie's sweet potato burrito snack Cena's "Be A Work In Progres5 By Anna Culver Staff Writer By Shawn Austin Staff Writer This recipe is easy to put together to impress your friends during the next game night. You also can make this recipe for yourself. Ingredients: I large sweet potato (about two cups of cooked potato) 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1/2 onion chopped 2 doves garlic, minced 3 cups kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup water 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin Pinch cayenne pepper or to taste 6 flour tortillas Cheese of your choice Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook your sweet potato and remove the skin. Then, mash it up in a bowl, and set it to the side. While cooking, start heating the oil in a medium skillet, and saute onion and garlic until soft. Mash the beans into the onions and garlic. Gradually stir in the water, and cook until consistency of refried beans. Add in soy sauce, chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper. Remove from heat when everything is mixed in. In a separate pan, heat a little bit of butter (just enough to cover the bottom of the pan), and place the tortillas on top. Keep this on low heat, and split your bean mixture and sweet potato on the tortilla topping with your choice of cheese. Once the tortillas are hot, fold them burritostyle and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until warmed through about 10-12 minutes. Enjoy! Allergies: Wheat, dairy, legumes Anna.Culver@wilkes.edu Graphic by Anna Culver The Beacon/Anna Culver This sweet potato burrito recipe Is a delicious guilty pleasure for any night to have something a llttle out of the ordinary. Each week, the lM1kes Beacon staff adds a song to their 2020-2021 Beacon Bumps play/1st under Chns Gowartys account on Spotify. Look below for this weeks list of songs. Kirsten Peters, Editor-in-Chief: Growin' Up - Walker McGuire Sean Schmoyer, Co-News Editor. Alaska - Little H.w:t Sara Ross, Co-News Editor: ~ Day - DNCf; Genny Frederick, Asst. News Editor: BQddy -...PjQ Maddy Kinard, News Staff Wnter. H~roes - David Bowte Emily Cherkauskas, LA&E Editor. I Threw Glass at My Er' end's Eyes and Now J'm on PrQbatioo - Destroy BQl'.& Jordan Daniel, Asst. LA&E Edrtor: clementine - Halm Breanna Ebisch, Co-Opinion Editor: W,atk Backwards - Maude Latour Dylan Mehl, Co-Opinion Editor: Aapstar - Polo G William Billingsley, Asst. Opinion Editor: ~Wal irig_ - mt Chain Gang of 1974 Ariel Reed, Sports Editor: 'stake - Elli a Chris Gowarty, Asst. Sports Editor: King of the Fall - The Weeknd Saylee Guedes, Sports Staff Writer: Whim 1i . Mia Walker, Lead Des'gner: EWM.M-Tiar IllQID Steffen Horwath, Staff Photograp er: W ~:...C.r~m Uz Cherinka, SociaJ Media Manager: Go.1.~ir.......L~-1-- Former WWE superstar and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author John Cena offers motivation and open-mindedness in his latest book, "Be a Work in Progress:' For the past 15 years, the public has known Cena as a professional wrestler, rapper, moviestar, philanthropist and social media sensation. Although his most famous phrase ("You can't see me:') insists that he is invisible to the eyes of others, Cena's most recent project renders him more transparent than ever. "Be a Work in Progress" was released alongside Cena's book of encouragements, "Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day'.' While "Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day" is better suited for children, "Be a Work in Progress" is a sufficient read for audience members of all ages. Ballantine Books published "Be a Work in Progress:• while Valeria Petrone provided illustrations. Aside from the efforts Cena put into "Be A Work In Progress;' he also stars in "Fast & Furious 9; which debuts in the United States on June 25, 2021. As the world fought, and continues to fight, the ails of COVID-19, lockdowns and quarantines, "Be a Work in Progress" serves to offer many people a moment of solitude and reflection. Prior to the pandemic, the display of hustle and restlessness seemed ever-important to contemporary society. By March 2020, that ideology was put to a halt, as COVID-19 forced businesses and institutions to close and/or operate remotely. The circumstance, although tragic and unfortunate on numerous levels, gave people around the world the opportunity to refuel and refocus their lives. One of those people happened to be Cena He opens "Be a Work in Progress" with a brief explanation as to why he wrote the book: "I generate these thoughts from self-reflection and self-exploration . . . We all have a lot on our minds, especially now, given the state of the world." The book is 169 pages of motivational quotes and illustrations. The material provides readers with insight into the life of the author and potentially themselves. It is imperative to note that the book was not what I expected it to be, but I am impressed by what it was. Instead of a typical autobiography to highlight the highs and lows of a career and personal life, "Be a Work in Progress" is an inspirational read that offers insightful advice tha that stems from Cena's life experiences. off. When I first noticed the brevity of the text on the pages, I was initially disappointed. in However, as I began to read the content, I W was quickly intrigued by the manner in which dei Cena chose to reflect on his life. l Although the current state of media his demands transparency to the highest degree sig from celebrities, Cena precisely chose to pla present his experiences in a more subtle, yet substantial manner. Sh This is important to highlight, as the m, former WWE superstar has shared prominent moments of his life with the public in the past. For the past decade or so, Cena's personal life has played out before audiences in an uncanny way. Outside of the WWE, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and a few "B" movies, Cena had kept a relatively low profile to the world for the majority of his career. AdOt tr in~ l' l t to I This began to change in 2012, when he started to date Nicole Garcia, also known as "Nikki Bella" in the WWE. w: As time progressed in the relationship, his personal life began to be exposed to g{ mainstream media due to the nature in which it Garcia presented herself to the world. 01 Garcia and her sister Brie were the main stars of the reality television show, "Total lo Divas;' as well as currently being the main stars y< of their spin-off show, "Total Bellas:' With this being the case, Garcia and Cena's ai relationship played out on television. One of ye the biggest issues in their relationship was Cena's reluctance to have children, despite pc Garcia's desire to start a family. Five years into their relationship, Cena re proposed to Garcia at WrestleMania 33. Less a1 JOHN C • �L The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Returning to normal: Summer Orientation to be held in-person By Emlly Cherkauskas Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor While trying to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, many beloved Wilkes events and programs turned to online formats, including first-year student orientation. However, for the incoming Classes of 2025 and 2027, these new students will be able to attend the college staple of summer orientation in-person. Last year, orientation was completely virtual with online meetings and tasks that students and e-mentors were involved in, something that incoming students can avoid. Melissa Howells, director of Student Development, oversaw the changes made for this year. "We decided that, while the orientation that was delivered last year was informative, it lacked in displaying what Wilkes does best: having a powerful sense of community;' said Howells. The summer orientation will be held as a one-day session across six days, where students can choose which day they prefer. The Student Development Office decided that the traditional two-day, overnight experience was too risky to tiptoe along COVID-19 prevention guidelines, so this was the most fitting decision in order to-still bring new students to campus. "Students will be able to meet with their academic adviser to finalize their fall schedule; meet their e-mentor; hear about living on or commuting to campus; meet with a Financial Aid counselor; meet the staff of the Center for Global Education and Diversity Initiatives; even Socialize the Wilkes WAE;' said Howells. Campus resources will be constantly available for students during orientation, even if they just want to chat. In exchange for the shortened summer orientation, Student Development hopes to expand Welcome Weekend into a longer event, just to let first-year Colonels take in the spirit of Wilkes and grow closer to their classmates over a greater period of time. Howells also feels confident in the support group that stands with her in Student Development with the large number of e-mentors and student coordinators, all of whom are eager to meet these new students and be able to physically welcome them to the Wilkes campus. Junior communication studies student Donald Ballou, this year's orientation coordinator, is in charge of creating and organizing the activities of the summer orientation and Welcome Weekend events. He helped make sure that COVID-19 protocols are able to be followed while simultaneously ensuring the incoming class can travel to campus and meet each other. "I'm very excited to hopefully introduce some fun changes to orientation and involve parts of the university not really touched on by past orientations yet;' said Ballou. "The theme we're going for this summer is 'vibey: We're hoping to fqcus on expanding mindsets, welcoming new perspectives and finding confidence in new areas of ourselves in our new incoming class." The announcement of an in-person summer orientation is a stark contrast to the isolated world of last year's campus atmosphere. For many, it brings hope. Angela Croop, neuroscience and psychology junior and first-year student orientation e-mentor coordinator, was left feeling positive and hopeful by the changes. After all, many of these incoming first-year students had lost the experience of their remaining days of high school due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I am hoping to see a sense of normalcy return to the first-year students;• said Croop. "Many of their high school activities may have been canceled or held virtually, so this is a refreshing and new experience for them in more ways than one. Above all, I am mainly just hoping to see everyone have a great time and enjoy the day on campus:' Kevin Long, former student body president for the 2020-2021 school year, welcomed the current first-year student body in that completely online environment. This summer, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel and trusts that Wilkes will have all COVID-19 precautions in place. He is confident that Wilkes will take the time of this remaining semester to safely organize the orientation. "Orientation is a key part of the journey through college as the first step;' said Long. "So to bring back the in-person and traditional way that Wilkes has always welcomed our new Colonels will be a welcomed sight, as hopefully we are nearing the end of the recent pandemic that has changed all of our lives." @wilkesbeacon Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu ALL DAY. EVERY DAY. 16 oz. Aluminum Cans S1.75 Fireball Shots 51.75 Pinnacle Bombs S2.00 Twisted Tea S3.00 Redds 53.00 Corona & Heineken Bottles 53.00 SBC Drafts and Bottles 53.00 32. oz. Bacardi or Deep S7.50 Eddy Pitchers Bucket Specials (5, 16 oz. cons) S9.00 Bar: Monday thru. Saturday 5p.m. •2a.m. Kitchen: Monday thru. Saturday 5p.m. -10 p.m. LOCATED: 133 N. MAIN STREET SHOW YOUR WILKES 10 AND GET 10% OFF r �.J The Beacon - May 5, 2021 10 Life, Arts & Entertainment Liz's Craft Column: Painted wooden door welcome home sign By Liz Cherlnka Social Media Manager Nothing says "welcome" quite like a sign on your door that literally says "welcome." During these times, it is hard to welcome people into your home, but it is important to keep the spirit of better times alive. To make this affordable DIY wood plaque welcome sign, you will need a circle or oval wooden plaque, three colors of acrylic paint, paintbrushes, painters or masking tape, hot glue, metal lettering that says "welcome" and optional fake flowers or ribbon. The paint can be three shades of the same color, a color scheme or a fun set of colors that represents something, such as a flag. Be creative with the color choice. All of these materials can be found at any craft store, such as Joann Fabrics and Michaels. The lettering can either be purchased as one piece or individual letters, depending on how large the plaque is. The example uses a one-piece lettering and a small oval plaque. To start, decide where the first line of paint will begin, and mark it with the tape to create a straight line. The first line will be roughly around the middle of the plaque. The example starts a little less than halfway down, allowing for almost equal parts of color and wood. Then, grab the lightest of the three paint shades or whichever color comes first in the sequence. The example uses white, light pink and a medium pink, so white is the first. Paint the whole bottom of the plaque with the lightest shade to add a background, if it is the lightest of three shades. If the colors do not correlate in that way, use another piece of tape to section it off, and paint within that part. You might want to start off by sectioning out three parts with tape if they cannot be a background to each other. Wait for this to be completely dry. Now, take the second shade of paint. Tape off the section for this color. If this color can also be a background, feel free to just start after the first color's section and paint the rest in that color. If not, fill in the taped section with that color. Two coats of paint might be necessary, but again, be patient and allow time to dry. For the final color, repeat the same steps. Once all the paint is dry, take a small paint brush and fix up any edges that may have leaked under the tape. It is time to add the welcome part of the welcome sign. Find a spot where the lettering looks appealing to you, and use hot glue to add it to the plaque. This could be the end of the D IY or you can go a step further to add some detail. The example uses small fake flowers to match the pink color scheme. To add flowers, cut the stems short and hot glue the remaining part of the stems onto the top of the plaque. This adds a small flair to the decoration. Another option is a ribbon detail. You can make or buy a bow matching the color scheme and add it onto the top using hot glue. To make a bow, fold the ribbon into a "ribbon" shape or an "O" with two tails, and hot glue in the middle. Add a small piece of ribbon around the center of the bow to finish it, and glue in the back. The bow is now ready to be attached to the plaque. Once any details are added, the plaque is finished. Feel free to welcome a safe number of people into your space in a fun and decorative way. ~ • By Rudy Urenovlch 1) First, decide where the first llne of paint wlll start, and mark It with the tape to create a straight line. The first llne wlll be roughly up to the middle of the plaque. Preferably, start with the lightest shade, which wlll allow the colors to easily stack and correlate. 2) After painting the first layer, take off the tape before It dries to avoid chipping. Continue to mark tape In the areas where you are painting. If there are any Imperfections, take a small brush and paint along the edges to smooth everything out. Opi The ~ever-ending debate of OJ Staff Writer Well, fellow Wilkes students and faculty, this extremely long and strange year is finally coming to a close. It is bewildering; this has been both the longest and shortest school year I have ever experienced. Mentally, I am still in March 2020, yet my physical being keeps pushing on day after day as 2021 marches on. I must confess, one of the biggest challenges that I faced during this academic year was balancing online and in-person classes. I vividly remember last spring when we went totally virtual, while others shed tears leaving campus and saying goodbye to friends, I was quite content as an introvert with my laptop being my lifeline to Wilkes. The thought of fully online classes really did not phase me at all, and for the most part, I feel like I learned and performed just as well as I did in any normal semester. I rather enjoyed making my own schedule, learning and completing assignments at my own pace. I really felt like I was "adulting." It taught me how to prioritize my tasks and how to be totally self-reliant. I do think that I carried that morale with me into the hybrid school term we had this spring, but the cons of online classes finally emerged. I must admit I faltered when it came to balancing my online classes with my in-person classes, as well as jobs and extracurricular activities. I feel like I often brushed my online classes aside, simply because they were the easiest to ignore. If I was not on the computer, they might as well have not even existed. I found myself missing due dates and turning assignments in late more frequently than I have ever done before. I felt like I was playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek with my online assignments, with the Wilkes Live site as the chaperone. In addition to all of this, I am a commuter, which made having to juggle virtual and face-to-face classes considerably more difficult. I would have a virtual class followed by an in-person class, followed by another online class. This made commuting especially taxing, as I do not have a room on campus where I could attend my virtual courses, and I would have to arrive and depart campus at Change of weekend library l By Breanna Eblsch Co-Opinion Editor Elizabeth.Cherinka@wilkes.edu Graphic by Anna Culver Photos: The Beacon/Liz Cherinka Liz's Craft Rating: Two out of five yarn-balls. This DIY wood plaque Is affordable with materials being able to be purchased from a wide variety of stores, since the required supplies are simple. Addltlonally, the customization allows for an easy tutorial - just make sure you are confident The Beacon - May 5, 2021 3) Once you are finished painting the plaque, let the paint dry. After those steps are completed, prepare your welcome sign. carefully, hot glue the sign onto the plaque, and let dry. If you like the simple look of the plaque, you can leave It completed as Is. 4) If you would like to further decorate the plaque, there are multiple options for you, such as adding a ribbon. This example uses small fake flowers, which matches the color scheme. The personalization will help make your home extra welcoming. Share your completed crafts with us! Tag us on our lnstagram account @wilkesbeacon 'Vith your craft. #LizsCraft:Column As if places to study on campus were not already limited, especially now due to COVID-19, the library changed its Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to midnight to 3 to 11 p.m., as oflast week. While the weekend hours were already shorter than the weekdays, this change is quite frustrating for several reasons. Many students, myself included, utilize the library to study, meet in groups for class projects or to complete assignments in a different setting other than their room. The building gives every student on campus the opportunity to use its resources and help enhance their academic career by giving them a space to complete their schoolwork. With the loss of workspaces in Starbucks, the soon-to-be nonexistent Student Lounge in the Student Union Building and several other study spaces on campus due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, the library has become the hub for the campus community and allows students to continue on almost as normal in what still is not a "usual" semester. And now, as the semester reaches its busiest point leading up to final exams, the library decides that reducing its already short weekend hours was a good choice. But, I can assure you that it is not. Prior to this recent change, the library was open on both Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., which was already at a later hour than desired by many. Although the basement floor is open and accessible 24/7, it is not the ideal location for studying or working on assignments for a majority of the student body. Sure, it is convenient, but it is certainly not where you want to camp-out for hours. So, what is the benefit of changing the hours and making the library open later in the day and during less acceptable times for students who want to get an early start on their coursework? Why does the decision come during the busiest weeks for the campus community? How does this change help students overall? Isn't the library meant to be both accessible and the most valuable resource �L The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 11 All Belgium, Wilkes-Barre's newest Belgian waffle dessert truck By Emlly Cherkauskas Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor What does it mean to have a delicious dessert in the Wyoming Valley? According to Toon De Schepper, sophomore sports management major, and Billy Berry, sophomore financial investments major, all it takes is crafting together a prime Belgian waffle recipe. De Schepper, a native of Nieuwenrode, Belgium, came to Wilkes and met Berry. As they have been roommates since they were first-year students and teammates alongside each other on the men's ice hockey team, their friendship grew immensely. "I got to know (De Schepper) the first day we stepped on campus, and we both have played hockey our whole lives, resulting in our worlds colliding here at Wilkes; said Berry. ''We have been glued to each other's hips since:' In his time living in Wilkes-Barre, De Schepper discovered the revelation that something was missing in this region; all he asked for was to have a simple, authentic Belgian waffle. Unfortunately, he found a lack of such a thing - and he sought to change that. "People would talk about how good 'Belgian waffles' are, but they have yet to experience an authentic Belgian waffle:' said De Schepper. "And because there is no similar food truck around the area, we thought it would be a great idea to bring that to Wilkes-Barre:• Thus, their project was born: All Belgium, a food truck that seeks to bring authentic Belgian waffles to students and members of the Wilkes-Barre community. One day, De Schepper and Berry hope to turn their small business start-up into a large chain that reaches to all of the craving foodies of America. "We are focused on our Wilkes-Barre truck for now, but we are planning on expanding with multiple food trucks in other cities across the country; said De Schepper. "The end goal is to be a nationwide-known company that serves Belgian waffles all over America:' Despite having begun their project recently, All Belgium has already garnered a loyal fanbase in the Wilkes-Barre area, showing their loving support of De Schepper and Berry's food truck. "Keep it up boys, as it looks like it's comin' All Belgium Is a brand new food truck that wlll be driving along the streets of together," read one comment online. The Wllke!rBarre In the future. Keep an eye out, and be sure to grab a waffle when rest of All Belgium's social media comment you see It. They are currently creating their menu of waffles (shown below). sections are littered with hearts and food emojis, eager to see the new food truck and get a taste of some freshly made waffles that hold the magic of Belgian culture. As De Schepper and Berry further work diligently in crafting up some delicious Belgian waffle recipes, they plan to stop their food truck by the Wilkes campus some time in the near future. For further updates, follow their Instagram account @allbelgium and take a gander at their upcoming meals - just try not to drool everywhere. @wilkesbeacon Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu A Liege waffle with some bananas, strawberries and chocolate sauce. A savory strawberry chocolate sauce topped on a waffle. 7 Photos courtesy of Billy Berry, Toon De Schepper and All Belgium Sophomores BIiiy Berry (left) and Toon De Schepper (right) are the creators of All Belgium. They hope to bring delicious waffles to the WIikes-Barre community with their unique food truck. A combination of blscoff and waffles, topped with whipped cream. A waffle topped with chocolate, bananas and strawberries. r �_J The Beacon - May 5, 2021 12 Senior Farewell ( ( SPRING 2021 SENIOR SEND OFF STAFF FAREWEL.L.S lhe Bea(on would like to send its sin(erest farewells to: "Each senior has brought something to the staff that will be greatly missed but, more importantly, remembered and mimicked in the years to come. Kirsten and Dylan have a skill in the way they cover all things related to sports. Dylan and Will are not afraid to write the content theyconsidervaluable in opinion, and I greatly admire that Kirsten and Steffen's photography have been a great aid in many stories. I wish all of them the best of luck in everything they go on to do, and I thank them all for everything they have taught me:' - Sean Schmoyer, Co-News Ediwr Kirsten Peters, Editor-in- Chief Dylan Mehl, Co-Opinion Editor William Billingsley, Assistant Opinion Editor Steffen Horwath, Staff Photographer (Pictured from left to right.) Page Design/Layout: Mia Walker Photos: Steffen Horwath & Kirsten Peters ( ( When trying to write a reflection of my time with The Beacon, it's almost impossible to put into words how much this paper has meant to me. Honestly, I've stared at a blank screen trying to determine the best way to compose my thoughts and express my gratitude, but for as much as I love writing, I'm used to being the journalist reporting on various topics - none of which include writing about myself. Yet, here we are - a reflection of my four years on staff in a matter of a few hundred words. I guess the easiest place to start is that I never knew this is how my experience with The Beacon would transpire. In high school, I was the sports editor for our campus newspaper, Del.Aware, and that sports writing experience is the reason I joined The Beacon as a first-year student. My love for baseball and passion for sports photography allowed me to find my niche. After a year of covering sports, and truthfully enhancing my writing abilities more than I'd like to admit, I earned the position of co-sports editor alongside Ben Mandell, a position I held for two consecutive years as a sophomore and a junior. But who knew I'd become the editorin-chief my final year at Wilkes? I'll tell you who - Luke Modrovsky, a former Beacon editor-in-chief. From the time I wrote an article as a staff writer in 2017 on intramural sports that made its way onto the front page of the paper, Luke has told me that he knew I would be the paper's editor-in-chief. I didn't see it - I didn't see that position as an opportunity until I realized how much I cared about the quality of the paper, having things done correctly, making improvements and providing feedback. I'm glad Luke, Ben, Cabrini Rudnicki and Dr. Kalen Churcher saw that the editor-in-chief position could be a fit for me before I did because I truly believe my identity on campus has been defined specifically by time with The Beacon, as well as in other leadership roles with Wilkes Now! TV and the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Initially, the Sports section of the paper was my baby, but this past year, the entire paper became my baby. I wasn't just a writer and photographer, covering game stories, player features, heartbreaking championship losses and thrilling playoff berths. Instead, I began to look through another lens as someone who could have a real impact on the weekly paper and all of its editors, writers, photographers and graphic designers. Hopefully, my weekly feedback for each section, my one-on -one meetings with anyone on staff and my tender love and care for each and every page, sentence, photo and caption of the paper will have left its mark. As someone who takes an almost indescribable amount of pride in anything that has my name attached to it, The Beacon has become an extra limb extended from my body. I think my peers would agree that my time spent on the paper throughout the week, my Beacon Sundays of going through every last detail of that week's 24-page edition, my countless color-coded emails, and so much more will make it hard for me not to identify as The Beacon's EIC anymore. To everyone who impacted my experience with The Beacon - thank you! To those who came before me and provided me with feedback, constructive criticism and, most importantly, encouragement: I am grateful to have had such tremendous predecessors. To those who I have had the ability to lead during this unique time of a COVID-19 pandemic college experience: I hope you know how much you impacted me and how much I hoped to have offered some takeaway for you to enhance your ability as journalists. Being the editor-in-chief of The Beacon was the most time-consuming, frustrating and simultaneously rewarding and enlightening experience I endured as a soon-to-be Wilkes University alumna. Thank you toeveryonewhohasmadewriting this reflection and dosing this chapter of my life so difficult. I'll miss being the EIC more than I can put into words. ) ) "Kirsten is someone I have gotten to know quite well over the past year. To me, she is much more than our Beacon leader, as she is also a friend to not only me but to many on The Beacon staff. Kirsten pushes us to do our best and is always willing to lend a hand. Whether she is helping out with tips on InDesign layout or providing us with advice on our articles, it is easy to tell that she cares and is passionate about the newspaper." - Sara Ross, Co-News Editor "The seniors at The Beacon have brought an indescribable amount of life to the paper. It has been nothing short of incredible to learn how to be a better journalist, a better student and a better person from each of the~. The Beacon will certainly miss their smiles, hard work and dedication in the future, but we are very thankful to have worked with them for as long as we did:' ( ( l - BreannaEbisch, Co-Opinion Editor "Dylan and I have been inseparable from thestartofmycareerin the COM department He is one of my favorite people who will always be there for me and give me the hard advice I may or may not necessarily want to hear. I will forever cherish our friendship, many radio memories together and of course all the food runs we have gone on. Also, I have never encountered someone who is as passionate, self-motivated and indispensable as Kirsten. She was the first person I worked for on the paper. I still vividly remember my first article that I wrote and how she sat me down to make me better. You are everything I aspire to be, and I would be oh-so-lucky to be even an ounce like you in the future:' - Ariel Reed, Sports Editor ~ Colonel Proud ~ ~ ~ Senior The Beacon - May 5, 2021 The Beacon has been a great experience for me as a writer. I was inexperienced with a lot to learn, but the great staff my sophomore year brought me in and made me part of the team. Through late nights, a few disagreements and plenty of hours writing, I have become a better writer than I could have ever imagined. Some of my most memorable pieces are my Top 10 Athletes of All Time, my feature on Wilkes women's basketball coach Tara Macciocco and the plethora of sporting events I covered. While I can go on about all of the writing techniques, styles and ideas I learned, I think when I look back on my time on staff, I will most remember the friendships I built Tuesday pizza in the bubble will forever be a vibe. Having written for multiple sections, I have been all over the place. This diversity has improved my ability to work with a variety of people, I have also been able to combine my two favorite things - sports and having an opinion. Four years ago, I would have never imagined applying to be a sports writer at companies I grew up watching, reading and idolizing, but the opportunity to explore my passion in this paper has put me in just that position. If I gave advice to future writers, editors or anyone interested in joining The Beacon, I would encourage them to go for it and explore a variety of options. You only have one life, so you need to chase every dream you have, and there is no better place to do that than college. I want to give a big thank you to all of my fellow staff members both past and present, Dr. Churcher and all the readers. Without all of the people mentioned above, I would not be the writer I am today- not even dose. I will forever be grateful to everyone who has helped me on this journey that is just beginning. ) ) When I first started writing for The Beacon last fall, I did so with absolutely no expectations for what might happen. After all, I literally had zero experience in writing anything outside of an academic setting, much less a college newspaper. But events that occurred this past summer, like the university quietly firing Dr. Alberto Prado or reopening despite the COVID-19 pandemic, made me realize that if no one else was going to speak up and speak out about these issues, then I'd have to do it myself. And speak out I did. Whether it be sobering topics like third-party voting, the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg or more sanguine topics like banana bread, I tested the waters of this unknown river for the very first time. Although I had thought myself to be wildly out of my depth as the semester progressed, I would soon learn that I had somehow placed second in a statewide college-level newspaper competition for column writing, which was a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. And of course, I only grew more ambitious in what I wrote about as time went on. From the loathed campus bookstore, the renaming of Sullivan Hall, the lack of recycling at the YMCA and even issues with The Writing Center's feedback, I purposefully chose topics that ranged the gamut from obscure to the high-profile - but all were issues that I cared about. Clearly, I must have dove into the river at some point, determined to figure out where the current would take me. Still, I often found myself asking if what �12 'ell The Beacon - May 5, 2021 ( ( tlOR SEND OFF ~s someone who takes an almost escribable amount of pride in anything t has my name attached to it, The Beacon become an extra limb extended from body. I think my peers would agree that time spent on the paper throughout the :k, my Beacon Sundays of going through ry last detail of that week's 24-page :ion, my countless color-coded emails, so much more will make it hard for me to identify as The Beacon's EIC anymore. o everyone who impacted my experience 1 The Beacon - thank you! To those 1 came before me and provided me with lback, constructive criticism and, most ortantly, encouragement: I am grateful ave had such tremendous predecessors. hose who I have had the ability to lead ng this unique time of a COVID-19 :lemic college experience: I hope you w how much you impacted me and much I hoped to have offered some away for you to enhance your ability mrnalists. Being the editor-in-chief of Beacon was the most time-consuming, :rating and simultaneously rewarding enlightening experience I endured as ,on-to-be Wilkes University alumna. 1k you to everyone who has made writing reflection and closing this chapter of ife so difficult. I'll miss being the more than I can put into words. ) ) STAFF FAAEWEl.laS "Each senior has brought something to the staff that will be greatly missed but, more importantly, remembered and mimicked in the years to come. Kirsten and Dylan have a skill in the way they cover all things related to sports. Dylan and Will are not afraid to write the contenttheyconsidervaluable in opinion, and I greatly admire that Kirsten and Steffen's photography have been a great aid in many stories. I wish all of them the best of luck in everything they go on to do, and I thank them all for everything they have taught me:' - Sean Schmoyer, Co-News Editor "Kirsten is someone I have gotten to know quite well over the past year. To me, she is much more than our Beacon leader, as she is also a friend to not only me but to many on The Beacon staff. Kirsten pushes us to do our best and is always willing to lend a hand. Whether she is helping out with tips on InDesign layout or providing us with advice on our articles, it is easy to tell that she cares and is passionate about the newspaper:' - Sara Ross, Co-News Editor "The seniors at The Beacon have brought an indescribable amount of life to the paper. It has been nothing short of incredible to learn how to be a better journalist, a better student and a better person from each of them. The Beacon will certainly miss their smiles, hard work and dedication in the future, but we are very thankful to have worked with them for as long as we did:' - Breanna Flnsch, Co-Opinion Editor "Dylan and I have been inseparable from thestartofmycareerintheCOMdepartment He is one of my favorite people who will always be there for me and give me the hard advice I may or may not necessarily want to hear. I will forever cherish our friendship, many radio memories together and of course all the food runs we have gone on. Also, I have never encountered someone who is as passionate, self-motivated and indispensable as Kirsten. She was the first person I worked for on the paper. I still vividly remember my first article that I wrote and how she sat me down to make me better. You are everything I aspire to be, and I would be oh-so-lucky to be even an ounce like you in the future:' - Ariel Reed, Sports Editor ~ ~ Colonel Proud ' ~ Senior Farewell ( ( The Beacon has been a great experience for me as a writer. I was inexperienced with a lot to learn, but the great staff my sophomore year brought me in and made me part of the team. Through late nights, a few disagreements and plenty of hours writing, I have become a better writer than I could have ever imagined Some of my most memorable pieces are my Top 10 Athletes of All Time, my feature on Wtlkes women's basketball coach Tara Macdocco and the plethora of sporting events I covered. While I can go on about all of the writing techniques, styles and ideas I learned, I think when I look back on my time on staff, I will most remember the friendships I built Tuesday pizza in the bubble will forever be a vibe. Having written for multiple sections, I have been all over the place. This diversity has improved my ability to work with a variety of people, I have also been able to combine my two favorite things - sports and having an opinion. Four years ago, I would have never imagined applying to be a sports writer at companies I grew up watching, reading and idolizing, but the opportunity to explore my passion in this paper has put me in just that position. If I gave advice to future writers, editors or anyone interested in joining The Beacon, I would encourage them to go for it and explore a variety of options. You only have one life, so you need to chase every dream you have, and there is no better place to do that than college. I want to give a big thank you to all of my fellow staff members both past and present, Dr. Churcher and all the readers. Without all of the people mentioned above, I would n~t be the writer I am today- not even close. I will forever be grateful to everyone_"'.ho has _hel~ed ) ) me on this journey that ts Just begmrung. When I first started writing for The Beacon last fall, I did so with absolutely no expectations for what might happen. After all, I literally had zero experience in writing anything outside of an academic setting, much less a college newspaper. But events that occurred this past summer, like the university quietly firing Dr. Alberto Prado or reopening despite the COVID-19 pandemic, made me realize that if no one else was going to speak up and speak out about these issues, then I'd have to do it myself. And speak out I did. Whether it be sobering topics like third-party voting, the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg or more sanguine topics like banana bread, I tested the waters of this unknown river for the very first time. Although I had thought myself to be wildly out of my depth as the semester progressed, I would soon learn that I had somehow placed second in a statewide college-level newspaper competition for column writing, which was a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. And of course, I only grew more ambitious in what I wrote about as time went on. From the loathed campus bookstore, the renaming of Sullivan Hall, the lack of recycling at the YMCA and even issues with The Writing Center's feedback, I purposefully chose topics that ranged the gamut from obscure to the high-profile - but all were issues that I cared about. Clearly, I must have dove into the river at some point, determined to figure out where the current would take me. Still, I often found myself asking if what I was writing about mattered at all in the slightest. After all, if nothing changed, wouldn't that mean that it was all for naught? But you know, I eventually realized that it wasn't only about the desired end result - it was also about the articles that we wrote along the way. Because the fact is that just saying something, anything, is far better than saying nothing at all. And if my political science or history majors have taught me anything, it's that these organizations are usually hoping that you take your criticism and grumble quietly about it so that they can do what they want, with as little feedback as possible from those who it affects the most. In other words, just shut up and fall in line. Just look at how we ended up with a campus bookstore. So instead, speak up and speak out. Be like Master Gibbs: "Everyone's thinking it, I'm just saying if' Overall, in looking back on my year with The Beacon, I can safely say that my lone regret was not coming aboard sooner. Just imagine how many other banana bread-esque articles and editorials I might have concocted with an additional three years on staff! Still, I've greatly enjoyed having the chance to write about the issues I care about. I may not know where this river is headed, but I'm optimistic about the journey ahead. So if there's something amiss with our campus or even the wider world and nobody seems to be caring about it, why not start the discussion and become one of the journalists of tomorrow? After all, what's the worst that could happen? ) ) 13 ( ( Throughout my four years at Wilkes, I have been part of The Beacon as the photographer for the News section. It was always nice to have something other than math and science to expand my knowledge and interests across campus and to balance my life interests. Through my time on the newspaper, I have covered events for pharmacy, the Sordoni Art Gallery, clubs and award ceremonies. I spent most of my time photographing professors for their profiles and helping students understand a bit more about professional life. I never thought of news photography as my forte, rather I prefer adventure, analog and landscape photography, but working for The Beacon allowed me to try out a bit of environmental portraiture and focus on a story through images. I have definitely benefited from working at The Beacon and gaining comfort in portraiture. I am thankful for being able to capture our events and the people of Wilkes University to be ingrained in history for many years to come. You know the saying, "Take a picture, it'll last longer." After school, I am moving to Durango, Colo., to work for a small engineering firm. It's nothing to do with photography, but with my improved skills and confidence in environmental portraiture, I feel as though I will be able to see my photos pop with the energy of my new adventure. I will be able to see and enjoy my surroundings with a new perspective and appreciation learned through my time as a photographer. Creating a balance between creativity and rational mindsets proves to be a quick way of adapting to surroundings, new experiences and becoming a well-rounded individual. ) ) r �The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Opinion 14 Opinion Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact co-opinion editors: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu and Dylan.Mehl@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2020-21 ------~ur Voi~----- MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Kirsten Peters Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher Each week, The Beacon's editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. SECTION EDITORS News - Sean Schmoyer Sara Ross LA&E - Emily Cherkauskas Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Dylan Mehl Sports - Ariel Reed ASSISTANT EDITORS News - Genevieve Frederiek LA&E • Jordan Daniel Opinion - William Billingsley Sports - Christopher Gowarty SECTION STAFF WRITERS News - Madelynn Kinard Sports - Baylee Guedes DESIGNERS Lead Designer - Mia Walker Photographer - Steffen Horwath Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Interested in joining or advertising in The Beacon? To learn more, contact: Kirsten.Peters@wllkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Socials: @wilkesbeacon w. lbeBeacon Est.1936 Pa.Ne Assodatio:rber We need better research into gun violence Eight people were killed in a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis on April 15. Ten people were killed in a grocery store in Boulder, Colo., on March 22. Eight people, including six women of Asian descent, were killed across three spas in the Atlanta area on March 16. All three events have one thing in common: gun violence. These are just three mass shootings that have occurred this year alone, and this list does not include individual incidents of gun violence, such as a police officer firing their gun instead of their Taser. While these events often usher forth calls for gun control, restrictions and even the banning of firearms, that may be too hasty. There is no denying that the United States has a gun violence problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published reports that indicate there were just under 40,000 deaths that could be attributed to firearms in the U.S. in 2019. While most of those deaths are suicides, the fact that homicides are the second largest contributor should still be a cause for concern. Moreover, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation collects data from every country about the lives lost by every possible cause of death. The U.S. has significantly more violent gun deaths per 100,000 people than other "wealthy countries;' like Canada and the United Kingdom. The U.S. has the 32nd highest rate of deaths from gun violence in the world, which begs the question: If we know the numbers and the comparisons, why has no solution been found after all these years? The answer may lie in the National Rifle Association, which backed legislation to help prevent public funding for research into gun violence that would be used to enforce or support gun control. This governmental regulation is known as the Dickey Amendment after its author Jay Dickey, and in direct result of it, research groups have found that the CDC's funding for firearm injury prevention has fallen 96 percent since the passing of the Dickey Amendment in 1996. The NRA primarily, and other gun rights organizations as well, has spent more money in the past eight years than gun control advocates have. This is all in the NRA'.s favor, as it claims that more guns makes the country safer. While some may push blame for the Dickey Amendment and the CDC's massive cut to their budget away from the NRA, it should be stated that the Dickey Amendment was in direct response to a case study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study stated that keeping a gun in the home was strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of homicide. The NRA in direct response campaigned for the CDC's budget to be cut in relation to such research. While the U.S. has made some moves to allow and fund research into gun violence, the NRA still stands as a staunch opponent to research into gun violence that would advocate for gun control. The problem with that stance is not that the NRA is wrong for wanting fair and balanced research. Researchers should go into their studies on gun violence with no preconceived outcomes. If a researcher is looking for research to support gun control, it would be a flawed and problematic study - just as it would be if research was conducted on gun violence looking to draw the opposite conclusion (that gun violence shows no reason to enforce gun control policies). Arguing with the NRA over unbiased research is not the goal. It is in everyone's interest if research remains unbiased. The NRA'.s efforts then are flawed because it hurts all research. What our country needs before enforcing gun control policies is a clear understanding on the impact of guns and gun violence on our country - through data and analysis. The sooner research is better funded and is looking at gun violence, the less the U.S. will have to see its large number of casualties in relation to firearms increase. @wilkesbeacon TheWi/kesBeacon@wilkes.edu Letter to the editor .policy: The Beacon .welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: TheWilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-2962 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �. l le Entertainment The Beacon - May 5, 2021 ,oden door welcome home sign The never-ending debate of online versus in-person classes·· By Rudy Urenovlch Staff Writer f e e u I. 0 d .e .e ir u ,r 1) First, decide where the first llne of paint wlll start, and mark It with the tape to create a straight llne. The first llne wlll be roughly up to the middle of the plaque. Preferably, start with the lightest shade, which wlll allow the colors to easily stack and correlate. 2) After painting the first layer, take off the tape before It dries to avoid chipping. Continue to mark tape In the areas where you are painting. If there are any Imperfections, take a small brush and paint along the edges to smooth everything out. Well, fellow Wilkes students and faculty, this extremely long and strange year is finally coming to a close. It is bewildering; this has been both the longest and shortest school year I have ever experienced. Mentally, I am still in March 2020, yet my physical being keeps pushing on day after day as 2021 marches on. I must confess, one of the biggest challenges that I faced during this academic year was balancing online and in-person classes. I vividly remember last spring when we went totally virtual, while others shed tears leaving campus and saying goodbye to friends, I was quite content as an introvert with my laptop being my lifeline to Wilkes. The thought of fully online classes really did not phase me at all, and for the most part, I feel like I learned and performed just as well as I did in any normal semester. I rather enjoyed making my own schedule, learning and completing assignments at my own pace. I really felt like I was "adulting." It taught me how to prioritize my tasks and how to be totally self-reliant. Opinion I do think that I carried that morale with me into the hybrid school term we had this spring, but the cons of online classes finally emerged. I must admit I faltered when it came to balancing my online classes with my in-person classes, as well as jobs and extracurricular activities. I feel like I often brushed my online classes aside, simply because they were the easiest to ignore. If I was not on the computer, they might as well have not even existed. I found myself missing due dates and turning assignments in late more frequently than I have ever done before. I felt like I was playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek with my online assignments, with the Wilkes Live site as the chaperone. In addition to all of this, I am a commuter, which made having to juggle virtual and face-to-face classes considerably more difficult. I would have a virtual class followed by an in-person class, followed by another online class. This made commuting especially taxing, as I do not have a room on campus where I could attend my virtual courses, and I would have to arrive and depart campus at really inconvenient times. That being said, I do realize everyone is trying to navigate this new way of learning and college life, and we all have struggles. Boy, I sort of hate myself for including that line - God knows we have heard enough variations of it over the past year. But I digress, this time has brought forth individual and shared problems for all of us. So, even though I may sound like I am on "Team Online Classes," after this year, I truly think the benefits of in-person classes are undeniable and cannot be replaced. Simply put, physically being in a classroom as well as interacting with professors and fellow students just makes my attention span that much greater. And as a result, I correspondingly absorb more knowledge. When attending class via Zoom, it is so easy to be on my phone or to literally turn my camera off and do something else in another room. Needless to say, when physically in class, although we can still get sidetracked, it is not as extreme and easy as it is to do behind a computer screen. I also find myself less likely to ask questions when online. I think it is undeniably easier to have a 15 conversation, resolve an issue or understand a lesson in-person than via a conference call. I also think I am more likely to complete my work in a timely manner because it is easier to experience a professor's irritation or disappointment in-person than on the computer. I think really the only downside to inperson classes this year was dragging myself to them. This pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, and I for one definitely had days where as soon as I woke up I wanted to cry knowing I had classes to get to. Well, fellow readers, those are my thoughtful opinions on in-person classes compared to virtual classes. I know that by no means do they explicitly favor one option over the other, but is anything ever that easy? Although hopefully things can return to normal at some point, the upcoming fall semester still holds a lot of uncertainty due to the pandemic. But as college students have always done, we will persevere. @wilkesbeacon Rudy.Urenovich@wilkes.edu )t Change of weekend library hours is purely inconvenient 0 s, 11 By Breanna Eblsch Co-Opinion Editor te te te te fe n ) t Photos: The Beacon/Liz Cherinka 3) Once you are finished painting the plaque, let the paint dry. After those steps are completed, prepare your welcome sign. carefully, hot glue the sign onto the plaque, and let dry. If you llke the simple look of the plaque, you can leave It completed as Is. 4) If you would llke to further decorate the plaque, there are multiple options for you, such as adding a ribbon. This example uses small fake flowers, which matches the color scheme. The personalization wlll help make your home extra welcoming. ur Instagram account @wilkesbeacon with your craft. raftColumn As if places to study on campus were not already limited, especially now due to COVID-19, the library changed its Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to midnight to 3 to 11 p.m., as of last week. While the weekend hours were already shorter than the weekdays, this change is quite frustrating for several reasons. Many students, myself included, utilize the library to study, meet in groups for class projects or to complete assignments in a different setting other than their room. The building gives every student on campus the opportunity to use its resources and help enhance their academic career by giving them a space to complete their schoolwork. With the loss of workspaces in Starbucks, the soon-to-be nonexistent Student Lounge in the Student Union Building and several other study spaces on campus due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, the library has become the hub for the campus community and allows students to continue on almost as normal in what still is not a "usual" semester. And now, as the semester reaches its busiest point leading up to final exams, the library decides that reducing its already short weekend hours was a good choice. But, I can assure you that it is not. Prior to this recent change, the library was open on both Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., which was already at a later hour than desired by many. Although the basement floor is open and accessible 24/7, it is not the ideal location for studying or working on assignments for a majority of the student body. Sure, it is convenient, but it is certainly not where you want to camp-out for hours. So, what is the benefit of changing the hours and making the library open later in the day and during less acceptable times for students who want to get an early start on their coursework? Why does the decision come during the busiest weeks for the campus community? How does this change help students overall? Isn't the library meant to be both accessible and the most valuable resource for students? Don't our academic endeavors matter? Apparently not, and this is becoming a more frequent occurrence. First, it was the choice to relocate the bookstore to the SUB lounge. Then, it was a flurry of layoffs that affected a variety of departments. And now, it is keeping one of the most important buildings on campus closed for longer on Sundays. Especially during the pandemic, which has changed study spaces in several ways, the need for the library has never been greater. And for some reason, that means limiting the time students can access most of the building is logical. So, whose interests do we have at heart here? Now, I understand not everyone utilizes the library or prefers studying in a public setting, which is more than fine. But, for those of us who do, especially on the weekends, this decision does much more harm than good. If you are an early riser or simply someone who wakes up before noon, the library is not open to give you the adequate time to make use of your day. You will have to wait until three in the afternoon to use the three main floors, which, frankly, is ridiculous considering our main focus as students is studying and completing assignments. Other, larger universities have 24/7 libraries (what a dream that would be to have here), but we can hardly manage to keep our own precious building open for our small population as it is. Enough things have been changed due to COVID-19, and with how useful the library has been to students as a whole throughout the last two semesters, I do not see how this choice is supposed to be beneficial. So, if you are planning on getting work done on campus over the weekends in the short time left before the end of the semester, make sure you plan accordingly with the inconvenient and unhelpful hours. Nothing says, "Happy finals season" more than having nowhere to study when it is needed most. @wilkesbeacon Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu r �.J The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Opinion 16 Talking about the elephant on campus: The Writing Center By WIiiiam BIiiingsiey Asst. Opinion Editor For all intents and purposes, the Writing Center is a place where students can take their papers to be reviewed by paid consultants. Ideally, consultants provide students with constructive feedback that is both meaningful and helpful. But time and time again, students criticize the Writing Center's lack of such feedback. And when you have worked there for the last four years, such criticism is disheartening to hear, especially when it appears that nothing has changed and the issue has continued to stay under the radar. So as a graduating consultant, let's discuss these grievances, why the system misses the mark and why a paradigm shift is worth discussing. As mentioned, I worked as a writing consultant during my time at Wilkes. Unfortunately, more pressing academic concerns forced me to step away from my responsibilities in March. As such, it is worth mentioning that this article is intended to be an objective critique about the institution itself. There is no vendetta here beyond wanting a Writing Center that is consistent and meaningful for all students. With that being said, let's get into the number one criticism for the Writing Center: The simple fact that consultants do not always give meaningful feedback. "I did not use the Writing Center until my senior year when my professor mandated that we send in a draft," said senior Sydney Cogswell, a political science and criminology major. "I received minimal feedback in response to my capstone, and all that the consultant could suggest was adding a few commas - without even giving specifics as to where:' Unsurprisingly, nobody wants to send their papers in and be told that out of their 12-page literature review, the only error the consultant could find was something as mundane as a few comma placements. That's not meaningful feedback in any sense of the word Moreover, it is a waste of time for all parties involved. Was that draft truly so flawless that this feedback was the best that they could do? "Fortunately, my interaction with the Writing Center over the past four years has been limited to the few occasions in which my professors required our work be reviewed by them. The first time this happened, I received almost no feedback. But my second (and last) - • interaction was more infuriating. I submitted a small chunk of my capstone to be reviewed before the deadline, and I just never heard back from them;' said a senior political science student who asked to remain anonymous. Unfortunately, the experiences of these students are all too common. I observed as much firsthand two years ago, when I asked a consultant who I did not personally know to review a history paper. She marked a single comma on one page and told me that otherwise "it was basically perfect:' While flattering, I was ultimately left to contend with the realization of just how pointless that consultation really was. I can only imagine how many other students have had similarly disappointing experiences and never bothered returning. Why would they waste their time? So, let's talk about the differences between meaningful and meaningless feedback and how it relates to the efficacy of a consultant. At its core, the most basic analysis of a paper is proofreading, where you spot check the paper so they can go back to chatting with their friends and collecting that $10 an hour. To illustrate this point better, let's look at the analogy of a sinking ship and its captain. A proofreader will see that the ship (your paper) is sinking, but they will not bother to tell you that its sinking, and will instead tell you about some other detail that the captain (you) should fix. But not the copyeditor, who will tell you that your ship is sinking, how you can save it and how you can prevent it from happening next time. So when the captain returns in the future, whose opinion do you suppose that the captain will trust more? Unsurprisingly, how helpful your time at the Writing Center turns out to be is wholly dependent on the style of the consultant, which is precisely the problem. And at the end of the day, that's what this is really about. If! go out of my way to have a paper reviewed, I don't want empty platitudes Hi, sorry for the delay! This is a great paper! I would recommend putting it in Word or Google Docs because I see a couple of comma errors in some sentences, but that's all! Great job! ••• Email Screenshot submitted by Sydney Cogswell simple stuff, like grammar or typos. This is also the style that involves the least amount of effort and is the easiest to hire people for, as just about anyone can do this. This is also the editing style that lends itself to meaningless feedback. Of course, it is not all literally meaningless, but if someone's taking time out of their day to have a paper reviewed, they want a substantive criticism instead of being told that they only need a few commas. In opposition to this is the other style: copyediting. Compared to proofreading, the differences are night and day. In this style, papers are critically analyzed - sentence by sentence - and nothing is sacred. The copyeditor will systematically review your paper, the arguments you make and look for consistency in what your paper is all about. This style may take longer, but you can walk away with a paper that has been meaningfully evaluated. But the proofreader will have you in and out in five minutes with a mediocre and hollow feedback about irrelevant things in my paper - I want you to tear into my paper's very essence. If I am cherry-picking statistics or making any other kind of logical fallacy in my arguments, call me out on it. Even if you wholeheartedly disagree with the premise of my paper, I still want you to constructively criticize it. And for the love of all that is figurative, let me know if you suspect that I was improperly quoting someone else's work. These are just some of the things that I have personally seen out of the hundreds of papers I have personally reviewed as a (copyediting) consultant. No two papers are alike, and every student's paper deserves to be critically evaluated in a meaningful way that goes far beyond comma placement. And depending on who you ask, there are still some students who have found the Writing Center to be helpful, like digital design and media art senior Ana Perez. "Since English is not my first language, the Writing Center has been a wonderful help for me:' said Perez. "They review my papers and sometimes help me improve, but it is a service you cannot rely on. I'd send my papers at least five days in advance, but sometimes the due date arrives and nobody has reviewed my paper, and because of that, I stopped sending in my papers this semester:• But as it currently exists, our Writing Center can be an abject disappointment. It simply does not meet needs as a resource for meaningful feedback. How could it, when not all consultants bother to critically evaluate papers, assuming they take the time to read them at all? "My experience is rather limited, considering they never got my assignment back to me;' said senior political science student Adam Sipler. So what should be done about all this? Obviously, the first step is to acknowledge the problem. And what better way to do that than a campus-wide survey soliciting feedback? This would be an excellent way to gauge the student body's true impressions. The next logical step would be to end the blatant culture of nepotism in hiring friends of already-hired consultants and ensure that consultants are actually competent at what they do. The final step would be to properly transition into training consultants and expanding the role of consultants to actually edit student papers in a meaningful way. And of course, ensuring that hired consultants remain competent would not hurt either. None of these stand out to me as being particularly outlandish suggestions. After all, shouldn't our Writing Center be as meritocratic as possible? But failing that, it would always be interesting to see the fine folks involved with actually tutoring students at University College formally take over and reorganize the Writing Center into something worthy of its name. Because at what point does something get done? How many more papers have to go unread? How many other professors have to be let down when they see the low-effort feedback that consultants give? How many other papers have to get a days-late response saying that they only need to add a few commas? COVID-19 might have finally exposed the flaws evident in the Writing Center's highly variable work, but that doesn't mean that they weren't always there. @wilkesbeacon William.Billingsley@wilkes.edu �8 Entertainment ,die's sweet potato burrito snack The Beacon - May 5, 2021 By Shawn Austin Each week, the Wtlkes Beacon staff adds a song to their 2020-2021 Beacon Bumps play/1st under Chris Gowartys account on Spotify. Look below for this weeks list of songs. Dylan Mehl, Co-Op1mon Editor. Rapstar - Polo G WHliam Billingsley, Asst. Opinion Editor: Sleepwalking - The Chain Gang ot 1974 Ariel Reed, Sports Editor: My Only Mistake - Elllaoa Chris Gowarty, Asst. Sports Editor: King of the Fan - The Weeknd Saylee Guedes, Sports Staff Writer: White I~ - Lil Peep Mia Walker Lead Designer: fYi. M- Ilfila ~ Steffen Horwath, Staff Photographer: Whit~flQQm - Cream Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager. Golden - Harry Sb'm 17 Cena's "Be A Work In Progress": A surprisingly good read-Staff Writer The Beacon/ Anna Culver This sweet potato burrito recipe Is a delicious guilty pleasure for any night to have something a llttle out of the ordinary. Opinion Former WWE superstar and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author John Cena offers motivation and open-mindedness in his latest book, "Be a Work in Progress:' For the past 15 years, the public has known Cena as a professional wrestler, rapper, moviestar, philanthropist and social media sensation. Although his most famous phrase ("You can't see me:') insists that he is invisible to the eyes of others, Cena's most recent project renders him more transparent than ever. "Be a Work in Progress" was released alongside Cena's book of encouragements, "Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day:' While "Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day" is better suited for children, "Be a Work in Progress" is a sufficient read for audience members of all ages. Ballantine Books published "Be a Work in Progress;' while Valeria Petrone provided illustrations. Aside from the efforts Cena put into "Be A Work In Progress; he also stars in "Fast & Furious 9;' which debuts in the United States on June 25, 2021. As the world fought, and continues to fight, the ails of COVID-19, lockdowns and quarantines, "Be a Work in Progress" serves to offer many people a moment of solitude and reflection. Prior to the pandemic, the display of hustle and restlessness seemed ever-important to contemporary society. By March 2020, that ideology was put to a halt, as COVID-19 forced businesses and institutions to close and/or operate remotely. The circumstance, although tragic and unfortunate on numerous levels, gave people around the world the opportunity to refuel and refocus their lives. One of those people happened to be Cena He opens "Be a Work in Progress" with a brief explanation as to why he wrote the book: "I generate these thoughts from self-reflection and self-exploration . . . We all have a lot on our minds, especially now, given the state of the world" The book is 169 pages of motivational quotes and illustrations. The material provides readers with insight into the life of the author and potentially themselves. It is imperative to note that the book was not what I expected it to be, but I am impressed by what it was. Instead of a typical autobiography to highlight the highs and lows of a career and personal life, "Be a Work in Progress" is an inspirational read that offers insightful advice that sterns from Cena's life experiences. When I first noticed the brevity of the text on the pages, I was initially disappointed. However, as I began to read the content, I was quickly intrigued by the manner in which Cena chose to reflect on his life. Although the current state of media demands transparency to the highest degree from celebrities, Cena precisely chose to present his experiences in a more subtle, yet substantial manner. This is important to highlight, as the former WWE superstar has shared prominent moments of his life with the public in the past. For the past decade or so, Cena's personal life has played out before audiences in an uncanny way. Outside of the WWE, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and a few "B" movies, Cena had kept a relatively low profile to the world for the majority of An 01 r his career. This began to change in 2012, when he started to date Nicole Garcia, also known as "Nikki Bella" in the WWE. As time progressed in the relationship, his personal life began to be exposed to mainstream media due to the nature in which Garcia presented herself to the world Garcia and her sister Brie were the main stars of the reality television show, "Total Divas," as well as currently being the main stars of their spin-off show, "Total Bellas:' With this being the case, Garcia and Cena's relationship played out on television. One of the biggest issues in their relationship was Cena's reluctance to have children, despite Garcia's desire to start a family. Five years into their relationship, Cena proposed to Garcia at WrestleMania 33. Less than a year later, the engagement was calledoff, as the two decided to split. Since then, Cena has found a new role in life. He is no longer the workhorse of the WWE, but he is now a workhorse of personal development. He has been open to the public about his failed relationship with Garcia and the significant role that his fast-paced lifestyle played into that. Cena is currently married to Shay Shariatzadeh, as they tied the knot in a private manner in October 2020. Despite the haphazardness of Cena's personal life, he still chose to write a selfhelp book full of inspirational quotes as opposed to an autobiography and the results are tremendous. Some of the richest parts of the book include the following seven excerpts: 1. "Crisis can breed opportunity, but remember to do the research to make sure the opportunity lines up with your values." 2. "Be bold and accountable, because our choices define who we are." 3. "If you are rooting against someone, ask why." 4. "Sometimes it is because there are genuinely bad people out there; many times, it is us judging because we are insecure with ourselves." 5. "If you feel as if you have things mastered, look to the level above you, and then widen your frame to see an even bigger picture." 6. "Know the difference between those who care about you and those who care about what you can do for them." 7. "Each day, try to become a little less perfect and a little more brave." Cena suggests that our most treacherous moments provide us with the opportunity to authentically express who we are. JOHN CENA It is important to understand why we feel a certain way about particular people. Is · it because of their actions and beliefs or is it because of ours? Although we may feel as though we have reached our greatest achievements and have nothing left to prove, an alternative perspective can reveal to us goals that we may have never otherwise considered. More importantly, Cena also alludes to the notion that everybody who helps you does not always have your best interests in mind. We must be able to recognize when we are being cared for - or used. And yes, it is great to reach for the stars, but it is much braver to reach for the moon. The pursuit of perfection is only a distraction to the challenges that makes us unique. Perhaps when the dust settles in Cena's career and he finally decides to relax and smell the roses, he will write an autobiography. But for now, he seems insistent on reclaiming his privacy and offering life advice instead. For what the book is worth ($24), "Be a Work in Progress" is a text that can be read time and time again. Since there is no plot, readers can choose positivity at any moment every time they flip to a random page. I found this aspect ofthe book to be especially unique, as many books and/or news articles that are in circulation today overwhelmingly include moments of tragedy and heartache, instead of the positive and wholesome. As a person who is relatively new to leisurely reading, I find Cena's latest work to be the breath of fresh air I did not know I needed I recommend this book to any person who finds themselves in a rut or in need of a moment of inspiration and change. As suggested in the title, Cena challenges readers (and himself) to always be a work in progress. Life is full of moments that can make or break us, and it is essential that we perceive all of these events as being beneficial to our individual being and of those around us. Where does Cena go from here as a writer? Only he knows, but I cannot wait to find out. After a phenomenal career in the WWE, it feels as if Cena is just getting started in the "real" world If he continues to write books, I am certain that publishers would pay top-dollar for his autobiography. If he chooses not to do so, then even that particular decision keeps him aligned with the idea that onlookers, in fact, cannot see him. Book Rating: 9/10 - .. @wilkesbeacon Shawn.Austin@wilkes.edu r - �The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Opinion 18 Top five television shows to watch with upcoming seasons By Matthew Matrisciano Staff Writer Whether it is because of quarantine, bad weather or just because you are a homebody, being stuck in the house can be mind-blowingly boring. Luckily, some technological revolution era couch potatoes decided to create television. If you are like me and can somehow manage to burn through an entire series in a week, you may feel like you have run out of shows to watch. While that is almost impossible, it is good to have a few back-up plans for when your series of choice finally comes to an end. It is even better knowing that the next show on your personal watch list has a new season on the horizon. So, without further ado, here is my list of top five shows with upcoming seasons, right in time for finals and post-semester. 5. "Hunters" This dark drama series follows teenager Jonah Heidelbaum (Logan Lerman) in 1970s New York as he grieves the death of his grandmother who was murdered in their home. He soon learns that his seemingly sweet and innocent grandmother was actually part of a secretive vigilante group who tasked themselves with hunting down former Nazis who fled from Germany to pose as Americans. Who said grandmas can't be cool? In order to avenge her death, he elects to join the group, led by Holocaust survivor and millionaire Meyer Offerman (Al Pacino). The group soon discovers that these fascists in disguise are planning the rise of a Fourth Reich, and Jonah and his new friends may be the only ones who can stop it. I like this show, but it may be considered a bit over-the-line for some viewers. As fantastic as "Hunters" is, be warned. It is dark as night. Little is known about season two of "Hunters;' except for the fact that it is happening. Rumor has it that we can expect to see the next season this coming fall, but that is yet to be confirmed. For now, all we can do is wait. You can catch up on "Hunters" on Amazon Prime. 4. "Peaky Blinders" This historical British crime series has gained a huge amount of popularity in the past few years. The show follows Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), leader of the relentless street gang, the Peaky Blinders, as they gain control of post-World War I Birmingham. Loosely based on a true story, the Peaky Blinders clash with rival gangs in the form of vicious bloodbaths and political chess moves. The blood on the streets leads to the arrival of Chief Inspector Campbell (Sam Neill), a veteran lawman hell-bent on taking down Tommy and destroying his criminal empire. All is fair in love and war, and this is definitely war. This is a great show for anyone who has a soft spot for the bad guy. Tommy is a cold-as-ice gangster with a heartbreaking past and a stare that could cut through concrete. Nonetheless, he is impossible to root against in this fantastic crime saga. Anyone who is fascinated by history, drama and action will enjoy this show. "Peaky Blinders" is currently in the middle of filming its sixth and final season, which will be followed by a movie to cap off the series, according to creator Steven Knight. It is estimated to air sometime in 2022, but that just gives you more time to catch up on the series on Netflix. 3. "The Boys" In a world where superheroes are the norm and seen as celebrities, average Joe's like Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) can only sit back and admire. But who can save the day when the heroes are what the world needs saving from? That is where The Boys come in. The Boys are a secretive vigilante outfit, led by the hysterically psychotic Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), who have gone under the radar in order to stop the evil that is happening under the guise of justice. After realizing the trickery of the so-called heroes, the squeamish and timid Hughie decides it is time to do what's right and join The Boys in their rebellion. I recommend this show to fans of dark comedy and over-the-top action. Be warned, if blood and gore are something you can't handle, steer clear of "The Boys." This Amazon Prime original became an instant hit when it was first released in 2019. With a 90 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is no surprise that the show was renewed for a third season before the second one even aired last August. Filming for season three is currently underway, with an estimated launch time of sometime later this year; however, that is yet to be confirmed. 2. "Animal Kingdom" After a heroin overdose kills his mother, 16-year-old Josh "]" Cody (Finn Cole) moves in with his estranged family, consisting of his grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and four uncles. Having barely gotten by in a cramped apartment his entire life, he is stunned to see his unfamiliar family living lavishly in the southern California city of Oceanside. He soon discovers their main source of income - masterfully planned out armed robberies. Ring-leader Baz (Scott Speedman), ex-con Pope (Shawn Hatosy), adrenaline junkie Craig (Ben Robson) and secretive Deran (Jake Weary) begin to suck their nephew into the fast-paced lifestyle of a criminal, where he quickly learns the true meaning of "family over everything." I cannot recommend this show enough. It is truly fantastic. What makes this show stand out to me is the character development throughout the series. Each character has their own intriguing story. No show has made me feel every human emotion in the span of an hour quite like "Animal Kingdom." Luckily, season five is just around the corner, and the production of the sixth and final season has already begun. You can expect season five to begin at some point this summer on TNT, according to The Hollywood Reporter. You can catch up by streaming the first four seasons on Amazon Prime. 1. "Ozark" If you were planning on getting involved with a drug cartel, "Ozark" will show you why it is probably not a good idea. After financial advisor Marty Byrde's (Jason Bateman) business partner is killed for stealing from a drug lord, Marty has one chance to make things right with the cartel before he and his family meet the same demise. Forced to move to the Lake of the Ozarks to launder drug money, the Byrdes must overcome their own family drama and work together in order to survive. Having to deal with insane locals and a ruthless FBI agent willing to do whatever it takes to bring down the cartel doesn't make it easy either. It is a race against time for the Byrdes, and time is hot on their tail. This bone-chilling thrill-ride will leave you in an adrenaline-fueled panic just by watching it. The suspense will have you holding your breath in anticipation. The usually funny Bateman is fantastic in this series, and his acting will make you feel like your life is on the line as well. The first three seasons of "Ozark" are streaming on Netflix. There is not a current release date set, but filming for the two-part fourth and final season began in November 2020. Bateman claims that the climax of this hit series will send the Byrde family "out with a bang:' Matthew.Matrisciano@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �6 .es of Wilkes history The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Sports 19 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact sports editor: Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Ermeus will pursue MBA, return to athletics with extra eligibility By Chris Gowarty & Kirsten Peters Asst. Sports Editor & Editor-in-Chief s Suzanna Calev, an archivist and public service librarian, stores d materials between acid-free tissue paper to preserve them. at WIikes 1940 to 1960" scrapbook contains old WIikes sports photos. Fort Wyoming Is pictured during the American Revolutionary war, 1ttle of Wyoming or the Wyoming Massacre took place In 1778. Although COVID-19 has negatively impacted athletics for universities across the country, the NCAA provided athletes from all sports with some hope for the future by granting them an extra year of eligibility to compete. In October 2020, the NCAA extended its year of eligibility decision to 2020-2021 fall and winter sport athletes. This decision came seven months after the NCAA announced that spring sport athletes would receive an additional year of eligibility, as sprig sports were the first to be shut down due to the pandemic. This decision allowed fall sport athlete Richard Ermeus the opportunity to compete for one more season, while he pursues his master's degree at the start of the Fall 2021 semester after graduating this month with a bachelor's degree in marketing. "This extra year of eligibility is refilling and hopeful because it was hard to just accept not being able to play again," said Ermeus, a senior wide receiver for Wilkes football. "I hope to grow as a studentathlete in my last year of competition." Ermeus is from Sparta, N.J., and has been playing football for seven years, four of which have been with the Colonels. Now and prior to the pandemic, Ermeus has stood out as a familiar face on the Colonel roster and around campus. "(Ermeus) is an extremely driven and personable young man," said head football coach Jonathan Drach. "He is intelligent and purpose-driven to be a success in all that he does. He can multi-task and lead those around him in a variety of situations. "(Ermeus) has helped his teammates as a mentor and a big brother figure. He works hard to set a positive example on-and-off the field. His teammates see his level of dedication and discipline to everything that he does. It's hard not to push yourself to be better when you see all that (Ermeus) does on a daily basis:• When the pandemic started to affect life for citizens of Wilkes-Barre, Ermeus realized that it was challenging to transition into the new normal. He stated that his own characteristics, as Drach also highlighted of the student-athlete, helped him progress into the society that has risen from COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. "It was very difficult;' said Ermeus. "The sudden change .of what everyone refers to as 'normal' was a big aspect to how every day life was altered in the blink of an eye. Adaptability and time management are two of my strongest attributes as a person, so being able to transition to a majority of events and classes online wasn't too difficult but was still a challenge." Although Ermeus cited adaptability and time management as two of his strengths, the pandemic did put a strain on his athletic career. "Not playing for a year was hard;' said Ermeus. "It was hard to stay in shape for the year off, and toward the end, I fell out of shape due to the lack of motivation and reward. Being a collegiate athlete is a very prideful title, and I feel as though being able to compete and perform weekly is a reward. So without it, the aspirations and determination slowly dwindled to an alltime low for me:' Despite the "low" Ermeus was at in his collegiate career, sophomore teammate Joe Curry had high praise for the senior, demonstrating that Ermeus' passion and drive for success is not only seen by coaches and professors but by his peers as well. "(Ermeus) is the type of guy to give his all on-and-off the field," said Curry, a Colonel fullback. "He includes his awesome work ethic in everything that I was involved in doing with him." Of his time as an undergraduate student, Ermeus noted that his favorite memory on the field took place during the Fall 2019 season, which was Wilkes' last source of competitive play until last month when the Colonels faced Utica in their only spring exhibition game on April 18. "My favorite memory is scoring my first touchdown of my career at the 2019 Homecoming game for 52 yards:' said Ermeus. Wilkes would go on to beat Alvernia The Beacon/Kirsten Peters Richard Ermeus snagged a 52-yard pass from quarterback Jose Tabora to put WIikes up 10-0 In the Homecoming contest against Alvernla on Oct. 5, 2019. Photo submitted by Richard Ermeus in that 2019 Homecoming game, 45-12, advancing Wilkes to 4-0 at that point in the season. The Colonels would finish with an 8-3 overall record in their last season since the COVID-19 pandemic. With plans to compete again in Fall 2021, Ermeus will also be furthering his education by pursuing a master's degree and will look to reach the goals he has set for himself in terms of a career "I plan to work as a marketing director at the corporate level," said Ermeus. "Right now, I am in the process of earning my MBA and have a GA (graduate assistant) position in the marketing department here at Wilkes University with the director of digital marketing. This will most likely set me up to have a similar position postgraduate school completion:' Although the pandemic may have taken away Ermeus' senior season, the standout student-athlete has found the silver lining with his plans to use the extra year of eligibility next fall while simultaneously advancing his academic career as well. Christopher.Gowarty@wifkes.edu Kirsten.Peters@wifkes.edu r �_J The Beacon-May 5, 2021 Sports 20 WLAX: Colonels reach playoffs for first time since 2016 By Arlel Reed Sports Editor HOBOKEN, N.J. -- In the MAC Freedom quarterfinals, Wilkes traveled to Stevens University, where the Colonels lost 21-3. Stevens began the game with 11 unanswered goals. Junior midfielder Domenica Lerch and junior attacker Camryn Devitt opened up the scoring for Wilkes with back-to-back goals at the end of the first Devitt would later grab one more goal in the second half to give Wilkes three goals on the contest Devitt dosed the regular season being the face of the Wilkes offense. "I strived to make our team a cohesive unit and pushed everyone to their full potential, all while making sure we were still having fun in the game we all love:' said Devitt. "The stats may say I was the leading scorer, but I couldn't have done it without the support and efforts from my teammates:' Despite the first round playoff exit, this is the second time in program history that the Colonels have had a postseason game, as the first came in 2016. "I can't even begin to explain how exciting it was to make it to the playoffs:' said senior defender Delaney Lukowski. "Throughout my time on the team, we were consistently ranked last, but I must say we play in an incredibly talented conference. Some of the teams we The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior Delaney Lukowski cradled the ball across mldfleld while looking for an open teammate against Delaware Valley on Aprll 7. play are nationally ranked We have also been rebuilding the team since 2016, and that takes a lot of time and dedication." Not only did the Colonels make their second playoff appearance, but they also were able to grab two conference wins for the first time since 2016. "We did make it to the playoffs in 2016, but then there was a period over the past few years where we couldn't even win a conference game;' said head coach Sarah Burkarth. "A ton of really talented girls graduated in 2016, so the past few years have been rebuilding years. I took over as head coach in 2019, so this season was my first two conference wins. I've been working so hard to bring in recruits, and the team has been putting in the work, so it's really exciting to see it paying off' The Colonels graduate seniors Lukowski and attacker Ashley Burkhardt Both played a fundamental role in rebuilding the team and creating a winning culture. "Delaney Lukowski is a 5th-year student who decided to pick up an additional minor this season to be able to stay and play lacrosse:' said Burkharth. "As the oldest in the program, she's seen it all and will be the first one to tell you about how much potential this current team has. Ashley Burkhardt is a true senior who is also leaving us, and both will be big losses both on the field and to the family dynamic. "Both of these ladies are very passionate about Wilkes Lacrosse, and I'm thankful to have been with them since they were just freshmen and sophomores. They've contributed so much over the years:' Building off of what Lukowski and Burkhardt have done, the Colonels look to return to the playoffs in the 2022 season. ''I'm thankful my teammates saw me as a leader, and I was able to carry that feeling into the field to help my teammates;' said Burkhardt. "Overall, I feel that all members of the team have turned this program around, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for this team:' @wilkesbeacon Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Fisher earns Rookie of the Year honors as first-year forward By Jason Eberhart Staff Writer Editor's Note: Jason Eberhart and Trent Fisher are teammates on the men's basketball team. First-year forward Trent Fisher made an immediate impact for the men's basketball team this past season. Fisher was named the MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year, while also earning a spot on the conference's Honorable Mention Team. "It was a great honor to be named Rookie of the Year:' said Fisher. "Just knowing that what I worked for and what I did paid off - just being named that was a special thing:' The power forward was a stat sheet stuffer for the Colonels, as he averaged 13.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He also shot 53 percent from the field and 84 percent from the foul line, ranking in the top six in the conference across these statistics. Fisher also had back-to-back games of scoring near double-doubles, recording 23 - - points and nine rebounds on March 5 against Delaware Valley and sealing a double-double on March 8 against Alvemia with 21 points and 10 rebounds. "Some of my biggest strengths are probably spacing the floor, creating space for everyone else, knowing that I can drive to the basket when I have to, posting-up, shooting the three when I need to and being an elite passer to set up my teammates;' said Fisher. The Colonels started their season slowly by dropping to 0-3, but as Fisher started to emerge and made his presence known on the court, the Colonels began to tally some wins and finished the season by winning four of their last six games. "(Fisher) has a lot of talent, and once he got comfortable playing at the college level, his confidence grew a lot:' said junior teammate Sean Coller. "Our coaches and players believe in him and think he can be one of the best players in our league:' Wilkes will return a lot of key players to the lineup next season, including MAC Freedom First Team forward Drake Marshall. Working in tandem with Marshall, Fisher will continue to adapt to the collegiate level of basketball. "Definitely improving my three-point shooting and staying more consistent at the three-point line;' said Fisher of his goals for next season. 'J\lso, working on going both left and right and finishing more consistently with both hands:' Fisher headlines a group of underclassmen who made a big impact in their first season. The whole roster gained some key experience in this shortened season and will look to take that into next season. "(Fisher) is going to be a big part of our team, especially with a year of experience under his belt," said Coller. "Our team returns a lot of experienced, good players, and (Fisher) is for sure one of them. We can be as good as anyone in our league if we all buy-in and hold each other accountable:' Fisher will look to anchor the Colonels in the post next season, as well as help the team make a run for the MAC Freedom Championship in 2022. @wilkesbeacon Jason.Eberhart@wilkes.edu The Beacon/ Ariel Reed First-year Trent Fisher posts-up against a defender from Arcadia on Feb. 26, where WIikes won, 69-66, In overtime. �4 !d for Fall 2021 semester e and ethnicity and see how ,ectives have changed over ter place to witness and discuss i research by diverse authors 11eral education classrooms, nts across majors can take part 1ged by these conversations?" 1y. "Part of being interested in lies is about examining the way ;e and literature influence us." course that stands out from BIO 368: Medical Botany, a mrse offered by Dr. Kenneth ofessor and chair of the biology :. It is the only STEM course atured on the race and diversity can give the opportunity for ,TEM students to also partake :cussions about diversity. involves the scientific overview 11ts can be used to treat various vith the focus being placed on iltures. have been used for thousands that manner, and their specific argely determined by cultural iid Klemow. "Herbal remedies tainstay treatments for people ,sia, Africa and South America. 1 cultures, they are the basis of a multi-million dollar industry." A specific project includes Klemow, students and other professors actively researching to understand the ways that Japanese knotweed is able to produce a medically active chemical called resveratrol. These courses regarding diversity and race will also have the potential to help pave the way for the proposed interdisciplinary minor in African American and Africana Studies, a topic that was discussed during February's Open Forum. For Zarpentine, education is not just making the effort to let students learn new topics. He believes the quality of the education students receive plays a role in raising awareness on these issues. "We want to raise awareness about the courses that we already are offering that facilitate these important discussions and to help students understand their value;' said Zarpentine. "We also want to build on the foundation we have and find new ways to enrich the educational experience of our students by engaging with questions of diversity and inclusion throughout the curriculum." @wilkesbeacon Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu vide vaccine requirement of operations and compliance. me, vaccines are not required, 1 continue to revisit the topic as ch the fall semester. As you'll see f the national new stories, this is ; that many businesses, including nd universities, are grappling ay take some time before a final ; made. We will continue to rely ,ce from the CDC, Department ion and other federal and state we weigh our decision." m official decision has been ,tudents will be made aware of will have to do. Not all Wilkes re in favor of a vaccine, as some cal of how quickly the vaccine id. nount of time it took them to vaccine was much quicker than 1ch is pretty amazing," said Haley sophomore political science lowever, in order to do it that 1ey did not complete the proper r types of trials. In my opinion, lishment, whether a hospital or a school, should be able to mandate a vaccine that is not FDA approved. The COVID vaccine is only FDA authorized, an important difference, and should not be required in order to attend school. We do not know the long-term side effects of this vaccine, and until we do for sure, it should not be a consideration to mandate it." As per the FDA website, FDA "may authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products in an emergency to diagnose, treat or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions ... when certain statutory criteria have been met, including there are no adequate, approved and available alternatives." Questions as to whether or not the vaccine will be required for next semester have been addressed. No official decision has been made, as this is a decision that will require further consideration from administration. @wilkesbeacon Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon- May 5, 2021 Sports 21 Fall teams play exhibition games after losing season to COVID-19 ~-· By Baylee Guedes & Kirsten Peters Sports Staff Writer, Editor-in-Chief Following the COVID-19 pandemic that created a halt in the athletic world, fall athletic teams were unable to compete in a regular season during Fall 2020. As spring sports have been underway for the Middle Atlantic Conference in a close to traditional fashion this season, the decision was made to allow fall sports to simultaneously play in a condensed exhibition season this spring. As a result, Wilkes' men's soccer, women's soccer, football, field hockey and women's volleyball teams competed in various exhibition contests during Spring 2021 that did not count toward their respective records. "Unfortunately, our fall sport teams missed a season of competition and the opportunity to compete in the MAC title games;' said Athletic Director Addy Malatesta. "With guidance from the MAC presidents, every MAC school was given the option to conduct fall sport competition. Most fall sport teams played a compressed four-game conferenceonly schedule, and · the football team played one exhibition game. It was very important to our coaches and the athletic department to give all of student-athletes an opportunity to wear their uniforms this semester." Although the games did not count toward any team's record, Colonels from these five fall sports were enthusiastic about the opportunity to play again and face other teams. "After waiting over 500 days to play a game, we were so excited to get out on the field and play," said junior field hockey player Lauren Shiplett. "There is no feeling like playing with your teammates and being able to do amazing things together on the field. Everyone was excited to make themselves and the team better." As long as athletes tested negative and adhered to proper guidelines, they were able to participate in exhibition games. Prior to their exhibition "season," athletes followed different phases of play that allowed them to slowly build-up their skills and return to practice. "Each phase added a few more players, but the predominant session was still based around technical skill work;' said men's soccer head coach Michael Piranian. "In the last phase, our players were able to compete in small-sided The Beacon/Kirsten Peters Men's soccer senior defender Shane Henehan (front) celebrates after scoring a goal during WIikes' Aprll 23 exhibition contest against DeSales. Teammate Andrew Slusser (back) and other Colonels trall Henehan to celebrate. sessions. Through all these phases, our players kept masks on." Additionally, athletes had to adjust to the new regulations that were put in place, which included playing while wearing a mask (for games and practices), as well as having limited practice times and modified practices as teams prior to easing into full-team practices. "Due to COVID-19, our practice schedule was definitely different," said sophomore volleyball player Allie Murie. "Wearing masks really affected us with being able to communicate on the court and not being able to practice as a whole (team) in the fall." Murie was not alone in her sentiments, as sophomore Nick Kinzler shared that outdoor sports also underwent a shift in getting used to playing with masks. "Wearing a mask while running around was difficult at the start, but as a team, we were able to get used to it together," said Kinzler, a men's soccer player. "On top of this, getting tested a few times a week was something that many people did not look forward to, but I know that being able to adapt and persevere during these tough times made all of us stronger in the end." Not only did the fall athletic teams face condensed seasons but their preparation time was also limited, as Wilkes faced a new challenge of having spring sports in season while trying to balance the accommodations needed for offering fall sport exhibition games. "In a regular season, we would have two weeks of preseason," said junior Karyna Vargas, a women's soccer player. "During this season, we had to share the field almost every practice with other teams. Wilkes handled it to the best of their ability. I am very grateful that we even had the opportunity to practice and play because some teams didn't get that chance. Wilkes made sure to prioritize the teams who were in their actual season but still made sure that the fall sports had their opportunity to get some time as well." Another challenge athletes faced was the lack of postseason competition or a championship opportunity. "The fact that we were luckily enough to play was enough motivation to keep us going," said Vargas. "It was definitely tough at times to stay motivated because essentially the games we were playing were just scrimmages, but we also wanted to do well for the seniors." The exhibition games provided a respective Senior Day for multiple fall sports to honor their graduating players. Athletes may have been thrilled to get some playing time; however, the season did still take a toll on not only the players and coaches but on the athletic department as well. Athletic trainers, equipment and facility managers, field caretakers and every aspect of the department made it possible for studentathletes to compete. "The trainers and the athletic department made sure that we stayed safe and healthy during these last two semesters," said Shiplett. "Just being able to practice during a pandemic is a blessing, but they made sure that every team could have some type of game-play this semester." With the go-ahead from the MAC to host fall exhibition contests, Wilkes Athletics made the necessary adjustments to offer some form of normalcy for these five fall teams. When noting the positive takeaways, Malatesta said, "The three words that come to my mind to define this journey are resiliency, teamwork and togetherness. The athletic staff never lost sight of our primary goal: To follow a comprehensive plan focused on the health and safety of our student-athletes and the campus community." - Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu Kirsten.Peters@wilkes.edu r �The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Sports 22 The Beacon: Male Athlete .-a the Week from April 14 to 28 Why Nico Lorenzo was selecad: Lorenzo had back-to-back standout games, averaging a little over .five goals per game for the past three games. Lorenzo also recently accomplished the milestone of 100 points and was named MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Week on April 19. Name: Nico Lorenzo Year: Senior Majors: Electrical &Mechanical Engineering Hometown: Howell, N.J. High School: Howell H.S. Position: Attacker Driving force for your dedalon to come to Wilkes? The combination of a great engineering program and a lacrosse team's culture that I wanted to be a part of. Post-graduation plans in tenu .t. a career? Upon graduation, I am I o ~ to obtain a full-time job while pttiwinf a Master of Electrical Engineer~ ~ --~• time. Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory is winning our final regular season game in 2019 to secure the team's first playoff berth since the team was restarted. It was great to be able to share this memory with the seniors, who were the first freshmen to play at Wilkes. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? I hope that we can finish this season out strong and earn our team's first (hopefully of many) playoff victories. When/Why did you first begin playing? I first started playing in fifth grade, and I initially tried out the sport because I enjoyed playing catch with my cousins. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? Off the field, I enjoy going to the beach, biking, playing disc golf and hiking when I can. Favorite building on campus? I would have to say the Stark Learning Center because that is where I spend almost all of time on campus. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite! I would go with the red Gatorade; I have no idea what flavor it is, but the red one is the best. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and whyt Keanu Reeves because of his role in the actiotl~packed "Matrix" and "John Wick" series. If yoa could have 4inMt with a famous penon from the puft who woohlltW Isaac Newton, so that I could try to comprehend how he was able to complete all his major discoveries across so many different disciplines. Most influential person in your life? I would have to cheat this question and say both of my parents because it is impossible for me to only select one of them. They are great role models for me, and they are always supporting me in everything that I do. A quote you live your life by? "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss. I came across this quote in my school planner years ago, and I feel that it describes how I want to live my life and the people who I want to surround myself with. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Sports Editor �2 rs The Beacon - May 5, 2021 Sports 23 id? Contact the co-news editors: Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu and Sara.Ross@wilkes.edu ~cognized virtually in spring and School of Pharmacy were Dr. Dina Udomsak, assistant director of Sidhu School Initiatives and instructor for the Jay S. Sidhu School ofBusiness and Leadership, and Dr. Letitia Warunek, assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Finally, Dr. Deborah Tindell, professor of psychology, received the award for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dr. Prahlad Murthy, interim dean for the College of Science and Engineering and professor of environmental engineering, received the award for the College of Science and Engineering. Dr. Adam VanWert, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology and director of the master's program in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, received the Scholarship Award for having nearly 1,000 citations on his peer-reviewed publications and for his research advancing scientific knowledge and discoveries in the areas of drug transporters and kidney stone therapies. Dr. Michael Berry, adjunct faculty in the School of Education and Head of School for the Bandung Independent School in West Java, Indonesia, received the Multiculturalism Award. This award is given annually to recognize a faculty member who demonstrates leadership in the advancement of multiculturalism in the classroom. The Adjunct Faculty Award was awarded to Robert Richards, adjunct faculty for the School of Education. TREC states that the recipient is "an instructor annually who demonstrates excellence in teaching through innovative practices, forming relationships with students and/or contributing to the schooVuniversity." The final award, the Academic Support Award, recognizes full-time, nonfaculty support personnel who facilitate classroom activities, laboratory activities or coordination of experiential learning opp~rt:i1nities. Pamela Koslosky, admini st rative assistant for the School of Education, is the recipient of the award this year. "The c omnu·ttee members also extend . theu th anks to all of those who took the time to nominate their professors, advisors and colleagues, as well as to all of those nominees who submitted materials for consideration;' said Sopcak-Joseph. "Wilkes has so many talented teachers and mentors working with students and adapting to the challenges of the past year." @wi Ikesbeacon Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu .· .. . . e Week from April I · • · · : Mullins led the team to win games ag~ ty«mlitig and µnproved her overall record to 3-2 a pitcher. She also has the lowe$1: ERA on the team with a 2.52. Why Rope· Other interests or hobbiesoffoftliefiddf · I enjoy doing different types of att outside of softball, as well as hanging out with my group of friends. Name;Hope~ Year: Soph«nore ,.Jor;.En~~ llometown:~Va. Table of Contents }lgh•Sdlodl: tlbenyms. ~l>ltcber/QJ Plfflll8 .for<e News .................. 2 ,_ ·.. ·. ~to~ Life, A&E ............ 7 . 1~~-~~-• · . · ·• and~ todmle to Favorite building on campus? My favorite building is the libr;n-y because it allows for a quiet area to study. ·· · ~afi-~startata11ew~ ·Post~,.... ht . . . of• ~ Opinion ............ 14 l ~ tobe able towork: with anjmals in tbeft:ltttte somehow- possibly through the conservation of wildlife. Sports ................ 19 Favorite memory as a Colonel? I actually have two favorite memories while being a Colonel. The first one has to be playing against King's College and gettini my first collegiate start and win. My second favorite memory has to be Upcoming Events: Spring 2021 May 15-22 - Final Exams Period 22 - Spring 2020 Commencement: 10 a.m. Nesbitt School of Pharmacy & Passan School of Nursing 1:30 p.m. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences & College of Science and Engineering 5 p.m. Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership & School of Education 28 - Spring 2021 Commencement: 6 p.m. Nesbitt School of Pharmacy 29 - Spring 2021 Commencement: 10 a.m. Passan School of Nursing 1:30 p.m. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences 5 p.m. School of Education 30 - Spring 2021 Commencement: 10 a.m. College of Science and Engineering 1:30 p.m. Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership our most recent gaxne against Lycoming, where we came together and won our first .series -0f games. l wasn't playing the second game, but cheering on the sidelines for my team while we played hard and passionately overall was a great What color/flavor of Gatorade ls. your favorite? Cool Blue is my favorite flavor. If your life was a movie, who would }'Ott want to play you and why? If my life was a movie~ I would definitely want Sandra Bullock to play me because overall she is a great actress and has acomedic side to her. I feel as if our personalities are very similar, which would create a good character dynamic. I If you could have dinner with a faxoous ! person from the past, wh& would it be? It would have to be Robin Williams. I used j to watch his movies all the time when I was a , child and found him to be a great actor who would always make people happy. I f.eel as if he would be a great dinner guest and would keep great conversation while making yon laugh. time and memory. Hopes for this season as a Colonel! I hope that our ~ is. ~ble to slowly dim.h up the ranks in our conference and Win our post season gam~ When/Why did you fint begin playing? I first started playing softball when I was eight because of my dad. He brought me -0utside one day and decided to start throwing the ball around, and since then I have never stopped. Most iniluential person in yow life? 'The most influential person in my life would have to be my mom. She has been my role model since I was a little girl, and I do not know where I would be without her; A qJtote you liv~your life by? The quote I live by is; " Everything happens for a reason.~ l grew up with my mom ' repeating tlus to me throughout my whole ' life, - Compiled by Ariel Ree~ Sports Editor _l r �..I The Beacon - May 5, 2021 24 Sports ...... is a great time to lighten your course load for next year or catch up on missed classes. And with start dates in May, June or July, classes conveniently fit your summer plans. INa, 24 tJ, JIUl8 II I ro, 24 Auf. 20 I /8 I~ J t,, Atif· 11 I /9@ 20 THREE-WEEK PRESESSION FULL SESSION fb SUM ER SESSION I ~ } tJ, ,RIii.£ NINE-WEEK SESSION SUMMER SESSION II cJUUI, Mllll.. Make an appointment with your advisor and visit wilkes.edu/summer. W1l es U ·versity Wilkes Uniwnsity 1s an equal opportunity inst1tut1on For information on the University's Policy on Non-01scrimination, visit wwww1lkes.edu/nond1:.crimmation. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2021 May 5th Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 May 5th Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/c972d7e0f7510be883e3ec56c7cc61e0.pdf fe2b74a78c1420ebf6bb9bf7b1e142f3 PDF Text Text 1 The Beacon - September 15, 2021 EACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Volume 74, Issue 2 Wilkes Universit • Wilkes•Barre Penns lvania A man of many stories: Remembering Dr. Harold Cox By Genny Frederick News Editor Dr. Harold Cox, professor emeritus of history and university archivist died on Sept. 8 at the age of 90. The distinguished member of the Wilkes University community was beloved throughout campus by faculty, staff and students alike, but what so many remember Cox by is the stories he told. Dr. Jonathan Ference, associate provost for student success, remembered Cox's stories and anecdotes from his early years at Wilkes. "Dr. Cox served as an invaluable resource of institutional memory for those faculty, staff and students joining the Wilkes community;' Ference said. "In particular, when I first joined the faculty I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Harold and getting to know the institution better. "He most certainly provided new community members with an accurate recollection of Wilkes historical facts, but was also able to weave into his recollections stories that typified what it meant to be a 'family of colonels.' I am sure it was this flair for storytelling and passion for Wilkes that endeared Dr. Cox to generations of Wilkes students, faculty and staff:' Cox began working at Wilkes College in 1963 and saw the university move from its first president to its current president. Watching so many years of Wilkes history supplemented the archival work he did. As the first and only university archivist during his time, the 40 years of work Cox put into collecting and recording archival data is what allowed the Wilkes archives to be what they are today. Cox's work earned him the distinction of having the university archives room named after him in 2013. The room is currently on the third floor of the Farley Library. Outside of the archival work, Cox served many positions on campus including faculty coordinator of graduate education, chair of the History Department, faculty adviser to the president, interim dean, and a member of the creative writing graduate program faculty. Dr. Bonnie Culver, former director of the Maslow Graduate Program in Creative Writing, recalled that Cox would work out with the football and wrestling teams. She also explained that his proudest moment was serving others. "He was most proud of his work in the 1990s on staff and faculty salaries and benefits that allowed Wilkes to pay competitive salaries and provide a significant increase in staff benefits." REMEMBERING, page 3 r �_J The Beacon - September 8, 2021 News 2 News Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 8 weekly meeting By Sean Schmoyer Managing Editor Student Government conducted its first in-person meeting of the semester this past week. The meeting started with the typical format of call to order, roll call, approval of minutes and the treasurer's report. The treasurer's report stated that there is a total of $71,440 across the SG accounts. The first order of business was from Paige Gallagher from the office of advancement and alumni relations who presented virtually about homecoming. Gallagher gave an overview of how homecoming will be offered to alumni; informed the board that reunions for class years ending in 0, 5, 1 and 6 would occur this year; explained that affinity reunions for groups like the A-list; cheerleaders, Grissom Hall and the 75 year of men's lacrosse would take place; and that academic reunions will occur at the Pints with Professors event. Gallagher talked about potential student involvement at homecoming and then asked SG for $500 for 50 student tickets which will be valid for the academic reunions. This request is a yearly one, but will still be voted on at the next meeting after Gallagher gives her week two of two presentations. Next on the agenda, Student Body Vice President Ben Wojciechowski went over meeting expectations for new members or members who were attending their first in-person meeting. The Homecoming Committee presented the homecoming budget request. Morrison outlined the events and timetable for Homecoming: Thursday, Sept 30, will be the pep rally; Friday, Oct 1, will be the homecoming dance with the theme of Under the Stars; and Saturday, Oct 2, will be the homecoming game. The meeting's final budget request was The Homecoming Committee is looking · for Club Day and came from Student to have multiple food trucks available, Government President Lexi Payne. potentially incorporating inflatable obstacle In a week two of two Payne requested a courses, yard games, music provided by the total of $5,750 to cover catering, the door campus radio station and prize, incidentals and decorations. The _snapchat filters. allocation of the full amount of funds Part of the budget will be passed with all members eligible to vote used to cover 300 T-shirts in favor and those involved in the budget to hand out at the pep request abstaining. rally. The tickets for the Parliamentarian Nathan Pitcher reminded dance will be $5, and in the members of Student Government that preparation for an outside elections for the first-year class and to fill dance on the Greenway, vacant seats, are coming up soon. Currently the committee wants a the sophomore class has one vacant seat, real dance floor, a DJ and a the junior class has four vacant seats and photobooth. the senior class has three vacant seats. The committee also plans @wilkesbeacon to decorate for the game and hand out prizes, both of which will be included in Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu the budget request. The total amount requested for homecoming is $31,000. The committee will return next week for week two of two where the board will vote on the request. Table of Contents Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Complied by Beacon News Staff COVID Assurance Testing in Marts 203 COVID assurance testing for asymptomatic students, staff and faculty will take place in Marts 203 beginning Sept. 13. Testing will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are symptomatic and experiencing symptoms make an appointment with the Health and Wellness Center by calling their phone number. Archives Feature Programs from Sordoni Art Gallery The Wilkes University Archives announced the Sordoni Art Gallery Exhibition Programs from 1973 to present have been digitized. To view these past programs, the digital repository, Omeka, can be used as well as the archives blog to find links to the exhibition files. Bierly Fellowship Looking for Candidates The Bierly Fellowship is seeking applicants for this fall. The fellowship was created to fund unique undergraduate learning opportunities for students outside of the campus. Applications are due by Oct. 1. Applications can be submitted online and documents can be sent to Sharon Castano, the Bierly Chair and Director of Internships. Internship Program seeks Applicants Sophomores and juniors interested in international internships are encouraged to apply to the Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink internship program. This will take place during the 2022 summer semester. The program is a 10- to 12-week research internship and students in science, engineering, mathematics, humanities and social sciences may work under the direction of Canadian university faculty members. The deadline to apply for the program is Oct. 15. For further information on eligibility see Today@Wilkes @wifkesbeacon Thewifkesbeacon@wilkes.edu Life, A&E ............ 7 Opinion............ 14 Sports................ 19 Uocomin2 Events: 2021 Fall Semester September 16 - Cards Against Hypnosis (WUPB) 16 - First-Year Student Bowling Night 17 - ASME Movie Night 20 - Virtual Open House 25 - Family Day 26 - Frances Slocum Hike (Honors) 30 - Homecoming pep rally October 1 - Homecoming Dance 2 - Homecoming Game 8 - Virtual Health Sciences Discovery Day 9 - Open House 14 - Fall Recess Begins 21 - Allan P. Kirby Lecture 31 - Halloween November 6 - STEM Discovery Day 7 - Virtual Open House 11 - Veterans Day 13 - In-Person Open House 24 - Thanksgiving Recess Begins December 13 - Final Examinations Begin 20 - Final Examinations Ena Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: 1he WilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu �REMEMBERING, from front Giving to others, and to the university at large was a large part of the legacy he left behind. Cox gave a $165,000 donation to the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing. This donation allowed the creative writing program to renovate its building. The building was renamed in 2015 to Dr. Harold Cox Hall, the second part of campus named in honor of him. Cox's gift 3 News The Beacon - September 15, 2021 benefitted all those who walked through the building. Cox also donated to the Wilkes Speech and Debate team to help continue the program. Dr. Terese Wignot, associate provost for academic partnerships, reflected on all Cox did for the university. "Dr. Harold Cox was truly a valuable member of our Wilkes community. He was a faculty voice and leader on campus for many years and was very Photos: The Beacon/Sara Ross Examples of archives housed In the Harold Cox Archive Room. Top photo: A scrapbook "Athletlcs from 1940 to 1960" Below: A Clvll War diary written by Alfred W. Shollenberger student-centric;' Wignot said. "He made innumerable contributions to the archives at the university and to the creative writing program, all well after his retirement." Wignot also recalled Cox's stories. "He always had a story to tell about the history of Wilkes and the area~• Outside of Wilkes, Cox received his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary and earned his doctorate in history from the University of Virginia. Cox was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in active duty from 1954 to 1956. He then served in the U.S. Army Reserve for an additional 30 years, achieving the rank of command sergeant major. According to his obituary, Cox is survived by his spouse, Robert Reite and a son, Michael. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. @wilkesbeacon Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Courtesy of Dr. Bonnie Culver Dr. Harold Cox standing In uniform outside of Dr. Harold Cox Hall. The bulldlng was dedicated to Cox In 2015 after a six figure donation to the Maslow Famlly Graduate Program In Creative Writing. �.J The Beacon - September 15, 2021 News 4 New campus bookstore opens to mixed student reactions By Maddy Kinnard Asst. News Editor For the first time since 2007, Wilkes University has its bookstore back on campus. As the university's current bookstore contract came to an end in August 2021, administration chose to build a space of its own for books on campus, rather than continue the contract with Barnes and Noble. Now located on the lounge on the first floor of the Student Union Building, the new bookstore is more than just a way to purchase textbooks. It houses Wilkes gear, as the Barnes and Nobles location did, along with school materials and plenty of snacks. The bookstore is operating as a hybrid model, granting students the ability to order textbooks online as in the past. A kiosk will also be part of the new store but due to supply chain issues, has not been added yet. It will be added as soon as possible. "The course and book will determine which versions will be offered; i.e. new, used, rented or digital;' said Alicia Bond, director of business operations. "The store plans to continue offering different price points to allow students to select the format they prefer. If a student needs assistance, they can always stop in the store and manager Joe Stager is happy to assist:' Justin Kraynack, associate vice president of operations and compliance has found that making this switch to an on-campus location will also provide an economic benefit for not only the university but for students as well. "Thingslikerent, utilities and maintenance expenses are considerably lower on campus:' Kraynack said. "Though it's too early into our agreement to quantify all the benefits of this operation, we are confident that our new campus store will realize not only an economic benefit to the campus, but increase convenience and accessibility to products and supplies needed for classroom and campus life:' However, while the change in location may allow for easier accessibility for some students, frustrations have been expressed by those who preferred the appeal of the Barnes and Nobles location and feel the loss of the lounge space as the bookstore has taken over. "I mean I have yet to go into it, but I'm kinda sad and angry that they took the space away from students:• says senior earth and environmental science major Erika Wintersteen. "I liked spending time in the lounge area; it was usually quiet during the day. I also spent a lot of time there freshman year, too. Also, how can it be a bookstore if there are no books present in it? It's a gift shop:' On whether or not students opted for purchasing their books from the bookstore A large variety of snacks are available In the bookstore if anyone needs to quickly grab something to eat. Some other items available are umbrellas and plushies. or looked elsewhere to buy them, the latter was more appealing for senior English major Nicole McNelis. "I only purchased some of my books from the bookstore. Most of my books this semester came from Amazon:• said McNelis. "It is faster, more efficient, and usually cheaper that way. Right now, the bookstore is in a weird transition period, and I understand that, but it is currently pretty difficult to receive information (let alone books) from the bookstore. Personally, I think their current methods of operations are super inefficient:' All of these grievances are being taken into consideration by the university as members are still working to cater to students and professor's needs as they arise. "Collaboration between the bookstore and faculty is critical to not only the success of the campus store, but most importantly to supporting the success of our students;' said Kraynack. "A number of transitional problems made it difficult to fulfill some course book adoptions along with shipping and supply chain challenges. Our new campus store management team is committed to correcting these problems and to establish an active faculty outreach campaign to solicit their feedback:' @wilkesbeacon Madelynn.Kinnard@wilkes.edu have as didn't s for diffi win the Wilk The new on-campus bookstore is located In the Student Union Bulldlng where the larger lounge used to be. There are stlll some couches, chairs and computers outside the bookstore available use. for Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinnard The bookstore still sells WIikes memorabilia as It did in the downtwon Barnes and Noble store. The big difference is that books are no longer on premises and need to be ordered online. As Wilkes "The probab season, Tone. Both throug First-y the op �The Beacon - September 15, 2021 5 News Damage and destruction in tht! _wake. of Hurricane Ida By Genny Frederick Ne Ed"t I ws or Hurricane Ida, the second major hurricane of the 2021 hurricane season, ripped through the country in the beginning of September, with damage with significant damage in New Orleans and northeastern states. Philadelphia, New York City and the state of New Jersey saw rainfall, flooding and tornadoes, which resulted in large amounts of damage. Nick Godfry, junior marketing major, explained how this damage impacted his family. "My grandmother lives on Long Beach Island, only a few blocks from the beach, and her entire first floor was flooded with about 2-3 feet of water;' he said. "Damage hit pretty hard on a different part of LBI from a tornado that passed through, taking out a few blocks worth of houses and docks right along the bay. "Some other parts that got hit really hard were the Philadelphia areas. My older brother lives right outside of Philly and was stuck in 3 feet of water outside of his apartment:' Hurricane Ida began developing in the Caribbean Sea on Aug. 23, and then developed mto ~ tropical depression. on Aug. 26. Later m the day, the tropical depression became a tropical storm and then the next day intensified into a hurricane. On Aug, 29 the storm moved to the coast of Louisiana where it is estimated that $15 to $20 billion of damage was done. The storm moved through the country toward the northeast as it weakened into a tropical depression and then a tropical cyclone. Rainfall records in numerous states were broken and tornados varying from EF0 to EF3 intensity were reported across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In all regions impacted by the storm, infrastructure damage was overwhelming with more than 150,000 homes without power in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Louisiana also saw thousands of homes without power. Although the storm was smaller in size than other hurricanes such as Katrina, the intensity and quick development of the storm are not common. Lt. Col. Mark Kaster, meteorology instructor in the earth and environmental science department, explained the reasons for the intensity of Hurricane Ida. "Our Earth system is trying to rebalance Premium Student Housing FUR ISHED ALL INCLUSIVE 1-4+ BR partment and Mansion style living LEASE NOW FOR MAY 20 Move 1n! www.znproperties.com e! ~nequahties, Ka~ter said. The defici_ts m the polar regions and the surplus m the equatorial regions are rebalanced by hurricanes:' The imbalance includes both temperature and pressure imbalances. As storms move from the tropics, with high heat and low pressure, northward toward the poles, which have low heat and high pressure, these imbalances regulate. Excess heat in the equatorial regions will cause a larger imbalance resulting in larger storms. Kaster went on to explain that the excess heat in the atmosphere also contributes to the large amounts of rain that come with hurricanes such as Ida, which was a factor in the excess flooding seen in the northern states. ''.As the system warms up, the atmosphere warms up. We know from physics that warmer air holds more moisture, so there is more available moisture to produce these rainfall events:' said Kaster. Kaster also pointed out that the speed at which Hurricane Ida developed was of concern. While New Orleans may take up to three days to evacuate, the mere 36hour development of the storm left many unable to evacuate in time, whether or not residents had the means to. A_ngela Fiorentino, seni_or earth and environmental science maJor from New Jersey explained her reaction to the storm. "One of the most intense tornadoes in New Jersey history occurred as a result of Tropical Storm Ida;' Fiorentino said. "I think that this storm was a real eye-opener for a lot of people. There is no denying that more intense storms are happening more often and that's directly linked to climate change. It is very worrisome, especially for people living near the coast because flooding is occurring more frequently as a result:' Damage caused by these storms can be overwhelming, but the resiliency of those impacted allows areas to recover well. Jaycee Demaria, a junior nursing major, has hope that her area of Southern New Jersey will recover. "Some of our favorite restaurants flooded up to the tables inside;' she explained. "There were roofs from houses and restaurants in the streets and the bay. However, we are a tight-knit community. I know we will come together and help our neighbors and local restaurants with the restoration they need:' Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet Open House October 3, 2021 Limited availability. Join us at the OPEN HOUSE to see how to reserve your future apartment now... REGISTER AT WWW.ZNPROPERTIES.COM Can't make the open house???? FOR INFORMATION Email us at znpropertiesllc@gmail.com �.J The Beacon - September 15, 2021 News 6 Special education added as a new major at Wilkes By Genny Frederick News Editor This semester, Wilkes University added a new major on campus: special education. The additional major in the education department serves current students who have a passion for teaching special education, as well as future students who will be looking for a more specific major within education. The new major was readily accepted by new and current students this fall, with 12 students currently enrolled. Seven of the students were already education majors who decided to make the jump to the new program once it was announced Jordan Harrison was planning to work with students in special education following her college graduation, but the major allowed her to get started earlier than expected. 'Mer being a standard education major, I decided to go for the standalone special education degree because I feel that it will provide me with the opportunity to work with students of all ages:' Harrison said. "The degree is a K -12 certification, so I feel that it will not only challenge me, but provide me with the ability to work with students and be able to watch them improve their skills and knowledge on a daily basis:' Billy Searle, a first-year student, heard of the new major at orientation and from there decided to join the program. 'i\.t first I wanted to be a business major:' he said. "I then really began to look into the education field. I wasn't sure which field I wanted, but I looked into special education and realized that's what I wanted to do in life. education numbers "I really want to may have been 15 be able to make a to 17 percent. Now difference in the many of our regional world. I feel that school districts' working in special special education education could populations are help me make that '-~···,··~·- '"'"· upwards of 30 difference:' percent:' Within the major's While Wilkes first two weeks, previously offered student numbers are a certification in already exceeding special education, expectations. Dr. this certification Karen Frantz Fry, 1<> came with additional associate professor burdens. Five extra in the ~ducation courses were needed department, in addition to the explained the full course load of number of students the education major. who were expected This added nearly to join the program. one extra semester "When we to a student's time in submitted the Photos courtesy of Jordan Harrison college, which was proposal through the university process, The Education Club recruiting not a feasible option we were hoping members at Club Day this semester. for all. The new major still covers the core set within the first year to two years for the freshman class to have 10 of classes, but students now have more time to students, which would be a good start for us:' focus on topics that will benefit them in the field. she said. In addition to classwork, partnerships with Faculty enthusiasm is also to credit for the Graham Academy in Kingston allow interest in the program. Dr. Suzanne Murray Galella, chair of the Wilkes' education students to work with education department, explained that while children who live with autism and behavioral this major will serve Wilkes students, it will challenges. This experience allows future teachers to have real-life experience that will also serve the broader community. "Our special education numbers are on help them as they move into the classroom the rise. Ten years ago our district's special themselves. This partnership has been Education Club officers pose for a picture together. developed since 2018 by Frantz Fry, but in conjunction with the new major, will benefit students of both schools. Although the special education major is in its early stages, many new ideas are being discussed to advance the program. One of these ideas is the addition of a class on infant risk outside of the traditional bounds of the classroom. The infant risk class would focus on an understanding of what complications during birth mean for the social, academic and emotional development of a child. "We're currently working right now with some local neurologists and some pediatricians and our hope is once we get COVID a little bit more under control that we would actually offer this class, in a neonatal unit so that our students would be following doctors and nurses around in a neonatal unit to talk about what this development looks like;' Galella said. The development of new courses, partnerships, and programs to benefit the new major is continuous and brings the enthusiasm of the education department to life. Harris summed up the excitement and commitment to the new major. "I am looking forward to the opportunities that this new program will give me. I am hoping to learn more about how I can advocate for students with disabilities, spend more time studying and experiencing how every student is different, and as a teacher I have the opportunity to be a role model for my students as many of my professors were role models for me:' @wilkesbeacon genevieve.frederick@wilkes.edu Education Club members take a picture after hosting their first Big Brothers Big Sisters event. Participants played comhole, klckball, frlsbee, and other games. The Beac s The N released According teams in from the the Titans the East. Startin to the B" playoff s could ha grabs pri both the playoffs. N By Zar Staff Wi The released Sept. 9. the top from th the Bu Washin Start· season, Aaron Howev tomak to play ranked The center that · Meyer left tac Bakhti Dec.3 The Willi NFC �.1 The Beacon - September 15, 2021 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any: events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu First-year students settle into life on campus By AJ Rubino and Kellle Scott Staff Writers Transitioning into college can be a challenge or a breeze for some. However, with a global pandemic still on the radar, there are new challenges for incoming firstyear students. How might the new students adjust to life on campus? 'J\.ny change is hard, especially moving into college;' said first-year student and neuroscience major, Elie Kramer. With the pandemic going on, it has made the adjustment a little harder, she explained. However, Kramer was able to ease her mind when she was able to bring her fish, Aioli, as a third roommate. Originally from Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Kramer said that at her high school, classes would be moved online frequently because of COVID-19 outbreaks. That left Kramer feeling confined and very unhappy. She credits macaroni and cheese to helping her through the tough times. Now, Kramer has found herself at many events in just the past few weeks, including Welcome Weekend's Drag Bingo. "It was one of the greatest nights of my life;' said Kramer. Despite having to be restricted to her own house at times when an outbreak occurred in her school, Kramer found a sense of community as she participated in the Welcome Weekend. "I chose Wilkes for the close knit community and the opportunities it holds;' said Kramer. Kramer said Wilkes has a great health sciences program and as she continues to adjust here on campus, she hopes to grow a sense of independence. She is also eager to explore more of what Wilkes has to offer. On the other hand, leaving for college was easier for some. "It was not that difficult;' said firstyear ,student and nursing major Bridget Rosenfeld. In New York, Rosenfeld was not always able to travel outside of the state due to their restrictions. Therefore, finally leaving was a ourtesy o Students partied with local drag performers, with Joy and entertainment helplng to curb first year students' Welcome Weekend nerves. nice change for Rosenfeld. When talking about her high school experiences with COVID-19, she was more fortunate than Kramer. When anyone tested positive at her school, officials made sure to do contact tracing and took precautions. She was still able to enjoy her senior year, including being able to go to prom, football games and participate in field hockey. "I was very glad to be able to have my senior field hockey season;' said Rosenfeld. "I have always looked forward to going to prom so I was very happy to hear we could have one this year:' In the two weeks she has been on campus, Rosenfeld has been adjusting to college life by hanging out with the field hockey team. She also attended Drag Bingo. Not everything has been so easy for Rosenfeld. She has been faced with juggling a busy schedule, playing field hockey and being a nursing student. "Wilkes has an amazing nursing program that I am looking forward to starting;' said Rosenfeld. Sydney Farmer, a first-year student and biology major with a double minor in Spanish and biochemistry, also had to make some major adjustments to life on campus. "Because of the pandemic and tennis I am restricted on the times I'm allowed to go home;' Farmer said. This is not the first time Farmer felt restricted when it came to doing things. Her high school brought a sense of unity when it came to athletics. However, due to the pandemic and the restrictions set in New Jersey, the football players were only offered two tickets. These two tickets were mainly reserved for the players' parents, leaving Farmer upset to miss out on their games. "Football is a really big sport in my school and brought together the school as a whole;' said Farmer. "It was definitely sad to not see a game my senior year:' Now on campus, she is very excited to continue her education and sports at Wilkes. On top of being a full time student athlete, Farmer plans to pursue a pre-med concentration and wants to do a 4+ 1 in the bioengineering masters program. She has found herself trying not to procrastinate and finishing what she needed to do to be able to participate in campus events. Farmer has discovered lots of fun things to do in her first two weeks on campus. Recently, she attended Club Day and participated in Welcome Weekend as much as she could due to tennis conflicts. Farmer is very excited to get to know the university more and has tons of goals set for herself. She is especially looking forward to continuing her education in a research based college. "There are so many opportunities and I cannot wait to see what the future will hold;' Farmer said. "I hold myself to high standards, as my biggest goal at Wilkes is to maintain a 3.75 GPA and I will be accountable and stay on top of my work to achieve this goal:' AJ.Rubino@wilkes.edu Kel/ie.Scott@wilkes.edu �_J Life, Arts & Entertainment The Beacon - September 15, 2021 8 Nutritious pup treats: Doggy Delicacies' frozen PB veggie bites By Emlly Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief These low-calorie, frozen peanut butter veggie bites are a healthy snack that your dog will surely enjoy. They allow your dog to eat some peanut butter with hidden veggies mixed in, all while offering beneficial nutrients. Ingredients 1 cup of powdered peanut butter (with about 3/4 cup of water) 2 large carrots, sliced 1 cup diced cucumber 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (optional) Rice krispie cereal or oats (optional) Directions: First, cut and wash your vegetables. For convenience, I used a julienne vegetable peeler to quickly cut the carrots into small pieces. Wash the vegetables and let them briefly dry as you prepare the peanut butter. Next, mix together the peanut butter powder and water until there are no lumps. Now add the vegetables and coconut oil (the latter is optional). Once everything is mixed together, be sure that the consistency is just slightly runny so the peanut butter can fill up the ice cube trays. If the mix is too dry, add more water, and if it is too runny, add some more powder. Once everything is prepared, fill the mixture into an empty ice cube tray. For an optional added topping, you can sprinkle some rice krispie cereal or rolled oats on top of the cubes. Let the cubes freeze for about 12 hours. Once completely frozen, remove them and place them into a container. You may have to use a butter knife or spoon to gently pry the cubes out. Be sure to only feed the peanut butter cubes to your dogs about once a day so their teeth do not become sensitive to the coldness of this treat. Note: I used the PB2's original peanut butter powder due to its lower calorie and fat count compared to the regular spread. If you can only access the regular premade peanut butter spread, make sure whichever brand of peanut butter you use does not contain xylitol, as it is extremely poisonous to canines. Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Graphic by Mia Walker I ofte spring getting another posting Wilkes!" Hown When virtual, I "normal" The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas This frozen peanut butter veggie cube Is a great way to give your pup a tasty, yet nutrlonal snack, that helps cool them off. Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to their 2021-2022 Beacon Bumps playlist under Chris Gowartys account on Spotify. Look below for this weeks list of songs. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: INDUSTRY BABY - Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow Sean Schmoyer, Managing Editor: The Rule of Life - Vian Izak Genny Frederick, News Editor: My Body - Young the Giant__ Maddy Kinard, Asst. News Editor: Amoeba - Clairo Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Fair Trade - Drake with Travis Scott Breanna Ebisch, Opinion Editor: .1 am not a woman, I'm a God Halsey _ _ _ ~--~------•·------ Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Staff Writer: None for you - Kiana Lede Ariel Reed, Sports Editor: Bad Day- Justus Bennetts Chris Gowarty, Assoc. Sports Editor: HJ)NJ;ST- Baby Keem Baylee Guedes, Asst. Sports Editor: Next to__ _you - Mike Jone§ Jason Eberhart, Sports Staff Writer: Moon - Kany~ Mia Walker, Lead Designer: Way 2 Sexy - Drake Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Pictures of Girls-Wallows Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: l::J_§y.,bb! - Binki almost stopped when mu we have I long word "C riddled vaccines. who was closed. It honest, p assignme class fro introvert· That b 2020-202 downside schedule. when all �The Beacon - September 15, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 The Met Gala returns to New York in the fall due to COVID-19 Sordoni Art Gallery hosts event due to the excitement of the Met Gala By Morgan Rich Staff Writer On Sept. 13, the Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's stairs. Otherwise known as one of fashion's biggest events of the year, the Met Gala was held in a smaller, more intimate fashion than in past years, but that did not stop fabulous celebrity fashion from walking the red carpet. The Met Gala is the Super Bowl of fashion, equivalent to the Oscars in the fashion world. Normally held on the first Monday in May, the Met Gala is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Exhibit in New York City and marks the opening of the Costume Institute's fashion exhibit. This year's theme is celebrating all things American fashion. According to USA Today, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" was meant to honor the 75th anniversary of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It explored the nation's elegant identity and dug deeper into America's creativity so there was a lot of patriotism on the red carpet. "I was very excited to see this yea_r's theme with all of the new costumes," said Rebecca Timko, sophomore business major. "I think this theme is very unique compared to other years:' The co-chairs of the Met Gala are in charge of putting together the guest list, curating the aesthetics of the gala, regarding proof of vaccinations. All attendees of the Gala were required to show their own proof of vaccination and wear a mask indoors. As of right now, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion:' featuring ensembles of fashion in the United States, is expected to open on Sept. 18. The second exhibit, "I personally love the Met Gala and seeing all the red carpet looks so it was interesting to see how students put their own spin on it. It was super fun! It was a super unique event that we were very lucky to have such amazing clubs and f acuity members that allow us to do stuff like this." - Karoline Freitas creating the feel of the evening and selecting the decor. Singer Billie Eilish, actor Timothee Chalamet, inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and athlete Naomi Osaka were the co-chairs this year, which was announced this past May. The honorary chairs consisted of Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram and sponsor of the gala, Tom Ford and Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor-inchief. The guest list for the Met Gala is as secretive as guest lists get. But that is all part of the fun about watching the gala: seeing all of the familiar faces and guessing who is there According to WWD, there was some speculation as to who will show up on Monday. On Instagram, the account @_metgala2021 released a simulated seating chart of the guests that were rumored to attend the gala, though the account is not verified. There was also talk that the guest list expanded to include internet personalities, athletes and influencers this year. The Metropolitan Museum of Art requires all visitors ages 12 and older to show proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19, in accordance with New York's mandate "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" is expected to open on May 5, 2022, after the Met Gala next year. The exhibits will close on Sept. 5, 2022. Those who were not one of the lucky ones who got to travel to New York City this past Monday and sit next to Lady Gaga were still able to watch the fashion spectacle of the season. The Met Gala was live streamed by Vogue on Twitter. Actresses KeKe Palmer and Ilana Glazer hosted the live stream, which also included interviews and an exclusive look at the high-class attire of the guests. Questions have already sparked about what next year's Met Gala will entail. So far the Met Gala is back on schedule to take place on the original date of the first Monday of the month, May 2, 2022. Unless otherwise stated in the next year, the protocols will be the same and the theme will be a continuation of fashion in the United States. Even the university got in the spirit of things when it came to the Met Gala. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the Sordoni Art Gallery opened so people could experience the "L'Esprit" while walking on the red carpet the gallery rolled out for its students and other visitors. At the gallery, there were light refreshments, guided tours of "L'Esprit:' a mini-exhibition of "The Battle of Versailles:• a live stream of the Met Gala, red carpet contests and more. Attendees were encouraged to dress up according to the theme. There were prizes for the best costumes so many made sure to break out their creative sides. "I think it was an amazing opportunity that we got to do something as creative and expressive as this here at Wilkes;' said Karoline Freitas, sophomore nursing student. "I personally love the Met Gala and seeing all the red carpet looks so it was interesting to see how students put their own spin on it. It was a super unique event that we were very lucky to have such amazing clubs and faculty members that allow us to do stuff like this:• To find out more information regarding the Met Gala at the Sordoni Art Gallery or see what you missed out on, follow them on Instagram @sordonigallery. Morgan.Rich@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �_J The Beacon - September 15, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 The Liz's Craft Column: DIY boho-chic wall hanger decoration M By Liz Cherlnka Social Media Manager Staff Now that classes have started and everyone has moved into their dorms, you may realize the walls look more white and plain than expected. Trying to find affordable decorations is hard but making cheap DIYs is easy. This boho-chic wall hanger is a quick craft that is sure to spice up any living space. This craft is time-consuming, but very relaxing. It is nice to do this after a long week of studying and homework to relax. The required supplies are four medium-sized embroidery hoops, yarn in at least two colors, hot glue and scissors. These supplies can be found at any craft store, such as Joann Fabrics, Michaels or Amazon. To start, remove the inside part from each hoop. This is that part that will be used so the outside can be moved to the side. Grab the first hoop and any color of yarn. Make a small spot of hot glue on the outside of the hoop on top and place the end of the yarn on it, being very careful to not touch the glue. A tip would be to push it onto the hoop while the glue dries using the yarn around the glue, not directly on it. Pull down from both sides to secure it in place. Then, pull the yarn strand down to the bottom of the hoop directly underneath where it is glued on top so it divides the hoop in half. Put a small spot of hot glue on that spot on the outside of the hoop and glue the yarn to it. Make sure the yarn strands are pulled taut each time. Secure it in the same way as before being careful to not touch the glue. Next, wrap the yarn around the back of the hoop and pull it to the top. Add more hot glue and attach it in the same way as before. Continue wrapping the yarn around the hoop moving toward the right adding a new spot of glue on the top each time. As you progress across the circle, the yarn on the bottom will slide and make it more difficult to just glue on the top. At that point, start adding a spot of glue on the bottom and top. This process will be very tedious but not difficult. The end of the circle starts to get tricky. There will be a point where you cannot wrap yarn anymore onto the hoop because it will start extending onto the circle rather, than just forming around it. In this case, finish the circle off by just wrapping from the top to the bottom on the edge of the circle, gluing the yarn down and cutting it. This will add a strand of yarn on the edge to cover the wood of the hoop. That finishes off the first hoop of four. To continue, repeat these steps with another color yarn. This craft can have two, three or four different colors. The example uses two but feel free to take creative liberty with the colors. Once all four hoops have been wrapped, it is time to attach them together. Lay them out on a flat surface to determine the orientation of the hoops. This can mean turning the hoop or flipping it to change where the yarn is. The example can be used as inspiration for orientations. To connect the hoops once they are arranged, add a large spot of hot glue on the bottom of the hoop in the middle and connect that to the center of the top of the hoop below it. Repeat this with the rest of the hoops. Allow this time to dry before it is hung. Once they dry, the craft is complete and ready to display to add some boho chic to your space. Ma in ep with Chi 1) First, glue the yarn to the outside top of the hoop. Then pull It taut to the bottom and glue It on the hoop. 2) Continue wrapping the yarn around the hoop, gluing each strand on top. If the yarn Is not holding In place on the bottom, glue there as well. marr Bu newl his s the kno whe play their A Liz.Cherinka@wilkes.edu Graphic by Anna Culver Chi Liz's Craft Rating: Two out of five yarn-balls. This DIY boho-chic wall hanger Is affordable because It requires only a few supplies. It does not require any prior craft experience so anyone can try it. Just make sure not to burn your hands with the hot glue. [ By LI - - ----- - - - -- -- - - -- . ~ - 3) Repeat these steps until four hoops are completely wrapped. Feel free to choose any sets of colors. Although this example uses two, you can have any sort of color set. - - -- - - - Photos: he Beacon/Liz Cherinka 4) Lay the hoops on a flat srface to determine positioning and then glue each hoop together. Glue the bottom of one hoop to the top of another in the orientation chosen. - - - - - - - -- - - - Share your completed crafts with us! Tag us on our Instagram account @wilkesbeacon with your craft! #LizsCraftColumn - --- - - - - - - choi can cou Kon �The Beacon - September 15, 2021 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Concerts and festivals are up and running once again Made In America comes home to Philadelphia By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor a music festival, so it is understandable for those to feel worried about their safety, especially because of COVID-19. However, although there were moments of uncertainty for some there was also excitement. "I liked getting to experience going to a big music festival;' said junior nursing major Alexis Yeakel. "I had never been anyone else that performed because she was not a 'rap' artist, she only sings. I have wanted to see her since 2014 so it was like a dream come true:' If people were hungry or thirsty there were places where they could buy food and drinks. There were also areas for people to buy merchandise and take pictures to post on social media. After a year of concert and festival cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19, it is now considered safe, with certain precautions, for people to watch their favorite performers live again. The two-day music festival produced by ''I like that I can see many artists I love Live Nation and owned by Jay-Z, Made In America, returned this past Labor listening to for a fraction of the cost of a concert Day weekend in Philadelphia and many celebrities came out to perform their top ticket. I decided to go because the price of a hits for their fans. According to Made In America Fest, the two-day pass was very worth it and I could see festival implemented all CDC and local many artists that I would have loved to see in public health mandates and guidelines. Attendees had to show proof of a concert." negative COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to the event or printed proof of a full - Jess Fred Torres COVID-19 vaccination upon entry. All attendees were also required to wear "The atmosphere is pure craziness:' to one before. I liked a lot of the artists masks on festival grounds. Yeakel said. "There are people everywhere Even though the festival's website that were going and wanted to experience and music coming from every direction. released a statement claiming there were something new with my friends. My Besides watching people perform there favorite part was seeing Lil Baby:' following CDC guidelines and protocols, Major performers on Saturday were were food trucks, different vendors trying some attendees disagreed with this. to sell their products and places where "There were no masks in sight during Megan Thee Stallion, Kehlani, Young you could go to take some cute pictures Thug, Griselda and Baby Keem, with this event;' said junior nursing major Jess with friends:' Fred Torres. "I understand that everyone Lil Baby being the closing act. Sunday The festival is full of high energy, and there was supposed to be vaccinated or performers included Doja Cat, Roddy lasts 12 hours, which may be too long for have a negative test result but that is not Rich, Bobby Shmurda, Freddie Gibbs, some people to be up on their feet. Mariah the Scientist and Justin Bieber, always the case. I have social anxiety and I "I would honestly rather go to a regular knew it was going to affect my experience, who closed on the last day of Made In concert because you at least have a place but I did not realize how bad it was going America. to sit if you need to and it also is not an "My favorite performer was Kehlani:' to be." event that lasts 12 hours;' Yeakel said. Also, for many, this was the first time Torres said. "She was such a sweetheart "Made In America is very fun, but tiring:' they had ever been to a large event live and had a beautiful voice. She was unlike Torres also shared her first-time experience at Made In America. "Before even entering the festival, people were drinking and getting blacked out before they even got inside. "When I was getting through security I could already see vomit on the ground and see all the people drunk or high on something. There were a lot of people, too many people, in my opinion. Since everyone wants to see the big artists I would get pushed around by all these people trying to reach the front:' One of the aspects Torres like most was the technological benefits. "My favorite part about it was that you could still enjoy the performances without actually having to be all that close up to the stage:' said Torres. "They had big screens and loud speakers to assure of that. I also liked that you could make friends or bond with these random people just by talking about the event or the artists:' Most ticket vendors and sites began selling tickets for the festival three to fourth months in advance of the actual date of the event. There was also a limit to the number of tickets one could buy at a time, which was eight two-day passes. The lowest price range for a two-day pass was around $150. "I like that I can see many artists I love listening to for a fraction of the cost of a concert ticket;' said Torres. "I decided to go because the price of a two-day pass was very worth it and I could see many artists that I would have loved to see in concert:' Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �...I LA&E The Beacon - September 15, 2021 RETURN Programming Board ByAJ Rubino Staff Writer Club Day, sponsored by Student Government, is once again back in person and was a huge success. On Sept. 9, many students and faculty came out to the greenway during the university's club hours to learn and engage with all the clubs and organizations there are on campus. "Every club that comes out here gets to attract new members," said senior mechanical engineering major and executive vice president of Student Government, Ben Wojciechowski. The main reason Club Day occurs every year is to recruit new members of any year or major. This is a great CLUB Luis Cespedes Ramirez, first-year nursing opportunity, especially for first-year students, to meet new people and become more involved with the university community. Many club members and advisers came out to represent their clubs and organizations. Some gained quite a bit of attention, with the Ecology Club, Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Career Center Internships, Commuter Council and Student Government being some of the most popular. "Commuter Council is a great opportunity for commuters and residents to be involved in campus," said treasurer of Commuter Council and junior environmental science major, Helen Campbell. Anyone can join Commuter 12 Student Government Council and it is a great way for students to interact with one another. For students focused on a business career and who want to start an internship, the Center for Career Development and Internships is the place to be .. "The Center for Career Development and Internships helps students of any major with any sort of professional development," said career peer ambassador and junior marketing major Sarah Palvick. The center also runs the Colonel Closet, which offers business attire for people on campus who need it for interviews and other professional needs. The university has many clubs, organizations and societies for students. There is such a wide variety and almost every department has some sort of club for students to join. Although Club Day is a great way to find out about all the campus has to offer, another way to find out about the wide variety of clubs on campus is by going to wilkes.presence.io, as it acts as a portal hub for all of Wilkes University's clubs and organizations. mia.rubino@wilkes.edu Photos: AJ Rubino Page Design/Layout: Mia Walker Mia.Walker@wilkes.edu �12 The Beacon - September 15, 2021 13 LA&E Ecology Club (from left to right) Tyler Saritski, Ecology Club president, double major in biology and physics, senior; and Alana Andreoli, earth environmental science with a biology concentration, senior Programming Board Top: GSA : Gender and Sexuality Alliance Bottom: The Center for Career Development and Internships ties !h a ery t of reat the ~her ide s is e.io, r all and u Top: Cheerleading Team Bottom: ASM E with their BAJA Matt Franchetti, hospitality leadership, president of RHC, senior r �The Beacon - September 15, 2021 Opinion 14 Opinion - - - - ~ - - - · - ~ ~ - ~ - ~ " - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ . - ~H_a~v_e ~a~ n ~o~inion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Sean Schmoyer Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Genevieve Frederick LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports -Ariel Reed LEAD DESIGNERS Mia Walker & Zoey Rosensweet ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sports - Christopher Gowarty ASSISTANT EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard Sports - Bajlee Guedes SECTION STAFF WRITERS LA&E - Judah Lyles Opinion - Lindsey. Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Interested In joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily Cherkauskas@wllkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone • (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Sean Schmoyer at Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu W The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member - - - - ( l u r VoicV,_ · - - -Each week, The Beacon's editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Vaccinated or not, we have a responsibility Health and safety of others must come first According to the Wilkes University COVID-19 Dashboard, there have been 14 positive cases on campus during the week of Sept. 6. Even with our 80 percent vaccination rate on campus, there are still positive cases emerging within the student and faculty population. This should come as no surprise given that even as the country's vaccination rate increases, the number of cases is currently the highest it has been since January, something visible in data collected from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The immediate reaction to squash here is that vaccines are ineffective; we know this to be false. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains so in its explanation of breakthrough cases. "Vaccine breakthrough cases are expected. COVID-19 vaccines are effective and are a critical tool to bring the pandemic under control," according to the CDC. "However, no vaccines are 100 percent effective at preventing illness. Some fully vaccinated people will get sick, and some will even be hospitalized or die from COVID-19." The CDC continues to explain that evidence does show that the vaccine makes illness less severe and that the risk of infection, hospitalization and death are all much lower in vaccinated individuals than in unvaccinated individuals. Knowing all this is important because as a vaccinated individual, you may have the misconception that you are invincible and fully protected from COVID-19. As students and faculty, we have to recognize that whether we are vaccinated or not, we still need to follow health and safety protocols and be considerate of others if we start to feel ill. Members of campus who are not vaccinated undergo weekly assurance testing in the Marts Center. In a recent email to the student body, the COVID-19 Daily Response Team addressed students missing the weekly assurance testing. The response team said, "The Delta variant continues to surge throughout our country. We know from experience that identifying and isolating positive cases as quickly as possible is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you are not vaccinated, it is absolutely imperative that you participate in regular testing:' Those who are vaccinated can still go to the Marts Center to receive assurance testing if they are sick or prefer to be tested. Though in a recent email, Health and Wellness Services clarified that those exhibiting symptoms should not go to the Marts Center and should instead make an appointment at the Health and Wellness Center at 570-408-4730 to be tested. As a campus community we have no say over the masking policy that has returned while inside buildings. However, actions such as not following the masking policy, attending reckless, mask.less events and exposing others to ourselves when we feel ill can have serious consequences. If the goal is to not miss another year of athletics, not be all online, not be masked outdoors, and not be at limited capacity, then remember that those regulations go back in place based on our actions as a community. If any or all the restrictions of the past year come back in place, we as a campus community would likely have no one to blame but ourselves for disregarding our responsibilities to keep ourselves and each other healthy and safe. @wilkesbeacon TheWilkesBeacon@wiJkes.edu Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: TheWilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-2962 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �L The Beacon - September 15, 2021 15 Opinion Marvel Studios nails it again: No spoiler "Shang-Chi" review By Liam Flynn Staff Writer 0 lue om in Marvel Studios returned to theaters in epic form over Labor Day weekend with the mythic martial arts film "ShangChi and the Legend of the Ten Rings", setting box office records while enjoying universal, critical and audience acclaim. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, "Shang-Chi" fits into Marvel packaging in its own way, but it has an immense soulfulness that other MCU movies, superhero movies and action movies, in general, should take notes from. Simu Liu stars as Shang-Chi, a key piece to a broken family that has a history of infighting. The dysfunctional family dynamics are even more important than the 10 rings that grant such immense power to Shang Chi's power-hungry father Wenwu, who has lived for 1,000 years and created a society called the Ten Rings which has destroyed kingdoms and swayed the events all over the world. When Wenwu found love with Jiang Li (Fala Chen), there was peace. They married and started a family. But after Shang-Chi's mother died, a newly monstrous Wenwu tried to mature his son by making him a killer, causing the young boy to leave behind his sister Xialing (Meng'er Zhang) and Wenwu. The film is an epic, mega-budget aircraft that flies over an abyss of grief. This backstory comes for Shang-Chi, known as an American adult as Shaun when he rides the bus with his friend Katy, played by the sensational Awkwafina, in their home of San Francisco. A group of henchmen attack ShangChi for a necklace he wears around his neck, and in a beat that's prefaced like a power-up, Shaun's immense courage suddenly comes to light. So do his fighting skills, which help make for an incredible melee scene of hand-to-hand combat that has the camera gazing for long shots and freely going in and out of the moving bus, just like its impromptu hero. The power for this film, however, comes through in the eyes of his father, Wenwu. One of the movie's most brilliant choices is casting Tony Leung so that can repeat the same magic he's had from countless romances and dramas in Hong Kong. Leung rules this movie. With the same silent passion and stillness that made "In the Mood for Love" one of the greatest romances of all time, Leung destroys armies, raises a family, and struggles to resist destructive grief. His presence is made all the more powerful by the 10 blue rings that help him slingshot around and destroy whatever is in his path. When he hears the voice of what could be his wife from behind a cave of rock, Wenwu becomes a Darth Vader-like tyrant, driving a campaign to rampage through the mother's magical home known as Ta Lo, in order to get to a cave that everyone else knows (including his son and daughter) has an apocalyptic, soul-sucking dragon inside. I believe it is one of the best performances from the Marvel Cinematic Universe because the passion and grief it expresses are perfectly displayed. Cretton is able to take this enthralling movie from one scene to the next with this vivid sense of a brother and sister trying to stop their father from destroying everything because he can't move on. It's a more devastating threat than the usual world domination thing. Plus, it parallels how the script builds out the painful backstory of Shang-Chi and his similarly skilled and aggrieved sister, Xialing. With a few strong twists along the way, this movie turns into an adventure and a homecoming to a peaceful realm from a whole different time, which brings in a sweet, moving performance from Michelle Yeoh. These passages show audiences how Shang-Chi learned two different fighting approaches. This parallels the two very different lives both of his parents lived. "Shang-Chi's" thrilling's embrace of clarity, of nudging your imagination instead of doing all the work for you, spreads the inspired special effects that enhance the magic of this story and the world of its characters. The majority of CGI useage is saved up for the last massive sequence, which is such an over-the-top, giddy, rollercoaster ride that you can't help but root for it. Not to mention that audiences also get to see the return of legendary incredible Hulk villain The Abonomition and, MCU fan-favorite Wong, Master of the Mystic Arts. The Avengers, the new roster at least, lurk on the periphery of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings;' but this film benefits from establishing its deeper family and friend relationships. Liu and Awkwafina have exceptional chemistry as they are thrown into the world of this universe's superheroes. Awkwafina becomes a vital source of levity for the script, and a welcoming audience surrogate as the film ramps up to a large battle. She helps the humor pop even more compared to the story's darker themes, making numerous passages of the movie not only thrilling but charming and funny. From the very start, Shang-Chi signals this is a different storytelling experience than many are·used to from the MCU. It feels less like an overtly superhero film in many regards, although it certainly doesn't hide its comic book origins. Rather, it simply seems less obviously a costumed hero tale and could largely stand alone apart from the MCU if not for a few specific tie-in elements. "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" is top-tier Marvel superhero origin storytelling, rising to the occasion to not only live up to, but exceed expectations. Without spoiling, the movie does make great efforts to address Marvel's previously problematic presentations of Asian characters and it embraces fruitful ideas, both big and small. This movie is not an experiment for. Marvel and Disney; it is a promising origin story that could fit in perfectly to the continuation of the MCU's phase four. I give "Shang-Chi" a 9.3 out of 10, and I place it among the best of all Marvel films. Liam.Flynn@wilkes.edu Graphic by Jack Malatesta r �The Beacon - September 15, 2021 Opinion 16 My Wilkes University on-campus bookstore experience Wait... Where are the textbooks? By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief The Colonel conception Wilkes University recently ended its ISyear relationship with the local Barnes & Noble store on Main Street, which ultimately caused the institution to be devoid of a physical place to sell textbooks and college merchandise. Or so we initially thought. The university had a choice: renew the contract or find another store to host the collection of merchandise and textbooks. It went with a decision that is fairly popular with other colleges nowadays: Instead of subjecting students to the headache of traversing the city to find textbooks and supplies, why not just build a bookstore on campus instead? I feel it would be common sense to be happy in reaction to the initial news. Until we learned that the SUB lounge would be replaced by the bookstore. As a commuter myself, I found solace in the SUB's lounging area as a first-year student and found a sense of worry for new students who did not know the more secluded lounge areas of the campus. The lounge was a truly calming area-we could peacefully relax, all while listening to the ambiance of the dining hall and Student Development area, while watching cars and students pass by outside the windows. Despite the concerns, the university assured us that there would still be lounging areas in the SUB for commuter students. The project took place through the summer, and as time went on, we became more curious to see the results. The store was ready to open its doors during Welcome Weekend, the same time the campus welcomed new and returning students and faculty. The idea was that the bookstore would be so convenient for students-it was to be a safer and more convenient option for us. The confrontation After a long and busy day working in our office, my friend and I had some free time on our hands, so we decided to stop by the monolith that is the Henry Student Center. He was craving dinner; I was craving answers. Although we were united in our journey across campus, we knew it was time to bid farewell to each other as we entered through the doors of the student center. His destination was upstairs, and mine was just to the right of me. Before the doors of Colonel Comer stood just two tables and one computer-the remnants of the destroyed SUB lounge. The gaming area was decimated, its innards ripped out-no more. These were empty husks of once glorious and colorful hang-out areas. I hope this was worth it, I thought to myself. Through the glass planes, I saw tablets and pens lining the shelves and hoodies hanging from racks. Taking just a few steps through the graveyard, I CNO BOOKS HERE, SORRY~ approached the door. With a heavy breath, my fingers wrapped around the door. I pulled. And I pushed. The door wasn't moving. What is happening? The people who survived this obstacle started to look at me through the glass. I felt their eyes on me. With a heavy breath, I used my entire bodily force to pull at the door handle. It worked. The door managed to swing open. I was exhausted. In hindsight, it was an omen: an inanimate object managing to expel incompetence being a sign of the times to come-despite my ignorance at the time. Nonetheless, I pressed forward. Upon first glance, I was impressed. The store was beheld within modern but classy architecture that fit the Wilkes University aesthetic. I was greeted by stunning hoodies, shirts, socks, plushies and more. I discovered blank notebooks, virgin pens, all eagerly yet patiently waiting to be used. However, those were not what I, and many others, had visited to find. Like how a bee dances through stalks, eager to find the sunflower with the largest bud of seeds, I wandered through the shelves, attempting to find the desired textbook section. But I hit a dead end. The end of the store was marked with a table and chairs, most likely for customers looking to take a break as they wandered this mysterious world. That could not have been it, right? I turned back to see shelves of notebooks and pens. Where are the textbooks? Just as my hope ran out, I saw a seemingly hidden doorway. Past that doorway showed plastic-sealed textbooks sitting upon metal shelves. After further peering into the room, I realized this was an employee-only area. This is not right, I thought. Where are the textbooks? That isn't the textbook section. I thought this was a bookstore-where are the textbooks lying about? And then it hit me. The textbooks are not here. In fact, there is no space available to house the textbooks that are required for hundreds of courses for just this semester alone. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. The store associates are certainly looking at me like I'm doing something wrong. Feeling embarrassment fill me, I turned to the door. As I am inches from the door, my body halts, turning to the nearby associate at one of the shelves. My scared body croaked out the question that would be echoed by others around campus: where are our textbooks? The answer was heart-shattering. There are no physical textbooks. I have to order them online, pay for shipping and either pick them up at the bookstore or have them shipped to my address. With all my might, I once again force the door open as I leave. I was already beaten down enough, and this door was the nail in the coffin for my emotional state. The suppressing noise of it finally closing confirmed it. The sealed coffin lid blocked out any light and any hope for my life. The coroner's report Colonel Corner, a college bookstore that does not physically sell any textbooks, is a worthless and unpunished murderer of hopes and dreams. As I continue to recover from the traumatic audacity of the bookstore that does not sell textbooks, I have no emotions left but fury and curiosity. I may lack my sense of touch to feel the textbooks, but I do have my eyes and ears. Through word of mouth, I found out that one particular student had been waiting about a month to pick up a textbook that they had shipped to the bookstore-with the store offering no solution to them. Another student had to pay an extraordinary amount for two basic notebooks. You can go to Walmart or the Dollar Tree and get the same type of notebook for no more than $1, but you would have to go out of your way for that, walking down the streets of Wilkes-Barre-in the case of the local Dollar Tree. It's just across the street from where the old bookstore used to be. Isn't this new campus bookstore supposed to be for convenience? Many students don't feel entirely comfortable leaving their home-base that is Wilkes' campus in order to explore the city, and it's as if the university knows that. It is like they are willing to take advantage of students with overinflated prices for basic school supplies. I say taking advantage because at least some items are lacking price tags or labels. You wont know the price of something until it's rung up. I did see one price tag; it was specifically on an avocado squishy plush and read $40. At least it was cute-looking. Maybe I'm becoming too emotional about this subject. Perhaps I should purchase a $40 avocado squishy plush to calm my nerves. Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Graphic by Emily Cherkauskas �8 s The Beacon - September 15, 2021 17 Opinion The long-awaited return to in-person classes is finally here By Rudy Urenovlch · Staff Writer I often find myself thinking back to the spring of 2020 when the lockdown kept getting extended, another couple days .. . another week ... another month. I remember posting on Snapchat "See you in a month, Wilkes!" the day we left in March. How naive. When we ended the school year totally virtual, I wondered if we would ever have a "normal" semester again. It's weird that it's almost two years later; it's almost as if time stopped that unseasonably warm March day, when much of the country closed down, and we have been stuck in a time warp ever since. I long for days when I had never heard the word "COVID~ and the daily news was not riddled with data on infections, deaths, and vaccines. Full disclosure, I was not someone who was heartbroken when the campus closed. It definitely felt strange, but to be honest, part of me enjoyed working on my assignments at my own pace, and attending class from the comfort of my room. I am an introvert in every sense. That being said, the next school year, 2020-2021, definitely made me realize the downsides of a predominantly online class schedule. This year, I was particularly happy when all my classes were in-person, and on campus-activities were back up and running. Even though we have already established that I am an antisocial introvert, I was feeling isolated and in desperate need of some human interaction after the past year and a half. We have been back on campus for barely two weeks now, yet I have formed more \ friendships and partaken in more campus activities than I have in my first two years of college. I really do feel like I am finally getting a true college experience, and many people I know feel the same. Now, we are after all at college to get an education, not just for the social scene. With that being said, I definitely do feel my newfound outgoing, extrovert-in-trainingpersona prefers in-person classes. If you know what you are doing in an online class, it's a breeze. You just turn in your assignments, take your tests, reply to your discussion posts, and you will probably end up with a 4.0. However, I can personally attest that an online class in a subject you are totally new to or genuinely struggle with, is about a million times worse online than if it was in-person. There definitely is a sense of being totally helpless, getting across to your professor We\Nantto hear your voice! Let your thoughts be known within the community. Joi~ the Opinion section! CONTACT: Opinion Editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu exactly what you do not understand through means of a zoom call, or a series of emails is next to impossible. In person, you can look at the tangible class material together with your professor, which is always better, in my opinion. Also, in faceto-face classes you have the opportunity to meet with and converse with classmates, and help each other on ~ignments. It is quite hard to make connections with classmates when you are a black screen with a name on Zoom. I know, I know, I have to address the elephant in the room: The pandemic is not over. It is still ongoing, with new, more deadly variants emerging. Even though the university is taking stringent precautions, the more people there are on campus, the easier the virus may spread. I recognize I am extremely fortunate to not have been directly impacted by the virus, and I suppose this fact makes me a little less afraid of it. Don't get me wrong, I always carry a little hand sanitizer with me, and run away as fast as I can from large crowds, but I guess I feel that as long as I, and in a perfect world everyone else, follow all the guidelines, we have a shot at combating this virus. That being said, the fact that many people are vaccinated and masks are still required, and social distancing is still mandated makes me feel better. Overall, I am glad to be back in person on campus, and quite unlike myself, I am optimistic for the rest of the year. Rudy.Urenovich@wilkes.edu Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - September 15, 2021 Opinion 18 20 years later: 9/11 's impact on the current generation By Breanna Eblsch Opinion Editor Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001? This is a question inevitably asked every year on the fateful day that has changed our nation forever. Millions of Americans can recall the exact details of what they were doing, where they were and how they found out about the horrible news that was unfolding in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Every story is different. But who can only say some variation of "I don't know" or "I wasn't born yet"? Who has learned about 9/11 through secondhand accounts from family members, teachers, educational videos and many other resources. Genz. A vast majority of this generation wasn't even alive when the attacks occurred. To them, the anniversary marks a day in American history that claimed innocent lives and brought the country into international conflict, but they don't have any personal connection like older generations do. They don't have stories to tell or emotions to recall because they were either too young to remember or not born yet. And now, 20 years later, as the nation reflects in solitude on the horrific day that not only changed America but the rest of the world as well, it's become evident that the effects of Sept. 11 have impacted Gen Z in several ways which cannot be ignored anymore. This generation has only known a post9/ 11 world. There was never anything before what we know as our current reality. Terrorism, conflict, death and uncertainty has been at the forefront of everyone's mind over the last two decades because those issues are happening so often it's hard to ignore. And while no one could have predicted the long-term effects of Sept. 11 on the youngest and unborn children at the time, it's clear that this generation is coming to terms with the reality of the world in a variety of unique ways. Whether it be through political or social beliefs, mindset or worldview, Gen Z has been shaped by Sept. 11, 2001. Because of the absolutely terrifying event that happened in Lower Manhattan, but was watched by the world in 2001, the generation that is now old enough to make their own decisions and has grown up in the wake of such a major tragedy are working to make the world and their country a better place. But it isn't easy when opinions being formed belong to the two generations mainly affected by 9/11. According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, "The Pew Research Center finds that Generation Z-those born after 1996are just as likely as millennials to say that they think other countries in the world are better than the United States. It is too soon to tell where Generation Z, which has little to no memory of Sept. 11 or even the era when the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts dominated the news, will land on foreign policy issues. But early indications somewhere in the globe that claimed lives and the worry about danger on a daily basis practically didn't exist. But everything changed on that fateful day in New York, and now Gen Z are the ones taking on a burden they never expected. Beyond the fact that Sept. 11 changed the course of history, the United States as a whole and the world for good, one of the largest impacts that the youngest generation is experiencing now is the anxiety that is interwoven into their lives. This also isn't a shock because, since 9/11, news coverage has adapted to the current state of the world which means reporting on all the devastating events that have occurred. There has been no escaping the extreme negativity for two decades now. The current generation has in some wa s But everything changed on that fateful day in New York, and now Gen Z are the ones taking on a burden they never expected. suggest they will share at least some of the sensibilities of their elder peers, including their view of America's role in the world:' This should come as no surprise. Gen Z has seen some of the most violent events unfold in their lifetime and seeing how the nation responds has drastically changed the mindset about the United States as a whole. They've grown up seeing America fail time and time again while fearing their safety is in danger on a daily basis. The post-9/11 world is not beautiful. These past 20 years have been some of the most devastating and have brought countless issues to the forefront that were almost never thought about prior to the terrorist attacks. And unfortunately, this is all the individuals who belong to Gen Z have known. Their parents and grandparents had the privilege of living in a world that wasn't constantly at war and took for granted a simplicity that no longer exists. Headlines in the news weren't always reporting on another attack that happened become desensitized to the variations of violence that rule the world, but carry the anxiety of everyday life with them because there is no other option. What else is there to believe when this is all you know? According to Army Emergency Relief, "Over 20,000 American youth were polled by the Varkey Foundation, who were asked what they dreaded most for the future. According to the report, 82 percent of them are more concerned about the emergence of terrorism and extremism than climate change or worldwide pandemics. One of the leading prospects in this anxiety is from Gen Z's engagement with the news:' As we see a significant rise in mental health issues among young people, especially those who belong to Gen Z, it isn't hard to understand why they are feeling this way. This generation has grown up practicing lockdown drills while seeing mass shootings happen almost every other day on the news. They have seen terrorist attacks of varying degrees carried out in their own country and around the world. Nowhere feels completely safe anymore with the possibility of some kind of danger being right around the corner. Even though a majority of Gen Z can't recount the events of 9/11 from their memory, every individual can certainly explain how that one day changed everything to the point where their life as it is today, is different than any other generations before them. The young people are taking on the burden of the long-term impacts the Sept. 11 attacks created without knowing this was going to be their future. As reported by the Observer, "Some researchers believe that even mediabased exposure to collective trauma could likely have a longer-term impact on the attitudes and beliefs of those who grew up in a post-9/11 world. It is possible, for example, that exposure to 9/ l l and other acts of terrorism has led to fears of perceived threats, political intolerance, prejudice and xenophobia in some American children:' We, as a nation, have changed drastically over the course of the last 20 years due to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. Sept. 11 was catastrophic, claiming thousands of innocent lives and launching America into a state of terror. Even though Gen Z does not remember what happened that day or how terrifying the immediate after effects were, they have had no other choice but to come to terms with how the events of that day changed their lives forever. Now, as the 20th anniversary passes this year, we solemnly remember the lives lost and vow to protect our country so nothing as horrific ever happens on our soil again. But as time continues on and stories are told over and over again to teach the youngest generation about what happened that fateful day, it becomes more obvious that the impacts of the United States' most tragic day are affecting young Americans in ways that cannot be continued to ignore. Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001? It's a question that Gen Z cannot answer. One that they can only supply memories and stories they have heard from others in their life. "How has Sept. 11, 2001, changed your life?" @wilkesbeacon Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu �6 in efit The Beacon - September 15, 2021 19 Sports Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu r is AFC Conference: A look at the top four teams per division By Stephen Youkoskl Staff Writer ·ties I am wocate The NFL power rankings have been released and the season started on Sept. 9. According to the power rankings, the top teams in each AFC division are the Ravens from the North, the Chiefs from the West, the Titans from the South and the Bills from the East. Starting off in the North, after a loss to the Bills in the divisional round of the playoff season, the AFC North division could have been considered to be up for grabs prior to the start of the season, as both the Browns and the Steelers made the playoffs. The Ravens were in need of wide receivers, which was addressed in the draft as Baltimore picked up Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace, as well as signing former Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins. The Ravens traded offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. for a number of draft picks. The running game, however, took a massive hit after being considered in the top 10 last retained most of their starters and are a as well as Janoris Jenkins from the Saints. Wrapping up with the East, the Bills were year with the forfeiting of running back J.K. favorite to make another run at the Super knocked out of the playoffs by the Chiefs in Dobbins to an ACL tear in the preseason. Bowl. In the South division, the Titans, in the AFC Championship game this past year, Play-making quarterback Lamar Jackson, a blockbuster trade with the but were able to celebrate winning their first who has led Baltimore to the playoffs in every year of his career, has, the Falcons, added wide playoff game in over a decade. Their offense receiver Julio Jones to included rising quarterback Josh Allen and opportunity to make a Super their core with AJ top 10 wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Defensive Bowl push. Brown. The Titans backs Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer also Heading to lost top five overall played a major role in the win. West, following a Buffalo retained most of their starting pick wide receiver win against the Corey Davis to the roster and added to their depth on both Bills in the AFC Jets and replaced sides with former top five draft pick Championship, but a loss in the Super him with Josh Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback, defensive end Gregory Rousseau, and offensive tackle Bowl against the ~~Ids. rushing Spencer Brown. After being one game away Bucs, the Chiefs for over 2,000 yards, from the Super Bowl last season, the Bills assessed their offensive line in Jst . . . ,.. ,.· ··· running back Derrick look to finally take home the Lombardi. The upcoming NFL season is bound to hopes to keep their ;.•..:,.ZJr;,~._'>(A;:.;zzk.,>•,,,J.,ic,/;;2:~"'""i!; ;>;, ,. . " Henry looks to repeat this performance. Their defense lost starting be an exciting season with plenty of teams MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes healthy. Kansas City lost cornerback Malcolm Butler to retirement making off-season trades to structure deep Mitchell Schwartz, leading to the signing of and defensive end Jadaveon Clowney. In playoff runs. offensive lineman Joe Thuney and Orlando the draft, Tennessee picked up cornerback Graphic: Mia.Walker@wilkes.edu Brown Jr., both of which have been a staple Caleb Farley to replace Butler and signed Stephen.Youkoski@wilkes.edu for their respective teams. The Chiefs former Steelers defensive end Bud Bupree, --------------------- ·• p{_', . ;:,;, J NFC Conference: A look at the top four teams per division By Zara Lantzman Staff Writer The NFL Power Rankings have been released, as the league started on Thursday, Sept. 9. According to the Power Rankings, the top teams in the NFC are the Packers from the North, the Rams from the West, the Buccaneers from the South, and the Washington Football Team from the East. Starting in the North, after going 13-3 last season, there was suspicion of quarterback Aaron Rodgers leaving the Packers. However, they now are in a great position to make a Super Bowl run as he has decided to play this season with the number one ranked wide receiver Davante Adams. The Packers forfeited a key player in center Corey Linsley, but they addressed that in the draft by gaining center Josh Meyers. Green Bay will be without their star left tackle for seven weeks, as All-Pro David Bakhtiari, who suffered a left ACL tear on Dec. 31, is ineligible to play until Oct. 24. They have also lost running back Jamaal Williams as he decided to join the Lions, a NFC rival, in the free agency season. The Packers drafted cornerback Eric Stokes in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and also lost tight end Gerald Everett to their signed linebacker De'vondre Campbell NFC rival, the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams during his free agency. The Packers start will start their season off by playing against their season off by playing against the New the Chicago Bears. In the South division, Orleans Saints. after winning the Heading to the West, following a 2021 Super Bowl, loss in the divisional round of the Buccaneers the playoffs last season, the managed to Rams traded quarterback ··"""'R,"~l<=tt~~m,x,-.,. re-sign all Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions for quarterback · their freeagents. They Matthew Stafford. were then Along with Goff, able to draft Detroit also received defensive end 2022 and 2023 first Joe Tryon in round picks and a the first round 2021 third round of the 2021 draft pick. The Rams and added free lost second-year agent running back running back Cam Giovani Bernard to their Akers to a torn achilles ending his 2021-2022 already crowded running back depth chart. The Buccaneers are now in a season. This led to the Rams trading for former first-round pick position to make another Super Bowl push. Tampa Bay will kick-off the 2021running back Sony Michel from the Patriots. The Rams lost wide receiver Josh Reynolds 2022 season by playing against the Dallas to the Tennessee Titans and replaced him Cowboys. Wrapping up in the East, before going with Desean Jackson and Tutu Atwell. They into the 2021 season, a team with a losing record then became the nameless division title holder. The football team is in a position to win the division again. They lost quarterback Alex Smith to retirement and replaced him with journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. They lost longtime defensive end Ryan Kerrigan to their NFC rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, and replaced him with linebacker Jamin Davis. Washington also added wide receiver Dyami Brown by drafting him in the third round of the 2021 draft. Second-year running back Antonio Gibson is expected to have a more important role in the offense while second-year defensive end Chase Young is looking to build upon his past season. The Washington Football Team will play against the Los Angeles Chargers in week one. The upcoming NFL season is bound to be interesting due to teams making off-season trades to structure runs for the Lombardi Trophy. Graphic: Mia.Wa/ker@wilkes.edu Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu r �Sports The Beacon - September 15, 2021 20 FH: Overtime push not enough to award first win of the season By Baylee Guedes Asst. Sports Editor EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. - The field hockey team faced the Alvernia Golden Huskies at Schmidt Stadium this past Saturday. Alvernia took the Blue and Gold to the goal cage, winning the match 3-2 in overtime. "The team was largely unknown going into this season as there has been two new coaches since their last competition in 2019;' said head coach Charlotte MacDonald. "The group works very hard and is anchored by very strong leadership from our upperclassmen. "We have a lot of potential and are using our early games to test that and work out the kinks. There has already been so much growth from this group so I am excited to keep working with them making adjustments in games and practices to continue their development:' In the first period, Alvernia put up five shot attempts, two of which were saved by sophomore goalkeeper Carly Eidle. Wilkes was not able to get any shot attempts against the Golden Huskies in the first period. Six minutes into the second period, junior midfielder Abigail Davis was able to put up the first goal of the game and of the season for Wilkes assisted by senior Ali Dunn. "You can not beat that feeling:' said Dunn in regards to being the team that scores the first goal. "Especially when you · · The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior Morghan Murphy manipulates the ball through a sea of defenders to get an open look at the goal In the first half of the contest. have been working towards that goal. It is also great to see the excitement on all your teammates' faces:' The Colonels put up three other shot attempts in this period, however, they were unsuccessful. With three minutes left in the second period, Alvernias Makenzie Smeigh took on Eidle in the goal cage, scoring for the Golden Huskies and tying the game at 1-1. Senior center-forward and co-captain Morghan Murphy battled back and was able to attack Huskies' goalkeeper Hannah Wolfe. ''As a center-forward, I knew once we were tied 1-1, and I needed to get one in the back of the net," Murphy said. Murphy's first attempt at goal was unsuccessful; with five minutes remaining in the third period, Murphy got off another shot for Wilkes, thanks to an assist from Davis, putting them ahead of Alvernia 2-1. A few seconds remained in the third and Alvernias Madison Potthoff decided they were not done with the Colonels yet and tied things up again, 2-2 right at the buzzer. Alvernias defense did not allow shot attempts for the Colonels in the fourth period. Wilkes' Eidle had a save and there was a missed shot attempt for Alvernia. Both teams came up scoreless, sending the game into overtime. One minute into overtime, the Golden Huskies' Brooke Spezialetti put up a shot off of a corner and dribble that put the final score at 3-2. "Our main goal of the game was to score goals and we successfully added two goals to the scoreboard:' said Murphy. ''Along with scoring, our on-the-field communication provided informative constructive criticism, along with an equal balance of positivity:' Moving forward, the field hockey team looks to capitalize on their current losses as a learning tool for future matches The Colonels will be on the road for a match against Albright College tonight at 7 pm. Conference play begins on Sept. 25 against Arcadia University. @wifkesbeacon Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu �L 4 The Beacon - September 15, 2021 21 Sports MSOC: Overtime goal from Rangers breaks Colonel win streak By Arlel Reed Sports Editor e for EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. - On Patriot Day, the men's soccer team hosted Drew University in a non-conference match where Drew prevailed in overtime to defeat the Colonels 1-0. "We just came off a really good game against Juniata;' said head coach Michael Piranian. "We were knocking the ball around well and I was hoping we would have a similar level of play; our style just didn't seem to show out. We are searching for different guys and different ways to win the game:' Wilkes started the game off strong, popping off several shots on goal and controlling the pace of the first half. Four shot attempts and two corner kicks later, Drew started to get into the game and cannon off shots. The Rangers had yet to see a victory this season and were eager to get their first win. They stepped up their intensity after the Colonels attempted a bombardment of shots on goal and two corner kicks. As Drew increased their physicality, Wilkes also stepped up their game. "They brought it to us, that was probably our most physical game of the season;' said senior goalkeeper Zachary Tone. Both teams battled back and forth throughout the entire 90 minute contest. First-year forward Herbert Ramirez had the opportunity to put Wilkes up by one The Beacon/ Ariel Reed Senior goalkeeper, Zachary Tone quickly rolled the ball out to his teammate to try and get the offense going. around the 80th minute mark, but as fate would have it, Ramirez just barely missed the goal and the Colonels went into overtime. 'Tm a lefty, and I hit it on my right foot;' said Ramirez. "I think it just slightly went wide. The whole game I was using my left foot, so they knew I would cut to my left. I decided to cut right instead to get more open and it was just unlucky:' With the minutes dwindling down on the clock, the Colonels were scrambling to rattle off a goal. First-year midfielder Park Scott was able to rattle off two shots within the final two minutes of the game. As luck would have it, his shots were ohso-close to hitting the back of the net. Within the final 10 seconds of regulation, a last second heave off the boot of junior defender Vincent Ippolito looked clean to break the plane and crown Wilkes victorious, but a heroic save by Drew's Alex Idrovo would give the Rangers a little more time to duke it out with the Colonels. Heading into overtime, Wilkes was locked-in looking to maintain their unblemished record. The Colonels took to the ball right off the bat as they maintained control of the ball for the vast majority of the 10 minute overtime frame. Within the final minute of overtime, Christian Tyson, a sophomore midfielder from Drew, broke past the wall of Colonel defenders and cranked the ball barely past the fingertips of Tone. "In the end, it just seemed like they wanted it more;' said Tone. "We came short at the end, but I thought we battled well and matched their physicality:' The Colonels look to bounce back from this loss as they return to the field tonight at Susquehanna University at 7 p.m. @wilkesbeacon Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu innard on r �.:l The Beacon - September 15, 2021 Editors ncte: ea,h wtek. Sports Othet ~ - hAiie• ... ol tfle field? ' ' .· Outside of ~$lit l am into working ..._~---- "'"'-----"-~'a,o. •· outand:doingftaircuts~ i 22 �2 23 du was dent ed a door ollegiate ifi411U ", The act ·.' nds seat, sand .s. Position: Goalkeeper Dri$J force for your decision to come to Wilkes? 1 chose Wilkes because it gave me a great opportunity to continue my soccer career while receiving a great education from an accredited nursing program. Favorite bud&g on campust UCOM because What color/flavor of Gatorade your favorite? Blue or red. If you could have dinner with a P9st~graduation plans in term& of 7 aQ.reerf Aftft' padu.ation, I plan t o ~ registered nurse and hopefully attend graduate school. famous person from the . past, who would it be? Princess Diana. Most influential person ill your life? My parents. 4 9 er Favorite Memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory is playing in my first college game. Hopes for this seuon as a Colonel? I know for many of us on the team, our goal for this season is to make playoffs and to have a winning home record. When/Why did you ftnt begin playing? I began playing in first grade because my cousin played, and I wanted to be just like her. A quote you live your life by? Begin each day with a grateful heart. What does "Be Colonel" mean to yoaf «Be Colonel" means to always do the right thing for the right reason on and off of the field. -. r Anyone to g,tve a shout◄ut to,t My t<ffltmbates. Thank you for all that you do fot me. -Compiled by Julia Mazur, Staff Writer .;•>t~ Favorite thing to 4.o during practicef Just being around my friends and having fun. dar? Editor~s note: Athlete o t e Wee selections ar taff each week. At the en4 {)fthe academic year n Twitter @Wtlk Beacon tq (:'.Town an "Athlet orts ll �The Beacon - September 15, 2021 Sports 24 WSOC & WVB: Colonels travel to N.J. for weekend matchups By Jason Eberhart Sports Staff Writer A pair of Colonel teams traveled to New Jersey on Saturday to play in nonconference matchups. The women's soccer team played at Rutgers-Newark while the women's volleyball team played Drew University and Mount Saint Vincent in a tri-match. Rutgers-Newark got off to an early lead in the game, scoring their first goal just 10 minutes in. The Colonels defense was stout for the rest of the game, rarely allowing the opposition onto their side of the field. For the next 80 minutes, Wilkes looked for an equalizer but was unable to find one on the stifling Scarlet Raiders defense. With three minutes remaining in the game, the Colonels were on the attack and had two shots on goal. Despite powerful attempts on the shots, both potential goals were saved by the Rutgers-Newark goalkeeper. "Give credit to their goalkeeper;' said head coach John McNichol. "She made three unbelievable saves that kept us off the board. The women's soccer team eventually fell to Rutgers-Newark 1-0. "I am extremely proud of all of us because when they scored, not one single person put their head down and gave up;' said senior forward Tatiana Mancera The Colonels had their fair share of opportunities in the afternoon, as they led the game in shots 16-5. They were just unable to get one of their shots to fall in the back of the net. "I think in practice we can continue to work on staying connected both on the attack and when defending," said senior midfielder Emily Bidelspach. "We can also continue to work on finishing off restarts and the corner opportunities we get:' The Colonels have reached a three game losing streak, but a rotation of their veteran players have seen this situation before. "We need to continue to trust in the plan and keep working. We have a good team; we just have not been on the right end of the score this week:' said McNichol. "Games like this will help us as we progress through our season:' A half an hour down the road in the Garden State, the women's volleyball team found some success as they split a pair of matches against Mount Saint Vincent and Drew University. _ In their first game of the day, Wilkes found themselves trailing 1-0 to the Dolphins of MSV. The Beacon/Ariel Reed First-year Alexis Reedy serving the ball against Marywood University in an attempt to keep the Colonel momentum going. The Beacon/Steve Finkernagel Senior forward Emlly Bldelspach holds strong against a King's defender. This was now the Colonels' fourth straight set loss against the team as they had been swept just a week prior in a match in Wilkes-Barre. "Our success this week is attributed to executing our game plan and having faced them recently;' said head coach Joseph Czopek. "Although we started out slow off the bus, once warmed up it was a solid team effort:' First-year members Alexis Reedy and Alexa Cassel found their groove in their last three sets. The two rookies have shown their versatility for the Colonels. Reedy led the match in kills with 14, while Cassel had a team high 20 assists and 16 digs. "Since day one the team has been so encouraging and welcoming, which has helped boost my confidence while playing;' said Cassel. "It's really just important to trust yourself and your team in the end:' With strong play from the whole team, the Colonels were able to win the last three sets 25-21, 27-25, 25-23 to earn the victory in the match. The team was unable to find the same success against Drew University as they lost in three straight sets to earn the loss. Having to play back-to-back matches, Drew took advantage of a worn down Colonels team. Sophomore libero Ali Yordy had a notable performance in the tri-match as she recorded 10 digs in both games. 'Tm definitely trying to take on more of a leadership role on and off the court, and also keeping a good relationship with all the girls on the team;' said Yordy. "Whenever we get down, I want to be the person to keep everyone going with high energy." Although losing to Drew, the Colonels were very pleased to be coming home with a win after playing two very good programs. "The strength of our early season schedule is it has the young team gaining valuable experience;' said Czopek. "Facing strong competition allows them to see what they are capable of achieving by working hard in practice to prepare. Their positive attitude and willingness to play for each other will pay huge dividends as our season goes on:' Both teams play a pair of games this week as women's soccer plays a pair of games at Bruggeworth Field tonight and Saturday against Susquehanna and Messiah, respectively. Women's volleyball returns to the Marts Center on Thursday to take on Cairn University. @wilkesbeacon Jason.Eberhart@wilkes.edu � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2021 September 15 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 September 15 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/26b228e987cef96442923cc50df95ed3.pdf 7719b681f21c5ed9024203694b54e849 PDF Text Text _J The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Volume 74, Issue 06 1 HEBEACON Wilkes Universit - Wilkes-Barre, Penns lvania Entrepreneur Terr Jones visits campus Earthshot Prize advocates for environment By Sean Schmoyer Managing Editor On Oct. 21, Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity and founding chairman of Kayak. com, spent the day speaking with students and touring campus. Jones' visit was organized by the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. With a full day of activities, Jones spoke with students at an Honors Q&A panel which was open to honors program students, Kirby scholars and students in certain business classes. After the panel, Jones attended a dinner and then closed out his night with his lecture, "On Innovation: Powerful Ideas to Create a More Innovative Organization: Executive Director of the Allan P. Kirby Center, Chuck Pierce commented on the visit. "It was really engaging, especially from the student aspect. It was a long time coming. It was something we had to reschedule over and over through COVID. A lot of hours went into it but it was very rewarding. This is something we try to do twice a year. Finding someone like Terry Jones who has name recognition, maybe not his name but the companies that he started, is really relevant:' At the Q&A Jones took questions from students, covering topics ranging from his books, "On Innovation' and "Disruption Off: partnerships between companies, how to adapt and move past failure, how to raise capital and the challenges of it and his creative process for generating ideas. By Morgan Rich Staff Writer In response to a question about failure, Jones said, "You have to look at failure as an open door. Look at Silicon Valley. We look for people who have failed, because they may have a better attitude, they may not be so passionate about things and not waste money, tltere could be a lot of things that they learn. long as you learn from failure, map.y of you are on the cross country team or on a sports team, why is it that after a race that you dont win that you go back and t to figure out everything you did wrong? It is not to assess blame, it is to ensure victory, to ensure the next time you do not do if' Jones went on to explain that in sports you The Beacon/ Sean Schmoyer get lots of chances to fail and that it should be the same in business, and that now there are tools to experiment with at low costs between artificial intelligence, 3D printing and websites. He also talked about his creative process expressing how modern education has flaws in that students will learn about technology that will be obsolete by the time they reach the field His solution is to spend your time in school learning how to learn. Jones talked about how he grew up in an advertising family with the ability to read a large number of magazines and would go to the libr~ !O read fre9..uently. TERRY JONE~, page 4 The first international Earthshot Prize was held on Oct. 17 in London and awarded five different nominees for their contributions to environmentalism. The Earthshot Prize is the most distinguished global environmental prize in history and aims to help repair and bring change to the planet. The prize was started by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2020. The Royal Foundation will run the Earthshot Prize until the end of 2021. According to the Earthshot Prize website, inspiration for the prize was taken from President John F. Kennedy's Moonshot, which was when he challenged the nation to land a man on the moon and claim a leadership role in space exploration by the end of the 1960s. The Earthshot Prize is centered around five different "Earthshots:' which is supported by UN Sustainable Development Goals and other internationally recognized measures. Together they form a unique set of challenges that are rooted in science and aimed to produce new and different ways of thinking, technologies, solutions, systems, as well as policies. EARTHSHOT, page 11 a> <I.) ~ C <I.) (/) 0 a: ~ 0 N su :ca. ro cj 'Halloween Kills>: A murderously good, nostalgic horror film, page 15 r �_J News The Beacon - October 27, 2021 2 News Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Oct.·20 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Staff Writer The Student Government held its sixth meeting of the semester. It started in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. Next was the approval of minutes and the treasurer,s report. The treasurer's report stated that there is a total of $42,713 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was a request from the Air Force ROTC about a club trip. It was given by Shawn Cottee. The request was for $1,800 to go toward a trip to Paintball Asylum to gain field training that they believe will be beneficial to the cadets. Many of the cadets have no experience in field combat and the trip would relieve financial burdens on the families and give a chance for cadets to gain valuable experience. The decision is to be made at next week's meeting. The second order of business was a presentation of the Table Tennis Chili, for a review of their constitution and asking to be activated as a club on campus. As presented by the president, first year chemistry student Saurabh Patel, the club would present the opportunity for a new intramural on campus for students. The club has asked for $300 in order to afford table tennis racquets and balls. Without much promotion, the club already has heard back with interest from at least 11 students. The club is to be supervised by Megan Boone Valkenburg. The third order of business was a presentation from Zach Niemiec, a P3 pharmacy student, about the review of the constitution and reactivation of the Ski and Snowboard Club. It was last active in 2019. The club hopes to visit ski resorts in the greater Northeastern Pennsylvania region for students who have a desire to ski and snowboard. The club, with limited promotion, has seen interest from at least 58 students. With a full e-board, the club looks to add ,.members that want to have fun while skiing d snowboarding together. The club and constitution will be voted on next week The fourth order of business was a presentation from Olivia Schanbacher, a junior musical theater major, about the review of the constitution and activation of the Tap Club. This is to be different from the dance and Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus·events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Know more with "The More You Know» film series The Civic Engagement, Global Education and Diversity, Department of Political Science and Department of Psychology are co-sponsoring The More You Know Film series. The first film, "Food Inc:: will be shown on Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. in the Ballroom. Megan Valkenburg will provide a talkback after the movie. "Basketball or Nothing;, "The innocence Project» and "Through the Night» will be shown in the following weeks. For more information email megan.boone@wilkes.edu. Registration and further details can be found on today.wilkes.edu Let go of semester stress with the College Democrats The College Democrats will hold a meditation event in the Henry Student Center Ballroom on Nov. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be presented by Dr. Christine E. Kiesinger who will share three simple practices to destress. The event will promote stress release and deep relaxation. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and bring a blanket. The first 10 people will receive a free Wilkes blanket. "Taste of Wilkes: To-Go,, scheduled "A Taste of Wilkes: To-Go,, is scheduled for Nov. 2. All proceeds this year will be to benefit the United Way Campaign. This year the event will feature the to-go atmosphere which will allow attendants to choose what they want and take their meals to go; raffle baskets from local businesses, Wilkes departments, and employees; a plaque to memorize the winning dish and chef; and prized for first, second and third place winners. Any questions can be directed to Jeanne Rabel at jeanne.rabel@wilkes.edu or usac@wilkes.edu. Design the President's holiday card Are you feeling creative and ready for the holiday season? Put both to good use by designing the holiday card which will be sent out from the President's Office. The campus will vote on the submissions and the winning submission will be printed on thousands of card. Winners will receive gift cards and Wilkes swag totaling a value of more than $250. Submissions will be open till Nov. 12. @wilkesbeacon Thewilkesbeacon@wilkes.edu cheer clubs at Wilkes as they want to focus on strictly tap dancing. The club already has 22 members and is looking to be recognized by the university. While the club is mainly for those with a tap background, Schanbacher made it a point to mention that those with no experience will be accepted and the club is willing to help teach. The club will be voted on next week The last order of business was about the upcoming Monopoly week and the budget proposal. Monopoly week will be replacing Casino Week and run the week of Nov. 8 to 12. Many of the events are still being planned, but they gave an estimation of a needed $16,493 from SG. The budget will be finalized and voted on next week SG will have a meeting next week, Oct. 27. @wilkesbeacon Zachary.Paraway@wilkes.edu Table of Contents News .................. 2 Life, A&E ............ 7 Opinion ............ 14 Sports ................ 19 =URc9ming Events: 2021 Fall Semester October 28- AFROTC open house 31- Halloween November 2 - Taste of Wilkes 6 - Stem Discovery Day 7- Virtual Open House 11- Veterans Day 13 - In-Person Open House 24 - Thanksgiving Recess Begins 29 - Classes resume 29- Spring Parking Application Deadline December 13- Final Examinations begin 20 - Final Examinations end 22- Residence Halls Close 25- Christmas Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: The WilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 News 3 Nobel Prize winner. Dr. William D. Phillips speaks on science By Jake Maskulyak Staff Writer f Dr. William D. Phillips, a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Prize in physics, was welcomed to Wilkes on Oct. 20 for a presentation on modern science. The chemistry department hosts the Catherine H. Bone lecture in chemistry series on a regular basis, hosting notable guests. This series of lectures has been made possible by the previous work of Catherine H. Bone, a former professor of chemistry at Wilkes. The most recent speaker was a Nobel Prize winner who has garnered and earned several other achievements in his field. Phillips was born in Wilkes-Barre and spent his early childhood in Kingston before his family moved out of the area. He attended Juniata College where he earned his bachelor's degree, followed by a doctorate of philosophy in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has since worked for the National Institute of Standards and Technology as well as serving as a professor of physics at the University of Maryland. Phillips started the lecture by introducing himself, as well as some colleagues that he worked closely with in the past. This introduction was brief, and he explained the many entertaining concepts that he could cover in the field relating to his topic, "Time, Einstein and the Coolest Stuff in the Universe:' Phillips emphasized that he wanted the audience to have fun, and that rather than covering several topics that would take up an hour each, he would instead explain the theory of special relativity and the discovery that time and space were not constant. The lecture that was given kept the audience engaged, with several pieces of humor and interesting stories. In the lecture, Phillips explained the concept of time and the speed of light to explain GPS, and how GPS worked, including how the distance from satellites allows us to know where we are on the face of the earth. "People use GPS for everything, such as to figure out how far they are from home;' said Phillips. "When we drove here, to this lovely bed and breakfast last night, the GPS guided us right to the front door. So everybody uses this all the time. I think that sometimes, people wouldn't know how to find their local grocery store if they didn't have GPS. But, the point is, that time is important for your daily lives:' Later in the presentation, Phillips talked about his team's work in using a laser and a magnetic field to decelerate and cool an atomic beam. "The coldest thing you've ever seen is liquid nitrogen;' Phillips said. "It boils when it hits the ground. It turns rubber bands into dry twigs. It's 77 degrees above absolute zero. We're supposed to get within 240 millionths of a degree above absolute zero:' To prove his point, Phillips walked around with a bottle of liquid nitrogen and poured experiments that Phillips was able to use to show discoveries his team had made within their experiments. The audience was treated to many demonstrations, which kept them engaged and interested in the material. One demonstration showed how cold liquid nitrogen was in comparison to the room. Phillips put a container of liquid nitrogen under a small plastic trash can, then telling the audience they would get back to the experiment later. The audience did get The Beacon/ Genny Frederick Dr. Wllllam D. Phllllps brings the experiment to the audience as he poures llquld nitrogen around Stark 101. it all around the Stark to 1 lecture hall, to show how it was so cold that it boiled when it touched the ground. He went on to explain the experiment that led his team to the discovery that would earn them the Nobel Prize. "The temperatures we could get were really tremendously lower than we had predicted;' said Phillips. "We got the temperature down to seven-tenths of a millionth of a degree of absolute zero:' The presentation highlighted several back to it later, when the pressure created an explosion that made the trash can fly in the air, while Phillips was in the middle of explaining something else. After the lecture, Phillips fielded questions from the audience for more than 30 minutes. Students who came to see the lecture were interested in the topics, no matter the discipline or age they were. Phillips mentioned in his presentation that it was the first time he spoke to a live audience since the pandemic. Student reception was positive. "The presentation had stuff that kids could understand, but not enough to bore a physics minor;' said Ashlynn Allison, senior mechanical engineering major with a minor in physics. Allison noted Matthew Schwarztrauber, a Pl pharmacy student and chemistry minor, who also attended the lecture with her felt that the mix of chemistry and physics was beneficial. "It was really entertaining to sit here because Matthew does chemistry, I do physics, so he understood one thing, then I understood the next thing, and it went back and forth, and back and forth;' said Allison. Michael Nowak, a sophomore electrical engineer, explained how the surprises and demonstrations made the presentation interactive and engaging. "You can pay attention better. You can understand what he's talking about;' said Nowak. "Sometimes professors talk and they just like to go through notes. When he does interactive stuff, you can see it happening as he's talking about it." Schwarztrauber also noted the new learning opportunities featured in the lecture. "You can see that there's a lot of intersection between a lot of science disciplines;' said Schwartztrauber. Dr. Donald Mencer, professor in the chemistry department, was glad to have Philips at Wilkes. He felt it was an honor to have an internationally recognized scientist accept the invitation to deliver the lecture. "Dr. Phillips is well known for his contributions to laser cooling, a technique to slow the movement of gaseous atoms in order to better study them;' said Mencer. "His work, along with that of Steven Chu and Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, has been important in the advancement in the area of low temperature physics:' Mencer was also satisfied with how, aside from giving the lecture, Phillips sat down to have lunch with students and staff during his visit to campus. ''.All of the students I spoke to about the lunch meeting spoke highly of the event and mentioned how comfortable Dr. Phillips was able to make them feel;' said Mencer. "He is very approachable:' For more information on Wilkes's various lecture series, visit www.wilkes.edu/ signature-events. @wilkesbeacon Jakobe.Maskulyak@wilkes.edu �_J The Beacon - October 27, 2021 - TERRY JONES, from front He encouraged students to be curious and expose themselves to ideas from different creatives and fields and to take those ideas from others and apply them to the areas of study students are working in. Pierce commented on the impact of Jones's responses during the Q&A. "Mr. Jones was very gracious to sit with honors students, Kirby scholars and some students from our classes and brought a lot of their questions down to the student level to show them that everyone can be an entrepreneur. He said it does not matter what curriculum you're in, what area of study it is, it is about persistence and bringing that idea forward and into reality;' said Pierce. For his lecture, Jones spoke to an audience in the Darte Center as well as to an online audience via Zoom. As his lecture began, Jones told the story of a limousine ride where the driver of the limo was the owner of the limousine business. The owner asked Jones to review his website and Jones told him that he should create a new one that experiments with elements he was lacking, like pricing and booking. "I said, 'how old are you?' he said, Tm 55' I said, 'that's too bad because if you don't change I don't think you'll make it to retirement;' Jones continued, "This was just at the beginning of Uber. He didn't want to change and unfortunately, a few years later I 4 News got a notice that he went bankrupt. He went bankrupt because he couldn't change:' Jones used this anecdote to talk about innovation and its importance. During his lecture, he again talked about culture and team serving as the two biggest components of innovation and change. He talked about the need to build a culture that promotes failure as a learning experience. In addition to that, he talked about his recruiter who, when recruiting, would ask new hires who the smartest person they knew was and then go and try to recruit that person. He also expanded on his earlier comments on the generation of ideas and innovation. "Today I think innovation can come from anywhere in the organizational chart, because everyone has access to information. The best ideas I've seen over and over again come from the bottom of the organization, the customer service rep, the salesperson, the person on the line making the product:' He went on to explain that innovation that comes from the top-down is orderly but The Beacon/ Sean Schmoyer Kirby Scholars from the center attended Jones's lecture at the Darte Center. dumb, and innovation that comes from the bottom-up is chaotic but smart. The biggest obstacle he explained is something called the Bozone layer. The Bozone layer, as Jones describes it, is middle management stopping good ideas from moving up. Jones explains that when employees are not rewarded for change, the Bozone layer starts to kick in and kills innovation from the bottom up. Jones concluded his lecture with another round of Q&A, this time from a larger audience. He gave more advice to both students and community members, some of who were in the process of starting their own businesses. John Pezzolanti, a senior engineering management major and Kirby scholar of project management, client outreach and engineering said, "It was a great opportunity to help plan the Kirby lecture along with the rest of the Kirby scholars and Wilkes administration. It was also a great honor to be chosen to give the introductory remarks. I learned how to deal with failure with projects and what investors look for when choosing investments. It was a great experience talking with Mr. Jones. It was inspiring to hear about how to move past failures and hearing all his experiences:' ' @wilkesbeacon Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu Creative Writing Office offers ((Writing our" every Thursday By Maddy Kinard Staff Writer Every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the creative writing graduate office, located in Cox Hall, is offering a "Writing Hour" in which any student, faculty or staff can utilize this quiet space in order to accomplish work. When writing, many find that they need a change of scenery or a change of company. Cox Hall is seeking to be this space to respark motivation and inspiration for writers on campus by offering that change of pace that may be necessary for accomplishing tasks. David Hicks, director of creative writing, finds this sentiment to be true as he has noticed it in his own life. "The common perception of writers is that we're all a bunch of loners, but while there's some truth to that (we tend to be introverts), in reality we thrive in community;' said Hicks. Inspiration for the writing hour also stems from the writing community on campus, which is a bit of a secret as Hicks alludes to. "Over a dozen of our staff and faculty members have graduated from our Creative Writing graduate program, and judging from our literary magazine, Manuscript, we have some excellent writers in our undergraduate student populations as well;' said Hicks. "What they all have in common is that they wish they were writing more often. So, we have this beautiful mansion as our office space, with several quiet roomswhy not turn them into writing spaces?" Students present on the first "Writing Hour" this past Thursday anticipate returning to the space as they found they were able to get work done while present. "It's nice to have a captive audience. So if you can get other people to come with e eacon m1 y Farnell! and Martinez get creative during the "Writing Hours". you, it's fun:' said Darren Martinez, senior English major. Senior English major Fenn Farnelli also agrees with the positive response for a space to do work outside of the usual dorm. "It's pretty neat;' said Farnelli. "This hits the vibe for places I like to be to do work: empty, quiet:' The creative writing office would also like to expand time spent in the lounge and two other available conference rooms to Tuesdays club hours as well. Outside of Thursday's "Writing Hour;' Cox Hall also offers other spaces so long as students honor it as a quiet space for writing. One of the aforementioned conference rooms, located right inside the front door, is available every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is required and is free for use so long as the space is not being used as a classroom. While working, Cox Hall also offers free coffee, tea and snacks for anyone who is visiting. "Just step into our kitchen and help yourself;' said Hicks. In a and athle has d Aft �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 News 5 Diversity and Inclusion Conference continues annual tradition By Zach Paraway Staff Writer For the first time in two years, Wilkes was able to host the annual Diversity and Inclusion Student Conference on Oct. 24. It was the fourth time this event was held and six speakers, along with the keynote speaker, spent the day presenting topics ranging from the experience of Black men to the biases oflanguage and privilege. The first session was held by the keynote speaker of the day given by Dr. Cassandra St. Vill. Vill works out of her home in Maryland and is currently a high school teacher and professor of social sciences. Her work has led her across the world and with her five degrees has been at the forefront of seeking progression for black people. Vill gave her speech over Zoom and started with a tour of her home. She showed the room she was in, and what everything in that room said about her. She had stuffed animals that represent her emotions and the importance of having all of them. One stuffed animal included Sadness from the animated movie «Inside Out:' As Vill moved the camera, the upper part of her wall showed pictures and quotes from famous activists in history. One she highlighted was from Malcom X, the quote from him being, «The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." Vtll used this to seque into the main idea of her speech, something she repeated throughout much of her presentation. «Don't put flowers on my tombstone, help me plant the garden today;' was the theme of the session. Vill explained the quote in reference to world leaders. She said they don't need anymore people to admire them, and instead they need people to fight with them and support them. Vill continued and integrated this explanation into the Q&A portion. Instead of answering the questions given to her, she had students answer their own questions to show that they have just as many answers to problems as she does. Vill would give her ideas in response to the questions, but the point of her method was to highlight the power students have. The method of question answering was seen as eye-opening for those who attended, as people from all different backgrounds were giving answers to the problems of today. Students were then given the choice of two different sessions. One session was «The Black Male Experience" given by Wilkes alumnus Woodly M. Augustin. The presentation gave Black students a chance to share their experiences together, some of which were hard to speak about, and explain how those experiences that they go through are different than counterparts of different races. The presentation opened with a vi eo that students felt was powerful. In th Video, a man was jogging 2.3 miles and decided to wear a ~ Dr. Mia Briceno gave a presentation on bias and prlvledge during the Diversity and lncluslon Conference. mask for the whole trip instead of the first mile like he normally would. He said it was still running, but running at a disadvantage, or running while knowing one would have to work twice as hard. The man told the story of Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery was a 25-year old Georgian man who was shot and killed by three white men who pursued him while he was jogging. The comparison was made that being a black man in America is like jogging with a mask, which makes everything much harder. Augustin then talked about what colorism has done to Black society, explaining that the arguments that colorism creates inhibits Black people from fighting for their justice when they are fighting within their own communities. Augistin ended the presentation with the importance of mental health and having a hold on it. It is a stigma in the Black community to not get therapy and instead deal with problems independently. Black men also have the secondary stigma as many men have a stigma against therapy and mental health. To anyone dealing with issues such as these or any on campus at all, students can visit the Health and Wellness Center to talk to therapists that are on campus. The last session was a~out privilege and was given by Dr. Mia Briceno, an associate professor of communication studies at Wilkes. The presentation began with an activity, where each member of the audience took a bag and walked around the room to the papers on the wall that had different phrases about privilege in the country. Each paper had seven phrases and for every phrase that applied students would put a candy in their bag. Once the activity was over, everyone had pieces of candy. While some students had more pieces, all had the same general number. Briceno used this as a metaphor to highlight that everyone has privilege in some way. After this activity, many people in the audience shared their experiences of biases. This activity and the following discussion showed that everyone has different privileges compared to others, but understanding what that difference in privilege is, is necessary. Learning and understanding privilege is a tool for growth. Erica Acosta, director of Diversity Initiatives, said, "The Fourth Annual Diversity & Inclusion Student conference is an opportunity for students to engage in conversation about diversity and social justice topics.The conference is also an opportunity for our students to network with other students from other universities/colleges:' She continued, "The theme was 'Education is Key' because I feel education is important. It's important because education can open doors for our students in marginalized communities. @wilkesbeacon Zachary.Paraway@wilkes.edu The Beacon/ Emily Cherkaukas Woodly M. Augustin presented a segment on the Black Male Experience. �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 News 6 TheB · Celebrating the service and memory of Colin Powell By Genny Frederick News Editor General Colin L. Powell, former United States secretary of state, died on Oct 18. His family reported on Facebook that his death was the result of complications from COVID-19. Powell also had multiple myeloma and Parkinson's disease and his immunocompromised health put him at greater risk once contracting COVID. He was 84 when he died. Powell was born in 1937 and was raised in the South Bronx. He attended college at the City College of New York. During his time in college, he was also a member of ROTC and, upon graduation, received both a bachelor's degree in geology as well as a commission as an Army second lieutenant. He served two tours in Vietnam and, during the second tour, earned the Soldier's Medal for bravery after surviving and then rescuing three others from a helicopter crash. Powell returned to the United States and had his first position working with a president when President Richard Nixon appointed him a White House Fellowship. Powell then traveled to Germany to command the V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany. It was here that Lt. Col. Mark Kaster, professor of earth and environmental science and veteran's counselor, met Powell during a briefing. When asked about his experience serving under Powell, Kaster said, "He was a soldier's soldier. Powell looked out for his troops. They're the priority. When you're a commander, you want to make sure your people are taken care 0£ And when they're taken care of, they'll go the extra distance, the extra mile. They'll do those things that by themselves, they would think are impossible, but with good leadership, you can take the hill:' During Ronald Reagan's presidency, Powell was the National Security Advisor. Notably, he took part in negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev over arms treaties. During the presidency of George H. W Bush, Powell was appointed a four-star general, serving as commander in chief of Forces Command He served in this position only briefly as he was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by Bush. Powell was the youngest officer and first African American to have this position. f During Powell's time as chairman that the U.S. was involved in conflicts such as the invasion of Panama and Operation Desert Storm. Dr. Andrew Miller, associate professor of political science, remarked on Powell's work in foreign and military policy. "The most important contribution of Colin Powell was his formulation of the Powell Doctrine, which argued that before any military action is taken, there should be clear foreign policy goals, o helming strike capability and public support;' said Miller. After spending much time in politics, many thoughthew9uldputinabidforthepresidency. However; Powell explained his distaste for politics pfevented him from running. Instead, he was appointed as Secretary of State under George W. Bush and held the position as the first Black secretary of state. The biggest stain on his record came during his time as Secretary of State when he claimed that there was proof that Iraq was holding weapons of mass destruction. In a United Nations meeting in 2003, Powell cited Iraqi defectors as proof that weapons of mass destruction were being created and stored by Saddam Hussein. Senate reports and other investigations found that this speech was composed of false information created to gain international support for an invasion of Iraq. In 2004 he testified before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee reporting that these weapons were not likely to be found. While Colin Powell's life included much military and political work, his legacy lives on outside these areas. One of which is the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at the City College of New York. The school houses the social science departments, leadership development and public service programs. The school mourns the loss of Powell, and in an online statement, told how he would never miss a graduation and would "show up early to meetings on campus so that he could stand in front of Shepard Hall and meet students as they walked by. Heu hear their stories and tell them his own:' Powell's long career can be seen as one of service to the country and its people. "We lost a national treasure:' said Kaster. @wilkesbeacon Graphic by Jack Malatesta CCDI holds virtual career, grad school and internship fair By AJ S ff W,Rubino . ta nter Wilkes University Center for Career Development and Internships hosted its annual Career, Grad School and Internship Fair on Oct. 21. The fair ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. virtually. Students registered for the event on Handshake. After registration, students signed up for one-on-one events or group sessions that were available during the event. The virtual aspect created more flexibility for students. The virtual event was created in hopes to keep the students and community partners safe during COVID-19. This virtual medium also allowed students and employers to speak to each other without their masks on. "I was able to express a part ofmy personality during the meetings instead of submitting a paper resume;' said sophomore political science and history major Kaelin Hughes. "rn · a tim'e wh ere if these events were m · vve are m person, we would have to mask up. It is nice to see full faces for once:' In total, 319 students registered for the event, and 132 employers were also in attendance. Employers came to Wilkes from as nearby ass a few blocks away and asfar as California. Grad schools included Wilkes, West Chester, Widener and DeSales. Hughes spoke to Widener and Wake Forest in regards to their graduate law programs. "It benefited me a lot especially in what I want to do after my undergraduate career;' said Hughes. Some employers included the Times Leader, the US Navy and Deluxe Digital. Digital Deluxe, located in California hosted a hiring session during the event. Bryan Stevens explained that two of his teams had hiring positions. "We do a lot of work for Disney Plus and HBOMax," sai'd Stevens m · the group session. · The virtual medium can be difficult. Some employers and students encountered problems such as miscommunication of links for the event The event was live via Handshake, an app that allows students and employers to network remotely. However, a Zoom link was also sent out in case of troubleshooting. Some students and employers experienced confusion between the two links. "Next time we will make sure to send links out a few days prior to the event and explain thoroughly on what the link is for;' said Sharon Castano, director of internships and parent programs. "Of course, it is much more pleasant to talk with someone face to face, but we just have to do our best for now. I am hoping for a hybrid style fair next semester;' said Castano. Castano and the rest of the CCDI office are · on hostmg . another 1air '- in the spring. p1annmg The fair will have two parts: one in person and one online. Offering both options will allow interested students and employers who cannot travel or attend these events in person to still be able to communicate with each other remotely. Regardless of the issues, the event had a big turnout. In 2019 Castano explained that the in-person fair almost hit 500. During the pandemic, numbers went down, but for 319 this year, it is a bigger turnout than expected. "Were hoping to have over 500 students attend the spring," said Castano. With the numbers of attendants rising, the spring turnout looks promising. The Center for Career Development and Internships is hosting an open house on Nov. 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. More information about this open house can be found through wilkes.edu or to visit the Center itself for more information. FJ By~ Ass lot st le g g fi P. 1 �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment _____ Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact life. arts & entertainment editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Programming board hosts its annual Fall Fest event By Jordan Danlel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor On Oct. 21, Programming Board held its annual Fall Fest event on the greenway for students to attend and enjoy some fallrelated activities. Many came out to take a break from their busy schedule, play games and eat some delicious free food. "I hope that this event would be a nice break from routine for students:' said junior pharmacy major and president of Programming Board Maddy Yeager. "I also hoped that the event would promote a sense of community on campus:' Fall Fest is a combination of many fall festivities, such as cornhole, a pie-eating contest and a donut on a string contest. A s'mores station, a caramel apple station and a dinner that included macaroni and cheese and pulled pork were provided. There was also a photo booth, a Plinko board, a mini pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting. "My favorite activity of Fall Fest is probably ' the mini pumpkin patch and the pumpkin painting;' said Yeager. "It's something different to do and I end up leaving the event with a cool keepsake that I made:' Past Fall Pests have garnered 100 to 1SO students; therefore, programming board was prepared to host the same amount of people for this year's Fall Fest. Almost every student who showed up was excited and they seemed to have participated in all the events. "Based on talking with friends, one of the activities I think students were the most excited for was the pie-eating contest;' said Ellie Preiss, a sophomore mechanical engineering and physics double major and small events chair on Programming Board. Since the event started at 7 p.m. it was getting dark outside on the greenway. However, that did not stop people from enjoying their time with their friends, eating food, dancing to music and doing some fall activities. "I went to Fall Fest because I thought it would be a fun way to spend time with Students are standing around an open grill, which was the s'mores station at Fall Fest. Marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers and skewers were provided by programming board so students could make their own yummy s'mores. friends;' said junior biology major Hera Mukhtar. "I think the most fun activity was watching the different competitions:' Additionally, the events that Programming Board hosts are great for students because they are usually always free and it is a way for the whole campus to feel a sense of community. Those who missed out on Fall Fest and are still looking to get in on the fall fun should consider going to events that are associated with Freak Week. Programming board's Freak Week is an annual event and usually occurs during the last week of October. This year it began on Oct. 25, with a Mocktail Monday and a zombie mocktail vendor in the Henry Student Center. On Tuesday, there was a Murder Mystery event at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Students were able to work together to figure out who the murderer was. A door prize was also available to those students who attended. Wednesday is a Paint and Sip in the ballroom of the· Heiiry Student Center at 7 p.m. This event has a maximum of 50 people who can attend, so sign up at the welcome desk in the Henry Student Center as soon as possible if interested. The next day, Thursday, is Trick or Treat Bingo, and students are encouraged to wear their costumes to be entered in and win a bonus bingo board. Trick or Treat Bingo will be at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of the Henry Student Center. The last day of Freak Week, Friday, is a giveaway happening at 11 a.m. in the Henry Student Center. In order to receive the giveaway, students must have three out of four places hole punched on a punch card given out at the other events happening at the beginning of the week. For more information on Freak Week and other Programming Board events, follow their Instagram @wilkesupb. @wilkesbeacon Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Nate Whitaker There were pumpkins at almost at every table at Fall Fest and of course there were some In the mini pumpkin patch. Students were allowed to pick out any one they wanted to paint with the paints and brushes that were provided. r �.J The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Halloween Treat: Doggy Delicacies' mini PB apple bite snacks By Emlly Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief An important part of the Halloween season is trying all the delicious treats and snacks that fit the spooky theme of the holiday. If your dog is uncooperative with costumes, this simple treat recipe will allow your pup to enjoy the Halloween season regardless. Ingredients: 2 apples 1/2 cup of peanut butter 2 tbsp coconut oil Pretzel sticks Mini dog treats Directions: First, clean your apples. In order to make the mini apple bites, you can use a cookie dough scooper, melon baller or spoon. Use your tool to carefully cut out the bite-sized pieces. Be careful to not cut too deep into the apple and gently cut to avoid too much apple juice leaking out. Rinse the apple bites to wash away the juice. As they are drying, you can move on to the next step. Combine the peanut butter and coconut oil in a small cup, deep enough to dip the apples in. Heat them in the microwave for up to 30 seconds to let the coconut oil melt. Mix together until homogenous. Take the pretzel sticks and stick them into the apples. Let the skin of the apple act as the bottom of the bite so stick the pretzel into the apple's flesh. Holding on the pretzel stick, dip the apples into the peanut butter and let the excess drip off. You might have to give the apples a gentle shake to get some of the excess away. Due to the number of apple bites and their sizes you can simply place them on a plate to let them harden. Once nothing is dripping, place them. You can also stick small dog treats onto the apples. You might have to use some of the peanut butter to act as an adhesive. Refrigerate the apple bites until they are fully cooled and hardened. Notes: I recommend using gala apples for their sweetness but it can depend on what your dog prefers. Original recipe adapted from GQpe to the Snow Dogs Do I the endzo of six yard quarter. As Rod double-ch never be fi "I've o Rodgers s Rodgers 6,208 yar the Bears. the Bears i Rodgers t Bowl. The Be rivalry in for Packe the Pack the Rodg~ Packers M @wilkesbeacon Emily. Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Dogs wlll love these dellclous mini apple peanut butter bites for Halloween. Arlel C 0 B �9 Life, Arts & Entertainment The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Students share unique ways to get in the Halloween.spirit Many are excited to celebrate their favorite holiday By Lauren Gardner Staff Writer Halloween is here again. People of all ages enjoy Halloween as there is so much to do this time of the year. Haunted houses, pumpkin patches, apple picking, hayrides and corn mazes are just a few common favorites. Northeastern Pennsylvania is surrounded by beautiful mountains, which makes this time of the year always scenic as the leaves change colors. Plus, children always look forward to the time of year when they can choose to dress up as their favorite character and go trick-or-treating. After all, who doesn't like free candy? Although COVID-19 has made it challenging to keep the tradition of trickor-treating alive, it is always something to look forward to. While children enjoy these activities, adults look forward to annual pumpkin spice lattes and hard apple cider. During this time of year people also enjoy football games, especially the community here on campus. There are several local farms that offer a variety of activities. So m e of these activities include picking apples and picking pumpkins. "Carving pumpkins and sitting around a campfire with family and friends on a chilly night is always fun;' said their favorite creators' TikToks on Halloween outfits and click the Amazon link, which will lead them to the exact outfit or accessory that they would like to replicate. "I love seeing the creativity of other costumes and I enjoy dressing up and having a good time with my friends;' said junior computer science major, Tori Duffy. "Fall is definitely my favorite season." Whether it is enjoying a pumpkin spice latte or dressing up with your friends, the fall season and Halloween is a great way to come together and make memories. "My favorite thing about this time of year is being able to drink lots of apple cider and wear comfy clothes;' said junior nursing major Lizzy Antes. "I also celebrate Halloween by dressing up and hanging out with my friends. I look forward to sitting by the fireplace and watching movies:' Other fun things people enjoy are the Halloween pop-up stores. communication studies alum, Maria DiBou. DiBou also enjoys all of the fall foliage that Northeastern Pennsylvania has to offer. Moreover, some more indoor Halloween activities that people enjoy are watching Halloween movies. "I love watching bad vampire and sci-fl movies from the 1970s and 1980s during this time of year:' said communication studies alum, Toni Pennello. Carving pumpkins on the morning of Halloween is a tradition of Pennello. Halloween parties and costume contests are always a fun way to celebrate Halloween with friends. Halloween is a holiday people enjoy because it allows them to get creative and express themselves. People get to collaborate with their friends by wearing matching costumes, dressing as their favorite characters and of course, taking pictures for Instagram. While most people purchase their costumes at the Halloween stores that pop up during this time of the year, thrifting different pieces for your costume has been increasingly popular throughout th last several years. To find inspiration for a costlflne, some scroll through Pint ere st or Instagram for some ideas and create different boards to pinpoint the exact look they may be going for. Also, in the past couple of years, people havt!' begun to · urn to TikTok for ideas O O . Many c a n s e e Lauren.Gardner@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet Premium Student Housing II t "I love Spirit Halloween and Halloween City;' said musical theater and creative writing alum Madison Black. "Just seeing a variety of other stores designate an area to costumes, candy and other scary decor is my absolute favorite:' Black usually celebrates this time of the year by getting together multiple Halloween costumes for a variety of parties or attending "The Rocky Horror Picture Show:' "This year, I am unfortunately working every single weekend in October for a Halloween event at my work;' said Black. However, this does not stop her festive Halloween spirit. As Black is employed by Great Wolf Lodge, each night she tries to do an elaborate or eccentric face painting for the children at her job. This goes to show that, despite restrictions or other obligations, it is still possible to enjoy Halloween, even in the simplest of ways. i FURNISHED ALL INCLUSIVE 1-4+ BR Apartment and Mansion style living LEASE NOW FOR MAY 20 Move in! www.znproperties.com 57 -5 2-31 3 Close to classes... closer to home! �The Life, Arts & Entertainment The Beacon - October 27, 2021 · Liz's Craft Corner: Halloween pumpkin yarn garland By Liz Cherlnka Social Media Manager Step 1= Wrap the yarn around four fingers about 100 times untll a large spool forms. Wrap the yarn around the center of the spool, pull It off the hand, and double knot It around the middle. Readjust to form a pumpkin shape. Step 2: Thread the pipe cleaner through the mlddle loop under the knot and wrap It around Itself. Bend It to form a stem shape. Cut the excess yarn from the knot and the end of the spool. Step 3: Continue making the pumpkins repeating the previous steps untll there are enough to fill the garland. Step 4: Thread the twine through the middle knot underneath the pipe cleaner. Continue this for each of the pumpkins. , Halloween is almost here, and that means it is a perfect time for one more spooky DIY decoration. This pumpkin yarn garland is easy to do and is perfect for a last-minute party decoration that is sure to amaze your Halloween party guests. · The required supplie r the pumpkin yarn garland are orange yarn, green pipe cleaners, twine an~ scissors. There are not many supplies or any expensiv · ones, which makes this craft affordable, costing less t4an $10. These supplies can be found at any craft store, such as Joann Fabrics, Michaels or Amazon. The first step is making the pumpkins out of yarn. Grab the orange yarn and begin to wrap that around four fingers on your hand. Keep your fingers flat and do not wrap the yarn too tight that it moves your fingers. Continue to wrc!1p the yarn about 100 times or until there is a large amount around your fi g rs. Cut the yarn to finish the body of the pumpkin but keep the spool to tie it together. Thread the yarn through the middle and ring fingers from the back of the hand, wrap it around the middle in front and back through the middle and ring fingers to meet the other end in the back. Tie a knot with the two ends of the yarn wrapped around the spool. Once there is a knot at least holding it loosely together, pull the yarn off of the hand and tie this knot tighter. Double knot it as tight as it can be. Cut any excess yarn left from making the knot or any stray pieces. Next, adjust the yarn ball to spread it out so that the two halves meet. This should create a somewhat flattened ball with the yarn that resembles the general oblong shape of a pumpkin. Adjust any stray pieces of yarn to get the desired shape. Now, it is time to make the stem. Grab the green pipe cleaner and cut it into thirds. Thread the pipe cleaner through the middle string, holding the pumpkin together on top by the knot that was made. Fold the pipe cleaner in half around the string and wrap it around itself so that it becomes one stick. Then, bend the pipe cleaner over to create a stem shape. Each stem can be different and unique on each pumpkin. Some can be short, long, have multiple twists, etc. The pumpkin should definitely be apparent at this step. Do any final adjustments to get the desired pumpkin shape. Repeat these steps for the amount of desired pumpkins for the garland. This can be time-consuming and tedious, but it is relaxing, which makes it a nice spooky stress reliever. Once there are enough pumpkins, it is time to make the garland. Grab the twine and thread this through the middle string on each pumpkin underneath where the pipe cleaner is placed. Thread each pumpkin onto the twine and adjust the spacing of the pumpkins as desired. The garland can be short and have the pumpkins close together, or they can be longer with them being more spaced out. Once the pumpkins are all on the garland, cut the excess twine and feel free to display that final spooky touch for Halloween. @wilkesbeacon Elizabeth.Cherinka@wilkes.edu Share your spooky Halloween crafts with us! J Tag us on our Instagram account @wilkesbeacon with your craft! # LizsCraftColumn Step 5: Hang the finished garland for a final spooky touch! �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 EARTHSHOT, from front By 2030, the Earthshot Prize hopes to protect and restore nature, clean the air, revive the oceans, build a waste-free world and fix the climate. The council, which selects the finalists and winners of the prizes, is composed of 15 influential individuals who are committed to campaigning positive actions in the environment. The Earthshot Prize ceremony completed a 10-month global search with more than 750 nominations around the world. The winners each receive £ 1 million ($1.4 million) in prize money, a medal and a network of support to produce their environmental solutions. The finalists will receive tailored support to help scale their solutions and create a huge impact with their groundbreaking work despite not winning the award. The Republic of Costa Rica won the Protect and Restore Nature award, Takachar won the Clean our Air award, Cora Vita won the Revive our Oceans award, The City of Milan Food Waste Hubs won the Build a Waste-Free World award and Aem Electrolyser won the Fix our Climate award. Celebrities joined Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on the red carpet including Emma Watson, Emma Thompson, David Oyelowo, Jessica Oyelowo, Mo Salah, Dani Alves, Joana Sanz, Yemi Alade, KSI, Sadiq Khan and Saadiya Khan. At the event, Emma Watson was the biggest celebrity to turn heads. 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Until this event, Watson had not been on the red carpet since the premiere of the movie "Little Womer{ in 2019. Watson is an English actress and activist who has gained recognition for her roles in blockbuster and independent films. She is known for her acwve participation in womens rights but is best known for her acting in the films "Perks of Being a Wallflower;' "Beauty and the Beast,, and the "Harry Potter,, frapchise. Watson's outfft made a large statement in regard to the goal of the Earthshot Prize, which is to save the planet and care for the environment. Watson wore an outfit by London designer Harris Reed, who is known for designs that do not conform to a specific gender. According to Harper's BAZAAR, Watson wore a white gown with black flared trousers. The dress had an open back, floral detailing and a tulle skirt made of 10 upcycled wedding dresses from Oxfam. "I really like the white lace cut at the shoulders along with the open back;' said Jaden Greco, a sophomore pharmacy major. "I think the front may contain too much material at the chest which draws away from hair and makeup but overall a beautiful cut and color for her complexion and haircut:' However, Watson was not the only one serving up looks on the red carpet. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a memorable red carpet look that was previously worn in 2011. The Duchess wore a lilac Alexander McQueen dress that features a wide boat neck collar and is cinched around the waist with an elaborate belt. This dress was created by one of the royal family's favorite designers, Sarah Burton. Meanwhile, Prince William contrasted with an emerald green blazer that was layered over a black turtleneck and black trousers. The Earthshot Prize will be making its way to the United States for its second annual awards ceremony in 2022. To find out more about The Earthshot Prize, please visit earthshotprize.org. Morgan.Rich@wilkes.edu Graphic by Jack Malatesta Viral TikTok dog determines people's days, mental health Learning how to make the most of a "bones day" or "no bones day" By Cassidy Taylor Staff Writer If you have not already heard of Noodle the Pug, you are going to want to get familiar with what a "bones day,, or "no bones day,, is. Head to Jonathan Graziano's account (@jongraz) on the TikTok app and you will see that, every morning, Noodle's owner checks to see if his 13-year-old pug woke up with bones or not and shares the video on TikTok. Graziano picks up Noodle's body and sits him up, and if the pug falls right back over, that means it is a "no bones day;' and if he stays sitting up, that means it is a "bones day:' This silly idea has taken over TikTok, and people are making decisions about their day based on what Noodle does in these videos. A ~'no bones day,, ~enerally consists_ of relaxmg, self-care, kindness and bemg comfortable. A "bones day,, is about productivity, going out and t~ating yourself. Here are some ideas 9f what to do on each type of day. Since a "no bones day,, is meant for relaxing d self-care, they are the best for staying tn comfortable clothes, being at home and filling your own cup. "No bones days,, are suitable to make your state of well-being the top priority. You can do simple things like light your favorite candle, drink lots of water, catch up on your favorite TV show or take a nap. If you would like to take your "no bones day,, one step further, you can do some true meditation and self-reflection. Find a comfortable place to sit where you can have your feet on the floor and your back straight. Having your feet placed firmly on the floor helps to keep you grounded and your back straight helps you to feel powerful and more confident. Then, close your eyes, inhale through your nose for five seconds, hold your breath for three seconds and then exhale through your mouth for seven seconds. Exhaling longer than you inhale can actually help to lower your heart rate, which lowers stress. Spend some time doing this breathing exercise, and once you feel ready, grab a notebook and write down three things you are grateful for, three things you are proud of and three short-term goals you have. You can save those goals and stash them away to go after on the next bones day. Some other great journaling prompts to help you reflect on dur~ng your "no bones,, relaxation are writing a letter to your IO-year-old self, writing a letter to your future self or answering the question: "what does your life look like when you are at your best?" Many people feel that Noodle the Pug and his "bones or no bones day,, predictions have brought a lot of joy to their lives. "I just think it's a fun, cute way to determine the kind of day you'll have, kind of like a daily horoscope, except it's an elderly pug;' said senior psychology major, Alison Gardner. "The world is so divided, but it's nice to see an elderly pug that no one has ever met before bring everyone together:' @wilkesbeacon Cassidy.Taylor.@wilkes.edu �_J The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Sports 12 �12 The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Sports 13 oca , 1. Trick or treaters entered in through the gates. 2. Siblings Brenna and Colton Babcock both represented their respective teams at the SAAC event. 3. en's Lacrosse w~nt as Mario Bros. 4. WIH debuted Shrek at the event. 5. Mary Simmons, PPD 101 teacher enjoyed her time with her kids at the event 6. MBB, allegedly, were pirates at the trick or treat event. 7. MBB Coach Izzi Metz posed with his kids and their friends. 8. Tess Edwards and Erin Shober (WBB) were estatic to be volunteering. 9. Children from all over the area came to the event to get candy for Halloween. 10. MSOC Christopher Weed was found lounging poolside with the beach theme. 11. WBB dressed as "tacky tourists". Photos: Ariel.Reed@Wilkes.edu Page Design/Layout: Mia.Walker@wilkes.edu r �.J The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Opinion 14 Opinion Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor..in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Sean Schmoyer Social Media Man~r - Liz Cherinka Adviser ... Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Genevieve Frederick LA&E • Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports -Ariel Reed Lead Designers Mia Walker & Zoey Rosensweet Associate Editor Sports - Christopher Gowarty Maiafaflt Editor News .. Maddy Kinard Sports"' Saylee Guedes Section Staff Wrltens Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Interested In joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: EmHy.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wllkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes Univel'$ity Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Sean Schmoyer at Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est.1936 Pa. Newspaper Assodation Member Ihe Beacon editorial will not run this week; it will return in our next issue 'Halloween Kills' Murderously good and nostalgic By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer A week ago, the highly anticipated "Halloween Kills" movie hit theaters across the country. With Halloween right around the corner, what better time for the boogeyman to terrorize the big screen again? "Halloween Kills" picks up right where "Halloween" (2018) left off. We follow the three Strode women as they let their guard down, believing they killed Michael Meyers in an elaborate trap, only to put their guard right back up again when they realize that Meyers survived. Once the town learns of his return to Haddonfield, they fopn a mob of protestors to ensure " that "evil dies tonight:' What ensues is pure chaos until the very last moment. The film throws a bone to its fans by bringing back some of the characters from the 1978 film. Tommy Doyle, the young boy whom Laurie is babysitting in the original "Halloween" film makes another appearance in the new adaptation. Lindsey Wallace, another young child whose babysitter was killed by Meyers, makes her return to Haddonfield. Lonnie Elam, Nurse Chambers and Sheriff Brackett also join in this film. "Halloween Kills" is laden with the nostalgia that makes fans adore the original films. The film incorporates many flashbacks to the original night of Halloween in 1978. Audiences get an unfamiliar perspective of some of the events from that night and learn more about what makes Meyers tick. There is something to be said about the fact that this series transcends the boundaries of time. We entered the world of Haddonfield, Ill., back in 1978, and we are just as invested in 2021. This is every filmmaker's dream: to have your so evil that his wickedness made the story eternalized across generations residents turn into moral monsters too, mar)s true creative success. but it felt very artificial. Once again, if this I !;lave very conflicting feelings about were a standalone film, this plot would this film. As a horror movie buff, I tend have really worked for me. Knowing to be extremely critical of films that pay how the "Halloween" movies operate and homage to classic horror characters. I will the formula that audiences have grown say this: as a standalone film, "Halloween accustomed to, changing it in this way felt Kills" was great. It did everything that unnatural. I needed it to do for me. I was scared; I The one aspect that I feel completely was invested in the plot; I shared in the redeemed the sub-par plot for me was characters' sadness; and I laughed with how brutal Michael Meyers was in this them. If this were the only "Halloween" film. We saw him use weapons and movie ever made, it would be a knockout methods he never had before and, more for me. .than ever, he seemed completely detached However, it was not a standalone film. from any mercy. At this poi , viewers are used to the I especially appreciated this since dynamic between Laurie and Meyers; you Meyers often gets a bad rep for not being cannot have a "Halloween" film without scary enough. They really tapped into his the two of them battling it out. But, fear potential and showed a new side to that's just what they did with "Halloween the man behind the mask. Kills:' There are no scenes with Laurie I will not share spoilers, but the ending and Meyers in this film. In fact, Laurie is sequence was one of my favorite moments hardly in it at all. in any "Halloween" film. Nobody is safe Everyone loves a good final girl, and to and this part showed us just how true it is. practically render her useless in this film It certainly sets up a great storyline for the put me off from the very start. Sure, it next film and I am excited to see it play shows that she is human, but final girls out. I love when horror films throw in a are never supposed to sit back and let massive curveball, so while the rest of my others do their bidding. Portraying her in group was disappointed in the ending, I this way made me detached from the plot, thought it was screenwriting genius. as her performance is what I look forward Overall, I rate "Halloween Kills" four to the most when I watch out of five stars. I think if you are a lifelong these films. fan of horror films, you might have the The mob same gripes as I do, but if you just want subplot really to see a movie to get in the Halloween rubbed me spirit, you will love every bit of it. From the wrong the humor to the strong female leads, to way as well. the returning characters and, of course, I get that the kills, "Halloween Kills" is a solid film. the writers You can watch "Halloween Kills" on wanted to the big screen or at home on the Peacock show how streaming service. @wilkesbeacon Hannah.Simerson@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Opinion i's 1ewhat !mbles npkin. ;et the 1d cut leaner ~g the i knot ner in round < ver to an be 1pkin. 1ltiple ly be final npkin nt of This iious, a. nice s, it is twine tring e the twine pkins rt and ► r, or more the I feel :hfor .. �_J Opinion The Beacon - October 27, 2021 16 Dean's Deep DiVes: Yung Lean, the bard of a sad generation By Dean Bowen Staff Writer The internet has provided a route to fame for innumerable artists, especially in music. Streaming services are more accessible to independent musicians than ever and social media provides a ready-made platform to grow your esteem. The prototype for this system looked far different, however. Out of this early web of internet subculture and innovation came Yung Lean, Swedish cloud rap pioneer and pillar of internet music subculture. Lean's discography is vast, encompassing ten albums, eight years and countless genre shifts. This prolificity has not come without a cost, for behind the music lies a story of tragedy, drug abuse and finding meaning. Through the following ten songs I will tell this story, giving a chronological introduction to the life and music of one of the most lasting and talented names in alternative hip-hop. acclaimed blend of cloud rap and Houston drill, "Rodeo:' in the year after working with SBE in Sweden. Sound thievery aside, "Ghosttown'' is a demonstration of Lean's ability to shift his sound at will, ignoring the binds of genre and effortlessly providing hits. 4. "Hoover" - "Warlord" Following the success of "Unknown Death 2002:' Lean moved from Stockholm to Miami, Florida. It was in Miami that Lean's lifestyle rather quickly caught up to him. While working on "Warlord;' Lean's numerous drug addictions ended up nearly killing him via an overdose. Immediately following his subsequent hospitalization, Lean's longtime friend and manager Barron them that even during his hospitalization they were all he thought about. The track also features fellow SBE member Bladee, a poprap innovator in his own right. Underneath the cheerful enamourment of "Hennessy & Sailor Moon'' and other tracks off "Frost God;' however, it was becoming more and more evident that Lean had not yet recovered fully from the tragedy of Miami. 6. "Hotel in Mill&'' - "Psychopath Ballads" Briefly escaping 'the Yung Lean title and releasini ':Psychopath Ballads" in summer 2017 under an alteration of his real name (jonatail leandoer96 being the chosen pseudonym), Lean took this EP as a chance to 1. "Lemonade" - "Unknown Death 2002" 2. "Kyoto" - "Kyoto" 3. "Ghosttown" - "Unknown Memory" "Unknown Memory'' is possibly the closest thing to a proper rap album that Lean has ever put out. Seeking a more mainstream sound with his own twist on it, "Ghosttown'' was yet another evolution in form, with Lean dropping his signature aloof delivery in favor of a more pointed flow. "Ghosttown'' - also features a pre-superstardom Travis , S~ott, who would go on to drop a critically 8. ~gony" - "Stranger" Along with honesty comes pain, and ''.Agony" is the perfect embodiment. Quite simply, this song hurts. Lean sings truthfully over a stripped-down instrumental composed mainly of an intentionally out-of-tune piano, with a revitalized lyrical performance unavoidable in its scale and ability. Lean even finds time amongst his nuanced descriptions of mania to fit in a poignant quotable, with "Can't write a song, only do hooks:' Both referencing a common criticism he received in his earlier career and emphasizing his inability to see anything through due to his mental state. This displays a brutal candor that Lean picked up on his journey to stability. 9. "Bender++Girlfriend" - "Poison Ivy" Lean's time in the spotlight began early, first gaining popularity on the internet in 2013 at the age of 17. "Unknown Death 2002" was his first proper introduction as an artist, and it delivered on that front. Produced by fellow Sad Boys Entertainment (SBE) member Sherman and featuring fellow Swede Baba Stiltz, "Lemonade" is a demonstration of Lean's ability to captivate the ear. Recorded in a rudimentary home studio, what it lacks in serious content it makes up for in unreplicable creativity. Released as a single in the months following "Unknown Death 2002:• "Kyoto" was a clear sign that Lean was refining his sound. Enlisting another phenomenally talented SBE producer in Gud, "Kyoto" is to this day Lean's most popular track Finding his confidence in success, Lean buzzes over a synthheavy beat, proclaiming his hatred towards criticism, his love of recreational drugs and his indifference towards fame. "Kyoto's" brief stay as a mainstream hit further popularized Lean, beginning a gradual accumulation of stress and addiction that would plague his career for years to come. Philadelphia while touring "Warlord:' "Red Bottom Sky" was a rejuvenation of Lean's sound, proving he finally was taking himself (and his art) seriously. Machat was killed in a car accident. Upon this tragic chain of events, Lean disappeared into isolation in Sweden, leaving Gud and Sherman to finish "Warlord:' It is haunting to hear this startlingly manic, chaotic record knowing the circumstances that it was created in. Despite this, "Hoover" and "Warlord" as a whole was a driving, invigorating change in direction for Lean, proving that he could develop his sound beyond cloud rap. 5. "Hennessy & Sailor Moon" - "Frost God" Following the events surrounding "Warlord;' Lean remained surprisingly upbeat. Released in late 2016 about 10 months after "Warlord;' "Hennessy & Sailor Moon'' was the lead single for "Frost God:' Delivering a potent ballad over an ethereal beat, Lean reminisces over a lover, reminding be more open and honest. "Hotel in Minsk" is a stellar example of this shift, as Lean waxes poetic about love, loss, and the pain that his mental illness and addiction have caused him over a simplistic piano beat. He seemed to finally be opening up, a trend he would continue to great esteem despite the inherent somber nature of the resulting music. 7. "Red Bottom Sky'' - "Stranger" With his reinventive tendencies in mind, it was clear that "Stranger" was to be Lean's biggest shift in sound yet, beginning with its lead single. "Red Bottom Sky" caused a stir upon its release, with a refreshing sound and a refined focus. Over a gorgeous Gud instrumental, Lean serenades the listener with lamentations of loss, self-introspection, and a reference to an attempted shooting perpetrated on him and his friends in Coming off the cathartic experience that was "Stranger:' Lean sought yet another sound to experiment with. He found his answer in SBE member and producer Whitearmor, who executively produced every song on "Poison Ivy:' This focus allowed for a more detailed delve into a gothic sound that he had touched on before, with the second half of this splittrack especially showing both Whitearmor's ridiculous ability at production and Lean's ability to sound good on any instrumental he chooses. I 0. "Sunset Sunrise" - "Stan" "Starz" gives the listener Lean at his happiest, finally sober and relatively in control of his demons. With the album art being a simple lightly edited picture of himself (borrowing a concept from his jonatan leandoer96 run), the project is authentic to its core. "Sunset Sunrise" is a standout, with a hauntingly beautiful Whitearmor instrumental supporting Lean's use of religious metaphor to signify his departure from his previous chosen subject of worship, recreational drugs. Rapping it up Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Lean's career is that although it spans over eight years and counting, he is still only twenty-five years old. He has the experience and ability of a veteran with the energy and drive of an unproven rookie and is sure to continue to provide some of the most sonically interesting music available. No matter how much the industry shifts around him, Lean will undoubtedly continue to be a trailblazer for years to come. Photos courtesy of the artist Dean.Bowen@wilkes.edu �L 8 The Beacon - October 27, 2021 17 Opinion Does Aaron Rodgers own the Chicago Bears? A clear answer By Zara Lantzman Staff Writer On Oct. 17, Aaron Rodgers trotted into the endzone for a rushing touchdown of six yards at the bottom of the fourth quarter. As Rodgers did his iconic discount double-check celebration, in the stands, Bears fans flipped Rodgers off. Rodgers then retaliated with a quote that will never be forgotten. 'Tve owned you all my f-ing life:' Rodgers said. "I own you. I still own you:' Rodgers has a career record of 22-5, 6,208 yards and 57 touchdowns against the Bears. One of those wins was against the Bears in the 2010 NFC Championship. Rodgers then went on to win the Super Bowl. The Bears and Packers have the oldest rivalry in the NFL. The current record for Packers versus Bears is 102-95-6 with the Packers leading the series. Before the Rodgers era, the all-time record for Packers versus Bears was 80-90-6 with the Bears leading the series. Rodgers completely turned this entire series around with the Bears. Every game for Rodgers against the Bears is special. One of the greatest games he has ever played was on Nov. 9, 2014. The game was known as the "Sunday Night Massacre:' The Packers led the Bears 42-0 at halftime. Halftime. Rodgers threw for 315 yards and 6 touchdowns in one half. That is unheard of. The Packers ended up winning that game with a final score of 55-14. One of my all-time favorite Rodgers versus the Bears moments was a week one opener on Sunday night football on Sept. 10, 2018. A game that can never be forgotten. Rodgers was coming off a season where he was out due to a broken collarbone. With nine minutes left in the second quarter, the Packers were down to the Bears 10-0. Rodgers got sacked by defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris and injured his knee he play. Packers backup quarterback Deshone Kizer came in for the injured R~gers and fumbled on his first drive. Kizer's next possession ended in an interception for a touchdown. The Packers were down 17 -0 at halftime. After being carted to the locker room before the half, Rodgers then comes back onto the field, walking on one leg and gets the biggest standing ovation he has ever had. You can see the fear in Bears fan's eyes when he walked in. The Bears' first drive of the half ended in a field goal, and the game looked over after the Bears had a lead of 20-0. That, however, was far from the truth. Rodgers on one leg single-handedly brought the Packers back from the deficit. The Packers only scored a field goal on their first drive but that one score started to give them momentum. At the start of the fourth quarter, Rodgers threw an absolute laser to the back right corner of the end zone to wide receiver Jieronimo Allison for a touchdowrr: " Following the touchdown, on the next Packers drive, they scored again with a touchdown pass for 12 yards to wide receiver Davante Adams. The score was 20-17 with nine minutes left in the game. The Bears got a field goal on their next drive to bring the score to 23-17 with two minutes left in the game. Rodgers and the Packers started their two-minute drill. The first play started off with a dropped interception by Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller. In the very next play, wide receiver Randall Cobb runs across the middle of the field for a slant and takes it 75 yards for a touchdown. That touchdown brought the final score to 24-23 Packers. Aaron Rodgers, on one leg, brought the Packers back from a 20-3 deficit going into the fourth quarter. If that is not owning the Bears, then I do not know what is. Aaron Rodgers owning the Bears is a yearly occurrence as they play twice a year. Rodgers will continue to own the Bears until he retires. A record of 22-5 just says it all. - @wilkesbeacon Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu We want to hear your vpice! Join the Opinion sec " · 'n! Let your thoughts be known within the community. · .. CONTACT: Opinion Editor: Breanna.Eblsch@wllke , du r �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 18 Opinion Why Wilkes should offer American sign lcinguage classes By Lindsey Scorey Opinion Staff Writer American Sign Language, the predominant gestural language used by the deaf community in the United States, has become a dynamic part of creating an inclusive society. Yet, many education systems still lack sufficient classes in ASL even though it is arguably just as much a necessity as any other language. I wish I could say I have always been an outspoken advocate of ASL as a language requirement or elective in schools, but it began in high school when it was finally offered as an extra-curricular and was not sufficiently taught. Once an individual passes puberty it is statistically harder to develop fluent language skills. However, ASL incorporates a variety of expressional and spatial techniques that can be beneficial at any age. If other languages are learned at different points in life, ASL seems to be no different, if not better to take on now. It is never too late to learn, as my family and I are finally planning on taking classes this coming year. I have a baby cousin who will likely learn and use ASL in the future. While I have always wanted to have a background in ASL, this circumstance feels like the perfect opportunity to become more inclusive and fluent. I was thinking, however, that I wish I could capitalize on the education I am already paying for to fulfill this need. This newfound realization made me ponder, why do more universities and colleges not offer classes in ASL? I remember in my high school years of competing in speech and debate, a competitor and friend of mine had told me she was going to university and majoring in ASL. I can still remember the fascination I had when she told me this and I had yet to ever even take a class or at the least self-learn through YouTube and/or the internet in general. Since then, my subtle research began. The benefits of learning ASL are numerous, whether it were to be offered as a language requirement or elective option at colleges and universities. Inclusivity is typically first and foremost on the minds of those learning it. Wilkes does pride itself in being an inclusive and diverse campus, so expanding disability services to the deaf community and those who wish to support through ASL acquisition seems more than appropriate. To disclaim this notion, I am not aware of the full package of disability services offered to individual students in the deaf community here on campus, but for this article's purposes, I am simply discussing the broader education of ASL to the campus as a whole. In talking about inclusion, ASL also enriches interpersonal relationships. Whether it is through expanding learning to new relationships or practicing better communication with those in the deaf community, it is an all-around win. ASL has also been proven to create longterm cognitive skills, making it a mindstrengthening tool. If you wish to see all the positive outcomes of ASL acquisition just open the internet and watch your similar to how other departments and language courses run. Perhaps a basic course, such as an ASL 101, could lay down all the groundwork, fundamentals and give a solid foundation for greater learning just as with any other language. Then it could expand to higher-level courses. ASL could even become a minor and so on, the educational domino effect continues. I would imagit?{, if this were brought to fruition, m.ost students would choose to take the 101 course only. Usually, when a s dent takes a language class they do not;come out a fluent speaker, but can at least communicate and understand basic phrases such as greetings and common questions. ASL foundational classes would be similar in that a student could likely remember the alphabet or be able time fly by, as there are many. In communication studies, we always discuss how to expand our audiences and develop better skills in expression and personal relations. ASL utilizes this beautifully and allows all majors and students to learn these techniques if it were to be offered. Now, I recognize this would require the university to likely have to hire a new professor and/or maneuver services and language requirements, but this does not seem too unreasonable a request. It has been done in the past for other departments, so why not continue the enrichment? If Wilkes were to offer ASL courses, it feels only appropriate that it be done to properly greet someone in the deaf community after taking the class. This is a win in my book, no matter how small. But would the courses be popular? I imagine making it an optional degree requirement would give it just as much popularity as Spanish, French or philosophy, which are three of the options as of now for those required to take a language course. As I began crafting the idea for this article, many students had reached out to me or said in passing how wonderful it would be to have the option to take an ASL class here at the university level. Adding it to the normal semester course load would take away that financial barrier if it did exist. Many excuses, such as ones I have even made for myself like time or money, would become minute. Danielle Morris, junior digital design and media art major, believes that bringing ASL classes to campus is a great idea. Morris explained that the only program she had offered for ASL was in high school, lasting roughly an hour a week and was not as thorough as she would have liked it to be. "If I had the option, I totally would have taken it as my language requirement. I didn't mind taking a language I was somewhat familiar with from high school, but college is all about trying new things and broadening your horizons;' she stated. "Even if it weren't offered as a requirement option, I think having it as an elective option gives students the opportunity to learn something that is not only out of their comfort zones but also something that they may find themselves using in the future:' A fascinating and important point that Morris brought up was the impact of COVID-19 and mask-wearing on the deaf community. "I would assume it's even more important now that people are able to communicate with ASL because of mask mandates - if someone who relies on ASL can't read lips with masks on, I would imagine it's frustrating to communicate with someone who does not know ASL;' said Morris. Having students who know the basics of communicating ASL and even some hopefully who become fluent would be a win-win for the university. Wilkes provides a broader education curriculum and also becomes more inclusive to current and incoming students. It can even become a great marketing tool for bringing in students who have hearing impairments and practice ASL or even for those who have had similar experiences to those mentioned and want an educational experience in ASL. Considering all the benefits and possible solutions ASL could bring to not just our campus, but all social relationships and communities alike, it feels like it should not be an if, but rather a when we decide to implement ASL instruction. Graphic by Jack Malatesta Lindsey.Scorey@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 19 Sports Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu FH: Wilkes goes 2-0 on week against MAC Freedom opponents By Baylee Guedes Asst. Sports Editor ' The field hockey team went 2-0 this week in the MAC Freedom after beating King's College on Oct. 20 and DeSales University on Oct. 23. "I knew this was going to be a big one (game) and I expected to see King's have one of their best games;' said head coach Charlotte MacDonald. ''Any conference win always feels good but beating a dose rival just added to it. The game was a really strong team effort and a lot of runs and work from all lines:' The Wilkes and King's battle of the Barre started off with multiple fouls for both teams, leading to scoring positions on both sides of the field. The Monarchs took eight shots on goal but the Colonel's defense and sophomore goalie Carly Eidle blocked all of the attempts. The Blue and Gold attacked King's defense with three strategic shot attempts, senior forward Morghan Murphy drilled one in right past sophomore Monarch goalie Ellie Glatz. This was Murphy's ninth goal of the season with an assist by first year midfielder Bridget Rosenfeld. "I knew early on we had to come out strong and put one on the board;' said Murphy. "I was able to do so by having a strong shot from the top of the circle in our first penalty corner:' The second and third quarters were scoreless for both Wilkes and Kings. The Colonels had three shot attempts to King's 11, but both defenses fought back to keep the ball out of the goal. Penalties were called consistently on both sides of the field as both teams were aggressive on the ball in an attempt to claim the "Barre" title. The fourth quarter's intensity brought Wilkes to the winners circle as they held the Monarchs to a scoreless match. The final score read 1-0 and the Colonels took the title of"Wilkes Barre:' The hometown rivalry is always strong between Wilkes and King's, but this win was especially important for Murphy as her family consists of all King's alumni. 'i\s the 'rebel' of my family, nothing feels better than beating King's as the little familyfun rivalry,' said Murphy. "Every year, King's brings their A game against us and tonight we were able to fight back with a win:' On Saturday, Wilkes hosted the DeSales The Beacon/Baylee Guedes The team posed for a picture prior to their contest against King's, bringing attention Breast Cancer Awareness Match by wearing pink ribbon shirts. The Beacon/Ariel Reed Bridget Rosenfield (left) and Kellie Scott (middle) jumped In sync to celebrate the goal that Rosenfield slipped past the goalle on a rebounded shot. Bulldogs in a MAC Freedom conference game. The Blue and Gold honored their five seniors, Laura Bayzick, Ali Dunn, Laurel Hopfer, Morghan Murphy, and Lauren Shiplett, prior to the contest. Eight minutes into the first, Wilkes' sophomore midfielder Emily Latoski collected a rebound on a Colonels shot attempt and made it into the goal, making the score 1-0. With 30 seconds left in the first, DeSales' Taylor DeMasi followed Latoski's goal with a shot ofher own, scoring on Wilkes' goalkeeper Eidle. "It felt like we were finally finding a rhythm and playing our game;' said Latoski. "Everyone contributed to my goal: the passing, the defense, the mids, and then the forwards made it possible. The communication from Morghan and Ali helped tremendously. It was definitely a team goal:' The second quarter was big for Wilkes as they scored two goals and held the Bulldogs to none. First-year midfielder Kellie Scott assisted Rosenfeld for a goal at the 19 minl\te mark. "We were very excited after beating King's;' said Rosenfeld. "It was a huge conference win for us and we wanted to use that momentum to go into another huge conference game against DeSales. Our team really clicked today, everyone truly worked together and played with heart:' Moments after Rosenfeld's goal, senior forward Ali Dunn assisted first-year defender Olivia Gayoski on a crowded on-goal shot, making the score 3-1 for the Colonels. In the third quarter, the Blue and Gold held the Bulldogs to their one point from the first quarter. The defense put up a solid fight as DeSales put up eight shots right at the start, all of which were unsuccessful. Wilkes made the gap in score larger as Scott drove one in for the Colonels, leading the score to read 4-1. "I really try to emphasize a passing game and today was our best execution of that;' said MacDonald. "We created many goal scoring opportunities and that was evident with goals coming from all different scorers. It was so rewarding to see the hard work and investment from everyone come together with a strong result like thaf' Eight minutes remained in the fourth quarter and DeSales' DeMasi scored off of a pass from the 20 yard line for the Bulldogs. Wilkes kept the ball out of the net on offense and defense to end the fourth. The final score read 4-2 as Wilkes came out on top. Eidle ended the game with nine saves for the Blue and Gold on DeSales' 21 shot attempts. "It felt amazing to beat DeSales;' said Rosenfeld. "We have not been able to (beat them) in years and having a 4-2 win against them on senior night really made it special. It was an amazing team win and we especially played hard for the seniors who deserved this win:' The field hockey team has one final in-season game left, which will be played at home against Misericordia University on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. r �.J The Beacon - October 27, 2021 20 Sports SWIM: Colonels look forward to in-person meets this season By Arlel Reed Sports Editor The Beacon/Ariel Reed Trey Harloff grins In between the sets of his 100 IM repeats on Oct. 7, 2020, during one of their practices. Wilkes swimming returns to the water this year to compete against "real" teams for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. Last year, the teams competed virtually due to the regulations outlined by the Middle Atlantic Conference because of the pandemic. 'Tm really looking forward to in-person meets this year;' said he coach Thomas Limouze. "I am really proud of how the team handled virtual meets- last year, and I know they're looking forward to getting back to normal. Jast night I heard a sophomore say, Tm e:rtited to see a new pool: So it's all of those other parts of.competing in person that I and I think the team are looking forward to: the bus ride, highway scenery, new places, other campuses and other pools:' The restrictions last year made the team compete only at their home pool (the CYC) and upload their times to the MAC where they were then compared to the team they were competing against. "I think the impi!l:t of having in person meets again is that now you are swimming next to another ·mmer head to head which drives you a lot more to go faster;' said junior freestyle/IM Liam White. "With virtual meets, it was just swimming and timing yourself.' Limouze also felt the importance of having opponents to compete against to be crucial to the results of the meet. However, he does not believe that the in-person competition will automatically make the team faster. Senior Fly/IM Trey Harloff will be leading this team as he is the returning record holder for the 200 IM and a part of four relay records (400 and 800 free, 200 and 400 medley). "I am most looking forward to being able to swim under a more normal setting and perform at high-level competitions including MACs and to challenge myself and my teammates the best I can, while enjoying and excelling in my senior year in mechanical engineering;' said Harloff. The men's team is looking to use this season to improve upon their 11th place performance in the virtual MAC championship last season. The women's team is small but mighty this season as they are returning five swimmers. Senior distance/IM Abby Keating is a 5th year pharmacy student who holds seven individual records, junior sprint/ distance Alexa Crossgrove who holds five individual records and senior captain Emilie Detweiler look to lead this team to improve upon their 13th place performance in the virtual MAC Championships last season. The teams will travel for most of their meets this year, but will be hosting Lycoming on Jan. 22 at the CYC and competing against the local colleges. @wilkesbeacon Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu �4 he est d is :as en ~e, s ter ter 1th ne eir mg of nd ·ty "th es 1or r>ry ure for 1 eat ,vas ,ast ior ilso ace The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Sports 21 XC: Cross country making strides to finish the season strong By Chris Gowarty Associate Sports Editor Similar to all other athletics at Wilkes, the COVID-19 pandemic interfered with the fluidity of the cross country team. However, the team was able to compete once again in the 2021 season, and has adapted to the training and longer miles of collegiate running. Before 2021, both cross country teams last ran competitive meets throughout Nov. 2019.Nov.2 was the MAC Championship, followed by the ECAC Championship on Nov. 9 and the NCAA Mid East Regional Championship on Nov. 16th. From that point from nearly two years ago, the running Colonels did not see a competitive meet until Sept. 3 of this year, when they participated in the Misericordia Invitational 4K. "It was difficult to get back in the swing of things;' said head coach Nick Wadas. "We had a long layoff from competition. In addition, with the absence of a track and field program, our cross country athletes had very limited competition. It has definitely impacted our team:' After their first meet, the Colonels next ran on Sept. 18 ,once again at Misericordia ,with the 6k Cougar Classic, followed by the Dickinson Long-Short Invitational on Sept. 25. This meet was the DeSales Invitational on Oct. 9, where Wadas saw his team adjust to the longer distances of collegiate cross country. "My favorite meet so far was the DeSales Invitational for various reasons;' said Barlow. "I ran my goal for the 6k, and it was my first 6k of the season. The highs of this meet include getting top 30 overall1 obtaining my goal time of getting a 24-minute 6k and making school history as the 14th fastest women's 6k time:' Not only is this season an adjustment for first-year students, but it is also a new challenge for sophomore runners. Because of cancelled competition last year, 2021 is the first time that both first-years and sophomores have represented Wilkes and raced longer distances, compared to their meets during their high school athletic careers. "Having a real season was challenging, especially when the mileage was tough from starting out;' said Dustin Edsall, sophomore electrical engineering student. "This was my first college athletic season for cross country. It was very different from running in high school due to the increased mileage:' After the DeSales Invitational, the Colonels competed at the Inter-Regional Border Battle on Oct. 16, followed by the LVC Last Chance Run Invitati nal on Oct. 22. "The DeSales invite was a good meet;' said Wadas. "I saw a 15t of good racing. We had a slow start in the race, but it is a learning curve. Most of our team never ran a 6k or 8k and they need to learn that balance between going out hard enough and running smart:' They next compete at the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships at DeSales University on Oct. 30. The runners are looking to train to be able to get a shot at running at the NCAA Regionals. "For the MAC Championship meet, I'm putting in my miles for training and trying to run my best during our workouts;' said Edsall. 'Tm also staying hydrated and mentally preparing to race at DeSales; I'm ready to have another PR:' Wadas hopes to see his runners compete with confidence at MACs in order to potentially put them in a spot to run at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship on Nov. 13 at Dickinson College. This will be the Colonels last meet of the season, finishing a challenging yet successful year after not competing for 657 days. "In terms of MAC: believe in the training and"'have a positive mindset;' said Wadas. "They need to control what they can control. Eat well, hydrate properly, sleep well enough, bring a positive mindset and be persistent:' Graphic by Mia Walker Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu hits rk: also nge )ffiS e of also nor the ated ery No use as a free is help i -J �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 22 Spo~ I The Beac~n: Athlete of the I Favorite building on campus? My favorite building on campus is the SUB. Week Oct. 13 to Oct. 20 Why Gabriel Nieves was I. selected: Nieves chipped in a goal during the contest against I Misericordia in overtime &romemeal toeatoa~t Double avocado sandwich from Which Which. to maintain the Colonel's unblemished conference record. I What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? My favorite flavor of Gatorade is the Cool Name: Gabriel Nieves Year: Senior Major: History Minor: Communicationn Studies and Business Administration Blue. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why! I would have Matt LebJanc play me; I think his character on "Friends» depicts me well. Hometown: Yorktown Height, N.Y. High School: Lakeland Senior Position: Center Mid Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. Kuiken. Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I decided to come to Wilkes be<:ause of Coach Piranian and the challenge of rebuilding the program. If you coold have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? If 1 could have dinner with one person Post-graduation plans in terms of a from the ~t it would have to be Roberto Clemente. career? I plan on going into the NYPD police Most influential person in your life? My parents for sure. academy after graduation. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? · Scoring the game winning goal in A quoteyouliveJOU,f life byf Doesn't matter howyou getth.«e, as~ • yoµ get there. overtime against Misericordia. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? To win the Mac Freedom conference. What does ~Coloner mean to you? "Be CoJoner to me means that when I step on the fielct representing Wilkes U ~ and weha,ve to hold ourselves to ahigb$fandard. rm Wben/Whydidyoufintbegiap I started playing WMn I was tWO in love with the gaq-right away. Anyone to give a shout-out to? My teammates throughout the years Pal'Olite thing to d o ~ p ~ 3~s ~ always fun, it brings a lot of competition and intensity to practice. ~~~~~ Other inte.rats or hobbies off of the field? I like to go1f with my teammates. for sti.ddng through the highs and lows together. -Compiled by Julia Mazur, Staff Writer �L 2 23 The Beacon - October 27, 2021 IS a .. -._. "· . r . •· · •···of.the ~- ........ "~ f\; ,• :-:, ❖ " ,• :, ... ,•,• t~Ef1~~i~Yf~ ,,~r~i1'.~:. -: .·. e ,, ,:.•· ' ·;:; ,, ,:., .... .; ; ,~~~,~ al~ttt' , ••❖~ taffiPJlS( ;:. ' It g .. t,'Sou~w~stducken salad ftotn the POD. , · ... :-: :~ \:, .... ~~- ··: / ... ~:::..: '~:: ·:. N~e:;B~ Bidelspach_, . ''.:\ .-:•, :-:- ···· ·,:··· .'' ., -~- -~- ... -~ ":Year: Senior · Major: Nursing -❖ ·-Hoi.nttowru Myet"Stownf ~a. . , ·Uigh S~b<J9h ELCO . ,, · · Position: -Forward ~- :,;, Dl'i\ting force for '. your .... X de'1sion.· tc> ; . ❖, • ; .I hav~ ,- \\~ell,. playing ,soccet::~n(E:, _.:I call ., ~¢mbeI' ax>.d J probably stllrte<l kplaying~ecause my moni isabig soccet , . fa:n, twijichJedto me heccmu:ng~ ~ccer " -~ ,, ❖ ' < •'• ~-' ..... X ' .:1:rit~fl,i';,g ~ ~-~ ~ ,,, , :.f , · ~ X '•~ ' :1, ~ ,· • ~• •:ii ; -· .: ;;:<' ' ' ❖-· ·" ❖ ·l-~;~,:~t~ . ,. l..½ot4 ofmy parents. ,. , ·• .... t · ,, ;~ether yot1 believe or you , _can't YQU aredght: Mightas·well'focus ~n >thepositiye, and believ-eyou <:anf- Henry -, For~!. -· · · - ~ t.does·,f.~~ ~lop~:~eantoyou! '.fo be colonel .means always give to X t :10?% ' tfo!t:·~a to.oe·_ a-hdpuig llan<I ;·wli~ri~ver you·: can.'J:.ead hy example;and l,Jve_~e-prog~~ ~tter..tha:t1.when:y<>u _:: wien/Why did ,yo~-': first begil1 ,: . ", " .- win EiQpe to the conference and make ' ; ltto ~eNCAAtoW'ftament. · ;; • Mrs~»uqyr- " . . . ,: llop¢$_for,tbis ka$()Ita$ a Colonelt <· >i ,, , '.· ·~:q,+~~.~tt'~ef~~r. ijfe.byf •· . . , you cm, year or ,beating D¢Sales in the playoffs · ll:.l,y.freshman year. -. . _ piare.r. ')! f · ~~tial~~inyourlffe! My favorite memory is probably ~eating Eastem bl ~T rriy sophomore _._. ,:::; I 1 Favorite )femory ti -.·<&\cinel? . ·•· . :·: .·-u ·,:. ' Fav(tliteptot~? , " J , ,. ... , ·-~. ~f · ,. · ,., · tlaiiP,!; ,;. ❖. -:~:: rec,tsq,~~l+.• ❖ >.i'~\ •·-••· -,, •• ❖ · • , W.9rkb:1g a.s an RN an<;{ hopqig to· specialiZe in. pediatrks. ·- , .. ' -: -~- yopwanttoplayyouand·why?\ " · :. Post--graduation plans bt tetmliof a , •• ❖ , ·~qll~!f ~,H"fbt\Wa}\no partiCQ!ar ❖- ~- rueed,·•· -❖ ·, .. -~. . ,. lf:youtJife was a movie> who would ~ come to Wilkes! , , , ' ·, " · , ,. l was .able to continue to,play soccer ~ . w:hil~.al$0 being intheNursingRtograrn. -· •· ,; : , ~•twto.-tflav()to.f.Gato:rad~.is your t.v~tittt; . ' , . · · Glader.¢herfY::oryelloW.. '. ," ·• _started. .,. ·• · . ,·• · .;. :_· .;. ,' ,., . :: V ,; ~ : ~f~¥'!0;!sii!~-~'!11i-o.ntt~t , 404, Jiekson and :m.yfamili · ·" ~. . . :: -.: ·. -·· . ,:. ·: ,-iJo~piltd.byJulia.·Mazur, St.aff,Wt~t#' » ... .. ~~- ::6 i .., .... �The Beacon - October 27, 2021 Sports 24 FB: Defenses' second half shut-out leads Wilkes to victory "We knew that coming into this game, we were going to have to be strong up front;' Sports Staff Writer said sophomore running back Elijah Jules. EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. - The Wilkes "We told the offensive line that we needed football team was able to defeat visiting to get a big push. Our offense goes as far as Lebanon Valley College 30-20 in a MAC our run game takes us, and it took us a long Freedom Showdown on Saturday afternoon way today:' at Schmidt Stadium. Lebanon Valley once again went three"There is always a sense of urgency to · and-out, and the punt was blocked by the kind of get back into the win column, and Colonels, and returned for a touchdown do what you need to do coming off a loss;' by first-year defensive back Ryan Travis. said head coach Jonathon Drach. "From our Wilkes was now leading 13-0. standpoint, we are always trying to improve. With Wilkes pressuring to pull away early, This was a good opportunity for us to do the Dutchman used back to back impressive that today, and we took care of what we drives to get themselves right back into the needed to take care of' game. LVC quarterback Braden Bohannon Wilkes got off to a quick start in the first was attacking the Colonel defense through quarter. The defense was able to force a the air, and was racking up the yards. With three-and-out on the Flying Dutchman's back to back touchdowns by LVC, they were first possession of the game. now leading 14-13. The Wilkes offense stormed down the Wilkes was able to regain the lead late field and sophomore running back Kamal in the second quarter. Following some Reed caught a pass from senior quarterback impressive runs by Reed and Jules, Tabora Jose Tabora for the first touchdown of threw his second touchdown pass of the day the game. On this drive, Tabora broke to first-year tight end Jason Dean. Tabora another school record, this time for most ended up finishing the day with 139 yards completions all-time. along with his two touchdown passes. The Colonels used a nice balance of LVC responded quickly as Bohannon running and passing calls to march down connected with one of his wide receivers the field. for a 31-yard bomb, down the sideline By Jason Eberhart with less than a minute remaining before halftime. The extra point was blocked by the Colonels, and the two teams went into the locker room tied at 20 a piece. It seemed the two teams would go back and forth trading blows all afternoon long in an offensive shootout, but the story was much different in the second half. After Wilkes got a field goal on their opening drive of the half, fhe defense really turned it on and ut down the Flying Dutchman offense. "Going into. halftime, we knew we didn't put everything we had onto the table;' said jun· r linebacker Billy Doron. "We talked to oor coaches, we reflected on ourselves, and we came out in the second half much stronger:' The teams traded punts for much of the second half. It felt like the next team that scored would win. Thankfully for the Colonels, they were able to deliver a final blow to their opposition. With just under four minutes left on the clock, and Wilkes with the ball around midfield, Jules broke for a run down the left sideline after he broke a few tackles, and scored a 49-yard touchdown to put the game out ach. Jules was a tough man to bring down Intersted in Sports? Join the Sports section! Help tell the stories o_ f the Wilkes sports teams CONTACT: Sports Editor: Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu all afternoon as he finished with 124 yards on16 carries and three catches for 33 yards. He was a force to be reckoned with, and was able to deliver the knockout punch to LVC. "I mainly just followed my blocks, and had trust in the play;' said Jules. "I believed the plays we were running were good calls, and I knew we had leverage on the outside, so I just followed the blocks and got to the endzone:' The Wilkes defense was able to keep the Dutchman from putting a comeback effort together. Their secondary was lockdown, while the defensive line pressured Bohannon into making difficult passes. The defense was stout the entire second half, never letting LVC get into a rhythm and score in the second half 'Tm happy to come out with a win, ready to move on to next weekend, and continue to improve on a day to day basis;' said Drach. Wilkes will look to build off this momentum as they fight for a conference championship as they travel to Williamsport on Saturday to face Lycoming in another MAC Freedom contest. The game will start at 1 p.m. as the Colonels look for their seventh win of the season. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2021 October 27 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 October 27 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/bf2f5161c8096e1f8dc3265f62139119.pdf a7de00eedac46a3cca6f02a23db3c26d PDF Text Text 1 The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Volume 74, Issue 07 HE BEACON Vaccine booster shot "clinic held at Wilkes University By Genny Frederick News Editor The City of Wilkes-Barre held a clinic to provide qualified residents an opportunity to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster. The clinic was held in the McHale Athletic Center on Oct. 28 and members of the community, as well as members of the university, took advantage of the event. The clinic comes after the Food and Drug Administration approved boosters for both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Boosters can be administered six months after the original vaccine except in the case of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, in which boosters can be administered after two months. According to the FDA, people 65 years of age and older, 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19 and 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 are eligible to receive the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also gives similar guidelines, but adds that anyone 18 and older who lives in long-term care settings or who have underlying medical conditions are recommended to receive the vaccine. Because COVID-19 can be transmitted quickly across college campuses, students at Wilkes are able to receive the vaccine. Some students took advantage of the booster as soon as it was available. The Beacon/ Genny Frederick Chris Sickle, sophomore political science major, was at the clinic and eager to receive the booster. "I got an email from the school saying that they were doing the booster and the closest day was today;' said Sickle. "I want to get my booster now because I'm eligible for it now:' The most recent reports from the CDC state that 192.0 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, and 16. 7 million people have received the booster. Dr. Kendall Tucker, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, advised students who are considering the vaccine. "Boosters are not currently recommended for the general public who do not meet certain criteria as laid out by the CDC:' said Tucker. "Wilkes students should only consider getting a booster shot if they are eligible based on the Centers for Disease Control criteria which are available on the CDC.gov website:• While guidelines are still in place to receive the booster, other approvals can make it more convenient to receive the BOOSTER, page 3 l\l~u·yel Studios· new mm-ie 'Tkrnab" l"oming to tlwakrs soon, pag<' 9 r �_J The Beacon - November 3, 2021 News 2 TheB News Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Oct. 27 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Staff Writer Student Government held its seventh meeting of the semester. It started in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. Next was the approval of minutes and the treasurer's report. The treasurer's report stated that there is a total of$42,713 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was a presentation from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee or SAAC. Members came to request $3,000 to help create events for the community and the student-athletes. This was week one of two, and the request will be voted on next week. The second order of business was a request for the Accounting and Business Club to be reactivated. The presentation was given by Professor Anuradha Ghai. The only businessrelated club at Wilkes as of right now is the Finance Club and the members of the club use this as a way to be more inclusive for all business majors. They plan for the club to offer networking opportunities for members and look to provide services for the Wilkes community. This was week one of two, and the request will be voted on next week. The third order of business and a final new proposal for the week was from the constitution and asking to be activated Fly Fishing Club. It was presented by Jacob as a club on campus. It was presented by Smith, a senior environmental engineering the president, first-year chemistry student major. The dub came for the activation of the SaurabhPatel. Thiswouldbeanewintramural club and highlighted on campus for students. Wilkes-Barre as a great The club has asked for area for fly-fishing. ~----.........,:; $300 to afford table The club is looking tennis racquets and to be recognized and balls. It was approved; help students around --~ funds and recognition campus learn how to · were given to the club. fly-fish. This was week The sixth order of one of two and will be business was week two voted on next week. ---~of two for the Ski and The fourth order Snowboarding Club. of business was week The presentation was two of two for the Air . given by Zach Niemiec, Force ROTC request a P3 pharmacy student. for a field training trip ---------------------·- It was last active in for their cadets. The 2019. The club hopes to presentation was given by Shawn Cottee. visit ski resorts in the greater Northeastern The request was for $900, down from $1,800, Pennsylvania region for students who have to go toward a trip to Paintball Asylum to a desire to ski and snowboard. The club now gain field training that they believe will has interest from over 75 students and the be beneficial to the cadets. The request vote was approved. was approved and the funds were given to The seventh order of business was week AFROTC. two of two for the constitution and activation The fifth order of business was week of the Tap Club. It was presented by Olivia two of two for the Table Tennis Club. The Schanbacher, junior musical theater major. presentation was for a review of their This would be different from the the existing dance and cheer dubs at Wilkes as club members would focus on strictly tap dancing. The dub has 22 members and is looking to be recognized by the university. While the club is mainly for those with a tap background, Schanbacher made it a point to mention that those with no experience will be accepted, and club members are willing to help teach the style. The club passed. The final order of business was week two of two for the budget approval for Monopoly week. Monopoly week will replace Casino Week and run from Nov. 8 to 12. Many events are planned and will be announced as the week comes closer. The budget for the week was finalized and approved at $17,000. The next meeting will be Nov. 3. @wilkesbeacon Open House on Nov. 5 Join the Center for Career Development and Internships, AmeriCorps VISTA, Bonner Leaders and Civic Engagement offices for an open house on Nov. 5 from I to 3 p.m. to meet staff and students who work in the offices. The event will be held on the Gateway near the Center for Career Development and Internships. Food and drinks will be provided. Ten Week Withdrawal Deadline Approaching Nov. 5 marks the last day students can withdraw with approval from academic advisor and course instructor. Past this date, students can only withdraw with the approval of the dean of the school of the course and the course instructor. Visit the Design the President's Holiday Card Are you feeling creative and ready for the holiday season? Put both to good use by designing the holiday card which will be sent out from the President's Office. The campus will vote on the submissions and the winning submission will be printed on thousands of cards. Winners will receive @wilkesbeacon Thewilkesbeacon@wilkes.edu Po cm lb, News................... ·.... 2 asai ~a• '' M) wiru: Lthe 1 of more than $250. Submissions will be open till Nov. 12. Backpack project seeks donations Cam Ritter and Dr. Roke Thomas will be collecting donations of shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, gloves, razors, bars of soap and athletic socks for the backpack project. The goal of this project is to fill 200 men's and 50 women's backpacks with one of each of these products, then distribute the backpacks to people without homes in Wilkes-Barre. Ritter and Thomas hope to have all backpacks filled by the week before Thanksgiving. They are also accepting monetary donations as well. Phar Table of Contents. -~~!~~a!!n !3!s!~fS;egi!!Pw~!!e~!IJH.w~~i~R~!, ~a~~i!!:!fil~e · Sports................. 19 forms. ,❖ i'r ' whe1 Zachary.Paraway@wilkes.edu Opinion................. 14 Celebrate Panamanian Culture Join the Wilkes IFARHU Program students, the Friends of Panama Club and the Office of International Engagement to commemorate Panama Separation Day with the event "Viva Panama! Go Wilkes!" Come to the Henry Student Center Ballroom on Nov. 3 from noon to I p.m. and celebrate with cultural dance, crafts and food. •·•c<t:m Upcoming Events: 2021 Fall Semeste1 November 6 - Stem Discovery Day 7- Virtual Open House 11- Veterans Day 13 - In-Person Open House 24 - Thanksgiving Recess Begins 29 - Classes resume 29- Spring Parking Application Deadline December 13- Final Examinations begin 20 - Final Examinations end 22- Residence Halls Close 1 ftom HCI Ms W1 play . I fl sixtb l SW sine◄ Fa, prac ·M1 p:rac1 WI your Th �News The Beacon - November 3, 2021 BOOSTER, from front vaccine if eligible. The 'mix and match' approach allows boosters from either Moderna or Pfizer, regardless of the original vaccine received. "The allowance of mixed vaccine boosters will certainly have an impact on the amount of people who receive boosters;' said Tucker. "It makes boosters available to previously high-risk populations that may not have been eligible based on the type of vaccine they received, while also bypassing some vaccine supply limitations:' While the ability to receive boosters is a step toward the ending of the pandemic, the CDC and other groups are primarily focused on ensuring that a high percentage of the population has been fully vaccinated. With new approvals of vaccines for children and teens in effect, this goal is even more possible. While there may be concern about administering vaccines to children, Tucker explained the safety of the vaccines. "The COVID-19 vaccines were tested in clinical trials to ensure that they meet certain safety standards including prior to emergency use authorization for children; said Tucker. ''Additionally, millions of doses of vaccines have been given nationally and are subject to long-term safety monitoring. In terms of vaccination, these new vaccines have much more safety data available to them at this point in the process compared to historical vaccines:' The focus on vaccinating a high percentage of the population is also a goal at Wilkes. Currently, 85.9 percent of individuals on campus have been fully vaccinated. The clinics being held on campus assist the overall mission of the University to keep everyone healthy in light of the pandemic. Community member John Mellon came to the clinic when he heard about it from his wife. 'Tm just thankful that they're here for myself and for society:' said Mellon. "I do have the booster and I'm trying to do my part for society:' Students can sign up to receive a booster shot on either Monday, Nov. 8 or Friday, Nov. 12. Appointments are required. 3 The Beacon/ Genny Frederick John Mellon gets directions from Susan Kennedy at the booster shot cllnlc. Barron's in Education hosts career fair for Wilkes students By Jake Maskulyak Staff Writer Students recently had the opportunity to participate virtually in the Barron's in Education Career Fair. Attending students had the opportunity to pick and choose different conferences and meetings over the course of the two days, with several varying topics available to choose from. Barron's in Education is set up to provide quality experiences for students, specifically by introducing students to real-world business information and analysis that can help prepare them for the professional business atmosphere. The program gives students the opportunity to meet with high-level professionals in the field across Barron's community, further preparing them for the real world of business. Senior accounting and corporate finance major Jessica Smith was happy about the event. The sessions that interested her included "The Importance of Networking & How to Do it Right;' courtesy of Mary Hirthler, Wealth Advisor at Jacobi Capital Management and the panel "Women in Finance:' "Career fairs like that hosted by Barron's are a one-of-a-kind resource given to students who are looking for career opportunities and advice;' said Smith. "I am so glad that Barrons was able to host this year's first Virtual Career Fair as their sponsoring firms provide incredible perspectives into the finance industry for business students, but also for any individual interested to learn more:' In the section on "Diversity in the Workplace;' students were able to hear about changes coming in the industry in terms of equality and diversity. Speakers in this section talked about what their companies were doing to try and reach underrepresented and minority groups as well as how to better prepare all potential candidates in the business world for the ever-changing climate. Junior corporate finance major Nick Kinzler was sure to add that the Barron's career air was open to all students from all majors. "The Career Fair was open to anyone, no matter what major they were or what topics they were interested in, but the firms that hosted informational sessions were related to the business field:' Financial topics are not an uncommon conversation among college students, and the notion that all students could participate and gain valuable education from this event was something very important to Kinzler. Students are still adjusting to newer online types of career fairs like this one put on by Barron's. Career fairs like this, however, are what Dean of the Sidhu School ofBusiness and professor Dr. Abel Adekola says are preparing students for newer opportunities like this in the real world. "In general, the drawback is that if students are not well prepared for this new type of virtual recruitment, it could be challenging;' said Adekola. "The good thing, however, is that our Sidhu School students are well prepared to face such challenges as a result of the series of four courses they take from our personal and professional development (PPD) program, which are actually designed to get them ready for such challenges in the job market': The contents of the career fair provided students with real insight into what is going on in the field. For more information on what Barrons is doing with their educational program, visit https:/ /go.dowjones.com/ barronsineducation. Jakobe.Maskulyak@wilkes.edu Graphic by Jack Malatesta r �_J The Beacon - November 3, 2021 News 4 The Study Buddy tutoring program helps local elementary students By Genny Frederick News Editor Members of the Wilkes University Reading Buddies Program. in partnership with the Civic Engagement Office, have spent this semester organizing and planning to help increase literacy in area children. Monica Morrison, a 2020 Wilkes graduate in psychology, is the AmeriCorps VISTA Coordinator of the Wilkes Reading Buddies Program. Each VISTA participant does one year of service to help toward eradicating poverty. While also attending Misericordia University to get a master's degree in occupational therapy, Morrison has spent the semester planning, organizing and launching the Reading Buddies Program. "We want to decrease poverty by increasing literacy one child at a time;' said Morrison. AmeriCorps VISTA is a federally funded program meant to fight the challenges in the United States through service and v9lunteering. It was established in 1993 by the Clinton Administration. Morrison cited FutureReady, PA Index from 2018 which said 80.2 percent of students in the Wilkes-Barre area are economically disadvantaged. Along with this, Morrison also noted that the Literacy Project from 2019 reports that one in four children grow up without learning how to read. For Wilkes students, helping the community comes in 30 minute sessions. College tutors meet with students in first through fourth grades in one-to-one group tutoring sessions for 30 minutes at a time. "Each session is what each college student tutor makes of it;' said Morrison. "The sessions typically last for 30 minutes and begin with some type of mindfulness or movement based activity for about 10 to 15 minutes and ends with various educational hands-on activities and reading games to get children moving and to keep the session fun and engaging. We have a lot of fun each week, and we try to keep tutoring fun with games like Beach Ball Tosses, Red Light Green Light Reading and Go Fish card games:• Billy Costner, senior management major, goes to sessions often. "During the sessions we usually will talk to the kids and ask how their day is going, help them with their homework, and if we finish their homework we will do reading and math activities with them to get them more confident and comfortable doing their work on their own;' said Costner. This is not the first semester the program has been active. Morrison continued the project that was begun by the previous AmeriCorps VISTA. It was when this VISTA talked to Morrison's CAR 398 class that she was interested in continuing it. "I wanted to continue this literacy project established by the previous VISTA to help mend an issue I was passionate about;' said Morrison. "It seemed like a perfect opportunity to contribute time and service to an existing need within the local community while simultaneously ga1mng leadership experience and professional development." Sara Urena, first-year psychology major, was interested in joining the program to help students. "My passion for teaching others and helping students thrive and become a better version of themselves;' said Urena. Costner explained that helping students with homework is something important to him. "Growing up, I would often need extra help with homework and school and I know how much a role model can truly help with your academics and work ethic as you get older:' The program also helped Morrison gain more experience for her career. "The VISTA program is an incredible opportunity for recent college graduates looking to gain real-life experiences, transitioning to graduate school or still figuring out what they would like to do in the future;' said Morrison. "For myself, this program has been an amazing experience to gain experience working with and tutoring children while earning my master's degree in occupational therapy, hoping to continue working with children as an OT.' While Morrison enjoys working for the program, she acknowledges that sometimes there are challenges. Changing plans, communication mishaps, slow feedback and COVID can all be causes for stress, but she and the other tutors handle them well, explaining, "We know we are working for a good cause so when a setback occurs, we keep our eyes focused forward and move onto the next thing:' Urena thinks the program is off to a good start. "The kids are very sweet and respectful;' said Urena. "I feel like we have a pretty nice plan for the sessions and have an organized environment to work with the kids. While students across campus have volunteered for the program, Morrison thinks there are some things other students may not know. "I think people should know that in general, Reading Buddies is a very rewarding experience," said Morrison. "The children benefit immensely from spending time with successful college students who want to be there for them:' Any student who wants to volunteer time for the Reading Buddies program should reach out to Monica Morrison or check their Instagram page @wureadingbuddies. According to Morrison, the time spent in the program is not only teaching. "Our tutors are not only helping children academically, but socially and emotionally as well;' said Morrison. "The children really look up to the tutors and the simple act of being present for the children each week has a significant impact on these children:• @wilkesbeacon Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Photos Courtesy of Monica Morrison Students grab food at an Informational meeting to get Involved with the Reading Buddies program. Signs from the Reading Buddies program meeting are set up around the Henry Student Center. guan Dui lead cour mor~ their "A the get t �The Beacon - November 3, 2021 News Dr. Ellen Newell resents lecture to Barre Scholars By Maddy Kinard Assistant News Editor Social psychologist and associate professor of psychology Dr. Ellen Newell was welcomed last Thursday as the first professor to be part of the Barre Scholars lectures on research and opportunities beyond undergraduate schooling. Barre Scholars was created last year with the goal of identifying highperforming students and providing them with more opportunities and avenues. As part of these extra opportunities, the program has created a lecture/Q&A series in which professors are invited to speak on their journey to becoming researchers and professors. Led by Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, associate professor of history and honors director, Newell was prompted to begin by explaining her personal interests and subfields of study. "My overall research interests are about prejudice and discrimination on one side, and stress on the other side," said Newell. "What I'm really interested in is if you are a target of discrimination, how do you handle that? Are there good coping skills that you have? Bad coping skills? I do this The Beacon/ Maddy Kinard with cardiovascular reactivity." Dr. Jonathan Kulken talks with Dr. Ellen Newell on her time as an undergraduate and graduate student. However, getting to this point was not and social psychology, and its origins is Newell also emphasized the importance a straightforward path. Originally, Newell The floor was then open for questions, about why we conform to other people in of proving yourself to be able to get did not even want to become a teacher, some ways and not in others; it's basically to which senior neuroscience and preopportunities. When first starting med major James Hughes asked, "How given that everyone in her family was one etiquette in a science:• research with professors, the "not fun scary was it to write your dissertation?" as well, and tried various opportunities in After discovering this passion, Newell at all stuff" is usually assigned first her undergraduate career. transferred to a school that offered which has to be worked through to, as in Newell replied, and Kuiken agreed, "Not scary, I was tired." In the end, the particular interest of research in the field of social psychology hers that ended up steering her towards but most importantly, it had a marching Newell's position, get a senior-year honors In concluding remarks, both Newell research capstone. social psychology was etiquette. and Kuiken emphasized the importance band. Once here, she sought out professors When prompted for advice for students of being an advocate for oneself and "Did you know you're allowed to eat whose research she enjoyed and took their looking to do something similar with thinking big. They commented on the asparagus with your hands as long as it classes, working especially hard to get the doesn't drip past your elbow;' said Newell. best grades possible to be as appealing to research, Newell pointed out the value small school advantages Wilkes offers, "I loved these (etiquette) books when I the professor once she asked to join their of travel and study abroad trips that she meaning getting closer to professors is wished she hadn't missed out on. Kuiken easier and more opportunities may be was little and my mom used to get them studies. agreed. for me at yard sales and stuff. Then, when available for research and graduate school "I worked extra hard to get the triple A "We prioritize study abroad whenever options. But, overall, it is important to I was in college at the first school I was plus to be like, 'see you want me: And it possible;' said Kuiken. "People often think start this conversation and think about it at, I took a social psychology course worked;' said Newell. studying abroad is 'wahoo, I get to go on now before it is too late. this cool vacation: or something like that. "I didn't even think graduate school was More like, 'ha ha we're actually forcing a possibility for me until I was a senior," you to learn but you don't even realize it:"' said Kuiken. "I actually had to take a little She also wished that she had known bit of time off because I wasn't prepared as that graduate school is what you make of much as I could have been had I thought it. It is not so much about getting good about it earlier. So, don't feel like we're grades as it is about taking advantage of saying this is the only pathway for you, the opportunities available to you. Newell but it is a pathway." told attendees to write a journal article as The Barre Scholars lectures will a first-year just because it is an available continue in the spring semester. experience. "You have to write terrible stuff before you can write good stuff;' said @wilkesbeacon Newell. Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu "Don't feel like we're saying this is the only pathwayfor you, but it is a pathway." -Dr. Jonathan Kuiken 5 �.J TheB s M By Ba Asst. S Ice Hi andwo and be in the The "Last said se~ year, it ·1 again. routine really e little th some p "We . in and .The 29 in Buffalo ' the firs toama �The Beacon - November 3, 2021 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact life. arts & entertainment editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Sordoni Art Gallery opens doors to newest exhibition By AJ Rubino Staff Writer The Sordoni Art Gallery opened its new exhibit "Juan Logan: Creating & Collecting" on Nov. 2. The exhibition originated at the Hickory Museum of Art and is a memorial of Dr. Roy E. Morgan. The exhibition is free to the public and runs until March 13. The exhibition will close on Dec. 17 and reopen on Jan. 18 because of the semester's winter break. "We are trying something new:' said outreach coordinator Karley Stasko. "In the past, we used that time to shift over, but it created a problem mid-semester for setup and break down:' This gives plenty of time for students and faculty to visit the exhibition as well and be able to appreciate it. Director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, Heather Sincavage, looked into Juan Logan, the main artist of the exhibition, in 2018 for a different exhibition. Sincavage contacted Logan to showcase his other works. At the new exhibition, the works she could not get at the 2018 exhibition will be present at this one. "The original showing of these items were the Hickory Museum and we had the opportunity to bring it here;' said senior digital media and design arts major Alyssa Roberts. The exhibition showcases mixed media, which is a visual art. Artwork that is mixed media is when more than one thing or materials are represented. Examples include assemblages, collages and sculptures. Logan's works communicate the interconnections of race, place and power. The American experience can be abstractly or representationally described in his works. These works shine light on how social stereotypes shape people individually. The mental and material landscapes of contemporary life are also visible in his works. "He has done a whole series on just the motif shape:' said Stasko. "He even has done films that are viewed through that sort oflens. It is a combination of his own facial shape but also calling to mind the negative stereotyping historically and today.'' The exhibition also conveys other artworks that Logan has collected since the 1970s. Logan has created a collection of works from his friends and influences to his own work. The exhibition will share the dialogues of Logan's own work with this collection. Some influences are Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Motherwell and Thornton Dial. "In comparison to the other exhibitions, these works are bigger;' said Roberts. "The L'Esprit show had smaller pieces and now these works are multiple feet long. The gallery space feels fuller. I think it is really cool:' One of the pieces that are being shown is Logan's painting, "Help Me, Save Me, Love Me:' The painting is in regards to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. "The interesting thing about that for the most part was they wanted someone to help them, to save them, as though they actually loved them and took care of them;' said Logan. Logan explained that these images from help efforts pertaining to Hurricane Katrina did not represent what really went on. The painting uses puzzle pieces that replicate a stand-in for the masses queuing for safety. The work itself represents Katrina as a larger puzzle that had been taken apart and not able to be put back together. 'i\ lot of these pieces that one made a lot of the texture from are coming from found objects:' said Stasko. The art piece, "I'll Save You Tomorrow,' is a great example of found objects. The piece shows found receipts and tickets that are embedded in the artwork. "It is really bringing these found objects together and transforming it into something artistic as opposed to just junk;' said Stasko. The artwork references the horrors caused by the inaction of various groups after Hurricane Katrina. The Red Cross is referenced in the pieces, depicted by a veiled cross. The veiled cross shows that the safe haven they represent is masked and made less immediately accessible, hence everyone waiting outside is referred to in other pieces. Though this piece is inspired by Hurricane Katrina, this piece also speaks to the large human experience of trauma and the desire for help. The idea is that when one truly needs help and the feeling of when help cannot be offered when it is most needed, one would offer the excuse, "I can not today but I can help you tomorrow.' Other than the exhibition, the Sordoni Art Gallery will be hosting other events. On Nov. 10 at 2:30 p.m. Sincavage will host a director's tour. Sincavage will be discussing Logan's symbolism and metaphors used in his works that discuss issues facing Black Americans today. "I will be giving my own insight and notations on the work represented;' said Sincavage. At noon on Nov. 20, the Sordoni Art Gallery will host Family Hour: Coloring George Catlin. This event will celebrate NEPA artists that are inspired by nature. Jan Lokouta will lead the coloring and sketching workshop for children featuring Wilkes-Barre's own George Catlin. Attendees will learn more about Catlin and also immerse themselves in the exhibition. Stasko will host the Art in Your Hands workshop on Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. The workshop will run for one hour and during the workshop, attendees will create assemblage pendants using upcycled vintage materials and resin. "This workshop is more hands-on than the Coordinator's Tour;' said Stasko. "It gives people the opportunity just for the love of it:' The goal of the workshop is to give people the skills and tools in hopes to continue on in their own practice. "Even if we don't give them the tools, they still have a finished product that they made themselves that they can take home;' said Roberts. "It gives them something to remember from the exhibition:' Attendees will also learn about the jewelry-making process and the power of art trouve. There is no opening reception for this exhibition. However, there are plans to host a closing reception in the spring when the exhibition ends in March. Spring events pertaining to this exhibition have not been released yet, however, keep an eye out for them on the Sordoni Art Gallery's website and social media pages. @wilkesbeacon AJ.Rubino@wilkes.edu The Beacon/AJ Rubino This piece by Juan Logan tltled "I'll Save You Tomorrow". �.J Life, Arts & Entertainment The Beacon - November 3, 2021 8 The Bea November delight: Doggy Delicacies' PB pumpkin biscuits By Emlly Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief November is here and the autumn season is staying with us for a while. What better way to fit the season than by treating your pups to some peanut butter pumpkin biscuits? Ingredients: 3 cups of whole wheat flour 1 15 oz can of pure pumpkin puree 3 tablespoons of peanut butter 1 egg Directions: First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the pumpkin puree, peanut butter and egg until the mix is homogeneous, as it will make the next step easier. Add the whole wheat flour and mix together. You will most likely have to mix the ingredients together at this part due to the thickness of the mixture. The dough should be moist and slightly sticky but not sticky enough to leave bits of mix on your hands. When everything is mixed, move on to the next step. Sprinkling some whole wheat flour on a surface and a rolling pin, roll out the dough until it reaches a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut out shapes for the treats. I used pawprint and dog bone cookie cutters. Continue cutting out shapes until you run out of dough. Place the treats onto ungreased parchment paper on a baking sheet Place into the oven and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. To also check when the treats are finished baking, stick a toothpick or knife into the middle of a treat and see if anything sticks to it. When finished baking, place the treats on a rack and let cool. Then, refrigerate them. Enjoy! services They pro encapsula perplexi characte the insan Furthe would s thrifty cut come never ge platform5 the price them (I'n Now b profess I when it technolo to the dig downloa because 1 But I dig Notes: When looking for the can of pumpkin puree, make sure to grab the puree instead of canned pumpkin pie mix, as pumpkin pie mixes contain spices that are harmful to your dog. The cookie cutters I used can be found from the likes of Amazon, Michaels, Etsy or more. @wilkesbeacon Emily. Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas These peanut butter pumpkin biscuits are great treats to flt the autumn season for your beloved pups. screeni cast, it i highly a1 The 1 played navigate leader intergal must st his <lest· Each week, the Wilkes Beacon tart adds a song to their 2021-2022 Beacon Bumps playlist under Chris Gowartys account on Spotity. Look below for this weeks list of songs. Emily Cherkau ka , Editor-in-Chief: chmoy r, Managing Editor: =.::..=:...u..:..~ Fr rick, N ws Edit MaddyK d A t.N w E Jordan I, LA&E Editor: B bl ch, Opinion Ed Li co y, Oplnton Staff - .g_zier m Areal A ed, Sports Editor: 19 - Chloe Lilac Chris Gowarty, Assoc. Sports Editor: The.ra.QY Bayle Guede , Asst. Sport Editor: · 5 Ja on Eb rhart, Sports Staff Writer: Mia Walker, Lead De 1gner: Big ne Liz Ch • ~~~~~~~="'l,.ll!l'..l.MJJ-J,ge~ ir I cial Media Manager et, Lead Layout De ~ Miller ~ ij~ U.LDy behind does so forced o world fi can see "Dun Herbert in 1965 the firs been ad In 1984 was rel large fo Man of alls �The Beacon - November 3, 2021 9 Life, Arts & Entertainment Marvel Studios' new movie 'Eternals' coming to theaters soon Students share their thoughts on the upcoming superhero film By Morgan Rich Staff Writer Marvel Studios' new movie "Eternals" will be released in cinemas Nov. 5, 2021. "Eternals" is film #26 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and will be phase four of the MCU. The movie will follow the events of "Avengers: Endgame" when an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants. ''Avengers: Endgame" is a 2019 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team, the Avengers. According to the MCU's official website, "Eternals" features an exciting new team of superheroes who are immortal ancient aliens living on Earth in secret for thousands of years." The MCU is an American media franchise that is centered around superhero films produced by Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, with the films being based on characters that appear in the American comic books published by Marvel Comics. "Eternals" is based on a world created in 1976 by Jack Kirby. The comics' primary storyline revolves around the Celestials creating two different divergent races by performing genetic experiments on proto-humans, which are the long-lived Eternals and the deformed Deviants. These experiments were what led to superpower mutations in humans. The trailer for "Eternals" introduces the film's main villain, Kro, who is the warlord, general and dictator of the Deviants. Kro is known as being one of the first Earth Deviants ever created and "Eternals" will be his movie debut. The MCU is divided into distinct sections that have broad storylines. "Eternals" is the third film installment in phase four. Phase four will feature all of the Marvel Studios productions that will be released from 2021-2023. Phase four is also the first phase to include television series with "Wandavision" beginning the series, which premiered on Disney Plus in Jan. 2021. The films in phase four both released and unreleased are "Black Widow;' "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings;' "Eternals," "SpiderMan: No Way Home;' "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness;' "Thor: Love and Thunder;' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever;' "The Marvels;' "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3;' "AntMan and the Wasp: Quantumania" and "Fantastic Four." The release schedule for phase four was delayed due to COVID-19. Leaked promotional artwork hit Twitter last January and merchandisers gave fans the first official descriptions of each character in "Eternals." The "Eternals" team will be made up of Ikaris, Sersi, Ajak, Phastos, Makkari, Druig, Gilgamesh, Thena, Kingo and Sprite. "Eternals" is also making MCU history by featuring the first openly gay couple in the universe; however, that will not be the only romance in the film. Gemma Chan, in an interview with Vanity Fair Italy, confirmed that her character Sersi has a romantic history with Ikaris and the Black Knight. Relationships are not necessarily essential for an MCU movie's plot but it appears as though this one will feature more superhuman romances than the previous films. Nevertheless, these new additions to the MCU are receiving a positive response among many. ''I'm excited to see it;' said Rachel Kern, a sophomore musical theatre major. "I hardly know anything about this new phase happening, so it's cool that there's so many movies coming out now that are introducing new characters for future films." The film was directed by Chloe Zhao, who also wrote the screenplay with Ryan Firpo, Patrick Burleigh and Kaz Firpo. It was produced by Kevin Feige. After composing the score for Marvel's "Iron Man" in 2008, Ramin Djawadi also composed the score for this film. The full soundtrack for the film comes out today. "Eternals" also has an extremely talented and well-known cast. Gemma Chan will be making her debut as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Harish Patel as Karun, Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, Salma Hayek as Ajak and Angelina Jolie as Thena. Harry Styles is also credited as Eros/Starfox in a post-credits scene. Jolie is perhaps the biggest and most familiar face to sign on. It was revealed that she was playing Thena, a powerful Eternal known for knowledge and fighting who is similar to the Greek goddess Athena, during Marvel Studios' panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2019. Jolie starred in many comic book, sci-fi and fantasy films over the years but this will be her first live-action film based on a superhero comic. The film had its world premiere in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theater on Oct. 18 and was screened at the Rome Film Festival on Oct. 24. "Eternals" was originally supposed to release on Nov. 6, 2020, but due to COVID-19 the release date shifted to February 2021 and then to the November 2021 date. Box Office Pro predicts that "Eternals" is estimated to earn between $82-$102 million during opening weekend. This puts the film at being the highest opening film in phase four. Despite the predicted success of the opening weekend, early reviews for the film are not as positive as others in the MCU and has one of the lowest Rotten Tomatoes scores yet. Currently, the MCU has a perfect record on Rotten Tomatoes since every movie has received a "fresh" rating. So far, "Eternals" has an estimated 81 reviews with the score landing at 64%, which makes it the lowest scoring movie in the MCU. Of course, this batch of reviews is a result of the initial premiere so the score could get better as other reviews filter in. ''I'm looking forward to it;' said Jack Flynn, a sophomore musical theatre major. ''I'm not as excited about it as I am for future releases like "SpiderMan: No Way Home" or "Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness" but I'm sure it'll be great. It has an all-star cast:' "Eternals" will be at RIC WilkesBarre Movies 14 on Friday, Nov. 5. at 4:15 p.m., 4:35 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:05 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in normal view, 2D and 3D. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.rctheatres.com or by going to the Student Union Building (SUB) and purchasing a $3 movie ticket. Morgan.Rich@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �_J The Be Life, Arts & Entertainment The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Liz's Craft Corner: Colorful Thanksgiving foam leaf garland By Liz Cherlnka Social Media Manager Step 1: Cut a leaf out of the the foam sheets about 4 Inches tall and 2 Inches wide. They can be varying shapes and sizes, but keep a general leaf shape consistent. Step 3: Repeat that step for all of the leaves to be put on the garland. Begin with just 10 leaves and poke holes In more to make the garland as long as desired. Step 2: Use the scissors to put six equally spaced holes down the middle of the leaf. Be careful as to not hit your finger with the blade. Step 4: Thread the yarn through the holes In the leaves. Begin from the back and then bring that yarn through the front. Repeat this for each leaf on the garland. Step 5: Hang the finished leaf garland for a Thanksgiving touch! Halloween is officially over, which means the transition to Thanksgiving decorations can begin. It is a perfect time to do a fall-themed craft to pumpkin-spice up any room. This foam leaf garland is easy and quick to make, which makes it good for the holiday switch. The required materials for this DIY are 2mm foam sheets in green, orange, red, yellow and brown, scissors, orange yarn and a yarn needle (optional). These materials are affordable, costing under $10 and can be found at any craft store, such as Joann Fabrics or Michaels, and Amazon. The first step is making the leaves out of the foam. Cut a leaf shape out of the first foam sheet about four inches tall and two inches wide in any shape. Repeat this until the whole foam sheet is cut out. Some leaves can be wider, thinner, shorter or taller, as the sizes are just general guidelines. Repeat cutting the leaves for every colored foam sheet. The number of leaves cut out will look very daunting and excessive but it allows the ones that did not come out as desired to be thrown away. The next step is to start making them into a garland. This is the hardest step of the process but is still generally easy to do as long as you are careful. Grab the scissors and make six equally spaced holes down the middle of the lea£ Open the scissors and use only one of the blades to make the holes. The holes can be pretty small, just make sure the tip of the scissor goes through the foam. The hard part is making sure to not cut yourself when pushing the blade through the foam. It takes an amount of force and your fingers will need to be positioned on either side of where the hole is being placed. Make sure your finger is not too close to the blade and that the blade does not go in too far as to slice across the finger. Start by making about 10 of the leaves with holes and move on to stringing them on the yarn. Also, you should decide on an order for the leaves. They can be in a pattern or random but arrange them in order. In order to string the leaves on, grab the yarn and thread it from the back through the bottom hole of the first lea£ This is where the optional yarn needle would come in. It is possible to do it without the needle but it may make it easier. To not use the needle, use the tip of your finger to slightly spread the hole open as your other hand pushes the yarn through this hole. The yarn will fray and unwrap at the ends so cut it when it becomes unable to string through the holes. Then, thread the yarn through the front into the second hole. Repeat by going from back to front through the lea£ Next, repeat these steps for every lea£ Once the first 10 leaves have been strung on, push them together and judge the length of the garland. Depending on where it is being placed, you can continue adding leaves on. Another option is to make multiple garlands with all the leaves. Either way, continue until the garland is as long as desired, sliding the leaves down the yarn to add more. To finish off the garland, cut the yarn off the ball and at the end of the garland, leaving a few inches on both ends. Tie a knot in the yarn at the end of the leaf adjacent to it. Double knot this to secure it and then cut the excess yarn. Repeat this for the other side. Now that both ends are finished and secured, feel free to hang the garland anywhere to add a Thanksgiving touch. @wilkesbeacon Elizabeth.Cherinka@wilkes.edu In a control, that thi to repre in hopes of perfe we will o authenti cannotc I have find mys unable t~ a never-e I make of the hurt me. I wish I still frie I wish I now." I used tried to 'Y By Llnd1 Opinion The~ launched two wee~ The thi concept, that mu binging. The around Love Qu that has suburbs Linda, the fant Joe ever neighbo from the After cheating holy tri as both What is is just influenc Take married is descr biogs a �11 Life, Arts & Entertainment The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Students celebrate Halloween on campus with Freak Week By Jordan Danlel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Programming Board hosted a week of events for students leading up to Halloween called Freak Week. Students were able to participate in all the events for free on campus and get them pumped for the holiday. Freak Week began on Oct. 25 and lasted through Oct. 29. The spooky week is a Programming Board tradition during the last week of October. Events included: Mocktail Monday, which involved a zombie mocktail vendor coming to campus; Murder Mystery, where students who attended received a door prize and had to work together to find the murderer; Paint and Sip, which had a limit of 50 people; and Trick or Treat Bingo, where students were encouraged to wear their costumes so they could be entered in a contest to win an extra bingo board. The last event of Freak Week was a T-shirt giveaway. Students who went to three out of the four other events were able to receive a free T-shirt. Attendance was kept tracked by having holes punched "I participated in Freak Week because it is nice to get a break from studying and participate in fun events throughout the week." -Nicole Middleton Pl Pharamacy student on a car t at stu ents were given w en they arrived at their first activity. Many students came out for this event to help get them in the Halloween spirit. Some went because they enjoy the events programming board hosts. "This Freak Week I had the opportunity to attend both the zombie bar and the Paint and Sip:' said Kaelin Hughes, sophomore political science and history double major and secretary of Programming Board. "My favorite event was the Paint and Sip. I liked being able to see so many people come together and have fun painting something spooky." Ot ers atten e a break from school and their busy schedules. "I participated in Freak Week because it is nice to get a break from studying and participate in fun events throughout the week," said Pl pharmacy student Nicole Middleton. "I heard about the events through social media and because I am on Programming Board's genboard. I went to every event!" Also, students had a difference of opinions on which event was their favorite. "My favorite event was bingo because we could dress up and have the chance to win great prizes including a TV:' said Middleton. Programming Board organizes events for students to unwind from their hectic days, so make sure to come out to as many as possible, especially since they are free. Freak Week will be back next year. "I think it's an easy way to get involved on campus and have some fun, so I definitely recommend it;' said junior environmental science major Helen Campbell. "They plan some really interesting events so even going to one is worthwhile:' For more information about Freak Week or any other of Programming Board's events, visit their Instagram @ wilkesupb. "I definitely would recommend attending Freak Week next year;' said Hughes. "WUPB offers a lot of exciting experiences and prizes during Freak Week." @wilkesbeacon Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu 01 .- E ! Premium Student Housing Life, Art'? Px FUR ISHED AL INC USIVE 1-4+ BR Entertainment cfom partment and Mansion style living LEASE NOW FOR MAY 20 Move in1 na'"or..• www.znproperties.com \) 1 . {\ Close to classes.. closer to home! --..--------~-------'-'-'-._._;~"""'"'.-r.......~--.i!lC.~----J~.,::J;ic:.-;:~ L................ �.J Life, Arts, and Entertainment The Beacon - November 3, 2021 12 The Bea utumn is in the Air Below: Secluded among the trees on the come West South Streets, Kirby Hall is su1toQcU1lGID leaves. The historic Victoriaa-•••H~~a Above: lot, this days be Above: A staple of a tumn is the image lea s beginning to fall from trees. It is perfe t to make huge leaf e fun. B low: Taking a walk down the campus Greenway will ·ve you th sight of a line of young trees letting go of their colo fol leaves. Left: Down by the river in front of our very own Dorthy Dickinson Darte building, we can see the beautiful contrast · of colors beginning to take form on the various surrounding trees. �12 The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Life, Arts, and Entertainment 13 • Ir Above: Enj ying a nice walk to class on a gorgeous sunny day, you can feel the crisp breeze of fall se le in as we prepare for the inevitable changing of seasons yet again. Above: Peaking out of the small Farley Library parking lot, this pink rose bush is enjoying the last few w days before the colder time of the year approac.~!""'"'' . , , , . , , C' ... Below: Looking up through the trees reveals some lefto r pieces of bright blue sky from the summer as it slowl ins to tu ~~ltany leaves continue to hang on the trees but ,·,,,,yR e while longer. Above: The water on the bridge looks cold due to the chilly season. However, the sky is still blue and the grass is still green, at least for a little while longer. r �Opinion The Beacon - November 3, 2021 14 Opinion - __, ________________ ~--~~---------H -"_a_v_e_an ~ opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Sean Schmoyer Social Media Manager .. Li% Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Genevieve Frederick LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports -Ariel Reed Lead Designers Mia walker & Zoey Rosensweet Associate Editor Sports - Christopher Gowarty Assistant Editor News • Maddy Kinard Sports - Baylee Guedes Section Staff Writers Opinion-- Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Interested in Joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wllkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wllkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18788 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Sean Schmoyer at Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est.1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member ----~urVoi~----Each week, The Beacons editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. College's elimination of hobbies is hurtful It's almost an unspoken expectation and truth that college students eat, sleep and breathe their academic responsibilities. Whether it be keeping up with classes or attending meeting after meeting for various clubs and extracurriculars, students are unbelievably busy to what could be considered an unhealthy point. With the goal of obtaining a good-paying job upon graduation, it's necessary to gain experience and knowledge that are supposed to prepare students for the real world. Because of the time commitment it takes for a student earning their degree in higher education, there is little opportunity to enjoy new or existing hobbies. It seems as if the college lifestyle is purposely designed to ensure students can only focus on their studies and other involvements, creating an atmosphere that doesn't allow time for anything else. Hobbies included. Even activities as simple as reading, painting, gaming, knitting/ crocheting and exercising don't fit into the busy schedules and lives of college students. The time that would usually be spent enjoying those hobbies has to be sacrificed to study or complete assignments before the impending deadlines. And no matter how important education is, it isn't fair that an element of what brings students peace and relaxation has to be given up the moment they step foot on a college campus. In comparison to earning a degree in higher education, hobbies may seem pointless or a "waste of time." Except the opposite is true, as having even just one hobby could alleviate the immense amount of stress they are under every single day. According to the Australian Government Department of Health, "Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood and depression. Activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed:' It is no surprise that many students struggle with their mental health for a variety of reasons, but the stressors and anxiety of college life certainly don't help. Being able to participate in a hobby that bring joy and improves mental health can be groundbreaking for students, but the lack of available time eliminates that. Beyond mental health improvement, there are multiple benefits of hobbies that would enhance a college student's life and add an essential element of needed selfcare into everyone's routine. According to Kettering Global, the benefits of hobbies are physical, mental and emotional health, better social and interpersonal skills, creativity and self-improvement. On the surface, hobbies may seem pointless and nothing of importance, but the benefits are significant in multiple ways. The pandemic not only graced us all with an unexpected amount of extra time due to quarantine and safety precautions, but many discovered new hobbies to stay busy during the unprecedented time. And while everyone got to experience the great benefits of those hobbies, college students were forced to give them up all over again when life returned to "normal." Workloads became heavy again, schedules filled up with meetings and obligations and time had to be dedicated to assignments. At the end of the day, college and earning a higher education should not mean giving up activities that are enjoyable. Students are still human beings that need to take care of the~selves which includes having the opportunity to indulge in hobbies that are proven to be just as beneficial as classes are. If you're looking for a new hobby or something to pick up, Fort Hays State University recommends journaling, completing puzzles, cooking, team sports, yoga, gardening or knitting. We can only hope that the college experience changes in the coming years to allow students time for other activities outside of their academic commitments -- which is how it should be. @wilkesbeacon TheWilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: TheWilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - November 3, 2021 d tip of hole s the will o cut string the eat by rh the every 15 Acceptance: The first step in the journey for inner peace By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer grab back first yarn ssible may Opinion In a world in which we lack absolute control, we often find ourselves wishing that things were different. Often we try to repre_ss or fight harsh realities we face in hopes that it will grant us the facade of perfection or peace of mind. However, we will only find peace in accepting our authentic ourselves and the things we cannot change. I have always been an anxious person. I find myself staring at the ceiling at night, unable to fall asleep, as my mind enters a never-ending thought loop: "I hate that I make mistakes. I hate that I am unsure of the future. I hate that others have hurt me. I hate that I hate these things. I wish I wasn't anxious. I wish we were still friends. I wish things were different. I wish I wasn't thinking about this right now:' I used to repress these thoughts and tried to ignore the problems I faced. I used to lie to myself and pretend all was perfect, that I was happy in hopes that I would actually believe it. I thought I could run from my problems or fake it until the feeling goes away, but it never did. Eventually, I realized that happiness rooted in lies will never grant the same satisfaction as genuine joy and peace. So, how have I been attempting to free myself from worry and the facade of happiness? I had to face my problems by accepting who I am, the things I cannot change, and the future that is developing before me. Instead of fighting unwanted thoughts or allowing them to become pervasive in my mind, I take the time to ponder on it. If it is something I can change, I accept the challenge and try to develop a solution. If it is something that is out of my control, I accept that I cannot change it, process that fact, and allow myself to move on. I had to accept that friendships come and go. I had to accept that I cannot control the past. I had to accept that I cannot control the future in absolute terms. I had to accept and embrace these thoughts to live in the present and to find peace in the life I have been dealt. This is much easier said than done. Stress has become a part of the human condition. Most of us find ourselves crumbling beneath the weight of stress. We worry about financial issues, work, relationships, health and so much more. It almost seems simpler to allow stress to consume us instead of facing it. However, when we live in a constant state of stress, we are not only harming our mental health but our physical health too. Many of the leading causes of death in America are linked to stress. In order to find control in our lives and to maintain our health, we must attempt to find a way to cope through acceptance. Although we may feel otherwise, we are capable of controlling our mind and embracing both the beautiful and ugly parts of our lives. When we embrace what life gives to us and find a way to live through the ugly, we are not complicit or passive, but rather, we are empowered. Acceptance is not always the end solution, but rather, it is the first step in healing. When we accept our issues and faults, we are granted the abilit1 to work on them. When we find ourselves running from problems on the hunt for serotonin, stress continues to live within us unconstrained. We must ask ourselves: "Why do we continue to hold so tightly to the things that bring us so much inner turmoil?" When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and fall apart, we are granted the gift of recovery and the opportunity to let go and move on. You are not your thoughts. You have control over them. We must spend less time resisting, less time running and more time accepting in order to live presently and find peace within ourselves. @wilkesbeacon Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu 'YOU' season three: Netflix's original social commentary By Lindsey Scorey Opinion Staff Writer The Netflix original series "YOU" launched the third season in the franchise two weeks ago on the streaming platform. The third season is an encapsulation of social commentary on a novel show concept, making the series stand out that much more over other options for binging. The whole third season revolved around the antiheroes Joe Goldberg and Love Quinn, a homicidal married couple that has decided to settle down in the suburbs of California, known as Madre Linda, with their son Henry. However, the fantasies and stalking endured by Joe every season now resonate with their neighbor Natalie. The plot unfolds greater from there. Spoilers to come now cue. After many entanglements with cheating, murder and money, a devious holy trinity, the couple finds themselves as both allies and enemies to each other. What is interesting about this, though, is just how the characters and their influences are written. Take for example a neighborhood married couple, Cary and Sherry. Sherry is described as a "momfluencer" who blogs about all the beautiful ups and downs of motherhood. Her words and actions are just as cringey as her selfmade title. Cary is the definition of what Generation Z would describe as toxic masculinity, a buff man who loves his keto diet and adventures in the woods to reconnect with his masculinity. These actions are not inherently cringey in themselves, but the portrayal of them is highly satirical. Cary and Sherry brought the necessary comedic relief to the show and broke up the darker content. They were not the Penn Badgley's performance as the only example of what privilege in the obsessive Goldberg was consistent as suburbs can look like. This season had . always, but many audience members multiple personality archetypes to work raved over the role of Quinn this with, making it much more enjoyable to season. Victoria Pedretti put on an act consume and analyze as the episodes flew of vengeance and pure emotion through through, which they inevitably did for her portrayal of Quinn. We finally saw me. her dark side come to fruition after only This season felt deep and getting a glimpse of it at the end of season psychologically provoking in the best two. ways, paying tribute to past plot points The characters of money and class while bringing in brand new ones. systems in this season are prevalent just as much as any other human character. The show arguably would not have been the same without that background. The mere fact that Quinn is able to sign a three-year lease to a bakery she wants in a high-end part of California is a commentary on the generational wealth she receives from her inheritance of being a member of a wealthy family. The final episodes of this series will leave the audience on the edge of their seats. It is likely one of my favorite series and seasons on Netflix to date just because of the impact of the plot and commentary. If you have not seen the series "YOU" yet, run to Netflix and binge the now three seasons worth of content. I promise there is something in it for everyone. Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet Lindsey.Scorey@wilkes.edu - �_J The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Opinion 16 Dean's Deep Dives:·Mitski, the beloved siren of somber sadcore By Dean Bowen Staff Writer An often held criticism of modem alternative music is that the sound has become monotonous, clouded by overwrought production and lukewarm emotional content. Escaping this trap and pioneering a sound all her own, Mitski has over the course of a lengthy career managed to hone a unique capability to remain relatable and grounded despite an industry seemingly hellbent on conformity. Throughout her career, Mitski has managed numerous rather sizable hits, with "Washing Machine Heart;' "First Love/Late Spring" and "Nobody" being a few examples. While these songs are popular for a reason and entirely worthy of their placement in any respectable sad playlist, there are other tracks in her discography that get overshadowed by these successes. The following list highlights ten such tracks, tracing a near-decade of innovation in sound and presentation. I. "Bag of Bones" - "Lush'' The first aspect of Mitski's ever-evolving sound that she perfected was the ballad. Preferring slower orchestral instrumentals early on in her career, the "Bag of Bones" instrumental is composed mainly of a piano and a harmonica. This minimalism allows Mitski's vocals to dominate this track, as she somberly reflects upon the draining nature of an emotionless yet intimate relationship. It is often believed that this is the first song Mitski ever made, showing even in the early stages of her career that she was capable of conveying emotion with unparalleled refinement and honesty. 2. "I Want You" - "Retired from Sad, New Career in Business" Another element that Mitski began to hone was the usage of verse style structure within her music. Blending spoken word poetry and a softened yet emotive vocal performance, "I Want You" beautifully illustrates the pain of a one-sided love affair. With a similarly strippeddown instrumental mainly composed of a single chord of a pipe organ, this story of mourning love is unmissable. 3. "Because Dreaming Costs Money, My Dear" - "Retired from Sad, New Career in Business" It is rare to see a rising artist admitting worries about the future of their career as it grows; however, such candid confessions are typical of Mitski. Lamenting the loss of her passion in the face of her future, Mitski uses competing metaphors of a fire and a sea to •.. depict her mental state. Continuing to cultivate an uncanny ability to build up an atmosphere in her music, the mood created by the somber piano and nearly teary vocal performance is painfully familiar to those who have suffered for their dedication to a craft. 4. "Townie" - 'Bury Me at Makeout Creek'' It was with "Bury Me at Makeout Creek" that Mitski truly began to experiment with her production, integrating aspects of rock into her sound. Beginning to refine her method of using the instrumental as a storytelling tool along with the lyrics, it was with this album where Mitski's careful production choices became as impressive as her vocal performances. "Townie" is a poignant showing of this method, as the frantic drums and synths of the instrumental perfectly accompany its story of youthful rebellion and nonconformity. 5. "Last Words of a Shooting Star" - "Bury Me at Makeout Creek" Despite changes to her sound, Mitski's ability to make music best suited for sad reflection continued. Further refining her ability to make beautiful music out of the darkest parts of her psyche, "Last Words of a Shooting Star" puts to words a depressive spiral. The simple guitar of this track carries an impermeable yet understandable sadness, elevating the farewell letter-esque lyrics and tying together an unmissable depiction of a shattered mindset 6. "Texas Reznikoff' - "Bury Me at Makeout Creek" In a poignant showing of the duality of sound yet to come, "Texas Reznikoff" is defined by a jarring beat switch, shifting from a familiar guitar-strong love song to a drumheavy banger in seconds. Quoting famed Objectivist poet Charles Reznikoff, Mitski weaves together a tale of association between love and the places it can occur in. 7. "Happy'' - "Puberty 2" Perhaps the most important facet of Mitski's connection with her audience is managing to describe extremely intimate and specific situations in a relatable way. "Happy" is one such description, as she describes the pitfalls of reliance on others for one's own happiness. Utilizing a poetic styling of her lyrics along with an instrumental dominated by a looping sample reminiscent of a train, she depicts the cyclical nature of dependency and the harm it can cause. 8. "Geyser" - "Be The Cowboy" "Be The Cowboy'' was a reinvention of sorts for Mitski, centering heavily upon personal growth and a revitalized confidence. The opening track, "Geyser;' is a characteristic love song, but with an entirely different focus. Speaking in an interview with Pitchfork in 2018, Mitski clarified that the subject of this track and her stated enamourment within it was her music career itsel£ Finding peace with the fact that her primary outlet and way to relate to the world is music and proving that she could be successful making the music she wants to make, "Geyser" is a celebration of this revitalized passion and an ample introduction to an album that is (in my opinion) her best to date. 9. <~ Pearl" - "Be the Cowboy'' In a moment of reflection within a spiraling discography charting years of heartbreak, "A Pearl" is a poignant description of what's left behind after an abusive relationship. Continuing her propensity toward metaphor, Mitski depicts the internalization of her struggle as an eerie yet beautiful pearl. Characterizing her damaged past as an irremovable reminder of how she "fell in love with a war;' she manages to encapsulate the numerous intensive emotions involved with healing from such a situation. This ability to concisely describe the harms of life without cheapening the emotion involved continues to be a high point within Mitski's work, allowing for the listener to understand and relate to the story being told to them without being weighed down by overwritten lyrics. I 0. "Working for the Knife" - Single Choosing to essentially disappear after "Be The Cowboy': Mitski faded off of the internet and out of the public eye entirely for almost two years. Rumors endlessly circulated that she was done for good, having left behind a solid discography and a mystifying evolution of sound. These were proven wrong, however, when she returned with "Working for the Knife': It was not the triumphant return to the industry that some expected, however. Lamenting the world moving on without her along with a perceived Qustifiably so) pressure to only sing about crushingly depressive topics, it is clear that Mitski did not lose her trademark pessimistic edge in her absence. Behind the hits that have cemented her status as a mainstay of the modern sadcore musical movement, Mitski has assembled a discography of impressive innovation and brutally honest emotion. The resulting music is undeniably somber in nature, but the gorgeous instrumentals and extremely talented vocal performances within it make for a listening experience entirely unique in terms of presentation. As shown by her recent return, it is clear that Mitski has more to give to the music world. Given her career of constant innovation and a near mastery of sonically interesting production, it is nearly sure that what is to come from Mitski will be just as entrancing as her previous work. Photos courtesy of the artist Dean.Bowen@wilkes.edu �8 The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Opinion 17 The streaming service saga: Which sites deserve the clout? ·By Rudy Urenovlch Staff Writer As college students, many of us are at the busiest time in our lives. Streaming services are truly like lifelines to us. They provide us with alternate universes encapsulated in shows and movies in perplexing storylines and dynamic characters. They offer us a reprieve from the insane world of university. Furthermore, as college students, I would say almost all of us are pretty thrifty when it comes to spending. We cut corners where we need to, but we will never get rid of our beloved streaming platforms, no matter how high they raise the prices, And wow, are they raising them (I'm looking at you, Netflix). Now before we dive too deep, I must profess I am rather like an old person when it comes to all things under the technology umbrella. I am constantly late to the digital entertainment party. I didn't download TikTok until this year. Ironic, because I am in a digital-focused major. But I digress. The three streaming services I will be building up and tearing down are Netflix, Hulu and Prime Video. I know there are more, newer ones making a splash, like Disney Plus, Peacock and Paramount Network. But my basic self only uses those first three, so I do not have an opinion on the others. Let's start with Netflix. The monarch. The supreme. The OG. I'm sure like many of you, I first entered the world of streaming services by making a Netflix account. From a design and aesthetic standpoint, I think Netflix has it down. For the most part, I find the site easy to navigate on all devices. The red branding is iconic and synonymous with their brand. I even think the thump sound in their original content hits hard. All that being said, in my opinion, they fall short content wise. I am not someone who gags over Netflix originals. I enjoyed some, such as "The Crown" and "Squid Game;' but personally I prefer to watch older cable shows that ended over 10 years ago, rather than new Netflix originals. Some of you are about to be mad at me, but it must be said: I think I prefer Hulu. Hear me out. It definitely has some cons, though. I do not think the design and functionality are up to par with that of Netflix, it's not as accessible or as aesthetically pleasing. Also, many times it fails to load for more, telling me I need to refresh for a connection. Maybe that's on my end, but Prime Video and Netflix rarely do that. You also need add-ons to unlock certain shows and movies. Hulu+Live Tv is $65-$71 a month. Too steep for me, thank you, but I believe this is probably supposed to be a replacement for cable altogether, so I suppose the prices make sense. Some pros to it are many shows that are being broadcasted currently on cable add episodes to Hulu the day after they originally air on TV, so it's easy to keep up with your favorite shows. If you're someone like me who likes to watch shows that already had their runs, Hulu has a lot more selections, I think. I love binge watching shows; I can watch over 25 episode 10 season shows in about a month, give or take. That's probably not a good thing, but Hulu is the platform that allows me to do this best. Full disclosure: I very rarely use Prime Video. I pretty much only use it when I learn about a really old, unknown show or movie. They have tons of those. It is kind of hard to distinguish the pros and the cons. First, it is a benefit of having an Amazon Prime account, so I believe you do not have to pay a flat fee for it, it's included under the Prime umbrella. That being said, you have to pay individually for tons of shows and movies. But you also have the option to rent them at a lower price. In the scheme of things, I am not sure if it's a money save or a money steal. I guess it depends on how much you use it. Overall, streaming platforms, like everything else in life, have pros and cons and rob you of time and money while providing brief periods of reprieve. ,,c @wilkesbeacon Rudy.Urenovich@wilkes.edu How 'Dune; a staple of sci-fi, lands with a sci-fi genre hater mnseason By Hannah Simerson see why this is the case. I feel like I must invested in the fantastical world that it preface my review by mentioning that I made me pay even more attention to the tend to hate anything sci-fl. I do not read plot. "Dune" hit theaters across the world sci-fiandicertainlydonotwatchiteither. I may be biased in my opinion on the this past week after the film's successful However, "Dune" captivated my attention film's acting, as I adore anything that screening tour. With its star-studded like no sci-fi piece ever has before (which Timothee Chalamet stars in, but I was cast, it is no surprise that the film was so is saying a lot, considering the run time is impressed by the entire cast in this film. highly anticipated. over two and a half hours). Chalamet is joined by Zendaya, Jason The movie follows Paul Atreides, The greatest achievement in "Dune" Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson and Oscar played by Timothee Chalamet, as he was the film's use of visuals. It truly felt Isaac in "Dune" and I thought that they navigates stepping into both the role of as if I was transported to another all performed their roles flawlessly. leader and chosen one amidst a great planet, which speaks to the There were some scenes in the intergalactic war for resources. Atreides film's ability to world~o=:;;:::::;::::::i,......_ film that were dripping with must step beyond his fear to accept both build. I think part emotion, and I did not his destiny and power. of the reason doubt the authenticity "Dune" very clearly illustrates the evils that I am so of the characters' behind colonization and greed, but it anti-sci- fi emotions in those does so in such a way that it does not feel is because scenes, w!i,ich is forced or artificial. Beneath this fictional the worldentirely due to the world filled with the unfamiliar, viewers bu i 1ding actors' incredible can see the truths of their own world. in stories performance. "Dune" is based upon the novel by Frank in this The score in Herbert that was originally published g e n r e this film is simply in 1965. The newly released film is not b e com es unm atched. the first time Herbert's sci-fi world has s o The musical been adapted for the big screen, however. confusing In 1984, the original "Dune" adaptation that I lose was released and immediately garnered a the plot amidst large following. it. In "Dune," Many regard "Dune" as the grandfather the exact opposite of all science fiction, and I can certainly happened; I was so Staff Writer component can make or break a film, and it certainly added to "Dune." The score was unnerving, unique and catchy. In an odd way, the music that was played was congruent with what sounds I thought would come from such a world. Everything about this film was spectacular, but the score knocked every expectation that I had out of the park. I am surprised to be writing such a positive review about "Dune:' I had fully expected to hate the film due to my preconceived notions about sci-fi films, but I would go as far as to say that "Dune" restored my hope in the genre. I think that the film's following is onto something when they say that it is the grandfather of sci-fi. If the film can turn a sci-fi hater like myself into a sci-fi-curious viewer, it must be doing something right. I must give "Dune" five out of five stars. I have no complaints about the film whatsoever. From the breathtaking visuals to the incredible talent and captivating score, "Dune" is a masterpiece. You can watch "Dune" in theaters across the country or at home on HBO Max. Hannah.Simerson@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet r �_J The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Opinion 18 Bre's Beats: 'Love On Tour' is an incredibly worthy experience By Breanna Eblsch Opinion Editor After being postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harry Styles' "Love On Tour" finally began in North America in early September, and the long wait was well worth it. Excited fans across the country got ready for a night of live music by picking out stunning outfits, relishing in the anticipation of seeing the one and only Harry Styles, and getting ready to hear the singer's sophomore album "Fine Line" in sold-out arenas. For thousands of people in the crowds at the 39 cities around the United States, these shows were the first concerts they attended since the pandemic started. Myself included. And I cannot say enough good things about how absolutely breathtaking this tour was. Despite how crazy this is going to sound, I have been lucky enough to see Styles a total of five times on this tour. Yes, you read that right, five. At the time this is published, I will have attended every single one of those concerts. Four of the shows were intentionally planned and the tickets have been held onto for almost two years. The fifth, by total surprise, was a last-minute invite from a friend. And although it seems a little crazy to see the same artist five times on the same tour, "Love On Tour" was worth it. As a dedicated fan myself, I had seen Styles a few other times prior to this tour, twice with One Direction in 2014 and 2015 before the band went on hiatus, and once on his first world tour back in 2018. This wasn't my first time seeing Styles, but there's something incredible about his shows that cannot be found anywhere else. But this time around, there was an immense amount of love and pure happiness in the air. It's safe to say that "Love On Tour" is easily one of my very favorite tours that I have ever been to. Styles himself is a live performer like no other. He's someone that you can tell was born to entertain, which is clear in every show of his with the unique elements and how full of energy he always is. Put him in the world's most famous arena, the iconic Madison Square Garden, for a total of five scheduled dates and you're almost guaranteed an unforgettable time right from the start. I was lucky enough to see him four out of the five times at , The Garden and arguably the choice of venue enhanced the experience even further. But most importantly, when the lights went down signaling the start of the show, the excitement skyrocketed to an all-time high and you knew a stunning night was about to begin. The opening act for "Love On Tour" is Jenny Lewis, a singersongwriter who hails from Las Vegas. creates art. And in the middle of the intro, Styles rose up from underneath the stage and opened with "Golden," the lighthearted, upbeat song that also starts his sophomore album. The crowd immediately was on their feet, jumping along and screaming the wellknown lyrics to one of the singer's At 45 years old, she took the stage before Styles and showcased her own talent through a handful of songs that mix the genres of country, alternative and indie together. Her short but stunning setlist included singles "See Fernando" and "She's Not Me;' both fantastic songs that matched the atmosphere of the tour which many fans also enjoyed hearing before the main act. After Lewis left the stage, the thousands in the crowd waited with anticipation. It was impossible not to be jittery with excitement for what's to come, and the moment the arena went dark, a chorus of screams erupted and "Love On Tour" was officially underway. The one-of-a-kind opening included bright visuals of bunnies and bursts of music intertwined with a saying about how doing things dangerously with style popular singles. Right from the start, the concert was everything a fan or regular concert-goer could ever wish for. Styles controlled the stage while wearing a different stunning outfit each night, my personal favorite was MSG Night One where he performed shirtless in a black suit with feathery sleeves and had a setlist that included a perfect mix of ballads and songs that are worthy of a dance party. His happy attitude rubbed off on the crowd with whom he interacted frequently throughout the night, even having us sing happy birthday to a few lucky people, and the atmosphere was nothing less than joyful and immense amounts of love. An uncommon, but thoroughly loved difference about "Love On Tour" was the stage set up. The concert was in the round, which meant every single seat in the arena was sold and Styles had two catwalks on either end of the stage which was located in the middle of the arena. While many artists don't choose this setup often, it made Styles' show that much more special. No matter where you sat in the crowd, you always had a good view of the singer. For all of my shows, I had a different seat and although some of them were closer to the stage than others, I never complained because Styles moved around the stage frequently and everyone got an amazing glimpse of him in person. Throughout the night, thousands of smiles never faltered and some tears were shed during the emotional moments, especially when Styles gave the grateful speech before singing "Fine Line:' My favorite songs that Styles performed were "Canyon Moon;' "Sunflower, Vol. 6:' and "Treat People With Kindness:' These three were also the ones I favored off the second album, but hearing them live was an entirely different experience. It was magical in every sense of the word and each time I cherished the short amount of time that was full of genuine joy. But in all honesty, the whole setlist was perfect and every song was performed in the most amazing way. Now, seeing the same artist five times on tour is usually seen as repetitive. I got asked "Isn't it just the same show each time?" or "What's the point in going to a concert again after you've already seen it?" more than I can count. But I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend "Love On Tour" as much as I did. Each show was different from the last, but all nights that I will never forget. I have been to countless concerts in my life already, but Styles' "Love On Tour" was hands-down my favorite. Not only do I adore Styles as a person and performer, but the shows on this tour were unlike any other I have ever attended. The atmosphere was full of an unbelievable amount of love, happiness and acceptance that is only present when seeing Styles. Every penny I spent on tickets and every minute that I waited for these concerts to finally happen because of the postponement was beyond worth it. If you ever have the chance, I cannot recommend seeing Styles live enough. From an artist who preaches kindness and has a discography with outstanding songs, it's the best time ever. Graphic by Madi Hummer Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu �6 The Beacon - November 3, 2021 19 Sports Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Men's and women'S ice hockey: New season, new perspective By Baylee Guedes Asst. Sports Editor Ice Hockey season is upon us and the men's and women's teams are ready to take the ice and be contenders for the championship title in the MAC Freedom. The previous ice hockey season was condensed as COVID-19 hit the world of athletics hard. This season is back to normal and teams will be able to compete in a regular season with protocols being lessened. "Last year was exhausting and stressful;' said senior forward Donald Flynn. "This year, it is nice that things are close to normal again. We are really just cherishing the routines, really enjoying the grind again and really embracing how much we missed. The little things are some of the best steps we have taken for sure:• "I think it will be really interesting to see how different teams handled having a covid year:' said junior defender Abigail Barcless. "I think this season will be more electric than ever due to people missing competition and playing for something:' MEN'S ICE HOCKEY: Last year, Wilkes went 7-4 on the season and made it to the semifinals of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC), losing to Stevenson University. This year, the goal is to make it to the final round and win theUCHC. "Every night is a battle in our league;' said head coach Tyler Hynes. "Whether it is a team at the bottom of the league or Utica, it is going to be a dog fight and you can not think it is going to be easy because we have lost plenty of times doing that:' The team is taking a new perspective on this sea-son as they have a more experienced and mature team, and they have one of the deepest rosters that Wilkes has ever seated in ice hockey. "It is an exciting feeling knowing that every guy is going to impact this team at some point during the season;• said Flynn. "We will be able to roll wave after wave, night in and night out:' The men started their season on Oct. 29 in Buffalo, N.Y. against Fredonia at the Buffalo State Bengals Classic. Wilkes won · the first match on the ice 5-2, sending them to a matchup against Buffalo State where the r Valerie Koenig (left) and Ablgall Barcless (right) discussed what strategy would be best for them to defeat Chatham on Feb. 28. Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed The women's Ice hockey team stayed engaged In the game while their teammates were fighting for a goal. "We know what to expect but we want Colonels won 2-1. "When the lights come on and it is a real to leave our mark here and accomplish game, you never fully know what to expect;' the mission we set out four years ago;' said said Hynes. "I am very happy with our Flynn. "It is a very special year for everyone, . especially the senior class and we are going response so far:' This year marks the final year for the to do everything in our power to le<!ve athletes that started the men's ice hockey the program we built with a standard of program as it was established in 2018. This excellence that will set the bar for years to is the first class to graduate from the team, come:• This final year for Flynn and his class hits making this season momentous. home for Hynes as he was in their skates four years ago. "It is tough (seeing them in their last season) but it is something that motivates me and drives me;' said Hynes. "It is a desperation that you can not really match when you have been doing and thinking about something as most of our guys have been for 20 years and at the snap of a finger, all of the sudden when someone asks you what you do, you are no longer a hockey player:' WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY: Last year, the Colonels went 0-9 on the season and are now ranked ninth out of 11 in the UCHC season poll. This year, the women's team is looking tp prove their ranking wrong as they start game play on Nov. 5 at home. Toe team is looking to make a drive in the league through seniority and maturity in the game. This season will look different for Wilkes as Shauna Tubbs and Laurenne Fraser, who played major roles on the team, graduated and their skates will have to be filled by the upperclassmen and the newcomers. "We look a lot more experienced than we have in years before;' said head coach Earl Utter. "We are largely made up of seniors and juniors with a number of sophomores that saw significant playing time last year:' The team has a smaller roster this year than in previous seasons but the drive to win is stronger than ever as they want to overcome their ranking in the league. "We have quality over quantity;' said Barcless. "I think everyone looks ready to go and eager to get the season started:' The Colonels are ready to take the ice and skate their way to the top as they intend to shock their opponents with a competitive attitude. "Being a new team, we finally have a senior class and are no longer the youngest team;' said Barcless. ''A lot of teams will be overlooking us and taking us lightly but I think that makes it more fun to go out and try and prove something:' Schedules for b oth ice hockey teams can be found at https://gowilkesu.com. @wilkesbeacon Bay/ee.Guedes@wilkes.edu r- �The Beacon - November 3, 2021 Sports 20 MLB World Series Championship contest is neck-and-neck By Chris Gowarty Associate Sports Editor As of Oct. 29, the 117th edition of Major League Baseball's World Series is officially underway, with two games already completed. 2021 's edition of the Fall Classic witnesses the Atlanta Braves facing the Houston Astros with the series currently tied at 1-1. This World Series is the Astros' third time playing in the title round within the last five years, making appearances in 2017, 2019 and now 2021. The Astros began their playoff run by finishing 95-67 during the course of the regular season, clinching a presence in the postseason with their fourth American League West Division title. They went into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed of the American League, lining them up to face the No. 3 seed Chicago White Sox in the first round, the American League Division Series (ALDS). The Astros won the best-of-five series against the White Sox in four games, which sent them to their fifth consecutive American League Championship Series (ALCS) dating back to 2017. In the ALCS, they faced the Boston Red Sox, who won this year's American League Wild Card game against the New York Yankees and their ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Astros took game one of the ALCS but went on to lose the next two, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Despite the deficit, Houston went on to win the next three games, win the ALCS 4-2 and move on to the World Series. Yordan Alvarez was named the ALCS MVP, hitting one home run with six runs batted in and a .522 batting average, the highest ever in ALCS play For the Atlanta Braves, 2021 is their first World Series appearance in 22 years dating back to 1999. In spite of 13 playoff appearances since before the year before the new millennium, the Braves failed to reach the championship round until 2021. They clinched their playoff berth this year with an 88-73 record in the regular season, which won Atlanta their 11th National League (NL) East Division title since 2000. They faced the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, winning the series 3-1. The series was highlighted by a gamewinning home run in the eighth inning of the decisive game four by Atlanta's veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman. In the NLCS, the Braves faced the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game and the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS. Atlanta won the NLCS against Los Angeles in six games for a 4-2 series finish, finally ending their 22-year NL pennant drought. With the Dodgers eliminated from the postseason, the Braves extended the streak of an MLB season ending without a repeat champion, with the last being the New York Yankees when they three-peated in 2000 (1998, 1999, 2000). Mid-season free agent acquisition Eddie Rosario was named the NLCS MVP, who tied the record for most hits in a postseason series with 14 hits in the six games. Game one of the 2021 World Series took place on Oct. 26, with the Astros hosting the Braves at Minute Maid Park. Braves outfielder Jorge Soler made MLB history by becoming the first player to hit a leadoff home run as the very first batter of a World Series game. Atlanta capitalized on the momentum made by Soler, scoring five runs within the first three innings, two of them coming via a two-run home run by another Braves outfielder, Adam Duvall. The Braves went on to take game one on the road, by a final score of 6-2. Game two took place the very next day, and it was all Houston early on. Going into the bottom of the second tied 1-1, the Astros scored four runs thanks to run-scoring hits by catcher Martin Maldonado and outfielders Jose Siri and Michael Brantley. Second baseman Jose Altuve added on to the Astros' lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, putting the score at 7-2 Astros. The score would not change for the rest of the game and the Astros would tie the series against the Braves at one win apiece. Altuve's home run was his 22nd in his postseason career, tying him for second alltime with longtime Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams. All statistics and information were acquired from MLB.com. Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �4 The Beacon - November 3, 2021 21 Sports WBB: Defense, agility are keys for success in the new season·By Jason Eberhart Sports Staff Writer have orrison tudents er time should ck their spent in children tionally n really e act of eek has 'S.edu Member of the women's basketball team are preparing for their upcoming season after last year's team only played ten games due to COVID-19. Last year, the Colonels finished 3-7, and they hope to improve on that record this season. "We are looking forward to getting back to a full year of action and appreciate the opportunities that are in front of us;' said head coach Tara Macciocco. "Everyone is so much more appreciative of the opportunity to compete on a daily basis:' Wilkes is looking to replace two big players from last year's team in Maddie Kelley and Gabby Smicherko. Kelley and Smicherko were key to both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for the Colonels, and were the leaders of a young squad. The two seniors on this year's team, guards Kendra Smith and Juliann Duignam, are stepping up in terms of leadership for the Colonels on and off the court. They realize they have to be much more vocal to help get this Wilkes team to their full potential. "As a senior, I've been trying to take the underclassmen under my wing and get them accustomed to the style of play, as well as the culture of the team;' said Duignam. The pride of the program since Macciocco took over as head coach has been defense. The Colonels will look to impose their will on the defensive side of the ball this year. They have quick guards that can pressure the ball, to go along with tall shot blockers in the paint to contest the rim. "We're looking to be a strong defensive team and force other teams to be uncomfortable offensively;' said Smith. Wilkes is focused on being one of the toughest teams in the conference. They know that shots will not fall every night, but their defense can help create easier offense for a relatively inexperienced group. This will help them compete in a tough MAC-Freedom conference. "I think our offense will come from our defense;' said Duignam. "If we can get stops at one end of the court, the offense will fall into place." On the offensive side of the ball, the Colonels will look to grow after a strong ending to last year's season. Their young players got a taste of college basketball last year in the shortened season, but a full practice schedule and season should allow the young guns to improve on offense day in and day out. "We want to be a team that outworks our opponents every game;' said Macciocco. "We play extremely hard and leave it all on the floor. We have a very quick lineup at every position, and hope to take advantage of our speed on both ends of the floor:' The team is eager to get better and to start competition. They have all the ..... Photo Courtesy of Assistant Coach Lindsay Howard Senior guard Kendra Smith performs a nasty crossover against a Mlserlcordla defender during their second match-up of the season. Smith proceeded to drive to the hoop and score a contested lay-up on March 12. tools to compete with every team in the conference. 'Tm looking forward to being able to get back onto the court this year and compete with all of my teammates;' said Smith. 'Tm excited for this program to take the next step in elevating our level of play:' The Colonels will look to get off to a quick start on the season when they host Penn State Worthington Scranton at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 inside the Marts Center. @wilkesbeacon Jason.Eberhart@wilkes.edu - orrison he �.J '!he Beacon - November 3, 2021 1he Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Oct. 20 to Oct. 27 Why Elijah Jules was selected: Jules recorded the game winning touchdown for the Colonels on Oct 23 against Lebanon Valley, rushing for 124 yards in that game. Name: Elijah jules Year: Sophomore , Major: Bu iness Management Hometown: Red Bank. N.J. High School: Red Bank Catholic Position: Running Back What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite! Orange Gatorade. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? If my life was a movie, I would want Kevin Hart to play me. I feel he could make my everyday life hilarious. Driving force for your decision to come to I Wilkes? 1 I fell in love with the school's campus and the coaches overall goals and pitch persuaded me to commit. He spoke about building and winning and these are things I wanted to be a part of with them. I Favorite professor? Professor Pyke. She is also my advisor and has already helped me a great deal already. 1 I \ Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I want to own my own business or brand I Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory was my first college \ game. Just all the nerves and excitement, 1 : never felt anything like it up to this point in ~ mylife. i Hopes for this season asa Colonel? Win the conference an<l win championship. a When/Why did you first begin playing? I first began playing around 10 years old . I would watch the games growing up and -~- _,,.,._..- ultimately ended up with a love for football. Favorite thing to do during practice? Doing drills and having talks with my position coach, Albert Young. He played my position in the NFL so hearing any tips from him p along way for all of us. Favorite building on campus? UCOM. Ifs so close to Towers and has Starbucks, what more could you want? Ifyou could have dinner with a famous \ person, who would it be? Lebron James. He is not only my favorite athlete, but he also is such a great businessman. I feel he could give off great ideas on how to handle many situations. I Most influential person in your life? My grandmother. She does so much for me, and is so active and well for everything she deals with and goes through and is truly an inSpiration to me. What does "Be Colonel" mean to you? It means doing the work behind the \ scenes, so when the cameras are on, we win. It means to me to put in effort everyday to improve and have a better version of myself today than I was yesterday. · I Anyone to give a shout-out to? I want to give a huge shout-out to not only the coaches, but my offensive line and wide receivers for the amazing blocks all game without them none of this is possible. -Compiled by J1,1lia Mazur. Staff Writer --- __ J �•• 2 The Beacon - November 3, 2021 23 Sports J . • • -·-·-~.:- '· ' g • ,- •. "tf~•: ·,. . .... " - . . . . ... ..-._ ·,,._·•. •J • . • • ··., •. • • it(]~ Wilkes as rictly tap ID •• •· / • rs and is :&:#~~ =~d university. with a tap a point to rience will willing to d. s week two Monopoly ace Casino 12. Many ounced ~get for the at $17,000. 3. kes.edu nts ... 2 .... 7 .. 14 .. 19 nts: este ; <;any itate · , , " , ·- If J01ll' lie ~,, _., RtfflC ~~i'!?;t!~:a,y. '" ,., ·: : ., :~°:,; ~;\:~~l!~:t'::;it; ;·;:~~::.: etown: Bast OreenvilJe, Pa,, ' .·· , :Ra9b~l Mv.Ai.lam.~r;i (e.-ellike'. sll~A School: Up!)~r Perkifimen H;S. ': would play off ~otlfi'tny < ~riintiotts :. ; oiu Goalie · · , "'. , ,. ·' "" ,md my goofy side:perfectlyi' · ""H i ;;:: ., :, ::~~ . ::i::::: ~~ =~~ -firlving for.;e fot yaµt ledsion>te> ,, ' Fayorit~ prof~s•orf. . ,: -~ome to Wilkes? ·. . · Dr; Btkeno~ , · ~~ap,y _loyed fl1e team 4tµ1-0$p'hete ' when I ,had visited, and.I felt that the 'lfyou equld''have dinilet wlthra·., Pharmacy school was a :perfect fit for . {amo111 P<t&on ll'om the p..t>:,wbo me, would it be? ' Jackie Kegne4~· . Post..:gr•duation plans lit term of a ·career? Most infiue1>.tia:l person in you.l hope to work in.a .pediatric hospital lifet as a phannadst. My sister~,. Mt.o~ly qid.she i~spu-e · rpe to play field hockey, but \$lie is also my best•friend. · · Favorite memory as a.Colonelt My favorite .memory as a Colonel is winning QW game O.Jl sell,jor day aQd Atuote you liveyour µfe byt. : jtHustle heats talent when fa.lent tl)_e team running tQgether screaming doesnit liustlet from excitement. t h Hopes for this season au Colon-el? Make it to MAC Championships. When/Why did you first. begm playing? I first started playing field hockey in sixth.grade because my sister <lidI and l swit<:hed to goalie in .seventh grade sim;e the team needed a·goalie. Pavodte . thing to do What.does <fBe Colonel" m,ean to you? . . ...,. . '. .. . . '' : , "Be.Coloner:t-0 me .means'to\v<>rk hard at eve:ry practfo~' a.pd every game no matt¢:(' tne $ituatfon.. Ke~p fighting uptil the ve.ryeu4, . Artyone tt> give • $:ifout~out to? ., My teafltJJ)ates, my friev,ds, ~d my family. ·. during practi,ci? My favorite thing to do during · practice' is to practice penalty ~orners. s n Favorite building-on-campus?... . . Stark/ Cohen. What ~olor/flavor of Gato.rad~ is your favorite? The yeUowlemQthl~me is myJavorJte. E Jtctl'$ 1/t1<:>tt: At#fote Qfthi Week ·se ictjon$ are defrtmine.d :r the sports staff i;t1c:l .ivc-ekt At thf: end of the academicyM.r, we witl.pcst. a reader polt orl Twittcr@~'t!ke.s.Bep.co Ii to 'crow11 an "Atlt1ete !>(tlte Year/ ' The ac~/Jufie Mazur �_J The Beacon - November 3, 2021 24 Sports MBB: Returning starters look to lead this team deep in MAC .... By Arlel Reed Sports Editor The men's basketball team is excited and grateful to return to the court for their first real season in two years. Last year, the team was only able to compete in nine games due to COVID-19, scoring 4-5 in this abbreviated season. 'Tm looking forward to the full 25 game schedule and the opportunity for our guys to have a normal season;' said head coach Izzi Metz. "Last year obviously, we were grateful to play any games last year, but you know this is going to be, hopefully, much more than normal:' Even though the team was not able to play a complete season last year, the benefits of having even a partial season will show up in games this year. "We didn't think we would play last year, but we ended up getting nine games and a couple of practices," said Metz. "I think just getting that chemistry with each other on the court, and in pick-up game opportunities after the season allowed our guys to get to know each other's games. We were able to see some success on the court in game situations, and I think that was beneficial had we not played or practiced at all. I think this allowed us to get a little further ahead than expected:' Metz has been coaching at Wilkes for eight seasons. For the first time in his coaching stint at Wilkes, Metz was named a captain to the program. "We've never had a captain in my time here;' said Metz. "I felt like it was the right time and that our team could get a nice boost from Sean Coller being our captain. Sean just really stood out to us as a leader by example and not afraid to communicate with his teammates and the coaches. I think he has a universal respect within the program. I think it was a natural selection to have Sean as our captain:' Coller is a two-year starter and a senior with one of the most consistent stat lines from year to year. Coller discussed his excitement for the new role and emphasized being a steady hand that the team can depend on this season. "It's an honor. When coach talked to me about it, I was really proud that he would even consider me for that;' said Coller. "I just want to fulfill that role and lead our team. As a captain, I am obviously a leader, but I know I am not the only one leading:' In addition to the leadership found in Coller, two crucial pieces for the Colonels' The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior guard Sean Coller looks to Landon Henry (not pictured) to determine where to cut against Arcadia University on Feb. 20. The Beacon/Ariel Reed .. Sophomore forward Trent Fisher sweeps the ball over the head of an Arcadia defender to get an open pass on Feb. 20. offense and defense return in the form of senior guard Drake Marshall and sophomore forward Trent Fisher. "Drake is a senior now, and has a lot of experience;' said Metz. "We want him to lead and we think he can be the most complete wing-guard player in the conference because he has the ability to guard any position on the court with his length and athleticism. He is a scorer and makes hard shots. We want him to play a complete game on both sides of the ball every game and inspire his teammates:• Marshall is coming off a hot season, averaging 14.8 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. Marshall's deadly shot was crucial in closing games for the Colonels. His efforts in the season placed him on the First Team All-MAC Freedom. "With Trent, we want him to keep progressing and getting better;' said Metz. "I think more game experience will be good. He showed a lot of growth and showed signs of what he can do last year. Hopefully he will keep expanding his game and continue to grow-he has a really high ceiling:' Fisher, the returning rookie of the year, showed that he has potential coming up this season. Coming off an ankle injury in the preseason, Fisher was slow out of the gates. However, when he got cooking, he became an indispensable asset for Wilkes. In the seven games that Fisher appeared in, he was their second leading scorer with 13.4 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. Early signs of what this young player could do gleamed through in their contest against Del Val where the rook put up a near double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds. "For myself I'm looking to improve my game in all aspects of the game, including shooting the ball better from the outside and becoming a much better defender;' said Fisher. "I am definitely going to strive to be a first team all-league and potentially fight for the player of the year honor. This year should be a fun one for all of us:' Coller, Marshall and Fisher, alongside their teammates, kick off their season next week on Nov. 10 at Clarks Summit University at 8 p.m. @wilkesbeacon Ariel.Reed@wilkes'.edu � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2021 November 3 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 November 3 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/13e56c41c762ccb1d667317b1a01d13c.pdf 17440d3570956f77b878371936a3e856 PDF Text Text The Beacon - November 17, 2021 1 EACON EsL1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Volwne 74, Issue 09 Wilkes Universit - Wilkes-Barre, Penns lvania Korean War veterans receive honors at Veterans Day Ceremony By Zach Paraway News Editor Wilkes University held a Veterans Day ceremony in the McHale Athletic Center on Nov. 10. The event specifically honored 29 Korean War veterans and their families as they received Ambassador for Peace Medals. The ceremony opened with the presentation of the colors by Wilkes University's AFROTC Detachment 752 and the singing of the National Anthem by Kalley Kovaleski. Father Thomas Looney, President of King's College, performed the invocation. Wilkes President Greg Cant welcomed university members, community members and veterans to the ceremony and spoke on the importance of having this event every year, not just at Wilkes but everywhere. He also acknowledged the veterans and offered another thank you to their families. ''A Veterans Day celebration would not be complete without extending a heartfelt thanks to the loved ones of veterans and members of the armed services:' said Cant. "Their support enabled those brave individuals to carry out their duty, both here and abroad:' His personal connection to his grandfather who served in World War I was highlighted as he pointed out the metal he wears on his lapel. The metal was given to his grandfather when he returned to Western Australia after serving in the Navy. story about his life before the military. He spoke about how he lost control of his life and the Navy gave him the ability The Beacon/ Nate Whitaker Veteran Carl Boos, watches the opening remarks at the Veterans Day Ceremony. Veterans and famllles of veterans sit front row to receive the Ambassador for Peace Medal. The next speaker was Ryan Evans, Petty Officer Second Class U.S. Navy and a student at Wilkes studying communication studies and multimedia journalism. Evans is from the Wilkes-Barre area and told the to become a speaker to help others. Evans noted that this helped him save his own life and gave him purpose. He acknowledged the support system the military gave him as well as the difficulty in losing members ~ -a, .sro ro ~ .:,:: C) ro ...... E C) :cC. of that support system. "I think everyone who's ever put on a uniform has a story about their brothers and sisters from their time in the military;' said Evans. "With that said, a lot of us have also lost a few along the way. Everyday isn't only Veterans Day, but Memorial Day as well:' Evans ended his speech by explaining the importance of recognizing and helping the veterans at home going through hardships as well. He gave the statistic that 22 vets a day will take their own life. He encouraged audience members to reach out to friends and family who have served and make sure those veterans know they are cared for. State Sen. John Yudichak then spoke of the importance of the service that veterans have given to the American people. He set the stage of the war and gave details of the American actions that led to, and occurred during, the Korean War. The next and final speaker before the presentation of the medals was Senator Pat Toomey. The son of a Korean marine veteran, he spoke about the work his office does with veterans. His legislation has helped thousands of veterans get the respect and the services that they have earned in fighting for their country. VETERANS, page 4 Q) ~ (/) C: Q) (/) 0 0::: ~ 0 N E ~ 0 Swift tclcascs new re .. rerordcd album. page 9 r �_J News The Beacon - November 17, 2021 2 News Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Nov. 10 weeklv meetin By Zach Paraway Staff Writer The Student Government held its ninth meeting of the semester on Nov. 10. It started in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. Next was the approval of minutes and the treasurer's report. The treasurer's report stated that there is a total of $38,332 across all SG accounts. The first order of business for the week was a team-building workshop for SG as a whole. It was done with the help of Jill Price, the coordinator of Wilkes Adventure Education (WAE). The goal of Price coming was to promote team building among the members of SG and help them all pinpoint the reason as to why they are all there. They did activities such as word association, getting to know you sessions and partner activities. They ended it by reevaluating those core values they said earlier. The second and final order of business for the week was a presentation for an upcoming winter event. The event is still under planning, but the event would take place sometime in early December before finals took place. It is to be inside the MAC and many activities are to be there such as inflatables, food trucks, yard games, food, and prizes. The first draft of the budget came out to be $6,000. This was week one of two and will be voted on next week. @wilkesbeacon Zachary.Paraway@wilkes.edu The Beacon/ Zach Paraway Student Government participates In team building exercises led by JIii Price. Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff --- COVID-19 Booster Shots Sign up with the Wilkes-Barre Health Department to receive COVID-19 booster shots on Nov. 18. Times can be reserved from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. To qualify to get the booster, six months must have passed since the final dose of the initial vaccine. Bring your vaccination card and photo ID as well as a completed copy of the vaccine form you will be receiving. Check for emails from covidupdate@ wilkes.edu for details and sign up online at http://sk2.wilkes.edu/testing/ index. php Paper Airplane Contest Join ASME for their fundraiser on Nov. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the MAC. Enter the contest for $5 and see how well your airplane can fly. Backpack project seeks donations Cam Ritter and Dr. Roke Thomas will be collecting donations of shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, gloves, razors, bars of soap and athletic socks for the backpack project. The goal of this project is to fill 200 men's and 50 women's backpacks with one of each of these products, then distribute the backpacks to people without homes in Wilkes-Barre. Ritter and Thomas hope to have all backpacks filled by the week before Thanksgiving. They are also accepting monetary donations as well. Mario Kart Tournament Studio 20 is hosting a Mario Kart Tournament and game night at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the basement of Breiseth. General admissions is five dollars, tournament admissions is ten dollars, and early tournament sign-up is seven dollars. Amazon gift cards will be awarded to those in first, second and third. Pizza and drinks will be provided. For early sign-up, contact Daniel.Kultys@wilkes. edu Art Workshop with Sordoni Gallery Join members of the Sordoni Art Gallery in the Art in Your Hands Workshop: Found Object Artwork on Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. The event is inspired by the current exhibition from artist Juan Logan and attendees of the workshop will have the opportunity to create pendants using upcyded vintage materials and resin. It is suggested to bring a personal object, image or photo (less than half-inch) so that your creation will have personal meaning. Wilkes-Barre City Holiday Events Join the Wilkes-Barre community downtown on the square on Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. for a Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting on Public Square. The following week, get started on holiday shopping with Small Business Saturday and the Old Fashioned Holiday Market pop-up on Nov. 27. The Holiday Market pop-up will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information visit the Wilkes Barre City Facebook page or www.wilkesbarre.city/specialevents Sign-up for Cornhole Tournament Partner up and sign up for the Intramural Cornhole Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Pay $10 and register your team by Nov. 26. Students and faculty are welcome to signup and questions can be directed to scott. robinsonl@wilkes.edu Join intramural Kan Jam Have frisbee skills you want to show off? Grab some friends and sign up for the Kan Jam Tournament on Dec. 7. Students and faculty can register on IMLeauges.com for $10 per team. The deadline for registration is Dec. 3. Any questions can be directed to scott. robinson l@wilkes.edu @wilkesbeacon Thewilkesbeacon@wilkes.edu Table of Contents News .................. 2 Life, A&E ............ 7 Opinion .... u••···· 14 Sports ................ 19 Upcoming Events: 2021 Fall Semester November 24 - Thanksgiving Recess Begins 29 - Classes resume 29- Spring Parking Application Deadline December 13- Final Examinations begin 20 - Final Examinations end 22- Residence Halls Close Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: The WilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu w m �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 News 3 Sordoni Art Gallery hosts exhibition tour for artist, Juan Logan By Genny Frederick News Editor On Nov. 10, Heather Sincavage, director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, led an audience of students, faculty, administration and community members through the Sordoni Art Gallery's latest exhibition "Creating and Collecting" from artist Juan Logan. The exhibition opened Nov. 2 and features Logan's own artwork he created, artworks Logan cited as inspiration, as well as works he has been collecting since the 1970s. Sincavage's tour of the exhibition highlighted the metaphor and symbolism of Logan's work, leading the audience through iterative symbols in his art and how his work pulls from other artwork and cultural moments. Sincavage explained her goal as she began to lead viewers through the gallery. 'Tm going to talk about some of the works, but I think more importantly I want to get into decoding them so that you are at a place where you feel confident looking at some of the work and how it's perhaps meant to be understood;' she explained. "Juan is somebody using symbols and material to tell a lot of his stories:' To begin the tour, the work, "Approved" was analyzed. The piece is self-described as a self-portrait by Logan. In the piece, Logan uses the symbol of the Star of David as a symbol of otherness, nodding to Jewish history and the use of the Star to set the Jewish community apart. Along with this symbol, identification numbers, letters and fragmented shapes are used in the work. The fragmentation and abstract qualities of the work were also highlighted and served as a starting point for critically analyzing other works throughout the tour. Sincavage then moved to talk about the Beach Paintings where she for the first time highlighted the symbols that would be continually used throughout other works in the gallery. "We are also looking at these amorphous shapes that you see here. This is considered the black community;' she explained while pointing out shapes on the work "Highland Beach:' Sincavage then pointed to a few smaller shapes in the center of the work which audience members identified as being in the shape of a head. "This is people;' Sincavage explained. "This is a person, this is how you're building that communitY:' The piece of art which has been used widely on campus to announce the opening of the new gallery, "Help Me, Save Me, Love Me", was studied with Sincavage's guidance. The piece consists of clustered and dispersing puzzle pieces that are not connected in the traditional way of a puzzle, but are rather scattered amorphous black splotches and the headshaped symbols. Central to the work is also the large red cross, a seeming nod to FEMA and the Red Cross which Logan believed didn't do all they should to assist and instead of creating a space of safety, a space of violence was created. The symbols and references in "Help Me, Save Me, creating St coll c " g ember 2, 2021- March 13, 2022 The Beacon/ Genny Frederick Karley Stasko, Devyn Cammarota and Alyssa Roberts assist In the tour of Logan's artwork. as if spilled from a box. The mixed media work is Logan's response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which he thought was handled poorly by the American government. Sincavage held up an aerial image of the Superdome filled with people taking shelter. The image, Sincavage explained, was what Logan used for inspiration. The audience saw the correlation between the crowd pictured at the Superdome and Logan's work, now made clear by the identification of the Love Me", are also seen in ''I'll Save You Tomorrow", a mixed media work. The continuous symbols present in these works continue in works throughout the gallery such as, "By Any Other Name" and "The Draft". In addition to Logan's works, Sincavage pointed out artists who influenced him and where connections could be drawn between the work of both artists. Audience members found the addition of these additional artists interesting and helpful to an understanding of Logan's work. "Juan Logan, and also a number of his influences, are artists that I was not familiar with;' said Dr. Lisa Kadlec, associate professor of biology. "So it was just a really nice opportunity to learn about not only the exhibition artist, but some of these other artists, and kind of bring together the influences in his art and just come at a more holistic sense of his art and what he's trying to portray." The direction from Sincavage was appreciated by those who came to the gallery, who may not have understood the art fully if additional context was not offered. "The consistent pattern of the shape of the heads is something that I didn't make a connection with;' explained Dr. Maria Grandinetti, associate professor and chair of undergraduate nursing. "I saw the pieces prior to the tour and I didn't make a connection until she pointed them out throughout her lectures. So for someone who doesn't have an art background, I've never created art myself, there's something that everyone, even if they're not artists themselves, can gain by coming to the gallery and looking at things and listening." The tour through Logan's "Creating and Collecting" gallery was interesting and educational for members all across the campus. "I absolutely adore the gallery;' .said Lisa Reynolds, an associate professor of digital design and media arts. "I think that it's an overlooked tool for learning and teaching, but I think there could be a lot of connections made between the material that all the faculty are teaching, in every discipline, to themes that are emergent in the gallery. I think this is a show that's very accessible and it's a show that I think a lot of people from a lot of different parts of the university can come in and sort of appreciate in different ways:' Sincavage hopes to have Logan visit campus in Feb. 2022. Until then members of the Wilkes community and the broader community can view the gallery on Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 12 p.m. to Sp.m. Logan's exhibition will be in the Sordoni Art Gallery until March 13, 2022. @wilkesbeacon Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu r �_J The Beacon - November 17, 2021 VETERANS, from front The ceremony continued with the presentation of Ambassador for Peace medals to 17 veterans and their families. Lt. Col. Mark Kaster did the official orders and Cadet Col. Kyle Zborezny read names of the veterans, while Toomey, Yudichak and Cant presented the awards. One of the veterans who was awarded was Carl Boos, a Pittston native whose grandson attends Wilkes. "It was very nice that they brought everyone out here today, including my Grandpa JerrY:' said Matt Costello, a senior electrical engineering major. "He served 26 missions over North Korea as a top gunner for a B-29 bomber. And it was News very nice how everyone acknowledged him. They gave him his metal and his honors and it was a very nice ceremony overall." The support from the University and community were felt by not only those honored, but also from ROTC members and student Veterans. "It's great to see that Wilkes could host this and really show the students and the veterans and those that are like us preparing to go into it that they're going to be supporting us as we , continue throughout it;' said Alec Leese, a Bloomsburg University senior finance major, and a member of the Air Force ROTC. "Being able to see this support from our congressional and Senate members is extremely important and remembering a lot of those people up there, they served a long time ago. To see that we're still recognizing them and showing the importance of their service is really important:' Evans emphasized the care for events like this. He spoke about how veterans should be celebrated everyday, not just on Veterans Day. "The service of these people is the reason we're able to do stuff like this," said Evans. "So it doesn't matter the size of the institution, as long as the support's there. That means the world." Members of the Veterans Council who helped organize the event were glad to see the turnout for the event and hope the ceremony enlightened some attendees. "To hear all the different perspectives 4 on veterans day and specifically around the Korean war, it was amazing;' said Everard Riley, graduate student in mathematics and vice president of the Veterans Council. "I think it definitely opens the eyes of the young. Right as they're getting out into the world and first starting to see things away from home and from the shelter of their family. So it's important to show them these kinds of things. And I think not only ceremonies like this, but having just the ROTC on campuses is just eye opening:' Angela Fiorentino, the secretary of the Veterans Council noted how the event was much larger this year in comparison to other years. @wilkesbeacon Zachary.Paraway@wilkes.edu 1 s ce of TC lin us. just ups TI in in the "Wl Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 stands at attention during the ceremony. State Sen. John Yudlchak speaks to the crowd about the duty and sacrifice of the Korean War veterans present. The Beacon/Nate Whitaker James Turner accepts the Ambassador for Peace Medal from Sen. Pat Toomey. �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 News 5 Mathematica seminar offered to students, faculty on campus By Jake Maskulyak Staff Writer A representative from Wolfram Technology visited Wtlkes to showcase their newest Mathematica software to students and faculty on Nov 12. The new 12.3.1 software boasts updates to the program resulting in a more efficient use of Mathematica. Andy Dorsett, a senior academic account manager at Wolfram Technology, presented Wolfram Mathematica's updated software. The most recent updates were unveiled in July and include support for Apple products, singlesign-on software, new notebook features and other bug fixes. The technology company was founded in 1987 and has since provided technology that assists not only students and staff at the collegiate level, but also assists professionals and even Nobel Prize winners. Mathematica allows for professors to show students problems and equations in a more visible form through the use of threedimensional graphs. In addition to these types of visuals, the program can help to show problems and equations at different steps throughout the problem-solving process. Dorsett claims that the main reason Mathematica is so powerful and useful for professors and students is because of the software's unique coding language. "Users can use their curiosity to experiment and play around with the coding;' said Dorsett. "The interface is super easy to interact with, but it still allows users to try complex things. All of ~:.. this is done ·4 .,. ! ·1 within a rigid structure, meaning that rules cannot be bent or broken, and there are no exceptions to that:' The structured rules ~ of Mathematica are another one of Wolfram's big claims, as these structured rules help to avoid errors and show users what is and is not possible. The company argues that even with the strict rules, complex graphs and functions are still possible. The ease of use and the ability to still perform complex tasks makes the software practical for use outside the classroom and in the real world. "So far I have only used this program for my differential equations class, but it is really helpful to illustrate the graphs of the equations we use in class:' said sophomore mechanical engineering major Tess Edwards. In addition to all ofthe features built into Mathematica, their newest additions to the program include the ability to move work to their cloud This cloud then allows users to share the software with peers, or to be able to pull work up at a presentation or different location. All of the features of Mathematica are r----.,. what make the software unlike other coding programs. "Other codes, like Java, R, and Ruby, are free, and that is hard to compete with:' said Dorsett. "The features and the overall robust technology of Mathematica, however, make the difference:• Aside from calculus and solving equations, Mathematica has several other uses that make it even more useful in other fields. The program can be used to demonstrate to students the ways in which things work, as well as being able to complete other tasks like extracting and analyzing data from Excel spreadsheets. "It is a useful tool when completing math assignments and it's easier to use compared to other coding programs:' said Ryan Lasher, senior mechanical engineering major. With this program and its availability at Wilkes, students can start with an idea and let their creativity guide them to new and different solutions. The software has uses across many different fields, and can even help students· finish equations when they are not sure of the next step. Jakobe.Maskulyak@wilkes.edu Graphic by Taylor Dillon Wilkes Adventure Education considering spring break trip By Maddy Kl na rd Asst. News Editor This Spring break, Wilkes Adventure Education is planning to host a cross-country trip to Washington state, leaving options flexible as to what students might want to do, including backpacking, caving, skiing and more. WAE has been taking advantage of these multiple day breaks for the past 15 years of its existence, helping students get further out of the Wyoming Valley and their own comfort zones. "WAE has provided me with new opportunities to learn about myself,' said Mel Fouts, junior environmental engineering major. "I have learned how to become a more effective student leader on campus, along with many other skills~ Fouts was able to learn various outdoor exploration skills, whether it be hiking, mountain or city biking, snowboarding, skiing, snow-shoeing, tent camping or hammocksleeping. Fouts feels she can thank WAE for these experiences, feeling that each of them have helped her to grow in new ways. Jill Price, adventure education coordinator, has been head of the department for the past nine years and has been dedicated to helping students branch out of their comfort zones. When it comes to planning these longer trips, upstate New York over fall break this semester. she asks two simple questions to students who They backpacked Mt. Marcy, which is the want to attend: "What do you want to explore state's highest peak and offered a challenge in and where?" its rocky and steep 20-mile trail. The group "WAE is a reason -::-- : .ttir , .. ,r~ ,,. Z"> spent two nights to dream up ideas ~ 't, · ,. .> f~;~:'~J~:_.~J;~,&t:.f and three days in and adventures and _-~ -~_1i}, ,g:t;.-\~-~« ~v~f ..r~ J(t~ · _.. . the woods, hiking, make them happen 1 ,' '· .:f:,f;~;:.~··,,,~ ;;/ '~-, ·; ~ft~1,it* cooking their own with a group of ,.~ .~;- •_·~ ·_::_t}J_~_ ~_.:c·· _.. __ ••·~ • food and sleeping in people who often say ' .:. · /! ;ff'"'•<l · .' tents. 'let's ~o;' said Price. ' .,,1,,-l}?"" i. "I thought . it Pnce spoke about · ·.• -· ?· 1 ~ was amazmg. how this program '· .::-i. . Backpacking is one is meant to have of my favorite things students travel ,:, -~➔ , . •· _-: • ' _ . . --< , to do because it and explore in a · ,~_-·_~_:"_i;f _-'~!;-~•~:_._ •_· :;-~/: ~ 1 . _\ _~ -· -: ~_ , • , ' · involves hard hiking __ c_ ··•,,:/. r..,";,;~ - ' -·I'--· J .~'7-,:' ' • " sai'd h ealthy and ~e · . _ . . • , __ ~t .. ~..•· "...:, ·: ._ - ,_ ~.. __ , •:• _ _ w. _, :· _ . .... and campmg, ~~ ...:,"'tf' '• ·, environment. She : l~ ~· !, i -~~ · • ;t,;a · fifth-year mechanical continued to mention _" ~~-1_!~,, ,.ii',_.-_ •~.. ;_, •. '..~--./.1.; ,,/ /. . ·_.;• ·- .• .. · . •~-."_•· engineering major _ that this is also meant ~ ' \<- !' · ~ --• ·.. ·•~ . '~ ~ - . · ~~i:~._. · - Edison Fowler. to get students out ; :. . "'. :. Fowler joined of their comfort , _ ::~~ ,;:.,;·• ·_ ~-•.. __ ...... -~ WAE in 2016 and zones. She hopes that ··-"'" ,,; ~ ,< -, plans to continue to students notice self ~ .l. be a part ofit until his growth: gain a sense Courtsey of Jill Price graduation this May. of their own strength "It also allows you to and how human Students hike up Mt. Marcy over fall see things that most they are. break. people don't get Most recently, to because you're WAE has taken students to the Adirondacks in going farther than most people want to go in r, ,,_: ._ ~-·/1.t~hf ;{l~t' 1 ~1; ·!!f•"fl t· _ .· _. .·:., ;' .! ~~ -_ ~·,,,.,..:,,__ _ · -~~w.J!.·. J:..t?; -. ,/ I . .. . " ,_,. 1 •~ >_ c:_~~: .-.·' ~· ' i:,ti ~. , ~ •·· ~- ' , :•.• :•• w_ ~t ··} · ' ·...-/P& ·i . :J' · ~ i;;~•~ ,. - ~:j..,:....!:.-.. . . . ,. just one day's hike:• said Fowler. "This trip was a good, hard hike, we hiked the tallest mountain in New York, Mt. Marcy, and did it in less than ideal conditions. There were so many rocks, it was kinda cold and wet and windy, but it was one of the coolest trips I've been on:' WAE offers unique, one-of-a-kind experiences for those who may not otherwise be able to travel outside of Pennsylvania, or even Wilkes-Barre. Fav~rite memories include thinking they saw aliens when they woke up at 5 a.m. under the stars in the desert for Fowler; hacky sack gameswhilepreparingfordinnerforFouts;and for Price, the first time they visited the Grand Canyon in which they rallied themselves up in the d ark and wath • c edthe sunnse. "The biggest piece of advice I can give to people is, leave your ego at the door and come on a trip willing to learn;• said Fowler. "We all wantto help everyone, it's a big family. I'm still learningandlconstantlyhavetocheckmyself and ask for Jill's advice or take a step back and let someone new teach me something a different way. To get the most out ofWAE, be willing to learn and be willing to know your skills and put them to use by stepping up and leading:' @wilkesbeacon Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu �_J The Beacon - November 17, 2021 News 6 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law this week By Genny Frederick News Editor Committing to promises made during his campaign, President Joe Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill is a "once in a generation investment" in infrastructure as well as a movement toward the mediation of climate concerns. "It isn't often that bills pertaining to transportation, infrastructure, power, water and the environment are in the forefront of politics, never mind any of them actually getting to the president's desk to be signed;' said Haley Perrego, senior environmental engineering major. ''According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, America gets a grade of C- for our infrastructure, so I think it is about time that we start doing something about it:' The bill is broken up into Divisions A through K with each division including a large breakdown of parts, titles and sections. Division A in the Act is for Surface Transportation and Division B is the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021. These divisions include the updates of roads and bridges as well as the development and continuation of programs, including the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and safe routes to school. $110 billion will be allotted to repair infrastructure and support these programs. Many of the sections within the bill focus on the reduction of carbon and emissions. The White House fact sheet on the bill cites the transportation sector as the largest single source of greenhouse emissions. "The legislation will expand public transit options across every state in the country, replace thousands of deficient transit vehicles, including buses, with clean, zero em1ss1on vehicles, and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities;' explained the White House fact sheet. There will be $7.5 billion invested in electric vehicle charging stations with the goal of increasing the purchasing of electric vehicles, so as to decrease the environmental impacts of motor vehicles. Other sections include pollinatorfriendly practices and the invasive plant elimination program. Reforms on rail and Amtrak are also included with programs specifically focused on the Northeast Corridor. $66 billion will be added to rail funding for this project in particular. Energy is Division Din the bill, and does not only include programs and funding for the power grid and development of new clean energy technologies, but also includes a focus on the cybersecurity of the power grid. Throughout the division, a throughline is the clean energy programs being developed. Carbon capture, removal, utilization and- storage testing are all included within the bill. More specific programs, such as the Geologic Carbon Sequestration on the Outer Continental Shelf, are also some of the other programs being funded through the bill. Clean energy infrastructure such as hydropower, solar energy and nuclear energy will receive funding for planning and testing. Energy efficiency is also a focus of the legislation with sections on the energy efficiency of buildings, industry, manufacturing, schools and more. Regular power outages, caused by natural disasters or other causes, cost the U.S. economy billions each year according to the Department of Energy. To mediate this the act will invest $65 billion in clean energy transmission and grid. Growing issues such as water rights, a concerning issue for those living in the western United States, are also considered in the bill. Title IX in Division D is titled Western Water Infrastructure and outlines programs and projects for improving and protecting water and its availability. Later in the bill, Native American water rights are also specifically addressed. Along with water rights, water and wastewater infrastructure have their section, Division E. Telecommunications and broadband infrastructure are the focus of section F. The section focuses on the development of connectivity and building the infrastructure. The Digital Equity Act of 2021 is included within the bill and provides beginning planning and research, data collection, analysis and modeling for policy on equitable broadband infrastructure. Division G, Other Authorizations, focuses on a variety of topics from, wildfire mitigation, reforestation, recycling practices, and clean school busses. A large portion of this division focuses on Title IX, BUILD AMERICA, BUY AMERICA, which includes sections on sourcing American products, American manufacturing, and purchasing American goods. The final division, K, addresses minority business development. Sections are dedicated to public and private sectors as well as research and development. New initiatives are included as well as a section on grants to nonprofits that support minority businesses. With a continuous focus on environmental concerns, the legislation movement of the United States toward a sustainable future seems promising. 'Implementing sustainability management practices is more about the journey than the final endpoint;' said Dr. Marleen Troy, professor of environmental engineering and director of the Sustainability Management Certificate Program at Wilkes. "There are many different paths that can be taken by an organization to get to a final destination and the 'sustainability finish line: The recently passed $555 billion infrastructure bill will provide support to those on this sustainability journey;' said Troy. While the future seems promising, Perrego thinks there are always improvements, but agrees with Troy that progress is still a benefit. "It was disappointing to say the least to see that high-speed broadband is set to receive more funds than clean energy programs and that the funds for this bill were cut as a whole to begin with;' explained Perrego. "Overall I do think this bill is a start towards more sustainable infrastructure in America, however, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done and we can not stop here:' Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Graphic by: Jack Malatesta s M as Wilke Histot to the h since tE 2018. "This were gol definite} coach Ti Fans and ska~ teams "Barre." In thi let Kin! "Wilkes, goal fro 8:02 ma "Som to go in when it There first pe the face opportu The in the f goalten The Co Paterso King' scorebo second power goal of defende assisteq Donald �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact life. arts & entertainment editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu New restaurant, Mandy's Kitchen, opens on South Main St. On Nov. 10 a new restaurant, Mandy's Kitchen opened on South Main Street. This restaurant serves African and Haitian seafood dishes, as well as other foods. Mandy's Kitchen replaced Letts Eat Flavors of lndla after it closed earlier this year. The restaurant prides Itself on Haitian and African food to offer to the community. Pictured here is a dish consisting of fried pork with fried plantains, black rice and a side of coleslaw. The customer ate her food Inside the kitchen while complimenting the chef on their cooking skills. Mandy's Kitchen offers an aesthetically pleasing and Intimate atmosphere with enough space for Inside eating. The restuarant also does delivery and curbside pickup. At Mandy's Kitchen you can order an entree, or there Is a lunch buffet option from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting at $11.50. The normal hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m .. Saturday from 11:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Sunday, Mandy's Kitchen is closed. Photos by Nate Whitaker Captions by Jordan Daniel �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 .Rainy day delight: Doggy Delicacies' peanut butter pantry bites By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief Sometimes you and your pup are stuck at home during a rainy day and do not feel like doing too much. This recipe is a quick and easy activity that will brighten the moods of you and your dog and it is possible you may already have these ingredients in your pantry. Ingredients: By Dea a bowl or on a plate making sure you have enough to cover the bites. Next, use a spoon or cookie scoop to take small portions of the dough and roll them into a ball with your hands. Then, place in the powder and cover thoroughly. As you make the bites, place them into a container. When finished, keep refrigerated. It is recommended to eat the bites within a week or else they will become too mushy. Enjoy! Staff Wr' 2 cups crispy rice cereal 1 cup popcorn 1 cup peanut butter Peanut butter powder Directions: Add the crispy rice cereal and popcorn to a bowl, followed by the peanut butter. Gently mix together until there are no large chunks of peanut butter in the mixture. Once finished, let chill in a refrigerator for 20 minutes. Place some peanut butter powder into Notes: Make sure that whatever brand of peanut butter you use does not contain xylitol. The peanut butter powder you use should not contain any cocoa powder. Additionally, it is preferred if your popcorn is popped with coconut oil instead of butter or other oils. The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet Emily. Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu These peanut butter pantry bites are a perfect and easy treat to make and give to your dog on days where you are stuck inside due to rainy weather. Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to their 2021-2022 Beacon Bumps playlist under Chris Gowartys account on Spotify. Look below for this weeks list of songs. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Smokin Out The Window Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paats, Silk Sonic Chris Gowarty, Assoc. Sports Editor Moth To A Flame - Swedish House Mafia. The Weeknd like - JVKE Baylee Guedes, Asst. Sports Editor: IfLl ME WHY - The Kid LAROI Jason Eberhart, Sports Staff Writer: Doin' This - Luke Combs Mia Walker, Lead Designer: Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood Liz Chennka Social Media Manager: Trouble - Cage The Lindsey Scorey. Opinion Staff Writer: Somebody Else - The 1975 Anel Reed Sports Editor: Bite Me - Avril Lavigne Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: Sean Schmoyer, Managing Editor: Circles - I Fight Dragons Genny Frederick, News Editor: Leaves (Acoustic) - jQe p Maddy Kinard, Asst. News Editor: Feels Like ... Gracie Abrams Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor. Whi$2~rs - Halsey Breanna Ebisch, Opimon Editor: this is what falling in Jove feels D Elephant a Succubus - Demob Amon rise and to find a Catapulti.J Peep's fu a chord following Peep's over a pe1 two years of music, classics inl large amo hits such, and "Whi music in of acclaim. I will hi giving a gll biggest "wj I. "Five A large and dispos hishometQ Degrees" is Peep decry alone in instrumen not only , hell he's fo using the s him hated Peep additi giving credi 2. "Live Upon es Los Angele Forever" E monthsafte especially s bravado, Pe for fame o hitting ins collaborator and the sh Shopping" with the C EP with pro Asa sign of refinement o at making he lost love and the subject o somberpian �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 9 Life, Arts & Entertainment Swift releases new re-recorded album, 'Red (Taylor's Version)' By Morgan Rich Staff Writer Taylor Swift's album "Red (Taylor's Version)" was released on Nov. 12 and is her second re-recorded album released through Republic Records. The album has 30 tracks, including eight tracks "from the vault," which are Swift's previously unreleased songs originally made for "Red" in 2012 and is approximately 131 minutes in length. Pre-orders for the album's CDs went up for sale on Swift's website in August and the official tracklisting was released on Aug.6. Initially, "Red (Taylor's Version)" was scheduled to drop on Nov. 19, 2021 but back in September she announced the album would release a week early. This re-recorded album was a hit upon release for fans due to the nostalgia it brought them. "My favorite song off of this album is '22' because my best friend just turned 22;' said Priscilla Rey, a senior sociology major. "Normally, I would not be able to listen to music like this because of how repetitive it is but because it reminds me of my childhood I find comfort in it:' Swift, who is known for making fans guess what is next for her career, posted a video across her social media of a word puzzle for fans to solve. The puzzle ended up spelling out "Chris Stapleton;' "Phoebe Bridgers," "Babe;' "Better Man" and "All Too Well 10 Minute Version;' revealing the involvement of singersongwriters Chris Stapleton and Phoebe Bridgers on the album and three new songs. Ed Sheeran also announced his involvement with the album back in June, saying he re-recorded the song "Everything Has Changed" which was a duet with Swift on the 2012 album. "My favorite regular track has to be 'Everything Has Changed~' said Kaelin Hughes, a sophomore political science and history major. "It's an amazing song and I think it's so cool how both Ed Sheeran and the other collaborators on this album re-recorded for this album:' A teaser video was posted by Swift on Oct. 24 featuring a portion of the title track "Red (Taylor's Version);' a red dress, the "Red" ring from the album cover, red clothes and accessories. This video mimics the cover artwork of the album which depicts Swift wearing red lipstick, a beige petticoat, a burgundy fisherman's cap and a customized "Red" ring while she sits in a convertible. Swift also teased the release of a 10-minute version of the fan-favorite song, '½.11 Too Well," which was previously five minutes and 30 seconds long. On Nov. 5 Swift revealed a teaser for '½.11 Too Well," a short film based on and titled after the song that was released alongside the album. The teaser included a vintage car driving past a road surrounded by autumn leaves. The short film was written and directed by Swift and stars herself, Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien. An official poster for the film was released on Swift's social media the day before the album's debut, which was then followed by a short teaser of the track "Babe (Taylor's Version)." The short film was released on Nov. 12 alongside the album and premiered at the AMC 13 Theater in New York City. "I think the short film is a great idea:• said Hughes. "It is a great way to market the 10-minute song since the music industry has progressed and shorter songs have become more popular in recent years. Besides marketing, I know loyal fans and I are excited to see the portrayal of the story through the film. It is a great way to appeal to Taylor's loyal fan base while also trying to reel in other casual listeners. Overall, it is a super smart and amazing idea:' One particular song on the album touched hearts among many. "Ronan;' a charity single originally released in 2012, was based on a blog by Maya Thompson about her three-year-old son, Ronan, who died from cancer in 2011. Swift credited Thompson as co-writer of the song and all proceeds from sales of the single go to help fight cancer. "I think it is so sweet that Taylor Swift is giving back by donating to a cancer fighting organization," said John Hannaway, a junior pharmacy major. "There are so many uncertainties and heartaches with cancer and any little bit will help. As a cancer survivor, I appreciate the fact that so many people understand the severity of cancer and the need to find treatments and cures. If it wasn't for people like her, who donate and support cancer research, odds are I would not be in remission today:' "Ronan" is the 21st track on the album and includes a music video with pictures of Ronan before his death. Michelle Bazan, a junior psychology major, loves the fact that Swift chose to release the song in the re-recorded album. "It was already such a beautiful song with such special meaning and knowing that she put it in an album that focuses on healing and trauma makes 'Ronan' that much more special," said Bazan. "Red" expanded beyond Swift's former country genre and began exploring the world of pop music. This album immediately sparked positive reviews and success upon release. "Red" even gave Swift her first number one song on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became her first number one album in the UK. Today, "Red" is known for showcasing Swift's skill and was even placed at 99 on the list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." "Red" was Swift's fourth studio album released by Big Machine Records in October of 2012. She ended her contract with them in 2018 when talent manager Scott Braun acquired the ownership of the master recordings of her first six studio albums. Swift made allegations of Big Machine Records blocking her from using her old music so she announced she would re-record those six albums to give her complete ownership. "I think Taylor Swift re-recording her albums is inspiring because it shows a woman fighting to own what's hers," said Maxine Bodnari, a sophomore biology major. "The re-recording of 'Red (Taylor's Version); apart from obviously sounding more mature, is more meaningful because she owns it:' To stir up excitement for the album, Swift appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers." On both shows she addressed "Red (Taylor's Version);' singers that were collaborating on the album and what song she was most excited about. Swift also appeared on "Saturday Night Live" this past Saturday. "Red (Taylor's Version)" is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music and is also available for purchase on CD and vinyl. To find out more information about Swift's new music please visit https://www. taylorswift.com. Morgan.Rich@wilkes.edu Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Life, Arts & Entertainment Liz's Craft Corner: Colonel pride logo paint spray bottle art By Liz Cherlnka Social Media Manager This DIY Wilkes logo spray bottle art is a quick and easy craft that adds a Colonel touch to any room. There are only a few supplies needed which makes it affordable and it is a perfect craft to do while studying for pre-Thanksgiving break exams. The required supplies are blue and yellow paint, white cardstock paper, two cups, a spray bottle, a fine tip black marker and scissors. These supplies can be found at any craft store, such as Joann Fabrics or Michaels and Amazon. To begin, find the Wilkes "W" logo online and print it out. It is preferred to print it out on cardstock paper because paint will be less likely to leak through it, but printer paper will work as well. Cut out the logo and tape it down onto the middle of the white cardstock paper landscape orientation. Next, lay some newspaper down onto a flat surface like a floor because the next steps are a bit messy. To make the spray bottle art you will need colored water to spray. Grab the blue and yellow paint in Colonel colors. Put about one tablespoon of each color into two different cups. Then, add a cup of water to each of those cups. Mix the paint and the water together until the paint is fully diluted. Pour the blue paint into the spray bottle first. Spray the water into a sink until the blue starts spraying out. Lay the cardstock down onto the newspaper with the logo side up. Spray the blue paint water randomly all over the paper, making sure to surround the edges of the logo. You will want the whole paper to have splatters of paint covering it but the edges around the logo will have to be covered to make a distinct edge for when the logo paper is removed. Spraying it randomly is what will create a splatter effect on the paper. Keep this laying on the newspaper while it dries completely. This will take about an hour, so feel free to do some studying in the meantime. This craft is easy to do while multitasking. Empty the spray bottle out into a sink and rinse it out to remove the blue paint water. Pour the yellow paint water into the spray bottle. Spray the water out until the blue stops and the yellow starts spraying out. Spray the yellow paint water onto the paper the same way as the blue paint. Make sure the paint is randomly sprayed on and is around the logo as well. Overlaying the yellow onto the dried blue will not create green but will instead create a blend of both the blue and yellow. Make sure there are spots that are just yellow and just blue, as well as spots where they overlay. Allow the yellow paint to fully dry. Leave the paper on the newspaper until it is mostly dry and then transfer it to a flat surface to dry the rest of the way to prevent it from wrinkling. Feel free to do some studying during this break time as well. Once the yellow is dry, remove the logo carefully so the tape underneath does not rip the paper. The logo will become apparent now but paint will inevitably have leaked under the logo. To make the Wilkes logo more prominent, grab the black marker. Trace the outside of the logo using a ruler to get straight lines if needed. The edge of the logo will be apparent so tracing it should be simple and a quick step. Once the logo is traced on, the D IY is finished. Feel free to hang this logo decoration anywhere for a touch of Colonel Pride. JP On Oc producer studio al for pushi and exp~ genres an continues showcase producti "LP!"h forms: th edition. Step 1: Cut out the WIikes logo and tape It down onto the white cardstock paper. Fill the spray bottle with the blue paint water and spray It randomly onto the paper, making sure to get around the edges. version YouTube. ofsomeo songs. Altho concise, t on the DUTY among m The 2 of incr Step 2: Repeat the steps from the blue with the yellow paint water once the blue 'has dried. Walt for this to dry as well. @wilkesbeacon Elizabeth.Cherinka@wilkes.edu Photos: The Beacon/Liz Cherinka Step 3: Remove the logo carefully. With a black fine tip marker, trace around the outline of the logo. Use a ruler for assistance with the lines. Display for some Colonel pride. ones. Brita as "an tragic e of asm In t conspir we sim rationa humans comple seems t It is h could ju reactive died be more e �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Senior Farewell Final Edits: Genny Frederick reflects on time with The Beacon By Genny Frederick News Editor A columnist for the local newspaper lives two blocks from the house I grew up in. When I was younger, I was obsessed with reading the column he wrote each week. As an eighth grader, I was sure I was going to be a journalist someday, but as I grew older the certainty of my future slipped a bit and I found some other passions instead. It's funny how things come back around. Sean Schmoyer, Managing Editor: The first Beacon meeting I attended, I found the back and forth of the news and sports staff, the discussion of events by LA&E writers and the dynamic conversations between all the communications students terrifying so I planned to leave and promised myself to never come back. Not noticing my nervousness, or maybe ignoring it, Sean Schmoyer, assistant news editor at the time, asked me, "Do you want to write something this week?" I had never written a news article in my life and was running purely on the ambitions of my 14-year-old self, but agreed. I had four people, including my mom, read my article over for spelling and grammar mistakes, begging them to tell me if the article was actually any good before I submitted it that Friday. To my surprise, Sean emailed me the next week and asked, "Do you want to write another one?" Over the last two and a half years I had the unbelievable and unexpected opportunity to explore Wilkes through lectures and interviews, meeting people I never would have and learning more than I thought I could. Looking back, all I can say is thank you. First, and probably most deserved, thank you to my friends and family who listened to me talk about The Beacon more than they probably would have liked to. Second, thank you to everyone on campus who has ever answered my emails asking for comments or for an interview. An apology also goes out to you ifI emailed you again two days later (and maybe even the day after that) because I didn't get a response and I needed some information. The biggest thank you goes out to the current Beacon staff. Thank you for making Saturday, and sometimes Sunday, afternoons enjoyable and for making the work pass by easily. Thank you for making me an honorary member of the Com Department. Most of all, thank you for making my last semester at Wilkes full of new friends and really good memories. - Photo Credit: The Beacon/Arie/ Reed Genevieve.Frederick@wilkes.edu Christopher. Gowarty@wilkes.edu ArielReed@wilkes.edu 11 �.J Sports The Beacon - November 17, 2021 12 TheB6 FB: Monarchs third-quarter momentum caused Jose Tabora dives Into the end zone to put the Colonels on the board in the Mayor's Cup. Editor's note: Baylee Guedes is the sibling to King's senior quarterback Tekoah Guedes. The biggest game of the year in the Barre took place on Saturday as Wilkes took on King's College for the 25th annual Mayor's Cup game at McCarthy Stadium. However, the Colonels lost to the Monarchs 34- 7 after big drives from the King's offense. "I think the rivalry is an important aspect for both schools' traditions;' said head coach Jonathan Drach. "In the grand scheme of things, it is just another game. I think that both schools want to win that game every year and it is an important game to win and we did not pull it off this week:' The Monarchs got an early lead in the first quarter with a running touchdown from Brennan Robinson after a handoff by senior quarterback Tyler Moore as well as an extra point by Kyle Prescavage. Wilkes' defense was crumbling early on as King's kept pressuring them with their offense. The Colonels struggled to get offensive drives in the first quarter as the Monarch defense was keeping the petal to the metal, forcing three punts by first-year punter Alex Orlando. King's recovered the punts, but failed to score again in the first. On Wilkes' second drive of the second quarter, senior quarterback Jose Tabora scored an 11-yard rushing touchdown for the Colonels, continuing to break his record for all-time rushing yards at Wilkes. The score remained 7-7 heading into halftime, and both Wilkes and King's knew they had to come out hard in the third quarter to obtain the Mayor's Cup. The Monarch's made a vital change as they put in senior quarterback Tekoah Guedes who completed multiple drives leading his offense to scoring position. Guedes handed off the ball to Shemar Ellis for a six-yard rushing touchdown. Tabora and the Colonel offense could not get a drive anywhere near the endzone, leading to more punts by Orlando. "We started the second half by giving them (King's) really good field position off of a misskick;' said Drach. "Then they (King's) were able to go down and score when our back was against the wall and they created some momentum:' King's capitalized on the faltering Wilkes offense and pressured the defense with another rushing touchdown by Ellis, having the scoreboard read 21-7 to end the third quarter as the extra point was good. The fourth quarter started with the Monarchs on offense. Wilkes' defense could not hold on after a minute of gameplay, leading to a 51-yard passing touchdown from Guedes to Joe Herman. The Colonel offense got the ball at the 44-yard line after Monarch's Prescavage kicked it to the 36-yard line and Wilkes' Elijah Jules returned it for 22 yards, leading to a drive that had the potential of a score for the Wilkes offense. "Overall, it was a rough day;' said Jules. "I still believe we have one of the most explosive offenses and in with a the Mq tried t passM Carchi Jason S Tabor �12 d after a g to a n from 1 e ball narch's 6-yard ned that the The Beac~m - November 17, 2021 13 Sports the Colonels to fall and lose the Mayor's Cup 34-7 due time that will be shown." Tabora started his offensive drive with a two-yard loss after a sack by the Monarch defense. The offense tried to get the ball rolling, but a pass was broken up by King's Joseph Carchio for an incomplete pass to Jason Schweizerhof. Tabora completed a pass to Schweizerhof for a four-yard gain and then Tabora rushed for a 13 yard gain. However, Wilkes was charged with a personal foul, causing a 15yard penalty and a fourth down. The Colonels tried to capitalize on their fourth and 15, but Tabora's pass was incomplete to Devin Higgins, causing a turnover on downs. King's started its fourth-quarter drive at their own 49-yard line with three first-down conversions leading to a five-yard touchdown pass from Guedes to Brandon Cohen, the scoreboard read 34-7 as the extra point was no good because of a bad snap. Wilkes looked for a change of pace as they put in junior quarterback H e a t h Hoovler, but his drive was short - lived as he had a fumble and an incomplete pass, leading to another punt for Orlando. King's let the clock run out from five minutes to zero by keeping their drive going and then ending the game on a kneel. Wilkes lost the Mayor's Cup game and the cup was presented to King's College by the mayor of WilkesBarre, George Brown. "The rivalry game meant a lot;' Dylan Walck attempted an Interception, however upon further review, It was labeled as pass Interference said Jules. "To see it end like that is very disappointing but we will bounce back. I do not want people thinking that that game was a real representation of Wilkes football, we are a better team than we portrayed:' King's Carchio was named with the game's most valuable player honor as he had the best performance for the Monarch defense. Colonel's senior linebacker Cole Jesmer was awarded with the game's most valuable player honor for Wilkes as he led the defense with 12 tackles. "It felt great to win MVP for my last game, but I do wish we came out with a win;' said Jesmer. "I got the MVP last season and doing it again this season it meant a lot because I don't know anybody who ever had a two-peat of the MVP award. The game meant everything to me and going out the way I did, it wasn't hateful." Tabora ended his football career with multiple school records including 7,653 passing yards, 622 completions, 62 of them being touchdown passes. The football season has come to a deafening end for Wilkes and they will resume gameplay next fall in hopes to win the Mayor's Cup back from their cross-town rival. "We are a young football team;' said Drach. "Quite a few will return with two or three years left and those kids are going to have an opportunity to learn from their experiences from this year and build on that in the off season to gain positive momentum:' @wilkesbeacon Bay/ee.Guedes@wilkes.edu Layout/Design: Mia Walker Mia.Walker@wilkes.edu r - �_J The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Opinion 14 Opinion Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Sean Schmoyer Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Genevieve Frederick LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Ariel Reed Leed Designers Mia Walker & Zoey Rosensweet Associate Editor Sports - Christopher Gowarty Assistant Editor News - Maddy Kinard Sports - Saylee Guedes Section Staff Writers Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Interested In Joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauakas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas ----(QurVoi~---Each week, The Beacon's editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Travis Scott is to blame for Astroworld tragedy On Nov. 5, at least nine attendees have died and many more were injured at Travis Scott's Astroworld festival in Houston due to a crowd surge. Many factors of negligence led to this undoubtedly avoidable tragedy where concert-goers were injured or killed. These nine people were expecting to go to a concert to have fun and lost their lives. Travis Scott, as the organizing artist who did not act when he saw attendees needing medical assistance, is partly responsible for the deaths and injuries. He should be charged for his participation in this tragic event. There is evidence that has since been posted on social media by attendees showing that Travis Scott saw people passing out and begging for help while he continued his performance. Security at the event was lacking, especially in aiding people who were injured and enforcing strict guidelines for entry. People called out for help to Scott, security, videographers, paramedics and other attendees, but no one listened to their calls, especially not Scott who had the power to shut it all down. No one read the warning signs. This tragedy was avoidable from the get-go, but only continuously worsened because of a lack of attention given to those at risk in the audience. Kylie Jenner, Scott's significant other, holds a very popular platform on Instagram to say the least and she was even seen posting videos from the festival with ambulances in the crowd. Not really a great public relations strategy for her brand. Their blatant ignorance of the countless people injured due to Scott's mishandling makes the issue more severe. To make matters even worse than they already were, Scott posted an apology video to his Instagram story that viewers criticized for its lack of accepting responsibility or appearing at all appropriate to the circumstances. He has even begun partnering with an online therapy company to provide one month of free therapy to everyone who attended the event as a last-ditch effort to redeem himself which was not accepted well. The sad truth is this is not the first time Scott has encouraged overcrowding, ignoring security, "raging" or has acted out against concert goers. According to CNN, he has been charged with inciting riots at previous concerts, including two documented arrests for such acts. A video of Scott went viral on social media of him encouraging the audience to beat up or gang up on a concert goer who stole his shoe while he was crowd surfing years prior. All of this evidence is building a rather solid case against him should he be charged for his actions, or rather lack of action, in the case of the Houston deaths and injuries. Even at concerts or performances where there is overstimulation from sound and/ or other factors, there are not nearly as many incidents of deaths or injuries at concerts to justify this being a risk an attendee knowingly makes. If anything, the Astroworld festival is a horrible anomaly. Artists should have their fan's safety and security as their top priority. By blatantly not caring for his fans and allowing this crisis to occur, Scott and his brand are doomed even if he somehow manages to bypass any responsibility or legal action taken against him. Several parties, including the families of those who passed or those who were injured, deserve compensation and for someone to be held responsible for their grievances. There were many people at fault in this horrible tragedy. While Travis Scott is not the sole determining factor of what occurred that night, he holds a platform like no other and should be held accountable for his role in the tragedy. @wilkesbeacon TheWilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu Media & Communication Center WIikes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18768 Phone • (570) 408-5903 www.thewllkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Sean Schmoyer at Sean.Schmoyer@wilkes.edu Theleacon bt.1936 ,~New,paper AH«Jatkm Member Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: TheWilkesBeacon@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Opinion 15 JPEGMafia's 'LP!': An album unlike any other in the industry · By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer ock 1>mly On Oct. 22, rapper, singer and record producer JPEGMafia released his fourth studio album "LP!". JPEGMafia is known for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop and experimenting with new sounds, genres and samples. In "LP!;' JPEGMafia continues to push the limits as he showcases his bold artistry and detailed production throughout each track. "LP!" has been released in two different forms: the online edition and the offline edition. The online edition is available on most streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. It consists of 18 tracks; 15 of the tracks are new and the final three are classic JPEGMafia hits. The offline version is available on Bandcamp and YouTube. It contains extended versions of some of the tracks and a few additional songs. Although the online version is more concise, the extended and additional songs on the offline version like "HAZARD DUTY PAY!" and "DIKEMBE!" are among my favorites. The offline version showcases raw, unfiltered artistry and emphasizes his upcoming creative freedoms as this album is his last under the constraints of his record label. "LP!" highlights JPEG Mafia's versatility as an artist in a way that is unprecedented in his discography. While he has always been experimental, he combines many different genres and sounds in a new and almost odd way. "END CREDITS!;' a song in which Peggy carries out his traditional flow over heavy drums and electric guitar, is unlike anything I have ever heard from him. Similarly, "NEMO!" stands out as he utilizes strange, distorted synths to create a song unlike any other. Not only does he jump between different genres like abstract hip-hop, rhythm and blues, pop and glitch-hop, but he also explores different topics and themes. A common theme throughout the album is his distaste towards other artists and the music industry as a whole. "REBOUND!;' for example, features an unforgiving diss at others in the industry over a cold hip-hop beat. Lyrics like "How you still up and coming? You old" and "You know we got beef and you know that I'm winning" showcase his confidence as an artist as well as his pent-up anger towards those who have crossed him. JPEGMafia's use of samples and covers continues to add to its quality and sets "LP!" apart from other albums. On "HAZARD DUTY PAY!" Peggy blends his harsh vocals with a smooth R&B song ''Ain't No Need to Worry" by The Winans and Anita Baker to twist the original vibe into something new. On "TH*TS PRAYER!;' he covers early 2000's pop hit "... Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears with a new flow over a distorted, relaxed beat. His ability to transform music and make it his own is applaudable. Although I enjoyed every track, ''ARE U HAPPY?" and "BMT!" stood out to me the most on first listen and quickly became my favorites. "ARE YOU HAPPY?" begins with a thoughtprovoking sample from "Transition" by Galaxy 2 Galaxy: ''Am I happy with the way my life is going? Do I have a life? Or am I just living?" While the listener is left to reflect on these lyrics, Peggy begins his verse over an alluring and almost surreal melody. The use of the sample throughout the rest of the song combined with the beautiful synthesizers highlights Peggy's impressive production. "BMT!" also holds its ground as one of my favorite tracks. It begins with isolated, compressed military march chants before JPEGMafia adds a beat and jumps into a fast-paced and high-energy verse that continues throughout the duration of the song. All elements work harmoniously together to create yet another song unlike any I have ever heard. Whether it's a smooth track like "DAM! DAM! DAM!" and "THE GHOST OF RANKING DREAD!" or an energetic track like "DIRTY!" and "TIRED, NERVOUS & BROKE!," it quickly becomes evident that JPEGMafia is not afraid of taking risks. His continuous abstract genre-bending and use of samples and new sounds makes him stand out from expectations. A true artist ventures from the norm and creates something of his own, and "LP!", with all its twists and turns, proves JPEGMafia is capable of such artistry. @wilkesbeacon Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu Conspiracy theories: the good, the bad and the unbelievable By Lindsey Scorey Staff Writer cethe herinka es. The 21st century has been a time of incredible change and rather unimaginable events. In order to explain the sometimes inexplicable, many people have turned to conspiracy theories to find answers - even possibly outlandish ones. Britannica defines a conspiracy theory as "an attempt to explain harmful or tragic events as the result of the actions of a small powerful group." In this definition we see that conspiracies are a response to the things we simply cannot put our fingers on or rationally explain and justify. We as humans like to have complex answers to complex issues, because the alternative seems too easy, too boring even. It is hard to conceptualize that Area 51 could just be a playground for government reactive work or that thousands of people died because of planes being hijacked more easily than we would like it to appear. But when one theory takes off, it starts making us question everything we ever knew about a topic. Many large scale theories that have gained momentum to buy into. Hughes notes a theory he are because people continuously add finds to be harmless is the notion that legitimate or non legitimate information Walt Disney's head is frozen somewhere to them that make them more believable. in the parks. As he suggests, it is not While some theories can be harmless hurting anyone in the process. As it stays and speculative, many actually risk the unproven, it exists as a mere thought or livelihoods of day-to-day people. potential mystery. James Hughes, senior neuroscience However, many conspiracies go awry, student, believes that there are conspiracy as they are based on dangerous belief theories that are all in good fun, but that systems or stereotypes. When these ideas there are many that can are brought to fruition it elicit fear-mongering ,.,,,,..::::;......,..., can mean destruction lies in techniques in the process wake. of expansion. "The most recent "I believe that ,_.._....__ _...,.....,_"'""' example of a conspiracy some theories can be leading to violence can be dangerous to society. seen in the January 6th Some people may justify Capital incident. People their actions to hurt were seriously injured and others if they feel they are killed," said Hughes. "This acting in immediate selfis the comparison between defense;' he said. "Some a harmless conspiracy and of the greatest atrocities one that threatens public in modern history have safety. So while conspiracies arisen based on rumors. are not inherently dangerous, Conspiracy theories that merely exist as there is a scale depending on how far the a point of conversation are harmless, but participants are willing to act on their when action is taken on a theory is the beliefs:• real danger:' The line between thought and action Of course, some theories can be fun being crossed is a solid threshold for defining what conspiracies can be potentially dangerous. Some conspirators take it so far as to question scientific fact. Jamie Sayre, P2 student, believes that conspiracy theories can interfere with rational thought processes. "People are comfortable with patterns and tend to draw conclusions even when it may be a stretch in hopes to explain things they do not understand;' she said. ''As you dive deeper into the conspiracy and track its connections, it is easy to get sucked in and lose rational thought:' Sayre said she has seen conspiracies that have their potential believability, but that she seeks available facts and evidence behind a theory in order to make sure it makes sense and can be rationalized. So while we can have our theories be all in good fun, we must make sure we are being rational and considerate of all parties involved in a particular conspiracy theory. Sometimes the power we hold as large populations to build momentum on a theory can be greater than the actual problem we are trying to solve or explain. Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet Lindsey.Scorey@wilkes.edu r �_J The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Opinion 16 A positive review of the breathtakingly beautiful film 'Spencer' By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer "Spencer" came out in theaters on Nov. 5 and has garnered mixed reviews from critics and viewers alike. Some think the film is a stunning tribute to the legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales, while others believe it to be a mockery of her name. "Spencer" follows the royal family, specifically Diana, as they partake in their annual Christmas traditions. During this time, Diana decides to leave Prince Charles. Although the plot synopsis sounds uneventful, "Spencer" was one of the most captivating films that I have ever seen. Going into this film, I had little knowledge of the royal family besides what I had heard about Diana and even this und~rstanding was limited. Despite my lack of previous knowledge of the history and dynamics of the royal family, I was immediately engrossed in the story. I never once felt as if I did not understand what was unfolding before me, although I did have to ask my friend some background questions about the royal family. Undoubtedly the biggest success of the film for me was Kristen Stewart's performance. I wish I could use this entire review to talk about the way she naturally and effortlessly embodied Diana. She was phenomenal in every way; I could not get enough of her. Prior to seeing this film, I was concerned that I would not be able to completely suspend my disbelief, especially considering that I immediately think of the "Twilight" series whenever I think of Kristen Stewart. "Spencer" allowed Stewart the opportunity to obliterate the notion that she will only ever be known as "the horrible actress from the vampire movie". What I saw from Stewart was raw, vulnerable acting like I have not seen from even some of the best actors in the industry. The role of Diana was cast perfectly, but so was the rest of the royal family. Each member looked strikingly like their real-life counterparts, which was an impressive feat. Had the cast looked different from the monarchy, it would have taken something essential away from the film, so the impeccable casting is something to be celebrated. The characterization of the royal family was as spot-on as the casting. Each character was distinct and thought out; there were no "fluff" characters that did not advance the storyline. No character existed merely to exist. Although I enjoyed seeing the story unfold through Diana's perspective, the other characters in the story granted me what I was lacking from Diana. I cannot stress this enough: everything worked extremely well in this film. What one aspect lacked, another made up for. I am a huge fan of camera angles and shot sequences. To me, these can make or break a film. Each shot was in some way rejuvenating and striking at the same time. There was a specific sequence in the last act that was so well done that it gave me chills. "Spencer" is a film made for the big screen. Each angle and shot was made with the largeness of the theater's screen in mind and the film certainly used that wisely. The only aspect of "Spencer" that I did not enjoy was the serious lack of action. The conflict was there, but we did not receive any actual motion until the final act of the film. I do want to point out that this did not affect the pacing of the film. Although there was little motion, the story did not drag. Rather, I was extremely invested despite the lack of action, which speaks to the success of the other aspects of the film. Again, "Spencer" covers its bases. Overall, I rate "Spencer" 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was almost perfect for me. I think had I had gone into it knowing more about the royal family, it could have easily been a perfect score. However, for someone who does not like period pieces or historical films, "Spencer" is on my "Greatest of All Times" list, so do with this information what you will. In the film, Diana wonders what people will say of her in history books, and she worries about the legacy she will leave behind her. "Spencer" is certainly a thoughtfully substantial addition to this legacy. You can watch "Spencer" in theaters across the country. Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet Hannah.Simerson@wilkes.edu Light and dark: A needed commentary on daylight saving time By Rudy Urenovlch Staff Writer If you've read some of my past articles, then you know this semester, to put it bluntly, I am going through it. I have never been busier than I have been these past couple of months. Now, believe me, I love everything I am doing and feel so lucky to have these opportunities. But. .. I'm tired. Every year I look forward to daylight saving time ending so I can get a coveted extra hour of sleep. That extra hour of rest is probably the first thing that comes to mind when it is time to set the clocks back an hour every fall. And this year it was especially welcome. I would say that the first week after we set the clocks back, which was this past week, is probably the time I feel the most _well-rested out of the whole year. I am actually excited to wake up, and maybe its because I'm a hypochondriac, but I feel I get more things done. Perhaps this has something to do with it being lighter in the morning. I absolutely hate getting up when it is still ark out. I usually hate waking up before I need to, but I absolutely adore waking up, glancing at the clock, and seeing I still have an hour before I have to get up. That burst of serotonin lasts me the whole day. I am sure many people feel the same way as I do. I also bet I am only going to cherish this extra hour of sleep more and more every year as I get older. Now, like literally everything else in life, I do believe that there is a downside to daylight saving time ending. I bet you all know what I am going to say: the fact that it gets dark at 5 p.m. Actually, saying it gets dark at 5 p.m. is generous. The day I'm writing this, I'm sure the sun was fully set while it was still 4 p.m. Every single day since then, it seems to get dark earlier and earlier. This hugely contrasts what I have said previously, about having so much more energy, but when it gets dark out so early in the dark, any excess of energy I may have leaves my body. As soon as the sun sets, I want to be sitting at home watching Netflix. I do not want to be at school, driving on the highway or even be out with friends. I tend to get a rush off of canceling plans all year long, but if you want to meet up with me after 3 p.m. in the winter, forget about it. It's not happening. I guess as humans we are programmed to get tired and want to sleep when the sun is not in the sky. Maybe it is because it gets colder out when the sun goes down that makes me want to go into hibernation. Maybe it is a more personal thing. Unlike many people my age, I do not like to be out at night, if I can help. I like to be tucked away at home instead. Another downside to changing the clocks is I'm always second-guessing if it is displaying the correct time. I will drive myself crazy thinking I am late or have the wrong time. I will be totally honest and say I do not really understand why we do it in the first place. I know it has something to do with the farmers, but that's about it. In conclusion, I love the end of daylight saving time because we get an extra hour of sleep, but also hate it because it gets dark so early. It is kind of a catch 22. Maybe I am just a difficult person. In the spring, I am sure I could write an article complaining about the start of daylight saving time. So, stay tuned, I guess. @wilkesbeacon Rudy.Urenovich@wilkes.edu �8 The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Opinion 17 - Dean's Deep Dives: Lil Peep outcast, voice of the voiceless By Dean Bowen Staff Writer Among the endless cast of characters that rise and fall in the mainstream, it is hard to find a story more tragic than Lil Peep. Catapulting to fame at only 20 years old, Peep's fusion of hip hop and punk struck a chord with his fanbase, amassing a cult following that lasts to this day. Peep's rise and catastrophic fall occurred over a period of barely two years. In those two years, he released a staggering amount of music, reinventing a genre and leaving classics in his wake. While he has gained large amounts of esteem posthumously for hits such as "Star Shopping;' "Witchblades" and "White Tee:' there is a wealth of good music in his discography equally deserving of acclaim. It is through the following list that I will highlight some of these tracks while giving a glimpse into the story of one of the biggest "What If?''s in modern music. 1. "Five Degrees" - "Lil Peep; Part I" A large aspect of Peep's early lyrical content and disposition was his unabated hatred for his hometown; Long Island, New York. "Five Degrees" is one such inspired track, with Peep decrying those who made him feel alone in this place. Over a haunting guitar instrumental, Peep boldly proclaims that not only will he escape this beach-themed hell he's found himself in, but he will do it using the same parts of himself that made him hated by its residents in the first place. Peep additionally explains his chosen name, giving credit to his much-esteemed mother. 2. "Live Forever" - "Live Forever" Upon escaping New York and moving to Los Angeles, Peep then released the "Live Forever" EP in December of 2015, mere months after "Lil Peep; Part 1': The title track especially stood out. Honing his trademark bravado, Peep ruminates over his potential for fame over a sample-heavy and hardhitting instrumental produced by frequent collaborator Brobak. It was with this EP and the shortly following release of "Star Shopping" that Peep began to make inroads with the California underground rap scene, setting him up for a profound following year. 3. "Beat It" - "CALIFORNIA GIRLS" Peep began his career-defining year in 2016 with "CALIFORNIA GIRLS;' a collaboration EP with producer and close friend Nedarb. As a sign of the sound to come, "Beat It" was a refinement of Peep's near unparalleled ability at making heartbreak ballads. As he laments lost love and the effects of his obsession with the subject of the track, the commanding and somber piano-heavy instrumental sets a tone debut studio album, Peep released "Come Over When You're Sober, pt.I" on August 15, 2017. The entire album is a classic, and it thrust Peep further into the mainstream spotlight. "Problems" is no exception, with Peep adopting his trademark grim delivery over a bass-heavy guitar instrumental. It was with this album that Peep established himself as a major rising star, making it all the more tragic that he would suffer a fatal overdose two months after its release. - 9. "IDGAF" - "Come Over When You're Sober, pt. 2" Peep's death sent shockwaves through the music world, exposing a system that abuses underground performers under the pretense of making them famous. "IDGAF" is one final gasp of rebellion from Peep as he simultaneously decries his mistakes and refuses to accept their consequences. Layering themes of sex, death and ambivalence over a sample of Red Hot Chili Pepper's "Californication;' "IDGAF" is a standout in an impressive string of posthumous releases. 10. "Belgium'' SINNER'' undeniable in its emotion. 4. "Come Around" - "Vertigo" Peep's drug abuse was a recurring theme throughout his career, providing both inspiration for his music and endless concern for his well-being. Opening "Come Around" with a chillingly foreboding statement of "I can't feel that much sometimes, these drugs gon' kill me:' the track serves as a cautionary tale against a habit that plagued Peep's life. "Vertigo" added to Peep's growing momentum as an artist, being released a mere two days after "CALIFORNIA GIRLS:' It was these two EPs that pushed Peep's musical ability even further, leading to two superb albums released later in 2016. 5. "Nineteen" - "crybaby" Now leaning into an unapologetically depressing sound, Peep continued this monumental year with "crybaby;' released in June. Highlighted by a massive hit in "White Tee:' this album was a solidification of Peep's presence and sound. "Nineteen" is a personal favorite, serving as his quintessential heartbreak serenade. Channeling the raw yet subdued emotion that has captivated listeners for years, Peep tells the story of a love lost to his bad decisions. It was "Nineteen'' that got Peep his first record deal, kicking off a rise in musical refinement corresponding with a fall in his personal wellbeing. 6. "OMFG" - "HELLBOY" Pivoting in sound and capping off ..a year both musically and personally transformative, Peep released "HELLBOY" 3 months later, in September. The raging and emotive "OMFG" was a standout track from this album laden with hits. Disguising a cry for help as a punk rock banger, Peep belts his heart out about his suicidal tendencies and the minimal impact his newfound fame has had on reducing them. This was a recurring theme throughout the last year of his life, with fame and fortune only further complicating his already distraught mental state. 7. "Your Favorite Dress" - "CASTLES II" Peep did, however, begin to find solace in the whirlwind his life had become. This came in the form of a close friend and frequent collaborator Lil Tracy, with the two collaborating on multiple of Peep's most popular songs. Peep's mother has stated numerous times that Tracy was one of the only people she trusted in his rapidly growing inner circle, with the two having stuck together through homelessness and numerous drug overdoses throughout their friendship. "Your Favorite Dress" is a solid display of the pair's musical chemistry, as they continued their run as an unstoppable duo. 8. "Problems" - "Come Over When You're Sober, pt. I" Finally feeling ready to drop a proper - "GOTH ANGEL Peep's tour in Europe immediately prior to his passing was a large contributing factor to his spiral and eventual overdose. "Belgium" depicts his declining mental state as Peep speaks directly to a far-away lover. The final verse is especially haunting considering the circumstances, with Peep reflecting upon how he hasn't seen any of his friends in months due to the tour, noting the detrimental impact that had on his mental health. Everybody's Everything Legacies are a complicated thing. Everybody wants to leave one behind, whether it is through accomplishment or memory. In just over two years, Lil Peep managed to do exactly what he intended to do: leave his mark on the world by being nothing less than himself. He inspired countless people worldwide to do the same, myself included. In the process, he left behind a discography unmatched in emotion and authenticity. The impact of his music is perhaps best described by the person who knew him best: his mother. Speaking at his funeral, she said of her beloved son: "My sweet little Peeper is gone, but he has surely left us a lot of wonderful material to review and consider. He has left me with new people to know. I am so proud of him. You have no idea:' @wilkesbeacon Dean.Bowen@wilkes.edu r �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Opinion 18 Marvel's 'Eternals' does not live up to the MCU's standards Despite its importance, it fa ilea as a Marvel movie By Zara Lantzman Staff Writer Marvel Studios' new movie "Eternals" released in theaters on Nov. 5. It is the 26th installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is part of the studio's phase four set of films. The movie's original release date was Nov. 6, 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19. However, "Eternals" was not worth the year-long wait. The movie took place after the events of "Avengers: Endgame;' when everyone was suffering from the five-year gap that took place due to Thanos' snap. The Eternals were living on Earth for 7,000 years posing as humans, but the reemergence of the deviants forced them out of the shadows. The Eternals thought that all the deviants were dead, but it turned out that they were just frozen under the ice. I am an avid Marvel fan. I have seen almost all MCU movies more than once. "Eternals" does not even compare to any of the other MCU movies. In all honesty, I nearly fell asleep while watching this movie. There is so much packed into the movie that makes it boring. The movie is two hours and 37 minutes long and it just felt exhausting. "Eternals" was filled with plot twist after plot twist after plot twist. It was hard to understand who the main villain was. It was interesting, but also confusing. "Eternals" showed many flashbacks to certain time periods, but as I said, it was sometimes hard to keep up. The CGI in this film was phenomenal. In the trailer alone, you can truly see the damage and severity of the emergence. You can see the chaotic water and the breaking of the ground. The emergence is described as the birth of a new celestial and with that comes the death of a world. The visual effects when each Eternal uses their power is unlike anything we have ever seen from the MCU. They all use cosmic energy, which connects them all. Because of this, each power they have is always the same golden yellow visual effect that we see. The diversity in this movie is impeccable. The Eternals are a diverse group of people with a variety of dialects and ethnicities, including Black, Latino, East Asian, Indian subcontinent, and Irish. Makkari, who has super-speed, is Marvel's first deaf superhero (she is played by deaf actress Lauren Ridloff). Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry, is the first LGBTQ+ superhero in the MCU. In the first week, Marvel's "Eternals" earned an estimated $161.7 million at the global box office, with $71 million corning from domestic gross. Rotten Tomatoes rated "Eternals" at 48 percent. To put this in perspective, this is the worst rating for an MCU film in the history of the franchise. " I personally believe it does not deserve this rating. While yes it was not the best movie, there are still worse movies. Iron Man 2 and Thor: The Dark World is much worse:' For as much negativity surrounds this movie, there are still so many good aspects of "Eternals:' After all, it is an MCU movie. The ending to this movie is amazing and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every single actor was breathtaking. They own their characters. We want to hear your voice! Let your thoughts be known within the community. Join the Opinion sectiorl! Opinion Editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Close to classes These actors make you fall in love with them and it is heartbreaking for what they endure. I suggest that you watch this film if you enjoy Marvel and are a true fan of the MCU. But, I do recommend that you wait for this movie to release on Disney Plus. This movie is not the best, but still worth watching. This movie is vital to phase four of the MCU and will play a major role in the future of the MCU. @wilkesbeacon Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu �ding the f 2021 is l provides research, modeling Jroadband orizations, >ics from, orestation, m school is division ~MERICA, includes l products, mrchasing addresses t. Sections ate sectors relopment. as well as rofits that on legislation s toward a ising. ,tainability about the t;' said Dr. ronmental of the Certificate OCUS paths that n to get to :tainability ssed $555 11 provide :tainability Jromising, always l Troy that r the least 1and is set :an energy s for this :gin with:' do think :ustainable ever, there to be done lkes.edu >ta 19 Sports The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu MIH: Tyler Dill's hat-trick leads Colonels over the Monarchs By Baylee Guedes Asst. Sports Editor A matchup that has been brewing since February 2020 between the Colonels and the Monarchs finally happened on Friday as Wilkes took charge and beat King's 5-4. Historically, Wilkes has taken King's to the house, beating them consecutively since the Colonel program started in 2018. "This rivalry is for real and we knew we were going to face a better team and we definitely saw that right away;' said head coach Tyler Hynes. Fans were loud, tensions were high and skates were ready to hit the ice. Both ~earns ~ere ready to claim the title of the Barre. In the first period, Wilkes did not let King's interfere with their title of "Wilkes-Barre" as they started off with a goal from senior forward Tyler Dill at the 8:02 mark. "Some nights the puck just finds a way to go in the net and it always feels good when it does;' said Dill. There were multiple faceoffs in the first period, mostly won by Wilkes as the faceoff team was trying to get every opportunity to get the puck in the net. The Monarchs remained scoreless in the first due to seven saves by junior goaltender Michael Paterson-Jones. The Colonel's defense was able to back Paterson-Jones up. King's was able to put a mark on the scoreboard within a minute into the second period as they capitalized on a power play. Jakub Viedemann scored a goal of his own, and moments later senior defender Scott Mueller put one in the net assisted by senior forwards Nick Fea and Donald Flynn. "We like to play fast and strong:' said Mueller. "It always feels great to contribute in any way possible and Nick Fea made a great play to me in the middle of the zone for a goal." Dill followed Mueller's score with a goal of his own at the 7:45 mark of the period with an assist by graduate student Taylor Brierley. Three minutes later, Dill got a sharp pass from senior defender Dylan Kuipers for another goal for the Colonels. The Monarchs answered with a goal by Tyler Blanchard to end the second period with a score of 4-2. The third period consisted of a goal by junior forward Nick Godfrey, assisted by Fea and Tyson Araujo. "Our mindset was just to play our brand of hockey;' said Godfrey. "It was a huge relief to be quite honest. Any way that I can help the team and contribute as much as possible is always a great feeling:' Wilkes' defense let up two goals to King's in the third, making the score 5-4. The sudden tight score of the game was unnerving for Hynes as he needed to lead his team to a win and for the title of the "Barre:' "We were trying to hold on:' said Hynes. "King's took it to us in the third and we just did not have any response." Wilkes was able to hold out and gain the 5-4 win due to early scores by Dill, Mueller, and Godfrey. "Dill was really good;' said Hynes. "Big players play big in big games and he seemed like the only big guy that we had going. We are going to have to be better if we want to win another game against King's because that is a team that is hungry and getting better." The next Colonel matchup will be on Nov. 14 as Wilkes will travel to Albertus Magnus College. The battle of the "Barre" rivalry will continue as Wilkes will host King's College on Jan. 28. Tyler DIii (86) attempts to take control of the puck and manuver his way through several King's defenders. @wilkesbeacon Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu Co1ne Mlatch tl1e Colonels on Saturday at 5 p.n1. vs. ,4rcadial Photos: The Beacon/Saylee Guedes The team celebrated after one of Tyler Dill's three goals In the contest against King's. r �ding the f 2021 is l provides research, modeling Jroadband orizations, >ics from, orestation, m school is division •MERICA, includes l products, mrchasing addresses t. Sections ate sectors relopment. as well as rofits that on legislation s toward a ising. ,tainability about the t;' said Dr. ronmental of the Certificate OCUS paths that n to get to :tainability ssed $555 11 provide :tainability Jromising, always t Troy that r the least 1and is set :an energy s for this !gin with;' do think :ustainable ever, there to be done lkes.edu >ta 19 Sports The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu MIH: Tyler Dill's hat-trick leads Colonels over the Monarchs By Baylee Guedes Asst. Sports Editor A matchup that has been brewing since February 2020 between the Colonels and the Monarchs finally happened on Friday as Wilkes took charge and beat King's 5-4. Historically, Wilkes has taken King's to the house, beating them consecutively since the Colonel program started in 2018. "This rivalry is for real and we knew we were going to face a better team and we definitely saw that right away;' said head coach Tyler Hynes. Fans were loud, tensions were high and skates were ready to hit the ice. Both ~earns ~ere ready to claim the title of the Barre. In the first period, Wilkes did not let King's interfere with their title of "Wilkes-Barre" as they started off with a goal from senior forward Tyler Dill at the 8:02 mark. "Some nights the puck just finds a way to go in the net and it always feels good when it does:' said Dill. There were multiple faceoffs in the first period, mostly won by Wilkes as the faceoff team was trying to get every opportunity to get the puck in the net. The Monarchs remained scoreless in the first due to seven saves by junior goaltender Michael Paterson-Jones. The Colonel's defense was able to back Paterson-Jones up. King's was able to put a mark on the scoreboard within a minute into the second period as they capitalized on a power play. Jakub Viedemann scored a goal of his own, and moments later senior defender Scott Mueller put one in the net assisted by senior forwards Nick Fea and Donald Flynn. "We like to play fast and strong;' said Mueller. "It always feels great to contribute in any way possible and Nick Pea made a great play to me in the middle of the zone for a goal." Dill followed Mueller's score with a goal of his own at the 7:45 mark of the period with an assist by graduate student Taylor Brierley. Three minutes later, Dill got a sharp pass from senior defender Dylan Kuipers for another goal for the Colonels. The Monarchs answered with a goal by Tyler Blanchard to end the second period with a score of 4-2. The third period consisted of a goal by junior forward Nick Godfrey, assisted by Fea and Tyson Araujo. "Our mindset was just to play our brand of hockey;' said Godfrey. "It was a huge relief to be quite honest. Any way that I can help the team and contribute as much as possible is always a great feeling:' Wilkes' defense let up two goals to King's in the third, making the score 5-4. The sudden tight score of the game was unnerving for Hynes as he needed to lead his team to a win and for the title of the "Barre:' "We were trying to hold on;' said Hynes. "King's took it to us in the third and we just did not have any response:' Wilkes was able to hold out and gain the 5-4 win due to early scores by Dill, Mueller, and Godfrey. "Dill was really good;' said Hynes. "Big players play big in big games and he seemed like the only big guy that we had going. We are going to have to be better if we want to win another game against King's because that is a team that is hungry and getting better." The next Colonel matchup will be on Nov. 14 as Wilkes will travel to Albertus Magnus College. The battle of the "Barre" rivalry will continue as Wilkes will host King's College on Jan. 28. Tyler DIii (86) attempts to take control of the puck and manuver his way through several King's defenders. @wilkesbeacon Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu Corne Mlatch the Colonels on Saturday at 5 p.n1. vs. ,4rcadial Photos: The Beacon/Saylee Guedes The team celebrated after one of Tyler Dill's three goals In the contest against King's. r �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 20 Sports WBB: Babcock-less Colonels stru gle to overpower Widener By Jason Eberhart Sports Staff Writer The women's basketball team took on the visiting Widener Pride on Saturday afternoon in the Marts Center. The Colonels were defeated for the first time this season by a score of 65-42. Wilkes was without its returning leader scorer, junior guard Brenna Babcock, as she is dealing with a knee injury. The Colonels needed someone to fill her shoes as they took on an experienced Widener team. "You have to be prepared for stuff like that to happen;' said head coach Tara Macciocco. "We need that next man up mentality, and need people to step up and take on that role." Luckily for the Colonels, fellow junior guard Katelyn Kinczel stepped up big right out of the gates. She led Wilkes with eight first quarter points, including two three-pointers, as they kept pace with the Pride early on. "I think my confidence shooting the ball comes down to practicing a lot and working on the fundamentals;' said Kinczel. "In practice, we do a lot of game-like scenarios, and I know I have my teammates that are always there supporting me:' In the second quarter, the two teams went back and forth at a frantic pace, as they each tried to find a little separation. Sophomore guard Julia Marino really began to find her footing as she controlled the offense for the Colonels while The Beacon/Ariel Reed Julla Marino grips the ball as she rips It through several defenders and drives It to the hoop. pressuring the opposing ball handler. "I just want to do whatever I can for my team and help us win," said Marino. "If that's me being more vocal for everyone, and stepping up in a leadership role, then that's what I'm going to do:' Just as the Colonels seemed poised to go into the locker room on a roll, Marino suffered an ankle injury, causing her to miss the rest of the first half Widener was able to get a couple of easy points, and now had a 33-26 lead at halftime. The Pride continued to ride the momentum they got late in the second quarter, as they dominated the third. Wilkes lost all of its rhythm on offense, which allowed Widener to get some easy buckets on the fast break and in the paint. "I think the majority of their scores came off of transition baskets and offensive rebounds;' said Macciocco. "We are a small team. We've got to do a better job of putting a body on someone. And not just putting a body on someone, but go get the ball." Whenever Widener did miss a shot, the ball always seemed to end up right back in their hands. They dominated the offensive glass all afternoon long, negating any chance the Colonels had in getting back in the game. Many of the Pride points in the third quarter came off second chances, as they won the quarter 17-5 to give them a big lead going into the final quarter. "In the first half, we kept a higher intensity, where in the second half, we let a few made baskets on their end to lower our intensity;' said Kinczel. "We just have to keep that consistent intensity throughout the whole game:• Wilkes tried to fight their way back into the game in the fourth quarter, but were unable to capitalize on the offensive end. Widener used its length and quickness to hamper the Colonel offense, as they shot just 24 percent as a team on the day. "They are a very good basketball team;' said Macciocco about Widener. "I thought we hung with them for 20-25 minutes or so, but against a team like that you have to play 40 minutes:' The Colonels will look to get back into the win column on Saturday as they take on Marywood University in the Cross County Challenge at Scranton University. @wilkesbeacon Jason.Eberhart@wilkes.edu �4 around ng," said dent in t of the efinitely Right as I and first m home ily. So it's kinds of The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Sports 21 WREST: First-years show promise in season's home opener · By Arlel Reed Sports Editor The wrestling team adorned the Marts center in front of fans for the first time since the 2020 season. However, the team fell 31-3 to The College of New Jersey. "We enjoyed wrestling in front of a great energetic crowd;' said head coach Jon Laudenslager. "We may have not gotten the outcome we wanted, but this was the first dual meet in a Wilkes singlet for seven of the 10 guys we put on the mat tonight. TCNJ did a great job and had a very veteran line-up with many years of experience on us. We were right in many matches, now we just need to find a way to turn many almost upsets into victories:' The Colonels started off hot with a win in the 125-pounds bout where local firstyear Austin Fashouer won handily giving Wilkes the early 3-0 lead. From there, the Lions commandeered the match and won out the next eight matchups. Sophomore Michael Richardson at the 141-pounds match was close to getting the Colonels another victory as he held a 4-3 lead at the end of the second period, but TCNJ snagged a penalty to tie the score and send it to overtime. Unfortunately, TCNJ scored a takedown in the sudden death frame to win the match. "We didn't get it done or the outcome we hoped for:' said Richardson. "There is always a spot for improvement for myself and the other wrestlers. We have a whole The Beacon/Ariel Reed First-year Cameron Butka holds steady In referee's position where he calculated his next move to put points on the board. season ahead of us, we're not going to let one match define what team we are:' Wilkes had another glimmer of hope to get points on the board with the 165-pounds bout when junior James Geiger was tied 3-3 with TCNJ's Matt Surich at the end of the first period. Geiger ended up falling behind two points in the second frame. Heading into the third, Geiger scored on an escape to close the point differential to two. He attempted a takedown, but his efforts were unsuccessful and he fell 6-4. Heading towards the closing of the match, first-year Cameron Butka wrestled the 197-pounds bout. Butka and TCNJ's Quinn Haddad traded points back-andforth throughout the match-up. Haddad tied the match at eight points with 40 seconds remaining on the clock. Butka attempted a takedown within the final 30 seconds of the frame to get the win, but he could not complete the move and ended up falling in that bout. "During my final moments, my goal was to put everything I had into getting one more takedown to secure the win;' said Butka. "Despite my best efforts, I fell short of my goal. However, there is always room to improve, and I'll be even more prepared for my next time on the mat." Laudenslager spoke about how proud he was of Butka's effort since he is only a firstyear, going against a top-ten wrestler, who has gone to the NCAA tournament, and this was his first dual match proves that his career with Wilkes is going to be great. "Overall, we certainly hate losing, but we put some good things together in matches against a top 15 team;' said Laudenslager. "With so many new guys in our line-up it's nice to see the ability to contend so early in the season against some well-seasoned college wrestlers. We are still finding out our own strengths and weaknesses on the mat, so once we can put full matches together, I expect we can win many of the matches we saw tonight:' The Colonels return to the mat tonight against Elizabeth College at 7 p.m. -- @wilkesbeacon Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu r ,,.. �.J The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Sports e of the Week Nov. 3 to Nov. 10 : Fea went +7 with five points on three uring the week. Fea also scored one goal and assists in a win over Manhattanville. He also racked up · two;m.ore goals in a win over Neumann. Name: Nk:holu M Year: Senior Major: Businesl~ment Hometown: OakJUll&e, N.J. High School: p~'John XXIII Position: Left Wing l DrivingforceforyoutakiddatoGOIIN to Wilkes? I came here to have a chance to build from the ground up with a lot of l something special people. 't Post..graduation plans in terms of a ~? I'm not too sure yet. I would like to stay in in any capacity I can. memory as a Colonel? fustwin in program history freshman SUNY Canton. season as a Colonel? fun playing hockey with my have an ability to play for a did you first begin playing? I was about 6 years old, my dad me to hockey. I didn't like it at after a while I fell in love with the as many do. - 1 w11 - te thing to do during practice? favorite thing about practice is fflntpeting and enjoying my teammates' company. Other interests or bobbies off of the field? My other interest off the field include . 1 hanging out with friends. 1-or1tebuikltngoacampust Mr~ 1,ui1diltg on campus "' Matts,HQP. campus? t eaten a meal on campus my first semester freshman year. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? I don't drink gatorade. I drink biosteel, If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? Zach Effron because he s a great actor. 1 Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. Wang; he really cares for his students. If you could have dinner with a famous person, who would it be? It would be Sidney Crosby. Most influential person in your life? My parents for sure, they have given me every opportunity to pursue anything thatlwanL A quote you live your life by? "One day at a time:' What does ~Be Colonel" mean to you? To be prepared, be respectful and be the best teammate. Anyone to give a shout-out to? Not anyone in particular. -Compiled by Julia Mazur, Staff Writer �/ 2 Sports The Beacon - November 17,, 2021 23 The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Nov. 3 - Nov. 10 Why Julie Patterson was selected: Patterson scored two goals with one assist in the series against Neumann University. Patterson was also selected as the MAC Offensive Player of the Week. Name: Julie Patterson Junior Major: Psychology Hometown: Trenton, N.J. High School: Princeton Day School Position: Forward Year: Paraway Ill Price. ts .. 2 .. 7 14 Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I loved the environment and academic atmosphere Wilkes offered, as well as the amazing people who go here. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I do not have a definite plan, but I will be attending graduate _school. Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory as a Colonel is winning our first game against King's. 19 Hopes for this season as a Colonel? I hope to score more goals and win more games. ts: ster When/Why did you first begin playing? I started playing as young as I could as I followed in the footsteps of my father. Favorite thing to do during practice? My favorite thing to do is to play any battle game at the end of practice. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? Besides hockey, I love any form of art and showing my creativity. Favorite building on campus? Marts. du Favorite meal to eat on campus? Anything from Grille Works. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? My favorite flavor is cool blue. 1 If your life was a movie, who would · you want to play you and why? Sandra Bullock, she's an amazing actress. Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Debra Chapman. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? Alexander Hamilton . Most influential person in your life? My parents. A quote you live your life by? "Do one thing everyday that scares you:• What does ''Be Colonel" mean to you? "Be Colonel" to me means working as hard as you can on and off the ice and being a helpful peer. Anyone to give a shout-out to? My entire family and my amazing friends. -Compiled by Julia Mazur, Staff Writer .... , �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Sports 24 �The Beacon - November 17, 2021 Sports 24 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2021 November 17 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 November 17 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/2cc42b821e444238f258e1006860633c.pdf b382705e3e9e3b6422e5aed78287820a PDF Text Text The Beacon - February 9, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 10 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” University returns to in-person teaching after two weeks online By Maddy Kinard News Editor On Jan. 31, Wilkes University returned to face-to-face classes, stirring up excitement along with some apprehension among students and professors. Starting the weekend of Jan. 15, students living in Wilkes housing gradually began moving back in preparation for the virtual start of the semester on Jan. 17. This online span of teaching sought to mitigate the possibility of another campus outbreak. “We always have concerns about the health of the community which is why we implemented the two-week virtual class strategy,” said Justin Kraynack, associate vice president of operations and compliance and COVID-19 task force member. The task force intentions for doing so was to avoid a possible post-holiday spike. They also wanted to bring students back for face-to-face classes once the region began experiencing a consistent drop in new case. “Fortunetly for us, that’s exactly what happened,” said Kraynack. However, opinions are mixed on whether the two-week period will work The Beacon/Maddy Kinard as intended. Junior neuroscience and biology major Kalyn Lash is not so sure. She believes that these past two weeks were partially beneficial, but with small flaws. “Upperclassmen who live off campus can return whenever they want, which leads to the potential for an outbreak, along with students still getting together, working and so forth,” said Lash. “Many students, including myself, work in hospital settings, grocery stores Creative Colonel of the Week: Mattias Hime, page 11 ‘Scream’ review: the triumps and downfalls of the film, page 18 BLACK History MONTH 22 Wilkes elebrates Black History Month with awareness events, page, 4 or facilities that can become hotspots. While staying off-campus has the potential to limit an outbreak, students are still living their lives, allowing more opportunities for COVID to spread.” Rebecca Aungst, senior criminology major, feels similarly about the leniency surrounding the quarantine period but is excited to return nonetheless. “I don’t really think these two weeks will have that big of an impact on getting ahead of the virus because people still leave campus and interact with their family or the public so there isn’t much that’s going to change by being online and then coming back,” said Aungst. “But I’m so ready to return to in-person and hope it lasts for the rest of the semester.” Professors were similarly affected during this time as they are still learning and navigating the ever changing nature of virtual learning. Dr. Thomas Hamill, associate professor of English, shares the same excitement as Aungst over returning to in person classes as his classes rely heavily on discussion, so synchronous online teaching presents a lag time that hinders the natural flow of conversation. IN-PERSON, page 5 MIH: Colonels continue their commanding play with 8-1 win, page 20 �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Feb. 2 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer The Student Government held its third meeting and for the first time this semester, it was held in-person. It started in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. Next was the approval of minutes and the treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report stated that there is a total of $78,500 across all SG accounts. The first and only order of business for the week was a presentation for SG president, Lexi Payne, about Random Acts of Kindness Week. The week will run from Feb. 13 to 19. The budget for the week is projected to be around $1,050 and is to be voted on next week. The next SG meeting will be held next week, Feb. 9. Photo courtesy of Maddy Yeager From left to right: Megan Makovsky, executive recording secretary; Lexi Payne, student body president; Ben Wojciechowski, executive vice president; Danielle Morris, executive corresponding secretary; Allie Faunce, executive treasurer Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Career and Internship Fair Save the date: Wilkes University will be hosting their first in-person Career and Internship Fair in three years from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 in the McHale Athletic Center Both students and alumni are encouraged to attend and meet organizations that are seeking employers and interns for both the summer and fall semesters. Employer registration information will be available on your Handshake app (or at www.joinhandshake.com) by midFebruary For those looking to improve their resume, the Center for Career Development and Internships will hold a multitude of resume workshops and job fair prep sessions to prepare. For more details, keep up to date with events in your Handshake account. Buy a Tote Bag Looking for a new bag? Green Giants tote bags are an affordable, sustainable and durable alternative to plastic and are being sold for ten dollars each. The bags come in two designs: the Wilkes University logo and blue butterflies. Students looking to purchase one should watch out for them in the Student Union Building, the Simms Center, or DM them on Instagram @greengiantstotebags to place an order. Ninety percent of proceeds go to Little Eric’s Foundation, a local organization that funds pediatric cancer research. Join in the Book Swap In participation with Random Acts of Kindness Week, Reading Buddies is engaging in a book swap. Anyone looking to get rid of old books, magazines, or any other reading material is encouraged to drop off their items in the Henry Student Center anytime between now and Thursday, Feb. 17, and pick up a new read in the process. For more information, email monica. morrison1@wilkes.edu Save the Date for a Blood Drive The Wilkes University Civic Engagement Office will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 in the McHale Athletic Center. To schedule an appointment, go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter WILKESU or call 1-800-REDCROSS Those donating will recieve a free t-shirt and a $10 Amazon e-gift card (while supplies last). Learn More About PHENND Fellows AmeriCorps VISTA Are you a student graduating in 2022 and looking to go into a possible postgrad position in social impact field? A Virtual Information Session will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21 for those interested in becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA and supporting local nonprofits and schools in fighting against poverty. The program offers two tracks: school-based community partnerships and non-profit organization within Philadelphia. For more information, visit https:// phennd.org/grant/phennd-fellows/ and follow @phennd_vistas on Instagram. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester March 5 - Spring Recess Begins 14 - Classes Resume April 14 - Holiday Recess Begins 18 - Classes Resume �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 News 3 New dining hall set to open at beginning of fall 2022 semester By Maddy Kinard News Editor Beginning at the end of the semester and running until Aug. 1, Henry’s Dining Hall will be under construction for a remodel of the cafeteria space. “Henry’s Dining Hall is an important social hub for Wilkes that is in need of an update to continue to meet the needs of the campus,” said James Watkinson, director of food services. We want to create an inviting space for students to feel as at home as possible while oncampus as well as adapt the dining hall to operate more efficiently.” During this renovation, students can expect to see a relocation of the salad bar and pizza stations. Some of the already existing options will also be updated to maximize the experience of students in the dining hall. New with the update will be “True Balance.” This station will provide alternative food options for allergysensitive students that are made without eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. “While many of our current options will remain, our focus will shift to items students have been requesting more of in the last few years,” said Watkinson. “One of our newest stations, True Balance, is sure to be a game-changer. We will also be increasing our options at our new vegetarian station Root as well. These changes, along with the centering of the salad area, are instrumental to providing the program that students want.” As described by Watkinson, this update was prompted by a necessity to keep up-to-date with students’ needs as they grow and change. One such need especially highlighted by the campus community was the wish for healthier options. “I’m hoping that with this new design comes better options health wise,” said Lindsey Medina, sophomore nursing major. “I think that this would benefit a lot of the students who only have the option to eat at the cafeteria.” Norene Brown, sophomore psychology major, is also hoping for more healthier vegetarian options to be made available but overall believes that “the renovation Photo Courtesy of Liam White Currently, Henry’s Dining Hall has a form of a circular design, but the centralized pizza ovens make it dificult to see all options. Photo Courtesy of Food Services and Aramark The approximate design for the new dining hall offers a central hub that students can circulate around. looks nice and seems to have a better flow to it.” Even though the project end date is set before the beginning of the fall 2022 semester, dining services are prepared with contingency plans should they need them if construction goes longer than anticipated. Despite current construction only being planned for Henry’s Dining Hall, food services are always looking to improve their program and offer as much to the students and campus-wide community as possible, so they are also looking into other areas of the dining program (Rifkin Cafe, P.O.D. Market, etc.) that could use some potential updates. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 News Wilkes elebrates Black History Month with awareness events By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer Black History Month is an important month that acknowledges and celebrates black history and heritage. To pay homage to this, Wilkes is partaking in month-long events in commemoration. The discussion regarding the events came after a college-wide meeting where the members of the Division of Global Cultures, the Office of Diversity and the Multicultural Student Coalition agreed to come together to find ways to celebrate Black History Month. “Since our history doesn’t focus on Black History Month events all year round when they should,” said Erica Acosta, director of diversity initiatives. “This month makes people really reflect and take the time to be aware about the contributions of the African diaspora and the Black community to this country.” Black History Month began on Feb. 1 and continues until March 1. The first event, “The Impact on Colorism on the BIPOC Community,” was held on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. The event featured impactful topics through the use of workshops, history and art. The next special occasion will be the “Transcribe-A-Thon” on Feb. 15 which students can attend in person. “We really struggled with this, but in the end we decided that we were going to do each event either fully virtual or fully in-person,” said Dr. Christopher Zarpentine, division of global cultures. “Trying to do a hybrid event really multiplies the things that can go wrong.” Throughout the different activities around campus this month, participants have the opportunity to learn and connect with African culture. The final event, “The Autophysiopsychic Millennium: A Performance & Presentation on Afrofuturism,” gives a nod to the music scene and includes a discussion on how it pertains to African history, with a Chicago based ensemble being featured. It will feature the music of composer, Yusef Lateef, and his influence as well as his usage of jazz music in his work. “Music is such an important part of our history and culture as human beings,” said Zarpentine. “And I think this group really embodies this. I think it has a really joyous and celebratory quality. So even for folks who aren’t really familiar with jazz or Afrofuturism, I’d encourage them to come and check it out.” In order to attend the Zoom activities, students will need to RSVP. However, the in-person commemorations are open to the students, and provide the opportunity to connect and learn about African culture. “I think representation is important and as I think we have collectively learned over the past number of years, Black History is underrepresented in our educational systems,” said Heather Sincavage, associate professor and director of the sordoni art gallery. “Taking the weeks in February to celebrate the contributions of Black scholars, creatives, historians and theorists is certainly a spotlight but hopefully any one of these events might inspire further study and patronage that carries on throughout the year.” There is also an exhibition signifying the importance of the month on display until March 13 at the Sordoni Art Gallery. The exhibition was created by artist Juan Logan. “Juan Logan is a prolific artist who uses his work to discuss the Black American experience but also hopes to inspire social responsibility from those who view his work”, said Sincavage. “He is a very generous and accessible artist and I think those who attend his talk will garner a better understanding of why he approaches his work in the way he does. There’s nothing better than to hear about someone’s work directly from them.” 4 BLACK History MONTH 22 Graphic by Jack Malatesta Black History Month future event timeline Feb. 15 - “The 3rd Annual Douglass Day Transcribe-A-Thon” in Breiseth 105 Feb. 16 - “A Special Evening With Juan Logan” - via Zoom Feb. 23 - “The Autophysiopsychoic Millennium: A Performance and Presentation on Afrofuturism” - in SUB Ballroom �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 IN-PERSON, from front “My students in all of my classes have done an outstanding job of being engaged in the lectures and of actively participating in discussions—all of which has made the first two weeks of remote classes successful,” said Hamill. Hamill also feels as though virtual instruction has become more and more seamless as students further adjust to the changes in learning. This, coupled with the efforts to stop the spread of disease, leave him feeling positvely about the overall experience. “As a campus community we had already proven (before January) that we were agile enough to make the adjustment work well, and so we were fortunate to have the flexibility to use the available data (in terms of our own capabilities and in terms of what we knew about Omicron) to keep the semester on track while also keeping everyone as safe as possible,” said Hamill. Despite the possibilities of cases spiking and debates on whether the twoweek virtual schooling will have been News Conversation Partner Program welcomes students from Japan By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer This year, students from Japan will be visiting the Wilkes campus. The social aspect of college can be difficult for many students, especially for those who are far from home and immersed in a different culture than their own. For those students who come from different countries, Wilkes offers a program for them: the Wilkes English Language Center Conversation Partner Program. This program is an opportunity to bring students to America, on the Wilkes campus, and have them interact with American students for six weeks: July 3 to Aug. 13. “It is an amazing way to meet people from other countries and other cultures, make new friends and broaden your horizons. It’s also a great way to earn some extra money because it is a part of workstudy,” said Dr. Kimberly Ann Niezgoda, the program director. 5 beneficial, the COVID-19 task force is still doing everything they can to ensure the safety of the campus and town-wide community. Along with in-person classes resuming, the guest rule for on-campus housing has returned to allowing masked individuals in rooms. Additionally, in-person events are hoping to be returning as soon as the first week back to face-to-face learning experience returns for students. Assurance testing will also continue for those that are not fully vaccinated, which includes not having the booster shot. For students looking to get vaccinated, research local pharmacies offering appointments and keep an eye out for on-campus clinics. An email is to be expected within the coming days that will further lay out some of the proceeding guidelines and regulations as the campus moves forward in a safe and proactive manner. The program has students meet with a foreign student at least once a week; however, pairs are free to meet more than that, and as Niezgoda states, they usually do. Niezgoda was born and raised in the Wyoming area, then left for the Czech Republic in her senior year of college. What was supposed to be a single semester to study abroad soon became her living outside of America for 14 years, staying in the Czech Republic along with much of Europe. She has been at Wilkes since 2006 and helps with the intensive English program, master’s in teaching English as a second language program and helps in the English language center. A final positive she said about the program is that it provides people with an international friend for them to see the world from different perspectives and see things away from their own eyes. For any student looking to join the program, email kimberly.niezgoda@ wilkes.edu for more information. The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Students hang out in the bustling Starbucks on South Main Street. After lifting restrictions, students are now allowed to sit at tables and eat indoors. ALL INCLUSIVE PREMIUM STUDENT APARTMENTS Beautiful, Clean, professionally managed... OPEN HOUSE Feb 26 Student * Apartments Mansion Style Living 279 & 281 South River Mansions SINGLE, Doubles, Triples Available for 22-23 22 23 22Quads available in.. 22-23 22 23 22- Booking now for 22-23 22 23 2223-24 2324 Just … 6 Rooms Left Call NOW to schedule your private in advance tour WWW. ZNPROPERTIES.COM znpropertiesllc@gmail.com or call 570-592-3113 Close to classes ….. closer to home! �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 News LEAP-AB opens applications for in-person volunteer trips By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief LEAP-AB opens applications for inperson experiences LEAP-AB has opened applications for alternative spring break experiences that are scheduled from Mar. 3 to 12. Through the office of civic engagement, LEAP-AB offers opportunities for students looking to spend their time volunteering during spring break. This year, LEAP-AB will be traveling to three different locations, with each location offering a unique experience for students. Megan Boone Valkenberg, office of civic engagement, encourages students to apply for the hands-on approach and profound understanding that students can experience with LEAP-AB. “One thing I know about Wilkes students is that they love to get their hands dirty,” said Boone Valkenburg. Carolina Tiger Rescue – Pittsboro, N.C. Carolina Tiger Rescue is a nonprofit animal sanctuary, home to rescued wild cats that are unable to survive in the wild. The sanctuary is a place that LEAPAB volunteers have visited in the past, and it has been a popular opportunity for students to learn the history of and come up close to the beloved cats without touching them. 10 spaces are available. Volunteers will be driven to N.C. Mountain T.O.P. – Coalmont, Tenn. Mountain T.O.P. is a disaster recovery habitat building experience, giving assistance to those who need home repair. The opportunity comes after Tenn. was heavily damaged by flooding disasters. 10 spaces are available, and volunteers will be driven to Tenn. Mountain T.O.P. is a religious organization for youth and adults, so it is encouraged that any denominational students who may be interested to reach out to learn more. Give Kids the World – Kissimmee, Fla. Give Kids the World is a nonprofit resort that provides children with critical illnesses with a Disney experience. The village resort is a small amusement park that gives these children places to stay. Volunteers will take a backseat role in giving children the Disney experience, such as helping with food, activities, rides or even dressing up in costumes. As Boone Valkenberg describes it, Give Kids the World allows “a kid to just be a kid.” 10 spaces are available, but spaces are filling up quickly. Volunteers will travel by plane to the resort. A day at Disney World is also included for volunteers for levity. Applications are still available on Wilkes Today. Any students interested should reach out to Boone Valkenburg at megan.boone@wilkes.edu for additional details and information. 6 Photos of past expereiences, courtesy of Megan Boone Valkenburg DDMA DEIC competition Call for spring internships By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Every year, digital design and media art (DDMA) majors participate in the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge, or DEIC, marketing competition. This year, one of the student teams is calling for responses to a short questionnaire regarding experience with the military. Lisa Reynolds, assistant professor of DDMA, describes the event as providing critical real-word experience to students involved as they are given real clients and a real marketing challenge that they must address both creatively and effectively throughout the course of the competition. Zoey Rosensweet, senior DDMA major and one of the heads of the program, similarly highlights the importance of DEIC for students. “I think the DEIC competition is a great way for students to get real world experience creating a marketing campaign with a team,” said Rosensweet. “Each of us bring our own unique skills to the table and it’s important that we assign our tasks accordingly.” The survey is located in the Wilkes Today emails, and it is encouraged that anyone with military experience fill out the survey. By Maddy Kinard News Editor Internships are a crucial part of a student’s undergraduate education, and it is not too late to sign up and participate in one for credit this semester. As per the Wilkes Today email, several internship opportunities are available, some even with on-site components. “An internship is a process that formally integrates an undergraduate student’s academic studies with a productive work experience in a professional setting,” said Sharon Castano, director of internships and parent programs and professional development instructor. Castano goes on to break down the benefits of an internship into three parts: personal, professional and academic. For personal, it improves selfconfidence and integrates values with work; for professional, students are able to explore possible career fields; lastly, for academic, students can utilize resources that may otherwise not be available on campus. Students interested in finding out more or discussing internship options should visit the Cooperative Education/ Internship Office located in the Center for Career Development and Internships or email sharon.castano@wilkes.edu. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Jordan Daniels:Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Colonel’s Cupboard announces new spring semestser hours Visit the Colonel’s Cupboard for free food and household items By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Colonel’s Cupboard, located in the Center for Career Development and Internships building, offers grocery and household items to students, staff and faculty members for free. There are new hours for people to visit the Colonel’s Cupboard for the spring semester. The hours are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Colonel’s Cupboard will also follow all scheduled holiday breaks, closures and delays. “Food insecurity on college campuses often goes unnoticed,” said Catie Becker, “Students have enough going in their worlds, offering the Cupboard as a resource hopefully eliminates some of that stress” - Catie Becker Bonner leader coordinator. One of the main reasons student development runs Colonel’s Cupboard is because some people cannot afford having a full meal plan or buying food off campus. Trying to figure out how a student is going to buy food or when they can eat next while balancing a full-course load of schoolwork impedes on their success in school. “Students have enough going on in their worlds; offering the Cupboard as a Colonel’s Cupboard Spring Semester Hours Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m Tuesday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. resource hopefully eliminates some of that stress,” said Becker. The Colonel’s Cupboard is also a good resource for students who do not go home over breaks, especially the international students. These students do not go back home for long periods of time and may not have the necessary funds to feed themselves. “Quite a few of our students have to work during school, not only to pay their way through school but also pay for those essential needs,” said Megan Boone Valkenburg, civic engagement coordinator. “If we are able to take some of that burden off of them they can focus more on their schoolwork and on their tuition dollars, rather than on their food security.” The Colonel’s Cupboard is funded entirely through donations from businesses, alumni and community members; tuition dollars are not used to purchase items. Plus, student development partners with CEO Foodbank to receive many of their items free of charge. Not only are people welcome to come any time to the Colonel’s Cupboard but they are encouraged to help out too. The school has a federal work study position where students can help keep the Colonel’s Cupboard open during nontraditional hours. “I think it’s important to have such a resource like the cupboard because it takes the worry away of some students who cannot afford food or any personal items,” said Brenda Arias, first-year hospitality leadership major. “The cupboard makes it easier and attainable for them and I think that’s very valuable. My favorite thing about working in the Colonel’s Cupboard is knowing that I’m a resource of help for people.” Student development also enjoys working with any club or sports teams that would like to host a drive to help stock the Colonel’s Cupboard. People can also help out by simply stopping by to retrieve items because it reduces the amount of waste of expired foods. “Last year before the semester ended athletics gave us a humongous donation,” said Boone Valkenburg. “I think it was either 3,000 or 5,000 cans and that carried us through the first semester so it’s been really wonderful to see how supportive the whole campus is.” If students are not comfortable with physically going inside the Colonel’s Cupboard they can always order online and their items will come in a discrete brown box. To order online, scan the QR code. Orders will be available 48 hours after being placed and orders placed Friday to Sunday will be ready for pick up on Monday. All orders can be picked up in the mail room. Courtesy of Student Development Scan this QR code to order online from the Colonel’s Cupboard. The information a student is prompted to enter is confidential and convenient. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Dollar Tree Recipe: Delectable Valentine’s Day trail mix By Morgan Rich Life, Arts, & Entertainment Staff Writer It is officially the season of love and what better way to celebrate than to make a delicious snack. This trail mix is a unique and healthy mix that can be made just by taking a trip to the dollar store. This recipe only takes a few minutes to make and can be stored up to a month. Ingredients: ½ cup of honey toasted organic oat cereal 1 cup of assorted nuts (optional) ½ cup of dried cranberries 1 cup of white fudge covered pretzels 1 ¼ cup of cupid’s mix M&M’s ½ cup of Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses ¼ cup of double crisp chocolate hearts (optional) be substituted with mini M&M candies or any other of your favorite snacks) Directions: First, combine the honey toasted organic oat cereal, assorted nuts, dried cranberries, white fudge covered pretzels and M&M’s in a large bowl. Mix together all ingredients. Next, unwrap the Hershey’s kisses and put them into a small bowl. Microwave for two minutes or until melted and mix halfway through. Grab a spoon and drizzle the chocolate onto the ingredients in the large bowl. This next step is optional. For extra sweetness, add the double crisp chocolate hearts on top of the mix. Once completed, mix ingredients to blend the drizzled chocolate or serve as is. Now you are done, enjoy! Allergens: Dairy, nut products The Beacon/Morgan Rich a B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Looking for a fun acitivity to do with a significant other or friends this Valentine’s Day, try making this tasty and affordable trail mix together. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Phonky Town - PlayaPhonk Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: The Real Slim Shady - Eminem Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: Goodie Bag - Still Woozy News Editor: Maddy Kinard: Nightclub (Waiting for You) - Bad Suns Jordan Daniel, LAE Editor: Come to Your Senses - Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: Valentine’s Day (Shameful) - Kehlani Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: Gasoline - The Weeknd Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Put A Little Love On Me - Niall Horan Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: Super Gremlin - Kodak Black Lead Designer, Mia Walker: Free Animal - Foreign Air Lead Layout Designer, Zoey Rosensweet: Drink Before the War - Sinead O’Connor �The Beacon – February 9, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Rex Orange County teases new album and upcoming tour Fans of Rex Orange County cannot wait for “Who Cares” By AJ Rubino Life, Arts, & Entertainment Staff Writer English singer-songwriter Rex Orange County is back again with a new single, album and tour. The singer, also known as Alexander James O’Connor, posted to social media on Jan. 3 hinting new things are coming. After speculation, fans soon found out that the singer would release the new song, “Keep It Up” on Jan. 26. The last time Rex Orange County released music was in October 2019 when his third album “Pony” was released. This long break for the singer and his fans allowed some students on campus to express their feelings about the new updates from O’Connor. “I really enjoyed the song, especially the ending,” said Drew Haritos, sophomore English and psychology major. “The ending was something that I need to hear from time to time.” The song acts as a motivator towards people struggling through hard times. Hard times can hint at simply living in a pandemic to anything in one’s daily life. Haritos shared that this song has a melodic vibe but the lyrics eased the listeners mind with the lyrics. Sophomore biology major, Christina DeCresenza, was pleasantly surprised by the style of the song. “Learning self respect and learning to put yourself first is a strong message that I have taken from the song,” said DeCresenza. “I definitely have had times like how O’Connor describes his thoughts in his songs.” P1 pharmacy major, Megan Makovsky, is a new fan of Rex Orange County. “I was looking for new music to listen to,” said Makovsky. “A friend recommended it and I thoroughly enjoyed the song. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the album.” Once fans digested the new song, Rex Orange County did not stop there. The singer announced on Jan. 28 that he will be going back on tour and releasing his fourth album titled “Who Cares.” The release date for this album is March 11. The album includes 11 songs, including a special feature from Tyler The Creator. This will be the third collaboration between the two musicians. O’Connor first appeared on Tyler The Creator’s 2017 Grammy nominated album “Flower Boy.” O’Connor featured on “Boredom” and “Foreward.” This time around, Tyler The Creator will make a special appearance on Rex Orange County’s album. “Open A Window” is the second song on the tracklist that the collaboration is on. DeCresenza is a huge fan of Tyler The Creator and Rex Orange County alike and thoroughly enjoyed their past collaborations. “They both have such different voices and styles but I think they balance each other well,” said DeCresenza. “I am really looking forward to hearing this feature.” Rex Orange County’s 2019 album “Pony” covers multiple themes from mental illness to homesickness. However, as the music industry proceeds to go along its course, we find more artists telling the struggles of fame and the public eye through the use of lyrics and melodies. “Who Cares” is rumored to shine light on the same themes covered in “Pony” but with elements of “Apricot Princess,” O’Connor’s second album, thrown in. “Apricot Princess” tells the story of life lessons learnt from love and the heartbreak that follows. If we combine both themes to create a new era for O’Connor, it appears that the end result is who cares. O’Connor’s use of journalistic thoughts and sweet metaphors will express the story he wants to tell. “I am hoping that it will be like the previous albums but would also be interested in what this album presents if it was not,” said Haritos. “Keep It Up” served as a good reminder to remember who you are in the moments of doubt. DeCresenza is most excited for the studio version of “Amazing.” She heard a version of the song on one of his livestreams. “The song is from what he said is ‘for the lovers’ and I have always thought that O’Connor does a wonderful job of portraying all of the feelings that encompasses falling and being in love,” said DeCresenza. DeCresenza is thankful for the new album to say the least. All of his albums in the past have differed a lot from each other when it comes to his lyrics. “Naturally this comes from what he has going on in his life at the time being,” said DeCresenza. As time progresses, the tracklist names can simply be broken down to what theme may be presented in the song as more things become available. The new album was created by O’Connor and Benny Sings. Sings is a Dutch pop musician who has worked on his own pieces and others including Rex Orange County, Mac DeMarco and GoldLink. Merchandise for the new album includes a thumbs up with a smiley face and legs attached to the bottom. Pieces that O’Connor has shown on social media with the logo include a metal ring, a varsity jacket, phone cases and t-shirts. However, merchandise has yet to be announced and everything is just for show at the moment. DeCresenza will not be attending his tour but is very envious of her friends that are doing so. Haritos’ friend will be attending and she is very excited to see the visuals of the concert. O’Connor last appeared on tour late2019 through the beginning of 2020 for the Pony tour. However, due to COVID-19 and the lockdown regulations, the tour was put to a halt. The “Who Cares” tour will take flight in late spring through the majority of the summer. O’Connor will be traveling through North America, United Kingdom and Ireland. The tour will start on May 4 in Miami and wrap up in London on Aug. 13. Concert tickets went on sale Feb. 4 through Ticketmaster. Fans can preorder the album or singles digitally at www.rexorangecounty.com. The link can be found on his instagram account @ rexorangecounty. KEEP IT UP Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 10 Life, Arts & Entertainment Liz’s Craft Column: Valentine’s Day heart no-sew throw pillows A quick and easy gift for Valentine’s Day By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager This Valentine’s Day craft is a no sew throw pillow. There is no needle and thread required, which makes this craft quick to make. It can add a holiday touch to any space and the pattern of the pillow can be personalized. This craft is also affordable because it only requires a few supplies, which can be found at any craft store. • • • Two colors of fleece fabric. These colors can be Valentine’s Day themes but do not have to be. They also can match or the pillow can have two designs and be reversible. Scissors Pillow stuffing or Poly-fil 3. Once the two hearts are cut, lay them on top of each other evenly. Starting at the point on the bottom, cut one and half to two inch strips around the edge of the heart. The strips will curve as they go around the top of the heart but make sure their length still stays long enough. It may help to draw a heart on the fabric two inches in from the edge to guide where the strips are cut. 4. After the strips are cut, starting at the bottom, tie the strips that lay on top of each other together. Tie them twice so they stay secured. 1. First, cut a square that is at least two feet by two feet out of the first pattern fabric. Then, fold that piece of fabric in half. Out of this, cut half of a heart shape using the folding edge as the center of the heart. Unfold the fabric to reveal the heart shape. The edges do not have to be perfectly cut because they will mostly not be visible. 2. Place the first heart on top of the second color fabric. Cut around the original heart. The edges of this one also do not have to be perfect but make sure the size of both hearts are the same so they line up evenly. Repeat this around the heart until there is just a small gap before the starting point. Grab some of the pillow stuffing and, using the gap, put the stuffing into the pillow. Stuff it until there is just enough room to tie the rest of the strips together. 5. Finish tying the strips and then the pillow is complete. Rearrange any of the stuffing to make it even and then feel free to display it anywhere for a fun, handmade decoration. This thow pillow is a festive decoration perfect for the season and can also be finished just in time. This craft only takes about a half hour, so it is perfect to do in a hurry before the holiday. Liz’s Craft Column Rating: �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 11 C R E AT I V E CO L O N E L S Creative Colonel of the Week: Mattias Hime By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Mattias Hime, senior business management major, is a perfect fit for this week’s Creative Colonel. His combined knowledge of business management and interest in fashion allowed him to begin his own clothing brand, Stack Or Starve (S.O.S). “The inspiration behind the name comes from me as a child struggling in life and my mom always told me to focus on building a strong and powerful life, and I would never have to worry about struggling so the inspiration of the name has to do a lot with my mom,” said Hime. Hime began S.O.S in August 2022 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so it was challenging for him to obtain customers. Nevertheless, the message he spread with his brand caught the Visit stackstarve.com to browse all Stack or Starve has to offer. attention of some people. “I also wanted to build an affordable brand for families who can’t afford expensive name brands,” said Hime. “I was that kid who couldn’t afford things for a while but my family worked hard to get where we are today. I will never forget where I came from so I want to show people that you can afford nice quality clothes for a low price.” The beginning process for Hime was going great and he sold out the first hoodie in just about two hours. Then, he took his clothing brand online to focus on building a real brand that people can rely on and reach people around the world. “My favorite thing about my business is seeing people wearing my brand and trusting in the quality,” said Hime. When he created his first hoodie, Hime worked together with another company, Custom Ink, which sold custom clothes in bulk. He designs his clothes by using a website called tailorbrands.com, which allows him to customize and make adjustments to his designs. Hime’s friend and roommate, Dylan Walck, helped him launch S.O.S’ website and as of now, Hime no longer works with Custom Ink but a new company called Printify to create his clothes. S.O.S provides hoodies, athletic wear, trucker hats and more. In order to check out some of the products by Hime’s brand and to find out more information about it, visit the website at stackstarve. com. “I hope I can help people all around the world,” said Hime. “I hope that one day I can give back to low-income students and families.” Courtesy of Mattias Hime Mattias Hime, owner of Stack or Starve (S.O.S), creates affordable and good quality clothes for everyone to feel and look their best. Want to showcase your skill and talents? Contact jordan.daniel@wilkes.edu �The Beacon – February 9, 2022 LA&E 12 Winter preparedness and precautions Tips to stay safe and warm during the harsh winter Take care of cars during winter weather: •Install winter tires •Maintain air pressure in tires •Replace old windshield wipers and washer fluid •Ensure the rear-window defroster is in good condition •Keep gas tank at least half full •Let a car run for 15 to 20 minutes before getting on the road Drive carefully on ice. Let your car run for a few minutes to avoid foggy windows and a cold engine. Watch for local weather updates and alerts: • Check out AccuWeather for the most accurate and current weather reports • For students, make sure to follow Wilkes’ alerts for local weather conditions • Wilkes’ alerts will notify Sign up to receive weather-related alerts on your phone students for cancellations or compressed schedules due to and student email from Wilkes through your school account. extreme weather �The Beacon – February 9, 2022 Wear warm clothes: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Boots Thick socks Long pants Long-sleeved shirts Thick sweaters Hoodies Jackets Coats Parkas Scarves Gloves Mittens Hats Earmuffs 13 LA&E Layer clothes: • Wear long-sleeved shirts under, sweaters and then wear a jacket or coat on top • This method will keeps people warm in the cold If a person gets too warm, take the extra layers of clothing off Walk on ice properly: • Wear snow boots • Walk slowly • Walk with arms at the side like a penguin for balance Watch out for ice in unsuspecting areas. With piles of snow still littered around campus, stick to clearer pathways. Wear proper, grippy shoes and boots when walking on ice to avoid slipping. Jordan Daniel Page Design/Layout: Mia Walker Emily Cherkauskas Ariel Reed �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designers Mia Walker & Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. University lacks in timely delivery of policies The pandemic has been a struggle for everyone, but it has made college life almost unbearable for students. The rules and regulations that are meant to keep us safe are ever-changing, which makes one wonder if our campuses and institutions know how to keep us safe. Wilkes has put COVID-19 campus rules in place ever since the start of the pandemic (mask-wearing, assurance testing, etc.); however, they have been changing the extent of these regulations very often in the past few weeks. After the fall 2021 semester, Wilkes was unsure if students would be allowed back on campus due to the uprise in positive COVID-19 cases around the country. An email was sent to the student body on Jan. 7 stating that students would be allowed back on campus on Jan. 31, but unvaccinated students would need to get a negative test, which is school policy. However, an email was sent on Jan. 24 with policy changes, just days before students were meant to return to campus. The policy was that no matter what your status was, whether vaccinated, unvaccinated, or previously infected with the virus, you had to get a test. However, the latter is a direct contradiction with what the CDC has stated. Science has shown that there is potential for a person who has had COVID-19 can test positive again up to 90 days post positive reading. Contraction of COVID-19 within 90 days has also shown that the person who contracted it is considered immune (or fully vaccinated) from the virus. However, the school that uses the sciences as the financial crutch, has deemed that science is wrong and you need to have a test to come back. This is not the issue at hand, but rather the issue is that there has been a lack of communication about it until the very last minute. An article published in “The Lancet” on Nov. 8, 2021, titled “Protective immunity after recovery from SARSCoV-2 infection” stated conclusive evidence that a person who had previously contracted COVID-19 was immune from the virus, and that there were adverse effects to those who had indeed been vaccinated. This decision was made with no science behind it. They made an assumption, and you know what happens when you assume. On Jan. 24, 2021, the university’s COVID-19 Task Force and Daily Response team delivered an email stating: “Though rare, we can no longer assume that there is a 90-day immunity to reinfection.” Students had already made arrangements to return to campus, but those who had to retest found themselves scrambling at the last minute to acquire a negative test result within five days of their return to campus. The lack of communication and cohesion when it comes to Wilkes making these decisions, it is just an added pressure to students. We urge the University and their task forces to keep students more in the loop on major decisions—like the aforementioned one—in a more timely manner. The consistent delay puts additional stress on students who are already stressed. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Opinion 15 Three heartwarming romance reads for the holiday of love By Breanna Ebisch Opinion Editor It’s that time of year again. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Some of us may prefer to spend the night with a good book. There are plenty of romance books out there to enjoy, especially for Valentine’s Day, but these three picks are sure to sweep you away into a fictional world full of love in a variety of different ways. “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne Love may truly be all fun and games which Sally Thorne demonstrates through her novel “The Hating Game.” Lucy and Josh became co-workers after their two companies merged and have despised each other since the moment they met. But when a promotion is offered that is both of their dream jobs, things start to change in unexpected ways that neither of them see coming. What unfolds is a scream-worthy romance that is intricately built in a way that makes you unable to put the book down. The novel embraces the enemies to lovers trope and there’s no better way to capture the way these two fall in love. It’s a fast read and the little details throughout the plot are some of the most well written that I have ever read. The book has received immense praise online in popular fandoms, but the hype is worth it. The unique, but adored love story that Thorne creates between these two characters, it’s almost impossible that it won’t become a new favorite. “People We Meet On Vacation” by Emily Henry Although the weather outside may be snowy and cold right now, “People We Meet On Vacation” will both warm your heart and remind you that summer is on its way. This novel by Emily Henry focuses on two best friends who met in their first year of college, Poppy and Alex, who have become inseparable. The pair goes on a trip every s u m m e r, Graphic by Jack Malatesta but their friendship falls apart due to an incident that occurred on their trip two years ago. But when Poppy feels stuck at her job, she reaches out to Alex in an attempt to have one last summer trip to fix everything. The book focuses mainly on this trip where the two friends are trying to heal their relationship without falling into dangerous territory that deals with their feelings. The romance in this novel is constructed perfectly and includes a slow burn that leads to such a great confession of mutual feelings. Poppy and Alex’s unique friendship will make you smile and laugh throughout while also wanting them to reveal their true emotions with every page turn. “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes If you’re looking for an emotional read that is guaranteed to make you cry at the end, “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes is the book for you. The story follows the two main characters Louisa Clark, who recently lost her job and is looking for a new one, and Will Traynor, who has been paralyzed after a motorcycle incident. Their personalities are complete opposites and when Louisa ends up getting the job as a caretaker for Will, their relationship begins in an unusual way. But, they become good friends and an undeniable romance blossoms which shifts their perspectives of life. There’s only one problem that puts their relationship at risk. This love story is like no other and will have you laughing and crying at different times. The beauty and pain of winter weather in the Northeast By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer Well friends, we are once again in the depths of winter. As I am writing this, we are currently experiencing our first “snow day.” I use that term rather loosely because we are actually experiencing an ice storm, as opposed to a snow storm, which is arguably worse and more dangerous to be out and about during. Also, thanks to the huge advancements we have had with video communication (I’m looking at you, Zoom), classes are able to be held virtually. So it may not be a huge exaggeration to say that we may never experience an actual, good, oldfashioned snow day again. This is also true because we are all adults, but I’m still in denial about that, so we are not going to talk about it further. In any case, navigating the winter season in Northeast Pennsylvania is just something you have to get accustomed to. We have had some lighter winters like the past few years, but still enough ice and snow to cause a ruckus though. I have heard multiple times that Pennsylvania, and our area in particular, is one of the worst places in the country to drive in during the winter. So that should put just how big a deal the winter season, and the weather comes hand in hand with it, is for our little portion of the state and really the country as a whole. However, the snow is pretty plain and simple. It is stunning for a day or two until it gets all dirty, brown and slushy, mixes with ice melt on the roads and sidewalks, and wreaks havoc on shoes and cars. But I digress. If you are at home clutching a steaming mug of tea or coffee, whichever you prefer, it is almost a celestial experience watching the snow coming down, blanketing everything in a fuzzy white layer. A white Christmas is truly magical as is flurries coming down on New Years. But Mother Nature, being a fickle force, refuses to form snow on these two choice days usually. With all our ski resorts and mountain beauty, snow only helps to advance this scenery. However, not everything about this scenery is pure. First off, we have the cold. One morning when I was out particularly early, the temperature was four degrees below zero. Being out in the morning is bad enough, but when it is as cold as it has been the past couple weeks, it is a million times worse. Ice and snow, even though I already touched on their natural allure, can be quite a pain and in many cases dangerous. Plans have to be moved or canceled which causes endless scheduling conflicts. Getting to said commitments and plans becomes a scary game; the roads in NEPA, riddled with potholes, are bad year round. but when adding the winter weather elements, they get even worse. Driving and going to plans many times is already enough of a process, having to allow more time to and from, and just driving during a storm is a difficult task many of us do not need. Hopefully soon winter will be in our rearview mirror and spring will be in bloom. I’m not sure how much stock anyone puts into this tradition of Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, seeing his shadow. Unfortunately, but not really surprisingly, he did see his shadow this year, which in turn means six more weeks of winter. There are so many questions I have regarding this practice, as well as criticisms, but that can be a whole article in itself. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Opinion 16 The Bengals look to win it all, finish their 31-year quest By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer Super Bowl LVI kicks off on Feb. 13 with the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals facing each other at SoFi Stadium. SoFi stadium is home to the Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. Before the 2020-21 season, no team has ever made the Super Bowl and played in their home stadium. It has now been done in back-to-back seasons, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did it last season. There are 12 teams in the NFL without a Super Bowl win and the Bengals are looking to make it 11. The Bengals ended a 31-year drought of unsuccessful playoff games and are rewriting history with their performance this year. The Bengals came out of nowhere. The last two years they had the first and fifth pick in the draft. To jump from the fifth-worst team to the best in one year is insane. The Bengals drafted quarterback Joe Burrow with the first pick in the 2020 draft and wide receiver Ja’marr Chase with the fifth pick in the 2021 draft. Burrow and Chase played together at LSU and that connection is part of the reason why this duo is so deadly. In the postseason, Chase broke four NFL records and two Bengals records. Chase broke the NFL rookie receiving yard record for a single game and for the entire season. He finished with a total of 1,455 receiving yards in a season and Graphic by Jack Malatesta 266 yards in a game. Both these records were also franchise records. Chase also finished the season with 13 touchdowns. On top of Chase’s dominance, Burrow had an amazing and record-breaking season as well. Burrow is coming off an ACL injury that he suffered in week 11 of his rookie season. His fantastic season post-injury has won him AP Comeback Player of the Year. Completing 70.4 percent of his passes, Burrow leads all quarterbacks in this category. He posted 4,611 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. His accomplishment was an uphill battle as he was also the most sacked quarterback in the NFL. While Cincinnati is armed with talented players and a sensational season, Los Angeles is walking onto the field with their own advantages. The Rams’ run for the ‘ship started when they traded for quarterback Matthew Stafford in January of 2021. The Rams traded quarterback Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a thirdround pick to the Lions. The real reason the Rams are in the Super Bowl is because of their breakout star wide receiver Cooper Kupp. He has had one of the single greatest seasons a wide receiver can have. He received the triple crown, meaning first in the league with 16 touchdowns, 145 receptions and 1,947 receiving yards. Kupp also has a legitimate chance for this year’s MVP. The Rams increased their chances even more when they traded for the former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. With all of the moves they have made, the team has gone all-in and do not have a first-round pick until the 2024 draft. On top of all these superstars, they have arguably the best defender in NFL history in Aaron Donald. He has accumulated three defensive player of the year awards. The Rams also have Jalen Ramsey who is possibly one of the best cornerbacks. He has been All-Pro three times. It will be a close game, but the Bengals will win their first Super Bowl as Joe Burrow will be the Super Bowl MVP. The streets of Cincinnati will run wild as all public schools are canceled the Monday after the Super Bowl. Cincinnati is ready. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Opinion 17 RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Stopping the stigma: Talking 14: Queens to keep an eye on about men’s mental health By Sydney Allbaugh Staff Writer For 13 seasons, drag queens have gone head-to-head on runways and in challenges to be named the next winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race. On Jan. 7, a fourteenth set of queens started the competition to be the next one crowned. At this point in the season, 12 of the 14 queens remain. Although all the queens exhibit their own styles and talents, I believe that some stand out from the competition. The first of those being Angeria Paris VanMichaels, or the self-proclaimed “glamorous southern belle from A-T-L.” She is the full package of elaborate drag. Angeria has already established her unique brand, as she always finds a way to tie in her vintage southern charm into every competition and runway. Although she has a shtick, she does not fall victim to becoming one-note. Angeria incorporates her many talents—makeup, fashion, comedy and more—into every competition. She is not afraid to push boundaries or to try new things. Four episodes have aired, and Angeria has already won two competitions, placed in the top in another and won her only mini-challenge. Between her classy yet glamorous runways, her humorous performances on the talent show and teaser episode and her all-around charming and sweet personality, Angeria is among the strongest competitors this season. Another one of the strongest competitors is Willow Pill, or as RuPaul calls her, “not a big pill, but a Willow Pill.” Willow Pill has quickly established her dark and eccentric yet adorable style of drag. On her first episode, the talent show episode, she performed a dark comedy “self-care in quarantine” routine in which she strips, throws a toaster and various items into a bathtub, and steps inside. She builds on her odd sense of humor in the teaser episode when she is seen confused and crawling around on the floor, calling out to Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman. Willow also translates her dynamic personality into fashion on the runway. Whether it’s her campy Y2K-inspired entrance look or glamorous animal print bridal jumpsuit on the ball episode, she never fails to show complexity in her looks. Willow Pill’s artistry is defined by her ability to intertwine darkness, like her struggle with a chronic kidney disease, with humor or beauty. She has already won the ball challenge and placed in the top in the other two challenges. I think her elaborate drag will continue to shine in this competition. Another queen with a fierce and distinctive style is Bosco, the “Demon Queen of Seattle.” She is an alternative and grunge queen characterized by her signature eyebrows. Commonly seen in Maleficent-esque horns and bodycon outfits, Bosco tends to be “equal parts evil and naked” as she describes. Although alternative queens are on the rise, her specific femme fatale drag persona is something unique and interesting. RuPaul always emphasizes signature styles, and Bosco has exceeded the expectations in this area. Although I believe Bosco’s stunning and distinctive looks are her strong suit, she has held her ground in the other competitions. She placed in the top during the talent show episode for her burlesque act and she stood out in the teaser episode as she exaggerates her own personality into a “dumb blonde” archetype. Bosco has yet to win a challenge, but I think she has plenty of talent and personality to show the judges as the season continues. Her unique artistry and makeup style separates her from the competition and I am confident that she can make it far. Although these three queens are incredibly talented and among my personal favorites, there are plenty of other queens, like Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté or Jorgeous, who are also tough and versatile competitors. This early in the season, there is no telling what will happen as these queens face different challenges. I am now left to wonder: will my favorite queens make it to the finale or will they have to “sashay away?” By Lindsey Scorey Assistant Opinion Editor Men’s mental health issues are not a widely acknowledged and accepted topic of conversation even in 2022. The concern for mental wellness expands to all individuals, especially men who deal with the struggles of traditional masculinity norms that deny vulnerability and seeking help. The stigma surrounding mental health awareness has slowly become less of a social norm but men have continuously had a harder time with access to help for a plethora of reasons. For one, many cultures have societal expectations for men’s roles and behaviors. A traditional perception of man is as a bread-winner, with a practical, assertive, non-emotional attitude. Seeking help becomes less daunting when more men break the mold, but is still challenging. No one likes to be ostracized for things outside of their control. According to Susan David in her book, “Emotional Agility,” men’s brains are capable of compartmentalizing better, which makes focusing on tasks apart from emotions easier, but can allow upset to build if never addressed or allowed its aid. Josh Dombrowski, sophomore biochemistry major, finds that men’s mental health awareness is stigmatized because of the male expectation to be strong, dominant, aggressive and self-sufficient. These stereotypes make it harder to admit failure in any degree let alone emotional disparities. “It is toxic to hold men accountable to these standards because it is damaging and demeaning,” said Dombrowski. “To save them the embarrassment, men will opt for the suppression of their mental health and avoid it upon conversation so they can keep up with societal standards.” If it is hard enough to admit a problem, often seeking help is not really in the equation. Dombrowski believes we can offer more resources by making therapy affordable and available for all and encourage more people to seek it out. Graphic by Jack Malatesta “We need to stop the stigmas surrounding mental health and therapy and actually encourage discussion within the classroom, at work, with friends, with family about mental health,” said Domrowski. “Most importantly, we should always remind ourselves and each other that we are human.” It is important to recognize that seeking help can be more difficult than it seems but the hardest fights are often the most valuable. If an individual cannot seek therapy for any reason, it is important that they find support systems and when comfortable, be able to act as such for others. Jared Weyandt, a sophomore criminology major, balances his academic, athletic and cadet career through leaning on his support systems. “I am very confident in my support systems,” said Weyandt. “Everything between my relationship with my girlfriend, best friends, parents and swim team make it very easy to open up about my mental health.” While the stigmas of men’s mental health outreach is not always spoken and addressed, it is never too late to speak up and contribute to the conversation or change someone’s life for the better. With this all being said, if you are struggling with mental wellbeing, seek help and primary aid resources immediately. Resources are available at Passan Hall, or by visiting health and wellness services at www.wilkes.edu. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Opinion 18 Review of 'Scream': A Ghostface like never before By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer It is necessary to include all aspects of the plot of the film to accurately attest to the successes and failures of “Scream,” so please be advised that this review does contain spoilers. If you walked into a movie theater on Jan. 14, you would not be able to tell if the year was 1996 or 2022. Upon its highly anticipated release, “Scream” brought old and new fans to the big screen. A seriously bloody good time, “Scream” knew its audience well and kept them in the palm of its hands for the entire twohour runtime. However, for as many times as it knocked it out of the park, it just as often fell flat on its face. “Scream” knows its roots: fans of the original film will relish in the nods to original scenes, characters and sets. The movie has always been a critique of its own genre and, whereas the other sequels strayed too far away from this, this new adaptation kept it as its core. The original is the clearest example of meta-horror to date, but the newest movie is the runner-up. The film was laden with references to modern horror films and is selfaware of its own tropes. In essence, “Scream” is a horror film inside of a horror film. These self-reflective aspects of the movie not only keep it fresh, but they also create a dynamic between media and viewer unlike any other film to date. After a while, however, the “meta” aspects of the newest "Scream” installment felt redundant. It began to feel as if the audience was being spoon-fed the plot instead of experiencing it. Some references were corny and out of touch and these references stunted organic conversations between characters in pivotal scenes. The Plot The effort to situate “Scream” on a higher level of horror was there. Although it did not necessarily succeed in this attempt, it did succeed in its effort to tie the new plot into the original film. Most of the main characters in the 2022 installment were direct relatives to icons in the 1996 installment. This was the biggest win for “Scream.” To create an entirely new storyline with fresh faces and motives while also preying on the nostalgia of long-time fans is no easy feat, yet the movie pulled it off effortlessly. Fans suspected the three main characters, Sidney, Gale and Dewey, to return for this new installment, but Billy made his return to Woodsboro as well. Fans of the series recall that Billy died during the final scene in Stu’s house. However, in the 2022 “Scream,” fans learn that Billy had a daughter who just happens to be Ghostface’s newest target. Throughout the film, Billy’s daughter, Sam, sees visions of her father as she fights to prove that she is not like him. These visions brought screams (no pun intended) to my movie theater, as I am sure was the case for all theaters showing the film. Billy, played by Skeet Ulrich, is a fan favorite and his return was one that nobody expected. Another aspect of the original movie that fans never thought they would see again was Stu Macher’s house where the iconic final scene in the 1996 “Scream” took place. Once again, a last battle led to unmasking Ghostface. The biggest “new” for the movie was how brutal Ghostface was in this film. The killings were shocking and downright scary. The decision to kill off Dewey’s character was the smartest decision made in any of the five “Scream” films. Although I adore his character, killing him in this film illustrated that this Ghostface was more brutal and threatening than any we have seen before and that not even the iconic characters were off the chopping block. Plus, the iconic “It’s an honor” line was the cherry on top of an already good plot direction for the film. There was a lot to love about the movie, but there was also so much to hate. Despite the first installment, “Scream” is notorious for conf using motives and unsatisfying unmaskings. Just like this new film inherited much from its predecessors, so too did it inherit this unfortunate plotline. The newest killers, Amber and Richie, were inspired to create a better movie for the “Stab” series that exists within the “Scream” universe. Unhappy with the most recent of the installments, the pair met on Reddit and devised their plan. Yet another example of the movie forcing itself to mimic meta-horror, this fell so incredibly flat. The series tends to have horrible motives, but the killers themselves are entirely too forgettable to have any substantive effect on viewers. The newest movie fell into this trap as well and it significantly impacted its success. The undoubted worst aspect of the newest “Scream” was the performance of the series’ newest final girl, Sam, played by Melissa Barrera. She was weak, unconvincing and downright annoying and I rooted for her demise. Her only redemption was her connection to Billy. Without this, the film would have benefited if she had not been in it. An homage By lacing the new plot with so many elements of past plots, “Scream” created a thrill ride for its viewers. Fans were able to relish in the new while also honoring the old. The movie did not just honor its past films. During the film, there were two noticeable nods to the late Wes Craven, the director for the first four films in the franchise. One of the main characters was named after the director and, after his demise in the second act, a party was held in his honor. A party banner stating “For Wes” was displayed—plot wise for the character, but also franchise wise to honor the series’ creator. Hannah’s rating Despite falling down the rabbit hole of failures from its predecessors, the movie was wildly entertaining and fulfilling. The terrible motivations and killers and uninspired final girl were overshadowed by the film’s commitment to honoring the fans and Craven alike. Had the directors paid more attention to adding to the universe rather than replicating what we already found to not work, the movie would have been a knockout. Overall, I rate the newest “Scream” eight out of ten stars. It is certainly worth the watch- but bring your tissues. “Scream” is rated R and is now playing in theaters across the country. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu WLAX: Amber McCarver starts journey as new head coach McCarver brings years of personal experience to the Colonels By Christopher Gowarty Co-Sports Editor The women’s lacrosse team has a new sheriff in town as Amber McCarver has taken over the reins as head coach. McCarver is already implementing new plans of action to get the Colonels on the same page for the upcoming season. “You can not really fix teamwork with a drill,” said McCarver. “I am really hoping that we can just get people working together with different girls on the team that they do not normally hang out with outside of practice. I hope to do more team bonding outside of practice as soon as I settle in a bit more.” McCarver’s early implementation of teamwork stems from her long-time relationship with the sport. For her first semester of college, she attended LaSalle University to play Division I lacrosse before making the decison to transfer to Penn State to complete her first year of school. She finished her last three years of college at Messiah University while continuing to play lacrosse. At Messiah, McCarver played as a goalie and concluded her playing career ranking within the top seven in both minutes-played and saves at the university. “Along with being a goalie, you work as a cohesive unit with the defense so she understands how that should be happening and what the defense should be doing to make that work,” said senior midfielder Laura Bayzick. “The attackers and midfielders are benefiting because she is teaching us all of the different angles that we can shoot at, that would be hard for a goalie to save quickly.” Despite her prestigious play at Messiah, McCarver did not focus on her individual statistics but rather the The Beacon/Christopher Gowarty The newly hired head coach Amber McCarver looks to carry out the objective of more cohesion within the women's lacrosse team during her first season at Wilkes University. qualities that she learned from being a which she views as the cornerstone to met with eager minds ready to learn from a former player with a wide array part of a team. success. “What I have seen in the first week “Coach McCarver has joined the team of experience. “I believe her past lacrosse experience that I have been here is that there is a lot as if she has been here this whole time,” of talent on the team,” said McCarver. said senior attacker Camryn Devitt. will benefit our team in a number of “They do not really work together as a “She truly cares about the development ways,” said Bayzick. “She went to a great team quite yet. I am hoping that we can of this team and is always looking to college which has a very good lacrosse really tap into that talent and develop a develop closer connections with each program and was a goalie there so that sense of unity and create a united front of the players. McCarver is a very already benefits our team's goalies.” McCarver began her duties as head as a team.” knowledgeable lacrosse player with a Within her first week of being the great lacrosse IQ and has been a great coach on Jan. 26, and will coach her first game on March 30 as the Colonels Colonels head coach, McCarver got the addition to the team.” chance to meet her squadron and began McCarver stated that when she was play their first matchup of the season at creating relationships with them— first introduced to her players, she was Delaware Valley University. �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Sports 20 MIH: Colonels continue their commanding play with 8-1 win By Baylee Guedes Co-Sports Editor The Colonels came off of a big 7-0 onthe-road win over Arcadia on Friday night. Both senior Tyler Barrow and Phil Erickson put up two goals for Wilkes to make up for more than half of the final score. On Saturday, Wilkes continued to add a win to the column as they beat the Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen 8-1. “Keeping our tempo up is what we have done a great job of this year as a team,” said head coach Tyler Hynes. “Assistant coach Lucas Bombardier is definitely one of the things that is different for us this year and it has made us better.” In the beginning of Saturday’s matchup, Wilkes had a hard time getting possession offensively. Once they did, there was no stopping them in sight. Wilkes pounded the puck into the net in the first period. Senior Ben Stefanini scored at the 9:33 mark of the first period. Exactly one minute later, senior Phil Erickson assisted senior Devon Schell as he nailed one in the corner of the goal. “We thought we had a good start and once we were able to get one (goal) we knew we were going to be able to get rolling,” said Stefanini. “Schell was able to follow up not long after.” The Flying Dutchmen started to make The Beacon/Baylee Guedes The Colonels and Flying Dutchmen fight for possesion of the puck early in the game. a drive at Wilkes leading to two Colonel skaters back on the ice. The Colonels made penalties 35 seconds apart. Lebanon went a speedy play down the ice and senior on a power-play run but Wilkes’ three Michael Gurska came from the left-wing defenders and senior goalie Nico Pidro and snuck one right past the Lebanon held them for the entirety of the penalty goalie and one other defender. The timer. scoreboard read 3-0 going into the second Wilkes gained control of the puck as period. senior Scott Mueller came out of the sin“What is so great about our team right bin. First-year Cole Jungworth’s penalty now is our penalty kill and how much we timed out and Wilkes had all of their are willing to sacrifice,” said Gurska. THE BEACON Player of the Game: Ben Stefanini +/- 3 Goals 2 Assists 1 “It has helped us build momentum all season long and it showed tonight, just felt good to turn good defense into offense.” The second period started off with a goal from senior Dylan Kuipers at the 15:31 mark, assisted by Stefanini. Four minutes after Kuipers goal, senior Jay Gallagher nailed one in after getting an assist from senior Tyler Dill. With five and a half minutes left, graduate-student Taylor Brierley scored as the Colonels controlled the majority of the period. With three seconds left on the clock in the second period, Stefanini drove one in unassisted to make the scoreboard read 7-0. “When Stefanini does something good, it invigorates our entire team,” said Hynes. With Wilkes up by seven, the Colonels made a change in goal by putting in firstyear goalie Jack Perna. At the 17:25 mark, Dill took a shot at the Lebanon Valley goal and it paid off, making the score 8-0. With two minutes left in the game, Cade Freer of Lebanon snuck one past Perna. “This was a fun game to be a part of and an even better team to be a part of right now,” said Gurska. “We are playing great hockey at the right time and tonight was a great example of that.” �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Sports 21 MVB: Colonels unexpected lineup change stifles win-streak By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The men’s volleyball team looked to continue its win streak with a nonconference tri-match on Saturday afternoon in the Marts Center. The Colonels were unable to continue their early season success as they lost both games to SUNY Potsdam and Penn State Behrend. In the first match of the day against SUNY Potsdam, Wilkes dominated the first set. After that, the offense seemed to stagnate and the Colonels were unable to pick apart the Bears defense as they lost 3-1. Despite the loss, Wilkes competed hard every point against a very talented team. With a number of key contributors out for a multitude of reasons, a few players had to step into new roles to try and help the Colonels win. One of these players was sophomore middle hitter Paul Binner who was asked to play setter on short notice. Binner was doing it all for the Colonels in the first match as he finished with eight kills, two aces, and seven digs, all of which were team highs for Wilkes. “So I have set in high school, and I have kind of been thrown around a little bit this season,” said Binner. “Coach asked me if I could get thrown in the game to be the setter. I felt pretty confident about it, and I’m glad I was able to help at least a little bit.” The second match against the Nittany Lions was much of the same. Wilkes struggled to handle the serves from Penn State Behrend. Their passing was inconsistent which led to them struggling for the entirety of the match. The Colonels were unable to get out of their funk which allowed Penn State Behrend to cruise to a 3-0 victory. “I do not think it was them doing anything special,” said senior opposite hitter Everett Fritz. “I think it was just us struggling to pass, us struggling with serve/receive. Passing is something we really strive to work on, and we are getting better at it.” Binner was not the only one to step up for the shorthanded Colonels. Two first-year players in defensive specialists Jake Sheldon and outside hitter Cody Smith were asked to take on bigger responsibilities today in the second match, and both stepped up to the plate. “I think we have a great bench of players that are ready to go at any time,” said head coach Joseph Czopek. “We had a lot of guys that stepped up and played real nice games today. We are young, but we are developing.” Wilkes hopes that the extended play for some of its players will be super beneficial as conference play is just around the corner. The team has been successful early on in the year at full strength, and this tri-match The Beacon/Ariel Reed Everett Fritz earned a kill and celebrated wth his teammates on the court. THE BEACON Player of the Game: Paul Binner Kills 8 Blocks 2 could be beneficial in growing confidence for some of the younger players. The Colonels hope to get back to their winning ways as they take on Messiah University in the MAC opener at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Marts Center. Aces 2 �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Nico Pidro Senior Ice Hockey Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Jan. 26 to Feb. 2 Why Nico Pidro was selected: Pidro earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting a .951 save percentage against school rival Kings College in an 8-1 victory on Jan. 28. Name: Nico Pidro Year: Senior Major: Nursing Hometown: Canonsburg, Pa. High School: Canon-McMillan H.S. Position: Goalie Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? The opportunity to be a part of a new program attracted me to come to Wilkes, along with the academic opportunities. Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Ms. Hauze. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? I bet Muga. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory is winning the MAC on home ice. Most influential person in your life? My dad is the most influential person in my life. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? Our goal is to win a conference championship. A quote you live your life by? “It’s the only thing you can control. You are responsible for how people remember you-or don’t. So don’t take it lightly.” - Kobe Bryant Favorite thing to do during practice? My favorite thing is competing in mini games with some of the best players in the country. The Beacon/Ariel Reed If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? I would want to be played by Jonah Hill, that guy is hilarious. I don’t think we look too much alike, though. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I plan to work as an RN in the Pittsburgh area. When/Why did you first begin playing? My dad got me into the game at fouryears-old. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? I’m a big fan of orange. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I enjoy spending time with friends and family, and maybe playing some video games. Favorite building on campus? My favorite building is the Stark Learning Center. What does “Be Colonel” mean to you? Being Colonel means doing the little things right and making sacrifices for the big goals that take time. Anyone to give a shout-out to? I will give a shout out to my sister, Bennett and my mom and my teammates, of course. -Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �23 Sports The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Getting to know... Ally Joly Senior Ice Hockey Player The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Jan. 26 to Feb. 2 Why Ally Joly was selected: In two games against Arcadia University, Joly posted a .978 save percentage to earn MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. On Senior Day, Joly stopped all 52 shots to earn a 1-0 victory. Name: Ally Joly Year: 2022 Major: Sports Management Minor: Hospitality and Leadership Hometown: Lincoln, RI High School: The Tilton School Position: Goalie Favorite building on campus? My favorite building is The Simms Center. Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? Being able to start the women's hockey team and get a great education. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? Kate Hudson. I have always been a fan of hers. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? Attending graduate school and then working in athletics. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? Sophomore year when we beat Kings off a goal with 7 seconds left in the game to secure our first ever conference win. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? Enjoy the time I have left with my friends and my time as a colonel. When/Why did you first begin playing? I started playing hockey when I was 6. Everyone in my family played. Favorite thing to do during practice? My favorite thing to do in practice are small area games. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I also play lacrosse and enjoy tanning. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? My favorite flavor is Cool Blue. Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. Lee. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? Betty White Most influential person in your life? My dad. A quote you live your life by? "Everything happens for a reason." What does “Be Colonel” mean to you? Being Colonel means playing for more than just yourself. Anyone to give a shout-out to? I have to give a shoutout to my teammates! -Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week. At the end of the academic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it ter @WilkesB eacon to crow n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - February 9, 2022 Sports 24 Wilkes wins big against Scranton on senior day, honors coach Laudenslager passes 900-win milestone Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed ABOVE: Head Coach Jon Laudenslauger was honored with a plaque before the match against Scranton, where they won 37-10. ABOVE: Wilkes Wrestling seniors posed for a picture before their final home bout. BELOW: Jack Bauer, 133 bout, eyed up his opponent while calculating his next move. BELOW: Liam Flaherty points to the stands after winning a grueling match against Scranton. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 February 9 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 February 2 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/259d7179c3577a1919c1f6e25593ab6f.pdf c2a50086cf7187963191f8e60abe7220 PDF Text Text The Beacon - February 16, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 11 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” The Beacon’s statement on journalistic integrity Truth, accuracy and objectivity have long been held as some of the key expectations that readers expect from good journalism. Last semester, The Beacon editors discovered that a submitted opinion piece, written by a staff member, appeared to be plagiarized. Editors immediately contacted the paper’s faculty adviser, Dr. Kalen Churcher, associate professor of communication studies, who also reviewed the piece. After a thorough review of the column, Churcher determined the piece contained improperly attributed and unattributed content, and the student was removed from The Beacon. A review of all stories written by the student occurred, and it was determined that at least 19 opinion pieces were plagiarized between 2020 and 2021. The name of the student is not being released, following the advice of the university‘s student affairs officials. The disappointment felt the editorial staff was – and still is -- great. To dishonor the university and the Communication Studies Department, as well as tarnish the hard work that students put into making The Beacon a respected publication, is not something to be taken lightly. As a member of The Beacon’s staff and as journalists, our job is to be truthful and honest not only with our readers, but other staff members and editors as well. This kind of behavior is not acceptable at The Beacon, and protocol has been implemented to reduce the likelihood of it occurring again. It was only after our discovery that knowledge was brought to us that the plagiarism was noticed by a small group of readers. Unfortunately, despite being noticed and discussed, the information was not reported to the paper or university administration. Be advised that we at The Beacon value honesty as journalists and we encourage any reader, be it a student, faculty, or a member of the community, to reach out to us with questions or concerns had with any content produced by The Beacon. This semester, editors, paid staff writers and those seeking practicum credit must complete an online plagiarism unit and quiz. Eventually, anyone writing long term for The Beacon will also be asked to complete the review. We apologize to these news outlets, Wilkes continues rigorous efforts in monitoring COVID-19, page 6 Creative Colonel of the Week: Haley Katona, page 11 1 informational websites and their respective writers for the disregard of one of The Beacon’s columnists. We would also like to apologize to our readers. This case of plagiarism is not something we take lightly, nor is it something that should be brushed aside. Trust in news is something that is not easily gained but rather something that can be lost so quickly We hope that our readers will continue to support our staff who do uphold journalistic integrity and work hard to produce the stories that comprise the pages of The Beacon, as we will continue to work toward earning back the trust that has been lost by this case. For a list of columns, please go to www. thewilkesbeacon.com. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Sean Schmoyer, Former Managing Editor Wilkes switches from MAC to LHAC starting in 20232024 athletic year By Emily Cherkauskas & Ariel Reed Editor-in-Chief & Managing Editor The university recently announced its athletics department will move from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) to the Landmark Conference. The school is set to move up in the 2023-2024 athletic year. Wilkes is not the newest college to join the Landmark Conference. Lycoming College, located in Williamsport, is set to move up in the conference as well. As a result of the change, Wilkes and Lycoming will be moved away from King’s and Misericordia, local rivals. Instead, they are now members alongside the University of Scranton; the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.; Drew University, Madison, N.J.; Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa.; Goucher College, Baltimore, Md.; Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.; Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa.; and Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. LHAC, page 21 The far-right media, misinformation and vaccine distrust, page 18 Wilkes basketball travels to Delaware Valley, page 19 �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Feb. 9 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer The Student Government held its fourth meeting of the semester. It started in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. Next was the approval of minutes and the treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report stated that there is a total of $78,500 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was the second week of presentation for the Random Acts of Kindness Week being run by the council. It was presented by SG President, Alexi Payne. The event now has an official timeframe, running during the week of Feb. 14 to 18. SG has planned to give out Starbucks vouchers during the week. Vouchers are planned to be for a grande hot or cold drink, but this is subject to change. They will be good until the beginning of spring break, which begins on March 5. They can be found in envelopes of kindness that will be distributed throughout the week by SG members and hidden in buildings all around campus. Each envelope, along with the voucher, will have a message in order to spread kindness. The budget for the event was proposed at $1,050. The event was approved. The last order of business was a Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events ”��� ��� ‚‚‚�•��� ���� �­�����–� �� ����������� ���� � ���� ���­���� ��� �� ���� Save the Date for the � ���� ������� � �� ������ ���� ������ Autophysiopsychic Millenium ����� ���������Š������ � ��‚���� ���� ��� ����� ��� ����� �� ��� ����� ����� �� �������� ��� ������ ‚��­� � �� ���� �������� ��� � �� ������ ���� �������� •�������� �� ������������� �� ����� ������ ���������� �� ��� �� ��� ������������������­�� � ���������‚�� � ��������� ���� �� ���� ��������� ������������‘���� �­����������  �­�� ���� ����� €��� ��‚���� ‚���� ��������‚��­� � ����� ��‚��­��������� Buy a Tote Bag ��������������� ���� ��� ����� ƒ����  ��­������������‚����—�˜�����˜������  ������ ����� ����� ���� ��� ������������ ����������� „�� ����� ������� �… �������� ��� ������������������������� ��������������� ��†����� ���� � ���� ��� ������ ���� ��� � �� ������������������������������ ��Œ ������� ‚��­� � �� ����� ��� �‚�� ��������� � �� ˆ��­��� ����� ���� ���� ������������ ‡������� ���­���� Career and Internship Fair ��� �� ���� ���� � ���� ‚��� � ��� ���� ‡��� � �� ������ ˆ��­��� ‰�������� ‚���� � ��� ��� � �� ‡������ ‰����� €�������� ��� �������������������� ������ ���������� � �� ‡����� ������� ��� �� � ��� ��� Š������ � � ����� ��� � ���� ����� ����� ‹�� Š��������� ™�������������������� ��� ����� ��� ‹� ���� ��� Œ ������ ��� � ‹Ž� �������������� ��� � �� �‘���� � ������ ������� €�� � „����� ���������� �������������� ������ ����������������������������������� “���š�� ����������� �� ������ ������’������ ������� ���� ����� ������’������� � ��� ���� � �������� ����������������������� �� ���­������ ������������������������� � � ���������������������������� Join in the Book Swap “� ����� ������������� ������������ Š�� ������ ������ ‚�� � ›������ ���� ‚�������������������� ��‘���� �­��� � ��� œ�������� ˆ��­�� ›������� €������ Compiled by Beacon News Staff ��� ��������� ��� �� ���­� �‚� �� ����� ���­���� ��� ���� ���� ��� ���� ���­��� ����’������ ��� ��� �� ��� �������� ���������������������������� ������ ���� ������ ��� � �� ‘���� ‡������ ������ ������� ���‚���� ��‚� ���� Œ ������ ����� ‹Ž�� ���� ��­�  � �� ��‚� ����� ��� � �� ������� ����������������������������������� ��������‹™‚��­����� Learn More About PHENND Fellows AmeriCorps VISTA �������������������������������� ���� ���­���� ��� ��� ����� �� �������� ���� ����� ������������ ����������� ���������—� � ž������ Š����������� ‡������� ‚���� ��� ���������������� ������������������ �‹� ���� � ���� ����������� ��� ��������� ��� ���� �� �� žŠ‡Œ� ���� � ������� ��������� ������������� ����������� ����� �������� ������ Œ �� ������� ������� �‚�� ����­��� �� ���������� �������� ������� � �� ���� ���� ������ ������’������ ‚�� ��� Ÿ ������ ���� ���� ����� ������������� ����� �� ��¡¡ ��������¡�����¡ ����������‚�¡����� �����‚�™ ���������������Š��������� request from SG Parliamentarian Nate Pitcher. He was asking for presidents and secretaries from each class to stay after the meeting and go over the SG constitution, as they are planning to make updates to it. The Veterans Council planned to give a presentation but could not attend. SG will hold its next meeting on Feb. 16. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester March 5 - Spring Recess Begins 14 - Classes Resume April 14 - Holiday Recess Begins 18 - Classes Resume �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 News 3 International engagement seeking “Friendship Families” Welcoming Panamanian classmates to the community By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer This past fall, Wilkes welcomed a new group of students from Panama. The office of international engagement is now seeking “Friendship Families” for the students. The Panamanian students came to Wilkes through a program called the “IFARHU/Wilkes University Program for Student Centers.” “IFARHU” stands for Panama’s Institute for Training and Development of Human Resources. Wilkes began taking part in this in 2016, with the first cohort being welcomed to the university in January 2017. IFARHU is a five-year program in which Panamanian students can earn a degree at Wilkes. The first five cohorts are set to graduate this spring. The program is split into two parts set to aid students in their careers and college courses in the U.S., as well as Panama. The first part is dedicated to helping students learn and understand the English language, called the “comprehensive program.” The second provides students with the education necessary for an undergraduate degree that will help the Republic of Panama. “Wilkes University has welcomed over a hundred students since the ‘IFARHU’ program started in 2017,” said Yeison Santamaria, program coordinator. “Currently, we have five cohorts of students on campus who are studying in the undergraduate program. Also, we are very excited about our very first cohort of students who will be graduating this spring.” The Friendship Families began as an opportunity for the first group of cohorts to meet and connect with fellow classmates. The program has continued since then, with a short break being taken due to the pandemic but is now continuing this spring. They provide the opportunity to connect emotionally and culturally with a diverse group of students. They will be able to share their individual experiences growing up in different countries as well as their adventures in college. They are even able to help each other academically. “Students can meet with their families for nearly anything,” said Madison Becker, assistant director. “Students can participate in family dinners, social gatherings; they can attend local sporting events or even church together.” One participant in the “IFARHU” program is junior hospitality leadership major, Maria Velasquez. Velasquez enrolled at Wilkes in January 2019, and has been a member of the Friendship Families ever since. She notes that the experience has been a beneficial one, discussing how the program allows fellow members of the Wilkes community to celebrate special moments and even holidays, or birthdays together. This allows for all different types of cultures to connect with one another. Velasquez touches on the fact that it can be difficult for any international student to transfer to a new school in a new country; however, she notes how over time she was able to embrace the new experiences and the challenges surrounding them. “As a junior this year, I can assure you that nothing is impossible for anyone who has dreams to achieve even if they run into obstacles along the way,” said Velasquez. The “Friendship Families” opportunity has left a positive impression on Panamanian students, with Velasquez citing Wilkes’s warm reception to their arrival in the program. Despite being away from their families, Panamanian students are able to experience a surrounding community that helps fulfill their emotional intelligence and social relationships. “My experience at Wilkes University has been amazing since I have met many people from different countries who are especially friendly,” said Velasquez. “I have built relationships with them through class discussions and club activities. Also, I try to never get discouraged despite being away from my family, who have always supported me. I have realized that here at Wilkes constantly, no matter who you are and what your age is, you can achieve your dreams.” If you are interested in lending a hand to Panamanian classmates with a Friendship Family, Contact: Yeison.Santamaria@wilkes.edu Madison.Becker@wilkes.edu. ALL INCLUSIVE PREMIUM STUDENT APARTMENTS Beautiful, Clean, professionally managed... OPEN HOUSE Feb 26 Student * Apartments Mansion Style Living 279 & 281 South River Mansions SINGLE, Doubles, Triples Available for 22-23 22 23 22Quads available in.. 22-23 22 23 22- Booking now for 22-23 22 23 2223-24 2324 Just … 6 Rooms Left Call NOW to schedule your private in advance tour WWW. ZNPROPERTIES.COM znpropertiesllc@gmail.com or call 570-592-3113 �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 News 4 Dance marathon returns to Wilkes for a second-year Beacon News Staff Dance Marathon has made its way back to Wilkes and will take place on March 26 from 2 - 8 p.m. In the second year of its existence, Dance Marathon committee members are looking to improve upon last year’s agenda with more activities, including yoga, dancing, games, ceremonies, food, competitions, prizes, gifts, and more. This is the first time the event will be entirely in-person. “This is going to be a great opportunity to bring our community together - both Wilkes U and Wilkes Barre,” said senior communication studies major and executive director Donald Ballou. “We’re gearing up to have a six-hour event on March 26, from 2-8pm. This will be full of fun activities and celebrations.” Ballou has taken a large part in the event and is excited about what can happen for it being in-person for the first time. The dance is similar to Penn State’s Thon in that the goal for the event is to raise money for children who are going through the hospital Graphic: Jack Malatesta circuit. The proceeds will go to Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, in partnership with Children’s Miracle Network. Participants are encouraged to stay as long as possible in the spirit of showing commitment to the cause, and supporting Dance Marathon’s motto: “Kids Can’t Wait.” Students who get involved want to make a larger impact on the lives of the children who are unable to live the normal childhoods people like us get to have. “It’s for the kids, literally,” said Kaleb Hanson-Richart, senior communication studies major and special events chair of dance marathon. “I am part of it because I want to make a difference in someone else’s life. I want to be part of the movement to help these kids.” Students who feel moved to donate can register as a team or an individual. Ballou discussed that there will be a table in the SUB on Thursdays during club hours where the executive board will be able to inform people on what we are doing, as well as give away some small gifts for those who register for donor drive and/or donate. Students who want to get involved in Dance Marathon can contact executive director Donald Ballou at Donald.Ballou@ wilkes.edu or simply show up at the table in the SUB. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 News 5 Librarians offering one-on-one research appointments By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer Reference staff members working at the E.S. Farley Library are offering research appointments. These appointments help students find information on projects or papers. This decision comes after staff noticed students having difficulty finding the research they need for assignments due to the switch to an all online format. The appointments will be held both in-person and online, as the librarians want all students to have an equal opportunity to get the help they need. “We’re trying to be as flexible as possible since many of our students are still taking classes online so we’re trying to promote these online Zoom and inperson reference appointments in the hopes that students reach out if they’re struggling to find resources,” said Suzanna Calev, public services librarian. The reminders about the availability for appointments will be posted on the “Today, at Wilkes” email and the The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas The Farley LIbrary’s “ask a librarian” service is available under the “library services” tab on the buidling’s main page. library’s social media. Finding the right articles and The program was originally geared information can be difficult and the toward members of the university appointments can be a way for students who are solely remote distance and library staff to work through that learners; however, the library has together. made the decision to incorporate the The appointments are one of many appointments for all students. different ways that students can reach “We can cover virtually anything,” said out for help. On the library home page, Brian Sacolic, head of public services. there is a “services” section where “It’s not one size fits all but, we’re able students can access a link titled, “ask to spend more time with the students.” a librarian.” They will be directed to phone numbers, emails and even a specific email address geared to assist struggling students. There are also specific research guides available to all majors. Due to budgetary cuts last year, library office hours have changed. Specifically, Sunday hours were affected the most. The hours are now 3 to 11 p.m. as opposed to 11 a.m. to midnight The research appointments help combat this. For students who are having trouble finding the research needed for projects, they can turn to the library. When using library or university systems most often, other sites such as Google Scholar, are actually connected to Farley library. Library staff are more than willing to help students in need and will spend various amounts of time offering their services. “Libraries are places that teach,” said John Stachacz, library dean. “We can help students decide what’s good for their research.” Students form book club, looking for fellow bookworms By Maddy Kinard News Editor Wilkes welcomes all book lovers with the addition of its newest book club. Co-founders Victoria Yother, junior communication studies major, and Lauren Waltz, senior communication studies major, teamed up to form the club one random afternoon. “Victoria and I were talking about different books that we liked,” said Waltz. “We talked about ‘Will Grayson, Will Grayson’ by John Green and David Levithan, and the idea just kinda blossomed from there.” The club plans to meet on the weekends in local coffee shops in order to discuss the reading of the month. As there are many options for cafes in the area, the two founders are looking at switching it up each time they meet; ������������������������������ ranging from Purrfect Mugs Cat Cafe (which will be the club’s first meeting post), Pour, Abide, Barnes & Noble and more. Books will also vary across a wide range of genres and topics, and fans of all genres should feel welcome to attend the meetings. Yother and Waltz would like the group to each take turns making a suggestion which will then go to a vote. This way, at least each member is able to pick a book of the month for the club to read, creating a diverse amount of content. “My favorite books are young adults and biographies,” said Yother. “Anything with a good story and interesting perspectives is right up my alley.” Waltz favors the young adult romance novel along with science-fiction. As of now, her favorite book is “Turtles All the Way Down” by her childhood favorite author, John Green. To both founders, reading is critical to their lives. It has given them the opportunity to escape from reality for a short while and has allowed them to become more well rounded people. “They allow you to have more empathy for others and the cultures and societies in which they live,” said Yother. To those who do not like reading or are on the fence about joining the club, Waltz says to just try it out. Like with most things, it is necessary to try something first before writing it off. Reading has the potential to be influential for years to come. “A good book challenges your perspectives and ideals,” said Yother. “They make you think. You’ll remember a good book and the emotions that the author made you feel 40 years after you’ve finished it.” Interested in learning more and want to join the book club? Contact: Victoria.Yother@wilkes. Lauren.Waltz@wilkes. edu Want to have your new club featured in The Beacon? Email: Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 News 6 Wilkes continues rigorous efforts in monitoring COVID-19 By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting students for two years now, Wilkes has continuously updated its protocol and procedures while managing both virtual and in-person classes and events. Dr. Mark Allen, dean of student affairs, has been overseeing assurance testing since the return to campus in the fall of 2020. He explained that like last semester, those unvaccinated must get tested weekly, and those vaccinated can get tested whenever they feel symptoms. This does not apply to in-season athletes who must get tested three times a week during their given season. “The assurance testing program is one of several efforts to minimize the spread of infection,” said Allen. “Other steps include continued masking, monitoring and adjusting activities and events to conform to best practices, increased sanitizing efforts in campus buildings, and encouraging campus community members to get vaccinated and boosted.” Allen also notes the decline of COVID-19 cases across the country and even at Wilkes, which the school has been actively monitoring on a regular basis on the COVID-19 dashboard. Assurance testing occurs at the Marts Center, located on South Franklin Street, directly across from the health and wellness center at Passan Hall. The Marts Center is testing for those who do not feel or currently show symptoms. Those who do show symptoms should call the health and wellness center at (570) 408-4730 and follow the instructions of nurses. Wilkes also holds vaccine and booster drives for the community, though the dates for any future clinics have not been released. Some students have found relief in the vaccination and testing clinics offered by the school. Keelyn Myers, a first year transfer and undeclared student, feels that Wilkes handled their COVID-19 situation well, compared to other schools. “It is nice that the school cares a lot to continue to give tests, especially when they are hard to find,” said Myers. “And the fact that they give vaccines is great, too. You wish that all students would follow the rules and we could go back to normal soon, but in due time.” According to Colonels Combat Covid Dashboard, isolation and quarantine will be required with varying requirements. Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will isolate for at least five days, per revised CDC guidance issued in December 2021. Quarantine requirements vary based on when/if you are vaccinated or have received a booster dose. Testing on the fifth day of isolation, quarantine or exposure is key. Photos: The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas Wilkes gives daily updates on their COVID-19 dashboard, available to view through the office of risk management and compliance’s page. The dashboard updates twice daily at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Not only does it show the amount of positive and negative tests students and faculty receive, but it also documents the amount of vaccinations administered to the campus population. ALL INCLUSIVE PREMIUM STUDENT APARTMENTS Beautiful, Clean, professionally managed... OPEN HOUSE Feb 26 Student * Apartments Mansion Style Living Assurance testing is available at the Marts Center for those not experiencing COVID-19 symptons. Testing is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m. 279 & 281 South River Mansions SINGLE, Doubles, Triples Available for 22-23 22 23 22Quads available in.. 22-23 22 23 22- Booking now for 22-23 22 23 2223-24 2324 Just … 6 Rooms Left �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Jordan Daniels:Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Programming board organizes new event: Shoe Bingo A new type of bingo with a twist By AJ Rubino Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer As COVID-19 restrictions lessen, more in-person events are able to take place. Last week, programming board hosted its first in-person bingo of the semester, Shoe Bingo, on Feb. 10 in the ballroom. Campus was remote for the first two weeks of the spring semester due to the peak in cases of COVID-19. This decision also affected the events that were hosted by clubs and organizations, one being programming board. However, as cases went down and the COVID-19 Task Force revisited plans, this event and many others are now able to take place. Shoe Bingo is different from the other bingos hosted in the past. Megan Pitts, programming board adviser, created the idea and the board picked different brands of shoes for winners to choose from. “We are all so used to picking prizes for these events so we figured we would let the crowd pick what they wanted,” said Maddy Yeager, programming board president and P2 pharmacy major. At past bingos, the winners played to win the prizes that Yeager and the rest of her board picked for the event. This type of bingo allows the winner to pick what they like with the correct sizing. Yeager was joined by Kaelin Hughes, sophomore political science and history major and secretary, as her co-host of the night. Hughes entertained the crowd between rounds with shoe puns and knock-knock jokes, while Yeager kept the crowd engaged by using a call and response technique. A powerpoint made by junior marketing major and marketing chair, Felicia Clark, allowed students playing to easily know what type of bingo and what prizes were being given during each round. “It’s easier on us and the crowd when it comes to communication during these events,” said Clark. “It makes time go a little faster when it is up on the board for show.” Types of bingo for this event included the regular bingo, letter X, four corners, diagonal and coverall. Prizes for this bingo were all shoes, which included Vans, Nike, Converse, Birkenstock, Crocs, Ugg, Fila, Doc Martens and more. The big prize for the coverall bingo at the end of the event was Timberlands. Winners were given a brand of shoe and price range to choose from. The price range for the shoes ranged from $70 for Crocs up to $200 for Timberlands and as each round progressed, the price range for the brands increased. The range of price allowed the winner to only pick one shoe. The range was not for winners to buy more than one shoe that would come to a total of the price range they were given. “It would not have been fair if one winner bought more than one (pair of shoes) while another winner came out of the event with four,” said Luz Castro, first year secondary education and history major, as well as small events chair. Winners’ prizes will be available for pickup once their order ships and arrives at the school. More information and questions can be directed to programming board’s email at wupb@wilkes.edu. Next week, programming board will be hosting Couch Potato. The food and everything else at the event will be potatothemed and will be held on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the ballroom. More information can be found by attending programming board’s meetings every other Thursday at noon in the Miller Room or by following their Instagram page @wilkesupb. The Beacon/ AJ Rubino The crowd patiently waits for the numbers to be called during Shoe Bingo. Since this is programming board’s first in-person event and one they have never done before, it attracted a bigger crowd. Programming boards secretary, Kaelin Hughes and small events chair, Luz Castro assist winners with purchasing shoes, such as Vans, Nike, Converse, Birkenstock, Crocs, Ugg, Fila, Doc Martens and Timberlands. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Dollar store recipe: Pre-workout peanut butter ball snack By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer These homemade peanut butter balls are an ideal snack to boost energy. These peanut butter balls pack lots of protein and will give you the energy to get through a tough workout or a long day of classes. This recipe is simple, nobake and can be stored for up to three months if frozen. Ingredients: 1 cup of quick oats 1 1/4 cup of peanut butter 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 teaspoon of honey (optional) 1/2 cup of granulated sugar 2 tablespoons of cinnamon Directions: First, combine the quick oats, peanut butter and 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into a large bowl. Mix together all ingredients. Next, cover the large bowl with saran wrap and chill in the refrigerator for one to two hours or until completely chilled. Take the mixture out of the refrigerator and roll it into 1 inch balls. Next, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a separate smaller bowl. Mix together all ingredients. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar onto the peanut butter balls. Put 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into a separate small bowl. Microwave for two minutes or until melted and mix halfway through. Grab a spoon and drizzle the chocolate onto the peanut butter balls. Once completed, place the peanut butter balls in the refrigerator to harden the chocolate or serve as is. Now you are done, enjoy! Allergens: Dairy, nut products The Beacon/Morgan Rich a B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Looking for an energizing pre-workout snack? Try making these tasty treats. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: The Violation - Fleshgod Apocolypse Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: Last Week -Landon Conrath Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: Lose It - SWMRS News Editor: Maddy Kinard: Hot Tub - Yung Gravy, Dilln Francis, T-Pain Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: All I Know - The Weeknd, Future Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: the movies - Nightly Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: Only the Wild Ones - DISPATCH Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: The Color Violet- Tory Lanez Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Till I Die - Machine Gun Kelly Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: Welcome To The Party - Pop Smoke Lead Layout Designer, Zoey Rosensweet: Virtual Aerobics - Wallows �The Beacon – February 16, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Sordoni Art Gallery hosts family hour event for the public By AJ Rubino Jan Lokuta gives lecture on American artists Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer On Feb. 11, the Sordoni Art Gallery hosted its first family hour of 2022. The event celebrated Thomas Moran and George Catlin, who were both American artists involved with the Realism period of art history. Jan Lokuta, a 1972 graduate of Wilkes, hosted a lecture about the artists and brought in his own sketches he created for people to color. Lokuta went into detail about the history of Catlin and Moran. Catlin, born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was a lawyer by trade like Lokuta himself who gave up the practice to become an artist. Catlin was known to suggest a national park and Lokuta went into detail about the story of the bison and the tribes. Moran was born in England but raised in Philadelphia. His work focused on the landscape of Yellowstone and the Hudson River. Lokuta’s sketches at the event were based on three paintings of Moran’s, one including “Catawissa Autumn 1865.” This series of sketches made by Lokuta are known as “To Road to Yellowstone Starts Here”. All attendees were able to learn more about the works and life of famous artists, Catlin and Moran. After listening to Lokuta’s lecture they were able to participate in celebrating Moran’s work by coloring in the sketches Lokuta drew. Afterward, guests were able to talk to Lokuta and ask any questions they had about his or the other two artists’ works. Before leaving they were encouraged to take a look around the Sordoni Art Gallery’s current exhibition, Juan Logan: Creating and Collecting if they had not already seen it. The Sordoni Art Gallery will be hosting “A Special Evening with Juan Logan” on Feb. 16 on Zoom. The Juan Logan exhibit will be open to the public until March 13. More information about events concerning the exhibit can be found by emailing the director of the Sordoni Art Gallery Heather Sincavage at heather. sincavage@wilkes.edu or by following their Instagram page @sordonigallery. Jan Lokuta holds two of his paintings of “Camel’s Ledge” and other scenery. The paintings are based off of Thomas Moran and George Catlin’s own sketches. He brought these paintings in as a visual aid for his lecture. Photos: The Beacon/AJ Rubino Jan Lokuta reads from “Artists of the Old West” during his lecture. Attendees were able to choose from four of Lokuta’s works and color them in. Sketches include a rework of Thomas Moran’s “View of the Catawissa Autumn 1865” and “Camel’s Ledge.” �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 10 Life, Arts & Entertainment Liz’s Craft Column: Customizable shag rug wall decoration �������������������������������������������������� ��������� By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager 3. Grab a few pieces of the yarn, about six or seven and line them up in random color order in your hand evenly. Make a line about 1 to 1.5 inches long out of hot glue about an inch away from the bottom of the shape. With the pieces of yarn still in your hand, place the top of the pieces onto the line of hot glue before it dries. Do not push the yarn down onto the glue because it will be hot but gently place them down and the yarn will stick as the glue dries. Adjust pieces as needed to fill in gaps. This craft is a shag rug wall decoration. This craft is easy and does not require a tufting gun to make the rug. It only requires supplies that can usually be found around the house. It adds a cute and vintage touch to any space and can be personalized to your taste. This craft is also affordable because it only requires a few supplies, which can be found at any craft store. • • • • Four colors of yarn, which can be personalized Scissors Cardboard Hot glue 1. First, cut a shape out of the cardboard. This shape can be personalized. The example uses a heart but it can be a star, circle or even a Wilkes logo, for example. Cover the whole bottom of the shape across with the yarn. Put another line of glue about an inch above the existing yarn line and repeat the previous steps across the shape. Then, repeat this to cover the whole shape. 2. Then, cut the yarn into pieces that are 3 to 4 inches long. Cut a large amount of these pieces in each color with approximately equal amounts of each. You may need more further into the craft but try to cut a bunch of them ahead of time. Liz’s difficulty rating: 4. Around the edges of the shape, especially curved edges, put down a line of glue and individually place yarn pieces in random order onto it to make sure it follows the edge of the shape and it keeps its form. 5. Once the whole shape is covered, run your fingers gently through the yarn. This will straighten the yarn out and remove any stray pieces. Cut any pieces that may look abnormally long or out of place. Then, cut around the edge of the shape because pieces may hang long and distort what the shape is supposed to be. Once the yarn pieces are adjusted, the shag rug decoration is complete. Feel free to hang this on any wall for a fun and unique touch. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Creative Colonel of the Week: Haley Katona By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer Haley Katona, a junior political science major, is this week’s pick for creative colonel. Katona’s high school experiences and the urge to reinvent how she sees language and emotion are what fuels her passion for poetry. According to Katona, she was always interested in writing and loved English her whole life but found that grief and injustice, both as concepts and emotions, are what pushed her into writing. “I went through many personal incidents that affected me deeply, such as abuse and suicides of those around me, combined with the administration who was focused on sweeping wrongs under the carpet while allowing a dangerous environment for high school students to perpetuate,” said Katona. Katona usually writes about emotions since they can be difficult to understand. Normally, she writes about emotions that she has seen or experienced herself and translates them into imagery so others can interpret and relate to them. “I deeply enjoy the process of stringing imagery and specific vocabulary together in order to convey emotion itself,” said Katona. Katona’s vocabulary and imagery has not gone unnoticed by others and is what makes her work stand out. “I especially enjoy her creative word choice which always creates a unique aesthetic and theme,” said Jennifer Boch, senior history and international relations major. “In addition, there is a lovely balance of simplicity and complexity that makes it flow while also having great depth.” During Katona’s first year here, her friends urged her to submit her poetry to the university’s creative writing magazine, Manuscript Society. Out of the work she submitted, three were published. “I think Haley’s poetry is of exceptional quality and has very meaningful content,” said Boch. “When I read her poetry, I feel like I am reading something written by the romantics like Keats, Bysshe-Shelley or Byron but in the modern age.” Currently, she has a private Instagram account where she posts her poems to display her artistic process. Katona has plans to eventually open it up like a publication release, expressing her disinterest about financial profit or popularity. “I put it on there because it’s kind of like piecing together a book in realtime,” said Katona. “Though some pieces are heavy, my only real goal is to avoid self-censorship.” Katona describes writing as freedom not often thought of as freedom, which is her favorite part of writing. For her, it is hard to exactly describe how or why writing inspires her. “Poetry helps cleanse wounds deeper than just speaking about emotions in my opinion,” said Katona. “You are creating something where it was once destroyed.” Despite her passion for writing, Katona is set on a career in law and plans to become a civil rights attorney and hopes to eventually become a judge, focusing on trying to heal injustice. However, this will not stop her from writing. Her end goal is to have at least one full collection of poetry published. Courtesy of Haley Katona Haley Katona’s creativity shines in her writing of thoughtful and emotional poetry.Once she makes her poetry Instagram account public, people will be able to view her talent everywhere. Want to showcase your skill and talents? Contact jordan.daniel@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Sports 12 No. 8 Colonels fall to No. 2 Utica in dramatic shootout The No. 8 Wilkes Colonels men’s ice hockey team took on the No. 2 Utica Pioneers in a matchup that left fans on the edge of their seats. Senior Dylan Kuipers started off the first period with a goal for the Colonels, assisted by seniors Tyler Barrow and Phil Erickson. Wilkes held Utica to no goals in the first period, but the Pioneers evened the score in the second period. The third period remained scoreless for both teams, leading to a 3x3 overtime along with keeping the goalies in net. Wilkes and Utica played out the fiveminute overtime with no scores. To break the tie, Wilkes and Utica were faced with a shootout. The Pioneers won the shootout 2-0 over the Colonels. After the loss, the men’s ice hockey team became the No. 9 team. By Baylee Guedes Photos: Baylee Guedes Cutlines: Ariel Reed and Emily Cherkauskas Page Design: Emily Cherkauskas Hynes watches on as the Colonels battle Utica. The teams tied in overtime at 1-1, only for the Colonels to lose in the shootout 2-0. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Sports 13 Coach Hynes passionately yells at his players during the intense game. Senior goaltender Nico Pidro preps for the start of a new period. Senior Nick Fea calculates his preferred attack method. Senior Scott Mueller looks to clear the puck from the defending zone. Junior Billy Berry cuts off a Utica defender for the puck. Pidro saves a shot on goal from an incoming pioneer. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designer Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. To name or not to name: No easy decision We all know what you are thinking. After reading the front cover, you might be wondering who did it. As student journalists, we would like to tell you. However, sometimes it is not that easy, even for those of us who value the First Amendment and transparency. As a newspaper staff at a private school, we have not witnessed censorship, even when stories have not presented the positive side of the university or when columns have outright criticized it. Thus, when the ‘advice’ from student affairs was to not name in The Beacon the student involved with plagiarism, we considered all options. We had multiple conversations with many people. We discussed a variety of hypotheticals. The university allowed The Beacon to make the final decision. Ultimately, we followed the advice of student affairs, but that doesn’t mean that we support it. We find it upsetting that the individual involved is not directly identified, while our staff members continue to have their names listed in a publication that has had its reputation tarnished. The solid work that our journalists have completed has been shadowed by a nameless author, but we urge the campus community to realize that we take our jobs seriously. Every week, The Beacon’s student journalists go out into the field to get as much information as they can about current campus events, write their pieces and ensure they are in proper news writing format. Afterward, editors spend several hours editing said stories and laying out 24 pages to ensure clarity and quality for our readers. Do mistakes happen? Yes. However, those mistakes pale in comparison to the repeated use of unattributed, verbatim sentences and paragraphs used by the former Beacon columnist. According to Wilkes University’s Statement on Academic Honesty, Intellectual Responsibility and Plagiarism, plagiarism is a serious violation of campus policy. This student consented to having their name published at least 19 times, and we would argue that their name should be published again. However, we also realize that there are potential ramifications in a private university setting that are different than those in a traditional newspaper. We realize that, but it doesn’t mean we like it. That being said, let us remind you that nothing can ever be truly erased from the internet. Your digital footprint follows you throughout the course of your entire life, and journalism prints are archived. We hope the student involved learned their lesson and realizes the ramifications of what they have done. As mentioned on Page 1, we at The Beacon have made changes to our training and editing processes. We will work diligently to regain the trust of our readers. Furthermore, we encourage our readers to contact us if something does not seem right. Open communication among everyone allows for a higher quality product. We want to hear from you, and we hope we do. Our editors and staff members’ names can be found on this page, as well as our faculty adviser’s. Our office is in 118 Karambelas. Stop by and let us show you what real journalists do. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Opinion 15 The social reprecussions of male nudity in ‘Euphoria’ By Lindsey Scorey The juxtaposition of men’s and women’s nudity Assistant Opinion Editor Editor’s note: this page contains graphic and potentially triggering themes and content. Since its second season launch, the show “Euphoria” has become quite popular on social media in terms of controversy and conversation. One major characteristic of the show that was called to attention was its frequent use of male nudity. A large proponent of this show is its social commentary on drug use, diverse love stories and sexualization of the characters involved. Many fans took to social media with surprise about the amount of nudity of both male and female characters. Traditionally speaking, mainstream media tends to favor the use of female nudity and ideation. Why might this be? Well for starters, the Federal Communications Commission regulates the legality of nudity on broadcast television, setting a standard that seeing a woman’s breasts is more likely than a man’s penis. “Euphoria” is streamed through HBO Max, making it exempt from any of the FCC’s regulations on full or partial nudity, which they have certainly taken advantage of. The Use of Male Nudity What makes this show so unique is the fact that the creators have desensitized the role of sex, especially in how the male body just as idolized. According to Mel Magazine, season one alone showed 71 clear depictions of male genitalia. Many fans or critics would argue that more male nudity is not a narrative need for the show or that an eye-for-an-eye strategy of male to female nudity ratio satisfies neither party. I would argue this was not a tactic for plot-point, but rather for audience shock and conversation. By providing male nudity in a frame we rarely see it in, the producers spark conversations surrounding why we do not question a woman’s nude scenes, but we take note when it is a man’s. Ah yes, we have hit a gender double standard. However, in providing an arguably explicit framework, the show has room to intrigue audiences into those romantic or abusive dynamics covered in the series and what their implications may be. Male nudity statistics in ... euphoria 71 C penises shown clearly on screen in season one alone - They all come in the form of explict: sex sex scenes scenes photographs photographs online video video online ensor Sex as a Tool ed In many cases, the sexual relationships b e t w e e n characters or sexual confidence is important to Source: https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/ their plotline and euphoria-penis-count-episode-guide growth. For “Euphoria,” Graphic by Jack Malatesta sex is a tool for blackmail. It is a commodity, it is a way does bring out a commentary on fame more decision in her level of nudity after regretting some earlier explicit scenes. to strengthen a first love, it is a personal and choice as well. Zendaya, arguably the most famous Additionally, as Mel Magazine notes, awakening, but most importantly it is a celebrity to star in “Euphoria,” has Eric Dane used a prosthetic for his nude way to add to the plot. The depiction of queer relationships an ironclad no-nudity clause in her scenes as Cal Jacobs. The famous actor, also intensifies the intersectionality of contract. Her lack of nudity may be previous McSteamy of “Grey’s Anatomy,” because Zendaya refuses to have a role has much acting experience and the the sexual storylines. Characters are not exempt from in which she is exposed to that degree. sight of him naked seems to be of much any form of misdeed because of their However, it is speculative that the interest to audiences compared to those identities. This can make for fans upset greater the fame, the less the sacrifice of actors of less fame. This show’s notorious social or excitedness on a week by week basis as self-exposure is necessary. Take Sydney Sweeney for example. commentary and creative choice is not new episodes air and plot lines thicken. After she gained fame for her role of over yet. These conversation starters are Cassie, she publicized her decision to only the beginning of media productions Exemptions Made The concept of nudity in the show remain with the show as long as she gets to come in the future. - Acknowledgement and portrayal of PornHub videos �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Opinion 16 Former Dolphins head coach future career in ruins? By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores may have ruined his career, after it was revealed that he is allegedly suing the NFL, the Dolphins, the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants for racism and discrimination. The last time the league was challenged like this was Colin Kaepernick and he was blacklisted for that behavior. Before filing the lawsuit, Flores was shockingly fired by the Dolphins. Even though he was fired, he was regarded as the top coach for the head coach vacancies. Brian Flores’ three-year record with the Dolphins was 24-25. The Dolphins had arguably the worst roster in the league in Flores’s first year, with a record of 5-11. The team was so bad that the Dolphins offered to pay Flores $100,000 to lose games and tank. Flores refused and that was one of the reasons he was fired. In the 2020-21 season, the Dolphins had it with him when he benched veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after a 3-3 record. Tagovailoa’s record was 6-3 on the season. In the 2021-22 season, the Dolphins started the season 1-7 and then won seven straight to bring their record to 8-7, giving them a legitimate shot at the playoffs. The Dolphins ended the season with a record of 9-8. This apparently warranted the Flores firing. This led to Flores filing a lawsuit against the Dolphins and the NFL for discrimination. This is not the first time that race was associated with the Dolphins. In 2013, there was a bullying scandal involving offensive guard Richie Incognito and offensive line coach Jim Turner. These individuals bullied offensive linemen Jonathan Martin to the point that he quit playing in the middle of the season. According to Palm Beach Daily News, owner Stephen Ross said “this bullying incident was really a product of racism.” This makes the Dolphins’ stance on Flores look even worse. The Broncos and Graphic by Jack Malatesta Giants lawsuits are not the same as the Dolphins lawsuit, as they relate to the infamous Rooney Rule. The Rooney Rule is in place to give minorities a chance to become a head coach or general manager. The Rooney Rule was implemented in 2003 and, in all honesty, has not been effective. Teams have lacked effort in hiring these minority coaches. The Broncos released a statement essentially denying all claims. They claimed they interviewed Flores for three and a half hours. Flores claimed that general manager John Elway seemed disgruntled, when in reality, it was allegedly because they had two interviews back to back in the early morning. At this time, there is not any more information on the Broncos side of the lawsuit. On Jan. 24, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick sent a text to Flores implying that the Giants will hire him for head coach. Flores was confused as his interview was still three days away on Jan. 27. Belichick meant to text former Bills’ offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, but sent the message to the wrong contact. It was clear the Giants did not care to hire Flores as they already planned on hiring Daboll three days before the Flores interview. The Giants released a statement and the itinerary for the Flores interview. The Giants claimed the allegations made by Flores were disturbing and false. Flores finished meeting with the Giants at 3:30 p.m., according to the itinerary. Daboll was announced as the new head coach 27 hours later. That is not enough time to seriously evaluate a potential head coach. Flores’ lawsuit is already making an impact as the Houston Texans hired Lovie Smith to be the head coach of the Texans. Flores released a statement saying he is happy that Smith got hired, but feels cheated as he was in the top three candidates. He claimed that he did not get hired because of the ongoing lawsuit within the NFL. When it is all said and done, regardless of the outcome, Brian Flores may be blackballed out of the league. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Opinion 17 Junior year comparisons: High school versus college By Rudy Urenovich ju · nior (noun) Junior. What exactly is a junior? Someone who has some rank or position, but is not the highest, or at the top. A son who shares the same name as his father, a driver’s license for some new 16-year-old, but also a year in school. Junior year. A year that is almost as perplexing and complex as the many meanings behind the word from which it was named. It has been my experience that junior year is always the worst year of school; both high school, college and beyond. “Worst” may be too harsh, yet also too simple and ignorant a word to describe junior year. Junior year is not really bad, but rather overwhelming. Ah yes, that is the word. “A student in the next-to-the-last-year before graduating in an educational institution.” Staff Writer Merriam-Webster Graphic by Emily Cherkauskas The first two years are child’s play. Getting your feet wet. Slowly immersing yourself in your education. I can remember attending group assemblies in high school and in college, where the presenters would frequently say: “Freshmen and sophomores, don’t worry, this doesn’t apply to you yet.” Junior year is when everything gets really… well, real. Junior year is the time when you may want to examine your GPA, amp up your involvement in extracurricular activities and look beyond your current education. You seem to have so much free time prior to junior year, but during it, even managing a regular class schedule seems impossible. You are in the depths of your education; it’s coming at you full steam. What it did wrong I am sensitive to my suspension of disbelief, and this film took me right out of it, mostly by the language used. I admit that I may not be completely aware of the language used by the younger generations, but the verbiage used between Vada and Mia, especially the text messages, was so foreign and unnatural. It was hard to see Vada and Mia as organic in any sense of the word. Their language was rigid and awkward, plus their in-person interactions were so uncomfortable that I had to turn away from the screen a few times. There was little to no chemistry between the two main characters, and this affected my suspension of disbelief. of displaying the various definitions of what it looks like to cope with such a trauma. Nobody coped in the same way and this point was readily recognized and received. The ending of “The Fallout” was powerful and impactful. In less than one minute, the ending sequence did what the entire film so desperately tried to do. Regardless, the last minute of the film is memorable and thought-provoking. Gone are the easy introductory level courses, advanced classes all around. But at the same time, you’re forced to look at your future beyond school, right in its scary face. Especially in college. Internships, field studies, work experience and making connections for after graduation are high priorities. Just when you are getting the feel of college courses, developing a social circle and feeling at home and at ease on campus, it sets in that you will not be there for much longer and have to prepare for the *shudders* real world. It is very easy to feel like you cannot handle much more, doubt your previous decisions and have doubts for the future. I will leave you with some sage advice my mother gives me when I complain profusely about where I am in life: “It just gets worse.” ‘The Fallout’ review: A piece of art, or a flat-out mess? By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer “The Fallout” released on HBO Max on Jan. 27 and has garnered much attention on social media. The film was well received by younger audiences, as most felt it was a beautifully crafted commentary on the current social climate. However, it was not so highly regarded among other viewers. “The Fallout” follows Vada, played by Jenna Ortega, and Mia, played by Maddie Ziegler, as they navigate the aftermath of a school shooting. The unlikely pair find companionship amidst the trauma and what ensues is an hour and a half testimony of what coping looks like. This film was high on my radar and I was very eager to watch it. The cast lineup caught my attention, but the TikTok praise convinced me to press play. For the first twenty minutes, I was hooked. The scene where the shooting took place was so honest and wonderfully acted that I was optimistic going into the rest of the film. This optimism was quickly diminished as I kept watching. What it did right “The Fallout” did hit some marks, however. Although the interactions between Vada and Mia were so intensely uncomfortable to watch, this subsequently offered a real account of the awkwardness of young, explorative love. The film also did an effective job minute) and it felt as if it had no point. I wanted to love this film, but overall, I must rate it five out of ten stars. With such an impressive premise and cast, I expected much more. “The Fallout” is out now on HBO Max. H a n n a h ’s rating “The Fallout” was really just “meh.” It could not hold my interest, it was forgettable (despite the final Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Opinion 18 The real threat banned books pose to our education BA By Breanna Ebisch Opinion Editor Banned books are not new. For years, particular books have been under fire simply due to the content that is contained within the pages. Many that are considered classics and teach students about crucial topics such as race, LGBTQ+ issues, gender and much more. But as schools across the country remove these crucial books from the curriculum, it’s important to understand how these actions pose a great threat to our education and future citizens of the United States. Our country has become very polarized in recent years for a variety of reasons ranging from political views to beliefs on human rights issues. Out of everything that has been affected in our lives, the education system is one of the hardest hit. The education offered to the children in this country should teach them what is necessary to know and help better the country later in life. Which means teaching them about what some may think are uncomfortable topics. T h e long list of banned books, which include titles like To Kill A Mockingbird, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Hate U Give and Speak to name a few, are a threat to the education that American children are receiving. It is naive to think that these topics should not be taught through these fictional novels. Racism is a part of American history and is still present in the current state of our nation. Gender violence and discrimination is still occurring on an everyday basis. The LGTBQ+ community is growing in our country and around the world. How can we send children into their “real life” after graduating without being prepared to face these very real issues? Why is limiting the curriculum by removing books deemed problematic or would corrupt young minds the answer? It isn’t. There is power in knowledge and banned books are limiting the crucial education our children need. The issues these books touch on are not going away without changes happening which must start with the younger generation. Creating close minded individuals who are not exposed to the truth about the world and our country is harmful in many ways. While schools in various states may be pulling novels off the shelves, it doesn’t mean the books are gone forever. Stand up for what you believe is right, continue reading “banned” books and stay informed on the ugly truths of the world. Because that’s the only way change will be enacted. Graphic by Jack Malatesta NN ED D E N BAN BAN DE N E N DB N A A B NN Death of viewership by far-right vaccine misinformation By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer It is now February 2022, nearly two years since the first documented COVID-19 case in America, and new cases each day remain in the tens of thousands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells us the solution is in vaccines, but millions remain unvaccinated. Who are these people? According to a poll published last November. by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the demographic factor contributing most to vaccination status is not race or income, but rather, political party. Of the polled unvaccinated adults, a whopping 60 percent identified as Republicans compared to 17 percent of Democrats and 17 percent true Independents. Why are Republicans so disproportionally hesitant to get the vaccine? Far-right news may be responsible. According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, there are three major reasons why the majority-Republican rise. The CDC states unvaccinated that the vaccines population shows are safe and that it hesitation: they are is rare to face severe concerned about G KIN EA complications, but side effects, they lack BR OANN consumers trust in the vaccines read these false and government headlines about and they do not vaccine deaths and believe the virus treat it as the truth as is dangerous. they lack trust in the Right-wing news CDC. outlets capitalize Tucker Carlson of on these concerns Fox News, who has by amplifying the most-watched existing distrust in cable news show, is government and the Graphic by Jack Malatesta another perpetrator CDC by feeding into propaganda and spreading misinformation. of spreading misinformation. He invites One example of this is a recent article guests on his show like conspiracy theorist published by far-right news network Alex Berenson who told Carlson’s massive OANN entitled: “Mainstream Media audience, “The mRNA COVID vaccines Colluding With FDA, CDC To Cover Up need to be withdrawn from the market now. Skyrocketing Deaths From China Virus No one should get them. No one should Vaccines.” Insinuating that vaccines are get boosted.” The CDC informs us that the unsafe and are a part of a large government likelihood of facing serious COVID-19 conspiracy is a dangerous message to spread complications is significantly reduced when the COVID-19 death toll continues to with the vaccine, yet Carlson continues to BA advocate against it and instead compares vaccine mandates to medical experiments conducted by Nazi Germany. The constant consumption of misinformation and fear-inducing conspiracies is creating lethal consequences for Republicans. According to an NPR study, people living in counties that went 60 percent or higher for Trump in the 2020 election are 2.73 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than the people in Bidenleaning counties. The death toll increases as the Republican concentration increases. The reddest tenth of the country was 5.5 times higher to die of COVID-19 than the bluest tenth. Misinformation kills, so here’s the truth: Vaccines are safe and effective against this virus. If millions remain unvaccinated, the virus will continue to spread and mutate. Living in a pandemic may become a permanent reality if we do not reach herd immunity. Listen to the experts and get the vaccine if you haven’t. Your life depends on it. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu Wilkes basketball travels to Del. Val. for a MAC match-up Top: Sophomore Jackson Shafer shoots a wideopen 3-pointer. Bottom: Junior Nickerson DeMelfi defends a Delaware Valley ball handler. Photos: The Beacon/Jason Eberhart and Ariel Reed Top: Sophomore Julia Marino passes to an open teammate. Bottom: First-year Bella Mckeefery applies ball pressure to a Delaware Valley player. Top: Head coach Izzi Metz encourages his team during a timeout. Bottom: Sophomore Julia Marino drives into the lane looking for an easy layup. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Sports 20 Tennis looks to extend dominance in the MAC-Freedom By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The men’s and women’s tennis teams will be looking to continue their dominant success through the MAC-Freedom as their season kicked off this past weekend. Wilkes will be led by firstyear head coach Todd Kane as he takes over the program. The Colonels have been hard at work in practice everyday since returning to campus. They have only had a few weeks of practice to get ready for a daunting schedule ahead of them, and have a lot of things to figure out before their season kicks off. “Taking over in late September did not give me much time to spend with the teams to figure out lineups,” said Kane. “Now I have a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses which helps when putting doubles lineups together.” The men’s team had won 12 consecutive conference championships before their streak was broken last season. The players on the team this year hope to recapture t h e title and will be led by sophomore team captain Cole Gibson. “One individual goal that I am striving for this season is to be a better teammate as well as being a role model for the younger players that we have on the team,” said Gibson. The women’s team has been virtually unbeatable over the past 14 years. They have won the conference championship every single year over that stretch. Despite the success, the Colonels know they have to keep getting better to be able to continue their streak. “I think the biggest goal for us currently is working cohesively as a team,” said senior team captain Dasha Yakhnis. “Knowing that each teammate has your back and the same goal in mind is what makes it worth it.” Although Wilkes has dominated the MAC-Freedom for well over a decade on both the men’s and women’s side, both teams were ranked second in the MACFreedom Coaches’ Preseason Poll with Stevens University taking the number one spot. “I think we will relish being an underdog against Stevens,” said Kane. “It’s going to be a challenge our athletes will be ready for.” With the target no longer on their backs, Wilkes will be able to quietly go about their business and continue to get better everyday. Their goal, as always, is to win the conference. By the end of the year, do not be surprised to see the Colonels sitting back on the throne atop the MAC-Freedom. Both teams kicked off their season by facing rival Scranton University at TK A c a d e m y. Player of the Game: Dasha Yakhins Doubles Match Singles Match #1 Singles Match #2 8-0 6-3 MAC Preseason Ranking Men’s #2 Wilkes Women’s #2 Wilkes Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet Photo courtesy of Wilkes Athletics THE BEACON 6 The men’s team captured their first win of the season 6-3, and the women soon followed, as they defeated the Royals 7-2. Wilkes will look to continue their winning ways as both teams travel to Ithaca College on Saturday. 7-5 �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Sports MVB: Tri-match in-brief By Ariel Reed Managing Editor WILKES--BARRE, Pa. — The volleyball team split their games against Messiah and Wells on Saturday, Feb. 12. In their conference game against Messiah University, the Colonels dropped all three sets. Wilkes kept it close in the first set as the score was 17-15, but an 8-3 run by the Falcons would be the downfall of the Colonels in the first set. Messiah went on to close the other two sets in a similar fashion. Sophomores Paul Binner and Noah Taylor paced the Colonels with five and four kills, respectfully. In the second game of the day, Wilkes dominated on the court. Wells College was unable to get enough momentum to lead the Colonels throuoghout their sets. Wilkes jumped out to early leads in all of their sets. Wells made several attempts to win a set, but they were unsuccessful due to the surplus of kills out of Taylor and senior Ethan Speicher. Taylor recorded 11 kills in the matchup while Speicher recorded a season high of 10. The Colonels return to action tonight as they travel across the ‘Barre to take on the Monarchs at 7 p.m.. The Beacon/Ariel Reed Noah Taylor got up for a big hit against Penn State Behrend on Feb. 5. LHAC, from frontcover “We ultimately feel that it places Wilkes in the company of institutions that are similar in size, scope and philosophy and that offer research intensive programs from bachelor’s through doctoral levels,” said President Greg Cant. Of the 23 NCAA Division III programs, Wilkes athletes will be able to compete in Landmark-sponsored sports. They are baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s tennis and women’s volleyball. “We are excited for the challenge of playing the best competition in the country,” said head football coach Jon Drach. “We will continue to focus on the process of continual improvement and the outcomes will take care of themselves. We have been building to this since I arrived in 2018 and we are ready to face any challenge that is put in front of us on the field as a team and as an athletic department.” Although these sports are moving up in the conference, others currently remain out. Men’s and women’s ice hockey teams will continue to play in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference; wrestling will continue participating in regional competitions and post-season tournaments in the attempt to qualify for THE BEACON Player of the Game: Noah Taylor Kills Blocks 11 0 Aces 2 21 natural championships. Men’s volleyball, an unsponsored sport in the Landmark Conference, will remain unaffiliated for the time being. “It is a great opportunity for us to play different teams,” said first-year women’s basketball player Emma Stout. “While it is sad to leave, especially not playing King’s as a conference game, I am personally excited to have two seasons from both conferences. It may be a struggle in the process of moving, I believe that every team will take on the challenge and strive.” As Stout mentioned, the transfer of conferences does bring up the potential for lost rivalry between the MAC schools that are less than 10 miles away from each other (King’s and Misericordia). Drach discussed that the rivalries between the schools will still continue on despite the conference change. He mentioned that the King’s game in the past season and the upcoming season for football was conducted as an out of conference game and he could not “see a lack of intensity on the field from either team.” The LHAC is known for being not only an athletically competitive conference, but also an academically competitive conference. “We look forward to this new opportunity with incredible gratitude to the MAC and its member institutions and with the goal of continuing regional non-conference competition and collaboration,” said Cant. �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Tyler Dill Senior Ice Hockey Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Feb. 2 to Feb. 9 Why Tyler Dill was selected: Dill scored three goals, three assists and was plus three with 12 shots on goal during their slew of games. In addition to this accolade, Dill was also honored with the title of UCHC Player of the week. Name: Tyler Dill Year: Senior Major: Business Administration Hometown: South Lake Tahoe, Calif. High School: South Tahoe H.S. Position: Forward Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I had a lot of friends that were playing for Wilkes and they had nothing but great things to say about the school and the culture of the team. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I want to play professional hockey for a few years after graduating and then hopefully get into coaching hockey. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? Being able to compete during Covid last year. Many schools didn’t get the opportunity to play and I am very grateful we were allowed to play. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? Win a UCHC championship and go to the NCAA tournament. When/Why did you first begin playing? I played a lot of sports growing up and my mom had me try hockey and I fell in love with in. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed Favorite thing to do during practice? Small area games and anything that can bring the competition up within the team. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? Skiing, working out and hanging out with the guys. Favorite meal to eat on campus? Breakfast at the sub. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? Yellow. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? Chris Hemsworth. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? Either Biggie Smalls or Abraham Lincoln. Most influential person in your life? My parents. A quote you live your life by? “Adversity makes a man” – Nick Yzagurrie. What does “Be Colonel” mean to you? Giving back to the community and doing all the little thing rights. Anyone to give a shout-out to? My coach from Junior Ryan Cruthers and the entire organization of the Charlotte Rush. -Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �Sports The Beacon - February 16, 2022 23 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������� � King's coach says... The facts... This tweet has been deleted as of Sunday, Feb. 13. By Ariel Reed Managing Editor On Feb. 9, head coach Jeff Knarr of the King's College football team tweeted this infographic taunting Wilkes in its then-potential decision to switch from the Middle Atlantic Conference to the Landmark Conference. This decision was not made official unitl Thursday, Feb. 10. In his tweet, he claimed to have been the ruler of "Kings-Barre." The Beacon has decided to lay out the facts based on preliminary research and have the readers decide who really runs the 'Barre. Wilkes' head coach Jon Drach joined the Colonels in Feb. of 2018. In his first season, he generated one of the biggest program turn arounds in DIII football when he led his team to a 6-4 record after the team was winless in the 2017 season. In the Drah era, the Colonels have posted a cummulative 20-12 record. Drach's most record-breaking season was in 2019 when he led Wilkes to an 8-3 overall record, the best in the program since their undefeated season in 2006. In addition, under Drach, the Colonels have not seen a record under 0.500. Drach's four years as head coach. Concurrently, King's head coach Jeff Knarr has posted a minimum of a 0.500 record every season that he has been head coach. However, despite the record posted by Knarr, he has been able to find a way to defeat Wilkes in the Mayor's Cup four out of the five years of the program's rivalry. In a head-to-head statistical matchup, Wilkes beats Kings in most categories, including the win column. All stats and information that is provided was found on either gowilkesu.com or kingscollegeathletics.com. Coach Jeff Knarr did not return an email seeking comment on the tweet. The Beacon encourages any student response in the form of a letter to the editor or an email to Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu. Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - February 16, 2022 Door’s open! ���������������������������������������� ����������� ���� ��� ��������� ��������������� ����������� ��������������� �������� ���� ��������� ������� Contact: ����������������� �������������������������� ���������������� ��������������������� 24 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 February 16 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 February 15 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/42a3ccb13c202b99555e1bd7adab3c02.pdf ed61bb62ed159a10352b35e8a0e143ab PDF Text Text The Beacon - February 23, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 12 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Senior Night celebration leads to MAC Championship title The first graduating class for the No. 9 Men’s Ice Hockey team celebrated its accomplishment on Saturday against Stevenson University where Wilkes won the MAC Championship 3-1. That same day, the Colonels recognized 15 seniors and one graduate student. “It is hard to sum up our senior class in a few words but I know one of them is resilient,” said head coach Tyler Hynes. “This group does not blink, they attack adversity and welcome challenge. Bunch of blue collar colonels with white collar talent.” Wilkes honored seniors (by jersey #) Nico Pidro, Dylan Kuipers, Jay Gallagher, Tyson Araujo, Donald Flynn, Michael Gurska, Tyler Barrow, Devon Schell, Nick Fea, Ben Stefanini, Danny Reidel, Ryan Galvin, Scott Mueller, Phil Erickson, Tyler Dill, and graduate student Xavier Abdella. “This senior class means everything to the program, They built this team from the ground up and have great pride in wearing the Colonel logo,” said junior Billy Berry. “They make it easy for newcomers to feel welcome and be apart of the Wilkes hockey culture.” Pidro leaves the Colonels with a careerhigh of 31 saves in a single game in the 2021-22 season against Utica College. During the regular season, Pidro had a total of 222 saves with a .945 save percentage. Kuipers had six goals on the year along with six assists. Defensively, Kuipers added 21 blocks with a game-high of three this season. His 79 career blocks helped lift Wilkes over some of their toughest rivals. The Beacon/Baylee Guedes The senior Colonels come together for their final in-season home game picture.. Gallagher added nine goals, three assists and 16 blocks for the Colonels this season. He had a game-high of two goals in their 4-2 win over Chatham University. Araujo scored two goals and also connected with his teammates for 11 assists leading to big goals this season. His season-high of two assists in a single game helped boost Wilkes over Lebanon Valley 8-1. Flynn led the team in assists this season with 26, while also adding seven goals and six blocks. Throughout his career as a Colonel, Flynn has chipped in 88 assists along with 56 goals and 859 face-off wins – the most in Wilkes history. Gurska helped Wilkes’ defense by adding 22 blocks this season, 122 overall, preventing opposing goals. Offensively, Gurksa notched five goals and assisted 10 Colonel goals this year. Barrow added 12 goals and 22 assists for Wilkes on the year. Over his career as a Colonel, Barrow tallied a total of 49 goals, 77 assists, and 235 face-off wins. Schell contributed five goals and 10 assists this season along with nine blocks for the Blue and Gold. Schell’s gamehigh of two goals helped lift Wilkes over Neumann University 9-5. Hockey, page 19 NDLE!!! T TO HA TOO HO Sordoni Art Gallery hosts “A Special Evening With Juan Logan”, page 6 Creative Colonel of the Week: Billy Berry and Toon De Schepper, page 11 Impacts of body image and sex shaming in ‘Too Hot To Handle’, page 15 MVB picks up two wins in trimatch, page 21 �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Feb. 16 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Student Government began in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. The treasurer’s report indicated a total of $76,400 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was a club report from the Veterans Council. The club’s community events include Toys for Tots, Kids Corner and the Veterans Day Ceremony. The two explained a greater desire to expand and raise the amount of support for veteranss at Wilkes. Many of the veterans are not traditional students in the 18-23 range and can feel left out of the target demographic. They plan to work more closely with the AFROTC, especially in terms of community outreach events. They also hope to work closely with more student groups on campus. The next order of business was a budget request from Phi Beta Lambda for the 2022 State Leadership Conference. The conference used to be an in-person only event, but this year, PBL would like to attend over zoom. They asked for $300 in order for registration for 30 students. This will be voted on next week. The next order of business was a budget request from ASME for the 2022 edition of their car show. This year, the charity that is being supported is The Seeing Eye, a guide dog school located in Morristown, New Jersey. They came to SG to ask for $2,000 in order to rent a mobile dino from Modern Muscle Motorsports, with the rest of the funds going to make a poster for the provider to be hung on the dino. This will be voted on next week. The next order of business was a budget request from the Sports Management Club. The request is for a trip to Philadelphia on March 24. This will provide an inside look at how venues are run and will also provide a networking opportunity for future internships or jobs. Members asked for $225 to partially fund the trip. This will be voted on next week. The last order of business was a Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Career and Internship Fair Save the date: Wilkes University will host its first in-person Career and Internship Fair in three years from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 in the McHale Athletic Center. Both students and alumni are encouraged to attend and meet organizations that are seeking employers and interns for both the summer and fall semesters. For those looking to improve their resume, the Center for Career Development and Internships will hold a multitude of resume workshops and job fair prep sessions to prepare For more details, keep up to date with events in your Handshake account. Online Buddhist Meditation Returns Interested in practicing some sitting and walking meditation with others? The sessions will be offered each Tuesday and run for about 40 minutes. No experience is needed and anyone interested is welcome. For more information or the link for the virtual sessions, contact Linda Paul, associate professor of philosophy, at linda.paul@wilkes.edu. Buy a Tote Bag Looking for a new bag? Green Giants tote bags are an affordable, sustainable and durable alternative to plastic and are being sold for ten dollars each. The bags come in two designs: the Wilkes logo and blue butterflies. Students looking to purchase one should watch out for anyone selling them in the Student Union Building, the Simms Center, or DM them on Instagram @greengiantstotebags to place an order. Ninety percent of proceeds go to Little Eric’s Foundation, a local organization that funds pediatric cancer research. Submit work to Manuscript Society Manuscript Society is accepting submissions for the 2021-22 edition till 11:59 p.m. on Apr. 17. Submissions are open for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and alumni. The society accepts poetry, essays, short stories, photography, art and digital art. The limit is five submissions per person. To submit original work or any question, email magazine@wilkes.edu Do you have a Parent or Grandparent Who Graduated From Wilkes? If you have a parent or grandparent who graduated from Wilkes, you may qualify for the Alumni Scholarship. The Alumni Association Scholarship is awarded annually to a current Wilkes undergraduate student (first year through junior) who has had a parent or grandparent graduate from Wilkes and has at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants are required to have a current FAFSA on file. Apply online; the link is available through the Wilkes, Today emails by Tuesday, Mar. 22. budget request from the GeoExploers Club for a Southwest trip over spring break in order to study rock formations. The trip would cover seven different national parks over four states. They asked for $9,130 for flights, Airbnb, and transportation. This will be voted on next week. SG will meet again Feb. 23 Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester March 5 - Spring Recess Begins 14 - Classes Resume April 14 - Holiday Recess Begins 18 - Classes Resume Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 News 3 Sophomore history major completes project for archives By Sydney Umstead Examining the undiscovered secrets of the university News Staff Writer Sophomore Connor Middleton has transcribed all of the engravings within the John Wilkes manuscripts, available to view online on the ArchivesSpace catalog. The archival collection comes from a larger collection titled the “Gilbert Stuart McClintock Special Collection.” Gilbert Staut was a board member of the university from the 1930s until 1950. The archives were given to the college after his passing and included several pieces of history from the 16th century until the 20th century. “Although this collection was transferred over in 1959, I noticed in summer 2020 that none of the previous librarians who had worked on cataloging this collection had done an item-level inventory. What that entails, essentially, is going through every single item, transcribing it, and researching its historical significance,” said Suzanna Calev, archivist. Archives work study student Christopher Smith went through 2021, with the the boxes, John Wilkes researching subseries each item falling under i n d i v i d u a l l y. the foreign He started this figures series. work in the This is when fall of 2020 Middleton and continued began to into the work on the summer after John Wilkes he graduated subseries. in May 2021. He worked He took part through the in organizing 2021 winter items into their intersession respective and is currently series and interning in subseries. the archives, In the working on summer of a different 2021, two more archives subseries. Photo Courtesy of Suzanna Calev M i d d l e t o n work-study students worked on transcribing the worked throughout the 2021 winter remaining items within the McClintock intersession and after. He analyzed each collection. Those students were history item and its relation to John Wilkes’ students Logan Yeakel and Ryan Mercer. life, discovering and unraveling many Calev completed arranging the items details, including an incorrect piece of into series and subseries in the fall of information from a 1988 exhibit at the Sordoni Art Gallery. The original caption stated that Wilkes was in a duel with William Hogarth—however, Middleton dug deeper and found that Wilkes and Hogarth had actually exchanged shots. “Of course, there are some bits that might get a little frustrating while transcribing documents of that age, however I’ve really come to find that it just makes it all the more satisfying when you are able to crack some word or name that makes everything click.” said Middleton. Middleton stated that his favorite part of the experience was the “research rabbit holes,” with his favorite fact being from the presidents of the United States subseries. For example, he uncovered that First Lady Florence Harding was a fan of the supernatural, and even met with a psychic who informed her that her husband would one day be president, but die in office. All of these predictions would eventually become true. “The collection of reference material is specific to Wilkes University and can be a major reference source,” said John Stachaz, dean of the library. the professors know that can help those students. The program is run out of Conyngham Hall by Dr. Kimberly Niezgoda, director and coordinator for the intensive English program. The director of University College Learning Center, Katy Betnar, also has a part in the program. There are many students for the program, the majority of which are specified in their classes and are able to give better help geared towards the specific needs of the students. “I think SI is a resource that is underutilized by many freshmen, and I’ve noticed that the students that “Something as simple as learning a trick to remember a formula, or having a student explain differently than a professor, might be all it takes to do better in a course,” said senior finance major, Jessica Smith. “I wish I utilized the programs more myself as I first entered college, as I’m sure it could have saved me a lot of late nights and overall would have helped my understanding in a number of courses.” For students interested in tutoring, they can reach out to Betnar or Dr. Niezgoda. They can be reached via email or in their offices in Conyngham Hall. Betnar is located in Conyngham Hall 202, and Dr. Niezgoda is located in Conyngham Hall 214. University college offers tutoring and supplemental instruction By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer University College has begun offering supplemental instruction (SI) to help students in different general education classes and more major-specific classes. Classes that are offered include CHM 115, Bio 113, SI Bio 116, Accounting, MTH 100/MTH 111, SI EC 102, SI CHM 235, BIO 105, English conversation partner and many more. In total, 40 students are available across multiple subjects to help students. This provides more uniform help. Instead of students having to go find a friend that knows what they are doing in their class who may still have not seen all of the content for that specific class, they can now go to someone that not only has passed the class, but also whom actively come to SI tend to be the students that get 3.5 and 4.0s, so therefore it’s a very helpful study tool when it’s utilized,” said Megan Oakley, senior biology major and SI leader. “I think being an SI leader has helped me tremendously in my studies and it’s a very nice refresher.” Many of the tutors try to provide a safe environment for their students to feel comfortable as many of them come defeated because of the subject or embarrassed that they need tutoring at all. They also tend to think highly of the students that ask for tutoring or SI because it is showing an initiative to try. Graphic by Zoe Rosensweet �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 News 4 Allan Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers Series welcomes Boada By Maddy Kinard News Editor As part of the Allan Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers Series, poet Dr. Richard Boada came to Wilkes University and visited the ENG 298: “Advanced Workshop in Creative Nonfiction” class. Boada, an assistant professor at Lane College and HBCU in Jackson, Tenn., is the author of three poetry collections. He was born in Ecuador and spent a good part of his adult life in Mississippi. His visit was described by Dr. Mischelle Anthony, associate professor and chair of English, as “one focused on the craft of poetry and the writing life”. Elizabeth Howey, English adjunct faculty member and professor of the class, facilitated the workshop and began by outlining how the hour would proceed. Students had roughly 20 minutes to discuss each essay one at a time, offering constructive feedback and engaging in productive conversation about the essay’s subject topic. For some students, having a visiting writer hold a workshop and give feedback, can be intimidating, especially in a creative nonfiction workshop where writers can share detailed pieces of themselves. However, Boada’s feedback aimed to uplift the students. “He commented not only on what could be improved but what was already wonderful, which is important for student writers understanding their talent and power,” said Howey. “Having a writer of Richard’s caliber come in and give close and careful attention to undergrad writing is proof that these student writers are doing the same sort of work as people like Richard.” Alexis Charowsky, junior English major, reflected similarly on Boada’s presence in the class, finding it influential to all of them as writers hearing an experienced writer talk about their own work. Not only did Boada visit Howey’s class, but he also held a poetry workshop open to the Wilkes campus community and an evening reading, open to the public, where he shared some of his own personal history. “Boada spoke of his experience From left to right: Philip Muhlenberg; Dr. Richard Boada; Dr. Mischelle Anthony The Beacon/Maddy Kinard The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Students discuss and critique eachothers personal essays in ENG 298: Adavanced Workshop in Creative Nonfiction. living in an area geographically rich Boada mentioned as being a highlight poetic language,” said Anthony. The Allan Hamilton Dickson Fund and conflicted, both environmentally of his evening as he was able to speak and racially,” said Anthony. “His poetry with them in Spanish about the student’s allows faculty to choose three writers to bring to campus each year who work held up the dissonant pressures specific journey to Northeast Pennsylvania. At the poetry workshop, students with students and provide a reading and to that region, while also universalizing the struggles to live authentically, with were afforded the same opportunity of book signing to the public. having Boada’s “razor-sharp” attention The Spring Writers Series will host curiosity, in this conflicted world.” After the reading, attendees were to their work. He discussed with them two more writers this year: Jason able to participate in a book signing. the art of writing and revising poetry, Schneiderman on March 30 and Of those in attendance were a group of along with how to manage “personal Margaret Atwood on April 26. Panama students, which Anthony stated experience and individual voice through �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 News 5 Sordoni Art Gallery hosts “A Special Evening with Juan Logan” By Maddy Kinard News Editor On Feb. 16 via Zoom, in part with Wilkes University’s Black History Month series, the Sordoni Art Gallery hosted “A Special Evening with Juan Logan.” The featured artist presented his work in detail and engaged with attendees in a question and answer session. Heather Sincavage, director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, facilitated the event and began with a short background on Logan, describing him as a “big favorite” around the gallery. Logan, joining the webinar from his studio, was born in Nashville, Tenn. and now lives and works in Belmont, North Carolina. His artwork addresses subjects surrounding the American experience. “At once abstract and representational, his paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations and videos address the interconnections of race, place and power,” said Sincavage. “They make visible how the hierarchical relations and social stereotypes shape individuals, institutions and the material and mental landscapes of contemporary life.” Logan received an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. His artwork is featured in many private, public and corporate collections, for which he has received multiple awards for. His works can be found in many museums, most recently, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Logan went on to present from a selection of his work, some of which is currently on display at the gallery. One of these works, titled “Help Me, Save Me, Love Me”, is a mixed media work depicting the lived experience during Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of puzzle pieces are used to depict the crowds trying to get into the Super Dome which is represented with a red cross symbol. “At first, I always imagined that it was this huge puzzle that had been taken apart that you couldn’t put back together again,” said Logan. “I think most importantly here Is the idea that we’re talking about people. They’re people standing there with their belongings—that’s all we’re looking at. It becomes really abstract, in a way.” The following companion piece, “I’ll Save You Tomorrow,” depicts an inverted boat on the right beside another red cross symbol. The left side housing the symbol depicts the ritualistic response of officials to “pray” for those struggling in New Orleans instead of offering legitimate help. Materials and the role that they play is a crucial aspect of Logan’s work. The boat portrayed in “I’ll Save You Tomorrow,” was made of 30 years worth of acrylic paint edges saved from painting pallets. “I’ve always imagined that we have been green forever, speaking of African Americans, because we had no choice but to be green,” said Logan. “We didn’t waste. We saved everything, we used everything. It’s like my history playing a role in saving you.” Logan also emphasizes the importance of his work not as portraying victims of true history, but rather the things that have occurred. It is just about history, not that it is good or bad, but he feels it is his responsibility as an artist to comment on. “It’s how we document the present. It gives the opportunity for those in the future to look back and understand why it was important to us, why it remains important,” said Logan. Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison, associate professor of global cultures, was in attendance and walked away with plenty of insight on the artist and his works. She thanked Sincavage for her effective facilitation. She had asked questions in the discussion about how one remains upbeat and positive while working with a dark subject. “I was thinking of the Aunt Jemima pieces, but also, particularly the ‘Sugar Mill’ piece, inspired by the drawing he showed of Jamaican slaves tied to a mill wheel that served no purpose other than to ‘break the slaves,’ as he put it,” said Morrison. “But his answer surprised me. He said something like, he didn’t think his subject matter was so dark. How could it be really unbearable for me to think about it, but ‘not so dark’ for the artist? I really have been thinking about that.” For those looking to engage further with Logan’s collection, the Sordoni Art Gallery will showcase his work until March 13. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Heather Sincavage and Juan Logan discuss the use of puzzle pieces as a medium in, “Help Me, Save Me, Love Me.” �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 News 6 Wilkes holds third transcribe-a-thon to observe BHM By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer Transcribe-a-thon was held on Feb. 15, serving to commemorate Frederick Douglas Day and Black History Month. The event centered on transcribing records from the Colored Conventions. “The first Colored Convention was held in 1830 in response to Ohio’s 1829 exclusionary laws and a wave of anti-Black mob violence that had forced two thousand Black residents to flee the state,” according to The Colored Conventions Project. This meeting led to what eventually became a worldwide movement. “There’s a lot of history in the things we’re transcribing today and I think it’s very important that the student body is more aware of the things that we have available to us,” said Katie Ermeus, president of multicultural student coalition. The Transcribe-a-thon has been running for three years at Wilkes and was held via Zoom last year due to the pandemic. The information being transcribed this year came from researchers at Penn State who have been working to make the documents from the Colored Conventions available. Students and faculty who participated in the event were able to transcribe material from the conventions so that researchers could have quicker access to the pieces. “Last year we had a virtual transcribea-thon, so we’re very happy to be back in person,” said Dr. Amy Sopcak Joseph, assistant professor of history and global cultures. The History Department sponsors the event and it was organized by Joseph. Joseph and associate professor Dr. Jonathan Kuiken attended in order to help students with any questions they had while working through the documents. “A lot of the time, people get stuck on certain words or phrases; these are all 150 year old documents, so they may need a little explanation,” said Kuiken. The Transcribe-a-thon offered an opportunity to learn about the colored conventions and be a part of the process in informing people about them. “It’s interesting to see the things that were transcribed in history and things that we are carrying over today so that they will be available for people to read and be able to learn from,” said Caleb Ofori, business management major. The Beacon/Zach Paraway Students transcribe records from the Colored Conventions. personal skills and resources and be inspired and challenged. “Students should get involved in the conference because every voice deserves to be listened to. Students are in a great position to make a difference. They have access to many amazing resources, educators, and peers with all backgrounds and experiences,” said AmeriCorps VISTA, Monica Morrison. Morrison spoke about how it is important for the next generation of leaders to know the reality of our social world in order to truly make a change. “I became involved in the IMPACT Conference through my VISTA position with Megan Boone Valkenburg. I thought it would be a great opportunity to become a more educated advocate, and to develop my personal and professional self,” said Morrison. “I will be attending the conference as a listener, learner, and leader. I want to be able to make an impact and become more actively engaged in social issues. Education and active listening are the first leap towards doing this.” The IMPACT Conference is a great way for students who are interested in social change and want to learn about what service, action, and advocacy mean in the ongoing search for social justice. “This conference is great experience Civic engagement holding virtual IMPACT conference By Taylor Dillon Staff Writer On Feb. 25, Wilkes Civic Engagement is inviting students to the Virtual IMPACT Conference, the largest annual civic engagement-based conference for college students in the country. The Conference will take place virtually from noon. to 6:30 p.m. The IMPACT Conference stems from the tradition of the COOL Conference that dates back 32 years. The IMPACT conference features over 100 workshops with different skill levels, ranging in topics from service learning to professional development. This conference is responsible for bringing students, administrators, faculty, AmeriCorps members and VISTAs, and nonprofit professionals from around the world together each year to learn from one another and share that will give you talking points in any future business opportunities,” says Civic Engagement Coordinator, Megan Boone. “Not only do you get the opportunity to meet hundreds of students just like yourself, but you get to exchange new and different ideas and experiences.” The IMPACT Conference opens the door to new professional opportunities and helps to prepare you for future leadership roles. “If you are interested in going to grad school, the IMPACT Conference has a workshop that prepares students for those interviews,” said Boone. To attend the conference and have the registration fee waived, students should email Megan Boone Valkenburg, Civic Engagement Coordinator, at Megan. boone@wilkes.edu. Graphic by Zoe Rosensweet �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Jordan Daniels:Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Dr. Edward Schicatano gives presentation about stress Honors program hosts its first pizza plus of the semester By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer The honors program hosted this semester’s first pizza plus session with psychology professor Dr. Edward Schicatano. Schicatano discussed understanding and overcoming stress. In order to access funding, graduate with honors and remain in good standing with the honors program, students must earn two participation points per year. Pizza plus sessions are a few of the many opportunities where students can earn these points and eat free pizza. These pizza pluses are also accompanied by a presentation. This year, Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, history professor and Jennifer McLaughlin, honors and scholars program coordinator, invited Schicatano back to present. “We actually put a poll out every year to honors students about topics they would like to hear about and this one is the first that everyone wants to hear about,” said McLaughlin. “We try to give the students the coping skills they need to get through the school year, and honors students are particularly hard on themselves.” Dr. Schicatano previously did this presentation in the spring of 2021 and due to high demand, Dr. Kuiken and McLaughlin decided to bring it back. They chose a hybrid option for the event so that many students could have the chance to attend. McLaughlin noted that even though the pizza helps draw students towards the presentation, most students are drawn to this one in particular because everyone is overwhelmed with stress and because “who is more stressed than college students?” As the event began, students came into the room and were immediately offered different kinds of pizza to enjoy while watching the hour-long presentation. Dr. Schicatano started off by covering what stress was before moving on to the causes of stress, the effects of stress, how stress affects the body, strategies for overcoming stress, information on the NeuroTraining and Research Center in Breiseth and different kinds of coping skills for stress. “The part where he talked about everyone experiencing stress and how you find a method to cope was my favorite,” said Nick Superko, a P2 pharmacy major. “It was my favorite because it’s true and we all have to find what works for us. Everyone has their own methods and you have to find what works for you.” Quinlan Toomey, a P2 pharmacy major, noted that it was interesting to learn how mental health is connected to biological health through different brain hormones. Toomey and Superko found through the presentation that “meditation is interesting” and that they might try meditation as a future coping mechanism for stress. There is no other university in Pennsylvania that has a neuro training and research center like the one on this campus. At the NeuroTraining and Research Center interns offer cutting-edge neuroscience techniques that can help with stress and improve focus, which is called neuroplasticity. The center even offers meditation programs that show you how to meditate. It is free of charge and the hours are as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Schicatano opened the floor to questions and feedback. Students then asked questions regarding coping skills and many thought it was interesting they used some coping skills without realizing it. “I like giving this presentation because it helps people,” said Dr. Schicatano. “That’s the intention but my thing in life is helping people and having people be happy. If there is something that I can do to help, like having people look at old pictures to cope, for instance, I did my job.” The Beacon/Morgan Rich Students enjoyed various kinds of pizza while they listened to Dr. Edward Schicatano give an hour long presentation on understanding what stress is and how students can overcome it while they are in school. �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Dollar store recipe: Sweet, cinnamon sugar dessert nachos Ingredients: 4 flour tortillas 8 tablespoons of butter 1 cup of granulated sugar 4 tablespoons of ground cinnamon 1/2 cup of hot fudge topping 1/2 cup of Hershey’s caramel syrup Whipped cream a Enjoy! Allergens: Dairy By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Directions: First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, put the butter in a small bowl. Microwave for two minutes or until melted. Mix halfway through and set aside. Next, combine the ground cinnamon and sugar in a separate small bowl and set it aside. Place a tortilla on a baking sheet and brush both sides with melted butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on both sides. Then, cut the tortilla into eight triangles and line them on the baking sheet. Place the tortilla chips in the oven for eight minutes or until the sugar caramelizes. Next, remove the tortilla chips from the oven and let them cool. Put hot fudge topping into a separate small bowl. Microwave for two minutes or until melted and mix halfway through. Grab a spoon and drizzle the fudge onto the tortilla chips. Drizzle the 1/2 cup caramel syrup onto the tortilla chips. Once completed, top with whipped cream. The Beacon/Morgan Rich This is a perfect snack to share with friends at a party or any type of event. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: The Fall - Lovejoy Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: Rumors - Gucci Mane, Lil Durk Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: Dance, Baby! - boy pablo Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Politics & ViolenceÅ - Dominic Fike Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Nail Tech - Jack Harlow Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: Cutie - COIN Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: Jackie and Wilson - Hozier Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: Gotta Have It - JAY-Z, Kanye West Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Red Flag - Natalie Jane Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: City of Gods - Fivio Foreign, Kanye West, Alicia Keys Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: Honey - 070 Shake, Ralphy River, Hack & Tree 8 �The Beacon – February 23, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Programming board hosts first ever “Couch Potato” By Cassidy Taylor Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer On Feb. 18 programming board held a spectacular-spud event in the ballroom. The themed event called “Couch Potato” featured all things potato related. Everything from food, trivia, sack races and more involved potatoes. Students also had the opportunity to compete in games against each other for prizes, some of which were potatothemed as well! Maggie McHenry, sophomore digital design and media arts major, was the creator of the event. She shared her obsession with french fries and even has a french fry tattoo to prove it. McHenry brought the idea to programming board and was ecstatic when they approved it. “We wish we could’ve had the food earlier in the night and sit down together to eat but with COVID restrictions we had to make do,” said McHenry. “Personally, I was most excited about setting up the event and seeing everyone show up. I love seeing students smiling and enjoying themselves during the activities.” Programming board kicked off the night with a 30-question Kahoot game of potato trivia. The top three winners of the trivia game were awarded blankets with cartoon potatoes on them, along with a gift card to places like DoorDash and GrubHub. Next on the schedule was a game of hot potato, where a few large groups of students played separately. The game did use a real potato, which added to the festive atmosphere and the last person standing within each group was awarded a prize as well. The first-year students especially loved this event. “I love the event, it’s chill, people are having fun and smiling and enjoying themselves,” said Sean Robinson, firstyear sociology and communication studies major. “It’s a great way to destress and relax after the week and a huge shout out to the programming board for 9 Tater tots, french fries, pierogies, oh my doing this. What’s there not to like about potatoes?” Robinson was asked if he’d like to see more potato events in the future and he said he absolutely would. The night also featured a search for three hidden potatoes in the room and prizes were given out to whoever discovered them. Plus, students had the chance to sign up for potato sack races, which got so competitive that some students were diving to the finish line. One student in particular, Alex Schweitzer, first-year environmental engineering major, jumped to the end and rolled right into the prize table. Fortunately, no students or potatoes were harmed in the duration of the sack races. Two students who are involved in programming board spoke on how fun and unique it is to attend an event all about potatoes. Lauren Beaver, firstyear nursing major and general board member, never thought of having an event such as, “Couch Potato.” When she thought about activities to do in college, however, she found it to be fun. “We are on the executive board and we had a hand in coming up with ideas but all finalized events are decided by the president of the programming board,” said Brynn Marlow, first-year nursing major and analytical chair. The menu featured all varieties of potato foods. There was a buffet line courtesy of on-campus dining services with take out containers for everyone to fill. Mashed potatoes, french fries, tater tots, potato pancakes and mini pierogies were available, along with everything people needed to dip and enjoy them with. To stay safe and in line with campus policies, students had to stay sociallydistanced while eating and only were permitted to have their masks off while actively eating. For more information and to stay in the know of programming board’s future events follow their Instagram account @wilkesupb. Follow @wilkesupb for more information about Thursday night events. The Beacon/Cassidy Taylor Students indulged in a buffet line of food courtesy of on-campus dining service. The buffet included mashed potatoes, french fries, tator tots, potato pancakes and mini pierogies . �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 10 Life, Arts & Entertainment Liz’s Craft Column: Boho yarn tassel wall hanging decor An affordable boho chic decoration, perfect for any space By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager This craft is a boho yarn tassel wall hanger. Not only is this craft is easy and stress relieving and also adds a cute, personalized boho touch to any space. This craft is affordable because it only requires a few supplies, which can be found at any craft store— yet it looks like an expensive decoration that would be found at stores or on Etsy. You can impress house guests with this decoration because it was handmade. • • • • One ball of yarn or 180 feet Scissors Wooden dowel Wooden beads 1. The first step is to cut the yarn, which will be used for the tassels. Cut out nine groups of 20 strands of yarn, which are at least a foot each. This will total 180 feet, but separate them into groups of 20 for each tassel. 2. Line the 20 strands of yarn up together and fold them in half. With a new piece of yarn, 1-2 feet long, make a knot around the middle of the group. Repeat this for each group. 3. Then, grab one of the groups that are now tied in the middle. With a new piece of yarn, make a knot around the whole “tassel” about an inch below the knot that was just made in the middle. This will form the actual shape of the tassel. Repeat this for each group of yarn. Cut the excess from this new knot to blend in with the other strands that hang down. 4. String three wooden beads onto the long strand of yarn on each tassel that will be used to tie them onto the dowel. 5. Grab the dowel and start to plan out the placement of the tassels that will be hung from it. Start with the middle tassel making it hang as long as desired. Wrap the extra yarn around the dowel a few times to hold it in place until the other tassels are placed. Liz’s difficulty rating: Then, grab another tassel and hang it so that the bottom bead of one tassel is even with the top bead of the middle tassel. Make the one on the other side even with this one. Repeat that across the dowel for the rest of the tassels. Once the tassels are planned out, the yarn can now officially be tied onto the dowel. Unwrap the yarn and make a double knot and then cut the extra. Repeat that for all the tassels. 6. Adjust the tassels to be about an inch from each other, depending on the size of the dowel. Next, grab the ball of yarn again and tie a knot onto the end of the dowel. Then, tie another knot onto the other side. This will be used to hang the wall hanger so make it as long as preferred and then cut the extra yarn. Adjust any of the tassels and then the wall hanger is complete. Hang it anywhere to add a boho touch to your space. �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 11 Creative Colonel of the Week: Billy Berry and Toon De Schepper By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Billy Berry, junior financial investment major and Toon De Schepper, senior sports management major, are great representations of creative colonels. Both students began a food truck business called All Belgium LLC in 2021 and have been serving people delicious waffles every day since. “We both have an entrepreneurial mindset, so when I came to Billy with the idea of starting a food truck he was all for it,” said De Schepper. “We thought there was great potential and that it could potentially be successful. We figured that worst case scenario, we would learn a lot of valuable lessons and that “business owner” would look great on our resumes.” The idea of All Belgium sparked in 2019. However, due to COVID-19’s impact on the world and especially on campus, De Schepper and Berry were forced to delay their opening day and were not able to launch their business until two years later. “The process has been nothing but fun,” said Berry. “Sure we face adversity sometimes, but it is very rewarding to see the joy people get in eating our waffles.” All Belgium LLC has received a lot of buzz from students and faculty on campus. Since Berry and De Schepper are both classmates, teammates and student-athlete-entrepreneurs they have built a strong partnership. “They have really good waffles,” said junior digital design and media art major Maggie Murphy. “I think it is really cool how they have their own student-run truck and they are nice people.” People have many choices of toppings to order on their waffles, such as chocolate sauce, whipped cream, fresh fruit, bacon and ice cream. They sell other Belgian treats like Biscoff spreads and cookies. Their most popular food order is a waffle with nutella and strawberries. “My favorite thing is the reaction people have when they have their first bite of a Belgian waffle,” said Berry. The owners have also received help from others around campus to help run their business and keep it alive. The Allan P. Kirby Center and their scholars aid them in free enterprise and entrepreneurship. “First off, it is hands down the best waffle around,” said De Schepper. “Secondly, I firmly believe that all entrepreneurial activity is worth supporting.” De Schepper and Berry have big dreams for the future or All Belgium LLC. They hope to become a distributor of their dough to restaurants, dining halls, stadiums and bakeries. Plus, they are working on other entrepreneurial ideas to support their business. “Under the name All Belgium, we are able to sell more than just Belgian waffles,” said Berry. “We can sell things that are all Belgian such as cookies and spreads, merchandise, and other Belgian sweets.” All Belgium LLC’s hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the food truck is usually located on Main St or somewhere else near the university. People can find out more information on their social media platforms or on their website www.allbelgiumllc.com. Courtesy of Billy Berry Toon De Schepper (left) and Billy Berry (right), owners of All Belgium LLC. All Belgium LLC sells belgian waffles with various toppings to place on top. Want to showcase your skill and talents? Contact jordan.daniel@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Opinion 12 The Beacon commemorates BLACK HISTORY MONTH Understanding the need for a month of observance WHAT IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH? February is Black History Month and while it is recognized nationwide, the importance of what is being honored can often be overlooked when countless events are occurring and social media posts circulate online. Although it’s dedicated month is the shortest of the year, this topic is crucial and deserves to be our main focus at all times for a variety of reasons. It has never been more clear that the racial injustice and inequality in our society is still prevalent in many ways. The Black Lives Matter protests that occurred in the summer of 2020 in response to George Floyd’s death among several other events sparked the conversation most recently, but change remains slow in the United States and around the world. Black History Month originally started back in 1926 as only a week when Carter G. Woodson created the movement to reach African American students in schools, but has since grown exponentially. Now recognized and celebrated in the United States, the U.K., Canada, Germany, Netherlands and Ireland, millions of people learn and focus on the disparities that exist between races and understand how the movement has grown over time, thanks to icons such as Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali and many more. The specific month puts the emphasis on the systematic racism that remains very much alive in our daily lives and provides a new kind of visibility for others outside the community in terms of education and understanding. This is how change starts. And while it may seem like an impossible task, it begins with each and every one of us. Everyone deserves equal rights and as of right now, that is not a guarantee for everyone who lives in our country. Especially not for those who identify with or are part of the African American community. WHY WE OBSERVE IT According to History.com, the population of African Americans in the United States has grown from 4.8 million to 46.8 million in 2019. Yet, those numbers mean nothing. There have been countless firsts that have happened over time, but the injustice and inequality that the community faces has not wavered. Statistically, the African American community faces inequality in countless areas of life. According to the Inclusion Solution, only 18.7 percent of African Americans receive their bachelor's degree and a mere 3.6 percent earn an advanced degree. There are only six Black CEO’s on the Fortune 500 companies list which is a staggering comparison. It is also obvious that the unemployment rate in America affects the African American population significantly more because the number of unemployed has remained about double that of white Americans for 50 years. The differences between the wealth gap, marriage rate and employment positions all show why it’s necessary for us to dedicate time to these issues every February. We must be better than this. The goal and importance of Black History Month lies in the benefits that its education brings to shifting the way our society works and eliminating the discrimation against people of another race. A majority of that knowledge should be shared in a school setting, which has been receiving a strong push back by several states recently, but the individual learning that can be done plays a significant role as well. “According to the Inclusion Solution, only 18.7 percent of African Americans receive their bachelor's degree and a mere 3.6 percent earn an advanced degree.” �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Opinion TAKING A STEP FORWARD There are many things, but starting small is the easiest way to get involved. Attend the numerous events on campus that are held to teach and demonstrate how necessary this specific month is. Educate others on the issues that are built into countless systems within our society and learn how you can help change them. Support locally owned Black businesses either through making purchases or sharing their information on social media. Never stop learning. Use your voice to speak up in any way that you can. While Black History Month remains important, the topics and issues that are put in the spotlight for 28 days should be addressed and remembered throughout the entirety of the year with no exceptions. When February ends, the systematic problems in our society do not disappear. Keep fighting, and remember the reasons why Black History Month is necessary and always important. “The goal and importance of Black History Month lies in the benefits that its education brings to shifting the way our society works and eliminating the discrimation against people of another race.” By Breanna Ebisch, Emily Cherkauskas, Ariel Reed 13 Resources: Organizations to follow and support: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Highly involved in tackling racial issues happening in schools, political organizations and other current events regarding inequity and injustice. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Offers advocacy, counsel and aid in the legal world surrounding racial issues and cases. Multicultural student coalition (MSC) One of Wilkes’s mega councils. Focuses to promote diversity on and off campus. Offers space and events for those wishing to educate, or be educated, on diversity topics. Available to reach at msc@wilkes.edu Documentaries: “13th” Uncovering the racial injustice present by law enforcement and prisons today, allowed and encouraged by legislative policies. Available to watch on Netflix. “LA 92” Examining the impact and aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots after the acquittal of police officers who were charged for beating Rodney King. Available to watch for free on National Geographic. “Slavery by Another Name” Challenging the widely accepted notion and idea that slavery ended upon the enactment of the Emanicipation Proclamation. Available to watch for free on PBS.org. “King in the Wild” Covering and discussing the final 18 months of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, which includes his part in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 up to his assassination in 1968. Available to watch on HBO Max and Hulu. �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designer Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. The hockey players may like ice, but we do not It is no secret that the cold and dreary NEPA winters lead to conditions of problematic sorts. While Wilkes does its best to control walkways and slippery spots on campus, there is still a persistent problem of black ice and lack of fully salted parking lots. It also comes as no surprise that wintertime is the most dangerous season in a temperate climate. Snow, belowfreezing temperatures and wind chills create a hostile environment on the roads, sidewalks and walkways across campus. While total cleanup of lots is hard to master, it is a reasonable assumption for commuters and students alike that they have safe means of travel while on campus. Even one small patch of ice can lead to disastrous accidents. This is something the university would arguably want to avoid having to deal with the aftermath of. When black ice forms and is not taken care of, students are faced with the possibility of sustaining severe and/or life-threatening injuries if they were to slip and fall on it. When it is evident that these patches of ice have not been salted or maintained, we feel neglected by an organization that promises the safety and care of its students. A tough component to this topic is the fact that even if there are campus closures for maintenance of the snow and ice, many students still have to travel by walking in these icy areas to necessary destinations. Shuttle services may be made available or public safety can be of assistance for those uncomfortable in winter weather conditions, but they are not always reachable. Additionally, sometimes even a short walk alone can make for tragic outcomes. However, according to the university’s inclement weather policy, their goal is to keep campus open whenever possible. This is arguably in students’ interest, yet that assumes that campus facilities are well-maintained enough for students to travel to and fro. Another part of the university’s weather policies is “common sense and good judgment” for students to decide whether travel to and on campus is appropriate or not. However, in many cases professors do not accept this as an excuse to miss class, especially when many residential students may have an easier time making it to class. The task of on-campus maintenance and facilities management is undoubtedly a tough and incredibly important job to fulfill. With that being said, the university has increased tuition for things much less pressing than its students safety during inclement weather. We are not asking for any ludicrous or measures, but rather putting emphasis on the areas of campus safety that remain necessary year after year. We urge the university to develop a better strategy to rid the campus of its ice problem. Although recent weather has depleted the majority of black ice patches around the school, there is no telling when the next big snow and ice storm may approach. When and if it does, Wilkes must have a plan in place to control the ice and prevent the possibility of students becoming injured. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Opinion 15 T. Swift says it is supposed to be fun turning 21—is it? The trials and tribulations of turning 21 By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer Milestone ages are a perplexing thing to me. I definitely do think they are worth celebrating: making it to a certain age and overcoming/conquering situations in life to make it so far is an achievement. At the same time, I feel milestone ages are an opportunity to feel a sense of insecurity, to be quite frank. I feel there is so much pressure to be at a certain point in your professional and personal life by the time you reach a certain age. I almost feel this ideal is something that is ingrained in people from a rather young age due to how we are able to do new, mature things the minute we turn a certain age. When we turn 16, we can drive. When we turn 18, we are I have just considered a “legal recently turned adult” and can do 21, and wow, does things like vote. it feel quite strange When we turn 21, sometimes. we can drink— Sometimes, arguably the most it feels like fun. absolutely nothing I think the fact – no big deal. that we anticipate Obviously this reaching a certain is the biggest age because we are milestone I have had thus far. I able to do things guess my next in accordance is 25. I find that with the law that Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet one to be rather we were not able underwhelming to before, allows us to subconsciously put personal and the thought of being a quarter of a expectations on ourselves to always be century old exhausts me. Back to 21. I feel it is strange because a specific place when we reach a certain I am already an adult, but I can do more age. adult things? Is it really that big of a deal? That being said, kind of conversely, I feel like I am in such a different place than I was three years ago. In terms of school, work and the professional side of life, I never imagined I would be doing all the writing and graphic design work I am doing right now. Back then, I was hesitant and unsure about my place and talent in the field I wanted to study in college, as I am sure many of you felt back then as well. The years between 18 and 21 are where I have experienced the most growth and maturity in the shortest amount of time thus far in my life. It is scary to think where I’ll be in another four years. Growth and the unknown is frightening, but it is also thrilling. Here’s to more. Bre’s Beats: Louis Tomlinson tour exceeds high expectations A great impression left on a first tour By Breanna Ebisch Opinion Editor Like millions of others around the globe, One Direction shaped a lot of my early teenage years and much of my music taste even to this day. So it’s no surprise that even after the band separated back in 2015, I still follow a majority of the members as solo artists. Up until now, I had been lucky enough to have seen both Harry Styles (multiple times) and Niall Horan live in concert before. But after many rescheduling attempts due to the pandemic, Louis Tomlinson finally went on his highly anticipated world tour and I was in the crowd when he stopped in New York City. Hammerstein Ballroom became home to Tomlinson’s fans for two back-to-back nights on Feb. 11 and 12. Both shows were sold out and that was clear right from the beginning, this was going to be a night to remember for many reasons. A majority of the fans in attendance, like myself, had waited over two years to see Tomlinson on this tour so the excitement was palpable to say the least. The show did not disappoint. S u n Room, a small, mostly undiscovered band from San Diego, took the stage first as the tour’s opening act. Tomlinson personally handpicked the group and their upbeat music fit the atmosphere in the most perfect way which made them a crowd favorite. Tomlinson himself was outstanding. With only one full album, a handful of individual singles and an entire discography from his previous band, the concert had something for everyone. There was no lack of stage presence as Tomlinson interacted with the audience and made the venue his own while performing the well loved songs that have become his fan’s favorites. It’s always interesting seeing someone who had experience in a group prior to going solo take the stage just by themselves, but there was no doubt throughout the hour and a half set that Tomlinson wasn’t made to perform. The mix of heartfelt ballads, rock infused hits and One Direction songs made the night unforgettable for everyone in attendance. Overall, I loved seeing Tomlinson live and the concert was one of the best that I’ve had the pleasure of going to. Personally, I’m not a fan of general admission concerts so that part of the experience impacted the entire night’s impression. Music and atmosphere wise, it was unbelievable and I would highly recommend seeing the former One Direction member on tour if possible. �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Opinion 16 Decades of spook: Hannah’s horror film picks of each decade By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer 50s: “Creature from the Black Lagoon” “Creature from the Black Lagoon” quite literally kickstarted the creature feature movement, which gave us classics such as “The Thing,” “The Blob,” “The Mummy” and more. The film, which stars Julie Adams and Richard Denning, follows a group of scientists attempting to uncover an undiscovered creature in the Amazonian jungle. The creature has become quite an icon, with memorabilia in every costume shop in town after Halloween. 60s: “Village of the Damned” Are you scared of cult-like children? Then “Village of the Damned” is not for you. A once-peaceful village is turned deadly after every woman falls pregnant and births almost identical emotionless children with blonde hair and glowing eyes. Similar to “Children of the Corn,” this film might make you think twice about taking a babysitting job. 70s: “Halloween” Another trend setter, “Halloween” originated the idea of “the final girl” with its iconic Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. The film made a name for the holiday of which it is named after with its mute stalking killer and fantastic score. Michael Myers might just be the king of all horror, so “Halloween” is a must-see. This film has stood the test of time and is still adding to the franchise to this day. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you so scared of? The Boogeyman? 80s: “Child’s Play” The birth of killer doll horror flicks, “Child’s Play” combines comedy and thrills perfectly to create a horror experience like no other. The film follows Andy, played Hannah’s honorable mentions of each decade 50’s: House on Haunted Hill 60’s: Psycho 70’s: The Exorcist by Alex Vincent, as his “friend till the end” turns out to be a murderer in a doll’s body. Quite like “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” Chucky is a well-known icon of horror. Brave children and adoring adults purchase life-save replicas of the doll and its fanbase is ever-present even 40 years later. 90s: “Scream” What’s your favorite scary movie? I have a favorite horror film. You know the one: the girl answers the phone when she’s home alone and some creepy guy on the line asks her all kinds of horror trivia. When she gets a question wrong, a knife-wielding ghostface killer jumps from behind a piece of furniture and kills the girl. Of course, I’m talking about “Scream.” Aware of its own tropes, “Scream” is like watching a horror movie inside of a horror movie. 2000s: “Creep” Probably the most disturbing film on this list, “Creep” is not as well-known as other horror films during the 2000s. Starring Franka Potene, “Creep” boasts a seriously terrifying monster and an unnerving setting. After falling asleep in a subway terminal, Potene awakens to find herself locked in—but she’s not alone. This film kept me away from subways for many years, so watch at your own risk. 2010s: “Hereditary” When they say film is art, they’re referencing this film. “Hereditary” is a visually stunning, anxiety-inducing experience. Following Annie and her family after they experience deaths in the family, it becomes clear very quickly that this film has less to do with death and more to do with the occult. Be prepared to be scared after this one; the images you will see will haunt you long after the credits roll (and that might not be all that rolls). Graphic by Jack Malatesta 80’s: Christine 90’s: Candyman 00’s: Sorority Row 10’s: Us THROUGHOUT THE YEARS... S E I V O M R HORRO 50's Creature From The Black lagoon 60's 70’s Village of the Damned Halloween 80's Child’s Play 00's Creep 90's 10's Scream Hereditary ALL INCLUSIVE PREMIUM STUDENT APARTMENTS Beautiful, Clean, professionally managed... OPEN HOUSE Feb 26 Student * Apartments Mansion Style Living 279 & 281 South River Mansions SINGLE, Doubles, Triples Available for 22-23 22 23 22Quads available in.. 22-23 22 23 22- Booking now for 22-23 22 23 2223-24 2324 Just … 6 Rooms Left Call NOW to schedule your private in advance tour WWW. ZNPROPERTIES.COM znpropertiesllc@gmail.com or call 570-592-3113 Close to classes ….. closer to home! �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Opinion 17 Setting boundaries is the key to self-respect satisfaction By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer Why are we so hesitant to stand up for ourselves? So often we find ourselves angry that someone took advantage of us or mistreated us, yet when it comes time to express this frustration to the perpetrator, we remain silent. If this disrespectful behavior continues, we begin to resent this person as they make us feel powerless over our autonomy. How do we break free from the cycle of mistreatment, frustration, and self-ridicule? To find peace in our relationships, we must set boundaries and stick to them. Boundaries are your rules or guidelines for a relationship, or the expression of which behaviors are tolerable or intolerable to you. By expressing our needs to ensure they are met and expressing our limits “I only recently realized that I have been basing my entire idea of self-worth and self-respect on my ability to serve others instead of my ability to serve myself.” to ensure we are not disrespected, we are promoting healthy communication and demanding self-respect. If we find empowerment in setting boundaries, why do we still struggle to do so? I have always struggled with setting boundaries myself. I get so involved with others’ issues that I tend to disregard my own needs. If someone asks me to talk, hang out, or do them a favor, I always say yes, even if it is strenuous or damaging to me. I feel validated when people tell me “You are so accepting and helpful,” or “Thank you for always being here when no one else was.” Other times I fear the consequences of telling people no. I do not want someone to think that I don’t care about them if I refuse to listen to their triggering rant or decline when they ask for a ride. I always thought it would make me a bad friend, girlfriend or daughter if I did not want to sacrifice my own time and contact which is another facet of the show. Some fans have argued that not only does the show not always achieve what it has set out to, but it also shames individuals who engage in casual sex. In many cases, contestants are surrounded by each other for days on end without much to do besides drink and flirt. Ultimately, the show is setting happiness for others. I only recently realized that I have been basing my entire idea of self-worth and self-respect on my ability to serve others instead of my ability to serve myself. Allowing others to take advantage of me and disrespect my needs has been incredibly straining on me and my relationships. The brief feeling of validation after bending to the needs of others is not worth constantly feeling unheard, dissatisfied, and used. Mental freedom and empowerment come from defending yourself from behaviors that are damaging to you. The longer you remain silent, the longer you will remain dissatisfied and frustrated in your relationships. Do not fear expressing boundaries and do not hesitate to say no. You will find that your relationships are healthier and that you are happier when you feel heard. Body image and sex shaming in ‘Too Hot to Handle’ By Lindsey Scorey Asst. Opinion Editor Like any other consumer of media, I often find myself mindlessly watching shows with no real purpose besides pure entertainment. My most recent eye-catcher was Netflix’s “Too Hot to Handle,” which besides clear drama and enjoyment, covers a plethora of societal stereotypes to analyze. The premise of this show is bringing on attractive heterosexual men and women who are used to “mindless swiping” or the pleasure of hookup culture. The producers then encourage emotional growth and connections through a lack of any sexual interactions– even kissing. The jackpot ranges from $100,000 to $200,000 in the most recent season. Every kiss, “heavy petting” or other sexual endeavour costs them money. The entire purpose of the show is to discourage putting physical pleasure over intimate relationships and emotional connections. However, many of the growth spots in the contestants feel as though they are doing it to achieve the green light for physical ! TOO HO DLE!! N A H O TT up a perfect context for sexual mingling and then shaming individuals when they cannot withhold themselves from even a kiss. Another aspect of that sexual attraction is the fact that the show only ever incorporates traditionally attractive people in terms of stereotypes and expected body types for both men and women. On top of this, the paired off couples are all heterosexual. The premise of the show is not inherently evil, but rather just a reflection on modern sex and relationship standards. The issue is that a secluded vacation where all you have to do is avoid sex is not really the solution to emotionless relationships that they seem to be insinuating are the problem. In terms of representation and impactfulness, “Too Hot to Handle” did not hit the mark. While the show provides excitement and drama, it is not relatable by any real means. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Opinion 18 Kim Petras takes fans by storm with new EP Slut Pop By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer Editor’s note: This article contains potentially triggering content for some readers. Others may also find the material in the article offensive. German transgender singer-songwriter Kim Petras released her EP “Slut Pop” on Feb. 11. “Slut Pop” has a total of seven songs in the EP. “Slut Pop”, “Treat Me Like A Slut,” “XXX,” “Superpower B-tch,” “Throat Goat,” “They Wanna F-ck” and “Your Wish Is My Command.” My favorite songs on “Slut Pop” are “XXX,” “Superpower B-tch” and “Your Wish Is My Command.” In the first week of the release of “Slut Pop,” the EP reached number one on the iTunes pop chart. It also debuted at number four on the Spotify global chart and reached number two in the United States. This is Petras’ first project to debut on the Spotify charts. Petras has released other projects such as “Era 1,” “TURN OFF THE LIGHT” and “Clarity.” “I went to major labels and all they would talk about was my gender,” said Petras in an interview with Galmour UK. “They wanted me to hide it or use it. I kind of didn’t want to do either and I just wanted my music to speak for itself.” Petras did not want to be known as “that transgender artist,” but rather for her music. She wanted to make a name for herself and not for her transgender identity. Petras initiated her career with her own independent label entitled BunHead. Controversial producer Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, who is widely known as Dr. Luke has been her producer from the beginning. A lot of people do not like Kim Petras due to the fact that she is associated with Dr. Luke, who was involved in a sexual assault case with Kesha. Petras has reached a new era in her music as she signed with the well respected Republic Records in 2021. Her first song released on Republic Records was “Future Starts Now,” which was then followed by “Coconuts.” Petras’ new EP is nothing like her past music. She released this EP to feed her fans with some music to hold them over for her eventual album release. She is known for bubblegum pop, heartbreak songs and her iconic Halloween themed music. “Slut Pop” focuses on taking back the word slut regardless of gender. In the song “Slut Pop,” each line switches from being a slut from a male perspective to being a slut from a female perspective. In the six other songs, Petras unapologetically praises sex and makes it known that there is no need to be ashamed of your sexuality. As mentioned, this is nothing like her previously released music. Petras is moving into an era that is empowering to everyone. Some fans think Petras’ new EP is hurting her discography due to the major difference in her music, while other fans know this is just a placeholder for her music. Personally, this new EP is everything I thought it would be. I knew it was going to be centered around sex with no shame involved. The flow was extremely catchy and I loved how she was writing music for herself and not to please other people. Some fans may not like it, but she does not care. This is one of the many reasons why she is my favorite artist. This EP was great and I can listen to it on repeat all day long. I would rate it 7.5/10. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �19 Sports The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu from frontcover Fea accounted for 12 goals, 13 assists and seven blocks this season. He leaves his Wilkes ice hockey career with a total of 39 goals and 77 assists in the regular season. Stefanini helped boost the Colonels over Lebanon with a game-high of two goals for an 8-1 win. He scored the first goal of the game and his second goal was a buzzer beater at the end of the second period. Stefanini has also contributed to 30 faceoff wins this season. Reidel added 14 goals, 18 blocks and nine assists during his hockey career at Wilkes. Galvin assisted his fellow skaters 12 times and added 10 blocks throughout his hockey career. Galvin’s season-high of three assists helped lead Wilkes over Lebanon in the 8-1 win. Mueller’s 48 career blocks contributed to big defensive stops for the Colonels. This year, Mueller’s game-high of 4 blocks helped lead Wilkes over Nazareth College in their 7-0 win. Erickson’s 12 goals and 11 assists this season helped Wilkes overcome many of their opponents. In his career, Erickson has scored 36 goals and added 52 blocks for the Colonels. Despite Dill’s short career at Wilkes, his contributions to the team have been immense in these past two seasons. Dill added 22 goals, 20 assists, as well as winning 54 face-offs for the Blue and Gold. Finally, Abdella contributed 17 blocks, three assists, and one goal this season for Wilkes. His defensive presence was made known in many of the Colonel wins this season and in previous. While all of these statistical accomplishments are to be noted, these skaters are leaving a legacy behind for all of the remaining and upcoming Wilkes Colonels as they are the first senior class of the men’s ice hockey program. All statistics were acquired from gowilkesu.com. Top: Senior Donald Flynn looks to score on Stevenson Bottom: Senior Ben Stefanini eager to gain control of the puck Top: Senior Jay Gallhager battles for the puck. Bottom: Senior Tyler Barrow plans his attack. NEXT UP FOR THE COLONELS: UCHC Quarterfinal Feb. 23 @ 7 p.m. Toyota SportsPlex The Beacon/Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Sports 20 WLAX: Fourth period comeback snuffed as Colonels fall 12-11 By Christopher Gowarty Co-Sports Editor A late, fourth-period comeback for Wilkes fell short of just one score as the women’s lacrosse team fell 1211 to Mount Saint Mary on Saturday afternoon. The Colonels have now begun their season at 0-1. “When I first got here at Wilkes, there was a lot of tension when things went poorly,” said head coach Amber McCarver. “I thought today we stayed poised and stayed united. When things weren’t going our way, we stayed working as a family versus starting to tear each other down.” The first period began in a snow squall, with flusters of snowflakes falling upon Schmidt Stadium. However, that would not hinder the Colonels from scoring first in the game as senior attacker Camryn Devitt nailed her first goal around the 12-minute mark. The Knights answered quickly and with authority, scoring three times within a single minute just two minutes after Devitt’s goal. Another Wilkes goal was added at the eight-minute mark by senior midfielder Savannah Bauman. Mount Saint Mary would add two more goals at the threeminute mark and 2-minute mark respectively, putting the Knights on top 4-2 at the end of the first. “We definitely have worked better now than in past years,” said Devitt. “We took the team morale higher than we usually have. Even though we lost, we were still able to have a good game and played smart.” Mount Saint Mary opened up the scoring in the second period around the 12-minute mark. The Colonels then attacked swiftly with a goal from senior midfielder Laura Bayzick and two more goals from Bauman. One more goal from the Knights and Devitt’s second goal of the game would put the Colonels trailing 7-6 entering the second half. The third period was dominated by the Knights as they scored five of the six goals in the frame. The only score by the Colonels came from Devitt’s third goal around the three-minute mark. Courtesy of Steve Finkernagel Midfielder Savannah Bauman commits a pass against Stevens University on Saturday, March 27, 2018. THE BEACON Player of the Game: Camryn Devitt Goals 5 Ground Balls 3 Draw Controls 3 Every goal in the fourth period came from the Colonels as they attempted their late-game comeback. Bauman scored her fourth and final goal around the 10-minute mark, which was then followed by first-year attacker Sam Mullen’s first collegiate goal. Devitt followed Mullen’s goal with two of her own, tallying her amount of goals to five. However, that would be all the Colonels could muster in the final period as they failed to possess the ball again. “We have to work on our second slides on defense,” said McCarver. “Getting into the offense, we need to be more on the attack mindset and more cognizant of what’s going on and how much is left on the clock. Especially in the last 30 seconds of that game, we should have been pressuring more to get the ball back.” The Colonels next opponent is Marywood as the Pacers travel to the Ralston Athletic Complex to play a 6 p.m. matchup on Feb. 22. “Within the midfields, we need to be a little more confident in our transitions,” said Bauman. “If we keep the positivity of the close game and the confidence we had today, we have a good chance of it at least being a close game on Tuesday.” �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Sports 21 MVB: Double wins for Wilkes in tri-match on home court By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The men’s volleyball team looked to rebound off a tough loss against rival King’s College with a non-conference tri-match Saturday in the Marts Center. They did exactly that with a pair of wins over visiting Immaculata University and Wilson College. “It was very exciting to see the fight the team had and will to prevail after starting the match down two sets and being in a no-lose situation,” said assistant coach Alex Czopek. “Players, coaches, and spectators alike were all feeling the excitement of the win.” In the first match of the day, things were not looking bright for the Colonels as they lost the first two sets to the Mighty Macs of Immaculata. The sets were neck and neck, but Immaculta got the big points towards the end and capitalized on some Wilkes’ mistakes. Wilkes needed to respond quickly if they wanted to get back into this game. Once again, the third set was very even. This time the Colonels made the big plays at the end and won the set 25-23. “We realized that we weren’t playing to our full potential and that we had come into the game a bit overconfident,” said sophomore middle hitter Paul Binner. “We knew we had to make a move coming into the third game, so we made an effort to start picking it up on the offensive and defensive side of our game.” Wilkes was able to carry that momentum, and take full control of the fourth set. It was a completely different team than the one that played the first couple of sets. Everything started to click for the Colonels. With Wilkes being able to tie things up and force a deciding fifth set, they knew they needed to stay loose and play with zero pressure. A quick run early in the set would be the deciding factor for the Colonels, as they had come back from down 2-0 to get an impressive win over Immaculata in their first match of the day. The Wilson Phoenix had no shot of slowing down this Colonels team in the second match of the day. The offense looked like a well oiled machine and the defense was a brick wall, not allowing any balls to drop. It was a complete domination as the Colonels swept the Phoenix in straight sets 25-13, 25-9, 25-8. “A win is a win,” said Casey Shipman. “It feels good, especially after some tough losses. Coach told us he thought we would have a lot of success this weekend, and I am happy we could follow through. As a team, we want to take the momentum from these wins and ride it into next week so we can get a few more W’s.” The Beacon/Ariel Reed Casey Shipman prepares a set for a fellow teammate who is ready to get a kill for the Colonels. THE BEACON Player of the Game: Paul Binner Kills Blocks 20 1 Aces 0 �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Trent Fisher Sophomore Basketball Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Feb. 9 to Feb. 16 Why Trent Fisher was selected: Fisher has racked up a lot of accolades as a young member of the men’s basketball team. He has most recently been contributing to his team as the king of doubledoubles. Fisher has accumulated a six game streak of doubledoubles. His efforts have proven crucial in close game situations for the Colonels, as they barely outscore their opponents in games. Name: Trent Fisher Year: Sophomore Major: Sports Management Hometown: Sellersville, Pa. High School: Pennridge H.S. Position: Center Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I really loved the small campus feel and I felt that being 2 hours away from home was perfect for me. Also being recruited to play basketball here was also a big driving force. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? When I graduate I hope to find myself in the sports field, and eventually working for a minor league or professional sports team. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory would be hanging out with the guys in the locker room before and after practice. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed When/Why did you first begin playing? I began playing basketball in 4th grade. I joined because all of my friends were doing it and I wanted to be a part of that. Favorite thing to do during practice? I love the shooting competitions against each other. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I enjoy playing golf, hanging with friends, and fishing along with boating. Favorite meal to eat on campus? I really enjoy a Franco’s bacon chicken ranch slice. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? Ryan Reynolds. I think he just fits my style and humor. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? I would say John Madden who just recently passed away. Most influential person in your life? My parents. Anyone to give a shout-out to? Cayden Merrifield : “Yo you’re tough”. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �23 Sports The Beacon - February 23, 2022 Getting to know... Maddy Kinard Junior Swimmer The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Feb. 9 to Feb. 16 Why Maddy Kinard was selected: During the MAC Swiming Championships, Kinard broke school records in both the 100 Backstroke and the 200 Backstroke with times of 1:02.47 and 2:19.49 respectively. Editors Note: Maddy Kinard works for the Beacon. Name: Maddy Kinard Year: Junior Major: English and Communication Studies Minor: Global Cultures Hometown: Dover, Pa. High School: Dover Area H.S. Position: Sprint Backstroke/IM Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? It came down to swim teams. I had such an amazing experience at my overnight stay during my senior year of high school, I knew this was the team I wanted to be with for the next four years. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I would ideally like to work in the editing or publishing industry for fiction. The long term goal is to one day be a published author. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? Definitely breaking the 100 and 200 backstroke school records at this most recent MACs meet. When/Why did you first begin playing? I originally started swimming competitively back in fourth grade. Favorite thing to do during practice? I really love long kick sets during practices. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I’m news editor for The Beacon, Alternative Director for WCLH 90.7, internal director for Wilke’s Dance Marathon, a tutor with the Reading Buddies program and am a staff member of Manuscript. Favorite meal to eat on campus? Now that CYO is back at Which Wich, you can definitely find me picking up their sandwiches. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? Probably Drew Berrymore–I’ve been told ever since I was a little kid that I looked strikingly similar to her. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? F. Scott Fitzgerald. I have some Great Gatsby related questions I need to prompt him with. Most influential person in your life? Definitely my mom. She’s a driving force in my life and always keeps me on track, even when I don’t want to hear it. Anyone to give a shout-out to? Shout-out to my whole team! They’re truly some of my best friends. I’ve never hung out so consistently in and out of season with a group of swimmers as I do my team here at Wilkes. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week. At the end of the academic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it ter @WilkesB eacon to crow n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - February 23, 2022 News 24 Wilkes-Barre welcomes an ice rink on the square, open to all Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Earlier this month, a new ice skating rink opened on Public Square in WilkesBarre, right below the blue “WilkesBarre” sign. Admission is free for the rink, but attendees must bring their own skates. It is open from 10 a.m. until dusk everyday. The rink will stay open until the end of March. The only day it will be closed is the upcoming Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day parade. The ice rink was funded using money from the federal COVID-19 revel plan, as voted on by the mayor and city council. “As someone from around the area, the rink is super nice and it is in a highlypopulated area of town,” said first-year engineering major Kimberly Sanchez. “It is like having our own Rockefeller Center in the middle of Wilkes-Barre.” Photos: The Beacon/Zach Paraway Top: The ice rink is free to all individuals who wish to use it. Just remember to bring your own skates. Bottom: The rink is located underneath the Wilkes-Barre sign in the square. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 February 23 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 February 23 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/b96f84f7bc464bd3293a8ffe49a3323b.pdf 01cbb1d5be2ae6e4ca8678f3bdf07d27 PDF Text Text The Beacon - March 2, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 13 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Autophysiopsychic Millennium brings teachings of Lateef By Maddy Kinard News Editor The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Angel Bat Dawid engages audience members, encouraging them to physically interact with the music. School of pharmacy script your future program ongoing, page 4 Liz’s Craft Column: Customizable boho tassel bookmark, page 10 On Feb. 23, the Chicago and Detroit ensemble, Autophysiopsychic Millennium, visited Wilkes as part of the university’s final Black History Month event. They held a luncheon for students, staff and faculty to mingle with the collective along with an evening workshop incorporating performance and discussion which was open to the public. Led by Hazleton native, Dr. Adam Zanolini, Angel Bat Dawid and LuFuki, the collective was brought together through the researching and studying of the extensive work and legacy of Dr. Yusef Abdul Lateef who was a great saxophonist, musician, entertainer, composer, thinker and more. As Dawid calls the group, they are a “research performance ensemble.” The term “autophysiopsychic,” first coined by Lateef, considers the ways in which music impacts the physical, mental and spiritual self. Lateef rejected the term “jazz,” as it stems primarily from the entertainment industry which he felt did not effectively represent what jazz was created from: A literary analysis of “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” page 16 places of cultural, spiritual and historical importance. It was not just meant to entertain people and Lateef wanted to create that distinction between his music and this other concept of music that circulated around amusement. “He was important to me personally because he was one of the first jazz artists that I saw using different instruments in jazz,” said Dawid. “It was just music. It wasn’t just this genre that they wanted to say, ‘oh it’s black people, they do this’. Sometimes as black artists, we’re put into categories as entertainers, and that’s it. His works should be in universities.” The Autophysiopsychic Millennium is an amalgamation of two separate groups, one based in Detroit and the other in Chicago, which was formed recently in 2021. Dawid and Zanolini created a musicians collective called “The Participatory Music Coalition” in 2014. Meanwhile, LuFuki had his own band, “Divine Providence.” Angel and Lufuki met online and had invited his band to come and perform at Elastic Arts on a double bill with her and Zanolini’s own group. MUSIC, page 3 SB: Colonels look to exceed MAC preseason poll expectations, page 19 �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Feb. 23 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Student Government began with a call to order and roll. The treasurer’s report stated that there is a total of $76,450 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was from Nate Pitcher. He reported that changes are in the process of being made to the constitution and should be revealed soon. The second order of business was a club report from the Biology Club. The president of the club is Rachel Wynings and is under the watch of their advisor, Dr. William Terezaghi. The club has a total of 40 members, with 3-5 of them being active. They plan to have future events such as a STEM jeopardy that would include a collaboration of other science related clubs on campus. The third order of business was from Phi Beta Lambda for the 2022 state leadership conference. The conference used to be an in-person-only event, but this year, PBL would like to attend over Zoom. They were approved for $300 to be given to the club. The fourth order of business was a budget request from American Society of Engineers, ASME for the 2022 edition of their car show. The budget request was for $2,000 in order to rent a mobile dyno from Modern Muscle Motorsports, with the rest of the funds going to make a poster for the provider and to be hung on the dyno. The request was approved. The fifth order of business was a club report from ASME. Justin Burda is the president of the club and it is under the watch of their advisor. The sixth order of business was a budget request from the GeoExplorers Club for a Southwest trip over spring break in order to study rock formations. Changes were made since their last proposal including cutting off a day and lowering the cost from $9,130 to multiple options. The fourth option presented was approved for the amount of $6,750. The final order of business was a request from the Commuter Council. It was for a larger lounge area to be created for commuters as the past one had to be moved due to the creation of the new interested is welcome. For more information or the link for the virtual sessions, contact Linda Paul, associate professor of philosophy, at linda.paul@wilkes.edu. undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and alumni. The society accepts poetry, essays, short stories, photography, art and digital art. The limit is five submissions per person. To submit original work or any question, email magazine@wilkes.edu Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Career and Internship Fair Save the date: Wilkes University will host its first in-person Career and Internship Fair in three years from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 17 in the McHale Athletic Center. Students and alumni are encouraged to attend and meet organizations that are seeking employers and interns for both the summer and fall semesters. For those looking to improve their resume, the Center for Career Development and Internships will hold a multitude of resume workshops and job fair prep sessions to prepare For more details, keep up to date with events in your Handshake account. Online Buddhist Meditation Returns Interested in practicing some sitting and walking meditation with others? The sessions will be offered each Tuesday and run for about 40 minutes. No experience is needed and anyone Buy a Tote Bag Looking for a new bag? Green Giants tote bags are an affordable, sustainable and durable alternative to plastic and are being sold for ten dollars each. The bags come in two designs: the Wilkes logo and blue butterflies. Students looking to purchase one should watch out for anyone selling them in the Student Union Building, the Simms Center, or DM them on Instagram @greengiantstotebags to place an order. Ninety percent of proceeds go to Little Eric’s Foundation, a local organization that funds pediatric cancer research. Submit work to Manuscript Society Manuscript Society is accepting submissions for the 2021-22 edition until 11:59 p.m. on April 17. Submissions are open for Do you have a Parent or Grandparent Who Graduated From Wilkes? If you have a parent or grandparent who graduated from Wilkes, you may qualify for the Alumni Scholarship. The Alumni Association Scholarship is awarded annually to a current Wilkes undergraduate student (first year through junior) who has had a parent or grandparent graduate from Wilkes and has at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants are required to have a current FAFSA on file. Apply online; the link is available through the Wilkes, Today emails by Tuesday, Mar. 22. school bookstore. They are looking to add two more computers, the cables and ports needed for them, and a table. They are asking to present to Capital Projects to present the cost of $7,000 for the funding. This is to be voted on next week. The first-year class has moved some positions. Josh Garced is the new vice president of the freshman class and Edweana Alexis is the new president. Carter Henritzy is the new secretary of the sophomore class. The next meeting will occur on March 2. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester March 5 - Spring Recess Begins 14 - Classes Resume April 14 - Holiday Recess Begins 18 - Classes Resume Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 MUSIC, from front “We just got together and went berserk,” said Zanolini. Members of the ensemble also include Tazeen Ayub, Sophiyah E., Mike Monford, Luc Mosley, Sojourner Zenobia, Ayanna Woods and Nur Dhul-Qarnayn. “It’s very spiritual and very sacred. For me, when we come, we don’t perform. We experience this music,” said Ayub. “And I think it requires the musician to tap into spirit. To tap into something greater than ourselves and that is the most important part about what we do. It’s not about the ego. It’s about what is the instrument, the vocals, what are we channeling? And all of that comes down to spirit.” Zenobia further describes it as a way of “being”. A way of being in one’s own body, using voice, being with the earth and people within the room. For her, it’s a “portal” that the musicians and audience members alike dive into and receive messages of wisdom. The whole experience is an exchange between attendees and themselves, who they encourage to honor and receive the messages they might be receiving during the workshop. For Zanolini, autophysiopsychic music has impacted the way he not only sees the world but also the way he News 3 interacts with it. He compares it to the power of positive energy, and when done musically, that positive energy comes back like an echo. But he first fostered this now love and appreciation for the art form while growing up in Hazleton. “Halzeton has got a lot of heart, it was a great place to grow up. That’s where I learned about music. When I was coming up, you could get free music lessons at school so that’s where I learned how to play the saxophone, my first instrument, and it got me hungry to learn more instruments and now I play upright bass, flute, congos, keys and more,” said Zanolini. “It’s where I developed my love of music. The feeling and the passion came from when I lived in Hazleton. This is just a strong place to come from. When I left I was sorta like ‘yeah there’s not much going on around here’ but everytime I come back, I miss it a lot.” After the evening’s workshopping performance, the ensemble was on their way to perform at Carnegie Hall in part with the Afrofuturism Festival. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard TOP RIGHT PHOTO: From left to right: Sojourner Zenobia; Angel Bat Dawid; and Tazeen Ayub. BOTTOM RIGHT: The ensemble poses for a Carnegie Hall picture submission. By Zach Paraway Staff Writer Campus police began a program for students to become officers and gain hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement. Wilkes police student officers work directly with campus police in aiding safety and security for all. Nathan Pitcher, senior political science major, became a student officer at the start of the program back in the fall. He was joined by Jake Hubbard, senior criminology major, Jackie Platt, sophomore undecided and Kasey Robertson, first-year psychology major. “I first heard of it from the work- study website and I thought that this was interesting,” said Platt. “Once I started doing it I realized that it is a lot easier than what I was reading.” All four commented on the workload they do as officers. Their jobs consist of patrolling campus and checking for problems in academic and administrative buildings, residence halls and common areas. “They are the ones here on campus; a lot of them live here 24 hours a day,” said Chief Mike Krzywicki. “It’s like going into your home or your car, you are going to know better than an officer if something is out of place.” Students in the program allows campus police to see the more minute details of The Beacon/Zach Paraway Wilkes police department searches for work-study students From left to right: Nate Pitcher, Jack Hubbard, Jackie Platt, Kasey Robertson campus and be able to help solve problems. law school, and while this did not change The program has already led to jobs my career path, it molded my interest for students as Pitcher will become a 235 into what I want to do in the future,” said officer, beginning next fall. The other Hubbard. For more information about the students have also used this opportunity to see more into what they want to do with program, email Chief Krzywicki or Sergeant Pesta at seth.pesta@wilkes.edu. their careers. “As time passed, I have decided to go to Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 News 4 School of pharmacy script your future challenge ongoing By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy entered its fourth year of participating in the Script Your Future Challenge (SYF) on Jan. 17. The challenge is set to take place until March 28. The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy was awarded the National Rookie Award in 2019 and the National Social Media Outreach Award in 2021. The Script Your Future campaign is open to pharmacy schools nationwide. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness for the importance of taking medicine as directed. Both pharmacy students and faculty work throughout the campaign to address this issue and aid in assisting others to understand the importance of taking their medication. During the challenge a team of pharmacy students and faculty are working together in order to create outreach activities and in-person activities. Some of the in-person activities serve to show the importance of medical adherence, and are titled “Blossom with Adherence.” The activities will take place in different areas such as Wilkes University, local community pharmacies, churches, and other locations. When attending the activities participants can choose to receive a pledge card. The pledge card is a tool created by SYF where community members can pledge to take their medication. There will be a Kahoot Trivia held in the SUB on March 21 from 6 to 7 p.m.. “The name of this event is called ‘Blossom with Adherence,’ and we will be educating others regarding why it is important to take your medications as directed, how this can improve your health, and how to safely dispose of medications,” said Bree Polascik, pharmacy major. The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the competition during its run in 2020. In-person events had to be canceled or switched to a virtual format; however, the competition has incorporated virtual outreach. The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy has Pharmacy students participating in the script your future challenge. Photos courtesy of Bryanna Polascik Kayla Aufiero checks blood pressure of attendee incorporated platforms, such as TikTok, in order to reach a broader audience and continue their work in impacting their community. Infographics are planned to be posted, and they are working on an article for “Pharmacist Consult.” Last year’s challenge placed an importance on vaccine awareness and that will be continued during this year. The component is called, “vaccine confidence.” The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy’s goal both this year and last is to inform and educate the importance of vaccination, how they work, and how they affect a person’s body. There will also be a focus on addressing some concerns about vaccinations. Faculty and students at the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy work alongside each other for the campaign. Pharmacy students are working with Wilkes graduate Dr. Cody Morcom on content that will be posted throughout the pharmacy’s social media. “As a faculty member, not only do I get to help make a direct impact on the community, but I also get to work directly with students and observe them become leaders and make a change through their innovation, creativity and passion for patient care,” said Dr. Troy Lynn Lewis, assistant professor. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 News 5 Ahmed Sareer gives lecture on small state diplomacy By Maddy Kinard News Editor On Feb. 22, Ambassador Ahmed Sareer gave his virtual lecture via Zoom on “Overcoming Challenges for Small States in International Diplomacy” which was open to all Wilkes students and the greater community. Hosted by international relations and political science programs, Dr. Andrew Miller, associate professor of political science, facilitated the event and began by introducing Sareer and providing a background on his professional experiences. “Currently, Sareer is the director of Asia at the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,” said Miller. “He has held the position since Nov. of 2018. He is also the head of the Peace, Security and Conflict-Resolution Unit of the OIC General Secretariat, which is focused on the promotion of peace and dialogue, mediation efforts and Islamic rapprochement among OIC membership.” Sareer began his presentation by posing the question: why small states diplomacy? They share the same full definition of serenity and autonomy as any other state. However, the biggest difference is that small states have a limited set of human and material resources. “What I’m going to speak on today is something really close to my heart and in many ways has defined my experience as a diplomat for three decades: overcoming challenges for small states in international diplomacy,” said Sareer. Focused on international engagement, Sareer states that he chose to focus on the Maldives because it demonstrates what many challenges small states confront within a multilateral forum. However, it also shows a steady accumulation of influence within recent years which has come from “intrinsic, derivative and collective power,” which he quotes from Tom Long, a political scientist. His presentation was framed by five areas where small states, like the Maldives, have drawn influence from: security of small states, climate change and sustainable development, human rights, international peace and security issues and rare opportunities of steering UN organs. “Having Ahmed Sareer speak with us The Beacon/Maddy Kinard this past week has provided some crucial geopolitical insight for students who may be pursuing the field of international relations,” said history and education major, Adam Piston. “His work with small nations, like the Maldives, has given a voice to the smaller nation-states of the world in topics such as climate change, sustainable development, and international peace.” More information on Sareer outlined by Miller, he served from 1986 to 2018 in the ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of the Maldives, most recently as foreign secretary, in which he had to advise the minister of foreign affairs and the president of the republic on day-to-day foreign policy matters. He served as the Maldives ambassador for the United States, is a permanent representative of the Maldives to the United Nations and is high commissioner to the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Sareer has written several articles on small state diplomacy, which have been published in the UN Chronicle Inter Press news agency, the New York Times, the Arab News and the Maldives Foreign Service Journal. Colonel’s professional clothes closet celebrates anniversary By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Colonel’s Professional Clothes Closet recently celebrated its five-year Anniversary with a pop-up shop in the SUB. The closet is a student-run shop where students can come and borrow or keep lightly used professional clothing for free. Most of the clothes used are donations from faculty and staff that work at Wilkes. Carol Bosack Kosek is the director of career services and also helps with the Colonel’s Professional Clothes Closet. “We realized that business dress clothing can be expensive for students, and had heard about varied colleges starting collections of professional clothing for interviews, internships, and jobs in professional settings,” said Bosek. “We started reaching out to staff, faculty, and alumni to see if they had any gently worn or unworn business clothing to donate, and we got a very good response.” Senior sociology major and senior class president Justin Glidden said that it was a great way to have the Wilkes community see what they offer, especially around Courtesy of Justin Glidden those that may not have seen it before. The Colonel’s Professional Clothes Closet specializes in professional clothing, but has received enough leisure clothing to have a separate rack from them, located right outside of the closet, which is near the Colonel’s Cupboard. “To see someone in a suit or blazer that they got from one of our donors, looking professional and feeling confident during a career fair or interview, we hope will give them that little boost they need to feel confident and impress employers,” said Kosek. The closet has been here for a long time and the future looks good for the professional clothing shop at Wilkes. “We hope that we will be able to offer this service to any student who needs it for years to come,” said Kosek. “As long as our kind alumni, staff, and community members keep donating, we will try to keep the closet as full as possible.” The closet is located in the Civic Engagement and Bonner Scholar Offices, right behind the SUB. They are welcome to walk-ins or an appointment on the student’s Handshake account. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 News 6 Maslow graduate creative writing offers writing programs Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet By Taylor Dillon Staff Writer From March 22 to April 26, the Wilkes University Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing will host a variety of writing workshops. According to David Hicks, director of the creative writing program, the workshops are low-key, inexpensive, and beginner-friendly for those at Wilkes and in the greater Wilkes-Barre community. The workshops are on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will be conducted online or in hybrid formats. The creative writing workshops are open to all adults with no prior writing experience needed. The cost per series is $100. “Because most of them are now online—but kept small, to ensure a personalized instruction—they’re accessible for would-be writers of any age throughout the country,” said Hicks. There are several different workshops offered. The first one, “Underrepresented: Expanding Cultural Schema Through Fiction,” is taught online by Monique Franz, Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 26 or March 19 and 26. The exercises help participants write about diversity through discussions on cultural biases. Participants will create and revise three short stories that talk about and connect underrepresented groups of people. Franz is also teaching two other workshops. ”Setting as Character: Craft a Setting Where Readers Get Lost in the Story,” is taught online on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 2 and 9. The second one is “The Writers’ Block: Writing in Community,” taught online on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “Writing Pandemic Stories: A Narrative Medicine Workshop for Healthcare Professionals” is taught by Vicki Mayk. This workshop is geared toward nurses, doctors and those working on the front lines of the pandemic. “This is a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals to tell their pandemic stories through narrative medicine, a field which values storytelling and listening as a means to promote healing, improve care and develop empathy for both caregivers and patients,” said Gabrielle D’Amico, executive director of communications at Wilkes. Interested participants can register online at wilkes.edu/writingworkshops. Any questions regarding these workshops can be directed to patricia. naumann@wilkes.edu. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan Daniel: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Students paint rocks for “Random Acts of Kindness Week” Students for Environmental Sustainability hosts painting session By Cassidy Taylor Staff Writer The Students for Environmental Sustainability recenrtly hosted a rock painting event in collaboration with the Air and Waste Management Club in the Cohen Science Center. Those attending were given their own small rocks to decorate or leave positive messages on and were provided with donuts to eat while they painted. The event also had music playing to create a comforting and relaxing experience. Marissa Popis, senior environmental science major and president of Students for Environmental Sustainability, wanted to provide a calming event where students could take a break and also give back to the campus community. The event was created to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week while also getting both clubs more attention. The hope was to raise awareness and bring in new members. “The Air and Waste Management Club hasn’t been around for a bit, especially because of COVID,” said Rachel Morey, sophomore environmental engineering major and club president. “We were able to bring it back with the help of our club adviser, Dr. Saritha Karnae.” Stephen Beck, first-year environmental science major and vice president of the Air and Waste Management Club, expressed that they are actively seeking members. Similarly, Students for Environmental Sustainability is also always open to new members. The mission of that club is to provide all majors with opportunities to learn about sustainability. Members get together for community service programs to help the university and the surrounding areas to become more sustainable. The club’s focus is to provide members with interactive experiences of making and developing sustainability goals, out-reach programs, events that promote “greener” lifestyles and overall encourage others to be more environmentally responsible participants. The Students for Environmental Sustainability club is holding a logo contest. Anyone interested can create a design for the club to use on their club T-shirts. Submissions for the T-shirt logo contest can be sent to marissa. popis@wilkes.edu For more information and details on both clubs, follow their Instagram accounts @wilkes_ses and @ wilkesawma. The Beacon/Cassidy Taylor A take on Harry Styles’ own song, “Treat People With Kindness,” was an inspiration for one of the many positive messages students who participated in the event painted on their rocks. This event was one of many that occured during Random Acts of Kindness Week. First-year nursing major, Abigail Jerome, uses the pink on her plate to decorate a rock as part of a rock painting session that was hosted by Students for Environmental Sustainability and the Air and Waste Management Club. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Dollar store recipe: Easy-to-make peanut butter roll-ups These peanut butter roll-ups are perfect for breakfast, lunch or an evening snack. They are a tasty treat that only takes five minutes. It is also an easy recipe to double if you want to share with friends. This recipe is simple, quick and healthy. Ingredients: 1 flour tortilla 1 banana 3 tablespoons of peanut butter 1/2 cup of granulated sugar 2 tablespoons of cinnamon 1 teaspoon of honey a Enjoy! Allergens: Fruit, nut products By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Directions: First, place the tortilla on a clean surface and spread it evenly with peanut butter. Next, combine the ground cinnamon and sugar in a separate small bowl and set aside. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly onto the peanut butter. This next step is optional. For extra sweetness, drizzle the honey onto the peanut butter and cinnamon sugar mixture. Peel banana and place it on the edge of the tortilla and roll up the tortilla. Once completed, cut into bite-size pieces. The Beacon/Morgan Rich This snack is simple to make and can be eaten at anytime of the day. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: $4.99 - Jack Stauber’s Micropop Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: breakfast at a funeral - wens, Sean Kennedy Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: Kids - Current Joys Maddy Kinard, News Editor: THE BOTTOM - MICHELLE Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Blackout - Breathe Carolina Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: Sunroof - Nicky Youre, dazy Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: Style - Taylor Swift Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: Gët Busy - Yeat Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran, Bring Me The Horizon Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: No Church In The Wild - JAY-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, The-Dream Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: How It Feels - COIN 8 �The Beacon – March 2, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Dr. Paul holds first Buddhist meditation session of the year By Morgan Rich ����������������������������������������������������� ����� � Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer On Feb. 22 via Zoom, Dr. Linda Paul, associate professor of psychology, hosted a Buddhist meditation session for the first time since the spring of 2021. Dr. Paul began the session by engaging in “dharma talk,” which is a brief explanation of basic Buddhist insights and then had participants engage in sitting meditation. Dr. Paul instructed participants to turn off their cameras for the sitting meditation to ensure privacy and lower distractions. During this time, Dr. Paul rang a meditation bell three times and had participants focus on their breathing. This sitting meditation lasted approximately 25 minutes. After the sitting meditation ended, the participants engaged in walking meditation, which focuses on what it is like to walk as well as focusing on breathing. The walking meditation was allowed to be done anywhere and lasted until two meditation bells were rung. When the session ended Dr. Paul invited the participants to chat about how the session went and allowed them to also voice their questions or concerns. However, this was completely voluntary and students were allowed to leave if they did not want to talk after the meditation ended. “I believe meditation is a soothing stress relief mechanism to utilize whether a person is under stress of some sort or is looking for a new hobby,” said Erica Rey, undeclared first-year student. “Meditation provides calm tranquility and relaxation to me whenever I complete yoga exercises.” Dr. Paul started studying Buddhist ideas in 1991 and began practicing them since Buddhist ideas cannot be understood until they are practiced. Dr. Paul also studied with Vietnamese zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, in his monastic community in southern France, Plum Village from November 1999 to March 2000. “It was the winter retreat which is fundamentally for monastics but a few laypeople are allowed to attend,” said Dr. Paul. “When I left they recommended that I start mindfulness meditation sessions at the university. So when my sabbatical Graphic by Jack Malatesta ended and I began teaching again, I did.” When Dr. Paul returned, she started Buddhist meditation sessions in-person once a week in the salon in Kirby Hall. Dr. Mischelle Anthony, English associate professor, also co-led these sessions with Dr. Paul for a few years when she first came to campus. These sessions stopped in March 2020 when the pandemic began, however, Dr. Paul decided that they should return via Zoom when she attended online Buddhist meditation sessions offered by the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies that following June. Dr. Paul brought these sessions online during the fall semester of 2020 and continued them through last spring. Dr. Paul was unable to hold them this past fall but was able to bring them back this current semester. “I find the practice helpful for calming and centering myself, but most importantly for gaining insight,” said Dr. Paul. “The insight into how our undisciplined minds cause anxiety, distress and other forms of suffering is priceless.” With the stress that college brings to students, especially with midterms approaching, lots of students are glad to have a choice like this on campus. “I think that having the meditation option on campus is a great opportunity for people in the Wilkes community to prioritize their mental and physical health during a stressful week,” said Amelia O’Connor, first-year nursing major. Rey agreed with O’Connor, claiming that it is a good opportunity for students to partake in an activity for themselves or with their friends and that it can also allow for “new connections to be formed with other people.” The sessions will be offered every upcoming Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the remainder of the semester and will run about 40 minutes. No experience is necessary and the sessions are free of charge. Contact linda.paul@wilkes.edu for more information or fior a link for the sessions. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 10 Life, Arts & Entertainment Liz’s Craft Column: Customizable boho tassel bookmark An affordable boho chic decoration, perfect for any space By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager This DIY school supply craft is a tassel bookmark. The bookmark can be used to keep your place in a textbook or a novel while also being stylish. They are sure to add a fun flare to your homework as well. This craft is affordable because it only requires a few supplies, which can be found at any craft store. • • • • • Two colors of embroidery floss White emboidery floss Beads that match the floss colors Scissors Paperclips 1. First, cut a piece of white floss that is about 12 inches long. Fold this piece in half and thread it through the end of the paper clip that does not go onto the paper. Tie a cow hitch knot with the floss around the paper clip. 3. Once the beads are on, it is time to start forming the tassel. Grab the two embroidery flosses and remove the paper around from them. Keep them straight and even the two bunches up with one another. Place them down in between the two strands of white floss and tie the white floss around them tightly in the middle. Make two knots to keep them secure. 2. Next, choose three to five beads that match the colors of the floss. Thread them onto the white floss that is now on the paper clip. Use a needle if the hole through the bead is small. 5. Even the floss out again and cut any pieces that are visibly longer than the others. Make the bottom of the tassel as even as possible. Rearrange the floss so both colors are visible. Once the tassel is rearranged, the bookmark is complete. Feel free to use it in any book. This craft is quick so feel free to make a few of them for all your books in varying colors. 4. Cut the looped ends of the embroidery floss apart once they are secured with the white floss. Make the floss by running your fingers through it. Liz’s difficulty rating: Now grab the white floss again. About ½ inch below the top of the group of floss tie the white floss around the whole bunch, which will form the actual tassel shape. Tie this very tightly and double knot it so it stays in place. Cut the excess white floss. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 11 Creative Colonel of the Week: Alyssa Roberts By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Alyssa Roberts, senior digital design and media art major, is a great representation of what it is to be a Creative Colonel. Her interest and talent in art led her to become the Sordoni Art Gallery’s student design fellow. As Sordoni Art Gallery’s student design fellow, Roberts has many responsibilities, such as guiding the design team through projects and conducting staff meetings. Essentially, Roberts is the head designer. “She was chosen not only for her leadership skills and discipline but her work is truly beautiful and a perfect complement to this season of exhibitions,” said Heather Sincavage, director of Sordoni Art Gallery. “She has a very illustrative style that she is cultivating.” Since Roberts joined the Sordoni Art Gallery team last year she has worked on numerous projects associated with the branding of the gallery and its exhibitions. She took on her first graphic installation last year during the L’Esprit: Exploring Wit and Beauty of French Prints. “I really liked the artist lifetime part of the exhibit,” said Devyn Cammarota, junior digital design and media art major, as well as Sordoni Art Gallery’s design and social media team member. “I like that it highlighted different important events and topics during the time period of L’Esprit.” Roberts does not specialize in one Want to showcase your skill and talents? Contact jordan.daniel@ wilkes.edu specific type of art style but she enjoys drawing, painting and recently discovered a love for printmaking after taking Art 12: Printmaking, with Sharon Cosgrove, associate professor of art. This semester Roberts is taking an independent study with Cosgrove in textile printmaking. As for Roberts’ future in art, she hopes to receive a decent job as a graphic designer when she graduates in May, even though she is aware this is a small, structured creative outlet. She also hopes to continue creating traditional work for herself and have her own studio where she can dedicate as a creative incubator for ideas and expression. “I think sometimes with art it can be easy to feel like everything has already been done and like there’s nothing new or revolutionary that you could possibly create,” said Roberts. “I try to remind myself that whether that’s true or not, it’s more about what the piece means to you and how you felt in creating it.” Roberts has an Instagram account where she has slowly begun posting some of her older projects. People can find the account at the username @alyssarobcreative. Roberts’ painting can be found on her Instagram @alyssarobcreative. Courtesy of Alyssa Roberts Alyssa Roberts has a strong passion for art and makes sure to put her all into the work she creates no matter how big or small the project. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Opinion 12 THE SPUD SURVEY Over the past week, The Beacon staff found themselves in what should have been an a-peeling discussion about the various types of potatoes in the world, and what could be the best type of potato to snack on. However, the air quickly became starchy and things “spud” out of control as the staff began roasting each other’s choices. Just before a spec-tater was about to call a yam-bulance, the staff decided to stop the mashing and instead hash it out in a Beacon poll. Hopefully no chips are left on anybody’s shoulders after this debili-tater-ing battle. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief “Hash browns are one of the best breakfast snacks. Or any part of the day, really. They all come in different shapes and sizes, which makes every single hash brown unique and beautiful. Without hash browns, I would not exist.” Ariel Reed, Managing Editor “As an avid breakfast fan, hash browns will forever and always be the superior form of potato. There is no way you can go wrong with a hashbrown in the morning with your food.” Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager “Hash browns. They are superior because every bit of potato gets evenly fried and greasy, and is a great combination.” Dr. Kalen Churcher, Adviser “Potatoes are pretty perfect in any way, shape or form in my eyes. I’m a big fan of seasonings, so potato chips are a great snack. However, mashed potatoes are absolute comfort food and potato pancakes are just salty, potato-y goodness.” Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer “Sweet potato. I love how the flavor changes based on what you pair it with. It’s also bomb as fries.” �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Opinion Maddy Kinard, News Editor “Shoe string French fries. They’re perfectly bite size and you can achieve the ultimate sauce to potato ratio. With potato wedges, it’s just too much potato and they’re usually dry.” Jordan Daniel, Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor “French fries. They are superior because they are salty and crispy, yet still fluffy unlike potato chips.” Breanna Ebisch, Opinion Editor “I think french fries are the superior kind of potatoes because they are perfect at almost any time of the day and can be different versions or topped with a variety of things that enhance the flavor and experience of eating french fries.” Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor “Sweet potatoes are a naturally good pair with any sweet or salty add on. You can pair them with marshmallows, cinnamon butter, salt, the world is your oyster. They also provide added health benefits and good fiber. 10/10.” Baylee Guedes, Sports Co-Editor “The potato in the form of a fry is superior to all other forms. It is easy to eat and can be seasoned in many different ways. It can also be dipped in a multitude of sauces and condiments.” Chris Gowarty, Sports Co-Editor “Battered French fries. This form of potato is superior because it allows for a sensational experience. They are extra crispy, fluffy inthe-middle French fries that are perfect for dipping into any sauce that caters to your liking.” Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor “Sweet potato. That cinnamon and marshmallow on top is to die for.” Page Design: Emily Cherkauskas, Ariel Reed Graphics: Zoey Rosensweet What’s your favorite type of potato? To join in on the commen-tater-y: Contact opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Message us on Instagram: @wilkesbeacon 13 �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designer Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Remaining calm and informed during a crisis While tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been an ongoing topic of concern for the past decade or so, conflict has bubbled over to war following the events of Feb. 24 in which Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With mass Ukrainian casualties and loss of life anticipated, members of NATO and non-NATO alliance countries alike are fearful for what this could mean for not only Russia and Ukraine but their own well-being following Putin’s famous words: “whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history.” Wilkes professors, aware of this circulating anxiety, are keeping in consistent contact with students, aiming to deliver accurate information amidst spiraling speculation online. For that, we thank them for the constant communication and helping students and others in the community in understanding what has happened and what may come forward. On the greater world scale, many political leaders have utilized media platforms to comment on the RussiaUkraine crisis, as well commenting on developments as they occur. As we continue following updates, monitoring and properly analyzing what news we take in is now more important than ever. We are sure most of you are tired of living through major, devastating, historical events, as we ourselves are, but it is still crucial nonetheless to follow and understand accurate media that offers informative material of substance in times of crises like these—especially considering the fact that this invasion has now hit close to home for those in our community. It can be incredibly easy to create and spread news falsities, so seeking sources that are as unbiased and peer-reviewed as possible is a good starting point. In terms of social media, many have taken to different platforms to express concern and fear over the fate of Ukraine, as well as deliberate on the impacts of potential U.S. intervention. Social media can and has been used as a tool to educate those who may not be as aware of the progressions of the crisis as well, so there is undoubtedly a dichotomy of helpful and harmful happening online. The emotional toll of these tragic developments can be felt all over the world and on our own campus. And though many of us aren’t directly affected by the events happening, there is plenty we can do to help those in Ukraine. First and foremost, educate yourself on the conflict and the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It may seem like we are powerless watching on as innocent people lose their lives, but knowledge is power. Furthermore, donate to legitimate organizations for Ukrainian people, which will help in a huge variety of ways. We are not useless despite the fact we are halfway across the globe. Speak up and take action anyway you can for those in Ukraine. The Beacon stands with the people of Ukraine fighting for their country and those protesting against this cruel and unnecessary invasion. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Opinion 15 Bad Suns’ ‘Apocalypse Whenever’ tour: Philadelpia on fire By Lindsey Scorey Opinion Asst. Editor The American rock band Bad Suns kicked off the Apocalypse Whenever tour on Jan. 28 and are currently a little over halfway into their tour journey. I had the exciting experience of seeing them in Philadelphia on Feb. 20 as they celebrated 10 years together as a band. They were accompanied by openers Little Image and Kid Bloom. Little Image is a band I had never heard of before, but I was absolutely blown away by their performance. Their songs are as edgy as they are romantic and dreamy. Their music is captivating and their intrigue seems to be on the rise. Kid Bloom’s presence was just as charming. For lack of a better description, the vibes were immaculate. Everything from their physical presence to musical talent was noteworthy. Both openers I will undoubtedly begin listening to after seeing their live performances. Bad Suns took the stage and kicked off their lineup with the song “Peachy,” an arguably popular single off of “Apocalypse Whenever.” The audience was ecstatic and the energy in the room was felt no matter where you were. I was personally fashioned in my baby blue star glasses in anticipation for “Baby Blue Shades” and I was not disappointed. All of the songs off of “Apocalypse Whenever” were exactly what I wanted to hear and more. Their sound is somehow almost exact from recording to live performance. Ear candy, if you will. I could not wait to hear “Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me” live, as it was definitely my top pick off of the new album. I am also a huge fan of their 2016 album “Disappear Here” which they played multiple hits off of. My personal favorites were “Swimming In The Moonlight” and “Violet.” They even did an encore song of “Heartbreaker” from that album, as The Beacon/Lindsey Scorey well as multiple songs from the album “Language & Perspective,” so clearly both the audience and band themselves have a special love for past and present albums. The set list was a beautiful culmination of all the personal eras of songs by the band. They even did a tribute to their creation through “This Was a Home Once,” which incorporates the story of their beginning and first ever recording. It was truly a full-circle experience. Lead singer Christo Bowman consistently acknowledged the audience and said that whether it was their first, third or tenth show that they were incredibly grateful for their fans. I also loved how Bowman gave a glimpse into the meaning behind some of the newer songs, such as “When The World Was Mine.” The song is about seeing someone who meant a lot at one point in time for the first time in forever and reminiscing on where each other is in their lives. I am a biased fan admittedly, but I would hands down give this tour experience a 10/10. Bad Suns may be celebrating 10 years together, but they better celebrate another 10 so I can experience that magic at least one more time. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Opinion 16 A TikTok case study on making media more manageable By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer With more than one billion active monthly users, video-sharing social media platform, TikTok, has taken the world by storm. TikTok is especially popular among teenagers and young adults, inspiring new fashion trends, slang, inside jokes and ideologies. Although many view TikTok as a lighthearted way to interact with friends and view content they enjoy, is it always fun and games? Unfortunately for many, TikTok’s addictive nature and accessibility to harmful content can become a seriously dangerous combination. Most are aware that all social media can become addictive. However, one thing that separates TikTok from other social media platforms is the unpredictable endless stream of very short videos. An entire piece of content can be consumed within seconds before immediately moving to the next in one scroll. This quick and easy entertainment that does not require much thought to enjoy can become addictive. Studies suggest that constant consumption of addictive short videos reduces our attention spans. Many find that they struggle to keep their interest when watching longer videos on other platforms like YouTube. If lack of attention span has become so severe that some cannot pay attention to videos meant to be entertaining, one can only imagine what effect this has in a classroom setting. Even TikTok itself encourages users to take a break from the app after extended use due to its addictive nature. Addictive videos are one thing, but the addictive nature of the app combined with easily accessible harmful content becomes a recipe for disaster. As I scroll through my “For You” page, I come across a funny video and then with the next scroll, I see a triggering detailed rant about someone’s personal traumas. During my time on TikTok, I have unwillingly encountered videos about sexual assault, eating disorders, sensitive political subjects, mental illness and more. The platform is so addictive that I find myself doom scrolling for hours through content that makes me upset and negatively impacts my mental health. Although there are community guidelines to regulate this type of content, many harmful videos slip through the cracks. TikTok can be great when used in moderation. There are plenty of creators with good intentions and it can be fun to make videos with friends. However, overuse of the platform can lead to addiction and negatively impact mental health. Do not forget to set app limits and take a break. It may be what’s best for you. to be loved, understood and accepted. This book also illustrates that this love and validation does not need to come from a romantic partner, it can come in smaller, less obvious ways, and from people you would not necessarily expect it from. When we really think about this, how everyone is searching for the same thing, it can make us more sympathetic and accepting of each other. Furthermore, I love books like this that give me an insight into another culture— the good and the bad. I feel learning more about different cultures also makes us more open-minded and welcoming, and to go full circle, drawing similarities to our own situations allows us to see how we are alike rather than different. From a literary analysis standpoint, I also feel this book worked for a number of reasons. I am someone who has a hard time understanding and being interested in history, politics or war. No matter the time period, situation or country to which it pertains. That being said, I felt the underlying plot of the unrest and conflicts in Afghanistan over a decent period of time was quite easy to follow as it was written in layman’s terms and certain things were expanded upon when needed. There is some symbolism and other forms of figurative language, but it is not overpowering. I feel the serious and graphic nature of the book is enough to captivate the reader and a reliance on literary devices Graphic by Jack Malatesta Lean into literature: “A Thousand Splendid Suns” review By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer I first read Khaled Hosseini in high school in my AP English class. We read arguably his best known novel, “The Kite Runner.” I often found the high school literature curriculum somewhat rigid and basic; not too many of the novels we read captivated me or got my mind and imagination working. “The Kite Runner” was the exception. I teared up at some points and physically threw the book across the room. Needless to say, I was intrigued enough to read his other books on my own accord. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” details the lives of two women, Miriam and Laila living in Afghanistan from the 1960s until the early 2000s. Their tumultuous, dynamic life events reflect the political and social conditions in the country throughout these years. The two women, who have a considerable age difference between them, live in the same city for years but find themselves forced together and ultimately form a close bond. I think the reason I love this novel so much is because it really pushes the notion that everyone—people from all walks of life and all different countries, situations and religions—have the most basic desire in life: and embellishments is not needed. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Opinion 17 New ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’: A disgrace to franchise By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer The newest “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” released on Netflix on Feb. 18 and has received widespread hate. Most fans of the original “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” were blatantly offended by the film, quoting its lazy writing and corny moments as the aspects that pushed them over the edge. There’s a reason original fans of the film despise this newest adaptationit’s a disaster. From the opening scene to the final credits, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” was a slap in the face to horror fans across the board. I had no extreme desire to watch this film, but after the hate started to arise on the internet, I had to see the trash that is this film for myself. I wish I didn’t. This newest addition to the franchise follows a group of influencers (yes, you heard that right) that travel to an empty town to try and revive it. It turns out that the elusive Leatherface has been hiding out in this town and he’s not so happy (rightfully so) about a bunch of influencers tearing it up. What it did wrong Where do I even begin? The dumpster-fire that is this film was laden with political agendas that had no relevance to the plot. Does Leatherface care about the political climate? I think not. Let me be clear: The classics are not an outlet for filmmakers to plug in their social commentary. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” tried entirely too hard to be “hip.” The excessive use of smart cars, smartphones and social media references was exhausting and embarrassing. There was seriously a line about Leatherface being “canceled.” I have no words for this. Don’t even get me started on the poor excuse of a final girl that was Sally Hardesty. This knock-off version of the newest “Halloween”’s Laurie Strode was a slap in the face to the original actress in the 1974 film. What a way to disrespect her legacy. The main cast of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” seemed as if they were plucked off the street. Their acting was mediocre at best and I did not care who lived or died. I was rooting for Leatherface during the entire film because everyone annoyed me so much. What it did right “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” failed in every aspect, but one: Leatherface was brutal and scary. Any chainsawwielding, face-wearing maniac is scary, but when he also runs at full-speed and has incredible strength, he’s suddenly that much scarier. Despite the utter garbage that is the rest of this film, I cannot discredit According to the Chiefs Kingdom Editorial Board, Bienemy ignored feedback from star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, star tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Mecole Hardman and running back Jerrick McKinnon. During the AFC Championship game versus the Cincinnati Bengals, Bieniemy called the entire second half with many questionable decisions. Bienemy had running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire get the ball over McKinnon. Bienemy also called for wide receiver Demarcus Robinson to get the ball over Mecole Hardman in overtime. These passes ended up incomplete. It made no sense to have EdwardHelaire get the ball over McKinnon. McKinnon was running extremely well in the first-half and the Bengals could not stop him Bienemy also called plays that were not practiced in months in the final drive before overtime. Mahomes was clearly annoyed and confused, as were the offensive linemen and the receivers. Mahomes and Bienemy went back and forth all night long during the AFC Championship game. With 10 seconds left in the half, Bienemy told Mahomes that he had one timeout left and that he had five plays to run. Two of the run plays they had set up were never sent into the huddle. The Chiefs never had that time out either. In week three, during the usual mid week meeting, Bienemy put all of the team’s failures on Mahomes, even when the defense was letting up an average of 31 points a game. This led to a heated exchange between Mahomes, Kafka and Bienemy. It got so bad that Reid stepped in to break it up. After that point, Kafka had a much bigger role in the Chiefs offense. Fast forward to the offseason and Bienemy was once again passed on for a head coaching opportunity. After he was passed on by the New Orleans Saints, with everything that came out about Bienemy, it seemed like he had no shot at getting another coaching position. I thought he was never going to get an opportunity to be head coach, let alone continue as the offensive coordinator of the Chiefs. I was wrong. On Feb. 24, Eric Bienemy re-signed with the Chiefs this fact. Leatherface was as he usually is: someone who you can be glad is separated from you by a screen. There was also an intense bloodbath of a scene right in the middle of the film that was brutal and everything a TCM film should be. However, it was shadowed by the “canceled” line and really lost something. Hannah’s rating Overall, I wish I never saw this film. All it did was make me mad and worried about the future of horror. Are we just going to keep regurgitating old movies and turning them into a laughing stock? I hope not. It’s no surprise, then, that I must rate “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” one out of ten stars. Filmmakers, please stop ruining the classics. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is out now on Netflix. Mahomes vs. Bienemy: A real feud or a silly game? By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy have been clashing ever since Super Bowl LV, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. Bienemy joined the Chiefs in 2013 as the running back coach and got promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018. Mahomes’ record-breaking season was the same season as Bienemy’s debut as offensive coordinator. Because of this, many football fans associate Mahomes’ success with Bienemy, while others, may disregard Bieniemy’s success because of Mahomes’ talent. It begs the question as to why he has interviewed for 15 head coaching positions and has received no offers. The few reasons as to why Bienemy allegedly does not get hired is because of his short temper, lack of plan, rushing interviews and his criminal record. The main problem with Bienemy is his inability to listen to his peers. to be the offensive coordinator. This move makes genuinely no sense if Mahomes hates Bienemy. It is clear there are other forces at play here, and we will see how this will affect Mahomes in the upcoming season. The Chiefs need to decide on who is more important: Mahomes or Bienemy. Patrick Mahomes is the only right answer. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Opinion The race war in the United States criminal justice system By Hope Williams Staff Writer On April 11, 2021, in Minneapolis, 20-year-old Daunte Wright was stopped for having air fresheners hanging from his rear view mirror. After running his plate, officers discovered there was a warrant out for his arrest for missing a court appearance. When the police discovered that information, a brief struggle began, which inevitably ended in the death of Wright. Former Officer Potter has been deemed responsible for the death of Wright. In the graphic body camera footage that has been released, it was discovered that former Officer Potter allegedly had mistaken her firearm for her taser. In the footage, she is heard yelling “Taser, taser, taser,” then immediately following, shoots Wright with her firearm. Following the death of Wright, on April 12, 2021, the 26-year police veteran resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Department. On the morning of April 14, Potter was arrested and taken into police custody where she was charged with first-degree manslaughter, as well as second-degree manslaughter. Potter’s trial was held on December 23, 2021, where the prosecution convinced the jury that Potter acted in a reckless manner, when she allegedly had mistaken her firearm for her taser. Following her conviction of those crimes, it was now time for sentencing. After the justice that was served just a few months ago in Minneapolis, where former Officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, who was Black, expectations were high for justice to be served. It is an understatement to say that the Black community did not expect Chauvin to be arrested, convicted, let alone charged for the brutal murder of Floyd. In Potter’s case, when she was convicted of killing Wright, most of the country believed that justice would also be served in this instance, or at least had high hopes. For the charges brought against her, according to ABC News, the maximum When will justice really be served? sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 15 years, along with a $30,000 fine, and the maximum sentence for second-degree manslaughter is a maximum of 10 years along with a $20,000 fine. With those expectations in mind, as well as taking into account the guilty verdict, it was expected that she would be sentenced to somewhat of a high degree for the reckless crime she had committed. With all of that in mind, Judge Regina M. Chu decided to only sentence Potter on the most prison in just 14 months. This is unacceptable. Another Black man in America loses his life, yet the officer gets off just about scott free. Erica Acosta, director of diversity initiatives, notes the lack of outcomes for individuals convicted of the same crime, and feels the sentencing shows “our justice system is not that just.” “I feel that oftentimes (the justice system) only favors one particular group,” said Acosta. “I think there should be a “I think it’s terrible that officers aren’t being held accountable for their actions, and when they are, they are given time that does not align with the crime they committed. It is crazy how bad our criminal justice system is, and it is not getting better at all.” serious count, first-degree manslaughter. It was expected in accordance with the state’s guidelines that this felony should carry a little more than seven years in prison. On February 18, 2022, former officer Potter, convicted of killing the 20-yearold Black man, father, son, grandson and nephew that was Wright, was sentenced to only 24 months in prison. As per Wright’s mother and lawyer Benjamin Krump, they were devastated to hear of the leniency Potter was given for the killing of her son who had so much more life to live. Not to mention cases in the past where officers have served much longer sentences for acting recklessly on the job. Considering Potter has already been incarcerated for two months, it is very likely that Potter, with good behavior, will be released from course on unconscious bias in the police academy training. The training should not be one and done, it must be embedded in the police culture. We are currently living in scary times, and I think the race divide is getting bigger. I also know we have good people fighting the good fight for racial justice.” It is no secret that the racial divide in this country is very apparent and continues to be a fight all day, every day, for racial justice. Being a Black or minority man or woman in America and being scared for your own well-being is a scary fact to face on a daily basis. Supply chain management major Kevin Brown, who is also a Black man in America, has a lack of confidence in the justice system. 18 “I think it’s terrible that officers aren’t being held accountable for their actions, and when they are, they are given time that does not align with the crime they committed,” said Brown. “It is crazy how bad our criminal justice system is, and it is not getting better at all.” Potter is not the first person to get a “slap on the wrist” for abusing their badge; she is not the first person to unlawfully kill a Black man or woman; she is not the first or the last person to take away another Black man or woman from their family and friends. This country has a long way to go. It is going to take hard work and dedication from all, in order to ensure justice is served in all cases, not just some. We cannot afford as a country to continue to allow unjust crimes against minority groups to go unnoticed. Police academies need to be held accountable, officers need to be held accountable and most importantly, the criminal justice system needs to be held accountable. America, we need to do better. We need to take it upon ourselves to stand up for what is right and what is just. We have to fight for the people who do not have a voice. We need to be the change. We need to make sure another Black man or woman is not taken away from the world too soon. We need to ensure children do not grow up without their Black mothers or fathers. Our country and our people need to do more. We have to stand up for the Tamir Rice’s, George Floyd’s, Breonna Taylor’s and Daunte Wright’s of the world. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Black Lives Matter, today and every day. Interested writing for Opinion? Email Opinion Editor at breanna.ebisch@ wilkes.edu �19 Sports The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu SB: Colonels look to exceed MAC preseason poll expectations By Christopher Gowarty Co-Sports Editor As the spring athletics season approaches, the Colonels softball season will get the ball rolling on March 7. "Our goals for this season are very simple, to trust each other and in our team core values," said head coach Jackie Klahold. "We are in another year with a larger roster. Having a larger roster with different players playing at different times requires them to trust in each other to do their job on the field." On Jan. 26, the MAC announced its coaches’ preseason poll placing the Colonels sixth (t6. Lycoming) out of the nine teams. Wilkes finished seventh last year in the MAC Freedom with an overall record of 5-17. “The team has been working hard over the preseason,” said senior Erin Cabry. “Our goal is putting our name back into the MAC Championship running after we fell short last year.” Last season proved to be a rebuilding year for the Colonels as they sported an overall winning percentage of .227 and a MAC percentage of .312. Returning with a hefty amount of players from last season, the Colonels are in the hunt to improve their standings. “The ultimate goal would be to have a winning season this year and to go far within the conference,” said fifth-year senior pitcher Rachel Pritchard. “I am looking forward to getting back on the field. Just getting back into the swing of things with the team is a blessing in itself.” The 2022 season will be a challenge for Wilkes as they face 21 different opponents after only facing six last season. They will also have a heavier workload with 34 games to be played – 12 more than last year. First-year middle infielder Evan Sherrick discussed that the team has been practicing multiple times a week since Sept. and are anxious to begin playing games. The Blue and Gold will open up their season at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they face eight opponents spanning from March 7 to March 11. "We are extremely excited about starting our season down in Myrtle Beach, which 2 full classes have never experienced because of the pandemic," said Klahold. "Our upper class last went in spring 2020 just before the pandemic shut everything down, and they are very excited to go back and bring the younger players into the fold. This trip sets the tone for our season, so when we get back we are ready to tackle a tough conference and non-conference schedule." After the classic, Wilkes opens up with conference play at DeSales University in a doubleheader on March 19. Team statistics and other information were acquired from gowilkesu.com. Graduate student Rachel Pritchard delivers a pitch on Senior Day, April 17, 2021. Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior Erin Cabry prepares to swing on Senior Day, April 17, 2021. Graduate student Haley Boyd rounds the bases after a home run on Senior Day, April 17, 2021. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Sports 20 MIH: Willpower sends Wilkes to the UCHC Championship By Baylee Guedes Co-Sports Editor Wilkes appeared in one of the most competitive games of the year as it was a chance to get one step closer to the United Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship cup. In the semifinal game between the Colonels and the Chatham Cougars, Wilkes came out on top and is in the running for the UCHC title with a 5-1 win. “I am just so proud,” said head coach Tyler Hynes. “We are 37-0 in our games against Pennsylvania teams and that is really tough to do in any sport. I am just very excited that they (the team) get what they deserve and this senior class means everything to me.” This fast-paced game started with a big Chatham goal by Matthew Doyle at the 17:25 mark of the first period. Two minutes later Wilkes’ own senior Phil Erickson nailed one in with dirty assists from seniors Tyler Barrow and Devon Schell. “It is do or die in the playoffs and I was fired up,” said Erickson. “Tyler and Devon made a great play to get the puck to the net and I was lucky enough to be in the right spot to put it home.” The puck went back and forth between the two aggressive teams and senior Ben The Beacon/Baylee Guedes The Colonels have a group celly after a goal was chipped in by senior Donald Flynn in the second period. Stefanini got a great look at the goal and in the Colonels’ favor. chipped one in at the 13:08 mark. His Wilkes came out strong in the second goal was assisted by senior Scott Mueller period and shut down Chatham. and junior Nick Godfrey. Senior Tyson Araujo scored 30 “The intensity grows each game with seconds into the period with seniors your season on the line,” said Stefanini. Michael Gurska and Nick Fea assisting. “ It was a great moment. Phil was able Big defensive stops held Chatham to to get the first goal to tie it and then we their solo goal and the penalty kill team were able to start rolling from there.” was able to continuously gain control of The period ended with a score of 2-1 the puck. THE BEACON Player of the Game: Donald Flynn Faceoff Wins 9 Goals 1 Blocks 1 “Coach Bombardier did such a great job with our penalty kill squad and we really needed it,” said Hynes after Wilkes was in a penalty match with Chatham. “We did what we needed to do.” Wilkes was able to chip in two more goals during the third. Graduate student Taylor Brierley scored at 12:54 and Donald Flynn scored with a minute and a half on the clock. The period ended with a 5-1 score. The third started out chippy as both teams fought for possession of the puck. Fights were breaking out and the referees had to get involved multiple times during this passionate game as Chatham was trying to get something going. Wilkes’ strong defense and cohesive offense held Chatham off for the final two periods. Junior goaltender Michael PatersonJones ended the game with 34 saves to secure the win. “This win feels better than any win that I can remember,” said Hynes. “You have to earn it to beat us.” The Colonels secured their 20th win of the season for the first time in program history. Wilkes will advance to the UCHC Championship game which will be played against Utica College on Saturday. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Sports 21 MVB: Colonels remain winless against MAC Freedom teams By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The men’s volleyball team looked to pick up their first MAC Freedom win of the season as they faced the visiting Arcadia Knights Saturday afternoon in the Marts Center. Wilkes was unable to come away with the win, as they lost 3-1. The Colonels did not come out of the gates with much enthusiasm. They looked flat on all levels and Arcadia took advantage of that, winning the opening set 25-17. “Every team has hard hitters,” said head coach Joseph Czopek. “What Arcadia has is a well rounded attack, and that helped keep our defense off guard.” Things were much different in the second set. Wilkes offense and defense started to work in cohesion. Speicher played a big role in that with multiple blocks and tipped balls that got his team energized. The Colonels were able to tie things up with a 27-25 win. With things now all square, the third set became crucial in who was going to win the match. Things were once again back and forth before the Arcadia hitters started to do some damage. Some thunderous swings near the end of the set ended up being the difference maker as the Knights took the set. “Conference games have always been The Beacon/Ariel Reed From left to right: Jackson Shafer and Jacob Manges celebrated together after getting a huge block to score the 23 point of the game and switch the tide in Wilkes’ favor. a real competitive scheme for us,” said senior middle hitter Ethan Speicher. “We have always been ranked lowest in the conference, and we take that as a challenge. We want teams to look at us with some respect.” THE BEACON Player of the Game: Paul Binner Kills 6 Blocks 4 Points 7 With the Colonels having to win the fourth set to keep the match alive, they came out with some fire and got off to a hot start. Arcadia answered and tied the set up and eventually went on a big run to finish out the set and match. “That’s where we seem to struggle-in, the last third of the sets,” said Czopek. “We need to be able to stop teams from getting two and three points in a row, while we only get one.” Despite losing in four sets, the Colonels were in it every step of the way after the first set. Each set could have gone a different way if Wilkes was able to come up with a couple of key stops or points. “I think the main thing we struggled with was mentality,” said junior setter Casey Shipman. “When we play big teams, we need to keep a good mix of being intense, but also laid back, combined with having fun while staying serious. We are starting to get better with it, and I’m excited to see where the rest of the season goes.” The Colonels will look to take that mindset into their coming games before spring break. They will host a trio of MAC opponents next week in the Marts Center starting with Stevens Institute of Technology tonight at 7 p.m. �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Hunter Lowe Sophomore Wrestler The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Feb. 16 to Feb. 23 Why Hunter Lowe was selected: Lowe earned MAC Wrestler of the Week honors after winning the 197-pound title at the Futures Mideast Tournament. Name: Hunter Lowe Year: Sophomore Major: History Hometown: Westminster, Md. High School: Winters Mill H.S. Position: 197 pounds Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I was drawn to the program by Coach Laudenslager, who has always been welcoming and very helpful in improving my technique and strategy. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? As of now, I would like to continue my education post-grad and eventually become a history professor myself. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? Over winter break my freshman year, the wrestling team stayed on campus to practice for the Wilkes open. My roommate Max Shaffer and I modified the common area to be our personal living room complete with Xbox, multiple TVs, and a double decker couch. It was fun to have everyone over after practice and play video games. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? Next year, I aim to go to the NCAA National tournament. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed When/Why did you first begin playing? My dad has been a wrestling coach as long as I have been alive, and I have been wrestling almost as long. I found the sport to be intensely gratifying. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I enjoy drawing, cooking, collecting swords, and hiking the national parks. Favorite meal to eat on campus? When making weight isn’t an issue, I like a buffalo chicken cheesesteak from Grille Works and an Oreo milkshake. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? Andy Samberg. I think he and I have a similar kind of “doofiness.” Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. Kuiken. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? Julius Caesar. I would want to ask about what he had planned for Rome were he not assassinated. Most influential person in your life? Anthony Bourdain. A quote you live your life by? “Glory lies beyond the horizon. Challenge it because it is unreachable. Speak of conquest and demonstrate it.” Anyone to give a shout-out to? My supportive parents Mama and Papa Lowe, my brother Alex, and my girlfriend Gracie. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �23 Sports The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Getting to know... Brianna Horton Junior Basketball Player The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Feb. 16 to Feb. 23 Why Brianna Horton was selected: Horton hit a crucial three-point shot against Stevens, leading the Colonels to a 50-47 victory in their final game of the regular season. Throughout the season, Horton has proved to be an indispensable asset to the Colonels as this is not the first game clinching shot she has hit in this season alone. Name: Brianna Horton Year: Junior Major: Psychology Minor: Sociology and Psychology Hometown: Verona, N.J. High School: Verona H.S. Position: Guard Sport Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I wanted to play basketball and the coaching staff and team were very welcoming. I felt like I could reach my full potential here. I really liked the atmosphere of the campus. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I plan to continue my education and earn my masters in sport psychology. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory as a Colonel is beating Stevens on their senior day when they were #2 in the conference. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? Next season, I hope for our team to go further in the playoffs. When/Why did you first begin playing? I began playing at four-years-old. My older sister and cousins played so I just got immersed in it. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I enjoy traveling-- I want to go to all 50 states. Favorite meal to eat on campus? I really enjoy the baked potato bar at the Sub. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? If my life were a movie, I would want to be played by Jennifer Lawrence, she is just super funny. Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. Schicatano. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? I would want to have dinner with Betty White. Most influential person in your life? My parents are the most influential people in my life. A quote you live your life by? "You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take." - Wayne Gretzky Anyone to give a shout-out to? I want to give a shout-out to my teammates. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week. At the end of the academic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it ter @WilkesB eacon to crow n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - March 2, 2022 Sports 24 MIH: Monumental 5-1 Semifinal win over Chatham Cougars Senior Jay Gallhager stares into the eyes of the Chatham goalie. Senior Phil Erickson gets ready to make a move. Coach Tyler Hynes contemplates his next game plan. Seniors Donald Flynn and Araujo prepare for a faceoff. Senior Tyson Araujo gets to the puck before Chatham gets a chance. Senior Ben Stefanini swift on the ice. Photos: The Beacon/Baylee Guedes � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 March 2 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 March 2 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/6296c8079aff31b5972f866db778d775.pdf 719e7539d7677703e63071c0095b8a1d PDF Text Text The Beacon - March 23, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 13 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Wilkes lifts mask mandate, exceptions still exist The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas John Voitek, carpenter in facilities, removes mask requirement signange from the Stark Learning Center. After months of required mask usage, the university has lifted its mask mandate. Masks are still required in certain situations, however. For the complete story, see Page 3. The Squishmallow Fad In-person career and internship fair returns to Wilkes, page 5 Wilkes alumni band, cuddledrug, releases ‘Bed of Thorns,’ page 9 Why Squishmallows have become the latest craze, page 16 Coach of the Year: Tyler Hynes, driven by those around him, page 19 �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: March 16 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Student Government began in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll. The treasurer’s report stated that there is a total of $67,175 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was a request from Paige Gallagher, advancement coordinator. She asked for the help of SG with Giving Day. Giving Day, which occurred on March 22, is a campus wide event that seeks to raise money for the university. Gallagher asked for volunteers to help run events for the day. The second order of business was a club report from the ski and snowboarding club. The presentation was given by president and P3 pharmacy student Zachary Niemiec. The third order of business was a constitution change from the Table Tennis club. The presentation was given by president, first-year chemistry major, Saurabh Patel. The first constitution was made with the founding for the club in October, but changes have been made as the club finishes out its second semester. The major changes include opening the club to all members of the university, including staff and faculty; a change in the mission statement to put more of a focus on teaching the game and welcoming others; and finally the adding of a presence handler. The fourth order of business was a fund request from the Dance Marathon board. The dance marathon will take place on March 26. It will be a 6-hour event held in the MAC. The funds raised will go to Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in partnership with Children’s Miracle Network. The presentation was given by Donald Ballou, senior communication studies major, who asked for $2,000 from SG to purchase general items and supplies. This will be voted on this week. The fifth order of business was week two of two for a budget request from the Spring Fling committee. The presentation was given by Danielle Morris, junior digital design and media arts major, and AJ Rubino, sophomore communication studies major. Spring Fling is on April 8 at Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Dance Marathon Wilkes’s Dance Marathon is returning for its second year, hosting an in-person six-hour event on March 26, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the McHale Athletic Center. The event is open to students, faculty, and staff along with members of the community. The event will feature music, DJ’s, food, drink and a multitude of different events such as volleyball and dodgeball tournaments, WAE hours and different arts and crafts. To donate, find Wilkes’s donor drive by searching “Dance Marathon at Wilkes University 2022” and click “donate to this event.” From there, general donations can be made. Submit work to Manuscript Society Manuscript Society is accepting submissions for the 2021-22 edition till 11:59 p.m. on April 17. Submissions are open for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff and alumni. The society accepts poetry, essays, short stories, photography, art and digital art. Short stories have a limit of five pages. The limit is five submissions per person. To submit original work or ask any questions, email magazine@wilkes.edu Buy a Tote Bag Looking for a new bag? Green Giants tote bags are an affordable, sustainable and durable alternative to plastic and are being sold for ten dollars each. The bags come in two designs: the Wilkes logo and blue butterflies. Students looking to purchase one should watch out for anyone selling them in the Student Union Building, the Simms Center, or DM them on Instagram @ greengiantstotebags to place an order. Ninety percent of proceeds go to Little Eric’s Foundation, a local organization that funds pediatric cancer research. Memorial Concert Honoring Professor Emeritus Steven Thomas A memorial concert honoring Steven Thomas, late music professor, will be held at 4 p.m. on May 1 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 South Franklin St. The public is invited to attend and will be required to follow St. Stephen’s protocols for masking and social distancing. Alumni who would like to sing the two pieces should arrive at St. Stephen’s at 3:15 p.m. for a combined rehearsal. All singers must be fully vaccinated and wear a mask per the venue’s protocols. If you would like to attend or perform, register through the March 18 Wilkes, Today email. Online Buddhist Meditation Returns Interested in practicing some sitting and walking meditation with others? The sessions will be offered each Tuesday and run for about 40 minutes. No experience is needed and anyone interested is welcome. For more information or the link for the virtual sessions, contact Linda Paul, associate professor of philosophy, at linda. paul@wilkes.edu. the Mary Stegmaier Mansion. Finalized this week was food, which will be buffet style and cost $35 per person, and decorations, which went down in price due to the mansion being able to donate some centerpieces. The final request price was $12,400. The motion was passed and a budget request was approved. The last order of business was an update on some of the constitutional changes made of the constitution committee. The only major change that will take effect immediately is the closer monitoring of SG members' social media pages. The next SG meeting will occur March 23. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester April 8 - Spring Fling 14 - Holiday Recess Begins 18 - Classes Resume May 4 - Classes End 5 - Final Exams Begin 12 - Final Exams End Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Wilkes lifts mask mandate, exceptions still exist By Maddy Kinard News Editor Following an email from President Greg Cant, new masking mandates went into effect, March 17. With the announcement came a new maskoptional policy for the campus, with some exceptions. First, anyone on campus can still wear a mask if they feel more comfortable doing so. Cant also laid out four addendums to the change in guidelines: Masks are still required in medical and testing facilities on campus; anyone experiencing symptoms or awaiting a test result must wear a mask; anyone who has tested positive in the last 10 days must wear a mask; and if an individual has been exposed, they must wear a mask around others for 10 days. The university continues to recommend that those traveling in university transportation wear masks along with individuals participating in large-scale events (like commencement or lectures). It is also encouraged that those on campus continue to keep masks on them in the event they may need one. Assurance testing and the tracking of positive cases will still continue as it will be important now more than ever to keep the momentum in reducing the spread. Those that are unvaccinated will still be required to report to assurance testing. Additionally, faculty and staff are allowed to still require mask-wearing in their classrooms, lectures, labs or offices. Students are also required to News follow protocol in the locations of their internships, field hours, clinical experiences, sporting events and anywhere else. Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the university has been following CDC regulations while primarily considering the climate of the community and Luzerne County. As the county was still dealing with influxes of cases, the campus remained masked. As Luzerne County progressed from medium to low risk and campus case positivity remained low after spring break, masks have now become optional in university buildings with classroom mask guidelines up to the discretion of the professor. “Personally, I feel like allowing students and faculty to decide whether to wear a mask or not, is a step in the right direction,” said junior nursing major Olivia Wood. Sophomore education major, Lily Goense noted she’s excited to see some of her classmates and professors’ faces. While this is a great relief to many students and the overall campus community, the university is still prepared to reintroduce indoor masking should the health and safety climate change again and require it. “However, I think that students and staff now know the precautions they must take to stop the spread, so any rise will no doubt be handled efficiently,” said sophomore mechanical engineering major, Matthew Benedito. 3 Two-year COVID timeline March 6, 2020 - New procedures on campus Aug. 18, 2020 - Student Behavior During COVID-19 March 11, 2020 - Preparations for remote classes and events Aug. 24, 2020 - COVID-19 Campus Dashboard Available Online March 12, 2020 - Announcing the suspension of face-to-face classes Sept. 4, 2020 - Campus Update on Quarantine and Isolation March 16, 2020 - Revised procedures and recommendations for students Sept. 28, 2020 - Spring 2021 Semester Plans April 1, 2020 - Spring commencement ceremony will be delayed Nov. 2, 2020 - End of Semester Health Reminders April 20, 2020 - 73rd Annual Spring Commencement Rescheduled for Saturday, Sept, 12, 2020 Jan. 15, 2021 - COVID-19 Testing for Returning Students June 5, 2020 - Health and Safety Campus Protocols July 25, 2020 - Middle Athletic Conference (MAC) and the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) July 29, 2020 - Colonels Combat COVID: A Guide to Returning the Fall Information can be found at wilkes.edu under COVID-19 Planning messages Jan. 19, 2021 - Revised Return Testing Timelines for Students July 26, 2021 Vaccination Status - Upload Your Aug. 4, 2021 - Masking Update March 16, 2022 - Mask-Optional Policy Effective 3/17/22 �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 News 4 Nominations open for student, staff and faculty awards By Taylor Dillon Staff Writer Each year, the Center for Global Education and Diversity receives award nominations for students, faculty, administration, staff and board members at Wilkes. The nominees are individuals who have shown considerable effort toward raising multicultural awareness. Listed on the Today@Wilkes email, there are five categories for nominations. The Global Scholar and Citizen Award is a student demonstrating significant contributions toward raising international awareness at Wilkes through involvement in campus and community activities promoting crosscultural awareness. Other awards include: the Diversity and Inclusion Student Award, the Executive Diversity Award, the Diversity Faculty Award and the Diversity Staff Award. Those awards honor a member of the student body, board of trustees, faculty and staff, respectively, who has contributed to improving the diversity climate on campus. Nominations are due by April 15. All nominations are due online by Friday, April 15, at: www.wilkes.edu/multiculturalawards Wyoming free library searches for virtual guest readers By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer The Wyoming Free Library is holding an opportunity for virtual readers to join them in the celebration of National Library Week. Every year, National Library Week takes place from April 3 to 9. The commemoration began in 1958 as a way to honor libraries. The website for the American Library Association, or ALA, states that the goal for the week this year is for people to find new ways to connect with their local libraries. “Libraries give us access to books that we would normally never come across in our daily lives,” said Emma stout, firstyear political science and criminology major. “I always went to the library as a kid and loved to see all the different genres of books that I had access to.” Despite the decline in the usage of libraries, people still see their importance, especially on campus. Sophomore mechanical engineering student Tess Edwards commented on Graphics by Zoey Rosensweet how libraries can provide students with study places, internet and book resources—something that not all students will have access to at their homes. With the pandemic, the staff at the library wanted to find a way to still connect to the community. In 2021, they held their first virtual reading and decided to continue it this year. Any age group is welcome and encouraged to participate by reading their favorite children’s books. “The pandemic made it difficult to hold in-person programs, so the library decided to hold a virtual event with great success,” said John Roberts, executive director at the Wyoming Free Library. The library cards at the Wyoming Free Library can be used to access various different resources. Patrons can download items such as eBooks, magazines and newspapers. “The library is a safe haven for children and adults alike to discover new interests or divulge in old ones,” said Sunny Wallace, junior English major. Wyoming Free Library hours: Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 News 5 In-person career and internship fair returns to Wilkes By Cassidy Taylor Staff Writer On March 17, the first in-person career and internship fair was held since March of 2019. The fair was held inside the McHale Athletic Center and featured 95 organizations from business, industry, education, technology, social services, health care and graduate education. The organizations shared information about their opportunities for students. This was an opportunity for first-year students to seniors to inquire about or apply for jobs, internships, grad schools or summer positions. “We had the spring fair of 2020 planned to be in person, but it was canceled the day before,” said Carol Bosak, director of career services. “That’s when the covid numbers were really high. Employers were canceling and the school said it was too risky.” Staff and students are equally happy to finally have an in-person fair again. “I am so happy that it is in person this year because the virtual ones just aren’t the same,” said senior psychology major AJ Quadarella. Quadarella was also satisfied with the variety of opportunities found at this year's event. She was able to talk to places outside of her intended career field and have great conversations. Representatives from one company offered her an application. Aside from the opportunities available from the many organizations at the fair, there are also on campus opportunities for students to get more involved in the Center for Career Development and Internship office. The center helps students to attain their educational and career goals by hosting resume workshops, interview preparation, networking opportunities, alumni mentoring and more. Emma Dunbar, senior psychology major and Sarah Pavlick, junior marketing major, work in the Center for Career Development and Internship office as a Colonel Career Peer Ambassador. “We help students edit their resume or if they need help finding internships we can help,” said Dunbar. “We have resume editing workshops, events and the career Attendance was strong at the recent in-person career and intership fair. Photos: The Beacon/Cassidy Taylor From left, AJ Quadarella, Leah Karassik and Justin Glidden in charge of the colonel peer ambassador Salvatore Scotto pose for a photo at the recent career program. and internship fair. If you missed the career fair, or would COVID-19, or for those who were unable fair.” Pavlick discussed her favorite part of like to have the opportunity to speak with to travel at all. being a peer ambassador so far was helping more employers, the Center for Career “Since we are using virtual platforms for to plan events, such as the open house in Development and Internships is holding a career fairs, we now have organizations the fall, and being able to watch the success virtual fair on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 coming from the mid Atlantic region,” of her efforts. p.m.. Students can register and see the list said Bosak. “It’s good to be flexible and use In order to become a peer ambassador, of organizations on www.joinhandshake. technology, but it’s nice to have the face to students must be at least a sophomore, com or through the handshake app on face back again. You get more of a feel of familiar with Microsoft office applications, their phone. who somebody is, what they’re looking for The virtual fair was planned for and what their personality is like. It is good knowledgeable in social media and eligible organizations who faced restrictions due to to be back.” for federal work-study. �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 6 �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan Daniel: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Students share their alternative spring break experiences By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer From March 3 to March 12 more than 30 students traded their free time during spring break in exchange for an alternative spring break program at the Carolina Tiger Rescue in North Carolina, the disaster recovery habitat in Tennessee or Give Kids the World in Florida. The leadership, education, advocacy and partnership alternative break program (LEAP-AB) provides volunteer service opportunities that are coordinated by student leaders. LEAP-AB also gives students opportunities to learn about and act on social justice issues through immersion experiences. “I signed up for spring break because I love learning new things,” said Emilee Barnhardt, senior nursing major. “Outside of school I volunteer often. I am a volunteer firefighter for my town. This was my first time going on a trip like this.” Many students across numerous majors and volunteer experiences volunteered and showed interest in the alternative spring break trips. Students had to apply through an application process to get accepted to attend these trips. “I signed up for this trip as a way to grow both as a person and also with my skills related to the outdoors,” said Andrew Sabol, first-year mechanical engineering major. “I don’t always volunteer for stuff like this often. I just started volunteering and doing stuff like this during this semester so this was my first time going on a trip like this with the school.” The trip to the Smoky Mountains left on March 4 before arriving in Brevard, N.C. two days later at their first campsite. After that, they set up camp, and on March 7 the group went backpacking eight miles up Cold Mountain from the Art Loeb Trail. The next day, they hiked back down and headed to the campsite. On March 9, the group packed up camp and drove to Asheville, N.C. where they stayed in a hostel and did laundry, went grocery shopping and explored the town. The next day, the group visited Biltmore Estates and went to another campsite in Smokemont, which is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On March 11, they hiked up to Mount LeConte and the next morning they watched the sunrise from the mountains before driving back home. “My favorite parts were just all the new experiences that I got to have,” said Mel Fouts, junior environmental engineering major. “I was able to backpack for the first time and tent-camp for longer than I have in the past. By doing this, I met a lot of awesome people and tried a lot of things for the first time.” The trip was open to all students and was provided through Wilkes Adventure Education (WAE). Early on in the semester, a meeting was held for those who were interested and then there were weekly meetings until the departure date. During the meetings, the students would pack gear for the trips. “My favorite part of the spring break was being able to learn and experience something while being in the outdoors,” said Sabol. “The overall experience was a combination of tent camping, hiking, backpacking, which some people went on. I didn’t go backpacking as it was my first trip with WAE.” The LEAP-AB allows students to explore a diverse array of topics including urban education, disaster response, child welfare and more. LEAP-AB also allows students to build responsive relationships with community partners across the country and internationally, as well. “I think it is beneficial for students to attend trips like this because it can get people out of their comfort zones into what we call ‘the growth zone’,” said Fouts. “You only realize what your full potential is when you push yourself a bit. You also get to meet so many new people that you wouldn’t otherwise.” Barnhardt also believes the trip was extremely beneficial for other students to create new friends, memories and amazing times. Students who are interested in future alternative spring breaks should talk to WAE coordinator Jill Price or other WAE members to find out about different programs and trips that are available. “Any student interested should know that it is well worth it,” said Fouts. “The trip may seem intimidating at first, especially if they are used to going home over spring break. The new experiences are nearly once in a lifetime and quite unique to Wilkes University.” Courtesy of Mel Fouts Mel Fouts, junior environmental engineering major and Edison Fowler, alumus of the class of 2020, are hiking on Mt. LeConte. �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Dollar store recipe: Nutritious apricot oat bars These apricot oat bars are a perfect snack for breakfast or after class. They are a tasty and healthy treat that can be frozen for up to one month. Ingredients: ����������� ������������������������� � �������� ���������� �� � ���������������� ����� � ��������������� � ����������� �������������� � ������������ ������������������������ a Allergens: Fruit By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Directions: First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9x12 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set the baking pan aside. Next, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl and mix well. Place the butter in a small bowl and microwave on high for one minute or until completely melted. Pour the butter into the medium bowl and stir until the mixture is crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup of the crumb mixture and press the remaining mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for five to seven minutes or until lightly browned. Next, spread the apricot preserves onto the crust and then sprinkle the remaining crumbs evenly onto the preserves. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and then let cool. Once completed, cut into bite-sized squares and serve. Enjoy! The Beacon/Morgan Rich These bars are the perfect on-the-go snack and do not take long to make. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Times We Had - Barlito Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: Psycho - Maisie Peters Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: Pool House - The Backstreet Lovers Maddy Kinard, News Editor: The Actor - alt-J Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Rare Hearts - The Growlers Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: Awaken (Feel Alive) - Big Wild, Surfaces Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: Yoü And I - Lady Gaga Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: Everything She Wants - Wham! Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: maybe - Machine Gun Kelly, Bring Me The Horizon Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: One Shining Moment - David Barrett Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: Marlboro Nights - Lonely God 8 �The Beacon – March 23, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Wilkes alumni band, cuddledrug, releases ‘Bed of Thorns’ By AJ Rubino ���������������������������������� ������������ ���� ���� ������ Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer On March 14 local Wilkes alumni band, cuddledrug, released their second album “Bed of Thorns” to benefit mental health and addiction recovery. The indie-alternative pop-rock group’s album sales and merchandise proceeds will go towards their fundraising efforts. According to a press release, there are multiple phases of the album. The first phase of the album assists the Gift of Hope Fund at Geisinger Marworth Addiction Treatment Center. Located in Scranton, the center helps low-income, under-insured and uninsured people to seek the treatment they need. In 2020, as stated by Marworth’s website, 382 patients benefited from the Gift of Hope. “Mental health and addiction recovery should not be a death sentence for someone,” said 2017 Wilkes alum, producer, drummer, pianist, guitarist and vocalist, Derek Jolley. The band is back again to raise efforts for this cause. As stated in a press release by guitarist and vocalist, David Heinz: “Mental health has been stigmatized for so long and as a band we’ve tried so hard to change how people think about getting help.” The new album includes 13 tracks that were recorded both at JL Studios in Olyphant, Pa. and the band’s own studio located in Larksville. In 2019, the band released an EP titled “Bed of Roses.” The EP includes only three songs, however, one song in particular is about gender equality and the idea of masculinity dictating how one lives their life. The line in the song Jolley focused on was “Watch me leave this bed of roses.” “It talks about how there actually is a lot of good in really dark situations,” said Jolley. The answer to “Bed of Roses” is the newly released album. The band agreed that there was always going to be a follow up to the EP. “As one of the creators of the album, “Bed of Thorns” is the opposite of the Courtesy of cuddledrug Pictured from left to right are some of the cuddledrug band members, Patrick Walton, bass; David Heinz, guitar and vocals; Frazee Sutphen, album art, guitar and vocals; Derek Jolley, producer, drums, piano, guitar and vocals and Dylan Jolley, auxiliaries. Not pictured from the band are Nate Harbaugh, saxophone; Adam Harbaugh, trumpet; John Shimp, trumpet; Tye Sutphen, live perfomer; Kevin Adams, guitar solos; Ashton Znaniecki, creative consultant; Brian Keith Bidding, logistics and Danny Washington, engineer. EP,” said Jolley. “The album seeks the idea of the bad in every good situation.” In pop-culture, musicians are best known to drop their new music on a Friday. However, cuddledrug becomes the exception by dropping the album on a Monday. “The whole theme of this dichotomy of mental health and about everything we do is how there’s good in the bad and bad in the good,” said Jolley. “We released the album on Pi Day because the idea came full circle. I have my own struggles with my own identity and I am constantly advocating for mental health access. Even as dark as the album we released last year was mourning a friend of ours that took his own life.” In reference to the last album released last year, the band raised money in support for the National Suicide Prevention line and mental health. The band hopes to do a live performance in the future depending on the severity of the ongoing pandemic. “I love playing music with my friends and family members but it is extra important to me personally that we strive so hard to try to make a difference, even if it’s only a small one,” said bassist, Patrick Walton. People can help support the band by purchasing an album and all proceeds made from the album release will benefit their cause. Also, cuddledrug is selling merchandise, which can be found on their website at cuddledrug.com More information about Marworth’s Addiction Recovery and Treatment Center can be found at their own website at www.marworth.org or at a center near you. The band can be found on Instagram @cuddledrug and digital versions of their music can be found on all music streaming sites. @cuddledrug �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Liz’s Craft Column: Customizable no sew spring bunnies An affordable spring time craft that is sure to add fun to your space By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager This craft is a no sew bunny decoration. This decoration is perfect for spring time and it is easy because there is no sewing involved. The bunnies can be customized to be any color. This craft is affordable because it only requires a few supplies, which can be found at most stores. These bunnies are sure to make any space more festive. • • • • • • 3. Section a small portion of the sock with the rice in it and tie another rubber band around it. This will create the head of the bunny. Then, on the designated back of the bunny grab a tiny part of the sock and wrap another rubber band around. This will create the bunny tail. One crew sock of any color Rubber bands Scissors Rice Black marker Cup 1. First, grab the crew sock and the cup. Put the bottom closed end of the sock into the cup and wrap the open end around the opening of the cup. This will make pouring the rice into the sock easier. Pour about one pound of rice into the sock. The sock may need to be adjusted as more rice is added so remove the sock from the cup, shake the rice down, then put the sock back into the cup and continue. Graphic by Jack Malatesta 2. Once all the rice is added, remove the sock from the cup. Straighten the sock out so that the rice is evenly distributed and then tie a rubber band around the top of the sock where the rice ends. 4. Lay the bunny on its back flat on a table. Cut the majority of the remaining sock off, leaving about 3-4 inches left on top of the rubber band. Make a cut straight through the remaining portion up until the rubber band, leaving enough space so the rubber band does not slip off. From the inside of each side, start on the top and make a curved cut down to the middle. This will make the “bunny ear” shape. Arrange them to appear as ears, either floppy or standing up. Liz’s difficulty rating: 5. While the bunny is still on its back it is time to draw the face. Make two eyes and then an “X” for the mouth or nose. The placement is up to preference but it is best mostly centered. Once the face is finished, the bunny should be evident. Display it anywhere for a fun, spring touch to any space. �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Creative Colonel of the Week: Alana Andreoli By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor The Creative Colonel this week is Alana Andreoli, senior earth and environmental science major. Andreoli is a super crafty person and recently learned how to make her own candles. “I have an active mind and during summer and winter breaks I have a lot of downtime,” said Andreoli. “I have anxiety and during those downtimes I prefer to take the anxiety and put it to use through crafting.” Andreoli changes what craft she wants to master every summer and winter. She only began to learn how to make candles during this past winter. “I enjoy making candles because it is something new to try and it allows me to work through my anxiety,” said Andreoli. “Plus, wax can bend and be molded a bit, which is fun.” She does not create complex candles, which require dipping or silicon molds. She taught herself how to make candles by watching brief videos and by using a kit instruction. However, now she tweaks it to fit her own needs. In order to create her candles, Andreoli uses a heat source, measuring cup or final container for the wax, wicks, wick stickers, soap dye liquid colors, paraffin wax and soap scents, which can be intermixed with candle scents because they are similar to each other. Since winter break, she has made a total of 23 candles. “I do not make as many candles now that I am really into the middle of the semester and busy with my senior capstone,” said Courtesy of Alana Andreoli Alana Andreoli with her favorite candle “creamsicle,” which is orange scented. Andreoli. “It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to days depending on if I add scents, varying colors or shape changes.” Although she is not making as many candles as she used to, some people were fortunate enough to receive some of the first candles she ever made. Those people were her friends, family members, roommate and a few people her roommate brought to their apartment. “I would definitely get another candle from her because I know she puts thought into each and everyone of them,” said Lauren Johnson, senior biology major. The candles Andreoli makes are not only special because she creates them on her own but when she makes them to give to people she takes in consideration what sort of candle the person will enjoy. For instance, most of her candles are unscented for people with scent sensitivities or allergies to fragrances. As of now, Andreoli does not sell her candles or any of her other crafts. Nevertheless, she plans to do so in the future. “I would purchase crafts from Alana because I know she puts care into her work, pays attention to detail and will not sell a product that doesn’t meet her quality standards,” said Abigail Wiernik, Penn State senior business major. Want to nominate someone for Creative Colonel? Contact LA&E Editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Courtesy of Abigail Wiernik Alana Andreoli gifted this candle to Abigail Wiernik. Wiernik says it sparks joy. �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Sports 12 MARCH MADNESS These brackets were finalized last week before publishing. Will our brackets stand the test of time? Emily Cherkauskas As former LA&E editor, I know nothing about basketball. However, as editor-in-chief, I was invited to join in picking my final four, as is tradition in The Beacon when picking our top sports teams for championships. Therefore, I decided to call upon my niche for design and choose my final four based on what colors and logos looked the nicest. In fourth place, we have Texas Southern, with its gorgeous deep maroon and white. Next, we have North Carolina with an eye-catching baby blue. Michigan State was the runner up, the Spartans donning an elegant and solid pine green. In the end, my true winner is TCU, sporting a mystical royal purple, making them stand out from all other teams. Michigan ST. TCU UNC TX. Southern Ariel Reed Texas Tech may appear as a bit of a reach, but if you look at their path to the top, they have arguably one of the easiest routes there. The only competition they have is Gonzaga and Chet Holmgren, a foe they can easily conquer. The Zags have almost fallen in close match-ups to their opponents, and Texas Tech will be one of them. After that, handling a matchup against Iowa will be a cakewalk. As I always say, never bet against a team from Texas—the basketball down there is different. Predicted winner: Texas Tech Predicted winner: TCU Texas Tech TENNEESSEE BAyLOR IOWA Baylee guedes Gonzaga Kentucky Arizona Kansas The men’s basketball bracket is fairly top-heavy this year. However, a team that towers over the others is Gonzaga-- literally. Chet Holmgren, standing at a towering 7’, dominates the boards. The man is a walking bucket and virtually unstoppable down low. Holmgren not only dominates on offense, but the man is a shot swatter down low. He ensures that people earn their paint points. Not to mention that Drew Timme is a fiend who is looking to clinch a championship within his career. Predicted winner: GONzaga �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Sports 13 FINAL FOUR PREDICTIONS Chris gowarty DUKE Arizona I predict that Duke, Texas, Arizona and Wisconsin will comprise this year’s Final Four. I believe that Duke will be this year’s champion, led by one of the best players in college basketball at the moment in Paolo Banchero. Coach Mike Krzyzewski will end his stellar career with a championship for his university, solidifying his case as one of the best coaches in college sports history. Texas Predicted winner: DUKE Wisconsin jason eberhart The team that will be cutting down the nets in New Orleans will be Duke. This is a more experienced Duke team and they will not go down without a fight in Coach K’s last season. Kryzewski walks away from college basketball with his sixth National Championship. They have a top three consensus pick in Paolo Banchero and it is tough to take Gonzaga over Duke after the Blue Devils beat them earlier this season. Predicted winner: DUKE Duke TENNEESSEE Kentucky Auburn zach paraway Gonzaga Arizona From the West, I have Gonzaga. In the South, I have Arizona. Midwest, I have Auburn. And in the East, in my most biased, humble fan opinion, I have North Carolina. That makes it Gonzaga vs. Arizona and Auburn vs, UNC in the final four. I have both Gonzaga and Auburn coming out in top. In the big game, I have Gonzaga winning it all after years of coming close. UNC Auburn Predicted winner: GONzaga Page design and graphics by Zoey Rosensweet �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designer Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Wordle and the chokehold it has on society Five letters. Six guesses. And only a couple of colorful hints. How can a game so simple captivate the world in such a short amount of time? Well, Wordle did exactly that. The online game was launched in October 2021 by Josh Wardle, a Brooklyn-based software developer, who designed it for the amusement of his significant other. The first couple of weeks, Wordle had a couple hundred users, if it was lucky. Now in March, 300,000 people play it daily, and Wordle recently sold the game to The New York Times for well over a seven-figure sum. Wordle’s success and growth has been exponential. New people play it every single day. The thing that keeps the returning players coming back is the thrill of getting the new word each time they play it. The game is not complicated. All generations can play it; it is easy to get a hold of and takes just a few minutes everyday. Rarely do people fail. However, the words are just difficult enough, and it tests the brain just enough that it keeps the titillation of the players high without them getting frustrated. There have been some days where people have gotten stumped by the tricky words Wordle has used. If someone can explain what “swill” or “rupee” means off the top of their head, then credit to them. However, then Wordle will give you words like “month” and “today” that make the user appreciate not having to use too many brain cells to figure out the answer. Every person’s brain thinks just a little bit differently, and Wordle fully encapsulates that. There is certainly room for creativity in this minigame with a dictionary’s worth of 2,315 words. People can use any of those five-letter words to try and figure out today’s answer, but the beauty of it is that there is only one correct answer, but hundreds, if not thousands, of different ways to get to that answer. Even outside of the Wordle is a unique type of game that allows each and every user to have a different experience when playing it. In fact, it has become so addicting that when the new word is dropped at midnight, some people have to stay up each night at midnight before they can even think about going to bed. On the other hand, others wake up and do the daily Wordle first thing in the morning before they shower or brush their teeth. Some do it randomly throughout the day. The popularity of such a simple online word game seems almost imaginary. So many people need this part of their life every single day. After all, Wordle is such a game that allows the user to be in total control of what they are doing. To be fair, much of the last two years has not been up to the common person. Wordle, even though just a tiny word game once a day, allows people to get a little control back into their life. We would like to remind you, though: Have you finished today’s Wordle yet? Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Opinion 15 Unmasking the WilkesU mask finder: The truth revealed By Lindsey Scorey Opinion Asst. Editor Editor’s note: Due to the nature of this story, various sources that were interviewed and/or cited in this article already knew of the identity of wilkesumaskfinder. The Instagram page @becolonel, a social media account intended to post relatable memes about Wilkes students, has become a campus-wide conversation starter. Since its launch in the fall of 2021, the page has amassed more than 700 followers. Another Wilkes related account, @wumaskfinder, spent months documenting the random places masks were left on campus. With many Wilkes students, faculty and staff following the pages and their activity, @becolonel and @ wumaskfinder have still managed to remain anonymous while running these accounts, until now. Can we get a drumroll, please? The face behind the mask is sophomore political science and history major Kaelin Hughes. Hughes is quite involved on campus and has managed to keep their social media endeavors private still. In a way, this was a creative decision to stay anonymous for so long, not only to cause intrigue but to additionally make the account feel more universal to all students and their experiences. “A lot of my close friends who know who I am always bring up how others talk about the memes or the masks, and it’s honestly so weird being so known,” said Hughes. “However, it’s also fun.” Matt Haubert, junior business administration and management major, initially found BeColonel to be interesting because of the fact that the memes were funny and relatable to nearly everyone on campus. He noted that even if he did not relate to them personally, they were still funny and enjoyable. “BeColonel is a great page that brightens people’s days because the humor is relatable and not made at anyone’s expense,” notes Haubert. While many anonymous pages lean toward spreading drama and negativity, BeColonel is not sought out to insult or harm anyone, but rather spread some funny commonalities. Hughes has even made note on Instagram stories that she does not affiliate with any drama accounts that may have spread previously. BeColonel’s posts pertain to recent events or topics circulating around campus. For instance, finals season or inside jokes associated with each dorm. Hughes also accepts submissions to their account, an addition to the already current content. “I’m very happy to be able to take suggestions and curate memes that bring the Wilkes community together,” said Hughes. “Whether it’s about SUB food, the struggles of a specific major or experiences in general at Wilkes, it’s an amazing way to be a ‘voice’ for those experiences.” Since it is a student-run account for colonels past and present, it makes sense that Hughes caters to her followers. Her mask account is current and funny, but it is also a genuine commentary on the wasteful discarding of masks on campus and beyond. Even President Greg Cant follows @ wumaskfinder. Leah Karassick, junior biochemistry major, felt as though @wumaskfinder’s posts were a funny means to taking a break from the busy tasks of the day. She also noted that it was a lighthearted way to make the seriousness of the pandemic and COVID restrictions more enjoyable. These accounts prove that being unproblematic while talking about humorous and applicable topics on a college campus is possible and can actually amass a large following. “I’m excited that both @becolonel and @wumaskfinder have grown to what they are now, and I’m excited for what’s to come,” said Hughes. I hope students continue to enjoy the fun posts and social media usage wherever possible and as always, don’t forget to discard masks appropriately and embrace the motto “Be Colonel.” Photos courtesy of @becolonel and @wumaskfinder �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Opinion 16 Why have Squishmallows become the latest popular trend? Analyzing the cute and colorful plushies By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer Squishmallows, a brand of soft and simplistic plush toys, have been flying off the shelves. Since their release in 2017, founder Kelly Toys Holdings LLC has sold more than 100 million Squishmallows. Although these plushies are marketed toward children, teen and adult collectors have also contributed massively to their success. What makes Squishmallows so popular? One major contributing factor to their success is their cute and identifiable design. Although there are many different types of Squishmallows between animals, foods and other creatures, two features are present on them all: their simple expression and round and huggable shape. This iconic design distinguishes Squishmallows as a brand and separates them from their competitors. Not only are Squishmallows simply just cute, but they are also fun and relatable. Each Squishmallow has a name, personality and interests—like video games, science and athletics. The relatability and personification of the toy adds an extra emotional connection between the consumer and the plushie. Over the past two years, Squishmallow collectors have taken their interest to online communities on TikTok and other social media platforms. Adult fans share their collection and notify fellow fans of new characters. This increases interest in certain plushies and exposes the brand to those unfamiliar, further popularizing them and expanding the community. With a growing fanbase and more than one thousand characters to collect, Squishmallow fans may struggle to find their favorite ones in store. Some Squishmallows are harder to find than others, which increases the demand. Fans may wait in long lines or pay hefty resale prices for their favorite characters. Additionally, the high demand and low supply of Squishmallows may cause fans to buy out of impulse as they may not have the opportunity to buy it at another time. The design, relatability, community, collectability and demand all contribute to the growing adult audience. Some claim Squishmallows are comparable to a new generation of 1990s toy craze Beanie Babies. cream and onion chips they let go stale. It was pretty disappointing in my opinion. The doors opened at 7 p.m. and I never ran into a venue faster in my life. I ended up standing with a few people I met in line. During the hour in between the wait, I found myself on Facetime with my mother and the crowd greeting her. It was funny because she was so confused as to what was happening, but I felt that I became one with the crowd at that moment. The opener was Bulow. In all honesty, I only knew “You and Jennifer” by the group, but I never not enjoy an opener because it helps broaden my horizons when it comes to my music The Squishmallow Fad Only time can tell if Squishmallows will increase in value over time, but right now, these cute and huggable characters have won over hearts—and wallets—of many. Conan Gray’s talent and musicianship shining on new tour By AJ Rubino Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer American singer-songwriter Conan Gray kicked off his tour on March 1 and is still in the beginning of the long road ahead of the highly anticipated world tour. I had the experience of attending one of his shows at The Fillmore in Philadelphia on March 13, and I do not regret it for the world. Waiting in line before the concert was an experience unlike others I have had. This time, I went an hour and a half earlier than the time doors opened, to find myself in a decently long line. I figured I would give myself that extra half hour to get a good spot in line. I was not satisfied with my placement. I was honestly surprised about the length of the line, considering it was 30 degrees outside and half of the crowd did not wear a coat. However, I found people in front of me with blankets and whole meals, casually sitting on the ground. I vividly remember a group of teens sitting on the ground with their meals from Wawa and I kept staring at the bag of sour The Beacon/AJ Rubino Conan Gray performs at the the Fillmore. taste. Most of the songs were very romance related. Not in a “heartbreak revenge story” like Conan himself, but in a “I have a crush on your father” kind of way. I cannot make this up. The song was actually about having a crush on the best friend’s father. After the opening act, Conan Gray finally appeared. He opened with “Wish You Were Sober” and I could not have asked for a better opener from him. My favorite song that he performed was “Astronomy” and I think I fell more in love with that man. The visuals, the choreography, his voice all made me feel like I was entering heaven. The concert ended with his newer songs and I enjoyed how the crowd picked up on the emotional lyrics and melodies of the song. Gray had us wrapped around his finger. One minute he had us laughing and then the next moment I was crying. Overall, I would do it again, preferably in warmer weather. These winter concerts are messing with my body and my fits, but it was worth it every time. �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Opinion 17 Are the new NFL overtime rules a necessary addition? By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer On March 16, the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans all proposed rules changes to the current overtime format in the NFL. The Eagles and the Colts proposed the rule change of each team getting a guaranteed possession in overtime. The Titans proposed the rule change of each team getting a possession in overtime unless the team with the first possession scores a two-point conversion. Both of these proposed rule changes can make a huge difference and would make overtime so much better. I personally like the Eagles and Colts’ proposed rule change more due to the fact that it is a guaranteed possession. If these rule changes get implemented, the only thing that needs updating is the time in overtime. According to the NFL, coin toss winners are 10-1, with a 90.9 percent chance of winning overtime. Is this fair? Contact opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu to offer your take. Overtime would need to revert back to 15 minutes instead of 10 minutes. I can see way more ties with this new format if they keep it at 10 minutes. It is devastating to watch your team bring the game to overtime, only to lose the game because of a coin toss. The coin toss decides who gets possession first and many times the team that receives the ball usually scores in that first possession, resulting in a win. There was a lot of discussion about the overtime rules after the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs divisional game this year. The Chiefs won the coin toss after they brought the game to overtime and the Bills never had a chance to fight back with their own possession due to the Chiefs scoring. Teams in the NFL constantly propose rule changes, but most do not warrant a discussion. This rule change is warranting a discussion. The NFL’s Competition Committee will officially submit the new rule change next week in the committee meeting. Fans and teams are so tired of the current format. It has a genuine shot of going through. In 2017, the league changed the time from 15 minutes to 10 minutes to improve player safety. According to NFL Football Operations, the current regular-season overtime rules gives a possession to each team unless the team with the first possession scores a touchdown, then the game is over. If both teams end up with the same score after the 10 minute period, the game ends in a tie. Postseason overtime rules are a bit different. It follows the same format of possessions except it is a 15 minute period instead of 10 minutes. The game can never end in a tie. If the score is tied at the end of the first 15 minutes, another 15 minutes will be added on. These rules clearly need updating to make the NFL more fun and fair. The many joys and surprises of watching reality TV By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer I’d be lying if I said the majority of my spring break did not consist of me lying in bed with a charcuterie board watching reality television. This is how I spend most of my vacations, weekends and school nights. So I guess you could say I probably like reality television more than the average person. I think I, and I am sure many of you as well, are captivated by the whole universe of reality entertainment for multiple reasons. It really is a huge portion of television when you think about it. I consider the reality TV umbrella to cover shows spanning from the “Real Housewives” franchise to dating shows, like the “Bachelor/Bachelorette,” to those shows that follow people living in the Alaskan wilderness. I apologize for that a fact that I am unable to give a specific title of an outdoors reality show. I’m sure you know which side of the reality TV spectrum I Reality... ...TV fall under. I think in a way these shows are almost comforting. They typically follow real people and their day to day lives, usually detailing their personal relationships and professional endeavors. The fact that they are real people, not fictional characters, though sometimes they obviously are playing fictionalized versions of themselves, makes them all the more attainable and endearing. Oftentimes we see a bad side to reality stars. This makes them more human. In fictional TV, characters are sometimes portrayed as being so superhuman or unrealistic that people either slavishly adore them or totally hate them. There’s a middle ground for reality stars. They are like the borderline toxic friends or relatives we cannot help but love. All that taken into account another, somewhat contrasting, ideal that makes reality television so entrancing, is how at times it ironically seems so unrealistic. I’m talking about scenes of romance and fights over the smallest things. When watching it, as viewers we cannot believe people really act a certain way. This in a sense almost makes us feel somewhat superior to the stars of reality shows, who get paid criminally large sums of money to act a fool. We take solace in the fact that we know we would never act that way, or let something so small and insignificant bother us to such an extent. I then tell myself they must have some deep-rooted insecurities to behave or react in such a manner, and think “Hey, their life isn’t perfect either.” Also let’s be honest—the screaming matches are almost always the most iconic scenes. In a way, this is what makes it more entertaining, and rides the line of brutal reality and entertainment. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �Opinion The Beacon - March 23, 2022 18 Hulu's 'Fresh': Actually fresh or a breath of stale air? A thriller's attempt at commentary on modern-day love By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer Hulu subscribers have been abuzz with their thoughts and praise of the platform's newest original movie, “Fresh." The thriller film follows Noa as she struggles to find a connection via modern-day online dating. After stumbling upon Steve in a grocery store aisle, the pair quickly hit it off. Trouble ensues when Noa realizes that not everyone shopping in the produce section is who they say they are. What it did wrong “Fresh” bit off more than it could chew- no pun intended. The film tried entirely too hard to be what its title suggests: something new in the thriller genre. However, not only did it not do this, but it also actually fell into the same tropes of every thriller movie that I have ever seen. The film was also entirely predictable. Aside from one twist, I anticipated everything that happened. This really ruins the movie-going experience for me, as I want to enjoy and embrace the plot rather than following the outline. Although its plot was predictable, it was even more unbelievable. To lure one woman far into the woods after knowing her for all of two weeks is unreasonable, but to do so as one’s career as Steve does is simply outlandish. Us women are not following you to some cabin in the woods with no cell service- we have seen that movie and we know how it ends. What it did right Don’t get me wrong, “Fresh” was a lot of fun. The twists, albeit predictable, kept me wanting more. The film itself was solid and entertaining and the concept was a lot of fun (although it certainly has been done before). “Fresh” is simply a good movie that tried too hard to transform a genre. The only aspect of “Fresh” that lived up to its title was the jarring title sequence halfway through the film’s runtime, something newer to cinematic audiences because of the change in chronological organization. Audiences make it past formalities with the characters and the plotline has been established (so they think) by the time the title is first displayed. However, the pre-title “Fresh” and post-title “Fresh” are two very different entities, thus making both distinct and proving the delayed title sequence to be a smart move. I do love a good final girl, however, and “Fresh” offers up three dominating women that had me on the edge of my seat rooting for them. The final act of this film offers up possibly one of the most epic revenge plots ever. The strong female heroines steal the show from any horror Steve could offer up. Go women! Hannah’s rating Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my viewing of “Fresh”. Would I ever watch it again? Never say never, but I cannot see it happening anytime soon. “Fresh” earns a solid six out of ten stars. An entirely forgettable, but decent film, I only wish it played better in its genre rather than trying to transform it. Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu Coach of the Year: Tyler Hynes, driven by those around him By Baylee Guedes Co-Sports Editor Tyler Hynes, men’s ice hockey head coach, received the 2022 Coach of the Year award during the final week of the winter season. The award was presented to Hynes as he led his team and first graduating class to a record of 20-5-1 on the year. “It was special (to get the award),” said Hynes. “It is a staff award though, because there are a lot of great people around this program. One person can not hold it all up.” Hynes attributes all of his success to those around him, encapsulating the definition of a true leader. “Lucas Bombardier was awesome as my assistant, he came in and just really elevated our program and continues to do so,” said Hynes. “Our athletic trainer Tyler Brady has helped me so many times and chipped in when most trainers would not in those situations. There are so many things that have to go right to be recognized for that (award).” Before his coaching career at Wilkes, Hynes played hockey at Albany Academy. He worked his way up in the junior leagues and then completed four years at the Division I Union College as a three-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic honoree. From being coached by Brad Shaver in his early hockey career, Hynes was inspired and wanted to leave an impression on future skaters. “(Shaver) impacted me growing up,” said Hynes. “He helped me structure my life and streamlined my priorities. That kind of changed my trajectory and if I could be a little piece of that to somebody else, then I am doing my job.” Hynes began his career at Wilkes as the assistant coach in 2018, the year the program began. He became the head coach in 2019 and currently holds the position. In his first year as head coach, Hynes and the Colonels won the MAC Championship as they held a 6-0 record in the conference. “Following our first year when our previous coach took a different job at another school, we know as a group that Coach Hynes was going to be the perfect man to take the job,” said senior Michael Gurska. “We have had the utmost confidence in him from the day he took over and I am happy to say that after my time here is done, we will continue to be great friends.” Hynes was honored with the MAC CoCoach of the Year award and then he led his team to the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Championship Series, that particular season ended with 19 wins. In three seasons as head coach, Hynes has led Wilkes to an overall 46 wins with 19 losses and one tie. The Colonels have appeared in the UCHC tournament for these three seasons, as well as their first season with Hynes as an assistant coach. The ice hockey program collected two MAC Championships along with one second-place title under Hynes, but appeared in the top two all four years of the program. “Hynes did a tremendous job leading this group,” said senior Jay Gallagher. “But at the end of the day, he is an even better person and that is what I will remember most about playing for him.” To Hynes, the awards and statistics are important, but the bond between the players and the coaching staff is what leads to success. “My coaching philosophy is to touch the heart before you take the hand,” said Hynes. “Connect and build a relationship if you want people to follow you as their leader.” “Coach Hynes has taught all of us what it means and how important it is to be a great teammate,” said Gurska. “He has helped guide our culture to be more concerned with the day-to-day process, The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Head coach Tyler Hynes gets back to working in his office as the ice hockey season concuded. this mindset has helped us become Championship ended as they lost in the successful because we focus on the small final round, but Hynes and his team are details and habits necessary to win, and looking to capitalize on the experience. that has led to strong results.” “We got to practice for another week This year marked Hynes’ third season and build our program for the future,” as head coach. The accomplishments said Hynes. “A lot of the guys who may from this season will be remembered not have gotten a chance to play this as this was Hynes’ first graduating class season got to attend that game, see it, and and the Colonels collected the honor of absorb that environment. They will be winning the MAC Championship game ready to go now that the torch is passed, on the program’s first senior night. it is their time.” “(Winning the championship) was Hynes looks forward to the offseason really special because of the group that as he and his team will be able to support won it,” said Hynes. “The seniors and the other Wilkes athletic teams and have time leaders that we had, I know they deserved to prepare for the 2022-23 ice hockey it because I see what they do every day.” season. Unfortunately, the season came to All stats are from gowilkesu.com and an end as their run at the 2022 UCHC gomacsports.com �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Sports 20 SOFT: Colonels start the season strong with 4-2 record By Christopher Gowarty Co-Sports Editor The softball team got their first taste of the season during the 2022 Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. In the six games played in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Colonels went 4-2 to open up their season. On the first day of the Classic, the Colonels faced off against Cairn University and Penn State Mont Alto in a doubleheader. The Colonels swept the doubleheader, defeating Cairn 9-1 and Penn State Mont Alto 10-2. Senior pitcher Rhia Aurand was the victor against Cairn, allowing just four baserunners with seven strikeouts in her five-inning complete game. In the game against Penn State Mont Alto, junior pitcher Hope Mullins earned the win by throwing a complete game of her own. She allowed two earned runs in five innings while striking out 9. Senior shortstop Erin Cabry went 3-for-6 with one double, one RBI and five runs scored between the two games. “As a whole, we’re very pleased with how we performed offensively,” said head coach Jackie Klahold. “The players were disciplined in their plate appearances and worked on attacking the zone when good pitches would come.” The second day of the Classic was The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior Jessie Smith prepares to swing against Lycoming College on Senior Day, April 17 2021. another doubleheader for the Colonels. game of this doubleheader, Wilkes In the first game, Wilkes defeated suffered their first loss of the trip to NC Wesleyan 10-0 thanks to another Kean University by a score of 6-3. complete-game victory for Aurand. She Mullins went 3-for-4 with one RBI and threw seven, shutout innings with seven Cabry went 2-for-3 with one run scored strikeouts to stifle the Battling Bishops. in the loss. Senior designated player Emma “Coming from a not-so-great Stauffer went 2-for-3 with one walk and performance last season, we really two RBI in the contest. In the second wanted to turn it around this year,” said Aurand. “We gained two new pitching coaches this season, Coach Jordan and Coach Kristen, and they did an excellent job preparing us by helping us increase our strike percentage, improve our mental game on the mound and work on our pitching endurance.” After a two-day hiatus, the Colonels played their third and final doubleheader of the Classic. In the first game, the Colonels faced Penn State Abington and won 11-3. Wilkes got off to a hot start in this matchup by scoring five runs in the first, giving them all the offense they would need to win the game. Senior first baseman Jessie Smith supplied the big blow in the inning by bringing in three runs via a basesclearing triple. In the second game, the Colonels lost their final game of the Classic in an 11-5 defeat to Thiel College. Sophomore third baseman Hayden Calaman went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored against Thiel. “I think the main contributing factor to our victories was that we went out there and played as a team to our level and had fun doing it,” said Stauffer. “We were all super excited to have the opportunity to play in warmer weather and be able to play on the dirt again.” Spring Training Team Statistics Average Runs Scored Runs Per Game Extra-base Hits .371 48 8 12 Win-Loss Record Earned Run Average Strikeouts Innings Pitched 4-2 3.89 35 36 �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Sports 21 BB: Colonels nearly undefeated during spring training trip By Christopher Gowarty Co-Sports Editor The baseball team came close to a nine-game sweep during their spring training trip to Fort Pierce, Fla. In nine games against six different opponents, the Colonels went 8-1 to improve their season record to 10-1. The Colonels began their trip on March 5 against Maritime College. This game began a recurring theme of lopsided victories for Wilkes as they defeated the Privateers 14-3. “I thought our pitchers worked ahead in the count for the most part and pitched to contact.” said head coach Kevin Gryboski. “Our hitters were aggressive early on in the count and hunted the fastball.” First-year Chase Vrabel contributed to the offensive onslaught going 4-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and three runs scored. Senior JT Hibschman earned the victory, tossing six shutout innings with six strikeouts while only allowing two hits. “Our game plan was and is to throw strikes and let the defense get outs,” said Hibschman. “If we limit walks and free bases, good things happen.” On the second day of the trip, the Colonels swept Norwich University in a doubleheader winning by scores of 7-4 and 13-0. Senior Tony Molitoris earned the The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior Darren Kerdesky gets mobbed by his teammates at home plate after a game-tying home run against Misericordia on March 18. victory in the first game with five and guys coach brought in all get together and two-thirds innings allowing just one love playing and being around each other.” run and striking out three. First-year The fourth game of the trip resulted Aiden Murphy shined brightly in the in a dramatic 11-5 victory against Drew second game, throwing a complete-game University, with the Colonels scoring all shutout with 15 strikeouts to earn his first 11 runs in the top of the ninth inning. collegiate victory. Graduate student Nick First-year Mike Show had the gamePronti was the offensive standout in the winning hit with a two-run single, putting doubleheader, going 4-for-5 with three the Colonels on top 6-5 giving them the doubles, five RBI and two runs scored. lead for good. Patrizio went 3-for-5 with “I see a huge difference in this team than two runs scored, one RBI and one stolen any other team I’ve ever been a part of here base in the contest. at Wilkes,” said senior Mike Patrizio. “The The Colonels faced Gettysburg College right group of guys returned and the new in the fifth game of the trip, defeating the Bullets 13-2. Graduate student Brandon Reno went two-for-four with three RBI, one walk and one home run, marking the Colonels’ first long-ball of the year. On the fifth day of the trip, Wilkes faced the Marywood Pacers in their second and final doubleheader of the week. In the first game, the Colonels won 4-3 thanks to another solid outing from Hibschman as he gave up just one run in five innings earning the victory. In the second game, the Colonels’ eight-game win streak was snapped as the Pacers won 11-5. In their eighth game of the trip and their second against Drew, the Colonels won yet again with a score of 5-1. Murphy earned his second victory of the trip with another stellar outing, throwing six innings while only allowing one run and striking out 10 batters. As the designated hitter, first-year Zack Luksic went 1-for-4 with his first collegiate home run. In the final game of the trip, Wilkes defeated Messiah College 14-4. Junior Darren Kerdesky contributed heavily to the offensive outburst, going 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored, four RBI and his first home run of the season. “The players need to come to practice every day and be ready to work,” said Gryboski. “The season is a grind and we have a tough schedule ahead of us.” Spring Training Team Statistics Average Runs Scored Runs Per Game Extra-base Hits .338 86 9.56 39 Win-Loss Record Earned Run Average Strikeouts Innings Pitched 8-1 3.13 59 72 �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Aiden Murphy First-Year Baseball Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Feb 23. to March 16 Why Aiden Murphy was selected: During the Colonels’ spring training trip, Murphy earned two victories on the mound. His first win was a seven-inning, complete game shutout with 15 strikeouts versus Norwich University. In his second win against Drew University, Murphy threw six innings only allowing one earned run while striking out 10 batters. Name: Aiden Murphy Year: First-Year Major: Business Management Hometown: Mountaintop, Pa. High School: Wyoming Seminary Position: Pitcher Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? Wilkes was the best bang for my buck with how convenient everything at the school is, especially the great coaching staff. The baseball team has was nice as well. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I plan on either starting a business or finding a good company to work in. Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory as a Colonel was coming back in the top of the ninth inning against Drew in Florida where we were down five runs, and came back to win the game. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? As a team, we have the collective goal of winning the MAC–that holds true for me as well. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed When/Why did you first begin playing? I started playing baseball around 3 or 4 because my dad got me a glove and I started learning the game. Favorite thing to do during practice? My favorite things to do during practice are putting balls in the pitching machine and shooting fly balls to the outfielders. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? In the summer I enjoy wakeboarding on Harvey’s Lake and working out. Favorite building on campus? My favorite building on campus is the SIMMS Center (formerly UCOM). Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Professor Lampman. Most influential person in your life? The most influential people in my life are the ones who helped raise me. What does “Be Colonel” mean to you? “Be Colonel,” to me, means to work hard all the time. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �23 Sports The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Getting to know... Emma Stauffer Senior Softball Player The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Feb. 23 to March 16 Why Emma Stauffer was selected: In six games during the Colonel's spring training trip, Stauffer earned a .563 batting average by hitting safely nine times in 16 at-bats. She also drove in eight runs to go along with an OPS of 1.151. Name: Emma Stauffer Year: Senior Major: Pharmacy Hometown: Media, Pa. High School: Penncrest H.S. Position: Third Base/DH Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I chose Wilkes due to the opportunity to continue to play softball while also maintaining a rigorous academic curriculum. The smaller class sizes and great NAPLEX passing rate also played a role in my decision to come to Wilkes. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? After graduation in two years, I hope to apply and match for a residency at a hospital closer to my home. After my first year of residency, I plan to complete a second year of residency specializing in cardiology pharmacy. Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory as a colonel was my white coat ceremony. I loved being able to receive my white coat in front of my parents, grandparents, and supportive teammates. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? My hope for this season as a colonel is to go out there every game, play my best and have fun. I hope that our team is able to make it to the MAC championship and win. When/Why did you first begin playing? I first began playing softball when I was 6 years old. I knew I had found the sport that was meant for me. Favorite thing to do during practice? My favorite thing to do during practice is to scrimmage ourselves. We have a relatively larger team, which makes interteam scrimmages exciting and competitive. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? Off the field, I love to spend time with my family, especially my grandparents. I also enjoy spending my summers down the shore and going boating and fishing with my family. Favorite building on campus? My favorite building on campus would be Stark Learning Center. Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. Kimberly Ference. Most influential person in your life? I would have to say the most influential people in my life are my parents and all of my grandparents. What does “Be Colonel” mean to you? “Be colonel” to me means bringing respect, servant leadership, advocacy, teamwork, andgratitude into every aspect of your life. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week. At the end of the academic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it ter @WilkesB eacon to crow n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - March 23, 2022 Sports 24 WREST: Two colonels finish year at NCAA championships By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editot Two members of the wrestling team wrapped up their individual seasons at the NCAA Championships. First-year Austin Fashouer and junior Colton Babock both went to the Championships for the first time in their careers. Both Fashouer and Babcock were looking to earn Wilkes’s first AllAmerican honors since 2015. Although they did not finish top eight to earn those honors, Fashouer and Babcock deemed their seasons as successful. The two of them and their coaching staff traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to compete in the NCAA Championships that were held at Alliant Energy Powerhouse. “The venue was pretty awesome,” said Babcock. “Just the way they had the arena set up. They gave us medallions and water bottles. You had to use your pass to get in. It was pretty official and cool.” Babcock went up a weight class this season to join the 184-pounders. He lost a close back and forth 13-9 matchup in the first round to Lucas Salmon of Baldwin Wallace Univesity. He then fell for the second time in the consolation bracket to finish the tournament. Babcock finished his year with an overall record of 30-5. Fashouser was as impressive as a firstyear could be in the college wrestling world. He went toe-to-toe with everyone he stepped on the mat with all season long in the 125-pound class. “My mom was my biggest supporter,” said Fashouer. “She passed when I was a freshman in high school, and I have a tattoo on my back to push me all the way through.” Fashouer used that motivation all the way to the NCAA Championships. He trailed 6-3 going into the third set, but Fashouer used a quick escape and a takedown to tie the match at six all. Unfortunately, his opponent, Justin Lopez from Johnson & Wales, was awarded an escape point just as time was expiring to earn the win. Fashouer would lose in the consolation round to conclude his outstanding Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Top: Junior Colton Babcock tries to get his opponent to submit on Senior Day against Scranton Univesity. Bottom: First-year Austin Fashouer takes down his opposition during a match against the rival Royals. first year as a collegiate wrestler with a record of 32-6. Babcock and Fashouer are looking to use this experience of competing at the highest level later in their careers. While this was Babcock’s last year wrestling, he knows the lessons he learned on the mat will help him as he looks to join the State Police Academy. Fashouer now understands what it takes to reach the All-American level he is striving for and the improvement to make heading into his sophomore year. “Austin and Colton had great years, and although they did not get AllAmerican status, we are proud of the way they represented the Colonels all year long,” said head coach Jon Laudenslager. “They wrestle a style we like to coach, and wrestle extremely hard.” All stats were found at gowilkesu.com. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 March 23 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 March 23 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaepr https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/58b74805dc1782d7c6c162b9db286872.pdf e22e19528f3d2c0ed4e60a735439c7eb PDF Text Text The Beacon - March 30, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 15 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Wilkes hosts second Dance Marathon, exceeds expectations The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas As of Saturday, March 26, Dance Marathon raised more than $11,500, for the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network, as announced by Donald Ballou, executive director (far left). From left to right, holding the signs: Kaleb Hanson-Richart, special events chair; Cassidy Taylor, external director; AJ Rubino, fundraising chair; Maddy Kinard, internal director; Ariel Reed, finance director; Lauren Gardner, volunteer; Ariano Como, public relations chair. Donations are still being accepted until April 4. For the complete story, see pages 12-13. ASME car show returns for fifteenth anual event, page 3 Liz’s Craft Column: Festive terracotta pot bunny decor, page 11 Representation impacts in ‘SIX’ vs. ‘Hamilton,’ page 15 BB: Colonels late-game comeback falls short by one run, page 21 �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: March 23 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Student Government began in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. The treasurer’s report stated that there is a total of $67,175 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was a club report from the choral club. It was presented by the club's current president, AJ Quadarella. The second order of business was a club report from the society of women engineers, presented by President Kimberly Bailey. The third order of business was a fund request from Lambda Kappa Sigma, the women's pharmacy sorority. They came in for a request in order to attend the LKS convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 13 to 16. The convention provides a chance for the club to be able to network with other chapters. Members are hoping to bring 15 members. They provided multiple options, ranging from $9,750 to $16,750. This is week one of two and is to be voted on next week. The fourth order of business was week two of two from the table tennis club and the review of their updated constitution. The presentation was given by its president, Saurabh Patel. Discussion was had over there not being a vice president in the constitution. A motion was made and passed to approve the constitution if the VP position was added. The fifth order of business was a fund request from the dance marathon board. It was presented by executive director, Donald Ballou. The funds raised by the event will go to Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in partnership with Children’s Miracle Network. SG believed that the cause is impactful and decided to give an amount of $5,000 to dance marathon in order to put on the best event. The final order of business was the budget request for the Big Day. It was presented by Megan Makovsky, corresponding secretary. The Big Day is an upcoming event from SG where all of the clubs on campus are invited to volunteer to help clean up and serve different areas around the Wilkes-Barre area. The event is to take place on April 30. The amount asked for was $10,500. This is week one of two and is to be voted on next week. Table of Contents Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events News..................2 Compiled by Beacon News Staff Life, A&E............7 Glow run On April 2, the Office of Residence Life will be hosting a glow run in the Simms Center. Registration begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. The run is a 5K event that seeks to promote unity and raise funds and awareness of suicide prevention. All proceeds from the event will go to the American Foundtation for Suicide Prevention. To register or donate, click the link in the March 25 Today at Wilkes email. Submit work to Manuscript Society Manuscript Society is accepting submissions for the 2021-22 edition till 11:59 p.m. on April 17. Submissions are open for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff and alumni. The society accepts poetry, essays, short stories, photography, art and digital art. Short stories have a limit of five pages. The limit is five submissions per person. To submit original work or ask any questions, email magazine@wilkes.edu Buy a Tote Bag Green Giants tote bags are an affordable, sustainable and durable alternative to plastic and are being sold for ten dollars each. The bags come in two designs: the Wilkes logo and blue butterflies. Students looking to purchase one should watch out for them in the Student Union Building, the Simms Center, or DM them on Instagram @ greengiantstotebags to place an order. Ninety percent of proceeds go to Little Eric’s Foundation, a local organization that funds pediatric cancer research. Memorial Concert Honoring Professor Emeritus Steven Thomas A memorial concert honoring Steven Thomas, late music professor, will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The public is invited to attend and will be required to follow St. Stephen’s protocols for masking and social distancing. If you would like to attend or perform, register through the Mar. 18 Wilkes, Today email. Online Buddhist Meditation Returns Interested in practicing some sitting and walking meditation with others? The sessions will be offered each Tuesday and run for about 40 minutes. No experience is needed and anyone interested is welcome. For more information or the link for the virtual sessions, contact Linda Paul, associate professor of philosophy, at linda.paul@wilkes.edu. Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester April 8 - Spring Fling 14 - Holiday Recess Begins 18 - Classes Resume May 4 - Classes End 5 - Final Exams Begin 12 - Final Exams End �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 News 15th annual ASME car show returns to campus By Maddy Kinard News Editor On April 2, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers at Wilkes will be hosting their 15th annual car show. The car show is all encompassing, including everything from trophies to food to a dynamometer that will allow participants to measure their vehicle performance. The event will take place in the student union building parking lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a rain date for April 9. Everyone is welcome at the event, including those not bringing a car to be entered. “Since it is a weekend event, alternative on-campus parking other than the event parking lot is available, and there is no cost to come out and enjoy the food, cars and music,” said Dustin Snyder, ASME student section secretary. This year, there are 29 different trophies to be won by attendees, as well as additional prizes. Trophy categories include European, highest mileage, domestic, classic domestic, kids’ choice, Japanese domestic market, trucks/Jeeps, antiques and highest horsepower. There are also two sponsor choice awards. On top of being a fundraiser for ASME, the event will also serve as a fundraiser for a charity for the nonprofit organization, The Seeing Eye. The Seeing Eye raises dogs with the intention of them becoming seeing-eye dogs. They then match a dog with an applicant while working with them to foster a relationship between the two to ensure lasting codependency. “There are many more benefits that come along with the car show such as community involvement with the university, possible networking abilities and a clean and enjoyable event for all ages,” said Snyder. While pre-registration closed on March 24, vehicles are welcome to register at the event gate for $20. Specific to this year’s car show, a professional photographer will be working with ASME as well as offering custom portraits of vehicles to their owners. Food wise, ASME will provide Halal foods, Caribbean Island Cuisine and All Belgium who will be offering coffee. “I’m looking forward to seeing the community come out again to have a good time and help raise money for a great cause,” said Brad Hepner, junior mechanical engineering major. “There are some individuals who have come every year and we hope they keep being a part of our show.” The society has seen an increase in attendance each year that the event is held and is looking forward to raising more money than last year. Snyder finds that some owners who rarely showcase their vehicles choose to showcase at their event because of how well run it is and the variety in types of cars. “We hope to raise over $2,000 for our benefactor and to have 300 cars in attendance,” said Justin Burda, ASME President. “I am particularly excited to see the turnout and welcome everyone. “This event usually sees anywhere from four to 600 attendees.” Photos: courtesy of Dustin Snyder RIGHT TOP AND BOTTOM: A preview of some of the trophies that will be handed out at the car show The car show will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 2 in the student union building parking lot. 3 �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 News 4 APKCFEE to host veterans recognition breakfast in April By Maddy Kinard News Editor The Allan P. Kirby Center will hold its fifth annual Veterans Recognition Breakfast at from 8 to 10 a.m., April 19, at Genetti’s Hotel and Conference Center. The event is open to the public with a registration fee of $50. In 2016, the challenge to provide support to U.S. military veterans was prompted by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alan West. Following a luncheon with a group of community leaders, West asked what they were going to do to recognize veterans. “As a veteran and that several individuals attending the luncheon were also veterans of the military, I asked that each attendee consider if they would want to take up Lt. Col. West’s challenge, and if so, then just indicate so by writing their name onto the back of the table name cards,” said Gerald Ephault, “I was pleased to learn that all luncheon participants did sign the card.” This influx of support became the Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative within the Kirby Center. The initiative first sought to find how many veterans there are in the eight counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania. There are 79,428. With such a large number of veterans to serve, and knowing that they could best do this through multiple types of organizations and agencies, CONNECT was created through the Greater WilkesBarre Chamber of Commerce and Industry which collaborated with the Kirby Center’s initiative. “As the inaugural ‘Kirby Cares’ service, Kirby Scholars along with support by veteran services organizations such as Patriots Cove, Equines For Freedom, Camp Freedom, Business, and individuals, Lt. Col. West’s Challenge was met with the first Veterans Recognition Breakfast being held on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017,” said Ephault. While the event is an annual one, the breakfast was unable to be held in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions and safety concerns associated with COVID-19. This year, the event will honor two individuals: Gary Johnson and Ray Cobb, both U.S. Marine Corps Veterans separated in 2008. “The gentlemen we are honoring this year are more than just veterans but have given back to the community by helping fellow veterans with PTSD and getting reacclimated,” said Breanna Yashkus, graduate assistant at the Kirby Center. “Those that serve in the armed forces don’t do it for the recognition, nor do they expect any, so as a community if we can shine some light on local veterans that have gone the extra mile in both protecting our freedom and helping the surrounding community we should.” Nick Godfrey, scholar of marketing at the Kirby Center, also finds this event to be important to him personally, as both his grandfather and uncle served. Seeing how much pride they take in being a veteran is something he is fond of, so Godfrey especially enjoys being able to support veterans in his local community. Ephault also would like to give special thanks to everyone who has made this event possible over the years. Kirby Scholars Sara Ross and Lindsey Scorey for program content development; Austin Rentschler for invitation flier design; John Pezzolanti for project management, securing Federal and Pennsylvania legislative citations and US Capital flown Flags; Sreyneat Chan for correspondence support; Yashkus for logistical support; Allan P. Kirby Center Executive Director, Mr. Charles Pierce. Ms. Carrie DeMarco, Wilkes Print Shop, for her assistance with print format requirements; Lt. Col. Sarah Hedrick and the Color Guard members of Detachment 752 AFROTC; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mark Kaster and the Officers of Wilkes University’s Veterans Council; and The Allan P. Kirby Center Board of Managers: Mr. Milan Kirby, Dr. Greg Cant, Ms. Virginia DeCristoforo, Mr. Brooke Roulette, Mr. David Davis, Atty. Michael Mey. Mark your calendars! Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 News Fulbright U.S. student program set to open April 1 By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer The Fulbright U.S. Program opens for eligible students on April 1, with the deadline being set for mid-Oct. 2022. The program is open for those at the graduate level, however, all students are encouraged to consider the opportunities presented. The Fulbright U.S. Program is a program that offers the chance to travel abroad and connect with different cultures. The program offers awards and grants to make this possible. The awards include: open study and research awards; English teaching assistant awards and the Fulbright National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship. Wilkes began participating in this program during 2020 but due to the pandemic, this is the first year participants have the opportunity to travel. “Living abroad and participating in an educational exchange, whether focused on teaching or research, is an incredible opportunity for everyone involved,” said Dr. Christopher Zarpentine, associate professor of philosophy. Wilkes began participating in this program after Dr. Gina Morrison, associate professor of global cultures, was encouraged to apply for a Fulbright Specialist Project by colleague Dr. Linda Winkler. In 2018, Morrison went to Malaysia as part of the project and plans to go to India in December. As of February 2020, she became the Fulbright Program Adviser or FPA. She also offers summer workshops that aid in teaching students how to write an application. In September, Wilkes applicants will be interviewed and will be provided with feedback on how to strengthen their applications. “When I got involved with Fulbright, I realized what fantastic opportunities 5 it presented, and what a first-class organization it was,” said Morrison. When beginning with the U.S, program interested applicants can start by going to Fulbright’s website and submitting an application. They can apply for one award per country. Interested students need to apply before they graduate. Following graduation, master or doctoral students can still go through the university when getting involved with the program and even after achieving those degrees. “The goal is to promote international understanding through educational exchange, which is an incredibly important mission and one that current global events demonstrate is more important than ever,” said Zarpentine. Students are able to pick the host countries they travel to. While each host country coincides with the awards won, The English Teaching Assistant award or ETA, works with fellow teachers in the host country. No teaching degree is required, the participant just needs to be a native English speaker. The research/study grants present the chance for interested students to apply for graduate school in the host country or do independent research in that country. Typically, all costs will be covered. However, there is a potential for tuition costs in some countries. Currently, there are two students recommended as semi-finalists in the program. Both candidates are up for the ETA award. Their chosen countries are Poland and Spain. The pandemic also affected grants. Malaysia, in past years, took 100 ETAs but all of their ETA grants ended up being canceled as a result. “I'd like to invite people to contact me if they have any questions, and to please consider attending the Fulbright virtual campus visit on April 21 at 3 p.m.,” said Morrison. Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet busy road, it’s really scary to be a part of.” If encountering an aggressive driver on the road, it is extremely important not to engage with them; doing so may only cause more aggression and could put other drivers at risk. Do not attempt to follow them or trail them in any way. Move out of their way and let them move around you. Law enforcement will be along the roads and will find those drivers who could be putting lives at risk and each person who is pulled over will be fined a ticket accordingly. “Driving safely is important because one mistake can have lasting effects on not only your life but someone else’s,” said Priscilla Rey, senior sociology major. The enforcement plan is part of PennDOT’s requirement of federal funding given by the National Highway Safety Administration. For more information about the initiative or to learn more about aggressive driving, visit PennDOT’s website at https://www.penndot.pa.gov Drive safely PA initiative to continue through April 24 By Taylor Dillon News Staff Writer As the weather gets warmer, more and more drivers are on the roads. The Wilkes-Barre City Police Department is joining forces with the Pennsylvania State Police and more than 300 municipal agencies to begin a targeted enforcement. Officers will be intentionally targeting drivers on Pennsylvania roads until April 24. The goal is to target those who may be driving aggressively, speeding and driving distractedly. “The initiative prevents accidents and injuries to keep lives from being in danger. Drunk drivers and vehicle codes are also being monitored which might keep drivers from driving aggressively,” said Chief Michael Krzywicki, chief of the university's police department. “Stops can also have officers come into contact with wanted persons or expired registration on vehicles. These things are preventive.” Aggressive driving can be a serious problem, especially as nights get warmer, more people may be out drinking or celebrating. Drunk driving on the road is a form of aggressive driving, especially because not only is the driver at risk, but so is each person around them. The driver may be swerving, slowing down or speeding up. Aggressive driving does not only include serious infractions but hostility on the road in general. Road rage is ever-present in the streets of Pennsylvania and many drivers might drive extremely close to another vehicle, attempt to side-swipe them or even be distracted by yelling in the direction of the person who upset them. “I have experienced so many drivers on the road who just seem like they are always in a hurry. I have had cars be inches off my bumper because they must not have thought I was going fast enough,” said Juana Pimentel, senior hospitality major. “Then they suddenly jerk their car and fly past you down a �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 6 �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan Daniel: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Programming Board and dance marathon host bingo By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor On March 24, Programming Board partnered with the university’s dance marathon to host a new type of bingo, “Dollar Board Bingo” was held in the ballroom of the Henry Student Center. The event raised $123 for the children at the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. “The purpose of this event was to collaborate for a cause,” said Maddy Yeager, P1 pharmacy major and president of programming board. “We are doing our part to promote the dance marathon and raise money for the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital.” At this particular bingo event every participant automatically received a bingo board; however, if someone donated $1, they received a second board. Halfway through the bingo there was a bonus board opportunity where people who donated $1 to $4 got an extra board and those who donated $5 or more were given two extra boards. “I think people liked this event. One, because it is bingo and two, because we are having this event to help a really important cause,” said Luz Castro, first-year history and secondary education major, as well as co-small events coordinator of programming board. Many students gave into the incentive of getting an extra board and were willing to donate for a chance to win one of the prizes up for grabs. Plus, there was a wide range of prizes, which all related to dance and moving around. Prizes included headphones, a record player with records, Beats headphones, as well as other small prizes. The two larger prizes of the evening were a Nintendo Switch with the game Just Dance 2022 and a voucher for two concert tickets up to a total of $250 value. One of the big winners of the night was Eza Chaudry, sophomore business administration of management major, who won the voucher for the concert tickets. She had a total number of two boards. The winner of the other large prize, the Nintendo Switch with the “Just Dance 2022” game, was Andrew Sabol, first-year mechanical engineering major. He had only one board the whole night. Although not every student was able to win a prize, they still were able to enjoy their time with their friends. Also, it was a way to relax during exam season for most students. “The energy in the room was so fun,” said Julia Firestine, senior pharmacy major. “Everyone was locked in and there to have The Beacon/AJ Rubino Eza Chaudry, sophomore business administration of management major and Andrew Sabol, first-year mechanical engineering major were the two big winners of the “Dollar Board Bingo.” a good time.” Programming board regularly hosts free events and activities for students.Stay up to date with programming board by following their Instagram account @wilkesupb. Commuter Council announces last major events of semester By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer As the weather gets warmer and the spring semester progresses, Commuter Council continues on with its last few events of the semester. These events are in addition to an annual spring cookout for all students to attend­—a tradition for the Mega Council and a staple of the end of the spring semester as a whole. Commuter Council is a part of student leadership on campus and allows commuter students to have a voice. The group also hosts numerous socials and fundraising events throughout the semester. So far, Commuter Council has been hosting events on Tuesdays and will continue to host events for the next few weeks of the semester. Commuter Council’s next event is a bowling celebration at Chacko’s Family Bowling Center on April 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. During this event, students will have a chance to bowl, hang out, relax and get competitive with their friends. “Bowling night is a great social event which creates opportunities for new students to become acquainted with other students and friend groups to have an enjoyable time,” said Ray Parricelli, a senior digital design and media art major and vice president of commuter council. “While I’m not the greatest at bowling, I do enjoy playing and the bowling night has allowed me to make friends that have lasted throughout my whole college experience.” Commuter Council will also host its annual spring cookout on the greenway on April 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. This cookout will have barbequing, different activities and giveaways, and will be partnered with student government’s block party. This year’s cookout is the first year it is returning since the COVID-19 shutdowns led to cancellations. COMMUTER, page 9 �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Dollar store recipe: Rocky road no-bake fudge bars These no-bake fudge bars are easy to make and will be the hit of any event. They are the perfect snack for any peanut butter and chocolate lovers out there. This snack serves 16 people and can be stored in the fridge for about a week. Ingredients: ������������������  �������������������� ­����������€� ������������������� ­��������������������� �  ­������������������������ a ��� Allergens: Nut products By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Directions: ‚���� ������������������������������ ������������� ƒ��� ���� ������� ������ � ���������� ������ ���� ������� ��� �� ������ �� ��� „���� ���� ���� � �� �������� ��� ������ ����������� ��� ������� ���� ����� ���� ������������ ������������ ��� ��������������������������������� ����� ������ ������� ���� ����� ���� �������� ���� ���������� �� ����� ���� ������� ������������������������������ ������������������������������������� ������������������ ���� � ������ ���� �������� ��� ���� ������� ����������� ����������������������������� ��������� �������������� ����������������������� The Beacon/Morgan Rich These delicious bars are a simple and easy treat to make for any event. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Rhinestone Eyes - Gorillaz Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: Don’t Play - Polo G, Lil Baby Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: Savior Complex - Phoebe Bridgers Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Solitude Is Bliss - Tame Impala Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Moth To A Flame - Swedish House Mafia, The Weekend Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: Blue Tint - Drake Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: New Person, Same Old Mistakes - Tame Impala Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Upper Echelon - Travis Scott, T.I., 2 Chainz Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: Sometimes - Juice WRLD Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: Brain Stew - Green Day 8 �The Beacon – March 30, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Courses related to diversity available to take for fall 2022 By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer Courses addressing topics related to diversity and diversity issues will be available to take this upcoming fall semester. These courses will be available across many majors, ranging from anthropology to pharmacy. In total, there will be 42 classes relating to these topics offered. English is the major with the most courses addressing these topics with 16 of them being offered. “Many of our English courses speak to diversity issues and are included on the campus list of diversity courses,” said Dr. Mischelle Anthony, an associate English professor who is teaching ENG 357: Studies in Gothic Literature. Dr. Anthony’s course will begin in the time period of 1764 with the short novel, “The Castle of Otranto. This novel, in particular, deals with a Prime Minister’s son who is a member of Parliament. In this course topics surrounding systematic racism, classism, misogyny, LGBTQ+ and other topics in culture will be discussed. “My interests have always been on the dark under-belly of everything,” said Dr. Anthony. “What’s not part of the veneer we present as people and institutions to the world. Plus, these works are just compelling narratives that raise endless questions: Why is incest present in so many gothic novels? What’s with COMMUTER, from page 7 “During my first year at Wilkes, the council had just started planning the cookout before the pandemic began and I have been hoping we would have the opportunity to bring it back ever since,” said Helen Campbell, a junior environmental science major and treasurer of Commuter Council. “It’s a chance to relax before finals, eat some food, see your friends and even win really cool prizes. I’ve been looking forward to it for three years.” Students were able to help choose a theme for the cookout and the top themes were dinosaurs and Disney, specifically all the veils? And, my recent favorite, why is this genre traditionally taught as whiteauthored only?” Other courses offered that address topics related to diversity and diversity issues are the general education and first-year courses. Altogether, 21 of the 42 classes are first-year level courses that are available to all students who are searching to complete requirements for their degree or an elective for a specific major. “One of the classes that I’ve taken that I feel have covered topics on diversity was SOC 101,” said Morganne Seitz, a sophomore pharmacy major. “While it’s a 101 course and not as in depth as some of the other courses Wilkes has to offer, we touched on many topics of diversity and how different societies approach and view diversity.” Diversity is at the core of the university’s values and they hope to shown through many leadership organizations, clubs, organized trips and events. “I grew up in a small town without much diversity so it’s nice to have the opportunity now in college to be able to take courses to learn about diversity,” said Shelby Brazes, a sophomore criminology and psychology major. Students who are interested in taking any of the fall courses addressing diversity should contact course instructors for more information. Graphic by Jack Malatesta “Encanto.” In the past, the themes have been Mad Hatter tea-party and luau. “I personally don’t mind what the theme is, I am just glad that there are current commuters who are active and passionate about the club and enjoy helping and voicing their opinions,” said Brynn Stahl, a junior neuroscience major and president of the Commuter Council. Commuter Council’s events are free to students and interested students can register for the events through the links sent to them in their university email. To receive emails from Commuter Council, email commuter@wilkes.edu. Diversity courses offered for the Fall 2022 Semester ☐ ANT 101 (IHA, INA, & HH) Intro to Anthro./WGS; Dr. Winkler ☐ ANT 102 (& HH, IHA) Cultural Anthro./WGS; Dr. Winkler ☐ COM 306 (A) Gender and Communication/WGS; Dr. Briceño ☐ EC 102 (A, B, &HA, &HB) Principle of Economics II; Dr. Seeley ☐ EC 230 (A) The Economics of Crime; Dr. Seeley ☐ ED 220 (IHA) Teach Cult/Linguist Divers/OPO; Dr. Polachek ☐ ED 220 (INA) Teach Cult/Linguist Divers/OPO; Prof. Balice ☐ ENG 120 (A) Reading Amer Experience; Prof. Howey ☐ ENG 120 (C) Cultural Crossroads/WGS; Dr. Davis ☐ ENG 120 (D) Reading Amer Experience; Dr. Kelly ☐ ENG 120 (F) Cultural Crossroads/WGS; Staff ☐ ENG 120 (G) Reading Amer Experience/WGS; Staff ☐ ENG 120 (INA, INB) Reading Amer Experience; Dr. Kuhar ☐ ENG 201 (A) Writing about Lit.& Cult/WI; Dr. Stanley ☐ ENG 203 (A) Creative Writing; Prof. Kovacs ☐ ENG 225 (A) Comparative Grammar/DH; Dr. Stanley ☐ ENG 233 (A, &H) Survey of English Literature I; Dr. Hamill ☐ ENG 282 (A) American Literature II/WGS; Dr. Kuhar ☐ ENG 308 (A) Rhet Anal/Nonfic Pros Wri/WI; Dr. Davis ☐ ENG 357 (A) Studies in Gothic Literature/WGS; Dr. Anthony ☐ ENG 397 (A) Medieval/Renaiss Drama/DH/WGS; Dr. Hamill ☐ HST 125 (A) American History I/WGS; Prof. Smith ☐ HST 331 (A) Colonial America/WS; Dr. Sopcak Joseph ☐ MGT 538 (& H) International Business; Dr. Taylor ☐ MUS 101 (& H, & HB) Introduction to Music/HNRS; Dr. Simon ☐ MUS 101 (A) Intro to Mus: Hist of Amer Pop; Dr. Simon ☐ MUS 101 (B) Intro to Mus: Music in the US; Dr. Simon ☐ MUS 101(INA, INB) Intro to Mus: Classical Music; Prof. Vaida ☐ PHA 308 (A, & H) Pharm and Health Care Delivery; Dr. Roke ☐ PHL 114 (A, & H) Intro. to Bioethics/WGS; Dr. Zarpentine ☐ PS 111 (A, B) Intro to American Government; Dr. Kreider ☐ PS 111 (INA) Intro to American Government; Dr. Maierean ☐ PS 151 (A, & H) Intro to Comparative Politics; Dr. Miller ☐ PSY 221 (A, B) Developmental Psychology/WGS; Dr. Thomas ☐ PSY 242 (A) Personality; STAFF ☐ PSY 242 (E) Personality; Professor Hazlak ☐ PSY 341 (A) Intro. to Social Psychology; Prof. Newell ☐ SOC 101 (B) Intro. to Sociology/WGS; STAFF ☐ SOC 101 (C, D) Intro. to Sociology/WGS; Dr. Wilczak ☐ SOC 101 (INA, IND) Intro to Sociology/WGS; Dr. Tuttle ☐ SOC 325 (A) Juvenile Delinquency; STAFF ☐ SOC 352 (A) Social Stratification; Dr. Tuttle �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Liz’s Craft Column: Festive terracotta pot bunny decor An affordable decoration that is prefect for springtime By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager This craft is a bunny made out of a terracotta pot. This decoration is perfect now that spring has begun and it includes common household items. The bunny is cute and is sure to add a springtime touch to any space. This craft is affordable because it only requires a few supplies, which can be found at most craft stores, as well as many other stores. • One terracotta pot • Pink ribbon • Burlap • Scissors • Hot glue • Googly eyes • White and pink paint • Black fine tip marker 6. Lastly, put some pink paint onto a palette or paper plate. Dip your finger into it and dab some of the paint off. On both sides of the nose underneath the whispers, dab the pink paint on. This creates bunny cheeks. Now, grab the fine tip maker. Put three black dots onto the pink blush when it is dry to add detail. Then, draw a straight line underneath the nose to make a mouth. 5. Now it is time to create the face of the bunny. First, make the nose and whiskers. Pull three strings of burlap out of the fabric and make them about 3 inches long. Cut a bunny nose shape out of the pink ribbon. Put a glue dot on the back of the ribbon and glue these three burlap strings onto it. Once the bunny’s face is completed, the bunny decoration is ready to be displayed. Display it anywhere to add a spring time touch to any space. Toward the top of the pot glue two googly eyes. Make the eyes close together so they can be seen through the ribbons from the bow. Glue the nose underneath the googly eyes. 1. First, grab the terracotta pot and flip it upside down. Paint the entire exterior with the white paint. Use two coats if needed but one should be sufficient. 2. While the paint is drying, the ears can be made. Grab the burlap and cut two ear shapes out of it about 3-4 inches tall and 2 inches wide. 2. Then, grab the pink ribbon and cut a similar shape out of it but much smaller. This will make up the inside of the ear. Once both pieces are cut, put a line of hot glue on the back of the ribbon and glue it onto the front of the burlap ears. Be careful to not touch the back of the burlap while the glue is drying because it will seep through. 3. Once the paint of the pot is fully dry, it is time to glue the ears on. Put a small dot of hot glue on the top of the pot offcentered and glue the first ear on. Push the ear on so that it is secure. The ear may flop forward but that will be fixed later. If it falls backwards, reglue it to fall in the opposite direction. Glue the other ear in the same way. 4. Make a medium-sized bow out of the pink ribbon. Glue this in the middle of the top of the pot. This will hold the ears up and also add a fun touch to the bunny. Share your completed craft with us, or suggest a craft you want us to try! Instagram: @wilkesbeacon #LizsCraftColumn Liz’s difficulty rating: �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment C R E AT I V E CO L O N E L S Creative Colonel of the Week: Jack Flynn By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor The new Creative Colonel of the week is a “Jack” of all trades, which is fitting given his name. This Creative Colonel is Jack Flynn, sophomore musical theatre major. “I’ve always loved performing and theatre and dance have been great outlets for that,” said Flynn. “My hometown, Oneonta, N.Y., had a very large theatre and arts scene so there were always opportunities to get involved.” Flynn has been interested in theatre ever since he joined his high school’s drama club his first year. On campus he has been cast in seven mainstage productions, which are “God Bless You Mr. Rosewater,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” “Julius Caesar,” “Androcles and the Lion,” “Violet,” “Silent Sky” and most recently, “Chicago.” “Jack has natural charisma that translates easily to the stage,” said Rachel Kern, sophomore musical theatre major. “As a performer, he is incredibly versatile and well rounded in acting, singing and dancing. He takes direction well and I think any person would be lucky to have him onstage.” Not only can Flynn act, but he is also gifted in tap dance as well, and has been tap dancing for over six years. It started with him taking lessons at a competition studio in his hometown. He has sinced danced in various community theatre productions, including “A Christmas Carol” and “Aladdin Jr.” He has also performed in dance shows with his local dance studio. In addition to acting and dancing, Flynn can sing, making him a triple threat in the theatre industry. However, he is more excited to brag about his realistic dog bark. Flynn is determined to become a performer when he graduates, but if those cards are not in his future, he has a back-up plan: playwriting. Therefore, he will still be a part of his passion; the arts. “Our graduates run the gamut from becoming professional actors to doing something totally unrelated,” said Joseph Dawson, associate professor of theatre. “In the years after graduation they learn as much about themselves as they do in college. “ I do know that he will take advantage of as many opportunities to stay in the field as he can.” If interested in seeing Flynn’s performance, he will be playing Billy Flynn in the theatre program’s upcoming musical, “Chicago.” Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on April 7, 8 and 9 and April 9 and 10 at 2 p.m. “He’s [Billy Flynn] been my dream role since I saw the movie when I was 13 so I’m very giddy about it,” said Flynn. Want to nominate someone for Creative Colonel? Contact LA&E Editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Courtesy of Jack Flynn Olivia Schanbacher, junior musical theatre major and Jack Flynn, sophomore musical theatre major are pictured together above, acting in the production of “Androcles and the Lion” from last semester. Schanbacher played the Lion and Flynn played Androcles. �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 News 12 DANCE MARATHON @ WILKES UNIVERSITY By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief Editor’s note: Several executive members of Dance Marathon are staff members of The Beacon. On March 26, Dance Marathon at Wilkes University held a six-hour dance-a-thon in the McHale Athletic Center. By the end of the evening, donations reached $11,500, all going toward the Children’s Miracle Network, an organization that raises money to help benefit more than 10 million children in North America. Donald Ballou, senior communication studies major and executive director of Dance Marathon, and Samantha Kennelly, development specialist of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, hosted the event and spoke to the audience about the goals of Dance Marathon. They introduced three Miracle Kids who would benefit from the fundraiser. “It’s just insane for these students to come together,” said Kennelly. “This is a year-long fundraiser so the fact that they’re able to dedicate some of their time to help out some local kids in their community just means a lot to us.” Kennelly introduced Saige LaCoe of Clarks Summit, Owen Kramer of Berwick and Rylee Bond of Bloomsburg. The children have each suffered from life-threatening and traumatic illnesses, and received help through the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. LaCoe, diagnosed with Crohn’s Scan this QR code with your phone to quickly access the link to Wilkes’s Dance Marathon donor drive. disease, was named the 2022 Janet Weis courses, but they also cheered on the Miracle Child champion. Each child was Miracle Kids who participated. given a gift basket by the Wilkes dance “I think what’s so great about the ropes marathon committee. Students, Dance course is that it encourages people to be Marathon staff and other attendees kept outside of their comfort zone and to try the children entertained during the some things that are scary,” said Jill Price, event, inviting them to participate in coordinator of WAE. “From listening to various activities. Rylee give her speech it sounds like she The first major event was a dance and her family went through something lesson hosted by Wilkes’ dance team. Two that was really scary. It great was it today captains of the team, Courtney Corona to see her challenge herself and do that.” (senior) and Katie Ecker, (sophomore), Dance Marathon was described as a energized the crowd of around 150 unifying event on campus, a statement students and echoed by many, family members including Ballou. by teaching them Several student a dance routine Donations campus are being and to Pitbull’s “Don’t taken until April 4 at organizations and Stop the Party.” clubs attended, “It meant a lot to 11:45 p.m. In order to aided in funding us to be involved in donate, planning, please text or such an important donating or raising WILKESDM to 51555. cause with such awareness. In an important addition to the meaning behind dance team and it,” said Corona. “We’re very thankful WAE, Dance Marathon also received to the university and Children’s Miracle help from student development, Network for involving us and the entire programming board, the nursing dance team in this event.” department, student athletic teams, the The dance lesson was quickly followed table tennis club, tap dancing club and by other activities. Attendees were able the gender-sexuality alliance. to let out their energy with volleyball, Lexi Payne, student body president, football, table tennis, basketball, yoga, saw Dance Marathon’s day-long event as playing “red light green light” and more. a drive to motivate students to be more Students also lined up for a temple- involved in the surrounding community. themed mobile escape room and Wilkes Student government offered $5,000 in Adventure Education (WAE) activities, aid for setting up, in addition to having including rock climbing and rope several representatives present. obstacle courses. Not only were students “I really appreciate this because I feel eager to hook themselves up for the rope like we should be doing more, not only as the student body, but also for the outside community,” said Payne. “I know that we often put on events where it just impacts us students but I feel more outreach should be done.” The closing ceremony was held around 8 p.m., where the current amount of money donated - $11,500 was announced. This is nearly triple last year’s total of $4,425. In addition, the Passan School of Nursing was the largest donor, contributing $5,000 to the total. The top three donors—Gabby Hann with a contribution of $520; Jodi Oleginski with $500; and Danielle Morris contributing $430—all received gifts for their donations. Lastly, before the night ended, a raffle was held for those who registered for the event. The night ended with participants leaving with shirts, gifts, snacks and flyers. Dance Marathon is still aiming to raise awareness and donations for the cause, accepting donations until April 4. “You can just tell how happy everyone is to be able to meet the Miracle Kids and be able to be there for them,” said Ballou. “In my welcoming speech, I mentioned how to think of it as a party for these Miracle Kids. I think everybody really took that to heart. Everybody has been doing really well with it. It made me so happy to see the amount of people participating.” Left: Courtney Corona (on stage, left) and Katie Ecker (on stage, right), captains of the dance team, teach attendees a dance lesson to keep the energy going throughout the dance-a-thon. �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Donald Ballou (left), executive director of this year’s Dance Marathon, and Saige LaCoe (left) strike a pose after she was awarded the 2022 Jaet Weis Miracle Child Champion and received a gift basket. News Owen Kramer is helped by Hera Mukhtar, e-Mentor, while engaging with the WAE activities offered at the dance marathon. 13 Rylee Bond (center) stands with Donald Ballou (left) and Samantha Kennelly, development specialist of Children’s Miracle Network. Bond told her personal medical story during the dance marathon. Celebrations rang through the McHale Athletic Center after the amount of donations through March 26, was announced. For the entire photo gallery, please visit www.thewilkesbeacon.com Photos and Page Design: The Beacon / Emily Cherkauskas �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designer Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Policies lack uniformity across men,women sports Why are women’s sports less physical? Men’s teams have been consistently able to add more contact to their game in order to make it more enticing to the viewer. Thus, increasing viewership and popularity. As the old journalism phrase goes, if it bleeds it leads. Similar applies to the physicality of sports, that is why people are so encaptivated by sports. To start off, let’s take a look at men’s and women’s basketball. In men’s basketball, there are two halves, not four quarters like the rest of basketball. They also have less contact restrictions. For example, men’s basketball can maintain a hand on the offensive player while guarding them but in women’s basketball that is not allowed. You can only touch the player you are guarding one time. If you touch them a second time, it is a foul. Looking further into the rules, men’s basketball has a “flopping” call that directly implies that the men should not fake taking contact and actually take it. In women’s basketball there is no such rule. Women’s basketball players are often encouraged, via teammates or coaches, to be dramatic and fake or sell displacement fouls. This does not occur in only basketball though, it crosses over to other sports. In men’s ice hockey, you are allowed to cross-check your opponent, but in women’s ice hockey this is a penalty. The sound of the collision of two players against the plexiglass makes fans go crazy and is what is entertaining about hockey. Sadly, the women are not allowed to do this, thus decreasing viewership drastically. The same story is found within men’s and women’s lacrosse, in men’s lacrosse there is an overarching concern about getting poked or swatted with a stick, but in women’s there is no such concern as again, it is a penalty. Women are only allowed to do stickto-stick contact, while men are able to full on swing at each other. The only sport that has the same rules across the board is soccer. Both the men and women face the same rules when they step on the pitch. So why the uproar? Well, if the current mold for society is pushing for more uniform equalization amongst men and women, then why has sports, the self proclaimed most progressive platform, not equalized the playing field. The physicality of sports is what truly hooks the viewers’ attention. Media platforms would find it much easier to televise women’s sports with a rule change to allow a more aggressive style of play. Consider Pay-Per-View WWE matches, thousands of people pay to watch the match because of the physicality. If any athletic organization was truly interested in increasing viewership in women’s sports, then they would make the rules the same and allow both men and women to be more physical in their respective sport. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Opinion 15 The impact of representation between ‘SIX’ vs. ‘Hamilton’ By Lindsey Scorey Understanding history beyond the hegemonic lens Opinion Asst. Editor Ever since my preadolescence when I first saw “Mamma Mia” on Broadway, I have been hooked. When Broadway came back into action, I had the privilege of seeing both “SIX” and “Hamilton” on the big stage, two shows well known for their representation and inclusivity. But how well did they hit the mark? “SIX” follows the lives of the six wives of Henry the VIII, 16th century King of England best known for his annulment of his first wife and the five wives that followed. Most people would know Henry the VIII’s legacy, but this show is dedicated to the impact made by his wives, with a cast that is not only all women, but majority women of color. I will say the plotline of their songs being a competition of who had the worst experience/marriage with Henry is funny, but not very “women supporting women.” However, the finale song is likely one of the most “girl power” anthems I have heard. The rewriting of history, from the women’s perspectives, is incredibly inspiring, especially for young women who generally learn history through a male, hegemonic lens in the education system. Without Anne Boleyn, the Reformation may have never occurred in the same sense. Henry’s final wife, Catherine Parr, was the first woman to publish work in her own name. Their history goes on. In terms of “Hamilton,” of course it is going to kill me to critique this show at all, as the writing and artistic vision of it stands alone as iconic. It was one of the first shows to ever flip history on its racist little head and be inclusive to minorities whose history is rarely ever so well-written or even taught. Now, this is still a story that honors the white man’s history. That is undeniable. But, to tell the tale of the founding of America with a diverse cast? Man, some powerful dead white men would be rolling in their graves. For that alone I’m going to say 10/10. But of course, I have to state the obvious. While the cast of “Hamilton,” includes diverse and talented actors, it is a play based on the perspective of a dead white man who really is not that forgotten. Hamilton was a lesser known Founding Father, yes, especially because he never served as an American president, but I personally think the perspectives of Eliza Hamilton and Angelica Schuyler were more fascinating than Hamilton’s at times. It is also incredibly hard to empathize with Hamilton when he not only cheats on his wife, but also is secretly in love with his wife’s sister as well. Silly, silly. For its excellence and precedent-setting, I still believe “Hamilton” to be a work of art. But in terms of true representation, I think “SIX” hit the nail on the head. We cannot change our history, but we can shape our telling of it and our Graphic by Jack Malatesta present representation. Both of these shows should serve as examples to bounce off of and learn from. But I cannot wait to see even better representation in all forms of entertainment in the future. When gas prices rise in the U.S., so should employee wages How current prices show an unfair disadvantage By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer The economy has struggled immensely since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between business shutdowns, supply chain issues and now, the Russian-Ukraine war, prices of many goods such as meat, vehicles and most notably gas, continue to skyrocket. Widespread outrage over gas prices highlights one of the most pressing economic issues plaguing Americans: wages are not rising fast enough to match the rise in prices. U.S. consumer prices are up 7.9 percent as of February 2022. Gasoline saw the biggest change, as prices are up by a whopping 38 percent, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The current average price for regular gasoline in Pennsylvania as of March 21 is $4.32 per gallon. This time last year, the average price was $3.03 per gallon. Even just a month ago, the average was $3.73 a gallon, nearly 60 cents cheaper. This price increase means that most with smaller cars and SUVs will be paying $13 to $24 more each time they fill their tanks. Although $15 to $25 extra in gas may not seem like a grand expense, national outrage over the increase shows how this extra expense can be financially devastating. Although wages have increased over the past few years, prices increased at a quicker rate. Workers are still being underpaid in proportion to the price of goods. Two-thirds of America is living paycheck to paycheck. This means even relatively minor price increases are felt in drastic ways. A few extra dollars spent on gas equates to a few less dollars available to spend on groceries, bills or other expenses. Some workers lower on the economic spectrum may make between $8 and $12 an hour before taxes. These workers who have struggled to make ends meet before rapid inflation would have to work an additional two to four hours on top of their normal hours just to account for the increased price of gas, let alone the increased price of food and rent. A country where most of its citizens are living just within their means is not a country that allows for economic prosperity. Americans cannot stimulate and invest in the economy if they can hardly afford necessities like gasoline. We must raise wages to match prices to allow for a comfortable and successful economy and nation. �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Opinion 16 The difficulty of eating correctly during college years By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer My friends and I often make jokes to each other about our eating habits in high school with little comments about how all we had to eat one day was a cough drop, or how we consider Starbucks cold brew a primary food group. Behind this lighthearted banter, though, we realized the problem many college students have on a daily basis: healthy eating. But I, and many other college students, often fail at this. It’s quite common for our schedules to keep us occupied for hours with barely a 10-minute break to do something as banal as walking across campus from one hall to another. Sometimes we simply do not have the time to get fuel, unless we do some hardcore planning or meal prep, which takes time and effort to become a normal practice all in itself. All this being said, almost every job, extracurricular or class I have taken or been a part of at Wilkes has had an extremely open policy when it comes to food. Bosses, peers and professors would allow us to take some time out of our duties to eat or get food. I know not every semester is overwhelmingly busy like this. I have had times where I was free. This was the time when I felt my eating habits thrived. I would be able to cook more and eat correctly. I will even say my performance in all things, from waking up and getting ready in the morning, to effectively writing an essay in one sitting, was of better quality. I guess it is not much of a shocker that, when we eat well, our bodies feel better. Let’s talk about a very real obstacle many of us face when it comes to getting food: anxiety. Many people, myself included, feel pretty anxious when getting food from somewhere. We overthink and worry about everything, from waiting in line, orating our desired order, and what to do if there is an abnormality with the already nerveracking process, like the wait time or if something is out of stock. If I’m already having a busy, stressful day, I am less likely to put myself in another tiresome situation. As previously mentioned, I have found I am most likely to eat well if I put effort in preparing it beforehand and simply always have something to nosh on with me, even if I cannot have a full meal. I have found myself devoting more time to grocery shopping and meal prep recently. I guess I figured soon I will be out in the real world, and developing healthy eating habits is a necessity, so I might as well learn as I still have a somewhat protective blanket of college swaddling me. I do believe that this is becoming a trend, what with all the food TikToks and people prioritizing their overall health and wellbeing in general these days. Another main barrier that we face as college students is money. There is this stigma that to “eat healthy” we need to spend money on expensive, quality food. I do not think many of us are in the position to shop in the organic section at Wegmans, so sometimes we may feel backed against a wall. It is quite well known that oftentimes the cheap food found on dollar menus of fast food restaurants have little to no nutritional value, and may also have the opposite effect on the body. I totally understand that it is so much easier to use dining dollars and not think about the cost. All this taken into consideration, I must say that Wilkes does have quite a few options that make eating well more affordable and convenient, like the POD and Starbucks which have decent hours, and are convenient to pop to between classes. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Opinion 17 WNBA’s Brittney Griner: A Russian prisoner amid war By Hope Williams Staff Writer Phoenix Mercury WNBA star, Brittney Griner, is being held captive in Russia for what is reportedly for possession of vape cartridges containing “hashish oil” in her luggage during their travels back into the United States. Griner’s imprisonment is a high tension situation amid the horrifying war, started by Russian President Vladamir Putin. According to The New York Times, “Griner’s detention comes at the most dangerous moment in U.S.-Russia relations since the Cuban missile crisis, as the Biden administration leads dozens of nations in imposing crushing sanctions on Russia’s economy and its political elites. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Saturday that the sanctions were ‘akin to a declaration of war’ against his country.” It is no secret that the war that is currently taking place between Russia and Ukraine is a worry for many Americans, as President Joe Biden has implemented some strict sanctions on Russia. These sanctions are taken as a threat by Putin. With that said, can we begin to question the real reason there is an American citizen being imprisoned in Russia? There are many questions being asked by many individuals close to Griner. According to many sources, Russia is threatening Griner with a possible 10 years in Russian prison for allegedly “smuggling” the hashish substance found in her bags. These charges are extremely serious and can cause Griner, her family, her friends and her teammates with major issues to deal with. Not to mention, how is Griner feeling? Imagine being in a completely different country and having absolutely no control with the events happening around you. Although in a different country, according to CNN, Griner has had the opportunity to speak with her legal team several times a week since she was detained. It was also stated by CNN sources that, “Earlier this week, US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan met with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday and “demanded that the government of Russia follow international law and basic human decency to allow consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention.” It is many people’s hope, especially Griner’s, that they are able to be released into United States custody while awaiting trial. Not only does Griner play in the WNBA, but they are also a part of a basketball team in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The other important question to pose in conjunction to the effect this has had on Griner, but, how has it affected their coaches and teammates? It was stated by ESPN that her Russian teammates and coaches have taken it upon themselves to speak on her character and overall prominence as a player. In order to try and provide a unique perspective on this hot button issue, I reached out to two Wilkes women’s basketball players, as well as their head coach for comments on this issue. However, all three declined to respond or provide any comments. When it comes to an issue such as this—a queer, black, American athlete being wrongfully detained in another country— everyone should have something to say about it. Although it seems that Griner’s detainment has been extended to May 19, it is a responsibility of our country, the WNBA, the NBA, Griner’s family and friends, and the American people as a whole to ensure they are released into United States custody. The WNBA season begins on May 9. The seven-time all-star athlete has played basketball in Russia for almost seven years. Will they still be given the opportunity to play in a sport they deserve to play in? It is our job to ensure that Griner is released and able to participate in the sport they love. said medicine when I saw it said dietary supplement. Well, I was lied to. Upon reflection, the drug was actually a sugar pill that went along with the opening set for Tame Impala. I love giving openers the benefit of the doubt, but there are only so many chances I can give. I will never forget the opener, Junglepussy. Junglepussy’s beats all sounded the same but the context of the lyrics was horrendous, and the lyrics were vulgar. Autotune could not save this performance. I felt bad for the 14-yearold teenagers who sat in front of me and had to experience this horror. Nothing will ever make me forget a grown woman dry humping the air as she raps about a guy taking her out on a date to Trader Joes. Or, that was what I thought the lyrics were about. My mouth was dropped so far open a whole army of flies could have made a colony there. I was just so flabbergasted about the range of Junglepussy in juxtaposition to Tame Impala. After the opener, I took a few minutes gasping at the price my friend paid for a pretzel; it was more than $6. Nothing was more jaw dropping than Kevin Parker appearing on stage. That man never had to rely on autotune. His vocals were beautiful. My favorite song by Tame Impala he performed was “Lost In Yesterday.” The visuals were breathtaking and I felt in this moment that I died and was being sent to heaven. Resurrected back to Earth and sent back to life. The first part of the concert, Parker played his newer songs from his new albums, but the crowd got moving when he started moving into his older songs. Though the arena had seats, I had no problem jumping around to each song and singing my head off to the point I lost my voice. The flashing lights and instrumentals had me screaming my head off with pleasure. This was one of my favorite concerts I have ever attended. Share your thoughts Should Brittney Griner be held? Send your alternate opinion to Editor Breanna Ebisch breanna.ebisch@wilkes.edu Going to Tame Impala’s world tour is a euphoric experience By AJ Rubino LA&E Staff Writer Editor’s note: This story contains potentially graphic content. I had the pleasure to attend Tame Impala’s Rushium (Slow Rush Tour) on March 19 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. I did not have to take time out of my day to stand in line because the best part about attending arena tours is that the seats you picked online are the seats you are stuck with. That being said, I was able to hop in the line right before the doors opened because I did not have to fight for my life in general admission. Once we entered the arena, I coughed up $30 to capitalism on Tame Impala’s “Currents” vinyl. Do I own a record player? No. Then, a random woman pretending to be a doctor asked if I wanted a sample of what she was giving out. I accepted this Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Opinion 18 Lia Thomas increases visibility, criticism, of transgender athletes By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas won the 500-yard freestyle to become the first transgender athlete to win a Division I championship. Thomas won with a time of 4:33.24 seconds, but her win brings up the burning question of a transgender women’s role in women’s sports. In January 2022, the National Collegiate Athletic Association updated the policy of transgender athletes in sports, specifically focusing on transgender women. According to the NCCA, the policy is as follows, “during the 2022-23 season, athletes will need to provide testosterone level documentation at three predetermined points, including four weeks before championship selection.” Testosterone is the main hormone in males. Testing transgender women’s testosterone levels gets rid of the presumed advantage testosterone brings, because the facts are present. This new policy is much better as there is no timetable for suppressing testosterone. The other policy forced trans women to have testosterone suppressors for at least a year. People tend to bring up the argument of biology. Yes, trans women may have a slight advantage because of biology with their bone structure, but it is only a slight advantage. Trans women take hormones like estrogen and progesterone to change their bodies to fit their gender identity. Regardless of what they take, their bodies are being completely transformed. It is hard to rope in all trans women in the argument of transgender athletes in sports. Some trans women never go through male puberty at all as they transition before puberty. It is not fair for pre-puberty trans women to be roped into the argument. Trans women who went through male puberty may have some advantages, but they are slight. Height may be a factor. Estrogen completely deteriorates the muscles in trans women. It also affects reaction time and hand-eye coordination. The hormones nearly erase all competitive advantages that trans women supposedly have. Thomas started hormone replacement therapy in May 2019. She has been on hormones for nearly three years. Three years is enough time to affect transforming one's body. What's not being talked about is the fact that Thomas placed last in the 100-yard freestyle final. If she has such a major advantage, why did she place last in a race with other cisgender women? There will always be a conversation on transgender athletes in sports. Most people do not know what transgender people go through. There are so many other factors that go into reaching this point in one’s transition. Transgender athletes should be praised, not ridiculed. Graphic by Jack Malatesta A review of refreshing 'X': A24 kills it on screen again, literally By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer A24 is back and better than ever with the studio’s newest horror flick “X”. The film follows a group of adult filmmakers as they rent out a farmer’s barn for the night, quoting it as “the perfect backdrop” for their film. Things quickly turn from sensual to scary once the cameras begin to roll. After seeing this movie, my fear of creepy old people (that originated after my viewing of “The Visit”) has been reestablished. “X” boasts a seriously impressive cast that no doubt only adds to the strength of this film, with names like Kid Kudi, Brittany Snow, Mia Goth and Jenna Ortega making the credits sequence. There wasn’t a single cast member who didn’t knock it out of the park in this film. What it did right Everything. I’m not even exaggerating with this one—“X” is just that good. The perfect mix of original, moody, scary and disturbing, this film hits every box and then some. “X” boasts a seriously impressive cast that no doubt only adds to the strength of this film, with names like Kid Kudi, Brittany Snow, Mia Goth and Jenna Ortega making the credits sequence. There wasn’t a single cast member who didn’t knock it out of the park in this film. Mia Goth actually performed a dualrole in “X” by playing the parts of both attacked and attacker. Under such heavy prosthetics and makeup, Goth is unrecognizable as the creepy old woman from the trailer, but she plays her so incredibly well. The white dress with the red blood splattered on it? What a staple of horror movies. “X” knows what to do and how to do it, and it shows. A factor of films that I never pay attention to is the editing, but “X” forces you to pay attention to this otherwise invisible element. The editing, specifically the cutting from one scene to the next, fit the 70s to 80s aesthetic, which is actually when the film takes place. It was so well-done that it forced me to take notice of it and to appreciate it. The plot line of “X” does what “Fresh” wishes it could do: it transforms the genre. A24 never misses, and “X” only furthers my idea that anything produced by A24 will be my new favorite movie. I want to find whoever wrote the screenplay for “X” and shake their hand. Finally, we have something new—not a reboot or stale premise. What it did wrong Quite honestly, nothing. “X” was extremely solid all around. �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports 19 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu BB: The process of balancing school, sports and a full-time job By Ariel Reed Managing Editor There is little debate that being a student athlete is difficult. However, three graduate student baseball players, Brandon Reno, Nick Pronti and Dominick Bayo, have decided to come back for their fifth-year of eligibility while working full time and completing their masters. “We want all of our players to succeed beyond baseball,” said head coach Kevin Gryboski. “For players to have the opportunity to get real world experience, pursuing a masters degree all while being a big part of our team is a win for all our guys.” Reno and Pronti are both registered nurses working night shifts and are completing their MBA. Bayo is a teacher working towards a degree in effective teaching. Pronti and Reno noted that their days consist of attempting to get as much sleep as possible, school work, meals, weights, and of course - baseball. “I spend most of my time in the hospital,” said Reno. “I mean, I only work three 12 hour shifts, but it becomes a lot. Especially on the days that we are busy, I feel like I am in the hospital more.” Bayo’s schedule is slightly different as he is a teacher. Bayo noted that his schedule consisted of long term subbing in the fall, as he needed to get his teaching certificate before becoming a full time teacher. He is currently substitute teaching. Despite the uphill battle of physical exhaustion from working as much as these three do, their game stats are second to none. Bayo leads the team with a .429 batting average and an on base percentage of .525. Pronti leads the team in doubles with eight and Reno already has 11 RBIs on the season. “This is a great group of men,” said Gryboski. “The best part of a team is that Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Brandon Reno throws his arms up, questioning a call made at first base. we become aware of people beyond their ability to throw a baseball. Knowing guys are coming to practice after working all night and opting to be there for ground balls carries a lot of weight for me, the coaching staff and the other guys. We don't use the word respect lightly. I think these guys working and somehow making it all work out is a bigger bullet point on a resume than most people will ever understand. All these guys have earned respect however their season unfolds.” The decision to come back and balance full-time work, school and baseball was a no-brainer for Pronti, Reno and Bayo as they all noted that the ‘sour taste ending’ in their last season was motivation enough to make another run at the MAC Championship. For the full interview with Reno, Pronti and Bayo, check out gowilkesu. com or find it on “Wilkes Now TV” on Service Electric Channel 97. Nick Pronti gets set at short stop, waiting for the next play to occur. Dominic Bayo sizes up his pitch, hoping to bunt a runner into scoring position. �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports 20 MLAX: Colonels fall to 4-5 on season after home match By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The men’s lacrosse team closed out their non-conference portion of the season with a game against Utica College Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium. The Colonels lost to the visiting Pioneers 18-13 and fell to 4-5 on the season. The first quarter was a back and forth affair, with multiple lead changes from both sides. Wilkes was leading 3-2, after junior midfielder Jacob Kudysch scored off a slick pass from senior midfielder Ethan Weaver. The play resulted in Weaver earning his 100th career point. “It felt really great to reach that milestone,” said Weaver. “It just feels good to be around great teammates that are able to elevate me and help me get to the hundredth point.” Weaver was tied for the team lead in points, as he racked up two goals and three assists to help generate the Colonels offense. Utica quickly responded with three goals to take a 5-4 lead after the period. Wilkes used three consecutive goals of their own to get ahead 7-5. With the score tied at eight and just a few minutes remaining in the half, it seemed as if the game was going to come down to whomever got the ball last. However, Utica rattled off four straight goals spanning over the second and third quarter, taking control of the game. The Pioneers used their physicality to gain possession and capitalized on a couple of mental lapses from the Colonels. “They just won the faceoff battle,” said senior midfielder Alex Meyers. “That was the determining factor. We tied them on ground balls. They just got more possessions and were able to score more by running a better offense.” Meyers tied Weaver on the day with a team-high five points, with two goals and three assists of his own. The two goals moved Meyers into second on the team, with 17 of them throughout just nine games. Despite trailing by as many as five goals, the Colonels did not give up. Three straight goals to start the fourth quarter pulled Wilkes within a pair with just over seven minutes remaining. Utica was able to refocus and score a goal just a minute later that seemed to ice the game. The goal appeared to take the wind out of the Colonels and the Pioneers chipped in two more goals to put the game completely out of reach. “We can’t take one ground ball for granted,” said head coach Curtis Jaques. The Beacon/Jason Eberhart Senior Ethan Weaver looks to receive a pass moments before his 100th career point as a Colonel. “When it comes down to a tight game play as they try to make the playoffs and like that, every single ground ball get back to five hundred. matters. We can’t take one possession Wilkes will kick off its conference for granted.” season with a home game against The Colonels will look to take this Delaware Valley University tonight at 7 mindset into MAC Freedom conference p.m. at Schmidt Stadium. THE BEACON Player of the Game: Ethan Weaver Points 5 Goals 2 Assists 3 �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports 21 BB: Colonels late-game comeback falls short by one run By Baylee Guedes Co-Sports Editor The Colonels came off of a 6-2 win over Penn College and started the week off strong. Wilkes finished off the week with a hard fought loss in a conference matchup on Friday afternoon where the Colonels lost 10-9 to the Arcadia Knights. In the first inning, Arcadia came out strong by capitalizing on two Wilkes errors and scoring six runs off senior pitcher Tony Molitoris. The second inning remained scoreless and the third inning saw the Knights earn another run, making the score 7-0. Wilkes was unable to score early as they did not have a hit until the fifth inning. Graduate student Brandon Reno got the bats going, but the Colonels were not able to score a run. “After the first time through the order our guys adjusted to their starter and started having better approaches at the plate,” said head coach Kevin Gryboski. “I knew we were going to score runs, it was just a matter of time.” The sixth inning brought Wilkes their first runs of the game with RBIs from graduate students Dominick Bayo and Nick Pronti. “We know we are a team that can hit the ball,” said Bayo. “Each guy feeds off one another, and when one person does something positive the next guy follows.” Arcadia scored again early in the seventh inning and Wilkes contributed two more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Junior AJ Brosious and graduate student Brandon Reno both hit singles advancing runners to score as the Knights led 8-4. Arcadia scored two more times as Wilkes brought in junior pitcher Jack Gordon to relieve Molitoris, making the score 10-4. The Knights brought in relief pitcher Nadell Booker for Hunter Curley in the ninth inning with one out. The Colonels capitalized on this pitching change with a hit from first-year Chase Vrabel who got on base with a single to left-field. Vrabel’s hit got the bats going again as senior Michael Patrizio walked and Bayo got a single to load the bases. Pronti singled to left-field, scoring Vrabel. First-year Connor Morgan singled in Patrizio, bringing the score up to 10-6. Arcadia brought in Owen Margolis for Booker and Wilkes’ junior Peyton Schuck took advantage. He capitalized on the Knight’s second pitching change with a single, scoring Bayo and Pronti. Reno singled and loaded the bases once again for Wilkes. First-year Zack Luksic had a sac-fly that brought in Morgan, The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior Nick Pronti preparing himself for an at bat on March 18. leading to a 10-9 score at the bottom of the ninth. The game ended with a fly-out to center and Arcadia took the win. “We faced a good arm for eight innings and managed to put up a few runs against him,” said Pronti. “It is difficult to come back from a deficit like we had after the first inning. I was just pleased with our composure and confidence while being down all game. This loss stings, just like they all do.” Bayo and Pronti both went 3-for-5 at the plate and Reno went 3-for-4. Bayo scored three runs and had one RBI, Pronti scored two runs and had two RBIs and Reno had one RBI. “There is no clock in baseball telling you when the game is over,” said Bayo. “Every at-bat matters and anything can change the result of a game. Nothing in this game is guaranteed, going forward it is whoever wants it more.” Next game: April 1, 2022 at FDU. earn the lead with a leadoff walk by sophomore Kaylie Capriotti. Sophomore Marissa Pick bunted Capriotti over to second base and junior Hope Mullins walked to fill first base. A wild pitch then allowed Capriotti and Mullins to advance to third and second base, putting two runners in scoring position for Calaman. Calaman capitalized on the opportunity to score as she hit both Capriotti and Mullins with a two-RBI double, giving Wilkes a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish. “The most important thing to take away from today was our energy,” said Mullins. “They were regionally ranked and they almost won their regionals last year, so I think we kept up a really good energy throughout both games.” Mullins earned the win on the mound for the Colonels, closing out the last three innings of the game with a scoreless relief appearance. The second game of the doubleheader belonged to Alfred. The Saxons jumped off to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning and added insurance runs in both the third and seventh, ending with a 4-0 score. Graduate student Rachel Pritchard earned the only hits for the Colonels, going 2-for-3 with a double and a single in the contest. “We really need to work on adjusting our hitting,” said Calaman. “We did a little bit of adjusting in the first game and I think we got thrown off in the second one, but we still tried our best.” The Colonels next face Penn State Hazleton in a home doubleheader today. SB: Split with Alfred University leads to 7-5 record on season By Chris Gowarty Co-Sports Editor On Friday March 25, the softball team split a doubleheader against Alfred University improving their record to 7-5 on the season. The Colonels won the first game 2-1 and fell in the second game 4-0. “Our pitching has been real solid and our defense has been backing them up,” said head coach Jackie Klahold. “We’ve been starting to get some timely hits. Everything is just starting to play together as we’re finding our groove.” The first game started off slow for both the Colonels and the Saxons. Senior Rhia Aurand started on the bump for Wilkes in the first game and allowed just one baserunner in the first inning. The Colonels also only had one baserunner in the first, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity leaving the frame scoreless. In game one, the Saxons were the first team to strike. Alfred’s senior Tatiana Mejia led off the inning with a double and was then moved over to third base with a sacrifice bunt by senior Alison O’Toole. First-year Meghan Neto grounded out to Wilkes’ sophomore shortstop Hayden Calaman to score Mejia. Aurand struck out the next batter she faced to finish the top of the second with Alfred on top 1-0. The rest of the game proved quiet for both teams as they continued to put runners on base yet failed to cash them in. It was not until the bottom of the fifth when action resumed. The Colonels began their fight to �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Eric Ormsby Senior Lacrosse Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week March 16 to March 23 Why Ormsby was selected: In a 15-7 victory against Manhattanville College on March 19, Ormsby led his team with seven points through scoring five goals and adding two assists. Name: Eric Ormsby Year: Senior Major: Marketing Hometown: Warwick, N.Y. High School: Warwick Valley H.S. Position: Attack Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I came to Wilkes because I was able to continue my education and also was given the opportunity to play on the men’s lacrosse team. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I hope to eventually build my own marketing company where I would be able to help businesses with advertising and their online marketing. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory was when the men’s lacrosse team made it to the playoffs for the first time since the rebirth of the program. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? I hope for us to win a MAC playoff game. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed When/Why did you first begin playing? I have been playing lacrosse since I could remember, and this is because my grandfather played, coached throughout his life. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I enjoy playing disc golf and I have played soccer my whole life as well. Favorite building on campus? My favorite building here is the ceramics studio. Favorite meal to eat on campus? I love to grab a quick sandwich from Which Wich. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? My favorite gatorade flavor is Artic Freeze. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? I would want to be played by Steve Carell because of his roles in the Office and Anchorman. Favorite professor? My favorite professor here is Jean Adams. Most influential person in your life? The most influential person in my life is my brother. What does “Be Colonel” mean to you? To me, “Be Colonel” means putting in the work and not expecting things to fall into your lap. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �23 Sports The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Getting to know... Sarah Sorber Senior Golfer The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week March 16 to March 23 Why Sarah Sorber was selected: Sorber led all Colonels with a scorecard of 89 in a tri-match against Kings College and Hood College on March 20. Her low score placed her fourth overall in the match. Name: Sarah Sorber Year: Senior Major: Psychology Hometown: Hunlock Creek, Pa. High School: Northwest Area Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? My driving force to come to Wilkes had to be the small campus as well as the small class sizes. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I plan on possibly going to grad school and getting a master's, maybe even pushing it as far as a doctorate down the line. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory is going to Pizza Hut after our away golf matches. Because no one out-pizzas the Hut. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? I hope the team has a good season but most importantly, I hope everyone has fun and enjoys themselves. When/Why did you first begin playing? My mom needed a golf partner for her league and I said I'd come to keep score. I hit one ball and I've been hooked ever since. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I'm super big into fly fishing or just fishing in general. Favorite building on campus? Probably the P.O.D. or even just the fourth floor in Cohen on the side where there's that huge window that faces the greenway. Favorite meal to eat on campus? I love to get a Lunchable, a bag of chips and a lemonade from the P.O.D.. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? My favorite flavor is red and I cannot believe people say yellow. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? I would want to be played by Will Ferrell in a wig. Favorite professor? I have to say the psychology department as a whole. They are all extremely warm and welcoming and willing to help you with anything you need. Most influential person in your life? My parents for sure. They definitely shaped me into the person I am today and I’m not sure where I'd be without them. What does “Be Colonel” mean to you? I think “Be Colonel” means being a respectful individual on and off the field. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week. At the end of the academic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it ter @WilkesB eacon to crow n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 News 24 Wilkes Giving Day brings in record breaking numbers Grand Total: $188,000 Percentage increase from last year: 27% 9% Increase in Donors “The commitment of our donors and their endorsement of Wilkes University through their contributions to areas they love the most is outstanding. We are overwhelmed by the positive response and look forward to our annual Giving Days in the future.” —Margaret Steele, Chief Development Officer � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 March 30 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 March 30 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/c72e06d81460c974b623f210961c0c35.pdf 7871d09b595dabfb55381299a011fac0 PDF Text Text The Beacon - April 6, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 16 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” “Chicago” Joseph Dawson’s last production before retirement By Taylor Dillon News Staff Wrtier Joseph C. Dawson, associate dean of the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and associate professor of theater, will present his final production, “Chicago,” this week. Dawnson retires at the end of the academic year. The musical has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Performances will be held in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. at 8 p.m. on April 7, 8 and 9, and at 2 p.m. on April 9 and 10, According to a press release, in 1920’s Chicago, chorus girl Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her husband Amos to take the rap, until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie, and another “Merry Murderess” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the American dream: fame, fortune and acquittal. This sharp-edged satire features a dazzling score that sparked immortal staging by Bob Fosse. “Matron Mama Morton runs the show CHICAGO, page 4 Dr. Akira Shimizu publishes book on food scholarship, page 3 Photo courtesy of Brad Berry Olivia Schanbacer (left) as Velma Kelly and Olivia Scarborough (right) as Roxie Hart in Dawsons poroduction of “Chicago.” Liz’s Craft Column: Spring crochet lavender pen, page 11 Why you need to watch films on the big screen, page 18 BB: Kemp’s seventh inning strikeout grants first conference win, page 19 �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: March 30 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Student Government began in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. The treasurer’s report stated that there is a total of $33,225 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was a club report from the Hospitality Leadership Club. It was presented by club president Juana Pimentel. The second order of business was a trip report from the geoexplorers club. The club had gone on a west coast archaeological trip over spring break. Allie Faunce and Ben Wojciechowski presented. The third order of business was a club fund request from Lambda Kappa Sigma, the women’s pharmacy sorority. This was week two of two and was presented by its president, Jordan Childress. Childress came in for a request to attend the LKS Convention in Indianapolis from July 13 to 16. The convention provides a chance for the club to be able to network with other chapters. They plan on bringing 13 members. They provided multiple options ranging from $9,750 to $16,750. The club fund request was approved for $4,000 . The fourth order of business was a fund request for the Big Event, hosted by student government. This was week two of two and was presented by Megan Makovsky, corresponding secretary. The Big Day is an upcoming event where all of the clubs on campus are invited to volunteer to help clean up and serve different areas around the Wilkes-Barre area. The event is to take place on April 30. Makovsky requested $10,500, which was approved. The fifth order of business was a request from resident life. They asked student government to help volunteer for the Glow Run event, which took place on April 4. The sixth and final order of business was week one of two for nominations of the executive board of student government. Those nominated were Danelie Morris and Sarah Erickson for vice president; Nolee Ana Grabowski and Maddy Yeager for recording secretary; Marytere Quintana-Avila for treasurer and AJ Rubino for corresponding secretary. Makovsky was also recognized as the student body president-elect. Table of Contents Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events News..................2 Compiled by Beacon News Staff Life, A&E............7 Parking Applications Open Commuter and resident student parking applications have opened for the fall 2022 semester starting April 4 online. The deadline to complete applications will be 4 p.m. June 30. For those interested in Ralston, note so in the comments sections. Any applications submited later than the deadline will not go under review. Applications will not reopen once closed. For any questions, call 570-408-7275 Submit work to Manuscript Society Manuscript Society is accepting submissions for the 2021-22 edition till 11:59 p.m. on Apr. 17. Submissions are open for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff and alumni. The society accepts poetry, essays, short stories, photography, art and digital art. Short stories have a limit of five pages. The limit is five submissions per person. To submit original work or ask any questions, email magazine@wilkes.edu Buy a Tote Bag Green Giants tote bags are an affordable, sustainable and durable alternative to plastic and are being sold for $10 each. The bags come in two designs: the Wilkes logo and blue butterflies. Students looking to purchase one should watch out for them in the Student Union Building, the Simms Center, or DM them on Instagram @greengiantstotebags to place an order. Ninety percent of proceeds go to Little Eric’s Foundation, a local organization that funds pediatric cancer research. Memorial Concert Honoring Professor Emeritus Steven Thomas A memorial concert honoring Steven Thomas, late music professor, will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The public is invited to attend and will be required to follow St. Stephen’s protocols for masking and social distancing. If you would like to attend or perform, register through the March 18 Wilkes, Today email. Online Buddhist Meditation Returns Interested in practicing some sitting and walking meditation with others? The sessions will be offered each Tuesday and run for about 40 minutes. No experience is needed and anyone interested is welcome. For more information or the link for the virtual sessions, contact Linda Paul, associate professor of philosophy, at linda. paul@wilkes.edu. Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester April 8 - Spring Fling 14 - Holiday Recess Begins 18 - Classes Resume May 4 - Classes End 5 - Final Exams Begin 12 - Final Exams End �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 News 3 Dr. Akira Shimizu publishes book on food scholarship “Specialty Food, Market Culture, and Daily Life in Early Modern Japan” By Maddy Kinard News Editor On April 1, Dr. Akira Shimizu and colleagues joined to celebrate the publication of his book, “Specialty Food, Market Culture, and Daily Life in Early Modern Japan: Regulating and Deregulating the Market in Edo, 17801870.” To kick off the celebration, Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, associate professor of history, began with a short commemoration of Shimizu’s accomplishments. “I actually had the honor of serving on the search committee that hired Akira, and I remember from the very first time that I met him that I knew that his research was going to be something special, that the work he was doing was incredibly interesting,” said Kuiken. “Akira embodies a lot of what we hope for in our faculty here at Wilkes University, which is not just a commitment to teaching and mentorship, but also being a teacher-scholar.” Shimizu then provided a brief overview of what went into the creation of his book and scholarship, along with future avenues of research he plans to pursue next. Most important to Shimizu, he was very thankful to everyone in the department for offering him both physical and mental support over the past couple of years. He was also thankful for the financial support that critically aided in his research as he was able to return home and visit archives in Tokyo. “It’s kind of surreal to think about,” said Shimizu. “And to be honest with you, I haven’t read it.” A result of his Ph.D. dissertation, Shimizu’s scholarship follows a close study of specialty food in Japanese society. His interest in this topic of food branding began when he was in Memphis, Tenn. working at a Japanese restaurant in the late 1990s. Here, he was posed with the question: Does one need a Japanese chef to prepare Japanese food? To that same idea, he further elaborated on a story in which he prepared Chinese food for a close friend of his who was Chinese American. While their family liked the food, they argued that it was not Chinese food because Shimizu was not Chinese. Before deciding on researching food branding, Shimizu was first interested in the historical anthropology of smell. He further reflects on the publication of his research as being a sigh of relief. While he is excited, Shimizu feels like he can finally move on to his next projects: a paper on beef and the beginning stages of scholarship on sake. “Especially after I came to Wilkes, the most challenging aspect of writing my book was balancing the time between research and writing and teaching,” said Shimizu. “I have had a lot of exciting students and they’re really inspiring but it’s different than sitting down at a desk to write my manuscript.” Dr. Gina Morrison, associate professor of global cultures, notes that Shimizu has been a wonderful addition to their whole college and division since day one. Dr. Christopher Zarpentine, associate professor of philosophy, agreed, stating it is impressive whenever a colleague is able to write and publish a book. “Especially at a place like Wilkes, we’re a teaching university and the fact that he has done that and published a book with a reputable press is a big deal,” said Dr. Mischelle Anthony, associate professor and chair of English. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard TOP PHOTO: Dr. Akira Shimizu’s newly published book on food branding and food speciality in Japanese culture. BOTTOM: Shimizu gives a brief overview on the creation of his book and what went into his scholarship along with future plans for reseaerch. �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 CHICAGO, from front at the Cook County Prison and has a way of getting the ladies locked up inside of it whatever they want; but never for free,” senior theatre major Kayleigh Evans. “The song is raunchy, funny and is the perfect way to introduce this character and leave the audience wondering; what could Mama do for them?” The production of Chicago acts as a capstone for senior theater majors, making it even more bittersweet to close out the year with Dawson, as it is his final production at Wilkes. Dawson has been with the university since 1994, and has directed 50 mainstage shows and working with generations of students. Senior theatre major Kayla Bevacqua noted that working with Dawson has been a pleasure. Bevacqua continued on to say that he has a creative eye and is a comedic force. It is clear that Dawson has made the students in the theatre department at News Wilkes feel enthused about working on these productions with him. From all the laughs to all the cries and everything in between, you will never be bored or uninspired working with Dawson. “Directing depends on good collaboration,” said Dawson. “I’ve had an excellent team in the past and present at Wilkes. I never took them for granted. I will miss working with the students of course but also all the designers, other directors, choreographers, and musical directors. I’ll miss production work with Jon Liebetrau, Lynne Esgro, Teresa Fallon, Tom Rupp, Alex Barnhart, Terry Moore and Ken McGraw.” If you are interested in an afternoon or evening of magic and thrill, take the time to head over to the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center to get lost in a world of mystery. Tickets for the performances are $15 general admission, $10 for students and senior citizens and free for all Wilkes students and faculty. Parking 4 Photos courtesy of Brad Berry Kayleigh Evans (left) as Matron Mama Morton and Kayla Bevacqua (right) as Mary Sunshine is available, including handicappedaccessible options, behind the Henry Student Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at (570) 408-4540. Math integration bee back after two-year hiatus By Zach Paraway and Ariel Reed News Staff Writer and Managing Editor The Math Department is hosting the upcoming Integration Bee Event. The event will take place on April 9 at 10 a.m. in the Darte Center. Registration for the event has ended, but spectators are still welcome. The Integration Bee is an annual contest where students compete by evaluating integrals as fast as possible. This is the fourth time the event is being held, the first since 2019 as it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Dr. Sofya Chepushtanova, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, has helped run the event for years. Chepushtanova spoke about how this event is meant to celebrate with the students who enjoy mathematics and have fun. “Come to the event if you can integrate and want to have fun. If you are not ready to participate, come and support your integration bee friends,” said Chepushtanova. Participants will need to know integration techniques covered in calculus class: MTH 112 or its equivalents (i.e. u-substitution, integration by parts, trig substitutions and partial fractions decomposition) in order to compete. While this event may appear tailored to is a head-to-head competition made in several rounds. In each round, there are several pairing events, and the first player who correctly Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet students in a mathematics major, it is open to all undergraduates. According to the mathematics website, the contest works in two stages. During stage one, the contestants take qualifier tests to be selected for stage two—which evaluates two out of three integrals in an event wins and proceeds to the next round, paired with another winner. Each round consists of several minutes to give students an adequate amount of time to solve the equations. The four successful competitors proceed to the semi-final and then final rounds: the two best out of four competitors meet in the final to win the first and second places, the other two meet in a round to win the third place. The most successful competitor will be named the Grand Integrator. “Since it is a timed competition, it gets your heart racing as you try to solve the integral before your competitor while the judges watch your every decision,” said 2019 second place integrator Stevie Burton. “Overall, my friend and I were head-to-head in the last couple of rounds as both of us either kept getting stuck or running out of time.” Due to the event occurring in the middle to end of the academic year, students have to do work outside of their classes to help prepare for the event. “This was midway through calculus II so I had to work a lot outside of class to actually prepare for the event,” said Burton. “When I got there, I realized how many intelligent and like-minded students there are. It was a lot of fun and I met some new friends.” There are three prizes for those who compete well in the event. Their amounts value $150, $100 and $50. �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 News 5 Jason Schneiderman second visiting poet at Wilkes By Maddy Kinard News Editor As part of the second installment of the Allan Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers Series in the English Department, poet Jason Schneiderman held three events at Wilkes. Schneiderman is an associate professor of English at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and also teaches in the MFA program at Warren Wilson College. He is the author of four collections of poetry, two of which, “Hold Me Tight” and “Primary Source,” were given out to students through the Dickson fund. The last of the three events featured an evening reading and book signing in the Kirby Hall salon, which was free and open to all. At the reading, Schneiderman flowed through a selection of his poetry and at the end of the hour, opened the room for discussion. “I really enjoyed your poems; it was fantastic,” said Dr. Thomas Hamill, associate professor of English, who started off the Q&A period. “Can you speak a little bit about your formal aesthetic or critical approach to intertextualities, allusions and cultural references? They permeate in your poems so powerfully.” Many of Schneiderman’s readings from the night were steeped in references from Joseph Stalin to Frida Kahlo to Liza Minnelli. He explains that he’s always lived a life that has slipped between scholarship and poetry, one often bleeding into the other. He also loves history and facts. “In poetry, you metabolize (scholarship),” said Schneiderman. “You swallow the bishop and then you kind of write a bishop-ish poem.” Of his poems, Schneiderman is currently most proud of Blood Libel, which he states makes him most nervous to read because of how long it takes. He also finds that usually, his favorite poem is the one that he just “solved”. “Every poem is kind of a riddle you have to solve,” said Schneiderman. Schneiderman also hosted two other events prior to the reading: a poetry workshop open to students, staff and faculty members, which was followed by a dinner and a visit to Eng 298: “Advanced Workshop in Creative Nonfiction.” “Being part of a dinner with some of the English faculty, juniors and seniors, and Dr. Schneiderman was lots of fun,” said Emily Stone, English major. “Talking to a published poet was such a fulfilling experience as an English major and I am very grateful to the English Department for the opportunity.” The Spring Writers Series will host one more writer this year: Margaret Atwood on April 26 at 7 p.m. in the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. supplies. They are located at the SUB, Breiseth Hall, Cohen Science Center, Stark Learning Center, the nursing lounge and the entrance to the SIMMS Center. “We are encouraging students, faculty, and staff to join us on April 9 for a 5k fun run/walk around campus as a symbolic message that Wilkes not only stands with our neighbors in the Ukraine, but we will walk beside them as they make their way to safety,” said Valkenburg. The Office of Student Development holds a work study for students in the Nursing Department. They were interested in creating a movement that would benefit students as well as the community as a whole. Since it is getting warmer they decided on the 5k, to hold an event that would help people and encourage them to contribute in a fun and healthy way. “Regardless, we wanted to find a way to make a difference together as one,” said Jessica Turnitza, preseident of the Nursing Student Organization. Participants are asked to sign up via donation. However, donations can also still be made on the RunSignUp website. On the website, search “Run for Ukraine Virtual 5k” and click on donate. Supplies can also be donated in-person. Prizes will be awarded at the event. Some of the awards will be for the team with the highest number of participants, the individual with the highest time and the individual with the highest money raised. Morew than $100 in gift cards has been collected to give out at the event. Wilkes merchandise will also be awarded as well as some surprise gifts. “I think the 5k is a great idea, and it makes me happy to see people do things for a good cause,” The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Jason Schneiderman holding his poetry book "Hold Me Tight" 5K fun run/walk on April 9 to support those in Ukraine By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer On April 9, Wilkes will hold a 5k to help civilians in Ukraine. All proceeds made from the event will be donated to the AirBnB.org Emergency Shelter Fund. The AirBnB Emergency Shelter Fund provides refugees shelter during the ongoing war. Civic engagement has also been in contact with two local Ukrainian Catholic Churches that are accepting donations. “It's a simple way of supporting people from afar with generosity that is desperately needed,” said Megan Boone Valkenburg, coordinator of student development. For this event, Civic Engagement and the Nursing Student Organization collaborated to make things possible. Medical supplies will be collected on the day of the event but donations can also be made prior to April 9, as well as a week after the event. There are six boxes around campus where students can bring medical said Ramya Robinson, digital design and media major. The event serves to give back to those in need, and that every little bit can help in that cause. Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 6 Peace Pop-Up in Weckesser to show support for Ukraine By Maddy Kinard News Editor Starting on March 31, The President’s Office invited students to show support for Ukraine through post-it notes. Found in the lobby of Weckesser Hall, a station is set up where anyone can stop by and write words of support on blue and yellow post-it notes. As more are filled out, the post-it notes will create the Ukraine flag. This is one of many events Wilkes has done so far to show continuous support and increase awareness for the war currently onging in Ukraine. Some of these events have been information sessions, gathers for peace and more. Any questions can be directed to Bridget Giunta at Bridge.giunta@ wilkes.edu or Niamh Harkins at Niamh. Harkins@wilkes.edu Photo: The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas TOP MIDDLE PHOTO: “Peace Pop-Up” sign located outside of Weckesser signaling students to come inside. RIGHT: The post-it note station set up in the Weckesser lobby for students to write words of support and frame them in the shape of the Ukraine flag. Photo: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Pinwheels for National Child Abuse Prevention Month News Editor April 2022 is the National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Wilkes University police has shown its support for the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center through “pinwheels for prevention.” These pinwheels can be found in the mulch area of the greenway. According to the Childhelp organization, 1,840 children died due to abuse in neglect in 2019. However, they also state that there is a severe undercounting of fatalities in some states by 50 percent or more, meaning that this number could be much higher. To find out more information or show support through donations, visit childhelp.org. To report an incidence of child abuse or suspect child neglect, call the Childhelp national child abuse hotline (1-800)-422-4453 Photos: The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas By Maddy Kinard BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO: Pinwheels placed on the greenway showing support for the month of April TOP RIGHT: “Pinwheel for Prevention” sign infront of the pinwheels explaining why they are there �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan Daniel: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Sordoni Art Gallery opens last exhibition of the semester By Kellie Scott Staff Writer The Sordoni Art Gallery opened its new exhibition by artist Dan R. Talley, “State: Obvious/Not So.” This exhibition will be up from April 5 to May 29 and includes a variety of Talley’s work. Talley is a professor from Kutztown University where he taught photography, time-based media and professional practices. His exhibition incorporates works dating from 1973 to the present. “The exhibition is a retrospective, which means that it is a broad overview of nearly 50 years of work and includes photography, video, sculptural installations of mixed media and drawings,” said Heather Sincavage, director of the Sordoni Art Gallery. “Dan is someone who is both conceptual and minimalist. Thematically, I’d say there is not necessarily a thread that binds the works.” In terms of setting up the exhibit, there was a lot of work to be done. “I feel bad overusing this word but it just captures the whole atmosphere: exciting,” said Dasha Yakhnis, senior marketing major. “When coming up with arrangements and then with the hanging process proving to be difficult at times, it’s so thrilling and fulfilling to see it all come together to create stunning exhibits.” This show is one to stop in and visit as it encapsulates a true art experience and includes a variety of different conceptual meanings. “I think the same as any exhibition, I would encourage people to come in with an open mind and be ready to observe and ponder,” said Alyssa Roberts, senior digital design and media arts. “Talley’s work focuses mainly on celebrating objects, places, people, or media that we tend to overlook.” For more information on this exhibition visit the gallery’s Instagram account @sordonigallery. The Beacon/Kellie Scott Some of Talley’s pieces are interactive for guests. As soon as a guest walks into the gallery, the first thing that grabs their attention is the show’s title wall. This exhibition, “State: Obvious/Not So” displays all works from 1973 to the present by artist Dan R. Talley. The artist is a professor at Kutztown University and taught photography, time-based media and professional practices. Also, he worked as a gallery director, arts writer and of course, artist. His pieces in this exhibition include a little bit of photography, videos, drawings, as well as installations that incorporate audio and photographic projections. �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Dollar store recipe: Sweet and delicious vanilla cupcakes These vanilla cupcakes are a sweet and tasty dessert that everyone will surely enjoy. This delicious recipe makes 24 cupcakes and can easily be doubled for two times the enjoyment. These cupcakes can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Ingredients: 1 box classic yellow cake mix 1 cup water 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3 eggs 16 ounces buttercream frosting 24 cupcake liners a Enjoy! Allergens: Egg products By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Directions: First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place cupcake liners in a 24 cupcake baking pan. Next, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs into a large bowl. Beat the mixture with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer for two minutes. Pour the batter into the cupcakelined pan. Bake for 16 to 21 minutes or until the batter is completely baked. Then, let the cupcakes cool completely before putting them on a cooling rack. Once completed, spread buttercream frosting evenly with a knife over the top of the cupcakes. The Beacon/Morgan Rich This delectable dessert is the only vanilla cupcake recipe that you need. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Memories Lie - Red Vox Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: 10 Things I Hate About You - Leah Kate Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: 10 Steps - Christian Leave Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Eek - Leven Kali Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: As It Was - Harry Styles Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: Violet - Bad Suns Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: Lovers + Strangers- Starley Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: Moment of Clarity- JAY-Z Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Life In The Fast Lane - Eagles Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: What Happened To Virgil - Lil Durk, Gunna Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: Reverse Cowgirl - Mickey Darling �The Beacon – April 6, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Annual Women’s and Gender Studies conference held By Morgan Rich 9 This event was held virtually and in-person Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer On April 4 and April 5, Wilkes and King’s College presented their 11th annual Women’s and Gender Studies conference on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. This is the first year that the conference was held in person since 2019. The conference started on April 4 via zoom with a keynote address given by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst, an associate professor of religion and esteemed scholar of religion at the University of Vermont. The theme of the keynote address was “Not Fit for Polite Company: Religion, Race and Gender” and examined how race and gender shaped religion. “Dr. Morgenstein Fuerst is an incredible speaker,” said Dr. Jennifer Thomas, associate psychology professor and the director of women’s and gender studies. “She has written numerous articles and books about Islam and Muslims, especially in South Asia and that includes thinking about religion, race, language and imperialism.” The conference included about 18 different presentations, as well as readings from the university’s Manuscript Society and King’s Campion Literary Society. This took place in the ballroom, where 12 different featured readers read poetry and fiction pieces. One of the presentations, “God Help the Outcasts: Examining the Correlations Between Religious Exposure, Gender Identity and the Queer Experience,” was presented by Drew Haritos, a sophomore English and psychology major. Haritos examined the impact of religious exposure and identity has on how people define and experience gender and what role religion and religious exposure have had in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, compared to those who have not. “I decided to do this topic based on my own personal experiences,” said Haritos. “I grew up in a really small, super Christian town and was raised very religious. For the longest time I had a constant battle going on in my mind between my own goals and aspirations, sexual identity and religious values.” At the conference, there were nine different panels that included gender based discrimination in sports and art, the socialization of gender, contemporary issues of women’s healthcare: menstrual disorders, breast cancer and nutrition, challenges to gender equality, contemporary issues surrounding gender equality, gender in an ever changing world, international women’s issues, women, power and change and poetry and fiction. This took place from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with students being able to move through different rooms throughout the day. Another presentation “Latin American Feminist Movement and its Impact on Awareness of Femicide” was presented by Michelle Bazan and Xhulieta Gjoca, junior psychology majors. “As a Latina myself, this is a topic that I am extremely passionate about because I have family members who live this reality day to day,” said Bazan. “I am extremely appreciative to have this opportunity because any chance to bring awareness to femicide in Latin America is one step closer to finding a solution.” The conference is always held in the spring semester. Calls for proposals are sent to Today@wilkes at the end of the fall semester, which students can find in their email. Students can also reach out to Dr. Thomas with any questions on how to apply. Students react to Harry Styles long-awaited comeback to music Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer On March 31, English singersongwriter Harry Styles released a new song off his highly-anticipated album, “Harry’s House.” His latest single from the album is called “As It Was” and it is already becoming a hit amongst fans. The singer took a break from creating music in 2019 after his last album, “Fine Line,” was released. The break was due to the global pandemic and the rescheduling of his tour. In that time, he also focused on his own company, “Pleasing,” that focuses on nail polish, face serums and merchandise. As one popular musical artist does, Styles posted to social media on March 23 to announce the new album to be released on May 20. Although Styles is releasing new music from his third upcoming studio album, he has not mentioned anything about a tour yet. However, many fans are under the impression he will be announcing one soon after discovering an Instagram account linked to the singer himself. Styles is rumored to be behind a newly created Instagram profile @youarehome. The account posting images behind a slightly opened tan door allows room for speculation. “It’s been a hot minute since he last released music,” said Lily Goense, sophomore English education major. “It is refreshing to see him finally create something a little different.” Junior psychology major, Michelle Bazan, did not expect the new song to sound the way it does. She noted that she was expecting the music to be more rock and roll. Bazan attended Styles’ last show during the leg of his North American “Love On Tour” in Long Island, N.Y. on Nov. 28, 2021. She hopes to see him on tour again. “The song embodies an ocean; the song starts calm, then starts to become upbeat like ocean waves crashing against each other,” said Sean Robinson, first- year sociology major. “The song is calming yet energetic at the same time.” The single, “As It Was” was different from fans and music listeners’ original expectations but they fell in love with it anyway. Robinson really enjoyed the new song and looks forward to the rest of the album when it gets released. “As It Was” is available on all streaming services. The new album, “Harry’s House” can be pre-saved by going to hstyles.lnk. to/AIW. To access Styles’ company “Pleasing” go to www.pleasing. com to see the full merchandise and product lineup. Graphic by Shawn Stone By AJ Rubino Styles releases new single “As It Was” �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Liz’s Craft Column: Beginner spring crochet lavender pen An affordable DIY school supply perfect for spring By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager This craft is a beginner crochet lavender pen. This DIY is sure to spice up normal school supplies and is perfect for the spring. A bouquet of these pens is perfect for this time of year, as well as taking notes. This pen craft requires some prior knowledge of crocheting and terminology but it is easy for a beginner. These directions will assume this knowledge but crochet books for beginners are perfect to learn these terms, as well as a quick internet search. This craft is affordable because it does not require many supplies and it is not time consuming. • Lavender yarn • Green yarn • BiC round stic pen • Hot glue • Crochet needle for the size of the yarn • Scissors 1. First, grab the lavender yarn. Chain 36 to begin. 3. Now, grab the green yarn and the pen. The BiC pen has a simple design which makes it easy for this craft but if there is another pen with the same appearance feel free to use that instead. Remove the cap of the pen. Put a line of hot glue up the pen starting where the cap ends. Wrap the green yarn around the pen using the glue to stick it on. Continue this all the way up the pen. Put a dot of glue on each end to secure the ends of the yarn and trim the ends. This green pen creates the stem for the lavender as well as the functionality of this craft. 4. Now it is time to attach the crocheted lavender onto the pen. Put a dot of hot glue onto the top of the pen and glue the beginning of the lavender onto it. The beginning is the end without the extra yarn hanging from it. Put a line of hot glue around the pen and glue the lavender to it. The original crocheted chain provides a flat end for the lavender to be glued onto the pen. Continue gluing this flat end around the pen until the whole lavender is wrapped around. Use the extra ends of the yarn to finish off the end and trim the ends. Once the lavender is fully wrapped around, the crochet lavender pen is finished. Feel free to use this pen in classes to show off your crochet skills. 2. Once the chain is finished, slip stitch into the sixth stitch from the hook. Chain six and then slip stitch into the next stitch. It is important that the slip stitch is into every stitch without skipping any. This will leave awkward gaps. Repeat this for the whole chain. Tie off the end, leaving small strings of the yarn at the end. The lavender appearance should be apparent now. Liz’s difficulty rating: �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment C R E AT I V E CO L O N E L S Creative Colonel of the Week: Paxton Postlethwaite By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor This week’s Creative Colonel certainly fits the title. Paxton Postlethwaite, junior digital design and media arts major, not only kills the game when it comes to graphics and photography but also excels in packaging design. “To sum it all up, I do most things such as logos, brand guides, posters, infographics, packaging, etc,” said Postlethwaite. “My main focus that I have been doing nonstop is package design.” Before coming to campus, Postlethwaite had always been into art, especially photography and even wanted to go to college for it. However, she received many discouraging words from her high school teachers about this tentative decision. Her principal even told her if she went to college for photography, she would end up as a waitress for the rest of her life. Ultimately she chose Wilkes for criminology. Unfortunately, Postlethwaite did not see a future in criminology for herself and after meeting with an adviser on campus, Megan Senausky, to receive help setting up her schedule she suggested taking Integrative Media 101. After taking the class, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in this field. “My favorite thing overall in the DDMA major is the people involved in it; the professors are like my parents away from home and the students are the most incredible, nonjudgement people I have ever met,” said Postlethwaite. “As for graphic design, I love the idea of creating art and making people feel something.” Courtesy of Paxton Postlethwaite Postlethwaite is a talented graphic arts designer and photographer. As of right now, Postlethwaite’s favorite design project she has ever created is her most recent project called Esme, which is a modern, professional but fun take on medical marijuana packaging. This is one of her longest projects to date since it involves multiple parts. “There is a strong use of deep rich color and gorgeous line art that are different tones and shades of the dark colors,” said Devyn Cammarota, junior digital design and media arts major. “It’s a very modern brand and compared to other marijuana packaging. This is not like any other marijuana packaging I’ve ever seen.” Although Postlethwaite is majoring in digital design and media arts, photography is her number one hobby on the side. Her favorite photographs to take on her Nikon D3500 camera are portraits and black and white pictures. Postlethwaite taught herself how to take photographs by watching YouTube tutorials and would practice by doing photoshoots every weekend. She eventually took classes on photography here. “I think her photography is very clean and I am really into her black and white aesthetic,” said Emily Makaravage, junior digital design and media arts. “I want to see more of her photography in the future.” If interested in seeing Postlethwaite’s photography, visit her Instagram account @paxtondigital. She plans to post more of her work there soon. “As cheesy as it sounds, I like the concept of telling a story with just an image and no words, which everyone can interrupt differently,” said Postlethwaite. A sample of Postlewaite’s work. This is a gig poster she made this semester in a class called Type 2, which focuses on type and its proper usage in multiple forms of media. Want to nominate someone for Creative Colonel? Contact LA&E Editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 News Wilkes raises flag in ceremony for International Transgender Visibility Day 12 LEFT: The gender and sexuality alliance (GSA) at Wilkes sponsored the flag raising ceremony. From left to right: Dr. Helen Davis, GSA adviser; Morgan Steiner, secretary; Claire Wynne, vice president; Henry Jurgiewicz, treasurer; and Cas Schiller, president. Photos: The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas Wynee donates a progress flag to President Greg Cant. The flag, which serves to represent the LGBTQ+ community with its modern and inclusive colors and homages, will be displayed in the Henry Student Center. Schiller raises the transgender flag, their fellow officers beside them. The transgender flag raising ceremony served as a way to educate others about the transgender identity, to make the campus a safer and more open environment for students. �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Opinion 13 OPINION: Understanding the importance of International Transgender Visibility Day and the need for more inclusivity on campus By Breanna Ebisch Opinion Editor March 31 is recognized as International Transgender Day of Visibility and now, more than ever before, it’s important to understand why the single day is necessary to our calendars. Transgender Day of Visibility is dedicated to celebrating transgender individuals and bringing light to the discrimination that they face on a daily basis. On campus, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) raised the transgender flag on the greenway as the way of celebrating the day for the Wilkes community. While this may seem like a small event in comparison to some of the other occurrences on campus, the meaning behind it is incredibly crucial especially in today’s world. According to the Department of Justice, hate crimes against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals have increased by 587 percent between the years of 2013 and 2019. To make matters worse, murders of transgender people are at an all-time high. Beyond the perpetuated violence that these individuals are constantly victims of, they often face discrimination in a variety of areas in daily life. Whether it be in the workplace, educational settings or simply in everyday situations like being in public, transgender people are still largely not accepted. But it’s 2022, and times are changing. They must. Discrimination and violence against transgender people has never been acceptable. Which is why International Transgender Day of Visibility remains important to recognize. Celebrating transgender individuals is something that should always happen, but unfortunately cannot be done without shining a spotlight on the orrible tragedies that this group faces so often. And while these issues feel like they don’t impact the Wilkes community directly, they do. Students may not see the discriminatory actions or realize how necessary it is to show support for the group, but something as simple as raising the transgender flag on the greenway sends a message to everyone that this day is not to be overloooked. Dr. Helen Davis, associate professor of English, is the adviser of GSA and believes that recognizing International Transgender Day of Visibility at Wilkes is a step in offering further support and appreciation for trans students, staff and faculty. “It is important to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of trans individuals, whose work is often not recognized, and also to raise awareness about discrimination and threats that trans folks continue to face.” said Davis. “We also want to send a strong message that trans and nonbinary students, faculty and staff are welcome, accepted and supported on our campus.” This was the first time any event of this kind was held on campus and many individuals in the Wilkes communit y, including President Dr. Greg Cant, attended despite the rainy and cold weather. It was a feat within itself to see the flag be raised and it’s a step forward in order to make our campus more inclusive and welcoming when the rest of the world may still be making that shift as well. Henry Jurgiewicz, senior psychology and sociology major and treasurer of GSA, spoke at the event and was pleased with the turnout. “I think the event went well,” said Jurgiewicz. “We (the GSA officers) got more media coverage than we were expecting, a higher turnout than expected, and feel like the campus and surrounding communities were more aware of us than before. It was nice to feel like our effort was making an impact, even if it’s just a small one. Any impact is good.” Celebrating transgender individuals is a wonderful act and should be done on a daily basis, but more importantly, recognizing the need for change when it comes to violence against these individuals remains connected to International Transgender Day of Visibility. Until the world, our country and our campus is entirely safe for those people, there is plenty of work to be done. March 31 may be the designated date to put the spotlight on the positive and negatives that the transgender community faces in today’s society, but change is needed everyday of the year. Do your own research, be inclusive within your life and start conversations with others about the issues that impact transgender people. Hatred has no place here and Wilkes University has made that clear with their event on International Transgender Day of Visibility. Let’s continue to move forward and make our campus a safe, inclusive place for Graphics by Jack Malatesta Page design by Emily Cherkauskas �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designer Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Smith wins best actor, loses role model status Award shows prove time and time again how unpredictable live television can be. Unfortunately, violence was used to make this confirmation during the 94th annual Academy Awards, otherwise popularly known as the Oscars. At this year’s Oscars, Will Smith did not leave the drama behind in his “King Richard” performance. However, he decided to bring the theatrics to a live taping of an award show. While comedian Chris Rock stood on stage getting ready to present an Oscar for best documentary he made a joke directed at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock joked, “Jada, I love you, ‘G.I. Jane,’ can’t wait to see it.” Pinkett Smith did not take kindly to the joke since she suffers from alopecia, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. For the movie “G.I. Jane,” actress Demi Moore shaved her head and Pinkett Smith has a similar hairstyle to the one Moore sported. In an effort to defend his wife, Smith stormed on stage and hit Rock in the face. Due to the show being recorded live in its entirety in various countries, everyone was able to see and hear Smith’s poor choice of action. Smith has every right to stick up for his wife but the way in which he went about it in this circumstance was out of line for multiple reasons. One of the main reasons is his public status. Since Smith is a well-known actor and sometimes stars in films meant for children, he is seen as a role model to them. Now, these children have the opportunity to watch him hit another man and are susceptible to believe violence is the right way to solve an issue with another person. Also, Rock is a comedian and jokes come along in Smith’s profession so, knowing this, he should have settled his issues with the comedian in a more calm manner. Hitting Rock sends the wrong message to not only children but those who are huge, die-hard supporters of Smith. If Smith found the joke to be too offensive, he should have addressed it at a different time. Even if Smith wanted to address it right then and there, he could have grabbed the microphone and called out Rock’s offensive joke instead of hitting Rock in the face to express his feelings. Although Smith took things too far, the Oscars is at fault too for not doing enough to reprimand his actions. After the incident, the Academy still gave Smith an Oscar for best actor for his role in the movie “King Richard” and let him speak for about five minutes during his acceptance speech, which sends the wrong message that those who commit violence still get rewarded. Even though Smith posted an apology on Instagram to Rock, the Academy, the producers of the show, the attendees and those watching around the world, more needs to be done to show those that this behavior is not right and should not be celebrated. Therefore, the Oscars should consider not inviting Smith back and show that he will not get away with a slap on the wrist for slapping another man in the face. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Opinion 15 St. Peter’s basketball makes history: What’s next? First mid-major DI team to make Elite Eight By Hope Williams Staff Writer ���� ��� ������ ���� ��������� �������� �� �������� � ������ ����� ����� �� ������������ ���������� ��� ����� ������� ������������������������� ����� ���� ����� �� �� ��� ���� �������� ���������� ���� � ������������� ����� �������� � ����� �� ����� ��� �������� ���� �������� ��� � ������ �� ���� ��� ���� �� ����������� ���� �������� ��� ���� ������ ����� ���������������� ­­������������������� �������€ ����€������ ‚���� ����� �� ���� ������� ����� ��� ���� ����������� ����� ���� �������� ���� ������������������������������� ƒ� ������ „����� ��…� ���� ��� � ����� ��� ��� ���������� ���� ��� �� � ���� �� ������� †����� ��� ������‡� �����  ����� � ��������€����� ­������� ������������� � ����� ��� � ��� ���� ����� ���� �������� ƒ���� ���� ����� ����� ���� ˆ������ ���� ���� ‰���  ����� ‰��� ����� ������ ������������������Š‡� ­����������������� ‹���� ���� ������� ������ ����� �� ������ ��� ŒŽ‘’Ž�� �� �Ž� ����� ���� ��� ���� � ­­� ������������ ‹������ “����� ���� ����� ��������� ­����������������������������’������� �����������������������”������������� ����� �� ���� � ������ ��� ’Œ‘’•�� ����������� ��� ���� € ���� –�� ���� �������� �������� �� ������������ ���� ��� ���� —���������� ��� ������  ��� ���� ‹����� �� ����� �� ���� � ���������’˜‘•˜�� �� ��� ��� ��������������� ��� ���� �����  ����� �������� � ����� ������� �� ��� ��� ���������� ����������� ���� �������� ���������� ­­������ �� ������ � ����� ���� ��� ������������ �����™� ­����� ��������� ����� � � ��� š���� ������� ���� �›�›������ ������ ����� ���ƒ ������‡� � ���������� ��������� ����� ����� ������ ���  ��� �������� � �� ���� ���� � ���������������� ��� �� ‰��� ������ �� ������� ���� ���� ���� ���������� �����Š� ‚� �� � ������� ������� ����� ƒ� œ���� ��� ����� �������� �� ������ˆ������‡� ������ �������������������������� ž ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� � ��� ������� ����� ���� ������ ˆ������� ���� ���� ��������� Ÿ������� � ��������������������������������� ��� ������ � �� ����� ���� �� ����������� ��� ���� ��� ���� ���������� ��� � �� ���� ���� � �� ­�� ���� ��������� ����� ������ ��� ������ � � ��� ¡ŽŽŽ�� ���������� ��� €����� � ����� ��� ���� �������� ��� ������ ������ � ­­� ����������� �¢�������� ������ �˜˜•� ������ ��� ���� �� ����‘������� ������������Ÿ����������� ­��������������œ���������������� ���� ���� � � �������� ��� ������� ����� ��� � ����� ������ ���� ���� ���� ���� ‰��� ����� ������ ����� �� ����������� ����� ���� ��œ����� —���������� ��� ����� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���  ����� ��� €����� ���� ������������ � ����� �������� ��� ���� ���� ���� ����������������������¢�� ��� ����¡Ž�–�� � ���������������������� ���� ����� ��� ‹��� ������ �������� ��������� �� ������� ��� �� �� ���� ��� �� ������� ����� ��� ��� �� ����� �������� ���� ����� ���� ����� ��������� ����� �������� ��� ����� �������� ­��������� ��� €����� ��� ������ ”��� �������� � �������������������������� ��������� �������� ��� ���� � ��� ������� ������ � ��������� ����� ������������ �������������������������� ��� ������������ ���� �� ������ ���� ���������� �� ������ �������������� ­­����������������� � ��� �������� ��� ������� ���� ������  ����� �������� � ����� �� � ���� ‚� � ����������������� � ������������������¢�� � ­­�����������Š�������������� Shifts to inclusivity in children’s books spark controversy At what age do we introduce sensitive identity topics? By Lindsey Scorey Asst. Opinion Editor In recent years, children’s books and media selection have slowly but surely grown to be more inclusive to race, sexuality and other intersectional factors. My sister began working in a public library a few years ago and noticed the selections of children’s readings offered inclusive, informative and entertaining ways of educating children on a plethora of topics. However, many parents have taken to social media and, of course, the traditional means of telling the workers who put the books out for sale or borrowing just how upsetting this is for them. Many argue the books are covering topics that children are either too young for or simply should not be made aware of. To this, I have a couple contentions. Let’s take LGBTQIA+ identities, for example. To those who protest, I would ask, how did you know you were straight? At what age? You do not know what your child is thinking or feeling about their bodies, and it is important to normalize these topics at an appropriate age, so children feel comfor t able talking about them. And you absolutely can wait until your children are curious or ask you questions. Parenting looks different for everyone, but you cannot deny your kids critical conversations when they are ready for them. You should let your kids know you are there to support and uplift them, never to judge or condemn. As is clear if you simply look around you, everyone is different. We all belong abc to different i d e nt i t y categories and children are much more perceptive of that than we may think. Take for a specific example, “Bad Hair Doesn’t Exist” by Sulma Azru-Brown. This children’s book exists to let all young girls, but mainly young girls of color, know that their hair is beautiful. Curly or tousled hair needs different care, but that does not make it any less worthy than any other texture of hair. Think about all the young girls who never heard that message. This book can make a difference in so many lives and even teach parents as much as the kids. Before you protest our youth learning more about their own identities, consider just how you learned yours. We deserve to openly talk about them. We all deserve solid means of instruction, support and care. Think about what message you want to send before you speak. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Opinion 16 Curry reveals growth on his outstanding new album By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer Denzel Curry is a rapper known for his high-energy alternative hip-hop bangers. From his breakout hit “Ultimate” to lead single “PERCS|PERCZ,” Curry commonly screams his lyrics over an aggressive drill beat. However, on his new fifth studio album “Melt My Eyez, See Your Future”, Curry strays from these expectations and his typical style. This album allows fans to see a different side of Curry as he utilizes elevated and mellow traditional hip-hop beats to tackle vulnerable topics like social issues, mental health and selfdiscovery. Although it was not what I was expecting, “Melt My Eyez, See Your Future” may be his best work yet. “Walkin,” the first track released from the album, perfectly sets the tone and foreshadows the theme of the rest of the album. In this track, with its diverse flows and melodies, Curry illustrates the importance of coping with and healing from injustice and mental health issues by facing them instead of running away or internalizing them. Instead of letting issues consume him, he learns “[he] just gotta stay focused, [he] just gotta keep walkin’.” Curry takes this philosophy and applies it on “Melt Session #1” and “Mental,” two tracks that remind me of older styles of hip-hop. On both, he emphasizes that he has the responsibility of processing hardships and taking accountability instead of ignoring them, or “melting [his] eyes.” Curry shares this new perspective he developed after Apple lovers, need to have every digital device be Apple. There is some logic to doing this, as all Apple products can be synched together. When users receive a text, their computer, iPad, and iPhone all make that lovely chime. They are the same people to judge when they receive a green text message. I actually knew someone quite shallow who listed not having an iPhone as a con towards a potential romantic partner. I know plenty of people who do actually There was also that running gag that students who use MacBooks pointedly and obviously pull them out and type rather dramatically in class to ensure others know they have an Apple laptop. use Apple devices for their capabilities. Being in graphic design, I was told an iPad is an invaluable tool, and drawing on it is almost identical to illustrating with a pen and paper, and I have found starting therapy to help his listeners through their own struggles. Curry tackles topics bigger than himself on “The Last” and “John Wayne,” songs about injustice and police brutality. On “John Wayne,” a song produced by JPEGMafia, Curry criticizes the police by referring to their racial injustices. He references the horrific Breonna Taylor case in the line, “911, emergency will murder me the day I call ‘em” to argue why he distrusts officers. He explores this topic further on “The Last” as he expresses how unsafe he feels in a country riddled with violence. The combination of important subject matter, inspiring themes, and high-quality production distinguishes this album from others in Curry’s discography. Curry proves himself as an artist by diversifying his work and shedding fear to showcase vulnerability and struggle. Overall, “Melt My Eyez, See Your Future” highlights Curry’s growth not only as an artist, but as a person, too. Graphic by Jack Malatesta The constant loyalty battle between electronic companies By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer Everyday we make decisions and grow to form preferences that we uphold and defend vehemently. Perhaps the most heated and frequently debated preference is between our electronic devices. We are college students, cell phones, computers, tablets, smart watches, are basically lifelines; we would not be able to function without them. So it’s no wonder we grow devoted to certain brands. The main debate is Apple versus, well, literally any other brand. Samsung when it comes to phones, and Microsoft when it comes to computers. And any other tech brands. To be honest, people who love Apple products, love Apple products. They will fight to the death defending their excellence and will oftentimes choose death than switch to another brand. Also this to be true. I had a mentor who had (almost) every iPhone ever made, and is in awe of everything the brand makes. Those who are not in favor of Apple devices are equally obnoxious as those who adore the brand, with their loudly proclaimed hatred of it. They are proud to not use Apple products and will make this point whenever possible. I can see in some cases Windows, Samsung and Google products may be the better option because I think, and do not quote me, that Apple products are more expensive. Apple products also do not have the benefit of longevity. You’re lucky if you have a phone or laptop that lasts four or five years. All in all, everyone has their preferences and their opinions, and that’s their prerogative. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Opinion 17 Blue Period and the LGBTQIA+ experience in real life By AJ Rubino Life, Arts and Entertainment Staff Writer The newly released anime “Blue Period” has caused quite the stir in the anime and manga community with its representation of genderqueer and nonbinary people. “Blue Period” follows a cisgender male, Yatora Yaguchi, who learns the idea and love for art. He meets Ryuji Ayukawa, a genderqueer individual who uses they/ them pronouns. However, this individual goes by Yuka and not the other name. The representation of genderqueer and LGBTQIA+ in this anime is greatly appreciated, but it comes with a cost for the character. Yuka’s family, with the exception of their grandmother, disapproves of their lifestyle and their identity, which becomes violent. Representation should not carry the stereotypical sob story in order to feel the confidence and self-respect within one’s self. Regardless of this situation the Yuka finds themselves in, they still present themselves sternly and open to educating others. It’s strange that the main character of the show, Yatora and Yuka, end up being close friends, considering the relationship they had at the beginning of the manga. At the beginning, Yaguchi was very ignorant towards Yuka and the idea of genderqueer and nonbinary. He makes his remarks to Yuka and a slight rivalry starts. Over the goal to the course of their cisgender male relationship, who blocked it the two with his sheer become closer. ignorance. Yuka opens Score. up to Yaguchi I felt and expresses comfortable their feelings with Yuka’s t o w a r d s character as genderque er I proceeded and their to watch identity. This is the show. I when Yaguchi thought long starts trying about it, and and correcting why it meant their mistakes. a lot. Then, I For one, realized, I saw Yaguchi stops myself in Graphic by Jack Malatesta using Yuka’s them. deadname. Thankfully, I was personally shocked when I changed majors when I decided to stop I watched this anime. LGBTQIA+ going by my legal name, so it’s almost representation in anime is common when shocking when people know it. it falls under the romance genre, but for a However, nothing is more disrespectful seinen manga that is aimed at young adult than when someone asks what my males I was surprised to see genderqueer deadname was. It is a name I do not go by representation. anymore, so why should you need to ask Sure, the way the main character for this information if you are not going to went about it was not to my liking, but use it and just make me uncomfortable in then again, when I told a student in my the process? department my pronouns, he stared at Personally, educating others can have me, laughed and said, “I do not play the positive effects, but it gets tiring after a pronoun game.” while. I did not know pronouns were a game. A queer person should not have to They/them pronouns kicking the winning educate others to avoid the constant disrespect from others. Last semester, I was constantly being put down by my own identity in my department. I had days where I avoided people and buildings because of the toll of having to feel like I was fighting for my life, when I should not have to. I go by they/them pronouns and I have been using those pronouns for almost three years. It’s frustrating when a professor asks for my pronouns, I give them the pronouns and then they do not use them. Same thing happens with my friends, and it is constantly tiring to have correct people. Sure, people make mistakes, but these mistakes can be corrected as easily as the mistake was made. People who make a big deal out of misgendering me cause more of an issue than they mean to. Just because I do not conform to the gender binary does not mean you need to treat me as if I am fragile. I do appreciate educating others to make me feel better but I should not have to receive disrespect in the process to gain respect. Today, it is less of an issue, but upon reflection it should not have happened. Just because I am not the average cisgender heterosexual female does not make me a fragile breakable person. I do look up to Yuka a lot, and I see myself in them. Sometimes calling people out can help get the point across but sometimes educating yourself to prepare for situations like this is highly advised. guaranteed money and then retire? If that will be the case, then the Packers will be left with over $70 million in dead cap. Rodgers can legitimately screw over the Packers organization with this contract. Now, the power is, sadly, in his hands. One hour later, nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson sent shockwaves throughout the league when he got traded to the Denver Broncos for five picks, tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock and defensive end Shelby Harris. The Seahawks also sent back a fourth-round pick. On March 10, the Chicago Bears traded former defensive player of the year edge rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles the rival Minnesota Vikings. The NFL world was sent into orbit on March 23. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins for five picks. Hill wanted to be the highest paid wide receiver. To see an electrifying wide receiver get traded out of nowhere shocked everyone. On March 31, former Seahawks sixtime all-pro linebacker Bobby Wagner joined the rival Rams. Where are the Rams finding the money for all these moves? The Rams want to be back-to-back Super Bowl Champions and it shows. It has only been three weeks since moves started happening and it is already the craziest offseason of all time. The NFL 2022 off-season trade: Craziest one yet, and here’s why By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer The National Football League offseason kicked off on Feb. 22, while free agency started on March 14. To put it simply, no offseason in NFL history has even been as unpredictable and crazy as this year’s. To start it off, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed a massive contract extension on March 8. As grand as this was, I am not a fan of the contract that Rodgers was given. Rodgers’ contract guarantees him over $150 million over the next three years. Who is to say Rodgers will not just play one year, take the Chargers for a second-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick. As a Packers fan, I was beaming with joy to see the Bears get worse. March 17 was a tough day to be a Packers fan. Pro Bowl wide receiver Allen Robinson signed with the Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams. The worst news was yet to come as star Packers two-time all-pro wide receiver Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for the 22nd overall pick and the Raiders’ second-round pick. The Packers should have received more. Adams’ value is worth so much more. March 22 was another sad day for Packers fans as former Packers Pro Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith signed with �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Opinion 18 If you're not seeing films in theater, you're doing it wrong Are you just watching films, or are you experiencing them? By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer Take a minute and think about the last time you sat in a movie theater watching the newest hit film. Were you on the edge of your seat sharing screams with the person to your left during a horror film? Did you hear a joke from another member of the audience during a comedy film that made the entire theater erupt into laughter? Did you enter the theater to watch the newest superhero movie and found yourself face-to-face with 60 people dressed in Spider-Man costumes? Seeing a film in the movie theater is more than just an excuse to eat buttered popcorn and slushies (although this is certainly reason enough). When you share an hour and a half emotional thrill ride with a room full of random strangers, you sign yourself up for an experience you simply cannot replicate at home. For starters, the movie theater forces you to pay attention to the action unfolding in front of you. By placing you in a dark room with little to nothing to let your eyes wander to than the ginormous screen, movie theaters give you no choice but to become immersed and invested into the action. When you watch films at home, the distractions are endless and could easily distract even the most concentrated from paying proper attention to the film. Perhaps the most unspoken but beloved aspect of watching a film at the movie theater is the sense of community that surrounds the theater. More often than not, strangers quickly turn into friends by the end of the film. Odds are, everyone in the theater is a fan of the same thing, so seeing the film in public offers an opportunity to connect with those with similar interests. Let’s be real for a second here: We don’t talk enough about how vulnerable it is to watch a film with someone, especially if that film is something you hold dear to you. You’re crying, you’re laughing, you’re screaming, you’re frustrated—together. The theater is collectively experiencing emotions together. Do not underestimate the power in that. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a movie theater. Whether anticipation is dripping from the walls on opening night or calmness surrounds the theater during a matinee show, there is simply no place that can create the same vibes as a movie theater. Completely peaceful yet exciting at the same time, the movie theater is truly an escape from the world beyond the screen. If none of this is convincing you to go see the new film you’ve been waiting for in theaters instead of on HBOMax, you should be aware that films are not created to be viewed on such small screens. Films are shot and edited with the big screen in mind. Take the newest “Dune,” for example. “Dune” was made for the movie theater screen; from its landscape shots to its crisp audio, the film demands to be seen in its best display. You may forget the plot of the film you saw in the movie theater, but you won't forget what happened in your theater during that film. This is because going to the movie theater is more than just a film watching experience. It is the unspoken, often unseen, elements of the movie theater experience that make it so unique and worthy of your time (and, frankly, your finances—support local movie theaters before we lose them). Plus, there’s buttered popcorn and slushies. What’s there not to enjoy about that? Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu BB: Kemp's seventh inning strikeout grants Wilkes first conference wins By Baylee Guedes Co-Sports Editor A doubleheader on Saturday afternoon led to 4-3 and 7-6 wins for Wilkes as they hosted FDU-Florham after a 6-5 loss on Friday. In the first game, both sides of the field remained scoreless until the fourth inning. FDU got the bats going in the top of the frame, scoring three runs off of six hits. Wilkes answered in the bottom of the fourth with RBIs from junior AJ Brosious, who had a sacrifice fly to center, and senior Michael Patrizio, who had a sacrifice fly to right field. By the fifth inning, the score remained 3-2 in the Devils’ favor as each team played tough. In the sixth inning, Patrizio got his second RBI of the day by doubling to leftcenter, bringing in first-year Mike Show to tie the game. Wilkes held FDU scoreless in the seventh and added another run as first-year Zach Luksic singled to left field, scoring graduate student Brandon Reno the winning run. “It was thrilling to hit in the winning run,” said Luksic. “Reno had a great hit and did his job getting on base in that situation. The same goes for Stone Warmouth, working an at-bat to get the walk to first. So to have those runners in scoring position really helped me with hitting the ball to the outfield to bring them in.” Senior Tony Molitoris pitched six innings only allowing six hits, three runs, four walks and added four strikeouts. Junior Sawyer Kemp closed the game by pitching one inning, not allowing any hits, and adding two strikeouts as well as one walk. “Winning the first game was definitely important,” said Molitoris. “We have been in a slump the last couple of weeks so it was good to get the first one today and be able to have a chance to win the series.” Game two started out hot as FDU got the bats firing in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs. Wilkes responded with an RBI double from Reno, scoring graduate student Nick Pronti. The Devils came back in the second inning with a solo home run from fifth-year Matt Nodoro, making the score 3-1 at the top of the second. No scores in the third and fourth innings for FDU led to a chance for Wilkes to score as junior Peyton Schuck brought in Luksic and Reno on a single to left-center in the bottom of the fourth, tying the score. First-year Chase Vrabel singled to center, scoring first-year Jimmy Brazofsky to get a 4-3 lead. The Colonels held FDU scoreless in the fifth inning and added three runs of their own to the board. Junior Max Alessi doubled to left-field, bringing in Reno. Schuck singled up the middle, scoring both Luksic and Alessi. The score was 7-3 in the Colonels’ favor going into the top of the seventh inning. The Devils tried to make a comeback, scoring three runs on a three-run home run by senior Tommy Moore, but Wilkes got the final out on a strikeout, ending the game and getting their second conference win of the day and season. Senior Gage Coudriet got the win on the mound as he pitched four innings allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout. First-year Todd Kolbicka pitched 2.2 innings in relief with two hits, three runs, two walks, and one strikeout. Finally, Kemp pitched 0.1 innings with a single strikeout to end the game. “It felt great to get two conference wins today,” said Coudriet. “I am proud of everyone on this team and the way we bounced back after the loss on Friday. Time to get back to work this week and build upon the successes we saw in this series.” The Colonels return to the pitch with a trip to DeSales University on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior pitcher Sawyer Kemp yells in excitement as he just pitched a strikeout to secure the win. Graduate student Brandon Reno (left) fist bumps junior Peyton Schuck (right) after scoring. �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 Sports 20 Myer's scoring not enough to lift Wilkes over FDU-Florham By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The men’s lacrosse team faced off against FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium. The Colonels fell to the visiting Devils 11-9 in a close MAC Freedom contest, the loss bringing Wilkes’ record to 0-2 in conference and 4-7 overall. It was a slow scoring affair for much of the first half. FDU-Florham’s defense was sitting in a zone, which stagnated the Wilkes attackers. The Colonels were up 2-1 late in the first quarter before a goal from FDU tied things up. That goal kickstarted a 5-1 stretch spanning through the first and second quarters for the Devils as they took a 6-3 lead into halftime. “I thought we played a little slow today on offense,” said head coach Curtis Jaques. “I think that some of the looks that we like to generate in the full field usually, we did not cash in on a lot of those looks. We just didn’t play as hard as we could in transition.” The Colonels knew that they needed to play with more pace as they tried to climb back into the game. The Wilkes offense did just that as they came alive shortly after halftime. Back-to-back goals from senior midfielder Alex Myers, the second of which was the 100th point of his career, trimmed the deficit to just one. “It was a huge accomplishment and I have been working my entire career to get to a hundred points,” said Myers. “It is a huge milestone for only playing twoand-a-half years because of COVID-19, so I am really excited and proud of myself.” Wilkes had all of the momentum on their side following the milestone goal. However, the two teams traded a pair of goals before the Devils scored three unanswered to take full control of the game. The Colonel defense had been dominant up until that point in the game, but a few breakdowns led to the FDU run. “I think on defense we need to improve our communication,” said senior goalkeeper Ryan Lasher. “We need to go along together as a team and just trust each other more.” Lasher finished the day with 11 saves and a save percentage of 0.500. Despite being down, Wilkes fought until the very end. They were able to cut the lead down to two multiple times. However, the clock was not in their favor, and eventually they ran out of time. “I think our faceoff group did a The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior midfielder Alex Myers runs to his teammates in celebration after scoring his 100th career point. fantastic job today, which is always a few more times.” huge plus for us,” said Jaques. “We had Wilkes will look to earn their first eight assists on nine goals, so our team conference win of the year as they was sharing the rock. All in all, I think travel to take on the Arcadia University the boys battled today, we just need to Knights tonight at 7 p.m. see the ball drop in the back of the net a THE BEACON’S Player of the Game: Alex Myers Points 4 Goals 4 Assists 0 �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports 21 TENNIS: Men and women fall to DI Lafayette College By Chris Gowarty Co-Sports Editor Men’s Over the past weekend, the men’s tennis team lost two matches putting their record at 4-4 on the season. The Colonels lost to Ursinus College 8-1 and to Lafayette College 6-1. The men’s first match of the weekend was against Ursinus on Friday, April 1. Ursinus quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead after sweeping the doubles portion of the match. The Bears continued to dominate the match by winning five of six singles to defeat the Colonels by a final score of 8-1. Sophomore Cole Gibson was the lone winner for Wilkes as the No. 1 Single, defeating Ursinus sophomore Lars Jespersen in three sets by scores of 7-5, 5-7 and 10-5. First-year No. 6 Nick Putney came close to a victory in his singles match, but fell to Ursinus sophomore Ethan Yu in three sets by scores of 4-6, 6-4 and 8-10. On Saturday, April 2, the Colonels traveled to Easton, Pa. to face the Division I Lafayette Leopards. In this matchup, the Colonels lost 6-1 to bring their season record to an even 4-4. No.1 Single Gibson and first-year No. 4 Single Nathaniel Rathe both lost their matches in two sets by scores of 6-2 and 6-2. Sophomore No. 2 Single John Toussaint lost in two sets 6-0 and 6-1 and first-year No. 3 Single Connor Frey lost his match in two sets 6-4 and 6-0. No. 5 Single Putney lost his match in one set by a score of 8-2. Lafayette was able to sweep the doubles portion, as Toussaint and sophomore Jacob Bossler lost their match 6-1, Gibson and Rathe lost their match 6-0 and Putney and first-year Rodniel Senson lost their match 6-1. “I think that we have a resilience that’s undeniable, and that shows in our matches day-in and day-out,” said Toussaint. “We proved to ourselves that our goals are undoubtedly attainable and well within our reach, we just have to keep putting in the work and playing the sport we love.” The Colonels play their next match against rival King’s College on April 5, where they will also play their first match within the MAC Freedom Conference. Women’s On April 2, the women’s tennis team lost two matches to put their record at 3-4 on the season. The Colonels traveled to Lafayette College where they lost 7-0 and hosted New Paltz College at home where Senior Dasha Yankis looks to return the ball. Photos courtesy of gowilkesu.com they lost 8-1. The Colonels dropped their match against Lafayette, as they were shut down completely in all singles and doubles played leading to the 7-0 loss. Senior No. 1 Single Dasha Yakhnis and senior No. 3 Single Alexa Cieri both lost their matches in two sets by scores of 6-0 and 6-0. Sophomore No. 2 Single Zoe Klein came close to winning her match after a 6-6 tie in the first set, but eventually lost the second set by a score of 2-0. The rest of the Colonels singles lost in one set, as first-year No. 4 Tia Amerise fell 8-5, senior No. 5 Abby Bielecki fell 8-0 and sophomore No. 6 Cassidy Greenman fell 8-3. The Leopards swept the doubles portion, as No. 1 Greenman and Klein fell 6-1, No. 2 Yakhnis and Cieri fell 6-1 and No. 3 Amerise and sophomore Kaitlyn O’Neil fell 6-1. After their matches against Lafayette, the Colonels traveled back home to face New Paltz College. In this matchup, Wilkes’ tough stretch continued as they lost 8-1 to the Hawks. The Colonels’ only win of the day came from the No. 1 Doubles duo of Klein and Greenman as they won in three sets by a score of 8-4. The No. 2 Doubles Cieri and Yakhnis lost by a score of 8-6 and the No. 3 Doubles Amerise and O’Neil fell 8-2. The Hawks swept all singles matches to secure the win against the Colonels. No. 1 Single Yakhnis lost her match in two sets by scores of 6-1 and 6-0. No. 2 Single Klein started her match off hot, winning the first set 6-4. However, first-year Anna Barteck shut down Klein’s momentum and won the next two sets by scores of 6-0 and 10-4. No. 3 Single Cieri, No. 4 Single Amerise and No. 5 Single Greenman all lost their matches in two sets by scores of 6-2 and 6-0, 6-0 and 6-4 and 6-1 and 6-3 respectively. No. 6 Single O’Neil came close to winning her match, evening up the score by taking the second set 6-3 after losing the first by the same score. O’Neil unfortunately fell to sophomore Loretta Donovan in the third set by a score of 105. “We’ve all seen how far we’ve come as individuals,” said Klein. “Just showing up to play our games can make all the difference. Not everything will be a win, but the well-fought-for losses spark the greatest fuel for improvement.” As the away team, the Colonels will played their first MAC Freedom match of the season when they faced King’s College on April 5. Sophomore Cole Gibson prepares for the service return. �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports 22 This week’s chosen athlete of the week did not return messages; therefore; there is no male athlete of the week this edition. Colonels athletics in action throughout the week Sophomore infielder Sami Hendershott found a way to get to third base despite the obstruction from Penn State Hazelton. Sophomore catcher Nicole O’Rourke positioned herself to prevent Penn State Hazelton from scoring. Junior centerfielder Peyton Schuck mentally prepared himself for his next bat. Schuck ended up hitting a double and scored two runners. Senior utility Michael Patrizio lifted his glove to catch an easy pop-fly off the bat of FDU. Junior faceoff Bradley Anacreon snatched the ball from the FDU faceoff and proceeded to jumpstart their offense. Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior goalie Ryan Lasher instructed his teammate on where to go to best stop FDU’s attack. �23 Sports The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Getting to know... Hayden Calaman Sophomore Softball Player The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week March 23 to March 30 Why Hayden Calaman was selected: Calaman's efforts were cruicial in the team's matchup against Alfred, where she went 0.500 and 0.444 from the plate. Name: Hayden Calaman Year: Sophomore Major: Civil Engineering Hometown: Elizabethtown, Pa. High School: Elizabethtown Area H.S. Position: 3rd Base Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? The smaller class sizes and the ability to play softball had the biggest impact on my decision to come to Wilkes. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I hope to obtain a civil engineering position that is involved with the development of homes and buildings. Favorite Memory as a Colonel? Meeting and getting to know all of my teammates and friends the first week of freshman year. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? I hope that as a team we have fun and compete to the best of our abilities throughout the entire season. When/Why did you first begin playing? I first began playing when I was about nine or ten years old. My dad was most definitely the driving factor with my introduction to the sport because he grew up playing baseball. Favorite thing to do during practice? My favorite thing to do at practice is run through defensive situations and work on executing plays. If you had to choose one thing about your program that you could improve, what would it be? I would like to improve our outfield, so it won’t hold water as well when it rains. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? Painting, reading, and hanging out with friends. Favorite building on campus? SIMMS. Favorite meal to eat on campus? Tater tots. Favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. Carole Baddour, because she is very approachable and does her best to make sure all of her students comprehend and learn the material given in class. If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be? Neil Armstrong. Most influential person in your life? My sister Haylee. A quote you live your life by? “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” Anyone to give a shout-out to? My roommates Bri, Marissa, and Tinsley. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week. At the end of the academic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it ter @WilkesB eacon to crow n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - April 6, 2022 24 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 April 6 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 April 2 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/22f5d3aefccbd00c46a110e134b726e0.pdf 4176bf563d315ffce6e6a005f1503a53 PDF Text Text The Beacon - April 6, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 74, Issue 17 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Students celebrate a All Belgium victorious in successful Block Party tecBRIDGE’s collegiate division, wins first place One of the many faces at Block Party, Wilkes staple Tony “the Grill Guy” Wallace placed fresh patties on the grill to ensure that everyone in attendance got their free meal. For more photos, see page 6. The Beacon/Ariel Reed GSA hosts first live drag show since pandemic in 2020, page 5 Creative Colonel: Jacob O’Boyle, page 11 1 Photo courtesy of Nick Godfrey The Kirby Center hosted tecBRIDGE’s 20th Annual Business Plan Competition awards ceremony on Thursday, April 23. The first place winner was All Belgium, the waffle food truck owned and operated by Toon De Schepper and Billy Berry, ice hockey athletes. The organization aims to improve and encourage business innovation for local businesses in the area. With that in mind, tecBRIDGE awarded All Belgium a 10 thousand dollar cash award and a 90 thousand dollar award for business operations. From left to right: John Barrett; Toon De Schepper, All Belgium co-owner; Jimmy O’Kane; Billy Berry, All Belgium co-owner. Gen ed course validity put into question by students, page 16 BASE:Walk-off win highlights series sweep over Del.Val., page 21 �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: April 20 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Student Government began in traditional fashion with a call to order and roll being taken. The treasurer’s report stated that there is a total of $48,026.81 across all SG accounts. The first order of business was week one of two for WEBS fund request. It was presented by Ada Soriano. WEBS, Women Empowered By Science, holds a summer camp every July on campus for middle school and high school girls in the area. The idea of the program is to get young women interested in STEM focused careers that tend to be dominated by men. They asked for $2,500 in order to send 10 students to camp for free. The request will be voted on next week. The second order of business was week two of two for Kappa Psi fund request. The Kappa Psi fraternity is the oldest and largest pharmacy fraternity in America. Wilkes is known as the Delta Omicron Chapter. They came to ask for $15,580 in order to attend the 60th Grand Council Convention. The request was approved for $9,000. The third order of business was a Commuter Council constitution update. It was presented by Kimberly Bailey, vice president. New requirements now state that members must attend 50 percent of the meetings and the e-board must now be a part of the general board. The fourth order of business was an allocation to the 2022 to 2023 club fund. This was done by the secretary council, which is made up of all the class secretaries and the student body president. This makes up the funds for SG, the mega councils and many of the student funds. The fifth order of business was week two of two for the block party fund request. Block Party was Apr. 22 and was a campus-wide event for students. It was co-sponsored by SG and Programming Board. The request for materials was $6,000, which was allocated. The sixth order of business was week two of two for the programming board food truck budget request. It was presented by Student Body President Lexi Payne. The food trucks are to coincide with the live concert of Two Friends performing on campus on Apr. 30. The request was for $2,000 for the food truck Full Throttle. The request was approved for the full amount. Next week will be the first meeting for any new members that got voted in over the last election. The next and final SG meeting will occur Wed., April 30. Table of Contents Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events News..................2 Compiled by Beacon News Staff Life, A&E............7 Parking Applications Open Commuter and resident student parking applications have opened for the fall 2022 semester starting April 4 online. The deadline to complete applications will be 4 p.m. June 30. For those interested in Ralston, note so in the comments sections. Any applications submitted later than the deadline will not go under review. Applications will not reopen once closed. For any questions, call 570-408-7275. Are you a member of the class of 2022? If yes, the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relation encourages you to attend the First Farewell from 7 to 9 p.m. April 29, under the tent outside Weckesser Hall. Food, a DJ and more will be provided. Attire is casual and attendees are able to purchase their senior class gift. To register and make a gift, QR codes are available in the April 22 Wilkes, Today email. Scholarship Availability The American Association of University Women, Harrisburg branch, announced four college scholarships that are available to women from Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry County who are pursuing degrees in the 2022 to 2023 academic year. Applications must be postmarked by July 15. For more information about the different scholarship requirements, visit the April 19 Wilkes, Today email. Any questions can be directed to the AAUW Scholarship Committee at HbgAAUWScholarship@ gmail.com Buy a Tote Bag Green Giants tote bags are an affordable, sustainable and durable alternative to plastic and are being sold for ten dollars each. The bags come in two designs: the Wilkes logo and blue butterflies. Students looking to purchase one should watch out for them in the Student Union Building, the Simms Center, or DM them on Instagram @greengiantstotebags to place an order. 90 percent of proceeds go to Little Eric’s Foundation, a local organization that funds pediatric cancer research. Memorial Concert Honoring Professor Emeritus Steven Thomas A memorial concert honoring Steven Thomas, late music professor, will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The public is invited to attend and will be required to follow St. Stephen’s protocols for masking and social distancing. If you would like to attend or perform, register through the Mar. 18 Wilkes, Today email. Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester May 4 - Classes End 5 - Final Exams Begin 12 - Final Exams End �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 News 3 Earth Conservancy files archived by Megan Novak By Sydney Umstead News Staff Writer The Earth Conservancy Archive files have now been processed by first-year environmental science student Megan Novak. The files take place from 1963 until 2001, the bulk being from 1988 to 2001. Novak has since uploaded a blog post that highlights information in the archive. Novak began working on processing the archive in October 2021. Library archivist Suzanna Calev reached out to Novak that summer asking if she would be interested in working on the archive since she is an environmental science major and a part of the honors program. While not required, Novak worked to conduct interviews with professors who were involved in the conservation organization. “The whole project hits close to home when you see remediation being completed in an area you grew up in; my favorite part was seeing remediation having been completed in areas I drive by all the time,” said Novak. Novak went through all the information and categorized them into many different series. Each document then was put into folders and numbered based on boxes they would go into. The task of completing the archive transpired over the course of six months. This includes Novak’s time receiving donations from professors and documenting that, as well as writing the blog post. “These were files that were donated by Paul Adams and Harlod Cox from the President’s Office; they were part of the Christopher Breiseth papers,” said Calev. The organization was officially established in 1992, but was indirectly created following the Knox Mine Disaster in 1959. The disaster was caused by illegal digging under the Susquehanna River in Jenkins Township, Pa., and 12 miners died in the disaster due to flooding. Former congressman Paul Kanjorski and Wilkes’s fourth president, Christopher Brieseth, started to build a team that would clean up the land previously owned by the Blue Coal Company, which shut down in 1976. The board of directors featured many members of Wilkes faculty and was chaired by Dr. Christopher Breiseth from 1992 to 2001. Dr. Kenneth Klemow, professor and chair of biology, recounts how he and three of his colleagues were called into the office of the previous dean of the school of science and engineering, Dr. Umid Nejib, who told them he received a call from Paul Kanjorski, inviting them to attend a meeting he was holding to propose his plan to clean up mine damage across the Wyoming Valley and beyond. The first part of the meeting consisted of Kanjorski informing them and a smaller group of people about his plans to begin the organization. The second part consisted of Kanjorski taking them alongside journalists and news stations to a wetland, where he informed Klemow that he wanted him and his colleagues to work together to do this. “There are so many stories and things that happened along the way,” said Klemow. “I think some could write a book about the way that science interacts with the public.” Originally, the organization faced pushback from the public. Klemow noted how many were afraid of the water jet technology being used clean out nuclear bombs and that radioactive reside being put into the constructed wetlands. This could not have been further from the truth, but the board members and people of Hanover township had made up their mind. At first, they refused the proposal. This was until a local journalist wrote an editorial praising both Kanjorski and Wilkes for their proposal that would construct wetlands, reclaim land distrubed by coal mining, map out the mine impacted land and water and develop water jet technology. The proposal was then passed and they began their work. In order to view Novak’s reflections and the link to the earth conservancy files collection, go the April 2022 section at: wuarchives.home.blog Christopher Brieseth (left) and Paul Kanjorski (right) stand before the Blue Coal Company, which previously owned their team dedicated to cleaning up the land. Dr. Dale Bruns, late dean of the college of science and engineering, with students. Bruns taught classes like aquatic ecology and water pollution ecology. Photos courtesy of the Wilkes University archives �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 News 4 Weekly global coffee hour holds benefit for Ukraine By Fen Farnelli Maierean closed her presentation with advice for Wilkes students who wish to help, stating that the most important thing they can do is what they were doing today: hosting the event and collecting donations. The benefit was organized by Mary Ellen McLean and Crystal Cool of the Diversity Affairs Department, which hosts Global Coffee hours weekly on Wednesdays in Savitz Lounge. “After following the news stories of the atrocities taking place in Ukraine, I was compelled to find a way to help,” said McLean. “The Global Coffee Hour seemed like the perfect avenue for a benefit, which would unite our international and American students with the global concern for the people of Ukraine. “Dr. Andreea was more than happy to offer to do a Zoom presentation on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. In addition, she provided links for agencies providing relief for Ukraine and her connections with people aiding refugees on the border with Romania. As usual, the entire staff at the Center for Global Education and Diversity Initiatives came together as one to plan the details. I’m grateful that the Global Coffee hour is able to provide a way to help the people of Ukraine.” Starr Sandt, first-year psychology major who helped organize the event, saw the event as a great way to help raise awareness for what is happening in Ukraine. She hopes that the event was able to attract attention amongst the student body and help boost motivation for those to donate in any way possible. An additional discussion on the Ukrainian crisis with professors from Wilkes will be held on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., the location currently to be determined. offered by the pharmacy department. “We are proud of our students and how they give back to the community in many ways. It is rewarding to hold an event that allows us to give back to them,” said Stolte. This is the first time the event will be held since the COVID-19 shutdown began in 2020. This event allows for past students and staff members to come back and see colleagues after a long period of time. Both Thomas and Stolte stated that they loved that the event is back after the past two years and that they can meet many of their late students and colleagues. Not only do they both do the event as a way to raise money for scholarships for students, but they also find great joy in the event and getting outside with even their current students. Stolte expressed how a lot of times students and teachers are used to this one-way relationship and do not meet outside of the classroom. He sees this event as a way to bridge the gap and he takes pleasure in it. He did, however, note his lackluster golfing abilities. “I am horrible. I mean, truly terrible,” said Stolte. “I am so bad that I do not even play. I will spend the day on my golf cart going from group to group talking to people and making sure they have everything they need. Even if I was a good golfer, I think I would choose to spend the day that way. There's no risk of bad shots or missed putts for me.” The event is set to take place at the Mountain Laurel Golf Club in White Haven. The form is available on wilkes. edu or in the Today at Wilkes email from April 18. Staff Writer On April 21, The Center for Global Education and Diversity Initiatives hosted a benefit for Ukraine as a part of their Global Coffee Hour event. The benefit featured a Zoom presentation from speaker Dr. Andreea Maierean, assistant professor of political science and study abroad coordinator at Wilkes. Additionally, students could donate to Ukraine and tie-dye a shirt in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Maierean’s presentation covered the current situation in Ukraine, the distinctions between refugees and immigrants and what is being done at the border to help refugees. "The whole conversation is obviously sad but the type of solidarity we have seen since the crisis also gives us hope,” said Maierean. “The government took their time but the population organized almost immediately almost the night it happened. The moment refugees crossed the border someone would provide them with food and shelter.” Photo courtesy Starr Sandt Students tie-dye shirts in the Savitz Lounge during the global coffee hour. School of pharmacy holds annual dean's golf tournament By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer On May 19, the School of Pharmacy will host its 20th annual dean’s golf tournament. The event takes place before the hooding ceremony and commencement, where students who finished their Ph.D. or master's degree are rewarded in ritual for their hard work in completing the program. The event is open to all Wilkes students, staff, faculty and alumni. This gives people of the community a chance to golf with the dean of the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Scott Stolte. He, along with Dr. Marie Thomas, associate professor and chair of pharmaceutical sciences, have done the event for many years. The event costs $125 to current Wilkes students and $150 to all other students. All proceeds from the event go to funding many of the scholarships Photo courtesy Dr. Marie Thomas Attendees participated in the last held golf tournament before the shutdown in 2020. �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 News 5 GSA brings back drag show, raises awareness By Maddy Kinard News Editor On April 22, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance held its first annual drag show since the pandemic started in 2020. Open to all students, the drag show featured four performers from Heat Bar and Nightclub in Wilkes-Barre along with four other student performers. Of the student performers, a prize basket was provided to the best amateur dancer which was voted on by audience cheers. Estella Sweet, general manager of Heat, was the emcee for the evening and introduced all participants while also performing herself. Each performer was allotted two dances in which they were interactive with audience members, dancing with them, or in some cases, on them. “I don’t really define drag,” said Sweet. “Drag is whatever you make of it. There are so many different types and outlets of performing in drag, it’s just like any other art form. There is no definition, it’s what you make of it. Like RuPaul says, I know it’s cliche, but ‘we’re all born naked and the rest is drag.’” Sweet started drag as a in her mid-20’s in 2006 as an artistic outlet for herself and was able to make a career out of it. To her, it is a way of expressing herself how she feels inside as well as outside. At the same time, it is also a way to be creative and involve all of her favorite forms of art like painting and drawing on her face instead of on a canvas and expressing herself through music. She also goes on to state that shows like RuPauls Drag Race get things wrong. Although she says she has to give credit where credit is due, it has brought drag mainstream which she does not see as a necessarily positive thing. While it’s good for business, exposure and awareness “killed” what drag was at the same time. It was taboo and an off the beaten path art form, and Sweet sees it being brought so far into mainstream that it is being judged more than it should be because it is not always going to look like what people see in the TV show. “It was really awesome,” said Victoria Vespiro, Miss Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton 2022. “As a member of the LGTBQ+ community, and the first Miss Pennsylvanian candidate to be so, it was really awesome to see events like this happening because stuff like this never happened when I was in college. So having that kind of space where we can all be ourselves is really amazing.” Dr. Helen Davis, associate English professor and advisor of the GSA, similarly expressed the importance of having events like these on college campuses. “It helps provide a social atmosphere and opportunity for students in the GSA and other Wilke’s communities but also allows everyone to have fun and think about gender more broadly and to maybe come outside of narrow ideas about what gender is,” said Davis. The GSA is hoping to host another drag show in the fall of 2022. Drag king, Xander Valentine, kisses the hand of Victoria Vespiro, Miss WilkesBarre/Scranton 2022. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Student performers. La Seana (left) and “Sexy Pitbull” (right) perform their first dance to “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. MC, Estella Sweet, performs her first number, a remix on Poor Unfortunate Souls. Drag king, Oliver Twist, takes to the audence and dances on a table to “Chunky” By Bruno Mars. �News The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Students celebrate Block Party Newly elected vice president, Danielle Morris, (left) and president, Megan Makovsky (right), were just two of the many students who celebrated at Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Block Party. Old fashioned style PRIMO’S HOAGIES /8 ase Italian specialty sandwiches Open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. e 1020 Wilkes Barre Township Blvd, Wilkes-Barre 33 Narrows Shopping Center Ste B, Edwardsville One of the Block Party stations involved tie-dying bucket hats. primohoagies.com First-year nursing major Lauren Beaver showed off her newly made bucket hat. Beaver utilized her creative side to make this hat one of the most impressive from the event. 6 �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan Daniel: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Programming board to host DJs Two Friends in MAC By Morgan Rich First concert to be hosted since Spring 2019 LIfe, Arts & Enertainment Staff Writer Programming Board will host a Two Friends concert on April 30 at 8 p.m. in the McHale Athletic Center (MAC). This will be programming board’s first time hosting a concert since the spring of 2019. Two Friends is a Los Angeles based dance/electric duo consisting of Eli Sones and Matthew Halper. They are an American DJ and producer duo that are popular for their “big bootie” mixes, covers and their original songs. DJ Menace will be opening up for them at the concert. In 2014, Two Friends’ popularity increased when their remix of Lana Del Rey’s song, “Born To Die,” regularly rotated on SiriusXM radio. Their other remixes include songs by artists Steve Aoki, Blink 182, The Killers, Tove Lo, The Chainsmokers, Echosmith and Louis Tomlinson. They also have their own mix series radio show, “Friendly Sessions,” which debuted in 2012. This one hour show features both Sones’ and Harper’s favorite songs and guest producers and DJs. Lost Kings, Louis the Child and Mako are only some of the producers and DJs that have been featured on the show. “I am planning on going to the concert because I get a good feeling listening to music live,” said Sydney Miller, a firstyear environmental engineering major. “Seeing popular performers in person makes them seem more like regular people.” The last concert Programming Board hosted had Bryce Vine perform in the fall of 2019, followed by Wild ‘N Out in the spring. In spring of 2020, Social House was scheduled to perform but the performance was canceled due to COVID-19. During the concert, students will be able to eat from different food trucks that will be in the parking lot at the Ron and Rhea Simms Center on Main. These food trucks will be exclusive and free to all Wilkes students. “One of my goals as being the president was to bring the concerts back,” said Maddy Yeager, junior pharmacy major and former president of programming board. “During the fall semester we utilized our Instagram to see what genre students would like to see. We followed that survey up with asking students for their suggestions of artists they would want to see as well.” Two Friends is currently on its “Adventureland Tour” and has over 30 stops across the United States. Currently, 25 of the shows are sold out. California will be the last stop in the United States on May 14 before the duo travels to Canada. So far, Two Friends have received two awards for their music. They earned the “Award of Independence Excellence” from Hollywood Music in Media Awards in 2015 and they earned the “Top DJ Set” from Soundcloud in 2017. This concert is currently open to all current college students. Wilkes students are free but other college students will have to pay $10 at the door. The concert is also one of the last events of the semester before finals begin. “I love that we can have opportunities like this because it shows that the Wilkes community cares about making the best experience for students,” said Olivia Scarborough, sophomore musical theatre major. “Having fun activities planned out and so close for us makes it as easy as it can for us to just go and have fun with friends.” Miller and Scarborough also believe that university concerts give students a chance to expand their music taste and listen to different types of music than they normally would. Free university concerts also give students the opportunity to attend concerts if they otherwise would not be able to due to different life and financial circumstances. “I personally didn’t know who Two Friends were before but now that I have listened to some of their songs, I enjoy them,” said Miller. “Music allows people to connect and having this group come to campus allows people to have more in common.” If you are interested in attending the concert, go to programming board’s Instagram @wilkesupb and click on the link in their bio. The doors to the MAC will open at 7 p.m. and the concert will start at 8 p.m. Two friends is open to all Wilkes students and other students who must present student identification at the door. Non-Wilkes students will be charged $10 and all Wilkes students will be able to get in for free. Graphic by Zoey Rosensweet �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Dollar store recipe: Scrumptious snickerdoodle mug cake This snickerdoodle mug cake is a treat just for one. After a long night of studying and preparing for finals, this mug cake is the perfect pick me up. Ingredients: 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 cup skim milk 1 cup chocolate chips 3 tablespoons caramel syrup 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons melted butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract a By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out under Chris Gowarty’s Spotify or check out this week’s picks right now! ps Be Directions: First, place the butter in a small bowl and microwave for one to two minutes or until completely melted. Combine the flour, three tablespoons of sugar, baking powder, milk, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, melted butter and vanilla extract in a separate large bowl. Mix with a whisk or a spoon until the batter is smooth and the ingredients are combined thoroughly. In a separate bowl, combine one tablespoon of granulated sugar and the remaining ground cinnamon to create a cinnamon sugar mixture. Next, place one tablespoon of batter into a microwave safe mug. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar, chocolate chips and drizzle caramel syrup on top of the batter. Continue to alternate the layers and end with the cinnamon sugar mixture, chocolate chips and caramel syrup on top. Once completed, microwave for two to three minutes until the cake batter is completely cooked or until it is to your liking. The Beacon/Morgan Rich This after dinner snack will cure your sweet cravings Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Stargazing- The Neighbourhood Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: Birthday- Maisie Peters Liz Cherinka, Social Media Editor: She Said - Sundara Karma Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Momma - Kendrick Lamar Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: First Class- Jack Harlow Bre Ebisch, Opinion Editor: Close to You - Dayglow Lindsey Scorey, Opinion Asst. Editor: New- Ben Platt Christopher Gowarty, Sports Editor: Pyramids- Frank Ocean Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: F U Till I F U - Call Me Karizma ft. Cass Jason Eberhart, Sports Asst. Editor: Back Door - Pop Smoke ft. Quavo, Kodak Black Zoey Rosensweet, Lead Layout Designer: Elastic- Joey Purp 8 �The Beacon – April 27, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Faculty and students bring awareness for Earth Day By Kellie Scott Staff Writer Earth Day has been celebrated worldwide since the 1970s on April 22 and focuses on educating people on how to be environmentally conscious. This worldwide event helps people understand why it is so important to keep the planet clean. “I think we all have to be conscious of our footprint and waste,” said Jen McLaughlin, honors and scholars program coordinator, as well as adjunct faculty. “Can you get a Hydro-Flask and cut out plastic bottles? Are you recycling properly? Can you walk somewhere? I think if we’re all asking ourselves to be aware of what we put out into the world, it’s a small step in the right direction.” The school values education and understanding of keeping the earth safe and clean. Therefore, students and faculty members were vocal on sharing some of the things they do to keep the earth clean and safe. “To keep the environment safe, I recycle, leave places I visit better than I find them, follow the ‘Leave No Trace Principles,’ drive an environmentally friendly vehicle and carpool when I can,” said Matt Haubert, junior business administration and management major. Many people take their responsibility of leaving the planet better than when they found it seriously. Moreso, faculty members try their best to help save the environment too while encouraging their students to do the same. Associate professor of history, Dr. Akira Shimizu, shared how his home country of Japan deals with environmental issues in comparison to the United States. For instance, Japanese city offices have strict regulations for sorting and separating garbage. “Despite everyday concerns people share, have you noticed how much leftovers, for example, our dining hall produces,” said Dr. Shimizu. “I try to avoid eating out as much as possible or only visit those restaurants where I know the amount that is served.” Furthermore, people continued to express why they believe Earth Day is important today in society. “Earth Day is very important because it brings awareness to the earth and how people’s actions are affecting the environment,” said Sydney Miller, firstyear environmental engineering major. “Earth Day allows people to reflect each year on the significance of the health of the planet. Everyday should be Earth Day.” Graphic by David Marks To learn more about Earth Day and read about fast facts surrounding environmental protection and pollution, visit the official organization’s website at www.earthday.org Mixed reaction, lack of hype surround Coachella festival By AJ Rubino Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer The most anticipated music festival, Coachella, held its first weekend of activities from April 15 to 17 and its second weekend from April 22 to 24. The music festival is held in Indio, Calif., and consisted of a lineup that stirred mixed feelings and thoughts among students on campus. “The lineup really was pretty disappointing,” said Eza Chaudhry, sophomore business administration major. “It was a few big headliners versus a lot of artists that I did not know.” The major headliners for weekend one consisted of Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd. Other major artists included Doja Cat, Joji, Big Sean and Megan Thee Stallion. “The lineup was not as diverse to music as it usually is,” said Ivy Kusi, P2 pharmacy major. “The performers were aimed at a specific genre of fans.” Chaudhry and Kusi were most excited when CL brought the 2NE1 squad on stage. 2NE1 was a Korean girl group that was created in 2009 and disbanded in 2019. “It was surprising to say the least and extremely emotional considering how they had disbanded previously,” said Chaudhry. From videos that were streamed on the internet to students’ reactions, many came to the conclusion that the crowds did not put the same energy into the festival as the artists did. “I have never seen a crowd that dead for so many artists,” said Lexi Payne, senior biology major. “If I was there, I would be having the time of my life to see artists that I would love to see.” Before COVID-19, the crowds were heavily engaged but the outfits were over the top. “You can tell who goes to these events for the music versus these ‘influencers’ who get sent for a paycheck and/or for free is ridiculous,” said Kusi. “The difference has really shown at this year’s festival.” This year, the crowd’s style is progressing back to the festival’s chic boho fashion agenda. Styles brought out Shania Twain for weekend one and Lizzo for weekend two. As his new album is scheduled to release next month, many speculate that those two may appear on it. However, Chadhry and many others expressed their disgust about the situation regarding musician Joji. Joji has expressed his struggle with epilepsy and how it is triggered through stress. Something came up at the festival that triggered his health and when he asked to stop, he was forced to continue playing. In the stream, he apologized about the situation. “Kanye West can drop out of Coachella at the last minute and not face repercussions, while Joji was forced to perform by the organizers of the event was insane and disheartening,” said Chaudhry. “It is unbelievable that they could not make an exception for him.” Coachella can be streamed on YouTube for those who could not attend. More information about the event can be found on their Instagram account @ coachella. �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Liz’s Craft Column: Psych club makes paper flower bouquets By Liz Cherinka Social Media Manager The psychology club and Liz’s Craft Column collaborated on Thursday to bring the club a crafting event. The club made paper flower bouquets together with instructions from the craft column. The idea was initially created by Carolyn Purdy, social activities chair for the psych club. She said she was inspired to do a craft collaboration because the craft column is adorable and she loves the crafts. She said she enjoys the craft column because they tie in with the seasons and holidays, like the flower bouquet. As the social activities chair, Purdy asked the club what activities they wanted to see and someone suggested crafts. Purdy thought that this would be a “wonderful collaboration between The Beacon and psych club.” Eryn McMonagle, member of the social activities subcommittee, said her favorite part about the event was ‘being around friends and doing something that wasn’t just homework or studying.’ This event was a stress reliever for students. “I feel like I don’t have a lot of just hang out time and it was nice to have that time to just relax,” said McMonagle. This flower bouquet craft is perfect for spring and summer and is an easy craft to add fun to your space. McMonagle loved the simplicity of it, and even though it was relatively easy, the crafts still turned out really cute. Mady Hornak, member of the psychology club, said her favorite flower to make was the multi-colored flower. She noted that even though it was hard to cut, it looked the coolest when it was done. This craft requires the following supplies: • Multiple colors of cardstock paper • Hot glue. • Gluesticks • Pipe cleaners • Paper clips/ binder clips • Scissors To create the butterfly: 1.Grab two sheets of two different colors of cardstock paper. Cut two of the same color into a circle with a diameter of about 6 inches. Cut the other two into a circle with a diameter of about 4 inches. Glue the smaller circles onto the larger circles and wait for them to dry. 2. Accordion fold the circles once they are dry and then fold this in half. Hot glue the crease in the middle together to form a wing shape and use a binder clip to hold this in place while it dries. 3. Once it is dry, glue the bottom half of each wing together. Binder clip this while it dries as well. 4. With the scraps from the small circle color, cut a rectangle that is about ½ inch wide and 2 inches tall. Cut down the middle vertically almost to the bottom. Roll these two halves to create the antenna and fold the rectangle in half so the antennae are curled outwards. Glue them in between the two wings so the antennae come out of where the wings are not glued together. To create the hyacinth: 1. Grab a full sheet of cardstock paper in any color. Cut 2 inches off of one end vertically. Fold this paper in half “hot dog style” and glue the long end together. Wait for this to dry. 2. Cut 1 inch strips on the folded edge down to where the glue line is. Do this across the whole paper. Then, roll each of these strips around your finger or a pencil. It is okay to crease them a little so they keep their shape. 3. Grab a piece of green cardstock paper. Cut it in half vertically, saving the other half and cut about ¼ off of the bottom. Roll this paper up to form a stem and hot glue the ends. Use a paperclip to hold them in place until it dries. 4. Wrap the paper around the stem so that the rolled edges are on top and facing outwards. Each level will be slightly lower so the petals can all be seen. Hot glue the end of the wrapped paper together, as well as gluing it to the stem. 5. Attach a pipe cleaner on the bottom of the butterfly with hot glue to add it to the bouquet. Photos: The Beacon/Liz Cherinka To create a multi-colored flower: 1. Grab 2 papers of different colors. Cut the paper the same way as the last flower but do not glue the ends together. Cut strips that are about 1cm in the folded end, leaving a small amount on the bottom the same way as the last one. 2. Once the strips are cut, fold it the other way while not creasing the formerly folded end and glue the long end together. Repeat this with the other color. 3. Make a stem with the other half of the paper cut earlier, the same way as before. Wrap the first color around the very top of the stem tightly. Hot glue the end as well as gluing it onto the stem. Wrap the other one around the same way directly under the first color. Hot glue the end and well as to the stem. Adjust the “petals” to make the flower “bloom.” Once the butterfly, hyacinth and multicolored flower are finished, put them together to make a bouquet. Feel free to display it anywhere to add a spring touch. Liz’s difficulty rating: Share your completed craft with us, or suggest a craft you want us to try! Instagram: @wilkesbeacon #LizsCraftColumn �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment C R E AT I V E CO L O N E L S Creative Colonel of the Week: Jacob O’Boyle By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor This Creative Colonel’s talent for writing sparked a unique hobby of his. Jacob O’Boyle, first-year biology major, enjoys collecting typewriters, as well as old and used books. O’Boyle began collecting typewriters after seeing typewriter content creators online. However, books have always been a passion of his, whether they are new or old. “Old books in particular just have a certain aura or vibe, if you will, around them that I love,” said O’Boyle. “The smell of the paper, the texture of the pages, the soft thunk you get when you tap on a hard cover; it just makes me happy and calm in a way I can’t really explain.” As for his typewriter collection, O’Boyle’s first one is a SmithCorona, which he found on Facebook Marketplace and his latest one is a Royal typewriter that he bought at an antique mall. According to O’Boyle, typewriters can be found anywhere that specializes in antique and vintage, as well as on the internet but they are not always affordable. “I think it is a really interesting and unique hobby,” said Ryan Charnigo, first-year pharmacy student. “Something I have never been exposed to so it has been interesting to learn about.” Since O’Boyle is a new collector, he Courtesy of Jacob O’Boyle O’Boyle types on his 1970 Royal Custom II typewriter in Farley Library. has not sold any of his old typewriters. Nonetheless, he plans to list some of them on Facebook Marketplace when his desire arises. Currently, his typewriter collection serves a decorative purpose. Decorative because they lay displayed on the floor of his bedroom due to the lack of space on his desktop. Also, his typewriters serve a practical purpose since he uses it to write personal journal entries and letters to friends and acquaintances. For instance, he wrote a letter to one of his English professors, Dr. Mischelle Anthony, associate professor of English and chair of the English department. “Jacob brought a typewritten letter and vintage literary anthology volume to my office hours,” said Dr. Anthony. “I felt happy and grateful to have had a student who has this fringe interest and who uses his brain well. I thought, ‘that’s good parenting’ because he unashamedly luxuriates in the vintage world. It’s a healthy vibe.” O’Boyle enjoys typewriting because it is an easy and effective way for him to express his thoughts in both an academic and creative sense. Lastly, according to O’Boyle, he also finds typewriting “to be a better means of communication, as, quite frankly, I’m prone to getting far off track when speaking and the written medium allows me to correct my trajectory and edit my speech after I’ve had my explosion of creativity.” On the left is his Custom II named Elizabeth after Queen Elizabeth I and on the right is the Royal Royalite ‘64 named Maude after the original owner. �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Senior Farewell Edition Turning to the next chapter: Breanna Ebisch Opinion Editor of having COVID-19. It was a piece that meant a lot to me and I thoroughly enjoyed writing. There have been plenty of other articles that I have loved putting together too, but this has to be my favorite. What was the biggest surprise or challenge that you faced during your time on staff ? The biggest surprise during my time on staff was simply how many friends I made! Getting the chance to connect with so many people either in our department or outside was amazing and a lot of my closest friendships started with the Beacon. If you had three words to describe yourself, what would they be and why? Outgoing, passionate and kind. When did you join The Beacon, and why? I have always been an avid writer and my big dream when I started at Wilkes was to become a journalist which is why I chose the communication studies major. In high school, I wrote for our newspaper and wanted to continue in college along with getting the experience needed for my future career which led me to join The Beacon in the first semester of my freshman year. What was your favorite article that you wrote for The Beacon and why? My favorite article that I’ve written has to be the one I wrote on my personal experience What are some of your favorite hobbies or activities outside of school? I love reading (yes, for fun!), traveling, writing and spending time with my friends and family. I have about a million hobbies so sticking with one thing always changes. Graduation is quickly approaching within a few weeks. What emotions are you feeling? There are a lot of emotions surrounding graduation. I’m uncertain, excited, scared and proud all at once, just to name a few. It’s a new chapter in my life and one that I’m completely in control of which is freeing and terrifying at the same time. But I’m soaking it all in since I’ll only 12 experience this once. What are your future plans after graduation? I will be interning with Special Guest before joining the team as a fulltime employee. Having this position means I’m also staying here in Wilkes-Barre which is also really exciting! My long term goal is to either work for an NHL team in the media relations or social media aspect or become a journalist for a respected publication. If you could give some advice to Wilkes students, what would you tell them? Just to enjoy every moment! I know it sounds cheesy and you’ll probably roll your eyes when someone says the four years of college go by quickly, but they do. It’s so important to cherish even the little moments because you don’t realize how special this time is until it’s gone. What’s a fun fact that people don’t know about you? I have been on national television a handful of times! �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Senior Farewell Edition 13 Thanking our Beacon seniors Zoey Rosensweet Lead Layout Designer was a huge task to take on, but it allowed me to hone in on my typography skills as well as layout design. What was the biggest surprise or challenge that you faced during your time on staff ? The biggest challenge for me was balancing my duties as a staff member with the rest of my workload. Luckily, there’s some really great designers that are also involved who are always willing to help out! If you had three words to describe yourself, what would they be and why? If I had three words to describe myself it would be motivated, personable, and independent. I’m really motivated to be successful in life and this goes hand in hand with how personable I am. Over my years at Wilkes, I realized that making connections IS as important as everyone says. When did you join The Beacon, and why? I first joined The Beacon because I was required to complete co-curricular hours for Dr. Briceños class. I didn’t know that there was such a good opportunity for me as a designer, or else I would’ve joined sooner. What was your favoarite design that you created for The Beacon and why? My favorite project for The Beacon was redoing the layout for most of the paper. This What are your future plans after graduation? I’m hoping to land a remote job after graduation. As I said, I’m converting a van so I’m going to be traveling to many, many national parks and a remote job would make this so much easier. If you could give some advice to Wilkes students, what would you tell them? The best advice I have is to follow your own timeline. Everyone pushes this idea that you have to be done with college in four years, but I took a year off and it was the best decision I made. Everyone is different! What’s a fun fact that people don’t know about you? One fun fact people don’t know about me is that I love pickle juice. What are some of your favorite hobbies or activities outside of school? When I’m not in class you can catch me working out, playing with my dog, and converting a sprinter van that I’ll be traveling in this summer! Graduation is quickly approaching within a few weeks. What emotions are you feeling? I know most of us have been going to school our entire lives, so I’m probably not alone when I say that I am SO ready to graduate! I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life. Page design by Emily Cherkauskas Photos courtesy of Breanna Ebisch and Zoey Rosensweet Graphics by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2021-22 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - Breanna Ebisch Sports - Chris Gowarty Baylee Guedes Lead Designer Zoey Rosensweet Assistant Editors Opinion - Lindsey Scorey Sports - Jason Eberhart Section Staff Writers News - Sydney Umstead News - Zach Paraway LA&E - AJ Rubino LA&E - Morgan Rich Opinon - Zara Lantzman Interested in joining The Beacon? To learn more about what you can do, contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Parking expenses for students are unethical A consistent complaint from college student populations is the fact that they pay thousands in tuition and still are asked to pay for parking. On top of this, parking violations run rampant because of specific guidelines that are confusing to students. While parking spaces are reasonably expensive for universities to pay for, especially for schools located in cities, they are arguably a necessary expense that these universities can fund or make grants for. The universities covering these costs would be more beneficial, rather than making a student pay for parking that is honestly a struggle to find most of the time. Some students do not even receive a pass if they do not make the application deadline/there is not enough space. Universities put charges such as student activities or general university fees into our tuition, usually inflating costs every year. Yet, even though tuition continues to rise yearly, parking is always its own expense. Now this may make sense, because some students do not need parking passes, but offering free parking to all would make for easier student experiences. Faculty and students could still receive passes so tracking of who is where is possible, but this would ease up any burdens, especially for commuter populations. Commuter students already struggle with accessing all of campus resources 24/7, so making parking less anxietyinducing would be a better alternative. It also does not help the fact that the majority of Wilkes’ student population is comprised of commuter students. As it stands now, depending on what time of day you park on campus, options can be extremely limited or nonexistent. By restricting parking access through requiring these passes, it creates a major obstacle for students who have many classes, activities and more to partake in. Even though students pay more than $100 for a parking pass per semester, they still have the possibility of receiving a ticket. If someone were to park in the back right corner of the SUB parking lot, they would earn a ticket because they would be parking in faculty spots. If someone were to park in one of the visitor spots at the Karambelas Media & Communication Center, they would receive a ticket because they are parking in spots that are reserved only for nonWilkes parking pass holders. The specifications for these parking spots can be confusing, especially if no one is informed of it or reads it in a handbook or guideline. And let’s be real, not all students are reading section by section where they can and cannot park. We are getting the spot we see and are off to class. Even if a student does what they are supposed to do and pay the hefty parking pass fee, they could still be penalized for these instances of mishap even though this information is not made easily known by Wilkes until the fine is already in the student’s hands. The university makes a generous amount of money in parking passes and violation tickets from students that disproportionately harms their own financial security as well. It is time universities consider student needs first and stop instituting expensive parking fees. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Opinion If you think humanities are easy, try and keep up By Lindsey Scorey Asst. Opinion Editor ���������������������������������� ����� ���� ����� ����� � ��� ��� ����� ����� ��� �� ������������ ����� ��� ��� ������ ������ ��� ��� ���� ��� ��������� ���� ����� ���� ����� ��� ������� ����� ����� �������  ­������ ���� ����� ������ � ����� � ����� ����� ���� ��� � �� ���� ��� ���� � �������� � ������� ������� ����������������������� �������������������� � � ������ ������������������������� � ��� ������ ���� �� ����� ������������ ����� ���� �������� ����� ����� ��� ������� �������� � ���� �� ����� €��� ��� �� � ����� �����������������€���� ��� ������ � ­�������������������������������� ����� �� � ���� ���� ������ �� ���� �������� �� ��€� � ��� ����� �� ���� ���� ���������� �������  ‚����� ��� ��� ���� ��� ������ ���� � ������ ���� �� ����� ����� ��� ��������� ��������� ������ ��� ���� �� � ��� ��� �� ��������������������������� � ��� �� ���� ���� ���� ������� � ƒ����� ����� � ��� ������ ���� � � ���� ����������� ���� �� ��� ��������� ����� ���� ������������ � 15 ����� ������ �� ����� ����� ����������� ��� ��������������� � �� �����ƒ������� ���������� ��������� ��������� �������� ����������� ������������������ ���� ������� ������� ���� ����� ������ ���������������� ��� ��������������� � …� � ��� ���� ������ ��� ��� � ���� �������������������†������ ������������ ������ ������� ������ ��� ����� ‡�� ���� ����������� � ���� ���������� ����� � ���� �� �������� ������ ���� ����� � ����� �������� ��� ������ ���� �� ���� ��� ����� ��� �� �� ���� �� �� ������� ��������������������� � ­�� ���� ������ ��������� �� ���� ��� ���� �� ������ ��� ��� � ���� ��������� ����������� ���� ������������ � ƒ�� ���� ��� ������ ���� ������� ���� ���� ����� � ��� ������ ����� ��� ������ �� ������ ������������������ ����� ���� ���� ���������� ��������������������� � �� �������� �� ������� ����� ���� ������� ������ ���� �� ���� ������ ��� ������� ���� ��� ��� ��� ���� ���� ���������� ��� ���� ����� ������ �������€��� � ��� �� � ��� �� ������ ‡�� ��� �������� ���� ����� � ��� ������ ���� ���� ���������� „��������������������������������� �� ������ ���������� ��� ���� ������� ���  ������������� �…��������� ������������ �������� ��� ���� ��������� ���� ������ ���� �������� ����� ������� ���� ��������� ����������������������������������� ������ Graphic by Jack Malatesta ��� � ���� ���  BAM: Books-A-Million times better than Barnes and Noble By Hannah Simerson Staff Writer You walk into a bookstore and are immediately greeted by the smell of coffee and fresh pages. Around you, people are browsing shelfs, reading books and drinking beverages. Where do you imagine yourself ? Is it the top bookseller in the nation, Barnes and Noble, or is it the lesserknown (but far superior) Books-AMillion, or BAM? If you imagined the former, you’re missing out on the best book-buying experience of your entire literary life. Don’t mistake name for quality; BAM is far superior than Barnes and Noble in every way. BAM boasts a far more robust selection of titles than Barnes and Noble can ever even dream of. When you walk into a BAM, you are immediately transported to a world with floor to ceiling bookshelves. Unlike Barnes and Noble, BAM does not need fancy wall art to draw you in. They know you’re there for one thing and one thing only: books and that is what they give you. There’s no fluff here; you’re getting what you came for… …And some more. The atmosphere in BAM is like no other. BAM stores are the epitome of comfort, unlike their rival whose doors open to a stiff, cold environment. Whether you’re there leisurely or on a mission, at BAM you can be sure that you will leave more relaxed than you came. Just like their atmosphere, the prices at BAM are simply unbeatable. You can be sure that you are getting the best deal on your “to be read” list while shopping in a BAM store. While other major booksellers (I’m looking at you, Barnes and Noble) make you pay for their discount, BAM simply requires you to sign up for their email list. One of the highlights of spending time in a bookstore is the availability to grab a coffee or similar beverage inside the store. While most Barnes and Noble stores host Starbucks cafes inside their doors, BAM stores include an even better cafe called Joe Muggs. At Joe Muggs, you can find even better beverages and even cheaper prices, a win-win. Whatever brings you into a bookstore, all book shoppers have one thing in common: we love a good deal. BAM is known for its used book sections, which span about half of the store. Old and new books alike find their way to these shelves and, better yet, the discount (you know- the one you get for free) can be applied to these already discounted books. Take that, Barnes and Noble. If you’re looking to purchase something other than books, BAM still has you covered. Along with its impressive bookshelves, BAM holds isles of Funko Pops, T-shirts, Manga, stuffed animals and more. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes- you’ll be in a BAM store for a while. If none of this convinces you that BAM is the superior bookseller, then you must just enjoy drinking overpriced coffee while staring at cliche wall art. Regardless, BAM does it like no one else. �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Opinion 16 Gen ed course validity put into question by students By Zara Lantzman Opinion Staff Writer College general education classes can make or break your semester as gen eds are glorified high school classes. High school is used to get a broad education and to potentially find what you love to do. Granted, not all high schools have the same programs, and others may not give the best education, but overall, high school classes give you a basic education. “Gen eds are probably the most annoying part of taking classes,” said junior financial investments major Adrian Malavé. “Generally, I am uninterested in the subject and only take them to fulfill a requirement. They are also obnoxiously difficult and hard.” Your general education classes should not be more difficult than classes required for your major, they should contribute to your GPA rather than detract from it. So why do we have to take gen eds? Why should we take classes that have no relevance to our majors? Why pay for those classes when it is expensive enough to pay for our classes in our major? Why spend two of your four undergraduate While some years taking COMMUNICATIONS agree that gen classes that you eds need to be will not use? It nuked, others just does not may not agree. add up. “I chose a W h e n liberal arts looking at college purely gen eds, you because of the need to look small class at the type sizes and job of university. placement A liberal rate, said arts college sophomore focuses on a chemistry well-rounded major Emily education, P u r c e l l . while specified “However, I colleges or have reaped main public ones focus more on the the benefits of Wilkes being a liberal major. arts college because I discovered how With Wilkes being a liberal arts attainable a minor in dance is.” school, it is expected to offer a wellWhile I do not agree with gen eds rounded education, but that is not why being beneficial, it has made it easier some people choose a liberal arts college. to obtain certain minors. I almost have There are factors where people choose a women’s and gender studies minor to go to a liberal arts college because completed and that is mainly because of of the inclusivity and diversity. Others gen eds. might pick certain colleges because of “I liked having gen eds because they are the major that is offered, regardless if it important for fostering an appreciation is liberal arts or not. and baseline understanding of all of the careers and positions beyond your own,” said senior pharmacy major Sarah Markovich. On top of the baseline understanding of a career, I can understand how gen eds can help an undeclared major find their career. That is the only way I see the need for gen eds. Gen eds are literally just busy work that takes up so much of the time that is needed to spend on your major. We should not have to pay the exact same amount of money for gen eds as our major classes. College is already expensive enough. We should spend our entire college career gaining as much experience in our majors as possible, rather than wasting two years taking classes some would describe as useless. Gen eds have made my college experience ten times worse and have dropped my GPA. Gen eds stress me out more than my actual major classes. Professors try to give the most work and for what? If the school makes gen eds cheaper and easier, then I am sure more people will not actually mind them. definitely Anya. This girl convinced a grown man to buy her peanuts so she would leave him alone. That is one of the many girlboss moments she will have. The second episode however, is handed off to Yor Forger, the assassin who makes a deal with Loid. He needs a wife for his case and she needs a boyfriend because she accidentally told her younger brother that she was in a relationship. At the dinner they had to go to however, Loid accidentally introduces himself as her husband. It was funny because Yor’s coworkers could not believe that she was able to pull a handsome man like Loid. In my opinion, Loid was lucky he was able to pull her. Have they not seen her? We get to see a little into what Yor does as well. The scene where she has to eliminate the Vice Minister Brennan from the Auditing Department is nothing but showing how much of a badass she really is. Shonen manga has a tendency to show the men who write women and it gives women the damsel in distress stereotype. However, this is one of the few women who is written strongly and independently. The most I am looking for is the development of Loid and Yor and their fake marriage. The fake marriage trope can go either way and I am most excited to see what road it takes, considering this genre of manga focuses more on the action of the plot, rather than the relationships built with the main character. New episodes drop weekly on Saturday through Crunchyroll. It is available online or on the Shonen Jump app. MATH ENGLISH Graphic by Jack Malatesta Review of “Spy x Family”: Plot makes for manga magic By AJ Rubino Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer It has been a little over two weeks since the Crunchyroll exclusive “Spy x Family” anime has been released and it is safe to say that I am in love with the Forger’s and Yor Forger herself. The anime follows a spy with the code name, “Twilight,” a blonde man with piercing sea green eyes who is assigned to a case that requires him to have a fake family. The fake family would have to include a child who would be able to get into Eden Academy to aid Twilight in his case. Twilight starts going by the name Loid Forger after discovering he needs to find a child in less than a week. A child cannot be created without an egg, so Forger decides to go to a suspicious orphanage. There, the owner tells Forger to grab a kid and leave, so he settles on Anya, a little girl with pink hair. Best yet, Anya is a telepath, which makes the whole situation better and worse for her at the same time. Anya learns the real truth about Loid Forger and instead of being afraid, she is excited that her new father is a spy. Personally, I would grab at any sort of attention a person would give me and Anya reads my mind and almost does the same thing I was thinking. Besides that, the first episode was bittersweet and shines light into Forger’s actual personality a bit. The stigma in anime and any other spy movie shows a man who is only in it to kill people and get money. However, Forger does kill people but he also has humorous moments. The MVP of the first episode was �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Opinion 17 Graduating seniors: Is it already time for graduation? By Hope Williams Staff Writer For some students, they are excited to start this new chapter of their lives as they begin to enter their professional or postgraduate journey. For other students, leaving Wilkes is going to be a difficult transition. For me, I am looking forward to my professional career after graduation, but at the same time, I will genuinely miss walking onto the Wilkes campus everyday and seeing all of the friendly faces I have built relationships with over the last four years. Wilkes is unique in a variety of wonderful ways. The small, close-knit community has brought so many seniors wonderful memories, experiences, resources and relationships. “There are many resources and mentors that have helped me become prepared for my professional career,” said senior hospitality management major Matt Franchetti. “The close knit campus community has helped me build meaningful friendships that I will have for a lifetime.” Building meaningful relationships was a common theme as I interviewed the senior class of 2022. Senior neuroscience major James Hughes, a current Guthrey Medical Scholar, said, “I made friends both at Wilkes, and through Wilkes, friendships that I didn’t even know I could make. In addition, Wilkes gave me the ability to pursue my dreams and took a chance on me that I will always be grateful for.” When I first came to Wilkes University, I immediately knew that it was going to be my home for the next four years. When I was beginning my college decision process, I visited Temple University and St. Joseph’s University, along with Wilkes. My plan was to attend a big school with Division I sports teams. As we all know, Wilkes is a small school with Division III sports. With that being said, the feeling I got when I walked onto Wilkes campus was something I could not find anywhere else. All of the student admissions ambassadors at Wilkes were extremely welcoming and knowledgeable and it immediately made me comfortable. Going into Welcome Weekend in the summer, I was very nervous to meet the rest of the class of 2022. But, my mentor, Deandre Depass, who was a sophomore at the time, made the transition into college comfortable and intriguing. The first night of Welcome Weekend, I made a group of friends and we spent the entire weekend together. We even moved into one of the girl’s mattresses into our two-person dorm. It was truly such a memorable experience. On top of that, I built such a special bond with my mentor, Deandre. Our friendship continued to grow throughout my college journey. In turn, he inspired me to apply to become an e-mentor at Wilkes and it was one of the best experiences and opportunities I have been given at Wilkes. I hope in my postgraduate years, I can give back to that program because it has given me so much. If I could give any advice to prospective and current Wilkes students, it would be to soak in every moment you have in college. I know we hear it all the time, “time flies” and truly, it does. I would say to build as many connections and relationships as you can, because they will mean so much. And last but not least, allow yourself to grow in as many ways as possible. “My past four years at Wilkes, definitely showed me that the best way to learn and grow is to step out of my comfort zone,” said P2 student Sydney Couturier. “You never know what you might learn, who you might meet, and what doors might open for you and your future, so push yourself and take every opportunity you can here at Wilkes, it goes by fast.” Speaking to the class of 2022, as the last few weeks of the semester come to an end, emotions will come pouring out each and every day. I hope that as the days count down, we take the time to reminisce on all of the wonderful memories and experiences we have had on the campus that has given us so much. I hope the class of 2022 has left a mark on this campus that will last forever. Class of 2022, we did it! Well… almost. Graphic by Jack Malatesta �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Opinion 18 The incredible magic of Hogwarts comes to Philadelphia By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Writer “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” made its world premiere at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on Feb. 18. It is the most elaborate Harry Potter touring exhibition and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Driving to the exhibition was probably the most stressful part of my exhibition experience. What they do not tell you is that you have 30 minutes to get there after your scheduled time until your tickets expire, so, take my advice and leave at least two hours before your ticket time. In other words, do not do what we did and try to take every possible stressful shortcut to Philadelphia. My friends and I entered the institute and got our tickets scanned at 1:29 p.m. which was 29 minutes later than our initial ticket time. With one minute to spare, we entered the exhibition where you were able to choose which Hogwarts house you belonged to, your wand and patronus. From there, we entered a room that projected the Marauder’s map on every corner of the room and it was the most magical experience of my life. The Marauder’s map changed to Hogwarts at Christmas, to the dementors surrounding the castle, and then to a bright and sunny Hogwarts with music from the soundtrack playing in the background. Overall, the atmosphere made me feel as if I was transported into the wizarding world. After that is when the exhibition really started. There were a total of four different rooms that you could enter that were sorted into the four different houses. The rooms held different costumes from the movies, ranging from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint’s Gryffindor robes to Robert Pattinson’s What is your Harry Potter house? Have you ever been to the exhibit? Tweet about it and tag us! @wilkesbeacon outfits from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” For me, the most glorious experience in those four rooms was seeing Tom Felton’s black suit and wand from “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” Controversial enough, it is because Draco Malfoy is my favorite character. When I exited the rooms, I entered more rooms that held remakes of sets from the movies. The divination classroom, herbology classroom, Newt Scamander’s study, the quidditch pitch, Harry’s cupboard under the stairs, Dolores Umbridge’s office and the great hall were only some of the sets that were re-created. I was able to get up close and personal with them and I believe I took over 100 pictures. What I thought was cool is that throughout the exhibition, you could participate in virtual experiences to earn house points and at the end of the exhibition, you could see just how much your house earned. Although the exhibition was amazing, the gift shop merchandise was very underwhelming and gave off millennial Harry Potter vibes. However, their zipup hoodies were cute so I gave in and bought one just to prove that I went to the exhibition. Overall, I would rate the exhibition a 10/10 and I am already planning to go again in the summer before it closes on Sept. 18. Graphic by Jack Malatesta My first year of college: Different but better than expected By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer Ever since I was a little girl, I was told that college would be “the best four years of my life.” Between romanticized portrayals of the college experience in the media and anecdotal stories from others, I had high expectations for my first year at a university. College life is commonly depicted as an exciting experience between constant parties, developing friendships and newfound independence. Hence, when I started school, I expected life as a college student would be much more exciting and different than my former lifestyle. Now, as my first year ends, I am left to ponder on one question: “Has my first year of college lived up to my expectations?” I have had a much different experience so far than what I expected. As a commuter, I have not seen much of a shift in my lifestyle. Unlike many of my peers, I am not living alone for the first time surrounded by strangers who I must befriend to have any sort of social life. Instead, I still live in my childhood home in the town I have lived in my whole life, still work at the same job, and still spend most of my free time with my friends from high school. I have had the opportunity to stick to what is comfortable, and I have chosen to do so throughout this year. Although I sometimes feel discontent as my college life has not been as exciting as I expected, I am thankful for the decisions I have made. I do not have to worry about creating and maintaining my new lifestyle; I have had the opportunity to grow. Throughout this school year, I have gained a better understanding of who I am as a student and person. Although I have not made many close friends yet, I have met many amazing professors and fellow students who have inspired me and guided me on my path for the future. Taking what I have learned both inside and outside of the classroom, I can better navigate the world, recognize my strengths, and feel more competent moving forward through college and eventually my career. If high school senior me could see me now, she would probably be a little disappointed that I have a lack of “crazy college stories,” but she would be proud of the person college has helped me become. �The Beacon - March 30, 2022 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editors: Christopher.Gowarty@wilkes.edu or Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu GOLF: Men's and women's teams finish up their seasons By Christopher Gowarty Co-Sports Editor Last weekend, the men’s and women’s golf teams took one step closer to ending their 2021-2022 seasons. The men competed in the 2022 MAC Championships as the women faced Misericordia University and King's College in a tri-match. After the first day of the championship, the men’s team placed fourth out of nine teams overall with a score of 329, trailing Stevens, Arcadia and Misericordia. Senior Michael Sherrick led all Colonels after the first day with a score of 81. Following Sherrick are junior Andrew Finke and first-year Max Cocchi who both had a score of 84. After the end of the second day, the Colonels held their fourth place spot and finished with a final score of 672. Sherrick continued as the lead scorer for Wilkes with 162 and placed 12th overall out of 43 golfers in the championship. First-year Cole Jungwirth was right behind Sherrick as he placed 13th in a two-way tie with a score of 165. “We had a rough start yesterday,” said head coach Guy Rothery. “We had a few rookies in their first MAC championship who I think were a little nervous and the conditions weren’t as good, but as a whole I thought we played pretty well.” The men’s team headed into the championships with a record of 6-8 on the season. In the fall portion of their season, the Colonels found themselves splitting their matches to earn a 3-3 record before fall break. However, the spring portion has proven difficult for the team as they sit at a record of 3-5 in the second half of their season. Despite their struggles in the spring, the Colonels still had their bright moments throughout the year. The team began both portions of their season with a win, defeating rival King’s College 327-351 in the fall opener and Misericordia 328-337 in the spring opener. In a 27-hole matchup at the Glenmaura Invitational, Finke shot a 119 to place him fourth overall out of 30 golfers. His performance led Wilkes to a third place finish out of six teams and earned him MAC Freedom men’s golfer of the week honors. “It was impressive to see the improvement in everyone’s game,” said Sherrick. “Everyone who plays golf has good and bad rounds but it seems like everyone on the team has improved their game on some level over the course of the season.” In their tri-match against Misericordia and Kings, the women’s team defeated Misericordia 435-457 and lost against Kings 435-417. Senior Sarah Sorber led all Colonels in scoring by shooting 96 on the day, placing fourth out of 16 golfers. Senior Gwen MacConnell followed Sorber with a score of 106 and led senior Cassidy Taylor’s score of 108, senior Marrisa Korea’s score of 125 and junior Cally Erickson’s score of 139. After their tri-match, the women’s team enters their MAC Championship with a record of 3-11. The Colonels found the majority of their success in the fall by defeating Misericordia 444-468 in their first match on September 12 and the Cougars once again on Oct. 9 by a score of 411-433. The spring portion of their season has been challenging, as the Colonels have lost to all four teams they have faced in both of the tri-matches they have played in. “I think we go into every match with the mindset of giving it our all and trying our best,” said Sorber. “One of the most important things is not letting the game get the best of you and always continuing to have fun no matter what.” The men’s team will play two more matches before their season is complete, as they face the University of Scranton on April 26 and Misericordia University on April 29. The women’s team will wrap up their season with their MAC Championships, which will occur on April 30 and May 1. Photos courtesy of gowilkesu.com Junior Andrew Finke shoots a shot up hill to the next patch. Senior Sarah Sorber chips a shot off the green towards the hole. �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Sports 20 LAX: Men’s and Women’s teams both fall to Stevens 20-5 By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The women’s and men’s lacrosse teams seasons are both almost finished. Although both teams have been eliminated from postseason contention, they look to finish their seasons on a positive note. The women’s team took on the Stevens Ducks on Saturday at Schmidt Stadium, their last home game of the season. Not much clicked for the Colonels as they were outdueled 20-5 on the afternoon. That has been the story of the season for Wilkes as they are currently on a six game losing streak and sit at 3-11 on the season. “The biggest struggle for the team so far this year has definitely been the injuries,” said head coach Amber McCarver. “We have had 4 ACL injuries so far this year, two of which occurred during big games. Losing players this late in the season has been tough for the team and we are going to need our younger classmen to step up big for us, but I truly believe that they have it in them to do so.” With so many injuries it has been tough for the team to find any real consistency with its lineups, which is not ideal when playing a tough MAC Freedom schedule. However, adversity is not something new to this team, as they were without a coach just weeks before the season started. Despite that, the group has stuck together and now feel like they are closer than ever as the season winds down. “The biggest improvement as a team I feel would be our overall dedication to the sport,” said senior midfielder Savannah Bauman. “We came so close as a family this season, and I feel this is due to the instability of fall ball and early season prior to Coach Amber joining us. We really showed that we wanted to continue with our love for lacrosse, and clearly did everything in our power to do so.” The men’s team did not fare well either as they traveled to Hoboken, N.J. to take on Stevens. They fell to the top-ranked Ducks 20-5 on Saturday afternoon to bring their overall record to 4-12. Despite a tough year, the Colonels offense has been a bright spot. They averaged around ten goals a game, sitting right in the middle of the conference. “Our biggest improvement this year is scoring quickly in transition,” said head coach Curtis Jaques. “I really enjoy watching our players create something out of nothing, unscripted yet fundamental lacrosse.” Four Colonels have reached the 100 point milestone in their senior campaigns. Senior midfielders Eric Ormsby, Alex Meyers, and Ethan Weaver, as well as senior attacker Luke Palladino were able to get the coveted 100th point during different matches of the season. Both the women’s and men’s teams will look to finish their seasons with a win as they take on cross-town rival King’s tonight. The women’s team will travel to King’s to play at 6 p.m., while it will be senior night for the men’s team at Schmidt Stadium at 7 p.m. TENNIS: Men’s and Women’s teams eager to start postseason By Jason Eberhart Asst. Sports Editor The women’s and men’s tennis teams concluded their home matches at the Ralston Athletic Complex for the season with a pair of them over the weekend. They took on DeSales University for a MAC Freedom match on Saturday, before concluding their non conference schedule against RIT on Sunday. The women’s team stayed perfect in conference play with a 7-2 victory over the Bulldogs. A neck-and-neck match for the men’s team left the Colonels defeated by Desales 5-4. The women’s team is currently at 7-5 and the men’s team at 7-6. Both teams are used to running through the regular season on the way to the MAC Championships. However, this year they have been tested by some of the teams they have faced. “I inherited a very difficult schedule, and I don’t think they were used to being challenged in almost every match,” said head coach Todd Kane. “It’s definitely led to some confidence issues with some of the team. But they have responded very well in the conference.” Despite the confidence issues, the Colonels are right where they want to be heading into postseason play. Both teams are in control of their own destiny of where they are going to be seeded for the MAC Championships. “The mindset is the same as it has always been,” said senior Dasha Yakhins. “We need to keep working hard, keep fighting, and enjoy the game, even when it gets tough.” Things will definitely get tough as both teams look to be on a collision course with the top-seeded Stevens Ducks in the playoffs. The men’s team will look to avenge a 9-0 loss earlier in the season. The women’s match will be resumed from a suspension on Tuesday April 26, as the Colonels currently trail 4-1. “This year we are striving to go to the finals of the MAC Freedom because last year we fell short in the semifinals,” said sophomore Cole Gibson. Both the women’s and men’s teams look to go into the postseason with a win as they travel to take on Arcadia on Saturday to conclude their regular season. Photo: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Senior Dasha Yakhins returned the ball to the back corner of the court in effort to close out the set. �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Sports 21 BASE:Walk-off win highlights series sweep over Del.Val. By Baylee Guedes Co-Sports Editor The Colonels baseball team is riding out the season above .500 as they have their final games of the season at King’s College on Friday and at home on Saturday against the Monarchs in a Senior Day doubleheader. In the conference, the blue and gold are under .500, but their out of conference games have pushed them to a high overall record. Wilkes started out their season with an eight game win streak and has maintained a winning season. Wilkes alumnus Kevin Gryboski is in his fourth season as head coach of the Colonels and has maintained above a .500 season for two years in a row. He motivates his team by making sure they stayed focused every game. “We have played a ton of one run games this season in the conference,” said Gryboski. “One bounce or one pitch either way and we could be sittin in a different position than where we are today.” Senior Michael Patrizio leads the team with a batting average of .350 with 41 hits and 13 RBIs (as of April 23). He and his teammates focus on staying active at the plate to back up their defense with offensive contributions. In their most recent home doubleheader, the Colonels went 2-0 Photo: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Junior AJ Brosious gets hugged by senior Rob Iacono after the walk-off win. over Delaware Valley University. Game one went into extra innings as the Colonels and Aggies had a tied ball game in the bottom of the seventh. The Aggies scored in the top of the first inning off of a pass ball and the Colonels did not answer until the bottom of the sixth inning with a single to left field by first year Zack Luksic, who brought in junior AJ Brosious. Wilkes held DelVal into the bottom of the ninth and scored by capitalizing on a bad throw by the Aggies. The run was scored by junior Jason Spezzaferra who got on base with a single to left field. Wilkes won 2-1 and senior Tony Moletoris collected the win on the mound, pitching a complete nine innings allowing six hits, one run and added six strikeouts. “It felt great to get the win today,” said Moletoris. “We needed this win just for Senior Rachel Pritchard leads the team with an active batting average of .406 adding 26 hits, 10 runs and 11 RBIs (as of April 23). “After playing collegiate softball for five years now, being a leader at the plate has come with experience,” said Pritchard. “While this achievement is commendable, it is about being successful in each game as it contributes to success for everyone.” In their most recent doubleheader, the Colonels split with DelVal at the Aggies home field. Game one went in Wilkes’ favor as they held DelVal in the bottom of the seventh, winning 5-4. No runs were scored until the fifth inning when first year Nicole Howell singled to left field, scoring senior Erin Cabry. Junior Hope Mullins singled to the shortstop and brought in sophomore Kaylie Capriotti, making the score 2-0. To finish out the fifth inning scoring burst, Pritchard singled down the left field line, bringing in Howell. The Aggies scored in the bottom of the fifth, but the Colonels answered in the sixth as Howell got her second RBI of the game, scoring Cabry. A DelVal solo home run brought the score to 4-3 in Wilkes’ favor, but the Colonels secured the win at the top of the seventh when first year Kayla Burleson singled to right field, bringing in senior CayleeMae Williams. “It felt great to get the winning RBI,” said Burleson. “I am so glad I was able to help my team out in a tough situation.” The Aggies got another run off of a momentum and confidence for the end of the season. It was hard fought but well deserved.” The second game proved to be in Wilkes favor as they won 2-0. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when graduate student Dominick Bayo singled to left-center, bringing in Patrizio and junior Max Alessi. “It felt great,” said Bayo. “I was just doing my part to help the team win. You never know what is going to be a defining moment in a game, so it’s always good to come up big when the opportunity arises.” Wilkes’ defense held DelVal throughout the entirety of the game, not allowing any runs. Senior pitcher Gage Coudriet got the win on the mound after pitching 6.2 innings with no runs scored, only allowing four hits and a walk, adding five strikeouts. Junior pitcher Sawyer Kemp closed the seventh inning on the mound for Wilkes, ending the game. Wilkes looks to finish out their season strong as they take on their cross-town rival. “Our goals for the last week of the season are the same, to go out and compete and win games,” said Moletoris. “Especially this week with King’s, these games are just as important as the rest of the games this season.” SOFT: Clutch hitting allows for series split against Del. Val. By Baylee Guedes Co-Sports Editor The softball team is right under .500 as they head into their last week of play. They are sitting below .200 in conference play and will finish out their season in a home doubleheader as they host Lycoming College tonight at 4 p.m.. Wilkes started out their season with a three game win streak on their spring break trip to Myrtle Beach. The Colonels are coached by Jackie Klahold who is in her third season as head coach. “Heading into our final 2 double headers of the season, we are looking to finish on a strong note,” said Klahold. “Have some momentum going into the off season and into the fall next year. double RBI, but the Colonels got the final out and won the game 5-4. Mullins started on the mound, pitching four innings with no hits, no runs, one walk and added four strikeouts. Senior Rhia Aurand finished the game and picked up the win pitching three innings allowing five hits, four runs, one walk and added two strikeouts. The second game led to a 7-2 loss as Wilkes did not get their bats going until their final time at the plate in the seventh inning. The runs were scored by freshman Emily Murphy off of another Howell hit and by Howell off of a sacrifice fly by senior Emma Stauffer. Wilkes looks to finish their season at home as they host Lycoming College tonight. �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Cole Gibson Sophomore Tennis Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week April 13 to April 20 Why Gibson was selected: In a 9-0 victory against Lycoming on April 19, Gibson earned a win for the Colonels as the No. 1 Single in two sets by scores of 6-3 and 6-2. He also helped Wilkes win the No. 2 Doubles match alongside first-year Rodniel Senson by a score of 8-3. Name: Cole Gibson Year: Sophomore Major: Business Management Hometown: Miami, Fl. High School: Palmetto Senior H.S. Position: No. 1 Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I came to Wilkes because of the academics and the tennis team. Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory as a colonel is almost beating DeSales last year during the season because if we had beaten them we would have gone to the finals and played against Stevens. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? This season as a Colonel I hope that we are able to beat DeSales to go to the finals of the conference tournament. When/Why did you first begin playing? I began playing tennis when I was seven, but I never focused on tennis primarily until I was midway through middle school because I was also playing baseball. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed Favorite thing to do during practice? During practice, I like to work on improving shots that would be difficult to hit in a match, such as drop shots or winners down the line. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? Hobbies that I like to do off the field are playing spike ball, biking and fishing. Favorite meal to eat on campus? Which Wich is one of the top places to go because the sandwiches are always good. The POD is also great because of the sushi and other snacks. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? The Gatorade flavors that are my favorites are glacier freeze and fruit punch. Most influential person in your life? The most influential person in my life is my father because he taught me how to make decisions and the importance of having to work hard. A quote you live your life by? A quote that I live by is “Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible.” Anyone to give a shout-out to? I want to give a shout-out to everyone that has supported me with playing tennis throughout the years and helped me improve. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �The Beacon - Aprl 27, 2022 Getting to know... 23 Sports Rachel Pritchard Graduate-Student Softball Player The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week April 13 to April 20 Why Rachel Pritchard was selected: In a doubleheader against the University of Scranton on April 14, Pritchard earned a completegame victory in the circle in the first game. In the second game, Pritchard supplied a walk-off, two-run double to secure the sweep. Name: Rachel Pritchard Year: Senior Major: Neuroscience Minor: Psychology Hometown: Wilmington, Del. High School: Concord H.S. Position: P/INF Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I transferred here in 2019 because of the level of academics Wilkes offered. I heard the softball program was also highly regarded and I thought that Wilkes would be a good fit. Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory as a Colonel was meeting friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. I think that softball has brought us closer together and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Hopes for this season as a Colonel? My teammates and I are hoping to make the playoffs. When/Why did you first begin playing? I first started playing around when I was eight. My parents were very supportive and helped me improve my game as I got older and continued my softball journey. Favorite thing to do during practice? I think my favorite thing to do during practice would be to pitch to batters but also get a chance to hit off of the other pitchers. Other interests or hobbies off of the field? I really like reading in my free time. I’m sure after graduating I will have more time to find more interests off the field. Favorite meal to eat on campus? Any free food that is given to us, does not really matter what it is. Also shoutout to the waffle truck (All Belgium) for always being around campus. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? My favorite is the yellow Gatorade. Most influential person in your life? I don’t think I could just pick one person; I think the most influential people in my life are my parents. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them and their support. A quote you live your life by? “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” -Rocky Balboa Anyone to give a shout-out to? Shout-out to my parents and teammates for pushing me to be the best I can be every day. (Special shout-out to Baylee Guedes.) - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week. At the end of the academic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it ter @WilkesB eacon to crow n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - April 27, 2022 24 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 April 27 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 April 27 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/8bcd21d4b892b646bfb5cc16a1dba307.pdf 61d8b396a7482981bd27db5f2cf86134 PDF Text Text The Beacon - September 14, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 75, Issue 2 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” The Beacon/Emily Cherkauskas Agnes, 50 years later: Educating a new generation Although the damage from the Agnes flood left Wilkes University with seemingly irreplacable damage in 1972, the campus community repaired and rebuilt. Now, Wilkes is observing the 50-year anniversary of Agnes with a walk-through tour, raising awareness of the impressionable history. For more information and to see more historical archived photos of the damage, see page 5. Fly Fishing Club returns for its second year at Wilkes, page 6 Patricia Moss-Vreeland to give lecture at Sordoni Art Gallery, page 7 The politics of Wilkes parking: A commuter’s perspective, page 15 FB: New quarterback leads for new chapter of football, page 19 �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: September 7 weekly meeting By Maddy Kinard News Editor Student Government held its second meeting of the semester, covering a guest report and six second-week presentations for various club requests and club rerecognitions. To begin, Wilkes Alumni Association Homecoming Committee approached the council seeking ideas for ways in which they could bridge the gap between current students and alumni involvement during Homecoming events. They also want to start a tradition in which alumni and students wear the same T-shirt to the Homecoming football game. Next, a member of the alumni office presented a request for Homecoming student tickets. They are requesting $500 for 50 student tickets, valued at $10 a student. A motion was made to vote and the vote passed, allocating the full amount. Pre-Professional Health Society Club is seeking re-recognition and gave their final presentation. The club allows for networking, advising, and for students to solidify career ideas, as well as and offers shadowing and volunteer work. They plan to use their Student Government funding for online graduate preparation c o u r s e s , enrichment trips and dissertation preparation. A motion was made to vote and the vote passed, re-recognizing the club. Computer Science and Mathematics Club also sought re-recognition. The club’s main purpose is to cultivate community and allow people in either major to share skills and knowledge while also building friendships. They plan to use their funding for future trips or equipment to enhance club activities. A motion was made to vote and the vote passed, rerecognizing the club. The Animal Welfare Club gave its final presentation regarding official club recognition by the council. They seek to do three things with their club: advocate, volunteer and educate. They also briefly discussed ways in which anyone can help animals; by becoming vegan, using cruelty-free products and adopting, not shopping. A motion was made to vote and passed, clothing for parents as well. To purchase items, please go to https://axelradshop.com/wilkeshonors/ shop/home waggoner@wilkes.edu. Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Mandatory Internship Meeting All students taking an internship this semester must attend a mandatory meeting from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 15 in the Ballroom. Please review the necessary paperwork needed on CPE 300 on LIVE. It is recommended that you print the paperwork to begin filling it out at the meeting. With any questions please contact interns@wilkes.edu or anna.bateman@ wilkes.edu Honors Online Clothing Store Are you an Honors student looking for merchandise? The Honors apparel store is open now till Oct. 1. The store is selling joggers, shirts, hoodies and Intramural Registration Open Wilkes University intramural sports registration is open now until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 23. This semester they are offering five vs five basketball, sevenon-seven indoor soccer, cornhole, spike ball and kanjam. Through the program, Intramurals seek to provide a fun and comfortable setting for all campus members to come together outside of usual classroom constraints. To register, go to www.imleagues. com/wilkes. Interested in working intramurals this semester? Email Bo Waggoner at Austin. Support Cheer Team Fundraiser The Wilkes Cheer team is holding a breast cancer awareness fundraiser, selling love-sleeved T-shirts for $20. To purchase one, contact a cheerleader or shop online at this link: https://www. customink.com/fundraising/her-fightis-our-fight-with-wilkes-university Interested in Track and Field Club? Anyone interested in joining a new track and field club on campus, email brandy.varner@wilkes.edu Interested in Chess Club? Anyone interested in starting up a chess club on campus, contact jake. middleton@wilkes.edu officially recognizing the club. Residence Hall Council also appeared with a brief presentation on various updates to their constitution. A motion was made to vote and passed, recognizing the constitution updates. In the last request, Student Government voted on a Capital Projects request to clean up and resand the volleyball courts outside of Roth hall. The project would be done through Green Valley Landscaping and would cost $2,250. A motion was made to vote and passed, accepting the request. Student Government will meet again Sep. 14 for their third meeting. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester September 22 - Get Groovy 29 - Programming Board giveaway October 6 - Wild Wild West Fest 13-16 - Fall Break 20 - Glow Game Night 24-28 - Freak Week �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: September 7 weekly meeting By Maddy Kinard News Editor Student Government held its second meeting of the semester, covering a guest report and six second-week presentations for various club requests and club rerecognitions. To begin, Wilkes Alumni Association Homecoming Committee approached the council seeking ideas for ways in which they could bridge the gap between current students and alumni involvement during Homecoming events. They also want to start a tradition in which alumni and students wear the same T-shirt to the Homecoming football game. Next, a member of the alumni office presented a request for Homecoming student tickets. They are requesting $500 for 50 student tickets, valued at $10 a student. A motion was made to vote and the vote passed, allocating the full amount. Pre-Professional Health Society Club is seeking re-recognition and gave their final presentation. The club allows for networking, advising, and for students to solidify career ideas, as well as and offers shadowing and volunteer work. They plan to use their Student Government funding for online graduate preparation c o u r s e s , enrichment trips and dissertation preparation. A motion was made to vote and the vote passed, re-recognizing the club. Computer Science and Mathematics Club also sought re-recognition. The club’s main purpose is to cultivate community and allow people in either major to share skills and knowledge while also building friendships. They plan to use their funding for future trips or equipment to enhance club activities. A motion was made to vote and the vote passed, rerecognizing the club. The Animal Welfare Club gave its final presentation regarding official club recognition by the council. They seek to do three things with their club: advocate, volunteer and educate. They also briefly discussed ways in which anyone can help animals; by becoming vegan, using cruelty-free products and adopting, not shopping. A motion was made to vote and passed, clothing for parents as well. To purchase items, please go to https://axelradshop.com/wilkeshonors/ shop/home waggoner@wilkes.edu. Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Mandatory Internship Meeting All students taking an internship this semester must attend a mandatory meeting from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 15 in the Ballroom. Please review the necessary paperwork needed on CPE 300 on LIVE. It is recommended that you print the paperwork to begin filling it out at the meeting. With any questions please contact interns@wilkes.edu or anna.bateman@ wilkes.edu Honors Online Clothing Store Are you an Honors student looking for merchandise? The Honors apparel store is open now till Oct. 1. The store is selling joggers, shirts, hoodies and Intramural Registration Open Wilkes University intramural sports registration is open now until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 23. This semester they are offering five vs five basketball, sevenon-seven indoor soccer, cornhole, spike ball and kanjam. Through the program, Intramurals seek to provide a fun and comfortable setting for all campus members to come together outside of usual classroom constraints. To register, go to www.imleagues. com/wilkes. Interested in working intramurals this semester? Email Bo Waggoner at Austin. Support Cheer Team Fundraiser The Wilkes Cheer team is holding a breast cancer awareness fundraiser, selling love-sleeved T-shirts for $20. To purchase one, contact a cheerleader or shop online at this link: https://www. customink.com/fundraising/her-fightis-our-fight-with-wilkes-university Interested in Track and Field Club? Anyone interested in joining a new track and field club on campus, email brandy.varner@wilkes.edu Interested in Chess Club? Anyone interested in starting up a chess club on campus, contact jake. middleton@wilkes.edu officially recognizing the club. Residence Hall Council also appeared with a brief presentation on various updates to their constitution. A motion was made to vote and passed, recognizing the constitution updates. In the last request, Student Government voted on a Capital Projects request to clean up and resand the volleyball courts outside of Roth hall. The project would be done through Green Valley Landscaping and would cost $2,250. A motion was made to vote and passed, accepting the request. Student Government will meet again Sep. 14 for their third meeting. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester September 22 - Get Groovy 29 - Programming Board giveaway October 6 - Wild Wild West Fest 13-16 - Fall Break 20 - Glow Game Night 24-28 - Freak Week �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 News 3 Semester start causes bookstore backorders, headaches By Maddy Kinard News Editor With the Fall 2022 semester in full swing, swing, students students and and faculty faculty remain remain perplexed perplexed and and frustrated frustrated by by the the current current bookstore bookstore model. model. When When the the current current contract contract came came to to an an end end in in August August 2021, 2021, the the bookstore bookstore was was brought rst time brought to to campus campus for for the the fi first time since since 2007. 2007. It It was was to to act act as as aa hybrid hybrid model, model, allowing allowing students students to to order order textbooks textbooks online online as as they they have have in in the the past. past. However, However, due due to to continuous continuous supply supply chain chain issues, issues, it it is is resulting resulting in in more more backorders backorders than successful than successful textbook textbook purchases, purchases, especially especially within within the English the English department. department. “Unfor tunately, "Unfortunately, my experience my experience new with the with the new bookstore bookstore has has been been unsatisfactory. II unsatisfactory. fi nd the find the bookstore bookstore manager manager to to be be very very responsive responsive and and stuck stuck in in the the middle middle of of aa new new system system that that we’re we're all all struggling struggling with, with;'” said said Dr. Dr. Mischelle Mischelle Anthony, Anthony, associate associate professor professor and and chair chair of of English. English. Anthony Anthony said said she she frequently has to frequently has to direct direct students students toward toward other other online online purchasing purchasing options, Thriftbooks options, like like Chegg, Chegg, Thriftbooks and and Better Better World World Books. Books. She She also also misses misses the the bookstore bookstore in in its its previous previous model, model, expressing expressing the the ease ease and and familiarity familiarity of of staff staff having having decades decades of of experience. experience. “I dent that "I felt felt confi confident that II could could walk walk down down to the thf' bookstore hookstorf' and ,mcl see Sf'f' my mv books hooks on on the thf' to shelves and make sure I have the right edition for the desk copy beforehand, so creates an unfair disadvantage,” said Davis. that meant a lot,” said Anthony. To combat this, Davis emails students Textbook errors are also a frequent issue in using this model. Dr. Helen Davis, in advance with book information and .._..._,._,....,...,,.....,.,...., professor .t',._....,.,_...,._,._,....,L of .._,.._ English, reports ..,.t'.._,.._.,.._, that .,_,. ......... encourages associate ~u~~~•~b~u them •••~••• to buy ~~; books ~~~•w online ~••u••~ several several times times her her submitted submitted textbooks textbooks prior prior to to the the start start of of the the semester. semester. She She also also have have been been changed changed in in error error to to other other texts. texts. uploads uploads digital digital copies copies of of the the text text for for the the rst week One One of first week or or two two of of her her biggest biggest concerns concerns with with the the fi of the the semester semester in in her her new new arrangement arrangement is general education education courses courses to to aid aid students students is that that some some students students general are who may may still still be be waiting waiting on on the the textbook. textbook. are required required to to order order from from the the bookstore bookstore who Mary junior dual due nancial aid Mary Pashinski, Pashinski, junior dual major major in in due to to fi financial aid restrictions. restrictions. secondary “If rst or secondary education education and and English, English, has has also also "If they they add add aa course course during during the the fi first or given second given up up on on the the bookstore, bookstore, second week week of of classes, classes, as as ~-commonly .&....,.&.ab.1..av&•) ... hhappens, appens, and and order order their their books books the the day day that that they they enroll, they have to wait weeks for the books to arrive. This delay can cause them to get behind on coursework, which w stating stating that that when when one one of of her her books books went went on on backorder, backorder, she she was was told told it it would would not not arrive arrive for for another another three three weeks weeks after the start of the semester. “When the lease at the location of the previous bookstore was coming to an end, the university put together a committee to help the process along in planning to make sure the transition was easy for students and staff. This committee came to the the Student Student Government, Government, which which I was to aa part part of of at at the the time, time, with with their their ideas. idea I’m not not sure sure if if even even one one of of us us agreed agreed with wi1 the location location of of the the bookstore bookstore or or the the idea ide that no no books books would would be be kept kept on on hand, hand;” said Pashinski. Pashinski. She a She also also experienced experienc similar similar issue issue as as Davis, Davis, stating s that that for for one one of of her her courses, co the the selected selected text text through throu~ the bookstore bookstore was was wrong wrong ,which led led to to multiple multiple students stu ordering ordering and and receiving receivin the wrong wrong book. book. In In another an class class where where aa textbook textboo. was required, required, the the textbook textbool was never never listed listed which which resulted re: in in everyone everyone showing showin up without without it. it. Joseph Joseph Stager, Stager, store manager, manager, strongly strongly urges faculty faculty to to submit submit course c material requests as material requests soon soon as as ordering ordering for fo the upcoming upcoming term term opens and and for for students students to to order their as their course course material mater: soon to soon as as possible possible prior pr those at way, those terms. terms. Th That they they can can limit limit so so many many orders c happening happening at at once once at at the the beginning begi1 of of the the semester semester and and students students will will then have a have time time to to plan plan accordingly accordingly should sho text text not not arrive. arrive. “We "We continue continue to to elicit elicit feedback feedbacl and identify identify problems problems so so that that improvements improve1 can can be be made made as as we we move move forward. forward. This system system will will work. work. And And I’m I'm certain certair that the the bookstore bookstore and and Wilkes Wilkes has has the the best intentions intentions for for its its students, students, faculty facult) and staff,” said Stager. Graphic by David Marks Have an event you want covered? Email the news editor Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 News 4 How to keep yourself and others safe from Monkeypox By Maddy Kinard News Editor What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a rare diseases caused by infection from the monkeypox virus. Those infected may experience a rash which can be located on or near the genitals or anus, hands, feets, chest, face and or mouth. The rash may resemble pimples or blisters which can be itchy and go through phases of scabbing and healing. How can I protect myself? 1. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with others who look like they have a rash resembling deep-seated blisters or pimples 2. Avoid contact with objects an infected individual may have used 3. Wear clothing that covers exposed skin that could come into contact with seats on public transportation (i.e. jeans on a plane). 4. Wash your hands often What do I do if I think I’m infected? 1. Self isolate 2. Talk to a healthcare provider and get tested 3. Use coverings on the rash to limit spreading it to others 4. Don’t pop or scratch lesions 5. Wear a mask until all symptoms have resolved A note from Gretchen Yeninas, dean of student affairs “Wilkes University is working closely with the regional and state departments of health to prepare for when a member of our community needs assistance with testing or treatment. “Students should call Health and Wellness Services anytime for confidential assistance and care: 570-408-4370 or campus ext. 4730.” Percentage of Monkeypox cases in Northeast States New jersey 11.3% Pennsylvania 11.7% Maryland 10.6% New York 66.5% Information compiled from the CDC and Sage USA Current and former presidents visit area in same week The Beacon/Ariel Reed President Joe Biden addresses the students and faculty at in the Martz Center of Wilkes University, where he spoke in support of ending gun violence. Photo courtesy of Bernard Socha Former President Donald Trump held a rally at Mohegan Sun Arena in WilkesBarre Township. Trump gave endorsements to Mehmet Oz and Doug Mastriano. �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 News 5 Archived photos and tour reveal true extent of flood damage By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief FIfty years after the floods of Hurricane Agnes damaged and destroyed parts of thenWilkes College in 1972, the now-university is observing the memories with a public tour, open to anyone in the community. In a collaboration between the Wilkes University Archives and the Eugene S. Farley Library, the Sordoni Art Gallery, the history and integrative media departments, the WCLH radio station and web services, a walk-through tour was able to be set up. There are 12 stations designated across campus in front of certain buildings that detail the extensive damage done by the flood. Each sign includes a map of the locations for all buildings that were extensively damaged, including Weckesser Hall, the library, Kirby Hall, Chase Hall and more. Aside from photographs and a short biography, each sign also offers a QR code and link to follow, www.wilkes.edu/agnes, where more photos and statistics of flood damage are revealed. Additionally, interviews organized by WCLH, WIlkes' radio station, are offered of staff reflecting on the event. For the extended story, interviews and reflections, go to www.thewilkesbeacon.com Photos are courtesy of the Wilkes University E. S. Farley Library Archives. For the entire collection of photos, visit the repository, available online at: wilkes.libguides.com/library/archives Above: A photo of the stage at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for Performing Arts before the flood. Below: The same stage, damaged after flooding, littered with debris. Above: Within the basement of the Eugene S. Farley Library, an unindentified, presumed staff member, assesses the destroyed bookshelves and materials. Left: Several instruments were damaged and destroyed due to flooding including pianos, organs and other instruments and materials for musical performances. This photo shows an example of one such grand piano destroyed from the disaster. Above, right, middle and center: A before and after of the past men's dining hall, which has been since razed. The dining area became filled with river water, damaging the floors and furniture. The middle photo in particular shows the commons area filled with water, while the right shows the dining area filled with mud. �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 6 Fly Fishing Club returns for its second year at Wilkes By Maddy Kinard News Editor Fly Fishing Club is back for its second year on campus, reeling in new students and welcoming them to their relaxing, fun environment. The club was created in 2021 by junior environmental engineering major, Jacob Smith and sophomore undeclared major, Randall Zack who also serve as club president and treasurer respectively. Fishing all the time as a kid, Smith grew up with a river in his front yard. His love for the sport continued into his formative years, leading him to fish all throughout high school as well, frequently competitively. Zack and Smith had met and fished during this time together and eventually, both ended up at Wilkes. “I said, ‘well we don’t have one here, would you want to do it with me?’ and then we found some other interest and went from there,” said Smith. Fly fishing differentiates from regular fishing, or spin fishing, in that instead of using something weighted to throw when casting, fly fishing lines are bigger and weighted, serving as the weight itself. The club hosts many events and outings, the most recent being a trash clean-up at Seven Tubs Nature Area in Luzerne County. During this event, they were able to pick up a truckload of trash and finished by fishing in the stream. They also fish in various locations, some being Scranton, Lackawanna and Keystone College as they frequently collaborate with their club. Beyond going out and fishing together, members of the club are interested in the conservation of streams. In the past, they have written letters to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on proposed regulations, either in support or against it. They are also currently working on bringing in speakers, one being a man who builds rods from scratch and another to talk about his career in Fish and Boat. One important aspect of the club is that you do not have to know how to fly fish to join. “The best part about the club is the opportunity to teach other people how to fly fish,” said Zack. “The hope is that at least one person will discover a passion for the outdoors. Fly fishing is more than fishing, it’s about taking a step back from your busy life and appreciating nature.” For those who may be nervous about joining, Smith defines the club as “super laid back.” New ideas or critiques are welcomed. The club also has all the necessary gear for members and is working on gaining Student Government funding to pay for fishing licenses for those who do not have one. The club saw great success on club day, having 35 students sign up to join. For others wanting to get involved, the club holds scheduled meeting times usually on the second Thursday of every month in Cohen 119. Their next meeting will be Sept. 15 at 12p.m. Photo Courtesy Jacob Smith Josh Hamilton (closer student) and Robert Davis (farther), fly fish at a private spot during their spring break trip in Schuylkill county. The club cleans up at Seven Tubs Nature Area in Luzerne County. LEFT TO RIGHT: Alexis Reedy, Trever Welsh, Ian Allison, Olivia Rudell, Randal Zack, Robert Davis, Jacob Smith, Daniel Pentka �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Patricia Moss-Vreeland to give lecture at Sordoni Art Gallery By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Asst. Editor On Aug. 26 the Sordoni Art Gallery opened a new exhibit titled “In Search of Meaning: Memory Becomes Us,” and will host an art in context feature lecture with the artist Patricia Moss-Vreeland at 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. “In Search of Meaning: Memory Becomes Us” will feature paintings, prints, mixed media, interviews, poetry, scientific texts and videos by Moss-Vreeland that reflect how she connects memory to our senses, place and identity. The pieces are designed so that each person who views her works can find something that they relate to. Moss-Vreeland is an artist, author, poet and leader who focuses on the relationship between art, memory and creativity and explores the social impact of memory through sciences, history and language. “Patricia sent the gallery a proposal to display her work,” said Heather Sincavage, associate professor of art and the director of the Sordoni Art Gallery. “Her work touches creative writing, psychology, neuroscience and gender studies so I felt this was an interesting intersection of disciplines that could access the work and see their curriculum reflected in it.” The artist will speak about her work that will be featured in the exhibit and about the collaborative research she did at the Monell Chemical Senses Center and with Dr. Dasa Zeithmaova at the University of Oregon. “I think that an opportunity like this on campus is amazing,” said junior business major Rebecca Timko. “Experiencing a lecture like this can be a life and career changing experience for students and this artist’s work can appeal and influence students across all majors and backgrounds.” Moss-Vreeland has been exhibited internationally and nationally for over 40 years and she has collaborated with neuroscientists to explore the human brain and memory for over 20 years. So far, her works have been displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Holocaust Museum in Houston. “I am excited to be exhibiting where students have access to the gallery,” said Moss-Vreeland. “I have had numerous interactions with students who have responded in such stimulating ways and I appreciate hearing their thoughts and connections to the art and concepts. It becomes a dynamic part of my work and exhibition. There is a table with a response box, inviting participation and by stopping and reflecting, you can experience the ways in which creativity guides us.” Moss-Vreeland tends to experiment with different kinds of materials to stretch her own boundaries and the boundaries of others. She also enjoys having conversations with scientists about memory and learning. She believed that it would be interesting to reveal the process of the artist and scientist talking with one another about their work and their views and representing that in the exhibition. Since Moss-Vreeland is inspired by nature, she uses it in all of her artworks and her media. She enjoys capturing the feeling of something and not just the way that it appears; what she imagines and observes is woven together to create her art styles. “I have found this exciting,” said MossVreeland. “I talk about the art and science of memory as intertwined spaces and show that art and memory are subjective, creative, interpretative and have social impact. Imagination moves us forward.” Moss-Vreeland will speak for about 45 minutes and will answer questions from the public. A free wine and cheese reception will follow the lecture and is free and open to everyone. Parking will be available for visitors in the Karambelas Center located directly outside of the Sordoni Art Gallery. “In Search of Meaning: Memory Becomes Us” incorporates many types of media, such as paintings, prints, artist books, poetry and videos in the show. Pictured here is “Habitat Lost” by Moss-Vreeland and is one of the many oil paintings inside the exhibition. Photo courtesy of Jordan Daniel This piece of art titled “Rhapsody” is a wall hanging print and framed by a pigment print. On the wall hanging print is a poem titled “Rhapsody” by Moss-Vreeland and allows the viewer to reflect upon recalling memories. �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Cocktail of the Week: Pretty, pink & sweet Starburst shot By Haley Katona Ordering shots at the bar or pouring the ice. shots at home can be monotonous Close and shake for about 20-25 with the same round of whiskey or seconds to get an even blend. If you do vodka but this shot will help “sweeten” not have a cocktail shaker, you can take things up. another empty cup and pour the total ingredients over ice into the empty cup Ingredients: and continue doing so until it is blended. Equal part any brand of vanilla vodka Take two small bowls and place a thin Equal part Watermelon Puckers layer of simple syrup in one and pink sugar (Schnapps) in the other. Pick up your shot glass and Equal part sweet and sour mix place it bottom side up into the syrup, trying to make sure a layer of syrup coats You will need shot glasses, ice and the rim.Then, gently place it into the sugar something to shake the liquor in. and rotate it until the rim of the shot glass This optional but for a pretty garnish, has a pink sugary coating. use simple syrup, pink sugar and mini Cut a little slice into the mini starburst pink starburst. and put it on the edge. You can add as many as you prefer. Directions: Pour the mix from the shaker or cup Add ice to a cocktail shaker. into the shot glass and voila! Depending on how many shots you would like to make, add equal amounts The Beacon reminds everyone to of the vanilla vodka, watermelon drink responsibly...and that the schnapps and sweet and sour mix over legal drinking age is 21. ac The Beacon/Haley Katona This quick and easy replica of the candy only consists of a few ingredients. o n B um Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Mary On A Cross - Ghost Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: toxic energy - blackbear, The Used s p B e Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check us out this week’s bumps to the right. Maddy Kinard, News Editor: New Gold - Gorillaz, Tame Impala, Bootie Brown Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley I I Morgan Rich, LA&E Asst. Editor: the lakes - Taylor Swift Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Dreams - Fleetwood Mac David Marks, Lead Layout Designer: Charcoal Baby - Blood Orange �The Beacon – September 14, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Programming Board presents ‘goat yoga’ alongside Chemistry Club By Wren Haze Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer Programming board hosted Goat Yoga on Sept. 8. The event was a repeat of Treat Yourself Thursday that occurred last fall and similar elements were implemented. Chemistry Club also collaborated with Programming Board. Members of the club made scented sugar cubes, which were then used for sugar scrubs. “We’re using a hot plate with a melt pour soap base and some coconut oil,” said junior biochemistry major and chemistry club president Daphne Shencavitz. “Then, we pour it in molds with sugar mixed with essential oils and vitamin E oil. Then, we let them harden.” Students were able to either create their own sugar scrubs or pick out ones that were pre-made by the club. Some of the sugar scrub scents included lemon, blood orange, lavender and sandalwood. The event included a grab-and-go, which allowed students to pick out claw hair clips, guashas, face roller and build their own charcuterie boards. There also was coloring and friendship bracelets for stress relief. “We wanted to make a twist with the event and added Buttinhead Farms for goat yoga,” said sophomore political science and history double major Kaelin Hughes, who is also Programming Board president. As for the actual Goat Yoga, attendees were able to go inside the pen and play with the goats, whereas others attempted yoga poses while these goats were placed on top or near them. The goats were easily approachable and photographable as the ones in their shirts were ready to strike a pose. Events like these are meant for students to sit back and relax during a week that may have been stressful. However, planning events and attracting students to attend can be a challenge. 9 “The goats make it really interactive,” said sophomore nursing major and community service chair of programming board, Lauren Beaver. “They also draw a crowd no matter what.” According to Hughes, preparations for this event and others from Programming Board have been in the works since the summer. Due to certain circumstances, the board has been condensed, which left programming board with some issues with event planning. “It was confusing to switch between contacts and coordinate for goat yoga but other than that I think it pulled itself together,” said Hughes. All photos taken by Wren Haze. From left, Rebecca Lunbinski (first-year, undecided) and Emma Hosier (first-year, education), made fast fast friends with one of the goats at Programming Board’s yoga event. Student 2323 Student Housing Housing 23-24 3-244 Open House 0 enHouse Sunday Oct 9, 2022 ** 12-2PM 1212 2-2P UPSCALE UPSCALE CLEAN CLEAN ALL ALL INCLUSIVE INCLUSIVE APARTMENTS APA TMENT Availability Availability mix mix and and match match SINGLES SINGLES or or 2,3,4 2,3,4 BR B MANSION + 33 and MANSION STYLE STYLE LIVING LIVING+ and 4+ 4+ BR BR West West River River Lofts Lo s REGISTER NOW FOR NEXT YEAR HOUSING To register: WWW. ZNPROPERTIES.COM or Call or text 570-592-3113 for your invitation Tours are approximately 20 minutes long. There was no shortage of goat’s at Programming Board’s recent goat yoga. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED! �The Beacon – September 14, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Programming Board presents ‘goat yoga’ alongside Chemistry Club By Wren Haze Life, Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer Programming board hosted Goat Yoga on Sept. 8. The event was a repeat of Treat Yourself Thursday that occurred last fall and similar elements were implemented. Chemistry Club also collaborated with Programming Board. Members of the club made scented sugar cubes, which were then used for sugar scrubs. “We’re using a hot plate with a melt pour soap base and some coconut oil,” said junior biochemistry major and chemistry club president Daphne Shencavitz. “Then, we pour it in molds with sugar mixed with essential oils and vitamin E oil. Then, we let them harden.” Students were able to either create their own sugar scrubs or pick out ones that were pre-made by the club. Some of the sugar scrub scents included lemon, blood orange, lavender and sandalwood. The event included a grab-and-go, which allowed students to pick out claw hair clips, guashas, face roller and build their own charcuterie boards. There also was coloring and friendship bracelets for stress relief. “We wanted to make a twist with the event and added Buttinhead Farms for goat yoga,” said sophomore political science and history double major Kaelin Hughes, who is also Programming Board president. As for the actual Goat Yoga, attendees were able to go inside the pen and play with the goats, whereas others attempted yoga poses while these goats were placed on top or near them. The goats were easily approachable and photographable as the ones in their shirts were ready to strike a pose. Events like these are meant for students to sit back and relax during a week that may have been stressful. However, planning events and attracting students to attend can be a challenge. 9 “The goats make it really interactive,” said sophomore nursing major and community service chair of programming board, Lauren Beaver. “They also draw a crowd no matter what.” According to Hughes, preparations for this event and others from Programming Board have been in the works since the summer. Due to certain circumstances, the board has been condensed, which left programming board with some issues with event planning. “It was confusing to switch between contacts and coordinate for goat yoga but other than that I think it pulled itself together,” said Hughes. All photos taken by Wren Haze. From left, Rebecca Lunbinski (first-year, undecided) and Emma Hosier (first-year, education), made fast fast friends with one of the goats at Programming Board’s yoga event. Student 2323 Student Housing Housing 23-24 3-244 Open House 0 enHouse Sunday Oct 9, 2022 ** 12-2PM 1212 2-2P UPSCALE UPSCALE CLEAN CLEAN ALL ALL INCLUSIVE INCLUSIVE APARTMENTS APA TMENT Availability Availability mix mix and and match match SINGLES SINGLES or or 2,3,4 2,3,4 BR B MANSION + 33 and MANSION STYLE STYLE LIVING LIVING+ and 4+ 4+ BR BR West West River River Lofts Lo s REGISTER NOW FOR NEXT YEAR HOUSING To register: WWW. ZNPROPERTIES.COM or Call or text 570-592-3113 for your invitation Tours are approximately 20 minutes long. There was no shortage of goat’s at Programming Board’s recent goat yoga. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED! �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Join book club and start reading “Holding Up the Universe” By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor The Book Club is starting back up again since its start last semester and members are already joining fast. The first book members will read this month is “Holding Up the Universe” by Jennifer Niven, and the first meeting to discuss the book will be Sept. 25 at noon. at the Barnes & Noble located in the Arena Hub Plaza. “I’m not a very outgoing person but I really like reading and sometimes when I’m reading books I’m like, ‘God, I wish I had someone else to talk to about it.’ So that way they counteract what I’m thinking about,” said senior communication studies major and leader of the book club, Victoria Yother. Book lovers and those who enjoy discussing literature will have plenty of opportunities to do so if they sign up for this club. The club reads one book a month and at the end of every month all the members will meet to discuss the particular book. At this time, members are responsible for acquiring their own books. “I wanted to be a part of a club that would fit with my busy schedule and encourages me to interact with people who love reading like I do,” said junior musical theater major, Jay’na Johnson. “Holding Up the Universe” was chosen after Yother sent a Google form via email to existing members and those who recently joined. “Holding Up the Universe” tells the story of a growing relationship between two teenagers, Libby Strout and Jack Masselin, who end up in group counseling after being involved in a bullying game. “I think it’ll be a great book to read for our first meeting with an easy lighthearted topic,” said Yother. “I’m looking forward to our first meeting and getting to know everyone else in the group as well.” Many new members joined this year after discovering the club’s existence in Today at Wilkes emails. They are excited to begin reading different books, discussing their ideas and thoughts with others and making new friends. “It sounds like a very open environment so don’t be afraid to jump in,” said firstyear criminology and psychology major, Skylar Forella. Graphic by David Marks If interested in signing up for the book club or to ask any questions about the club, email Yother at victoria.yother@ wilkes.edu ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Save the date: Upcoming campus events Kearney & Company Campus Visit Sordoni Art Gallery’s Art in Context Feature Lecture Programming Board’s Ping Pong & Pizza Family Day 2022: Celebrate Your Family of Colonels 9/14 9/15 9/15 9/17 Home Football Game: Wilkes vs. Widener University Home Women’s Soccer Match: Wilkes vs. University of Scranton Programming Board’s “Get Groovy” Event National Society of Professional Engineers Networking Event 9/17 9/20 9/22 9/25 Home Field Hockey Match: Wilkes vs. Ramapo College Programming Board’s Giveaway Riverfront Parks’ Chalk Fest and Hydromania Sordoni Art Gallery’s Art in Your Hands Workshop and Birthday 9/28 9/29 10/1 10/6 �In February, I was accepted into a national internship program called the Disney College Program. The Disney college program is a four- to 12-month paid internship program located in Anaheim, Calif. and Orlando, Fla. that offers on-the-job experience, networking opportunities, educational classes and more. 'r~ \ 7~ The Beacon/Morgan Rich i¼ul 0 , Rich shows off her acceptance into the Disney college program. For most college students, there is a certain time in their undergraduate life when they must complete an internship or sommething similar. For me, that journey began on Sept. 12 with The Walt Disney Co. Life, Arts & Entertainment Asst. Editor By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment About four weeks before the arrival date, the company sends the student their onboarding paperwork, which includes where the student will work on their program. The Walt Disney Co. allows their interns to work anywhere on their property, which can include the resorts, parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Disney Springs. Interns are also expected to work at least 30 hours per week but can expect to work 50 or more hours during the busier seasons. I found out that I would be working in merchandise on the boardwalk at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, a hotel and entertainment complex. I will work the cash register, stock merchandise, sell packaged items, help and talk to guests, stock the backrooms and even more that I will find out about when I get there. Being a full-time student also grants me the opportunity to have a study hall every Tuesday and Thursday so I can attend my online class and complete my schoolwork. During the program, participants are expected to follow the company’s look for employees, who are referred to as cast members and will work the shifts that full-time and part-time cast members do not want. Although it does not sound like the most glamorous of internships to some extent, going into the program with a positive mindset and attitude will set everyone up for success. As a communication studies major, my role and location are specific to help me in my area of study because I will investigate the heritage, culture and business of a Fortune 500 company, explore career and professional 11 development opportunities, engage with professional communication scholars, work in a collaborative team environment, assist in day-to-day media questions, issues, crisis management, cast communication and contribute to the development of communication strategies that enhance and protect the reputation of the company. I will also communicate personally with guests and contribute to the company’s rhetorical strategies, utilize interpersonal communication skills while interacting with guests and fellow cast members from different cultures around the world, participate in weekly exclusive events that showcase possible career opportunities in the company specific to communication studies, participate in learning how to brand within public relations and I will learn about the company’s film, rhetoric and public relations history. During my internship, I will be fortunate enough to receive an apartment with my own bedroom and bathroom. My apartment is also only about a 13-minute drive to where I will work. This internship has been a dream of mine since I was in the eighth grade and I am extremely happy that I will finally get to live out one of my dreams. According to the company, out of the 12,000 students that apply every semester, only 20 percent get accepted. I will be doing my internship from September until January 2023. Come back every week to hear more about my magical memories with the Disney college program. What is the Disney College Program? The Beacon - September 14, 2022 t- �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 News 12 Henry’s Dining Hall holds grand reopening after months of renovation and construction Wilkes students check into the dining hall and pass through the archway where President Greg Cant dropped by earlier in the day to ceremoniously re-open the space with a ribbon cutting. Photos by Ryan Evans Page design by Emily Cherkauskas �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 News Administrators gather around the salad bar, complete with all the fixings. The salad bar is just one of many upgrades to Henry’s Dining Hall. Above: Students enjoy their meals and companionship. According to Wilkes, Henry’s Dining Hall affords seating for up to 452. Left: For those who might like to study or just enjoy a little quiet time with their meal, the space in the back of the dining hall affords that exact opportunity. It offers lots of natural lighting, a common theme throughout the dining hall. 13 This dedication to Gilda & Frank Cuscela Sr. was done in 1999 by their son, Frank, a successful, local businessman who found himself in a position to give back to the community that welcomed his parents from Italy. Left, above: Aramark senior district marketing manager Vince McNeil, left, and regional graphic designer Hannah O’Brien, right, handed out swag and celebrated. ‘We’re here to celebrate the Grand Re-opening of Henry’s Dining Hall,’ McNeil said. ‘There’s been renovations, new stations, new offerings, and a new menu. We’re celebrating University Leadership and bringing some fanfare.” Left, below: Stevie Blatz, of Stevie Blatz Entertainment out of Easton, Pa., provided music for diners and administration alike during the reopening. �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniels Sports - Baylee Guedes ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Morgan Rich SECTION STAFF WRITERS News - Zach Paraway LA&E/Opinion - Wren Haze Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh DESIGNERS Lead Designer - David Marks Interested in joining The Beacon? Several positions are open! To learn more about what you can do, contact: Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Kalen Churcher at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: Breanna.Ebisch@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Monarchy: not something to romanticize On Sept. 8, Queen Elizabeth II died after a reign that lasted 70 years, seven months and two days—the longest in British history. With a tumultuous event sending a rift through the digital world, we are once again reminding our readers to be mindful and cautious of misinformation they find while browsing the Internet. With such a divisive entity that is the concept of a royal family existing, conflict naturally occurs. For example, Reductress, a verified Twitter account, tweeted that the queen’s beloved corgis would be buried alive with her—yes, buried alive. If one would click on Reductress’s profile, they would see the bio explaining it is a fake news magazine. Additionally, clicking on the link to the supposed article would lead to a page explaining the claim was all a joke. Although it was an excellent example of dark humor and satire, a large portion of online users did not understand this sarcasm. Tens of thousands of Twitter users ended up believing this to be true, thanks to the verification and prominence it had as a search result for “Queen Elizabeth II” on the day of her death. The post was liked and shared hundreds of thousands of times, and this does not include the number of users who saw the post without engaging with it. This is just one example of misinformation spreading online, and it will continue to get worse if online readers do not understand media literacy. Unfortunately, many users don’t read past a headline or the first sentence of an article, thus leading to ignorance prevailing. Regardless of whatever your views are on Queen Elizabeth II, or just the concept of a monarchy in general, there is something we all can agree on: Do not fall into the hole of fake news. The royal family in particular has become the subject of salacious news and gossip, to the point where what’s actually important to the world is suppressed by such gossip, thanks to tabloid culture taking advantage of readers that lack media literacy. You can enjoy the entertainment and drama that the royal family brings with what comes about with an entire family being put in the spotlight, but you should not romanticize them, as fantastical as royal life seems. Queen Elizabeth II was one of, if not the most public figures on the planet, while having to remain the most private. We don’t know what truly goes on behind closed doors, despite news outlets claiming an unnamed source came out and said this or that. As desperate as the infamous tabloids and news outlets can act in trying to peek into the life of the mysterious royal family, we will never know the full story of anything that happens behind the walls of the palaces. Even with the queen’s death bringing international attention to the small country, with eyes focusing on Britain, misinformation will continue to flourish, as it always will with the royal family. Readers will continue to read what satisfies their curiosity and bias, even if it is misinterpreted or factually incorrect. If certain royal family members or staff try to give their side of the story, that is all they can give. We don’t know the other side. Magazines and tabloids will continue to report on what makes them money and clicks, no matter what amount of truth or falsity it is based from. The future is going to bring up many stories now that the queen, the head of state, is gone. Because of that, it is up to the readers to do proper research and mindful reading. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon -September 14, 2022 Opinion 15 The politics of Wilkes parking: a commuter’s perspective By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer I can remember my very first day as a first-year student at Wilkes in the fall of 2019. As a commuter, the 40-minute drive to Wilkes required its own mental preparation. I arrive here fairly early, I’d say before 8:30 a.m., but imagine my surprise to find the lot almost full...the big, extensive lot behind the student center, almost entirely filled. By the grace of whatever higher power there is, I managed to get one of the last spots, but it gave me even more anxiety. Fast-forward three years, and I can say the parking situation is not much better. And, depending on the time of year, I would say it is even worse. I will concede that this school year, although we are still in the early days, has been an outlier. While the beginning of the semester is always a hectic time for college life, the parking situation thus far has been beyond expectations. Now I will begin to address some of the elephants in the room. I have heard that the handing out of parking passes this year was disorganized and perhaps a bit too generous. I think this is quite obvious; just try to find a spot anywhere on campus after 10 a.m. You’ll end up on the roof of the parking garage, should you be so lucky. Now, I am not going to just complain and whine without proposing some possible solutions. I think upperclassmen, faculty, and commuters should have priority when it comes to parking. For instance, when we schedule classes, we do so in order of graduation year. I firmly believe that commuters should have first dibs when it comes to parking, in terms of obtaining a pass and having open spaces in the a lot. I do not need my own personal spot, just a chance to get a desirable spot. I’m sorry residents, but we literally cannot attend school without a car—we use it for our education, not just going on a Target run. The district where I attended high school, while having countless shortcomings, had enough foresight to designate a specific lot for student drivers, thus making transportation to and from school considerably easier. It should be possible on the Wilkes campus. This may not be practical, but I believe on the parking pass application, we choose whether we park in a main lot or at the Ralston complex, so why can we not get more specific, and choose a lot that we prefer to part in most of the time? I know it might not be this simple. But, to put it bluntly, I if I must pay $120 a semester for a parking pass, I would like to be guaranteed a spot. It should at The Beacon/Rudy Urenovich Walking out of the Henry Student Center greets one with the horizon of a seemingly endless parking lot. the very least be assured there are enough spaces to accommodate for everyone who must purchase a pass. I understand there are extenuating circumstances, events and visitors. The other week, even President Joe Biden made an appearance at Wilkes. But if classes are in session, we the students should be the first priority when it comes to rights such as parking. We pay our dues through tuition, run countless clubs, programs, and organizations and make up the school’s identity. In short there would be no school without the students. I think a little more consideration, planning, and perhaps even a little money could be used to ensure we have necessities like decent parking. I would like to end a high note, however. I must say I was delighted when I was handed my parking pass and discovered it was a placard as opposed to those awful little stickers that reek havoc on my windshield and were always done in garish colors. Some improvement. It really is the small things. heart disease, kidney diseases and more according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Even more health issues arise when caffeine is used as a replacement for sleep. Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep a day. When caffeine is used to extend the amount of time spent awake, it can lead to sleep deprivation. According to the Cleveland Clinic, lack of sleep can lead to short-term problems like impaired memory and poor quality of life and longterm problems like diabetes, heart attack or stroke. Although the stimulant caffeine is not inherently harmful in smaller doses, poor dietary and sleep habits often coincide with caffeine addiction. When we normalize or even trivialize the effects of daily coffee consumption, many may not realize these potential dangers. Drug addiction, regardless of substance severity, should never be normalized. Luckily, you can limit the negative consequences of caffeine addiction. Using a straw and rinsing your mouth after drinking a caffeinated beverage can prevent dental issues. Drinking black or unsweetened coffee and tea reduces sugar intake. The NIH also recommends that caffeine should be consumed over six hours before going to bed to reduce sleep disturbances. Like most treats in our diet, coffee and tea can be safe as long as we know the risks and consume in moderation. Caffeine and college students: an unhealthy relationship By Sydney Allabaugh Opinion Staff Writer On an average morning, you can find me in line at the campus Starbucks for my daily coffee. I am one of millions in my age demographic who have a caffeine dependency. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world. Should daily use of this stimulant be this widely accepted? Luckily, consuming under 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is generally safe and can even have some health benefits. However, excessive caffeine usage can lead to a variety of side effects including insomnia, nervousness, heart complications and muscle tremors, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can become a serious problem if someone struggles with caffeine use disorder and requires more caffeine than average to feel alert. Additionally, caffeine consumption by means of coffee and energy drinks can pose additional health risks. Coffee and energy drinks are both acidic, which potentially can lead to enamel erosion according to the NIH. Sweet caffeinated drinks from Starbucks and Dunkin’ and energy drinks like Red Bull also commonly contain double the daily recommended amount of sugar. This high sugar content combined with high acidity can lead to tooth decay. High sugar intake alone can lead to obesity, �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Opinion 16 “Finch” review: an inclusive self-care app for students By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief The problem with many health and selfcare apps is that following or understanding information and goals gets overwhelming or annoying too quickly—rendering their selling point useless. In fact, “Finch” is the opposite of that. Available on the Apple and Google Play stores, you get to control how many goals to follow, what notifications you receive and what aspects of your life journeys you can focus on. In “Finch,” you become the owner of a pet baby bird, with the goal of nurturing it to let it grow up and learn its personality, including its likes and dislikes. One may be typically reminded of a “Tamagotchi” pet, but unlike “Tamagotchi,” the goal is to not let your pet die, as that isn’t the point of “Finch.” Taking hold of self-care “Finch” allows you to focus on certain journeys that offer specific sets of goals to follow. Some examples include hygiene, exercise, mindfulness, tidiness, work-life harmony, sleep and more. You are also able to create your own journey. You are able to start all of those journeys together, with as many goals as you want to follow—there is no limit or minimum. There is an incentive to following your goals. With each goal completed, you are awarded with in-game currency that can be used to buy clothes or furniture for your pet. As you complete more, you can reach milestones and allow your pet to grow from a baby to an adult. I have noticed the app encourages and focuses on the lifestyle of taking one day at a time. You just focus on the goals you have for the day and reap the rewards of completing them. As someone who would constantly worry about what I would have to do for the entirety of a week, “Finch” has definitely slowed my mind down and led me to focus more on the idea of taking control of each day for what it offers. It’s honestly perfect for a college student trying to adjust to the new lifestyle, either commuter or resident. If you are struggling to get into a routine, you can take on the simplest to the most energizing of goal, from setting a goal to brushing your hair or cleaning your clothes, to following unlimited yoga exercises. Pricing and privacy The app offers a premium subscription mode for any interested users, with yearly or monthly plans. The yearly plan rounds out to a little over three dollars a month. The creative goals and activities you can engage in as a non-premium user give much flexibility, still offering an extremely strong core. The app is transparent and shows you all the features and activities you can get with premium, such as more in-depth tutorials and prompts for exercises or journaling, or more app customization. Although I do not currently have a subscription, I would recommend it if one were interested. The creators explain in the terms of service that they make money off premium subscriptions, rather than selling data to advertisers. Even the non-premium app does not include any advertisements, unlike other apps or games. Expectational privacy is a need for many users, including myself—especially now in the current era. On the subject of privacy: There is no cloud saving; all local data must be saved manually, which is compressed into a zip file, with your control of where it is saved. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend “Finch.” It’s flexible, inclusive to everyone, judgement-free—and cute. I was nowhere near able to include all features available in the app, so I recommend anyone to check it out and see what it has to offer for a memorable selfcare journey. Screenshot by Emily Cherkauskas Wren’s watchlist: “The Case Study of Vanitas” and a chaotic plot By Wren Haze LA&E/Opinion Staff Writer Spoiler alert: This story contains plot reveals. This week, I finally found time to finish the second part of the first season of “The Case Study of Vanitas,” and this show does not give me a break. The show follows a vampire of the Crimson Moon, Noé Archiviste, a 19-yearold man who is in search of the Book of Vanitas. First things first, the show has me hooked by its beautiful animation style and color choice. Archiviste’s color palette is white, black and purple and with darker skin. I enjoy that the author included a person of color, as many animes do not include them and when they do, they are perceived in a bad light. In this series, Archiviste is the main character. Archiviste ends up finding the book of Vanitas and coincidentally not, meets the owner of the book to be named… Vanitas. Shocker. The second part of the first season starts shining light into Vanitas’ past. In the first part of the season, his past was put on the back burner and left readers to make assumptions. However, I discovered that nothing catches Twitter’s attention like a man with black hair and bright blue eyes. I still hate him. The second part focuses a lot on the Beast of Gévaudan and the rumor about its recent reappearance. Vanitas and Noé travel to Gévaudan to investigate this issue. I got to see how much trust Noé puts into Vanitas and how much Vanitas cares for him. Noé coincidentally gets taken by the Beast of Gévaudan and we get insight about the truth of Gévaudan. This part of the series shines a light on how corrupt the government is and how easily they twist and lie about things. This is where the chaos begins. After Noé returns back to Vanitas, Vanitas’ book has gone missing. The book is in possession of Chloé d’Apchier, who is using it to end her own life and get retribution for the d’Apchier. However, the plan backfires on her as she discovers that Jean-Jacques Chastel is in love with her. Nothing is cuter than finding out your lover is reciprocating your feelings just when you are about to die. Well, she does not die. Shocking. This series does it’s best to not kill off characters and instead gives them savior by the one and only Vanitas. I understand that this trope adds to the plot and shows importance of Vanitas and his stupid little book that shows the same animation every time he uses it, but it gets old. I would have enjoyed the Beast of Gévaudan arc a lot more if they killed off a character. Just when things seem to end for every character in this series, Vanitas’ younger brother appears out of nowhere and uses Dominique DeSade, a childhood love interest for Archiviste, to lure Noé out. Does it work? Absolutely. This is where stuff gets crazy. Everyone is fighting each other and suddenly Vanitas wants to kill Archiviste. Why? I am not entirely sure, but all I know is once they make-up it all lovey dovey at the end. Something homosexual was definitely happening, but again not my issue. The show was very pleasing to watch and though the storyline was slightly confusing, I would rate this series as a 9/10. �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Opinion 17 Meet the Majors This week’s major: Nursing Interviews and photos by Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor Every week, The Beacon will offer a chance for majors to be placed in the spotlight. Each student that gets chosen will have a few words to express why they chose the major and how they feel it will benefit them in the future. Deiry Contreras Senior Gianna Picco Junior “My favorite part of nursing is being able to help someone or give them something that they can take with them and thrive with once they are back on their feet. I chose nursing because I love being able to help people. I like being able to help someone when they are not at their best and watch them grow and succeed. My goal is to impact the lives of many.” “I think everyone should have basic knowledge on how to stay healthy and understand what the proper procedures are in emergencies. I wanted to have that basic knowledge and go beyond it. I enjoy applying what I learned in nursing into my life. I hope to leave a positive impact on my patients, not just in their physical health but also their mental health. I understand that being in the hospital takes a great toll on people and I would like to be their relief throughout their stay.” Photos: The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Allison Shurock Senior “I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. My two biggest inspirations are both my mom and my aunt who are both RNs in the ICU. I actually recently accepted a job after completing my externship this summer as a labor and delivery RN at Geisinger in Danville upon graduation. I am so excited to begin my journey as a nurse.” Matthew Stankiewicz Senior “I’ve always seemed to have an intrinsic motive to help people. Nursing will allow me to do this everyday. Nursing also has countless avenues to explore to truly find my calling in life. After graduation and passing the NCLEX, I plan to work in an emergency department locally before traveling with the end goal of becoming a flight nurse.” �Name: The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Class: Opinion Date: Fallen Phrase 18 Need to unwind? some Word pyramid Relax your brain with Not over yetexercises Class: Date: Word Pyramid E u K , u s e r s s r , N G I S N T O s HOW TO Level CluesPLAY: H O T T Y N I E HOW TO PLAY: Create as many words possible with the letters present in the word wheel. When creating a word, each word can only use a spoke once and must not repeat. Every word must contain the letter in the center of the wheel. www.edu-games.org HINT for the base word that contains all letters in the wheel: “One who meditates and ponders." fallen-phrase Puzzles compiled by Emily Cherkauskas Puzzle templates courtesy of www.edu-games.org Solutions FALLEN PHRASE SOLUTION "Everything is okay in the end, if it is not ok, then it is not the end." Do you own a business? Have an upcoming event? word-pyramid www.edu-games.org Advertise with The Beacon and reach up to thousands of clients per week! For more information, please contact: Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu T Word wheel Start from the top, going down the pyramid. Each level includes the To take legal action. letters from previous letter, which one letter added. Keep solving the Withoutthe a doubt. new word. A bag, satchel. To break out. HINTS: A large area of land. Level 3:Enthusiasm. To take legal action. Level 4: Without a doubt. Level 5:Successful A bag or andsatchel. appealing. Level 6: Breaks out or bursts. Level 7: A large area of land, typically for farm animals. Level 8: A person who is succesful and appealing. 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: Sizes range from 1/8 of a page up to a full page Advertisements are in full color Can be ran in one issue up to an entire semester K S N O N HOW TO PLAY: The fallen letters of the phrase above must be placed back in their correct order. Each letter is directly below the column it fell from, and it must be figured out which row the letters should be placed in. For additional help, cross each letter out once placed. HINT: “Not over yet." r PLACE YOUR AD HERE! A . O V T E E F I T E Y N I T D S H E R T H D N I I I e I WORD WHEEL SOLUTION WORD WHEEL SOLUTION Base word solution: Thoughtful. p t p H Level 3: Sue. Level 4: Sure. Level 5: Purse. Level 6: Erupts. Level 7: Pasture. Level 8: Superstar. r E Fallen phrase Some remaining words: flout, fought, glout, glut, got, goth, gout, gut, holt, hot, hut, loft, lot, loth, lout, oft, ought, out, tho, thou, though, thought, thoughtful, thug, toft, tofu, tog, tolu, tot, tough, tout, tuft, tug, tut and tutu. Name: �Sports 19 Sports The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu FB: New quarterback helps Wilkes start season off strong By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor For many, the best season of the year has finally begun… football season. The Colonels started off their season with a big win over the Keystone College Giants, taking the game 48-21. This win was momentous for Wilkes as they are being led by new sophomore quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez.  In his first start and first win, Rodriguez went 18 for 23 while putting up 217 passing yards as well as throwing two touchdown passes and adding a rushing touchdown. “It is an honor (to be a starter) and it is something that I had to be patient and work for during my freshman year,” said Rodriguez. “The moment is finally here and I am just hoping that I can continue to produce and help carry this team to a championship. Funny enough, it was actually my birthday on the day of the game, so it was the best birthday gift I could ask for.” The coaching staff is looking forward to what Rodriguez is going to do for the team throughout the entirety of the season.   “Isaiah job of "Isaiah did did aa great great job of managing managing the the game rst start, game in in his his fi first start;'” said said head head coach coach Jonathan Jonathan Drach. Drach. “He "He is is aa big big kid kid that that can can run run and and throw throw the the ball ball quarterback, the majority of the team is considered experienced returners, Drach explained after the team win.   “We "We return return aa great great deal deal of of varsity varsity lettermen, lettermen;'” said said Drach. Drach. “We "We have have great great senior senior leadership leadership and and we we look look forward orward to to the the team team growing under under with with great great accuracy. accuracy. He He gets gets better better every every day day with with each each additional additional rep rep that that he he takes. takes. He He will will continue continue to to grow grow as as aa leader leader and eld performer and on-fi on-field oerformer as as the the season season goes imes on.” Aside from having a new, young them as the the players that have players have stepped stepped into into starting starting roles roles know know the the expectation expectation of of their their positions positions and lling those and have have done done aa great !!feat job ioh of of fi fillirn! those requirements.” The team is coming off of a .600 season and members are looking to capitalize on the energy that they have already gained right off of the first snap of the season.   “There is still a lot of stuff we need to improve on defensively and offensively but a decent start (to the season),” said junior defensive back Jesse Addesso who added seven tackles in the win over Keystone. “This season I am looking forward to winning more games and getting better as a team.” Looking ahead, the Colonels will be playing this Saturday as they host Widener University at noon in a battle of the right shade of blue and gold. Following the home game. The team is looking forward to taking this first-win momentum and gassing it all the way to the MAC championship game and title.  For more information on statistics and the remaining schedule, go to www. gowilkesu.com The Beacon//Ariel Reed Head Coach Jonathan Drach argues a call made on the field. The team marches in unity on to the field. Graphic: David Marks �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Sports 20 WSOC: One final run in the MAC Freedom tournament By Wren Hazel LA&E and Opinion Writer With only one more run in the MAC, women’s soccer is continuing the pursuit of a championship coming oh-so-close the past six years of play. Last season, the team finished 5th and fought its way past a tough FDUFlorham to make the semifinals. Eventually, the team fell to the soccer powerhouse Misericordia. “So far this year, it has been a really good start,” said head coach John McNichol. “It is a group that is close, enjoys working together and I could not be happier with the way they are as people.” Despite graduating Emily Bidelspach, the teams’ leading scorer, the team has started off the season on a high note. Losing a leading scorer can be difficult to bounce back from, but junior goalkeeper Hannah Landis returns this season as the defensive cornerstone. “I think this is one of the best defensive lines we’ve had since I’ve been at Wilkes,” said Landis. “I am looking forward to competing this year. Our back line has a lot of grit & determination & we are eager to show good teams we can run with them.” Landis received player of the week honors three times throughout the last season. She also averaged a .759 save percentage and helped the Colonels with 82 saves. Alongside Landis, Wilkes returns forward sophomore Sarah Eliff and graduate student Kayla Lopez. “Having another shot at a last season is a big deal,” said Lopez. “In the last four years I have been very unlucky when it comes to injuries, so being healthy and having a strong start to the season is great to see and I am excited to see how much more I can bring to the team and we are all very eager to finally get a championship win.” McNichol is looking to create consistency in how the Colonels work and train. He believes if they continue to improve with bringing that consistency each day, good things will happen. “We understand that if we do not pay attention to details and do not work hard every single day, it is one momentary lapse in judgment or decision that can be whether we win or lose a game for us,” said McNichol. “The goal is to continue to improve each day.” The Colonels return to action tonight at Susquehanna for a non-conference match-up at 7 p.m.. Photo: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Goalie Hannah Landis punts the ball across the field to move it into the attacking third. WVB v.s. PSU Altoona Marts Center @ 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Sports 21 MSOC: Fifth years look to lead team through regular season By Ariel Reed Managing Editor “Defense wins championships,” said head coach Michael Piranian. “You hear it all the time. Having (Zach) Tone and (Nicholas) Surgent ... the guys that have been part of a lot of games for us.” Senior goalkeeper Zach Tone and graduate student Nicholas Surgent return to the loaded Colonel defensive line to further lock their playoff ambitions. “We were both captains last year,” said Surgent. “I think it helps carry over into this year. We always had that extra leadership. We’re like glue, and we are very close to each other and we know what we’re looking for.” Tone and Surgent are four-year starters. The chemistry developed between the two players over the years is second to none—and is quite obvious when watching their game play. In addition to the return of Tone and Surgent, the Colonels also bring juniors Andrew Slusser and Eli Gordon back into the line-up. Piranian expressed the importance of bringing back the veteran players as their knowledge and established chemistry lay the foundation for a successful season. “On and off the field there’s just chemistry that we know where certain players will be on the field,” said Tone. “Like you don’t really have to look but they will be in the right position. There’s not much communication position wise because there’s that experience.” Last season, Wilkes finished in the pack with a three-way tie for 3rd place. Due to tiebreaker rules, they fell to the 5th seed, forcing them to compete in the play-in game. Unfortunately, the team fell to Stevens. “We haven’t had an answer against Stevens yet,” said Piranian. “Right there for us. We haven’t beaten them and it’s actually been three games in a row.” Several new faces arrived on the team to help in the push for a playoff push; one of them being a first-year out of Allentown, Pa.: Will Wagstaff and another out of Oley Valley, Pa. Josey Williamson. “I talk to our opposing coaches at pregame, he’s made their scouting reports and we expect a lot of things from him,” said Piranian. “It will be tough for him because he’s not a hidden gem right now. “Josey Williamson is a kid that’s walked onto the team and has shown his athleticism and he has been really exciting to watch,” said Piranian. Wilkes returns to the pitch Saturday as they travel to RutgersCamden for a 1 p.m. game. Nicholas Surgent throws the ball inbound. V Photo: The Beacon/Ariel Reed First-year Will Wagstaff looks to the defensive line in anticipation of getting the ball passed to him. First-year Josey Williamson cuts off a Haverford defender. �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Angel Ramos Junior Football Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Sept. 1 to Sept. 8 Why Angel Ramos was selected: Ramos recorded eight tackles, three of which were for loss. Ramos also recorded two sacks. His efforts awarded him MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Week honors. Name: Angel Ramos Year: Junior Major: Accounting Minor: Data Analytics Hometown: Allentown, Pa. High School: Parkland H.S. Position: Defensive Tackle Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? The environment not only the area, but the teams and the people here. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? I plan on pursuing an accounting career post graduation. Hopes for this season? I hope to continue to improve and heighten the standards for the team When/Why did you first begin playing? I loved watching the sport and my dad was all about football so I got into it fairly quick. Favorite thing to do during practice? I like doing 1 on 1’s or doing relay races. Favorite meal to eat on campus? Quesadillas. Editor’s elec tions are mined by ts Editor's note note:: Athlete Athlete of of the the Week Week sselections are deter determined by the the spor sports staf nd of mic year, year, we ill post post aa reader poll tafff each each week. week . At At the the eend of the the acade academic we w will reader poll on itte r @ B eacon to row n an on Tw Twitter @ Wilkes WilkesBeacon to ccrown an “Athlete "Athlete of o the the Year." Year. " The Beacon/Ariel Reed What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? Definitely fruit punch. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? Aaron Donald because I would look like the best defensive tackle. Is math blue or red, and why do you think that? Math for me is blue and whenever I think of numbers, I think of lighter colors. Go to karaoke song? Billie Jeans Michael Jackson. If you could choose your height, what would it be and why? It’d probably be 6’2 - 6’4. Anyone to give a shout-out to? I would like to shout out all my coaches and teammates especially my high school teammate Adam Piston. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �23 Sports The Beacon - April 27, 2022 Getting to know... Kayla Lopez Graduate-Student Soccer Player The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Sept. 1 to Sept. 8 Why Kayla Lopez was selected: Lopez recorded a goal and an assist in her game against Penn College. Lopez played a vital role in the team's success. Name: Kayla Lopez Year: Graduate student Major: Bioengineering Hometown: Binghamton, N.Y. High School: Chenango Valley H.S. Position: Forward Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes? I originally came into college interested in Pharmacy. Being able to continue my soccer career as well as attend an amazing pharmacy program was a no brainer. However, after switching majors during my sophomore year, I decided to stay at Wilkes rather than transferring because I knew the amazing science faculty here would help me find success in the future. Post-graduation plans in terms of a career? After I finish my masters, I plan to either go to medical school or stick with bioengineering and go into drug and gene delivery. Favorite memory as a Colonel? My favorite memory as a Colonel would have to be the 4/5 game at FDU-Florham last season. We were tied with 10 minutes left in the game and Vicky (Burkhart) scored an amazing goal. We tied with them earlier in the season, so it was great to go there and win and to be able to continue our season. When/Why did you first begin playing? I started playing when I was 5 and stuck with it because all my friends were always playing. I didn’t start taking it seriously until freshman year of high school– which is very late compared to most people. Favorite thing to do during practice? Playing over the river. Favorite meal to eat on campus? This isn’t a meal, but whenever I am on campus I go to Starbucks and get an iced matcha latte with vanilla and almond milk – everyone should try it. What color/flavor of Gatorade is your favorite? Yellow. Is math blue or red, and why do you think that? Red. Math is red, English is blue, history is yellow, and science is green – this is the only right answer. Go to karaoke song? Umbrella by Rihanna. If you could choose your height, what would it be and why? I would choose to stay the same height. I am 5’ 1” and if I was tall I wouldn’t be able to buy shoes from the kid’s section. Anyone to give a shout-out to? The basketball boys of 408. Thank you for letting me live with you guys. - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor Editor’s elec tions are mined by ts Editor's note: note : Athlete Athlete of of the the Week Week sselections are deter determined by the the spor sports staff year, we ill post post aa reader poll staff each each week. week . At At the the end end of of the the academic academic year, we w will reader poll on it ter @WilkesB eacon to n an on Tw Twitter @WilkesBeacon to crow crown an “Athlete "Athlete of of the the Year." Year. " The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon – September 14, 2022 24 THE BEACON IS HIRING! We are looking for any students interested in... • Writing • Editing and publishing • Photography and videography • Graphic design itions s o p r paid ship e • Layout design ff o r We leade ies! d n a • Web design tunit r o p op • Social media • Advertising and marketing • And more! The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Looking for something to do on campus that offers stipend positions? Want to improve your communication, writing and research skills? We will help you do just that! The Beacon is encouraging any interested students to reach out to join our team. With us, you will gain valuable experience that will benefit your education and future career, no matter what field you are going into. We hire students of any year or major. No experience necessary—we will train you! THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania By __________________ Staff Writer THIS COULD BE YOU! Interested in joining? Contact: Editor-in-chief: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Managing editor: Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Volume 75, Issue 2 1 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 September 14 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 September 14 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/d953dd2fbef744f8a63053c978b8dd6e.pdf 1aa80d0250d952021dd286fa72fb4b92 PDF Text Text The Beacon - September 21, 2022 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 75, Issue 3 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Queen Elizabeth II: April 21, 1926 ~ Sept. 8, 2022 Scholars ponder: What does the future hold? By Maddy Kinard On Sept. 8, Queen Elizabeth II’s reign ended after 70 years, the longest of any British monarch, leaving a question lingering in the minds of many all over the world: What happens next? Thomas Hansen, international student and geography major, was shocked at the queen’s death—an overwhelming feeling in Britain at the moment. “The Queen was naturally quite a large figure in everyone’s life in the United Kingdom. She had been the ruler for 70 years so the majority of the country had only ever known her as our ruler,” said Hansen. “Every year on Christmas day at 3 p.m., the country stopped and listened to her speech and throughout the recent pandemic and internal social issues, she has been a calming and level-headed figure for the country to see and learn from.” Although Her Majesty’s position has been filled by her son, King Charles III, this does not serve as an answer for the political turbulence that has been ongoing, and has now been exasperated by Elizabeth’s passing. “This is a singularly bad time for this year, Barbados became a republic, and to have happened because the situation many other countries, such as Jamaica, in Britain is very turbulent,” said Dr. have been talking about it but, as Kuiken Jonathan Kuiken, associate professor states, believe they haven’t done it out of history, global cultures and honors partly out of respect for the queen. director. “They just got a new prime However, her death opens up the minister on Tuesday [Sept. 6] and she possibility perhaps that we may even is not wildly see the popular end of the in her own monarchy party or the in Britain country. So, itself, but a we’ve already stronghold on got a kind tradition will of political most likely crisis. The war keep it in in Ukraine place. is driving up Due to an energy prices extended -Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, associate professor of history, g r i e v i n g in the UK global cultures and honors director. tremendously process when and people are a monarch really concerned that they won’t be able dies, Charles remains only king in to heat their homes this winter as well.” name. However, going forward in his Kuiken goes on to explain what reign and coronation in a few months, may happen within Commonwealth Kuiken suspects him to lie low due to countries now that the queen has passed, his unpopularity and the current state of finding it possible for those countries Britain. to end their association with the British “I would not be shocked if the monarchy as their head of state. Just last coronation is a much more stayed affair Vreeland presents interactive workshop, page 5 Students celebrate Hispanic heritage month at Railriders game, page 7 News Editor “Charles knows that he is pretty unpopular and I think he’s going to do his best to not be in the limelight a lot or if he is in the limelight, for things that are good rather than bad.” The need for animal shelters: A volunteer’s account, page 17 than his mother’s coronation which was filled with pomp and splendor,” said Kuiken. “Charles knows that he is pretty unpopular and I think he’s going to do his best to not be in the limelight a lot or if he is in the limelight, for things that are good rather than bad. Even William’s reputation has kind of taken a hit recently. It’s a really unsettled time for Britain.” The late queen’s funeral took place Sept. 19 in the Westminster Abbey where she was married and coronated 70 years ago. Some 2,000 guests have gathered to honor her with the service having been led by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. During her ceremony, other invited individuals also received recognition for their honored valor during her lifetime, like health workers who were praised during the pandemic. Several smaller ceremonies occurred throughout the day, including a smaller service inside the Windsor Chapel where physical representations of her rule were removed from atop her coffin and a final familial service to lay her body to rest beside her husband, Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died last year at the age of 99. FH: Colonels fall to King’s in a cross-town battle, page 21 �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Maddy Kinard: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 14 weekly meeting By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief Student Government held its third meeting of the semester, covering a treasurer's report, finalizing this year’s homecoming agenda and reviewing capital project’s requests. To begin, the Student Government has $62,042.08 in its budget. This week, no clubs requested funds from the budget. Next on the docket, was week one of two for the finalization of the homecoming budget. The homecoming budget budget totals $22,298.89 from Student Government and $313.88 from capital projects for the polaroid machine. Homecoming will include several events throughout the week. A pep rally will start things from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 29. The dance will be held in the Mary Stegmaier Mansion on Sept. 30, from 5 to 10 p.m. The pep rally will include the dance team, cheerleaders and various other clubs. There will be two food trucks: Smoked and Sauced BBQ and Frozen Island. There will also be yard games and other activities s p o n s o r e d by Student Development and SG. Three hundred alumni members will be given shirts and the Student Government will give away blue pom poms and blue and gold beaded necklaces. Tickets are on sale in the SUB for $10. The dance is buffet style. Wilkes’ Chris Gowarty will be the event’s DJ. The photo booth will be available to use from 6 to 10 p.m.. S e v e r a l capital project suggestions were discussed during the meeting in a roundtable session, although no proposals were voted on. The Student Government currently has about $80,000 in funding remaining for the year. Lastly, Student Government discussed several upcoming major events for the fall Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Honors Online Clothing Store Are you an Honors student looking for merchandise? The Honors apparel store is open now until Oct. 1. They are selling joggers, shir ts, hoodies and clothing for parents as well. To purchase items, please go to www. axelradshop.com/wilkeshonor s/shop/ home Free Flu Clinic on Campus The Wilkes-Barre Depar tment of Health will host free flu clinics in the SUB, Henry Student Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and Oct. 20. No appointment is needed. Vocal Ensembles Seek New Members Wilkes University Chorus is accepting any new members, including students, staff, faculty and administrators. A voice placement audition is required for all par ticipants. To audition, the chorus meetings from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Geis Hall in the Dorothy Dickson Dar te Center. Chamber Singers is also accepting new singers. Students, staff, faculty and administrators are also welcome to audition. Par ticipants will be required to complete the following: - Sing a song of your choice that showcases your skills - Ear training - Sight reading If interested in either, contact director Matthew Rupcich, at matthew.rupcich@ wilkes.edu Support Cheer Team Fundraiser The Wilkes Cheer team is holding a breast cancer awareness fundraiser, selling long-sleeved T-shir ts for $20. To purchase one, contact a cheerleader or shop online at this link: https://www. customink.com/fundraising/her-fight-isour-fight-with-wilkes-university Interested in Wilkes Adventure Ed? If you are interested in WAE or want to stay up to date on planned trips and other outings, go to the link: https:// forms.gle/8SCdTmrU7rFg9m9j6 Interested in Track and Field Club? If you are interested in joining a new track and field club on campus, email brandy.varner@wilkes.edu Interested in Chess Club? If you are interested in star ting up a chess club on campus, contact jake. middleton@wilkes.edu semester. These events include the Ping Pong & Pizza that was held on Sept. 15; the student government retreat and bonding experience; the homecoming pep rally, dance and football game that will be held during the week of Sept. 29 through Oct. 22; and casino week, which will be held from November 14 to 18. Student Government will be meeting again on Sept. 21 for their fourth meeting of the semester. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2022 Spring Semester September 22 - Get Groovy 29 - Programming Board giveaway October 6 - Wild Wild West Fest 13-16 - Fall Break 20 - Glow Game Night 24-28 - Freak Week �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 News 3 Jake Wood to deliver “Conquering Chaos” with APKCFEE By Maddy Kinard News Editor On Oct. 11, Jake Wood will deliver his speech “Conquering Chaos” as Wilkes University’s Allan P. Kirby Lecture in Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. The event begins at 7 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Wood, a former Marine Corps scoutsniper who completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and a University of Wisconsin football player, continued his success and is an award-winning entrepreneur. He is the founder and executive chairman of Team Rubicon, an international organization that specializes in disaster response by mobilizing veterans who help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters. “This lecture will show students that entrepreneurial thinking and leadership is a lot like being a soldier,” said Charles Pierce, executive director of the Allan P. Kirby Center. “Challenges will come your way and there will be many obstacles, but one must persevere to be successful, much as Mr. Wood was in the armed forces. “I think attendees will see what a real leader is in person, rather than reading a book or watching TV. Mr. Wood is very charismatic and humble.” Wood was initially scheduled to deliver his speech in 2019. However, due to impending weather, the university had to act quickly. After speaking on a military-themed panel during a lunch for local veterans, the Henry Student Center ballroom was turned into a speaking space where Wood delivered his speech in its entirety despite the piling snow and his wife at home who was pregnant at the time. Wood’s speech likened military operation, recalling on his time on the battlefield and experiences losing friends and fellow soldiers, to being an entrepreneurial leader. “Everyone in attendance didn’t seem to mind that the snow was piling, school was closing early and no one had their phones out,” said Pierce. “All eyes were glued on Mr. Wood and his slideshow Photo Courtesy Allan P. Kirby Center Wood was inspiredby to enlist in the United States Marine Corps after watching first responders risk their lives saving others after the Twin Towers fell as a freshman offensive lineman at the University of Wisconsin. The event is sponsored by the Kirby player just like I am now. It helps me of pictures and quotes. It was a very Family and Wilkes and is open and free see more of myself in him,” said senior moving experience.” His parallels to military operations to everyone. For those that are unable business management major Billy and entrepreneurial thinking will show to make it, there will be a live stream. Cosner. The Allan P. Kirby Center also offers attendees the ways in which challenges Registration is required and is open. will come, but to be successful, one Additional information can be found at free mentoring to all Wilkes faculty, staff and students daily. They teach business must persevere. Pierce highlighted the www.wilkes.edu/kirbylecture. The Allan P. Kirby Center’s main classes and frequently co-sponsor importance of a real physical example for attendees being more impactful than mission is to foster ideas of free community business events. “Anyone is invited to follow our reading a book or watching TV on the enterprise and entrepreneurship, which they accomplish in their day-to-day social media, stop by the center for a same subjects. “Every year is always exciting to tasks. However, these annual speakers tour or speak with myself, my Associate see what entrepreneur will speak to best showcase what the real world can Executive Director, Gerald Ephault, or any of my 12 plus Kirby Scholars. the university, but I think Jake Wood be like. “I have attended two of these speeches We also look for ideas so we welcome will be a phenomenal experience, especially coming out of more virtual before and both times I found them to anyone to speak with us about how we presentations,” said Lindsey Scorey, be very inspirational toward continuing may better serve those around us,” said communications scholar at The Allan P. in the world of business. I am even more Pierce. interested because he was a football Kirby Center. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 News 4 Animal Welfare Club recognized by Student Government By Maddy Kinard News Editor Wilkes University’s Animal Welfare Club, created at the start of the fall semester, received official Student Government recognition and seeks to educate students on the pandemic that is animal cruelty. “There’s more animal cruelty right now in the world than any other time in history,” said Matthew Hollay, club president and junior biology major. “It’s frustrating to me and I want to reduce it as much as possible. Trillions of animals get killed almost every year.” To this point, as per The Humane Society of The United States, more than 50 million animals are used in experiments each year in the United States. The club’s primary goals are to advocate, volunteer/fundraise, and educate. There are three important topics Hollay mentions that the club wishes to educate others on: using cruelty-free products, going vegan and adopting not shopping. He wishes to Matthew Hollay sells merchandise with all proceeds going to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. reach as many people as possible on things With the club having started only two anyone can do to help animals. weeks ago, only one event has occurred: Owner of two pets himself, Hollay’s two a fundraiser selling merchandise with all rats “Hide” and “Seek ‘’ demonstrate for proceeds going to the Griffin Pond Animal him the necessity of a club like this and Shelter. In the upcoming weeks, the club how important it is to spread awareness. will hand out free samples from Eden-a Vegan Cafe and discuss reasons to go vegan. They also plan to host various fundraisers for shelters like SPCA, Luzerne County and Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge. “Animals have always brought me extreme joy and happiness,” said Megan Oakley, senior nursing major, who works closely with Hollay in the club. “The more I learned about them I realized how unique and incredible they really are. Animals bring love and comfort to those around them and I want everyone to experience that.” The Animal Welfare Club is the only club of its kind on campus. Students were eager to get involved, evident by Hollay’s success on Club Day. “I went from nine people signed up to 26 more people being signed up,” Hollay said. As of right now, there are no solidified scheduled meeting times but to get involved, reach out to Hollay at Matthew. Hollay@wilkes.edu Photo Courtesy Matthew Hollay Wilkes to hold study abroad in Spain and Peru in 2023 By Zach Paraway News Staff Writer Wilkes University is offering study abroad programs in Spain or Peru during the summer of 2023. Dr. Paola Bianco, professor of Spanish and global cultures, has been the study abroad coordinator since 2002 and has been at Wilkes since 1996. She has seen many students come through the program and learn from their experiences away from America. Bianco’s goals for the program are to gain confidence, flexibility, and an understanding of a different culture. “By learning and absorbing a new culture students learn about their own culture. Students come back with a new perspective on the world, by studying abroad they gain confidence, learn to be flexible, and to adapt to new lifestyles,” Bianco said. As of now, the study abroad trip is flexible in time, city and length. Students also have the choice to stay with a family or in a hotel. Spain programs are available for two weeks at three credits, four weeks at six credits, or six weeks for nine credits. Such credits will be counted toward electives, general education, minor, major and or Spanish certification for Pharmacy. Available locations are Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia, among other cities. The Cuczo, Peru, program is offered for two weeks for three credits. This includes excursions to Machu Picchu, clinical observations and/or conversational exchange with natives. John Hannaway, P2 pharmacy and Spanish major, completed a summer in Spain with two weeks in Valencia and two weeks in Sevilla. He used this experience to better his linguistic skills. “Currently, my goal is to work as a community pharmacist. I feel that, in this position and depending on where I live, I will have many great opportunities to speak in Spanish with patients,” said Hannaway. “The hardest part to get over was not having dinner until 9 p.m. every night. In my family in the United States, we usually eat dinner at 5 p.m. when everyone Dr. Paola Bianco’s summer 2022 study abroad group to Cuzco, Peru. gets home, so it was a big adjustment.” Philip Davis, also a P2 pharmacy major, attended the same trip as Hannaway. Similar to Hannaway, he reflected on his experience with cultural differences. “It was super cool to see not only how other people live but how you can adapt in that situation,” said Davis. “It was honestly the time of my life, I would go back tomorrow if I could.” The study abroad program is open to all students and all levels of Spanish courses. More information can be found on the Wilkes website or contact Dr. Paola Bianco for pricing and itineraries. Some scholarships are also available. Photo Courtesy Dr. Paola Biacno �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 News 5 Patricia Moss-Vreeland presents interactive workshop By Maddy Kinard News Editor Patricia Moss-Vreeland held an interactive workshop on Sept. 14 in the Sordoni Art Gallery. The gallery is showing her woek in the exhibit “In Search of Meaning: Memory Becomes Us.” The exhibit is currently on display. Vreeland, an artist, author, poet and thought leader has been compiling “In Search of Meaning” since 1999. During this time, it continually changed and shaped itself and its artist. However, the main point stayed the same: the brain's purpose is to look for meaning. “I keep learning more and then I have new art and new ways to say things about it,” said Vreeland. Vreeland had worked closely with a neuropsychologist who is head of a memory learning lab, reproducing work together and changing the other's opinions on memoryrelated topics. The interactive workshop functioned in a conversational way, Vreeland engaging attendees on the ways in which they use their memory to recall information and what that then says about people. As evident from student responses, past experiences and emotions make memories, and they are subjective. But just as much as they are subjective, shared experiences are equally important as they are the key source that allow people to form bonds. “I honestly think after hearing her speak that it’s going to change my views on everything because now I know that my current memory is impacting the way that I’m going to think in the future; I’m going to focus on memory in a way I probably wouldn’t have before the lecture,” said junior criminology and psychology major Dreena Alvarez. Memory is also derived from patterns, sensations and metaphors. One particular aspect reflected in Vreeland’s work is her art of patterns and categorization which leads to a specific object or idea. In one of her works, she utilizes images like a feather, water and other duck like elements to engage the memory in recalling a duck without a duck ever being initially shown. She also utilizes smell, particularly in her piece, “Memory Is.” Smell is proven as the strongest sensation that makes connections for the brain. Vreeland’s aforementioned piece offers a smell of crayons, inviting a sense of nostalgia for those engaging with it. “As somebody who’s both an English major and a psychology major, combining those two entities into one visual thing and seeing it laid out definitely makes you think more. This exhibit completely clears those boundaries in your mind and makes you think differently and more openly about something you wouldn't have,” said senior Jay Guziewicz. “In Search of Meaning: Memory Becomes Us” will be on display until Oct. 9. Attendees can visit the exhibit at the Sordoni Art Gallery which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard 1 ..1... Vreeland lectures on her piece, "Rhapsody" which is comprised of a framed print and poem with a patterened print behind. Throughout her exhibit, she frequently examines the ways in which patterns are intersectional with memory, this piece being cognizant of that idea. "WeWomen" artist book and poem examines another intersectionality that artist Patricia Moss-Vreeland correlates with memory: gender. The work is currently on display at the Sordoni Art Gallery. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 6 Wilkes hosts blood drive for 9/11 National Day of Service By Zach Paraway News Editor Wilkes held a blood drive Sept. 13 in collaboration with the American Red Cross in honor of the 9/11 National Day of Service. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that helps support many underserved communities and disaster events. Blood gathered from every blood drive goes to help give blood transfusions and other treatments that help save lives. Monica Morrison, a Wilkes 2021 graduate and AmeriCorps VISTA, gave blood at the event and has volunteered many times before. “Blood drives are so important. It has been such a pleasant experience and everyone has been so nice. It is just important to give back to the community,” said Morrison. “I was nervous, but everyone has been so nice and makes you feel so comfortable.” A blood drive is nothing without people to help service it. Zachary Peterson, team supervisor for the American Red Cross, ran the event on Tuesday with his staff. Peterson has been doing this for five years and has done countless blood drives before. He sees giving blood to have a huge impact on the lives of so many. “People have another day to be with their wife, child, mother, father, sister; some people don’t get that chance. This is a way where we are able to extend someone’s next goodbye’s and hello’s,” said Peterson. Donors also received a Red Cross t-shirt, free coupon for a Sports Clips haircut and were automatically entered for a chance to win a NASCAR racing experience. This includes two tickets to a 2021 Sports Clips-sponsored race, round-trip airfare for two, up to a threenight hotel stay and a $750 gift card. Student 2323 Student Housing Housing 23-24 3-24 4 Open House 0 enHouse Sunday .,, Oct 9, 2022 ** 12-2PM 1212 2-2PM UPSCALE UPSCALE CLEAN CLEAN ALL ALL INCLUSIVE INCLUSIVE APARTMENTS APA TMENT Availability Availability mix mix and and match match SINGLES SINGLES or or 2,3,4 2,3,4 BR B MANSION MANSION STYLE STYLE LIVING LIVING + + 3 3 and and 4+ 4+ BR BR West West River River Lofts Lo s REGISTER NOW FOR NEXT YEAR HOUSING To register: WWW. ZNPROPERTIES.COM or Call or text 570-592-3113 for your invitation Tours are approximately 20 minutes long. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED! Photos: The Beacon/Zach Paraway After donating, donors were directed to a table full of snacks to replenish their body after the donation of blood. This give-away will continue throughout the month of September at all American Red Cross blood drives. For more information on how anyone can participate in blood drives on campus, visit the Wilkes website, or to find another local blood drive, go to the American Red Cross website and insert a zipcode to find the closest location. REMINDER! The Beacon is looking for News writers! You can write about. .. • • • • • Campus happenings National news Current events Politics And more! CONTACT: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Students celebrate Hispanic heritage month at Railriders game By Laury Angeles-Martinez Staff Writer On Sept. 15 a group of Panamanian students from the IFARHU program were invited by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders production team to perform during the baseball pre-game. The IFARHU program is a five-year program, which ensures that students with academic merit in Panama achieve a university degree at the bachelor’s level in the stipulated period of time. The Panamanian students performed one of the traditional dances of Panama to celebrate Hispanic heritage month. In addition to the traditional dance, they also conducted presentations with trivia questions to give more information and fun facts about Panama to those watching the game. Supply chain management major Gabriel Araúz and digital design and media arts major Laura de Lora Leon show off their traditional wear. Biochemistry major Federico Morán and accounting major Cleyda Atencio show off their traditional wear at the event. Panamanian students during their performance at the Railraiders baseball pre-game. Photos: The Beacon/Laury Angeles-Martinez Hospitality major Kathleen Beitia showing a traditional woman dress from Panama. Pictured from left to right are criminology major Victor Castro , environmental engineering major Lourdes Navarro and biochemistry major Aracelly Pineda at the trivia table. Viewers of the game could stop by and get information about Panama. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Cocktail of the Week: The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot Looking for the perfect mix between alcohol and cereal? If so, this creative shot is your match made in heaven. The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot: Ingredients: 1 part Rumchata 1 part cinnamon whiskey (Fireball) Whipped Cream If you would like to garnish this shot, simple syrup, cinnamon sugar and cinnamon toast crunch cereal pieces can be used. Directions: Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Add half Rumchata and half cinnamon whiskey over the ice. Close and shake for about 20-25 seconds to get an even blend. You can follow the other method for ac blending if you are without a cocktail shaker as mentioned above. Retrieve two small bowls, one with a thin layer of simple syrup and the other with the cinnamon sugar. Pick up your shot glass and place it bottom side up into the syrup, trying to make sure a layer of syrup coats the rim. Then, gently place it into the cinnamon sugar and rotate it until the rim of the shot glass is coated. Pour the mix into the shot glass and then top with whipped cream and a piece of the cereal. Enjoy! The Beacon reminds everyone to drink responsibly…and that the legal drinking age is 21. The Beacon/Haley Katona This shot is fun, creamy and is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. By Haley Katona Staff Writer o n B um Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Better Without You - Evanescene Ariel Reed, Managing Editor: Inception - Tso Mac Maddy Kinard, News Editor: s p B e Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff adds a song to the Beacon Bumps playlist on spotify. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! 1000 Blunts - $uicideboy$ Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Garden (Say It Like Dat) - SZA I I Morgan Rich, LA&E Asst. Editor: Back to You - Twin Forks Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Late Night Talking - Harry Styles David Marks, Lead Layout Designer: CAN’T GET OVER YOU - Joji, Clams Casino �The Beacon – September 21, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment Programming Board presents Ping Pong & Pizza event By Bailey DeJesus Staff Writer On Sept. 15, Programming Board put together a Ping Pong and Pizza event for the student body. This is the second time this theme has been used and the students seemed excited to engage in some friendly competition. “We normally expect anywhere between 60 to 120 people at these smaller events and this has been a pretty good turnout so far,” said vice president of Programming Board and senior marketing major, Felicia Clark. “With having to take a break from in-person events like this due to COVID, it is great to see them [in-person events] coming back and have students be able to enjoy them again.” When students checked in at the greeting table they were given the opportunity to enter a raffle. The prizes included in the raffle were pizza-related like a Ninja Turtle pizza maker and pizza blanket. All students were given tickets on their way in so that they were able to try for any one of the prizes. Also, there were three ping pong tables and three cornhole stations set up as well for anyone that wanted to step up and play. Later in the night, a tournament was organized that anyone could sign up for if they wanted to team up and make things a bit more competitive. As always, the free pizza offered was devoured with every slice being eaten barely 25 minutes into the event. “It’s nice to have small events like this on campus so that everyone can have something to do and get outside, especially before it starts getting cold,” said Jada Acheampong, pharmacy major. “I like these events because they are so much more interactive than movies or sitting inside.” These events are great ways to help students relax during the week and realize that they can still enjoy their college experience no matter how stressful it may seem to become. Watching everyone get so into these games and have fun was great to see. Next week, Programming Board is arranging a Get Groovy event but most members are excited for another upcoming event, which is the Wild Wild West Fest. According to Lauren Beaver, sophomore nursing major and Programming Board’s community service chair and Jess Kunkle, sophomore psychology major and Programming Board’s social media chair, Wild Wild West Fest will be a big Wild West-themed event with Wild Westthemed decorations and food. They also hope to bring in a mechanical bull but nothing has been finalized yet. 9 The Beacon/ Bailey DeJesus Although the event was Ping Pong and Pizza, other games were set up on the greenway. P2 pharamacy majors, Megan Makovsky and Chloe Gilbert are pictured playing cornhole. Students respond to the upcoming release of “Don’t Worry Darling” By Jordan Daniel Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor This Friday Olivia Wilde’s sophomore movie “Don’t Worry Darling” is hitting theaters in the U.S. The movie is a psychological thriller, which Olivia Wilde directed and stars in alongside Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Gemma Chan, Kiki Layne, Nick Kroll and Chris Pine. According to IMDb, the film is about a 1950s housewife, played by Pugh, living with her husband, played by Styles, in an utopian experimental community. However, Pugh’s character begins to worry that Styles’ character’s company could be hiding some secrets. The original film’s trailer was released earlier this year on May 2 and it gave viewers a small glimpse of what to expect without giving away too much of the plot. Although more details have since been released, many were left with more questions after watching the trailer for the first time. “I wanted to know the setting of the story like what time it takes place,” said junior education major, Nylah McDougald. “It seemed like it takes place in the past. I also wanted to know more about the project they are trying to prevent the women from knowing about.” The trailer also revealed a “Victory Project,” which the men of the community are a part of but no specific description of the project was hinted. However, a scene from the trailer displays how all the women are oblivious to the project except Pugh’s character who becomes skeptical toward it. “I love romance movies so I think this will have a bit of romance and action but I also am all for women standing up and asking questions so I think I will enjoy that part of the movie as well,” said McDougald. The genre of the “Don’t Worry Darling” is listed as a psychological thriller but scenes from the trailer highlight the romantic relationship between Pugh’s and Styles’ characters. Due to Styles’ high-profile as a musician, these scenes have contributed to the amount of attention the film has been receiving. “I am a big Harry Styles fan so I want to see the movie because of him,” said P3 pharmacy major, Jen Gronski. “Also, the film does seem interesting because the housewife wants to discover more about the community she lives in and she realizes it is not perfect and there are some secrets. My favorite types of movies are dystopian movies and this seems to be that type of movie.” Although many are initially excited to watch “Don’t Worry Darling’’ because their favorite musician is starring in it, they are also curious to find out how the movie’s story unravels. At the moment, the movie will only be playing in theaters and tickets are available to purchase now at dontworrydarling. movie. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Meet the Majors This week’s major: Mechanical Engineering Every week, The Beacon will offer a chance for majors to be placed in the spotlight. Each student who gets chosen will have a few words Jordan Daniel to express why they chose the major and how they feel it will benefit Life, Arts & Entertainment them in the future. Interviews and photos by Editor Ellie Freiss Junior Erin Shober Junior “There were a lot of factors that drew me towards the engineering field such as the problem solving aspect and the creativity that goes into the major. I also have family members who are engineers who inspired me to pursue the science field. “My current goal with the dual major of mechanical engineering and physics is to hopefully go into aerospace engineering and design technology for space.” “I chose engineering because I took a few engineering courses in high school and I really enjoyed them and enjoyed all of the different types there was to learn about and possibly do. That is why I picked mechanical, specifically because it is the most broad, allowing for a wider range of learning. “I hope to be able to secure a job right out of college and be able to work as a designer or engineer for a few years until I can sit the PE exam and eventually become a project manager of some sort.” Photos: The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Paul Binner Junior “I had originally contemplated electrical engineering as a major but after having spent a day at P&G and talking with various engineers, I felt that I related more to the mechanical engineering aspects, which helped me in my decision to study mechanical engineering at Wilkes. “I hope to get a decent job and use the concepts that I learn in college to increase the quality of the workplace that I work in.” Tess Edwards Junior “ I chose to become a mechanical engineering major because I want to work in the power generation industry to make renewable energy sources more efficient and affordable. “I hope to make renewable energy sources more efficient and affordable for the general public.” �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment The First Official Week in Florida By Morgan Rich Life, Arts & Entertainment Asst. Editor On Sept. 12, I officially started my journey in the Disney College Program and it was one of the best and most challenging weeks of my life. To start, I moved into Flamingo Crossings Village. After I checked into my given time slot everyone had to watch a nine-minute video explaining the rules of the apartments and the campuses. I live at the west campus, which is a lot quieter and does not have as many people residing in it as the east campus. The only downside is that the east campus hosts many of the events at Flamingo Crossings Village. Now, moving to Florida for four months does not necessarily allow everyone to pack lightly so it took me a few hours to move in while dealing with the 100-degree heat. Once I moved everything into my apartment, I got to meet my three other roommates who Morgan Rich holds out her official nametag she received as a new cast member. had already been living there since May. The next day all of the new arrivals had off so I spent the majority of my day decorating my room and getting groceries. However, in the evening my parents, my friend Carla and I went to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort to see where I would be working. While we were there, I met a few of my coworkers and made sure to familiarize myself with the place so I would not get lost on my first day of training. Then, we all took a trip to Disney Springs to look around and shop the stores that they have there. There were lots of cute Halloween merchandise and lots of Mickey Mouse ears. To end our night we made sure to get dole whips, which is a pineapple soft-serve created by the Dole Food Company. On Sept. 14, I had a class called “Making the Most of Your Program,” which taught me all about how I can make the most of my program while I am on my internship and how specific things, such as self-admission cards, will work during my internship. Since we had the night off, a few friends and I decided to head to Universal Studios Florida and head to Harry Potter World. The following day, another group of friends and I decided to go to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. Halloween Horror Nights is an annual Halloween-themed event that features unique haunted houses, scare zones and a live show on select nights in September and October. While we were there, we went into nine different haunted houses and my favorite was a house called “Spirits of the Coven.” Graphic by David Marks Sept. 16 is when I had a class called, “Traditions.” During this four-hour class, I learned about the past, present and future of the company and how Disney College Program participants fit into the success and image of the company. The class was very interactive and the four hours flew by. The highlight of the class was when Mickey Mouse came out to greet us and hand out specialty magnets to those who answered questions. At the very end of the class, I received my company ID and name tag and became an official member of The Walt Disney Company. It was the most surreal moment of my entire life. Then, to end my day I took a bus to Disney University with a few new friends that I made and we took lots of pictures together to remember the start of this unforgettable journey. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 News FAMILY DAY 2022 12 The Beacon/Sam Mullen Page design by Emily Cherkauskas On Sept. 17, Wilkes hosted Family Day 2022, welcoming families and friends to partake in campus festivities and activities—one hightlight being able to witness the football team win over Widener in a 44-20 win. Pictured above: Hundreds of spectators watch a massive tackle by the Wilkes crew, as the crowd cheers them on in a standing ovation. The Beacon/Sam Mullen Left: Families were able to explore around the Ralston Complex, mingling with students. Right: If one were tired of walking or partying, a photo booth was available for anyone to use, offering a captured memory for the day featuring appropriate Wilkes-themed props. The Beacon/Sam Mullen �A football staple anywhere, the cheer team performed to keep confidence high, boosting the team’s and spectators’ energy. 13 The Beacon/Ariel Reed News The Beacon/Sam Mullen The Beacon - September 21, 2022 A key player to the game, senior wide receiver Nate Whitaker stiff arms an opponent while gracefully jumping out of bounds. Above: Complementing the cheerleaders, the marching band blasted “Sweet Caroline” during an on field huddle to keep spirits high, in addition to many other songs played to keep spectators entertained and to energize the football team. Above: The women’s ice hockey team showed up at Family Day to mingle with families and friends and to show support for the footbal team. Right: Given the colloquial name of “Wilkes’s First Dog,” Walter and his owner, President Greg Cant, also made an appearance to meet the Wilkes community of families and students. The Beacon/Sam Mullen The Beacon/Ariel Reed The Beacon/Ariel Reed �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Opinion Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Ariel Reed Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Sports - Baylee Guedes ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Morgan Rich SECTION STAFF WRITERS News - Zach Paraway LA&E/Opinion - Wren Haze Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh DESIGNERS Lead Designer - David Marks Interested in joining The Beacon? Several positions are open! To learn more about what you can do, contact: Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu Ariel Reed at Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu 141 S. Main Street Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media & Communication Center Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone - (570) 408-5903 www.thewilkesbeacon.com Want to advertise in The Beacon? Contact: Kalen Churcher at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. It’s time for club hours to be for just that: clubs Whenever any first-year student steps on to the Wilkes campus for the first time, the first thing that every mentor tells them is: “Join as many clubs as you can.” Traditionally, in the beginning of the semester, there even is a club day dedicated to allowing students to be able to join as many clubs as they would like, showing just how involved students can be on campus. The student life section of Wilkes’ webpage boasts about the ability of students to be as involved as they want to be on campus. According to the university’s website, “Wilkes University is a community of learning in which co-curricular and extra-curricular activities complement academic life. Students, faculty, and staff work together to promote individual student development by means of a variety of activities, programs, organizations, and cultural opportunities. All campus organizations are open to all students, and all function in collaboration with faculty advisors and the student affairs staff.” Let’s be clear: The university decided to block off four hours a week to allow students to have the freedom to meet. This designated meeting time is great for students who are heavy on the academic side with courseloads, but administrators, professors and coaches have other plans for the club hours. If only it was actually advertised that way. Instead of further endorsing the participation of students in club activities, the aforementioned use that time for mandatory events. For example, professors will use that time to host mandatory events for their class—is that not the purpose of class time? Even administrators will host events that students are “strongly encouraged” to attend, making students decide between collaborating with other students or sucking up to the university for academic validation. Coaches use that time for practices and lifts, isolating athletes from other opportunities on campus. All of the above deters students from participating in clubs. Does that not go directly against what Wilkes is trying to promote? Student involvement in campus activities is the backbone of the true “university experience.” Putting mandatory seminars, classes, practices and lifts during club hours forbids students from truly diving into the stereotypical student life. One might argue that student-athletes do not get a normal student lifestyle or that there is not enough time during class periods to allow teachers to fully develop their information. However, that is not an excuse to deprive a student of their right to participate in campus life and activities. If there is not enough time during class to cover content, revise your curriculum. Want to meet with the entire class or have a guest speaker come in? Do it during your designated class time. There are only so many hours during the day, students cannot find the time to adequately participate in their clubs and maintain their class schedule on top of that. That is literally why club hours were created: for student participation in club activities, not class or athletics. Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published but may be used for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods: Email: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.) Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon �The Beacon -September 21, 2022 Opinion What the changing of the British monarch means for us 15 How the phonemena of royalty emphasizes our mortality By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, then you know that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. This undoubtedly marks the end of an era, as she was longest reigning British monarch in all of history. My initial reaction? Disbelief. I mean, I know every living thing, especially humans obviously, pass away, but there are some you just expect to be around forever. Even though, my knowledge of the British monarchy is limited to what I have learned watching “The Crown,” I still felt like somehow the death of the Queen affectedly me on some personal level. I suppose it is more what her death represents, rather than her demise itself. I hope that does not sound too unfeeling and cold. But she has been a fixture in the world for nearly a century. I just expected her to live for ever. I believe even as a small child, who knew even less about the British monarchy or really anything to do with the nation, knew Elizabeth was queen. She favored brightly colored dresses, corgis and a simple black handbag. I do not know how or why I knew or came to know this information, but I did. I suppose this is not uncommon for major celebrities or figures put on global display. They become almost fantastical beings, rather than human beings, so when death or a real human experience plaques them, it brings them back down to Earth, so to speak. In a way it is extra frightening and unsettling. We think if something can happen to them, an powerful, almost Godlike figure, something of a similar tragic nature can happen to us, probably tenfold. I suppose that is why I was so taken aback by the death of Queen Elizabeth. These past weeks I have been so busy and overhwlemed, as I am sure many you are too. I have not had a moment to reflect or react to something as small and banal as a tiktok, much less have existential thoughts about phenomena like death. Ironically, her death was a wakeup call to me, and maybe to many of you. Hey, death is a real thing. It is coming for all us. If it defeats Queen Elizabeth, there is no way it is not going to come for any of us. These days, I also more aware of growing older, more mature and the passing of time. I still am disgusted and frightened by the fact that I am a senior in college. There is bound to be a transitional, unclear time in my life coming up very soon. I will have to make small adjustments and major changes in my life. I hate changes. I thrive off of normalcy. Even if the normalcy is not healthy or productive. Right now, I feel quite comfortable in life. I found my place at college, I am at a good place with all my friends. I have hobbies and job opportunities and extracurriculars I am content, yet challenged with. I want to hold on to this for as long as possible. Any disturbance—like the death of a monarch that does not affect me personally at all—is unwelcome and makes me uneasy. I suppose it also makes us look at our own mortality and the mortality of our loved ones. We all grow older each second, and this progression of life will not stop. I am sure all of you know at least one person who is borderline obsessed with British royalty. Albeit it might be an older person, but an American nonetheless. They have a fixation with British royalty. I sort of understand it, honestly. Some Americans are drawn to the opulence and tradition found in the British monarchy. It is has a sense of permanence and reverence. Traditional, yet definitely evolving. Full of strength and conviction. People seem to respect the crown, whether they agree with them or not, politically or socially. Bow to it, even. The British understand the monarchy is more of a figurehead: the name and face(s) of a nation. Quite different than what we experience here in America, in terms of leaders. We change leaders ever couple years, and with this change, the social and political climate change drastically. I believe change is necessary and needs to happen, but I think we can all agree it is not always good, like the past few years in the United States. Have they been good for the country? Have we had a totally competent leader, who represents and symbolizes the country in a proper manner? Perhaps we glance over at the UK and divulge into their royalty because parts of us crave “We think if something can happen to them, an powerful, almost Godlike figure, something of a similar tragic nature can happen to us, probably tenfold.” its grandiose, yet almost gritty, strong influence and conviction. We always have to stress about a new leader. In the United Kingdom, they do not, aside from Parliament. They have had the same on for many years, and they know who succeeds her. And who succeeds her successor. Perhaps we crave this unchangeability in government. As Americans, we may only see and hear the good parts of the British royal family, as we are not really affected or aware all that much by their actions on a daily basis. So it is easy to become almost a fan or fanatic about the British monarchy. I guess what I am trying to say is that the world is undoubtedly a different place now that Queen Elizabeth II has passed on. Whether it directly or indirectly affects us, we certainly are aware of it and almost act as viewers in a way, watching things going down, but having the luxury of turing a blind eye to things we do not agree with or care for, while really obsessing and almost adoring over the good. PLACE YOUR AD HERE! Do you own a business? Have an upcoming event? Advertise with The Beacon and reach up to thousands of clients per week! Sizes range from 1/8 of a page up to a full page Advertisements are in full color Can be ran in one issue up to an entire semester For more information, please contact: Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu or Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Opinion 16 Haley’s hot takes: Misinformation and politics run amuck By Haley Katona Staff Writer Despite this age of unprecedented access to information, the public does not typically understand the inner workings of our political system. Social media is an example which highlights this lack of understanding in allowing misinformation to easily spread. Social media is used as an outlet for political exchanges and political outrage. Content posted and circulated about major political events has mirrored the shift in focus of political issues that have transformed into social issues rather than mere policy issues. “Most Americans have a cursory knowledge (at best) about the political system,’’ said Dr. Benjamin Toll, political science professor. “They know the facts of politics like who is in office, or how long a term is; but they struggle with understanding why things are happening. Political science is really about understanding the why rather than the facts.” When a person misunderstands a concept and posts an opinion based on emotion or bias, others begin to relate and accept the post as a kind of truth, increasing the general distrust or disbelief of the political system. However, this only adds to the radicalization and polarization of our beliefs. Due to this, people react more emotionally to these debates and therefore, there is less of a dependence or instinct to rely on logic and knowledge. “In today’s day and age, people fully react with their emotions before they sit down to understand the material that is being presented to them,” said Sarah Phillips, senior political science major. “I think that if people understood the concepts it would allow for more logical thoughts instead of emotionally charged radical statements,” said Phillips. For instance, this past summer both Roe v. Wade, a 1973 Supreme Court decision which granted the right to abortion, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 Supreme Court decision which upheld Roe, were overturned by Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24. Amidst any public support or disapproval from this decision, there was a specific push to “abolish” the Court as an institution based on their refusal to follow precedent, also known as stare decisis. Most believe that the Court must follow precedent and what they decided is not allowed, but this thought process circling social media is incorrect. The Court chooses to rely on precedent, but they have no obligation to. Rushing to support the dismantling of the Court is concerning, regardless of public opinion on their decisions. Each branch of government is vital to the separation of powers and checks and balances created by the Constitution. In an article from npr.org, Chief Justice John Roberts, who did not vote in Dobbs to overturn Roe, spoke on the importance of the Court: “You don’t want the political branches telling you what the law is, and you don’t want public opinion to be the guide about what the appropriate decision is.” The term “echo chambers” has often been used to describe the consequence of algorithms designed to keep users engaged. Echo chambers can produce misinformation, which can intentionally or unintentionally set forth a great threat to our already polarized and inflamed political atmosphere. “I think that social media can be very beneficial when it comes to sparking young people’s interest in politics as it is easily accessible to them. The problem that comes from this though is whether or not these young people take the information they have learned and research it further,” said Phillips. These issues, which demand and deserve attention, are often displayed in a biased manner that leads to further pushing away from conversation and compromise—two things undoubtedly needed for change. “All political science research in the last several years on this topic concludes that polarization is increasing because of echo chambers,” said Toll. “It allows us to think of people who disagree with us as the “other” and we can easily vilify them.” If we continue to allow this space between truth and opinion to separate us as human beings, we lose what unites us in the first place. Ultimately, we are the ones who suffer from misinformation and the willingness to perpetuate it even when witnessing the consequences to our political system. Wren’s watchlist: “Moriarty the Patriot’s” unique Sherlock spin By Wren Haze LA&E/Opinion Staff Writer Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers. Everyone knows and loves Sherlock Holmes, and sure, even I would fall for a man who has dark brown hair and hands for days, but something about William Moriarty strikes me in a different way. This week, I had the honor of binge watching “Moriarty the Patriot” and honestly I got hooked real quick. The show follows a young man who serves as a consultant for the common folk to solve their problems. These problems include killing noblemen for the actions they never took responsibility for. This stems from Moriarty’s hatred for the British empire and his need to destroy the current structure that dominates their society. Some of these noblemen commit murder and I just sit there in shock as to why they are not arrested. Moritarty explains the classist reasoning as to why the rich can get away with so much whereas the poor gets caught red handed. After he monologues for three episodes and helping the common folk get the revenge for another four episodes, we finally get to meet the infamous Sherlock Holmes. Now, I am pretty sure the BBC (British Broadcasting Channel) had a show about Sherlock Holmes himself, but not only was he ugly, he was boring. Here, on the other hand, we see how popular he is with the ladies and his sarcastic demeanor shining through his intelligence. Moriarty and Holmes finally meet and immediately they become adversaries or friends in Holmes’ eyes. However while they are on the boat they meet on, a common folk gets murdered by a noble man and Moriarty catches him. Moriarty also sets it up, but plays it off as he will let it slide. Moriarty, with the help of his brothers, Albert and Louis, expose the noble man for his actions. However, Holmes becomes suspicious of the whole thing. Which is not shockingm considering Holmes is known as an expert consultant detective and nothing can get past him. Holmes and Moriarty finally become frenemies and James Bond is finally introduced. What I like about James Bond’s character is that they are canonically transgender and the creator shown light on it very well. Moriarty is accepting but one of his coworkers is not and we get to see him being educated in the whole thing. I appreciate this because as someone who is nonbinary, not every is going to understand and accept you. But seeing the growth of the character become educated was done beautifully and not in a cliche manner. The season ends on Moriarty being caught for his actions but he seems to fulfill what he wanted to do in Britain which seemed to be his plan all along. He is about to end his life when Louis sends Holmes to bring him back. Well, he fails. Moriarty jumps off the bridge and the assumption is that he is dead. The noblemen are happy and the common folk are devastated. When they showed at the end of the season in a random bar Holmes found him at, I was punching the air. I rate this show 8.5/10 and would like for season two to come out already. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Opinion After successful legislation, it is clear America needed Biden By Sydney Allabaugh Staff Writer Becoming president of a divided nation during a pandemic and economic crisis is a difficult feat. Even through these challenges, Joe Biden has managed to pass pivotal legislation and restore America’s image across the globe. During his campaign, Biden promised COVID-19 relief, environmental protections, and student loan forgiveness. He is not even halfway through his first term, yet he has delivered on all counts. Not even two months into presidency, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law. This piece of legislation helped distribute over 500 million COVID-19 vaccines and delivered financial relief to millions, most notably through the expanded child tax credit. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, expansions to the child tax credit 17 contributed to a 46 percent decline in child poverty—the steepest one-year decrease in American history. Last month, Biden passed the Inflation Reduction Act that will lower healthcare costs, combat the climate crisis, and reduce the deficit. Under this act, insulin costs will be capped at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries, and 3 million more Americans will now have health insurance, according to a White House briefing. Because of this legislation, homes, businesses, and communities will be powered by an additional 950 million solar panels, 120,000 wind turbines, and 2,300 grid-scale battery plants by 2030. Additionally, new measures are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 1 gigaton—10 times more climate impact than any other piece of legislation, according to the White House. In addition to the Inflation Reduction Act, Joe Biden also announced his plan to cancel student loan debt last month. According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who received Pell grants will be eligible for $20,000 in debt forgiveness. Millions of others will receive up to $10,000 in debt cancellation if their income is less than $125,000. Biden is not only creating major changes in the U.S., but he also restored America’s image globally. According to Pew Research Center, only 34 percent across the nations surveyed had a favorable opinion of the U.S. during Donald Trump’s presidency, but now 62 percent of those surveyed feel this way. Biden is also viewed as well-qualified, while Trump was viewed as dangerous and arrogant globally as stated in the same survey. Many reduce Biden down to his relatively low approval rating, which is 42.3 percent as of Sept.15. However, one may argue that this rating is due to the new political climate since the Trump administration. According to Pew Research Center, poll data shows that Americans are more politically and personally divided than ever, cannot agree on “basic facts,” and have concerns about the future of democracy. Many may not trust Biden due to this developed distrust in the media, the government, and the other party. It is clear to see how Biden, a stereotypical establishment politician, may struggle to win public trust in this anti-establishment climate. Even though many fail to see what good Biden has done for the country, he promises—as stated in his victory speech—that he “will work with all (his) heart to win the confidence of the whole people.” I believe he has what it takes to do so. compensation, do a massive amount of work not only for the animals, but for their communities at large. As a volunteer at Blue Chip Animal Refuge, I’ll tell you firsthand that volunteering with animals is hard. We’re not just there to play with kittens or walk dogs—in fact, as someone who volunteers with cats, my time is spent cleaning litter boxes. It’s certainly more than two or three. Additionally, every single day, over one hundred animals have to be fed, given water and cleaned up after. We also need to walk dogs, take sick animals to the vet, and give medication to those who need it. One of the hardest parts of volunteering, however, is one that takes little effort: and that is simply seeing what happens behind the scenes. So many animals arrive in or from horrid conditions, and simply seeing them, either their visible injuries or their defensive and terrified behavior, is painful. Seeing a depressed cat refusing to eat after their owner passed away is painful. Seeing the heartbreaking parting of a dog and an owner who can’t take care of them due to poor health is painful. Seeing a perfectly healthy and friendly animal who has had to live in a kennel for years because no one seems to want them is painful. But that pain is exactly why it’s so important. Rescue shelters, like Blue Chip Animal Refuge, take animals from horrible situations and give them the chance to become some of the most loving and joyful creatures in the world. They are halfway homes and rehabilitation centers for animals, and give them the chance to find love. And getting them off the streets is good for not only them, but us as well. By Sydney Ruskey Staff Writer From abuse to abandonment, and so much more, the mistreatment of animals is an issue that plagues us all around the world, and something that many people strive to combat. Everyday we hear inspiring stories of a mistreated animal overcoming the odds and finding a forever home. But what about the in-between? How do those animals make the journey from the bottom of the barrel to cloud nine? You probably know one of the biggest answers already: animal rescues and shelters. Animal rescues and shelters are a well-known category of charitable organizations, and are respected by many people for their work–but many are unfamiliar with the great effort that goes into running these organizations. They may be admired for their contributions to “saving the animals,” but that statement is not nearly enough to sum up the amount of responsibility they take on every single day in their attempts to fulfill that role. These organizations, almost always run by volunteers who receive no monetary The Beacon/Sydney Ruskey The need for help at animal shelters: A volunteer’s account Photos Courtesy of Blue Chip Animal Refuge Iggy, not even a year old, came in bad health, but remains happy. Pizza is a young orange tabby cat, Hank is a confident and funny older that may be shy, but is still sweet. cat that greets everyone at the door. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Opinion 18 THE BEACON IS HIRING! We are looking for any students interested in... • Writing • Editing and publishing • Photography and videography • Graphic design • Layout design • Web design • Social media • Advertising and marketing • And more! The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Looking for something to do on campus that offers paid positions? Want to improve your communication, writing and research skills? We will help you do just that! The Beacon is encouraging any interested students to reach out to join our team. With us, you will gain valuable experience that will benefit your education and future career, no matter what field you are going into. We hire students of any year or major. No experience necessary—we will train you! THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania By __________________ Staff Writer THIS COULD BE YOU! Interested in joining? Contact: Editor-in-chief: Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Managing editor: Ariel.Reed@wilkes.edu Volume 75, Issue 2 1 �Sports The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu WVB: New-found team camaraderie lifts morale this season By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Coming off of an 11-19 season in 2021, the women’s volleyball team is looking to have a winning season this year as they have quite a few returning players. "Returning a large roster this season gives us great depth on our bench," said head coach Joseph Czopek. "It increases the competition level in practices, this helps the team continue to grow throughout the early season." Currently, the Colonels are 1-7 after some hard-fought matches early this season. Wilkes opened up with a 3-1 win over Keystone College where junior opposite hitter Hope Ousey led the team with nine kills. Last year, Ousey ended the season with 138 kills, the third most kills on the team. In front of her were current senior opposite hitter, Kelsey Carroll, with 213 kills and current sophomore outside hitter, Alexis Reedy, with 224. Reedy is currently leading the team with 76 kills while Ousey follows with 67. Ousey and Reedy have been putting in the work and are right in sync with each other on the court. “It feels great to be a leader on the team in kills so far this season,” said Ousey. “I have put in a lot of work over the off-season to get to this point and I am continuing to try to get better to be a dependable and consistent player that my teammates can trust to get the job done.” Sophomore setter and outside hitter Alexa Cassel is leading the team in assists with 204. During her first year as a Colonel, Cassel ended the season with 496 assists with 260 digs. Junior middle hitter Nicole Fitzpatrick adds 59 kills on the current season after having a total of 125 her sophomore season. “The relationship between all the girls on the team is so much more positive than in past years and that is the most important,” said Fitzpatrick. “A personal goal is to improve my game in a new position as an outside hitter and to be a leader on the (from left to right) Alexa Cassel, Ally Sheridan, Sierra Hines and Hope Ousey celebrate after a clutch kill from Ousey. court. We need to continue to be positive, keep moving forward and stop focusing on the negative.” In their most recent home match, the Colonels faced Penn State Altoona where Wilkes was swept 0-3. Ousey explained that the team is learning to celebrate each moment of the match, which has led to better team chemistry in comparison to last season and will convert into wins in the near future. “I think the team is already so much more bonded and playing as a unit rather than individuals,” said Ousey. “We have come together more and learned how to communicate in a more positive and productive way to help each other out.” This new-found overall team compatibility and positivity will assist in leading the Colonels to victory in this 2022 season. " Although a slow start to the season, the coaching staff sees this team developing upward at every match we play," said Czopek. "As we continue to improve, consistency will lead this team to a strong finish." The next home match is on Sept. 24 when Wilkes will host Wilson College starting at 1 p.m. Photos: The Beacon//Baylee Guedes Cassel jump-serving in the first set of the Penn State Altoona matchup. �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Sports 20 FH: Monarchs best Colonels in the cross-town matchup By Wren Hazel and Ariel Reed LA&E and Opinion Writer & Managing Editor The Colonel’s field hockey team returns for another season hoping to leave its mark on its final season in the MAC conference. The team finished 4-12 overall and 2-6 in the MAC Freedom conference. The team is led by Charlotte MacDonald who returns as the head coach for her second season. “They put in a lot of hard work throughout preseason and summer, which show, and fitness returning in a far better space and skill than we were last year,” said MacDonald. In their season opener, the Colonels started out strong with a 4-0 win against Elmira College on Sept. 1. “For the team I would like to improve on our record from last season, to make it to the playoffs and leave a strong impression as it is our last season in the MAC conference,” said Hensel. “If we brush up on some individual skills and transfer them to the field our gameplay will greatly improve.” Opening up conference play, Wilkes battled down the street against King’s College. The Colonels and Monarchs battled back and forth in the first quarter, neither relenting a goal or field position. In the final seconds of the first, graduate student Lauren Shiplett scored on a penalty stroke putting Wilkes up by one with only 2.9 seconds remaining in the half. “It was a good feeling for us to be able to end the first half in the lead,” said Shiplett. “Rita (Anmarie LeBron) worked super hard in the circle to get the stroke for us, and it was a great way to pick up the pace of the game, for both teams.” Heading into the second half, Wilkes had all the momentum on their side, but could not capitalize. Five minutes into the third quarter, King’s Sarah Zaleppa found the back of the net. With the tide shifting into their favor, 90 seconds later, the Monarch’s broke away and notched another goal, putting themselves up by two. Battling back and forth, neither team was able to get another goal for the remainder of the game. “We lost our urgency in the second half, and we got too comfortable,” said Shiplett. “We all wanted to win. We still had players that stood out, but the overall energy from the team fell.” The Colonels sit 1-4 in season as they took losses from York, Elizabethtown, Alvernia and now King’s. “We opened up the season with a strong win, but have been working on skills and tactics to make us more consistent,” said goalie Carly Eidle. “We are all really close and you can see in the way we practice and play.” The Colonels return to action tonight against Neumann at 7 p.m.. Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Anmarie Lebron battles for inside position to get the ball into the goal. Lauren Shiplett jumps in celebration as she scored the first goal of the game. Shiplett scored this with 2.9 seconds remaining in the first half. �The Beacon - September 14, 2022 Sports 22 Getting to know... Cole Jungwirth Junior Football Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Sept. 8 to Sept. 14 Why Cole Jungwirth was selected: Jungwirth shot a round low of 76 at their tri-match. His efforts helped the team finish 3rd at the contest. Name: Cole Jungwirth Year: Sophomore Major: Corporate Finance Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn. High School: Bloomington Jefferson Position: Caddy Favorite memory as a Colonel? Hockey UCHC championship in Utica, even though it didn’t go the way we wanted. Hopes for this season? Take a picture with a trophy next to John Wilkes. When/Why did you first begin playing? I first started playing hockey when both of my brothers put a hockey stick in my hand and body checked me through the stairs. I first started playing golf when I realized I could get away from them, and find somewhere else to play much more peacefully. Favorite thing to do during practice? Try to hit the golf cart picking up the balls on the range. Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staf f each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." The Beacon/Ariel Reed If you had to choose one thing about your program that you could improve, what would it be? Being able to use the range at the course would elevate the level of our golf team by tenfold. Also, having Max Cocchi at as many matches as possible is a recipe for success for Wilkes golf. Favorite meal to eat on campus? SUB Ice Cream Road-Cone. If your life was a movie, who would you want to play you and why? David Spade. He loves to have fun and joke around in his movies, and that is something that I enjoy as well. Is math blue or red, and why do you think that? Math is blue, science is green, English is red, and history is purple. This is not up for debate. Go to karaoke song? Blue (Da Ba Dee). It is a very easy song to sing along with, and allows you to make up some of your own words as well. If you could play any other sport, what would it be and why? Skeleton. It looks like they are sledding down the fastest hill in the world and I love sledding. Most influential person in your life? Phil Erickson. He seems to have a hand in every step I take at Wilkes. I truly couldn’t do it without him, and I am extremely grateful and appreciative for all of his help and attentiveness to my college career. A quote you live your life by? “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” - Compiled by Ariel Reed, Managing Editor �The Beacon - September 21, 2022 Sports 23 There is no female AOTW due to no responses after inquiry to the chosen athlete Colonels supporting Colonels throughout a week of contests Bradley Anacreon (left) and Jason Eberhart (right) pose with their in-game snack at the volleyball contest on Thursday. Photos: The Beacon/Ariel Reed Kaylee Simmons and Devyn Cammarota work the front table at the Family Day festivities. This event hosted students and families of past and present Colonels. Current and former members of men's swimming showed their Wilkes pride by cheering on the football team at their game agaisnt Widener. (Left to right) Bridget Giunta, Angela Cant, President Greg Cant and Dr. Adams paused their celebrations at family day for a brief moment to pose for a photo. �The Beacon – September 21, 2022 Sports 24 FB: The Rodriguez era shines with 20-point win over Widener By Ariel Reed & Baylee Guedes Managing Editor & Sports Editor EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – The beginning of the Rodriguez era starts off hot with Wilkes winning their past two contests, the most recent against Widener with a 44-20 blowout. “I think this team, it’s good,” said Rodriguez. “It’s definitely just a shock. Everybody knows we’re coming. We are comin’ different this year.” Wilkes started with the ball and executed a perfect “two minute drill” and marched down the field to get themselves in scoring position. “I think it set the tone,” said head coach Jonathan Drach. “We wanted to set a tone in that play. I thought we were very physical today. We limited them in some of the stuff that they wanted to do and it was effective for us.” Sophomore quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez capitalized on their efforts with a six-yard pass to junior wide receiver Cory Pelzer for a touchdown, putting Wilkes up 7-0 to end the quarter. Eager to get the ball back, senior defensive back Jeremie Hernandez snatched a pass off of The Pride’s QB. The army of Colonels roared with excitement further supporting the outstanding field performance from the team. With a chip on their shoulder and the sense of vengeance, Widener looked to even the score within the first four of the second quarter. The Pride quickly put seven on the board off of an 11-yard run. Wilkes dug deep to battle their way back. Rodriguez hit senior wide receiver Nate Whitaker for an 88-yard touchdown pass on their first down of the play. The extra point was missed, but the Colonels were up 13-7. “There’s really critical points of games,” said Drach. “The 4 minutes before halftime and the four minutes coming out of halftime are probably the most important events in football to set the tone either way. And we won both of those four minute periods. They went three and out in the second half.” With under four left before the break, senior defensive back John Washington decided Wilkes was not up by enough, and snagged a pass from the Widener quarterback, scoring a 67-yard touchdown on an interception. “So we knew when those times came to perform and separate ourselves from the competition, we did that,” said Washington. “I feel like we stepped up.” Opening up the half, the Colonels started cooking early as junior running back Elijah Jules opened the half with a 72yard touchdown. “This game is a lot of fuel off emotions, so you kind of see where we started scoring,” said Jules. “We got them down on themselves and we capitalized.” A few drives later, Widener came back, scoring on a nine yard pass—leaving Wilkes up by a smidge over two scores. A strong fourth quarter drive gave the Colonels a comfortable lead on the scoreboard with junior wide receiver Xavier Powell rushing for a 30-yard touchdown. Wilkes dominated the game and celebrated their big win with the packed stadium. The Colonels return to the field on Saturday at Lebanon Valley College with a 1 p.m. kickoff. Photos: The Beacon/Arel Reed Jesse Addesso (left) high fives John Washington (right) after a tough play that resulted in a change of posession on downs. Isaiah Rodriguez stares downfield to find Cory Pelzer downfield. Rodriguez’s pass would be completed. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon, 2022 September 21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communications Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 September 21 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper