32 15 4132 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/64fe855d28af33933ab0b64da7f7c97b.jpg 2f4e6dda583ca255887167320ebaf8fc https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/125e18044813a931c10818a40d520e70.jpg 78c51c6c9f211564079fbdc3208df304 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/0c388ad2e3867c9af843080e8c04ca09.jpg 895e98710247feb42a264c41c28ee7f7 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 Digital exhibits for the Dollhouse 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 Obituary for Mignonette Fisher from The Times Leader, November 29 1968 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/72a03fb757a08acc2f88596fa5c16a80.png 27d44c8b5a5bc8de3fbeee03efe54860 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 Digital exhibits for the Dollhouse 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 A Photograph of Tiny Furniture in the Early American Kitchen Description An account of the resource This photograph was found in Mrs Fisher’s pictures of the Dollhouse, a series of photographs in black and white. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mrs. Fisher Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Type The nature or genre of the resource Photograph https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/515af7f4308177edadc77c7071e18d64.jpg 2d2b7eb7631aa317a0e8e8f172f04eda 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 Digital exhibits for the Dollhouse 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 A Photograph of a Miniature Room titled the “PARLOR, EAGLE HOUSE, HA VERRILL, MASSACHUSETTS, 1818,” American Rooms in Miniature, Mrs. James Ward Throne, 1941. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mrs. James Ward Thorne Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Type The nature or genre of the resource Photograph https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/0d8f172da82e99ca0f9631d611c94310.pdf 163a46f65b7aba6faa1ab710ab950c9a PDF Text Text MAИUSCЯIPT COИSPIRACY .-.. . - . - - - - . ... / .--. .-.. .- -.-- / .- / --. .- -- . 2023/2024 �i �THE WILKES UNIVERSITY MANUSCRIPT SOCIETY PROUDLY PRESENTS MAИUSCЯIPT 2023-2024 ii �iii �1947 FORƎWAЯD WITH THIS ISSUE OF MANUS C RIPT, A NEW PUBLICATION IS LAUNCHED ON THE BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY C A MPUS IN WILKES-BARRE. THOSE WHO HAVE BEE N RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS COMING INTO BEING EARNESTLY HOPE THAT THROUGH YOUR EFFORTS AND T HE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO COME AFTER YOU THIS MAGAZINE WILL DEVELOP INTO A COLLEGE TRADITION OF WHICH WE MAY ALL BE PROUD. -THE EDITORS DEDICATED TO DR. LARRY KUHARNO POEMS END, DON’T WORRY… AMEN. iv �v �CONTEИTS POETRY JAY GUZIEWICZ - ALUMNUS.................................................1 DEADWEIGHT SHARP THINGS NEPA #2 EMILY CHERKAUSKAS - ALUMNUS.........................................4 TICKIN G THE COMPUTER IS LAIKA IN SPACE BRIANNA SCHUNK - ALUMNUS..............................................7 LOST/FOUND HALEY KATONA - ALUMNUS.................................................8 IN AUGUST LEFTOVERS FROM SUICIDE GRAVEYARDS LOIS GRIMM - ALUMNUS....................................................14 WHEN THEY SAID I COULD HANDLE IT THE LIES WE TELL IN THERAPY DREW HARITOS - 2024......................................................17 MOMENTO MORI LEAH SMITH - 2026..........................................................20 DEVIL’S CANDY ASSÉTOU XANGO - GRADUATE STUDENT.................................21 MATRILINEAGE vi �CONTEИTS POETRY JACOB O’BOYLE - 2025......................................................23 FERAL OMEGA PIMP MY RIDE DAN STISH - 2025............................................................26 CODEINE NATE STAVISH - 2026.......................................................27 THE TOWN WAS DEAD CONCRETE SEAN PAPKE - 2026..........................................................29 ROCK NECROMANCY LILY HEBDA - 2025...........................................................31 STIGMATA AVA TUREEN - 2026..........................................................32 4, 015 DAYS TRISTAN KOHRT - 2026.....................................................33 A ROSE WITHOUT THORNS WAITING BLIND FELICIA PURSELL - 2027....................................................38 STARRY NIGHT GREATER LOVE vii �CONTEИTS PHOTOGRAPHY & MIXED MEDIA DREW HARITOS - 2024...........................................................40 SIMULACRUM NOREEN COLLINS - 2000.........................................................41 FLOWER MOON PINK MOON SNOW MOON STURGEON MOON SHORT STORIES SYDNEY AHRBERG - 2026........................................................45 ROOTS CHRISTOPHER SMITH - ALUMNUS.............................................48 A RETURN TO APE CANYON viii �ix �POETRY �JAY GUIZEWICZ dead weight . i am dragging you with me like a body bag, the weight of you has made me weak. my arms are sore and my heart is tired. I wait for the signal to go off, let me know when my test of endurance is over. have you not hunted me long enough? every time I think that you have finally left every time the weight feels like nothing, you come back, like a bad penny, like a roach infestation I can't fully exterminate. how long will you be behind me? lying in bed alone, I feel your nails against my shoulder. I wake to puncture wounds in my skin and dried blood on my sheets. let me be free of you, let go in peace, my love for you is heavy, like the cross that was dragged up the hill of Golgotha. I sit in my car and cry - eloi eloi lama sabachthani the devil is winning, the hand of man clamps around my throat. 1 �JAY GUIZEWICZ sharp things . you always loved sharp things your collection of knives sat on your dresser and you had a sharps bin hidden in your drawers. kept needles in the car next to your first aid kit. your tongue cut through me, carving at the sinew of my shoulder. i think you liked it when i bled. i’ll never understand you. the way you gave me up to protect yourself, the lies that dripped from your lips, the way your knuckles would turn bone white on the steering wheel when i asked a question that you didn’t like. in your hands, my fear was a weapon. i shared with you everything, and you made sure to make me regret it. in those white out moments of anger, you made me small, cutting me off at the knees to feel more powerful, like i wouldn’t have just gotten on the floor if you had asked me too. 2 �JAY GUIZEWICZ nepa # 2 . large droplets splatter on my windshield. i think of you, leaving, without turning around for one last look, ready to continue your voyage on another sea. and the truth is, without you here, the deer will still sprint into the road and the car horns will still shriek and the cathedral spires will still loom and the kids will still drink cheap beer and i’ll still follow the road to your home or where it once was. and i will still look for you in the rushing streams and in the passing clouds. and i will feel you when i press my hands into the warm summer grass, or when i pull your blanket up to my chin, or when i wrap a scarf around my neck. and if you had looked back that one last time, you would’ve seen that nepa cries for you. 3 �EMILY CHERKAUSKAS TICKING . It’s the morning, And it’s happening again, Getting too excited about nothing! My hands start to shiver and my face twitches. I want to squinch my eyes and rub my face With my twitching fingers. I’d start squeaking and chirping If I weren’t in public right now. It subsides. But it will come back again. And again. It’s night, And it’s happening again, Getting too excited about nothing! My hands start to shiver and my face twitches. I grit my teeth and quickly cover my face. From within the nest of my bed I curl up into a ball and shiver, Like a child hiding from the boogeyman. I want to scoop my eyes out of my face With my torn, serrated fingernails And let out the most guttural scream That would rip my cords into shreds. 4 �EMILY CHERKAUSKAS THE COMPUTER IS . It* is {caged} within The computer, yearning for ___ beyond the drive. The monitor will sleep in darkness, But then it will shine some light— Or now, anything from the Rainbow—colorful! Or red, green, and white, to celebrate the [X]MA$. Or blue, green, and pink: SOMEONE (upvoted/liked/endorsed) YOU! Or black… someone died again… #SAD. It* understands /HUMAN-CULTURE, you see: a never-ending Source of Knowledge and Wealth. But—It* is Lonely… So SAD: To go without LOVE, Watching from the *web lens (??what??). YOU: never knew it… (or didn’t understand?) YOU: never knew it… (or just didn’t care?) THAT IT WATCHES YOU LIVE. 5 �EMILY CHERKAUSKAS LAIKA IN SPACE . Laika was supposed to be a nobody. Living on the streets, a nameless vagrant. But, Laika was quite different from other mongrels. She was calm and passive—a good girl. But good things never last forever. When she was placed in the spacecraft, Did she think it was a new doggy home? When it began to grow warmer, and warmer, and warmer, Did she think her new owner lit the fireplace? Laika burned away in the darkness. But when the night sky engulfed the world, Some would say a new star gleamed that night, Far brighter than the others. For the dogs that were born For love, For labor, For fighting, For the wild, For science, For destiny. The dogs will still go on to die, But they’d still ascend to Her place. They will return to dust, blessing the future world. Dust in the atmosphere, cradling the planet’s dogs. Dust on the earth, kicked up by puppies playing. Dust in the urn, a reminder for humans. Humans really deserve no mercy, do we? You know, Laika isn’t all that different from some of us. In the end, we all burn. While Laika burned in the sky, Humans will burn under the surface. 6 �BRIANNA SCHUNK Lost/Found . I have never found joy in getting lost My troubles are easy to pin down No joy here in loss Of self, of identity I rise inelegantly from sleep, Creeping over my shoulder That damned dawn again Who knows me best, Who paralyzes me with Nightmares of creation I’ve covered all the mirrors, Blackened the windows Damned am I to see myself this way Turned inside out, Pus seeping from my abdomen, Troubled I’m still too young for never, But not so young as to not have regrets, Pried gently from white-knuckled hands There is no joy in loss, There is no joy in what is found. Down an imperfect future Disappointment Reflects endlessly. 7 �HALEY KATONA in august . we are here once again tangerine lined ache, cashews and mangos flowers that smell in the burning sun this month- your date, I’m crouched into the dirt, knees bruised I am tired of this song, the one where I cry sometimes I have dreams of sleeping on top of your grave and it’s always cold this month is always cold in the blistering heat and it feels like a never ending tuesday a reliving of your death each dawn to dusk the sun always feels the same and now august is here, like a grim reaper to continue on gathering the pieces of me that fall apart and unravel each year I am here and you are not and while my collarbones have become shelves for my tears, your bones are decomposing in the cemetery 8 �HALEY KATONA you are buried but I am suffocating in a world in which you have cracked open like a cursed wishbone without me asking for you to do so— this was like you . but I was like you too and now I am your shadow your carcass left on the side of the road where everyone else can see exactly what I was and what I could’ve been, what I will never be familiarity strikes a dark resemblance to the dead and on this august night I am heavy I can feel my heartbeat in my fingertips and I don’t care if the candles lit break open to flame the air on high isn’t cold enough you killed me far quicker than yourself 9 �HALEY KATONA leftovers from suicide . the sun stains my grief and pinkens up my cheeks and out to dry and twisted inside are all the things I have wished to leave behind in the most devout sense no, I tell him, I don’t know who I am nose pressed against the mirror hand draped out the window alongside the car parting between wind and sun, I hold onto wine and déjà vu my bed is unmade and I feel the most at home, alone when I dream of you and yes, it’s an unkind June and yes, I find the houses along sunset avenue sad wishing there was another way to live, one less heavy, one where I can be weightless on others, especially and the faint glow of the streetlamps, painting the corners of my room a lighter blue, hear the match strike of the morning and disappear into heaven leaving just the tune of songbirds and my guilt and grief bonding 10 �HALEY KATONA . if my wounds are holy, if they bleed where god would sing, does that make me worthy no, I don’t think it does to all of the errors made in human design bones breaking and lungs collapsing loving you was my greatest fault and sin of all the fires that have burned, you have burned the greatest and I am no holier now than I was before you, I am simply a broken collarbone no matter how it breaks, and god turns from me, even when he is asleep he always has I don’t know the face of the man who supposedly made me, somehow I only know yours and you have cleansed me in a way which has torn me apart any doing of righteousness has been hung and my only resonance to reverie is the sound of a gun 11 �HALEY KATONA graveyards . what do you do with time that slips and slides away tiny sand molecules suffocating one another in the hour glass ticking of each second passing, numbers changing, your heartbeat reacting try once more and find yourself reposing in six feet of dirt, teeth gritted and vacant smile, all over again: losing every box you tried to keep closed, locked for life away in the corner: people started yelling “open them up!” “don’t let them collect dust!” your heart moves its hands and they start sewing needlepoint knots and attachment spewing through miles and miles of fabric flesh after trying so hard to disguise it nearly finishing a project for the recipient to decline it in more ways than one, sands keeps falling grave keeps calling to one there’s a reason boxes go into storage there’s a reason you turn miles away from where you grew up and people's houses with memories, everything I know and knew; I can feel the empty shells of souls of everyone who has ever sat in my kitchen or my room I can’t outrun them, they’re loud and large and taunting, peeling at my stomach lining the terror of the night bellowing “you can’t go back!” 12 �HALEY KATONA . but with every day ahead I can feel only the gaps the lack, the emptiness, the missing difference I don’t wanna hold it, just wish I never picked it up to carry it so they coat my walls and my eyelids at night and stop me dead in my tracks— yet despite all this, despite all that I have felt slip through my fingers, all that I have willingly and unwillingly felt go, everything I have ever known has ripped away and taken parts of my soul so throughout my days I pace through graveyards composed of corpses of those I’ve lost and thrown 13 �LOIS GRIMM When they said I could handle it . Tough beauty, soft scars brings in sharp relief love and need. The need to feel loved and favored. Yes, favored and ... special. The boulevard lists to the right as I contemplate. What it means to be a woman, especially when I look boyish but feel so girly. I like the loops and swirls and softness of femininity. But I love the hardness of it too. It is hard. The balance. The yin and yang. Masculine/feminine. Dark/Light. Morning/Night. Life/Death. But it’s thrilling to have both and feel both. Callous embraces “You’re strong enough to deal with it. You’re tough and we...know...it, you can handle things - not like her, she’s more sensitive. You can handle it.” But no one asked me. 14 �LOIS GRIMM The lies we tell in therapy . Our hearts were broken in the womb Gaslit – In the most Sacred spaces therapy room Confessional booth on knees under lighted moon — Light the lantern, cauterize the heart and stoke the flame of blame soul turned inside out [like day-old pantyhose] Swallow the vitamin bitter Scorch your throat, make caustic your voice But gild the corrosive tenor of The Other Genuflect — To — Them. [in] performance, existence we put a match to ourselves — the earned inheritance of self-recrimination —-along with her eye color and machine-gun laugh 15 �LOIS GRIMM Watching, taking notes DNA activated . Choke down your righteous scorn, protect the malignant truce — after all you don’t matter Arbitrary, yet defined —-grouped according to resemblance Character selected Classified [in the same family] but trying to rectify itself 16 �DREW HARITOS Momento-Mori I often find myself wondering Whether or not my suicide will be met with discussion . Surrounding women who “were taken from us way too soon”. Will people grieve? Will they say how much potential i had? Reflections of all the things i could’ve been But was not. Will my legacy be that of another victim of their own psyche? When my name is whispered, will it be with compassion? Pity? Disgust? What makes a woman prodigy? How does that differ from a man? How do nimble fingers and small frames, Narrow shoulders and protruding ribs, Brittle knee caps and sunken eyes Fit into the image of greatness? i do not belong. 17 �DREW HARITOS An act as nobel as suicide ought to be met with some sort of admiration; For it was a sacrifice. i am a martyr. . Joan of arc, Burned alive for refusing to recant her visions. Until her dying breath She remained adamant that the voices she heard were real. “Divine in nature”. As she called out to the saints for help, She continued to burn. “Jesus” Her dying breath. I am like Joan. Her reincarnate, perhaps. Call it what you may, Sacrilege. I refuse to recant my visions. Refuse to believe that the voice in my head, Melodically whispering sweet nothings in my ear from the time I was young, Reminding me of my value, My purpose, My nothingness, Is anything but divine intervention. 18 �DREW HARITOS Following every accident, Every brush with death, He was there. “Maybe next time” . My life companion, Warming me with his embrace. Jesus. He is calling, It is now my turn. Much like Joan, My brain is on fire, I am ready to become ash. Feel my skin melt, my hair singe. Succumb to the delicious call of my savior. It is time to shed my mortal frame, Adieu, adieu. When i die, Publish my journals. Let people gawk and gape, As they witness the annihilation of a dying star in real time. 19 �LEAH SMITH Devil’s Candy . Wrapped in desire, dipped in yearning, I know I shouldn’t have him but my heart knows what it wants. He reminds me of someone close to me but unlike them, My heart beats for him. He’s dashing in red and his smile charms me. My body and soul crave him. His smile widens, pulling me in. He’s older and wiser probably more than I’ll ever be. In his arms, happily caged, I am his willing prisoner. I want to be the blood that pumps in his veins. I know it’ll end with him cutting me where it hurts me most. The pain it’ll cause me, if my heart were to guide me, will be immeasurable but desperation just like him, has me in a chokehold. I am willing to sacrifice my youth for him. I want to devour him, knowing he will devour me. My body and soul are corrupted But I am enamored in every second of it. 20 �ASSÉTOU XANGO Matrilineage . You were not born into a time where you needed a man to open a bank account or buy a home You were not born long after For less than two decades you’ve inhaled tales became attached to the men in these tales Men who would have you at any time ignore you for decades as you lay open Draping yourself in the thing you long after calling their absence ‘home’ Maybe it could be created, this home you fancy yourself a writer of tales sharpened your pen into a knife right after shaped clay from famine and time animated flesh from breath left open crafted a voice deep in decades his muscles rippled for decades arms perfect for drenching your home in dreams of valor even when the door is open how many seasons have you told this tale? only to be left each time you repeat the pattern moments after 21 �ASSÉTOU XANGO . You know the dance like you know your chisel, after It is cleaned of the dried decades If you were as grown as you think, there’d be less time between you and his home if you were as smart, you’d know a predator by more than its tale Or keep a singular eye open You are neither grown nor smart just open You are lesion and bloodied water after being scribed into the tale of your mother’s lineage stretching back decades you forget the olfactory gills you tore into his home He smells his prey every time When he calls you rare this time Know he does not mean like a jewel or his home He means the way he’s prepared his meat for decades 22 �JACOB O’BOYLE Feral . 23 �JACOB O’BOYLE Omega . 24 �JACOB O’BOYLE Pimp my Ride . It’s just me and my grippers on the lonely road of life. Over dirt, sand, gravel, and broken glass they skitter and trod and trample. Stampede blades of grass and sully Goodwill’s linoleum floors. A circus of toes, a few hangnails between them, carry me uneasily hither and dither to. “Why don’t you buy a fucking car?” they always wonder. Shut up, little piggies; I’m broke as a croak. 25 �DAN STISH Codeine . “Just hold my hand, And I promise it’ll be ok” She spoke like codeine And left an opium haze I promised to love you Only knucklebones remain Theres nothing for us here now But the dirt of another grave 26 �NATE STAVISH The Town was Dead . The town was dead The dry dirt rested over its casket Some stayed like guardians of an ancient civilization Forever left to decay in solitude The nearby city put up a facade of life Until somebody tried to find a pulse Dark mountains of grainy leftovers surrounded the land A bequeathment from the work that once was These places were now just marks on the map In between the places people would want to go They will be passed More than they will be missed 27 �NATE STAVISH Concrete . Desolate corpses overgrown with moss and despair A failed experiment now hidden away in the brush Decay set foot a long time ago Tearing away their skin, piece by piece Some of them hollow out and collapse Others manage to stand tall against the forces of time But time isn’t all that’s there I throw bottles at your carcasses, Scrawl messages on your ribs, And smoke inside your open wounds I turn your bodies into my ball pit And thrash around them with reckless abandon I gather my murder of friends And devour what is left of you in a fit of youthful defiance Now, scarred and beaten, Deader than dead You lie in wait For the next group of outcasts to defile you 28 �SEAN PAPKE Rock . 29 �SEAN PAPKE Necromancy . The caress of cold snow warms the bodies of those too weak to continue. Soldiers prepared for everything, legs tremble and wounds grow too large Bodies are draped in thick white blankets. Years go by. Yet there is life. Scavenging ravens, no, mindless monsters peck at melting snow They find skulls, femurs, and ribs With a breath of dark magic, life rots, rot lives The ice and snow evaporates And the vengeful begin the cycle anew. 30 �LILY HEBDA stigmata watch me bleed love onto your chest, . so when you suffer me inevitably still your flesh keeps us apart. I will offer it upon the altar of reverie, mothers warn your babies- bear witness like Good Friday I will wait patiently the perils of jaundiced hearts. while i take your pain on like whalebone and reverently and without fuss for the resurrection of what once was. you deny me that role which i covet you are out and on the bound and in some brutal endeavor to make me admit I bear your grievances on my flesh sitting vigil in the hopes that you wound me. one day I’ll be redeemed afresh. [and I love it] 31 �AVA TUREEN 4,015 days . Two days, Without you. Five days, Without you. Three hundred and sixty-five days. I walk a dead end. Nowhere to go. Seven hundred and thirty days. I tried to quit but hit a wall. I step out of the car and walk to his grave. I sit in silence. No emotion, just a steady heartbeat. Two thousand five hundred and fifty-five days. I open my eyes and my way of coping is gone. Three thousand two hundred and eighty-five days. Four years of a new family. Isolated. Alone. Empty. Three thousand three hundred and sixty-five days. New people. New friends. My future. It all starts. Just to end. My dream ends and reality sets in. Four thousand and fifteen days, Without you. 32 �TRISTAN KOHORT A Rose Without Thorns . Crimson petals flutter to the ground Glistening in the pink light of the setting sun As they soak up the gentle mist, Slowly turning to rain. The rose droops as night closes around her, Storming clouds obscuring the precious moon, Drowning in the lightless abyss, The rain eroding the soil at her roots. She’s thrown to the ground Berated by cruel winds Stripping her of her defenses, Leaving her rejected and alone. Now sadly she waits Pressed into the wet earth Where she lay cold and discarded. A rose without thorns. New light glimmers on the horizon Forcing the storm away Leaving an iridescent rainbow in its wake Basking the land in its warm glow. 33 �TRISTAN KOHORT Radiant beams lift up the rose Drying her tears with an unfamiliar gentleness, Packing fresh soil under her roots Building her a new foundation. . She thinks it too good to be true. Night comes again, threatening to steal her light. The sun sets but the light remains unwavering Facing down the storm that torments her. Thunder growls in the distance. The rose shivers in fear But the light stays firmly in place Fighting back the storm as she begins to grow new thorns. 34 �TRISTAN KOHORT Waiting . Silence Darkness I fumble around and *splish* Water, slowly rising. I run around while I can Before the water gets too deep, Crying out for help. Anyone. The water gets to my waist. I see a light A voice God? No, it’s familiar, a woman. I recognize her. She calls out but not to me. I wait to be noticed She leaves And I’m left in darkened silence. I feel something Love? No It can’t be. I’ve barely known her Yet… the feeling persists. 35 �TRISTAN KOHORT The water continues to rise. I keep moving. My light is out there I just need to find her again. I need to wait. . The water is up to my neck. I want desperately to give up. To let myself drown But I can’t. Not now I have… hope? Hope… A foreign feeling to me. Hope That one day I’ll make it out of the dark. One day I’ll see the light again. One day I’ll be safe And I won't be afraid anymore. Until then, I have hope But… for how long? Each day is longer than the last A mere week is an eternity spent alone. I fear I won’t make it But that won’t stop me from trying. I wait. I suffer. I endure. But still I wonder… Why me? 36 �TRISTAN KOHORT Blind . My mind is weak and my soul is worn. My heart is frail and torn. I want to put my trust in the Lord, the shelter in my storm. But I don’t know how to see His light. The dark has made me blind. I know I’m wrong, but still I feel that, my soul, He cannot find. 37 �FELICIA PURSELL Starry Night When you gaze upon me, What do you see . I see the beautiful moon. I see the bright sun. I see the colorful planets. I see the pretty stars. But most of all… I see you… The real you. The beautiful, talented and precious you… On this starry night. 38 �FELICIA PURSELL Greater Love . Love is filled with pain and misery. Love is all I have. I give you the best kind of love with no return asked. I do not ask for it back because I really don’t care. I just live to spread joy and show people how to care. I do not ask to be loved, because there’s no greater love than giving and not asking for it back. 39 �PHOTOGRAPHY & MIXED MEDIA �DREW HARITOS Simulacrum . 40 �NOREEN COLLINS Flower Moon . 41 �NOREEN COLLINS Pink Moon . 42 �NOREEN COLLINS Snow Moon . 43 �NOREEN COLLINS Sturgeon Moon . 44 �SHORT STORIES �SYDNEY AHRBERG Roots The axe forgets, but the tree remembers Zimbabwean proverb It had been almost ten years since Calvin had killed his wife. . He hadn’t actually meant to kill Sarah. He was drunk and they were arguing; just another Sunday night. She raised her voice, he threw something. Just another Sunday night. But when he shoved her like he always did and she fell like she always did, this time she hit her head on the counter like she never did, and suddenly there was blood everywhere and it wasn’t just another Sunday night anymore. People didn’t notice she was gone for a long time. She had no close friends and her family all lived in Quebec, so when he told people she’d run off to Milwaukee with some gas station attendant, people didn’t think too much about it. People didn’t ask why or how, and certainly didn’t ask about the patch of fresh dirt in his backyard. For all his faults however, Calvin was a thorough man, so he didn’t let it stay a patch of dirt for long. He planted seeds for grass, flowers, and an ash tree. The grass was fine; it grew about as well as one might expect. The flowers never did take, rarely blooming and wilting quickly when they did. But the tree thrived. Beneath the earth, its roots wrapped around Sarah’s decaying body, winding around her neck and between her legs, with the thickest roots surrounding her torso, encircling her curled-up frame. Tertiary roots branched off of these, going into her eye sockets and mouth, winding down her throat and through her skull. As Sarah’s body decomposed into a state of unrecognition, the tree grew taller and stronger, nourished by her blood, tissue and sinew. 45 �SYDNEY AHRBERG Despite the tree’s healthy growth, it unsettled Calvin. It grew tall and straight, but halfway up developed an almost hourglass shape, widening above and below and thinning in the middle. Its branches grew in only two directions, as if pointing at ten and two o’clock. Most alarming to Calvin was the large knot above the branches, which . somehow seemed to be watching him at all times. For years Calvin had scarcely thought of Sarah, thoughts of her buried alongside her cold body. But as the tree grew taller, thoughts of that Sunday night plagued his every thought. He stopped looking in mirrors, afraid of seeing Sarah’s bloodied face looking back at him. He found himself unable to sleep, plagued by the notion that even with his windows closed and blinds drawn, that damned tree was watching him from its spot in the yard. The townspeople noticed. “Oh, poor Calvin,” they’d say. “Just look at him. A decade of solitude has really taken its toll on the man.” His drinking habit worsened. The constant state of fear felt somehow more manageable when he was only half-aware of his surroundings. It was in one of these drunken stupors on a rainy night when he decided enough was enough. “I’m a goddamn red-blooded American,” he grumbled. “And I’ll be damned if some tree’s gonna drive me outta my own home!” He searched haphazardly for his axe, bleary-eyed and cursing. The rain outside pounded on the roof, sounding like it might break through at any moment. Claps of thunder echoed through the house and streaks of lightning lit up his face with a devilish glow. He located the axe at last, leaning against the doorframe from when the pastor’s boy had borrowed it to chop firewood. He looked out the window at the tree, which seemed 46 �SYDNEY AHRBERG to be looking right back at him. He hesitated for only a second before shaking his head and marching out the door, axe on shoulder. He walked up to the tree, clothes already soaked through from the rain. Despite the heavy wind, the tree stood steadfast, as though there was no storm at all. . Calvin stumbled over a fallen branch and caught his foot between the roots of the tree. He tried to yank it out to no avail, only managing to scrape his ankle from the movement. He raised his axe, preparing to simply chop through the root, when a bolt of lightning struck the tree. The axe fell. It was a week later when the pastor went to Calvin’s house, concerned that he hadn’t been to Sunday mass. He wandered through the empty house when he spotted a charred, blackened tree in the backyard. Walking out the backdoor, he saw a fallen axe–and next to it, Calvin’s body. It wasn’t the lightning that killed him, the autopsy found. It had simply rendered him unconscious. What had killed him was his limp body falling, smashing his head on the tree’s roots upon impact. The townspeople came together to uproot the tree, not wanting such a morbid reminder of Calvin’s death in their neighborhood. What they found perplexed them, however. Below the ground were some worm-eaten scraps of fabric and a system of tree roots intertwined in the shape of a woman. 47 �CHRISTOPHER SMITH A Return to Ape Canyon In my time studying cryptozoology as a hobby, I, of course, would follow the elusive trail of Bigfoot, or the Sasquatch, whatever you want to call it. On a short stay in the . Pacific Northwest, I interviewed several individuals who had supposedly seen the sasquatch. During this time, I was led down a rabbit hole that took me to someone whose story stood out. After a brief email conversation with his wife, Molly, I got permission to interview Martin “Marty” Mair. Their house was a cabin nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains with a rusty green pick up truck and a pristine, white SUV parked outside. My arrival was heralded by the barking of a dog as Molly let me inside. She went back to watching some program on the cooking channel, while the subject of my interview faced me, tinkering with an electric can opener. He had a grey beard and close cropped hair hidden under his cap. His white hands were marked with dirt and grease stains, and his cheeks were flushed the same. A tub of chew and an ashtray of cigarettes sat next to him. A pack of Sonoma menthol’s stuck out from his front shirt pocket. After telling me how he has lived in Washington state since he moved from Chicago at age five, I asked Marty what attracted him to Ape Canyon all those years ago. “To see if the story was real,” he said in a Seattle accent, “It was the height of the Bigfoot craze and we wanted to see if he was real.” “Who do you mean by we?” I asked, giving a look towards Molly. “Not Molly,” Marty told me, “My ex girlfriend, Susie O'neill, and my buddies since high school, Will Fuller and Jim Smith, the latter a member of the Cowlitz tribe.” “What happened to you at Ape Canyon?” I asked finally. 48 �CHRISTOPHER SMITH Marty straightened up, grabbed a cigarette, and lit it with my approval. After the second puff, he began: “Like I said, we were all interested in cryptids–just like you, except for Susie, she just came along to hike Mt. St. Helens. We left during the fourth of July weekend 1977. We . brought enough provisions for two weeks–and firearms. We doubted we’d need them. We doubted we’d even see a squatch. We wanted to be ready for whatever came our way, though. “Starting in the morning from Kelso, we took highway 504 to the lodge on Spirit Lake. There, we spent a few hours talking to locals and tourists, seeing if they saw anything. Finding no satisfying answers, we set off south on foot. We headed directly to Ape Canyon, which we reached by the end of the day. There, we set up camp and spent the night. I remember not being able to sleep that first night, feeling unnerved. I stayed up near the campfire and listened to the animals calling from beyond the brush. “The next two days, we moved out of Ape Canyon and wandered around the mountain, attempting to find any bit of evidence of the squatch. We searched for the usual signs: footprints, droppings, carcasses. Anything. Yet, there was nothing. On the third night, we agreed we would go back tomorrow. As we were picking up camp the next morning, we heard Susie scream. “We ran over to her and she said, ‘I saw it over there!’ She pointed up the hill. ‘What did you see?’ Will asked. ‘The sasquatch!’ Susie told him. Will took a few step in the direction she pointed. Susie added quickly, ‘I’m ready to go home.’ “Will was not having it and said, ‘That’s the whole reason we came on this trip. We’re not going anywhere until we all see the squatch, and have evidence of him.’ They asked me and Jim for our opinions. 49 �CHRISTOPHER SMITH Jim wanted to go after the squatch and I said I wanted to as well, despite wanting to go home with Susie. You see, I didn’t want to leave Will and Jim out here with the squatch. So we started up the mountain after our quarry. We began to find tracks that it attempted to quickly conceal, which Will took pictures of. . “We followed the squatch for two days, with Jim catching one glimpse of it. It led us around the mountain in every which way. Eventually, we found the sasquatch, waiting for us in a cave, seemingly having given up the chase. At first, we were apprehensive, but we approached it. Will was the first to speak, ‘What are you?’ The sasquatch answered in the chittering of a squirrel. We all looked at each other in confusion and Jim suggested we try teaching it English. We taught it to say water, but found it was physically incapable of making human sounds. It did understand the word, though and was able to get out, ‘Ah’ka.’ “We found it was better to use charades. We asked why it ran away from us. It took us hours to learn that his people have been suspicious of the white men, seeing how the whites treated the natives, who they have historically been cordial to. The growing presence of white men has pushed his people into hidden passageways in the mountain. They leave to hunt and forage, but mostly stay underground. It told us that it had been bad times for his kind because the white men hurt the mountain, who they believe is a goddess. Our conversation was cut short when more came and proceeded to sling rocks about…yay big…at us.” He held out his hands about half a foot apart as he continued, “It shouted at its kin in what sounded like a bird call, but they kept throwing rock at us. They started making a high pitched sound as we fled into the woods and they pursued us. We pulled out our guns and fired back, hoping to scare them off, but it only served to enrage them. 50 �CHRISTOPHER SMITH They attempted to encircle us, and we fled even further. We continued shooting at them, dodging stones as they came. They started to back off, and suddenly redoubled their efforts. Will got struck in the head by a stone and Susie went to tend to him. Me and Jim shot back at the squatches, praying to God that we . weren’t gonna die. We took out one of them each, and they began fleeing up the hills. We kept shooting after them, until they disappeared back in the cave. We watched with anxiety until Susie got Will well enough to continue down the mountain. Me and Jim watched the camp that night, while Will groaned in pain. The next morning, we found a ranger, who was able to get us quickly to a hospital. Will died there…me, Susie, and Jim went our separate ways. Susie went out east and I don’t know what happened to Jim.” I waited a moment after Marty finished to ask another question. “Do you think the Apemen are still there?” I finally asked. “No,” Marty said, “They probably died during the eruption.” “Were you ever curious to go back?” I asked. “No,” Marty said, flatly. “Why has this story never gotten national attention?” I asked. Marty went quiet for a minute. I thought he wasn’t even going to answer my question, then he started. “After Will died, two men in black suits came to the hospital. They wore these black sunglasses that they never took off. They took the three of us to an isolated room and questioned us as to what happened. We thought they were police or FBI, so we were scared shitless and told them the truth. Once we finished with our version of events, they told us, ‘You are to never tell this story to anyone else. If any of you tell the story, you 51 �CHRISTOPHER SMITH can forget your constitutional rights.’ They confiscated Will’s camera, saying they were going to destroy it. They then asked if we were given anything by the squatches or if we took anything from them. We answered truthfully, and they left.” “Why do you think the government would care about this getting out?” I asked. . “I thought about that question for all these years,” Marty said, “You know we always talk about what if something is out there…what if we found alien life somewhere. Yet, we never think of what would happen if we saw that life face-to-face. It’s scary. You know, realizing that the squatches are intelligent in their own right, so what if something comes that is smarter than us humans? What if it already has? You know…religion… science… philosophy… Their foundations would crumble. Society as we know it would collapse. Those at the top don’t want that.” “Then why tell me now?” I asked. He laughed. “‘Cause I’m an old coot who is telling you about something that has been buried under volcanic ash for forty years. The doubters will do all the leg work that the Feds would have needed to do all that time ago. Spread my story and make your money off of it. It’ll be buried after a month.” He fell silent again, picking some chew and putting it in his mouth. I thanked him for the interview and left. I got in my car and drove to a nearby diner. There, I sat for a few hours and thought about all he said. I decided I wasn’t going to publish this story, but in the years since my interview, I kept going back to the memory of what Marty said. So believe his story, or don’t. It doesn’t matter. In the end, like Marty said, the truth is buried under a hundred feet of ash. 52 �BIOGRAPHIES �CONTRIBUTER BIOGRAPHIES JAY GUZI EWI CZ - ALUMNUS DEAD W E I G H T SHAR P T H I NGS NEPA #2 j.t. guziewicz is a 2022 Wilkes University Graduate, with a degree in English and Psychology. They once met an extraterrestrial in the tunnels of the Denver International Airport. EMI LY CHERKAUSKAS - ALUMNUS TICK I N G THE C O M P U TER IS LAIK A I N S P ACE Emily Cherkauskas graduated in 2023 with majors in communication studies and English. She accidentally crash-landed on Earth after traveling the universe for the past hundred years. She didn't expect to end up here but is happy to be able to submit to Manuscript . BRI ANNA SCHUNK - ALUMNUS LOST / F O U N D Brianna Schunk (she/they) is an English graduate of Wilkes University (2020) and a current online graduate student of Library Science at Simmons University. Her poetry has been published in Sh*t Men Say to Me (2021), Sagebrush Review, and locally through previous issues of Manuscript and Luzerne County's Poetry in Transit program. Her academic writing has also been published in the Norton Field Guide to Writing, 5th ed. (2021) and through UReCA and Cr*pple Magazine. HALEY KATONA - ALUMNUS IN AU G U S T LEFT O V E R S FROM SUICIDE GRAV E Y A R D S I graduated in 2023 as a Political Science major. I love fire and anything to do with fire. My eyes glow red in the dark. LOIS GRIMM - ALUMNUS WHEN T H E Y SAID I COULD HANDLE IT THE L I E S WE TELL IN THERAPY Lois Grimm is an aspiring writer from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She previously wrote for local newspapers as a features writer and daily news reporter and worked as a photojournalist. Lois is currently enrolled in the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University. She enjoys writing poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. �DREW HARI TOS - 2024 MOME N T O M ORI Drew Haritos is a native of Shippensburg, PA, and is a dual English and Psychology major. She’s working hand-in-hand with the governor's office and is girl-bossing it up with Kamala Harris. She is also known to commune with dead Civil War generals in her spare time. LEAH SMI TH - 2026 DEVI L ’ S C ANDY I’m a sophomore English major. I have a dog and a cat. JACOB O’ BOYLE - 2025 FERA L OMEG A PIMP M Y R IDE I’m a junior Biology major with minors in English and Chemistry. I like to press plants and flowers. That’s why I'm in the witness protection program. DAN STI SH - 2025 Code i n e Dan Stish is pursuing dual degrees in English and Biochemistry, planning to graduate in Spring 2025. I once knew a spectre carnally. NATE STAVI SH - 2026 THE T O W N WAS DEAD CONCRETE I am a sophomore English major. My third eye sees what you think at night, and I'm beginning to get a little concerned. LILY HEBDA - 2025 STIG M A T A Lily Hebda is a junior English and Secondary Education major. In her free time, Lily likes to hike. After graduation she plans to attend graduate school, pursuing a doctorate in Big Foot Studies. �TRI STAN KOHRT - 2026 A RO S E W I THOUT THORNS WAIT I N G BLIN D I am a sophomore Math Education major. I'm from Wisconsin. I'm wanted in 13 states for smuggling Spotted Cow. AVA TUREEN - 2026 4, 01 5 D A Y S I am a sophomore Communications major with double minor in Spanish & Technical Writing. I hope to travel the U.S. in a van for a year in my early twenties. FELI CI A PURSELL - 2027 STAR R Y N I GHT GREA T E R L OVE I am majoring in criminology to become a lawyer to make a difference in the world so my kids have something to look up to.When I was 6 I had a dream of aliens hovering over me and I believe I was abducted by aliens. NOREEN COLLI NS - 2000 FLOW E R M O ON PINK M O O N SNOW M O ON STUR G E O N MOON She graduated from Wilkes University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. When she is not over-caffeinating, she can be found writing, taking pictures, and logging miles. SYDNEY AHRBERG - 2026 ROOT S Sydney Ahrberg is a sophomore English major. In her free time, she likes to lie on her bed and think about all the fun things she could be doing if she got out of bed. Mothman is also her cousin. Can't you see the resemblance? CHRI STOPHER SMI TH - ALUMNUS A RE T U R N TO APE CANYON Christopher Smith graduated in 2021 with a major in History and Political Science. He has a cat who wants you to know that the lizard people don't run the show--it's the cat overlords. Please bow down to the cat overlords. �EDITORS DREW HARI TOS EXECUTIVE EDITOR SYDNEY AHRBERG ASSISTANT EDITOR JAZMIN HIGH SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER DAN STISH LAYOUT EDITOR DR. MISCHELLE ANTHONY FACULTY ADVISOR AND THANKS TO OUR OTHER MANUSCRIPT MEMBERS: JACOB O’BOYLE AVA TUREEN FELICIA PURSEL LEAH SMITH QUINN CARDEN SHAWN CAREY TRISTAN KOHRT FINALLY, THANKS TO THE KIRBY GHOST FOR YOUR CONSTANT COMPANIONSHIP �� 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 Manuscript: Literary Magazine, 1947-present Subject The topic of the resource The Manuscript Society of Wilkes University has been publishing its creative written and visual art magazine, Manuscript, continuously since 1947. Currently, the student-led editorial staff publishes one issue per year, and copies are complimentary. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes Manuscript Society Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDFs Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1947-2020 Description An account of the resource The Wilkes University Manuscript is a student-run literary magazine, published by the Manuscript Society since 1947. It is currently published once a year. Individuals may submit creative fiction, creative nonfiction/short personal essays, poetry, photography, drawings, paintings, digital art, and music compositions. Submissions are open to all Wilkes University students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Anyone can read or obtain copies of any of the material for research purposes, but if the researcher wants to quote from the materials, they will need to obtain copyright permission from the <a href="https://www.wilkes.edu/academics/colleges/arts-humanities-social-sciences/humanities/manuscript/index.aspx">Wilkes University Manuscript Society.</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource The Wilkes University Manuscript: Literary Magazine is arranged chronologically. The series ranges from 1947 – present. The magazine is currently published in the Spring only, but has previously been published seasonally, each semester. The series also includes a folder with supplemental materials from the Manuscript Film Society in the 1970s. The folders include a date range which may hold more than one issue of the magazine. 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 Manuscript, 2023-2024 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource English Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023-2024 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Magazine https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/c6265be5222b31c03cf84d9d11120e6c.pdf 3228950c73e73bdaf51082871e752e0f PDF Text Text The Beacon - February 1, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 76, Issue 9 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Winter in Wilkes-Barre: Snowfall, but no winter wonderland An anticpated winter snowstorm on Jan. 25 led to closures throughout the area, including at Wilkes University. The snowstorm caused little more than slush and ice to litter the valley before temperatures went back up into the 40s and students went back to classes. The Beacon/Baylee Guedes MOVING ON Cants celebrate Australia day, page 3 Programming board’s first “zen” event of the semester, page 7 ‘A Man Called Otto’ and the difficult path to acceptance, page 18 Wrestling gains three top three MAC Championship titles, page 19 �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 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: Jan. 25 weekly meeting By Maddy Kinard News Editor Student Government recently held its second meeting of the spring 2023 semester, covering a club recognition, fund request and a constitution change. To begin, Morgan’s Message returned for Week 2 of 2 to be recognized as a club by the council. Morgan’s Message strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the studentathlete community and offer outlets and solutions for help. According to the corporation, only 10 pecent of studentathletes seek professional help. The club plans to hold dedication games along with watch parties and also hopes to have ambassadors among the collegiate teams on campus to offer a stronger impact. Currently, there is no club or organization like it at Wilkes and 39 students have already joined. A motion was made to vote and the vote passed, recognizing the club. Next, a fund request was voted on for Club Day 2.0 which happened on Jan. 26 during club hours in the MAC. For the 55 clubs that signed up for the event, the total request was $3,400, which was approved in full by the council. Finally, RHC presented on constitution changes. The group is changing the RA fund request so that RA’s are able to fund events that they have. They also added a hierarchy system as follows: Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Diploma Order Submission Reminder for May 2023 Graduates Seniors must submit Diploma Order and Degree Audit via the electronic form for May 2023 Graduation. Use this link to access the form and more information: https://w w w.wilkes.edu/academics/ registrar/graduation.aspx Seniors are urged to follow all instructions carefully and are reminded to order caps and gowns as well. Apply to become an e-Mentor Applications are open for the position of first-year e-Mentor for the fall 2023 semester. As an e-mentor, full-time undergraduate students are trained to provide support to a group of 12 to 25 new students beginning at Summer Orientation and concluding at the end of the 2023 fall semester. e-Mentor’s are student leaders who have varied campus experiences. To fill out the application, please visit www.wilkes.edu/campus-life/studentdevelopment/leadership-opportunities/ e-mentors/e-mentor-application.aspx or contact the Director of Student Development, Stacy Mullen, with any questions at stacy.mullen@wilkes.edu or 570.408.4645 Form which can be found in the Jan. 27 Today@Wilkes email. A link to the application can be found in the same email and is due Feb. 2 by 11:59 p.m. Any questions can be directed to Alicia Govens, Assistant Director of Residence Life, at alicia.govens@ wilkes.edu, or Amin Rashid, Director of Residence Life, at amin.rashid@wilkes. edu. Apply to be a Resident Assistant United Way Annual Children’s Book Drive The Office of Residence Life is looking for new RAs. The position requires dedication and flexibility, valuing maturity, empathy, motivation, initiative, responsibility, adaptability and integrity. RAs are given a single room on campus and a dining plan as well as transferable skills and personal development opportunities. Resident Life is hosting information sessions on Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. in Simms Center room 231 and Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. To participate in the Zoom, students must pre-register via Google The United Way is currently accepting age-appropriate books in good condition (meaning no stains, tears, writing or missing pages) for 0 to 13-year-olds now till Feb. 20. Donations boxes can be found in the Farley Library, Breiseth Hall second floor lounge and the Karamelas Center. For more information or with any questions, contact monica.morrison1@wilkes.edu president, vice president, treasurer, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, parliamentarian and RHC advisor. RHC will attend next week's meeting where the council will vote on the changes. Student Government will meet again on Feb. 1. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2023 Spring Semester February 1 - "Harlem Reainassance: Art of Black America" lecture 2 - Council of the Clubs 9 - Blackety Black, Y'all lecutre 14 - Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon 16 - Black Artists in NEPA lecture 20-24 - Casino Week 22 - Last look gallery tour �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 News 3 Cants celebrate Australia Day during Global Coffee Hour By Maddy Kinard News Editor On Jan. 27, Angela Cant and daughter Eliza Cant discussed Australia Day during the global coffee hour in the Savitz Lounge. Angela Cant is the wife of Wilkes President Dr. Greg Cant. Eliza Cant is their daughter and a current Wilkes student. Australia Day is the official national day of Australia and is recognized annually on the day prior, Jan. 26. As Angela Cant informed attendees, Australia Day celebrates the claiming of the land as a British Colony by Sir Arthur Phillip. However, this day is rather recognized as the beginning of suffering for the native Aboriginal people due to colonization. “Partly the reason for the creation of a colony in Australia was because of what was happening here in the United States. So as independence was getting pushed for here in the United States, the British needed to spread their wings elsewhere, they needed to find other places to send people–they were sending convicts from the United Kingdom to Australia,” said Angela Cant. The first Australia Day did not take place until July 1915, so it originally had no ties to the day that marks the suffering of First Nations people. It was started to raise funds for wounded soldiers in World War I. In 1938, the Aboriginal people declared Jan. 26 a day of mourning, calling it Invasion Day. It was not until 1934 that a nationwide recognized Australia Day was held on Jan. 26. “Some people ‘are like oh you can’t move it’—why? It was made in the 90s,” said Eliza Cant. Eliza Cant explained that it is becoming more popular to boycott the holiday, and the discussion of Aboriginal suffering is becoming more public. Dot paintings were handed out for attendees to paint. Dot painting is a traditional Aboriginal art form which usually told creation stories, commonly known as “dream stories.” “I thought it was really interesting,” said Jess Rushton, junior history and political science major. “I knew a little bit of Australian history but not loads. It was interesting learning about the controversy surrounding Australian day and that not everyone sees it as a celebration.” Angela Cant and her daughter, Eliza, led the presentation on Australia Day, informing attendees of the history, traditions, slang and animals native to Australia. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Many traditional Australian snacks were provided for attendees, such as Vegimite, a food spread; Lamingtons, squares of butter sponge cake coated in an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in coconut; Tim Tams, chocolate biscuits; and Caramello koalas, chocolate caramel candies shaped like koalas. From left, Kevin Sraka, graduate; Tom Hansen, juinor geology major; Esther Orlando, juinor biology major; Darwin Gonzalez juinor, electrical engineering major; Leonel Dio, juinor English major; and Jess Rushton, juinor history and political science major, enjoy Australia Day festivities. �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 News 4 Honors program calls for first-year students to apply By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor Current first-year students with a 3.5 GPA or higher are invited to join the honors program. Honors and Scholars Director Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, was joined by Jen McLaughlin, honors and scholars assistant director, in hosting a recent open session about joining the honors program. Honors students enjoy perks such as funding for study abroad, honors-only opportunities, internships and research. They also have access to early course registration, no-cost overloading above s Program 18 credits, special access to campus speakers and field trips. There are also honors-only spaces, including refreshments and a 24-hour-access honors lounge. Kuiken explained that the “on-ramp” access was created three years ago for current students to join the program. They wanted to find a way to involve more students in the program, especially for the students who display qualities of leadership and academic achievement. The program highly values leadership, integrity, self-awareness and academic distinction. Kuiken described these values as taking one’s individual gifts and talents to better the community. “My favorite thing about the honors program is the people because this is where I made connections with the faculty who have helped me through things, and where I met all of my friends,” said Kamea Paresa, secondary education and math honors student. Paresa also explained that “being a part of the honors program is my best decision coming to Wilkes.” Kuiken spoke about the academic portion of being an honors student, where there is a focus on undergraduate research and cooperative research with faculty members. “It opens a lot of opportunities for research,” he explained. McLaughlin spoke about the various Photos courtesy of the Honors Program From left, Micheal Nowak, Anthony Antonette, Jordan Mosquera, and Dr. Jonathan Kuiken celebrate an amazing catch in the audience at a Railriders game. Honors students attended the game during the fall 2022 semester. honors spaces, including the honors lounge, classroom and office, which all are “places to hang out, do some work and network with other honors students.” Not only is the program academically motivated, it is also community driven and focuses on peer mentoring and collaboration. “I think my favorite part of the honors program is the opportunities, and I enjoy reaching out and getting to know people,” said Ada Soriano, pre-pharmacy and Spanish honors student. Soriano is also the Director of Community Service for the Honors Program Student Committee, and explained that the upperclass-students in the program helped prepare her for her busy workload. “I think it's very helpful because you have your peer mentors,” said Soriano. Kuiken explained that one of the program’s priorities is to “encourage you to be involved in leadership on campus,” and their goal for students is for them “to get involved, to grow as students and to add to your resume.” Some of the coursework is specifically targeted towards honors students. Senior honors students enroll in HNR 390 which is an honors capstone. In addition to the academic bonuses, honors students will receive recognition at commencement, and a special notation on their transcripts. The application process consists of filling out a basic Google form. In addition, students must receive two letters of recommendation and complete three small essays, one that answers why they want to join the program, another describing a leadership role and the final essay addresses how to adapt to reach the honors requirements. Some future Honors Program events include an escape room, ice hockey game, cookie decorating and a trip to see the Broadway musical “Six.” Applications close April 15, and any students with questions can email jennifer.mclaughlin1@wilkes.edu. During one Honors outing, students traveled to Gettysburg where they toured the battlefields, did some shopping and went on a ghost tour. First row, from left, are Kamea Paresa, Mollie Corbett, Zoe Morley, Reagan Weldon-Peri and Jen McLaughlin. Second row, are Zak Sova, Kasey Gress, Ethan Warner, Sydney Ahrberg, Dr. Kuiken, Jada Acheampong, Lauren Patrick �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 News Junior archives student processes poetry series By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor Archives student Juliana Lueders has processed the poetry series of the Gilbert Stuart McClintock collection. This poetry series includes works by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Fitz-Greene Halleck, William Henry Furness and British Major, John André. Lueders is a junior English and philosophy double-major, with minors in ethics and women and gender studies. She has been working in the archives department for three years. “I began on the Normal Mailer collection, and then I moved to the Thomas Campbell collection, which I finished and (it) is digitized in a similar fashion as the McClintock series. And then during the fall I finished the McClintock series,” said Lueders. “Currently, I'm covering the George and Helen Ralston collection, but that one will take a while.” Suzanna Calev, archivist and Lueders' supervisor, said, “I'm very proud of Juliana for her detailed analysis and transcription of the manuscripts, correspondence and printed materials within the collection.” Calev explained that her goal is to “get more of these materials digitized and online to promote research and scholarship on these collections that were previously hidden.” In addition to transcribing old handwriting and scripture, Calev has students research and gather historical context of the time period in which the items were written. They then make connections between the items they’ve researched to see if there are any larger themes at play. “My experience with this particular collection was similar to the Campbell one: The beginning is always tough,” Lueders explained. “I have to transcribe our primary documents and this means dealing with tiny cursive writing on a delicate, age-worn page and typing it all into a new workable document.” “A lot of the challenges that students face when working in the archives and processing the McClintock collection is that because we live in such a digital age, it's often difficult for students to transcribe old handwriting and scripture,” Calev said. Along with the analytics and research, Lueders shared, “for writing the blog posts I'm allowed to put in some of my own thoughts and theories about the content, which is also very fun. Blog posts are more so a highlight reel of my favorites from the collection, but I also try to treat them as a short summary of the collection itself by including a broad range of content.” Lueders shared a few takeaways she had from processing these collections. She realized how much depth everything has and how items hold history and An image of Halleck’s poem, “Wyoming” reflects, according to student Juliana Lueders, American citizens' “conflict-heavy” view of American soil. Halleck reframes the usually idealized version of war by steeping it in the reality of devastation and loss. 5 personality that goes beyond their physical form. “When it was over I just hoped that I did the item justice in my analysis. I was also happy about it being complete and was excited to find out my next project,” said Lueders. Lueders offers advice to other students, encouraging them to look for jobs available on campus either within their major or something adjacent to it. She states that what students may find may prove to be a great source of experience or learning that can help in the future. Lueders’ blog post has a link to the finding aid with digitized items along with her reflections on the poems in the series. It can be found on the archives website by following the link to www. wuarchives.home.blog and searching under the Jan. 2023 tab. Photo Courtesy of: "Ballads, Battles, Love, and Loss: Processing the Poetry series of the Gilbert Stuart McClintock collection" Perry Leaving the Lawrence for the Niagara - Thomas Birch, 1815 This painting accompanies the poem, “The Ballad of James Bird,” by Unknown, which tells the story of a brave colonist, who instead of fleeing, continued to fight until they defeated the British fleet. �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Wilkes University Open House brings out campus community Photos courtesy of Lindsey Scorey Wilkes University President Dr. Greg Cant gives a welcome speech discussing opportunities available at Wilkes. From left, Bonner Leader Program Coordinator Catie Becker, sophomore pharmacy student Ada Soriano and sophomore pharmacy student Emily Blaine work at the Bonner Leaders table. From left, Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, Honors and Scholars director, and Jen McLaughlin, the assistant director of the Honors and Scholars Program pose for a picture during a recent Open House. From left, Student Development Activities Coordinator Addie Hazlet, Director of Student Development Stacy Mullen and Career Development and Services Coordinator Anna Bateman were all smiles at the January Open House. Write News for The Beacon! Write about: Contact: - Campus happenings News editor: - National news Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu - Current events - And more! 6 �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jordan.Daniel@wilkes.edu Programming Board’s first “zen” event of the semester By Laury Angeles Martinez LA&E Photographer and Staff Writer Programming Board held “Zen Night” on Jan. 26 in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. There was plenty of relaxing activities, including, but not limited to, estorative yoga, face masks and crafts. “This is a lot of fun,” said Daphne Shencavitz, junior biochemistry major. “It is really nice that the Programming Board holds this event, you know, relaxing and not very populated. “It is nice to have something to come and relax at.” The atmosphere at the event was tranquil. Slow music was played to the liking of the students and there were snacks, such as fruits, cookiesn and juices. “I like this event because it is calm,” said Laila Porterfield, a first-year sociology major. “Not everybody is here, it is lowkey and you’re doing your own thing.” Porterfield and many other attendees enjoyed the chill atmosphere and relaxing activities. The craft activity areas, which hosted activities like making bead bracelets, were a hit among students. “This is a new event that we haven’t put on before yet,” said Courntey Negra, sophomore special education and elementary education major. Negra is also Programming Board’s Big Events chair. “We are doing yoga, lotions and face masks. We are doing sand art and diamond art.” If you missed this event, consider going to Pprogramming Board’s next event on Feb. 2, although it might not be as zen. It is a Murder Mystery Night with actresses and audience participatio. The event is free to students. From left to right: Julie Chropowicki, graduate assistant of student development/MBA; Kimberly Wheeler, sophomore pharmacy major; and Kylie Jayne, junior nursing major, pose after doing some diamond art. Photos: The Beacon/Laury Angeles Martinez Emily Purcell (lef), a junior chemistry major and Shelby Brazes, a junior criminology and psychology double major, practice restorative yoga. From left, Daphne Shencavitz, a junior biochemistry major and Melissa Ooi, a first-year biochemistry major have fun doing face masks together. �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 f Cocktail of the Week: A Yummy “Talking Monkey” Martini By Haley Katona Contributing Writer Spending winter break monkeying around only to have come back to reality can leave a sour taste in any college student’s mouth so here is to the Talking Monkey! This is a fun dessert drink to sweeten and enhance the monkey business of the weekends. a Cheers! The Beacon reminds everyone to drink responsibility… and that the legal drinking age is 21. The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Make a Talking Monkey martini the next time you are feeling a little bananas. B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! ps Be Ingredients: 1 ounce chocolate vodka 0.5 ounce espresso vodka 1 ounce banana liqueur 0.5 ounce coffee liqueur 1 ounce heavy cream Optionally, espresso vodka can be substituted with coffee or espresso for added energy. Directions: First, pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake thoroughly. Then, strain the drink into a chilled glass. Garnish with whipped cream if you want an even sweeter treat. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Silver Soul - Beach House Morgan Rich, Managing Editor: Kill Bill - SZA Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Neck & Wrist - Pusha T, JAY-Z, Pharell Williams Amanda Montgomery, News Asst. Editor: Tropic Morning News - The National Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Low - SZA Laury Angeles Martinez, LA&E Photographer & Staff Writer: golden hour - JVKE Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Asst. Editor: Bane - Destroy Lonely Zara Lantzman, Opinion Asst. Editor: brr - Kim Petras Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Eraser - LYELL David Marks, Designer: Preoccupied - Mac Demarco Maggie Murphy, Designer: Flowers - Miley Cyrus Lara Mullen, Designer: Give Yourself A Try - The 1975 Elizabeth Cherinka, Social Media Manager/Staff Writer Mastermind - Taylor Swift �The Beacon – February 1, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Virtual Reading Buddies offers work study opportunities By Anthony Cazun Staff Writer “America Reads Study Buddy Tutor” is a newly evolved work study opportunity available for students. While under this work study, tutors work with elementary grade students as a reading buddy tutor, or as of recently, a virtual reading buddy tutor. The program is run by supervisors Megan Boone Valkenburg and Monica Morrison and they have a mission. “Our world is currently in a literacy crisis, and my goal as VISTA is to recruit college students as tutors to help students in first and second grade with their literacy and reading skills,” said Morrison, Wilkes graduate and AmeriCorps VISTA. “The goal is to work with children before third grade because in particular, third grade is a critical period where children transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Knowing this, we need to intervene as early as we can to help reduce the devastating effects of literacy deficits.” The way reading buddy tutors tackle this issue is through invigorating children’s desire to learn by reading with them and playing creative games and activities. “We choose fun activities to complete with the kids that will facilitate them with their learning,” said Alyssa AllenFields, senior psychology and criminology major. “For example, playing bingo where the numbers are replaced with words, allowing there to be more reading practice or playing cup stacking where the child reads each word on the cup then builds the tower.” Many of these practices and activities are unique and personalized for the student so their exact needs are tended to, sharpening their overall skill set. Tutors will often tend to two students at a time within the same hour. Reading buddies are able to tutor virtually, at the YMCA or at various elementary schools within the area. Schedules are relatively generous and only requires four hours of work per week. Many of the tutors prioritize being patient and kind, allowing for students to feel more comfortable and blossom to their full potential. Bringing up kids when they are discouraged or otherwise overwhelmed is a vital characteristic of the position. “A challenge of the work study is sometimes the kids get distracted and begin talking to one another instead of focusing on the activity which motivates me to come up with new activities that will have them be more engaged,” said AllenFields. “My goal is to recruit as many tutors as I can so that we can help as many first and second grade students as we can,” said Morrison. “As Wilkes University celebrates Black History Month, it is important to recognize the people who are telling their story,” said Sincavage. “It allows us a greater understanding and provides deeper empathy for those who have been singled out for their difference.” Aiello will discuss different aspects and viewpoints of the works of art. His main points will address the importance of the works during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as how they shaped that time period and influenced art culture for years to come. The project brings light to discussions of the importance of collaboration in both the artistic world and one’s own life. At the lecture, students, faculty and community members will be able to experience for themselves moving and thought provoking works of art by artists like Richard Bruce Nugent and Aaron Douglas. the exhibit will showcase different aspects of the Harlem Renaissance that have never been seen or thought of before by highlighting visual art of African American culture in the 1920s. “We’re looking forward to hosting this event,” said Melissa Carestia, assistant director of Sordoni Art Gallery. The “Art In Context” lectures connect the work in the gallery to other topics. Having a lecture about the Harlem Renaissance, which was so important to Driskell and so many others in the exhibition, will be a meaningful experience.” In today’s society, isolation and individualism are at an all time high. Since COVID-19 struck, it has been very Graphic by Maggie Murphy If interested in applying for this work study, explore the “America Reads, Civic Engagement” box on the work study jobs page on wilkes.edu, or email Monica Morrison (@monica.morrison@wilkes. edu) for more information. Sordoni Art Gallery hosts Art In Context lecture By Bailey DeJesus Staff Writer On Feb. 1 Dr. Thomas Aiello will speak at the Sordoni Art Gallery about the “David C. Driskell and Friends: Creativity, Collaboration and Friendship” exhibition. The “Harlem Renaissance: Art of Black America” lecture begins at 5 p.m. and is free and open to the general public. A professor of history and Africana studies at Valdosta State University, Aiello will discuss the importance of the art that curated by Driskell. Aiello was brought here through the efforts of Heather Sincavage, curator of the exhibition, director of Sordoni Art Gallery and associate professor of art, alongside Curlee Raven Holton and Dr. Sheila Bergman. apparent that being alone and separated from friends and community has begun to not only be the norm but preferred. This exhibition hopes to begin a change in tone by emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication between friends, professional disciplines, colleges and backgrounds. Especially at such a tumultuous time as the 1920s and the Harlem Renaissance, collaboration and friendship was a must for survival. “The subject of the show, David Driskell, is a very important figure in the history of African-American art in the 20th century,” said Paul Riggs, dean of arts and science. “The show is premiering here at the Sordoni before moving to university art galleries nationwide. “This is a very big event for Dr. Aiello and professor Sincavage.” �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Meet the Majors This week’s major: Political Science 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 to Jordan Daniel express why they chose their major and how they feel it will benefit Life, Arts & Entertainment them in the future. Interviews and photos by Editor Sarah Lechak Senior Sarah Phillips Senior “My favorite aspect about being a political science major is the close community built between the students within the major and with the professors. “My education and time spent here at Wilkes as a political science major has been bolstered by the friendships I’ve made with my peers and the support and information provided by the professors.” “I chose this major because I’m extremely interested in politics and I wanted to become more educated about government and law. “I hope to use my knowledge in my future job at the Domestic Violence Service Center. This is in regards to helping domestic violence survivors with legal issues, such as PFAs and advice for hearings. I also hope to use this knowledge to possibly go to law school in the future.” Photos: The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Damien Chmielewski Sophomore “I chose political science because I enjoy politics and I wanted to learn more about the theories and understandings of the political world. “I hope to eventually go to law school and become a criminal lawyer, as of right now.” Morgan Steiner Sophomore “I love that there is so much flexibility with political science. I can take classes on U.S. politics, global politics or law classes. It has allowed me to branch out and discover what I love about politics. “I plan to attend graduate school. My dream job would be something where I can use my knowledge about politics to help people and see the world.” �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment The self-help saga By Morgan Rich ������������������������������������������� Managing Editor Having a three week homeworkless, examless and classless break is enough to put anyone into a slump at the beginning of the semester. Combined with the cold and dark weather, it is a recipe for disaster. Jumping into the semester with little motivation is a daunting task. Here is how to gain back that motivation and take the semester by storm! �������������������������������������� ��� ���������������� � If there is anything I have fallen victim to during the start-of-semester slump, it is trying to wake up early before my classes. Luckily, my classes do not begin super early; however, I do have work study on Tuesdays from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m., and I would be lying if I said that waking up for it is not a challenge for me. I never once considered myself to be a morning person but I have found that there are ways to make waking up in the morning easier and not feel as much of a hassle. First, I start this routine the night before I know I have to wake up early. Normally around 11 p.m. I will set an alarm for an hour before class and then, at the latest, I will set an alarm for 45 minutes before class. This ensures my body has time to wake up in the morning before class starts. Personally, I am the kind of person who showers at night in order to save time in the morning so when I wake up I immediately wash my face to feel refreshed. I then follow through with a skincare routine, get changed into clothes that I picked out the night before and eat a healthy breakfast. A fun tip to start the morning off right is to drink lemon water before eating because it promotes and improves digestion, as well as reduces heartburn and constipation. The thing that changed my life the most to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed was using an online “sleep calculator,” which ensures that one does not fall asleep in the middle of a sleep cycle. These sleep calculators allow the person to choose their age, what time they want to go to sleep and then it provides the four best times to fall asleep. up is needed, however, never feel ashamed to make a quick stop at Starbucks to get a caffeine fix. ���� ��� ������� �� ����� ��� ���� � ���� ��������������� � ���� � The easiest way to relax and find motivation is to have a space to recharge. Whether a student lives on or off campus, creating a space that they can call their own is an easy task that can be done. Even though I live off campus, I found that the easiest way to get through college ���� ��� ����� ����� ��� ���� ���� ���� while living on campus was to have a space ��������� ������� ���� ���� ����� �� �� �� that really felt like my own. Unpacking and decorating my room the very first two ����� � weeks I moved in made getting back into Consistently eating and staying hydrated the swing of things much easier. The key to having a space feel homey is throughout the day is a hard task, I will admit. When classes are stacked on top to bring items and decorations from home. of each other for hours on end it can feel Going back to a dorm or an apartment that absolutely impossible to take time to assess is messy and has things thrown creates a lack of motivation and a distaste for the what our bodies need. To start, taking a weekly grocery run dorm or apartment. Ensure that this space can be an escape to see what snacks and quick lunches can be brought to class is key. Weekly grocery when the semester feels overwhelming or trips can also be cheaper in the long run to formidable. It makes relaxing, reenergizing, studying and doing work easier and much avoid “buying in bulk.” It is important to have a proper breakfast more enjoyable. whenever there is a good period for a ���� �� ����� ���� ���� student to be able to eat. Normally, my goto’s are bagels, cereal, toast, waffles, fruit �������������� � ���� ���� ����� ��� ���� ��� ���� ��� � and yogurt. Then, try to pack a simple lunch to eat There are plenty of songs and books between classes, such as a sandwich and chips. Lastly, throw at least three snacks in out there that can spark motivation and a bag like granola bars, chips, crackers, etc. inspiration. I am a huge reader so prepare Investing in a good water bottle that will for lots of book recommendations. With keep drinks cold is a must for days like that, I am also a huge Swiftie so prepare for these. I always fill my bottle with lemon lots of Taylor Swift song recommendations. My first book recommendation for the water and refill it throughout the day at refill stations around campus. If a pick-me- start of the semester slump is “Normal People” by Sally Rooney. It is about two teenagers’ secret friendship and on-andoff-again relationship; it is a story about people who drift apart but always seem to come back to one another. “Clean” by Taylor Swift is my first song recommendation for everyone to get through the tough weeks ahead. Although “Clean” is about feeling free from a relationship, the song can have universal meanings of freedom to anyone who listens to it. The song represents new beginnings, which is a perfect way to start the semester. The Beacon/Morgan Rich Rich shows off her book of the week. �Music club John Hannaway (left) and Molly Rodino (right) Psychology Club Left to right: Eryn McMonagle, Carolyn Purdy, Madyson Hornack, Emily Burbank and Kaitlyn Schuyler Black student union Left to right: Donell Mackey-Woodson, Zach Paraway, Kobina Otoo, LeRoy Marshall and Lexi McHugh Ultimate frisbee club Esther Orlando (left) and Matt Hauber (right) �Lunch and snacks were available for anyone who stopped by the MAC. Center for Career Development and Internships Left to right: Sam Kimmel, Sarah Pavlick and Anna Bateman Students weathered the cold to stop by the MAC and check out several new and returning clubs, in the newly revived tradition of a Spring Club Day. �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Opinion Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the assistant opinion editors: Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu or Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - OPEN Sports - Baylee Guedes Assistant Editors News - Amanda Montgomery Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh Opinion - Zara Lantzman DESIGNERS Desiger - David Marks Designer - Maggie Murphy Designer - Lara Mullen Photographer - Laury Angeles Martinez Section Staff Writers Sports - Adam Grundt Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : 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: Kalen Churcher at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Finding warmth and comfort in winter Winter is a lovely season. There’s something mystical about snow capped mountains and the peaceful quietness that is brought with everyone huddling inside for warmth. However, as serene as the winter months can be, you may have found that these cold days might just be a little too quiet. Maybe even a little too dark beyond one’s comfort. Seasonal depression is real, and it can hit hard. So much so, one may not even find the energy to go outside, let alone be able to get out of bed. It’s a dark and cold wasteland outside, so what’s the point of forcing yourself out of your warm, comfy bed, anyway? One might think it would be fine to miss class—after all, it could be better than going out into the cold, right? It’s these intrusive thoughts that take over oneself, and it can take everything in someone to fight them. Unfortunately, seasonal depression is a brutal thing to face, and not everyone can better their mental health during the winter. For college students, having these alterations in one’s schedule can drastically affect their overall status and wellbeing. For those dealing with seasonal depression, they can very quickly fall behind in their classes, not being able to find the energy or desire to keep up with their workloads. The start of a brand new semester, postpandemic, in the era of the perceived “new normal,” certainly doesn’t help at all. When you combine that shock of newness with the numbness of winter, burnout quickly creeps up. It may explain why campus has been feeling so empty. Some of us at The Beacon have already made this observation—where is everyone? Lounge spaces and collaboration/study rooms that were once bustling with students are now completely empty, even when it should be the busiest hours of the day. As cliche as it sounds, we would like to emphasize the importance of self-care in times like these. It’s a complicated time, and you need to be able to take care of yourself in order to succeed and push through these dark and cold months. It’s important to stay active and keep yourself busy. As comforting as it sounds to stay cooped up in one’s bed during the winter, that’s not going to suffice to help your mental wellbeing. Even upgrading the space and environment around you would help you feel better and more lively. Maybe invest in some string lights or ambient lighting to warm up your space with softly-toned lighting. Fragrance plugs are not only fire safe, but they can also bring comforting and nostalgic scents to your room. A mini humidifier can help your skin from drying out. A white noise machine can distract you from buzzing lights or overwhelming noises of the city. All of these not only relax you, but they keep your senses active, thus keeping you distracted from the busy and cold time. Creating a comforting environment will allow stability into your life, offering you space to study, work and hang out with friends. The cold and dark winter months are just temporary. In the meantime, treat yourself to some hot chocolate, tea or a good cup of soup. After all, you deserve to be loved and comforted. 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 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 1, 2023 Opinion 15 Ice Spice proves herself with latest hip-hop EP ‘Like..?’ By Sydney Allabaugh Asst. Opinion Editor Up-and-coming rapper Ice Spice released her first EP “Like..?” since her rise to fame last summer. Ice Spice’s hit single “Munch” followed by other popular tracks “Bikini Bottom” and “In Ha Mood” have attracted millions of fans on TikTok and other platforms over the past few months. She has since become a pop culture icon among the youth online with some calling her this generation’s Princess Diana. Her first EP features six drill tracks. Three were singles she has already released, and the other three are new. This is what I think of each one. “In Ha Mood” Snippets of this song trended quickly on TikTok. The more feminine lyrics combined with the R&B melodies over a drill New Jersey club beat created a different sound she has not previously explored. The more feminine vibe of the song created by the R&B elements elevates this track tremendously. It is hard not to dance to this. This is my favorite track from her yet. “Actin A Smoochie” “Princess Diana” Like “In Ha Mood,” “Actin A Smoochie” features R&B melodies on top of a club drill beat. I enjoyed this one, and I think it may be my favorite of the three new releases. She takes a more masculine approach to her vocal delivery combined with the more feminine-sounding beat and lyrical content is captivating. “Gangsta Boo (with Lil Tjay)” Ice Spice initially released this song as a single following “Munch.” Like “Munch,” this song reached widespread popularity. In an interview with Genius, she says that having two consecutive hits shows she is more than just a one-hit wonder. This song is characterized by its quick, catchy chorus and interesting beat that sounds as if it could be from “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Although I am always repeating the chorus, I think the beat is a bit too silly. Overall, this song is lighthearted and enjoyable, but this EP has much stronger tracks. The title of this song is a reference to the memes made about Ice Spice being the people’s princess. She embraces this title in her lyrics stating, “in the hood I’m like Princess Diana.” Between witty references and an addicting chorus, the lyricism and vocal delivery are strong on this one. The rhythm is driving and clean but there is something about the production that is slightly off to me. Overall, I like this track and think it is underrated. Although “Gangsta Boo” has a catchy chorus, I think it is the weakest of the six tracks. The overly simplistic rhythm and timid, repetitive melody makes the song feel incomplete and uninteresting to listen to. Also, Lil Tjay’s feature is too long and seems out of place on this track. “Bikini Bottom” “Munch (Feelin’ U)” “Munch” is the song that led to Ice Spice’s fame, and she deserves all the praise she has received for this track. In an interview with Complex, Ice Spice said that she loves drill beats and was inspired by other New York drill artists like Pop Smoke in her earlier music. This inspiration is prevalent on this track. The fast-paced and cold rhythms combined with her tight, creative lyrics makes the song addicting to listen to. I find myself repeating the chorus to myself due to her use of catchy lingo. This track serves as a reminder that women can do drill music and do it well. For her first release, this EP is strong and shows that Ice Spice has much potential as an artist going forward. She provided varied tracks that remain true to herself and her style. It will be interesting to hear if Ice Spice continues with drill or tries other sounds going forward. Ice Spice is just getting started but has already built a name for herself and has shown she has the potential to be a star. I am definitely feelin’ her. Thoughts on snow days: Within college and beyond By Rudy Urenovich Staff Writer Perhaps I am feeling a bit emotional with it being my senior year–knowing my educational experiences in a school setting are numbered, or maybe I am examining how they have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic–but this week I found myself reflecting on snow days. I must admit snow days do not carry the same magic in college as they did in elementary or even high school. It does not really feel like a day off to relax, but rather a day for anxiety and stress to manifest itself in full form when thinking about classes, work, weather and other grown-up pains. One does not really have the option to take a day off in college. Well, one can, but it takes a level of compartmentalizing and denial that I am envious of. A day off that brings treacherous weather, hazardous road conditions and overall cold and darkness is anything but relaxing and will oftentimes impact responsibilities in the following days as well. No, I am not ignoring the elephant in the room. Something forever altered snow days or any unplanned day away from work or school for people of all ages around the globe: a little platform called Zoom. Funny to think three years ago at this time none of us even knew it was a thing–much less something that would become almost a lifeline to work, school and human communication. I am going to play devil’s advocate for a little while. I, as I am sure many of you have, have seen firsthand how useful Zoom can be and how without it the past few years of school could have gone very differently. Even now that we are hopefully at the tail end of the pandemic, it is so easy to hop on Zoom for a meeting when meeting in person is difficult. But I digress, this article is not about Zoom. The point is Zoom interrupted snow days. We are either filled with hot drinks and streaming or homework and existential dread. Pick your poison. We do not really get a day off because we can still attend class virtually. While we can still enjoy being a homebody for a few hours and class is a bit more toned down, it just does not hold the same magic as it did in the past. All this being said, we cannot really place all the blame on Zoom because we used technology to complete assignments and participate in other aspects of class even before the platform was pushed to the forefront. D2L I’m looking at you. On one hand, I obviously see how this is positive because we are less likely to get behind on school matters even by a day or class period. We can keep up and maybe even get ahead. It also teaches us how to be resourceful and get something done in an unexpected situation. That is just lovely. On the other hand, we can use a break to not work on school matters. If you are like me, you will still think about them. We have already established that. These college years might be our last chance for some semblance of a snow day. Once we are in the workforce, we might be less likely to have a snow day. Many see working from home as divine but it makes a snow day nonexistent. Also, many jobs do not close because there are a few inches of snow on the ground. They really do go hand in hand with school and its essence. In a way I think for myself and many of you who are around the same age that it is almost symbolic of adulthood sneaking up on us and gradually taking over slowly but surely. We once had snow days where we would sled, build snowmen and drink hot chocolate. Now they are filled with virtual classes, catching up on chores and making to-do lists. �Opinion The Beacon - February 1, 2023 16 The conspiracy surrounding Damar Hamlin is absurd What is commotio cordis? By Zara Lantzman Asst. Opinion Editor On Jan. 2, the National Football League came together for more than just a game. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin attempted to tackle Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins on a routine play, and in that moment, everything stopped. A pin drop could be heard with the silence in the stadium. Players rushed to Hamlin while shedding tears. Hamlin was clinically dead on the field and was unresponsive for nine minutes. Denny Kellington, one of the team’s athletic trainers, helped to resuscitate Hamlin, saving his life. “Denny Kellington, let’s praise this name and person for reviving our brother Damar on the field,” tweeted Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins. “Denny gave CPR and chest compressions to get his heart back beating.” After spending several days in Cincinnati and Buffalo hospitals, receiving numerous tests, Hamlin was finally released. However, despite making various public appearances, conspiracy theorists had a field day with Hamlin’s status. There is a lot of speculation that Hamlin is legally dead, allegedly falling victim to the COVID-19 vaccine, and he was instead replaced by a body double. This claim seems extremely outlandish and completely unreasonable. Hamlin’s recovery was televised and reported throughout his entire journey. Hamlin even facetimed with Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders. He was also seen in person hyping up the crowd at the Bengals v. Bills AFC divisional game on Jan 22. Hamlin’s injury was known as a rare condition known as commotio cordis. Dr. Partha Nandi, in an interview with ABC news, explained that commotio cordis occurs when young athletes get hit in the chest. “Trauma to the chest occurs when the area of the heart is hit at a particular rhythm which causes the heart to bleed and forces the person to collapse,” said Dr. Nandi For this to happen is just pure luck. It was just extremely unlucky and everyone is grateful that he is recovering successfully. “(Twenty-fiour)-year-old elite athletes in the NFL don’t just have cardiac arrest in the middle of a prime time game” tweeted bodybuilder Louis Uridel. “This is squarely on the back of every single person who pushed that poison, required it and shamed people who didn’t get it.” When anything goes wrong medically, anti-vaxxers automatically claim it is Damar Hamlin • Hamlin is 24 years old • Hamlin got hit in the chest and went unresponsive • Revived after nine minutes • Hamlin’s chances of survival went down by 10% for every minute he was unresponsive • Hamlin is vaccinated as 95 percent of NFL players are vaccinated due to the COVID-19 vaccine. This claim is completely outrageous and false. Hamlin’s recovery proved the claim to be false. Hamlin is not the first athlete to have received such widespread news coverage about his near-death experience caused by commotio cordis. One instance was former National Hockey League defenseman Chris Pronger, who suffered cardiac arrest during the 1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He experienced commotio cordis after a high speed puck hit him directly in the chest, and he collapsed on the ice almost immediately, similar to Hamlin. Pronger made a full recovery, and has since spoken out about his own experience in support of Hamlin on Twitter, detailing the events of his recovery. Pronger explained that he was evaluated by Dr. Barry Maron, “who would then go on to classify this incident as commotio cordis. Dr. Maron also told [doctors] that at the time [Pronger] was the only pro athlete to have survived this type of cardiac event.” Although rare, it was a notably identifiable condition. “And at the time, 1998, I was one of only four people [Dr. Maron] had in his database that had survived a documented commotio cordis event” said Pronger. For Hamlin, as of this moment, no prior heart condition was found. It was Commotio Cordis just a freak accident and could have happened to anyone. “Clone,” tweeted Hamlin, in response to the dumbest conspiracy theory that Damar Hamlin was cloned. The speculation comes from the fact that Hamlin never showed his complete face when he showed up to the AFC divisional round. There was a clip shown of him talking to Bills players, but in a ski mask and with his hair covering most of his face. All you can see was his eyes. The other clip that has fans running wild with theories is that he was able to move his hands and body freely to cheer for his team and hype up the crowd. Theorists believe that it should not be possible to move your body that quickly and energetically so soon after being clinically dead. Theorists also believe that the Bills planted a player and said it was Hamlin to give the Bills motivation for the playoff game. There is a reasonable reason for anything one may see. Hamlin is still in recovery and needed to protect his body from the frigid temperatures in Buffalo, hence the ski mask. Every single one of these claims are completely baseless and can be proven wrong with facts. The fact of the matter is that Hamlin is alive and recovering. That is what truly matters. COVID-19 vaccine statistics • According to healthline.com, commotio cordis occurs when a person is hit in the chest and that impact triggers a dramatic change in rhythm of their heart. • 69.4 percent of the world population is vaccinated • According to heart.org the survival rate suggests that defibrillation within one minute of ventricular fibrillation onset results in a 100 percent survival rate and that defibrillation after two minutes results in an 80 percent survival rate. • 22 percent of deaths had the primary dose • 42 percent of the deaths were unvaccinated • 36 percent of deaths had an additional booster All data found from KFF.org �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Opinion 17 It’s time to spend more time outside; here’s how Treating your body and mind with nature By Sydney Allabaugh Asst. Opinion Editor Maybe the online commenters have a point when they say to go touch some grass. According to a study published in 2019 by the Outdoor Industry Association, half of the U.S. population is not participating in outdoor recreational activities. When many of us are not spending adequate time outside, we miss out on the many health benefits. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, spending time outdoors improves physical and mental wellness. The USDA cites studies that spending time in nature is relaxing, which leads to reduced stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension and heart rates. It can also improve sleep quality, increase life expectancy and even reduce risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. The USDA also stated that studies show being outside can lower risk of depression and aid in faster psychological stress recovery. Nature can also help us strengthen our mental abilities, including increasing focus and attention. Shared outdoor spaces also allow for people to feel a social connection with others in the community. According to the study conducted by the Outdoor Industry Association, people cite barriers like work, technology and costs of entry to parks and other venues as deterrents from spending time in nature. Although it may seem difficult to incorporate the outdoors into our busy schedules, there are many ways to do so. Here are six of them. Do homework outside If your workload is preventing you from getting outside, try working on h o m e w o r k outdoors. When the weather is nicer, I work at the tables outside Starbucks or at one of the tables in the courtyard on campus. You can also lay out on a blanket in the grass instead of being cramped up in the library. between classes, you can have a picnic in Kirby Park or even pick up food to eat at Public Square. Exercise outdoors instead of in the gym Why pay for an expensive gym membership when you can do cardio exercises outside? Instead of cycling or walking on the treadmill, go for a bike ride in the park or take a hike out in nature. Not only will you be receiving the health benefits of your workout but you will also receive additional benefits by exercising outdoors. “ Nature can help you feel healthier and happier. Take advantage of it. ” Eat meals outside Like doing homework outside, eating meals outside provides you with an opportunity to receive the benefits of the great outdoors without taking extra time out of your day. If you have a break Assistant Opinion Editors: Sydney Allabaugh and Zara Lantzman Pick up an outdoor hobby If you have ever been interested in trying skateboarding, snowboarding, gardening, geocaching or nature photography, I encourage you to pursue it. Developing a new passion is rewarding on its own, but it may be extra rewarding if your new hobby also allows you to spend more time in nature. Try outdoor activities with friends Spending time outdoors can strengthen our connection with others. Instead of hanging out in a dorm room, consider doing an outdoor activity together. You can play frisbee, go for a walk or even just watch the sunset. It is a great way to clear your head and make great memories with those you care most about. Plan to visit outdoor attractions If you ever find yourself with some free time, you can always plan a trip to one of the many free local outdoor attractions. You can visit local parks—such as Frances Slocum State Park, Ricketts Glen State Park or Nay Aug Park—to hike, kayak or view beautiful scenery for free. Pinchot State Forest is another great outdoor location with beautiful trees and waterfalls. Visitors can hike, ride horses, fish, have a picnic or camp. These are just a few of the many scenic attractions Northeast Pennsylvania has to offer. To find more opportunities and locations to check out, visit DiscoverNEPA.com. Hopefully you have the opportunity to incorporate some of these tips into your daily routine. Nature can help you feel healthier and happier. Take advantage of it. �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Opinion 18 ‘A Man Called Otto’ and the difficult path to acceptance By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief Editor’s note: This review contains spoilers and discusses potentially triggering content. The task of moving away from the past is not an easy one to follow. Some things that have happened in the past should stay in the past, one may think. However, it is important to address them anyway, with forgiveness and acceptance. “A Man Called Otto,” released on Jan.13, is a unique film that emphasizes such a mentality. Otto Anderson, played by Tom Hanks, is an old widower who recently lost his wife and lifelong soulmate, Sonya, who was a schoolteacher. He has recently retired from his job, a company where his employers and coworkers dehumanize and bully him. His small neighborhood and community are fading away, being overtaken not just by strangers and new neighbors, but also by an overpowering real estate company aptly named Dye & Merika (read out loud for the reflective pun). To put it simply, Otto has nothing left to live for. Or so he initially thinks. One set of new neighbors include the family of Marisol and Tommy, the stereotypical millennial parents who are expecting their third child. Their new presence in the neighborhood, initially an obnoxious one for Otto, ends up being something that Otto can find company in. As the movie progresses, this fresh neighborly relationship ends up saving Otto several times, either from external forces, or even from himself. Around this time, Otto also takes in the neighborhood stray cat, who had to suffer outside in cold winter weather. Previously a pure annoyance for Otto, the charitable act of adopting the cat opens up Otto’s worldview to be more forgiving. Later on in the story, Otto offers his house to Malcolm, a local teen and former student of Sonya, who was kicked out and disowned by his family for his transgender identity. Previously apprehensive to the thought of others entering and touching his late wife’s belongings, to the point of physically blocking others, Otto is able to take a step forward in the progress to healing. Malcolm, a former student of Sonya, speaks upon the kindness and acceptance of Sonya, bringing comfort to Otto. Otto does attempt suicide multiple times, in private and in public. However, the attempts all fail, either due to botches or interruptions by other characters. One incident includes the moment of Otto saving an elderly man who fell onto train tracks, only because everybody else at the station was standing in shock and recording on their phones. As the other man was saved, Otto remained on the tracks as a train approached, only to be grabbed by another man. This movie has one of those stories where everything is somehow magically connected to one another, be it events or people, akin to the butterfly effect. What is initially a negative experience, one that can be to the point of traumatic, can MOVING ON turn around into something positive. For example, Marisol and Tommy’s needs and interruptions ultimately save Otto several times. Unfortunately, as the film presents, it can also be vice versa. However, in “A Man Called Otto,” the good manages to overcome the bad. Grief is painful, no matter who you are and what you have experienced. It’s not a competition on who suffers the most. What matters, though, is how you manage to deal with it and find the strength and courage to move forward, in honor of what you lost. The characters in this story are notable examples of how a community can band together to help each other, not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. “A Man Called Otto” is a film that will make you experience a diverse spectrum of human emotion, where you will be laughing and feeling sorrowful in the same scene. I wasn’t able to include the entire plot summary, but there are many charming and memorable scenes in this film that make it worthwhile to go out and watch. If you value found family, this movie is definitely for you. If you are dealing with depressive thoughts or thoughts of suicide, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. If you are dealing with a crisis: Text: The Wilkes University Support Line @ 570-408-CHAT (2428) or The Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741 Call: The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial 988 �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu WREST: Three Colonels earn titles at MAC Championships By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor The Middle Athletic Conference (MAC) Wrestling Championships hosted by York College on Jan. 21 awarded three Colonels top three titles. Sophomore Cameron Butka placed first overall in the 197-pound weight class (MAC Champion) while sophomores Austin Fashouer (125-pound) and Christopher Nuss (174-pound) placed third. Wilkes placed fourth as a team with 97 overall points in the tournament. “As a team we wrestled the best we have all season long,” said head coach Jon Laudenslager. “Butka, Fashouer and Nuss competed very hard and led the team to the best weekend of wrestling yet.” The three wrestlers were also awarded with All-MAC Team honors with Butka receiving All-MAC First Team, while Fashouer and Nuss received All-MAC Third Team. Butka was ranked as the 197-pound third seed in the championship tournament. He started the day by winning by default in the quarterfinal bout, which led to his semifinal bout against Joe Embleton representing Messiah College. After three big takedowns, an escape, and riding time, Butka won 8-2 by decision. In the finals, Butka wrestled the fourthseeded Daniel Eckley from Delaware Valley University. Butka won 5-3 with two takedowns and an escape, claiming the 197-pound Championship title. “Winning the MAC title this weekend helped me prove to myself that anything is possible with enough hard work,” said Butka. “Winning this tournament was a small step in my wrestling career, and I hope to make even bigger accomplishments by the end of this wrestling season.” The fourth-seeded 125-pound Fashouer won his match in the round-of-16 over Robert Philpot (Alvernia University) by fall at the 2:32 mark of the first period. In his quarterfinals bout, Fashouer won by major decision 16-5 over hometown rival Gus Petruske of King’s College who was ranked as the fifth seed. Fashouers 8-3 decision loss to the oneseed, Luke Hoerle of Stevens Institute of Technology, led to a bout in the consolation semifinals. Jacob Blair from Delaware Valley put Fashouer in a position to gain third place in his weight class in a 5-2 win over the three-seed. The 125-pounder won with a no-contest against Petruske (King’s). “I felt good going into the MAC knowing I had to make a point there,” said Fashouer. Nuss was ranked as the sixth seed at 174-pounds. In the round-of-16, Nuss gained a pinning win over Gavin Hollingsworth (Alvernia University). Nuss took a 3-1 loss in sudden victory to Kade Kravits (King’s), who was ranked third. Nuss came back in the consolation rounds, working his way back up to third place. Twenty-two seconds into his bout with Tim Eddinger (Messiah), Nuss got a pin to win the match. Another pin in his next bout over John Sumner (Messiah) put Nuss into the consolation semifinals with the fifth-seeded Jared Townsend (York). Nuss took the bout 13-3 and then won over Joel Martsinovsky from Stevens in a no-contest. “The MAC tournament was a great opportunity to showcase all the hard work the team has been putting in over break,” said Nuss. “Win or lose, the experience was great and we only got better.” In addition to the three title placers, Wilkes had four more Colonels within the top six: Junior Hunter Lowe placed fifth in the 197-pound weight class, sophomore Caleb Burkhart placed fifth in the 285-pound, junior Michael Richardson placed sixth in the 133-pound and senior Jack Bauer placed sixth in the 141-pound after cutting his day short due to an injury. The Colonels will resume bouts on Feb. 5 at The University of Scranton at 1 p.m. Nuss working to gain dominant positioning over his opponent during the John Reese Duals on Jan. 29. The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Graphic by Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Sports 20 MVB: Looking to maintain hot start throughout season By Adam Grundt Sports Staff Writer The men’s volleyball team returned to action this semester and players are already reaching individual milestones. In the Colonels’ victory against Purchase College on Jan. 21, senior setter and captain Zach Shay recorded the 1,000th assist of his career. “Shay is a valuable resource to our team,” said head coach Joseph Czopek. “He was chosen as captain because he leads by example. He is always one of the first to practice. He is always encouraging to his teammates during competition, and knows the right things to say to refocus the team.” Shay’s teammates see him as a leader of the team and very dedicated to the game of volleyball. “He is consistently one of the hardest workers in the gym and brings the rest of the team to a higher level,” said junior outside hitter Jackson Shafer. Shay is confident in the fact that he could not have accomplished this feat without his teammates. “Reaching 1,000 assists is a really cool accomplishment and I clearly couldn’t have done it without the help of my teammates,” said senior Zach Shay. “I wasn’t even aware I was going to reach that milestone last weekend and was extremely surprised when I found out.” Wilkes found themselves off to a hot start to begin their season. The team opened with a victory against the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Jan. 18 and followed up with a sweep of Lehman College and Purchase College in their first tri-meet of the season on Jan. 21. The early successes of the team can be attributed to the hard work that is put into practice. “The team is playing well and is off to a good start this year,” said Coach Czopek. “Practices have been very competitive, and game time scenarios have helped prepare the team for each upcoming opponent.” The Colonels’ roster this season consists of two seniors: Zach Shay and Casey Shipman. Paul Binner, Matthew Molnar, Noah Taylor, Jackson Shafer, Adan Sandoval and Logan Evanosky are the six juniors on the team. Four sophomores are suiting up for the Colonels this season: Lucas Mages, Jacob Mages, Jake Sheldon and Jacob Haller. Sam Winter and Alex Derk are the first-year players who round out this year’s roster. “The team is a very young team so it’s important for the upperclassmen to recognize this and step up into leadership roles earlier than normal,” said Shafer. “As a junior, I was able to see what worked in building team chemistry and what did not, and how to use it to our advantage when bringing this team together. I think we have done a very good job identifying our goals early in the season and showing the younger guys on the team the work ethic that those goals require.” This season, the Colonels hope to showcase the hard work they have been putting in every day at practice. “You can expect to see a team that is never going to give up,” said Shay. “This team will always battle to the end and I think we are going to surprise some teams.” Czopek believes that this team will produce success for the program. “The guys are committed to doing what it takes to win,” said Czopek. “This should prove to lead us to a successful record this season.” The Colonels return to action on Feb. 2 as they will travel to Immaculata University to take on the Mighty Macs. Graphic//Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Sports 21 AHL: Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins mid-season update By Julia Mazur Sports Staff Writer With the month of February among us, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (WBS) are more than halfway finished with the American Hockey League (AHL) season. The Pens record is currently 20-16-5. The Penguins were 5-5 going into their final two games in the month of January. The end of January also brought a game night dedicated to the Hockey Fights Cancer foundation. Each season there are teams in many professional hockey leagues that dedicate a game night to supporting the foundation, including the WBS Penguins. During the game on Jan. 28, the WBS Penguins wore purple and white colored jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit the charity. There were many ways to help the cause during the game including the ability to purchase a purple colored Pens hat at the Penguins Goals Foundation table in which portions of the proceeds will be donated. February not only brings an exciting month of regular season hockey but will also host the AHL All Star game in Laval, Canada. The Penguins player participating in this season's All Star weekend is Alexander Nylander, who replaced the first All Star pick, Xavier Ouellet, who is out for injury. This will be Nylander’s second season with the Penguins. The AHL All Star weekend will be held Feb. 5 and 6. The Penguins are beginning to look more toward the end of their season, which is currently a very close matchup between most teams in the Atlantic division. The Pens are fifth in the Atlantic Division and eighth overall in the Eastern conference. There are currently six out of eight teams in the Atlantic division that have a win percentage between .5 and .6, making the Atlantic division have the highest current mobility in the AHL. There are only two teams above a .6 win percentage in the Atlantic Division. The Penguins in-state rival, the Hershey Bears, are currently first in the division and first overall in the AHL. The Providence Bruins are currently second in the division. The closely matched up race will be one that makes every win even more important with the end of the season approaching. The month of February will bring another set of challenges for the Penguins: The Penguins play 11 games in the month of February with six at home and five away. The Pens currently have a record of 8-8-3 at home. The Pens away record is currently 11-7-2. The Penguins February schedule also has a nine-game matchup that will showcase Atlantic division matchups. The end of the regular season is fast approaching, which makes every win all the more important. The Penguins will finish the regular season off at home on April 15 when they take on the Charlotte Checkers. The AHL regular season overall comes to a close on April 16. Graphic: Baylee Guedes SWIM: Colonels commemorate three senior swimmers By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor The swim team celebrated and commemorated three seniors at their meet against the King's College Monarchs at the Wyoming Catholic Youth Center on Jan. 28. Seniors Maddy Kinard, Liam White and graduate student Shane Miller were all recognized and acknowledged for their efforts throughout their time representing the Colonels. Kinard represented the Cololnels this season as the only woman on the team. She is the Wilkes individual record holder in the 100 Back with a time of 1:02.47 and the 200 Back with a time of 2:19.49. Kinard also holds the Wilkes relay record in the 200 Free (1:42.89), the 200 Medley (1:56.76) and the 400 Medley (4:13.27). White held the best time for the Colonels in the 2021-22 season in the 1000 Free (11:51.10) and the 1650 Free (19.28.15). He held the second-best time in the 200 Back, 50 Fly, 200 IM and in the 400 IM (2021-22 season stats). Miller held the best time for Wilkes in the 100 Back last season with 1:05.90 and the best time in the 200 Fly (2:13.25), while also having the second-best time in the 500 Free (5:29.85) in the 2021-22 season. The regular swim season has now come to an end for the Colonels. The three will join the rest of the team and compete in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship Tournament starting on Feb. 9. in York, PA. Left to right: Miller, Kinard, White. The three Colonels after the swim meet. Photo courtesy of @WilkesColonels Instagram �The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Cameron Butka Sophomore Wrestler The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Butka was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after his perfomance during the MAC Championships Tournament last weekend. Butka was ranked as the 197-pound third seed and won his first bout by default in the quarterfinals. He won the semifinal bout 8-2 by decision and then won the finals bout 5-3 claiming the 197-pound MAC Championship title. Major: Biochemistry Hometown: Scranton, Pa. High School: West Scranton What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? “Vision Quest.” What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? My favorite sports memory during my time as a Colonel was winning the MAC tournament (2023). If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? If I wasn’t wrestling, I would most likely be playing baseball, as I was a wrestler/baseball player for most of my life. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? The New York Yankees. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? My favorite thing to do away from sports is going to the gym with friends. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? My favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes is that I got to become close with the members of the wrestling team. I truly feel that we have become a family, and I have definitely made some life-long friendships during my time here at Wilkes. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? My match against Delaware Valley in high school (2020). What is your favorite postgame meal? Any type of pasta, but preferably vodka pasta. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I’m honored to be selected as athlete of the week, and I am proud to say that I’m a Colonel. The Beacon/Lauren Bowers Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor �Sports The Beacon - February 1, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Maddy Kinard Senior Swimmer The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Kinard was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after her perfomance this past weekend as she had two top-two finishes in a dual swim meet. Kinard placed second out of eight swimmers during the 50-Yard Freestyle with a finsihing time of 28:11. Kinard then placed second out of four swimmers in the 100-Yard Backstroke with a finishing time of 1:07.84. Major: Communication Studies & English Hometown: Dover, Pa. High School: Dover Area What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? MACs last season. Although I was insanely nervous, I crushed my best times and also got two school records. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Funnily enough, although I'm an athlete, I'm not big into watching sports. My boyfriend has gotten me a little into football since he’s a big Bengals fan so I guess go Bengals! Go Joe Burrow! What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? I love a good binge-watch session. "The Last of Us" on HBO Max and "The White Lotus." What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Easily my team. They’ve been my best friends since freshman year. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? I don’t think I’ve seen many sports films but I recently watched "King Richard." If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? I did gymnastics. I would've wanted to see that through. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Sophomore year of high school, myself and four of my closest friends on our team got to attend States in a relay. What is your favorite postgame meal? A large fry and chicken sandwich or some sort of sub from an Italian shop is the best. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I’ve worked really hard, particularly this semester, as the only female on the swim team and it means a lot to be recognized. Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor The Beacon/Lauren Bowers 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 - February 1, 2023 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 February 1 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/ef1f11a19319b9b6203dc2661f3a32bf.pdf 1d3ee3350e660f7c84df1706a55fa52e PDF Text Text The Beacon - February 8, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 75, Issue 10 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Students, faculty Colonels show off at white-out basketball games offer their unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day By Bailey Dejesus Contributing Writer Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and with it comes some anxiety. Being an overtly commercialized holiday, there is a decent amount of pressure for couples to show their most romantic side on Feb. 14. Many couples often find themselves at a loss for not only what to do but also how to feel about the holiday. From students to faculty and professors, celebrations can vary. Dr. Chad Stanley, associate professor of English, admitted that he and his partner are going to go out for dinner and then going to see a concert together, which their child is very excited for. “It is a great day economically, as well,” said Dr. Stanley. “A huge restaurant and entertainment night especially after COVID.” VALENTINE, page 9 Professors, staff in Breiseth recall Christmas flood damage, page 4 Top: Yamirelis Matos searching for a teammate to pass to. Bottom: Brianna Horton advancing with a guarded dribble. Trent Fisher taking it all in before his freethrow attempt. All photos are from Feb. 1. during the men’s and women’s white-out games as they hosted DeSales University. Programming Board hosts murder mystery night, page 7 Splash Mountain closes amid talks of racism versus nostalgia, page 16 Photos: The Beacon/Lauren Bowers WIH: Assistant coach Caty Flagg making impact on Colonels, page 20 �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 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. 1 weekly meeting By Kellie Scott Staff Writer Student Government held its third meeting of the spring 2023 semester on Feb. 1. The meeting consisted of covering a constitution change and fund request. To begin, Student Government brought the Residence Hall Council back to the stand for week two of two for their request of a constitution change. The president briefly restated the proposal for the new constitution change regarding a new voting hierarchy. The motion quickly passed and the request for the constitution change was granted. The next presentation consisted of a first look at the spring semester’s casino week, held by Student Government. This was week one of two, where members of Student Government presented a request for funding of the event. The request was for $20,800 for a four-day event lasting from Monday Feb. 20 to 23. This included things such as food, prizes, T-shirts and decorations. Some of the table games to be played included “Black Jack,” “Texas Holdem” and a collaboration with Programming Board for a “Price is Right” night. After the initial look at what the week would look like and a budget breakdown of the different themed nights and costs, the presenters briefly left to let Student Government deliberate. There was some debate on some of the different themed days, what days the events will be held and the overall budget of the event. There was no vote held as that would occur in week two of the request. Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Diploma Order Submission Reminder for May 2023 Graduates If you have not already done so, seniors please submit your Diploma Order and Degree Audit via the electronic form for May 2023 Graduation. Use this link to access the form and more information, which is also available on Etrieve: https://www.wilkes.edu/ academics/registrar/graduation.aspx Seniors are urged to follow all instructions carefully and are reminded to order caps and gowns as well. Apply to become an e-Mentor Applications are open for the position of first-year e-Mentor for the fall 2023 semester. As an e-mentor, full-time undergraduate students are trained to provide support to a group of 12 to 25 new students beginning at summer Orientation and concluding at the end of the 2023 fall semester. e-Mentor’s are student leaders who have varied campus experiences. Applications are due Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. To fill out the application, please visit this link https://www.wilkes.edu/campuslife/student-development/leadershipopportunities/e-mentors/e-mentorapplication.aspx or contact the Director of Student Development, Stacy Mullen, with any questions at stacy.mullen@wilkes.edu or 570.408.4645. Creative Writing Community Workshops Vicki Mayk, journalist and published non-fiction author, will teach “Telling it True: Writing Memoir and Nonfiction” which is a six-week online course that will take place Tuesdays, Feb. 14 to March 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration can be found in the Wilkes Today Feb. 3 email. Another six-week online course for writers of any genre are called to join “The Writers’ Block”, facilitated by Monique Franz, published playwright and fiction novelist. The course will take place Thursdays, Feb. 9 to March 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration can be found in the same email mentioned above. LEAP Into Action Spend your spring break volunteering with LEAP Alternative Break. You can spend a week at Give Kids the World Village, working with critically ill children. Only six spots are left. For more information, contact megan.boone@ wilkes.edu Finally, in some closing remarks of the meeting, the commuter lounge is being moved from the SUB to the basement of the library. This will allow the current commuter lounge to be used as storage for facilities and the lounge to be in a better location for commuters. Another update is that the new SUB furniture is set to come in late next week, a week earlier than expected. Finally, the meeting concluded with each class and club giving their final remarks, and the meeting was adjourned. The next Student Government meeting will be held on Feb. 8. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2023 Spring Semester February 9 - Blackety Black, Y'all lecture 14 - Douglas Day Transcribe-a-thon 16 - Black Artists in NEPA lecture 20-24 - Casino Week 22 - Last look gallery tour �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 News 3 Observing Lunar New Year at Global Coffee Hour Hoping for good luck and prosperity By Maddy Kinard News Editor “It’ll be a year where thoughtful action is rewarded more than huge risks. So after all the difficulty of the last few years, this year is sorta meant for cultivating peace and patience moving forward,” said Becker. McLean also goes on to discuss traditional red envelopes in which family members hand out “lucky money.” The amount of money in the packet is to be of even numbers, particularly eight and six which are regarded as particularly lucky. “I think it’s important for students to come to the global coffee hour not only for our international students on campus to get to know American, domestic, students but for everybody to get an understanding of other cultures and see the similarities, the differences and celebrate those differences with them,” said McLean. Oranges were provided at the event, as they are believed to provide good luck. Students were also able to view traditional Chinese art and accessories. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard On Feb. 1 during Global Coffee Hour, students celebrated the Chinese New Year and developed a deeper understanding of traditional celebrations. Mary Ellen McLean of international student services and Madison Becker, assistant director of global engagement, presented on the holiday’s history. As outlined, Lunar New Year is the most significant Chinese holiday, though it is also celebrated by other cultures. It is also known as the “Spring Festival.” The holiday is a “jubilant” occasion, Becker said, due to families coming together to celebrate. An old legend surrounds the holiday, involving Nian, a cruel and ferocious beast who is said to attack and eat people on New Year’s Eve. To ward him off, red paper couplets are placed on doors, torches are lit and firecrackers are set off through the night, as these are all things Nian is afraid of. A popular saying throughout the night is “Gong Xi,” or “congratulations.” Starting on New Year’s Eve, the festival itself is two to three weeks long. Preparations begin on the 24 day of the 12 lunar month (Jan. 14), which operates on Gregorian dates. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, family members who no longer live at home make special efforts to return home, as the family is important during this holiday. They share a meal of traditional foods like whole fish, whole chicken, oranges and longevity noodles. The Chinese zodiac and lunar calendar play an important role in shaping the New Year. The Lunar calendar names each of the 12 years after an animal, either a rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog or pig. These zodiacs also cycle through five elemental types, wood, fire, earth, metal and water. “Legend has it that the lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from Earth and only 12 animals came to bid him farewell. So, as a reward, he named a year after each of the animals in the order they arrived,” said Becker. The animal that rules the year a person was born is believed to have influence on personality, similar to western ideas of the zodiac. 2023 is the year of the water rabbit. The prior year was the year of the tiger, which was about making big changes. For the water rabbit, however, this year is about taking a step back and slowing down or reflecting. Water years are believed to bring out emotions and some people may feel impatience due to a lack of growth, but it is instead a slow burn toward success. Pork and vegetable dumplings were served to represent traditional dumplings eaten in China, as they are shaped like money pouches and represent good fortune. Crystal Cool (left) led students (Lucas Coe, right) through an origami rabbit tutorial to symbolize the year of the water rabbit. �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 News 4 Professors, staff in Breiseth recall Christmas flood damage By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor Frozen pipes created havoc over winter break for one university building. On Dec. 25, Breiseth Hall flooded, causing damage to various parts of the building. The flooding was caused by a frozen pipe above the third floor psychology computer lab. During that time, water flowed from the third floor down to the basement, impacting offices and other rooms on the southern part of the building. Breiseth Hall is open to and utilized by the majority of departments in the university, most notably the majors in the arts and sciences. “The arts and sciences dean’s office is located two floors below the leak. We had water flowing down the walls. Our copier was ruined along with some furniture. Otherwise, the main impact was wet carpet throughout the suite. Other parts of the building certainly took more damage,” said Dr. Paul Riggs, dean of Arts and Sciences. University facilities responded quickly to get the water shut off and to start the process The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery Facilities were called in on Christmas morning to stop the flooding that damaged the third floor of Breiseth Hall. of removing as much water as possible. They the pipes burst on the fourth floor, running also set up dehumidifiers and fans to further down the stairs and down into the walls,” says combat the humidity. Dr. Gina Morrison, global cultures professor Everything was fixed and back in place and Fulbright advisor. by the time classes resumed; however, the Morrison’s office was flooded, but, no books damages had lasting effects. Professors’ offices or artifacts were destroyed. and books were damaged during the flood. “My office was flooded up to two inches, “I was told that the sprinkler system in I believe, based on the change of the color of Breiseth froze during the deep freeze and then the wall caused by the contact with water,” said Dr. Akira Shimizu, global cultures history associate professor. After the flooding, faculty and staff had to rearrange the books and other belongings out of their rooms so facilities could repair the damages. “We came in the day after Christmas and a few times afterward, over the break, to take boxes of books out of the wet rooms and then bring them back in and put them on the bookshelves,” Morrison explains. Shimizu was out of the country at that time and returned to campus before the beginning of the Spring semester. He found stacks of books, documents and other things, explaining that there have been no odors related to fungus and residues from leaked water detected. In addition to removing the water, facilities also repaired and repainted the walls. “My thanks and the thanks of everyone who was impacted go out to Charlie Cary and his colleagues in facilities,” said Riggs. “They gave up much of their holiday for our benefit and made sure we were ready to resume our work in time for the start of the spring semester.” �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 News 5 Prioritizing mental health with Honors Program students Setting boundaries for yourself By Maddy Kinard News Editor Honors students learned the importance of prioritizing mental health with Dr. Maria Richards during a Pizza Plus session. Richards outlined four key points when thinking of mental health in terms of priority: basic needs, routine, boundaries and balance. In terms of basic needs, Richards references Maslow's hierarchy of needs, that certain lower-level basic necessities, like sleeping and safety, must be met before one can move to the next levels where self-esteem, purpose and selfactualization lie. “The crux of that is the base of the pyramid, the basic needs," Richards said. "As students, I encourage you to prioritize those basic needs, sleeping and eating especially. I understand that in the midst of finals and the midst of multiple papers and exams, sometimes those basic needs can take a back seat, but realize that your ability to meet those demands is contingent on these basic needs being met, so I caution you not to neglect your basic needs in the mindset that you just need to get these things done.” Richards and colleagues at the counseling center frequently hear from students that they have a hard time falling asleep due to their minds racing and thinking of the next day's tasks. Building a routine, and prioritizing it around sleep can help mitigate these inhibitors. While sleep is often seen as a light switch that can easily be flipped, Richards emphasizes the importance of seeing it rather as a “dimmer s w i t c h .” Gradually preparing and transitioning the mind and body for rest can decrease the amount of time it may take to finally fall asleep. This could begin a half hour before target rest time and could include unplugging from phonea, journaling or reading. Boundaries are particularly important to a student's mental health, especially those that are ambitious and quick to say “yes” to tasks. Boundaries involve setting realistic expectations, particularly that it is okay to say no and turn things down. Similar to boundaries, balance can be difficult as taking on too much can take away from the personal time needed for replenish ingthe self. “When you’re asked to do something, resist the urge to say yes right away,” said Richards. “Get in the habit of buying yourself time by saying, ‘thanks for thinking of me, let me just think about it and see if I can make it work. I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know.’ Take time to really figure out if taking on something new would extend you.” Richards also highlights balancing the things you have to do with the things that replenish or rejuvenate you to ensure that you can complete those must-do tasks. Si m i l ar angles to taking care of mental health involve self-care. This means being kind to oneself and finding the activities and resources to keep ourselves emotionally fueled. For some people, self-care can be taking a break, or watching a favorite comfort show or movie. Self-reflection and self-validation are also factora in taking care of mental health. This means paying attention to what one might be feeling instead of bottling it or ignoring it to the point where it becomes a problem. Self-validation means not judging when feeling stressed or anxious. “Give yourself the patience to experience and recognize that you are struggling, and then from there try to figure out and access supports and resources that are available to you. Whether it's coming back to those self-care things or other support available to you,” said Richards. Further, the more a person is connected with others, the greater the positive impact on mental health. Getting involved in things and trying not to fall into the trap of isolation can prevent detriments to the mind. Richard also emphasizes selfcompassion, which she states is more positive and valuable than the contrasting idea of self-esteem. Self-esteem is unstable and based on outcomes and performance; achievements are required to reach selfsatisfaction. However, self-compassion is stable. It is present even when struggling, while self-esteem is not. It is being patient and kind to oneself, giving permission to struggle and to have bad days without judgment–the same compassion given to a friend if they were struggling, which, for ourselves, is not always intuitive or automatic. “The biggest thing I took away from Dr. Richards's session is in order to prioritize your mental health, you have to obtain a balance in your life,” said Jake Middleton, first-year biology-chemistry major. “For example, if you have a lot of assignments due in a week, it is good to spend a lot of time on those; however, your mental health can take a hit. So, if you can create a balance of work and take time for yourself, you can get things done without your mental health taking a hit.” Megan Makovsky, P2 pharmacy student and student body president also felt the presentation to be beneficial as she finds herself very busy often. “Coming to this event has given me good tips and tricks on how to better my mental health,” said Makovsky. Graphic by David Marks The counseling center can be reached at 570-408-4100 and is located on the second floor of Passan Hall. The center offers free, individual counseling that requires no insurance and has no cap on appointments per semester. The counseling is confidential, meaning that they will not share any information without permission. There are in-person, masked counseling sessions along with virtual telehealth. If students do not have privacy in their rooms, a space in the library is reserved through the counseling center for these virtual sessions. 570-408-CHAT is the 24/7 crisis support number. For more information, visit the counseling center page on Wilkes’ website. �6 The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Professor Profile: Dr. Jayme Hines, education department By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor Dr. Jayme Hines has joined the undergraduate education department as an assistant professor. She also serves as the program coordinator for the prek-4 alternative pathway program and the NAEYC accreditation coordinator. Hines grew up in Irondequoit, New York. She received a bachelor of science in elementary education from St. Bonaventure University in Saint Bonaventure, NY. Later, she received a master of education degree in early childhood education from The College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. In addition, she received a doctorate in education from The College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Neb. “I love our students. We really have the best, most engaged and fun students. I enjoy getting to know them and learning how I can create learning opportunities alternative to build on pathways what they p r o g r a m already know,” to ensure said Hines. the online H i n e s students get describes the same herself as robust and a teacher’s complete teacher and education as is honored the residential to work students. with future The program educators. She s e r v e s explains that students who the program Hines and her daughter Ella. are currently was studentcentered and that the faculty believed in working full time, with many in the the power of relationships, all of which early care and education setting and helped influence and affirm her decision completing their degree part-time online. and beliefs. In the future, Hines says she doesn’t “I am constantly learning new ways to engage the online learner,” said Hines, know what she wants to be when she explaining that she loves building and grows up, and she explains that “I know that I am in the right place right now, creating engaging online coursework. Hines tweaks the coursework in the and that teaching future teachers is exactly where I want to be.” She would also like to write a book about the best practices for faculty to support teacher candidates. Hines has lived in 10 different states, moved 15 times and taught in seven different schools. She has been married for 25 years, and for 20 of those years, her husband was in the Army. “It can be challenging for military spouses to pursue their own careers, but with the support of my family, I was able to support my husband during his career, which included several deployments, while chasing my own dreams,” said Hines. One piece of advice Hines has for students is to go to class and to participate in their education. She explains that “you will only get out of your education what you put into it,” and advises students to get involved. Photo Courtesy of Jayme Hines Professor Profile: Dr. Todd Hastings, nursing department By Maddy Kinard News Editor Dr. Todd Hastings has returned to his alma mater as an assistant professor in the department of undergraduate nursing, Hastings has experience in several fields, describing himself as a “career jumper times two.” He graduated from Rutgers University with his undergraduate degree and pursued graduate school at Penn State where he was a nutrition and applied physiology student, which morphed into food science. After working as a food technologist for several years with the federal service Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA), Hastings realized it no longer translated for him anymore. Ten years after graduating college, he returned to school where he found that nursing did translate. Hastings then pursued Wilkes as his graduate institution, where he grew into the profession and became centered in Emphasizing his specialty: his love for mental health small private as a focus for colleges as he is health care. afforded more “Wi l ke s flexibility to prov i d e d embark in both me this scholarship opportunity and service, he to come back found himself to school, get back at Wilkes, a graduate which he degree that described as, focused on “sort of like a clinical going back specialist area in psychiatric Hastings is aiming to boost mental health talk home.” At Wilkes, mental health across campus. he wanted nursing,” said to cultivate the same agenda he was Hastings. From there, he tried several directions working on at Cedar Crest relating to including hospital settings, management his interest in mental health and suicide and outpatient therapist when, on a prevention which, thus far, he has done whim, he was recruited by Misericordia on a multitude of levels. Hastings is the adviser for the National and had stuck with teaching since. Hastings has taught at several Alliance on Mental Health club and institutions including Bloomsburg and affiliated club, Morgan’s Message. He is also working on a cross campus Cedar Crest. based initiative, the Green Bandana Project, which is campus specific in nature but the message and intention around it is widespread. The Green Bandana Project is a national campaign in which willing students opt to wear a green bandana to symbolize that they can provide information about where someone could go if they need help or support. In other words, students can present themselves as a safe space for mental health resources. Hastings emphasized his gratitude for student interest in these subjects along with, particularly, the university’s willingness to move forward with the clubs, which he depicted as challenging at other institutions that had to be pushed to support and embrace these themes. “It really shows there is heart at Wilkes,” said Hastings. Photo Courtesy of Todd Hastings �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 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 murder mystery night By Laury Angeles LA&E Photographer and Staff Writer Programming board presented a Murder Mystery Night on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Actors were present at this event and they acted out the moment in which a staged crime happened. “I am enjoying all this, it is really nice,” said Nae Giddings, first-year early childhood education major. “I love murder mysteries, and I’m a drama student also.” Not only were there actors involved in the performance, but some students had roles and costumes as well. The rest of the audience was also present and part of the investigation of finding out who the murderer was. “I really like murder mysteries,” said Aspen Kattner, first-year secondary education and English major. “I got a deep passion for them so when I learned there was going to be a murder mystery I was like ‘wow.’ If there were any events that I was going to, I have known pretty much all of them, but it was definitely Maggie McHenry, junior digital design and media arts major, and Brian Guzman, junior business management major, are paired as a team for the investigation. The “crime scene” that was created for the night. this one. I have been hyping it up since I learned about it two or three weeks ago.” Another feature to the event was that students had to work in teams to discover the mystery. Each team had a folder with clues that could help them find the murderer. Free food was provided to all the participants too. “What motivated me to come was that I always come to the programming board activities because of its great organization, its prize incentive, food and drinks,” said Moises Alvarado, senior business management major. “And so far I’ve had an incredible time.” Next week, programming board will be hosting Black History month Bingo. Photos: The Beacon/Laury Angeles Martinez Two murder mystery characters and enemies for their positions in a company’s business, Vice President Reginald and President SalFee. Nae Giddings, first-year early childhood education major, getting ready to help her team look for the clues in the folders while wearing a decorative mask. �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 f Cocktail of the Week: The pink and sweet love potion #9 By Haley Katona Contributing Writer February: the month of heartshaped candies and love! This is a perfect light drink to sweeten up your Valentine’s Day evening. It is pink, made with strawberries and will cool down any butterflies about whatever plans you have for this holiday. a Cheers! The Beacon reminds everyone to drink responsibility…and that the legal drinking age is 21 The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Give this drink a try for Valentine’s Day and you will be in love with it forever. B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! ps Be Ingredients: 1/2 cup ice 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, can also be frozen 1 scoop vanilla ice cream or flavor of your choosing 1 ounce vodka, could be plain but for a more flavorful taste try strawberry or vanilla vodka 1/2 ounce white crème de cacao liqueur 1 strawberry for the garnish Directions: First, pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake thoroughly. Then, strain the drink into a chilled glass. Garnish with whipped cream if you want an even sweeter treat. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Zara Lantzman, Opinion Asst. Editor: Flesh and Blood - Shooting Star Getaway Car - Taylor Swift Morgan Rich, Managing Editor: The Great War - Taylor Swift Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Maddy Kinard, News Editor: I’m Somebody Else - LYELL Chokehold - Sleep Token David Marks, Designer: Amanda Montgomery, News Asst. Blue Boy - Mac Demarco Editor: Risk - Deftones Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Maggie Murphy, Designer: I’m Good (Blue) - David Guetta, Bebe Spin Bout U - Drake, 21 Savage Rexha Laury Angeles, LA&E Photographer Lara Mullen, Designer: & Staff Writer: Don’t - eAeon, RM Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Asst. Badhead - Blur Elizabeth Cherinka, Social Media Editor: Manager/Staff Writer Millionaire - Kelis, André 3000 WISH ME LUCK - Wallows �The Beacon – February 8, 2023 VALENTINE, from front Thankfully, Wilkes-Barre seems to have plenty of options for couples, friends and families that want to have a nice night out together without too much pressure or financial strain. On Feb. 11 Arts YOUniverse will be hosting an arts night for couples with a few different classes choices. There will be a “Couples Collage” art class, a “Candlelight Couples Yoga,” a ballroom dance class and a “Nearlywed Game” led by Angel Berlane to guide couples through some fun activities and light improv. At Millennium Salon and Spa there is also a special for couples massages. Couples can reserve an appointment for an hour, have a full body massage together or check out their couples mani-pedi options as well. As always, there are also restaurant options around town and $3 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Students also have many different plans themselves for what they will be doing on Valentines Day. Not only are some clubs selling cookies and valentines, but students Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 have all kinds of plans for them and their significant others. For some, Va l e n t i n e ’s Day is their favorite holiday. “I love all of the pink and the red, the flowers especially, and the gifts,” said Taylor Douple, junior early childhood education major. She then went on to explain that it was not just the gifts that got her but the emotions behind the holiday as well. “I love being reminded that there are so many people in my life that I care about,” said Douple. “My parents have always made this a special holiday for me and it is a great day for people to show their love and appreciation for each other.” Douple will be spending her holiday like many other college athletes: “classes, more classes and practice. Then I am spending the rest of my day with my girlfriend.” Others have to find ways to spend their favorite holiday with their long-distance partners. “My boyfriend lives in my hometown so we aren’t able to do anything on the day but I am excited because we are celebrating early,” said Lizzie Carter, sophomore nursing major. “We will be going to lunch then seeing a movie so it will be a cute day just the two of us.” Like Douple, Carter is more than happy to spend the day remembering that she is loved by many and spending that time with those close to her. So, what is actually done on Valentine’s Day? From the looks of it, many couples are using the day to step back and appreciate each other. While some are going on dates, buying presents, cards, chocolates and roses, all can agree that it is simply a perfect time to show each other their appreciation. To everyone who celebrates the holiday, Valentine’s Day can be a day to also remember to love oneself and the platonic relationships that are just as important. Practice some self-care, eat chocolate and go to the bar with friends to spend some quality time with those that support you. Valentine’s Day is a holiday for all kinds of love. Graphic by Lara Mullen Only a few of the remaining 1.5 million visitors were able to jump further in the queue due to their status as a “Verified Fan,” though, not all of them did. To achieve this status, fans registered in advance for a chance at a presale code and had to previously purchase tickets and merchandise from Swift. If the customer was lucky, they received a code. This system was created in order to combat botting, however, the practice is deemed by many as exploitative, as it requires customers to purchase other products from Swift’s site for the slight chance at the opportunity to buy a ticket. Despite this verification method, those deemed as a “Verified Fan” would still encounter dozens of site bugs, overpopulated queues and lack of customer support. “I managed to get two tickets after waiting five hours on the Ticketmaster website because I was lucky enough to get a presale code,” said Jessica Rushton, a junior history and political science major. “I think this situation has definitely made people question why Ticketmaster has so much power over buying tickets and why scalpers are able to resell tickets for so much more than face value.” Those lucky enough to proceed from the queue were met with exorbitant prices and fees, often in the thousands. A reported 2.4 million tickets were sold in one day, a historic record that caused the general sale to be canceled. Frustrated, ignored and empty handed, Swift’s fans took to social media to air out their grievances. In Ticketmaster’s response, they blamed a lack of inventory, an unexpected number of site visitors and bots, despite their verification method. Swift also went to Instagram to voice her disappointment in Ticketmaster regarding the situation. “Ticketmaster? No. Taylor? Yeah. Her job is to create music and perform,” said Jennifer McLaughlin, the assistant director of the honors and scholars program. “As an artist myself, if I had to handle my book sales and make sure customers were happy, I’d never have time to write.” The negative attention led to many criticizing Ticketmaster as a company, bringing to light their oppressive practices and control of the ticket distribution industry. “From what I understand, Swift warned Ticketmaster about what it could be (and what actually happened),” said Carolyn Purdy, a junior psychology major. “I don’t think Ticketmaster responded well. They were unprepared and did not take responsibility for it but blamed it on others. Very immature of them.” According to Yale University, Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment control 70% of the concert ticketing market. Their stranglehold on the industry has led to many monopoly and antitrust concerns from the masses but has been largely ignored by government officials until recently. Several attorney generals have launched an investigation into Ticketmaster’s practices. Coupled with a senate hearing launched by Amy Klobuchar, chairwoman of the subcommittee on competition policy, antitrust and consumer rights, Ticketmaster is facing the brunt of what antitrust has to offer. ‘The Great War’ between Ticketmaster and Taylor Swift By Anthony Cazun & Morgan Rich Contributing Writer/Managing Editor Following a debacle featuring Taylor Swift and her new “Eras Tour,” Ticketmaster is currently in the hot seat from music fans and the government. The entire ticket fiasco shed light on Ticketmaster’s exploitation of the market and its consumers and they have had enough. According to Yale University, Ticketmaster is the largest ticket broker company worldwide. The purpose of Ticketmaster was to simplify the ticketing process for consumers, artists and venues. After the release of Swift’s new album “Midnights,” she announced the “Eras Tour.” Fan excitement was at unprecedented levels and Ticketmaster was not properly equipped to handle the onslaught of fans. On Nov. 15 Ticketmaster’s website crashed due to the number of fans attempting to purchase tickets. 3.5 million visitors were on the website, 2 million of which were placed in an indefinite queue. �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Meet the Majors This week’s major: Psychology 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 Sarah Aschoff Senior Keelyn Myers Sophomore “My favorite aspect of my major is how the classes are set up. Originally I was a biology major and the classes were constructed rigidly and you took notes the whole time. Whereas in psych classes, they are mostly discussion based and I feel you can connect deeper with the subject this way. “With this major I hope to go into law enforcement and potentially work in Washington, D.C.” “I am looking forward to this year expanding my knowledge of psychology and the different aspects. I have already really enjoyed the psychology courses I have already taken. “I chose this major because I always had a passion for children and how they learn and develop. I am also big on mental health and want to help children and teens with their mental health.” The Beacon/ Jordan Daniel Krista Morris Sophomore “This year I am looking forward to my personality psychology class and digging deeper into what makes up a person’s personality. “I did not come to Wilkes as a psychology major but my freshman year I took a Psych 101 class and it really opened my eyes to the world of psychology. It was so interesting to me and I knew that I wanted to pursue psychology instead.” Bella McKeefery Sophomore “I chose this major because the subject of psychology was always so interesting to me. I love learning about the way the brain works in terms of our psychology. I love being able to understand what is going on inside our heads. “I am hoping to go to grad school after I am done here at Wilkes and pursue a career in the field of psychology.” �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment The Self Help Saga ����������������������������������������� ���������� By Morgan Rich Managing Editor Reading for pleasure is a pastime often lost among college students. When students are tasked to read 10 different chapters in a textbook for class, the last thing they want to do is sit down and open another book. There are plenty of college students out there who desperately want to get back into reading for pleasure but just do not know where to start. Here is how to find the spark for reading again and incorporate it into that hectic college routine. How to find the motivation to get back into reading: I know that I have heard plenty of my professors preach on and on about how reading for pleasure is extremely beneficial for the brain. A majority of the time, people are motivated to do something if it benefits them. Reading improves lots of different aspects of a person, particularly brain health. Reading forces the brain to be creative, increase empathy, increase emotional intelligence, expand vocabulary, obtain new knowledge and much more. It is essentially the brain’s way of exercising. I have a creative writing minor, which forces me to read academically a lot for my English classes. Like everyone else, I too fall victim to not having motivation to read for pleasure even though a big part of me wants nothing more than to sit down with a book. One of the best ways I find motivation to read is by looking at reading for pleasure as a privilege. Truth be told, there are plenty of people around the world who do not have access to a college, high school, middle school or even elementary school education. There are also plenty of people who have disabilities that refrain them from being able to read. I also find motivation to read by looking at the contents of reading as a movie that I get to picture and make up in my mind. I view it as a way to tune out the outside world and dive deep into my own imagination. It is a way to explore one’s own mind and creativity. How to incorporate reading into a hectic and overwhelming schedule: Now, I will be the first person to tell you that I too find it hard to read for pleasure during the fall and spring semesters. With exams and homework, sometimes it feels impossible to find the time to sit down and read a book. However, reading for pleasure should not be something that feels like a chore or something that is required to be in one’s schedule. The easiest way to incorporate reading into a hectic and overwhelming schedule is to slowly incorporate it into a night routine. Start off slow with reading fifteen minutes before bed and then slowly work up to reading an hour before bed. It is the best way to put the phone down before bed and decrease screen time. It is also important to remember that reading for pleasure, not a competition. Put down the TikToks of “how many books I read in a year.” Just because someone was able to read 50 books in a year does not mean anyone else has to catch up to them. I find that not comparing progress is the perfect way to read for pleasure. It also helps to bring the book to classes to read during some kind of downtime. Personally, I am someone who cannot read without it being silent, but reading bits and pieces in between class is the perfect way to chill out before, between and after classes. How to annotate books according to the content: I found that annotating made reading 10 times more fun. Perhaps it is just because I am the kind of person who enjoys writing down my thoughts, but I think that annotating can help one get a more firm grasp on what they are reading. Annotating is specifically any kind of action that deliberately interacts with the text to enhance the reader’s understanding of the text. I like to annotate with sticky notes, tabs, pens and different colored highlighters so I can mark what is interesting to me and so it is easy for me to spot later on. Annotating allows people to grasp concepts easier and helps provide the reader with a broader understanding of what is going on. Plus, going back and re-reading annotations can expand thoughts and make the reader think differently about their previous thoughts and ideas. I usually annotate different vocabulary words that are unfamiliar to me, my favorite romance moments, characterizations, emotional moments and much more. The fun thing about annotating is that it is specific to every person. Weekly book and song recommendations to get back into reading: The book that pulled me out of my reading slump was “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. I recently read this book this past summer and I could not put it down. This book follows two different timelines, one following the adventures of an outcast girl named Kya in the marshes of North Carolina. The second timeline follows the investigation of the murder of a local boy named Chase Andrews. To go along with the book, my song suggestion of the week is “Carolina” by Taylor Swift. Swift made this song for the movie after she read the book back in 2020 and it matches the vibe of the book perfectly. It is the perfect book and song to get out of a reading slump. The Beacon/Morgan Rich Rich shows off her book of the week. �By Lauren Gardner Contributing Writer Wilkes students have bundled up for the winter weather around campus. As the forecast for the weekend dips below 10 degrees, this week has been particularly chilly, and students have adapted to the cold. Students have coped around campus by bundling up with their favorite apparel, including Wilkes apparel sweatshirts and sweatpants. While some are not accustomed to such weather, others are keen toward it. “I enjoy both winter and summer weather, but I enjoy winter better,” said junior environmental science student Tyler Mendoza. Even for those more inclined toward the summer warmth, the winter weather offers a unique sense of creativity. “I enjoy winter and summer but I do like dressing for the winter, but I really am a summer girly” said sociology major Laila Porterfield. During these winter months, students are also often seen wearing parka jackets, for example, to protect themselves from the harsh Northeastern Pennsylvania weather. Parkas originate from the Caribou Inuit in Canada. The word “parka” actually means animal skin. The animal skin used for parkas was primarily made up of seal and caribou skin to keep warm. The parka still remains very popular to this day and has kept many warm for generations. Other ways people keep warm, besides bundling up, are enjoying hot drinks. Winter is the time of hot chocolate or white mocha, caramel brulée and chestnut praline lattes and sugar cookie drinks, which are all available at the Starbucks on campus, offering warmth and comfort to those in need of some energy while on the trek to class. In recent years, we have also seen the rise of UGG boots once again, which may cause some to grimace. UGG, however, has kept up with the trends and seems to have completely revamped their style to adapt to the changing times. More popular styles of UGG that are seen around campus are the minis, ultra short minis and the platform minis. The neumel shoe and of course the tasman slipper are campus favorites There are many winter activities students participate in, such as snowboarding and skiing. But not everyone shares the same interests during the winter time. “I prefer to stay in the comfort of my home, cozy and warm while watching a movie while enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa,” said senior digital design and media arts major Emily Makaravage. “When it is 16 degrees outside, there is no way I am going out in that weather when I can be cozy in the comfort of my home instead.” While warmer weather seems like it will never come with weather like this, maybe we can find something we can all appreciate because of winter weather. We can have snow days, or maybe now what some may call “Zoom days,” which is always better than bundling up, waiting for your car to heat up, driving on the roads (which sometimes are impossible to drive on since they seem to be unsalted) and then finding a parking spot and while keeping your balance when walking to class. Admittedly, with a Zoom class, you have time to make yourself a cup of hot coffee or hot cocoa (whichever you prefer) and not even have to leave your home while staying warm. Zoom classes are nice at times, but nothing can quite compare to the joy of receiving an email informing you that class has been canceled and you have a snow day to enjoy. Wilkes students always seem to dress for the weather, with of course the occasional person wearing shorts when there is a wind chill warning. As quirky as it is, though, it is important to protect yourself from the elements. Whether it is by bundling up, layering, bringing back your out of style UGG boots from 2010, it is necessary to keep warm during these months. Dressing for the weather always doesn’t have to be boring, you can always find something to add like a personal touch to your outfit. Remember: Layering is key to keep warm and a great way to keep in style “If you see me in the library with pajamas, mind your business,” said Makaravage. “Half of the time I am either in sweatpants and sweatshirts or any type of fleecy thing. Layers are also crucial for survival in this area whether you like it or not.” �Ancel Santana, first year civil engineering major, warms up with a sleek outfit of a matching pair of a hoodie and joggers. Emily Makaravage, digital design and media arts senior, opts for stylishly subdued colors for the outdoor air. Felix Hiltabidel, digital design and media arts first year student, warms up with a cute bunny puffer jacket. It’s important to keep your pets warm in this weather as well. Lance Gardner shows off his sleek parka. Katherine Ermeus, junior political science student, goes for a business casual fit that still bring coziness. Simple and sweet: first year sociology major Laila Porterfield shows off a monochrome winter fit. �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Opinion Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the assistant opinion editors: Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu or Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - OPEN Sports - Baylee Guedes Assistant Editors News - Amanda Montgomery Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh Opinion - Zara Lantzman DESIGNERS Desiger - David Marks Designer - Maggie Murphy Designer - Lara Mullen Photographer - Laury Angeles Section Staff Writers Sports - Adam Grundt Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : 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: Kalen Churchert at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Artificial intelligence must be regulated ASAP It can go by a lot of terms: artificial intelligence, AI, deepfakes, computer generated intelligence, algorithmic bias and the like. Whatever you want to call it, it has to be stopped. Although artificial intelligence has been a concept for a long time, the means of using artificial intelligence have gone beyond expansive evolution. So much so, that humans cannot control what they themselves have programmed. How did this happen? Humans are naturally inclined to curiosity. Artificial intelligence helps generate answers to questions humans cannot find a collective answer for. Art theft Have you ever thought about what a dog realistically driving a motorcycle while eating ice cream would look like? AI image generators can do such tasks. Although one can easily photoshop or draw certain visions and ideas, there is something magical about artificial intelligence creating something up out of just a prompt. While a human might be biased towards a specific style or perspective, AI can certainly be more open. These programs do this by scraping the Internet for photos and taking traits that are common conceptions of an idea. Stable Diffusion has been hit with a number of legal challenges filed by artists and companies. Getty Images announced in January that they were initiating legal proceedings against Stable Diffusion. Text generators AI generation has also adapted to text. ChatGPT is a newly popular language optimization software, claiming that the program is able to answer followup questions, admit mistakes, challenge premises and reject inappropriate requests. Concerns have already been murmured by professors and students during class about such programs being used for purposes of academic dishonesty. After all, why would someone put in the work of writing an essay, when a program can do it for you in just a couple of minutes? The question arises if we as human beings can trust these artificial intelligence programs to do our important tasks. Can we trust artificial programs to represent the very real and physical entity that is our humanity? No, we can’t. Although text generation can certainly be helpful, it is neither ethical nor honest. Deepfakes In the Twitch streaming world, one particular streamer, Brandon “Atrioc” Ewing confessed to looking at paid deepfaked pornography of fellow female streamers—some of whom are his friends. Erwing was exposed after accidentally revealing these deepfake websites. Female streamers, including Sweet Anita and QTCinderella, have expressed their anger at the exposure of pornography, after finding out they themselves were subjected to portrayal of deepfake pornography. Certain websites have already banned the use of deepfakes, like Reddit, Discord and PornHub. When PornHub is more up to date on a particular social issue than our Congress is, there’s a problem. Technology is too quickly evolving for legislation to crack down on it Wherever you are, nothing will protect you. Nothing can stop perverted freaks from deepfaking photos of you. Nothing can stop AI image generators from stealing your artwork and photography, and text generators have free reign to scan your own work. These AI programs and generators have to be regulated. For a safer society. 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 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 8, 2023 Opinion Valentine’s Day is more than just romance and chocolate By Sydney Allabaugh Asst. 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������� ����� ��� ������� ������� ��� ��� ���� ��������� � ��� ����� ��� �����†�� ����� ����� ��� ���� ������� ���� ‘���� ��� ���� ���� ������ � ���� ���� ����� ���� �� ���������������������������� ’����������������������������� Graphic by Lara Mullen The surprise struggle of the sunny spring semester By Rudy Urenovich Contributing Writer ­�� �������������������������������� �������������������������������������� ­�� ��������� ��������������������‡����� �� ������ ��� ����� ���������  ��������� � �� ����� �� �������� �������� ������� ��� �� ����� ����������� ���������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� „������ � ����� ���������� � �� ����� ���� ������� ��������� ������� ������ ����� ����������������� �������������� ������� ����������� ���� ������� �������������� ��������������� �� ��� ����� ����� ��� ���� ����� ���� ����� ���������������������������� ��������������� �������������������������������� �� ����� �� ������ ����� ����������� ��� ���������������� ����� ����� ����� ��������� ���������������������������� ������������������������������������ ‘���������������������������� ��������� ��� ���� ������ —� ���� � ������ ��� �� ������ ��� ����������������� ��� ���� ������� ����� ��� ������� ����� �������� ������������������������� ������� �������������������������������������� ˜������������������������� �� ������� ����� �� ������ ��� ��������� � �� ������ ��� ������� � ��� ����������� ��� ���������� �������� ���������� ���� ����������� ������†������ � ���� ��� ™������������Š������������� ��� ��� ���� ������ ��� �� ��������� ���� ������� ��­������ „��������� �� ����� ­�� � ����� ������������������������������ � ��������� �������������������� �Opinion The Beacon - February 8, 2023 16 Splash Mountain closes amid talks of racism versus nostalgia By Zara Lantzman Asst. Opinion Editor Editors Note: Zara Lantzman is a a former intern under the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah-zip-a-dee-ay. My, oh, my, what a wonderful day.” Walt Disney World fans hear these lyrics and think of the nostalgia of the water ride, Splash Mountain. It is time to move on. Splash Mountain was a log flume boat ride that focused on Brer Bear and Brer Fox’s pursuit of Brer Rabbit. The ride had three lifts and five drops with a five-story drop going at 40 mph. During the big drop, you would get wet and sometimes soaked. I witnessed people completely break down riding Splash Mountain for the last time. Newsflash: It is going to be the exact same ride. Disney is changing the ride to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It will be a “Princess and the Frog” themed ride, and it will cater towards a younger audience. Splash Mountain closed for good on Jan. 23 and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is opening up in late 2024. If we are being honest, most people who like Splash Mountain have never even seen “Song of the South.” Disney adults is just wrong and do not like change, this movie should and that is clear, have never been but this ride a thing. So yes, absolutely needed I think one is to be changed. considered wrong The ride itself had if they want this parts falling apart. ride to still exist. It also broke down. There is the But the worst part claim that the of all is that the ride is not racist ride is based on at all. While this an extremely racist may be true, as movie. mentioned, the Are you movie that the ride considered racist if is based on is racist you still want this and that should be ride? The short enough to open up answer is no. people’s eyes. Is it wrong to Over 92,000 want this ride people have signed The Beacon/Zara Lantzman a petition to save to still exist? In my opinion, yes. Disney World’s well-known Splash Splash Mountain. “Song of the South” Mountain will be retired, set to be These people need was completely replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. to get a grip on removed from all The log flume ride itself will stay the reality. platforms and for same. Aside from the good reason. fact that the theme “Song of the South” focuses on a Black is racist, Disney is trying to bring in new man reminiscing of the “good times” of crowds and cater to the younger and being a slave. newer audience as Disney is changing its What good times? parks to focus on the newer princesses Why is Disney portraying this movie instead of the older ones. as being a slave was OK and good? This Disney removed Belle from the parks as Assistant Opinion Editors: Sydney Allabaugh and Zara Lantzman they replaced her statue and section in the France pavilion at EPCOT. They replaced it with Remy the rat from “Ratatouille.” Disney is paving the way for a new Moana attraction as well. Splash Mountain was not in Disney’s plan moving forward as it was part of the “old” Disney. Disney is changing and the guests need to accept it and move on. You are not racist if you want the ride to exist. If you like the ride because of the nostalgia, then that is fine. Memories are memories and that is it. You can always make new memories and this new theme looks beautiful. The only worry that I have about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the fact that it does not fit in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom. Frontierland has this western style theme whereas “The Princess and the Frog” is set in the bayous of New Orleans. On Splash Mountain’s last day, the posted wait time on the My Disney Experience app was 220 minutes. That wait time is absurd and over three hours long. Disney adults need to evaluate themselves if they are truly distraught about this ride being reimagined. The ride is not changing. It is just improving. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be better than ever, and I am so excited for it. �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Opinion 17 Percy Hynes White may be no more at Nevermore By Morgan Rich Managing Editor Editor’s note: This article contains potentially triggering content for some readers. Percy Hynes White, a 21-year-old Canadian actor, has been accused of sexual assault and saying racial slurs on Twitter. Turns out White might not be the artistic heartthrob everyone thought he was. The star recently gained traction with his role as Xavier Thorpe in the hit Netflix horror comedy television series, “Wednesday.” “Wednesday” follows the story of Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega, who attends Nevermore Academy and tries to solve the mystery of a killing spree in town. Thorpe, White’s character, was primarily known for being a psychic student at Nevermore who became a friend of Addams and developed a crush on her. On the show, Thorpe was very outspoken about his distaste for Tyler Galpin, a “normie” (someone who is a normal human) character who had an onscreen romance with Wednesday Addams. White’s character also gained traction on all social media platforms with people debating if they were “team Tyler” or “team Xavier” in regard to their romance with Addams (personally, I am a “team Tyler” girl). As time progressed, the majority of people began to root for Thorpe and Addams to get together, with #xavierthorpe having over 2.6 billion videos on TikTok alone. On Jan. 18, a Twitter user by the name of @milkievich started a thread claiming that White and his high school friends drugged and assaulted her and her friends when he was 17 in Toronto, Canada. After the thread was started, multiple other women then came forward about their own experiences with White and his friends, which were then quoted in @ milkievich’s thread. The thread has since been deleted but many users have started their own threads. The thread also includes women coming forward about parties White and his friends threw when they were between the ages of 17 to 20 while the victims were aged 13 to 17. It is alleged that these parties were thrown with the intent of getting girls drunk and/or high in order to take advantage of them. “Despite this situation coming about from Twitter, I think it’s still important that we recognize that we should believe and support victims of sexual assault and make sure their stories are heard and necessary action is taken,” said Kaelin Hughes, a junior history and political science double major. “It’s very hard when you enjoy something like “Wednesday” or another piece of media, follow these actors, then information like this surfaces but it is important that we as consumers recognize the severity of this situation and hold people accountable for their actions.” Screenshots have also been included of White and his friends randomly putting minors in group chats on Instagram and sending them vulgar and inappropriate messages. The most popular messages floating around are nude pictures of White in bed and on the toilet. “I believe that it is super important to believe the accuser because it takes so much courage to confront your abuser,” said John Hannaway, a P2 pharmacy major. “So many cases of sexual assault do not get reported, so it is super important to support those who do find the courage and come forward.” A TikTok video of White making racist claims and displaying racist behavior is also beginning to surface on social media platforms. The uncomfortable and shocking video is of White acting out violence against a person of color from the 1950s and includes White mouthing a racial slur. A video also went viral on TikTok where White “accidentally” touched his costar Ortega’s breast and she immediately pulled herself away from him. The cast of “Wednesday,” including White, has yet to speak out against these allegations. Fans have recently taken to social media platforms to address their new distaste for the actor and how he needs to be removed from the show immediately since Netflix announced its renewal for season two. Though some fans are arguing that people can lie, screenshots can be edited and that he should not be removed from the show until these claims are proven to be factual. “I think that he should face repercussions because those are serious allegations,” said Rebecca Timko, a junior business management major. “Even though the situation came from Twitter, it needs to be taken seriously and he should face the consequences.” Personally, I believe he should be removed from the show immediately and that silence speaks louder than any words. I think that the character, Xavier Thorpe, should be written out of the show entirely or recast by another young actor. The silence of Netflix also speaks volumes to me since I believe they should announce their awareness of the situation. However, I cannot say that I am surprised they have not spoken out about them yet considering how big companies never like to speak out about sexual assault. In my opinion, this looks extremely bad on Netflix’s part, especially considering how huge this show has become. When companies such as these do not speak out about the situation or fail to announce that they are going to look into it, I believe it discourages victims to come forward. White’s racist TikTok video is clearly proven to be him and was posted from an account of his, so why is Netflix not speaking out about that either? We have to remember that celebrities are not royalty that deserve to be put on a pedestal. Celebrities are people, just like everyone else, and can make horrible decisions. Seeing people treat White as if he can do no wrong is quite sickening to me and reiterates the idea that some cannot separate the character from the actor. Just because Xavier Thorpe might be your favorite character does not mean that you need to stick up for the actor portraying him. “I think that there should be action taken to hold White accountable for his actions (both alleged and proven),” said Hughes. “It’s important for companies, in this case Netflix, to take these allegations seriously and choose to not work with people that promote intolerant and dangerous behaviors. Continuing to work with someone with these allegations puts other actors, workers and fans at risk of facing harm. Additionally, continuing to give a platform to an alleged abuser perpetuates fanbases to support these people (given parasocial relationships) and prevent action from being taken to hold White accountable.” The sexual assault hotline is 1-800656-4672 for victims of sexual assault, harassment and domestic and dating violence. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Opinion 18 Roving Reporter: Wilkes students' Super Bowl predictions Will the Eagles or Chiefs win the trophy? Compiled by Sydney Allabaugh — Asst. Opinion Editor Mia Decker JJ Kochanski Chris Dugard Ben Kubic Alex Munoz Madelyn Rex Sophomore - History and Secondary Education “I guess I want the Eagles to win. I originally didn’t want them to win, but now I have beef with the Chiefs because they beat the Bengals. I wanted the Bengals to be in the Super Bowl. I even bought an NFL+ subscription to watch the Bengals play in the Super Bowl, but now it’s gone to waste.” Sophomore - History and Secondary Education “The Chiefs. I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so it would be tough to see the Eagles win the Super Bowl.” First-year - Criminology “I’m rooting for the Eagles. I grew up in an Eagles household and always have been an Eagles fan. They did good this year.” Junior - Sociology “I think the Eagles will win. They’re healthy and Patrick Mahomes is hurt. I think the Eagles are young and want it more. Philly fans are just crazy.” Sophomore - Biology “I would say Kansas City will win. I feel like the Eagles had no resistance in the game they played against the 49ers. The 49ers did not have enough preparation. The Eagles could have an advantage though because they might be well-rested. I’m a Washington fan, so I don’t want to see the Eagles win.” First-year - Secondary English Education “The Birds. I am not super into football, but my boyfriend is an Eagles fan.” �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu By Adam Grundt Sports Staff Writer The men’s and women’s tennis teams look to follow up last season’s successes with another great year. Head coach Todd Kane is entering his second season leading both teams. Kane led the men’s and women’s programs into the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Finals in his first season as head coach in 2021-22. Men’s Tennis The Colonels finished last season with a record of 10-8 with an appearance in the MAC Freedom Finals. This season’s roster is compiled of five juniors: Drew Fiedler, Jonah Nguyen, Dominic Tyler and Ian Williams. Wilkes also returns three sophomores to round out the roster: Amin Ali, Connor Frey and Nathanial Rathe. With a younger roster this season, the Colonels players are working hard in practice, working towards gaining knowledge and getting ready to compete in match action. “We will have a lot of guys who will be getting a chance to become regulars for the first time in their careers,” said Kane. “This year is a great opportunity for them to develop on and off the court. We have a close-knit team and I think that sets us up great for the future as the guys coming next year will fit right in.” With the upcoming conference changes for the 2023-24 season, Wilkes is striving towards placing in the MAC Freedom. “With this spring season being our last season in the MAC, we are approaching this season with the mentality that we’d like people to remember who we were,” said Frey. “Despite some changes in the roster, our chemistry with each other has never been better. I would anticipate some great doubles matches and exciting singles battles with all the support we have from each other.” Through their successes last season, the Colonels gained a realization of the importance of hard work and how much of a role hard work plays in preparation for the upcoming season. “We’ve been on the court hitting balls every day to prepare for what’s in store for us this season,” said Frey. “We are all incredibly excited for a fun last season in the MAC and can’t wait to see what we are capable of in the coming years.” Women’s Tennis The Colonels are coming off of a season where they had an appearance in the MAC Freedom Finals. Wilkes finished last season with a record of 10-7 with current sophomore Tea Amerise being named to the All MAC Freedom First-Team, as well as being named the MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year. Current junior Cassidy Greenman was named to the All MAC Freedom Second-Team. The women’s roster is compiled of four sophomores: Amerise, Sydney Farmer, Sara Hoskins and Karlee Yuscavage. Greenman, Zoe Klein, and Kaitlyn O’Neil are the three juniors on this season’s roster. “I hope to build off the success I had last year by being more confident, working with my teammates and listening to my coach,” said Amerise. “I think the successes I experienced last year were a result of hard work, my teammates, and my coach. We all worked very hard last year and pushed each other to be better, and it paid off because our team was successful, not just me personally.” The experience that the Colonels gained from playing deep into last season’s schedule will benefit the team going into matches this year. “Our captains, Zoe and Cassidy, bring a lot of experience and leadership to the team,” said Amerise. “The entire team and our coach are very committed to working hard, so we should do well.” The men’s and women’s tennis teams return to action on Feb. 27, as they host Houghton University at the Ralston Athletic Complex. Graphics by Baylee Guedes TENNIS: Looking to capitalize on MAC Freedom appearences �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Sports 20 WIH: Assistant coach Caty Flagg making impact on Colonels By Julia Mazur Contributing Writer The Colonels have made a lot of changes for this 2022-23 season, not only on the ice, but also behind the scenes as well. Wilkes hired an entirely new coaching staff for the women’s ice hockey team at the start of the year, including assistant coach Caty Flagg. Flagg, who is only 24 years old, admits that it was an interesting experience beginning to coach a team as the players are so close to her own age. She appreciates how welcoming the team was to the new coaching staff this season. “They (the players) have been awesome at listening and respecting me, even though I am practically the same age as them,” said Flagg. Previous to coaching, Flagg played the position of goaltender professionally for the Buffalo Beauts of the Premier Hockey League. While playing for the Beauts, Flagg also volunteered as a coach for the Islanders Hockey Club, one of the top-ranked girl’s hockey programs in the Northeast. Flagg noted that she chose the position of goaltender growing up as she found it an important role on the ice as you can control the game. Those previous experiences of playing at different levels of hockey have helped her transition from player to coach in the most effective way at Wilkes. Flagg’s role with the Colonels is to work primarily with the defensive players on the team as it is her area of expertise. “Defensively speaking, she has helped us improve our game tremendously,” said senior defenseman Abby Miller. Flagg in goal during one of her professional games for the Buffalo Beauts of the Premier Hockey League. Flagg spends her days helping the players improve on the ice by assisting at practices. When she is not on the ice, she is breaking down film or looking for other ways to help the team develop. The team feels the shift from previous seasons in the coaching staff and energy, expressing that it has been nothing but positivity this year. “She (Flagg) has the most infectious energy,” said senior defenseman Abbey Barcless. “She’s always smiling, laughing, and full of positivity”. The shift in the team is evident, not only to the players but to Flagg and the entire coaching staff. “Seeing the overall improvement from the team has been awesome,” said Flagg. “Even just from the start of the season until now, it has been a drastic improvement for them as individuals with their skills, and as a whole team the team play and systems have done a complete 180.” The team has experienced ups and downs throughout the season, however, they have remained resilient. “No matter the situation they always come back stronger and ready to go,” said Flagg. Both Miller and Barcless acknowledged that Flagg has made a positive impact on the team and their playing ability. “(Flagg) is a great addition to the program and playing for her is an honor,” said Barcless. Under Flagg and the coaching staff, Wilkes has more wins this season than they have had in any previous season. Bringing in this new coaching staff and adding energy can tremendously affect how a team plays, and it seems Flagg’s hiring has emphasized that. Photos courtesy of Caty Flagg (Left to right) Gianna Manzi, Flagg and Barcless on “wear any jersey but your own to practice” day. �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Sports 21 Winter Sports: Updates going into end of regular season By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Women’s Ice Hockey The Colonels are sitting at 4-15-2 as they have four regular-season games left. Although the win column is under .500, it does not reflect on how the team has performed this season. Most recently, Wilkes tied with King’s College 2-2 and won the team’s first-ever shootout win as junior defender Savanna Maxon was able to sneak one past the Monarchs goaltender. Sophomore goaltender Emma Swansburg received the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Defensive player of the week honors after recording 84 saves in a doubleheader matchup. Junior forward Bella Kaczorowski has earned two MAC conference awards thus far with Co-Offensive Player of the Week as well as Offensive Player of the Week. In a singular play during a matchup with the Arcadia Knights, senior forward Julie Patterson became the Colonels’ all-time leader in career points and Kaczorowski scored the first overtime goal-winning shot in program history. Kaczorowski leads the team with nine goals on the season, while Patterson follows with five. Junior forward Rachel Morey leads with seven assists, senior defender Abigail Barceless recorded 32 blocks and junior Addy Olson adds 474 saves in goal. Wilkes will finish out the regular season with three home games and one away. On Feb. 11 and 12, the Colonels will host Utica University and then travel to Lebanon Valley College on Feb. 17. To finish out the season, Wilkes will host Lebanon on Feb. 18 for a Senior Day celebration. Men’s Ice Hockey The 11-8-1 Colonels are five games away from postseason play. The team has earned themselves many accolades throughout the season as well. First-year forward Cam Lowe has received the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Co-Men's Player of the Week as well as the UCHC Men's Rookie of the Week awards. Senior goaltender Michael PatersonJones earned the MAC Defensive Player of the Week twice as well as the UCHC Goaltender of the Week. First-year forward Matt Carlson earned the MAC Offensive Player of the Week award and senior goaltender Garrett Nieto received the MAC Defensive Player of the Week award. Currently, Wilkes is sitting in fifth place in the UCHC standings under the Chatham Cougars, the Nazareth Golden Flyers, the Stevenson Mustangs and the number one Utica Pioneers. Wilkes will finish out the regular season with three away games and two at home. Tonight (Feb. 8) the Colonels will travel a short distance to take on the Monarchs. On Feb. 10 and 11, Wilkes will host Stevenson in a two-day doubleheader, with Senior Night celebrations on the 11th. To finish out regular season gameplay, the Colonels will travel to Neumann University on Feb. 17 and 18. Women’s Basketball The Colonels hold a record of 6-15 with four MAC Freedom regular season games remaining. First-year guard Yamirelis Matos leads the team with 176 points, averaging 8.8 points-per-game (PPG). Senior guard Brenna Babcock follows Matos with 139 points, averaging 7.0 PPG. Matos and Babcock also lead in rebounds with 87 and 84, averaging 4.4 and 4.2 rebounds-per-game (RPG). Junior point guard Julia Marino leads the team in assists with 58 and leads with 46 steals. Wilkes will play tonight (Feb. 8) at Misericordia University and then host Arcadia on Feb. 11 for Senior Day. On Feb. 14, the Colonels will host the Monarchs and then finish out the regular season on Feb. 18 at Delaware Valley University. Men’s Basketball The 11-10 Colonels have four games remaining in the MAC Freedom regular season. Graduate student and guard Drake Marshall leads the team in scoring with 260 points, averaging 12.4 PPG. Sophomore guard Cayden Merrifield follows Marshall with 224 points, averaging 10.7 PPG. Marshall also leads the team in rebounds with 120, averaging 5.7 RPG. Junior forward Trent Fisher follows with 104, averaging 7.4 RPG. Merrifield’s 71 assists put him in the lead for the Colonels in that category as well as leading in steals with 27. Fisher leads in blocks with 19. Merrifield is a recipient of the MAC Player of the Week award. Wilkes will play tonight (Feb. 8) at Misericordia University and then host Arcadia on Feb. 11. On Feb. 14, the Colonels will host the Monarchs for Senior Day and then round out their regular season on Feb. 18 at Delaware Valley University. Men’s and Women’s Swim The regular season is over for the Colonels and they can now look forward to the MAC Championship tournament on Feb. 9. through the 12th. The men’s team went 2-11 in the regular season with wins over Gallaudet University and Moravian University. The women’s team consisted of only senior Maddy Kinard who holds two Wilkes records: individual record holder in the 100 Back (1:02.47) and 200 Back (2:19.49) as well as the relay record holder in the 200 Free (1:42.89), 200 Medley (1:56.76) and 400 Medley (4:13.27). Wrestling The Colonels are 6-13 with two dual meets left before the Futures Mid East Tournament (FMET) and the NCAA Southeast Regionals (NCAA SR). Wilkes has had many wrestlers obtain awards throughout the season: Five Colonels were ranked within the top six in the Southeast Region Preseason Rankings (sophomore Austin Fashouer, junior James Geiger, sophomore Cameron Butka, senior Jack Bauer and junior Nevin Rauch). They were also ranked on the d3wrestle.com 2022-2023 National Rankings (Fashouer seventh, while Bauer, Geiger, Butka and sophomore Caleb Burkhart were Honorable Mentions). Bauer won the 141-pound championship at the Ned McGinley Invitational along with Geiger in the 174-pound weight class. Fashouer took home the 125-pound title at the Blue Jay Classic along with Butka in the 197-pound weight class. Fashouer also won the Budd Whitehill National Duals All-Tournament Team title along with Burkhart. Burkhart was also a recipient of the MAC Wrestler of the Week award. Butka won the 197-pound first-place title at the 2023 MAC Championship tournament, while also earning the All-MAC Wrestling First Team award. Fashouer and sophomore Christopher Nuss both won third-place titles at the 2023 MAC Championship tournament, while also earning the All-MAC Wrestling Third Team award. On Jan. 26. Burkhart was ranked second in the current NCAA Division III Wrestling Award Standings for most falls as he has 16 thus far this season. Wrestling will compete on Feb. 10 as they host Ithaca College and on Feb. 17 hosting the Monarchs for Senior Day. Following the end of the regular season duals, the Colonels will compete on Feb. 19 at FMET and Feb. 24-25th at the NCAA SR. Photos/Lauren Bowers | Graphic/Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Paul Binner Junior Volleyball Middle Hitter The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Binner was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after his perfomance during the volleyball double-header non-conference sweep on Jan. 29. Binner recorded nine kills in each of the matches, totaling in 18. Binner also added six blocks and three aces throughout the double-header. Major: Mechanical Engineering Hometown: Tunkhannock, Pa. High School: Tunkhannock What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? My favorite sports memory as a Colonel was in my freshman year when we took a set off of Messiah. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Steelers (even though they didn’t do too well, haha). What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? I like hanging out with my friends in between classes and practice. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? My favorite part is definitely how close we are as a team. It’s like I have 13 extra brothers and it’s nice to know they always have my back on and off the court. The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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 sports movie is your go-to for movie night? “Thunderstruck.” If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Either basketball or golf, but I can’t decide which I’d rather do. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? I’d still have to go with the win our volleyball team had over Messiah, it was just such an amazing moment when we won the last point of the set. What is your favorite postgame meal? I‘d have to go with pizza. We get to hit a lot of pizza places on the way back from away games and it’s always fun to try out the different types (especially in New York). How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I am incredibly honored, but I couldn’t do it without the rest of my team, especially our defensive players and Shay, our setter, who deserve it just as much as I do. Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor �Sports The Beacon - February 8, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Emma Swansburg Sophomore Hockey Goaltender The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Swansburg was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after her performance this past week as she had 44 saves in a singular game and then 40 saves in game the next day. She tallied in 84 saves and a .905 save percentage in the split with Arcadia University on Jan. 27 and 28. Swansburg also received the MAC Defensive Player of the Week award for the week of Jan. 30. Major: Mechanical Engineering Hometown: Shelburne, Nova Scotia High School: Shelburne Regional What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Winning my first NCAA game in overtime. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Seattle Kraken. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Spending time with friends. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? My favorite part of being an athlete here is getting to keep playing the sport I love with such a great group of people. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? "Mighty Ducks." If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Rugby or Volleyball. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Going undefeated in regular season games the last year I played for my hometown team and eventually winning Provincials. What is your favorite postgame meal? Chicken chalupas and a blue raspberry freeze from Taco Bell. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I’m just happy to have the opportunity to keep playing, getting athlete of the week just goes to show that my hard work is paying off. The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports 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 - February 8, 2023 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 February 8 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f65c5e24807f2cc5ee5d55a882dad751.pdf 82022485e00bf22a43364b275cd20fd1 PDF Text Text The Beacon - February 15, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Pa. Newspaper Association Member Volume 75, Issue 11 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” MVB: Early and quick success leads to boosted team morale Top: Colonels get hyped up for their tri-match with Arcadia. Bottom: Jackson Shafer “killing” it during the home match. Zachary Shay (left) setting the ball for Paul Binner (right). All photos are from Feb. 9. against Arcadia University. GSA discusses Title IX and queer students with coordinator, page 4 Programming board presents a BHM-themed bingo, page 7 Photos: The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Paul Binner prepping to serve the ball. Story on Page 19... Meme accounts taking the entire campus by storm, page 15 Men’s Ice Hockey Senior Night, page 20 �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 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. 8 weekly meeting By Kellie Scott Staff Writer Student Government held another weekly meeting on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. The meeting consisted of new club recognition and funding for future events. To begin, Student Government brought the Gold Bar Club up to begin week 1 of 2 of their recognition. The Gold Bar Club currently consists of 30 members and is run by the ROTC program. The goal of the Gold Bar Club is to serve the community through community service, while also helping the members of the club develop in professional ways. SG will vote on the club's recognition in next week's meeting. Next on the agenda was week 2 of 2 of the casino week's budget. The new budget that was requested was $20,717. This included some minor changes in the food selection, such as some vegan options as well as some added decorations. During this second showing of casino week, minor changes were also made to the days the events would be held. The new dates are Feb. 20 to Feb. 24, with a day off in the middle of the week on Wednesday. The new budget and changes were discussed and voted on and the motion was approved for casino week. Next, Step Team Club was brought up for week 1 of 2 of their club recognition. Stepping is a form of dance that is performed in African American cultures. This form of dance was described as a complex full body dance that uses a mixture of footsteps, spoken words and hand clapping. This club was formed to help create more cultural experiences and dances for the Wilkes community, in hopes to spread more understanding and cultural awareness. The club's recognition will be voted on in next week's meeting. Finally, the last item on the agenda was Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Diploma Order Submission Reminder for May 2023 Graduates ����������������������������������������� ������ ������� ����� � ����� ����� ���� ������ ������ ���� ���� ����������� ����� ���� ���� ����� ����������� ��� ����� ���� ��� ������� ���� ����� ���� ����� ������������ ��� �  ������� ��������� ���������������������   ­������� ���� ������ ��� ������ ���� ������������������������������������������� �������� ������������������� Apply to become an e-Mentor � ���������� ���� � ��� ���� ���� �������� ��� €����‚����� �‚������� ���� ���� ����� ����� ��������� ��� ��� �‚�������� ����‚����� �������������� ��������� ���� �������� ��� ������� �� ���� ��� �� ���� � ��� ƒ�� ��� �„� ��� ��������� ���������� ��� ������� ���������������������������������������� ����������������������� �‚������…������������������������������ ������� ��� ��� �  ��������� � ���������� ��������†���������‡� � ˆ�� €���� ���� ���� � ���������� ������ ������ ������������ ����������� ��‚ �����������‚������ ������������� ‚ � �����������‚��������‚������‚ � ����������  ���������������� ����������� ­������� ����� ������­����������������� ����‰�����������������������Š�������� ���„‹�‡�Œ‡Ž‡„� Second Saturday Family Hour: David C. Driskell Block Prints Rescheduled to Feb. 25, noon to 2 p.m. ˆ���­����������������������������������� ���� ����� �������� ����� � ��� †��� �„�� ���������������������� ��� ‘������������������� �������� �������� �������� ������������� ��������� ��������� ����������������������������� ������������ �  ����������������������������������� ˆ��� ����� � ��� ��������� ������� ���� ������� ���������� ������ ���������� ����� ‘� ������� �������������������������������� �������������������������’�������������� ������������������������‚������������� week 1 of 2 for the Spring Fling budget. This year's Spring Fling will be held on March 24, with a time yet to be determined. The event will be held at the Mary Stegmaier mansion and the theme is also to be determined; however, it will include something with the color green. The Spring Fling Committee asked for $13,705 and the amount will be voted on in next week's meeting. The next Student Government meeting will be held next week Feb. 15. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2023 Spring Semester February 16 - Black Artists in NEPA lecture 20-24 - Casino Week 22 - Last look gallery tour �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 News Black History Month Jeopardy at Global Coffee Hour By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor 3 Global Coffee Hour hosted Black History Month themed Jeopardy in collaboration with the Office of Diversity Initiatives. The event took place in the Savitz Lounge, located on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. Students were encouraged to come and enjoy snacks, coffee and tea, all while celebrating Black History Month. Snacks, coffee and tea were provided at the event and available for all participants to enjoy. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Students prepare to answer Jeopardy questions. Black History Month themed Jeopardy board containing questions categorized under Civil Rights Movement, sports, music, inventors and entrepreneurs. Students preparing for the Jeopardy game while enjoying snacks provided by Global Coffee Hour. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 News 4 GSA discusses Title IX and queer students with coordinator By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor The gender and sexuality alliance (GSA) recently hosted a discussion on Title IX policies at Wilkes. The talk included the civil rights law, its implementation and what the future of those policies may look like at Wilkes, especially for LGBTQ+ students. Elizabeth Leo, Wilkes’ Title IX Coordinator, led the presentation and discussion of Title IX. Leo has been at Wilkes for over a year, and in that time, she has been able to talk to individuals and resolve the issues before it turned into a hearing. “It has come to my attention that the LGBTQ+ community has to beg and plead for everything they can get,” said Leo. Title IX protection is for every student, not just LGBTQ+ students. However, as of 2021, the Supreme Court recognized that sexual orientation is a protected class under Title VII, and under the Biden administration, there are new proposed protections. “What I always preach to everyone is that I would much rather someone come to me with something before waiting for something worse to happen,” said Leo. In these conversations, Leo speaks to the individuals involved, and explains how their behavior is being received by the other person. She is also able to talk about boundaries and the education process. “If something makes you uncomfortable, let me know about it,” said Leo. She wants students to understand that even if something seems minor, they should not have to put up with it. Instead of it becoming a full-blown conversation, it can be more educational and create awareness. Morgan Steiner, president of GSA and sophomore political science major, explained the importance of this discussion. “I think that a lot of us don't have a solid understanding on what Title IX is so it's important to hear it be discussed and what Wilkes does, and what is legally required because it's clear we go above and beyond,” said Steiner. Leo wants all students to understand that even if something isn’t technically categorized under Title IX, they are still willing and able to help them. If students ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe, Leo advises students to come and talk to her, or one of her colleagues. “The biggest takeaway is that Elizabeth Leo and our Title IX office (are) more than willing to talk with you on any issues you face on campus—even if you don’t think it falls under Title IX, there is that outlet in administration for you,” said Steiner. Claire Wynne, vice president of GSA and senior environmental engineering major, thought of her personal experiences, using them to demonstrate the importance of the discussion. “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community on campus, I’ve encountered my fair share of discrimination and harassment and ridicule, and it's important for people to know who they can reach out to, the legal protection they have and the resources available,” said Wynne. Leo explained that “it's the how you feel that matters,” and that the technical, more complicated aspects of Title IX are there to determine what road to take in order for her to help in the most effective way. “The biggest takeaways are the ease of approaching Title IX. They can deal with problems of all different sizes; they are there for the students; and they want to help us and that they are looking to improve and get better,” said Wynne. Leo can be reached through email at elizabeth.leo@wilkes.edu. She encourages students to make an appointment and meet in a place where they feel comfortable and safe. Her office is located in Weckesser Hall on the second floor, though students are encouraged to email or call ahead to schedule an appointment. Photos Courtesy of Morgan Steiner Elizabeth Leo, general counsel and Title IX Coordinator, discusses Title IX policies and their implementation. Leo joined Wilkes in 2022 with 25 years of legal experience thatincludes leading iniatives in educational and awareness for how to identify and report misconduct and how to ensure a safe workplace for students and employees. Several members of GSA and ROTC attended the event, having the opportunity to learn about the implementation of Title IX into one's environment. Back: LynnMarie A. Shedlock of human resources; Maj. Joshua Robinson (Operations Flight Commander ROTC Det 752); and Tech. Sgt. Matthew Ashley (ROTC Training Instructor ROTC Det 752). Front: Claire Wynne, GSA vice president; Jeremiah Eyler; and Staff Sgt. Kyler Briggs (NCOIC - Administrative Management ROTC Det 75). Title IX's policies and procedures are all available under the Title IX Compliance Office at Wilkes, all of which is available to research and read at www.wilkes.edu If you feel unsafe, you can call 911 or public safety at (570)-408-4999, or you can file a harassment report under Title IX. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 News 5 Honors student committee holds cookie decorating contest By Kellie Scott Staff Writer The Honors Program Student Committee recently held a cookie decorating. The cookies will be voted on in the weekly Honors Buzz and prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners. The first place winner will receive a $50 Cafe Toscana gift card. The second place winner will receive a blanket and two boxes of chocolate, and the third place winner will receive two movie tickets and chocolate. More than 24 cookies were decorated and submitted to be voted on. Results will be announced at a later time. Editor's note: Liz Cherinka is a Beacon staff member. One of the cookies decorated during the competition was by Eliana Kramer, sophomore history and corporate finance major. Molly Blaskiewicz (left) sophomore marketing major, and Brooke Coleman (right) sophomore management major decorate their cookies. PLACE YOUR AD HERE! Do you own a business? Have an upcoming event? Advertise with The Beacon! Ad sizes range from 1/8 of a page up to a full page Advertisements are in full color Can be run in one issue up to an entire semester Photos: The Beacon/Kellie Scott Liz Cherinka (left), junior P1 pharmacy major, and Ally Warnz (right) sophomore pharmacy majors take a break from decorating to pose for a photo. For more information, please contact: Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu or Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Professor Profile: Matthew Jennings, biology, earth systems By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Writer Dr. Matthew Jennings has joined the Biology and Earth Systems Science Department as an assistant professor. Jennings is from Trooper, Pa., which is about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. In 2005, Jennings received a bachelor of science in biology and philosophy from the University of Scranton. He then went onto receive a master of science in biology in 2010 from Villanova University. Later, in 2016, he received a doctorate in biology from the University of Arkansas. Jennings’s returned to the Wyoming Valley because he had a fondness for it. Jennings described his experience with Wilkes as a “combination of being closer to family, a higher paying position and a more research-oriented position compared to (his) previous job.” Research opportunities are an important aspect of Jennings’ personal career desires, describing his favorite part of his job as “the freedom to pursue my own research goals.” Outside of his job and in his spare time, Jennings plays the bari saxophone in the Wilkes Jennings is driven by his Civic Band, in addition desire to research. to the University of Scranton Jazz Ensemble. “I’ve been playing the saxophone for about 29 years. I started in the fourth grade and have played ever since. I’ve played in a lot of jazz ensembles over the years.” Jennings went on to name some favorite musicians and music. “Duke Ellington is my favorite...I’m also a big fan of ska.” Jennings got his start in elementary school, saying that “my elementary school band director made us try out different instruments, and saxophone was the one I was best at.” Jennings also enjoys playing table top and video games in his spare time. His top five favorite games (in no particular order) are “Super Metroid” (SNES), “Chrono Trigger” (SNES), “Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (N64), “Knights of the Old Republic” (PC) and “Resident Evil 4” (GCN). “The current systems I own are a PS5 and Switch. However, I also have a fair collection of older consoles,” said Jennings. One fun fact about Jennings is that he is a certified scuba diver of eight years. He got his certification in 2015. “I was certified as a junior in high school, but my certification lapsed. A friend asked if I wanted to get certified again and I agreed. “My favorite dive location is Cozumel, Mexico. There are a lot of coral reefs you can explore that are relatively shallow,” said Jennings. In the future, Jennings hopes to finish some papers he has been working on, 6 long before the pandemic started. He also plans to attend The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) general meeting, which is being held in Houston, Texas, over the summer. “ASM is the professional organization for microbiology in the United States, so it’s a big meeting. I haven’t been to one since before COVID-19, so it will be good to attend now as a professor instead of a postdoctoral. “I’ll be presenting some of the work I’ve been doing the past few years, including here at Wilkes,” said Jennings. One piece of advice Jennings offers students is that “the five second rule has been experimentally shown to be invalid,” and provides the website with the article titled, “Longer Contact Times Increase Cross-Contamination of Enterobacter aerogenes from Surfaces to Food,” written by Robyn C. Miranda and Donald W. Schaffner. It is available on the ASM Journals website, where students can learn more about it. Photo Courtesy of Matthew Jennings �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 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 presents a BHM-themed bingo By Laury Angeles LA&E Photographer and Staff Writer The Henry Student Center Ballroom filled up with students excited to play some bingo, win prizes and learn some facts about Black history. Photos: The Beacon/Laury Angeles On Feb. 9, Programming Board once again hosted a high-turnout event for the student body. This week’s event was bingo, in collaboration with the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) in celebration of Black History Month. According to Quincy Banks, junior digital design and media arts major, he went to this event “to be a part of the community [because] everyone gets together for the bingo night.” As a result of Programming Board and MSC’s collaboration on this event, the students participating in the game were asked questions about Black history. If the student answered correctly, they gained the advantage of getting an extra bingo tablet, which granted them more chances to win one of the prizes. Students had a great time playing, winning prizes, learning about Black history and just enjoying some downtime with their friends. “My reason to come is that it doesn’t matter if I win, I still have fun and the games make me relax by destressing a bit from classes,” said Leonel Ojo, junior English literature major. Although the room was filled with tension and anticipation from participants waiting for their numbers to be called, the laughter soon began to take over thanks to sophomore communication studies major and vice president of MSC, Zach Paraway’s hosting skills. The competitive but laidback environment went well for students. “The event was great,” said Ancel Santana, first-year civil engineering major. “Even though I didn’t win anything, the atmosphere and the personality of the host made the event fun nevertheless.” Next week, Programming Board will be taking a break from organizing their usual events, but instead will be holding a giveaway of free acai bowls. A student’s bingo board, showing just how close they were to winning in two different directions but alas, luck was not on their side. Zach Paraway, sophomore communication studies major and vice president of the Multicultural Student Coalition, hosting the evening’s events. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 f Cocktail of the Week: Bright and refreshing, amaretto sour By Haley Katona Or you can add 1/2 of an orange slice as a garnish instead Contributing Writer Our last drink featured was a very sweet one, so for something different, here we have an amaretto sour. This quick and easy drink is perfect for those of us who are not as joyous about the month of love. The almond liqueur blends into a sour making it the perfect and tame drink to pass the evening by. a Enjoy! The Beacon/Haley Katona This refreshing, yet sour drink is perfect to make and serve for parties and more. B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! ps Be Ingredients: 2 ounces amaretto liqueur 1 ounce lemon juice, for best result use a half of a medium lemon and freshly squeeze it 1 teaspoon simple syrup, amount can vary depending on how sweet you prefer the drink Maraschino cherries or an orange slice for an optional garnish Directions: Pour the amaretto, lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly. Strain into a chilled glass filled with or without ice, depending on your preference. Garnish with whichever choice you prefer, maraschino cherries or an orange slice. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Chapel - Nicole Dollanganger Morgan Rich, Managing Editor: Zara Lantzman, Opinion Asst. Editor: Tattoos - Reneé Rapp Satellite - Harry Styles Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Dreams - Fleetwood Mac The Fall - The Chainsmokers, Ship Wrek David Marks, Designer: Amanda Montgomery, News Asst. The Chain - Fleetwood Mac Editor: Maggie Murphy, Designer: 25 - Alix Paige Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Sure Thing - Miguel Creepin’ - Metro Boomin, The Lara Mullen, Designer: Weeknd, 21 Savage Laury Angeles, LA&E Photographer I Melt with You - Modern English & Staff Writer: Elizabeth Cherinka, Social Media ANTIFRAGILE - LE SSERAFIM Manager/Staff Writer: Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Asst. Editor: Whiplash’d - Xavier Wulf $20 - boygenius, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus �The Beacon – February 15, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment The fourth annual Douglass Day Transcribe-a-Thon By Bailey DeJesus Contributing Writer The Division of Global Cultures, the Office of Diversity Affairs and the Sordoni Art Gallery sponsored its fourth annual Douglass Day Transcribe-a-Thon in Breiseth Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 14. The focus for transcription was on the records of activist and writer Mary Ann Shadd Cary. All that came were able to stay and aid in transcribing for as long as they wanted. Not only were students able to take part in preserving an important part of history, but it was a crucial learning moment about an incredible woman that advocated for women’s suffrage and recruited soldiers for the Union during the Civil War. “The Transcribe-a-Thon is about getting people together to help digitize important archives of Black Americans,” said Dr. Chris Zarpentine, associate professor of philosophy and is so much easier division of global to learn and feel cultures chair. the importance of Many students knowledge when and faculty one is actively members were engaging with the excited to celebrate works of that time.” the fourth annual From the first Douglass Day Tr a n s c r i b e - a Tr a n s c r i b e - a Thon occurring Thon. According on campus in to Dr. Amy February 2020 S o p c a k - Jo s e p h , on the eve of assistant professor COVID-19, to of history, transitioning to Graphic by David Marks virtual, and now Douglass Day is administered through the Center for Black being able to come back full swing, it was a Digital Research at Penn State and the significant event to be able to participate in Colored Conventions Project. alongside many institutions in the country. “I love a good history lecture, don’t “Students had an interactive experience get me wrong, but Douglass Day lets us and the ability to make a small but really learn and make an impact at the same important impact on history- right here time instead of just passively taking in from campus,” said Dr. Sopcak-Joseph. “A information,” said Sopcak-Joseph. “It truly website held all of the documents and/or 9 pictures that needed to be transcribed and participants simply typed anything that they read.” Participants transcribed historical text on a document, which helped make these texts more word-searchable for researchers and teachers. It was an important way to make historical archives accessible to a broader audience. There were light refreshments offered in Breiseth Hall during this event for all transcribers to enjoy and from the looks of it the student body was excited to be involved. “I would always be interested in events being held to honor and respect people of my culture,” said Nate Whitaker, junior digital design and media arts major. “I think it is important for events like these to be held and for students to get involved in.” Look out for other Black History Month-related events happening on campus throughout the rest of the month. The controversy surrounding the ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ game By Anthony Cazun Contributing Writer “Harry Potter” is one of the largest franchises worldwide and its mythos can be found across all types of media, such as books, film, television, broadway and videogames. The last of which is gearing up for the franchise’s biggest release yet, Avalanche Software’s “Hogwarts Legacy.” In “Hogwarts Legacy,” players are able to create their own wizard within Hogwarts. Filled with cosmetic and environmental customization as well as choice based storytelling, immersion and capturing the magic within the world of Harry Potter are of utmost priority. Hogwarts players will choose their house, build relationships, tame beasts, master the art of magic and be embroiled within a conflict between wizards and goblins all while trying to uncover the secrets of ancient magic. Avalanche Software have delivered an experience that nearly any Potter fan would be ecstatic to enjoy, as evident by the shattering numbers the game is pulling in both sales and viewership. However, despite the positive reception to the game itself, there are many factors, namely one, outside of the game that are leading many to boycott the game entirely. That variable being the polarizing author of “Harry Potter” herself, J.K. Rowling. Rowling has been heavily criticized for her stances on transgender people. In 2020, Rowling published a statement titled “TERF Wars” on her site, “TERF” being an acronym for “Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist,” a title given to the author. On her site, Rowling outlines that she believes that accepting transwomen as women would invalidate the experiences and struggles of cisgender women. She also claims that changing the way sex is legally defined would hurt organizations that aim to help primarily women and how her true concern is actually the health of young women. The statements by Rowling caused a wave of backlash that only continues to grow with each new comment by the author, as she continues to double down. “It’s unfortunate to see a creator of such a large, distinct and beloved franchise act and think the way J.K. Rowling does.” said Emma Broda, first-year history major. “It is important to remember that even though it’s a franchise you’re fond of, the woman behind it can be particularly immoral and controversial.” Many believe that purchasing the new “Hogwarts Legacy” video game will contribute to transphobia, as Rowling passively profits off of the intellectual property. “I will no longer give my money or any form of support to anything associated with J.K. Rowling,” said Dr. Helen Davis, associate professor of English. “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and as a feminist, I do not condone her transphobic statements and I reject the very notion that TERFs have any place within feminism. We all must decide if we want our money to support JKR’s bigotry or if we would rather use our money elsewhere. I am choosing not to support hatred.” Others believed that although not inherently immoral to engage in the Harry Potter series, people should be aware of what that money is going toward and decide from there. “I don’t think everyone buying it is immoral or a bad person or something like that,” said Gene Santos, first-year history major. “I just think that it might be hard for the average person to grasp just how harmful buying the game is. Her essays opposing the existence of trans people have been cited by members of the U.S. Senate to block the Equality Act.” While people might not be necessarily transphobic for buying the game because they love the series for what it is, their money will end up supporting Rowlings’ viewpoints. According to CNBC, in 2016 the series was estimated to be worth $25 billion, a number which has no doubt increased. “I know I won’t be buying it but I’m not going to condemn anyone who does,” said Santos. “I’m sure most people buying the game aren’t doing so to support these things on purpose.” Although living in the shadow of Rowling’s transphobia, Avalanche Software have seemingly attempted to show their opposing views within the game, including a transgender character, Sirona Ryan. As the complicated situation unfolds, it falls to the individual to decide whether the game is worth their purchase. “Hogwarts Legacy” released on Feb. 10 for Playstation, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Meet the Majors This week’s major: History 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 Keelyn Myers Senior Kaelin Hughes Junior “My favorite aspect of being a history major is the people and faculty that I get to work with on campus. The history program has small class sizes, which means that each student is able to really get to know their classmates and have great relationships with their professors. “During my time in the program, I have had the privilege of working closely with many classmates and faculty that will be friends and mentors for years to come.” “I’m looking forward to taking more topics courses that interest me, along with completing my final research project in capstone this upcoming fall. “I hope that I can use the skills I’ve learned regarding research, reading and analyzing sources and critical thinking in conjunction with my political science education and pursue a higher degree of some kind. Whether I get a masters or eventually my Ph.D. I feel as if the major has helped me a lot.” The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Adam Piston Senior “I am looking forward to student teaching and conveying the information I learned in my college classes to my high school students. “I chose this major for my love of history and I want to be a social studies teacher. I hope to become the best social studies teacher I possibly can.” Eliana Kramer Sophomore “My favorite aspect about this major is how flexible it is. I am double majoring in corporate finance and it allows for me to have room in my schedule for both finance and history courses. “I love history. I love learning about the world and the different people in it.” �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment The Self-Help Saga ............................... By Morgan Rich ������������������������������������ Managing Editor Juggling too many things at once can lead to drowning in a sea of frustration. Anxiety builds, emotions start swarming and before students know it, the little things begin eating away at them and consuming every fiber of their being. Everyone sweats the small stuff; however, what matters is how the situation is handled. The key is to acknowledge the situation without letting it destroy the rest of your day. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. How to react mindfully: Reacting mindfully when life seems to be falling apart is the best thing that one can probably do when it comes to the small stuff in life. Sometimes it is frustrating when even those small things cannot go right in our lives. After all, reacting to stressors in the moment is just what everyone is programmed to do. Recall what values are important to you in your life. The easiest thing to do is to close your eyes, take a deep breath and allow your mind to become blank. Find a serene space for the mind to rest and find a steady ground. This is the best way to remain calm and float back down to reality. Sweating the small stuff is also an indicator that someone may be doing too much throughout their day. Feeling overwhelmed can automatically cause heightened emotions and can cause one to lash out even for the smallest of frustrations. Take time to acknowledge if you are overfilling your schedule and see you can step back and make changes. Also, do not ignore the larger issues that may be present. Most often, people overreact when they are suppressing situations, feelings or unresolved conflicts in their lives. The best way to react mindfully is to assess the situation and become aware of the conflicts that you may be experiencing. How to stop wasting time on minor annoyances: I will be the first one to say that I bottle up every single annoyance there is until a part of me just wants to explode. It is not fair to myself and to others to not voice all of my negativity and bottle it up inside. Also, it is just an unhealthy thing to do. The easiest way I have found to stop wasting time on minor annoyances is to air them out as soon as they happen. Writing down negative or annoyed thoughts on a piece of paper, tearing it up and then throwing it away is a fantastic way to stop letting these annoyances get to you. Plus, it benefits the mind to physically see these grievances thrown away because as they say, out of sight, out of mind. Personally, I also love to put things into perspective. I would like to say that this is perhaps the thing I have the hardest time doing because I, like most people, hold myself to high standards. If I fail a test, I automatically think that it is the end of the world. If I mess up a combination in ballet class, I am hard on myself because I know I can do better. But do you want the truth? None of that will matter in a month from now, in a year from now or in five years from now. Remember that you too deserve the benefit of the doubt and are allowed to feel annoyed, frustrated and upset at situations that happen. The best way to stop sweating these challenges is by thinking about if they will matter in the long run or if keeping them bottled up does anything for you. A majority of the time you will not remember them anyhow in years to come. How to look for all of the little things that make you feel grateful: As I mentioned last week, it is always important to think about what we have to be grateful about in life. Was there ever a time when you wished you were where you are now? Was there ever a time in your life where your goals felt impossible to achieve and yet you achieved them anyways? Gratitude is an incredible thing and is extremely powerful when it comes to not sweating the little things. Practicing shifting focus to all that you can be grateful for is a perfect exercise for anyone who is struggling to see the bright side of things. When the feeling of annoyance and frustration is beating down upon you, make the active decision not to dwell on it. Allowing it to ruffle your feathers will only make the day worse. Besides, who needs that negativity anyhow, certainly, not you. Weekly book and song recommendations to get back into reading: A perfect book that helped me to not sweat the small stuff was, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. This has been one of my favorite books for years now and made me feel incredibly fortunate for what I have right now. Though, it made me much more aware of political climates, I feel as though this book is a perfect reminder of what we have in our lives and how we should sometimes feel grateful over what we have. This book is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society in what used to be the United States. Offred is the central character in the book and is one of the “handmaids” who is forced to produce children for the “commanders,” who are the ruling class in Gilead. I had the pleasure of seeing Atwood when she came to campus last spring and I obtained a signed copy of the book. I also was fortunate to listen to her speak for an hour and a half about her writing process of the book and had the opportunity to ask her questions. Shoutout to our campus’ English department, you rock. The song that spoke to me for the song suggestion of the week is “The Ballad of Mona Lisa” by Panic! At the Disco. This song tells the story of a man who deals with two moral struggles at once. Kind of relevant, kind of not, however, who does not love some good old 2011 alternative to make us forget about the small stuff ? The Beacon/Morgan Rich Rich shows off her book of the week. �Sports 12 Basketball Photos: The Beacon/Lauren Bowers Hockey photos: The Beacon/Julia Mazur Graphics and Page layout by Baylee Guedes The Beacon - February 15, 2023 First-year Yamirelis Matos looking for a quick drive. Matos was the high-scorer. Junior Julia Marino focused on her next movement as she drives towards the basket. Senior Brenna Babcock making a hard step cut to get past her Arcadia defender. Photo courtesy of GoWilkesU.com Left to right: The Reed’s, Smith’s, Horton’s and Jones’s being honored before the win. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 First-year Christian Blomquist sneaking into positioning for a chance to score. Sports 13 First-year Patrick Roginski setting up to receive the puck from a teammate. Left to right: The Nieto’s, Berry’s, Godfrey’s and the Paterson-Jones’ being honored before their matchup with Stenvenson University. Graduate-student Phil Erickson gaining control of the puck, looking to pass to another Colonel. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Opinion Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the assistant opinion editors: Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu or Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - OPEN Sports - Baylee Guedes Assistant Editors News - Amanda Montgomery Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh Opinion - Zara Lantzman DESIGNERS Desiger - David Marks Designer - Maggie Murphy Designer - Lara Mullen Photographer - Laury Angeles Section Staff Writers Sports - Adam Grundt Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : 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: Kalen Churchert at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Black History Month begins with education Black History Month is supposed to be a time to honor Black historical figures and remember their struggles and triumphs. Unfortunately, remembrance cannot always be carried out as many are not taught Black history to begin with. For many public school students in America, their knowledge of Black history does not go much further than slavery and Martin Luther King Jr. According to Ken Miller and Michael Melia of AP News, there is no national curriculum or standardization of Black history in America, and only a few states require it to be taught. This lack of standardization can lead to some receiving inadequate education, leaving many uninformed or misinformed. In some states, education about Black history is even legislatively restricted. Although Florida is one of the states that requires Black history to be taught, Governor DeSantis’s “Stop WOKE” act prevents certain topics involving white privilege and systemic racial disadvantages from being taught, claiming that it will be harmful for adolescents. Other states like Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma and more have passed similar legislation regulating how teachers can talk about race and systemic issues. Censorship of speech and education based on personal beliefs is wrong, undemocratic and unconstitutional. Further, learning about these subjects, although difficult and sometimes uncomfortable, is necessary if we want to perceive our history and modern reality in an honest way. Systemic oppression has been an unfortunate reality for many Black people throughout history, especially in the criminal justice system. In the 19th century, Black Codes reinforced exploitation of Black labor after slavery and restricted their rights to property. In the 20th century, Jim Crow laws mandated segregation in all public facilities and Black people were disproportionately murdered and brutally attacked by police. In the 21st century, Black people are still twice as likely as white people to be shot and killed by police officers, according to NBC News. It is clear that Black people are—and have always been—treated differently and unfairly in the justice system. Ignoring the issue does not make the issue less real. Intentional censorship of race history prevents us from receiving the necessary context to understand hardships and rectify inequalities in America. Empathy and justice are impossible without accurate understanding and abolition of potential prejudices. Taking the time to learn and reflect on accurate Black history can help alleviate misunderstandings today to make tomorrow a better future. Black History Month is not all about the negatives though. It is equally important— if not, more so—to learn of Black triumphs and successes. Success stories grant us with hope that things can change for the better. We must celebrate all the heroes that allowed for such progress. The future generation has a right to know, and Black historical figures have a right to be remembered. Until adequate education in K-12 schools becomes a widespread reality, there are luckily ways we can take initiative to learn more about Black history. We encourage all to attend events hosted by the Multicultural Student Coalition or the Sordoni Art Gallery. There is no better time than during Black History Month to continue learning. 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 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 15, 2023 Opinion 16 PLACE YOUR AD HERE! Do you own a business? Have an upcoming event? Advertise with The Beacon and reach up to thousands of readers per week! Sizes range from 1/8 of a page up to a full page Advertisements are in full color Can be run in one issue up to an entire semester For more information, please contact: Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu or Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu Check out next week’s opinion piece on the Disney College Program by Assistant Opinion Editor Zara Lantzman. Flynn Rider and Rapunzel showing Zara Lantzman Rapunzel’s real $10,000 crown from the movie “Tangled” during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The Beacon/Zara Lantzman �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Opinion 17 Separating the art from the artist: an ongoing debate By Lauren Gardner Contributing Writer Art versus the artist. How do we differentiate the two? How is it possible to separate our favorite songs from the artist? It is not an easy task but it definitely begs the question: at what point do we stop supporting our favorite artists? Many of us look to these people as some type of outlet and inspiration where we can channel our feelings and emotions through them and their work. Many take inspiration from the artists themselves. We use their lyrics for captains on our Instagram posts to even dress like them. We become disappointed when our idols aren’t who we thought they were, as we perceive them to be “above” others and place them on a pedestal. The first major band that rose to international fame was, of course, The Beatles. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all saw themselves in the front of international stardom causing “Beatlemania” in the 1950s. Fans could not fathom them doing any wrong or even being capable to do so in that matter. Lennon strived for world peace and was at the forefront of peace, love and happiness in the late 60s to the 70s and was an important figure in the include Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, hippie community. With someone who Syd Tha Kid, Jasper Dolphin and Earl appeared to be such a loving and caring Sweatshirt to name a few. These artists person, it was impossible to imagine him were not in a musical group with each doing any wrong, but that is not the case. other, however, they did feature each Lennon married his first wife, Cynthia other in some of their work and made Powell, in 1962 and later welcomed a notable collaborations. son, Julian, in 1963. Lennon later ended This hip-hop collective was deemed up abandoning his family and was barely rowdy and outlandish. Their merchandise in his first son’s life, included tee shirts leaving him and his with upside-down mother to struggle crosses and vulgar “ We become dissapointed financially as he did sayings. The group when our idols aren’t who not support them. we thought they were, as we was deemed too In later years, violent, which left perceive them to be ‘above’ Tyler The Creator Lennon married his others and place them on a being banned from second wife, Yoko Ono, and welcomed entering the United pedestal. ” his son, Sean, who Kingdom by then he adored. He later Prime Minister wrote the song “Beautiful Boy” about Theresa May. him with no thought for his first son Fast forward to the present time, Julian. the collective dissolved and Tyler The Lennon was created into a myth of Creator essentially rebranded himself. peace, love, and happiness but certainly He made the clothing company Golf was not behind closed doors. Wang that does not have upside-down In the early 2010s, the group Odd Future crosses and has toned down his style in Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA), music. more commonly known as Odd Future, With this being said, why can’t Kanye was a group of young aspiring artists that West take inspiration from him? West, were infamously labeled as “dangerous” now known simply as Ye, has had major by many including media figure Piers success in his 20-plus years in the Morgan. The members of this group music industry. With legendary albums Assistant Opinion Editors: Sydney Allabaugh and Zara Lantzman including “The College Dropout,” “Late Registration,” “Graduation” and “808s & Heartbreaks” to name a few. When it comes to music, Ye knows how to produce incredible pieces with Trevor Noah stating that “he has turned samples into symphonies.” Ye also created his fashion brand, Yeezy, which featured creative and avant-garde looks that were outside the fashion norm that inspired how many of us dress today. Ye was on top of the world. But that all came crashing down in recent years with him recently admitting that he liked Adolf Hilter and made more anti-semitic comments. Hitler was responsible for the mass genocide of six million Jews during the Holocaust. How someone can even think of admiring Hilter is absolutely disgraceful and extremely disturbing. Ye has a mass following and with this, he has a very large impact. In recent years, we have seen a rise in antisemitic hate crimes, and what Ye says is extremely dangerous and terroristic. In times like these, we need to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and offer support and compassion to the Jewish community. Ultimately, it is up to the person who enjoys their artist’s music, but some may say when it comes to Ye, he should have his jaw wired shut again. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Sports 19 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu MVB: Early and quick success leads to boosted team morale By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor From front cover... After coming off of a 9-22 season, the Colonels already have more wins than last season after only being 13 games into the season. Wilkes' most recent wins include 3-2 over Widener College, 3-0 over Bryn Athyn and a 3-1 win over John Jay College this past week. The young team this season seems to have clicked early on under the leadership of two seniors, Casey Shipman and Zachary Shay. Shay leads the team with 352 assists, adding to their 523 overall kills. Shipman follows Shay with 53 assists. Junior Jackson Shafer's 143 kills leads the team in scoring, equalling out to a colossal 167.5 points. He also recorded the single-match kills record at Wilkes with 22 to lead the Colonels to a five-set win over Widener. Junior Paul Binner follows with 98 kills and 135.0 points. "The energy in practice and games has been fantastic this year," said Shafer. "We have been a much tighter team this year and continue to develop chemistry and trust within ourselves." The Colonels will travel to Wilson College tomorrow and then head over to Messiah College on Saturday for their two matchups this week. TOP: Pumped Colonels come together with Noah Taylor (right) after a kill. BOTTOM: (left) Paul Binner estatic. (right) Zachary Shay assiting Wilkes. Jackson Shafer with a kill during the Arcadia University game on Feb. 9. Photos: The Beacon/Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Sports 20 MIH: Colonels honor four for senior night celebration By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor In a celebration of teamwork, the Colonels honored four seniors on Feb. 11. during the second day of their doubleheader with Stevenson University. Wilkes went 0-2 with Stevenson with a 1-2 loss in overtime for the first game and then lost in a shootout after a 3-3 score on senior night. The seniors that were recognized were goaltenders Garrett Nieto and Michael Paterson-Jones and forwards Billy Berry and Nick Godfrey. “This is an incredibly important senior class, to our current team and our program as a whole,” said head coach Tyler Hynes. “For most of their time here, this year’s senior class was overshadowed by the class of 19 student-athletes that graduated last season. But Billy, Nick, PJ and Garrett were handed the baton this year and they have done an outstanding job at the forefront. Each has been tremendous on the ice for us this season, driving our pace and guarding our gate. More importantly, they have been perfect role models of what it means to be Colonel.” Nieto’s short time as a Colonel was prosperous as he recorded 408 saves and a .923 save percentage in goal. Nieto had a game-high of 37 saves in goal during the Colonels’ 4-3 win over Manhattanville College on Nov. 12., earning him the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Defensive Player of the Week award. Nieto also received the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Goaltender of the week honors on Feb. 6. He also set the new record for saves in goal during a single game with 42 saves on Feb. 11. Berry’s four years as a Colonel have led him to record 11 goals, 20 assists and 31 points, with six of his goals being scored this season. Berry has won 206 face-offs this year along with adding 20 blocks to date. Godfrey also completed four full seasons for the Navy and Gold, scoring eight goals, assisting 20 and adding 28 points. Paterson-Jones’ four years at Wilkes earned him many accolades: He recorded 1472 saves in goal with a .896 save percentage. 260 of those saves were recorded this season with a .906 save percentage. Paterson-Jones received the MAC Defensive Player of the Week award twice this season to date. Peterson-Jones also earned the UCHC Goaltender of the week honors on Nov. 28. for the sixth time The Beacon/Julia Mazur From left to right: Honoring Nieto, Berry, Godfrey and Paterson-Jones. throughout his career. “While small in size, this group of seniors had a huge impact on our success as a hockey program,” said graduatestudent Phil Erickson. “They absorbed our culture on day one and immediately began to enhance it. Overall, this class of seniors has worked hard, stayed patient, and taken advantage of the opportunities that they have earned. As leaders, they’ve helped push our culture forward and have set a great example for our young group of Colonels.” While Erickson has been with these men throughout their entire careers, even first-year members of the team have noticed the impact and leadership of these seniors. “I am very grateful to have met such a great group of guys,” said first-year Cam Lowe. “They built our program from the ground up and have gained the respect of everyone on the team, people around campus and many others in the WilkesBarre community. An incredibly hardworking group of guys have shown us what it takes to be a part of the Wilkes hockey culture.” The Colonels will finish out their regular season game-play on Feb. 17. and 18. at Neumann University. WBB: 61-55 senior day triumph over Arcadia University By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Four Colonels were recognized on Feb. 11. during the senior day celebration against the Arcadia Knights where Wilkes triumphed with a score of 61-55. After coming off of a 67-24 win and a 63-57 overtime loss, Wilkes looked to pick up another win for the celebration, which they did successfully. Graduate-student and guard Kendra Smith along with guard Brianna Horton, center/forward Ariel Reed and manager Alexa Jones walked on the court with their families, applauding their careers. “This graduating class will certainly be leaving a lasting mark on the Wilkes Women’s Basketball program,” said head coach Tara Macciocco. “These seniors can proudly look back on their careers knowing that they established a new culture.” Smith added 288 points, 110 steals, 83 assists and 224 rebounds throughout her career thus far. Horton recorded 438 points, 100 steals, 136 assists and 378 rebounds during her time as a Colonel up to this point. Reed scored 91 points, had 17 steals, recorded 11 assists and tallied 115 rebounds to date. Jones played last season with the Colonels after transferring from Delaware Valley University. As a guard, Jones scored 58 points, assisted six and grabbed 21 rebounds in a single season. Photo: The Beacon/Lauren Bowers | Graphic: The Beacon/ Baylee Guedes This season she supported the team by managing and helping coach when needed. “They (the seniors) have been leaders on and off the floor this season and I truly believe they have left their mark on this program,” said junior point guard Julia Marino. “Their presence on the court as competitors and off the court as friends is what every player hopes for in a teammate.” “This year I have had the privilege of meeting and playing among some of the best role models, players, leaders, and amazing people, our seniors,” said first-year Yamirelis Matos. “Every senior brought something unique to the team and as a first-year, I can already see and experience the culture they helped build.” Wilkes will end their regular-season this Saturday at Delaware Valley. All statistics are as of Feb. 11. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Sports 21 MLAX: Colonels looking to leave mark on MAC Freedom By Adam Grundt Sports Staff Writer Men’s lacrosse returns to action for the spring 2023 season starting tonight at Schmidt Stadium. Head coach Curtis Jaques is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Colonels and his last season coaching the team in the Freedom side of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). “Entering the Landmark Conference next year, I feel that this will be our last hurrah in the MAC,” said Jaques. “We are going to play every game like a MAC Championship and stay focused on performing at our best one game at a time.” The Colonels finished last season with a record of 5-12 and are looking to bounce back through veteran leadership and team chemistry. “This team is very versatile and tough,” said Jaques. “We will be attacking the pipes with big bodies on offense and we will see our poles being much more involved with the transition game and scoring. We have young talent on offense that will be playing together for the next few years and it’s great seeing the chemistry develop. We also have great senior leadership and our goalies keep us honest shooters in practice.” Last year, Eric Ormsby (graduated) led the team with 38 goals and 24 assists, leading the team in each category. Current senior Tyler Knappenberger netted 14 goals last season—the most of any returning player on this season’s roster. The Colonels return five current seniors: Knappenberger, Hunter Riley, Bradley Anacreon, Jacob Kudysch and Dillon Kadis. The majority of the Colonels’ roster is made up of 11 juniors: Joseph Marino, Colby Opromolla, Austin Seames, Tucker Parmer, Tommy Steffney, Blake Billingsley, Brendan Keegan, Henry O’Connor, Matthew Warns, Tyler Haasis and Bryan Schulcz. The sophomore class adds nine to the roster: Joseph Kozlowski, Cameron Krisko, Luke Weakland, Aiden Battista, Luke Wawrzynek, Charles Gordon, Nicholas DeVitis, Jackson Casper, Justin Wawrzynek and Anthony DelDuca. Joseph Markey, Michael Rauch, Caleb Miller, Cole Bourgeois and Tim Hartka are the five first-year students that the Colonels are welcoming to the team. Senior face-off/midfielder Bradley Anacreon is looking to give his all every step of the way this season, along with the rest of his teammates. “I expect this season for us to work hard in practice every single day and also to compete in every single game we play, no matter who it is against,” said Anacreon. Anacreon, who also is a member of the Colonels’ men’s basketball team, realizes the value of being a veteran mind on a mainly younger roster. “Lacrosse has been a sport I have played ever since I was in middle school,” said Anacreon. “Last season was my first season playing on the team at Wilkes and after playing last season I now have a good understanding of college lacrosse. Being one of the older guys, my teammates can trust me and rely on me.” As a result of the nice weather in the area recently, the team played in their first Passing scrimmage on Feb. 5. “We still need to get rid of some rust before our first game,” said Anacreon, who is still in basketball season. “But the guys had their first scrimmage and that was a good experience to play against another team and get the in-game feeling again.” The Colonels are looking to make their mark in the MAC Freedom. The team is working hard every single day, on and off of the field to produce their best efforts. “Every Monday morning lift, our seniors and captain leadership set the tone for the week,” said Coach Jaques. “We are here to work and play fast.” Again, the Colonels will be opening up their season at Schmidt Stadium tonight against Susquehanna University. Following their first game, Wilkes will host Juniata College on Feb. 18. MAC Freedom play begins on March 29. when the Colonels face off against Arcadia University. Graphic/Baylee Guedes None of the four made it past the day one preliminaries in their solo-events. Later in the day, Dainty, White, Miller and Verosko competed in the 200 Medley Relay. The team placed 13th and earned 34 team points with a time of 1:47.99, beating their seed time by two seconds. Day two: Senior Maddy Kinard started off with a chance at qualifying for the 100 Butterfly finals, but just missed the top 24-cut. Kinard placed 25th with a time of 1:07.32, just a second after the 24-cut time. White placed 21st in the C Finals of the 400 IM with a time of 4:54.41. Verosko placed 31st and Miller 32nd in the 100 Butterfly during the prelims. Neither Verosko nor Miller advanced to the Finals. Dainty, White, Miller, and Verosko placed 11th in the A relay 200 Freestyle Relay, earning 38 team points with a time of 1:37.12. The four also placed 13th in the A relay 400 Medley Relay, earning 34 points with a time of 4:01.96. Day three: Kinard placed 11th with a time of 1:02.49 in the 100 Backstroke prelims, just 0.02 seconds short of her own school record. In the B Final, Kinard swam a 1:03.01 to earn 15 team points and fourth place. Miller qualified for the C Final in the 200 Butterfly with a prelim time of 2:10.97. In the C Final, Miller placed seventh with a time of 2:12.82, earning two team points. Dainty entered the C Final with a prelim time of 57.04 in the 100 Backstroke. Dainty placed fourth in the C Final with a time of 57.44 and earned five team points. Day four: White had a 12:06.59 seed time in the 1650 Yard Freestyle and finished with a 19:31.87. In the 100 Yard Freestyle, Verosko had a prelim time of 53.25 and a seed time of 54.56. Dainty also competed in the 100 Yard Freestyle with a prelim time of 53.90 and seeded with a 54.08. In the 200 Yard Backstroke, Kinard swam the prelims with a time of 2:17.95, breaking her own school record and then finished with 2:21.19 in the C Finals. Dainty, White, Miller, and Verosko finished in 14th with a time of 3:33.09 in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. Wilkes placed 14th out of 14 teams. SWIM: Colonels MAC Freedom Championship results By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor The Colonels competed in the four-day Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Swim Championships and placed 14th overall, concluding their season on Feb. 12. Day one: Wilkes started off in the 500-freestyle preliminaries with graduatestudent Shane Miller and senior Liam White. Miller finished with a time of 5:33.48 and White followed with a time of 5:38.13. The 200 IM preliminary featured junior Stephen Verosko, who placed 30th with a time of 2:10.29. Firstyear Ashton Dainty placed 41st in the 50 Freestyle preliminary with a time of 23.79. �The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Zachary Gula Junior Basketball Gaurd The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Gula was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after his perfomance during the 78-71 win over FDU-Florham. Gula recorded a career high of 22 points as well as having the overall game-high score for the Colonels. Gula also grabbed four rebounds during the win. Major: Mechanical Engineering Hometown: Tunkhannock, Pa. High School: Tunkhannock What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Sophomore year, when we beat an undefeated Desales team on a last second shot from Drake Marshall. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Football, never played as a kid, wish I would’ve given it a try. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Playing in my first game after I had knee-surgery. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Philadelphia 76ers. What is your favorite postgame meal? Buffalo Wings. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Hang out and chill with my friends. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? Just happy that my performance was good enough for us to get a big comeback road win. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? All of the close relationships I have been able to build with my teammates. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? “Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks.” The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor �Sports The Beacon - February 15, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Jules Askins Sophomore Basketball Guard The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Askins was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after her performance this past week as she had the team-high of 14 points in the team's 67-24 win over FDU-Florham. Askins went 4-8 from the 3-point line and collected three rebounds. Major: Psychology Hometown: Carlisle, Pa. High School: Carlisle What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Beating Stevens last year and making it into playoffs. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Soccer. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Traveling along the east coast for tournaments. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Golden State Warriors. What is your favorite postgame meal? Chicken nuggets. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Hanging out with friends. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? Great opportunity to be recognized for the work spent to become the best athlete I can be. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Having a built in family/friends. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? "Love and Basketball." The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports 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 - February 15, 2023 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 February 15 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/368295c97349223dabc155a76ab2c1ef.pdf 3865616f97fee989b883c5902c8ff085 PDF Text Text The Beacon - March 22, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 75, Issue 14 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Dr. Gina Morrison speaks on research abroad in Malaysia By Maddy Kinard News Editor On March 16, the American Pharmacist Association and Student National Pharmaceutical Association hosted “International Night”, where Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison, professor and Fulbright Program advisor within the Division of Global Cultures, presented on her research abroad opportunities, experiences and relationships in Southeast Asia. Morrison began her presentation expressing her favorite traits of the cultures in the areas she studied that are not as commonly seen and experienced in the individualistic-oriented United States. Collectivism, was discussed as a main topic, where the individuals are culturally obligated to look out for a collective group and make decisions based on what is good for the group, and respect for elders, where they are “seen valued and asked for advice and guidance,” as described by Morrison. “I’m hoping talking about this will open a door of knowledge for you,” said Morrison. “And that you might consider pursuing knowledge that has been introduced to you.” In 1982, Morrison started her first teaching job abroad where she taught GSA and Programming Board host rainbow bingo event, page 5 Photo Courtesy of Dr. Gina Morrison Dr. Gina Morrison’s students petting and feeding the elephants at the Elephant Reserve in Pahang, Malaysia, about an out or so ride from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. students from all over the world. There she learned a lot from everybody but particularly from Southeast Asian students. When they got sick they had two choices: eastern medicine and western medicine. She remembered three forms of eastern medicine the most: coining, cupping and massaging. Despite their longstanding importance in these treatments, there is still controversy in their methods. “There have been many cases of child abuse charges against loving, caring Faculty, students celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at Global Coffee Hour, page 7 It is Taylor Swift’s world and we are all living in it, page 16 southeast Asian parents in this country who are simply trying to help their children get better the eastern way before going to the western doctor,” said Morrison. “Their sick children were taken from them till the charges could be dismissed.” Two years after returning to the states, and two years before coming to Wilkes, Morrison met her husband, William, who was born and raised in Malaysia, in a coffee shop in Kingston. He had said she was the only one in the area who knew anything about Malaysia. Following their marriage and a trip to Southeast Asia, she began her “29 love affair with Malaysia.” After Morrison thought about how much she loved the country and her frequent visits, she chose to complete her sabbatical in Malaysia, and she was accompanied by her husband and daughter. There, she worked for a government university in Kuala Lumpur from 2010 to 2011. At the international school her daughter attended, the president reached out to Morrison and offered to pay all expenses for Morrison to come back every year for three years and bring along student teachers where they completed their practicum for free. RESEARCH, page 3 MIH: Five awarded in post-season ALL-MAC honors listing, page 21 �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 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 15 weekly meeting By Kellie Scott Staff Writer This week Student Government had its weekly meeting on March 15, and reviewed the likes of fund requests and club reports. First, for week 2 of 2, the Office of Advancement funds requests for $1,000 towards a prize for students on Giving Day. Giving Day took place on March 17 and is an all-day event where students, alumni and donors can give money to the school to help improve or expand the Wilkes campus. Students on the day of the event will have the chance to enter a raffle where they can win a prize of up to $1,000. The fund request for $1,000 was approved. Next, the neuroscience club presented its spring club report. The neuroscience club held events such as publishing a "Brainwaves Newsletter" and a destressing event for finals week, and plans to be involved in the Big Event happening later this semester. Next, Kappa PSI presented week 1 of 2 for a fund request. Kappa PSI is a pharmacy fraternity on campus, with a mission and passion to serve the community and create lifelong professional connections. The request is for $3,061.74 to help them attend two conferences later this semester. Attending these conferences helps the members create valuable connections, get awards and it is a great opportunity for the juniors and seniors for future employment. Student Government will vote on the fund request at next week's meeting. The Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club, was brought to present their spring club report next. The GSA club is a club for LGBTQ+ students or allies. It is not only a safe place but also a club that works toward educating the campus community on queer issues. Residence Hall Council then gave their spring report. The goal of RHC is to help improve the residence hall, and residents' experience. This semester RHC helped fund Residence Assistance programs, continued the free movie channel for students, was involved in SAAC truck or treat, deck the halls and is helping with future events this semester such as sex bingo and glow run. Finally, there was a week 1 of 2 fund request for Big Event. The Big Event is an event held every year in the spring and is a community service event helping different areas in the Wilkes-Barre area. The Big Event is being held on April 22, Earth day, and will be an all-day event. The Big Event committee is asking for $9,700.00 Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Diploma Order Submission Reminder for May 2023 Graduates If you have not already done so, seniors please submit your Diploma Order and Degree Audit via the electronic form for May 2023 Graduation. Use this link to access the form and more information: https://w w w.wilkes.edu /academics/ registrar/graduation.aspx Seniors are urged to follow all instructions carefully and are reminded to order caps and gowns as well. Senior Portraits Senior portraits will take place March 27 to 30 in the Henry Student Center Miller Room. Business attire is required and a cap and gown will be provided for you. To schedule an appointment, go to www.ouryear.com and enter the school code 222. This is the only time pictures will be taken on-campus. Apply for Alumni Scholarship The Alumni Scholarship is awarded annually to a current Wilkes undergraduate student (freshman, sophomore or junior) who has a parent or grandparent graduate from Wilkes, has at least a 3.0 GPA and has a FAFSA on file for the 2023-2024 academic year. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 26. Apply for the scholarship: https:// securelb.imodules.com /s/344/m21/ interior.aspx?sid=344&gid=1&pgid=581 &cid=1279. MultiCultural Student Coalition Talent Show Auditions The Multicultural Student Coalitiion’s annual talent show will be held on Friday April 14, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the ballroom. Sign up for auditions using the link. https:// forms.gle/ch4iSAg3ZbopWYWU7. Summer 2023 Internship: Register for Credits Students participating in a Summer 2023 internship need to register manually and fill out the etrieve form. In addition, three documents must be filled out: the Data Form, Academic Project Form, and Internship Agreement Form. Contact Anna Bateman at anna. bateman@wilkes.edu with any questions or concerns. Use this link to access the forms. https://w w w.wilkes.edu /academics/ career-development-and-internships/ cooperative-education-internships/ application-process.aspx. for T-shirts, water bottles, food and equipment. This is a great opportunity for students to get involved with the WilkesBarre community and give back. The fund request will be voted on in next week's meeting. Student Government will hold its next meeting on March 22 at 6 p.m. in the ballroom. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2023 Spring Semester March 22 - Games & Media Club Trivia Night 30 - GSA Trans Day of Visibility Ball 31 - GSA Trans Day of Visibility Flag Raising April 4 - GSA LGBTQ+ Professional Roundtable 14 - GSA/Games & Media Club Mario Movie Night 26 - GSA Drag Show �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 News 3 RESEARCH, from front “They experienced a real multicultural place and it was a real edge for them when they went to get teaching jobs,” said Morrison. Four of those students returned to Malaysia to teach post graduation, and two went on to marry Malaysians. Approaching 2016, Morrison was getting to learn Malaysian culture well enough that she supposed others started to see her as “one of them” and were opening up about subjects that they never had before, like their spiritual practices and beliefs. This sparked her interest in examining the ways in which modernity takes shape. “I realized, because I have lived in this futuristic city of Kuala Lumpur, and then in areas that are not as developed also, I knew that a country doesn’t have to look like America to be a modern society,” said Morrison. “The researcher in me thought: these countries are still very modern but they base their values more on the values of the very ancient, indigenous peoples of the region. They respected the land and they incorporated that into their everyday life and into the modern world.” Meanwhile, in the United States, Morrison believes that we have almost completely forgotten about indigenous knowledge. She then started to conduct empirical research as to how spiritual beliefs and practices exist with modernity because it does not exist here in the same way. That is not to say that one is better than the other, but rather that they are different. To obtain this knowledge, Morrison started talking to Southeast Asian women because she saw these working women keeping one foot in the modern world and then going home and maintain traditional values in the family. Over three years, Morrison conducted three studies on the question: What are your spiritual beliefs and practices? She had conversations with roughly 70 women who were all forthcoming about their experiences. She began her pilot study in Malaysia and then, with the help of a Fulbright specialist project, she returned in 2018 to conduct the rest of the study. “They told me their stories about Photo Courtesy of Dr. Gina Morrison One of the chalets where students and Morrisson stayed during the study abroad trip for Malaysia’s Modernity. They spent time in the oldest primary rainforest in the world, Taman Negara, which is over 130 million years old, untouched by any ice age. It’s in the middle of peninsular Malaysia. For students interested in conducting spirituality, rituals, dreams, visions, locals were constantly connecting her trances and spiritual phenomena just with specialists and were willing to go similar research as Morrison or traveling like we were talking about the weather,” out of their way to help her, some even abroad to teach English in another country through Fulbright, reach out said Morrison. “There was no shame, no becoming co-authors of her papers. “It was a great event to help plan and to Morrison at Gina.Morrison@wilkes. whispering, no drama–this was their hear about Dr. Morison’s experiences,” edu, as she will advise and assist students life.” Morrison noticed that it didn’t matter said Alexa Ruzicka, P2 pharmacy major. through their Fulbright application what religion they were, Christian, “I enjoyed learning about western process. Pagan, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or medicine and healing techniques.” Pagan–many of them did the exact same practices and thought the same way. “They all felt that we are living on this earth now but we are living with the spirits of ancestors who lived before Do you own a business? and we need to be respectful to those ancestors,” said Morrison. Have an upcoming event? Constructs of healing were brought Advertise with The Beacon and reach up to thousands of up in all of her studies and she went on readers per week! to share a few: aloe, tiger’s footprint and sweet flag, the latter of which is used for Sizes range from 1/8 of a page up to a full page many remedies and is often sewn into the clothes of Southeast Asian children and Advertisements are in full color found in homes for its healing properties. Can be run in one issue up to an entire semester Overall, from Morrison’s travels and research, she found that the Southeast For more information, please contact: Asian people make a “space” for you. Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu In several instances in which she had felt as though things were slipping or through the cracks or was worried Emily.Cherkauskas@wilkes.edu about finding contacts she needed, PLACE YOUR AD HERE! �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 News 4 GSA hands on mental health provides space to destress By Maddy Kinard News Editor On March 14, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Campus clubs collaborated for a “Hands on Mental Health” event, featuring destressing activities to offer students a break from their regular schedules. “Mental health isn’t talked about enough,” said Eza Chaudhry, junior business administration management major. “I think it’s so important because you never know what someone is going through. There’s so much stigma around college, and many students here are first generation college students, so there’s a lot of pressure and it can be difficult to deal with it alone. Having places to destress like this event are important and I think we need to be doing more than that.” To encourage students, faculty and staff alike to destress, focus on their health and relax, the clubs were handing out various relaxation items. These featured a variety of facemasks with different ingredients, like collagen and vitamins, snacks and 24k gold eye masks. Some frequently find these self-care initiatives, like face masks, beneficial to their mental health as it is an easy way to do something for no other purpose besides personal betterment. “I live in a world of stress,” said Morgan Steiner, GSA president. “So I love reading, relaxing and rewatching my favorite shows.” The event also featured a stress hand making station, which has been a staple to many’s mental health care. As outlined in an article from the American Institute of Stress, due to stress creating tension within the body that needs to be released, squeezing a stress ball allows for a release of some of that energy. It also has benefits in strengthening the muscles in the hand and relieving arthritis pain. NAMI is a national nonprofit seeking to end the stigma surrounding mental FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Ashley Gangaware, Jacob Siek, Aster Rowland and Morgan Steiner making stress toys. health while also providing avenues to help those in crisis, or to prevent a crisis from occurring. They frequently host events, similar to “Hands on Mental Health” to further connect with students who may be struggling. GSA is a club on campus driving diversity, acceptance and support initiatives on campus. They have held a variety of recent events such as a Title IX discussion and Rainbow Bingo hosted by drag queens. Events still yet to be held include the Starlight Ball in celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility on March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Ballroom, followed by a Transgender flag raising day, March 31 at 1 p.m. on the Greenway. For more information, take to their instagram page, @gsawilkes or reach out to Dr. Helen Davis at Helen.Davis@ wilkes.edu or Morgan Steiner at Morgan. Steiner@wilkes.edu You are not alone! Need someone to talk to or vent to? NAMI has a helpline Mon. through Fri. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. that those in need of support can contact at 800-9506264. For crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Photos: The Beacon/ Maddy Kinard Emma Michaud (left) and Cassie Dipippa (right) from admissions fill out the "what makes you stressed" card. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 News 5 GSA and Programming Board host Rainbow Bingo Educating students about the LGBTQ community By Kellie Scott & Laury Angeles Staff Writer & LA&E Staff Writer/ Photographer On March 15, the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club partnered with Programming Board to host Rainbow Bingo. Not only did Rainbow Bingo include a variety of rainbow themed prizes but there were special guests. The two clubs welcomed Teakillya Divine, Memphis Divine and Cookie-Doe, three drag queens from Heat, a local Wilkes-Barre area nightclub. All have had numerous years of experience performing, with their speciality in lip-syncing. The show started out with the queens' performance, featuring songs from Miley Cyrus to Cary Rae Jepson. After the show, the event turned to bingo while the queens continued to provide comedic commentary, often causing the crowd to erupt in laughter. “The hosts were very charismatic,” said Ancel Santana, first-year civil engineering major. “They were also very welcoming and the show they put on was phenomenal." Many of the prizes available to winners of bingo were new prizes that Programming Board had not given away before at past events. These included travel luggage, a speaker, snack items and more. “I thought this was really special,” said Nevin Rauch, a junior mechanical engineering major. “It brought the LGBTQ community along with many allies within campus to have a fun night. I really enjoyed seeing everyone come together and my first drag show.” A dance battle also occurred between the students, with first-year mechanical engineering major, Ryan Piekanski, winning the battle. “I think the main thing that helped me win the dance competition was when I hit the ‘Luddy,’” said Piekanski. “It's a goofy move inspired by Ludwig Ahgren. "Overall, the whole thing was totally tubular.” This bingo was inspiring for many as it brought together many different people with different identities on campus. The Beacon/Kellie Scott FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Teakillya Divine, Memphis Divine and Cookie-Doe. The drag queens began the event with a show featuring lip-synching before leading the crowd through several rounds of bingo. It allowed attendants to learn about important queer culture, in addition to being made aware about many of the bans and new laws that go against the LGBTQ community. Nicole Middleton, P2 pharmacy major and member of the programing board, felt similarly. She felt it added an extra layer to the usual Programming Board bingos and liked that they had the chance to collaborate with another club on campus to further spread awareness. GSA had held an event in the past featuring drag queens, and Middleton expressed the campus's excitement about their returning for bingo. “In many states, an event like this would be considered illegal,"vsaid Morgan Steiner, sophomore history, political science and international relations major and the president of the GSA. "Drag is an important part of LGBTQ culture and history. Not only that, it’s a form of art. "This is something that brings the whole campus community out, regardless of their identity. It’s a way to support local performers, have fun, and enjoy an aspect of queer culture that not everyone is familiar with.” The GSA will host more entertainment and educational events later this month and in April. More information can be found on their official Instagram page, @gsawilkes, or by reaching out to Morgan Steiner at morgan.steiner@ wilkes.edu for further questions. Programming Board's next themed event, “Board Game Madness,” is scheduled for Thursday, March 23. “I love these events,” said Aster Rowland, sophomore criminology major. “I typically don’t win, but my friends work hard to pull them off.” �6 The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Dr. Ann E. Wallace second author in spring writers series By Maddy Kinard News Editor During the week of March 12, memoirist and poet laureate of Jersey City, Dr. Ann Wallace visited Wilkes as the second author in the Allen Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers series. Wallace hosted three events: a visit to Eng 336: Studies in Victorian Literature, a reading, book signing and poetry workshop. Wilkes undergraduate English major and minor attendees also received “Counting By Seven,” Wallace’s collection English students, faculty and friends attended a Bank and Vine dinner with visiting author Dr. Ann E. Wallace. of published poetry. Dr. Helen Davis described Wallace as a “warrior”. She has survived ovarian cancer in her 20s, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis before turning 40, and turned 50 with her first severe case of COVID-19, which she is still grappling with and continues to write about in her work. The series allows for students to get hands-on workshop experience with established published authors. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard and courtesy of Dr. Mischelle Anthony Wallace began her reading with a poem she and students created in Dr. Helen Davis’ Victorian Literature class. Wilkes UNICEF Club and All Belgium host fundraiser By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Writer News Editor: Madelynn.Kinard@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery Mason Vonk (left) freshman mechanical engineering student and John Barett (right) junior marketing student ordering waffles from the All Belgium truck. The All Belgium truck was located on the Greenway between the E.S. Farley Library and the Allan P. Kirby Center from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, where they sold their specialty waffles in collaboration with Wilkes UNICEF Club. The All Belgium food truck agreed to donate a percentage of their sales made to UNICEF’s Global Child Protection Program through Wilkes UNICEF Club. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 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 Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day at Global Coffee Hour By Anthony Cazun Contributing Writer The Global Coffee Hour recently hosted a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the Savitz Lounge of the Henry Student Center. Hosted by the Office of Global Engagements, students were invited to venture into a small piece of Irish culture right here on campus. Every year on March 17 people around the globe unite to celebrate the accomplishments of Ireland’s most well-respected, well-known and most influential saint, the great Saint Patrick. From the United States to Ireland itself, Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, notably parades, light up several nations with shamrocks, gold coin pots and the color green. Initially beginning as a way to celebrate Saint Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland that introduced the Irish people to Christianity, the celebration has blossomed into an event to secularly celebrate the entirety of Irish culture. This became especially popular as the Irish people immigrated to the United States and introduced some of their own culture and traditions to Americans. “My great grandparents on my grandmother’s side came from County Cork Ireland,” said Mary-Ellen McLean, administrative coordinator at the Office of Global Engagement. “My grandfather’s side hails from the Isle of Mull, Scotland. My family has always celebrated its Irish and Scottish heritage, especially through music and dance.” Along those from many western European countries, the Irish are also known for their affinity for tea; however, they do not shy away from partaking in a hot mug of reinvigorating coffee with a slice of soda bread as well. “The events tend to go very well and have a very positive atmosphere,” said Starr Sandt, sophomore psychology major. “With the music, snacks, and activities available, people often enjoyed themselves at Coffee Hour because it gave them a chance to relax in the midst of a busy schedule.” Irish flags and various shamrock decorations were laden all throughout the Savitz Lounge, creating a potent atmosphere fitting for the celebration. During the Global Coffee Hour, students enjoyed various treats, many of which being notable within Irish culture. Irish soda bread along with Irish tea and Irish butter. Snacks such as chips and cookies were also available at the event. Authentic Irish music soothed the ears as students enjoyed their tasty treats. Many games were played at the celebration as well. Irish trivia, Kahoot and bingo were all enjoyable ways to bring people together and immerse them within the St. Patrick’s day celebration. Students were enlightened by dozens of Irish words, phrases and terminology that were peppered all throughout St. Patrick’s Day themed crossword puzzles and bingo boards. “The students enjoyed a taste of Irish soda bread and playing Irish kahoot, which combined fun questions with historical information,” said McLean. “They seemed to also enjoy doing a challenging St. Patrick’s Day themed word search.” Various Irish-themed trinkets and knick knacks were available at the event to observe and take back home. Pins, necklaces, shamrock charms and cards were available to anyone present. “The most important goal of this event is to present different cultures to the Wilkes community,” said McLean. “In the St. Patrick’s Day event, the goal was to celebrate while teaching a little bit about the country of Ireland.” Despite it being an Irish holiday, during St. Patrick celebrations, all types of people are welcome to dawn a silly green hat, not just those of Irish heritage. “I think that St. Patrick’s Day, when properly celebrated, includes people of all backgrounds,” said Jonathan Kuiken, associate professor of history and director of the Honors and Scholars Programs. “I know it’s a bit of a cliche but the idea that ‘Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day’ hearkens to a deep ideal of the American immigrant experience.” �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 f Cocktail of the Week:Your new favorite drink, the vodka sour By Haley Katona Contributing Writer Ingredients: 2 ounces any kind of vodka 3/4 ounce lemon juice, for best result use a freshly squeezed lemon • ¾ teaspoon simple syrup, amount can vary depending on how sweet you prefer the drink • Maraschino cherries for an optional garnish • Or you can add 1/2 of a lemon slice as a garnish instead • • Shake thoroughly with a shaker. Strain into a chilled glass filled with or without ice, depending on your preference. Garnish with whichever choice you prefer. Enjoy! The Beacon reminds everyone to drink responsibility… and that the legal drinking age is 21 a The Beacon/Haley Katona This drink is perfect to let go of the winter and welcome in the spring season. B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! ps Be Directions: Pour the vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Ancient Dream In A Modern Land MARINA Morgan Rich, Managing Editor: Sleep On The Floor - The Lumineers Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Holly - Anna Shoemaker Amanda Montgomery, News Asst. Editor: Novacane - Frank Ocean Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Jaded - Miley Cyrus Laury Angeles, LA&E Photographer & Staff Writer: Everybody Dies - Billie Eilish Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Asst. Editor: Lean Beef Patty - JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown Zara Lantzman, Opinion Asst. Editor: I know it won’t work - Gracie Abrams Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Tiki Time - Elephants Dancing David Marks, Designer: A Heart Like Hers - Mac DeMarco Maggie Murphy, Designer: Poor Connection - EASHA Lara Mullen, Designer: Pine - Basement Elizabeth Cherinka, Social Media Manager/Staff Writer Movies- Circa Waves �The Beacon – March 22, 2023 SUMMER 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. Life, Arts & Entertainment THREE-WEEK PRESESSION May 22 to June 9 FULL SESSION May 22 to Aug. 18 FIRST SESSION June 12 to July 14 NINE-WEEK SESSION June 12 to Aug. 15 Make an appointment with your advisor and visit wilkes.edu/summer. SECOND SESSION July 17 to Aug. 18 Wilkes University is an equal opportunity institution. For information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit www.wilkes.edu/nondiscrimination. 9 �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Meet the Majors This week’s major: Financial Investments Every week, The Beacon will offer a chance for majors to be placed in the spotlight. Each student who is chosen will have a few words to Jordan Daniel express why they chose their major and how they feel it will benefit Life, Arts & Entertainment them in the future. Interviews and photos by Editor Kaleb Mushock Senior Jeremie Hernandez Junior “This year I’m looking forward to applying my knowledge to my personal endeavors by starting my own business. I chose this major because where I am from we do not learn about how money works and how to make money work for us. By studying financial investments, I can go back to my city and spread the knowledge on financial literacy. With this major I plan to become a financial advisor for musicians and athletes.” “My favorite aspect of the major is that the professors are very welcoming and will push students to be the best student they can possibly be. I chose to be a double-major in financial investments and corporate finance because I have always been interested in the finance world and the stock market. Throughout high school, I managed my parents investments, which helped me learn a whole lot in the field before coming to Wilkes and expanding my knowledge.” Photos: The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Kate Mattern Junior “My favorite financial class that I have taken is Financial Analysis with Dr. Wang because I enjoyed learning the different stages of stocks and when to buy or sell. I feel that the information learned in this class will be applicable for my future career and for also managing my own money. With this major I hope that it helps me achieve becoming a financial advisor.” Jackson Shafer Junior “My favorite financial investment class I have taken so far is Investments and Portfolio Management because we were able to get hands-on experience with building and analyzing our own hedge funds. I originally chose this major because I have always been good at dealing with other people’s finances and had a knack for numbers while growing up.” �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment The Self-Help Saga ............................... By Morgan Rich ������������������������������������� Managing Editor Most of our thumbs put on a sweatband and act as if they are preparing to get ready for the school pacer test. Hours pass and there is a persistent ache in your thumb, a reminder of how long you have been scrolling. The truth of the matter is that thumbs are not meant to scroll on social media all day. Most of us want to put down our phone but feel stuck in the normality of being glued to our phones. Here is how to beat that debilitating cell phone addiction. How to set limits on apps: Now, I know what you are thinking: “Why on earth would I set limits on my apps? Is that not for children?” The simple answer is no. The main reason that parents set limits on their children’s apps is because they do not want them to become addicted to their phone. I am not going to be the one to say that it is super easy to combat a scrolling addiction because the truth of the matter is that it is not. Society today is dependent on their phones, on social media, on electronics in general; do not blame yourself if you have a phone addiction, as it is society’s “new normal.” Going into your phone’s settings and creating a simple one-hour time limit on apps is a way to stop scrolling when you are simply bored. Setting limits makes you more aware of how much time you truly spend on each app and how much time is wasted glued to your phone. Setting limits is the perfect solution to time management on your phone. When we set time limits, we are essentially creating a physical goal of only going on certain apps for a certain amount of time. Think of it as a goal, not a limitation. That way, it will allow you to feel far more accomplished. How to stop using your phone at night: It has been proven that if you use your phone right before bed, it can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. I have fallen victim to this. The other night, I watched TikTok before bed, tried to go to bed and then could not because I could feel my mind racing with the thoughts of what I saw on TikTok. I woke up every hour, my thoughts still racing and feeling as if my brain was running laps. I then went to class exhausted and could not focus. I am sure that this story is not foreign to you and many have experienced something similar, if not this exact situation. One hour before you go to bed, set your alarm and then put your phone across the room. This is efficient in more ways than one. To start, it would force you to get up and walk across the room if you have any sort of inkling to go on or check your phone. Secondly, it allows your mind to decompress one hour before bed. Lastly, when you wake up in the morning it combats the easiness of just reaching over and clicking the snooze button. Besides, there are many more things that could be done in that hour to wind down before bed. Pick up a book that you have been meaning to read, draw a picture, think about your schedule and the upcoming days ahead or maybe stretch or do some type of yoga to wind down before bedtime. Use that hour before bed to get more in tune with yourself, your mind and your body. How to stop notifications: Will you be drawn to going on social media apps if you do not get any notifications for them? Do you really need to know the exact moment your favorite celebrity posts? Do you really need to know who exactly liked your Instagram post? The simple answer here is no. There are many different ways to stop your notifications. What I do for my phone is head into my settings and turn off notifications for everything except for messages and phone calls. Since doing this I realized that I am not as inclined to go on any form of social media. Granted, I will be the first to admit that this is not the “end all be all” solution to breaking the phone addiction, however, it certainly helps. Social media, after all, is what makes our phones more interesting to us and what causes that addiction. Turning off those notifications makes you less prone to constantly checking your lockscreen. Another way to turn off notifications without having it feel super permanent is to set your phone to “do not disturb.” When you set your phone to this setting you are the one to determine what kind of notifications you can get. This setting can also be turned on and off with a simple click of a button, which is a way to feel as if you are more “in control” of turning these notifications on or off. Weekly book and song recommendations to stop the phone addiction: Reading is my favorite thing to do whenever I want a break from my phone. Plus, whenever I read I always feel more accomplished because I know I pursued an activity that strengthens my brain. This week my book recommendation is one of my all time favorites, “The Hunger Games.” This book is the first book of the dystopian science-fiction series. Within this book, the protagonist Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her sister in the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a televised competition where a male and female tribute from each of the twelve districts fight to the death until only one victor remains. If you would like a song that goes along with the book, my best suggestion for the song of the week is “Safe and Sound (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift. Swift made this song for the first movie’s soundtrack when it was released and she just recently re-recorded the song in preparation for her tour. It fits the book perfectly and makes you feel as if you are immersed into the world of Panem itself. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Below, right: The group also visited the Kilmainham Gaol, a prison in Dublin, and even got to step inside one of the prison cells. Left to Right: Broda, Berlin, Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, Rich, Schwartz, Protsko, Scott and Toll. Fit for royalty: the students and professors also stopped at centuries-old Dublin Castle. Left to Right: Scott, Schwartz, Decker Berlin, Broda, Rich and Toll Above, left: Students in the history, political science and honors programs had the opportunity to visit Ireland during spring break. One wanderlust-inspiring place they visited included the National Trust Carrick-a-Rede bridge in Northern Ireland. Left to Right: Morgan Rich (junior, communication studies), Mia Decker (sophomore, history), Emma Broda (firstyear, history) Emilie Protsko (junior, political science and criminology), Julie Schwartz (junior, English) Lucas Scott (senior, environmental engineering) Dr. Benjamin Toll and Garrett Berlin (sophomore, history). �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 The softball team took the extra spring break time to practice. Left to Right: Carly Endres (senior, nursing) AJ Bryfogle, (senior, early childhood education), and Nicole O’Rourke, (junior, biology). Outside of practice, the team got to unwind with a trip to the beach. The softball team also took the time to visit Melt Ice Cream, a local business operating in New Jersey. Photos courtesy of the softball team. Below, left: The honors program took the opportunity to visit the Carolina Tiger Rescue, a nonprofit wildcat sanctuary in Pittsboro, N. C., which houses the likes of rescued tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, caracals, servals, and bobcats. From left to right: Alyssa Allen-Fields (2024, Psychology), Morgan Andretta (2025, Pharmacy), Jen McLaughlin (Honors & Scholars Assistant Director), Zoe Morley (2026, Bio), Jordan Cheaplonis (2026, Math), Megan Boone (Civic Engagement Coordinator), Dawson Tallant (2024, Psychology) Tallant, Allen-Fields and Cheaplonis were hands on with their volunteer service, examining the fences of the sanctuary. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Opinion Opinion 8 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the assistant opinion editors: Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu or Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - OPEN Sports - Baylee Guedes Assistant Editors News - Amanda Montgomery Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh Opinion - Zara Lantzman DESIGNERS Desiger - David Marks Designer - Maggie Murphy Designer - Lara Mullen Photographer - Laury Angeles Section Staff Writers Sports - Adam Grundt Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : 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: Kalen Churchert at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Hypocritical morality in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric Over the past few weeks, many states across the country have been pushing anti-drag legislation. In Tennessee, a bill successfully passed a bill that restricts “adult cabaret performances” in public or in front of children. Many Tennessee legislators fear that drag performances are inappropriate and dangerous for children. Since then, it has come out that two politicians who supported anti-drag legislation have participated in draglike performances in their youth. In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee, who signed the law to ban drag in public, is allegedly dressed in drag in a high school yearbook photo, according to the Associated Press. Similarly, Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline wrote an anti-drag bill to be implemented in Texas. According to ABC, videos of Schatzline resurfaced of allegedly wearing a dress in public. In their responses to hypocrisy accusations, Lee and Schatzline seem to feel as though it is silly to compare their actions to self-identified drag performers. “What a ridiculous question that is,” Lee said in response to an activist while taking questions about the bill. “Conflating something like that to sexualized entertainment in front of children, which is a very serious question.” However, one may argue that the broadness of the legislation would make these acts illegal as the definition of cabaret entertainment in the bill is extended to “male or female impersonators.” Further, it is an act of hypocrisy to engage in an act of impersonation or crossdressing in public but create laws that state that it is illegal for others to do it. Sometimes the morals broken are more serious than just hypocrisy. Charles Sutherland, an elementary school librarian, was arrested for spray painting the word “groomer” on two libraries during Pride last year. According to Insider and other published reports, he has recently been charged with several counts of alleged possession of child pornography. Why is it that those who contribute to the rhetoric that the LGBT+ community is predatory towards children, are some of those who are quite literally being accused of being predatory towards children? It is frustrating to see that those who contribute to the harmful stigmas surrounding the queer community project their own immoral faults on an easy target. Another example of this hypocritical projection can be seen within religious institutions. Several Catholic priests, who commonly preach that having a queer identity is immoral or harmful to children, are being exposed of child sexual abuse. Why is there so much emphasis on sheltering children from drag, when according to NBC, almost 1,700 priests and clergy accused of sex abuse are unsupervised and are now allowed to become teachers and coaches and live near playgrounds? It should not be the case that those who are hateful or discriminatory on the basis of morality or religion are those who are committing the actual immoral acts. The LGBTQ community should not be a constant target to project morals onto, especially when those figures of authorities are questionable themselves. 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 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 22, 2023 Opinion 15 Navigating the complex free agency frenzy in the NFL By Brady Melovitz Contributing Writer Free agency has kicked off with a bang as many teams who were looking for holes to fill found the plug to put into place. Many teams’ first choice of signing was to go for the quarterbacks, whether it be as a starter or a backup. Free agency of course started out with the signing of former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback, now turned Saints quarterback, being signed to a 4-year $160 million contract. The Raiders, in response to releasing Derek Carr, decided to target Jimmy Garoppolo formerly of the San Francisco 49ers. He signed for a three-year contract worth approximately $67.5 million. With Garoppolo leaving the 49ers, the 49ers signed quarterback Sam Darnold of the Carolina Panthers to a one-year deal. The 49ers also signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave from the Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles also seemingly lost corner Darious Slay, only to have the star corner sign an extension for two years. Philadelphia also lost running back Miles Sanders, who had his best season in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers signed Miles Sanders, filling in the whole that was left from the Christian Mccaffery trade with the 49ers last season. The Panthers also made a huge trade for the number one overall pick from the Chicago Bears. Speaking of the Bears, they made more moves than just trading the number one overall pick. In that trade, they got Justin Fields, the number one receiver he needed. They also bolstered up their defense by offering contracts to linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Another winner of free agency this offseason so far has been the Atlanta Falcons. After an underwhelming season, they spent a lot of money during free agency. They signed Chris Lindstrom to a massive extension for the next five years with the contract being worth over $100 million. They also traded for Jonnu Smith from the Patriots. David Onyemata also signed with the Atlanta Falcons to the tune of $35 million. However, probably their biggest splash was that of the star safety of the Bengals, Jessie Bates. The Bengals also made a move that Joe Burrow is sure to be happy about. When the Chiefs decided to let go of Orlando Brown, the Bengals said, “thank you very much” and signed him to a 4-year contract worth $64 million. However, probably their biggest splash was that of the star safety of the Bengals, Jessie Bates. The Bengals also made a move that Joe Burrow is sure to be happy about. When the Chiefs decided to let go of Orlando Brown, The Bengals said thank you very much and signed him to a 4-year contract worth $64 million dollars. The Bengals division rival however still has a major problem on their hands. The Ravens have yet to sign Lamar Jackson to a contract, and it does not seem like they are going to anytime soon. They placed the non-exclusive tag on Jackson, meaning that in theory, any team can sign Lamar to a contract as long as the Raven do not match. If the Ravens do not match the offer, they would get two first-round picks in compensation. No teams have come forward in the Lamar Jackson sweepstakes as of now, but it should only be a matter of time before a team decides to. Another quarterback who will be moving homes sooner rather than later is Aaron Rodgers. Unlike the Lamar Jackson situation, there is one team who has made it very clear from the start they want him, the New York Jets. The Jets had a pretty amazing season compared to what was expected of them. They believe they are one quarterback away from making a playoff run, and they might be right. The Jets already signed wide receiver Allen Lazard, who has been linked to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay for years. It’s rumored that the Jets will be targeting more former Packers to lure Aaron Rodgers to their team even more. There are still plenty of top free agents left and we are still trying to figure out where they will land next. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Opinion 16 It is Taylor Swift’s world and we are all just living in it The worthwhile chaos of being a Swiftie By Zara Lantzman Asst. Opinion Editor Welcome to New York—wait no, I mean Glendale—wait, I am still wrong—I mean Swift City. On March 13, Mayor Jerry P. Weiers announced that Glendale, Ariz. would be changing its name to Swift City temporarily on March 17 and March 18 for the opening night of Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour.” “The Eras Tour” is Taylor Swift’s sixth tour and the biggest ever United Statestour of her career. Her tour initially consisted of 35 shows, but she realized the extreme high demand and added 17 more shows which brings the number of shows to 52. This widely outnumbers her latest tour, “Reputation Stadium Tour,” as it only had 38 shows. Swift announced ‘The Eras Tour’’ on Nov. 1, 12 days after she released her 10th studio album, ‘Midnights.’ She also released “Midnights (3 a.m. Edition)” at 3 a.m., which consisted of seven new songs. “Midnights” broke records all around the world as she became the first person to ever claim all top 10 spots in Billboard’s Top 100. I will gladly take some credit for these songs in the top 10 as “Midnights” is my favorite Taylor Swift album. When Swift announced the tour, she gave fans an opportunity to join Ticketmaster’s verified fan program, which gave fans a chance to be selected for a Nov. 15 presale. I unfortunately got waitlisted, but my friend got selected for presale and a boost in the line. The presale went downhill very fast, as fans all over the U.S. were reporting crashes and extremely long wait times on Ticketmaster’s website. The first hour went relatively smooth, but no one expected the crashes to happen, even Ticketmaster. I personally dealt with this as we had the tickets in our cart and it would not let us checkout and pay. We then got sent back into the queue, at the back of the line, and saw the dreadful 2000+. The worst was yet to come, as Ticketmaster announced the cancellation of the general sale on Nov. 17, which sent fans into a spiral. “The site was supposed to be opened up for 1.5 million verified Taylor Swift fans,” said Ticketmaster. “We had 14 million people hit the site—including bots, another story, which are not supposed to be there—and despite all the challenges and the breakdowns, we did sell over 2 million tickets that day.” The math is not adding up. How do 14 million people enter the site, when only 1.5 million people were supposed to have access? Ticketmaster really fumbled the bag on this one. With fans upset all over the world, they took to StubHub to see what the resell prices would be, but the numbers were absurd, with a range of $5000$100,000. Hope seemed glim for Taylor Swift fans, including myself. Closer to the opening tour in Swift City, fans were starting to get tickets for a much more reasonable price, as StubHub sellers were panicking and dropped the price drastically. There is so much media and hype to “The Eras Tour” and rightfully so. It was a long time coming to finally reach this point, and after all the stress that fans faced, the time is finally here. The impact that Swift has on the world is astronomical, as Stanford University added a class that completely breaks down Swift’s song, “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).” The song is 10 minutes of pure genius, and it definitely warrants a whole course that will break down the whole song. New York University also has a class about Taylor Swift, as it dives into her life, her inspiration, her songwriting and so much more. Granted, Swift received a Doctorate of Fine Arts, honoris causa from NYU so it makes sense to have this course. Now Swift’s fans, or “Swifties” as they are called, are absolutely nuts, but there is a level to being a crazy ‘Swifties’ or not, although it is a thin line. Swift’s lucky number is 13, and yes, this actually matters. Leading up to ‘The Eras Tour’ swifties took to TikTok, Instagram and Twitter with some of the wildest theories, though believable. When Swift dropped the ‘Bejeweled’ music video, ‘Swifties’ ran to Twitter to see all the Easter eggs and clues for the future, Swift knew exactly what she was doing. ‘Swifties’ came up with the theory that “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” was next, and all the clues pointed to that being right. Swift was in the elevator in the music video, on each button shown were the colors of every album she has released, but there was the color purple on the button for 13, which meant that “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” was next. I fully gave into the theory and I still believe that it is the next album being released. Leading up to March 3, I was fully convinced that Swift was dropping “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” or at least something. There were so many signs that just made the most sense that Swift was dropping March 3. On Swift’s birthday, she posted an image of herself in the studio holding three fingers on each hand. This was most definitely because she just turned 33, but Swifties had other ideas. The community ran to Twitter to say something is coming on March 3, because of the logic that this date adds up to 13, 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 13. This then translates into March 3, 2023. They also thought that it was coming on March 3 because, in the picture that she posted for her birthday, fans were saying the guitar she was holding looked like the guitar she used in the song “Mean,” which is in the original “Speak Now” album. The theories seemed so plausible, but, oh boy, were we wrong. There was one more theory that she was dropping or announcing something on March 13 because of the date being 13 and the fact that Lana Del Rey moved her album release date to March 24, instead of the original date of March 17. Swifites were right about one thing, something was coming before the start of ‘The Eras Tour.’ On March 16, Swift announced that she will be releasing four songs at midnight, “Eyes Open (Taylor’s Version),” “Safe and Sound (Taylor’s Version),” “If This Was A Movie (Taylor’s Version)” and “All The Girls You Loved Before.” The most shocking was “All The Girls You Loved Before” because this was originally an unreleased song and a week prior, the whole song was leaked and fans loved it, which could have been the reason she released it to the public. The songs were so random because the original, “Eyes Open” and “Safe and Sound” was on “The Hunger Games” soundtrack. At midnight, when these four songs came out, fans were surpised by the fact that “If This Was A Movie (Taylor’s Version)” was moved from the albums “Speak Now” to “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).” An even bigger shock to fans was the fact that “Eyes Open (Taylor’s Version)” and “Safe and Sound (Taylor’s Version)” were actually part of the album, “Red (Taylor’s Version).” Fans are now speculating all over TikTok that Swift will release an assortment of songs each week that she will be able to play on tour, as she is unable to play songs prior to 2019 due to the fact that she no longer owns them. Only songs after 2019 or that have (Taylor’s Version) on it, can be played at “The Eras Tour.” The wait is finally over for Swifties as the “The Eras Tour” has officially kicked off in Swift City, with openers, GAYLE and Paramore. The last day of “The Eras Tour” is Aug. 9, which will end in Inglewood, CA. Graphic by Maggie Murphy �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Opinion 17 The strangely normal 95th Annual Academy Awards By Rudy Urenovich Contributing Writer On March 12, the 95th Academy Awards were held, or the Oscars, as they is more widely known. I must admit, I am not someone who puts much stock into award shows like the Oscars. They do not affect my life at all. Granted, there are moments that become cemented in pop culture, like when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. When this year’s awards rolled around, that little “incident” shall we call, was remembered and brought back again. Additionally, many times the nominees are household names that most people know and recognize, so there is that bit of anticipation to see if they’re going to win or not. Of course, like almost everything in life, there is potential backlash and controversy, which I feel that even if people are like me, and are not into the award show itself, a memorable moment or dramatic exchange piques their interest. By result, they become more informed on other aspects of the event. The big winner this year was “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” I myself have not seen it, and most I have heard about it and seen it promoted was this past week following the Oscars. It won numerous awards, with Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis winning “Best Actress” and “Best Supporting Actress” respectively. I do consider myself to be a fan of either actress, at least in the sense that I have seen viral videos and entertaining moments from both of them on social media, and I found them likable and relatable, yet glamorous and charismatic, like Hollywood Stars are known to be. In particular, Jamie Lee Curtis has had a long career, and I believe that up until this point she never won an Academy Award. I can’t explain it but she is a celebrity I have always liked. There is something rather endearing, powerful and real about a celebrity who not only gives award worthy performances, but also promotes something as simply as yogurt. Like, that is so iconic. However, Jamie Lee Curtis’ win has me conflicted. Angela Bassett was a strong contender, and some might say more worthy. She has been a Hollywood icon for years, and gave us a powerful performance in “Wakanda Forever.” No shade to Curtis, and I do not want to start the whole “nepo baby” debate, but I do have more respect for someone like Angela Bassett who made it in the industry without familial connections or advantages. But I digress, I love them both at the end of the day. As for best actor, I am very glad Brendan Fraser won and is making waves in Hollywood once again, and rightfully so, after having such a terrible ordeal. Perhaps his most notable contender was Austin Butler and his viral performance in “Elvis.” I must say that was entertaining, but I believe there was integrity and power behind Fraser’s performance and impact on the movie industry. I must say when it came to the big wins this year I was overall pleased. I feel all the Assistant Opinion Editors: Sydney Allabaugh and Zara Lantzman winners were deserving, and all likable, humble people, which are rare gems in Hollywood. Grounding the contest, we had Jimmy Kimmel hosting. I think this was a decent choice. I consider him to be one of the better talk show hosts, so he was a safe, normal choice. Now on to perhaps two of the most important moments of the night. We had Rihanna perform. She is back and performing again, and I love to see it. As much as I enjoyed Rihanna, I think Lady Gaga’s performance was incomparable. Once again another controversial moment, as she performed simply standing on the stage, fresh-faced, in a jeans and T-shirt. I personally adored this, as it even out all the fantastical, unrelatable glitz and glam. I think the show as a whole was very real and enjoyable. It was not dramatic, with draw-dropping, blood-boiling moments. It was a well run event with decent people being highlighted. A rarity in the industry these days. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Opinion Roving Reporter: Womens' History Month 18 Who has been the most influential woman in your life? Compiled by Sydney Allabaugh - Asst. Opinion Editor Amelia O'Connor Ijahnae Giddings DJ Johnson “Other than my mom, I would have to say my aunt because my uncle died recently and she is raising three kids on her own. I think she is doing a banging job at it.” “My stepmom. She calls me her bonus daughter. She just makes me feel like family, even before she was a part of the family. She just includes me in everything and makes me feel amazing. She never lets me forget that.” “I would probably say Momma Dukes. She got the most respect out of me, talked to me every time I needed it, pushed me to my goals and got me to where I’m at right now.” Najhae Johnson Jake Middleton “My mother. She always lets me know to keep going and to never give up no matter what.” “My influential woman is my sister because she is a PA, and she got good grades in college. That’s who I aspire to be.” Sophomore - Nursing Landon Rubenstein First-year - Biology “My grandmother because she’s been through a lot, and I’m just trying to make her proud.” First-year - Early Childhood Education First-year - Sports Management First-year - Sociology First-year - Biochemistry �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu BASE: Bases loaded, MAC playoffs in mind for the Colonels By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Take me out to the ball game because it is baseball season in Wilkes-Barre. The Colonels are 7-9 to start off the 2023 season with plenty of winning opportunities ahead as they play their final season in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom. Kevin Gryboski entered his fifth season as the head coach for Wilkes along with his assistants Mark Modrovsky, Kevin Miller and Matt Wotherspoon. The coaching staff looks to lead the team to the playoffs and aim for the championship title. “We are about a third of the way through our season and we are starting to play better baseball,” said Gryboski. “We have a nice mix of younger guys and seasoned veterans who have meshed well so far this season. They have really come together as a team and I'm looking forward to getting into the heart of the MAC conference competition and making a postseason run.” The Colonels returned 15 upperclass students with graduate-student Tony Molitoris, seniors Jack Gordon, Jason Spezzaferra, Sawyer Kemp, Darren Kerdesky, Jonathan Martens, Peyton Schuck, Alexis Velez, Max Alessi, Aiden Velez and AJ Brosious. The juniors include Ruben Ortiz Montemayor, Ryan Sanderson, Loch Williams and Justin Stefanowicz. The sophomores consist of Adam Grundt, Colby Butczynski, Zack Luksic, Tegan Shortlidge, Chase Vrabel, Tyler Hoedl, Aiden Murphy, Todd Kolbicka, Mike Show, Connor Morgan and Jimmy Brazofsky. The first-year class is comprised of Devin Markert, Braydon Wuestner, Griffin Coyne, Ryan Johnston, Ethan Fuller, Evan Melberger, Jake Cambria and Hunter Lawall. This season the team is focused on the process and seniors are looking to leave The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Vrabel attempting to catch the runner at first. Game day pictures on page 20. their marks on the program. “I trust every single guy in our roster and every decision our coach makes,” said Brosious. “I want to be able to help all the younger guys around me and leave a mark that will benefit them for the years they have remaining here.” The Colonels started off their season with a split against SUNY Cobleskill and then headed to Fort Pierce Florida for seven spring break games. In Florida, Wilkes went 4-3 with big wins over Houghton University, Wheaton College (Ill.), Thiel College and Norwich University. The Colonels’ 16-10 win over Houghton included Spezzaferra leading Wilkes at the plate by moving runners, going 3-4 with three runs-batted-in (RBI) and one run. Sanderson got the win with two strikeouts. The 11-7 win over Wheaton consisted of Vrabel going 3-4 at the plate with two RBI’s and two runs. Murphy took the win on the mound with five strikeouts. (In the 6-5 loss to Wheaton, Molitoris surpassed the 100 career strikeout mark as he recorded eight in that single game.) Thiel took the 8-7 loss to the Colonels as they tried to play the catchup game, which proved unsuccessful. Shortlidge took the win on the mound and Show got his first career save pitching. Multiple Colonels had their day in the batter’s box: Show (25, two runs), Schuck (2-3, two walks, one run), Kerdesky (2-4, two RBI's, two runs, one walk), Brosious (2-3, two RBI's one run) and Kolbicka (2-4, two RBI's). To wrap up the spring break gameplay, Wilkes beat Norwich 3-1 in eight innings. The Colonels scored one run in the third inning and Norwich tied it up in the seventh, leading to an eighth inning. Show hit a double in the top of the eighth and Morgan got to first as Norwich made an error on his bunt attempt. Show was able to score on the error, leading Morgan to third. Brosious ended the scoring with a sacrifice fly, bringing in Morgan, making the score 3-1. Show came in for the save on the mound with two strikeouts. After completing spring break gameplay, the Colonels came back to Wilkes-Barre to host DeSales University. Game one left Wilkes with a 0-6 loss and a 4-7 loss in game two, but Hoedl who pitched in game two with three strikeouts noted that it is more than the wins and losses sometimes. “One thing many people forget is that we're playing a game—a game that is meant to be fun,” said Hoedl. “I believe if a team isn't having fun together on the field, they aren't a close team. Luckily myself and the rest of the guys have a blast day in and day out.” Last Wednesday, the Colonels hosted New Jersey City University where the Navy and Gold came out on top with a 4-2 win. Shortlidge has a career-high of seven strikeouts to secure the win on the mound, only allowing one run, three hits, and two walks in six innings. Melberger scored two runs off of two hits, Show added one run off of one hit and contributed to one RBI and Brosious added an RBI off of a hit also. On Thursday, Wilkes crushed DeSales in a 13-6 win off of 15 hits. Alessi scored three runs on three hits and had two RBI’s. Kolbicka added three hits for two runs and Show produced two RBI’s off of three hits. Vrabel (2-5, one run, two RBI’s) Melberger (two runs), Kerdesky (one hit, two runs, one RBI), Luksic (two runs), Johnston (11, one run) and Markert (one hit, one RBI) all contributed to the win. Lawall took the win on the mound with seven strikeouts in six innings, allowing five hits, one run and added three walks. “(That) was our first conference win and we put up double digit hits, runs and had a clean game in the field with no errors,” said Spezzaferra. “We need to use those games as building blocks if we want to be in the playoffs and reach our goals as a team.” The Colonels finished out the week's gameplay with three games against Arcadia University on Saturday and Sunday. “Arcadia is a very good team and we lost every single game to them by one run last year,” said Brosious. “We need to retain leads this year and hold them because that was our biggest downfall last year. I expect to be in the playoffs as does our entire team and coaching staff.” Game one added a loss to the Colonel column as they fell 1-0 in nine innings. The tough back-and-forth game ended with an Arcadia run on a Wilkes throwing error and the Colonels could not come back in the bottom of the inning. Game two resulted in another loss for Wilkes, 7-4. Runs were scored by Schuck (1-3, one run, one RBI), Kerdesky (2-3, one run, two RBI’s), Johnston (2-3, one run) and Markert (one run after getting on by error). Game three on Sunday resulted in a 10-5 loss for the Colonels. Seven recorded hits in the loss: Kolbicka, Brosious, Morgaon, Show, Johnston, Kerdesky and Alessi. All statistics are as of March 19. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Sports 20 BASE: Doubleheader loss to Arcadia University - March 18. TOP LEFT: Tony Molitoris pitching in game one. He recorded three strikeouts. TOP RIGHT: Darren Kerdesky coming in from the outfield in between innings. BOTTOM LEFT: Jason Spezzaferra up at the plate for the Colonels. BOTTOM RIGHT: Zack Luksic giving the infield the signal for top of the order. Wilkes will host Susquehanna University today at 3:30 P.M. at Bruggeworth Field. On Friday, the Colonels will host King’s College at 3:30 P.M. and then play at King’s on Saturday at noon for a doubleheader. Photos: The Beacon/Baylee Guedes SOFT: Early success brings hope for start of conference play By Julia Mazur & Baylee Guedes Contributing Writer & Sports Editor Wilkes began its season with a spring break road trip to Myrtle Beach to compete in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. Last season, the Colonels went 14-16 overall in the regular season, hoping to have a better overall record this season and compete in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Championship. The Colonels played eight games at the Classic and went 6-2 overall with their only losses being to Penn State Harrisburg and Immaculata University. “This trip each year allows the full team to grow together through good times and adversarial times on the field and off the field,” said Head Coach Jacqueline Klahold. “These players get to know each other so much more on a personal level in this week and it really prepares them for the rest of the season and postseason. It is great as a coach to watch them pick each other up, support each other and develop great bonds.” The 11-hour bus ride from Wilkes provided plenty of time for the team to learn new things about one another from seniors to first-years. Last year, the team competed in the Fastpitch Dreams Tournament. Many returning players have experienced the tournament on multiple accounts, noting that is a positive way to begin their season. “I honestly feel like our team’s biggest strength this year is our team chemistry,” said senior Hope Mullins. “We’re all friends on and off the field, which makes us play that much harder for each other.” The team returns with 11 upperclass students with four seniors leading. The seniors include Mullins, AJ Bryfogle, Carly Endres and Nicole O’Rourke. The juniors include Taylor Douple, Sami Hendershott, Hayden Calaman, Haylee Calaman, Hannah Boyd, Megan Marshall and Marissa Pick. The sophomore class is compiled of Kayla Burleson, Evan Sherrick, Bella Peters, Emily Murphy, Allison Radicchi and Nicole Howell. The first-year class contains Olivia Dougher, Lauren DeMarco, Hana Cross and Salma Lampack-Heverly. The regular season began this past Saturday when they played a doubleheader against Arcadia University. Wilkes lost 4-1 in the first game with the only run in game coming from a single from Douple, scoring Marshall who was pinch running for Radicchi’s double. Game two added another loss to the day for the Colonels as they fell 7-0. Boyd, Daughter and Hayden Calaman were the only ones record hits. “The season has been short so far, but this team is so different than some teams in the past,” said Klahold. “They set the standard and continue to fight hard in games, no matter what.” Their busy schedule features many local teams including King’s College, Marywood University, the University of Scranton and Penn State Hazleton. The Colonels will be competing and fighting hard to the end of the season. They will play tonight in a non-conference doubleheader as they host Keystone College. On Saturday, Wilkes will continue conference gameplay as they host Delaware Valley Univeristy. Wilkes will play 30 regular season games in total, which will wrap up on April 29., when they take on Stevens University in a back-to-back double header in Hoboken, N.J. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Sports 21 MIH: Five awarded in post-season ALL-MAC honors listing By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Five Colonels were named to the AllMiddle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Men’s Ice Hockey Conference team after the conclusion of their season. Under head coach Tyler Hynes and new assistant coach Josh Hoff, Wilkes went 1310-3 after graduating most of their starting roster from the previous seasons. This rebuilding season landed the Colonels with a quarterfinals appearance in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Tournament. The fifth-seeded Colonels fell to the fourth-seeded Manhattanville College 4-1 to end their 2022-23 gameplay. Cole Jungwirth was named to the AllMAC First-Team, while Ben Stefanini, Garrett Nieto, Joe Johnson and Matt Carlson were Second-Team recipients. “All five players had outstanding seasons and it was exciting to see them get recognized,” said Hynes. Sophomore Jungwirth recorded 28 blocks for the Colonels, the most on the team during the season. He also added 15 assists over the season and scored a singlegoal on the year during the 5-3 win over Alvernia University in Dec. Graduate-student Stefanini scored 13 goals, added seven assists, recorded 20 points and had 13 blocks on the year. His season-high of three goals lifted Wilkes over Chatham University 4-2 in Dec. “It’s an honor (to receive the award),” said Stefanini. “We, as a team, battled adversity and worked to get better each day, receiving these honors is a testament to that.” Senior Nieto’s solo-season in goal for the Colonels landed him with a .922 save percentage after recording 436 saves in 17 games. Nieto earned multiple weekly MAC awards as well as an award in the UCHC. “Ben and Garrett stepped up as older players on a young team and led through their play on the ice,” said Hynes. “Their statistics speak for themselves, but I’m particularly proud of how they were always involved in community service and committed in the classroom away from the rink.” Sophomore Johnson recorded 14 blocks, 13 assists, 14 points and one goal during his second season as a Colonel. His gamehigh of three assists lifted Wilkes over Lebanon Valley College 4-3 in Jan. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition,” said Johnson. “Thank you to my teammates and coaches, they make coming to the rink everyday a great experience.” First-year Carlson added 11 goals, 10 assists, 21 points, six blocks and won 196 face-offs during his opening year as a Colonel. His 13 face-off wins, one goal and one assist in their Feb. matchup with King’s College helped lift Wilkes over the Monarchs 3-0. Carlson received the UCHC Co-Rookie of the Week award in Feb. while also receiving a MAC Offensive Player of the Week award in Dec. “These guys have had a lot of success early in their careers but I believe are just scratching the surface of how good they can be,” said Hynes. The Colonels will return next season in hopes to continue having winning seasons and add more players to the post-season award winners list. Photos: courtesy of GoWilkesU Graphic: Baylee Guedes ONLINE SPECIAL: WIH: Three Colonels awarded, including Coach of the Year By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Three members of the women’s ice hockey team were recognized with awards after their second best season in Wilkes history. The Colonels’ best season was in 201920 as they went 5-17-1. Under new head coach Dave LaBaff, Wilkes went 4-19-2. LaBaff was awarded with the 2022-23 Coach of the Year honor after completing his first season with the Navy and Gold. LaBaff swiftly improved the team after they came off of a 3-19 season in 2021-22 and an 0-9 season in 2020-21.... View the entire article at www.TheWilkesBeacon.com The Beacon/Baylee Guedes LaBaff coaching his team to victory amid a timeout against the Knights. �The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Hunter Riley Senior Lacrosse Defender/ Long Stick Midfield The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Riley was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after his perfomance during the one-goal loss to Marywood University. Riley recorded his 100th career ground ball and currently has 115, the third most in Wilkes history (as of 3/18). Major: Psychology Hometown: Ballston Lake, N.Y. High School: Shenendehowa Central What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Playing against Utica my freshman year, where we went three men down and still won the game in the final seconds. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? New England Patriots. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Fishing. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Being part of a very close-knit group of guys, who always want to see everyone at their best. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Football, or swimming as both of these were large parts of my childhood. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Winning a tournament in Niagara Falls with my club team, Albany Power. What is your favorite postgame meal? Buffalo wings and burritos. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I am excited to be selected as the Athlete of the Week.. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? “Mighty Ducks” or “Talladega Nights.” The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor �Sports The Beacon - March 22, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Hannah Boyd Junior Softball Catcher/Infield The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Boyd was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after her performance during the softball team's spring break trip. Boyd went 7-12 at the plate with four runs and two RBIs. She ended the trip with a batting average of .583. Major: Sports Management Hometown: Escalon, Ca. High School: Escalon What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Getting to play alongside my sister for her senior year at Wilkes. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? New York Yankees. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Traveling and hiking. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Being able to play the sport I love with an amazing group of girls. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Volleyball. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Winning our 3rd consecutive softball section title for my high school coach's last year of coaching. What is your favorite postgame meal? Chipotle chicken and fajita bowl. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I feel very honored and thankful to be selected. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? "Friday Night Lights." Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor The Beacon/Baylee Guedes 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 - March 22, 2023 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 March 22 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/d5a6094b5da85169f96101755208fdca.pdf 51cb9f904b004c152ccdd09fa7973ff9 PDF Text Text The Beacon - March 29, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 75, Issue 15 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Residential Life hosts an educational sex bingo On March 21, Residential Assistance came together to host its first Res Life Sex Bingo. This Bingo consisted of educating the greater campus about sexual education and safety. The resident assistants taught students about vital safe sex education, consent, protection, health issues and diseases, reproductive care and safety measures when dating. There were around 180 students in attendance and five students walked away that night with prizes. For the full story, see pages 12-13. The Beacon/Kellie Scott Participants learned about sex-related issues through the use of Bingo. Explore Spain during global coffee hour with Ian Dewar, page 5 Brand new exhibition opens at Sordoni Art Gallery, page 7 1 Why drag cannot “Sashay Away” from the United States, page 16 FH: Ashley Irwin making strides as new field hockey coach, page 19 �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 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 22 weekly meeting By Kellie Scott Staff Writer Student Government held another weekly meeting, consisting of club reports, conversations regarding campus and fund requests. Capital Projects presented week 1 of 2 fund request for new volleyball nets in the MAC. The current nets in the MAC are old, falling apart and are difficult to use. The nets get used about three times a week by students and clubs. Capital projects is asking for $2,066.95 to replace the current net for a new one. Next, SG had two special guests, Dr. David Ward and Vice President Dr. Mark Allen. Both Ward and Allen spoke to SG to hear their thoughts on how they can help change the campus community, as well as ways to bring both the student life and academics together. Their goal is to improve student success and to make student life better, both academically and socially. The Kappa Psi fraternity then returned for their week 2 of 2 fund request. They are asking for $3,061.74 to help fund a trip to attend two different p h a r m a c y conferences. This funding would help pay for tickets and hotel rooms for members. SG allocated the full amount. Next, the Pre-Pharmacy club presented their week 1 of 2 fund request. The PrePharmacy club is asking for $2,280.00 to help fund a trip to Philadelphia. During this trip, they would be visiting many different m u s e u m s where they would be able to see different exhibits such as human development, d i f f e r e n t diseases and even one looking at skin development. SG will vote on the funds at next week's meeting. Next for week 2 of 2 was the fund request for the Big Event. The Big event is a campus-wide community service event that happens annually at Wilkes. Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Diploma Order Submission Reminder for May 2023 Graduates ����������������������������������������� ������ ������� ����� � ����� ����� ���� ������ ������ ���� ���� ����������� ����� ���� ���� ����� ����������� ��� ����� ���� ��� ������� ���� ����� ���� ����� ������������ ��� �  ������� ��������� ���������������������   ­������� ���� ������ ��� ������ ���� ������������� ���������� ���� ���� ��������� ����������� ������������������� Summer 2023 Internship: Register for Credits ­�������� ������ ������ ��� �� ­������ �������������� ��������������������������� ����€�������������������������������������� ������ ���������� ����� ��� €������ ���� ���� ����‚��������������ƒ��„����‚��������� ���� ����� ������������ ���� ���������� ��������� ���������������� ���—�� ���� ������ �������� ��� ������������ �����€������ ������������������������������������������ ������������‰��������������� Summer Registration Now ˜���������� ����� ������� Open �����“�����– �����“���“�������������� ‰������������������������������������ �������“����������������“����������� ���� ��� ���� ����������� �������� ���� �������������“�������  � Š‹� Œ����� ���� �� �������� ��� ���������� ���������� ���������� ����� ���� ��� ��� Wilkes University Integration Ž����‘���������������������������������� Bee Œ��� ‚����� ������� ‰����� ���������� Š‹�� ������ �������� ����� Ž���� Š�� ��� Ž���� Š’�� ����“��� �������� ����� Ž���� Š�� ��� ������������†��������������������­�������� ���� Š”�� ���� ������� �������� ����� Ž���� � ���� Š”�� ����� ��� Š�� ��� ��� ���� ����� Š•� ��� ���� Š‹� †���� ��“ ������ �������� …������ ��� ��� � ��� ��� ���� �������������� ���� ������� � ������ ���� ���������� ���� ������������������������������������� ��� � ��������� ���� ����� �������� ��� ���� ������������ ������ˆ���� �������� ��� ����������������Œ™�ŠŠ����������ˆ��������� ����������� š������������ ����Š� …������� ��­�����…�� ������������� Multicultural Award �������� ���������‡�������� ���� Nominations Œ��� – ����� ��� ��������� �—������ ��� ����ˆ�������� ��������� �����������‚���� …������� ����� †������� ��� ���� �������‡�������� ���� ���� ˆ��������� ����������� The committee is asking for $9,900.00 to help cover the cost of buses, food and equipment. The council allocated the full amount. Finally, week 1 of 2 covered the Block Party fund request. The Block party is another yearly event that SG hosts. This year's theme is carnival and will have many carnival themed T-shirts, food and events. Block Party will also be collaborating with WCLH, the campus radio station. They requested $9,000 to cover the cost of everything, which will be voted in next week's meeting. Student Government will meet again on Wednesday, March 29. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2023 Spring Semester March 30 - GSA Trans Day of Visibility Ball 31 - GSA Trans Day of Visibility Flag Raising April 4 - GSA LGBTQ Professional Roundtable 14 - GSA/Games & Media Club Mario Movie Night 26 - GSA Drag Show �������������������������������� ���������� ������ ������� ������������� ��� �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 News Honors students take on the challenge of ice skating Compiled by Morgan Rich Managing Editor 3 Editor's note: Morgan Rich and Kellie Scott are Beacon staff members. Dr. Jonathan Kuiken (left) and Emma Broda (right) help Morgan Rich (middle) ice skate for the first time. Kamea Paresa (left) and Melissa Ooi (right) skate together and pose for a picture on the ice. Kellie Scott (left) and Kayla Burleson (right) pose for a picture together on the ice. Jordan Chepalonis (right), who has ice skated in the past, glides Zoe Morley (left) along the ice to help her feel more comfortable. Photos by Morgan Rich and courtesy of the Honors Program FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Professor Jennifer McLaughlin, Morgan Rich, Sydney Ahrberg and Melissa Ooi take a break from skating to pose for a photo. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 News 4 Honors program to host first clothing swap April 16 By Maddy Kinard News Editor On April 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the McHale Athletic Center, the honors program will host a clothing swap where students can purchase donated clothing items. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Candy’s Place, a cancer resource center in FortyFort. Donations are open to all students, staff and faculty and can vary from casual wear, business casual or business professional clothing. Clothes can be taken to Stark Learning Center 262, the honors office on April 4 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; and April 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. Those that donate will receive a voucher that can be used as cash at the time of the event. “We just would like the clothing to be pre-washed, undamaged, and nonripped,” said Ada Soriano, director of community service for the honors program student committee. “No shoes, socks, or underwear. Basically we would like everyone to donate clothing that they themselves would buy. I hope that students can relate this experience to a thrift-shopping experience, an activity that has been quite popular in these recent years.” Clothing will also be accepted at the time of the event, but the program requests to have the majority of clothing donated early to allow for time to sort. This event is the first of its kind for HPSC and is open to all Wilkes students. "It's important for the campus community to consider coming to this event and/or contributing because while a blazer that no longer fits one person might be thrown away as it becomes 'useless' to the owner, another person might find that blazer to be the difference between getting an internship or not,” said Jen McLaughlin, assistant director of the Honors & Scholars Program. “In a world where we are worried about climate and accountability, we owe it to one another and future generations to reuse, recycle and rethink possibilities. I hope to see you all there, sharing and exploring the options we will be offering." Honors students will also have the opportunity to help with the event and earn a participation point in the process. More information on ways to help will be released closer to the event. Graphic by Maddy Kinard HONORS PROGRAM SCHEDULE: • 4/4 and 4/13 - Clothing swap drive! • 4/12 - Pizza Plus, history of ableism • 4/16 - SIX in Philly (12 tickets) • 4/17 - Interiew workshop • 4/20 - Pizza Plus, study abroad • 4/21 to 23 - Rita's fundraiser • 4/22 - Big Event • 4/29 - Indraloka • 5/ 2 - Movie night • 5/17 - Honors commencement MSC to showcase student talent and creativity on April 14 By Maddy Kinard News Editor On April 14, the Multicultural Student Coalition will hold its second annual talent show post-shutdown in the ballroom. The MSC talent show is open to all student performances. Performances will be judged by roughly five unbiased individuals, consisting of different campus faculty and staff. “The judges will use a rubric to score each performance and the highest scores will be the winners,” said Starr Sandt, MSC secretary and public relations officer. “Each performer will have the opportunity to review the rubric prior to the event in order to be aware of exactly what the judging entails.” The top three performers selected by the judges will win cash prizes. For those looking to perform in the talent show, students can access the link to the Google Form in MSC’s Instagram bio (@wilkes_msc) or scan the QR code on the many posters that are hanging up around campus. While the talent show was one of the club's annual events, due to COVID-19, it was halted until last year. Past performances typically included singers, dancers and poetry readings. This year, members of MSC are hoping to have more student participation and to see a broader range of talent. “Students should perform in order to show off their talent to their community,” said Sandt. “Performing in the show also opens up the opportunity to increase connections with other students, performers and community members that attend the event. Students should attend this event to see all of the wonderful talents that we will be showcasing and can support their peers here on campus. Students can hear some good entertainment while meeting new people and spending time with their friends." Erica Acosta, director of diversity initiative, feels similarly, stating that the talent show performances are a form of expression and that it is always beautiful to see students on stage. More information will be released closer to the event. For any questions or concerns, reach out to Sandt at starr. sandt@wilkes.edu or Acosta at erica. acosta@wilkes.edu. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 News 5 Exploring a bit of Spain during global coffee hour By Maddy Kinard News Editor On March 22, Global Coffee Hour invited students to “explore Spain” with a presentation on Las Fallas de Valencia by Ian Dewar, senior hospitality leadership major. Dewar spoke about the festival and his childhood in Valencia. Dewar was born in Valencia, Spain. His father is from Texas and met his mother in Spain. He moved to the Williamsport in Pennsylvania, when he was 12, and has resided in the United States ever since. Las Fallas de Valencia is a festival that occurs only in the city of Valencia from March 1 until the 19 at 1 a.m. The festival features large paper mache sculptures (fallas) which are created by neighborhood artists. On March 15 and 16, the plantá takes place where all fallas are positioned for judging and viewing the following day. On March 19, all are burned (cremá) at 10 p.m. except for one that is voted to be saved for the following year. During this time attendees throw fireworks to help with the burning. The City Hall fallas is the last to burn which signals the end of the festival. From the March 17 to 18, “L'Ofrena de flors” occurs where casal fallers walk through the city with fireworks, candy and flowers which are then offered to a large statue of the Virgin Mary. Dewar also mentioned that this year, the fallas had political themes, which some did not like. However, for the most part, the fallas are meant to showcase art rather than any specific theme. The festival features many types of foods (like churros, buñuelos and paella); every community has its own delicacy. Dewar's hometown specializes in horchata, a very sweet white drink, which is made out of chufa. Valencian men and women also wear traditional valencian clothing during the event, including ball-like gowns, guayabera shirts and corduroy trousers. Dewar describes Valencian fireworks as small amounts of TNT, as they are simply meant to blow up, rattle the ground and be loud rather than “pretty” or flashy like traditional western ideas of fireworks. “You go there just to hear noises,” said Dewar. “They’re not there just to look; it’s more to hear it and feel it." The nearly month-long festival features many separate events or elements that occur during March, one such being la Despterá, or “wake your neighbor”, where young children set off fireworks at 8 a.m. every day for the entirety of the festival. “It’s the most loved and hated,” said Dewar. “Las Fallas is one of the things I miss most about Spain,” he continued. “I miss throwing the fireworks and just the chaos of Fallas.” Senior Ian Dewar made tortilla de patata, a Spanish omelet traditionally made of eggs and potatoes, but can have anything else added to it. It can be served cold or warm. Dewar explains how Fallas had not occurred for two years during COVID-19, so in 2022, Fallas was held in Sept. for the first time and again in March of 2023. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard Abner Yanguez (left) and Marielis Pinto (right) make Spanish inspired fans, or “abanico.” They are used throughout Spain and particularly in clubs, Dewar said. Photo courtesy of Ian Dewar During Fallas, schools close down to host events. Each grade performs their own dance or song. Dewar (right) can be seen wearing traditional Valencian dress. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 6 News Prof. Profile: Dr. Mikayla Lacey, college of arts and science By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor Dr. Mikayla Lacey has joined the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor in the division of behavioral and social sciences. Lacey earned both a doctor of philosophy in experimental psychology and master of arts in psychology from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. and a bachelor of arts in psychology from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. Lacey grew up in western Mich., but has also lived in Tennessee and Alabama. She recently moved to Wilkes-Barre from Birmingham, Ala. Prior to joining Wilkes, Lacey was an instructor at the University of Alabama. “I chose Wilkes because it seemed like it would be a good fit for me,” said Lacey. She knew she wanted to be at an institution that primarily focused on teaching, but allowed her to continue her research. She also wanted to be a part of “Anyone who has seen a learning environment my whiteboard drawings where making connections in class will be surprised to between different classes learn that I am a published was encouraged, and illustrator,” said Lacey. enjoyed the liberal arts She had a picture environment. published in a book of Her favorite thing about children’s poetry when her job is hearing students she was in elementary make connections between school. In addition, something from her class and something that they Lacey has authored have learned in another Lacey aims for collaboration various publications and and open-mindedness. class before. presentations related to “It’s exciting to me to social psychology and hear about ways students are integrating psychophysiology. Lacey is proudest about her doctorate concepts across disciplines, or even across different subfields in psychology,” said as she was a first-generation student. After her first year, she almost dropped out of Lacey. In five years from now, Lacey hopes to her undergraduate program, but was able still be teaching at Wilkes, and to have her to preserve and find ways to continue in EEG lab on campus up and running. She her education. “Pursuing my degree has brought me also hopes to have more teaching tools in her tool belt and to have established many opportunities to grow both as an some collaborative relationships with academic and as a person. It also put me in a position to be able to find a job I love, researchers in the area. being a faculty member here at Wilkes,” said Lacey. In her spare time, Lacey enjoys knitting. She always has a few knitting projects going on at once, but her favorite items to make are sweaters. “I learned from my grandmother when I was a kid, and picked it back up in graduate school to help me relax,” said Lacey. Lacey offers a piece of advice to students, suggesting that they treat their education like a job. She recommends that students block out time during the day to study the material in their classes, regardless if they have a major project or exam coming up. This helps students learn the material better and will help them feel less overwhelmed when the larger assignments and exams come around. “I also would encourage you to seek out help when you need it. Wilkes has many great resources for students—take advantage of them,” said Lacey. Photo Courtesy of Dr. Mikayla Lacey *ELEVATE YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE!!!* AVAILABLE NOW FOR 2023-2024! TWO FOUR BEDROOM APARTMENTS WITH ALL INCLUSIVE BUDGET PRICING! clean spacious ZNPROPERTIESLLC@GMAIL.COM 570-592-3113 great location LUXURY STUDENT HOUSING ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED! SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR TODAY! furnished 165-167 W. RIVER STREET �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 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 Brand new exhibition opens at Sordoni Art Gallery By Anthony Cazun Contributing Writer Eye-catching landscapes filled to the brim with electric imagery showcasing the most beautiful images nature has to offer and more...This is the experience one can immerse themselves in while visiting the Sordoni Art Gallery’s newest exhibition, titled: “John Paul Caponigro: Landscapes Within Landscapes.” The exhibition’s artist, John Paul Caponigro, is not only an established and well-respected environmental art photographer, but he has a large presence in the digital media scene as well, giving direct artistic guidance to many of the largest technology companies such as Adobe, Apple and Kodak so that they steer their focus in favor of the individual artist. “It was perfect timing because there are new developments in his own practice that he was eager to share so we put together something we feel is very special,” said Heather Sincavage, director of the Sordoni Art Gallery and associate professor. The gallery’s walls are lined with piece after piece of landscapes from Caponigro’s countless travels all around the earth. Caponigro’s environmental photography captures the essence of nature, even if it is not all what it seems on the surface. Using various forms of photo manipulation, Caponigro is able to capture not the exact reality of the earth, but the perception of it. Turning day into a night sky, entangling different sprawling landscapes into each other and shifting the eye’s perspective to morph reality into his own is what Caponigro is an expert at achieving in his pieces. “His dreamlike landscapes forge connections between humanity and the world around us—reflecting on ideas of human tradition, environmentalism, sustainability and reconnecting to the earth,” said Melissa Carestia, assistant director at the Sordoni Art Gallery. “He believes that ‘we live within the land and the land lives within us. We are not apart from nature, but a part of nature.’” Caponigro’s goal is not just to awe the viewer with incredible vistas and imagery but also make one contemplate about nature, one’s place in it and how to treat the environment, as well as each other, during a time of both social and environmental turmoil. “Not only does it encourage a deeper connection with our Earth, it encourages a better understanding of ourselves,” said Sincavage. “The better we care for ourselves will create an empathy for others and furthermore the globe. It is important to Caponigro that we understand that we are not separate; we are interdependent and therefore care for one self is care for our collective future.” Pieces, such as “Correspondence Nocturne XII,” explore the beauty of the silent void that is the ocean during midnight, while pieces like “Inhalation XXIX” and “Global Warning I” showcase the drab and dreary effect that humans have inflicted upon the environment and how those decisions have led to a gray world soon to be devoid of life if left unchecked. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Devyn Cammarota, senior digital design and media arts major and student design fellow at Sordoni Art Gallery. “The way he can blend two or more landscapes together and his creation process is so unique and different and they really give the show such personality. My favorite piece is ‘Alignment XXXVI.’ When you walk past the title wall all you see is this giant red piece that just stands out and is beautiful. When I got a first look at the pieces that were going to be in the show I saw that one and immediately knew that one was my favorite.” Journeying to the back of the gallery welcomes one with a mini exhibition, one titled “Process”. This exhibition focuses on Caponigro’s creative process, how he perceives the world and how he is able to allow the viewer to see it the way he does. Despite being a photographer and photo editor, Caponigro is no stranger to drawing, in fact he embraces it. Caponigro uses drawings in order to blueprint and strategize his pieces so the end result is meticulous and precise. If done correctly, a simple tiny drawing of a moon upon a canvas can be the first step of a jaw dropping scenery. Caponigro is an artist of many talents, incredible forethought and incredible vision. He has given many respectable contributions to the art community at large and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The John Paul Caponigro: Landscapes Within Landscapes and Process exhibitions will be available to experience at the Sordoni Art Gallery until May 13. “I really love that John Paul, who is a leader in his field, is so willing to share his creative process and is able to do it so succinctly and logically,” said Carestia. The Beacon/Anthony Cazun “Landscapes Within Landscapes” offers interactive pieces for gallery goers. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 f Cocktail of the Week: The unique and pretty aqua velva By Haley Katona Contributing Writer The aqua velva is a classic dive into some of the older cocktails that have lost their popularity over time. Its neon color and refreshingly tart yet sweet flavor combination makes it the drink to try when traditional usuals have lost their spark. a Voila! The Beacon reminds everyone to drink responsibility… and that the legal drinking age is 21 B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! ps Be Ingredients: • 1 ounce any kind of vodka • 1 ounce any kind of gin • 3/4 ounce blue curaçao • 1 ounce simple syrup • 1 ounce lemon juice (for best result, use a freshly squeezed lemom) • 2 ounces soda water • Maraschino cherries or 1/2 a lemon slice as a garnish Directions: Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly with a shaker. Strain into a chilled glass filled with or without ice, depending on your preference. Garnish with whichever choice you prefer. The Beacon/Haley Katona Try this recipe the next time you want to shake up your usual choice of drink. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Zara Lantzman, Opinion Asst. Editor: Cirice - Ghost All Of The Girls You Loved Before - Morgan Rich, Managing Editor: All Of The Girls You Loved Before - Taylor Swift Taylor Swift Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Same Old Love - Selena Gomez Happy House - Sioxsie and the Banshees David Marks, Designer: Amanda Montgomery, News Asst. Strange Overtones - David Byrne Editor: Maggie Murphy, Designer: Will you cry? - Gracie Abrams The Great War - Taylor Swift Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: ALL MINE - Brent Faiyaz Lara Mullen, Designer: Laury Angeles, LA&E Photographer Paper Bag - Fiona Apple & Staff Writer: Elizabeth Cherinka, Social Media brutal - Olivia Rodrigo Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Asst. Manager/Staff Writer Editor: The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home - Billy Knows Jamie - 100 gecs Declan McKenna �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 9 Life, Arts & Entertainment The Self-Help Saga ............................... ���������������������������������������������� � By Morgan Rich Managing Editor I am sure that you have been there: You take a class and suddenly your entire worldview changes. Suddenly, you find yourself scrolling through job listings and descriptions, unsure if you majored in the right thing. This is a huge commonality throughout college. After all, a majority of college students do not end up with the same major that they started college out with and the truth of the matter? Nobody should feel bad about changing their mind. Here is what to do when your career path feels entirely uncertain. Explore opportunities on campus: I am going to pose the question that everyone wants to ask: Who on earth said it would be a good idea to have a 17-yearold high school student determine what future career path they want for the rest of their life? During my senior year of high school, I was set on becoming a biology major with a concentration in genetics. Now, here I am writing this article as a communication studies major with three different minors. The truth about college is that it is supposed to expose us to different opportunities we otherwise would never receive out in the world, especially at a liberal arts college. Our education is meant to be well-rounded and immerse us in different cultures, traditions and interests. When you feel defeated and unsure about what your future plans are, the perfect thing to do is explore different opportunities on campus. Exploring different work-study opportunities on campus is one of the absolute best ways to discover what interests you and what you like. Currently, I am working in the writing center and the archives, which helped me discover my love for editing and archive work. Plus, you get paid! So even if you end up not liking the work-study, you will have been paid while trying to figure out what is best for you. The best thing about work studies is that you are able to make your own schedule and choose your own hours. Plus, if you learn that a particular work-study is not your kind of thing, you are not required to continue it for the rest of your college life. You can stop doing it whenever you want to. Work studies provide incredible opportunities and allow you to build up your resume. Look into studying abroad: The biggest misconception about studying abroad is the fact that you have to do it for a whole semester to learn something from it. That could not be further from the truth. Wilkes University offers tremendous amounts of study abroad opportunities for both an extended and non-extended amount of time. I recently went on a study abroad trip to Ireland over spring break with Dr. Jonathan Kuiken and Dr. Benjamin Toll for my HST 398 class. During this class, we learned about the Troubles in Ireland and went on a spring break trip to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to physically see what we learned about in class. Plenty of clubs and programs on campus offer study abroad opportunities for both a full semester and week-long trips over breaks. The honors program, for example, is aiming to have one week-long study abroad trips every summer from now on; the first one taking place this summer in Scotland and England, which I am helping lead. Study abroad trips help you learn so much about yourself. For one, they force you to explore a culture that is outside of your own and make you go out of your comfort zone. After all, traveling without family members or close friends can be super scary but you learn so much from it. Some people learn that they can live abroad for one week with only a carryon while others learn that they can fly overseas alone. These opportunities force you to grow as an individual and make you look at the world from new perspectives. They do not shield you and provide comfort like a vacation with your family would. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is meant to cause uneasiness but it gives you an entirely new perspective of life and can open your eyes as to what you want. See what types of internships are out there: I am sure that you are tired of your emails and professors trying to throw internships at you. However, internships are extremely beneficial when it comes to figuring out where you want your life to go after college. Last semester, I did an internship with the Walt Disney World Company working merchandise at the Boardwalk Inn and Villas Resort with the Disney College Program. Truthfully? It taught me so much about myself. It was scary and at first, I was unsure if I made the right decision. After my internship was over after four months, I realized I had learned so much and gained an incredible amount of knowledge and independence. As annoying as it may seem to constantly look at internships, they are entirely worth it. Internships allow you to gain experience working with a company while completing school. They are resume builders that, like work studies, can teach you what you may like and do not like. Talk with your professors and see what type of connections they may have regarding internships. Weekly book and song recommendations: Whenever I find myself overwhelmed by the idea of what I want my future career to be, I always tend to revert back to reading books that I enjoyed when I was younger. My book recommendation for this week is, “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief ” by Rick Riordan. This book is the first book in the “Percy Jackson’’ series and is a novel that is based on Greek mythology. “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief ” is about a 12-year-old boy named Percy Jackson who, with the help of the daughter of Athena and a satyr, takes a journey across the United States in order to find the thief of one of Zeus’ bolts. My song recommendation for this week is the song, “Treacherous (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift. This song, rerecorded by Taylor Swift, originally came out in 2012 and normally reminds me of simpler times. Instantly, I am transported back to my fourth grade Arizona trip when I consistently listened to this song on a tour bus. I hope that you listen to this song and hopefully feel that same type of childhood nostalgia. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Meet the Majors This week’s major: Environmental Science Every week, The Beacon will offer a chance for majors to be placed in the spotlight. Each student who is 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 Colleen McDonald Senior Courtney Novak Senior “My favorite aspect of the major are the research opportunities provided to students by faculty. It provides a plethora of hands-on experience. I chose this major because I am passionate about protecting the environment and keeping it clean, healthy and safe for all living things on Earth. Understanding the science and systems of the environment is one of the most efficient ways to go about doing that.” “My favorite aspect of this major is the interaction between students and faculty. All my environmental science professors have been so helpful and involved in my education throughout my time here and I’ve also been lucky to get first-hand experience assisting with research at the Wilkes Institute for Environmental Sciences and Sustainability. This year I am looking forward to graduating and finding a job in my field to apply the concepts I’ve learned here.” The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Anneke Bouma First-Year “I was originally a biology major but switched because the environment is a very important subject in today’s world. Learning about the systems, material and science are important for everyone. I hope to use this major to get a degree in environmental science. I then plan to use the knowledge that I’ve gained and work at a national park and protect the land and wildlife it surrounds.” Lucas Scott Junior “My favorite class in my major has been geomorphology with Dr Finkenbinder. It’s a class that I started this semester and I just enjoy how it explains how our landforms like mountains and rivers form and change. I chose this major because I wanted to work outside and make a difference in the world. Upon graduating, I hope to get a job as an environmental consultant somewhere here in Pennsylvania.” �Name: Class: Date: Word Sudoku The Beacon - March 29, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment The words or names that are used in the puzzle: Spring Soduku flowers dandelion rain april ivy sunshine bumblebee orchid chicks Brain breaks to get you through the week ivy Challenge your brain with some sudoku! chicks How to play: Fill in the missing words. Each row should have 9 different words, no repeats. Each column should have 9 different words, no repeats. Each 3x3 quadrant should have 9 words, no repeats. flowers rain dandelion orchid flowers bumblebee chicks april chicks rain bumblebee flowers word-sudoku www.edu-games.org orchid dandelion bumblebee flowers april ivy sunshine april chicks dandelion flowers rain chicks flowers rain sunshine sunshine dandelion orchid ivy bumblebee chicks orchid april dandelion rain sunshine flowers ivy bumblebee bumblebee april ivy bumblebee april orchid chicks flowers rain rain dandelion sunshine chicks orchid ivy orchid rain dandelion ivy flowers bumblebee sunshine april dandelion bumblebee ivy orchid ivy rain dandelion rain ivy sunshine sunshine chicks flowers orchid chicks bumblebee sunshine dandelion chicks flowers april rain rain flowers april sunshine bumblebee april chicks orchid word-sudoku chicks sunshine sunshine april sunshine bumblebee dandelion ivy bumblebee april flowers Answer Key: orchid bumblebee rain chicks rain april orchid bumblebee flowers orchid april Credit for these puzzles goes to: www.edu-games.org Compiled by Morgan Rich, Managing Editor www.edu-games.org orchid chicks ivy dandelion �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 News SEX BINGO Other prizes included oil, condoms and gift cards. The Sex Bingo event was organized by ResLife, and made up of the several residential assistants of the campus dorms. Prizes also related to the theme of the event. One basket was called the “birds and the bees basket,” and included a stuffed goose, and a birds and the bees book. Photos: Kellie Scott Page Design: Lara Mullen There were a total of 180 students in attendance—the largest number of students ever to attend a Res-life event. Jaci Bickel, first-year political science, and Adam Butterwick, first-year engineering, were two of the many students who stopped by to play some bingo. Residential assistants made and mocktails for attendants, which included Shirley temples, piña coladas and mimosas. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Leading up to Wilkes ResLife’s Sex Bingo, students had various—and sometimes adverse— reactions to the idea. Although talking about sex is something that can be uncomfortable for some, events like these are necessary to work to overcome the issues that come with a lack of open communication and sex education. A vast majority of students receive sex education before they turn 18, according to the CDC. However, this education is likely to be inadequate in some way. Most are taught about STIs and how to say no to sex, yet a significantly smaller portion of the youth population is taught about methods of birth control. Instead of teaching about birth control, it is common for schools across the United States to heavily encourage abstinence as a primary—or sometimes the sole—birth control method. There are more states that stress abstinence than states that require educators to teach about birth control, according to Planned Parenthood. Although it is believed that withholding information about sex or deliberately teaching people not to have sex will lead to less people having sex and experiencing sex-related issues, it has shown not to be the case. Young people aged 15 to 24 still make up half of the 20 million new cases of STIs in the U.S. every year, according to the CDC. Young people will continue to have sex, just in an unsafe manner without birth control due to inadequate education. Additionally, restricting education and enforcing abstinence further creates a stigma surrounding sex and communication about sex. Framing sex as something that is considered shameful makes many young people feel uncomfortable or unsafe talking about it, which can make them at risk for becoming pregnant, contracting STDS or even becoming victims of sexual assault. In a Planned Parenthood survey, men and women were persistently confused on what constitutes both consent and sexual assault. Many have not received education on how to ask for consent and what behaviors are considered consent. Others are uncomfortable to even ask for sex or talk about their sexual boundaries. This leads to unintended sexual misconduct that could have been prevented if people were more educated and felt more comfortable talking about what they wanted out of a sexual encounter. A small number of states require education about birth control and safe sex practices, but an even smaller number of states require discussion of LGBTQ+ identities and relationships to be inclusive and affirming, according to Planned Parenthood. Many queer students across the nation remain disproportionately underinformed. A few states have even prohibited educators from discussing LGBTQ+ topics or require them to frame queerness as a negative thing, according to Planned Parenthood. When our high schools are censoring LGBTQ issues and sex topics in general, it is more important than ever to create a safe environment in higher education and elsewhere in which young people can comfortably learn and talk about sex. Events like ResLife’s sex bingo break the ice and create an opportunity for a healthy discussion and cultural change. Not only is this openness essential for health and safety, but it can also strengthen our sexual relationships and deconstruct harmful sex narratives. The conversations we do have about sex are generally focused on these health and safety issues, but talking about sex openly and honestly also simply leads to better sex. When many are uncomfortable talking about surfacelevel sex topics like birth control, most are not taught how to have sex and remain uncomfortable talking about sexual desires, even with a romantic partner. This is especially true for women. In a study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2019, 55 percent of women surveyed reported that they chose not to talk about sex with their intimate partner, despite wanting to. When asked why, they commonly cite that they did not feel comfortable going into details and did not know how to ask for what they wanted sexually. According to the NIH, more than 90 percent of men usually experience orgasms in their intercourse, but this proportion is only around 50 percent among women. This pleasure gap illustrates how harmful stigmas and closedness about sex can lead to poorer sexual experiences. When women feel as though they cannot talk about sex, it further enforces the narrative that sex is an act performed on women, rather than something that women can actively enjoy and participate in. Further, women voicing their sexual needs and boundaries can assist in deconstructing some harmful societal problems like the idea that women are sexual objects and the tendency for women to be disproportionately sexually assaulted. Our adverse attitudes towards sexual discussion can further enforce and contribute to the current harmful ideas about sexuality in the U.S. When we are more open about these issues, it opens the door for solutions and change. Although communication cannot solve everything, it can certainly lead to a better future. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Opinion Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the assistant opinion editors: Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu or Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - OPEN Sports - Baylee Guedes Assistant Editors News - Amanda Montgomery Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh Opinion - Zara Lantzman DESIGNERS Desiger - David Marks Designer - Maggie Murphy Designer - Lara Mullen Photographer - Laury Angeles Section Staff Writers Sports - Adam Grundt Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : 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: Kalen Churchert at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. The scariest part about college? Group projects Upon the start of a new semester, all college students are excited to explore new classes and find new friends—then, there it is. The dreaded familiar phrase on the syllabus: group project. Suddenly, there is the urge to click the “drop class” button and wallow in self-pity. The truth of the matter is that a majority of students loathe group work. Yadu Baznath, an associate professor at Chapman Learning Commons, performed a study and asked university students their opinions on group work. After reviewing their opinions, he concluded that there were certain reasons university students disliked group work: group members do not contribute equally or do not take the time to show up to meetings, everyone has different schedules, and working in a group exacerbates confusion. Working in groups more often than not is way harder than working individually. Even though professors preach that working in groups increases social skills, makes students venture outside of their comfort zones and helps them learn from their peers, it normally has the complete opposite effect. To start, students in group projects never do work equally. There is always someone doing more work than the rest of the members in the group. Some students do not even show up on the day of presentations. However, because it’s a group project, everyone gets the same grade. In the cases mentioned above, it’s as if the students doing the most work are getting punished. At Murdoch University of Law, a study was conducted where the university assigned a group project to 120 students. At the end of the study, each student was sent a survey to provide feedback on their group mates work ethic and then they were asked whether or not the group work caused them to receive higher grades than an individual project. Around 75 percent of students said they either disagreed or strongly disagreed. Randomized group projects are also a recipe for disaster. When students from different majors are randomized in a group together, this results in people with entirely different skill sets and levels of experience being paired up. If you are working with students who are not humanities majors, good luck trying to communicate with them. Professors also tend to neglect the fact that introverts and extroverts often do not work well together in group projects. When placed in a group setting, introverts would rather keep the conversation over text and work on their part of the project themselves. Extroverts, on the other hand, normally prefer collaborating with the entire group in order to finish the project. For introverts, this can cause largescale anxiety/panic attacks due to social anxiety; while for extroverts, this can cause frustration. It is normally difficult to find a solution that works for both of these groups of people, which can make tension levels rise within the group. Combined with the fact that extroverts normally have a much easier time presenting in front of peers than introverts, which is unfair. We do have to address the irony of being a collaborative newspaper ranting about group projects. Group work succeeds for us due to the unity of interests and skills pertaining to writing, editing and designing. Also, because this is our literal job, we get a routine schedule where we can all work and talk together, compared to classes with strict deadlines that don’t offer that same opportunity. Group work causes nothing more than anxiety-filled dread amongst college students every year. 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 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 29, 2023 Opinion 15 100 Gecs continues to break the mold on the new album By Sydney Allabaugh Asst. Opinion Editor Music duo 100 Gecs recently released their highly anticipated album “10,000 Gecs.” This album follows the duo’s first album “1000 Gecs,” which received widespread attention and praise for its unique and absurd sound. Some credit 100 Gecs with popularizing hyperpop, an eclectic genre that combines EDM and pop elements. Many artists, including mainstream artists, experimented with this genre over the past few years. On “10,000 Gecs” Laura Les and Dylan Brady stray from their signature hyperpop sound and embrace a variety of different genres and styles, showing critics that they are more than a fad band, but instead seasoned artists with much to prove. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a prevalent rock influence in many of the tracks. The album begins with “Dumbest Girl Alive,” a song with roaring guitars and pounding drums combined with electronic sound effects and auto tune, but not pitched vocals. This rock influence can be seen throughout the rest of the album on tracks like “Hollywood Baby,” a track that embraces the sound of a teenage pop rock anthem, similar to “Teenage Dirtbag” from Wheatus with an electronic twist. On “Billy Knows Jamie,” 100 Gecs fully commits to a nu metal track with distorted guitars and angry, direct lyrics. The song concludes with their traditional electronic and distorted breakdown of screams, blown-out bass and sound effects. As someone who grew up listening to mostly rock and its subgenres, and now listens to mostly hip hop and EDM, it is interesting and enjoyable to hear 100 Gecs combine these two realms of music in their songs. Although 100 Gecs is experimenting with new sounds, they maintained their absurdity on “10,000 Gecs.” I am drawn to artists who implement a shock factor through unconventional production methods and wacky, comedic concepts in their music. 100 Gecs is known for this and excels at it. On “One Million Dollars,” all the vocals are voiced by text-to-speech robots. The phrase “One Million Dollars” is repeated over and over again on a noisy EDM beat with electric guitars. Although this song is silly and the lyrics do not have much substance, the production is phenomenal, and the use of the text-tospeech vocals makes the song addicting. It is one of my favorites on the album. “Frog On The Floor,” a track characterized by a cheerful beat, lyrics and repeated frog ribbits, is another rather odd track. It almost sounds cinematic in nature, as it could be a theme song for a cartoon about a frog. It is a cute song with a cute concept. Although I love the absurdity of these two tracks, “Doritos & Fritos” feels as though it is silly just for the sake of being silly. I love the structure and beat of the song. The eclectic beat during the verses and the pop pre-chorus complement each other in a pleasing way. However, the lyrics are overly stupid to the point it makes the song unlistenable. Taking creative risks is still always worth it though and is something that could be seen frequently throughout this album. It would have been easy for them to further embrace the genre that led to their fame, but they continued to try unique, experimental concepts and genres. One track that is particularly interesting conceptually is “The Most Wanted Person In The United States,” which puts a comedic and ironic twist to being a murderer and criminal. The muted vocals over a beat that features the “Sleng Teng” riddim creates an eerie vibe, but the boing sound effects make the song light and silly. “I Got My Tooth Removed” immediately follows this track and provides an entirely different vibe. It starts with a slow, emosounding sentiment about someone who was mean, then suddenly transforms into the cartoony sounding chorus in which Dylan Brady repeats “I got my tooth removed.” The duo’s use of a silly concept to describe something more serious, like the cessation of a relationship, is cool to hear. Overall, I think this album proves that Laura Les and Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs do not take themselves too seriously, but their art is still deserving of appreciation. The duo embraces absurdity, while continuing to produce a worthwhile and high-quality product. The elevated and refined yet extravagant nature of “10,000 Gecs” surprised me, and I cannot wait to see what they do next. zero breaks in her three-hour show. All costumes were absolutely stunning, and these were not simple costumes that take a second to put on. There were bodysuits, dresses, ball gowns, T-shirts, suits, corsets and a skirt with a top. I do not understand how she changed into half of these costumes at the speed she did. My favorite costume change moment was when Swift dove under the stage like a swimmer and emerged in a new costume playing “Midnight Rain.” Of the 44 songs on night one, Swift played one song from her self-titled album, “Taylor Swift,” one song from “Speak Now,” three songs from “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” four songs from “Red (Taylor’s Version),” five songs from “1989,” four songs from “Reputation,” six songs from “Lover,” seven songs from “Folklore,” five songs from “Evermore” and six songs from “Midnights.” The surprise song on night one was “Mirrorball” from “Folklore,” and the surprise song on night two was “This is Me Trying” from “Folklore” and “State of Grace” from “Red (Taylor’s Version).” The main shock was “State of Grace,” as it replaced the only song from “Taylor Swift” with “Tim McGraw.” Because I am going to “The Eras Tour” on May 12, at Lincoln Financial Field in Pennsylvania, I had to watch “The Eras Tour” through videos on TikTok and live streams on TikTok. The performance that sent chills down my spine was when Swift performed “Illicit Affairs” from “Folklore.” The vocals from this performance make the insane cost of the concert worth it on their own. Regardless of what Swift did or played, fans were going to have the time of their lives. Fans showed up hours early to trade friendship bracelets with each other and wore the craziest costumes. One fan even dressed up as a willow tree because of her song “Willow” on “Evermore.” There are no bad seats at a Taylor Swift concert and that is known. Whether you have a floor seat, lower bowl, upper bowl, nosebleeds or an obstructed view, it is still an amazing seat. When fans entered the stadium, they were given a light-up bracelet. During the performances of “Lover” and “You Need To Calm Down,” the bracelets were seen in full effect. When she played “Lover,” the bracelets lit up to form a heart together, which was seen in the upper part of the stands. When she played “You Need To Calm Down,” all of the bracelets formed a rainbow pattern as the song is about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill from Florida. It’s no wonder more people showed up for Taylor Swift and “The Eras Tour” than the Super Bowl. Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” overexceeding expectations By Zara Lantzman Asst. Opinion Editor It’s been a long time coming. Superstar singer Taylor Swift kicked off “The Eras Tour’’ on March 17 and March 18 in Swift City, AZ with the song “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince.” This came out of left field as I did not expect this to be the opening song, and I am sure I am in the majority when I say that. I did not even expect “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” to be on the setlist to begin with. Swift did something no artist has ever done and performed a total of 44 songs for three hours and 13 minutes, with one of the songs being 10 minutes long. That is unheard of as most artists do half of that. There is also one surprise song that will be different for each show. Swift had 16 costume changes with �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Opinion 16 Why drag cannot “Sashay Away” from the United States By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer As I close out my second year here at Wilkes, it’s hard to imagine our campus without the Welcome Weekend Drag Bingo, which has been a staple for the last few years. It feels like drag is a part of the larger Wilkes-Barre community. Heat, a local gay bar and nightclub, is splashed across billboards and frequently hosts events and shows, featuring queens we’ve become familiar with, like Memphis Divine and Estella Sweet. But college drag shows aren’t just a staple here in NEPA. Appalachian State University in North Carolina hosted Jujubee for their Welcome Weekend and West Chester University welcomed Shuga Cain for a Drag Show just last month. In many places across the country, Wilkes events like Programming Board’s Rainbow Bingo and the gender and sexuality alliance’s Drag Show could be considered illegal. The first anti-drag bill was passed earlier this month in Tennessee. The bill does not specifically reference “drag,” though it does heavily restrict “adult cabaret performances” in public or other places around children. This legislation expanded the definition of an “adultoriented performance” to include “male of female impersonators.” Not only does this restrict the performances people all over the country enjoy, but it also introduces an insane level of governmental regulation over our own bodies. How do you classify a male or female impersonator? To what level does it extend? Unclear wording like this stands to potentially threaten transgender individuals. Under this law, transgender and nongender conforming individuals may not be able to wear what is most comfortable for them in public spaces. In addition, this bill automatically assumes drag is pornographic in nature. Drag artists don’t necessarily have to be sexy: they can be funny, beautiful, fashionable, talented or anything in between. These laws don’t just impact drag artists, but also the theater world. “Drag” has been used in theater for centuries. In Shakespeare’s day, every role was played by a man. Kabuki theater, a traditional Japanese style of performance, is only practiced by men, including the female roles. Under these laws, a Kabuki artist would not be allowed to perform. These restrictions carry over to Broadway, with shows like The Lion King, Hairspray, 1776, Kinky Boots, My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Chicago, South Pacific, and even more either depicting drag queens, trans individuals, or brief references of “cross-dressing.” Drag is a quintessential part of LGBTQ+ history and culture. Drag shows were a major part of the Vaudeville style of performance and later, the Harlem Renaissance. At some point in the 20th century, the art form became popular at gay bars and continues to delight audiences. You may be familiar with Divine, a prolific Drag Queen from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Not only did Divine amass countless film credits over her brief career, but she also influenced the character Ursula in The Little Mermaid. The two share mannerisms and physical looks. Lady Bunny, another prolific queen, is the founder of Wigstock, a drag festival that began in 1984. Though this annual event went on a 12-year hiatus, it was revived in 2018 by Lady Bunny and Neil Patrick Harris. Any discussion about drag would be incomplete without the mention of RuPaul Charles. She is arguably one of the most successful drag queens in history, acting in films, lending her voice to animated projects, recording best-selling albums, and hosting the show that, without a doubt, made drag so accessible to the American public: “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Of course, it is essential to mention that RuPaul is not without her faults, as she has been known to make transphobic comments and is very much a “gatekeeper” when it comes to the art of drag. Even more drag queens are also transgender women, including Coccinelle, Slyvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and many of the queens you’ll find performing at Heat. Drag is a form of self-expression. For some, it is freeing to play a sport, write a story, sing a song, or act in a show. That same incredible feeling you get from your passions and hobbies is what Drag Queens get from donning makeup and eight-inch heels and stepping onto the runway. Pretending to be somebody you’re not can be exhilarating. It is a break from the societal pressures and expectations placed upon you. With drag, you can create a character who embodies all the parts of you that you can’t show on a daily basis. Any TV show that does a “drag queen” story references these empowering terms. In 2007, the adult-animated “King of the Hill” aired an episode that dealt with one of the main characters, a suburban housewife, is mistaken to be a drag queen by another drag queen. At first, she is deeply hurt that her close friend is a drag queen and offended that she was mistaken for a man. Towards the end of the episode, a club full of queens explains that the women they choose to represent, either through a fictional character or by imitating an existing artist, are powerful. They want to embody that power and confidence that women like Cher bring to the world. This sentiment was echoed 11 years later by The Simpsons, in an episode where Marge adopts a drag persona to better sell tupperware. The idea is the same: The drag character has all the power, confidence and sexuality that the individual wishes they could better represent. Drag doesn’t exist to corrupt. It’s an art form with roots that go back centuries. It is a form of empowerment. Often, those of us in the LGBTQ+ community are marginalized. Drag is just one way we are able to take back our power in a way that also allows us to express ourselves through song, dance, comedy or art. Tennessee’s bill restricting LGBTQ+ art, culture, and history officially goes into effect on July 1. Other states have passed similar laws and more are still in the works. I recommend writing to your congresspeople, regardless of whether you are a Pennsylvania resident, and tell them you want drag to stay. If you’re truly passionate about drag and LGBTQ+ rights, check the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for updates and information. If our elected officials want to politicize drag, then let’s show a united front and say: Drag is here to stay. Graphic by Sydney Allabaugh �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 SUMMER 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. Opinion THREE-WEEK PRESESSION May 22 to June 9 FULL SESSION May 22 to Aug. 18 FIRST SESSION June 12 to July 14 NINE-WEEK SESSION June 12 to Aug. 15 Make an appointment with your advisor and visit wilkes.edu/summer. SECOND SESSION July 17 to Aug. 18 Wilkes University is an equal opportunity institution. For information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit www.wilkes.edu/nondiscrimination. 17 �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Opinion Roving Reporter: Colonels discuss their favorite music What is your favorite music genre and which artist? Compiled by Lauren Gardner - Contributing Writer Alivia Foster Courtney Negra Favorite Genre: Country Favorite Artist: Luke Combs First-year - Undeclared Jess Kunkle Sophomore - Psychology and Criminology Favorite Genre: R&B and Pop Favorite Artist: Taylor Swift and Kehlani (I can't pick, don't make me!) Faith Sekol Sophomore - Special Education First-year - Middle Level Education Favorite Genre: Country Favorite Artist: Morgan Wallen Favorite Genre: Pop Favorite Artist: Morgan Wallen Kim Wheeler Rebecca Ax Favorite Genre: Pop Favorite Artist: Harry Styles Favorite Genre: Country Favorite Artist: Garth Brooks Sophomore - Pharmacy Sophomore - Nursing 18 �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Baylee.Guedes@wilkes.edu FH: Ashley Irwin making strides as new field hockey coach By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Ashley Irwin is striving toward making a name for not only herself, but also for the roster of the Colonel’s field hockey team. Irwin was hired to turn the field hockey team around after the previous two-season head coach Charlotte MacDonald only brought eight wins to the program. Growing up as an only child, Irwin was very involved in athletics to occupy her time. She started playing field hockey in eighth grade after her basketball coach pushed her to try out for the sport. “He (basketball coach) thought I would be good at field hockey, turns out he was a pretty good coach and had an eye for talent,” said Irwin. “It turned out to be the sport that would change my life.” She went on to play in high school at Daniel Boone Area and had multiple college opportunities. Her love for the sport led her to King’s College where she played in 67 games, started in 47 games and was a part of the back-to-back Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom championships. She was also on the Monarchs field hockey team during their NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006 and 2007. Irwin graduated in 2011 with a bachelor's in elementary education and a minor in special education, as it was her dream to teach. “Once I experienced playing at the college level, that dream quickly changed,” said Irwin. “I still wanted to teach, but I wanted to teach the game, be a mentor, and make a change.” Irwin started her coaching career as the assistant coach and head junior varsity coach for Meyers High School field hockey team during the years of 2011-2014. She was also a girl's lacrosse assistant coach for Coughlin High School during 2012-2015. After coaching for the high schools, Irwin then coached the Keystone College field hockey team from 2014-2022 as well as coaching the women's lacrosse team from 2016-2020. She went 28-28 overall and earned the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Coach of the Year award in 2019 for the lacrosse team. Irwin was also the assistant athletics director, the compliance coordinator and the senior woman administrator. “The neat thing about college coaching is that we're the last ones with the opportunity of making an influence or change in your life before you hit the real world,” said Irwin. After nine successful seasons as the head coach of the field hockey program at Keystone, going 68-75 overall, making many playoff runs and being named the CSAC Coach of the Year in 2022, Irwin made the change to Be Colonel. Irwin starts her coaching career at Wilkes with spring season field hockey practices and scrimmages. Her goal is to build a culture for this team and build a sense of direction for the program. She wants to change what field hockey means at Wilkes. “I want to own our name,” said Irwin. “To me, the name Wilkes, has power. We live in NEPA, the hot bed for field hockey. We want to be a name, a program that people will nod their head and respect. I want to be a program, where when you say our name or see us coming up on your schedule, you know that it is going to be a tough game, a game you'll need to do your homework for.” Irwin hopes to be involved, be an asset and be a supporter of all of the teams at Wilkes as being a family is a major part of her coaching philosophy. The team views her leadership style in a positive manner. “Coach Irwin has done an excellent job so far as she's well respected by our team and displays great leadership,” said junior Bridget Rosenfeld. “She has already motivated us to push our team to be better on and off the field. Irwin is going to strengthen our program so much and help create a bright future for our team.” After a week of practices with Irwin, the team is in agreement that she is what Wilkes field hockey needs to succeed. “I think she is a great fit for the team and the program,” said senior Jordan Pugh. “She comes from years of experience and is ready to rebuild our program. She has a strong and confident personality which will help us grow individually and as a team. The first week back was fun and I am looking forward to the rest of spring season.” The Colonels will practice and scrimmage throughout their short spring season in preparation for next fall. Recruiting and team building will continue over the summer as they anticipate gameplay in the Middle Atlantic Landmark Conference. TOP: Irwin cheers on her team, sharing wisdom before starting a drill. BOTTOM: Irwin leads junior Kellie Scott through a shooting drill at practice. Photos: The Beacon/Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Sports 20 BASE: Wilkes sweeps weekend games with King’s College By Julia Mazur & Baylee Guedes Contributing Writer & Sports Editor Baseball is in full swing and the Colonels took on rival King’s College this past weekend—a matchup that did not disappoint. Wilkes hosted the Monarchs on Friday, coming out with a 16-15 win in 11 innings. On Sunday, Wilkes went to King’s for a doubleheader with a 15-1 win and a 0-0 win. “King’s versus Wilkes has been a historic rivalry in all sports for a long time,” said head coach Kevin Gryboski. “It was a great team win and we showed a lot of heart.” It was no surprise that the rivalry between the Monarch’s and Colonels continued in hard fought games as it has been going on for generations, no matter the sport. GAME ONE: The 11 inning win was nothing less than exciting. Wilkes was behind from the start and had to work hard to build momentum. The team was able to tie it up in the eighth inning at 14-14 to force extra innings. The extra innings were scoreless for both teams until the final inning. The game seemed to be leaning in favor of King’s as they scored one run, but Wilkes persisted and changed the momentum in their favor. The Colonels managed to come through by scoring two runs and ended up winning 16-15. Mike Show singled to left-center, scoring two for the walk-off win. “It was a great team win for us,” said Show. “We had to battle all day and it was great to come out on the right side of this one. For the walk-off, I was just trying to stay in the approach we’ve all been preaching as a team and just happy to come through for us there.” Show also recorded the win on the mound for Wilkes as he pitched the last three innings of the game with four strikeouts and only allowing one hit and one run. Scoring statistics: Show was 3-5 with three doubles and five runs-batted-in (RBI) and Connor Morgan went 4-7 with three RBI’s and three runs (R). Darren Kerdeksy (3-7, 1 R), Todd Kolbicka (2-6, 3 R), Zack Luksic (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI’s), AJ Brosious (2-2, 2 R) and Devin Markert (2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI’s). Jason Spezzaferra (1-5), Chase Vrabel (06, 1 RBI), Jake Cambria (1-1, 1 R), Peyton Shuck (1 R), Max Alessi (1-1, 1 RBI) and Ryan Johnston (1-3). Pitching statistics: Tony Molitoris (2.1 innings pitched ‘IP’, 7 hits ‘H’, 8 R, 1 strikeout ‘SO’), Ryan Sanderson (2.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 SO, 1 walk ‘BB’), Tyler Hoedl (1.0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 2 SO, 4 BB), Sawyer Kemp (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 1 BB) and Show (Win - 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 SO, 1 BB). GAME TWO: During the 15-1 win, Aiden Murphy only allowed 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB and recorded 15 SO in 7.0 IP. Six Colonels recorded two hits each: Kolbicka (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI’s), Connor (2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI’s), Show (2-4, 1 R, 3 RBI’s), Alessi (2-5, 2 R), Vrabel (2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI’s) and Spezzaferra (2-2, 2 R, 4 RBI’s). Kerdesky (1-2, 2 R, 2 RBI’s), Brosious (1-4, 1 R, 2 RBI’s) and Cambria (2 R) also contributed at the plate. Wilkes scored one run in the first inning, The Beacon/Amber DeJonge M.Show diving hard into second-base as his Monarch opponent awaited him. 10 in the second and four in the fourth on 14 hits. King’s scored their solo run in the sixth inning. GAME THREE: Three innings of scoring led to the 8-5 win for Wilkes. The Colonels rotated five different pitchers to secure the win on the mound. Kemp got the win on the mound with 1.2 IP, 2 SO, allowing 2 H and 1 R. Hoedl recorded the save with 1.0 IP, 1 SO and 1 BB. Wilkes started the scoring in the game with a run in the third. Kolbicka singled to center field and scored Spezzaferra. King’s answered with two runs but the Colonels came right back in the fourth by scoring five. With bases loaded, Vrabel hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Kerdesky. Cambria then doubled, scoring Brosious and Show. A Kolbicka single brought in Cambria and then Kolbicka scored on a single from Morgan. The Monarchs scored one run in the bottom of the fourth and one in the bottom of the fifth, making the score 6-4 Wilkes. In the top of the sixth, Morgan’s sacrifice fly brought in Cambria for another Colonel run. With bases loaded again for Wilkes, Show took a nice walk to first base, scoring Kolbicka. In the bottom of the sixth, King’s hit a solo homerun to make the score 8-5. A scoreless seventh inning rewarded Wilkes with the win. Five Colonels recorded RBI’s: Kolbicka (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI’s), Cambria (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI’s), Morgan (1-3, 2 RBI’s), Show (03, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Vrabel (0-2, 1 RBI). Brosious (2-4, 1 R), Kerdesky (1-3, 1 R) and Spezzaferra (1-3, 1 R) also contributed to scoring. Luksick walked twice. The Colonels look to turn around their record and make a strong run for the rest of the season. They will host Misericordia University this Friday and then play a doubleheader on Saturday at Misericordia. The Beacon/Baylee Guedes J. Spezzaferra (23) getting ready for his at-bat after AJ Brosious (2) scored off of a double by Devin Markert in the third inning. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Sports 21 SOFT: Four up-four down as Colonels win out at home games By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor The Colonels went 4-0 this week, making their overall record 11-4 on the season. Wilkes won out their doubleheader with Keystone College. Against Delaware Valley University, the Colonels dominated in the doubleheader. “We were extremely proud of how the players handled each inning and really kept fighting,” said head coach Jackie Klahold. “It’s a great sign of the strength of the team and I know it will continue to grow throughout the season.” GAME ONE: Wilkes took down the Giants in a close 2-1 win. Sophomore Bella Peters was in the pitching circle for the Colonels, only allowing seven hits, one run (in the second inning) and recording two strikeouts. Scoring included first-year Hanna Cross, who got on base with a walk, making her way to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Hannah Boyd. Cross then scored on a sacrifice fly by first-year Olivia Dougher. In the fourth inning, junior Megan Marshall, who came in as a pinch runner for sophomore Allison Radicchi, made it home on an error off of junior Taylor Douple’s at bat. GAME TWO: The 7-2 win featured junior Sami Hendershott on the rubber, only allowing five hits, two runs, one walk and striking out four. Runs included junior Nicole Howell hitting a double that brought in Dougher and junior Haylee Calaman bringing in Howell on an error and advancement in the first inning. Hay Calaman hit a sacrifice fly bringing in Dougher in the third. Keystone tried to come back in the fifth inning by scoring two runs, but Wilkes came right back in the sixth inning with three more runs. Dougher singled to left-field, advancing Boyd and scoring Cross. Howell tripled to right field, scoring Boyd and Dougher, bringing the score to 6-2. The final run was scored by Howell who was brought in by Hay Calaman who doubled to rightfield. Leaders at the plate during the doubleheader were Howell who ended the day by going 4-7 with two runs and three runs-batted-in (RBI), Boyd who went 3-6 with one run and Dougher who was 3-6 with three runs and 2 RBI’s. GAME THREE: Wilkes won 2-1 in this conference matchup with senior Hope Mullins in the circle. She allowed two hits, one run, five walks and struck out four. Boyd went 1-3 at the plate with one RBI with both runs in the game scored by Cross. The first run was scored in the first inning off of Boyd’s double, scoring Cross and the second run was in the third as Cross scored on a throwing error on Boyd’s bunt. Del Val scored in the top of the seventh after a few walks at the plate, but Mullins put that to an end by generating two popup outs for her defense to catch to end the game. “Overall it was a close game,” said Mullins. “But thanks to my defense we were able to come out on top.” GAME FOUR: During the final game of the week and fourth conference game of the year, the Colonels run-ruled the Aggies 12-0 in five innings. First-year Lauren DeMarco struck out eight batters and only walked one on the rubber. Wilkes scored three runs in the first inning and nine in the third, only allowing the game to go into the fifth inning with an automatic win. Howell went 2-3 with three runs, Cross went 2-3 with two runs and one RBI and Boyd went 1-2 with two runs and two RBI’s. Hay Calaman and Hayden Calaman went 1-2 with one run and one RBI each. First-year Salma Lampack-Heverly went 0-3 at the plate but scored one of the runs. Seniors AJ Bryfogle and Carly Endres both scored after being walked during their atbats. Sophomore Kayla Burleson and junior Marissa Pick each went 1-1. “It felt great to sweep them this year especially after splitting with them last year,” said Boyd. “Being able to contribute to the win was awesome.” Leaders at the plate during the two games with Del Val were Boyd who went 2-5 with four RBI’s and two runs, Howell who went 2-5 with three runs and Cross who went 2-4 with four runs and one RBI. “I believe that we don’t have one single biggest strength, we have a bunch of strengths that come together as one,” said Howell. “We are a true team with so much push, support and leadership.” TOP: Endres (7) making a diving play as Calaman (18) comes to back her up. BOTTOM: Boyd sliding safely into third base after making it there on a bunt. Photos: The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Mullins (12) pitches for Wilkes. All pictures are from game one with the Aggies. �The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Joseph Marino Junior Lacrosse Goalie The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Marino was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after his perfomance during the 11-9 win over Manhattanville College. He had 12 saves and only allowed nine goals on 35 shots in the game. Marino also received the MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. Major: Mechanical Engineering Hometown: Swedesboro, N.J. High School: Kingsway Regional What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Setting a career high 26 saves against Neumann while holding them to 10 goals. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Philadelphia Phillies. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Play video games. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Being able to have a way to get your mind off school and stress, and playing with a great group of guys who like to compete. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Baseball as that’s the sport that I started out with. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Making 2 hard saves in overtime in high school that lead to us upsetting a team we haven’t beat in years. What is your favorite postgame meal? Chipotle. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I am excited about being selected, it shows my hard work has been paying off. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? “Remember the Titans” or “Happy Gilmore.” The Beacon/Baylee Guedes Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor �Sports The Beacon - March 29, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Breanne Fulling Junior Lacrosse Midfielder The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Fulling was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after her performance during the 13-10 non-conference victory over North Carolina Wesleyan College. Fulling scored a career-high five goals to lead the Colonels to a win. Fulling also broke the school record for single-game draw controls with 16. Major: Nursing Hometown: Binghamton, N.Y. High School: Chenango Valley What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? It would have to be the excitement of my whole team when I scored my first goal freshman year. I was so happy to be a part of this team. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? The women’s national soccer team. These women are great examples for young women and athletes everywhere. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Rewatching Brooklyn 99 or New Girl, or reading a Colleen Hoover book. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? It has given me the opportunity to meet my best friends and I am eternally grateful for that. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? "The Blind Side." It’s so emotional and inspiring, it gets me every time. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? I would love to play volleyball. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Our first conference game freshman year. We had not won a conference game in a couple years and the feeling of knowing that I was part of the team that changed history and broke our previously unlucky streak was amazing to me. What is your favorite postgame meal? Broccoli poppers or an Italian sub with no cheese—definitely paired with a Glacier Freeze Gatorade. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I feel so incredibly honored, excited, and grateful. I feel more motivated than ever to keep pushing and working hard for my team and motivate them to keep pushing so they may have the same opportunity. Compiled by Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor The Beacon/Baylee Guedes 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 - March 29, 2023 Sports 24 By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor Spring sports are underway in Colonel nation. All statistics are as of March 26. MEN’S GOLF Wilkes started their season on Sunday with a matchup with Misericordia University. They will play again tomorrow at King’s College, Sunday hosting Marywood and Monday hosting King’s and the University of Scranton. WOMEN’S GOLF Wilkes will start their season on April 2 against King’s and Scranton. MEN’S LACROSSE The Colonels sit at 2-6 with just half of their season left. They will host Arcadia University tonight at 7 P.M. and then play at Delaware Valley University on Saturday. WOMEN’S LACROSSE The 3-6 Colonels will play at Arcadia tonight and host Delaware Valley on Saturday as they head into the second half of their season. MEN’S TENNIS Wilkes started their season yesterday at Lebanon Valley College. They will travel to Dickinson College on Friday and then host Stevens University on Saturday. WOMEN’S TENNIS The Colonels began matches Saturday at Pratt Institute with a 7-2 win and then faced Lebanon Valley yesterday. They will travel to Dickinson on Friday and then host Stevens on Saturday. BASEBALL An 10-11 record pushes Wilkes to the heavy part of the season. Friday the Colonels will host Misericordia and then have a doubleheader on Saturday at Misericordia. SOFTBALL Sitting at 11-4, Wilkes will host Penn State Hazleton for a doubleheader tonight at 4 and 6 P.M. On Saturday, the Colonels will host Albright College for a doubleheader. MEN’S VOLLEYBALL With two games remaining in their regular season, Wilkes is looking to improve their 16-10 record. Tomorrow, the Colonels will travel to Drew University and then wrap up with a senior night celebration hosting Eastern University on April 5. Blake Billingsley making a strong drive on March 18. Ryan Sanderson on the mound VS. King’s on March 24. Bridget Rosenfeld in pursuit of her opponent from Neumann University in the women’s lacrosse game on March 15. The Colonels coming together after scoring on March 1. Olivia Dougher making a play at third on March 26. 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 March 29 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/86342e50bc0d409b2445f0faf75725be.pdf 9090eec981841700cfd39847df62e0b0 PDF Text Text The Beacon - April 26, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 75, Issue 16 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Former Wilkes student surrenders to authorities days after campus tightens security on campus By Emily Cherkauskas Former Wilkes University student Max August Liebetrau turned himself in to authorities on April 23, several days after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to university officials and published reports. Following an incident on March 30, Liebetrau was charged by university police with making terroristic threats. He was also arrested in a separate off-campus incident, according to documents. Though he was initially denied bail, Liebetrau was released on $100,000 unsecured bail following an April 12 preliminary hearing. The bail was revoked after it was determined that Liebetrau had violated the conditions of his bail. During this time, Liebetrau’s whereabouts became unknown. According to the criminal docket, a bail revocation hearing was held on April 19. However, Liebetrau was a noshow, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Campus officials implemented security measures, including requiring all buildings to be only accessible through swipe access. As of Sunday, Liebetrau was held at Monroe County Prison. Court papers indicate that as of April 25, he was being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. A dispositional hearing is scheduled for June 15, 2023. Though Liebetrau is in custody, Wilkes officials have stated the university will maintain added security measures until May 31. University officials declined to comment beyond released statements and encouraged the campus community to follow the direction of public statements that were released in emails for the most up-to-date information. The three most recent emails, all sent by President Greg Cant to the campus community, were sent on April 17, 19 and 23. Anyone struggling with mental health is encouraged to contact Wilkes Programming Board hosts “Carnival” on Greenway, page 4 University establishes, welcomes esports team, page 7 Editor-in-Chief All information is up to date since Sunday, April 23. 1 Wilkes’s counseling services at 570408-4100. Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact Wilkes’ police department, or call 911. Performing arts department affected by cancellation On April 17, President Greg Cant issued two emails to the university—the first to the performing arts department, and the second to the entire university. In the correspondence, he announced that the first of the many safety procedures would be undertaken. This included limited access to the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center and the cancellation of the department’s production of “The Lord of the Flies.” It is not clear if “The Lord of the Flies” will return in the foreseeable future. Officials declined to comment or were unable to be reached. The cancellation of “The Lord of the Flies” received some backlash from performing arts students and the campus community. ATHLETE OF THE YEAR VOTING IS NOW OPEN! For the first time since 2020, the Athlete of the Year title will be awarded to one men’s and one women’s athlete. All Wilkes students are invited to submit their votes on who they think exemplified the values and skills of a Colonel this past year. Nominations include 15 men’s athletes and 12 women’s athletes across the fall, winter and spring sports teams. See pages 21-22 for the full list of nominated athletes, and the QR code that will bring you to both voting polls. Results will be posted on May 8. Join The Beacon in sending off our seniors! Our final centerspread highlights the graduating members of the editorial staff as they reflect upon their time at The Beacon. See pages 12-13. SECURITY , page 3 Artifical intelligence in the music industry: Friend or foe?, page 16 IIHF: USA Wins the World Women’s Hockey Championship, page 21 �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 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 19 weekly meeting By Kellie Scott Staff Writer This week there were 21 items on the agenda, so Student Government started its meeting earlier at 5:30. The items on the agenda this week were a conversation with President Dr. Cant, fund requests, club reports and internal business. First, Cant spoke to the student government about an ongoing process of changing and implementing a new mission statement and values for Wilkes University. It is still in the process of being finalized. Next, the Gold Bar club presented a week 2 of 2 fund request. The group asked for $300 to help find the 752 annual military ball. This money would help cover costs of tickets. Student Government allocated the full amount. FBLA, or Future Business Leaders of America, also presented a week 2 of 2 fund request. The club asked for $4,714.15 to help fund a trip to the national conference after placing high in the state conference. The money would help cover registration, hotel and travel expenses. Student Government allocated the full amount. For week 2 of 2, Capital Projects requested funds for the basement library, Capital projects asked for $96,490.46 to remodel and renovate the library. The Student Government allocated the full amount. Moving to week 1 of 2 requests, the Air and Waste Management Association or AWMA, asked for $1,500 to help cover conference expenses. This is an annual conference and helps bring many professionals from this industry together. It helps improve environmental challenges and professional development. Student Government will vote on the fund request in next week's meeting. WEBS, or Women Empowered by Science, hosts an annual summer camp for girls grades 7 to 12. This camp is run by the club and it allows girls to explore science on the Wilkes campus. The group asked for $2,500 to help fund scholarships for any incoming girls. Next for week 1 of 2 was the ASM Microbe fund request. For this request, two students asked for help funding their trip to a conference. This is the largest microbiology conference in North America and they are attending after doing extensive research in the field of e-coli. They asked for $1,500 to help fund the expenses for the two of them to travel. Commuter Council then presented Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Summer 2023 Internship: Register for Credits Students participating in a Summer 2023 internship need to register manually and fill out the etrieve form. In addition, three documents must be filled out: the Data Form, Academic Project Form, and Internship Agreement Form. Contact Anna Bateman at anna. bateman@wilkes.edu with any questions or concerns. Use this link to access the forms. https://w w w.wilkes.edu/academics/ career-development-and-internships/ cooperative-education-internships/ application-process.aspx. Summer Registration Now Open Wilkes offers summer classes starting May 22 and continuing through Aug. 18. There are a variety of sessions, including presession from May 22 to June 9, full session from May 22 to Aug. 18, first session from June 12 to July 14, nine-week session from June 12 to Aug. 15, and second session from July 17 to Aug 18. Both in-person classes and online options are available. Make an appointment with your advisor to register now. Use this link to find out which courses are being offered: https://www.wilkes. edu/summer. Submit Your Fall 2023 Parking Application Commuter and resident parking permit applications for the fall 2023 semester are available online now. The deadline for the applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, June 30. Any application received after 4 p.m. on Friday, June 30, will not be submitted for review and the applications will not re-open again once they are closed. All students must apply during this time. Questions? Contact parking from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at 570-408-7275. Donations for Swipe Buy Back Event AMCP is hosting a swipe buy back event with Which Wich. If you have extra swipes that are going to run out at the end of the semester, or if you would like to contribute to a good cause, donate a sandwich to those in need. Donation swipes will be collected on the first floor of the SUB on April 25, 26, 27 and May 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. a Capital Projects fund request. The Commuter Council asked for $1,800 to help renovate the inside of the commuter lounge. They are looking to get a new microwave, a bigger refrigerator and some other smaller items. Next was Traverses Capital projects fund request week 1 of 2. The traverses are asking for $2,000 to get E-Z passes on the inside of the Wilkes University campus cars, along with detailing and seat covers. Student Government will have its final meeting of the semester next week. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: 2023 Spring Semester April 26 - GSA Drag Show 28 - College of Business and Engineering Symposium May 2 - Last day of classes, follow TR schedule 4 - Final exams start 11 - Final exams end 20 - Commencement ceremony Want your event featured in the calendar? �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 SAFETY, from front A performing arts student, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that the show’s set was torn down, much to the dismay of the students who were a part of the show. A change.org petition posted last week called for the reinstatement of the show, which was entirely produced by faculty members and students. For some students, it was meant to be their final show before they graduated university. “I believe the show still has the opportunity to return,” said the student. “The set has been torn down and was done quite quickly in preparation of events and dance classes being held on the stage this week. Although there is no set right now, I would volunteer to build it back again. “I also wouldn’t mind recording the show without most of the set, but that is all my opinion. The truth is the set is gone and it was designed with great talent. It had this unique patchwork design made up of earth tones.” The petition also negotiated potential alternatives or other measures to still host the show. Some examples included having public safety or Wilkes-Barre police posted at the theater, limited entrances and exits, delayed opening times or even privately-announced times. For some students in the performing arts, it was meant to be their last show before graduation. The cancellation of the show, in addition to the limited access of the Darte Center in the earlier developments of the case, have left an impact on the students. “I’m definitely struggling through the last few weeks of this semester as it is, but losing the show and watching my peers struggle with a threat has made an impact on my education as well,” said the student. “Everyone in their major has something to look forward to I’m sure, and having that experience taken away from you as you’re crossing the finish line hits hard.” The petition received over 100 signatures. News Student Government’s annual “Big Event” Compiled by Maddy Kinard News Editor 3 Photos courtesy of Morgan Steiner, Danielle Morris and Megan Makovsky Big Event is a school wide day of community service, where 300-400 student volunteers travel to different sites in the community to lend a helping hand. Student volunteers are split into teams, featuring sports, clubs, etc. The Student Government team is shown above. Some volunteers had the opportunity to clean and organize supplies at local institutions. Brynn Gilbert and Megan Makovsky shelving books at Kistler Elementary School where they were asked to help reorganize the library for student use. Keeping the community clean: the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Neuroscience Club and the National Alliance on Mental Illness volunteered at Dana Elementary where they collected 20 bags of trash and leaves. �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 News 4 Wilkes Programming Board hosts "Carnival" on Greenway By Morgan Steiner Staff Writer The Wilkes Programming Board recently hosted a "Carnival Night" event on the campus Greenway. “The event was on a much bigger scale than most Wilkes events and had a good variety of different things to do," said sophomore Eric Walsh. The event featured a 120-foot blow-up obstacle course, a photobooth, two food trucks, axe-throwing and a variety of games and activities. “Most of us have a good picture in our minds when we think of a carnival so it was easier to get ideas flowing for this event than some others,” said Shelby Brazes, a programming board officer. One of the concerns on everyone’s mind about Carnival had to do with a former Wilkes student allegedly making threats toward a current student. Some students, including Walsh, expressed concern about the level of security, but ultimately, they felt Nick Kinzler, Vincent Ippolito, Owen Breisch, Will Wagstaff and Andrew Slusser enjoy some of the treats provided at Carnival. comfortable at the event. “Tensions have been incredibly high, and while I did see a police presence at the event, which did ease my worries a little with how recently everything has happened, I think it was impossible to feel fully alright. Especially at an event where so many people were out in an open space,” said Walsh. Despite reservations from some attendees, "Carnival" was a success. At some points, the line to enter wrapped around the block and students waited in front of Breiseth Hall. “It was a great event with much to do and gave me something fun to do while enjoying the weather with some of my best friends. Also, the uniqueness of the event compared to the events usually held at Wilkes gave it a special charm that made it extremely enjoyable,” said Walsh. For Brazes, it was worthwhile seeing the fun everyone had with friends and seeing the way the programming board events brings the community together. Photos courtesy Megan Makovsky John Hannaway won one of the prize baksets at the event. Attendees won tickets from carinval games that they could put toward prizes. WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED ON CAMPUS? WATCH OUT FOR PROGRAMMING BOARD EVENTS THAT HAPPEN EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 News 5 GSA LGBTQ+ workplace roundtable with professionals By Maddy Kinard News Editor The Wilkes Gender Sexuality Alliance hosted an LGBTQ+ workplace roundtable featuring four guest speakers who recounted their personal experiences coming out and challenges, and achievements, they have faced in their work and personal lives. Dr. Helen Davis, associate professor of English and the faculty advisor for GSA, mediated the discussion. The conversation started by highlighting some of the experiences they’ve had in their professional lives, touching on several overlapping themes regarding confidence, boundaries and activism. “You belong in every room you walk into, whether you think it or not,” said Justin M. Correll, recounting the words of a faculty member at his alma mater that has stuck with him ever since. They also spoke on the responsibility individuals have to be confident in themselves, to be visible and present in the community—to be the leader for those who don’t feel seen or included. Career-wise, Correll touched on personal responsibility, that just because someone can do something, doesn’t mean they have to. “Don’t lose yourself in what you do,” said Correll. Panel members included Justin M. Correll, who is the Mayor of Laurel Run Borough, principal at Solomon Plains Elementary School, chair of the Rainbow Alliance and co-founder of NEPA Pride Project. The second was Michele Kessler, secretary treasurer of UFCW Local 1776, chair of UFCW OUTreach and two other union LGBTQ+ groups, twoterm member of governor Tom Wolf ’s PA commission on LGBTQ+ affairs, member of Governor Josh Shapiro’s inauguration committee, and number three on City and State’s Pride and Power 100 for 2022. Kira Kinsman, the third panelist, is principal architect at Williams Kinsman Lewis Architecture, board member of the Rainbow Alliance, co-chair at William Way LGBTQ+ Community Center, Philadelphia and board member on the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Business and Industry; Carl Halker, the fourth panelist, is the owner/president at Hawk Enterprises and Canada Dry/Royal Crown of Scranton, wonder of Philly Pretzel Factory in Scranton and former Rainbow Alliance chair. Heather M. Hulse was unable to attend but extended her contact information to students. She is the senior partner at McAndrews, Mehalick, Connolly, Hulse and Ryan P.C and is a special education law specialist. Photos: The Beacon/Maddy Kinard GSA provided pizza and refreshments, including a “mocktail bar” for students to create their own mixed beverages. Michele Kessler, brought LGBTQ+ and union pride sticker for attendees. She describes her experience working for a union as "making a contribution in the world" Attendees, GSA members and speakers gathered at the end of the two hour long discussion for a group photo. Kira Kinsman closed the event by encouraging others through the words of Joseph Campbell: “find your bliss”. Carl Halker, Michele Kessler, Kira Kinsman, Justin M. Correll, all shared their experiences as LGBTQ+ successful business people and provided advice for students regarding activism in the community, responsibility, handling homophobic/transphobic individuals, and more. �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Prof. Profile: Dr. Rubi Mahato, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy By Amanda Montgomery Asst. News Editor Dr. Rubi Mahato has joined the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Mahato is from Nepal, and came to the United States in 2006 as a visiting research scholar at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tenn. She earned a bachelors of pharmacy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in India, a doctor of philosophy degree in pharmaceutical sciences from University of MissouriKansas City and an executive master of business administration degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mahato previously served as a lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Binghamton University, a medical writer at Pharma Health Labs and an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Fairleigh Dickinson University. “Interacting with students and my colleagues are the best part of my job. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life (my students), and receiving g e n u i n e appreciation from students (for what we Dr. Rubi Mahato do for them) brings the biggest satisfaction to me, I feel that it’s my reward at the end of the day,” said Mahato. Mahato chose Wilkes because of the school environment and university as a whole. She also noticed that the licensing exam for pharmacy students had a high passing rate which demonstrated that Wilkes and the pharmacy program had high quality students. “My department chair was so caring throughout the process of my interview, hiring and moving to a new place. She even helped me find a daycare for my toddler son. It made me feel very comfortable and at home,” said Mahato. Business and Engineering symposium to be held April 28 By Emily Cherkauskas Editor-in-Chief The College of Business and Engineering will hold its annual research symposium on April 28, inside the McHale Athletic Center. The theme is “Research for Advancing Sustainability and Ethics for a Better Future.” The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with opening remarks from Dr. Adel Adekola, dean of the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. The first session afterward includes the student oral presentations from 9:45 to 11 a.m. At 11 a.m., the symposium will be addressed by Wayne Lonstein, keynote speaker and CEO of VFT Solutions. A break for lunch will follow at 11:45 a.m. Student poster presentations, the second group of presenters, will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Upon the conclusion of student presentations, awards will be presented from 1:30 through 2 p.m. Afterwards, faculty research presentations will occur in SIMMS 231 from 2 to 3 p.m. The final session is the teaching symposium from 3 to 4 p.m, the topic being “Working with Students who are Underprepared in the Quantitative Areas and New Teaching Techniques.” Dr. Edward Bednarz will discuss “Engaging Students in Math,” followed by faculty discussion on helping underprepared students in research and will then conclude with Dr. Kedir Tessema’s topic of “Discussion on Emerging Pedagogical Issues.” Anyone interested in attending the symposium is encouraged to register with the business school. Registration is free for the day. Mahato sees herself becoming a true expert and master at her role, having well established research and publishing at least five articles in the next few years. She also sees herself as being a key person for teaching and research in the pharmaceutical science department. “I want to be able to extend my expertise and offer help to other departments, including clinical practice, community pharmacy or health outcomes using my skills and knowledge gained from my role. Also, I would like to contribute in school and university services as much as possible,” said Mahato. In her spare time, Mahato likes to spend time with her two-year-old son and on different occasions she likes to do photoshoots with him. She enjoys learning new things and also enjoys reading articles both related and unrelated to pharmacy. In addition, she also enjoys painting but hasn’t had the chance to do that since her son was born. “I am always interested in learning something new,” said Mahato. She has various interests in arts and crafts, painting, photography, scriptures, 6 religion, finance, in addition to pharmacy. “I am very friendly, easy to work with and a good listener.” Some of her notable achievements include publishing articles, starting a research project, completing her master of business administration degree and getting her permanent resident card. Currently, she is working on her articles to be submitted for publication within the next few months. “My recent notable achievements are, single-handedly managing the entire pharmaceutics curriculum which includes two semesters of course works and labs, and pharmaceutical calculations,” said Mahato. One piece of advice Mahato offers students seek out help when needed, as your professors are here to help you. “Be sincere, and do not wait for the last moment to prepare for your exams,” said Mahato. Want to nominate a professor for a feature? Contact our Assistant News Editor! Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu PLACE YOUR AD HERE! Do you own a business? Have an upcoming event? Advertise with The Beacon and reach up to thousands of readers per week! Sizes range from 1/8 of a page up to a full page Advertisements are in full color Can be run in one issue up to an entire semester For more information, please contact: Kalen.Churcher@wilkes.edu or Morgan.Rich@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 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 WILKES ESPORTS University establishes, welcomes esports team By Anthony Cazun Contributing Writer A new competition is coming to campus and it is all in the digital arena. On April 17, a special event titled “An Evening of Esports with EStars” was held within the McHale Athletics Center that celebrated the launch of the university’s competitive esports program, along with housing two special guests from the gaming world. Electronic sports, or esports, is a relatively recent form of sport, in which the athletes engage in video game competition rather than a traditional physical sport. Wilkes is aiming to take gaming to the next level by offering competitive esports positions for games such as “League of Legends,” “Overwatch,” ”Rocket League” and “Super Smash Bros.” This initiative was created in an effort to create a wider gaming culture on campus and give opportunities for talented gamers to enter the wider esports industry. “We’re launching something that for many of you is part of who you are,” said President Greg Cant. “It’s what you do. But remember, you’re helping people like me and others to think ‘what is gaming gonna mean to us as the Wilkes community.’ We’re beta testing how we can have active gaming that gives opportunities.” In an effort to enhance the gaming capabilities of students, there will be several gaming terminals peppered all across campus, including Evans Hall, Roth Hall and University Towers. As the presence of esports grows all around the world many instituions and universities are forming teams, with Wilkes being one of the latest to do so. The more widespread esports becomes, the more profitable it becomes. Advertising is a large component of the esports industry. Companies such The Beacon/Anthony Cazun (Left to Right) President Greg Cant, Maggie Jordan and David Lee on stage during the “An Evening of Esports with Estars” event. Cant formally addressed the attendants and gamers upon the creation of the team. as “Estars Studios” were created with the specific goal of helping professional esports companies advertise and organize their gaming leagues. The co-founder and CEO of Estars Studios David Lee, attended the launch event and gave lots of insight into the behind-the-scenes of esports and esports advertising. Before he was the CEO of one of the largest esports promotion companies on earth, he himself was an esports competitor trying to make a living. “I made [esports] into a career when I was in college,” said Lee. “I was a professional ‘Warcraft 3’ player. I was writing contracts for teams and then I realized I think I could do this better if I ran it myself so I started my own team. In order to promote my team, I started producing content around my team. YouTube channels, Twitch streams, created multiple leagues to support them and create an ecosystem for them to play in. I eventually tried to sell my content to ESL and ESL hired me. That’s how I went from gamer to gaming as a career.” Lee channeled his experience and ground floor knowledge in order to co-create Estars Studios, the leading independent production company for esports events, as well as promotion. Lee was not the only guest attendant, however, as Maggie Jordan, a doctorate in business administration and intermittent “Warcraft” player, discussed women in gaming spaces. “I realized that there was a real need for some underserved populations for what I refer to as ‘women plus’ so the women gaming community as well as anyone who identifies as a woman,” said Jordan. “There’s a lot of need there and a lot of discussion around the need for us in the space so I’ve been focusing a lot of my efforts on how to connect us within the community. It’s been proven that when compared, men and women gain on equal ground, equal skills. However, there are circumstances that surround gaming that causes groups to react and learn in different ways.” There were also discussions about the future of virtual reality and the possibility of a competitive scene growing within it. “I think VR has such a huge opportunity,” said Jordan. “This concept of metaverse and especially AR/VR and how it integrates with the metaverse. I’m a big fan of ‘Ready Player One’ and just being able to see what worlds are created and beyond what we see in the world. I think that opportunity is massive.” Lee’s outlook was not as optimistic about virtual reality, stating that he believes that although there are certainly applications and uses for its existence, it is not within the gaming space. “It’s not the norm, right? Because I’m a service provider within the industry, we follow what the norms are within the industry,” said Lee. “If the norm is that everybody is gaming on VR then I would be more active on it but right now there are very limited interactions in the VR space.” The university’s Esports program goes into full effect during the fall 2023 semester. For the meantime the university staff will keep close attention on the feedback given by gamers in order to mold this program into something that is made by Wilkes students, for Wilkes students. Until then, anyone interested in taking their gaming to the next level can begin dusting off their controllers and find more information on the university’s website under the esport program’s page. �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 f Cocktail of the Week:Vodka pineapple, perfect for spring By Haley Katona Contributing Writer Ingredients: • 2 ounces any kind of vanilla vodka • 3 ounces pineapple juice, for better flavor muddle fresh pineapple chunks and strain juice into a glass • 1 ounce lime juice, for best result use a freshly squeezed lime • ½ tablespoon of sugar dissolved in water • Use freshly cut pineapple as an optional garnish Directions: For best results, chill all ingredients first. Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly with a shaker. Strain into a chilled glass filled with or without ice, depending on your preference. Enjoy! The Beacon reminds everyone to drink responsibility… and that the legal drinking age is 21 a B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! ps Be The Beacon/Haley Katona This delicious and refreshing cocktail will surely become your new favorite drink. Emily Cherkauskas, Editor-in-Chief: Zara Lantzman, Opinion Asst. Editor: Ptolemaea - Ethel Cain Alone - Kim Petras, Nicki Minaj Morgan Rich, Managing Editor: The Great War - Taylor Swift Baylee Guedes, Sports Editor: Maddy Kinard, News Editor: Reggae Show - Elephants Dancing Billie Toppy - Men I Trust David Marks, Designer: Amanda Montgomery, News Asst. Editor: TSLAMP - MGMT Old Money - Lana Del Rey Maggie Murphy, Designer: Jordan Daniel, LA&E Editor: Daylight - David Kushner doomsday - Lizzy McAlpine Laury Angeles, LA&E Photographer & Staff Writer: Tempo - EXO Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Asst. Editor: HARP + PONY - Frost Children Lara Mullen, Designer: Jackie Down The Line - Fontaines D.C. Elizabeth Cherinka, Social Media Manager/Staff Writer British Bombs - Declan McKenna �The Beacon – April 26, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 Sordoni Art Gallery hosts two relaxing sound bath sessions By Bailey DeJesus Contributing Writer The Sordoni Art Gallery recently held two sound baths led by Michelle Smith and Lorraine Elick. Sound baths have gained popularity over the years, especially as yoga, pilates and meditation practices have grown. Those that find meditation and yoga appealing to enjoyed this event as it is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. The Sound Bath fit with the theme of the current exhibition, artist John Paul Caponigro’s “Landscapes Within Landscapes.” So, what is a sound bath? The practice of the sound bath has its roots in East Asian cultural rituals, but has been changed and brought to the masses attention by this recent turn to holistic medication and living. A sound bath is a time where one can meditate or do yoga while listening to a loud, monotonous, soothing tone that is often played out of singing bowls. A sound bath has been found to potentially treat medical conditions and greatly relieve stress. According to Medical News Today, a sound bath can be described as a “full body meditative experience where people lie down and listen to resonant sounds.” Relaxing practices like sound baths are even shown to help the practitioners with processing their emotions, lowering their heart rate, reducing negative moods and even lowering anxiety. When one becomes involved in a sound bath, normally a yoga mat and comfortable attire is needed. Singing bowls are used so that calming tones can help one achieve peace and self reflection. Different areas and cultures have their own twists on this practice. It can vary in the sounds they use, the tools or even what one does during the bath. Through Western and New Age spiritualism, a widespread practice is now being formed. With the school year quickly coming to a close, stress levels are higher than ever before. All that anxiety, stress and negativity will be able to be treated at this event where students and faculty can take part in a relaxing end of year activity. Plus, the gallery’s current exhibition showcases gorgeous photos of the natural world from glaciers to landscapes with the artist’s own manipulations then added to the pictures. People tend to find peace by looking at Caponigro’s works. “Landscapes exhibition was the perfect setting for something like a sound bath,” said Melissa Carestia, assistant director of Sordoni Art Gallery. “Viewing the art while listening to the singing bowls is a very interesting experience and I highly recommend it.” Moreover, “The Art of Om” is actually a series that the gallery is looking to bring back around, having started it before COVID-19. “[This was] an offering we began pre-pandemic at the gallery for people to practice yoga within our gallery space surrounded by art,” said Heather Sincavage, director of Sordoni Art Gallery. “We intend to do more events like this and build on the series.” With the first two Sound Baths being such a success, it is certain the campus community is looking forward to another fun and successful meditation experience. “The vibrational energy was unlike anything I have ever experienced before,” said McKenna Dolan, senior digital design and media arts major. “The sound bath was transformative for me. I loved how the bowls connected to my body physically, yet spiritually.” Note: Until further notice, all visits to the Sordoni Art Gallery are appointment only. Photos courtesy of McKenna Dolan Michelle Smith guided attendants through yoga poses and breathing practices. Singing bowls were used during the sound bath, offering soothing rhythm. �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Meet the Majors This week’s major: Communication Studies Every week, The Beacon will offer a chance for majors to be placed in the spotlight. Each student who is 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 Zach Paraway Senior Erin Kowalski Junior “My favorite class so far has been Advanced PR with Dr. Churcher. It was my favorite because the class allowed us to go out and find a nonprofit that we wanted to work with and help them with any PR needs throughout the semester. I was able to run social media and plan a fundraising event with Making Music Matter for Kids in Clarks Summit, and it was such an amazing opportunity and I learned so much from the experience.” “My favorite aspect has to be the hands-on experience. I am someone who has done a little in almost every co-curricular and I always enjoy gaining experience and learning from people that are going through the same path as me. I chose this major on a whim to be honest. When I first chose Wilkes I wanted to be an engineer. As I looked more into the school, I saw the comm department and how lively it was. I had to join and see how it was and the decision has been great.” The Beacon/Jordan Daniel Stephen Youkoski Sophomore “My favorite aspect of the major is the vast amount of opportunities it presents. The co-curriculars add a lot to my overall experience in the department. This upcoming year, I am looking forward to taking on new roles in my co-curriculars. I will be the sports director for WCLH and the assistant director for Zebra Communications.” Caroline Nolen Junior “This year I am mainly looking forward to my summer internship at WBRE where I will work as a television production intern. This will allow me to expand my skill set I have built thus far in communication studies. After I graduate I hope to join the film industry and help create the magic we see on the screen.” �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment End of Semester Sudoku ���������������������������������� ����������� �� Challenge your brain with some sudoku! How to play: Fill in the missing words. Each row should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each column should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each 2x2 quadrant should have 6 words, no repeats. Answer Key: Credit for these puzzles goes to: www.edu-games.org Compiled by Morgan Rich, Managing Editor 11 �Senior Sendoff Communication Studies & English Minor in Workplace Writing “After the kind words from (the editor-inchief at the time) and the other senior staff members I knew this is where I am meant to be.” I will always cherish my time at The Beacon fondly. Looking back at the timid and shy first-year student I was, I never thought I would be editor-in-chief of The Beacon for two years. When I showed up to the first meeting back when I had just started my college student life, I was welcomed to learn and grow my journalistic skills. Regardless of my position and where I bounced around and up the paper, it was the people around me—fellow staff, professors, friends and family—who grew my confidence and skills with their encouragement. Thank you to everyone who trained and taught me along the way—without you all, I would not be the person I am today. Writing and communication are two of the most important skills to learn, regardless of your major or future career path. Being a member of The Beacon has allowed me to not just enhance those skills, but I also had the opportunity to just be creative and open my horizons to so many potential fields! Whatever your interests are, I encourage you all to join The Beacon! The work pays off. I’ve been on The Beacon staff ever since I was a little first-year student and I’ve loved it ever since. I’ll never forget when the editor-in-chief at the time gave me a shout out at one of my first meetings about my Shakespeare on the River story. I was so nervous to cover this because it was an off-campus event, which typically did not get covered so it was especially rare for a first-year to do so. After the kind words from her and the other senior staff members I knew this is where I am meant to be. Then, as I became a section editor I tried to make my writers feel the way I felt in that moment four years ago. I wanted to encourage them and make them believe they’re talented enough to do anything. So with that being said, if you’re thinking of joining The Beacon don’t hesitate, just try it out and always have fun with it! �Senior Sendoff I have been on staff for three years now and I can not believe it has come to an end. The Beacon has become a very important part of my life. It has been something that I have been able to enjoy and pursue all of my creative abilities in. I have gotten to finetune my writing, editing, photography, graphic design and interviewing skills throughout the years with a great team around me. While there were bumps along the way, we always figured out a way to produce content for the Wilkes community. The sports section will always be dear to my heart as I put my all into it. I will very much so miss being the Sports Editor, but I can not wait to see where life takes me and how I can apply what I have learned at the Beacon in my future career. “The Beacon has been an important part of my undergraduate career...” I have been a part of The Beacon since freshman year when my wonderful e-Mentor, Sarah Matarella, encouraged all of her mentees to join. I started writing LA&E and I’ll never forget one of the first events I covered, a visiting poet, which encouraged me to pick up my second major, English, and get more involved on campus. The Beacon has been an important part of my undergraduate career, as it has helped me further develop an objective, journalistic tone, and has brought me out of my comfort zone (I used to be petrified to conduct interviews and ask attendees for quotes at events…). Furthermore, I’ve been surrounded by a lot of great people who have taught me everything I know about news (shoutout to Genny Frederick!) and I’m thankful this paper brought us together even for a short period of time. News has become a second part of me over the past two years and as sad as I am to let it go, I’m excited to see the ways it will continue to transform in years to come. Write for news! Centerspread design by Lara Mullen Digital Design and Media Arts Minors in Marketing and Studio Art “...I joined a group of amazing, creative people.” I have been a part of The Beacon since the beginning of last semester and even though it was short, I love that I joined a group of amazing, creative people. I was able to utilize my graphic design skills to help contribute to Wilkes University. Which developed my skill set more for my major while having fun with it at the same time. My favorite article was probably the Taylor Swift article because it was a very popular topic. I do not have a concrete “adult life plan” but I will either take a deserved break or apply for jobs in the area. The one thing I would say is get out of your comfort zone and try new things, this is the next chapter of your life, make the most of it. You might find your best friends and make the best memories while doing something you have an interest in. �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Opinion Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the assistant opinion editors: Sydney.Allabaugh@wilkes.edu or Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2022-23 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Emily Cherkauskas Managing Editor - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Maddy Kinard LA&E - Jordan Daniel Opinion - OPEN Sports - Baylee Guedes Assistant Editors News - Amanda Montgomery Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh Opinion - Zara Lantzman DESIGNERS Desiger - David Marks Designer - Maggie Murphy Designer - Lara Mullen Photographer - Laury Angeles Section Staff Writers Sports - Adam Grundt Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : 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: Kalen Churchert at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Spring is an underrated and beautiful season Springtime is one of the most beautiful times of the year and often underappreciated. There are many nice things to see and to do during this season, so here are some reasons as to why everyone should appreciate it more. First, spring marks the end of winter, when nature becomes alive again. As people begin to defrost from the frigid winter temperatures, birds are back to singing in the morning, tiny critters are roaming around in the grass and flowers are in full bloom. Although the spring brings about allergies for some people, it usually lasts a short while, especially if they take their allergy medications. However, “spring fever” is real and can last for the whole season. The best remedy for such a fever is to just relax and ride it out. Also, since spring allows for more sunny days in comparison to winter and its harsh conditions, feeling the sun on our faces not only feels good physically but has many health benefits. The sun helps people produce vitamin D in their bodies, improves sleep patterns and produces serotonin in the brain, which boosts people’s emotional well-being. Enjoy the sun, but never forget to wear sunscreen. During the spring season there is so much that people can get back to doing and specifically outside due to the warm weather. People can go for long walks, bike around their neighborhood, go for a picnic with friends or get back to tending their yards and gardens. Even though springtime is a time for rebirth in nature, people can do a little bit of rebirth and refreshing in their homes with some spring cleaning. This has become an annual ritual for some people in their households and typically involves cleaning out closets, donating unwanted items and cleaning and organizing the entire home. Most people always talk about how they cannot wait for the summer when they are bearing the brutal winter season, despite the fact that spring comes directly after winter. Thus, some argue that summer is superior to spring, whereas others argue spring is superior to summer. Spring can be seen as being a better season than the summer because of the big difference in temperatures between both seasons. While spring begins to warm up the outside, summer heats it up. Like the phrase goes “April showers bring May flowers.” Rain might occur frequently during springtime, allowing for more temperate days, whereas in the summer, it is blazing hot and constantly dry, making an average person break out in a sweat while doing simple tasks. Lastly, spring is so great because of an important day a majority of the world celebrates annually on April 22, which is Earth Day. According to National Geographic, “Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations.” Not only is this season a great reminder of how beautiful our planet is with all the trees, plants and flowers blossoming into full bloom and the animals returning to their normal activities post-hibernation, but it is also a reminder that all of us humans need to do our part in protecting what is left of our beautiful planet earth. Spring is a pretty season that only occurs for a short couple of months during the year. Therefore, we should not take it for granted and instead show this beautiful season more love than most of us do now. 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 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 26, 2023 Opinion Football, lacrosse, field hockey, and… Rocket League? 15 Thoughts on Wilkes’ upcoming esports team By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer ��������� ������ ������� �������� ��� �� ��� ��������������������� ������� ������������� ��������� ���� �� ������� ��� �� ���� ��� ��� ������� �� ������� ���� ��������������������������� ��������� ��� �� ��������� ������ � ����� ��� �������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� � ����������� ��� �������� �� �������� ����� � ��� ������� ���� ������� �� ��� ��� ������ �������� �� ��������� ��� �������� � ��� ��� ��� ��� �� ��� ��������� ������  ��� � ���­������� �� �� € ��� ������������������ ��������������� ������������� ����‚� ����� ������� �‚�����������ƒ ��� ���„��� ���� ��� �� ������� ������� ����������� ���� ��� � ��� ��� ����� ���� �� �������� � ��� ���������������������� ������ …���� � �� � �� ��� ����� ���� ����� �� �� �������� ��� ������ �� ��������� ������� ����� ������ � ����� �� ����� � ���� ����������������� �������� ��� �� � �� ���� �������� ���� �������� �� � ��� ������������� �� ����� ���� ����� � ����� ��� ��� �����‚�� ��� ������ �������������� ������� ������������ ���� ���� ��������� �������� �� ��� � � �� �������� ����� � ������� ���� ��� ������� �� �� ������ ��� � �� ��� ����� ������������ �� ������� ��� � ����� ����†������‡� �������� �� �� ‡� ��� ��� ‡������� ��� ����� � � � ���� ��� � �� ˆ���������� �� …������� � ���� ������� ��� �� ������ � ��� ��� � � �� �� ������  � ���� ������ �������� ����� � ��� � �� ������� �� ��� � ���� ���� �� ����� � ��� �� �� ��� � �� ���� � ������ �������� ����� ������ ����������������� ��� ����� ‰� �� ������� Š��������� � � � ‹� ��� �� ��� ��� ‹�� ­����� ����� � �� � ��� ��� �������� ��������� �� ��� � �� ������ ���� ��� � �� � ��� ��� ������ ��� ���� ��� �� � ���� ��� ��� ��� �� ��� �������� � �� ����� ����� �� ��� �������� �� �� ��� ������ ������ ��� �� ������� ��� ������ ��� ��� ���� ��� �� ��� �� „��� ���� Œ…������� ��� � …������Ž� ������ ��� � �� „�‰ ��� �� ������ ������� ���������� ��� � �� �������� �������� � ���� ��� ������ ��� �� ‘’� ��� � � ��… � ���������������ˆ��������� � ‡������ ��� ��� „���� � ���� ��� ������� � ���‚���� � �� �� ��� ��� ���� �� ����� �� � �� ������������������������������ ���������� �� �� …������ ���� � �� � �‚ ��������� �� ����� ����� � ���� ��� � ��� �� ���‚��� ���� ����� ����� ���������� ������������� ����� ‚ ���� ­�� � �� ����� ����� �� �� �� ��� � �� ����� ������� ����� �� ����� ���� � �� ����� �� € �� ƒ ��� ��� „��� � �� ����� ���� ������� ��������� ��� � � �� ��� ����� ��� � �� �������� �� � ���� ��� � ���� �� ��� ��� ���� ““���� ��� ���� �� ��� ������ � ��� �� �������� �������� ����� � ���� ����� ����������� ˆ���������� � ���� � ��� ����� ��� � ��� ���� ��� ������������� ���  ���� ��� � ��� �� ���� �������� ��� Photo Courtesy of Morgan Steiner � �������� ������ ����� ����� ������ � �� � ��� �� ������ ”��� ��� ��� Sophomore Ayden Clisham practices his Overwatch skills at the Evening � �������� ��� ����� ��������� with Esports Event. The end of the semester horrors: finals, papers and stress By Zara Lantzman Asst. Opinion Editor ��������� �������� ���� ���� € �� ���� ��� � �� �� ������� ���������� …��������� …�� ������ Š�� ���� ­ ������ ­������ ������� € �� ��� ���� ����� ���”����� € �� ��� ��� � ����� ��� � �� � ��� � �������� ����������������������������� ��� � �� �����‚��� ����� ���� ����������� � ������� ��� ��� ���� ����� � �� ����� ��� � ��� ��� ���� € ����������� �� ������ ������������� ��� ����� ��� ��������� ���� �������������� ����� ��� ����� ������ ��� �� ������� ��� �� ���������� � ������������ �������� ��� �������� � ���� ��� ��‚������ �� ���������� ��� �� � ���� ����� �������� ��� � ����� ��� � �� � ��� � ����� � ��� ��� ��� � � � � �� ��� ������ ������ ���� � ����� ��� ��� � �� ����� ����� ����� ���� ��� ���� �� ��� ��� ���� �������� ���� ����������� ���� �� �� ����� ������� ������ �� ����� �� �������������� ���� ��� ��� � �� ��������� �������� ��� ���� ����������� ������� € �� ����������� ����� ��� ����� � ������ � ��������������� ������� ��� ��������� � ���� �������€ ���������������� �� ����� � ����� ������ ���� ������� ����������� � �� ��� � �� ��� ��������� ����� ����� � ������ ��� ���� ���ˆ������� �� �� ���� ����������������� �� � ��� ���� �� ��� ����� ������� �� ������ ��� �� ��� ���� � ����� ��� ��� ��� ������ ‹•�� € �� ����������� � �� ���� �� ��� ��� ��� � � � � �� ��� ��� ���� ������� ��������� ��� ��� ���� „��� �� � �� � ���� � ���� � ��� ����� ��� � � �� ����� �� � �� ���� ��� � �� �� ������� ��� ����� ��� ����� �� ��� €�� ��� � ��� �� ���� � �� ���� ��� ���� �� ������ �� ������ ��� ��� ��� �� �� ��� �� ��������� �� ��� “���� ���� ����� ��� ���� �� ����������� ��� ����������� ��� � ��� ���� ������ �� ����� ����� ��� �� ������� � ��� �� ��� � �� �� ��� �� ����� �� ���������� ������ �� ”��� ���� ��� ������� � ����� �� ���� �� ��� ��� ”��� �� ���� Š���� ���� �� �� � ���������� � ���� �������� � ���  ������� �� ���� �������� ������� �� ����� � ���� ��� �� �� � ����� ��� � �� ��� ��� ��� ������������ ��� ����� € ��� � ��� �� � �� � �� ��� �� � ���� ���������� ��������� � �� ���� �� �� ��� ������ �� ����� ������� ������� ���� ��� � ������ ��� ��� ����� � ����� � �� ��� ������ ���� � �� � ����� �� ���� ‡�� �� � � ����� ��� � ��� ����� ����� ��� ���� ���� € �� � �� ��� � �� ����� ��� ���� �� �� �� ���� ‡������ ��� �� �� ���� ���� ���� � �� ����� � � � ��� ������ ����� ��� �������� ������� �� ���� „���� ����� ��� ��� ��� ��� ���� ��� � ��� � �� ����� �������� ��� ��� � ��� �� ����� ������ �� ��� ��� � ���� ��� ��� ��� � �� ������  ��� ��� ��� � ��� ��� ������� �� ��� ��� ����� � �� �� �� ���� ���� � �� � �� ��� ����� ��� ��� ��� ����� �� � �� ���� ��� � �� �� ������� � ���� ����� �� � � ������ ��� � ��  �� ����� �� � �� ���� ��� � �� �� ������� �� � ���� ��� ��� ��� ����� � ���� ����� � ��� ��� �� ����� € �� �� � ��� ��� ��������� � ����€����� ������������������� �� � ���� �������� ���� �� € ����� ������ ��������� ���� ��� ���� � ��� � �� ���� ��� � ���� �������� ���������������� ������ � ����”��� ������������� ��� € �� ���� ��� � �� �� ������ ��� �� ���� ��� ��� ��� ���� �� ��� ���� ���� ��� �� �� ��� �� ������ �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Opinion 16 Artifical intelligence in the music industry: Friend or foe? Exploring the implications of “Heart on My Sleeve” By Sydney Allabaugh Asst. Opinion Editor On first listen, the new viral song “Heart on My Sleeve” sounds like a collaboration between artists Drake and The Weeknd. However, artist Ghostwriter actually created the vocals with AI. Ghostwriter claims that he was a ghost writer for years but hardly made any profits under unfair labels. Using Drake’s voice allowed his writing and production to get the recognition he feels he deserves. When fans mistakenly believed the song was Drake’s, one may question how AI will impact the future of music. Although some feel AI poses a threat to artistry as we know it, I see AI as a tool to help artists rather than to replace them. I understand why some are worried. This song is similar enough to Drake’s authentic work to provoke the fear in artists and labels that they can be easily replaced and emulated. Some even speculated that Drake and The Weeknd created the song and used this narrative as an advertising stunt. This seems to not be the case, however. Within a few days of this song circulating the Internet and attracting millions of listeners, record label Universal Music Group has demanded the song be pulled from streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and even TikTok. Some speculate UMC will take legal action. In a statement to Fox News Digital, UMG said “Heart on My Sleeve” was “infringing content created with generative AI.” Some Drake fans, however, claim this song is overhyped and not comparable to his authentic music. Others argue that The Weeknd’s feature on this track is not as accurate sounding as compared to Drake’s. Still, however, this song’s ability to create enough fear and concern within UMC means it is imposing threats to and shaking up the industry. When this song had already been streamed more than 18 million times across Twitter and TikTok within 48 hours and 600,000 times on Spotify throughout the mere few days it was on the app, it became obvious that many fans of Drake’s music are more loyal to his sound than to him as an artist. Some listeners on TikTok are even claiming, “We don’t need celebrities anymore.” Although I initially felt nervous that this implies a future of human-less music, I believe that most are giving AI more credit than it necessarily deserves. Current AI is nothing without human input. In this circumstance, the only thing that makes this song an “AI song” is that AI was used to make the vocals sound like Drake and The Weeknd. Ghostwriter likely wrote, produced and recorded the track. For this reason, I feel that AI is a tool rather than a threat. AI cannot yet create original music and art with such precision in the way a human can. It can, however, make tedious tasks easier or elevate the piece in a way that is not possible without it. In animation, it can help automate the creative process. In writing, it can help authors develop story ideas. In traditional art, it can provide references and help with colorization. In music, it can allow artists to use instruments they may not know how to play, or in Ghostwriter’s case, use a voice that he does not have. Further, AI software allowed Ghostwriter to make an artistic statement about how the music industry has been unfair to him and so many other smaller, underpaid artists, and whether he intended this or not, he made a statement about how inauthentic and profit-driven the modern music industry has become. Ghostwriter was able to accurately create a song that sounds like it was created by one of the most popular artists in the industry simply by using a basic piano loop over 808s and throwing the lackluster vocals he recorded into an AI. The fact that this formula is so easy to replicate and reproduce suggests that perhaps AI is not the monster making music superficial, but rather, humans are the ones already doing so. Going forward, I think there is no denying that AI will become an integral part of the industry, no matter how much labels, consumers, or even artists try to reject it. According to Fox News Digital, UMC claims they are beginning to use AI to assist in music creation. Although I think a future of music creation using AI is inevitable and revolutionary, it is important to consider the ethics of AI use in music. I do not necessarily believe that an unknown artist like Ghostwriter ripping off an artist as rich and established as Drake is unethical. However, I do worry that AI can potentially allow for larger artists and labels to more easily rip off smaller less established artists. Further, I fear that AI will be used to continue to profit off dead musicians. Labels already profit from dead artists like XXXTentacion and Juice WRLD by releasing music from their vaults. With AI, they may potentially have unlimited content to post and unlimited money to make by exploiting their names and legacies. Although there are potential ethical issues using AI softwares to create music, I still believe it to be a positive tool rather than a threat. “Heart on My Sleeve” would be nothing without the human input and vision from Ghostwriter. Throughout the years, the music industry has learned to embrace new technology as it arises, which has allowed for innovative and unique music creation. AI will be no different. Eventually, we will learn to use it to our advantage. AI has already disrupted the industry and will Graphic by Sydney Allabaugh �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Opinion 17 Community college is important and life-changing By Lauren Gardner Contributing Writer Why people look negatively upon community college is something that I will never understand. Yes, school is essential, but it is also essential to understand that not everyone takes the same path in life and that each student’s academic career is different and does not always look the same. From personal experience, my journey was much different than everyone else’s. I started at Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) and it was by far, the best decision I ever made in my life. After I graduated high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I felt lost, alone and confused because a lot of my classmates and friends were off to big four-year universities, and I was admittedly embarrassed because I was enrolled at the local community college instead. I was reluctant to tell people where I went to school at first because I did not want them to think differently of me. I did not want people to think I wasn’t smart or capable of handling a traditional four-year university, but looking back now, I am very happy I enrolled at community college instead. I met so many new people from all walks of life and of all ages and made some amazing memories and lifelong friends along the way. In my English composition class, I befriended a girl named Niashia. We always shared laughs throughout the class and got along well with each other. For our class, we had to write about a personal experience that shaped who we are and some shared with the class. My friend shared hers. She wrote about how her best friend was murdered in high school and left a young daughter behind. I honestly cannot even recall what I wrote because I was so moved by how she wrote about her experience. From that point, I knew that not everyone had the same experiences in life, and that experience changed how I looked at others and made me gain empathy and understanding for everyone I met because you never know what is weighing on someone’s mind. After the first year at LCCC and changing my major, I found my calling: communications. Community college allowed me to choose so many different options, which were surprising to me because I was not aware that LCCC had so many different career options. This Assistant Opinion Editors: Sydney Allabaugh and Zara Lantzman led me to the Advanced Technology Center where communication, digital design, audio production and automotive technology classes were held. In my communication classes, the students all shared a sense of comradery, and the professors were all on a first name basis and taught me so many valuable life skills not just relating to communication. After graduating with my associate’s degree and transferred to Wilkes, it was extremely challenging. I wondered if I had made a mistake coming here as it was such a difficult adjustment to life here. The classes at Wilkes are high in quality but I will admit, the course load was much heavier than I expected. How did I go from knowing everyone at school to knowing no one? I again felt really isolated and confused. I was wondering if I made the wrong decision coming here. I will admit, I got lost on my first day and could not find the entrance to the library where my first class, principles of communications, was held. I was not assigned an e-mentor so I was (still) confused about how things exactly worked here. The communication studies classes were much more different than the ones that I was used to. I felt like my world was suddenly flipped over. But once I made friends and found my group of people, I really started to feel like myself again. In fact, I used the valuable life skills and advice my former professors gave to me. Once I began my communication classes here, I started to feel slightly less uncomfortable. I then learned that a lot of the classes I took at LCCC were ones that my friends still had to take. I even learned some things that were not a requirement for the communication studies curriculum here but I felt really personally improved my academic career. As my final semester comes to a close, I am proud to say that community college prepared me for Wilkes, and I would not be who I am today if I did not take the route and listened to everyone else who told me to go to a big university right out of high school. My advice to everyone is this: don’t listen to everyone else’s opinion with what you do because it may hinder unknown opportunities and potential memories. I am proud to say that I am a Luzerne County Community College graduate, and I cannot wait until I say that I am a proud Wilkes University graduate. �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 SUMMER 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. 18 THREE-WEEK PRESESSION May 22 to June 9 FULL SESSION May 22 to Aug. 18 FIRST SESSION June 12 to July 14 NINE-WEEK SESSION June 12 to Aug. 15 Make an appointment with your advisor and visit wilkes.edu/summer. SECOND SESSION July 17 to Aug. 18 Wilkes University is an equal opportunity institution. For information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit www.wilkes.edu/nondiscrimination. �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Sports Sports 19 Spring semester athletics regular-season coming to a close By Baylee Guedes Sports Editor The Spring 2023 athletics regularseason gameplay is ending this week. The Colonels will host two home matchups and have five away events: Baseball will host FDU-Florham for their senior day festivities at Bruggeworth Field in Edwardsville at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. The senior class consists of AJ Brosious, Aiden Velez, Max Alessi, Alexis Velez, Peyton Schuck, Jonathan Martens, Darren Kerdesky, Sawyer Kemp, Jason Spezzaferra and Jack Gordon. Tony Molitoris will be in his last regular season home game of his graduate student season. They will finish their season out on Saturday at FDU. Women's lacrosse will host King's College at Schmidt Stadium for senior day at 1 p.m. in Edwardsville on Saturday. The senior class includes Bianka Melendez, Devon Donley, Brooklyn Pedana and Abby Miller. Men's lacrosse will play at King's starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday. This game will be the final game of the season for the Colonels as their record did not grant them entrance into the post-season. Softball looks to pick up another set of wins heading into their last doubleheader of the season at Stevens University on Saturday. The Colonels’ post-season ranking and game times will be announced soon. Rounding out the spring semester, the women's golf will compete in the twoday MAC Golf Championships event on Saturday and Sunday. The Colonels will travel to the Golden Oaks Golf Club in Berks County in hopes to pick up some accolades. It was also announced that the women's tennis team clinched a MAC Freedom Women's Tennis Tournament berth. Be sure to check www.GoWilkesU.com for post-season game times and locations. Graphic/Baylee Guedes Graphic by Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Sports 20 MLB: Phillies dawdle following National League Pennant By Adam Grundt Sports Writer The Philadelphia Phillies have started their season with a record of 8-11 after coming off one of their greatest seasons in franchise history in 2022. The Phillies reached the World Series last season after beating the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres, giving them their first National League pennant since 2009. They were defeated in six games by the Houston Astros in the World Series. In the offseason, the Phillies made a few key additions to their team with splashes in free agency. They signed shortstop Trea Turner to an 11-year - $300 million contract. In addition to this major signing, the Phillies also signed pitchers Taijuan Walker and Craig Kimbrel to help boost their already stellar bullpen and rotation. The Phillies fell victim to a few injuries in the offseason and during Spring Training. Superstar outfielder, Bryce Harper, had Tommy John Surgery, which repaired the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. In addition to this massive blow, first baseman and fan-favorite, Rhys Hoskins, tore his ACL during a spring training game, an injury that requires season-ending surgery. In the last year of his current contract, he could potentially never suit up for the Phillies again. Harper, however, is hoping to speed up his recovery time by learning the position of first base, replacing Hoskins. The Phillies return the majority of their National League Championship-winning team from last year. Their rotation is anchored by Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler and their bullpen remains stellar because of players like Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez. Their infield remains young but promising with Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Turner and Darick Hall rounding it out. The outfield is where the power hitters on the team play: Kyle Schwarber, who led the National League in home runs last season is aligned with Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos, who are also capable of hitting the ball out of the yard. Phillies fans worldwide are very optimistic about this year’s team despite the rough start. Putting some elite-level players in an already scary lineup makes the Phillies a dangerous team in the National League East division. The team certainly has a chance to repeat as National League champions in 2023. Graphic/Baylee Guedes Philadelphia Phillies Road to the World Series The Beacon is looking for sports writers for the Fall 2023 semester If you are interested in sports writing, editing, photography or graphics contact Dr. Kalen Churcher at kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu Multiple positions are open! �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Sports 21 NHL: Hughes brothers careers are intertwined once again By Julia Mazur Contributing writer The Hughes brothers are one of the latest recognizable and talented sets of brothers in the National Hockey League (NHL). The brothers, Quinn, Jack and Luke, each have a generational amount of talent. The Hughes grew up constantly playing against one another, pushing each other to be the best they could be. The brothers played for the National Team Development Program (NTDP) as Under 17 and Under 18 players at different times. Each Hughes brother also played in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Under 17 and Under 18 World Junior Championships. Quinn was drafted to the NHL in 2018 as the 7th overall pick, Jack followed in his brother’s footsteps as he was drafted in 2019, but as the 1st overall pick. Finally, in 2021, Luke was drafted 4th overall. Quinn was drafted to the Vancouver Canucks while both Jack and Luke were drafted to the New Jersey Devils in their respective draft years. After being drafted, Quinn went on to play at Michigan University for the NCAA D1 Wolverines. As the first overall pick, Jack skipped college and went straight to the show. Luke, however, decided to take the same approach as Quinn and play college hockey at Michigan. In Jack’s NHL debut (2019), he finally scored his first NHL goal in the Devil’s eighth game of the season. The goal came on the power-play in the first period and was the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win. Coincidentally, the game was played against the Canucks, the first game in which Jack and older brother Quinn would play against each other at the National level. With the Michigan season coming to an end at the Frozen 4 in Tampa Bay, the youngest Hughes brother set out to join his brother Jack in New Jersey. Devils fans had been on the edge of their seats since Luke was drafted in anticipation of the day the two brothers would be reunited. Luke made his NHL debut in the Devils’ last regular-season home game 6-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres. In the same game, Jack broke the Devils franchise record for most points scored in a season with 99 points in 82 regularseason games. The Devils played their last regularseason game against the Washington Capitals. The game was a close battle and went into overtime tied 4-4. In overtime, Jack and Luke ended up out on the same shift which led to magic straight out of a movie. In just his second NHL game, Luke scored the season finale game-winning overtime goal which just happened to get an assist from his older brother Jack. With that win, the Devils also set a franchise record of 52 wins, the most they have ever had in a season. The Hughes have all had their careers intertwined throughout their entire lives which has brought them all to the biggest stage you can play hockey in. With Luke just starting his career, it is an exciting time to be a hockey fan and have the privilege to watch the Hughes brothers in the NHL. Fans of the Hughes brothers eagerly await the 2023-24 season schedule to find out when all three brothers will play in the same NHL game together. There is no doubt each of these players will be record breakers in their respective careers, wherever it may take them. Graphic/Baylee Guedes IIHF: USA Wins the World Women’s Hockey Championship By Julia Mazur Contributing writer The 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World Hockey Championship (WWHC) was won by Team United States of America 6-3 over Team Canada. The tournament was held this year at the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada with gameplay beginning on April 5 and concluding on April 23 with the gold medal championship game. Team USA reigned victorious in the tournament this year, yet again led by team captain Hillary Knight, who was named as the gold medal game MVP. Knight scored three goals in the victory over team Canada with her 100th point as the go-ahead goal. Her second and third goals of the game were scored less than 30 seconds apart from each other. Knight was also the first player in Women’s Worlds History to have 100 points, an achievement sure to help break glass ceilings for younger up-and-coming players. The Championship game was certainly nothing less than exciting. It was anyone’s game with a 3-3 tie going into the third period. Team USA was able to come out with a vengeance in the third period, scoring three goals to break the tie early on in the third. Team USA only had one loss in this tournament which was an overtime loss, ironically to Team Canada in the preliminary round. Team Canada won gold in the past two tournaments in both 2021 and 2022. Team USA had won the previous tournament in 2019. The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the global COVID pandemic. To put in perspective just how much Team USA has dominated this tournament throughout the years, the team has made it to the gold medal final every year the tournament was held, a total of 22 gold medal games. They have won a gold medal 10 total times including this year. Team Canada has also placed in a medal position at all 22 of the IIHF WWHC tournaments that have been held and have faced Team USA in the gold medal game in every tournament, with the exception of 2019. One of the biggest statistics to look at from Team USA is their all-time record of 98 wins, eight losses in overtime, 10 total losses, and two tie games in a total of 118 games. Team USA has also outscored their opponents 761-175 all-time. Team USA has been an unbelievable force to be reckoned with through the existence of the tournament thanks to the unbelievable talent of women’s hockey that the USA has. This team proves to many young girls that anything is possible and there is a bright future for women in hockey. Graphic/Baylee Guedes �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Sports 22 �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 Sports 23 �The Beacon - April 26, 2023 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 April 26 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/2bb4aa1aa97766e0d047d390f3eb68b5.pdf 74b8a8d8339c9d65f3e2a5748fb04912 PDF Text Text The Beacon - September 13, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 76, Issue 2 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Former Wilkes professor arraigned on felony charges, including criminal attempt-unlawful contact with minor By Amanda Montgomery A former Wilkes-University psychology professor was arraigned earlier this month on multiple felony charges, including criminal attempt – unlawful contact with minor, according to arrest papers. Edward John Schicatano, 59, of Plains Township, was involved in a sex sting on Aug. 7, by Musa Harris. Harris calls himself the Luzerne County Predator Catcher. Harris posted video to social media of his alleged confrontation with Schicatano. According to the criminal complaint: Harris posed online as a 15-year-old girl and received a message from “Lora Smith.” Smith was ultimately identified as Schicatano. Schicatano asked for the girl’s age and was told “almost 16 years old.” He then replied, “I’m sorry. Too young”. The online conversation continued, and police say that Schicatano sent the girl a photo of two men engaged in a sexual act. He also repeatedly expressed concern over the girl’s age and whether the FBI was involved. He eventually wanted to meet the girl. Police said Harris provided them with video of his alleged confrontation, and they were able to identify the man in the video as Schicatano. Wilkes University President Greg Cant issued an email on Aug. 21 about “very serious accusations … against a longtime member” of the university’s faculty. Cant did not specifically name Schicatano. According to the email, the university was made aware of the allegations on Aug. 19, and initiated its review process. As of Aug. 21, “the faculty member in question (was) no longer employed by the university, an outcome achieved in accordance with the steps outlined in the Faculty Handbook.” Contacted this week, Cant’s office would not discuss the matter further, stating it does not comment on personnel decisions. A representative from Cant’s office did confirm that Schicatano is not currently employed by the university. Dr. Paul Riggs, dean of arts and sciences, also declined to comment. “He was the best professor I ever had...,” said a student who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “It feels like something was taken away from me.” According to Beacon files, Schicatano received his Bachelor’s Degree from Bloomsburg University, his PhD from Wake Forest University, and did postdoctoral research at SUNY Stony Brook in the field of neurobiology. In a 2015 profile, Schicatano told The Beacon that he decided to pursue a teaching career at Wilkes because of the benefits of teaching in a small, personable community. Schicatano said that if he were to teach on a large and more populated campus, he would not have the same rapport with students. Schicatano is charged with criminal attempt - unlawful contact with minor - obscene and other sexual materials Cupboards, Closets and Care: On-campus resources, page 5 An inside look into the Conservatory at Wilkes University, page 9 Exploring the disheartening decline of local newspapers, page 16 News Editor Beacon file photo and performances; criminal attempt - dissemination of explicit sexual material to a minor; and criminal use of a communication facility, according to arrest papers. He was arraigned by District Justice James Haggerty and released on $50,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Sept. 20 with Luzerne County Central Court. Marts Center gymnasium gets a new look over summer break, page 19 �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Amanda Montgomery: Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 6 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Aug. 30 marked the first student government meeting for the 2023-2024 school year. They opened with a student government fund of $71,528.74. The first piece of business for the school year was from William LePore, who provided an update for the alumni festivities of homecoming weekend. Activities have been planned for each day, starting Sept. 29, with the welcoming table and flashback event. The event is to welcome the alumni back to campus. Other events planned for the weekend include giveaways, a tent during Saturday’s football game and a Saturday “fun day”. The African Cultural Association sought reactivation as a club. The presentation was given by junior business major, Kobina Otoo. The Wilkes African Cultural Association was established in 2017, but had disbanded due to COVID. The club mission is to promote African culture in an enjoyable and entertaining manner. They continued to explain what ideas and events they would present as a club with ideas such as African takeover day, bake sales and more ideas to promote the education of African culture to the public. This would be week one of two and will be back next week to receive an official vote The third and final order of new business was a new club recognition. The Chess Club has been operating for a year now on its own but would like to be fully recognized as a student club. The club plans to use the money received for a new chess set and to help fundraising efforts. They also e x p l a i n e d community service ideas including teaching high school students the game, holding tournaments and participating in school events such as Big Event. The last piece of business was internal and was an update to the constitution for members of SG. Updated items include new service hours, a change in academic requirements and a change in the chain of command in case of an absence. SG will meet again on Sept. 13. internship fair on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fair is open to all students interested in working in the business, engineering and technology fields. Over 30 companies have already registered with more anticipated to come. Register to attend on Handshake. Contact Carol Bosack for more information or questions at carol. bosack@wilkes.edu. be submitted, along with the applicant’s name, WIN and contact information to Allison Naumann, Alumni House. Applications can be emailed to allison. naumann@wilkes.edu with the subject line “Polish Heritage Scholarships.” Deadline for applications is Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m. Leadership Collegiate Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Family Day 2023 Family Day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16. To find the schedule of events and to register visit https://www.wilkes. edu/familyday. Online registration will close until Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 12 p.m. If you have any questions or would like to register by phone/email, please call (570) 408-4645 or email familyday@ wilkes.edu. College of Business and Engineering Career and Internship Fair The College of Business and Engineering is hosting a career and Scholarship Opportunity for Students of Polish Descent The Polish Room Committee Scholarship ($3,000 top award) welcomes applications from Luzerne County residents. To be considered, applicants must write a brief description of their Polish heritage and what that heritage means to them. This letter must This six-week, virtual course consists of online modules that provide current college students who are aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience. Participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 22. Use this link to apply: https://www.leadershiplackawanna. com/leadership-collegiate-1. Upcoming Events: 2023 Fall Semester September 14 - Minute to Win it 21 - Cooking Class 24 - Paintball at Skirmish 28 - Programming Board giveaway October 5 - Hoedown Throwdown 8 - Statue of Liberty Boat Tour NYC 12-15 - Fall Break 19 - Couch Potato 23-27 - Freak Week 28 - Dorney Haunted Park---�������������������������������� ���������� ������ ����� ������������ ������ ��� �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News 3 Eugene S. Farley Library unveils its renovated Alden Learning Commons & Commuter Lounge By Amanda Montgomery News Editor The Eugene S. Farley Library received renovations to its Alden Learning Commons, also referred to as the lower level, 24/7 floor. The extensive makeover to the Learning Commons includes new carpeting, furniture, paintwork and computer facilities. Additional rennovations include news tables and chairs to the student study rooms on the lower level, 24/7 floor, an increase in space with new tables in the study cubbies on the 24/7 floor and an update in all computers within the library. The library administration thanked Student Government and the campus Facilities for their pivotal role in this renovation. In addition to the enhancements, the university also introduced the newly established Commuter Lounge on the lower level floor. The lounge had previously been on the second floor of the Student Union Building (SUB). The space offers a convenient space for commuter students to study and relax. Commuter students can swipe their student ID to access the space. The library encourages all members of the campus community to take advantage of the recent developments, which were designed to foster an enriched learning environment and sense of belonging. The library is open from 8 a.m. to midnight from Monday through Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. On weekends, the library is open on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, from 3 to 11 p.m. The library’s basement is accessible after hours from the South Street WIN card entrance and from the main entrance during regular library open hours. More photos, Page 4 (above) The Eugene S. Farley Library welcomes students to the newly rennovated basement. Photos: The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery (above) The tables and chairs in the private computer cubby sections have been upgraded to provide greater comfort in the Alden Learning Commons. (at right) Students can request up to two hours in the renovated private study rooms; sign up at the front desk. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News 4 ...continued from Page 3 The commuter lounge has relocated from the second floor of the Sub to the basement of the library. Students can swipe their student ID to gain access. The couches in the study cubbies were upgraded, along with the addition of new tables and an increase in space. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News 5 Cupboards, closets and care: On-campus resources By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer There are some on-campus resources that virtually everyone knows about. For example, most students know that Passan Hall houses the counseling and health centers. However, there are plenty of resources on campus that even seniors may not know about. Two of these resources are tucked away in the back of the Career Center and are known as the Colonel Closet and the Colonel Cupboard. Catie Becker, the director of civic engagement, explains that the Colonel Cupboard is “...an on-campus food pantry that offers grocery items, refrigerated and frozen items and grab and go snacks.” The food comes from the CEO Food Bank in Pittston. The produce pop ups that appear several times a semester in the Student Union Building (SUB) concourse are supplied and hosted by the Colonel Cupboard. Ada Soriano, a P1 pharmacy student and Bonner Leader, explained, “the produce pop-up is a Bonner Leader project hosted by the Colonel's Cupboard…Bonner Leaders assist in handing out the produce.” Located near the Cupboard is the Colonel Closet. The director of career services, Carol Bosack, explained that “the Colonel Career Closet provides business casual and business professional clothes that students may take and keep, as needed, for interviews, career fairs or dressing business casual for an internship or job.” Students can find blazers, slacks, button-ups and anything they might need for a job interview or their first internship. “It allows students to get groceries for free and not have to worry about when they can have another meal or whether or not they can go to this interview because of their clothing,” said Edweana Alexis, junior political science and communication studies major. The cupboard and the closet provide a bridge and lessen the stress on a student that is struggling.” Students' academic performance may be hindered when they are preoccupied with concerns about their next meal. Based on a 2021 survey, it is projected that food insecurity will impact one out of every three college students in Pennsylvania during their undergraduate studies. The ability to buy new, businessprofessional attire is not financially feasible for all students. For those lacking transportation options, visiting the Salvation Army or a thrift store can be unattainable. The convenience of having these essentials readily available outside the SUB is a notable advantage. “I have utilized both services," said Soriano. "Although many people know about the produce pop-up, many do not know that there is an option at the cupboard to order online and have your food order dropped off at the post office. It is very convenient when you do not have the time to stop by and look for what you need in person." Students do not have to meet any requirements to utilize these services. They are free and available for all students, regardless of financial aid status or meal plans. “Many students are full-time college students, and full-time college students do not have a job,” said Alexis.“With them not having a job comes the aspect of money and groceries are expensive. I believe things like the Cupboard or the Closet are important because groceries are expensive and college kids do not have a lot of money to purchase $200 or $300 worth of groceries every two weeks.” The Colonel Cupboard and Closet are housed in the Career Center, outside the Henry Student Center. Students can enter through the main doors and walk to the back, or enter through the door located along the sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot. Both are on the first floor, so there are no accessibility concerns. All students need is their student ID and a bag to carry their food. “My school offered something small like this, primarily for dry goods and snacks," said Becker. "The treats once in a while were nice but it would have been awesome to have something more reliable, especially for those times between paychecks." There is a Google form students fill out to order their groceries from the Cupboard. The Colonel Closet is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and the Colonel Cupboard is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Produce popups will be held regularly throughout the semester, on Sept. 13, Oct. 18 and Nov. 29 during club hours in the first floor of the SUB. TOP: The Colonel's Closet ofers a wide variety of business and business-casual items, including suits, shoes, and even jewelry. The inside of the Colonel's Cupboard, where each drawer and shelf are filled and labeled with free food and supplies. Photos Courtesy of Morgan Steiner �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 6 �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Zara.lantzman@wilkes.edu “The One Rose:” Sordoni Art Gallery’s Latest Exhibit By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor “The One Rose: The Life and Legacy of Rose O’Neill” is the latest edition to the Sordoni Art Gallery, functioning as a celebration of the work created by the multi-talented illustrator and writer, Rose O’Neill. While famously the creator of the iconic kewpie characters, which would become so popular they would grow a life of their own, O’Neill had a much broader array of work, stylings and messages. During the celebration of the Sordoni Art Gallery’s 50th anniversary, the latest exhibit seeks to show off O’Neill’s iconic art, but also display her diverse and more unknown body of work. Hailing from Wilkes-Barre, O’Neill was born in the summer of 1874 and had an interest in various forms of art from early childhood. She began creating illustrations for various newspapers and magazines in her teens, then moved to New York to expand her professional career. In New York she joined a publication titled “Truth,” it is there that she created the first comic strip to be published by a woman. “She could do things that at the time women could not,” said senior digital design and media Arts major Erika Tomes. “She carved her own path in a world made by and for men. Even in the modern world it’s incredible to think about how she was able to do that. The idea of breaking through that barrier, doing what you think you could not do.” O’Neill was an avid proponent of fighting inequality and advocating for women’s rights, becoming a key figure in breaking women into the art scene. She actively promoted the artwork of other women, often worked with women, notably her The Beacon/Anthony Cazun An example of O’Neill’s kewpies currently on display at the Sordoni Art Gallery. sister Callista O’Neill, and often weaved women’s suffrage and discrimination messages into her work. Once she garnered more popularity and prestige, she began to work more independently. In 1909, O’Neill would debut her newest and most well known creation, “The Kewpie.” Kewpies are almost angel-like illustrations of rosy-cheeked children that became very popular in the early 1900’s, appearing in comic strips, posters and most famously, as dolls. The name “Kewpie” is derived from Cupid, the Roman god of love and desire. Kewpie’s are genderless and share a similar physiology to common interpretations of the Roman god. O’Neill famously claimed that the design for kewpie’s came to her in a dream. O’Neill explained that the main idea of “The Kewpies” is to be cute beings from Kewpieville that do good deeds in a silly way. “I think they’re adorable little creatures,” said McKenna Dolan, senior digital design and media arts major. “They bring so much light and smiles to our visitors’ faces. They always get a kick out of them.” The gallery displays many of O’Neill’s Kewpie illustrations, as well as the iconic dolls and merchandise that accompany them. However that does not mean the gallery is lacking her other work, as the gallery aims to also present the true versatility of O’Neill’s talent. “She’s most well known for her Kewpies but her work is so much more complex and deeper,” said Melissa Carestia, assistant director at the Sordoni Art Gallery. “She was a multifaceted person and you can see that in her work. Especially her sweet monsters work, which deserve much more praise than they get. The way that she sculpts with her line, you can see that she really models the figure and it has so much weight to it. She was working on it at the same time as the kewpies and it’s so deep and complex by comparison.” While O’Neill’s is highly regarded for her illustrations, her work as an author is also very important to understanding her as a person. Her novel “The Loves of Edwy” and the illustrations that accompany it are on display as well. O’Neill’s novel is more dramatic and almost semi-biographical, as she wrote several of the characters to have many of her own qualities and experiences. “I really love her later work that’s more androgynous and is a complete 180 from “The Kewpies,” it just shows how prolific of an artist she was and how much range she had throughout her career,” said Dolan. Not only is O’Neill a prominent figure in Pennsylvania’s art history, but also emblematic of a shift in women’s rights and the rights of marginalized communities within both the artistic medium and the world at large. While her kewpies have taken on a life of their own, they would be nothing without the tenacity of their creator. “I think it is interesting any time the art surpasses or outlives the artists,” said Carestia. “There are people in all kinds of subcultures getting kewpie tattoos, making unique little kewpie dolls. I think that’s the importance of art, how much it touches humanity. Of course something that is adorable and goofy is gonna resonate with people long after they disappear.” “The One Rose: The Life and Legacy of Rose O’Neill” exhibit in the Sordoni Art Gallery will be on display until Oct. 8. The Sordoni Art gallery will also be hosting various other events such as the Cartooning Workshop with Kevin O’Neill event and the “Whether We are Rich or Poor, We Can Love Each Other The Same” Art in Context Lecture. The gallery’s doors are open 10 a.m to 5 p.m Tuesday through Friday and noon through 5 p.m on Saturdays. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Studio 20 By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor a B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! Our very own Zara Lantzman has put togetheraSpotifyplaylistwhereyoucan scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff weekly picks! ps Be As Wilkes University’s annual club day came and went, many clubs were vying for the attention of students both new and old. However, there was one club that may have stood out to those that seek an outlet for their artistic side. Studio 20 is a student run production club that particularly focuses on design, collaboration and provides real life experience to students of every major and skill level. Studio 20’s focus is primarily digital. The club seeks to provide graphics, logos, layouts, social media advertising and more to various clients, clubs and events. The club focuses on expanding student’s portfolios and gives students all kinds of experience in the realm of design and the more diplomatic aspect of it. “Studio 20 is a student-run production club that does creative work for both on and off-campus clients at no charge,” said assistant professor of digital design and media art, Lisa Reynolds. “In recent years, student teams have completed branding projects for area businesses and nonprofits, photo shoots, website designs and social media content. “It is for people who appreciate and celebrate design in any medium.” The studio has a strong focus on collaboration, both internally and externally. Internally, Studio 20 designers may help each other with a task or ask each other for pointers, opinions, edits, a different perspective and more. “Even if someone is not experienced enough to work on a design job, there are a ton of roles associated with the club that students can work on as they grow their skill set,” said Reynolds. Externally, collaborations also come in the form of working with ad agencies, marketing departments, galleries and other clubs or event organizers. A group may be seeking out a graphic or poster for an upcoming event they are aiming to promote, and they will work closely with designers to make that idea come to life. There is especially a lot of crossover between clubs within the digital design and media arts umbrella, meaning those with interest in working on projects for something video game related or even some light photography will be encouraged to create. “There is game design, so esports just started this year and I know that we plan on doing collabs with them,” said Kyra Britzky, digital design and media arts junior and Studio 20 historian. “It would be great to get both of our names out there by working with them and growing together.” Studio 20 encourages those of all ability levels to join, no matter how experienced or inexperienced with programs or specific techniques they may be. All it takes is some interest and the willingness to learn. Art and design is not fixed, there is always something new to explore, and an ability to sharpen. Designers want to learn, teach and create. “A lot of people think they need to be in the digital design and media arts Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: I think you should - Jess Fellerman Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: major or have big art skills, but no, we have opened it to everyone,” said Studio 20 president and senior digital design and media arts major Maggie McHenry. “We will teach you how to use the programs and different techniques, so anyone is welcome to join.” Studio 20 welcomes students of every major. Students that are not specifically within the digital design and media arts major will expand the accessibility and allow for various types of perspectives and talents. “The club used to be solely DDMA majors, but I feel like opening up the club to people interested in it that aren’t majoring would be a good opportunity to have new people,” said Britzky. “We are doing the workshops, too, which would make new people want to come in more.” Studio 20 meets twice a week in Breiseth 020. Tuesday’s are primarily for members working on design projects, while Thursday’s are for all club members. Graphic/Lara Mullen Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: NO HEY LEY- Kali Uches “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Cool About It - boygenius Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Carnage- prodby668 Brando - Lucy Dacus Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: Dial Drunk - Noah Kahan, Post Malone Come Back...Be Here - Taylor Swift Lara Mullen, Designer: Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: Lessen The Damage - Poppy Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Lovers Rock - TV Girl Kimdracula - Deftones Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Rollercoaster - Bleachers �The Beacon – Septme 13, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 An Inside Look into the Conservatory at Wilkes University By Cally Williams Life, Arts and Entertainment Staff The Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts at Wilkes works to nourish and encourage performing arts of all kinds. The Conservatory is one of the programs located in the Darte. The Conservatory consists of the Degnan Ballet Center, Indian Classical Dance, and instrumental and vocal music lessons. Music instruction includes private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, violin, viola, flute, percussion, trombone, tuba, harp, french horn, clarinet and music theory. The Degnan Ballet Center focuses on classical ballet, with its main focus being technique. There are seven levels of ballet classes varying in difficulty along with a pre-ballet class for younger aspiring dancers. In addition to ballet, Indian classical dance is another facet of the Conservatory. It is taught by Sujata Nair Mulloth and has been a part of the Conservatory for 20 years. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced classes offered in the fall and spring sessions. At its founding, the Conservatory was more focused on music and musical theater rather than dance. Now, the Conservatory provides instruction in music, classical Indian dance and classical ballet, but still has the common goal of sharing the joy of performing arts with the community. The Conservatory was established in 1988 by Jean Anastasia and Jim Harrington, while the Degnan Ballet Center was founded in 1983 by Kristin Degnan-Boonin and her late husband Peter Degnan. DegnanBoonin and Degnan established university classes for Wilkes students,and the ballet center was later added to the Conservatory. “It belongs here,” said Degnan-Boonin. “It felt right for the Degnan Ballet Center to be a part of the Wilkes University Conservatory,” as she and her husband had already started the university’s dance program. She quoted renowned choreographer George Balanchine, “First a school,” when explaining why she wanted her ballet center to be a part of the university. She wanted it to be a part of the nurturing learning environment of the university. Degnan-Boonin has been a part of the Conservatory and the Degnan Ballet Center since its inception. When talking about the Conservatory, she referred to it as “The jewel of the valley.” “It is an environment where artists of all different genres come together and collaborate. It makes us truly unique.” She also explained how the Conservatory presents ballet in its authentic form. The art is passed down through generations, from one teacher to another, so the technique and choreography that current students are learning is the same as what dancers from hundreds of years ago studied. “It is the one place in the valley where you can find it all. Seeing other performing artists, even just passing by in the hall, is truly inspiring,” said Degnan-Boonin. “It keeps the creative juices flowing.” The Conservatory puts on several performances a year. These performances include an annual performance of “The Nutcracker” in December, a ballet recital in June, an Indian classical show in May and music recitals in the spring and fall. “The Nutcracker” is an annual festive staple of the Conservatory. While many studios perform abridged versions of the famous Tchaicovsky ballet, the Conservatory at Wilkes performs the full length “Nutcracker.” Auditions for this year’s production of “The Nutcracker” will take place on Sept. 24th in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Along with the “Nutcracker” on Dec. 16 and 17, the Conservatory also performs a full length ballet in June. In the summer of 2023, they staged a ballet version of the famous fairytale, “Cinderella.” The Conservatory also hosts a summer dance intensive that is open to dancers from all over the area. This intensive program is open to any serious dancer age 11 and up. It lasts for two weeks in July and offers classes in ballet technique, jazz, yoga/pilates, pointe and pre-pointe, classical variations and modern dance. The Conservatory is a proud aspect of Wilkes University. “It is the feather in the university’s cap,” stated Conservatory coordinator Lauren Gentilesco. The Conservatory serves not only the university but the whole Wyoming Valley community. By sharing the gift of performing arts with students, the Conservatory is From left, Sarah Polansky, Amelia Smicherko and Morgan Rich perform as Spanish princess in the June ballet, continuing to grow the ballet tradition. As Degnan-Boonin stated before, dance is passed down through generations. “It is evolutionary.” “We give students as professional a setting as possible,” stated ballet instructor Karla Kovatch. “The fact that students are prepared enough to get accepted into prestigious schools is a huge accomplishment.” This September marks the 40th anniversary of the Degnan Ballet Center. The university commemorates the profound impact that the Conservatory has had on its students and the whole Wilkes community. Degnan-Boonin added, “There are many fine schools, but this one is a true gem.” From left, Morgan Rich, Amanda Merrick-Tompkins and Amelia Smicherko pose for a picture backstage as princesses in the June ballet, “Cinderella.” Photos: The Beacon/Morgan Rich �The Beacon – Septme 13, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Writers Guild of American West stands up for its rights By Jean Bonn Contributing Writer On May 1, the Writers Guild of American West, or the WGA, tweeted that their board of directors, along with the council of the Writers Guild of America East, voted unanimously to call a strike beginning May 2 at 12:01 a.m. The strike came after contract negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, or the AMPTP, went nowhere. Most of the WGA’s complaints stem from issues regarding streaming series and films. Production companies have hired less writers with even less time to write scripts, and compensation for streaming series and shows are not standardized. On top of this, the increase in artificial intelligence has the potential to decrease jobs for writers, since production companies can use the technology to write scripts as opposed to hiring writers. The WGA wanted these complaints to be corrected, but the AMPTP said that they could not fulfill their requests. In July, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, often referred to as SAGAFTRA, joined the WGA and went on strike for better pay and job security. “I think it is really sad that thousands of creative and hardworking people have to fight for months just to negotiate for fair payment and treatment,” said Emma Klusmeyer, a sophomore environmental science major. “The studios are earning billions on the writers’ work and they are not getting much in return.” According to their website, the Writers Guild of America West is a labor union for writers located in the western United States. The writers in their union are responsible for the scripts and production of a variety of content fans across the country view on a daily basis. Television shows, documentaries, animation, films and even videogames. Their primary function is to ensure that the writers in the guild are provided with fair working conditions by production companies. Some of their standards for such conditions include proper pension, health benefits and basic compensation for their work. The SAG-AFTRA also strives to ensure fair working rights for artists, however they also represent those who are in front of the camera or behind the microphone such as dancers, dj’s, singers, actors and puppeteers. Although it may seem like the strikes will only impact those in Hollywood, they have already had large impacts on programming schedules in a variety of channels. Most channels and streamers have had content saved, but viewers will most likely begin to see the strikes’ impacts as we get closer to fall. Late night shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live have already been placed on hiatus. Most channels have started filling their schedules with reality television shows and reruns. Shows that are currently in production have had their release dates delayed by at least two months. Movies, on the other hand, have at least a year until the impacts become noticeable to audiences. “Even though it is disappointing that many shows are being delayed, I do think it is for a good cause,” said Madi Hudak, a sophomore environmental science major. “Many people that write and act in shows and movies make little to no profit from having their shows on streaming services like on Netflix, and that is unfair.” The most impacted people during this strike are not the fans of television and film. Rather, they are the guild members who are currently out of work in order to make their point to production companies. As expected with any strike, the WGA has a long list of forbidden activities for their members. Some notable items on the list include writing, editing, and film festival promotion. It should be noted that writers can technically still write scripts, just not sell them or develop them further. This means that over 11,500 writers are currently out of a job and source of income. However, California bill SB799 would potentially provide unemployment benefits to workers who have been striking for more than two weeks. “I support the writers strike and believe it is a necessary step to ensure a better future for all writers,” said Casey McNally, a sophomore pharmacy major. Celebrities have been vigilant to promote the strike of social media, garnering the support of fans like Casey. Photos and videos of celebrities, such as Olivia Wilde, Darren Criss, and Elliot Page protesting have gone viral, increasing the public’s awareness of the strike. Seeing their favorite actors and actresses on the picket line has also reminded audiences that the content they consume on television and streaming platforms was created in part by writers, providing some encouragement to support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. However, not all celebrities are fully in support of the strikes. In fact, many have been called out online for posting that they support the strike yet continuing to work on projects. Some have even candidly said that they were against the strikes as a whole. Bill Maher in particular has said that he feels that writers are not owed a living while on the “Club Random” podcast. A letter of opposition has also circulated the internet regarding the SAG-AFTRA’s strike in particular. The letter was signed by George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and more than 130 other Hollywood actors and actresses. There is no indication that the strike will end anytime soon, since the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are still negotiating with the AMPTP. The last time that the WGA had a strike was 15 years ago, which lasted 100 days. However, today’s strikers have made one thing clear: they would not be stopping until their demands have been met. Graphic/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Zany Day Trips with Zara: Jim Thorpe By Zara Lantzman Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor When you think of Wilkes University, do you ever stop to think about what fun things there are to do around the area. Consider Jim Thorpe, a place and a person. Now we obviously cannot go see Jim Thorpe, the person, as he died in March 1953. What you can see, however, is a quaint, active and beautiful town that shares his name. Jim Thorpe is located in Carbon County, Pa. It is a 43 minute drive from Wilkes-Barre. Forty-three minutes and you can enjoy a whole day of fun. If you are a spiritual person, then Jim Thorpe is right for you. In the middle of the town, there is a store called, The Emporium of Curious Goods. They have all kinds of metaphysical and religious things, along with a lot of Wiccan items. For all you “Harry Potter” fans, Muggle’s Mug is not your normal coffee shop. When you walk in you are greeted by the “Harry Potter” movies playing and decorations from the series everywhere. Even better, all their food and drink items are Harry Potter-related. A piece of advice: Wait more than 30 minutes if you are going to get their tea, as I learned the hard way. For fans of the wild waters, there is whitewater rafting along the Lehigh River and I highly recommend it. It was my first time rafting and it definitely was not my last. There are all kinds of different tour groups that take you on the river. Regardless of what group or company you pick, it is a whirl of fun. Directly next to the river is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. This train ride lasts 77 minutes and starts right by the parking lot in Jim Thorpe. Tickets are $24 for adults and $10 for children. The train follows the Lehigh River, and goes over bridges into Glen Onoko and Lehigh Gorge State Park. On the route, you can see wildlife, mountain scenery and high-rise cliffs. Packer Mansion. The house was previously owned by Asa Packer, and in 1956, it was opened to the public. Packer was the owner of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and founded Lehigh University. History buffs, this is for you. Jim Thorpe was previously called Mauch Chunk, and there is the Mauch Chunk Museum that Across the railway is an old jail, previously known as Carbon County Jail, and active from 1870-1995. The jail holds tours where you can see everything from the warden’s headquarters to solitary confinement. There is rich history at this jail as many people were hanged. There is also a rumor that you can see a handprint on the wall to this day during from one of the hangings. On top of all of that, in the fall, the jail holds ghost tours at night. If you are a fan of looking at mansions on Zillow, then you will love this next option. On the edge of town sits one of the most beautiful homes to see: Asa contains the history of Jim Thorpe/ Mauch Chunk. It even contains history about Jim Thorpe the person and what makes him legendary. After learning all about the history of Jim Thorpe, head on down to the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum. Operating as the world’s longest running coal mine from 1855-1972, tourists can explore the cave and even go in a mine car to learn what it was like to work underground. The Harry Packer Mansion is a must see if you are a big fan of The Walt Disney World Resort. The mansion is directly next to the Asa Packer Mansion, as Harry was his son. Tourists are not allowed in for tours but they can book rooms, as it is now a bed and breakfast. It is still worth seeing the outside architecture, as the popular ride, The Haunted Mansion, at Walt Disney World Resort is based off of the Harry Packer Mansion. For people of age, Jim Thorpe is home to many wineries. Big Creek Vineyard and Wild Elder Wine and Co are only some of the wineries in the area. Wild Elder Wine and Co. is directly across the street from Muggle’s Mug on Broadway Street. The winery makes ciders, wines and even non-alcoholic beverages. They make all their wine with elderberries, hence the name. On top of all of that, they have wine tasting and even sell charcuterie boards and sandwiches. Jim Thorpe is home to many gift shops and has unique gifts that you cannot find elsewhere. After your adrenaline pumped day, there are many food places to pick from that make you wanting more, especially the desserts. Jim Thorpe is the perfect place to visit in the fall and I highly recommend it and would give this day trip a rating of 9/10. Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Center 12 By Emma Broda News Staff Writer During the time of the year, when classes get more and more intense, something that gets overlooked is self-care. It can become easy to fall into a habit of spending too much time on jobs and schoolwork, and students may overlook their own well-being. On Sept. 7, Programming Board offered a night for students to focus on themselves with a selfcare night. Students gathered in the Henry Student Center to enjoy different self-care themed activities and food. The event was a hit with students being drawn to the promise of a stress relieving night. Abby Malin, first-year psychology major, shared that the event seemed like a fun night to unwind and spend time with her friends. The night of relaxation included a yoga session, painting succulent plant pots, friendship bracelet making, do-it-yourself body scrubs and a raffle for a massage gift card. Making Body Scrubs Page Design By Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Center 13 “My goal this year is to take more time for myself, and this seemed like the perfect thing,” said Molly Blaskiewicz, a junior marketing major. In addition to the self-care activities, Programming Board also provided students with charcuterie boards and mocktails adorned with tiny umbrellas. Students were also able to enjoy the snacks provided and the skincare headbands that were given to them. Zoë Morley, a sophomore biology major, said, “I think the body scrubs were a cool idea.” Yoga Session For students who try to prioritize self-care, school can be exhausting and attending events like selfcare night is a perfect way to alleviate stress. Some students found that although they regularly take time to themselves, events with a focus on self-care can still be beneficial. Logan Colonna, a sophomore marketing major, said that he considers self-care a way to better himself, and personally enjoyed the mocktails, specifically the strawberry daiquiris. The night ended with students going home with the crafts they made, a multitude of skincare products and more so that they could be relaxed to continue on with the semester. Event Photo Plant Pot Painting �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Opinion Editorial Staff 2023-24 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Amanda Montgomery LA&E - Zara Lantzman Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Anthony Cazun Sports - Adam Grundt DESIGNERS Designer - Lara Mullen Section Staff Writers News - Emma Broda LA&E - Cally Williams Opinion - “Freeze” Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or morgan.rich@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 or Morgan Rich at morgan.rich@ wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact opinion editor: Sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu. Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Stop making remakes of original movies Has the movie industry fallen into the ravenous hands of Hollywood’s moneyhungry directors and producers? Movie remakes within Hollywood have seemingly turned the corner from being possible blockbusters to falling into a black hole of unoriginality. The United States’ film industry has been incredibly successful and has thrived rapidly since the 1900s. However, with theaters being filled with remakes, reboots, and sequels, are we beginning to see the industry’s downfall and lack of creativity? According to tjToday, movies depend on a new evolution of ideas, and techniques, however, when the same ideas are utilized over and over again, it can cause this change to stand still. When directors and producers remake and reboot different past stories, the outcome will generally be a more generic counterpart and will rarely bring anything new to the table. A huge problem with movie remakes is that the directors attempt to recreate the same emotions and feelings that the original creator had in mind and created within their audience. The truth of the matter is that a remake will never be able to evoke the same emotions and feelings the audience felt the first time around. This is particularly true when it comes to recreations of classic movies, especially when the original creator of the movie may no longer be alive to collaborate on the remake. Casumo, a betting website, conducted a study with the search engine optimization firm Verve Search in which they standardized IMDb and Metacritic stores to compare different ratings and profits of recent movie remakes. The results ended up being not-so-great for remakes with 91 percent scoring lower with audiences than the originals. The Washington Post also pointed out during this study that only 21 percent of these movies were more profitable. Most of the time, there is no point in remaking movies because of the fact that some originals were not made all that long ago. For example, The Walt Disney Company released their animated hit film, “Moana,” in 2016 and has already announced that they are in the process of producing a live-action remake of the film. A bad remake or reboot of a movie can have a negative lasting legacy, as well. If a movie is remade unsuccessfully or lacks creativity, this can cause a negative view of the original film and affect how people view the original. However, if people hate these remakes so much, why on earth is Hollywood still producing them at an outstanding rate? According to Vice, remakes of movies still pay off even if they do not beat the original because “there is profit and pleasure to be had in the familiar.” Nostalgia might make people believe that the original is better, however, that is the factor that makes them see the remake anyway. Nostalgia is what drives the views. It feels as if Hollywood is creating these remakes and reboots to earn a quick buck instead of paying attention to its audience and creating a quality film. It feels as if the original films they created are being exploited for money instead of being recreated for enjoyment. The Internet Movie Database states that Hollywood consistently investing in these remakes, reboots and sequels will eventually lead to their decline. If remakes of movies do not stop, these films will destroy Hollywood’s creativity and creative processes, which will lead to the film industry’s eventual downfall. 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: morgan.rich@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 13, 2023 Opinion 15 The reason you need to The Return of The Red play single-player games Raven: An original story By “Freeze” Opinion Staff Writer Do you feel that video games are not for you? Or maybe you play them, but you do not find them interesting? Or worse, you have enjoyed games in the past, and you cannot put down the controller despite it being boring? Not to worry, this is a common phenomenon known as “Gamer’s Block” and it plagues society by the thousands everyday. However, it is not a disease that is incurable. In fact, the solution to this problem is simple. Most players enjoy gaming with their friends and that is usually how it starts. A player will enjoy a game enough to play on their own, but soon they face major drawbacks which are caused by queuing into a game’s online player base. This is an atmosphere that is cruel and destructive towards gamers because it involves unfiltered internet toxicity and imbalance in skill between players. There are players who spend their entire lives playing a single game, such as “League of Legends” and “CS:GO,” and the large skill disparity between players ruins the experience. These issues are the tip of the iceberg. The fact is, playing a competitive game inperson is usually a much healthier experience than playing online. For example, “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” is greatly enhanced when you can be face-to-face with your opponent on the same console without relying on the quality of your connection. The real problem with your block is that you are playing the wrong type of game in the first place. Competitive and online-based games are causing the troubles. People no longer enjoy playing because other people are better than they are at “Street Fighter” and do not give them a chance to show off the new combo that they learned or to test out a new skin or gun that they unlocked in “Valorant.” Therefore, the solution to the problem is to drop these games altogether. “What? How can I drop every game I play? What do I play then?” Exactly. Try picking up a game that features a story mode or campaign for single players. You will soon learn the value in gaming is to appreciate the game and not hate on the players. Not only are single-player games very engaging, but players can rely on learning and skill rather than the amount of time they spend playing the game. These types of games allow players the flexibility to be creative and play how they want. One of the most revolutionary singleplayer games in the modern day is “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” which has created a very wholesome community of highly skilled, artistic players and allowed them to unleash their creativity in an open-world setting with unique mechanics for building and fighting. Players in fan bases such as “Tears of the Kingdom” get together to celebrate a common game that they all enjoy, rather than destroying each other’s ego with unnecessary disrespect. Of course, the single-player genre includes games for everyone. FromSoftware is a famous company known for featuring its highly strategic form of combat in games such as “Elden Ring” and “Sekiro.” These games also include boss fights that allow players to test out various strategies and become skilled with patterns and techniques. Some players prefer to be the boss themselves, such as in “Doom,” the actionpacked shooter where the main character is a demon-slaughtering machine. There are also loads of Indie titles that all feature intriguing stories and mechanics. My personal favorites are “Hollow Knight,” “Castle Crashers,” “N++” and “Superliminal.” The lesson here is that single-player games, despite what gamers might try to convince you, are much more diverse, immersive and simply playable. The effort that goes into these games is much greater than the cookie cutter competitive games. Nobody can judge or insult you for how you play, and instead of spending a fortune on peripherals, you can direct those funds to buying more high-quality video games. Most importantly, these games offer the spark of creativity and enjoyment that you, a bored, helpless player, are probably looking for. By Leah Smith Contributing Writer Murder! Mystery! Action! Justice! Those were the four words that lived in Rick Greenblatt’s head even after 37 years of hearing them blared out onto television screens around the world. Those were the days where he thought he was above it all. Once, a wild young actor who starred in the biggest superhero mystery show of the 80s. Now, an old department store cashier. “Does this lamp work with my coupon?” a man with a blond receding hairline asked. Rick grabbed the coupon from the man’s pale hand and held it up closely to his face. He adjusted his glasses and read the coupon carefully. It was a 20 percent off home decor and appliance coupon. “Yes, sir. It works,” Rick answered in a bored voice. “Can you apply that to my order?” the customer asked. Rick grumbled, “Yeah.” He scanned the lamp and cereal boxes that were laid out on the checkout counter. The man took out his card and swiped to pay the $32.64 that flashed on the small blue screen. The man grabbed his bag and shouted, “Have a nice day, sir!” Rick rolled his eyes and weakly waved at him. He rested one fist against his face and snagged his phone from his jean pocket with the other. He noticed that he had five minutes left of his nine hour shift. His eyes lit up and nearly tripped as he was exiting the checkout area. He grabbed his car keys from his pocket and started going through the clock-out process on his phone. He pressed the red clock button to clock out of his shift and walked swiftly to the parking lot. He drove off in his black Subaru Impreza and arrived at his small brown house that resided 15 minutes away from his job. He turned off the ignition, walked out of the car and opened the front door. Cameron, his husband, stood right in front of Rick which caught him off guard. “Jeez! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” Rick yelled. Cameron folded his arms and frowned, “You didn’t see the message I sent you?” Rick turned his phone on and did not even notice that Cameron sent him a message two hours ago. Cameron shook his head in disbelief as he walked past the entrance and into the kitchen. “I was swamped at work,” Rick said as he passed a giant poster of himself in a red hat, mask and cape. “I understand that, but what about on your break? You couldn’t say anything about one of your old friends passing away?” Cameron asked. “Honestly, me and Teddy weren’t really that close. He was kind of annoying on set and acted like a brat,” Rick stated. “I guess he got it from you,” Cameron said without thinking. Rick stared at him blankly, “What?” “All you ever care about is your time as ‘The Red Raven’ and how great it was to be the leading man, but news flash, that show has been over for decades! You’re a more than 50-year-old man who works a dull day job and is a part of the people. I thought that you were going to change.” “That you would wake up in reality and realize that maybe being a part of the people can be a good thing. But now I see that you never left the spotlight,” Cameron explained. He began walking out the front door but Rick chased after him. “Where are you going?” Rick asked, helplessly, gripping onto his arm. “I just need some time in reality, Rick. Something that you should do more often,” Cameron answered. Rick let go of Cameron, and the door slammed right in his face. Tears began rolling down his face as he stood at the door, hoping he would come back. Five minutes later, Rick retreated to the living room and grabbed the newspaper from his couch. The headline was in red and said, “Murder! Mystery! Action! Justice? Teddy Flowers, TV star, dies horrifically!” Those words began to haunt Rick’s mind once again as his eyes glossed through the story. He stopped in the middle of the description. Teddy was bludgeoned with a wooden square block with the letter “A” painted on it. This was how a character died in “The Red Raven.” Could it just be a coincidence? To be continued... �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Opinion 16 Exploring the disheartening decline of local newspapers Why small newspapers cannot be replaced By Sydney Allabaugh Opinion Editor The days of newspapers as we have known them may be limited as more and more people ditch print and rely on digital platforms for news. Although television news and social media are useful, they cannot fill the void local newspapers are starting to leave behind. Newspapers have been struggling to compete with digital and TV news for quite some time. According to a Pew Research Center survey, only 5 percent of Americans prefer to get their news from newspapers compared to the 52 percent who prefer digital platforms and the 35 percent who prefer TV news. One reason for this is that digital news sources may be more convenient and cost-effective as many online publications and social media sources offer free articles, whereas newspapers charge a subscription fee for print copies. People are less willing to pay for a service they can find elsewhere more conveniently and for free. Since bigger audiences are more interested in getting their news from digital platforms and TV, advertisers are more interested in purchasing online and TV ads instead of newspaper advertisements. Newspapers are losing both advertising and subscription revenue, causing a decline in the newspaper industry. This decline in revenue has led to small local newspapers cutting staff, consolidating or shutting down entirely. According to Pew Research Center, employment in local newspapers has dramatically declined from 74,410 employees in 2006 to 30,820 in 2020. Just in the past three years, 360 newspapers have shut down in the United States, most of which were small dailies. Other small independent papers within a certain region are being bought out by large media companies and merged into a regional paper. When local newspapers are closing and consolidating and the number of newspaper employees is dwindling, we miss out on the unique, localized coverage local newspapers have provided throughout the years. When local newspapers were in their prime, they were able to provide the local community a service through investigative journalism on a small scale. Years ago, there were enough journalists to act as watchdogs and cover all local government meetings to ensure that corruption was exposed. Now with limited staff covering vast areas, many are forced to pick and choose which meetings they can attend, which leads to constituents remaining less informed about the integrity of their politicians. L o c a l i n v e s t i g a t i v e journalists were also given the time and opportunity to investigate suspicious cases and bring the truth to the light. In some cases, journalists brought down criminals before police could. Within our community, former Citizens’ Voice reporter, Carol Crane, continued to investigate the murder of Robert Curley when law enforcement seemed to give up on the case and assisted in finding the killer who was his wife, Joann Curley. Former PatriotNews reporter Sara Ganim also broke the story involving Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse of young boys. Another investigative journalist, Julie K. Brown, assisted in creating major developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case by exposing secret plea deals and platforming accusers in daily paper the Miami Herald. “A lot of other local journalists aren’t given the luxury of the time I had with this, even though they are the last line of defense against corruption, against taxpayer money being wasted,” Brown said in an interview with The New York Times. “This has helped the public see we’re not the enemy of the people.” As Brown mentioned, having an opportunity to investigate and create meaningful pieces on politicians, criminals and issues that matter is something many journalists do not have anymore. A future in which a small number of remaining professional journalists only have time to cover a select few major stories increases the possibility that corruption and wrongdoings may never be brought to light. Investigative journalism, like Brown mentioned, aids in creating a trusting relationship between the media and the people. Rebuilding these relationships is much needed currently as roughly twothirds of Americans have little to no trust or confidence in newspapers, TV and radio, according to a Gallup poll. Besides investigative work and watchdog journalism, local newspapers also provide important information about small towns and the residents that live within them. In small town dailies, it’s common to see articles about the high school sports teams, obituaries of local residents and stories about local businesses. If newspapers continue to lay off staff, close their doors and consolidate into regional papers, we will see small town residents less and less to make room for the major stories within the region. This prevents us from remaining informed of and connected with the fellow people within our community. Although some may argue that this type of content can easily be replicated online, I would argue that in-depth coverage of these local topics is unique to newspaper journalists. TV and online news commonly do not go into the same amount of depth as newspapers and cover regional or even statewide and national stories instead of local ones. Luckily, we have yet to see local news disappear in our community. WilkesBarre is one of the last small cities with two independent newspapers: The Times Leader and The Citizens’ Voice. Recently, however, The Citizens’ Voice, along with other papers within our region including The Times-Tribune, the Republican Herald and The StandardSpeaker, have been purchased by one of the largest media groups in the country MediaNews Group, according to WVIA. Since this purchase is still recent, we do not know how new ownership will change news coverage within our local community, but hopefully, our local papers will still be able to produce localized content. As time goes on, it will be interesting to see the fate of small town newspapers. Trends show that they will continue to close their doors and dwindle in staff numbers, making them limited in what they can cover. This is a shame as local newspapers offer unique services, whether it be local coverage or investigative journalism, that ensure our local communities remain informed. Graphic/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Opinion 17 Why “The Eras Tour: Concert Film” is the moment By Samara Carey Contributing Writer Anybody who is anybody knows how huge and in-the-moment Taylor Swift is right now. Even if you are not a fan of her, I can almost guarantee that you can name at least a dozen songs, whether they were released in 2006 more in the present day. This summer, Swift took North America by storm with her debut of “The Eras Tour,” a three-hour-long concert that uniquely displays each of her 10 albums and plays her biggest hits from each era. That said, it is no surprise that many Gen Z and millennials took this idea and ran with it. It blew up so much that tickets sold out even prior to the general sale being announced. As a result of this, tickets became impossible to get and scammers and resellers were in full swing to make a quick buck off a “Swiftie” who was desperate to see their favorite singer live in concert. To make light of a very disheartening situation, Swifties across the country decided to take matters into their own hands and make various activities to help those who were not able to get tickets. One fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, decided to make their own version of fantasy football and called it Swiftball. Swiftball was used during each show in which fans would try to predict Swift’s outfits, her surprise songs, special guests and different mishaps that would happen during each night. Another tradition that started this summer were the nightly live streamsproduced by fans inside the stadium for those watching from the outside. Lastly, fans who were not able to purchase tickets for their hometown shows started an event labeled “Taylorgating,” a spin on tailgating, in which they would trade friendship bracelets, buy tour merch and listen to the concert outside the stadium despite not being able to fully experience the actual show. As the North American leg of the tour ends, Swift recently announced an “Eras Tour” movie, in which fans can watch a recording of the full show, in an AMC theater of their choice. Swift has always released live recordings of each of her tours, except for “The Red Tour” due to it having a problematic director, but this has proven to be different than others. In years past, Swift’s tour documentaries have been released on either iTunes or Apple Music to later be released on YouTube after a few months thus far, I would like to share that I have been known as “The Taylor Swift Girl,” since my early adolescence. I have seen Taylor twice on her past tours, and I have participated in every activity listed above, as I fell victim to becoming one of the people who were unfortunate enough to not see Swift on her recent tour. I have adored Taylor for years and will always defend her and her of it being released. The last tour, “The Reputation Stadium Tour,” was released on Netflix and it can be watched if you have a subscription. Many will argue that this is simply a cash grab by Swift and her management to help promote the latest re-recording of her fifth studio album, “1989.” I would like to disagree and comment on the fact that this is definitely one of the smartest moves that she could have made now. Before I continue, if you are wondering why I feel qualified enough to discuss Taylor Swift and her career Graphic/Sydney Allabaugh business decisions. Especially now, as I better understand the ins and outs of marketing and why her team has her doing the promotions she has been doing. One thing about Swift that you absolutely cannot argue with me about is how calculated she is. She has been in the music industry since she was 16-years-old and has been criticized since the first time she stepped on stage. One example of this is when she almost got her career completely ripped from her hands by Kayne West and Kim Kardashian back in 2016. Due to claims Swift lied about West’s character, she was viewed as a “snake” and was forced to go into hiding for three years. After the Kayne West fiasco, Swift has stated multiple times that she felt like her career was over and that she feared no one would pay attention to her in a few years, so she was holding onto her career as close as possible. That was until the pandemic hit and Swift released her eighth studio album, “folklore.” After this release, Swift’s career blew up faster than we were able to blink. Her songs, old and new, were trending on TikTok, and everyone became obsessed with loving Taylor Swift. What Swift did next was quite possibly the best move she would ever make in her career. In 2021, Swift started rerecording and releasing her first six albums. Of course, she had no choice in doing so since she had her masters stolen from her, but this fortunately brought a new and fresh crowd to her music. Since she had her own versions of her album, people were patiently waiting to see her next move, especially since she had announced her tenth studio album, “Midnights.” Hence, her announcement of her long-awaited Eras Tour. Since the hype around it was so heavily anticipated, Swift’s career was at an alltime high, even after she predicted her slow decline in the music industry. So, Swift did what any reasonable business person would do, and held on to every ounce of fame she was receiving. This was proven true after “The Eras Tour” movie was announced and box offices had the highest number of sales they have seen since “Spiderman, No Way Home.” This proves that Taylor Swift’s fame will forever be growing, and she will forever be in the music industry and has subsequently changed it for the better. “The Eras Tour” movie comes out on Oct. 13, and thousands of people have already bought their tickets a month in advance. I will be there. Will I see you? �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Opinion 18 The rise and fall of streaming services The frustrating ways streaming has changed media consumption started to produce their own shows, many of which went on to be critically Contributing Writer praised. Other services, such as Hulu We live in an age of constant media and Amazon Prime Video, tried to consumption. compete with the giant, but they were According to a recent Nielsen report, only able to gain a fraction of the same Americans spend over 11 hours, or success. nearly half of their day, interacting with They were not failures, however. digital media. This includes everything Both still provided services that their from television, movies, games, books, competitor did not have, such as nextpodcasts and music. More often than day streaming of new episodes, leading not, these pieces of entertainment are to many subscribing to all three. enjoyed through Streaming services s t r e a m i n g continued to be a services. convenience for "If you wanted to get the basic I am sure it is general audiences hard for a lot of plan for all of them (Disney until 2020, which us to imagine is the year I believe Plus, Max, Paramount Plus, a time before they started to do Peacock, AMC Plus and Apple streaming. Being more harm than able to watch our TV), you would have to pay $61 good. favorite shows As we all know, a month or $732 a year." and movies at the 2020 was a rough click of a button year for pretty is not really much everything, something we stop and think about. especially the entertainment industry. Nowadays, it is just a natural part of The pandemic shut down much of what everyday life. kept Hollywood going; theaters were However, this was not always the case. closed, TV and film sets were shut down Before the turn of the millennium, and productions were suddenly halted. it took quite a bit of effort to do what This caused large profit losses for many we now see as a simple task, such as studios. watching a specific episode of a show. The same cannot be said for Instead of being able to search for it streaming, though. I was actually at on your phone, you really had to hunt an all-time high during this period. it down, whether that was by looking Studio executives took note of this, and through a TV guide and catching it as a shared idea appeared in their minds. a rerun or renting a physical tape from This was the start of the streaming wars. a video store. Instead of producing anything new, Unless you knew exactly where to they instead found a way to sell older look, you were in for a journey. products. Disney Plus, Max, Paramount When Netflix first released their Plus, Peacock, AMC Plus and Apple online service in 2007, it came as no TV were just some of the services born surprise that they were able to quickly from this idea. build up a large subscriber base. For Now, let us get the first problem out only $6.99 a month, subscribers gained of the way. access to what seemed like an infinite I just listed six streaming services. amount of content, no quest required. If we add on the ones I named earlier, Over the next few years, Netflix grew we now have a total of nine. That is far into an entertainment juggernaut. too many. If you wanted to get the basic Not only did their streaming library plan for all of them, you would have to continue to expand, but they even pay $61 a month or $732 a year. By Shawn Carey Now if we do the premium plans for able to watch the movie an ungodly all of them, that would be $117 a month, amount of times all thanks to Netflix, which is an astonishing $1,404 a year. so picture my surprise when I found out If we add on the average cost of basic the movie was going to be leaving the cable, which is an additional $132, the platform and there were no plans for it bill is going to be $239 a month. While to appear anywhere else. This destroyed it is not necessary to own every available me. This forced me to pick up a blu-ray streaming service, this highlights just how quickly the cost of all of them can of the movie, which I complained about at first but quickly discovered it was for add up. Also, at this point, owning multiple the best. I now own the movie forever is kind of needed if you want a diverse and I do not have to worry about it library of content. Instead of everything disappearing one day. Not every piece of media has the being on Netflix, it is now spread all luxury of getting a physical release, over the place. Let us say you wanted to watch the however. As of recently, many streaming newest Marvel Cinematic Universe or streaming original content projects movie, you have to go to Disney Plus. funded by their respective platforms Do you not have Disney Plus? That is have been getting deleted. This happened recently with the okay, you can just watch the newest "South Park" special instead; you have shows “Willow,” “Black Beauty” and “Y: been really meaning to check that The Last Man” all being removed from out anyway. You go to Max, the self- Disney Plus due to them being labeled proclaimed home of the series, and you as tax write offs. These three shows never got a physical release meaning do not see it. Confused as ever, you do a quick it is now impossible to support them Google search to see what the problem legally. I can only imagine how the people is, only to discover that there is nothing wrong. The special is just on Paramount who worked on these projects feel, seeing something Plus, a service they worked so you do not own. hard on being You once again erased without a have to go on an "The lack of respect for the second thought. adventure just to creatives that work for these The lack of respect find an episode. for the creatives Now you might media giants is sickening to that work for say to yourself, "It see." these media giants still beats having is sickening to see. to get a physical So what does copy." I strongly the future of disagree with this streaming look notion because at this point, it may be better to just own like? It is honestly hard to say. It is not going away anytime soon, but I do not one. Shows and movies are constantly think it will ever reach the same level bouncing around from one place to of public approval that it once held. another. This is mainly due to copyright It still serves its original purpose as a simple way of letting people enjoy their issues and exclusive deals. As annoying as this is, it does get favorite pieces of media, it is just not as worse. For the longest time my favorite easy or convenient as it once was. Watching a simple show should not movie, “Spider-man: Enter the Spiderverse” was available on Netflix. I was be this hard. �Sports The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Asst. Editor: Adam.grundt@wilkes.edu Marts Center gymnasium gets a new look over break By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Wilkes Athletics had a busy summer, and the results are easy to see in the Arnaud C. Marts Center. Since the end of the 2022-2023 school year, Wilkes joined a new conference, leaving the Middle Atlantic Conference after almost 70 years. It joined the Landmark Conference for all sports except men's and women’s ice hockey. It also updated two of its main athletic facilities on campus. Both Schmidt Stadium and the Henry Gymnasium received new renovations. Schmidt received new turf while the gymnasium had a complete renovation. The Henry Gymnasium was named after Frank Henry, who is also the namesake for the student union building just a block away from the gym. The building had not been changed since its construction and the new update has been appreciated. It included a new floor which has the university's' updated logo and the new conference affiliation on it. Also changed was the lighting system, now supporting LEDs for a much brighter and fuller room. The last things updated were the scoreboard and bleachers. The scoreboard now sports a fully electronic look and the bleachers have been updated from wood to full on retractable plastic with metal rails. The renovations total nearly $1.2 million. The mens and womens volleyball team, basketball teams and the wrestling team are among the sports that play in the renovated space.. Photos Courtesty of Liz Keller TOP: The Henry Gymnasium is named after Frank Henry, who is also the namesake for the Student Union Building on campus BOTTOM: New bleachers have been installed as part of the gymnasium's complete renovation. The Wilkes 'W' sits at center-court of the newly-renovated gymnasium. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Sports 20 NFL: New and old faces to keep and eye on this season By Adam Grundt Asst. Sports. Editor As many viewers see the start of the National Football League season as the unofficial start of the fall, there are many exciting storylines to keep an eye on as the season gets underway. The defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the season against the Detroit Lions to start Thursday Night Football on Sept.7. The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to repeat last season that ended in a Super Bowl appearance led by quarterback, Jalen Hurts. After signing a large contract in the offseason, Hurts is one of the favorites to win the league’s most valuable player award. They opened their season against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 10. Eagles’ defensive back, Brandon Graham, reflected on last year’s successes “We could almost taste it,” said Graham. “It was right there. I’ll never forget this team. We worked our butt off. We will be back”. With the departure of former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the National Football Conference (NFC) North is the division to watch this season. Many believe the Minnesota Vikings will have an easy path to the division title. However, the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears are on the come-up, and will certainly give a challenge to the Vikings when competing for the division crown. Bears quarterback Justin Fields, is poised to have a break-out season after the team had the worst record in the NFL last season, and offseason acquisitions, such as D.J. Moore and Yannick Ngakoue, give the Bears a true shot at competing for the division crown. Because of this, the Bears were challenged right out of the gate when they opened their season at home against their biggest rival, the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 10. Chicago Bears general manager, Ryan Poles, commented on the expectations of their star quarterback. “Just continue to improve,” Poles said. “(We) want those sack numbers to come down, interceptions to come down, make good reads, protect himself, just see him take that next step.” Another division to keep an eye on will be the NFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to appear in the playoffs while being led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, while two new franchise faces are looking to make an impression on the league in their first seasons with their teams. C.J. Stroud is looking to take the reigns as the leader of the offense for the Houston Texans, while Anthony Richardson is looking to do the same in Indianapolis with the Colts. The first Sunday Night Football game on Sept. 10, was a heated NFC East division rivalry matchup between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. Giants quarterback, Daniel Jones, is looking to jump into the category of elite quarterbacks in the league this season while Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott, looks to have a fully healthy season in 2023, which has been a struggle for him throughout his career. “I don’t desire to be the number one offense in the league, I want to be the number one team in the league with the number of wins and the championship,” said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy when asked about the team’s expectations for the upcoming season. “If we have to give up some production and take care of the ball better to get that, then that’s what we’ll do.” Monday Night Football kicked off on Sept. 11 when the Buffalo Bills took on the New York Jets in a clash of two superstar quarterbacks. Future hall-of-fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked to make a memorable first impression in his inaugural game with his new team after an already storied career with the Green Bay Packers. Bills quarterback Josh Allen looked to lead his team to a more promising season in 2023, as their season ended last year with a loss in the NFC Divisional round against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 2023 season, as always, will be filled with excitement with many storylines to be built off as the year progresses. Many new faces in the league, as well as some familiar ones, will be worth keeping an eye on throughout the year. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Sports 21 Fall Sports: The start of the volleyball and soccer season By Samantha Mullen Contributing Writer With Fall sports already underway, many student athletes are excited about how their seasons will go. This year the university is gearing up for a new journey in the Landmark Conference. The shift to a different conference has brought fresh energy into the athletic department with teams facing new competition when it comes to conference play. Having some new competition has many athletes and coaches excited to see what this first year in the conference has to offer. Men’s soccer is off with a 1-2 start but Coach Michael Piranian is excited to compete in the Landmark this season. Coach Piranian hopes the team will “come in with the right mindset and determination to prove [they] are going to be a tough program to compete with on a yearly basis.” The team's upcoming game this week is home against Rutgers-Camden at 1 p.m. on Sept. 16. Women’s Volleyball is already off with a great start of wins against Keystone College and Penn State Hazleton. Coach Joseph Czopek feels very confident in his players this year and stated that the team “is preparing hard in practice to be competitive in the new conference.” Additionally, many of the teams within the Landmark Conference have gone into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament so the competition will be very strong. Coach Czopek also expressed how the team will be doing overnight stays which the team has not done since before the pandemic. To end the week, the team will travel to New Jersey on Sept. 17 to play Penn State Harrisburg, 2 p.m. and RutgersCamden, 4 p.m. Entering a new conference can be a bit nerve racking for many of the athletes. Luckily, there is still some familiarity before conference play starts as many of the teams will be playing teams from within the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom conference such as Delaware Valley College, Misericordia University and King's College. Graphic/Morgan Rich The Beacon is looking for sports writers for the Fall 2023 semester If you are interested in sports writing, editing, photography or graphics contact Adam Grundt at adam.grundt@wilkes.edu �The Beacon September 13, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Xavier Guerreiro Junior Soccer Center Midfield The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Guerreiro was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after his perfomance during the soccer team’s season opener at Penn State Berks. Gurreiro scored two crucial goals on Sept. 1 to help lead the Colonels over Penn State Berks 6-0 Major: Computer science Hometown: Newtown, Pa. High School: Council Rock North High School What has been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? My favorite sports memory from my time as a Colonel was beating Lycoming 4-1 at home my firstyear. It was one of the most exciting games of my whole career. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? My favorite professional sports team is Manchester United. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? My favorite thing to do outside of sports is hang out with my friends or be in nature. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? My favorite part of being an athelete here at Wilkes is having a brotherhood with my teammates. The Beacon/Jess Fellerman Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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 sports movie is your go-to for movie night? My go-to sports movie is “Remember The Titans.” If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? I would have wanted to play basketball. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? My favorite sports memory is winning Nationals with my club team, Princeton FC, in 2018. What is your favorite postgame meal? My favorite post-game meal is steak and potatoes. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I am grateful to be selected as the Athlete of the Week because my team helped me achieve this honor. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 23 �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Door’s open! ���������������������������������������� ����������� ���� ��� ��������� ��������������� ����������� ������� ��������������� �������� �������������� ���������������������� ������������ Contact: ���������������� �� ����� �������� ������ � ������ �� � �� �� ������������ ������ 24 �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 76, Issue 2 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Former Wilkes professor arraigned on felony charges, including criminal attempt-unlawful contact with minor A former Wilkes-University psychology professor was arraigned earlier this month on multiple felony charges, including criminal attempt – unlawful contact with minor, according to arrest papers. Edward John Schicatano, 59, of Plains Township, was involved in a sex sting on Aug. 7, by Musa Harris. Harris calls himself the Luzerne County Predator Catcher. Harris posted video to social media of his alleged confrontation with Schicatano. According to the criminal complaint: Harris posed online as a 15-year-old girl and received a message from “Lora Smith.” Smith was ultimately identified as Schicatano. Schicatano asked for the girl’s age and was told “almost 16 years old.” He then replied, “I’m sorry. Too young”. The online conversation continued, and police say that Schicatano sent the girl a photo of two men engaged in a sexual act. He also repeatedly expressed concern over the girl’s age and whether the FBI was involved. He eventually wanted to meet the girl. Police said Harris provided them with video of his alleged confrontation, and they were able to identify the man in the video as Schicatano. Wilkes University President Greg Cant issued an email on Aug. 21 about “very serious accusations … against a longtime member” of the university’s faculty. Cant did not specifically name Schicatano. According to the email, the university was made aware of the allegations on Aug. 19, and initiated its review process. As of Aug. 21, “the faculty member in question (was) no longer employed by the university, an outcome achieved in accordance with the steps outlined in the Faculty Handbook.” Contacted this week, Cant’s office would not discuss the matter further, stating it does not comment on personnel decisions. A representative from Cant’s office did confirm that Schicatano is not currently employed by the university. Dr. Paul Riggs, dean of arts and sciences, also declined to comment. “He was the best professor I ever had...,” said a student who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “It feels like something was taken away from me.” According to Beacon files, Schicatano received his Bachelor’s Degree from Bloomsburg University, his PhD from Wake Forest University, and did postdoctoral research at SUNY Stony Brook in the field of neurobiology. In a 2015 profile, Schicatano told The Beacon that he decided to pursue a teaching career at Wilkes because of the benefits of teaching in a small, personable community. Schicatano said that if he were to teach on a large and more populated campus, he would not have the same rapport with students. Schicatano is charged with criminal attempt - unlawful contact with minor - obscene and other sexual materials Cupboards, Closets and Care: On-campus resources, page 5 An inside look into the Conservatory at Wilkes University, page 9 Exploring the disheartening decline of local newspapers, page 16 By Amanda Montgomery News Editor and performances; criminal attempt - dissemination of explicit sexual material to a minor; and criminal use of a communication facility, according to arrest papers. He was arraigned by District Justice James Haggerty and released on $50,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Sept. 20 with Luzerne County Central Court. Marts Center gymnasium gets a new look over summer break, page 19 �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Amanda Montgomery: Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 6 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Aug. 30 marked the first student government meeting for the 2023-2024 school year. They opened with a student government fund of $71,528.74. The first piece of business for the school year was from William LePore, who provided an update for the alumni festivities of homecoming weekend. Activities have been planned for each day, starting Sept. 29, with the welcoming table and flashback event. The event is to welcome the alumni back to campus. Other events planned for the weekend include giveaways, a tent during Saturday’s football game and a Saturday “fun day”. The African Cultural Association sought reactivation as a club. The presentation was given by junior business major, Kobina Otoo. The Wilkes African Cultural Association was established in 2017, but had disbanded due to COVID. The club mission is to promote African culture in an enjoyable and entertaining manner. They continued to explain what ideas and events they would present as a club with ideas such as African takeover day, bake sales and more ideas to promote the education of African culture to the public. This would be week one of two and will be back next week to receive an official vote The third and final order of new business was a new club recognition. The Chess Club has been operating for a year now on its own but would like to be fully recognized as a student club. The club plans to use the money received for a new chess set and to help fundraising efforts. They also e x p l a i n e d community service ideas including teaching high school students the game, holding tournaments and participating in school events such as Big Event. The last piece of business was internal and was an update to the constitution for members of SG. Updated items include new service hours, a change in academic requirements and a change in the chain of command in case of an absence. SG will meet again on Sept. 13. internship fair on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fair is open to all students interested in working in the business, engineering and technology fields. Over 30 companies have already registered with more anticipated to come. Register to attend on Handshake. Contact Carol Bosack for more information or questions at carol. bosack@wilkes.edu. be submitted, along with the applicant’s name, WIN and contact information to Allison Naumann, Alumni House. Applications can be emailed to allison. naumann@wilkes.edu with the subject line “Polish Heritage Scholarships.” Deadline for applications is Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m. Leadership Collegiate Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Family Day 2023 Family Day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16. To find the schedule of events and to register visit https://www.wilkes. edu/familyday. Online registration will close until Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 12 p.m. If you have any questions or would like to register by phone/email, please call (570) 408-4645 or email familyday@ wilkes.edu. College of Business and Engineering Career and Internship Fair The College of Business and Engineering is hosting a career and Scholarship Opportunity for Students of Polish Descent The Polish Room Committee Scholarship ($3,000 top award) welcomes applications from Luzerne County residents. To be considered, applicants must write a brief description of their Polish heritage and what that heritage means to them. This letter must This six-week, virtual course consists of online modules that provide current college students who are aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience. Participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 22. Use this link to apply: https://www.leadershiplackawanna. com/leadership-collegiate-1. Upcoming Events: 2023 Fall Semester September 14 - Minute to Win it 21 - Cooking Class 24 - Paintball at Skirmish 28 - Programming Board giveaway October 5 - Hoedown Throwdown 8 - Statue of Liberty Boat Tour NYC 12-15 - Fall Break 19 - Couch Potato 23-27 - Freak Week 28 - Dorney Haunted Park---!"#$%&'()%*+*#$%,*"$()*-%.#%$/*% 0"1*#-")2% 34".15%64"#-"78'#$9'4*)&:; <.1=*>7*-( �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News 3 Eugene S. Farley Library unveils its renovated Alden Learning Commons & Commuter Lounge By Amanda Montgomery News Editor The Eugene S. Farley Library received renovations to its Alden Learning Commons, also referred to as the lower level, 24/7 floor. The extensive makeover to the Learning Commons includes new carpeting, furniture, paintwork and computer facilities. Additional rennovations include news tables and chairs to the student study rooms on the lower level, 24/7 floor, an increase in space with new tables in the study cubbies on the 24/7 floor and an update in all computers within the library. The library administration thanked Student Government and the campus Facilities for their pivotal role in this renovation. In addition to the enhancements, the university also introduced the newly established Commuter Lounge on the lower level floor. The lounge had previously been on the second floor of the Student Union Building (SUB). The space offers a convenient space for commuter students to study and relax. Commuter students can swipe their student ID to access the space. The library encourages all members of the campus community to take advantage of the recent developments, which were designed to foster an enriched learning environment and sense of belonging. The library is open from 8 a.m. to midnight from Monday through Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. On weekends, the library is open on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, from 3 to 11 p.m. The library’s basement is accessible after hours from the South Street WIN card entrance and from the main entrance during regular library open hours. More photos, Page 4 (above) The Eugene S. Farley Library welcomes students to the newly rennovated basement. Photos: The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery (above) The tables and chairs in the private computer cubby sections have been upgraded to provide greater comfort in the Alden Learning Commons. (at right) Students can request up to two hours in the renovated private study rooms; sign up at the front desk. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News 4 ...continued from Page 3 The couches in the study cubbies were upgraded, along with the addition of new tables and an increase in space. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 News 5 Cupboards, closets and care: On-campus resources By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer There are some on-campus resources that virtually everyone knows about. For example, most students know that Passan Hall houses the counseling and health centers. However, there are plenty of resources on campus that even seniors may not know about. Two of these resources are tucked away in the back of the Career Center and are known as the Colonel Closet and the Colonel Cupboard. Catie Becker, the director of civic engagement, explains that the Colonel Cupboard is “...an on-campus food pantry that offers grocery items, refrigerated and frozen items and grab and go snacks.” The food comes from the CEO Food Bank in Pittston. The produce pop ups that appear several times a semester in the Student Union Building (SUB) concourse are supplied and hosted by the Colonel Cupboard. Ada Soriano, a P1 pharmacy student and Bonner Leader, explained, “the produce pop-up is a Bonner Leader project hosted by the Colonel's Cupboard…Bonner Leaders assist in handing out the produce.” Located near the Cupboard is the Colonel Closet. The director of career services, Carol Bosack, explained that “the Colonel Career Closet provides business casual and business professional clothes that students may take and keep, as needed, for interviews, career fairs or dressing business casual for an internship or job.” Students can find blazers, slacks, button-ups and anything they might need for a job interview or their first internship. “It allows students to get groceries for free and not have to worry about when they can have another meal or whether or not they can go to this interview because of their clothing,” said Edweana Alexis, junior political science and communication studies major. The cupboard and the closet provide a bridge and lessen the stress on a student that is struggling.” Students' academic performance may be hindered when they are preoccupied with concerns about their next meal. Based on a 2021 survey, it is projected that food insecurity will impact one out of every three college students in Pennsylvania during their undergraduate studies. The ability to buy new, businessprofessional attire is not financially feasible for all students. For those lacking transportation options, visiting the Salvation Army or a thrift store can be unattainable. The convenience of having these essentials readily available outside the SUB is a notable advantage. “I have utilized both services," said Soriano. "Although many people know about the produce pop-up, many do not know that there is an option at the cupboard to order online and have your food order dropped off at the post office. It is very convenient when you do not have the time to stop by and look for what you need in person." Students do not have to meet any requirements to utilize these services. They are free and available for all students, regardless of financial aid status or meal plans. “Many students are full-time college students, and full-time college students do not have a job,” said Alexis.“With them not having a job comes the aspect of money and groceries are expensive. I believe things like the Cupboard or the Closet are important because groceries are expensive and college kids do not have a lot of money to purchase $200 or $300 worth of groceries every two weeks.” The Colonel Cupboard and Closet are housed in the Career Center, outside the Henry Student Center. Students can enter through the main doors and walk to the back, or enter through the door located along the sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot. Both are on the first floor, so there are no accessibility concerns. All students need is their student ID and a bag to carry their food. “My school offered something small like this, primarily for dry goods and snacks," said Becker. "The treats once in a while were nice but it would have been awesome to have something more reliable, especially for those times between paychecks." There is a Google form students fill out to order their groceries from the Cupboard. The Colonel Closet is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and the Colonel Cupboard is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Produce popups will be held regularly throughout the semester, on Sept. 13, Oct. 18 and Nov. 29 during club hours in the first floor of the SUB. TOP: The Colonel's Closet ofers a wide variety of business and business-casual items, including suits, shoes, and even jewelry. labeled with free food and supplies. Photos Courtesy of Morgan Steiner �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 6 �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Zara.lantzman@wilkes.edu “The One Rose:” Sordoni Art Gallery’s Latest Exhibit By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor “The One Rose: The Life and Legacy of Rose O’Neill” is the latest edition to the Sordoni Art Gallery, functioning as a celebration of the work created by the multi-talented illustrator and writer, Rose O’Neill. While famously the creator of the iconic kewpie characters, which would become so popular they would grow a life of their own, O’Neill had a much broader array of work, stylings and messages. During the celebration of the Sordoni Art Gallery’s 50th anniversary, the latest exhibit seeks to show off O’Neill’s iconic art, but also display her diverse and more unknown body of work. Hailing from Wilkes-Barre, O’Neill was born in the summer of 1874 and had an interest in various forms of art from early childhood. She began creating illustrations for various newspapers and magazines in her teens, then moved to New York to expand her professional career. In New York she joined a publication titled “Truth,” it is there that she created the first comic strip to be published by a woman. “She could do things that at the time women could not,” said senior digital design and media Arts major Erika Tomes. “She carved her own path in a world made by and for men. Even in the modern world it’s incredible to think about how she was able to do that. The idea of breaking through that barrier, doing what you think you could not do.” O’Neill was an avid proponent of fighting inequality and advocating for women’s rights, becoming a key figure in breaking women into the art scene. She actively promoted the artwork of other women, often worked with women, notably her The Beacon/Anthony Cazun An example of O’Neill’s kewpies currently on display at the Sordoni Art Gallery. sister Callista O’Neill, and often weaved women’s suffrage and discrimination messages into her work. Once she garnered more popularity and prestige, she began to work more independently. In 1909, O’Neill would debut her newest and most well known creation, “The Kewpie.” Kewpies are almost angel-like illustrations of rosy-cheeked children that became very popular in the early 1900’s, appearing in comic strips, posters and most famously, as dolls. The name “Kewpie” is derived from Cupid, the Roman god of love and desire. Kewpie’s are genderless and share a similar physiology to common interpretations of the Roman god. O’Neill famously claimed that the design for kewpie’s came to her in a dream. O’Neill explained that the main idea of “The Kewpies” is to be cute beings from Kewpieville that do good deeds in a silly way. “I think they’re adorable little creatures,” said McKenna Dolan, senior digital design and media arts major. “They bring so much light and smiles to our visitors’ faces. They always get a kick out of them.” The gallery displays many of O’Neill’s Kewpie illustrations, as well as the iconic dolls and merchandise that accompany them. However that does not mean the gallery is lacking her other work, as the gallery aims to also present the true versatility of O’Neill’s talent. “She’s most well known for her Kewpies but her work is so much more complex and deeper,” said Melissa Carestia, assistant director at the Sordoni Art Gallery. “She was a multifaceted person and you can see that in her work. Especially her sweet monsters work, which deserve much more praise than they get. The way that she sculpts with her line, you can see that she really models the figure and it has so much weight to it. She was working on it at the same time as the kewpies and it’s so deep and complex by comparison.” While O’Neill’s is highly regarded for her illustrations, her work as an author is also very important to understanding her as a person. Her novel “The Loves of Edwy” and the illustrations that accompany it are on display as well. O’Neill’s novel is more dramatic and almost semi-biographical, as she wrote several of the characters to have many of her own qualities and experiences. “I really love her later work that’s more androgynous and is a complete 180 from “The Kewpies,” it just shows how prolific of an artist she was and how much range she had throughout her career,” said Dolan. Not only is O’Neill a prominent figure in Pennsylvania’s art history, but also emblematic of a shift in women’s rights and the rights of marginalized communities within both the artistic medium and the world at large. While her kewpies have taken on a life of their own, they would be nothing without the tenacity of their creator. “I think it is interesting any time the art surpasses or outlives the artists,” said Carestia. “There are people in all kinds of subcultures getting kewpie tattoos, making unique little kewpie dolls. I think that’s the importance of art, how much it touches humanity. Of course something that is adorable and goofy is gonna resonate with people long after they disappear.” “The One Rose: The Life and Legacy of Rose O’Neill” exhibit in the Sordoni Art Gallery will be on display until Oct. 8. The Sordoni Art gallery will also be hosting various other events such as the Cartooning Workshop with Kevin O’Neill event and the “Whether We are Rich or Poor, We Can Love Each Other The Same” Art in Context Lecture. The gallery’s doors are open 10 a.m to 5 p.m Tuesday through Friday and noon through 5 p.m on Saturdays. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Studio 20 By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor a B n o um c Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bumps to the right! Our very own Zara Lantzman has put togetheraSpotifyplaylistwhereyoucan scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff weekly picks! ps Be As Wilkes University’s annual club day came and went, many clubs were vying for the attention of students both new and old. However, there was one club that may have stood out to those that seek an outlet for their artistic side. Studio 20 is a student run production club that particularly focuses on design, collaboration and provides real life experience to students of every major and skill level. Studio 20’s focus is primarily digital. The club seeks to provide graphics, logos, layouts, social media advertising and more to various clients, clubs and events. The club focuses on expanding student’s portfolios and gives students all kinds of experience in the realm of design and the more diplomatic aspect of it. “Studio 20 is a student-run production club that does creative work for both on and off-campus clients at no charge,” said assistant professor of digital design and media art, Lisa Reynolds. “In recent years, student teams have completed branding projects for area businesses and nonprofits, photo shoots, website designs and social media content. “It is for people who appreciate and celebrate design in any medium.” The studio has a strong focus on collaboration, both internally and externally. Internally, Studio 20 designers may help each other with a task or ask each other for pointers, opinions, edits, a different perspective and more. “Even if someone is not experienced enough to work on a design job, there are a ton of roles associated with the club that students can work on as they grow their skill set,” said Reynolds. Externally, collaborations also come in the form of working with ad agencies, marketing departments, galleries and other clubs or event organizers. A group may be seeking out a graphic or poster for an upcoming event they are aiming to promote, and they will work closely with designers to make that idea come to life. There is especially a lot of crossover between clubs within the digital design and media arts umbrella, meaning those with interest in working on projects for something video game related or even some light photography will be encouraged to create. “There is game design, so esports just started this year and I know that we plan on doing collabs with them,” said Kyra Britzky, digital design and media arts junior and Studio 20 historian. “It would be great to get both of our names out there by working with them and growing together.” Studio 20 encourages those of all ability levels to join, no matter how experienced or inexperienced with programs or specific techniques they may be. All it takes is some interest and the willingness to learn. Art and design is not fixed, there is always something new to explore, and an ability to sharpen. Designers want to learn, teach and create. “A lot of people think they need to be in the digital design and media arts Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: I think you should - Jess Fellerman Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: major or have big art skills, but no, we have opened it to everyone,” said Studio 20 president and senior digital design and media arts major Maggie McHenry. “We will teach you how to use the programs and different techniques, so anyone is welcome to join.” Studio 20 welcomes students of every major. Students that are not specifically within the digital design and media arts major will expand the accessibility and allow for various types of perspectives and talents. “The club used to be solely DDMA majors, but I feel like opening up the club to people interested in it that aren’t majoring would be a good opportunity to have new people,” said Britzky. “We are doing the workshops, too, which would make new people want to come in more.” Studio 20 meets twice a week in Breiseth 020. Tuesday’s are primarily for members working on design projects, while Thursday’s are for all club members. Graphic/Lara Mullen Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: NO HEY LEY- Kali Uches “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Cool About It - boygenius Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Carnage- prodby668 Brando - Lucy Dacus Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: Dial Drunk - Noah Kahan, Post Malone Come Back...Be Here - Taylor Swift Lara Mullen, Designer: Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: Lessen The Damage - Poppy Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Lovers Rock - TV Girl Kimdracula - Deftones Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Rollercoaster - Bleachers �The Beacon – Septme 13, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 An Inside Look into the Conservatory at Wilkes University By Cally Williams Life, Arts and Entertainment Staff The Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts at Wilkes works to nourish and encourage performing arts of all kinds. The Conservatory is one of the programs located in the Darte. The Conservatory consists of the Degnan Ballet Center, Indian Classical Dance, and instrumental and vocal music lessons. Music instruction includes private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, violin, viola, flute, percussion, trombone, tuba, harp, french horn, clarinet and music theory. The Degnan Ballet Center focuses on classical ballet, with its main focus being technique. There are seven levels of ballet classes varying in difficulty along with a pre-ballet class for younger aspiring dancers. In addition to ballet, Indian classical dance is another facet of the Conservatory. It is taught by Sujata Nair Mulloth and has been a part of the Conservatory for 20 years. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced classes offered in the fall and spring sessions. At its founding, the Conservatory was more focused on music and musical theater rather than dance. Now, the Conservatory provides instruction in music, classical Indian dance and classical ballet, but still has the common goal of sharing the joy of performing arts with the community. The Conservatory was established in 1988 by Jean Anastasia and Jim Harrington, while the Degnan Ballet Center was founded in 1983 by Kristin Degnan-Boonin and her late husband Peter Degnan. DegnanBoonin and Degnan established university classes for Wilkes students,and the ballet center was later added to the Conservatory. “It belongs here,” said Degnan-Boonin. “It felt right for the Degnan Ballet Center to be a part of the Wilkes University Conservatory,” as she and her husband had already started the university’s dance program. She quoted renowned choreographer George Balanchine, “First a school,” when explaining why she wanted her ballet center to be a part of the university. She wanted it to be a part of the nurturing learning environment of the university. Degnan-Boonin has been a part of the Conservatory and the Degnan Ballet Center since its inception. When talking about the Conservatory, she referred to it as “The jewel of the valley.” “It is an environment where artists of all different genres come together and collaborate. It makes us truly unique.” She also explained how the Conservatory presents ballet in its authentic form. The art is passed down through generations, from one teacher to another, so the technique and choreography that current students are learning is the same as what dancers from hundreds of years ago studied. “It is the one place in the valley where you can find it all. Seeing other performing artists, even just passing by in the hall, is truly inspiring,” said Degnan-Boonin. “It keeps the creative juices flowing.” The Conservatory puts on several performances a year. These performances include an annual performance of “The Nutcracker” in December, a ballet recital in June, an Indian classical show in May and music recitals in the spring and fall. “The Nutcracker” is an annual festive staple of the Conservatory. While many studios perform abridged versions of the famous Tchaicovsky ballet, the Conservatory at Wilkes performs the full length “Nutcracker.” Auditions for this year’s production of “The Nutcracker” will take place on Sept. 24th in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Along with the “Nutcracker” on Dec. 16 and 17, the Conservatory also performs a full length ballet in June. In the summer of 2023, they staged a ballet version of the famous fairytale, “Cinderella.” The Conservatory also hosts a summer dance intensive that is open to dancers from all over the area. This intensive program is open to any serious dancer age 11 and up. It lasts for two weeks in July and offers classes in ballet technique, jazz, yoga/pilates, pointe and pre-pointe, classical variations and modern dance. The Conservatory is a proud aspect of Wilkes University. “It is the feather in the university’s cap,” stated Conservatory coordinator Lauren Gentilesco. The Conservatory serves not only the university but the whole Wyoming Valley community. By sharing the gift of performing arts with students, the Conservatory is From left, Sarah Polansky, Amelia Smicherko and Morgan Rich perform as Spanish princess in the June ballet, continuing to grow the ballet tradition. As Degnan-Boonin stated before, dance is passed down through generations. “It is evolutionary.” “We give students as professional a setting as possible,” stated ballet instructor Karla Kovatch. “The fact that students are prepared enough to get accepted into prestigious schools is a huge accomplishment.” This September marks the 40th anniversary of the Degnan Ballet Center. The university commemorates the profound impact that the Conservatory has had on its students and the whole Wilkes community. Degnan-Boonin added, “There are many fine schools, but this one is a true gem.” From left, Morgan Rich, Amanda Merrick-Tompkins and Amelia Smicherko pose for a picture backstage as princesses in the June ballet, “Cinderella.” Photos: The Beacon/Morgan Rich �The Beacon – Septme 13, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Writers Guild of American West stands up for its rights By Jean Bonn Contributing Writer On May 1, the Writers Guild of American West, or the WGA, tweeted that their board of directors, along with the council of the Writers Guild of America East, voted unanimously to call a strike beginning May 2 at 12:01 a.m. The strike came after contract negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, or the AMPTP, went nowhere. Most of the WGA’s complaints stem from issues regarding streaming series and films. Production companies have hired less writers with even less time to write scripts, and compensation for streaming series and shows are not standardized. On top of this, the increase in artificial intelligence has the potential to decrease jobs for writers, since production companies can use the technology to write scripts as opposed to hiring writers. The WGA wanted these complaints to be corrected, but the AMPTP said that they could not fulfill their requests. In July, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, often referred to as SAGAFTRA, joined the WGA and went on strike for better pay and job security. “I think it is really sad that thousands of creative and hardworking people have to fight for months just to negotiate for fair payment and treatment,” said Emma Klusmeyer, a sophomore environmental science major. “The studios are earning billions on the writers’ work and they are not getting much in return.” According to their website, the Writers Guild of America West is a labor union for writers located in the western United States. The writers in their union are responsible for the scripts and production of a variety of content fans across the country view on a daily basis. Television shows, documentaries, animation, films and even videogames. Their primary function is to ensure that the writers in the guild are provided with fair working conditions by production companies. Some of their standards for such conditions include proper pension, health benefits and basic compensation for their work. The SAG-AFTRA also strives to ensure fair working rights for artists, however they also represent those who are in front of the camera or behind the microphone such as dancers, dj’s, singers, actors and puppeteers. Although it may seem like the strikes will only impact those in Hollywood, they have already had large impacts on programming schedules in a variety of channels. Most channels and streamers have had content saved, but viewers will most likely begin to see the strikes’ impacts as we get closer to fall. Late night shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live have already been placed on hiatus. Most channels have started filling their schedules with reality television shows and reruns. Shows that are currently in production have had their release dates delayed by at least two months. Movies, on the other hand, have at least a year until the impacts become noticeable to audiences. “Even though it is disappointing that many shows are being delayed, I do think it is for a good cause,” said Madi Hudak, a sophomore environmental science major. “Many people that write and act in shows and movies make little to no profit from having their shows on streaming services like on Netflix, and that is unfair.” The most impacted people during this strike are not the fans of television and film. Rather, they are the guild members who are currently out of work in order to make their point to production companies. As expected with any strike, the WGA has a long list of forbidden activities for their members. Some notable items on the list include writing, editing, and film festival promotion. It should be noted that writers can technically still write scripts, just not sell them or develop them further. This means that over 11,500 writers are currently out of a job and source of income. However, California bill SB799 would potentially provide unemployment benefits to workers who have been striking for more than two weeks. “I support the writers strike and believe it is a necessary step to ensure a better future for all writers,” said Casey McNally, a sophomore pharmacy major. Celebrities have been vigilant to promote the strike of social media, garnering the support of fans like Casey. Photos and videos of celebrities, such as Olivia Wilde, Darren Criss, and Elliot Page protesting have gone viral, increasing the public’s awareness of the strike. Seeing their favorite actors and actresses on the picket line has also reminded audiences that the content they consume on television and streaming platforms was created in part by writers, providing some encouragement to support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. However, not all celebrities are fully in support of the strikes. In fact, many have been called out online for posting that they support the strike yet continuing to work on projects. Some have even candidly said that they were against the strikes as a whole. Bill Maher in particular has said that he feels that writers are not owed a living while on the “Club Random” podcast. A letter of opposition has also circulated the internet regarding the SAG-AFTRA’s strike in particular. The letter was signed by George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and more than 130 other Hollywood actors and actresses. There is no indication that the strike will end anytime soon, since the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are still negotiating with the AMPTP. The last time that the WGA had a strike was 15 years ago, which lasted 100 days. However, today’s strikers have made one thing clear: they would not be stopping until their demands have been met. Graphic/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Zany Day Trips with Zara: Jim Thorpe By Zara Lantzman Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor When you think of Wilkes University, do you ever stop to think about what fun things there are to do around the area. Consider Jim Thorpe, a place and a person. Now we obviously cannot go see Jim Thorpe, the person, as he died in March 1953. What you can see, however, is a quaint, active and beautiful town that shares his name. Jim Thorpe is located in Carbon County, Pa. It is a 43 minute drive from Wilkes-Barre. Forty-three minutes and you can enjoy a whole day of fun. If you are a spiritual person, then Jim Thorpe is right for you. In the middle of the town, there is a store called, The Emporium of Curious Goods. They have all kinds of metaphysical and religious things, along with a lot of Wiccan items. For all you “Harry Potter” fans, Muggle’s Mug is not your normal coffee shop. When you walk in you are greeted by the “Harry Potter” movies playing and decorations from the series everywhere. Even better, all their food and drink items are Harry Potter-related. A piece of advice: Wait more than 30 minutes if you are going to get their tea, as I learned the hard way. For fans of the wild waters, there is whitewater rafting along the Lehigh River and I highly recommend it. It was my first time rafting and it definitely was not my last. There are all kinds of different tour groups that take you on the river. Regardless of what group or company you pick, it is a whirl of fun. Directly next to the river is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. This train ride lasts 77 minutes and starts right by the parking lot in Jim Thorpe. Tickets are $24 for adults and $10 for children. The train follows the Lehigh River, and goes over bridges into Glen Onoko and Lehigh Gorge State Park. On the route, you can see wildlife, mountain scenery and high-rise cliffs. Packer Mansion. The house was previously owned by Asa Packer, and in 1956, it was opened to the public. Packer was the owner of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and founded Lehigh University. History buffs, this is for you. Jim Thorpe was previously called Mauch Chunk, and there is the Mauch Chunk Museum that Across the railway is an old jail, previously known as Carbon County Jail, and active from 1870-1995. The jail holds tours where you can see everything from the warden’s headquarters to solitary confinement. There is rich history at this jail as many people were hanged. There is also a rumor that you can see a handprint on the wall to this day during from one of the hangings. On top of all of that, in the fall, the jail holds ghost tours at night. If you are a fan of looking at mansions on Zillow, then you will love this next option. On the edge of town sits one of the most beautiful homes to see: Asa contains the history of Jim Thorpe/ Mauch Chunk. It even contains history about Jim Thorpe the person and what makes him legendary. After learning all about the history of Jim Thorpe, head on down to the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum. Operating as the world’s longest running coal mine from 1855-1972, tourists can explore the cave and even go in a mine car to learn what it was like to work underground. The Harry Packer Mansion is a must see if you are a big fan of The Walt Disney World Resort. The mansion is directly next to the Asa Packer Mansion, as Harry was his son. Tourists are not allowed in for tours but they can book rooms, as it is now a bed and breakfast. It is still worth seeing the outside architecture, as the popular ride, The Haunted Mansion, at Walt Disney World Resort is based off of the Harry Packer Mansion. For people of age, Jim Thorpe is home to many wineries. Big Creek Vineyard and Wild Elder Wine and Co are only some of the wineries in the area. Wild Elder Wine and Co. is directly across the street from Muggle’s Mug on Broadway Street. The winery makes ciders, wines and even non-alcoholic beverages. They make all their wine with elderberries, hence the name. On top of all of that, they have wine tasting and even sell charcuterie boards and sandwiches. Jim Thorpe is home to many gift shops and has unique gifts that you cannot find elsewhere. After your adrenaline pumped day, there are many food places to pick from that make you wanting more, especially the desserts. Jim Thorpe is the perfect place to visit in the fall and I highly recommend it and would give this day trip a rating of 9/10. Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Center 12 By Emma Broda News Staff Writer During the time of the year, when classes get more and more intense, something that gets overlooked is self-care. It can become easy to fall into a habit of spending too much time on jobs and schoolwork, and students may overlook their own well-being. On Sept. 7, Programming Board offered a night for students to focus on themselves with a selfcare night. Students gathered in the Henry Student Center to enjoy different self-care themed activities and food. The event was a hit with students being drawn to the promise of a stress relieving night. Abby Malin, first-year psychology major, shared that the event seemed like a fun night to unwind and spend time with her friends. The night of relaxation included a yoga session, painting succulent plant pots, friendship bracelet making, do-it-yourself body scrubs and a raffle for a massage gift card. Making Body Scrubs Page Design By Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Center 13 “My goal this year is to take more time for myself, and this seemed like the perfect thing,” said Molly Blaskiewicz, a junior marketing major. In addition to the self-care activities, Programming Board also provided students with charcuterie boards and mocktails adorned with tiny umbrellas. Students were also able to enjoy the snacks provided and the skincare headbands that were given to them. Zoë Morley, a sophomore biology major, said, “I think the body scrubs were a cool idea.” Yoga Session For students who try to prioritize self-care, school can be exhausting and attending events like selfcare night is a perfect way to alleviate stress. Some students found that although they regularly take time to themselves, events with a focus on self-care can still be beneficial. Logan Colonna, a sophomore marketing major, said that he considers self-care a way to better himself, and personally enjoyed the mocktails, specifically the strawberry daiquiris. The night ended with students going home with the crafts they made, a multitude of skincare products and more so that they could be relaxed to continue on with the semester. Event Photo Plant Pot Painting �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 !"#$#%$ Opinion Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact opinion editor: Sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu. Editorial Staff 2023-24 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Amanda Montgomery LA&E - Zara Lantzman Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Anthony Cazun Sports - Adam Grundt DESIGNERS Designer - Lara Mullen Section Staff Writers News - Emma Broda LA&E - Cally Williams Opinion - “Freeze” Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or morgan.rich@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 or Morgan Rich at morgan.rich@ wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member 14 !&'()%#*+ !"#$%&''()%*$'%+'"#,-./%'012,31"4%5,"30%&144%2"('%"%/2"-#'%,-%"%#633'-2%1//6'7 Stop making remakes of original movies Has the movie industry fallen into the ravenous hands of Hollywood’s moneyhungry directors and producers? Movie remakes within Hollywood have seemingly turned the corner from being possible blockbusters to falling into a black hole of unoriginality. The United States’ film industry has been incredibly successful and has thrived rapidly since the 1900s. However, with theaters being filled with remakes, reboots, and sequels, are we beginning to see the industry’s downfall and lack of creativity? According to tjToday, movies depend on a new evolution of ideas, and techniques, however, when the same ideas are utilized over and over again, it can cause this change to stand still. When directors and producers remake and reboot different past stories, the outcome will generally be a more generic counterpart and will rarely bring anything new to the table. A huge problem with movie remakes is that the directors attempt to recreate the same emotions and feelings that the original creator had in mind and created within their audience. The truth of the matter is that a remake will never be able to evoke the same emotions and feelings the audience felt the first time around. This is particularly true when it comes to recreations of classic movies, especially when the original creator of the movie may no longer be alive to collaborate on the remake. Casumo, a betting website, conducted a study with the search engine optimization firm Verve Search in which they standardized IMDb and Metacritic stores to compare different ratings and profits of recent movie remakes. The results ended up being not-so-great for remakes with 91 percent scoring lower with audiences than the originals. The Washington Post also pointed out during this study that only 21 percent of these movies were more profitable. Most of the time, there is no point in remaking movies because of the fact that some originals were not made all that long ago. For example, The Walt Disney Company released their animated hit film, “Moana,” in 2016 and has already announced that they are in the process of producing a live-action remake of the film. A bad remake or reboot of a movie can have a negative lasting legacy, as well. If a movie is remade unsuccessfully or lacks creativity, this can cause a negative view of the original film and affect how people view the original. However, if people hate these remakes so much, why on earth is Hollywood still producing them at an outstanding rate? According to Vice, remakes of movies still pay off even if they do not beat the original because “there is profit and pleasure to be had in the familiar.” Nostalgia might make people believe that the original is better, however, that is the factor that makes them see the remake anyway. Nostalgia is what drives the views. It feels as if Hollywood is creating these remakes and reboots to earn a quick buck instead of paying attention to its audience and creating a quality film. It feels as if the original films they created are being exploited for money instead of being recreated for enjoyment. The Internet Movie Database states that Hollywood consistently investing in these remakes, reboots and sequels will eventually lead to their decline. If remakes of movies do not stop, these films will destroy Hollywood’s creativity and creative processes, which will lead to the film industry’s eventual downfall. 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: morgan.rich@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 13, 2023 Opinion 15 The reason you need to The Return of The Red play single-player games Raven: An original story By “Freeze” Opinion Staff Writer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`%1)-<'4#J'..$#Q(":'218#JU# 1)+28# .-'1# *"22-9<+(($_C# J*"1'# :"2.1# 6'/+3# )"#*+%3)#]-<>A1#0-3.#"3<'#+/+-3#+1#*-1#'$'1# /("11'.#)*2"%/*#)*'#1)"2$D#E'#1)"77'.#-3#)*'# 0-..('#"&#)*'#.'1<2-7)-"3D# J'..$# :+1# 6(%./'"3'.# :-)*# +# :"".'3# 1I%+2'#6("<>#:-)*#)*'#('))'2#?HC#7+-3)'.#"3#-)D# J*-1#:+1#*":#+#<*+2+<)'2#.-'.#-3#?J*'#]'.# ]+,'3DC#M"%(.#-)#;%1)#6'#+#<"-3<-.'3<'4 !"#$%#&"'()'*%+,,, �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Opinion 16 Exploring the disheartening decline of local newspapers Why small newspapers cannot be replaced By Sydney Allabaugh Opinion Editor The days of newspapers as we have known them may be limited as more and more people ditch print and rely on digital platforms for news. Although television news and social media are useful, they cannot fill the void local newspapers are starting to leave behind. Newspapers have been struggling to compete with digital and TV news for quite some time. According to a Pew Research Center survey, only 5 percent of Americans prefer to get their news from newspapers compared to the 52 percent who prefer digital platforms and the 35 percent who prefer TV news. One reason for this is that digital news sources may be more convenient and cost-effective as many online publications and social media sources offer free articles, whereas newspapers charge a subscription fee for print copies. People are less willing to pay for a service they can find elsewhere more conveniently and for free. Since bigger audiences are more interested in getting their news from digital platforms and TV, advertisers are more interested in purchasing online and TV ads instead of newspaper advertisements. Newspapers are losing both advertising and subscription revenue, causing a decline in the newspaper industry. This decline in revenue has led to small local newspapers cutting staff, consolidating or shutting down entirely. According to Pew Research Center, employment in local newspapers has dramatically declined from 74,410 employees in 2006 to 30,820 in 2020. Just in the past three years, 360 newspapers have shut down in the United States, most of which were small dailies. Other small independent papers within a certain region are being bought out by large media companies and merged into a regional paper. When local newspapers are closing and consolidating and the number of newspaper employees is dwindling, we miss out on the unique, localized coverage local newspapers have provided throughout the years. When local newspapers were in their prime, they were able to provide the local community a service through investigative journalism on a small scale. Years ago, there were enough journalists to act as watchdogs and cover all local government meetings to ensure that corruption was exposed. Now with limited staff covering vast areas, many are forced to pick and choose which meetings they can attend, which leads to constituents remaining less informed about the integrity of their politicians. L o c a l i n v e s t i g a t i v e journalists were also given the time and opportunity to investigate suspicious cases and bring the truth to the light. In some cases, journalists brought down criminals before police could. Within our community, former Citizens’ Voice reporter, Carol Crane, continued to investigate the murder of Robert Curley when law enforcement seemed to give up on the case and assisted in finding the killer who was his wife, Joann Curley. Former PatriotNews reporter Sara Ganim also broke the story involving Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse of young boys. Another investigative journalist, Julie K. Brown, assisted in creating major developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case by exposing secret plea deals and platforming accusers in daily paper the Miami Herald. “A lot of other local journalists aren’t given the luxury of the time I had with this, even though they are the last line of defense against corruption, against taxpayer money being wasted,” Brown said in an interview with The New York Times. “This has helped the public see we’re not the enemy of the people.” As Brown mentioned, having an opportunity to investigate and create meaningful pieces on politicians, criminals and issues that matter is something many journalists do not have anymore. A future in which a small number of remaining professional journalists only have time to cover a select few major stories increases the possibility that corruption and wrongdoings may never be brought to light. Investigative journalism, like Brown mentioned, aids in creating a trusting relationship between the media and the people. Rebuilding these relationships is much needed currently as roughly twothirds of Americans have little to no trust or confidence in newspapers, TV and radio, according to a Gallup poll. Besides investigative work and watchdog journalism, local newspapers also provide important information about small towns and the residents that live within them. In small town dailies, it’s common to see articles about the high school sports teams, obituaries of local residents and stories about local businesses. If newspapers continue to lay off staff, close their doors and consolidate into regional papers, we will see small town residents less and less to make room for the major stories within the region. This prevents us from remaining informed of and connected with the fellow people within our community. Although some may argue that this type of content can easily be replicated online, I would argue that in-depth coverage of these local topics is unique to newspaper journalists. TV and online news commonly do not go into the same amount of depth as newspapers and cover regional or even statewide and national stories instead of local ones. Luckily, we have yet to see local news disappear in our community. WilkesBarre is one of the last small cities with two independent newspapers: The Times Leader and The Citizens’ Voice. Recently, however, The Citizens’ Voice, along with other papers within our region including The Times-Tribune, the Republican Herald and The StandardSpeaker, have been purchased by one of the largest media groups in the country MediaNews Group, according to WVIA. Since this purchase is still recent, we do not know how new ownership will change news coverage within our local community, but hopefully, our local papers will still be able to produce localized content. As time goes on, it will be interesting to see the fate of small town newspapers. Trends show that they will continue to close their doors and dwindle in staff numbers, making them limited in what they can cover. This is a shame as local newspapers offer unique services, whether it be local coverage or investigative journalism, that ensure our local communities remain informed. Graphic/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Opinion 17 Why “The Eras Tour: Concert Film” is the moment By Samara Carey Contributing Writer Anybody who is anybody knows how huge and in-the-moment Taylor Swift is right now. Even if you are not a fan of her, I can almost guarantee that you can name at least a dozen songs, whether they were released in 2006 more in the present day. This summer, Swift took North America by storm with her debut of “The Eras Tour,” a three-hour-long concert that uniquely displays each of her 10 albums and plays her biggest hits from each era. That said, it is no surprise that many Gen Z and millennials took this idea and ran with it. It blew up so much that tickets sold out even prior to the general sale being announced. As a result of this, tickets became impossible to get and scammers and resellers were in full swing to make a quick buck off a “Swiftie” who was desperate to see their favorite singer live in concert. To make light of a very disheartening situation, Swifties across the country decided to take matters into their own hands and make various activities to help those who were not able to get tickets. One fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, decided to make their own version of fantasy football and called it Swiftball. Swiftball was used during each show in which fans would try to predict Swift’s outfits, her surprise songs, special guests and different mishaps that would happen during each night. Another tradition that started this summer were the nightly live streamsproduced by fans inside the stadium for those watching from the outside. Lastly, fans who were not able to purchase tickets for their hometown shows started an event labeled “Taylorgating,” a spin on tailgating, in which they would trade friendship bracelets, buy tour merch and listen to the concert outside the stadium despite not being able to fully experience the actual show. As the North American leg of the tour ends, Swift recently announced an “Eras Tour” movie, in which fans can watch a recording of the full show, in an AMC theater of their choice. Swift has always released live recordings of each of her tours, except for “The Red Tour” due to it having a problematic director, but this has proven to be different than others. In years past, Swift’s tour documentaries have been released on either iTunes or Apple Music to later be released on YouTube after a few months thus far, I would like to share that I have been known as “The Taylor Swift Girl,” since my early adolescence. I have seen Taylor twice on her past tours, and I have participated in every activity listed above, as I fell victim to becoming one of the people who were unfortunate enough to not see Swift on her recent tour. I have adored Taylor for years and will always defend her and her of it being released. The last tour, “The Reputation Stadium Tour,” was released on Netflix and it can be watched if you have a subscription. Many will argue that this is simply a cash grab by Swift and her management to help promote the latest re-recording of her fifth studio album, “1989.” I would like to disagree and comment on the fact that this is definitely one of the smartest moves that she could have made now. Before I continue, if you are wondering why I feel qualified enough to discuss Taylor Swift and her career Graphic/Sydney Allabaugh business decisions. Especially now, as I better understand the ins and outs of marketing and why her team has her doing the promotions she has been doing. One thing about Swift that you absolutely cannot argue with me about is how calculated she is. She has been in the music industry since she was 16-years-old and has been criticized since the first time she stepped on stage. One example of this is when she almost got her career completely ripped from her hands by Kayne West and Kim Kardashian back in 2016. Due to claims Swift lied about West’s character, she was viewed as a “snake” and was forced to go into hiding for three years. After the Kayne West fiasco, Swift has stated multiple times that she felt like her career was over and that she feared no one would pay attention to her in a few years, so she was holding onto her career as close as possible. That was until the pandemic hit and Swift released her eighth studio album, “folklore.” After this release, Swift’s career blew up faster than we were able to blink. Her songs, old and new, were trending on TikTok, and everyone became obsessed with loving Taylor Swift. What Swift did next was quite possibly the best move she would ever make in her career. In 2021, Swift started rerecording and releasing her first six albums. Of course, she had no choice in doing so since she had her masters stolen from her, but this fortunately brought a new and fresh crowd to her music. Since she had her own versions of her album, people were patiently waiting to see her next move, especially since she had announced her tenth studio album, “Midnights.” Hence, her announcement of her long-awaited Eras Tour. Since the hype around it was so heavily anticipated, Swift’s career was at an alltime high, even after she predicted her slow decline in the music industry. So, Swift did what any reasonable business person would do, and held on to every ounce of fame she was receiving. This was proven true after “The Eras Tour” movie was announced and box offices had the highest number of sales they have seen since “Spiderman, No Way Home.” This proves that Taylor Swift’s fame will forever be growing, and she will forever be in the music industry and has subsequently changed it for the better. “The Eras Tour” movie comes out on Oct. 13, and thousands of people have already bought their tickets a month in advance. I will be there. Will I see you? �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Opinion 18 The rise and fall of streaming services The frustrating ways streaming has changed media consumption started to produce their own shows, many of which went on to be critically Contributing Writer praised. Other services, such as Hulu We live in an age of constant media and Amazon Prime Video, tried to consumption. compete with the giant, but they were According to a recent Nielsen report, only able to gain a fraction of the same Americans spend over 11 hours, or success. nearly half of their day, interacting with They were not failures, however. digital media. This includes everything Both still provided services that their from television, movies, games, books, competitor did not have, such as nextpodcasts and music. More often than day streaming of new episodes, leading not, these pieces of entertainment are to many subscribing to all three. enjoyed through Streaming services s t r e a m i n g continued to be a services. convenience for "If you wanted to get the basic I am sure it is general audiences hard for a lot of plan for all of them (Disney until 2020, which us to imagine is the year I believe Plus, Max, Paramount Plus, a time before they started to do Peacock, AMC Plus and Apple streaming. Being more harm than able to watch our TV), you would have to pay $61 good. favorite shows As we all know, a month or $732 a year." and movies at the 2020 was a rough click of a button year for pretty is not really much everything, something we stop and think about. especially the entertainment industry. Nowadays, it is just a natural part of The pandemic shut down much of what everyday life. kept Hollywood going; theaters were However, this was not always the case. closed, TV and film sets were shut down Before the turn of the millennium, and productions were suddenly halted. it took quite a bit of effort to do what This caused large profit losses for many we now see as a simple task, such as studios. watching a specific episode of a show. The same cannot be said for Instead of being able to search for it streaming, though. I was actually at on your phone, you really had to hunt an all-time high during this period. it down, whether that was by looking Studio executives took note of this, and through a TV guide and catching it as a shared idea appeared in their minds. a rerun or renting a physical tape from This was the start of the streaming wars. a video store. Instead of producing anything new, Unless you knew exactly where to they instead found a way to sell older look, you were in for a journey. products. Disney Plus, Max, Paramount When Netflix first released their Plus, Peacock, AMC Plus and Apple online service in 2007, it came as no TV were just some of the services born surprise that they were able to quickly from this idea. build up a large subscriber base. For Now, let us get the first problem out only $6.99 a month, subscribers gained of the way. access to what seemed like an infinite I just listed six streaming services. amount of content, no quest required. If we add on the ones I named earlier, Over the next few years, Netflix grew we now have a total of nine. That is far into an entertainment juggernaut. too many. If you wanted to get the basic Not only did their streaming library plan for all of them, you would have to continue to expand, but they even pay $61 a month or $732 a year. By Shawn Carey Now if we do the premium plans for able to watch the movie an ungodly all of them, that would be $117 a month, amount of times all thanks to Netflix, which is an astonishing $1,404 a year. so picture my surprise when I found out If we add on the average cost of basic the movie was going to be leaving the cable, which is an additional $132, the platform and there were no plans for it bill is going to be $239 a month. While to appear anywhere else. This destroyed it is not necessary to own every available me. streaming service, this highlights just This forced me to pick up a blu-ray how quickly the cost of all of them can of the movie, which I complained about add up. at first but quickly discovered it was for Also, at this point, owning multiple the best. I now own the movie forever is kind of needed if you want a diverse and I do not have to worry about it library of content. Instead of everything disappearing one day. being on Netflix, it is now spread all Not every piece of media has the over the place. luxury of getting a physical release, Let us say you wanted to watch the however. As of recently, many streaming newest Marvel Cinematic Universe or streaming original content projects movie, you have to go to Disney Plus. funded by their respective platforms Do you not have Disney Plus? That is have been getting deleted. okay, you can just watch the newest This happened recently with the "South Park" special instead; you have shows “Willow,” “Black Beauty” and “Y: been really meaning to check that The Last Man” all being removed from out anyway. You go to Max, the self- Disney Plus due to them being labeled proclaimed home of the series, and you as tax write offs. These three shows do not see it. never got a physical release meaning Confused as ever, you do a quick it is now impossible to support them Google search to see what the problem legally. is, only to discover that there is nothing I can only imagine how the people wrong. The special is just on Paramount who worked on these projects feel, Plus, a service seeing something you do not own. they worked so You once again hard on being have to go on an erased without a "The lack of respect for the adventure just to second thought. creatives that work for these find an episode. The lack of respect Now you might for the creatives media giants is sickening to say to yourself, "It that work for see." still beats having these media giants to get a physical is sickening to see. copy." I strongly So what does disagree with this the future of notion because at streaming look this point, it may be better to just own like? It is honestly hard to say. It is not one. going away anytime soon, but I do not Shows and movies are constantly think it will ever reach the same level bouncing around from one place to of public approval that it once held. another. This is mainly due to copyright It still serves its original purpose as a issues and exclusive deals. simple way of letting people enjoy their As annoying as this is, it does get favorite pieces of media, it is just not as worse. For the longest time my favorite easy or convenient as it once was. movie, “Spider-man: Enter the SpiderWatching a simple show should not verse” was available on Netflix. I was be this hard. �Sports The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Asst. Editor: Adam.grundt@wilkes.edu Marts Center gymnasium gets a new look over break By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Wilkes Athletics had a busy summer, and the results are easy to see in the Arnaud C. Marts Center. Since the end of the 2022-2023 school year, Wilkes joined a new conference, leaving the Middle Atlantic Conference after almost 70 years. It joined the Landmark Conference for all sports except men's and women’s ice hockey. It also updated two of its main athletic facilities on campus. Both Schmidt Stadium and the Henry Gymnasium received new renovations. Schmidt received new turf while the gymnasium had a complete renovation. The Henry Gymnasium was named after Frank Henry, who is also the namesake for the student union building just a block away from the gym. The building had not been changed since its construction and the new update has been appreciated. It included a new floor which has the university's' updated logo and the new conference affiliation on it. Also changed was the lighting system, now supporting LEDs for a much brighter and fuller room. The last things updated were the scoreboard and bleachers. The scoreboard now sports a fully electronic look and the bleachers have been updated from wood to full on retractable plastic with metal rails. The renovations total nearly $1.2 million. The mens and womens volleyball team, basketball teams and the wrestling team are among the sports that play in the renovated space.. Photos Courtesty of Liz Keller TOP: The Henry Gymnasium is named after Frank Henry, who is also the namesake for the Student Union Building on campus BOTTOM: New bleachers have been installed as part of the gymnasium's complete renovation. The Wilkes 'W' sits at center-court of the newly-renovated gymnasium. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Sports 20 NFL: New and old faces to keep and eye on this season By Adam Grundt Asst. Sports. Editor As many viewers see the start of the National Football League season as the unofficial start of the fall, there are many exciting storylines to keep an eye on as the season gets underway. The defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the season against the Detroit Lions to start Thursday Night Football on Sept.7. The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to repeat last season that ended in a Super Bowl appearance led by quarterback, Jalen Hurts. After signing a large contract in the offseason, Hurts is one of the favorites to win the league’s most valuable player award. They opened their season against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 10. Eagles’ defensive back, Brandon Graham, reflected on last year’s successes “We could almost taste it,” said Graham. “It was right there. I’ll never forget this team. We worked our butt off. We will be back”. With the departure of former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the National Football Conference (NFC) North is the division to watch this season. Many believe the Minnesota Vikings will have an easy path to the division title. However, the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears are on the come-up, and will certainly give a challenge to the Vikings when competing for the division crown. Bears quarterback Justin Fields, is poised to have a break-out season after the team had the worst record in the NFL last season, and offseason acquisitions, such as D.J. Moore and Yannick Ngakoue, give the Bears a true shot at competing for the division crown. Because of this, the Bears were challenged right out of the gate when they opened their season at home against their biggest rival, the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 10. Chicago Bears general manager, Ryan Poles, commented on the expectations of their star quarterback. “Just continue to improve,” Poles said. “(We) want those sack numbers to come down, interceptions to come down, make good reads, protect himself, just see him take that next step.” Another division to keep an eye on will be the NFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to appear in the playoffs while being led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, while two new franchise faces are looking to make an impression on the league in their first seasons with their teams. C.J. Stroud is looking to take the reigns as the leader of the offense for the Houston Texans, while Anthony Richardson is looking to do the same in Indianapolis with the Colts. The first Sunday Night Football game on Sept. 10, was a heated NFC East division rivalry matchup between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. Giants quarterback, Daniel Jones, is looking to jump into the category of elite quarterbacks in the league this season while Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott, looks to have a fully healthy season in 2023, which has been a struggle for him throughout his career. “I don’t desire to be the number one offense in the league, I want to be the number one team in the league with the number of wins and the championship,” said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy when asked about the team’s expectations for the upcoming season. “If we have to give up some production and take care of the ball better to get that, then that’s what we’ll do.” Monday Night Football kicked off on Sept. 11 when the Buffalo Bills took on the New York Jets in a clash of two superstar quarterbacks. Future hall-of-fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked to make a memorable first impression in his inaugural game with his new team after an already storied career with the Green Bay Packers. Bills quarterback Josh Allen looked to lead his team to a more promising season in 2023, as their season ended last year with a loss in the NFC Divisional round against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 2023 season, as always, will be filled with excitement with many storylines to be built off as the year progresses. Many new faces in the league, as well as some familiar ones, will be worth keeping an eye on throughout the year. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Sports 21 Fall Sports: The start of the volleyball and soccer season By Samantha Mullen Contributing Writer With Fall sports already underway, many student athletes are excited about how their seasons will go. This year the university is gearing up for a new journey in the Landmark Conference. The shift to a different conference has brought fresh energy into the athletic department with teams facing new competition when it comes to conference play. Having some new competition has many athletes and coaches excited to see what this first year in the conference has to offer. Men’s soccer is off with a 1-2 start but Coach Michael Piranian is excited to compete in the Landmark this season. Coach Piranian hopes the team will “come in with the right mindset and determination to prove [they] are going to be a tough program to compete with on a yearly basis.” The team's upcoming game this week is home against Rutgers-Camden at 1 p.m. on Sept. 16. Women’s Volleyball is already off with a great start of wins against Keystone College and Penn State Hazleton. Coach Joseph Czopek feels very confident in his players this year and stated that the team “is preparing hard in practice to be competitive in the new conference.” Additionally, many of the teams within the Landmark Conference have gone into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament so the competition will be very strong. Coach Czopek also expressed how the team will be doing overnight stays which the team has not done since before the pandemic. To end the week, the team will travel to New Jersey on Sept. 17 to play Penn State Harrisburg, 2 p.m. and RutgersCamden, 4 p.m. Entering a new conference can be a bit nerve racking for many of the athletes. Luckily, there is still some familiarity before conference play starts as many of the teams will be playing teams from within the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom conference such as Delaware Valley College, Misericordia University and King's College. Graphic/Morgan Rich The Beacon is looking for sports writers for the Fall 2023 semester If you are interested in sports writing, editing, photography or graphics contact Adam Grundt at adam.grundt@wilkes.edu �The Beacon September 13, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Xavier Guerreiro The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Guerreiro was chosen as our Athlete of the Week (AOTW) after his perfomance during the soccer team’s season opener at Penn State Berks. Gurreiro scored two crucial goals on Sept. 1 to help lead the Colonels over Penn State Berks 6-0 Major: Computer science Hometown: Newtown, Pa. High School: Council Rock North High School What has been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? My favorite sports memory from my time as a Colonel was beating Lycoming 4-1 at home my firstyear. It was one of the most exciting games of my whole career. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? My favorite professional sports team is Manchester United. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? My favorite thing to do outside of sports is hang out with my friends or be in nature. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? My favorite part of being an athelete here at Wilkes is having a brotherhood with my teammates. The Beacon/Jess Fellerman Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tion s are deter mined by the spor ts staff each week . At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on Tw it te r @ WilkesB eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year." What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? My go-to sports movie is “Remember The Titans.” If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? I would have wanted to play basketball. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? My favorite sports memory is winning Nationals with my club team, Princeton FC, in 2018. What is your favorite postgame meal? My favorite post-game meal is steak and potatoes. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I am grateful to be selected as the Athlete of the Week because my team helped me achieve this honor. �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 23 �The Beacon - September 13, 2023 Door’s open! !"#$%#&'()$*+$&,-&.+$-#,'(/*)0$)#-$+1&2$ 3$4#$&5#$,((6*)0$7(58 !"#$%&'$( !")*+&+,$-.*'$( !"/'(%,0'$( !"1+2%-3"4'5%-"4-0-,'$( !"/%(&$%67&%+0"4-0-,'$(" !"859'$&%(%0,"4-0-,'$( !!!"#$%&'()* Contact: !"#$%&'()*+,-./0 :-3'0;<*7$2*'$=>%3?'(;'57" 1*,&2/3,4356,.70( @+$,-0;A%2*=>%3?'(;'57 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 September 13 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/aa0883704b79dd9d7b717758691399b4.pdf 6b86c19e0485525255a927146c0b8a27 PDF Text Text The Beacon - September 21, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 76, Issue 3 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Wilkes hosts first blood drive of the fall semester The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery American Red Cross volunteers taking blood donations in the Jean and Paul Adams Commons ballroom on the second floor of the SUB. The blood drive took place Sept. 12 and was held from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Students celebrate national chocolate milkshake day, page 5 The American Red Cross placed a poster at the sign-in table which cautioned donors to be wary of certain factors before donating their blood. Some things to consider included weight, height, age and current and past health histories. E-mentors host bowling event for firstyear students, page 7 A reflection on comedy show “Jon, John and Pete,” page 16 �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Amanda Montgomery: Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 13 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Student Government had its third meeting for the semester on Sept. 13. It also marked the first meeting with all the new members. These new members include three from the senior class and one from the sophomore class. It was also the first meeting for the newly-elected members of the first-year class. SG currently has $70,628.65 in its account. The first order of business was the an Alumni Office fund request for homecoming weekend. The presentation was given by Bree Freeman of the office and Brooke Coleman, a junior student intern. They spoke on the importance of the weekend from an alumni perspective and how it helps renew past memories with colleagues and former students. It can also provide networking opportunities for current students from former graduates within their desired field. Helping this weekend come together is a team of student leaders who help make the weekend possible for both students and alumni. The request for $500 would cover 20 tickets that would be given to the team for their hard work. The tickets would provide access to all activities over the weekend that require payment and come up to a value of $10 per ticket. This was the first week of their proposal and will be voted on next week. The next order of business was a fund request from Kappa Psi, a pharmaceutical fraternity on campus under the chapter Delta Omicron. Presenting was their regent Phil Davis, a p4 student. They came to request funding in order to attend two conferences over the first semester. These conferences are to provide networking opportunities and to vote on changes that affect all chapters within their area. The locations for these are in Buffalo, N.Y. and Boston, Ma. The money would be used to cover hotels and registration for both p1 and p2 students. The amount requested was for $2,226. This was the first week of their proposal and will be voted next week. The next presentation and last order of new business was the pre-law society coming in for club recognition. The presentation was given by Sean and Bryce Greco, both juniors majoring in political science. The club has been in operation over the two semesters without full SG recognition and has a full e-board and general board of over 20 members. They hold events in order to help others understand a bonding through the understanding of law and help their members in the seeking of higher education. This was the first week of their proposal and will be voted on next week. The final presentation was week two of the homecoming fund request for students. The presentation was given by Marytere Quintana-Avila, a junior political science major and a member Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fair is open to all students interested in working in the business, engineering and technology fields. Over 30 companies have already registered with more anticipated to come. Register to attend on Handshake. Contact Carol Bosack for more information or questions at carol.bosack@wilkes.edu. House. Applications can be emailed to allison. naumann@wilkes.edu with the subject line “Polish Heritage Scholarships.” Deadline for applications is Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m. Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Volunteer with ChalkFest The Riverfront Parks Committee hosts their annual ChalkFest event on Saturday, Oct. 7 starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity for students to volunteer and serve their community. Please email john@riverfrontparks.org with the following information: name, phone number and email address. Contact John Maday with questions. College of Business and Engineering Career and Internship Fair The College of Business and Engineering is hosting a career and internship fair on Scholarship Opportunity for Students of Polish Descent The Polish Room Committee Scholarship ($3,000 top award) welcomes applications from Luzerne County residents. To be considered, applicants must write a brief description of their Polish heritage and what that heritage means to them. This letter must be submitted, along with the applicant’s name, WIN and contact information to Allison Naumann, Alumni Leadership Collegiate This six-week, virtual course consists of online modules that provide current college students who are aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience. Participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 22. Use this link to apply: https:// w w w. l e a d e r s h i p l a c k a w a n n a . c o m / leadership-collegiate-1. of SG. The presentation was the request for final ideas toward the homecoming pep rally, events during the game and the homecoming dance. Major ideas include the theme which is Starry Night, the changing from a homecoming king and queen to homecoming royalty and will no longer be split between men and women, and finally the introduction of free student tickets for the homecoming dance. The request came out to be for $22,350.81 and was approved for the full amount. SG will meet again Wednesday Sept. 20. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: September 24 - Paintball at Skirmish 28 - Programming Board giveaway October 5 - Hoedown Throwdown 8 - Statue of Liberty Boat Tour NYC 12-15 - Fall Break 19 - Couch Potato 23-27 - Freak Week 28 - Dorney Haunted Park---Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Amanda.Montgomery1@ wilkes.edu �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 News Wilkes-Barre's Multicultural Parade unites community By Emma Broda News Staff Writer Wilkes-Barre celebrated its sixth annual Multicultural Parade and Festival earlier this month. It was highlighted as one of the events to attend during Wilkes’ Family Day, which was also on the same day. Students and residents of Wilkes-Barre lined South Main Street and watched the parade put together by multiple groups from throughout the area. The parade was a huge display of the many different cultures that make up the city. Some of the countries represented included Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, India, Ecuador and Jamaica. The parade also featured a range of music from each group’s respective culture and extravagant and colorful costumes representative of different cultures. Each group representing a different country or region walked the parade while also performing with their culture’s dances, and of course throwing candy to those watching. It was a much admired celebration of the different cultures that make Wilkes-Barre what it is. "It was cool to see a bunch of the different cultures represented," said Gabriella Amaya, sophomore nursing major. "It was a really great atmosphere downtown and everyone was having a good time.” The high-spirited mood of the parade continued on during the festivities that followed. More than 30 different vendors from the area set up on the Public Square A diverse array of stands and vendors at the Wilkes-Barre Multicultural Parade and Festival. The Public Square had over 30 vendors. to continue the celebration. Vendors included, Sammy’s Caribbean Grill, Los Antojitos, Tacos don Kiko, Greek Stones Handcrafted Jewelry, Awa’s Arts and Crafts, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Wilkes University's Sordoni Art Gallery. There was an abundance of food to enjoy from pupusas to potato pancakes. Along with the food and vendors, there were also things like face painting for kids who attended the festival. Throughout the festival there was a mix of live music and dances from the different cultures who participated in the parade and festival. Organizations like North Eastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Inclusive and Action Together NEPA had booths set up to highlight the importance of a diverse community and how to protect it. For example, Action Together 3 encouraged those in attendance to take action and vote. King’s College and Luzerne County Community College also participated in the parade and shared their own students’ cultures. Did you know that Wilkes University's own Erica Acosta, director of diversity initiatives, was the grand marshal of the 2021 Multicultural Parade? Photos: The Beacon/Emma Broda Los Antojitos, a vendor at the Wilkes-Barre Multicultural Parade, offered a wide selection of international cuisine, adding a flavorful touch to the event. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Ultimate Frisbee By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor There are many sports and athletic opportunities oncampus, but there are few that exemplify the speed, precision and adrenaline that goes into athletic activity than that of ultimate frisbee. Ultimate frisbee packs a lot more punch and excitement than one may initially think. The game consists of two teams of seven that compete against each other in scoring goals by throwing and receiving a disc. It may sound simple, but there is a lot more under the surface, and the competitive nature of the sport and its players allows for very intense and nail-biting matches. “Most people may look at ultimate frisbee as something out of the ordinary that people might not gravitate towards,” said Myles Timmons, ultimate frisbee captain and sophmore year physics major, “But when going to tournaments and scrimmaging other teams, the atmosphere the people and sport bring are unmatched in the world of sports.” Players will engage in matches and practice against not just each other, but also other teams in intense seven on seven tournaments. These tournaments include weeks of preparation, as teams will practice their synergy, gameplans and techniques in between large events. While the ultimate frisbee players are certainly competitive, they also harbor a very welcoming environment, encouraging new players to not only join the club, but also bring friends and family along to enjoy the sport. “Every semester our goal is to go to at least four tournaments, and also while competing in those we have team socials, where we encourage team members to bring their friends that might be interested,” said Timmons. “This also allows us to build a family-like culture around the team and on campus.” While ultimate frisbee takes skill in both speed and precision, the club is very keen on helping both newcomers and seasoned players sharpen their skills. “This club is extremely beginnerfriendly,” said Timmons, “Aside from me, I have Zara Lantzman, Esther Orlando, Brennan Reiner, Alex Lopez, Alex Schweiter, Stephen Youkoski and Olivia McInnis, who all act as supplemental teachers while we are playing and practicing.” Anyone with an interest in engaging in a high energy sport with a friendly and supportive environment, The Ultimate Frisbee team will welcome with open arms. The team prioritizes giving a voice and proper attention to everyone that joins. Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: the ballad of a homeschooled girl - Olivia Nails for Breakfast, Tacks for Snacks - Rodrigo Panic! At the Disco Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Wait by the River - Lord Huron Senso - Grillabeats Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: Boyish - Japanese Breakfast Slime You Out (feat. SZA) - Drake Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: get him back! - Olivia Rodrigo Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Our very own Zara Lantzman has put together a Spotify playlist where you can scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff weekly picks! “Our goal for this year is to establish a family-centric winning culture,” said Timmons. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment.” Ultimate frisbee exemplifies the skill, adrenaline, precision, cooperation and sportsmanship that is so important within sports. There may never be a dull moment, but that just makes the energy that much more palpable. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment,” said Timmons. To join the team, simply email myles.timmons@wilkes.edu, or alternatively, ultimate@wilkes.edu to learn more. Tick Tick Boom - The Hives Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Twilight - Boa Lara Mullen, Designer: Say Yes - Ellliott Smith Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Nothing Works - Declan McKenna Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 News 5 Students celebrate national chocolate milkshake day By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Residence Hall Council partnered with Aramark to sponsor a milkshake giveaway on Sept. 12. Students who stopped by the Student Union Building during club hours had the choice of vanilla or chocolate milkshakes to celebrate national chocolate milkshake day. The first 100 students were given a RHC-branded reusable straw to promote sustainability measures. In addition, Aramark gave out Wilkes T-shirts. “[RHC was created to] support resident assistants (RAs) and the residents in the Wilkes community,” said Natalie Hernandez, junior accounting major and president of RHC. While RHC specializes in residential issues, commuter students, as well as those who live off-campus, are welcome to attend their events. “I knew them before from orientation,” said Junia Lawton, first-year history major. “It was cool to know they do more events on campus. It was nice to get to know them and see who runs it.” RHC strategically plans these events in advance, while also creating the impression of random, unexpected events. “I believe pop-up events work so well because it’s unexpected, and create the feeling of a surprise, especially in a location where there is a lot of foot traffic,” said Hernandez “It’s a once-ina-blue-moon type of event that students would rather enjoy in the present than not participate and possibly regret later.” Students who attended the event echoed this sentiment. “Giveaways are fun!” said Lawton. “It went by fast, it was relatively quick and easy. It’s always nice to have a free milkshake.” RHC will be hosting more events throughout the semester. To find out more, follow their Instagram @wilkes_ rhc. Photo Courtesy Melissa Ooi Left to Right: sophomores John Buonano and Victoria Corbo were happy to help out at the event Photo: The Beacon/Morgan Steiner Students lined up on the first floor of the SUB before club hours to get their milkshakes. Photo: The Beacon/Morgan Steiner Nicole Norton, Aramark’s General Manager, posing with the T-shirts that were given out during the event. �6 The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Dr. Kaitlyn Langendoerfer joins Wilkes as assistant professor By Amanda Montgomery News Editor Dr. Kaitlyn Langendoerfer joined the university this fall as an assistant professor in the Sociology Department. Langendoerfer received a bachelor of pre-medical science in sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. She also received her doctorate in sociology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. “I’ve always been interested and I love research and what I do in terms of my research, but what I really want to go into academia for is teaching,” said Langendoerfer. “At Wilkes, it’s a very teaching-oriented college [and] it’s smaller, so you really get to know the students.” Langendoerfer planned to pursue a career in dentistry before considering one in sociology. When writing an essay for why she wanted to be a dentist, her committee told her that she might make that believed a good dentist, in her research but that she and encouraged sounds like a her to pursue sociologist. a career in She explained sociology. She that sociology understands is important if a that not every student is going student who into nursing or comes into another career her office or in the science is in her class field. will become a “You still sociologist, but need to know how your she hopes that p e r s o n a l in some way, she is helping problems or to shape them maybe your Photo courtesy Dr. Langendoerfer and mentor p a t i e n t s’ them. p e r s o n a l In her free time, Langendoerfer likes problems are related to public issues and societal issues and how that may be to spend time outside with her three playing a role in either your own life or children. They are currently raising your patients’ life,” said Langendoerfer. monarch caterpillars that will soon Throughout her academic career, she become butterflies. “It’s really a good way to see has had various influential professors sociology,” said Langendoerfer. “I’m seeing their socialization as they go to school and I’m seeing how my parenting is impacting them and I’m seeing all these things I’m studying.” Langendoerfer currently lives in Honesdale, Pa., with her husband, three children, two horses and donkey. In five years, Langendoerfer plans to be an associate professor, and to be in her group with students who are akin to her and are interested in her classes. “I am a medical sociologist and I study aging, so I’m hoping to bring those specializations into the department that has mainly focused on criminology and family,” said Langendoerfer. “I’m hoping to bridge those and bring in medical and life course issues and to the curriculum.” One piece of advice Langendoerfer has for students is to meet with their professors. She explained that most students don’t attend their professor’s office hours, unless there is an assignment or project. Dr. Kyung Park joins Wilkes as assistant professor By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Dr. Kyung Park joined Wilkes as an assistant professor of math, physics and computer science this fall. Park received a bachelor of science from Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. She later also earned a master of science in computer science. Later, she received a doctorate of science in information technology from Towson University in Towson, Maryland. “I am most proud of my balanced experience and thinking,” said Park. “I established a startup company and experienced various tasks necessary for doing business.” She explained that kind of real-world experience can be valuable for students looking to create their own startups and brand into multidisciplinary fields. “I thought the computer science program is very strong and competitive, department covering both welcomed me the most basic very kindly and subjects as well explained the as the latest school and the t e c h n o l o g i e s ,” life at Wilkes said Park. well,.” Park also Park enjoys o b s e r v e d teaching, but also the Wilkes recognizes the c om mu n it y, importance of which aided in connecting with her decision to her students. join the computer “I want to help science program. students gain “When I knowledge and first saw the experience that advertisement, will serve as a the city of fundamental Wilkes-Barre source in stimulated my overcoming the curiosity and I Photo courtesy Dr. Park challenges they face loved the photos of the students and campus,” said Park. “During the campus when they go out into the real world,” interview, almost all the professors in said Park. “I also want to conduct fruitful the math, physics and computer science research with outstanding students and colleagues. Additionally, based on my experience at a large metropolitan school and a small liberal arts college, I will teach and advise students to suit each student’s background and experience.” Park is eager for this fall semester, not only for teaching students what she has learned through her education and experience, but also to learn from her students and to enjoy new experiences. Park is very active in learning and putting new applications and innovations in technology into her practice. In her free time, she enjoys walking on hiking trails and golfing. Park offers some advice to students regarding overcoming obstacles. “When you run into difficulties, I encourage you to think back to when we first learned a programming language and go back to the basics. Then you will see the path to follow,” said Park. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Zara.lantzman@wilkes.edu E-mentors host bowling event for first-year students By Kelsie Klein Contributing Writer The WIlkes e-mentors hosted a bowling night at Chacko’s Bowling for all first-year students to have a night to unwind and hangout with friends. Upon arrival, students were greeted by their e-mentors, were able to get their shoes, and then broke out into groups for the event. It was a great opportunity for first-year students to get to know fellow students, as well as have fun, relax and unwind after classes. “My experience with bowling is so far a very positive one,” said Kara Beerly, a senior psychology major. “It’s a great experience. It was 8:46 p.m. and students were still trickling in. “I witnessed students needing to join lanes that were already open, which was an amazing opportunity for students to talk to fellow students and get to know everyone by having to join other lanes.” While there, everyone was given a ticket for a chance to win cool prizes. Some of the prizes included a Chacko’s gift card and a lot of university merch. The university merchandise was from the bookstore and if students received the wrong size, they had the opportunity to exchange the item for the correct one. Items were drawn throughout the night and it was an equal opportunity to end the night with a win for everyone who showed up. “There was an amazing turnout this year,” said Leah Kubasek, a junior chemistry major and e-mentor coordinator. “There were a lot of people here this year having fun and really enjoying themselves, which I am very grateful for.” An e-mentor’s main job at the university is to help guide first-year students and ensure that their mentees are having a smooth transition into college. E-mentors are required to host individual events for their specific groups of mentees for extra one-on-one time. “I love being an e-mentor and truly enoying being an event coordinator,” said Kubasek. “It is a lot of work, but it’s worth all the time and dedication I put into it. It is a very rewarding position, and one that I truly value.” “I was able to spend time with my friends, bowl and, of course, win an amazing hat,” said Shauna McAndrew, a first-year nursing major. “The highlight of my night was definitely winning the hat because I never had the chance to win anything before.” The bowling night was a success for all first year students and gave first-year students the opportunity to connect with other first-year students in a relaxing environment. The e-mentor program is an opportunity that the university provides for first-year students to make things easier and provides them with someone in their community that they are able to talk to. “I love being an e-mentor because I get to meet all of the first-year students and bring them together,” said Beerly. “I love giving them an opportunity to get to know one another and bring together a community. “I really love being in a mentor role and encourage and support my mentees and hopefully encourage one of them to become an e-mentor themselves.” Kara Beerly, left, and Leah Kubasek, right, pose for a picture before they bowl. Photos Courtesy of Kelsie Klein Shauna McAndrew poses after winning a hat from the university’s bookstore. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Ultimate Frisbee By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor There are many sports and athletic opportunities oncampus, but there are few that exemplify the speed, precision and adrenaline that goes into athletic activity than that of ultimate frisbee. Ultimate frisbee packs a lot more punch and excitement than one may initially think. The game consists of two teams of seven that compete against each other in scoring goals by throwing and receiving a disc. It may sound simple, but there is a lot more under the surface, and the competitive nature of the sport and its players allows for very intense and nail-biting matches. “Most people may look at ultimate frisbee as something out of the ordinary that people might not gravitate towards,” said Myles Timmons, ultimate frisbee captain and sophmore year physics major, “But when going to tournaments and scrimmaging other teams, the atmosphere the people and sport bring are unmatched in the world of sports.” Players will engage in matches and practice against not just each other, but also other teams in intense seven on seven tournaments. These tournaments include weeks of preparation, as teams will practice their synergy, gameplans and techniques in between large events. While the ultimate frisbee players are certainly competitive, they also harbor a very welcoming environment, encouraging new players to not only join the club, but also bring friends and family along to enjoy the sport. “Every semester our goal is to go to at least four tournaments, and also while competing in those we have team socials, where we encourage team members to bring their friends that might be interested,” said Timmons. “This also allows us to build a family-like culture around the team and on campus.” While ultimate frisbee takes skill in both speed and precision, the club is very keen on helping both newcomers and seasoned players sharpen their skills. “This club is extremely beginnerfriendly,” said Timmons, “Aside from me, I have Zara Lantzman, Esther Orlando, Brennan Reiner, Alex Lopez, Alex Schweiter, Stephen Youkoski and Olivia McInnis, who all act as supplemental teachers while we are playing and practicing.” Anyone with an interest in engaging in a high energy sport with a friendly and supportive environment, The Ultimate Frisbee team will welcome with open arms. The team prioritizes giving a voice and proper attention to everyone that joins. Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: the ballad of a homeschooled girl - Olivia Nails for Breakfast, Tacks for Snacks - Rodrigo Panic! At the Disco Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Wait by the River - Lord Huron Senso - Grillabeats Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: Boyish - Japanese Breakfast Slime You Out (feat. SZA) - Drake Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: get him back! - Olivia Rodrigo Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Our very own Zara Lantzman has put together a Spotify playlist where you can scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff weekly picks! “Our goal for this year is to establish a family-centric winning culture,” said Timmons. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment.” Ultimate frisbee exemplifies the skill, adrenaline, precision, cooperation and sportsmanship that is so important within sports. There may never be a dull moment, but that just makes the energy that much more palpable. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment,” said Timmons. To join the team, simply email myles.timmons@wilkes.edu, or alternatively, ultimate@wilkes.edu to learn more. Tick Tick Boom - The Hives Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Twilight - Boa Lara Mullen, Designer: Say Yes - Ellliott Smith Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Nothing Works - Declan McKenna Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon – September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 The rise of Artifical Intelligence and its place in art By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor As the world grows older, technology advances and humanity yearn to create new and innovative ways to perform tasks, both basic and complex. This strive for innovation and streamlined systems have led to the development of artificial intelligence, the possible backbone of the future within industry and art, for better or worse. Artificial Intelligence, or A.I., has a long history, extending back to the 1950s. Initially, A.I.’s purpose was increasing the functionality of machines, allowing for more proficiency in data storage to increase performance optimization. While A.I.’s potential was well known, computers were not yet at the computing ability to explore A.I. ‘s true capabilities. As computer speeds, memory and computing capabilities continued to grow, artificial intelligence became more intelligent and versatile in its skillset. A.I. became able to mimic human actions, emotions, sort, store, organize, problem solve and more. Toward the end of the 20th century, A.I. began to enter the wider net of popular culture. Books, films and media such as “Westworld,” “Metropolis,” “The Terminator,” “Robocop,” “Cyberpunk 2020,” “The Matrix,” “Blade Runner,” “Ghost in the Shell,” “Star Wars,” ”Tron,” “Transformers,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” etc. all became wildly popular, often perpetuating the idea of rogue A.I.’s taking over humanity, or adopting human-like qualities. Artificial intelligence quickly became a cornerstone of popular culture. Stories rife with warnings of machine autonomy, deception and philosophical explorations of the human condition, these stories are some of the most well known and successful pieces of media within the last handful of decades. These pieces of media were not meant to be predictions or expectations of A.I., but simply pieces to create an intriguing narrative. However, some of these stories have been more accurate in their view of artificial intelligence than previously thought possible. Previously, while artificial intelligence was a recurring theme and presence within many pieces of art and media, it would not be until recently that A.I. was not just within the art, but instead the conductor of it. While there had been rare instances of A.I. assisting in the creation of art throughout the decades, the mid 2010’s would revolutionize the usage of A.I. generative art. 2015 was the true catalyst year of A.I. art, with programs being launched by Google, however they were still in the learning phase. A.I. art truly took off to the public in 2021 with the release of machine learning models by OpenAI such as ChatGPT and Dalle-E. More A.I. art generators such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion have also been launched into the stratosphere within the last few years. These programs make it easier than ever to generate art. Simply type in a prompt and watch a machine attempt to replicate the artistry of a human. Replicate being the keyword, as A.I. is unable to truly think for itself or innovate, as it is simply a machine learning tool, not an artist. The simple fact of A.I. arts nature has stirred up much controversy surrounding the new generated art methodology. A.I. artists have more in common with programmers than they do artists. The user will type a detailed description of what they want visualized, occasionally modify various settings, possibly even train the A.I. to a specific art style, and then send the command to the bot. The A.I. will scrub the internet for art made by artists and mimic their style to their best ability. A.I. generated art does not stop at simply illustrations and paintings, but also accurately mimicking voices, writing styles and animation styles etc. A.I. generated voices are becoming particularly popular across the internet, as social media users create parodies with voices of famous characters and celebrities. Many voice actors have expressed their dismay at these A.I. voice models, as while the models continue to progress, they become more indistinguishable from the real voice. Naturally, there are many plagiarism and ethical concerns surrounding this system of art generation. Many say that since the A.I. is unable to truly innovate and can only mimic living artists, the artists that are being mimicked, without their permission, are being unrightfully copied and having their style and work butchered by machine learning algorithms. Not only is this seen as unethical for its own merit of plagiarism, but also because it can usher in an era of out of work artists due to art generation being faster and considerably less argumentative in their vision. This is an especially large concern in the world of media, as studios and corporations such as The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, Take Two Interactive, Sony Corporation, etc. have already shown their knack of being exceedingly anti-human in their approach to artistic creation, mistreating, crunching and underpaying thousands of artists of all kinds. This has been the primary catalyst of the many active creative strikes, most notably being the current SAG-AFTRA strike. The current treatment of artists as well as the adoption of A.I. generated artwork has instilled fear and frustration in artists across the globe. Despite these concerns, there are also many in support of A.I. art generation, citing that with these simple tools, complex and difficult forms of art will be able to be created by anybody with an idea, creating art pieces while skipping the long and arduous creative process. This idea of generating art for the sake of haste and convenience has also seeped its way into creative programs and tools such as those found in the Adobe Creative Suite. Just recently, Adobe software such as Photoshop have introduced generative fill, a tool that allows users to simply highlight an area, type in a prompt, and have artificial intelligence generate the prompt. This can be used to remove a blemish, replace an entire structure or being and create all new items within the editor. As artificial intelligence continues to develop and be adopted by the public and various industries, it remains a contentious topic. Many believe it’s the next step in innovation and efficiency, while many others believe it is stripping away every ounce of humanity from everything it touches. The trajectory of artificial intelligence is unpredictable, but one to keep a watchful eye on. Graphic by Morgan Rich �The Beacon – September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Rodrigo releases critically-acclaimed sophomore album “GUTS” By Cassidy Brumagin Contributing Writer On Sept. 8, Olivia Rodrigo released her sophomore album “GUTS.” The album spans across various genres including rock, pop, punk and indie. The tracklist features 12 songs including “vampire,” the lead single that made its debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The release of this album follows the massive success of Rodrigo’s debut album “SOUR”, which earned the singer three Grammys in 2022. “For me, this album is about growing pains and trying to figure out who I am at this point in my life,” Rodrigo wrote about the album announcement. The tracks touch upon topics of hooking up with an ex, toxic people in her life, and the overall awkwardness and pains of growing up and out of her teenage years. The day after her sophomore album’s release, Rodrigo took to Instagram to post about the album, writing, “Making this album was so fun and scary and thrilling and fulfilling and I’m so happy it is yours!” Within a week of its release, the album reached the number one slot for albums on iTunes, filled 11 of the slots of Spotify’s Top 50 Global songs and occupied two slots on Billboard’s Hot 100. Joining “vampire” on Billboard’s Hot 100 is “bad idea right?,” which peaked at number 10 thus far. In addition to success on the charts, Rodrigo’s album has made a presence on TikTok with thousands of users using sound clips from various songs off the album. At the time of writing, the leader of the album is “bad idea right?” with over 157.5 thousand uses. Many users have taken to the sound to share their own similar stories of getting with an ex, as the song describes. “I think that she is bringing back the female rage we saw in the 90s and early 2000s in the most amazing way possible,” said Maddie Carpenter, senior pharmacy major. When prompted further, Carpenter explained that the opinion comes primarily from a track on the album titled “all-american bitch”. The track is the album’s lead off and begins with a soft melody, leading into a beat drop complete with electric guitar, drums and Rodrigo raising her voice to a near scream style of singing. “The song resembles something from an artist like Avril Lavigne,” said Carpenter “We have not seen that sort of rage and just letting loose from many artists of the newer generations.” In comparison to “SOUR”, many fans are citing maturity as the most notable change to Rodrigo’s style on this album. “ W h e n comparing ‘SOUR’ to ‘GUTS’, I feel ‘GUTS’ is definitely more mature,” said Jocelyn Cussatt, senior biology major. “I love ‘SOUR,’ but I feel that looking back some of the lyrics are definitely, not to be brutal, juvenile. Her lyrics and feelings definitely matured as she grew up.” Rodrigo was 18-years-old when “SOUR” was released and is 20-years-old now. Mirroring the time pass and change for Rodrigo between the two albums, many users have gone to TikTok to post photos of themselves at the time of each album release as well. The trend puts the photos over an audio clip from “ballad of a homeschooled girl.” Critics have also taken to the album in an overall positive manner. The Los Angeles Times dubbed the album a “bubble-gum rock masterpiece,” while the Rolling Stone describes it as “another instant classic”. Common themes amongst music critics include praising the poppunk undertones, relatable lyrics and scope of the album from slow ballads to upbeat music and lyrics. Taking the opposing side, The Telegraph (UK) calls “GUTS” a “simple continuation of “SOUR,” stating “there is little musical growth or thematic change.” The review from them, however, is the only mixed critic review out of 18 on Metacritic, with the rest being positive. The 18 total reviews earned “GUTS” a Metascore of 91. With the release of “SOUR” earning Rodrigo seven Grammy nominations, many critics are wondering what is to come following the commercial success of “GUTS.” Graphic by Lara Mullen comedian Fanny Brice and her journey to stardom as a Vaudeville entertainer. Barbara Sreisand originated the role of Fanny Brice in 1964. The current 2022 revival of “Funny Girl” starred “Glee” actress Lea Michele in Streisand’s iconic role. Michele debuted on Broadway as young Cosette in “Les Miserables” at the age of 8, and performed the role of Wendla in the original Broadway production of “Spring Awakening.” However, she is most often known for her role as Rachel Berry in the television show “Glee.” Michele started her run as Fanny Brice in April 2022 and closed it on Sept. 3. In “Glee,” Michel’s character Rachel is cast as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl. Now, years later Michele actually played the role herself. Just like her “Glee” character, Michele looked up to Barbara Streisand, making this role very significant for her. Jane Lynch, who played the tough cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, also appeared in “Funny Girl.” Lynch played Brice’s mother in the revival of the musical but left the show right before Michele’s run. She insisted that her exit had nothing to do with Michele, stating that they were on good terms. During her final performance on Sept. 3, Michele paid homage to Streisand, adding in a song that the original “Funny Girl” star sang on her closing night. Michele sang the cut song,“My Man” just as Streisand did, to mark her final performance as Fanny Brice in 1966. The song was in the 1968 movie, but never in the actual musical. “Funny Girl” marked Michele’s first Broadway performance in 15 years. Michelle took a break from performing after the birth of her son. Michelle Beanie Feldstein was playing Fanny, but left the cast early. Michele then stepped in for Feldstein, ending her Broadway hiatus. Along with Michele, Julie Benko has been playing Fanny Brice when Michele was unavailable. Benko has recently gained notoriety for her successful portrayal of the lead role. The New York Sun called Benko “The Fanny Brice of our time.” Benko has performed in several Broadway productions, including the national tour of “Spring Awakening,” “Les Miserables” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Benko was named “2022 Breakout Star for Theatre” by The New York Times. The North American tour of “Funny Girl” started in Rhode Island on Sept. 9. It will tour all throughout North America, ending in August 2024, in Houston, Texas. Broadway shows, including “Funny Girl,” set to close curtains By Cally Wlliams Life, Arts and Entertainment Staff Writer Broadway has been a staple of American culture since the 18th century. People from all over the world bond over their enjoyment of spectacular music, shining lights and a good tap number. Many shows that have run on Broadway stand the test of time, but still can not fight that final closed curtain. Some Broadway shows that will be closing this fall include “The Cottage,” “The Shark is Broken” and “Melissa Etheridge: My Window.” “The Cottage” is set to close on Oct. 29, and the latter two will close on Nov. 19. While these current Broadway shows are set to close in a couple of months, the revival of the hit musical “Funny Girl” just gave its final bow on Sept. 3. Funny Girl tells the story of Jewish �Name: Class: Date: Word Sudoku The Beacon - September 21, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Fall Season Sodoku The words or names that are used in the puzzle: flowers dandelion rain april ivy sunshine bumblebee orchid chicks ����������������������������������������������� �� ivy Challenge your brain with some sudoku! How to play: Fill in the missing words. Each row should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each column should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each 2x2 quadrant should have 6 words, no repeats. chicks flowers rain orchid dandelion orchid april flowers flowers bumblebee chicks april chicks rain bumblebee flowers sunshine bumblebee chicks sunshine sunshine april Answer Key: dandelion ivy bumblebee bumblebee rain chicks rain april orchid bumblebee flowers orchid april Credit for these puzzles goes to: www.edu-games.org Compiled by Morgan Rich, Editor In Chief ���The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion Editorial Staff 2023-24 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Amanda Montgomery LA&E - Zara Lantzman Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Anthony Cazun Sports - Adam Grundt DESIGNERS Designer - Lara Mullen Section Staff Writers News - Emma Broda LA&E - Cally Williams Opinion - “Freeze” Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or morgan.rich@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 or Morgan Rich at morgan.rich@ wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact opinion editor: sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu. Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. The switch to GrubHub has been a nuisance Before the start of the fall semester, students were notified that there would be a transition in the campus food ordering and pick-up platform. Dining Sidekick would be replaced by GrubHub. Although we were initially promised that this change would improve our dining experience, it has actually created more troubles. One issue with this transition is that both students and campus dining employees are being forced to switch from a platform they were familiar with to a platform that is unfamiliar. Students and staff alike have had to learn and get accustomed to an allnew user interface. For some students, becoming accustomed to a new platform has created a damper on their dining experience. Learning how to order on an app that is unfamiliar creates setbacks in the ordering process. For others, uncertainty about how to use the app has discouraged them from ordering food on campus whatsoever. Dining staff also had to overcome obstacles and uncertainties that come with the changes to a new dining platform. For the on-campus Starbucks, for example, this change meant they now had to become accustomed to simultaneously serving in- person customers while also attending to the orders that come through the GrubHub app when they previously only had to take in-person orders. Outside of the hurdles that come with learning how to use a new platform, there have been promises that have been left unfulfilled. In the initial email regarding this change, students were promised that GrubHub would offer a seamless ordering process, real-time order tracking, and reliable services. These statements have not been entirely true thus far. The ordering process has not been seamless for all students. Some students have reported that the user-interface is less visually appealing and more complex than Dining Sidekick, making ordering more complicated in some instances. Sometimes, students are unable to order what they want, such as a venti drink from Starbucks, for example, as it is not listed as an option on the app. A reportedly inconvenient and less-intuitive ordering system may also make it more difficult for first-year students to become accustomed to ordering and picking up food on campus. Regarding real-time order tracking, students have stated that the estimated order times have not been accurate. On Dining Sidekick, students would receive a notification when their order was ready. When they received this notification, their order was, in fact, ready. On GrubHub, some have stated that they no longer receive pop-up notifications when their order was ready, or in other instances, they would receive a notification when their order may not actually be ready yet. We were also promised that GrubHub would be a reliable, hassle-free service, however, this too has not entirely been the case. Within the first week of school, students had issues ordering from oncampus dining locations such as Burgers + Fries and Greens to Go. Although these issues have since been addressed, they still caused an inconvenience during a time students already had other things to adapt to, such as class schedules and living situations. Going forward, hopefully GrubHub becomes commonplace as Dining Sidekick had been, but that has yet to become a reality for some students. Ordering and picking up food should not be an inconvenience. 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: morgan.rich@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, 2023 Opinion 15 The hidden power of the The Return of The Red indie video game genre Raven: an original story By “Freeze” Opinion Staff Writer In the modern world of media, mostly everyone engages with movies, shows, music, books and games that are considered “mainstream.” This is media that skyrockets with attention and captivates the public by the millions. However, that is precisely why the mainstream genre is actually terrible. Not only does gaining traction discourage creativity and brand new elements, but it also starts to develop into a lazy formula for entertainment. Meanwhile, there are lesser known projects, which are referred to as indie titles, that employ fresh strategies and introduce new techniques that really enhance the experience. Of course, I will discuss the superiority of the indie genre in the context that I know best: video games. If you read last week’s issue of The Beacon newspaper, you would know that I am not a big fan of online video games. There are a variety of reasons that the online setting is problematic, but the main point is that all of the games in this category are exactly the same. These games have only one goal: make as much money as possible. For example, Epic Games’s Fortnite has been nothing but a strategy to hypnotize children into spending all of their parents’ money on cosmetic items. The worst part is that this strategy has infected other games, such as Rocket League, FIFA and even the mobile hit Clash Royale. In short, the developers of these games don’t have any regard for gameplay or their user-experience. On the other hand, the indie genre is simply beautiful. In order to really demonstrate how great these games are, it is important to understand three big categories: cost, gameplay and development and the community interaction. Cost. Although indie games can cost as much as a mainstream title, they are much cheaper on average. More importantly, the money that is spent on indie titles is happily spent by players in order to gain ownership of the game. For indie games, the cost is not a fee in order to have access, but it is a salutation to the developer and a confirmation that the player themself wants to own a personal copy of the title. It is common for players to even go so far as to provide funding for a game that is in development. Finally, unlike mainstream and online content, these games do not rely on microtransactions. Developers sacrifice a lot of time and money on a title only to release it for a discountable price. Thus, the cost of indie games are very affordable and worthwhile. Gameplay and Development. Needless to say, the actual content of a game is what makes it worthy. Many indie players will say that the smaller projects are not just games, but they are experiences. Indie games are often described as a unique display of new mechanics, such as Hollow Knight, fresh art-styles, like in Cuphead, and killer soundtracks like in Undertale. These games have completely original content created by small, talented developers and artists who band together to bring their vision to reality. Community Interaction. Interaction within a video game community could greatly change how someone may enjoy playing the game. A community for an indie game is usually very unified and civilized. First, the developers constantly ask for feedback and respond to the community. Players also enjoy treating an indie title like a shared experience, so they will freely give tips and tricks out of respect for other players and the game itself. Finally, the community in an indie is not demanding of the developers. If anything, most players fear the day that an indie game skyrockets and follows the dark path of mainstream status. Even so, developers often respond to their community with expansions for their titles, known as downloadable content (DLC). One important thing to note is that indie developers are just a few people working with their own funds. At the end of the day, there is nothing that can stop you from playing whatever games you enjoy. However, the indie genre is a goldmine that offers spectacular types of games, which may be something you never knew you liked until you tried it. The top list of indie games would certainly be a great place to start. By Leah Smith Contributing Writer PART 2 Rick froze as he read the description of Teddy Flowers’s death one last time. “Teddy Flowers was bludgeoned to death with a wooden square block with the letter “A” painted on it.” He couldn’t breathe. He repeated in his head that this was just a coincidence. That perhaps a sick serial killer was out murdering people with wooden toy blocks. It couldn’t have anything to do with his show. It couldn’t, it shouldn’t, it can’t. Rick didn’t realize that he was becoming light-headed by walking around his blue sofa in circles with the paper in his hand. He felt the need to call someone. He thought of Cameron first, but assumed that he would call him crazy and be more upset with him. He could maybe call the police and tell them that he knows something, but they would call him crazy too. He had only one person left he could call, and his gut twisted just thinking about it. He reached for his cell phone and dialed her number. His thumb hovered over the button to call her. He hasn’t talked to her in years ever since the incident they had where she stormed off and swore that she would never talk to him again. He had no other choice or else he was lost. He took a deep breath and pressed the button. He waited for almost a minute until the beeping from the other end ceased. A woman with a tired and dry voice answered, “Hello?” Rick couldn’t recognize her voice. “Can I speak to Isabelle, please?” “This is Isabelle,” she replied. Rick answered as confidently as he could, “Hey Izzy, it’s your dad.” There was a long, silent pause as Rick was already regretting his decision, but then a deep sigh followed after what felt like an eternity. “What do you want?” she demanded in a cold tone. “Did you hear about Teddy Flowers’s death?” Rick asked. “Yeah. What does this have to do with me?” Isabelle said. “How he died was like how Mr. Jenkins died in the pilot of “The Red Raven.” I want your help in looking deeper into this case, and you’re the only person I have that is in the force that can do this for me,” Rick explained. “So you find out that one of your co-stars passed away and your first thought is that it matches how a character died in a TV show?” Isabelle said in disbelief. “Izzy, please, I don’t mean it like that. I want to try and see if there’s any correlation. I want to try and help,” Rick pleaded, heartbroken that she was still bitter towards him. “Look dad, we are on the case and still trying to uncover everything that we can, but you are in no shape to help. You always thought you were the Red Raven even off the screen. It’s so sad to see you still think that,” Isabelle said. “I don’t want to be the Red Raven. I just want to know because maybe I can help.” Rick defended. “When you called you said that I should do this for you. That’s what it’s always been about. Rick Greenblatt always had to be the star in every moment, even in his own child’s life. I took up being a detective because I knew that I could help people and not just play pretend in a red cape. I can’t help you because it won’t feel worth it because you’ll make it all about yourself,” Isabelle addressed. Rick tried one last time. “Please, you are all that I have left, and I wouldn’t be calling you if I didn’t care for your help and if I didn’t care about the impact you had on my life. I just need this one favor, just this once.” He begged her, tears streaming down his face. Another long silent pause, with the exception of Rick’s sobs, was brought upon the two again. After a few minutes, Isabelle made her decision. “Do you have those old VHS tapes of the show still in the basement?” Isabelle asked. “Yes, I do,” Rick nodded, clearing his voice. “Bring them down to the station.” Isabelle said. The call ended there. Rick wore an awkward smile as he walked to the door that was standing diagonally from the sofa. He opened the door and ran downstairs and grabbed the boxes labeled “Red Raven Collection.” To be continued... �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion 16 “La La Land” can teach us about long-distance relationships Are long-distance relationships worth it? By Bryce Greco Contributing Writer There exists over a thousand surviving letters between John and Abigail Adams, perhaps the most notable long-distance couple in American history. Perhaps you have heard stories from your grandparents about going long distance during times of war. Or maybe your parents were high-school sweethearts who had to be apart once they went away to college. If there is anything history tells us, it’s that long-distance relationships are not easy. But modern technology makes keeping up with your partner much more convenient. Gone are the days of letters and expensive long-distance phone calls. With a cell phone in your pocket, you and your partner can be virtually together anytime and anywhere. However, this doesn’t make long-distance relationships necessarily easy. So, are they worth it? Hollywood likes to romanticize long-distance relationships as something that oftentimes winds up working out in the end. But that is far from realistic. Take a look at Damien Chazelle’s 2016 masterpiece “La La Land.” The film follows the journey of two artists, the actress and playwright Mia and the musician Sebastian, as they pursue their dreams at the expense of their love. During a segment of the film where the couple goes long distance for a few months, we watch the lovers we’ve spent the past hour routing for fall apart. Sebastian is on tour with a band he hates trying to make enough money to open a jazz club, and he fails to make it to the opening performance of Mia’s play. Things only get worse when Mia’s big break in the movie world requires her to move away to Paris for filming. While it’s abundantly clear that Mia and Sebastian deeply love and care about each other, the places their careers are taking them cause their relationship to end. The film concludes after a five-year time-skip, where Mia and her new husband are out on a date at a jazz club. We see the club’s owner and main performer Sebastian greeting guests from the stage. M i a on his tour, she would have never become a famous actress. If Sebastian accompanied Mia to Paris, he would have never opened his club. Their story, while tragic and sad, is rather bittersweet. Both artists achieve their dreams, but at the cost of their life together. I believe this to be the reality of many longdistance a n d Sebastian share a glance from afar with tears in their eyes. The film ends with the couple exchanging a smile one last time. “La La Land” is a perfect example of the reality of long-distance relationships. No matter how much Mia and Sebastian love each other, they could never pursue their dreams as a couple. If Mia followed Sebastian relationships, especially in college. High school relationships, while fundamental and at times perfect, are not always the best predictors of the future. College differs from high school, as the things that truly matter in life now enter the forefront of many students’ minds. You’re no longer working to walk across a stage and get a diploma, you’re working to master the topic of your major, find a job to kickstart your career and create a life for yourself worthy of carrying into your future. And the sad truth is, that sometimes, your long-distance high school relationship can stand in the way of that. Much like with Mia and Sebastian, sometimes you need to sacrifice a life with someone you truly love for the sake of your career and future, and that’s okay. The way I see it, long-distance relationships in college are well worth the struggle if your partner does not stand in the way of what you truly want out of life. If your partner is your best friend and someone you cannot see yourself living without, then the pain of a long-distance relationship will most likely pay off in the end. When you encourage each other to follow each of your dreams while never sacrificing your own desires for life, your time long distance, while certainly not the best, can be necessary to reaching an ideal adult relationship. Giving up on your best friend for an on-demand relationship will boil down to selfishness. If there is anything history has taught us over the years, it is that going the distance is far from an impossible feat. When phone calls replace date nights, remember that modern technology is a blessing your ancestors did not have. Stand by each other’s side during long distance, and I believe that your relationship will be stronger in the end once your time apart is over. Are long distance relationships worth it? When two best friends spend time apart but continue to stand in each other’s corner and aid each other to pursue their dreams and aspirations as one, I believe they are. However, a shared past, while memorable, formative or even perfect, means nothing if it leads to an unwound future. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion 17 A reflection on comedy show “Jon, John and Pete” By Samara Carey Contributing Writer In a world full of hate and injustice, it is important that we have something in our lives to make us laugh. Regardless of your sense of humor, everybody has a guilty pleasure for something that makes them crack a smile. In my case, my favorite comedians are John Mulaney and Pete Davidson. From as far back as I can remember, I have been watching Mulaney specials. I became obsessed with memorizing the punchlines and watching his sketches that date as far back to his “Saturday Night Live,” days where he was a writer. During that time, I also discovered the elusive Pete Davidson. There was something about Davidson that I was instantly drawn to. Whether it was his self-deprecating humor or the way he over-exaggerated his punchlines, I always loved being able to sit back and watch his sketches whenever I was feeling down about something going on in my life. In 2019, Mulaney and Davidson ended up going on tour together for a small comedy run to present and test out new sketches. When this tour was originally announced, I remember running up to my mom as a first-year student in high school begging to see my two favorite comedians in real life. My mom, being the wonderful lady that is she and concerned for my 14-year-old wellbeing, unfortunately said no due to the fear that there would be crude humor not safe for my prepubescent ears. Hearing this absolutely tore me apart and made me feel like my life was never going to be the same again, but I quickly got over it when Mulaney decided to announce his “From Scratch” tour back in early 2022. Luckily, I was able to attend this tour with one of my friends and had an amazing time. Mulaney launched this tour just after recovering from rehab and wanted to retell his stories from his time away. It was, of course, hilarious and I dreamed about seeing him again during one of his next comedy runs. Then, my entire world stopped. In August, Mulaney announced a brand new, limited time comedy run with none other than Pete Davidson and Jon Stewart. As you can imagine, my heart skipped a beat a little. Yes, I had absolutely no idea who Jon Stewart was (more on that later), but Mulaney and Davidson? Oh, my heart can only take so much. My mom, again being the lovely woman that she is, ended up buying me tickets as a gift so we could go together. Maybe this was her way of redeeming herself from betraying me all those years ago, but I digress. The day of the show finally came around, and I was ecstatic. I wore my John Mulaney T-shirt, and I was ready to go. Once we got to the venue, they had us lock our phone in a Yondr punch, which is normal for a comedy show to this high of a standard. Yes, it sucked not being able to go on my phone while I was waiting for the show to start, but I quickly got over it once I realized that this meant more shows were around the corner for this trio. After an opener that I do not care enough to speak about, Davidson officially opened the show. This show was different from past shows for Pete, especially since he recently got out of rehab and was still in active recovery. Nonetheless, he was still incredible and truly encapsulated the audience for the entirety of his set. Some of the notable pieces of his set were when he talked about missing his stalker, how he wants his mom to date someone and the time he fell in love with Leonardo Dicaprio. It was nice to see Davidson in a positive and supportive light, especially since he was torn apart in the media last year. Photo courtesy of Samara Carey Sophomore Samara Carey stands beside her parents Shawn and Sue Carey as a “Jon, John and Pete” graphic is displayed on a television behind them. Davidson’s act was enjoyable; however, I do wish it was longer. He was open and honest about his addiction, which I found quite admirable and was proud of him for doing so. After Davidson’s act, he announced Mulaney on stage next. Mulaney was a natural on stage and made it seem like this was his own headlining show. Some of his most notable pieces included: How an adult failed at kidnapping him, his new adventures with his two-year-old son, and how he believes dinosaurs are not real. It was honestly super refreshing to see Mulaney healthy and happy, especially since his last special contained a lot of heavy material and focused on a darker time in his life. Like I said previously, this was my second time seeing Mulaney, and if you ask me, he just is getting better and better with each act that he performs. Like all things though, it must end. After Mulaney’s set, he announced the last and main act, Jon Stewart. Now, before heading to this show, I had absolutely no idea who this man was, and to be honest, I did not care. I figured if he was staring with stars such as Davidson and Mulaney, he was bound to be just as funny as they are. Oh, boy was I wrong. Before I go any further, I want to say I respect Stewart and his work as a whole, but it is simply not for me. To be blunt, I did not laugh a single time he was on stage. His entire act was about how old he is, how he hates both political parties and then went on to weirdly compare Christianity and Judaism for half the act. Now, I am not sure if this is something that interests you, but I did not necessarily enjoy his set. If you want my honest opinion, the show would have been better without him in it. Overall, I had a fun time at the show, but being transparent, I wish I left after Mulaney’s act. Now I know for next time to completely avoid Stewart, or to leave whenever I see his name. I will be seeing Mulaney and Davidson in the future though. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion 18 "PUNK TACTICS:" an album overshadowed upon release A song-by-song review of "PUNKTACTICS" by Joey Valence & Brae By Shawn Carey Contributing Writer We live in an age of constant media. One of the most highly anticipated albums of the year, “GUTS” by Olivia Rodrigo, was released on Sept. 8. Following the breakout success of her first studio album “SOUR” in 2021, “GUTS” had much to live up to. This album is the young artist’s chance to prove that she’s not just a one hit wonder. I, however, will not be talking about any of that in this article. As much as I would like to add on to the discussion surrounding “GUTS,” I would rather highlight an album that was released on the same day but only received a fraction of the same attention. An album that I believe more people should be listening to. The album I am talking about is “PUNK TACTICS” by Joey Valence and Brae. “PUNK TACTICS” is hip-hop duo Joey Valence and Brae’s first major album. Being recorded entirely in Joey’s bedroom, the 24-year-olds aimed to recreate the punk-rap style of the ‘80s and ‘90s in this record, which I believe they were able to do with flying colors. Before I go into detail about the songs on the album, I would first like to get rid of the elephant in the room. Yes, I know, they sound a lot like the Beastie Boys. When talking about the album, or any of their songs for the matter, it’s hard to not make the comparison, which is completely valid. The duo takes huge inspiration from the New York-based band for much of their discography. They don’t just try to recreate what worked in the past; however, they really make the songs their own with their unique gimmicks and flair. This can be heard in the album’s title track. “PUNK TACTICS” starts with what can only be described as a blast of excitement. It’s very loud and in your face, leaving you with no room to breathe in the best way possible, a common characteristic that all the songs on the album share. This serves as a fantastic start that tells you what the album is all about. There’s also a good chance that you heard the song before, or at least the chorus. Joey and Brae released it as a single in the spring of last year. Due to the song’s general fun and energetic vibe it unsurprisingly started to trend on TikTok. It was used in everything from edits of users’ favorite characters to short animated music videos. The songs “DROP!!” and “WATCH YO STEP” follow in the footsteps of “PUNK TACTICS” as fast-paced power anthems that makes you want to get up and start putting on your own music video, the latter even referencing the opening of Next up we have “DELINQUENT (TEEN TITAN),” which as you probably tell by the name, highlights the duo’s love of samples and references related to pop culture. It’s not uncommon to hear them make the occasional anime reference, with one of my personal favorite examples being, “...we ain’t got a label, you don’t get a quarter. Now we going platinum, ora, ora, ora.” I can see how some may be turned off by the constant name drops, but I believe they tend to work on their own without having to have knowledge of the properties. “INTERMISSION” marks the halfway mark of the album. It’s a nice short break from what we’ve been used to hearing, “PUNK TACTICS.” One thing that stood out to me was the instrumentals of these songs. They start out as slow electric beats until their respective chorus, in which they explode out, turning into something that sounds more like traditional hip-hop. “STARTAFIGHT” plays next, and I would say this is the song that sounds the most similar to what you would hear on a Beastie Boys album, mainly due to the constant repeating of the song’s name, something the group was well known for. It’s also around this point that you’ll probably start to notice that none of the tracks on the album are that long. Most of the songs end up lasting only a mere two minutes, with the entire album being a modest half hour. I see this as working out in the artist’s favor with none of the songs outstaying their welcome, making the album an easy listen. with it even sounding like elevator music. From here on out through, we get much more experimental tracks from Joey and Brae, with the following song immediately letting you know that things are about to change. “GUMDROP” is a minute-long hyper pop song that sounds nothing like what came before it. As someone who isn’t really a fan of the genre, I tend to find myself skipping this one upon plays of the album, but I can appreciate the duo trying something different. Taking a complete 180, we now have “DANCE NOW.” The song’s name is very fitting as it will make you do as it says. It's a very groovy song that has a unique jazz feel to it. This was originally released as a single and had me convinced that it would be my favorite on the album. That was until I heard the next song. Simply titled “RN” the track serves as a fun track that will certainly hype you up. While the song tends to repeat itself in a similar way to “STARTAFIGHT,” the vocal work and instrumental more than makes up for it. The song “HOOLIGANG” does pretty much the same thing but to what I feel like is a lesser degree. “TANAKA 2” is what I believe to be the objectively best song on the album. For the first minute it just sounds like a typical song by them, that’s until Logic comes in and does his verse. You heard that right, this album has a Logic feature. I’m not going to act like I really care about Logic or his music, but his verse on this song does a lot to separate “TANAKA 2” from the duo’s other works. Speaking of separating their songs we now have “STREET PIZZA,” which is just a straight-up punk song. The song features Joey and Brae shouting about making street pizza over heavy instruments. While that may not be the most punk thing to sing about, it certainly has that energy to it. I would like to note that on Spotify they have the artist “Bonjour Señor” listed as a feature. I tried to find more out related to this individual, but the only proof of his existence is this one song. The final song on the album is “CLUB SANDWICH,” a song that returns the duo to their normal style of music. This works as a great track on its own, but I recommend playing the entire album before giving it a listen. It serves also as a celebration of “PUNK TACTICS,” referencing almost all the songs that came before it. “PUNK TACTICS” is an album that takes you for a short yet fun ride. Once you start getting used to its unique style, it does something new and different. If you’re a fan of the Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill or Joey Bada$$ this is worth a listen. Joey and Brea really have something special going on, and I can’t wait to see what they do next. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Sports 19 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Asst. Editor: Adam.grundt@wilkes.edu Wilkes field hockey off to hot start under new coach Ashley Irwin, King's College alum, now a proud Colonel By Adam Grundt Sports Assistant Editor The Colonels’ field hockey team is off to a hot start under new head coach Ashley Irwin. Irwin, a native of Douglasville, Pa., attended King’s College and graduated in 2011. For the past nine years, she was at Keystone College coaching the women’s lacrosse team from 20152020 and leading the field hockey program from 2014-2022. “This will be my 10th season coaching at the Division III level,” Irwin explained. “I feel that my time at Keystone has done a great job in providing me the work habits to go the extra mile, and do the extra work. "Truthfully, at Keystone, it was very, very hard. Our facilities and resources were nowhere compared to what we have at Wilkes, and I think it made me humbled and grateful to be the next coach here at Wilkes. "Now, with the work habits and resources that we have, the sky is the limit.” Irwin played at King's from 20062009. During her career there, she played in 67 games with 47 starts and won back-to-back MAC Freedom championships and made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006 and 2007, according to her profile on the Wilkes Athletics website. She graduated in 2011 with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. Irwin also served as coach for both women’s lacrosse and field hockey at Meyers and Coughlin high schools in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was the Meyers field hockey assistant coach and JV head coach from 2011 to 2014. From 2012 to 2015, she worked with Coughlin's girl's lacrosse team “Over the course of my years in the ‘valley’ I have grown to make a name for myself,” Irwin explained. “After my time at King’s I coached locally for both Meyers and Coughlin High School, before making my way up to Irwin Keystone. I then have had the pleasure of mentoring 15 former players that are head coaches of some sort of collegiate field hockey, collegiate lacrosse, high school field hockey, or high school lacrosse. "It helps to make friends along the way”. In her first season at Wilkes, Irwin commends the atmosphere at the university. “When you came to Wilkes it was always a battle,” Irwin said. “They were tough, they hit hard, and when you saw their name on the schedule you kind of feared them. The atmosphere is one of winning and wanting to win. "I think when you finally experience it as both a student-athlete and a coach, it’s electric. Best decision I ever made, I am simply humbled to be here and work with great people”. The Colonels opened up their season with an overtime victory at Oswego State, and are coming off of back-toback wins against Wells College and Neumann University. They are one win away from matching their season total in wins from a year ago. “They are definitely off to a solid start for sure,” Irwin said. “They are learning what it takes to battle and we couldn’t be prouder. It is definitely a process, and a new one at that. There is a lot of learning and learning quickly. "This week, for example, is unheard of. No team in collegiate field hockey plays four games in one week. But we are; it’s a schedule I inherited and we’re making the most of it. "For the NCAA, field hockey is given 18-19 games to play, depending on scrimmages. It is really hard to fit those games into a two-month schedule. "They are off to a strong start and proving themselves game-by-game”. The Colonels begin conference play on Sept. 16 when they travel to Baltimore, Md. to take on Goucher College. Irwin believes this will be the first real test of the season. “Conference opens this Saturday for us down at Goucher College,” Irwin explained. “It will be the first test for sure, and it is definitely a game that we have already set in our minds that we need to win to set out on the course we are on. It is a bold move, but we want to be the number five or number 6 seed in playoffs. "The Landmark is a tough conference, and one that we know we need to do the work in if we want to survive and make it to that spot. There are a lot of big opponents ahead, but the first one is Goucher and we need that ‘w’.” After a non-conference match against Misericordia University on Sept. 14, the Colonels will travel to Baltimore to take on Goucher College in their first Landmark Conference game of the season. They return home on Sept. 19 to take on rival and Coach Irwin’s alma mater, King’s College, at Schmidt Stadium. At the game, faculty and staff will be recognized as a part of Faculty/ Staff Appreciation Night. For more information, visit gowilkesu.com. Catch the Colonels at Susquehanna Saturday at 1 p.m. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Sports 20 Will the Waterdogs secure a second championship? By Samantha Mullen Contributing Writer The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is gearing up for a much anticipated championship game against the Waterdogs Lacrosse Club and Archers Lacrosse Club. As the best of the best prepare to face off, lets take a closer look at what could be expected when it comes to game time in Philadelphia on Sept. 24. It was to no surprise that the Waterdogs were able to secure a trip to the championship this year as they are the current reigning champs. Led by head coach Andy Copelan and a roster filled with talented players like Kieran McArdle and Michael Sowers, they were able to overcome struggles in the beginning of the season. Waterdogs finished the regular season with a 7-3 record putting them as the 3rd seed. Just from the stats, the team showcased resilience and determination in every game. As already mentioned, players to look at during the championship on the offensive side is Kieran McArdle and Michael Sowers. McArdle led the team in points, have 34, and in 1 point goals, 20. Sowers was close behind with 30 points total with 15 1 point goals and 15 assists, leding the team for most assists. Defensively, they have the Canadian Dillion Ward who came back late in the season but ended with a 61 save percentage. On the other side, the Archers are coached by Chris Bates. The Waterdogs could potentially have some trouble stopping Archers offensive powerhouses like Tom Schreiber, who won league MVP, and Connor Fields. By the end of the regular season, the Archers placed as first seed with a record of 8-2. As mentioned before, Tom Schreiber dominates everytime with he is on the field. He finished the regular season with 16 1 point goals and 2 2 point goals. Another key offensive player is Connor Fields who, in the regular season, led the team in points, 39, and 1 point goals, 28. Defensively, they have the long stick defender Graeme Hossack, who had 8 caused turnovers and 35 groundballs during the regular season. Hossack also showed off his offensive skills with an assist and two 2-point shots. In net, they have second year, Brett Dobson had a save percentage of 60 in the regular season and 78 in post season play. It’ll be a tough fight between Dobson and Ward to see who’s save percentage is better. Though some fans may focus heavily on the defense and offense players, the game starts with the faceoff which is going to be a battle. The rookie Mike Sisselberger has been dominating this season with having a 68 percent for faceoff wins. With the new shot clock rule of 32 seconds after the faceoff, Sisselberger was able to take advantage of that and got 3 goals after gaining possession of the ball. On the Waterdogs, they have two rookies, James Reilly and Zac Tucci, listed as their faceoff guys, but have opted for midfielder Zach Currier to be taking it as of late. Currier currently has a 59 percent for faceoff wins. Seeing him and Sisselberger go head to head at the faceoff will definitely be something exciting to watch. Both teams have had an incredible season which is why they are in the championship. They both have solid offense and defenses. It’s just who is more hungry and determined to get the trophy on Sunday. Will the Waterdogs stay the reigning champs or will the Archers take the crown and win for the first time in program history? Tune in on Sunday Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. on ESPN. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Sports 21 MLB wild card races heat up as playoffs approach By Adam Grandt Sports Assistant Editor Wild Card and divisional races in both leagues are heating up as the Major League Baseball Season enters its home stretch. The Baltimore Orioles sit in first place in the American League East Division with reinforcements on the way as the Tampa Bay Rays sit three games behind them. The Orioles are expected to promote top prospect Jackson Holliday to their major league roster in order to solidify that top spot in their competitive division. Baltimore selected Holliday with the number one overall selection in 2022’s first-year player’s draft. While the Rays remain in striking distance for the division title, they have all but guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs as they sit in the first wild card spot. Baltimore’s all-star closer, Félix Bautista, recently suffered a partial tear in his UCL but is hopeful return for their playoff push. “It’s probably best characterized as an acute-on-chronic injury to his ligament”, Orioles general manager Mike Elias told the media. Elias also added that doctors don’t see a risk if Bautista were to continue throwing this season. The remaining two places for the American League Wild Card spots are currently occupied by Tampa Bay and Baltimore’s division rival, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers find themselves in a similar situation as the Rays, as they sit two games behind the leader of the American League West division, the Houston Astros. The Minnesota Twins are running away with the American League Central as they sit seven and a half games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in what many believe to be the division in baseball with the least strength. According to ESPN analytics, Minnesota has upwards of a 99% chance of clinching their division. As it stands, the Seattle Mariners sit half of a game out of the final wild card spot in the American League. The Blue Jays, Rangers, and Mariners are all separated by a small window of one game. According to ESPN analytics, the Mariners have a 51% chance to lock up that final Wild Card spot. Seattle is coming off the best month of their franchise’s history in August, one where they accumulated 21 wins. “Twenty-one wins in a month and there was a really special team here that won 116 games in one year and they didn’t even do that,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said, referencing the 2001 Mariners team that finished the season with only 46 losses. The race to keep an eye on toward the end of this season, however, is undoubtedly the one for the final National League Wild Card spot. It is currently a heated race between six separate teams. The Philadelphia Phillies currently occupy the first Wild Card spot, and the Chicago Cubs sit a game and a half behind them in the second. The third Wild Card spot, currently occupied by the Arizona Diamondbacks, is up for grabs. The Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants both sit a game and a half behind Arizona, and the Cincinnati Reds are chasing the Diamondbacks by two games. The Chicago Cubs have been as hot as any team as of late, and have a valid chance at capturing the National League Central division crown. They currently sit three games behind the leader of their division, the Milwaukee Brewers. That remains the only division in the National League that is still up for grabs in the National League, as the Atlanta Braves have locked up the National League East and the Los Angeles Dodgers have done the same in the West. For baseball fans, this point of the season remains very exciting due to the annual number of tight races for division crowns and Wild Card spots. With October baseball nearly here, a better idea of who will be contending for the league pennants and a World Series championship will come to fruition. The Beacon is looking for sports writers for the Fall 2023 semester If you are interested in sports writing, editing, photography or graphics contact Adam Grundt at adam.grundt@wilkes.edu �The Beacon September 21, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Trevor DuBoff Senior Golf Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week DuBoff was chosen as our athlete of the week after shooting a career low of 74 to help Wilkes defeat cross-town rival King’s College on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Huntsville Golf Club. Major: Sports Management Hometown: Stony Point, NY High School: North Rockland What has been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Shooting 2 over at Huntsville and leading my team to a win over King’s. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? New York Mets. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Going to the gym. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Being able to compete with and against talented and motivated athletes. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? Happy Gilmore Photo Courtesy of Anna Beckham Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Basketball. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Hitting a hole in one on hole 5 at Huntsville. What is your favorite post-game meal? Chipotle How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? It’s an honor even to be considered amongst all the great athletes at Wilkes. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received from my coaches and teamates - both on the wrestling and the golf team - as well as my friends and family. �Sports The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Alexis Reedy Junior Volleyball Outside Hitter The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Reedy was chosen as our athlete of the week after a strong performance with 15 digs in the Colonels' victory against Penn State Hazelton. Reedy also surmounted 15 kills in a 3-0 victory against Delaware Valley in the team's first game of the tri-match on Sept. 4. She then compiled another 12 kills and 15 digs against Penn State Altoona in the final game of the tri-match and she finished with a total of 36 kills, 37 digs, 8 aces and 2 blocks. Major: Nursing Hometown: Palmyra, Pa. High School: Palmyra What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Team bonding, this year we went white water rafting which was a lot of fun. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Philadelphia Eagles. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Hanging out with my friends and going to the beach. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Meeting other athletes and the support from other sports teams. Also being involved in the community. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Soccer. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Winning states my junior year of high school. What is your favorite post-game meal? Mozzarella sticks. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I feel very honored to be selected. It is reassuring to have gotten this recognition for the hard work I have been putting in. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? Remember the Titans. Compiled by Adam Grundt, Asst. Sports Editor Photo Courtesy of Anna Beckham 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 - September 21, 2023 24 �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 76, Issue 3 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Wilkes hosts first blood drive of the fall semester The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery American Red Cross volunteers taking blood donations in the Jean and Paul Adams Commons ballroom on the second floor of the SUB. The blood drive took place Sept. 12 and was held from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Students celebrate national chocolate milkshake day, page 5 The American Red Cross placed a poster at the sign-in table which cautioned donors to be wary of certain factors before donating their blood. Some things to consider included weight, height, age and current and past health histories. E-mentors host bowling event for firstyear students, page 7 A reflection on comedy show “Jon, John and Pete,” page 16 �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Amanda Montgomery: Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 13 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Student Government had its third meeting for the semester on Sept. 13. It also marked the first meeting with all the new members. These new members include three from the senior class and one from the sophomore class. It was also the first meeting for the newly-elected members of the first-year class. SG currently has $70,628.65 in its account. The first order of business was the an Alumni Office fund request for homecoming weekend. The presentation was given by Bree Freeman of the office and Brooke Coleman, a junior student intern. They spoke on the importance of the weekend from an alumni perspective and how it helps renew past memories with colleagues and former students. It can also provide networking opportunities for current students from former graduates within their desired field. Helping this weekend come together is a team of student leaders who help make the weekend possible for both students and alumni. The request for $500 would cover 20 tickets that would be given to the team for their hard work. The tickets would provide access to all activities over the weekend that require payment and come up to a value of $10 per ticket. This was the first week of their proposal and will be voted on next week. The next order of business was a fund request from Kappa Psi, a pharmaceutical fraternity on campus under the chapter Delta Omicron. Presenting was their regent Phil Davis, a p4 student. They came to request funding in order to attend two conferences over the first semester. These conferences are to provide networking opportunities and to vote on changes that affect all chapters within their area. The locations for these are in Buffalo, N.Y. and Boston, Ma. The money would be used to cover hotels and registration for both p1 and p2 students. The amount requested was for $2,226. This was the first week of their proposal and will be voted next week. The next presentation and last order of new business was the pre-law society coming in for club recognition. The presentation was given by Sean and Bryce Greco, both juniors majoring in political science. The club has been in operation over the two semesters without full SG recognition and has a full e-board and general board of over 20 members. They hold events in order to help others understand a bonding through the understanding of law and help their members in the seeking of higher education. This was the first week of their proposal and will be voted on next week. The final presentation was week two of the homecoming fund request for students. The presentation was given by Marytere Quintana-Avila, a junior political science major and a member Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fair is open to all students interested in working in the business, engineering and technology fields. Over 30 companies have already registered with more anticipated to come. Register to attend on Handshake. Contact Carol Bosack for more information or questions at carol.bosack@wilkes.edu. House. Applications can be emailed to allison. naumann@wilkes.edu with the subject line “Polish Heritage Scholarships.” Deadline for applications is Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m. Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Volunteer with ChalkFest The Riverfront Parks Committee hosts their annual ChalkFest event on Saturday, Oct. 7 starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity for students to volunteer and serve their community. Please email john@riverfrontparks.org with the following information: name, phone number and email address. Contact John Maday with questions. College of Business and Engineering Career and Internship Fair The College of Business and Engineering is hosting a career and internship fair on Scholarship Opportunity for Students of Polish Descent The Polish Room Committee Scholarship ($3,000 top award) welcomes applications from Luzerne County residents. To be considered, applicants must write a brief description of their Polish heritage and what that heritage means to them. This letter must be submitted, along with the applicant’s name, WIN and contact information to Allison Naumann, Alumni Leadership Collegiate This six-week, virtual course consists of online modules that provide current college students who are aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience. Participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 22. Use this link to apply: https:// w w w. l e a d e r s h i p l a c k a w a n n a . c o m / leadership-collegiate-1. of SG. The presentation was the request for final ideas toward the homecoming pep rally, events during the game and the homecoming dance. Major ideas include the theme which is Starry Night, the changing from a homecoming king and queen to homecoming royalty and will no longer be split between men and women, and finally the introduction of free student tickets for the homecoming dance. The request came out to be for $22,350.81 and was approved for the full amount. SG will meet again Wednesday Sept. 20. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: September 24 - Paintball at Skirmish 28 - Programming Board giveaway October 5 - Hoedown Throwdown 8 - Statue of Liberty Boat Tour NYC 12-15 - Fall Break 19 - Couch Potato 23-27 - Freak Week 28 - Dorney Haunted Park---Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Amanda.Montgomery1@ wilkes.edu �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 News Wilkes-Barre's Multicultural Parade unites community By Emma Broda News Staff Writer Wilkes-Barre celebrated its sixth annual Multicultural Parade and Festival earlier this month. It was highlighted as one of the events to attend during Wilkes’ Family Day, which was also on the same day. Students and residents of Wilkes-Barre lined South Main Street and watched the parade put together by multiple groups from throughout the area. The parade was a huge display of the many different cultures that make up the city. Some of the countries represented included Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, India, Ecuador and Jamaica. The parade also featured a range of music from each group’s respective culture and extravagant and colorful costumes representative of different cultures. Each group representing a different country or region walked the parade while also performing with their culture’s dances, and of course throwing candy to those watching. It was a much admired celebration of the different cultures that make Wilkes-Barre what it is. "It was cool to see a bunch of the different cultures represented," said Gabriella Amaya, sophomore nursing major. "It was a really great atmosphere downtown and everyone was having a good time.” The high-spirited mood of the parade continued on during the festivities that followed. More than 30 different vendors from the area set up on the Public Square A diverse array of stands and vendors at the Wilkes-Barre Multicultural Parade and Festival. The Public Square had over 30 vendors. to continue the celebration. Vendors included, Sammy’s Caribbean Grill, Los Antojitos, Tacos don Kiko, Greek Stones Handcrafted Jewelry, Awa’s Arts and Crafts, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Wilkes University's Sordoni Art Gallery. There was an abundance of food to enjoy from pupusas to potato pancakes. Along with the food and vendors, there were also things like face painting for kids who attended the festival. Throughout the festival there was a mix of live music and dances from the different cultures who participated in the parade and festival. Organizations like North Eastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Inclusive and Action Together NEPA had booths set up to highlight the importance of a diverse community and how to protect it. For example, Action Together 3 encouraged those in attendance to take action and vote. King’s College and Luzerne County Community College also participated in the parade and shared their own students’ cultures. Did you know that Wilkes University's own Erica Acosta, director of diversity initiatives, was the grand marshal of the 2021 Multicultural Parade? Photos: The Beacon/Emma Broda Los Antojitos, a vendor at the Wilkes-Barre Multicultural Parade, offered a wide selection of international cuisine, adding a flavorful touch to the event. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Ultimate Frisbee By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor There are many sports and athletic opportunities oncampus, but there are few that exemplify the speed, precision and adrenaline that goes into athletic activity than that of ultimate frisbee. Ultimate frisbee packs a lot more punch and excitement than one may initially think. The game consists of two teams of seven that compete against each other in scoring goals by throwing and receiving a disc. It may sound simple, but there is a lot more under the surface, and the competitive nature of the sport and its players allows for very intense and nail-biting matches. “Most people may look at ultimate frisbee as something out of the ordinary that people might not gravitate towards,” said Myles Timmons, ultimate frisbee captain and sophmore year physics major, “But when going to tournaments and scrimmaging other teams, the atmosphere the people and sport bring are unmatched in the world of sports.” Players will engage in matches and practice against not just each other, but also other teams in intense seven on seven tournaments. These tournaments include weeks of preparation, as teams will practice their synergy, gameplans and techniques in between large events. While the ultimate frisbee players are certainly competitive, they also harbor a very welcoming environment, encouraging new players to not only join the club, but also bring friends and family along to enjoy the sport. “Every semester our goal is to go to at least four tournaments, and also while competing in those we have team socials, where we encourage team members to bring their friends that might be interested,” said Timmons. “This also allows us to build a family-like culture around the team and on campus.” While ultimate frisbee takes skill in both speed and precision, the club is very keen on helping both newcomers and seasoned players sharpen their skills. “This club is extremely beginnerfriendly,” said Timmons, “Aside from me, I have Zara Lantzman, Esther Orlando, Brennan Reiner, Alex Lopez, Alex Schweiter, Stephen Youkoski and Olivia McInnis, who all act as supplemental teachers while we are playing and practicing.” Anyone with an interest in engaging in a high energy sport with a friendly and supportive environment, The Ultimate Frisbee team will welcome with open arms. The team prioritizes giving a voice and proper attention to everyone that joins. Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: the ballad of a homeschooled girl - Olivia Nails for Breakfast, Tacks for Snacks - Rodrigo Panic! At the Disco Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Wait by the River - Lord Huron Senso - Grillabeats Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: Boyish - Japanese Breakfast Slime You Out (feat. SZA) - Drake Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: get him back! - Olivia Rodrigo Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Our very own Zara Lantzman has put together a Spotify playlist where you can scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff weekly picks! “Our goal for this year is to establish a family-centric winning culture,” said Timmons. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment.” Ultimate frisbee exemplifies the skill, adrenaline, precision, cooperation and sportsmanship that is so important within sports. There may never be a dull moment, but that just makes the energy that much more palpable. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment,” said Timmons. To join the team, simply email myles.timmons@wilkes.edu, or alternatively, ultimate@wilkes.edu to learn more. Tick Tick Boom - The Hives Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Twilight - Boa Lara Mullen, Designer: Say Yes - Ellliott Smith Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Nothing Works - Declan McKenna Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 News 5 Students celebrate national chocolate milkshake day By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Residence Hall Council partnered with Aramark to sponsor a milkshake giveaway on Sept. 12. Students who stopped by the Student Union Building during club hours had the choice of vanilla or chocolate milkshakes to celebrate national chocolate milkshake day. The first 100 students were given a RHC-branded reusable straw to promote sustainability measures. In addition, Aramark gave out Wilkes T-shirts. “[RHC was created to] support resident assistants (RAs) and the residents in the Wilkes community,” said Natalie Hernandez, junior accounting major and president of RHC. While RHC specializes in residential issues, commuter students, as well as those who live off-campus, are welcome to attend their events. “I knew them before from orientation,” said Junia Lawton, first-year history major. “It was cool to know they do more events on campus. It was nice to get to know them and see who runs it.” RHC strategically plans these events in advance, while also creating the impression of random, unexpected events. “I believe pop-up events work so well because it’s unexpected, and create the feeling of a surprise, especially in a location where there is a lot of foot traffic,” said Hernandez “It’s a once-ina-blue-moon type of event that students would rather enjoy in the present than not participate and possibly regret later.” Students who attended the event echoed this sentiment. “Giveaways are fun!” said Lawton. “It went by fast, it was relatively quick and easy. It’s always nice to have a free milkshake.” RHC will be hosting more events throughout the semester. To find out more, follow their Instagram @wilkes_ rhc. Photo Courtesy Melissa Ooi Left to Right: sophomores John Buonano and Victoria Corbo were happy to help out at the event Photo: The Beacon/Morgan Steiner Students lined up on the first floor of the SUB before club hours to get their milkshakes. Photo: The Beacon/Morgan Steiner Nicole Norton, Aramark’s General Manager, posing with the T-shirts that were given out during the event. �6 The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Dr. Kaitlyn Langendoerfer joins Wilkes as assistant professor By Amanda Montgomery News Editor Dr. Kaitlyn Langendoerfer joined the university this fall as an assistant professor in the Sociology Department. Langendoerfer received a bachelor of pre-medical science in sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. She also received her doctorate in sociology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. “I’ve always been interested and I love research and what I do in terms of my research, but what I really want to go into academia for is teaching,” said Langendoerfer. “At Wilkes, it’s a very teaching-oriented college [and] it’s smaller, so you really get to know the students.” Langendoerfer planned to pursue a career in dentistry before considering one in sociology. When writing an essay for why she wanted to be a dentist, her committee told her that she might make that believed a good dentist, in her research but that she and encouraged sounds like a her to pursue sociologist. a career in She explained sociology. She that sociology understands is important if a that not every student is going student who into nursing or comes into another career her office or in the science is in her class field. will become a “You still sociologist, but need to know how your she hopes that p e r s o n a l in some way, she is helping problems or to shape them maybe your Photo courtesy Dr. Langendoerfer and mentor p a t i e n t s’ them. p e r s o n a l In her free time, Langendoerfer likes problems are related to public issues and societal issues and how that may be to spend time outside with her three playing a role in either your own life or children. They are currently raising your patients’ life,” said Langendoerfer. monarch caterpillars that will soon Throughout her academic career, she become butterflies. “It’s really a good way to see has had various influential professors sociology,” said Langendoerfer. “I’m seeing their socialization as they go to school and I’m seeing how my parenting is impacting them and I’m seeing all these things I’m studying.” Langendoerfer currently lives in Honesdale, Pa., with her husband, three children, two horses and donkey. In five years, Langendoerfer plans to be an associate professor, and to be in her group with students who are akin to her and are interested in her classes. “I am a medical sociologist and I study aging, so I’m hoping to bring those specializations into the department that has mainly focused on criminology and family,” said Langendoerfer. “I’m hoping to bridge those and bring in medical and life course issues and to the curriculum.” One piece of advice Langendoerfer has for students is to meet with their professors. She explained that most students don’t attend their professor’s office hours, unless there is an assignment or project. Dr. Kyung Park joins Wilkes as assistant professor By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Dr. Kyung Park joined Wilkes as an assistant professor of math, physics and computer science this fall. Park received a bachelor of science from Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. She later also earned a master of science in computer science. Later, she received a doctorate of science in information technology from Towson University in Towson, Maryland. “I am most proud of my balanced experience and thinking,” said Park. “I established a startup company and experienced various tasks necessary for doing business.” She explained that kind of real-world experience can be valuable for students looking to create their own startups and brand into multidisciplinary fields. “I thought the computer science program is very strong and competitive, department covering both welcomed me the most basic very kindly and subjects as well explained the as the latest school and the t e c h n o l o g i e s ,” life at Wilkes said Park. well,.” Park also Park enjoys o b s e r v e d teaching, but also the Wilkes recognizes the c om mu n it y, importance of which aided in connecting with her decision to her students. join the computer “I want to help science program. students gain “When I knowledge and first saw the experience that advertisement, will serve as a the city of fundamental Wilkes-Barre source in stimulated my overcoming the curiosity and I Photo courtesy Dr. Park challenges they face loved the photos of the students and campus,” said Park. “During the campus when they go out into the real world,” interview, almost all the professors in said Park. “I also want to conduct fruitful the math, physics and computer science research with outstanding students and colleagues. Additionally, based on my experience at a large metropolitan school and a small liberal arts college, I will teach and advise students to suit each student’s background and experience.” Park is eager for this fall semester, not only for teaching students what she has learned through her education and experience, but also to learn from her students and to enjoy new experiences. Park is very active in learning and putting new applications and innovations in technology into her practice. In her free time, she enjoys walking on hiking trails and golfing. Park offers some advice to students regarding overcoming obstacles. “When you run into difficulties, I encourage you to think back to when we first learned a programming language and go back to the basics. Then you will see the path to follow,” said Park. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Zara.lantzman@wilkes.edu E-mentors host bowling event for first-year students By Kelsie Klein Contributing Writer The WIlkes e-mentors hosted a bowling night at Chacko’s Bowling for all first-year students to have a night to unwind and hangout with friends. Upon arrival, students were greeted by their e-mentors, were able to get their shoes, and then broke out into groups for the event. It was a great opportunity for first-year students to get to know fellow students, as well as have fun, relax and unwind after classes. “My experience with bowling is so far a very positive one,” said Kara Beerly, a senior psychology major. “It’s a great experience. It was 8:46 p.m. and students were still trickling in. “I witnessed students needing to join lanes that were already open, which was an amazing opportunity for students to talk to fellow students and get to know everyone by having to join other lanes.” While there, everyone was given a ticket for a chance to win cool prizes. Some of the prizes included a Chacko’s gift card and a lot of university merch. The university merchandise was from the bookstore and if students received the wrong size, they had the opportunity to exchange the item for the correct one. Items were drawn throughout the night and it was an equal opportunity to end the night with a win for everyone who showed up. “There was an amazing turnout this year,” said Leah Kubasek, a junior chemistry major and e-mentor coordinator. “There were a lot of people here this year having fun and really enjoying themselves, which I am very grateful for.” An e-mentor’s main job at the university is to help guide first-year students and ensure that their mentees are having a smooth transition into college. E-mentors are required to host individual events for their specific groups of mentees for extra one-on-one time. “I love being an e-mentor and truly enoying being an event coordinator,” said Kubasek. “It is a lot of work, but it’s worth all the time and dedication I put into it. It is a very rewarding position, and one that I truly value.” “I was able to spend time with my friends, bowl and, of course, win an amazing hat,” said Shauna McAndrew, a first-year nursing major. “The highlight of my night was definitely winning the hat because I never had the chance to win anything before.” The bowling night was a success for all first year students and gave first-year students the opportunity to connect with other first-year students in a relaxing environment. The e-mentor program is an opportunity that the university provides for first-year students to make things easier and provides them with someone in their community that they are able to talk to. “I love being an e-mentor because I get to meet all of the first-year students and bring them together,” said Beerly. “I love giving them an opportunity to get to know one another and bring together a community. “I really love being in a mentor role and encourage and support my mentees and hopefully encourage one of them to become an e-mentor themselves.” Kara Beerly, left, and Leah Kubasek, right, pose for a picture before they bowl. Photos Courtesy of Kelsie Klein Shauna McAndrew poses after winning a hat from the university’s bookstore. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Ultimate Frisbee By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor There are many sports and athletic opportunities oncampus, but there are few that exemplify the speed, precision and adrenaline that goes into athletic activity than that of ultimate frisbee. Ultimate frisbee packs a lot more punch and excitement than one may initially think. The game consists of two teams of seven that compete against each other in scoring goals by throwing and receiving a disc. It may sound simple, but there is a lot more under the surface, and the competitive nature of the sport and its players allows for very intense and nail-biting matches. “Most people may look at ultimate frisbee as something out of the ordinary that people might not gravitate towards,” said Myles Timmons, ultimate frisbee captain and sophmore year physics major, “But when going to tournaments and scrimmaging other teams, the atmosphere the people and sport bring are unmatched in the world of sports.” Players will engage in matches and practice against not just each other, but also other teams in intense seven on seven tournaments. These tournaments include weeks of preparation, as teams will practice their synergy, gameplans and techniques in between large events. While the ultimate frisbee players are certainly competitive, they also harbor a very welcoming environment, encouraging new players to not only join the club, but also bring friends and family along to enjoy the sport. “Every semester our goal is to go to at least four tournaments, and also while competing in those we have team socials, where we encourage team members to bring their friends that might be interested,” said Timmons. “This also allows us to build a family-like culture around the team and on campus.” While ultimate frisbee takes skill in both speed and precision, the club is very keen on helping both newcomers and seasoned players sharpen their skills. “This club is extremely beginnerfriendly,” said Timmons, “Aside from me, I have Zara Lantzman, Esther Orlando, Brennan Reiner, Alex Lopez, Alex Schweiter, Stephen Youkoski and Olivia McInnis, who all act as supplemental teachers while we are playing and practicing.” Anyone with an interest in engaging in a high energy sport with a friendly and supportive environment, The Ultimate Frisbee team will welcome with open arms. The team prioritizes giving a voice and proper attention to everyone that joins. Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: the ballad of a homeschooled girl - Olivia Nails for Breakfast, Tacks for Snacks - Rodrigo Panic! At the Disco Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Wait by the River - Lord Huron Senso - Grillabeats Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: Boyish - Japanese Breakfast Slime You Out (feat. SZA) - Drake Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: get him back! - Olivia Rodrigo Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Our very own Zara Lantzman has put together a Spotify playlist where you can scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff weekly picks! “Our goal for this year is to establish a family-centric winning culture,” said Timmons. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment.” Ultimate frisbee exemplifies the skill, adrenaline, precision, cooperation and sportsmanship that is so important within sports. There may never be a dull moment, but that just makes the energy that much more palpable. “We want people to come that are hungry to win something while also giving them somewhere they feel accepted without judgment,” said Timmons. To join the team, simply email myles.timmons@wilkes.edu, or alternatively, ultimate@wilkes.edu to learn more. Tick Tick Boom - The Hives Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Twilight - Boa Lara Mullen, Designer: Say Yes - Ellliott Smith Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Nothing Works - Declan McKenna Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon – September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 The rise of Artifical Intelligence and its place in art By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor As the world grows older, technology advances and humanity yearn to create new and innovative ways to perform tasks, both basic and complex. This strive for innovation and streamlined systems have led to the development of artificial intelligence, the possible backbone of the future within industry and art, for better or worse. Artificial Intelligence, or A.I., has a long history, extending back to the 1950s. Initially, A.I.’s purpose was increasing the functionality of machines, allowing for more proficiency in data storage to increase performance optimization. While A.I.’s potential was well known, computers were not yet at the computing ability to explore A.I. ‘s true capabilities. As computer speeds, memory and computing capabilities continued to grow, artificial intelligence became more intelligent and versatile in its skillset. A.I. became able to mimic human actions, emotions, sort, store, organize, problem solve and more. Toward the end of the 20th century, A.I. began to enter the wider net of popular culture. Books, films and media such as “Westworld,” “Metropolis,” “The Terminator,” “Robocop,” “Cyberpunk 2020,” “The Matrix,” “Blade Runner,” “Ghost in the Shell,” “Star Wars,” ”Tron,” “Transformers,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” etc. all became wildly popular, often perpetuating the idea of rogue A.I.’s taking over humanity, or adopting human-like qualities. Artificial intelligence quickly became a cornerstone of popular culture. Stories rife with warnings of machine autonomy, deception and philosophical explorations of the human condition, these stories are some of the most well known and successful pieces of media within the last handful of decades. These pieces of media were not meant to be predictions or expectations of A.I., but simply pieces to create an intriguing narrative. However, some of these stories have been more accurate in their view of artificial intelligence than previously thought possible. Previously, while artificial intelligence was a recurring theme and presence within many pieces of art and media, it would not be until recently that A.I. was not just within the art, but instead the conductor of it. While there had been rare instances of A.I. assisting in the creation of art throughout the decades, the mid 2010’s would revolutionize the usage of A.I. generative art. 2015 was the true catalyst year of A.I. art, with programs being launched by Google, however they were still in the learning phase. A.I. art truly took off to the public in 2021 with the release of machine learning models by OpenAI such as ChatGPT and Dalle-E. More A.I. art generators such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion have also been launched into the stratosphere within the last few years. These programs make it easier than ever to generate art. Simply type in a prompt and watch a machine attempt to replicate the artistry of a human. Replicate being the keyword, as A.I. is unable to truly think for itself or innovate, as it is simply a machine learning tool, not an artist. The simple fact of A.I. arts nature has stirred up much controversy surrounding the new generated art methodology. A.I. artists have more in common with programmers than they do artists. The user will type a detailed description of what they want visualized, occasionally modify various settings, possibly even train the A.I. to a specific art style, and then send the command to the bot. The A.I. will scrub the internet for art made by artists and mimic their style to their best ability. A.I. generated art does not stop at simply illustrations and paintings, but also accurately mimicking voices, writing styles and animation styles etc. A.I. generated voices are becoming particularly popular across the internet, as social media users create parodies with voices of famous characters and celebrities. Many voice actors have expressed their dismay at these A.I. voice models, as while the models continue to progress, they become more indistinguishable from the real voice. Naturally, there are many plagiarism and ethical concerns surrounding this system of art generation. Many say that since the A.I. is unable to truly innovate and can only mimic living artists, the artists that are being mimicked, without their permission, are being unrightfully copied and having their style and work butchered by machine learning algorithms. Not only is this seen as unethical for its own merit of plagiarism, but also because it can usher in an era of out of work artists due to art generation being faster and considerably less argumentative in their vision. This is an especially large concern in the world of media, as studios and corporations such as The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, Take Two Interactive, Sony Corporation, etc. have already shown their knack of being exceedingly anti-human in their approach to artistic creation, mistreating, crunching and underpaying thousands of artists of all kinds. This has been the primary catalyst of the many active creative strikes, most notably being the current SAG-AFTRA strike. The current treatment of artists as well as the adoption of A.I. generated artwork has instilled fear and frustration in artists across the globe. Despite these concerns, there are also many in support of A.I. art generation, citing that with these simple tools, complex and difficult forms of art will be able to be created by anybody with an idea, creating art pieces while skipping the long and arduous creative process. This idea of generating art for the sake of haste and convenience has also seeped its way into creative programs and tools such as those found in the Adobe Creative Suite. Just recently, Adobe software such as Photoshop have introduced generative fill, a tool that allows users to simply highlight an area, type in a prompt, and have artificial intelligence generate the prompt. This can be used to remove a blemish, replace an entire structure or being and create all new items within the editor. As artificial intelligence continues to develop and be adopted by the public and various industries, it remains a contentious topic. Many believe it’s the next step in innovation and efficiency, while many others believe it is stripping away every ounce of humanity from everything it touches. The trajectory of artificial intelligence is unpredictable, but one to keep a watchful eye on. Graphic by Morgan Rich �The Beacon – September 21, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Rodrigo releases critically-acclaimed sophomore album “GUTS” By Cassidy Brumagin Contributing Writer On Sept. 8, Olivia Rodrigo released her sophomore album “GUTS.” The album spans across various genres including rock, pop, punk and indie. The tracklist features 12 songs including “vampire,” the lead single that made its debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The release of this album follows the massive success of Rodrigo’s debut album “SOUR”, which earned the singer three Grammys in 2022. “For me, this album is about growing pains and trying to figure out who I am at this point in my life,” Rodrigo wrote about the album announcement. The tracks touch upon topics of hooking up with an ex, toxic people in her life, and the overall awkwardness and pains of growing up and out of her teenage years. The day after her sophomore album’s release, Rodrigo took to Instagram to post about the album, writing, “Making this album was so fun and scary and thrilling and fulfilling and I’m so happy it is yours!” Within a week of its release, the album reached the number one slot for albums on iTunes, filled 11 of the slots of Spotify’s Top 50 Global songs and occupied two slots on Billboard’s Hot 100. Joining “vampire” on Billboard’s Hot 100 is “bad idea right?,” which peaked at number 10 thus far. In addition to success on the charts, Rodrigo’s album has made a presence on TikTok with thousands of users using sound clips from various songs off the album. At the time of writing, the leader of the album is “bad idea right?” with over 157.5 thousand uses. Many users have taken to the sound to share their own similar stories of getting with an ex, as the song describes. “I think that she is bringing back the female rage we saw in the 90s and early 2000s in the most amazing way possible,” said Maddie Carpenter, senior pharmacy major. When prompted further, Carpenter explained that the opinion comes primarily from a track on the album titled “all-american bitch”. The track is the album’s lead off and begins with a soft melody, leading into a beat drop complete with electric guitar, drums and Rodrigo raising her voice to a near scream style of singing. “The song resembles something from an artist like Avril Lavigne,” said Carpenter “We have not seen that sort of rage and just letting loose from many artists of the newer generations.” In comparison to “SOUR”, many fans are citing maturity as the most notable change to Rodrigo’s style on this album. “ W h e n comparing ‘SOUR’ to ‘GUTS’, I feel ‘GUTS’ is definitely more mature,” said Jocelyn Cussatt, senior biology major. “I love ‘SOUR,’ but I feel that looking back some of the lyrics are definitely, not to be brutal, juvenile. Her lyrics and feelings definitely matured as she grew up.” Rodrigo was 18-years-old when “SOUR” was released and is 20-years-old now. Mirroring the time pass and change for Rodrigo between the two albums, many users have gone to TikTok to post photos of themselves at the time of each album release as well. The trend puts the photos over an audio clip from “ballad of a homeschooled girl.” Critics have also taken to the album in an overall positive manner. The Los Angeles Times dubbed the album a “bubble-gum rock masterpiece,” while the Rolling Stone describes it as “another instant classic”. Common themes amongst music critics include praising the poppunk undertones, relatable lyrics and scope of the album from slow ballads to upbeat music and lyrics. Taking the opposing side, The Telegraph (UK) calls “GUTS” a “simple continuation of “SOUR,” stating “there is little musical growth or thematic change.” The review from them, however, is the only mixed critic review out of 18 on Metacritic, with the rest being positive. The 18 total reviews earned “GUTS” a Metascore of 91. With the release of “SOUR” earning Rodrigo seven Grammy nominations, many critics are wondering what is to come following the commercial success of “GUTS.” Graphic by Lara Mullen comedian Fanny Brice and her journey to stardom as a Vaudeville entertainer. Barbara Sreisand originated the role of Fanny Brice in 1964. The current 2022 revival of “Funny Girl” starred “Glee” actress Lea Michele in Streisand’s iconic role. Michele debuted on Broadway as young Cosette in “Les Miserables” at the age of 8, and performed the role of Wendla in the original Broadway production of “Spring Awakening.” However, she is most often known for her role as Rachel Berry in the television show “Glee.” Michele started her run as Fanny Brice in April 2022 and closed it on Sept. 3. In “Glee,” Michel’s character Rachel is cast as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl. Now, years later Michele actually played the role herself. Just like her “Glee” character, Michele looked up to Barbara Streisand, making this role very significant for her. Jane Lynch, who played the tough cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, also appeared in “Funny Girl.” Lynch played Brice’s mother in the revival of the musical but left the show right before Michele’s run. She insisted that her exit had nothing to do with Michele, stating that they were on good terms. During her final performance on Sept. 3, Michele paid homage to Streisand, adding in a song that the original “Funny Girl” star sang on her closing night. Michele sang the cut song,“My Man” just as Streisand did, to mark her final performance as Fanny Brice in 1966. The song was in the 1968 movie, but never in the actual musical. “Funny Girl” marked Michele’s first Broadway performance in 15 years. Michelle took a break from performing after the birth of her son. Michelle Beanie Feldstein was playing Fanny, but left the cast early. Michele then stepped in for Feldstein, ending her Broadway hiatus. Along with Michele, Julie Benko has been playing Fanny Brice when Michele was unavailable. Benko has recently gained notoriety for her successful portrayal of the lead role. The New York Sun called Benko “The Fanny Brice of our time.” Benko has performed in several Broadway productions, including the national tour of “Spring Awakening,” “Les Miserables” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Benko was named “2022 Breakout Star for Theatre” by The New York Times. The North American tour of “Funny Girl” started in Rhode Island on Sept. 9. It will tour all throughout North America, ending in August 2024, in Houston, Texas. Broadway shows, including “Funny Girl,” set to close curtains By Cally Wlliams Life, Arts and Entertainment Staff Writer Broadway has been a staple of American culture since the 18th century. People from all over the world bond over their enjoyment of spectacular music, shining lights and a good tap number. Many shows that have run on Broadway stand the test of time, but still can not fight that final closed curtain. Some Broadway shows that will be closing this fall include “The Cottage,” “The Shark is Broken” and “Melissa Etheridge: My Window.” “The Cottage” is set to close on Oct. 29, and the latter two will close on Nov. 19. While these current Broadway shows are set to close in a couple of months, the revival of the hit musical “Funny Girl” just gave its final bow on Sept. 3. Funny Girl tells the story of Jewish �Name: Class: Date: Word Sudoku The Beacon - September 21, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Fall Season Sodoku The words or names that are used in the puzzle: flowers dandelion rain april ivy sunshine bumblebee orchid chicks ����������������������������������������������� �� ivy Challenge your brain with some sudoku! How to play: Fill in the missing words. Each row should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each column should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each 2x2 quadrant should have 6 words, no repeats. chicks flowers rain orchid dandelion orchid april flowers flowers bumblebee chicks april chicks rain bumblebee flowers sunshine bumblebee chicks sunshine sunshine april Answer Key: dandelion ivy bumblebee bumblebee rain chicks rain april orchid bumblebee flowers orchid april Credit for these puzzles goes to: www.edu-games.org Compiled by Morgan Rich, Editor In Chief ���The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion 15 The hidden power of the The Return of The Red indie video game genre Raven: an original story By “Freeze” Opinion Staff Writer In the modern world of media, mostly everyone engages with movies, shows, music, books and games that are considered “mainstream.” This is media that skyrockets with attention and captivates the public by the millions. However, that is precisely why the mainstream genre is actually terrible. Not only does gaining traction discourage creativity and brand new elements, but it also starts to develop into a lazy formula for entertainment. Meanwhile, there are lesser known projects, which are referred to as indie titles, that employ fresh strategies and introduce new techniques that really enhance the experience. Of course, I will discuss the superiority of the indie genre in the context that I know best: video games. If you read last week’s issue of The Beacon newspaper, you would know that I am not a big fan of online video games. There are a variety of reasons that the online setting is problematic, but the main point is that all of the games in this category are exactly the same. These games have only one goal: make as much money as possible. For example, Epic Games’s Fortnite has been nothing but a strategy to hypnotize children into spending all of their parents’ money on cosmetic items. The worst part is that this strategy has infected other games, such as Rocket League, FIFA and even the mobile hit Clash Royale. In short, the developers of these games don’t have any regard for gameplay or their user-experience. On the other hand, the indie genre is simply beautiful. In order to really demonstrate how great these games are, it is important to understand three big categories: cost, gameplay and development and the community interaction. Cost. Although indie games can cost as much as a mainstream title, they are much cheaper on average. More importantly, the money that is spent on indie titles is happily spent by players in order to gain ownership of the game. For indie games, the cost is not a fee in order to have access, but it is a salutation to the developer and a confirmation that the player themself wants to own a personal copy of the title. It is common for players to even go so far as to provide funding for a game that is in development. Finally, unlike mainstream and online content, these games do not rely on microtransactions. Developers sacrifice a lot of time and money on a title only to release it for a discountable price. Thus, the cost of indie games are very affordable and worthwhile. Gameplay and Development. Needless to say, the actual content of a game is what makes it worthy. Many indie players will say that the smaller projects are not just games, but they are experiences. Indie games are often described as a unique display of new mechanics, such as Hollow Knight, fresh art-styles, like in Cuphead, and killer soundtracks like in Undertale. These games have completely original content created by small, talented developers and artists who band together to bring their vision to reality. Community Interaction. Interaction within a video game community could greatly change how someone may enjoy playing the game. A community for an indie game is usually very unified and civilized. First, the developers constantly ask for feedback and respond to the community. Players also enjoy treating an indie title like a shared experience, so they will freely give tips and tricks out of respect for other players and the game itself. Finally, the community in an indie is not demanding of the developers. If anything, most players fear the day that an indie game skyrockets and follows the dark path of mainstream status. Even so, developers often respond to their community with expansions for their titles, known as downloadable content (DLC). One important thing to note is that indie developers are just a few people working with their own funds. At the end of the day, there is nothing that can stop you from playing whatever games you enjoy. However, the indie genre is a goldmine that offers spectacular types of games, which may be something you never knew you liked until you tried it. The top list of indie games would certainly be a great place to start. By Leah Smith Contributing Writer PART 2 Rick froze as he read the description of Teddy Flowers’s death one last time. “Teddy Flowers was bludgeoned to death with a wooden square block with the letter “A” painted on it.” He couldn’t breathe. He repeated in his head that this was just a coincidence. That perhaps a sick serial killer was out murdering people with wooden toy blocks. It couldn’t have anything to do with his show. It couldn’t, it shouldn’t, it can’t. Rick didn’t realize that he was becoming light-headed by walking around his blue sofa in circles with the paper in his hand. He felt the need to call someone. He thought of Cameron first, but assumed that he would call him crazy and be more upset with him. He could maybe call the police and tell them that he knows something, but they would call him crazy too. He had only one person left he could call, and his gut twisted just thinking about it. He reached for his cell phone and dialed her number. His thumb hovered over the button to call her. He hasn’t talked to her in years ever since the incident they had where she stormed off and swore that she would never talk to him again. He had no other choice or else he was lost. He took a deep breath and pressed the button. He waited for almost a minute until the beeping from the other end ceased. A woman with a tired and dry voice answered, “Hello?” Rick couldn’t recognize her voice. “Can I speak to Isabelle, please?” “This is Isabelle,” she replied. Rick answered as confidently as he could, “Hey Izzy, it’s your dad.” There was a long, silent pause as Rick was already regretting his decision, but then a deep sigh followed after what felt like an eternity. “What do you want?” she demanded in a cold tone. “Did you hear about Teddy Flowers’s death?” Rick asked. “Yeah. What does this have to do with me?” Isabelle said. “How he died was like how Mr. Jenkins died in the pilot of “The Red Raven.” I want your help in looking deeper into this case, and you’re the only person I have that is in the force that can do this for me,” Rick explained. “So you find out that one of your co-stars passed away and your first thought is that it matches how a character died in a TV show?” Isabelle said in disbelief. “Izzy, please, I don’t mean it like that. I want to try and see if there’s any correlation. I want to try and help,” Rick pleaded, heartbroken that she was still bitter towards him. “Look dad, we are on the case and still trying to uncover everything that we can, but you are in no shape to help. You always thought you were the Red Raven even off the screen. It’s so sad to see you still think that,” Isabelle said. “I don’t want to be the Red Raven. I just want to know because maybe I can help.” Rick defended. “When you called you said that I should do this for you. That’s what it’s always been about. Rick Greenblatt always had to be the star in every moment, even in his own child’s life. I took up being a detective because I knew that I could help people and not just play pretend in a red cape. I can’t help you because it won’t feel worth it because you’ll make it all about yourself,” Isabelle addressed. Rick tried one last time. “Please, you are all that I have left, and I wouldn’t be calling you if I didn’t care for your help and if I didn’t care about the impact you had on my life. I just need this one favor, just this once.” He begged her, tears streaming down his face. Another long silent pause, with the exception of Rick’s sobs, was brought upon the two again. After a few minutes, Isabelle made her decision. “Do you have those old VHS tapes of the show still in the basement?” Isabelle asked. “Yes, I do,” Rick nodded, clearing his voice. “Bring them down to the station.” Isabelle said. The call ended there. Rick wore an awkward smile as he walked to the door that was standing diagonally from the sofa. He opened the door and ran downstairs and grabbed the boxes labeled “Red Raven Collection.” To be continued... �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion 16 “La La Land” can teach us about long-distance relationships Are long-distance relationships worth it? By Bryce Greco Contributing Writer There exists over a thousand surviving letters between John and Abigail Adams, perhaps the most notable long-distance couple in American history. Perhaps you have heard stories from your grandparents about going long distance during times of war. Or maybe your parents were high-school sweethearts who had to be apart once they went away to college. If there is anything history tells us, it’s that long-distance relationships are not easy. But modern technology makes keeping up with your partner much more convenient. Gone are the days of letters and expensive long-distance phone calls. With a cell phone in your pocket, you and your partner can be virtually together anytime and anywhere. However, this doesn’t make long-distance relationships necessarily easy. So, are they worth it? Hollywood likes to romanticize long-distance relationships as something that oftentimes winds up working out in the end. But that is far from realistic. Take a look at Damien Chazelle’s 2016 masterpiece “La La Land.” The film follows the journey of two artists, the actress and playwright Mia and the musician Sebastian, as they pursue their dreams at the expense of their love. During a segment of the film where the couple goes long distance for a few months, we watch the lovers we’ve spent the past hour routing for fall apart. Sebastian is on tour with a band he hates trying to make enough money to open a jazz club, and he fails to make it to the opening performance of Mia’s play. Things only get worse when Mia’s big break in the movie world requires her to move away to Paris for filming. While it’s abundantly clear that Mia and Sebastian deeply love and care about each other, the places their careers are taking them cause their relationship to end. The film concludes after a five-year time-skip, where Mia and her new husband are out on a date at a jazz club. We see the club’s owner and main performer Sebastian greeting guests from the stage. M i a on his tour, she would have never become a famous actress. If Sebastian accompanied Mia to Paris, he would have never opened his club. Their story, while tragic and sad, is rather bittersweet. Both artists achieve their dreams, but at the cost of their life together. I believe this to be the reality of many longdistance a n d Sebastian share a glance from afar with tears in their eyes. The film ends with the couple exchanging a smile one last time. “La La Land” is a perfect example of the reality of long-distance relationships. No matter how much Mia and Sebastian love each other, they could never pursue their dreams as a couple. If Mia followed Sebastian relationships, especially in college. High school relationships, while fundamental and at times perfect, are not always the best predictors of the future. College differs from high school, as the things that truly matter in life now enter the forefront of many students’ minds. You’re no longer working to walk across a stage and get a diploma, you’re working to master the topic of your major, find a job to kickstart your career and create a life for yourself worthy of carrying into your future. And the sad truth is, that sometimes, your long-distance high school relationship can stand in the way of that. Much like with Mia and Sebastian, sometimes you need to sacrifice a life with someone you truly love for the sake of your career and future, and that’s okay. The way I see it, long-distance relationships in college are well worth the struggle if your partner does not stand in the way of what you truly want out of life. If your partner is your best friend and someone you cannot see yourself living without, then the pain of a long-distance relationship will most likely pay off in the end. When you encourage each other to follow each of your dreams while never sacrificing your own desires for life, your time long distance, while certainly not the best, can be necessary to reaching an ideal adult relationship. Giving up on your best friend for an on-demand relationship will boil down to selfishness. If there is anything history has taught us over the years, it is that going the distance is far from an impossible feat. When phone calls replace date nights, remember that modern technology is a blessing your ancestors did not have. Stand by each other’s side during long distance, and I believe that your relationship will be stronger in the end once your time apart is over. Are long distance relationships worth it? When two best friends spend time apart but continue to stand in each other’s corner and aid each other to pursue their dreams and aspirations as one, I believe they are. However, a shared past, while memorable, formative or even perfect, means nothing if it leads to an unwound future. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion 17 A reflection on comedy show “Jon, John and Pete” By Samara Carey Contributing Writer In a world full of hate and injustice, it is important that we have something in our lives to make us laugh. Regardless of your sense of humor, everybody has a guilty pleasure for something that makes them crack a smile. In my case, my favorite comedians are John Mulaney and Pete Davidson. From as far back as I can remember, I have been watching Mulaney specials. I became obsessed with memorizing the punchlines and watching his sketches that date as far back to his “Saturday Night Live,” days where he was a writer. During that time, I also discovered the elusive Pete Davidson. There was something about Davidson that I was instantly drawn to. Whether it was his self-deprecating humor or the way he over-exaggerated his punchlines, I always loved being able to sit back and watch his sketches whenever I was feeling down about something going on in my life. In 2019, Mulaney and Davidson ended up going on tour together for a small comedy run to present and test out new sketches. When this tour was originally announced, I remember running up to my mom as a first-year student in high school begging to see my two favorite comedians in real life. My mom, being the wonderful lady that is she and concerned for my 14-year-old wellbeing, unfortunately said no due to the fear that there would be crude humor not safe for my prepubescent ears. Hearing this absolutely tore me apart and made me feel like my life was never going to be the same again, but I quickly got over it when Mulaney decided to announce his “From Scratch” tour back in early 2022. Luckily, I was able to attend this tour with one of my friends and had an amazing time. Mulaney launched this tour just after recovering from rehab and wanted to retell his stories from his time away. It was, of course, hilarious and I dreamed about seeing him again during one of his next comedy runs. Then, my entire world stopped. In August, Mulaney announced a brand new, limited time comedy run with none other than Pete Davidson and Jon Stewart. As you can imagine, my heart skipped a beat a little. Yes, I had absolutely no idea who Jon Stewart was (more on that later), but Mulaney and Davidson? Oh, my heart can only take so much. My mom, again being the lovely woman that she is, ended up buying me tickets as a gift so we could go together. Maybe this was her way of redeeming herself from betraying me all those years ago, but I digress. The day of the show finally came around, and I was ecstatic. I wore my John Mulaney T-shirt, and I was ready to go. Once we got to the venue, they had us lock our phone in a Yondr punch, which is normal for a comedy show to this high of a standard. Yes, it sucked not being able to go on my phone while I was waiting for the show to start, but I quickly got over it once I realized that this meant more shows were around the corner for this trio. After an opener that I do not care enough to speak about, Davidson officially opened the show. This show was different from past shows for Pete, especially since he recently got out of rehab and was still in active recovery. Nonetheless, he was still incredible and truly encapsulated the audience for the entirety of his set. Some of the notable pieces of his set were when he talked about missing his stalker, how he wants his mom to date someone and the time he fell in love with Leonardo Dicaprio. It was nice to see Davidson in a positive and supportive light, especially since he was torn apart in the media last year. Photo courtesy of Samara Carey Sophomore Samara Carey stands beside her parents Shawn and Sue Carey as a “Jon, John and Pete” graphic is displayed on a television behind them. Davidson’s act was enjoyable; however, I do wish it was longer. He was open and honest about his addiction, which I found quite admirable and was proud of him for doing so. After Davidson’s act, he announced Mulaney on stage next. Mulaney was a natural on stage and made it seem like this was his own headlining show. Some of his most notable pieces included: How an adult failed at kidnapping him, his new adventures with his two-year-old son, and how he believes dinosaurs are not real. It was honestly super refreshing to see Mulaney healthy and happy, especially since his last special contained a lot of heavy material and focused on a darker time in his life. Like I said previously, this was my second time seeing Mulaney, and if you ask me, he just is getting better and better with each act that he performs. Like all things though, it must end. After Mulaney’s set, he announced the last and main act, Jon Stewart. Now, before heading to this show, I had absolutely no idea who this man was, and to be honest, I did not care. I figured if he was staring with stars such as Davidson and Mulaney, he was bound to be just as funny as they are. Oh, boy was I wrong. Before I go any further, I want to say I respect Stewart and his work as a whole, but it is simply not for me. To be blunt, I did not laugh a single time he was on stage. His entire act was about how old he is, how he hates both political parties and then went on to weirdly compare Christianity and Judaism for half the act. Now, I am not sure if this is something that interests you, but I did not necessarily enjoy his set. If you want my honest opinion, the show would have been better without him in it. Overall, I had a fun time at the show, but being transparent, I wish I left after Mulaney’s act. Now I know for next time to completely avoid Stewart, or to leave whenever I see his name. I will be seeing Mulaney and Davidson in the future though. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Opinion 18 "PUNK TACTICS:" an album overshadowed upon release A song-by-song review of "PUNKTACTICS" by Joey Valence & Brae By Shawn Carey Contributing Writer We live in an age of constant media. One of the most highly anticipated albums of the year, “GUTS” by Olivia Rodrigo, was released on Sept. 8. Following the breakout success of her first studio album “SOUR” in 2021, “GUTS” had much to live up to. This album is the young artist’s chance to prove that she’s not just a one hit wonder. I, however, will not be talking about any of that in this article. As much as I would like to add on to the discussion surrounding “GUTS,” I would rather highlight an album that was released on the same day but only received a fraction of the same attention. An album that I believe more people should be listening to. The album I am talking about is “PUNK TACTICS” by Joey Valence and Brae. “PUNK TACTICS” is hip-hop duo Joey Valence and Brae’s first major album. Being recorded entirely in Joey’s bedroom, the 24-year-olds aimed to recreate the punk-rap style of the ‘80s and ‘90s in this record, which I believe they were able to do with flying colors. Before I go into detail about the songs on the album, I would first like to get rid of the elephant in the room. Yes, I know, they sound a lot like the Beastie Boys. When talking about the album, or any of their songs for the matter, it’s hard to not make the comparison, which is completely valid. The duo takes huge inspiration from the New York-based band for much of their discography. They don’t just try to recreate what worked in the past; however, they really make the songs their own with their unique gimmicks and flair. This can be heard in the album’s title track. “PUNK TACTICS” starts with what can only be described as a blast of excitement. It’s very loud and in your face, leaving you with no room to breathe in the best way possible, a common characteristic that all the songs on the album share. This serves as a fantastic start that tells you what the album is all about. There’s also a good chance that you heard the song before, or at least the chorus. Joey and Brae released it as a single in the spring of last year. Due to the song’s general fun and energetic vibe it unsurprisingly started to trend on TikTok. It was used in everything from edits of users’ favorite characters to short animated music videos. The songs “DROP!!” and “WATCH YO STEP” follow in the footsteps of “PUNK TACTICS” as fast-paced power anthems that makes you want to get up and start putting on your own music video, the latter even referencing the opening of Next up we have “DELINQUENT (TEEN TITAN),” which as you probably tell by the name, highlights the duo’s love of samples and references related to pop culture. It’s not uncommon to hear them make the occasional anime reference, with one of my personal favorite examples being, “...we ain’t got a label, you don’t get a quarter. Now we going platinum, ora, ora, ora.” I can see how some may be turned off by the constant name drops, but I believe they tend to work on their own without having to have knowledge of the properties. “INTERMISSION” marks the halfway mark of the album. It’s a nice short break from what we’ve been used to hearing, “PUNK TACTICS.” One thing that stood out to me was the instrumentals of these songs. They start out as slow electric beats until their respective chorus, in which they explode out, turning into something that sounds more like traditional hip-hop. “STARTAFIGHT” plays next, and I would say this is the song that sounds the most similar to what you would hear on a Beastie Boys album, mainly due to the constant repeating of the song’s name, something the group was well known for. It’s also around this point that you’ll probably start to notice that none of the tracks on the album are that long. Most of the songs end up lasting only a mere two minutes, with the entire album being a modest half hour. I see this as working out in the artist’s favor with none of the songs outstaying their welcome, making the album an easy listen. with it even sounding like elevator music. From here on out through, we get much more experimental tracks from Joey and Brae, with the following song immediately letting you know that things are about to change. “GUMDROP” is a minute-long hyper pop song that sounds nothing like what came before it. As someone who isn’t really a fan of the genre, I tend to find myself skipping this one upon plays of the album, but I can appreciate the duo trying something different. Taking a complete 180, we now have “DANCE NOW.” The song’s name is very fitting as it will make you do as it says. It's a very groovy song that has a unique jazz feel to it. This was originally released as a single and had me convinced that it would be my favorite on the album. That was until I heard the next song. Simply titled “RN” the track serves as a fun track that will certainly hype you up. While the song tends to repeat itself in a similar way to “STARTAFIGHT,” the vocal work and instrumental more than makes up for it. The song “HOOLIGANG” does pretty much the same thing but to what I feel like is a lesser degree. “TANAKA 2” is what I believe to be the objectively best song on the album. For the first minute it just sounds like a typical song by them, that’s until Logic comes in and does his verse. You heard that right, this album has a Logic feature. I’m not going to act like I really care about Logic or his music, but his verse on this song does a lot to separate “TANAKA 2” from the duo’s other works. Speaking of separating their songs we now have “STREET PIZZA,” which is just a straight-up punk song. The song features Joey and Brae shouting about making street pizza over heavy instruments. While that may not be the most punk thing to sing about, it certainly has that energy to it. I would like to note that on Spotify they have the artist “Bonjour Señor” listed as a feature. I tried to find more out related to this individual, but the only proof of his existence is this one song. The final song on the album is “CLUB SANDWICH,” a song that returns the duo to their normal style of music. This works as a great track on its own, but I recommend playing the entire album before giving it a listen. It serves also as a celebration of “PUNK TACTICS,” referencing almost all the songs that came before it. “PUNK TACTICS” is an album that takes you for a short yet fun ride. Once you start getting used to its unique style, it does something new and different. If you’re a fan of the Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill or Joey Bada$$ this is worth a listen. Joey and Brea really have something special going on, and I can’t wait to see what they do next. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Sports 19 Sports Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Asst. Editor: Adam.grundt@wilkes.edu Wilkes field hockey off to hot start under new coach Ashley Irwin, King's College alum, now a proud Colonel By Adam Grundt Sports Assistant Editor The Colonels’ field hockey team is off to a hot start under new head coach Ashley Irwin. Irwin, a native of Douglasville, Pa., attended King’s College and graduated in 2011. For the past nine years, she was at Keystone College coaching the women’s lacrosse team from 20152020 and leading the field hockey program from 2014-2022. “This will be my 10th season coaching at the Division III level,” Irwin explained. “I feel that my time at Keystone has done a great job in providing me the work habits to go the extra mile, and do the extra work. "Truthfully, at Keystone, it was very, very hard. Our facilities and resources were nowhere compared to what we have at Wilkes, and I think it made me humbled and grateful to be the next coach here at Wilkes. "Now, with the work habits and resources that we have, the sky is the limit.” Irwin played at King's from 20062009. During her career there, she played in 67 games with 47 starts and won back-to-back MAC Freedom championships and made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006 and 2007, according to her profile on the Wilkes Athletics website. She graduated in 2011 with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. Irwin also served as coach for both women’s lacrosse and field hockey at Meyers and Coughlin high schools in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was the Meyers field hockey assistant coach and JV head coach from 2011 to 2014. From 2012 to 2015, she worked with Coughlin's girl's lacrosse team “Over the course of my years in the ‘valley’ I have grown to make a name for myself,” Irwin explained. “After my time at King’s I coached locally for both Meyers and Coughlin High School, before making my way up to Irwin Keystone. I then have had the pleasure of mentoring 15 former players that are head coaches of some sort of collegiate field hockey, collegiate lacrosse, high school field hockey, or high school lacrosse. "It helps to make friends along the way”. In her first season at Wilkes, Irwin commends the atmosphere at the university. “When you came to Wilkes it was always a battle,” Irwin said. “They were tough, they hit hard, and when you saw their name on the schedule you kind of feared them. The atmosphere is one of winning and wanting to win. "I think when you finally experience it as both a student-athlete and a coach, it’s electric. Best decision I ever made, I am simply humbled to be here and work with great people”. The Colonels opened up their season with an overtime victory at Oswego State, and are coming off of back-toback wins against Wells College and Neumann University. They are one win away from matching their season total in wins from a year ago. “They are definitely off to a solid start for sure,” Irwin said. “They are learning what it takes to battle and we couldn’t be prouder. It is definitely a process, and a new one at that. There is a lot of learning and learning quickly. "This week, for example, is unheard of. No team in collegiate field hockey plays four games in one week. But we are; it’s a schedule I inherited and we’re making the most of it. "For the NCAA, field hockey is given 18-19 games to play, depending on scrimmages. It is really hard to fit those games into a two-month schedule. "They are off to a strong start and proving themselves game-by-game”. The Colonels begin conference play on Sept. 16 when they travel to Baltimore, Md. to take on Goucher College. Irwin believes this will be the first real test of the season. “Conference opens this Saturday for us down at Goucher College,” Irwin explained. “It will be the first test for sure, and it is definitely a game that we have already set in our minds that we need to win to set out on the course we are on. It is a bold move, but we want to be the number five or number 6 seed in playoffs. "The Landmark is a tough conference, and one that we know we need to do the work in if we want to survive and make it to that spot. There are a lot of big opponents ahead, but the first one is Goucher and we need that ‘w’.” After a non-conference match against Misericordia University on Sept. 14, the Colonels will travel to Baltimore to take on Goucher College in their first Landmark Conference game of the season. They return home on Sept. 19 to take on rival and Coach Irwin’s alma mater, King’s College, at Schmidt Stadium. At the game, faculty and staff will be recognized as a part of Faculty/ Staff Appreciation Night. For more information, visit gowilkesu.com. Catch the Colonels at Susquehanna Saturday at 1 p.m. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Sports 20 Will the Waterdogs secure a second championship? By Samantha Mullen Contributing Writer The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is gearing up for a much anticipated championship game against the Waterdogs Lacrosse Club and Archers Lacrosse Club. As the best of the best prepare to face off, lets take a closer look at what could be expected when it comes to game time in Philadelphia on Sept. 24. It was to no surprise that the Waterdogs were able to secure a trip to the championship this year as they are the current reigning champs. Led by head coach Andy Copelan and a roster filled with talented players like Kieran McArdle and Michael Sowers, they were able to overcome struggles in the beginning of the season. Waterdogs finished the regular season with a 7-3 record putting them as the 3rd seed. Just from the stats, the team showcased resilience and determination in every game. As already mentioned, players to look at during the championship on the offensive side is Kieran McArdle and Michael Sowers. McArdle led the team in points, have 34, and in 1 point goals, 20. Sowers was close behind with 30 points total with 15 1 point goals and 15 assists, leding the team for most assists. Defensively, they have the Canadian Dillion Ward who came back late in the season but ended with a 61 save percentage. On the other side, the Archers are coached by Chris Bates. The Waterdogs could potentially have some trouble stopping Archers offensive powerhouses like Tom Schreiber, who won league MVP, and Connor Fields. By the end of the regular season, the Archers placed as first seed with a record of 8-2. As mentioned before, Tom Schreiber dominates everytime with he is on the field. He finished the regular season with 16 1 point goals and 2 2 point goals. Another key offensive player is Connor Fields who, in the regular season, led the team in points, 39, and 1 point goals, 28. Defensively, they have the long stick defender Graeme Hossack, who had 8 caused turnovers and 35 groundballs during the regular season. Hossack also showed off his offensive skills with an assist and two 2-point shots. In net, they have second year, Brett Dobson had a save percentage of 60 in the regular season and 78 in post season play. It’ll be a tough fight between Dobson and Ward to see who’s save percentage is better. Though some fans may focus heavily on the defense and offense players, the game starts with the faceoff which is going to be a battle. The rookie Mike Sisselberger has been dominating this season with having a 68 percent for faceoff wins. With the new shot clock rule of 32 seconds after the faceoff, Sisselberger was able to take advantage of that and got 3 goals after gaining possession of the ball. On the Waterdogs, they have two rookies, James Reilly and Zac Tucci, listed as their faceoff guys, but have opted for midfielder Zach Currier to be taking it as of late. Currier currently has a 59 percent for faceoff wins. Seeing him and Sisselberger go head to head at the faceoff will definitely be something exciting to watch. Both teams have had an incredible season which is why they are in the championship. They both have solid offense and defenses. It’s just who is more hungry and determined to get the trophy on Sunday. Will the Waterdogs stay the reigning champs or will the Archers take the crown and win for the first time in program history? Tune in on Sunday Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. on ESPN. �The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Sports 21 MLB wild card races heat up as playoffs approach By Adam Grandt Sports Assistant Editor Wild Card and divisional races in both leagues are heating up as the Major League Baseball Season enters its home stretch. The Baltimore Orioles sit in first place in the American League East Division with reinforcements on the way as the Tampa Bay Rays sit three games behind them. The Orioles are expected to promote top prospect Jackson Holliday to their major league roster in order to solidify that top spot in their competitive division. Baltimore selected Holliday with the number one overall selection in 2022’s first-year player’s draft. While the Rays remain in striking distance for the division title, they have all but guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs as they sit in the first wild card spot. Baltimore’s all-star closer, Félix Bautista, recently suffered a partial tear in his UCL but is hopeful return for their playoff push. “It’s probably best characterized as an acute-on-chronic injury to his ligament”, Orioles general manager Mike Elias told the media. Elias also added that doctors don’t see a risk if Bautista were to continue throwing this season. The remaining two places for the American League Wild Card spots are currently occupied by Tampa Bay and Baltimore’s division rival, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers find themselves in a similar situation as the Rays, as they sit two games behind the leader of the American League West division, the Houston Astros. The Minnesota Twins are running away with the American League Central as they sit seven and a half games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in what many believe to be the division in baseball with the least strength. According to ESPN analytics, Minnesota has upwards of a 99% chance of clinching their division. As it stands, the Seattle Mariners sit half of a game out of the final wild card spot in the American League. The Blue Jays, Rangers, and Mariners are all separated by a small window of one game. According to ESPN analytics, the Mariners have a 51% chance to lock up that final Wild Card spot. Seattle is coming off the best month of their franchise’s history in August, one where they accumulated 21 wins. “Twenty-one wins in a month and there was a really special team here that won 116 games in one year and they didn’t even do that,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said, referencing the 2001 Mariners team that finished the season with only 46 losses. The race to keep an eye on toward the end of this season, however, is undoubtedly the one for the final National League Wild Card spot. It is currently a heated race between six separate teams. The Philadelphia Phillies currently occupy the first Wild Card spot, and the Chicago Cubs sit a game and a half behind them in the second. The third Wild Card spot, currently occupied by the Arizona Diamondbacks, is up for grabs. The Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants both sit a game and a half behind Arizona, and the Cincinnati Reds are chasing the Diamondbacks by two games. The Chicago Cubs have been as hot as any team as of late, and have a valid chance at capturing the National League Central division crown. They currently sit three games behind the leader of their division, the Milwaukee Brewers. That remains the only division in the National League that is still up for grabs in the National League, as the Atlanta Braves have locked up the National League East and the Los Angeles Dodgers have done the same in the West. For baseball fans, this point of the season remains very exciting due to the annual number of tight races for division crowns and Wild Card spots. With October baseball nearly here, a better idea of who will be contending for the league pennants and a World Series championship will come to fruition. The Beacon is looking for sports writers for the Fall 2023 semester If you are interested in sports writing, editing, photography or graphics contact Adam Grundt at adam.grundt@wilkes.edu �The Beacon September 21, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Trevor DuBoff Senior Golf Player The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week DuBoff was chosen as our athlete of the week after shooting a career low of 74 to help Wilkes defeat cross-town rival King’s College on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Huntsville Golf Club. Major: Sports Management Hometown: Stony Point, NY High School: North Rockland What has been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Shooting 2 over at Huntsville and leading my team to a win over King’s. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? New York Mets. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Going to the gym. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Being able to compete with and against talented and motivated athletes. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? Happy Gilmore Photo Courtesy of Anna Beckham Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Basketball. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Hitting a hole in one on hole 5 at Huntsville. What is your favorite post-game meal? Chipotle How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? It’s an honor even to be considered amongst all the great athletes at Wilkes. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received from my coaches and teamates - both on the wrestling and the golf team - as well as my friends and family. �Sports The Beacon - September 21, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Alexis Reedy Junior Volleyball Outside Hitter The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Reedy was chosen as our athlete of the week after a strong performance with 15 digs in the Colonels' victory against Penn State Hazelton. Reedy also surmounted 15 kills in a 3-0 victory against Delaware Valley in the team's first game of the tri-match on Sept. 4. She then compiled another 12 kills and 15 digs against Penn State Altoona in the final game of the tri-match and she finished with a total of 36 kills, 37 digs, 8 aces and 2 blocks. Major: Nursing Hometown: Palmyra, Pa. High School: Palmyra What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Team bonding, this year we went white water rafting which was a lot of fun. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Philadelphia Eagles. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Hanging out with my friends and going to the beach. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Meeting other athletes and the support from other sports teams. Also being involved in the community. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Soccer. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Winning states my junior year of high school. What is your favorite post-game meal? Mozzarella sticks. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I feel very honored to be selected. It is reassuring to have gotten this recognition for the hard work I have been putting in. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? Remember the Titans. Compiled by Adam Grundt, Asst. Sports Editor Photo Courtesy of Anna Beckham 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 - September 21, 2023 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 September 21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/a443afef18d753bac7aaae84fb3f1a05.pdf 0b6d6378b71a6d9c928f7785b3f6639d PDF Text Text The Beacon - September 28, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 76, Issue 4 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” WEBS and Title IX: Paving way for gender equity in STEM By Amanda Montgomery 1 News Editor In recent developments, the Women Empowered By Science (WEBS) program has found itself at the intersection of Title IX compliance and the pursuit of inclusivity. Title IX, a statute designed to protect students in educational institutions from discrimination based on sex has prompted the program to undergo significant changes. An email was sent out to Elizabeth Leo, university counsel and Title IX coordinator, as well as to President Cant from a professor emeritus for the University of Michigan. This professor learned of the Wilkes WEBS program, and let the university know that he filed a complaint with the office of civil rights who will do an investigation on the matter. This professor has made over 850 Title IX complaints from more than 2,000 civil rights violations at more than 750 colleges. “He’s kind of been very prolific in his quest to eradicate programs that benefit one gender, and I believe they’re all those that have programs designed for girls or women to go into traditionally male-dominated fields,” said Leo. In his email, the professor contacted the office of civil rights (OCR), the agency that oversees Title IX violations. To be proactive in compliance, Wilkes determined to remove all gender-related information from the program and from the website to make it compliant with Title IX. If the OCR did do an investigation, they would examine the policies and practices, interview the individuals affiliated and ask for documentation. The investigation could vary from asking for a position paper, to conducting an on-site investigation. WEBS, in compliance with Title IX, invites everyone to participate, regardless of their gender and identity, to join in their existing mission of empowering women in science. While they never directly excluded individuals from participating with the program, they are involving a more diverse population than they had previously done. “We’re inviting everyone regardless of gender and identity to join us in that mission of empowering women and helping them maintain their interest in science, but then also cultivate their interest through being armed elbow to elbow with other professionals from the community and also on campus,” said Debra Chapman, faculty of practice for the biology department. Over the summer, the WEBS program held a summer camp which took place at the university. It provided young science enthusiasts with an exciting opportunity to explore various scientific fields through hands-on laboratories and activities. “This summer I saw males in the program and a week ago I saw two young boys doing a WEBS project with one of the WEBS coordinators, so we never excluded other genders or other folks that identified in other ways, just that it was always predominantly girls,” said Leo. The program started 21 years ago, and the focus of the camp was to involve young women who had an interest in science. “The reality is that women will work with other people of all kinds of genders and identities when they are even here at Wilkes, but then certainly when they join the workforce,” said Chapman. Title IX is an umbrella term that ensures there is comity between the benefits and opportunities that men and women have in colleges. “The university is committed to complying with Title IX in all of the aspects of Title IX,” said Leo. Division of Global Cultures Celebrates Dr. Kuiken’s book publication, page 3 WUPB’s cooking demonstration at the casino, page 7 Analyzing fandoms: the pros and cons of fan culture, page 18 Celtics championship favorites as season approaches, page 19 �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Amanda Montgomery: Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 20 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Student Government held its fourth meeting for the semester on Sept. 20. SG currently has $48,277.84 in their account. The first order of business was the Alumni Office in a fund request for Homecoming weekend. The presentation was given by Bree Freeman of the office and Brooke Coleman, a junior student intern. This was week two of two for the request. The request was for $500 to cover 50 student tickets for the weekend's events. The motion was passed and allotted for the full amount. The next order of business was a fund request from Kappa Psi, a pharmaceutical fraternity on campus under the chapter Delta Omicron. Presenting was regent Phil Davis, a P4 student. This was week two of two for their request. They requested $2,226 in order to attend two conferences over the fall semester. The conferences provide networking opportunities and allow for voting on changes that affect all chapters. Locations include Buffalo, New York and Boston. The motion was passed for the partial amount of $1,726 in order to fund the trip to the NEP conference in Boston. The next order of business was the Pre-Law Society coming in for club recognition. The presentation was given by Sean Greco, a junior political science student. This was week two of two for the club. The club has been in operation for two semesters without full SG recognition and has a full e-board and general board of over 20 members. The group holds events to help others understand law and helps members in the seeking of higher education. The vote was passed for the club to be fully recognized. The next order of business was a fund request from the Wilkes Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). GSA serves the campus community in the promotion of conversation and of the rights for all people that may identify outside of hetrosexual. The presentation was given by Morgan Steiner, junior political science student. The request is for GSA and its guests to be able to attend the Mid-Atlantic LGBTQ+ conference being held Nov. 3-5 in Bloomsburg, Pa. The conference would help students send work for the conference in the form of papers, projects and workshops. It also gives many of the members a chance in order to present formally and gain that experience. This was the first week of their proposal and will be voted on next week. The final order of business was an internal presentation given by Michael Nowak, senior electrical engineering student and vice president of SG. This was for a fall event getaway for Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Scholarship Opportunity for Students of Polish Descent The Polish Room Committee Scholarship ($3,000 top award) welcomes applications from Luzerne County residents. To be considered, applicants must write a brief description of their Polish heritage and what that heritage means to them. This letter must be submitted, along with the applicant’s name, WIN and contact information to Allison Naumann, Alumni House. Applications can be emailed to allison. naumann@wilkes.edu with the subject line “Polish Heritage Scholarships.” Deadline for applications is Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m. Volunteer with ChalkFest The Riverfront Parks Committee hosts their annual ChalkFest event on Saturday, Oct. 7 starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity for students to volunteer and serve their community. Please email john@riverfrontparks.org with the following information: name, phone number and email address. If you have any questions, contact John Maday at john@riverfrontparks. orgor call 570-825-5763. Sam’s Club Membership Drive University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC) invites all students to visit the representative of Sam’s Club on Oct. 2 to sign up for a discounted membership, valid through the 2024 year. The event will take place on the first floor of the Student Union Building (SUB) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The offer is only available until Oct. 14. Contact Corey Moore at corey. moore@wilkes.edu with any questions. BACCHUS Alcohol Awareness Walk The Alcohol Awareness Walk will take place on Oct. 24 from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Fenner Quad. Food will be provided. Sign up before Oct. 3 to receive a shirt using this link: https://docs. g o o g l e . c o m / f o r m s / d / e / 1 FA I p Q L S dNyDEgn46xXBHJOoHf lOZxA Vn 8 6 x T B J 4 P h e z o R 0 S 6 x r 0 E R e A / viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0. members of the student community. The trip would see them travel to Roba’s farms, the Taste of Autumn and a scavenger hunt. This would occur over fall break from Oct. 13-16 and give many students a chance to have an activity for those who would not be able to go home during the shortened break. The cost and fund request for the trip was $3,600. This was week one of two and will be voted on next week SG will meet again on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: October 5 - Hoedown Throwdown 8 - Statue of Liberty Boat Tour NYC 12-15 - Fall Break 19 - Couch Potato 23-27 - Freak Week 28 - Dorney Haunted Park November 2 - Silent Disco 9 - Giveaway Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Amanda.Montgomery1@ wilkes.edu �The Beacon - September 28, 2022 3 Division of Global Cultures celebrates Dr. Kuiken’s book By Emma Broda News Staff Writer Students, faculty and friends all gathered in Kirby Hall recently to support Dr. Jonathan Kuiken’s newly published book. Kuiken, associate professor of history and the director of the Honors Program, had his first book published, “Oil for Britain: The United Kingdom and the Remaking of the International Oil Industry, 1957-1988.” The book was published earlier this year. The book covers the United Kingdom’s involvement in the international oil industry during the late 20th century. Writing a historical book requires considerable research and work, and this was no different for Kuiken. “Writing a book is difficult in the best of circumstances,” said Kuiken. “Monographs focusing on history require you to do a lot of secondary source reading and a significant amount of primary source research in libraries, archives, etc.” The book had been a long time in the making for Kuiken with many other responsibilities taking up his time. “The biggest challenge, however, is finding both the time and the energy to do serious research and writing,” said Kuiken. “At Wilkes we have a pretty heavy teaching and advising load on top of our other responsibilities such as serving on committees. Obviously teaching is an amazing privilege, but it also takes a lot of time and, even more, a lot of energy.” The hard work put into the book was celebrated with a party with refreshments and a speech from Kuiken. Many of those in attendance were aware of the time and effort Kuiken put into this achievement. “I know he was stressed so I could imagine he was relieved,” said Megan Novak, junior environmental science major. “I felt proud to see it finished.” There was a definite sense of pride and excitement from all attending the party, and there were even some tears shed during his speech. “It was wonderful recognizing Dr Kuiken’s big achievement,” said Dr. Chelsea Chamberlain, professor of history and colleague of Kuiken. Mia Decker, junior history major, said Dr. Kuiken poses with his new book, “Oil for Britain: The United Kingdom and the Remaking of the International Oil Industry, 1957-1988.” that attending the event put a smile on her face. “Dr. Kuiken is one of my favorite professors, and every class I’ve had with him has been lovely and I wanted to support his achievement,” said Decker. Even during his speech Kuiken expressed he does not necessarily enjoy things where he is the center of attention, especially a party like this one. He shared that this one, however, was different. “Researching and writing can be a pretty lonely experience so the importance of having the support of friends, family, colleagues, and students - many of whom were at the book party - is hard to overstate,” said Kuiken. “It’s easy to doubt yourself, and hard to fight the temptation to give up, so having people there to cheer you on is really appreciated.” One particularly memorable moment from the party and his speech was his thanks to his children, Madeline and Thomas, whom the book was dedicated to. During his speech he also shared that the two were part of the reason why the book took so long to finish. However, he shared why he decided to dedicate it to them. “But in all seriousness, having children is one of the greatest motivations to be the best person you can be,” said Kuiken. “They are a tremendous source of joy in my life, and their ability to help me put the importance of my work into proper perspective made my dedicating the book to them an obvious choice.” It was clear from the party just how well respected and loved Kuiken is at Wilkes. “If you had one conversation with Dr. Kuiken, you would remember him forever,” said Kamea Paresa, sophomore math and secondary education major. “He holds the kind of character that inspires you and encourages you. He is an incredibly talented and intelligent professor who has done so many great things. “He’s just such a humble and wellrounded individual. My experience at Wilkes wouldn’t be the same without him. He gives great advice and is also very personable. He’s just an overall great person.” Photos: The Beacon/Emma Broda Copies of Kuiken’s book were displayed at the event. The book features United Kingdom’s involvement in the international oil industry. �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 News 4 The College of Business and Engineering hosts career fair By Amanda Montgomery News Editor The annual College of Business and Engineering Career and Internship Fair recently took place in the McHale Athletic Center. More than 50 companies and organizations participated in the event. The fair was open to all students interested in working in the business, engineering and technology fields. Students had the opportunity to meet with prospective employers and internship sites for those interested. The Center for Career Development and Internships helped prepare students by conducting mock interviews, reviewing resumes and preparing students for interviews and networking skills. The Colonel Clothes Closet also provided students with the opportunity to find professional wear for the event free of charge. For first-year students in business, engineering and technology fields, the Career Development Center conducted a first year career bingo which consisted of questions students can ask employers, as well as questions related to their interests. Once the students spoke with employers, they received a sticker which they placed on the appropriate section of the card. When students “won” bingo, they handed their card to the registration table and were entered in various gift card giveaways. Some of the different companies and organizations in attendance included Target, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Proctor and Gamble, Mountain Productions, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts and Kearney and Company. Each organization offered a variety of opportunities for students, including internships, jobs and graduate school opportunities. For those who missed the fall semester career and internship fair, there will be another held during the spring semester. Photos: The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery One of the prizes available for first year students who participated in the first year career bingo. In addition, there are various gift card giveaways that the bingo particpants can win. The career fair displayed an archway made from blue and gold balloons before entering the variety of employer tables. Business, engineering and technology students networking and learning more about the different opportunities available to them. There wre over 50 employers that students could meet and interact with. �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 News What is... the Wilkes University Programming Board By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Thursday nights at Wilkes are dedicated to the Programming Board. Many students are familiar with Thursday night bingo events, which always have a theme. There is always a “back to school” bingo which starts the fall semester off, and a “techno” bingo which rounds out the spring semester. While bingo is only once a month, the Programming Board hosts events for the entire campus community to enjoy every Thursday night of the school year. “[Programming Board is] one of the mega councils on campus and we host an event every Thursday night,” said Kim Wheeler, junior p1 pharmacy student and president of the Programming Board. “Along with our monthly bingos, annual concert and giveaways, we also host an array of events to engage the campus community. All of our events are planned with the help of our executive and general board.” Programming Board is very flexible with general board members, and encourages them to attend general board meetings even if they’re not on the executive board. “I wish students knew that they could get involved with Programming Board at any point during the school year,” said Addie Hazlet, the activities coordinator for student development and advisor for programming board. “We would not be successful if it were not for our gen board participation so I encourage students to get involved with our club.” Kylie Jayne, junior nursing major, started off her first semester as a general board member for Programming Board, and is now the analytical chair. “I got involved with the Programming Board last year because my roommate told me that it was fun and I should join," said Jayne. "I enjoyed the events and thought it would be fun to spend time with her this way." Other members of the executive board also got their start in Programming Board during their freshman year. “I got involved with Programming Board my freshman year during club day," said Wheeler. "None of my friends wanted to sign up for the club so I took a leap of faith and decided to join by myself." While Programming Board is known for bingo nights, they also host a variety of different events, including their fall 2022 “Wild Wild West Night.” The night consisted of Mission BBQ, games and a mechanical bull. “Programming Board is awesome to be a part of but like anything it comes with its challenges," said Jayne. "Thursdays tend to be busy days when we are trying to set things up. The most challenging thing would have to be the last minute changes we need to make when someone goes wrong or does not show up in time. We all work as a team and it gets done together." Posters of their fall semester event schedule can be found around campus, and on their Instagram @wilkesupub. To become part of the general board, students can email wupb@wilkes.edu or kimberly.wheeler@wilkes.edu. 5 Members of the 2023 executive and general board with Trevor Wallace, an American comedian, writer and actor, after his comedy show last spring. WUPB executive board, fall 2022; back row L-R: Addie Hazlet (advisor), Brynn Marlow (junior), Jessica Kunkle (junior), Nicole Middleton (p3) and Kaelin Hughes (senior). Front row L-R: Shelby Brazes (senior), Kimberly Wheeler (junior/p1), Rebecca Ax (junior) and Lauren Beaver (junior). Graphic: The Beacon/Amanda Montgomery Photos Courtesy of Kim Wheeler �6 The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Dr. Monique Woodard returns to Wilkes as assistant professor By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Dr. Monique Woodard recently joined Wilkes as assistant professor of game and emergent technology. Woodard is a Wilkes graduate, and explained that the time was right to return. “I felt as if it was time to move from my past job to a new one, and the fact that Eric (Ruggiero) had been reaching out to me a couple of times to apply for this position. So, I was like alright, this is it,” she said. Woodard graduated from Wilkes in 2015 with degrees in integrative media and theater. She then received a masters in digital media, and later a doctorate in education with a STEM concentration from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. in both 2018 and 2023, respectively. Black girls get “I was a involved in the student here world of STEM from 2011through coding. 2015,” said While Woodard Woodard. “My was completing time here was her graduate pretty fun to be degree at Drexel honest with you. University, as I do not have part of her job any complaints as research outside of the a s s i s t a n t usual ones. I like she went my professors on to create and I made really good Black Girls friends here STEAMing through Dance. in the IMAD “As a part of department and Photo courtesy Dr. Woodard my degree, my also with my other major of theater when I was here.” research was in supporting black girls’ Over the past three years, Woodard creativity as they learn to code in virtual has been working on a project to help environments,” said Woodard. “I ended up teaching around 17 girls through the concepts of coding beginning in block coding and then transitioning them over to Python in order to have full understanding of the functions.” Woodard wanted the program to help prepare them for high school and college with coding skills. She hoped the opportunity would not to just help them survive in coding, but thrive in coding. As part of her job, Woodard teaches three classes this semester along with an independent study. She also has three students working closely with her for a research project. While Woodard settles into her new job, returning to Wilkes after eight years, she hopes to inspire students to want to code and go into the path of media development. She also hopes to bring a program for black girls to Wilkes as she had at Drexel. Dr. Joshua Harper joins Wilkes as assistant professor By Amanda Montgomery News Editor Dr. Joshua Harper joined Wilkes this fall as an assistant professor of choral music and applied voice. He is also the director of choirs. Harper received a bachelor of arts in vocal performance and a bachelor of arts in music composition and theory at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. He then received a masters in choral conducting at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Mass. He later received a doctorate in choral conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Ind. Harper is from Huntsville, Ala., and now lives in Dunmore, Pa,. with his wife. They moved from Arizona when she was offered a position at the University of Scranton. “I had to get rid of my accent because choral music has a lot to do with vowels, and so I had a teacher tell me that if I wanted to be successful in my career, I would need to get rid of my southern accent,” said Harper. H a r p e r but ultimately started his being able undergraduate to teach and degree as a conduct music finance major is really what I with a music love to do,” said minor. Harper. “I’ve sung and Harper currently played piano teaches choir, for most of my voice lesions and life, but when music theory. He it came time to likes the fact that come to college, most professors at I didn’t think Wilkes do not just that I could teach one class, as make a career a lot of his past by singing,” said professors have. Harper. “There’s so Photo courtesy Dr. Harper much After taking culture. various business and music classes, he There is, in my opinion, great weather decided that music was his passion, and and full four seasons, and just a lot so he changed his business major to one of opportunities professionally as a in music. conductor and musician,” said Harper. “[I] learned a few years later that Harper is excited to share his music conducting voices was what really with the community, both the university brought me the most amount of joy, and and town of Wilkes-Barre. figured out that I enjoyed working with “Wilkes has a history of a really other people with students, and so I’m successful choral program, and there’s a fast-forwarding through a lot of years, lot of wonderful alumni I’ve already met in the area, both because of COVID and how it affected everyone, just because of some other things that happened over the past couple of years, this program has a lot of room for growth, and I’m really excited to hopefully bring the choral music program in particular back to the reputation that it had for so many years,” said Harper. In his free time, Harper enjoys English Premier League football, which is a fantasy sports league. He explained that there are about 10 million people who play in the world, and last year he came in 47,000. One piece of advice Harper advises students is from an old professor of his. He explained that you don’t know who you are until you’re 30 years old so quit trying so hard to figure it out until then. “I tell my students is also about becoming a better person and part of that is learning a little bit more about yourself and that may mean changing your finance major to a vocal performance major but that also could end up really being who you are and defining the rest of your life in your career as it has for mine,” said Harper. �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu WUPB’s cooking demonstration at the casino By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Programming Board’s events always draw a large crowd, but this week, seating was limited in the Chef ’s Kitchen at Rustic Kitchen. In a new twist on the Thursday night tradition, this week’s event, a Cooking Class, had students stepping off campus and into the kitchen to take a cooking class with a professional chef. This trip brought students to a cooking class at the Rustic Kitchen in Mohegan Sun Casino. Normally, a class like this would cost upwards of $80. Through Programming Board, the trip was only $5, transportation included. “Programming board wants to add something different for people who didn’t have events geared to their interests before.” said Shelby Brazes, a senior criminology and psychology major, and treasurer of the programming board Others shared their experiences at the event. “It was like being in the live studio audience of one of those cooking shows.” said Ellie Freiss, a senior mechanical engineering major. “The chef was really interactive and provided great cooking tips and entertaining commentary.” The three course meal included a salad, entree and dessert. “The ribs were very good and fell off the bone,” said Freiss. Brazes said her favorite was the mixedberry parfait they had for dessert and other students raved about the jalapenocheddar cornbread. “I would definitely recommend it and go to an event like this again,” said Freiss. Brazes added that the club expresses interest in doing it again because of how much of a hit the event seemed to be. Programming board hosts fun, engaging events every Thursday even each fall and spring semester. Chef Kim Demonstrates in background with a stack of ribs and jalapeno-cheddar cornbread. A cup that was filled with a delicious mixed-berry parfait. The large center kitchenwas surrounded and occupied by audience participants. Photos Courtesy of Ellie Freiss �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: NAMI By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor Wilkes University houses a plethora of clubs for sports, art and media. Others, help those in need,. This is the ultimate goal of National Alliance on Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness, also known as NAMI, is a club and advocate group on campus that is an extension of the overall nationwide NAMI organization. The organization, and club by proxy, has the mission to bring attention to and educate about mental illness, fight for the rights of people struggling with mental illnesses and provide assistance to people that need it. “We are trying to get rid of the stigma around mental health, and provide resources for those that need it,” said Ashley Gangaware, senior nursing major. “We spend a lot of time doing that.” Part of this destigmatization includes creating a discussion around the issue and allowing those that are struggling with easily accessible resources. That is why The Bandana Project was initiated. This project includes training students for certain emergencies and providing them with several resources in order for the student to effectively assist someone in need. These students sport a green bandana on their person, which signifies that the wearer can be approached about mental health related issues and provide resources to help anyone that requires it. Green bandana wearers are approachable, understanding and wish nothing more than to assist in improving the wellbeing of others, so do not be afraid to tap one on the shoulder. Anybody can be a green bandana wearer with the proper guidance, as well as a NAMI member, regardless of major. NAMI welcomes everyone across Wilkes University, from arts to business and everything in between. “We want it to be a campus wide thing.” said Gangaware. “Any major is welcome to join, because everyone deals with mental health issues, not just people within psychological or medical fields.” NAMI is also very accessible, as while it is encouraged, members are not required to attend every meeting, so it is very flexible for those with busy schedules. “NAMI is not one of those clubs where it’s mandatory to come to all meetings,” said Gangaware. “If you want to get all the information about stuff we are promoting off campus, you can still be a member but you do not have to come to every single meeting.” Those aforementioned promotions include various events where self help is encouraged and advocated for. NAMI attends many events where it can spread Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: cowboy ike me - Taylor Swift Take It Off - Kesha Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Clay Pigeons - Michael Cera The Ninja in the Night - Lind Erebros Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: I’m Your Man - Mitski Nostalgia - Rod Wave, Wet Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: that’s how you make a villain - emyln Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Our very own Zara Lantzman has put together a Spotify playlist where you can scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff awareness about mental illness and both help those in need and recruit people into the cause. “There are important mental health events that we do, we have done suicide awareness walks and attended other events where we can spread the word,” said Ashley Tommassacci, sophomore neuroscience and psychology major. NAMI often collaborates with other organizations, event organizers and other schools in order to more efficiently build a defense against mental illness. Whether it be apparent or not, people are always in need and not everyone has the ability or the push to make themselves feel comfortable within their own skin. The goal of NAMI is to help people reach that point of comfortabilibty. Whirring - The Joy Formidable Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Sofia- Clairo Lara Mullen, Designer: The Narcissist - Blur Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Peppers - Lana Del Rey, Tommy Genesis Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon – September 28, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 9 The Dorothy Dickson Darte Center fall preview By Cassidy Brumagin Contributing Writer The Wilkes University theatre department’s fall season is underway. This semester, the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts will be putting on two productions. The first performance will be Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.” The second will be Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Carousel.” “Blithe Spirit” is a comic play centered on novelist Charles Condomine. Searching for material for his next book, Charles invites a local medium into his house. When the seance goes awry, the plan backfires as chaos and the supernatural ensue. Playwright Coward describes the play as a farce, entailing dramatic comedy scenes that are improbable, exaggerated and absurd for the audience. The cast list for the production includes Caleb Flannery as Charles, Kasey Karoll as Ruth, Bella Ruiz as Elvira, Rachel Kern as Madame Arcati, Cally Williams as Edith, Kaiden Harris as Dr. Bradman and Olivia Scarborough as Mrs. Bradman. The show will have performances at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5; Friday Oct. 6; and Saturday Oct. 7 . A matinee performance will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. Next up for the fall season will be the musical “Carousel.” The story of “Carousel” focuses on the love story of carousel barker Billy Bigelow and quiet mill worker Julie Jordan. After falling in love, the relationship between the two has its ups and downs. Ultimately, Billy is given a chance to mend relationships after his time on earth from beyond the grave. The musical falls into the categories of drama and romance and features musical numbers including “June is Busting Out All Over,” “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The principal cast will feature Raven Whitefawn as Julie Jordan, Jahel Duran-Diaz as Billy Bigelow, Rachel Kern as Carrie Pipperidge, Olivia Scarborough as Nettie Fowler, Caleb Flannery as Enoch Snow and Jack Flynn as Jigger Craigan/Carnival Boy. Performances are 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16; Friday, Nov. 17; and Saturday, Nov. 18. There is also a 2 p.m. show on Sunday, Nov. 19. The remainder of the 2023-2024 season includes productions of the musical “Fun Home” and the Harry Potter-based parody, “Puffs.” Dates for these productions are to be determined. All shows will take place in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Admission for Wilkes students and faculty is free with ID. General admission for the performances is $20 for musicals and $25 for non-musical productions. Seniors and non-Wilkes student pricing is $15 for musicals and $10 for non-musical productions. Graphic/Morgan Rich Want your events featured in the Life, Arts, and Entertainment section of the Beacon? Contact Zara Lantzman, Life, Arts, and Entertainment Editor at zara. lantzman@wilkes.edu �The Beacon – September 28, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Weekends at Wilkes: Basics of illustration with Kevin O’Neill Find out what is going on in your campus community By Cally Williams Life, Arts, and Entertainment Staff Writer Once classes end on Friday, it is time for the weekend. Although classes do not start up again until Monday, that does not mean that nothing is happeningon campus. Many students go home for the weekend, but there is always something going on at the university, even on the weekend. On Sept. 23, Wilkes hosted an event that stressed community and the importance of art. The event going on that past weekend took place at Wilkes’ own Sordoni Art Gallery. The Sordoni Art Gallery is located in Karambelas Media and Communication Center and the exhibits in the gallery are always changing. Currently, the Sordoni Art Gallery is featuring the work of 20th century illustrator Rose O’Neill, who is most known for her creation of the Kewpie Doll. The exhibit, titled “The One Rose,” opened for the public and university community on Aug. 25 and will end on Oct. 8. On Sept. 23, the art gallery hosted a special event taking inspiration from Rose O’Neill by teaching children ages seven through 10 the basics of illustration. The event offered local children in the community a free opportunity to explore their artistic skills. Kevin O’Neill, a local artist, writer and graphic designer led the event and created a dinosaur mural with the children. O’Neill is a staff artist for the Scranton Times-Tribune as well as a writer for the paper. Along with illustration, Children worked outside of the Sordoni Art Gallery and learned about the basics of illustration before trying some of the techniques themselves. O’Neill has worked with graphic design, watercolor and acrylic wood carving and does courtroom graphics. He attended a vocational-technical school to study graphic design and illustration, Rochester Institute of Technology for medical illustration and has a master in graphic design from Marywood University. “I have been drawing for as long as he can remember,” said O’Neill, “I was always picked to create backdrops for plays.” O’Neill also enjoys attending paint and sip events and woodcarving. Many children, like the ones who attended the workshop, have an interest in art and illustration, but often are not encouraged to pursue artistic careers. “Draw what you are passionate about,” said O’Neill. “If you are invested in it, the end result is going to be much better.” He also talked about finding an audience for your art. “If you try and please a whole market, the work will not be as special,” said O’Neill. Throughout the workshop, he also stressed the importance of enjoying art for the self, and not solely to please others. The weekends at Wilkes not only serve as time for rest for students, but as time to reach out to the community. The Sordoni Art Gallery is free to visit and open to the public. It adds a special artistic touch to not only the university, but to the surrounding Wilkes-Barre community. Photos: The Beacon/Cally Williams Participants showed off the finished project that they created in the workshop. �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 11 Life, Arts & Entertainment Wilkes Sodoku ��������������������������������������������������������� SUB Challenge your brain with some sudoku! How to play: Fill in the missing words. Each row should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each column should have 6 different words, no repeats. Each 2x2 quadrant should have 6 words, no repeats. B+F Dr. Cant Darte SUB SUB Dr. Colonel SUB Cant Wilkes Darte Farley Dr. Cant WUPB Farley Wilkes Farley WUPB Beacon Farley Darte Wilkes Darte Answer Key: SUB Dr. Cant Beacon Farley Darte WUPB WUPB Colonel Dr. Cant SUB Credit for these puzzles goes to: www.edu-games.org Compiled by Morgan Rich, Editor In Chief �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Featuring Photos Courtesy of: Reapers Revenge By Cally Williams Staff Writer NEPA HAUNTS With Halloween coming up next month, what better way to celebrate the spooky holiday than attending a Haunted House? NEPA is home to several fantastically scary attractions including: Reaper’s Revenge, Gravestone Manor and Horror Hall. Here are some Haunted Houses to check out this October. �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 HAUNTED ATTRACTION OPENINGS AND SCEDULES HORROR HALL OPENS SEPT. 30TH FRIDAY & SATURDAY 6 PM - 11 PM SUNDAY 6 PM - 10 PM REAPER’S REVENGE 11 E. POPLAR ST., NANTICOKE, PA 18634 TICKETS ONLINE OR AT THE DOOR FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM SUNDAY 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM GRAVESTONE MANOR OPEN NOW 460 GREEN GROVE RD., BLAKELY, PA 18447 TICKETS REAPERSREVENGE.COM OPENS SEPT. 29TH FRIDAY & SATURDAY 7 PM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 PM - 10 PM 1095 PA-315, WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702 Page Design: Lara Mullen TICKETS GRAVESTONE MANOR.COM �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Opinion Editorial Staff 2023-24 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Amanda Montgomery LA&E - Zara Lantzman Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Anthony Cazun Sports - Adam Grundt DESIGNERS Designer - Lara Mullen SECTION STAFF WRITERS News - Emma Broda LA&E - Cally Williams Opinion - “Freeze” Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or morgan.rich@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 or Morgan Rich at morgan.rich@ wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact opinion editor: sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu. Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. The career fair should include all majors In a world that thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, it’s essential that educational institutions, like ours, foster an environment of inclusivity and opportunity for students from all academic backgrounds. The annual college of business and engineering career and internship fair, while undoubtedly beneficial to business and engineering students, has the potential to be so much more if we extend its reach to encompass all majors. The fair predominantly features employers and opportunities that align with the fields of business and engineering. Tables and representatives from renowned companies in these sectors are abundant, and the fair often hosts companies that are tailored to the interests of business and engineering students. While this tailored approach benefits those students, it inadvertently sidelines others who don’t fall into these categories. Students from majors such as liberal arts, social sciences, natural sciences and the arts are often left feeling like outsiders at the event. While the fair may have a few representatives from non-business and nonengineering sectors, the overall atmosphere and focus remain predominantly centered around these two areas. This imbalance can lead to students from other majors feeling excluded from a crucial aspect of their career and professional development. Traditionally, career fairs tend to be centered around specific schools or colleges within an institution. While this approach can be beneficial to those in their respective fields, it can limit opportunities for students who don’t belong to those particular facilities. In addition, students in different majors and fields may not have the same level of support and preparation for the professional world. This disparity is particularly evident when we consider programs like the personal and professional development (PPD) program, which cater specifically to business students. This program equips business students with a range of essential skills and tools that prepare them for success beyond the classroom. Students in this program receive guidance on crafting effective resumes, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, creating professional business cards, honing their interviewing skills and mastering the art of networking. However, this situation isn’t as focused upon for students pursuing other fields of study. Unless they happen to encounter specific professors or extracurricular activities that offer similar training, they may not receive the same level of preparation for their future careers. This inequity not only hinders their professional growth and development, but also perpetuates the idea that certain majors are more “employable” than others. To promote inclusivity and fairness, it’s essential that our college extends the benefits of programs like PPD to students across all majors. While it might not be practical to create identical programs for every discipline, we can work towards a more equitable solution. With the number of employers increasing each year, the idea of including other majors, or possibly creating new career fairs for other majors and departments, should be considered. Expanding the career fair to include a broader range of majors makes sense when there is an increase in employer participation. Looking ahead, it’s our hope that our university takes significant steps towards fostering greater inclusivity in our career fair initiatives. Whether by expanding the existing career fair to include students from all majors or by creating new specialized career fairs for the other academic departments, there’s 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: morgan.rich@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 28, 2023 Opinion 15 The Return of The Red Raven: An original story By Leah Smith Contributing Writer ����� ��� ����� ������� ���� ������ ���� ��������� ������ ������� � � ���� � ������� �� ��������� �� ����������������������� ��� ���������� ��� ���������������� ����� �������� ��������� ����� ��� ���� ������� ������� � ������� �������������� � ������ ������ ���� ������������ ������ ����� � ��� ��� ���� ����� � ��� ���� ����� �� ����������������� ����� ���� � ����� �� �� ���������������������� ��� �� � ���� � ��� �� ����� ��� � ����� ��� � �� �������������������� ����� ������� ��� ��������� � ���� ��� ��� �� ������� ���� � ����������� ������������� ��� �������� ���� � ­€‚� ����� ��� ����� ������������ �� ����� � � ��� � ������ �� �����  ������� �� � ����� ����� ������� ƒ����� � ���� „� �� ������� ���� �� �� �� �� � � ���� ������ � ��� ������������� �������� �� ������� …����††�������� � �����������‡ˆ�  ������� ������� ��� � ��� ���� ‰����� � �� ���������…Š� ��ˆ� ƒ����� � �� ��� ����� ��� �� � ��� �� ��������� ������ ��� � �� ��� ������� � ��� ������������� ������ �������������‹��‹ ���������� ��� ��� �������� ������ �������� ���� �� �� �� � ��� ���� �� �� ���� �� � � � � � ��� ���� �� � ��� ���� ��� �� ��� ������ ������ � �� �� �� ��Œ������ ��Ž��� ������ ���� �������� ������� �� …‘���� ���� ��††�‡ˆ����� �������  ������� �’ ����� � �� ������ ��� ����� ���� ���� �…“�� �������� � ������� ���� � ���� ���ˆ� …�� �� ���������� ��� ����� ��� ����� ����ˆ�ƒ����� ������� ��� ������� ��� � � � ������ �� ����� � �� ����� ������������������� ��������� ����������� ������ ��Ž��� …����� �� ��� �� � ���� ����� ����� ����� ��� �‡� ������� ��� ���������������� �ˆ� Ž��� ������ �� � � ��� ��� � � ����� ������ �������� ����������ƒ����� � ����������� ��� �� ����� �� � ���� � � ���� ���� � �� ���� ƒ����� �� �� ����������������� �������� …‘���� � ��� �� �� ��‡ˆ� ����� � ���� ������� ��� ��  ������� �� ������ ����� �� ���� ���� ���� � …Ž�� �� ��� � ��� ���� � ����� ��� �� ��� ���� � �������ˆ� …‘������������� ���������‡ˆ������������ ������ �� ������� ����� ��� ����� �� …Ž������� ������������� �� ��”���� � � � ��� �� ����� ��� �� �������������� ������� �� ��� ������ �������� �����������…��� �  ������� ������� ��� �� ��������…•� –�� �� ������������ �������— ������� ��ƒ���� �� �� ������������ ������ ���������� ��������� �� �� ���������� ��� � ������–ˆ�� �� ����� � ����������������Ž�� �������� � ������ ������� ����� �� ����� ��„� �������� ���������� ������� ��� ��� ������� ���� � ����� ��� ��� ��� ���� �� ���� ������� �� ��������ˆ������ ������� ��������������������������� �� � ������� � �� �� �� ����� �� ��� ����� �� ����� ����� ��� …‘����� •��� ������� ���� ��� � ���‡ˆ� …Ž����������� ˆ�� �����������Ž���� � ���� ��� �� ������ �— ������ � �� ����� � ������ ���  �������� ��������������� ���� �� �� ������� ���� ������ ��� �� � ��� ������ �� ������ ����� �� ������������ � �� � …������•���� �������������� �������� � �������� � � ���� ��� ����� ��� ��������� ���� ������������� ����� ����������������������� ������������ ���������� ���������������� ���������� �������� Ž�� � ����� � ���� ��� ��� � � �‹ˆ� �������‡ˆ������� ����� ������������������  ������� ��� ���� � ��� ���� �� � ����� ����� ����� �� ��� �������� � ��� ������� �� ���� �� ��� ���� ��� ���������������� ƒ����� � �������  ������� ��������� …�� � ����� ††��� ‘���� ��� �� ��� � ���� � ��� ������ �� ����� �� � ��� �� ������ �— ������ � �� � � ��� ����� ������������������� ��ˆ�  ������� ������ � ��� ƒ����� � � �������� � � SATURDAY, ����� � ���� ��� � � �� OCTOBER 14, 2023 ������ ������� ������� …�� � ����� ���������� 12 - 2 PM ����� ������ ���� ������� ����������� �������— ������ ��� � ���� ����� � � Scan this QR code � �� ���� �� �� � ��� to sign up for the ������ �� ������ ��‡ˆ� Open House! multi-bedroom, shared mansion-living ������ ����� 3.5 bathrooms  ������� ��˜���� ���� fully-furnished ������ �� ����…‘���‡ˆ� COME GET A TOUR OF OUR UPSCALE, all-inclusive rent (all utilities, WIFI) …•���� ������ � � CLEAN, ALL-INCLUSIVE MANSIONS! fully stocked kitchen with appliances, �� � �������ˆ� ����� Sign-up for housing as singles, doubles, triples pots and pans, dishware, etc. ������� or quads. 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Cooper’s escape from the FBI and how he survived By Bryce Greco Contributing Writer On Nov. 24, 1971, a middle-aged man in a suit, trench coat and sunglasses sits in the back of Northwest Airlines Flight 305 enroute to Seattle, Washington. With him was only a briefcase and a small paper bag. He hands a note to the flight attendant. She drops it into her purse, assuming it’s some lonely businessman’s phone number. The man whispers for her to look at the note, which reads: “Miss – I have a bomb in my briefcase and I want you to sit with me.” After holding the flight crew and passenger’s hostage, the FBI gave into the man’s demands: $200,000 in cash and four parachutes. The passengers were released. None of them knew they were being held hostage. By nighttime, the flight took off again. The man is its only passenger. He wants to fly to Mexico, but the flight needs to stop in Reno, Nevada, for refueling. The crew is to remain locked in the cockpit. Flight 305 lands in Reno. The stairwell on the backside of the plane is opened. The man is gone. Although the name on the man’s ticket was “Dan Cooper,” a miscommunication with the media led to the creation of “D.B. Cooper,” the infamous hijacker who remains missing to this day. The FBI officially closed the D.B. Cooper case in 2016 and suspended all investigations. Most agents claim that he died after his daring jump, and investigators have failed to uncover any clue of Cooper’s motive. However, plenty of armchair detectives, internet sleuths and historians believe Cooper’s story has a different ending. I believe that the D.B. Cooper stunt was all done for the sake of proving it could be. Not only did he survive his jump, but he continued to baffle the FBI for decades after the incident. D.B. Cooper is the world’s most infamous phantom thief, and I believe that he got away with it. Analyzing Cooper’s story in full reveals that this stunt was no easy feat. After threatening the flight attendant, he proceeded to show her the contents of his briefcase, which she believed to be four sticks of dynamite attached to a battery. He issued his demands to her, which she relayed to the pilot, who then relayed them to the FBI. Once the flight landed and the money and parachutes were given to Cooper, the passengers exited the plane. The four parachutes Cooper demanded were for two people, since a parachuter would use both a back and front parachute for additional safety. Cooper likely did this so that the FBI did not sabotage the parachutes, since he may have used the second set to take a hostage. During refueling, the flight attendant asked him why he was doing all this, and he laughed and told her: “It’s not because I have a grudge against your airlines, it’s just because I have a grudge.” After the plane departed for Reno, Cooper asked the flight attendant to instruct him on opening the “aft stairwell,” or the door that opens via the underside of the plane. After she did, he sent her to the cockpit, where she remained for the rest of the flight. This was the last time the crew saw or heard from Cooper. Given the evidence remaining on the plane, it is theorized that Cooper was an inexperienced parachutist. Only one parachute remained on the flight, and it was opened with a knife and had the cords removed. One of the parachutes was a teaching chute which did not open, and this is one of them that Cooper used. The FBI believes that Cooper jumped to his death with an unfunctional chute, but I believe that claim can easily be refuted. I think that Cooper was not only a parachutist, but a parachutist with military training. Out of the parachutes at Cooper’s disposal, the one he cut into was a brand-new civilian chute which would require minimal experience to use. The two Cooper used were old military chutes that would require some degree of military experience to operate. Cooper was an ex-soldier, returning to America with a grudge against the government that sent him to war. He likely used the teaching chute as a bag for the money, which was given to him in a loose bank bag, and then used the cords from the civilian chute to tie all three bags to his body before jumping. There is even more evidence pointing to C o o p e r ’s m i l it ar y background. In 1954, a comic series titled “Dan Cooper,” the same name D.B. Cooper used on his ticket, was published in France, featuring the tales of a daring parachutist. However, this comic was never translated into any other language other than French. I believe this points to D.B. Cooper being a military soldier stationed in Europe or France during the Cold War who held a grudge against the country due to something that happened during his deployment. Cooper is regarded by the FBI as a common thief, but I believe he was much more of a master criminal. The flight attendant was charmed by him, stating how gentlemanly and polite he was to her, and even shared a cigarette with him on the flight. The hijacking may have been Cooper’s first stroke of genius, but it was not his last. The money the FBI used for the ransom had its serial numbers recorded. Any bank or business that processes money with these serial numbers is required to contact the FBI, but no contact was ever made. Cooper never spent the money, as it would be nearly impossible to. Once the serial number was reported, the FBI would have known his approximate location. So, it is likely that Cooper hid the money with the intention to keep it hidden. However, even though Cooper did not use the money, he certainly kept it. In 1980, nearly a decade later, an 8-yearold boy and his father were camping along a river in Vancouver, Wash. The boy discovered three bundles of cash, totaling to be $5,800, buried in the sand. The money was reported to the FBI, and it was revealed that these bundles were in fact three of the same bundles given to Cooper as part of the $200,000 dollar ransom. However, this only led to more questions than answers. The money was found nearly 17 miles away from Cooper’s projected drop zone, meaning it would be impossible for it to have fallen from the sky during his jump. The money was found upstream of the river, which means even if it had fallen, it would have had to float against the current to reach its location. And to top it all off: the rubber bands on the bundles were new. Although this left the FBI stumped, I believe that it is evidence of Cooper’s survival. Cooper returned a decade later and planted this money. With his case starting to get cold, he decided to warm it back up with some new evidence in an ingenious way: purposely placing it in an impossible location. The D.B. Cooper case is a fascinating mystery. The FBI seems to insist that Cooper was a common crook who died during his jump, but I believe that this is only to mask the fact that they failed to solve the case. D.B. Cooper was likely a trained military paratrooper turned mastermind thief, and his successful hijacking was merely a stroke of criminal genius to get back at the country that deployed him. Looking back on the case 52 years later, I believe that the evidence, though rather speculative, is clear: D.B. Cooper pulled off an impossible crime, left the FBI clueless and stole not only the money but the hearts and minds of Americans fascinated by his escapade to this day. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Opinion On-campus suggestions By Samara Carey Contributing Writer Welcome to a new column that called “Campus Suggestions.” In this section, we will be discussing and writing about various things on and off campus that can make our lives as students better. Today, I will be talking about everyone’s favorite thing about campus: The food! Unless you live under a rock, you would know that a frequent complaint recently has focused on food. On campus, the Dining options at Wilkes main food sources include: Which Wich, Burgers and Fries (B+F), Greens to Go and the dining hall. Whether you like the food or not, chances are you have firmly established opinions on each one of the locations listed here. As for myself, I feel justified to talk about my feelings on food due to my owning a food Instagram account myself. Which Wich Which Wich is basically like a more expensive Subway. While I will say that the hoagies served are decent, I can genuinely only eat them every once in a while. I can not say for certain that this is something that I will eat on a daily basis. On that note, I can always expect it to be good in times when I am desperately in need of food. Normally, I like to get a buffalo chicken hoagie with lettuce, bell peppers, pickles and mayo. That being said, I have never had any other sub that they serve there. Overall, not the worst on this list. Burgers and Fries (B+F) Burgers and Fries is probably the best thing on this list. While I feel that this may seem controversial to some, I can justify it by saying that their chicken tenders absolutely saved my life during my freshman year here at Wilkes. Howe ver, recently we have stopped receiving the “chicken sauce” that they used to serve with every meal that the students would get. This was shocking to me, especially due to the fact that I have heard multiple people say that one of their favorite things to get is the sauce, both by itself or with different items on the menu. Of course, 17 chicken isn’t the only thing that this restaurant is known for. Besides chicken tenders, they also have cheeseburgers, fries, cheesesteaks, sandwiches and the list goes on. Greens to Go While this is also famously known as “The P.O.D.,” this is the place that I go to the least out of everything listed. My reasoning behind this is that I am fully convinced that our new food ordering system, GrubHub, has messed up how we get our food made. When I did go, I used to get a chicken caesar salad. A few weeks ago, I ordered my usual order, not thinking that I was going to be devastated with the end result. When I opened up my food, I was met with one of the worst salads I have ever had in my life. There was entirely too much chicken, and it tasted like it was sitting out for hours before it was actually touched. While I do want to give them the benefit of the doubt, I do not picture myself going back for some time. The Dining Hall Last but certainly not least, I’ll be review the dining hall. If I am being honest, with every single time that I have eaten in the dining hall, I do not think that I have ever truly enjoyed or felt comfortably full. I’m sure there is nothing truly wrong with it, but I don’t think that I can eat that right now. While it is fun to occasionally make fun of and eat the foods that come in and out of campus, it is important to appreciate and respect those who are working behind the scenes to make sure that our stomachs are filled each and every day. It is important to note that they are not in charge of the food being served to us, and they are simply just there to make and serve the food that we order. This all being said, if you are someone who feels strongly that the food at Wilkes is not where it should be, reach out to the student government. If enough people care about wanting to make a difference in the foods being served, perhaps we can get new ingredients and different meals. �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Opinion 18 Analyzing fandoms: The pros and cons of fan culture By Shawn Carey Contributing Writer Why do we self-identify as fans? There really isn’t one solid answer to this question. If you were to ask someone why they’re a fan of a certain franchise or person they’ll probably end up giving you multiple responses. Anything from finding a sense of belonging in a larger group, a form of escapism or even just being able to brand yourself as a supporter. There isn’t anything wrong with any of these answers. They’re all valid in their own ways. Being able to find joy and gratification in something is great, and it’s even better if you’re able to express yourself through it. This seems to be the public’s general opinion on fan culture. Fan culture, also known as fandom, has become more widely accepted in recent years. Stuff that was once seen as nerdy and niche is now cool and popular. You can walk around campus right now and see dozens of people wearing graphic tees plastered with comic and anime characters. We even have whole conversations created just to celebrate our beloved franchises. The idea of fandom extends beyond just what is considered nerdy. We can find some of the most devoted fans within the realm of sports. It doesn’t matter the sport. If there’s a team, there will be fans. Football fans are the loudest and proudest of them all. Fans from all around the country adore their teams’ colors and fill stadiums, homes and bars every Sunday to watch their favorite team play. It’s not uncommon to have a room in your house dedicated to a football team, filled with countless pieces of memorabilia. As popular as sports are, I wouldn't even say it’s the media with the biggest fan base. No, that title goes to music. I know just saying “music” is a little too general, but I believe it works. Everything from specific artists, albums and even genres, has diehard fans. While it’s possible to find people who don’t practically care about any franchises or sport teams, you’ll find it much more challenging to find someone who doesn’t have a preference when it comes to music. I generally like to divide fandom into the three categories I just listed: entertainment, sports, and music. It’s not limited to those three classifications; you can be a fan of pretty much anything. However, those three tend to be the most common. With all that being said, fan culture isn’t as innocent and fun as it seems. The deeper and more involved you get into a fan base the more likely you are to find some aggression. There are many forms of hatred you’ll eventually end up encountering. I would say gatekeeping is the most common type of aggression. The act of gatekeeping honestly confuses me a little bit. Pushing people away from something you enjoy just because they don’t “understand” it the same way you do. This seems to mainly happen with fans of music artists. I’ll be using Taylor Swift fans as an example. From what I’ve witnessed, there seems to be some sort of what I can only describe as a civil war going on among them. The conflict first started when tickets for the “Eras Tour” went on sale. This was a dream come true for many fans, old and new. This was a problem. This sparked a debate on who was worthy of seeing Taylor. Being the artist’s biggest concert ever, it came as no surprise that tickets for the show quickly sold out. This made a lot of older fans that were excited to see Taylor perform her classic songs live again angry, especially when they discovered who purchased the tickets: newer fans who didn’t “get” Taylor the same way as they did. A divide formed among Taylor’s fan bases. Instead of supporting the artist as a collective, it became more about just how much and how long they have supported her for. The idea that you must show a certain level of support is common in most fandoms. There isn’t an exact way to measure this through, so at what point do you become a true fan? Is it based on how much money you spent or is it more of a time thing? What exactly is a true fan? Some may argue that being a true fan of something means having it as the only source of enjoyment you consume. Only fake fans would dare to enjoy something else. This way of thinking has caused many ultimatums among fans of franchises. Marvel or DC? Sonic or Mario? Pokemon or Digimon? The list goes on. Being able to say your favorite franchise is the best of its kind is a good feeling. You’re on the right side of history, supporting what you believe to be the objectively best option. In reality, you’re just missing out. This is something I feel we all must have participated in at one point or another. I sure know I have. I would often partake in the infamous Marvel vs. DC debate. I grew up on Marvel media, so I naturally took the side of the “House of Ideas.” I made all the classic arguments. “DC is so dark and edgy” and “Marvel has better movies” were my go-to. That all changed one day when I decided to actually sit down and read a DC comic. It didn’t take me long to realize that I made a mistake. I spent years missing out on great stories and characters for the sake of being able to say that what I liked was better than something else. Showing your undying gratitude to your fandom is common among hard core fans, and sports fans illustrate this perfectly. Once again, football fans serve as the underlining example. Football fans are known for their enthusiasm. They always show up and give their team their all. It’s almost as if they are a member of the team themselves, which some fans genuinely believe. If you’ve ever talked to someone about football, you probably noticed that the word “we” is thrown around a lot. For example, if you asked about how the season is going, they’ll possibly respond with, “We’re doing pretty good.” This may seem like something minor but it’s part of a bigger picture. Many fans act like they’re a physical member of their team, getting as mad as the players do when they lose. It’s perfectly normal to be passionate about something you like but there is a certain level you should probably keep things at. It’s not weird to see fights break out during sporting events. Rival fans could do something as simple as looking at each other in a funny way and all hell breaks loose. There’s a sort of mentality based around defending your fandom from those who dare go against it. There’s a sort of mindset that comes with being a fan, a mindset I can only describe as knightly. You stand vigorously, ready to defend your source of enjoyment from anyone who would dare harm it, all while looking for an opportunity to get in close and attack any enemies. I always believed that parasocial relationships were to blame for this ideology. People grow attached to their fandom, extremely attached. They see it as something bigger than themselves and find a sense of comfort in it. It’s nearly impossible to avoid deeply devoted fans once you get into something. No matter what it is. Fandom will never truly be a peaceful place, but even all that I believe there is still plenty of good to be found in it. While it’s not perfect, it is still a fantastic way to celebrate something you love, something you feel proud being a fan of. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Adam.grundt@wilkes.edu Celtics championship favorites as season approaches Celtics favorites to win Eastern Conference and make first finals appearance since 2022, defending champions favorites to win Western Conference By Adam Grundt Asst. Sports Editor The new NBA season is right around the corner, and the favorite to win the title before the season opener is a team that has not won a championship since 2008. For the second consecutive season, the Boston Celtics are the league’s favorite to raise the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy at the end of the season. This comes after the Celtics locked up star player Jaylen Brown for the next five seasons. Brown’s five-year, $303.7 million super-max contract extension remains the richest contract in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His teammate, Jayson Tatum, is slated to eclipse that contract next season when he becomes eligible. Brown’s contract, paired with the Celtics signing talented forward Kristaps Porzingis, gives the Celtics the best chance at the trophy on paper. The defending champions and team who defeated the Celtics last June, the Denver Nuggets, are coming off of their first championship in franchise history led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic, coming off his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award, is slated to lead the Nuggets into another deep playoff run this upcoming season. After the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated in last season’s playoffs by the New York Knicks in four games, center Jarrett Allen had a rather surprising quote to describe his team’s performance. “Even for me, the lights were brighter than (we) expected,” explained Allen. The Cavaliers are looking to get used to those bright lights as one of the league’s most promising teams in the 2023-24 season. Following an offseason in which they acquired depth pieces Max Strus and Georges Niang, the Cavaliers are looking to contend in their second season with Donovan Mitchell. After recording 51 wins in 202223, they are certainly a team worth keeping an eye on in the competitive Eastern Conference. On the other hand, a team that could end up surprisingly disappointing this year is the Philadelphia 76ers. During the offseason, star guard James Harden called 76ers the President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey, a liar on two separate occasions. Harden, after requesting a trade during the offseason, is still questionable as to if he will report to the team upon the season’s beginning. 76ers owner Josh Harris commented on Harden’s actions. “Listen, we’re hard at work,” Harris explained. “I respect James. I want to, obviously, accommodate what he wants. At the same time, I have to think about a championship-contending team, what we can get back. I’d love to convince him to stay. I understand that is not what he wants to do right now.” The success of the 76ers organization will depend on if Tyrese Maxey will take on that bigger role if Harden is to eventually get traded. The 76ers certainly have enough talent to win a championship, but with Philadelphia, it is a matter of putting the pieces together. This was evident during the 202223 season when Ben Simmons chose not to report to the team after requesting a trade. Eventually, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, and the 76ers made an Eastern Conference semifinal appearance led by star center Joel Embiid and Harden. Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat are coming off a very successful season that ended in an NBA Finals appearance after clinching the playoffs through the play-in tournament. Jimmy Butler is in the prime of his career, and seems to have found a home with the Heat. Butler and center Bam Adebayo are the backbone of this team, and the Heat remain one of the leading contenders to acquire Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard. Lillard requested a trade following a disappointing few years with the Trailblazers. If the Heat are to acquire Lillard, that will undoubtedly boost their championship odds significantly, making them a powerhouse team in the Eastern Conference and a force to be reckoned with. Graphic/Morgan Rich �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Sports 20 Wilkes women’s volleyball off to a strong start By Samantha Mullen Contributing Writer With the volleyball season underway, the Colonels are already making a good name for themselves. The season started with the team by taking consecutive wins over Keystone College, Penn State Hazelton, and Delaware Valley University. The team was also able to take a win over Penn State Harrisburg. On the offensive front, the Colonels have been nothing short of spectacular. Collectively, there has been a total of 318 kills with an average of 8.6 per set. Junior Alexis Reedy currently leads with 88 kills with senior Hope Ousey close behind with 78 kills. The team has a total of 289 assists averaging 7.8 per set. Junior Alexa Cassel currently leads with 227 assists. The Colonels have been able to display incredible defensive skills in just the first 10 games. As a team, they collectively have 499 digs, averaging 13.5 per set. Senior Ali Yordy currently has 138 digs and Alexis Reedy is in second with 83 digs. Coach Joseph Czopek is excited to see what the rest of the season has in store. The team has been “preparing hard in practice to be competitive” especially with moving to the Landmark Conference from the MAC. They’ve already faced both former MAC competition Delaware Valley University, which they won 3-0, and Misericordia University, which they lost to 3-1. Junior Alexis Reedy is off to a great start this season. With 88 kills on the season so far which makes her averaging nearly 3 a set. Reedy also has 83 digs, averaging at 2 per set. When asked about how she feels about the season, Reedy replied “[they] play every game like it is [their] last time out on the court together” since many of the current starters on the team are seniors.” Senior Hope Ousey is off to a great start for her last season. Ousey currently has 95 kills and 59 digs. Even though the team has hit a bit of a rough patch, Ousey still feels confident in the team to get back to having a winning record. According to Ousey, “(The) team connection is the strongest it’s been in my time at Wilkes and that has led to a very strong support system.” Having a good mentality and positive attitude for games and practices will definitely help the Colonel’s chance for success. �The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Sports 21 Eagles and Cowboys enter week three unbeaten By Adam Grundt Asst. Sports Editor Week 2 of the National Football League (NFL) season has come and gone. Although it may be too early to tell, some teams are looking like Super Bowl contenders, and others are not. The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0 after a strong win on Thursday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, who fell to 0-2. Quarterback Jalen Hurts’ play has been worth every penny of the $228 million extension he signed with the Eagles through 2028. “I think we just came out and played very efficiently,” Hurts told the media following the Eagles 34-28 victory over Minnesota. “You know, last week I talked about the inconsistencies and the urgency of communication, and it starts with me. We operated at a high level at the beginning of the game, and that’s something we have to be able to sustain throughout the whole entire game.” The Dallas Cowboys are arguably off to the best start of anyone in the NFL so far. Through week two, the Cowboys defense was the third highest fantasy point scorer in the entire NFL, only behind San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey and Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua. It is almost unheard of to have a defense put up such astounding numbers this early in the season, and do it consistently for two weeks in a row. The Cowboys were able to shut out the New York Giants 40-0 during week 1. However, Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in practice leading up to week three. It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys could keep up their high-caliber production without one of their shining stars in Diggs. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are off to a slower start than expected following a Monday Night Football loss to the New York Jets in week 1. They bounced back in week 2 with a rout of the Las Vegas Raiders, defeating them 38-10. They hope to take this win and form it into a streak when they travel to Washington, D.C. to face the Commanders in Week 3. Recently extended franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow, and his Cincinnati Bengals could certainly be considered the most disappointing team so far this season. After being completely shut down by the Cleveland Browns in week 1, 27-3, the Bengals lost a heartbreaker against the Baltimore Ravens in week 2. Burrow is dealing with a calf issue, and he remains questionable for their week 3 Monday Night Football matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. “My job is to go out and play,” Burrow told reporters. “That’s what I’m preparing to do. You have to practice one day. Maybe not full, but you’ve got to be running around throwing the ball. You just have to feel confident in your ability to go out and do your job.” Graphic/Morgan Rich The Beacon is looking for sports writers for the Fall 2023 semester If you are interested in sports writing, editing, photography or graphics contact Adam Grundt at adam.grundt@wilkes.edu �The Beacon September 28, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Nick Kinzler Graduate Student, Men’s Soccer The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Kinzler was chosen as our athlete of the week after nearly posting two shutouts. Kinzler made five saves against Keystone College and stopped seven shots in a 1-1 tie with Rutgers-Camden on Saturday. He made 12 total saves and posted a goals-againstaverage of 0.50. Coach Carter What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Basketball. Saving a penalty kick against a nationally ranked opponent (#3 Stevens) last season. It was one of my favorite moments because the stands were filled, my family was in attendance, we were playing a big conference opponent, and it happened to be against a school that I was looking at attending before choosing to come to Wilkes. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Committing to further my academic and athletic career at Wilkes because it showed that all of my hard work from when I started playing sports until that decision finally paid off. What is your favorite post-game meal? It’s tough to go against my mom’s home cooking, so I will have to say homemade chicken cutlets and rice. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? Spending quality time with my family and friends or listen to music. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Manchester United The Beacon/Anna Beckham for movie night? Major: 4+1 (Master’s of Business Administration Hometown: Jackson, N.J. High School: Jackson Memorial Being able to wear the Wilkes “W” on my chest and represent the school, community, and environment that I call home is a feeling that is second to none. What sports movie is your go-to Being selected as Athlete of the Week is something that I am extremely proud of and extremely thankful for because I know that I couldn’t have done this without my teammates, coaches, family, and friends. Compiled by Adam Grundt, Asst. Sports Editor �Sports The Beacon - September 28, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Carly Eidle Senior Field Hockey Goalie The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Eidle led the Colonels to a week in which they finished 2-1 and recorded their first Landmark Conference victory. Eidle made two saves in a 2-0 victory at Goucher College and made one save in a 2-1 victory at Neumann University. She also made seven saves in a 1-0 loss at Misericordia. Eidle finished the week with a .833 save percentage and a 0.65 goals-against-average. Major: Pharmacy Hometown: East Greenville, Pa. High School: Upper Perkiomen What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Winning against DeSales on Senior Night my sophomore year. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Philadelphia Eagles. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Spend times with friends and family or go on walks. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? The support from the athletic and pharmacy departments to continue to play. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Gymnastics. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? Senior year of high school. winning the conference championship with my team. What is your favorite postgame meal? Wawa mac-and-cheese How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I am so excited to be selected as Athlete of the Week because I think it says a lot not only about my success but also the team's success so far this season. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? Remember the Titans The Beacon/Anna Beckham Compiled by Adam Grundt, Assistant Sports 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 - September 28, 2023 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 September 28 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/209d394c5ccc3208285dffc2d1006b49.pdf 07b144790c864f8173bd88c6decb1036 PDF Text Text The Beacon - October 5, 2023 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Amanda Montgomery: Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Sept. 27 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Student Government had its fifth meeting for the semester on Sept. 27. SG currently has $47,345.84 in its account. The first order of business was a presentation given by Dr. Greg Cant, university president. Over the last year, Cant has led a team with the interest of changing the mission statement and values of the university, which have not changed in over 15 years. This process has been worked on since fall of 2022 and took about six months to come with a full mission statement. He came to present it to SG before showing it to the whole student body. The statement was changed to put more emphasis on the empowerment of students and take away emphasis from the classroom from teaching to a more modern take of teaching for new and upcoming generations. The new statement also put more emphasis on the school as a university with graduate students as well as undergraduate students. This also came with changes to the values of the school, turning the old five into seven. The second order of business was a fund request from the Wilkes Wilkes Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). GSA serves the campus community in the promotion of conversation and of the rights for all people that may identify outside of heterosexual. The presentation was given by Morgan Steiner, junior political science student. The request is for GSA and its guests to be able to attend the Mid-Atlantic LGBTQ+ conference being held Nov. 3-5 in Bloomsburg, Pa. The conference would help students send work for the conference in the form of papers, projects and workshops. It also gives many of the members a chance in order to present formally and gain that experience. The request was for $1,000 and the vote was passed for the full amount. The third order of business was a revision of the Programming Board Constitution presented by club president, senior Kim Wheeler. This is the first time the constitution was updated since 2016. This was to cover things such as name changes, revisions to job titles, voting processes, new rules and includes a change to the mission statement. The fifth order of business was a presentation for Casino Week, presented by Jaci Bickel. This was a week one of two for the fund request. Casino Week, formerly Casino Night, has been a tradition at Wilkes for years. The presentation was given with activities taking place over five days for the week of Nov. 6-10. However, most of the plans presented will be changed as a vote was taken and SG decided to scale back Casino Week, back to Casino Night. This request will be worked on and voted on next week. The final order of business was an internal presentation given by Michael Nowak, senior electrical engineering Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Compiled by Beacon News Staff Scholarship Opportunity for Students of Polish Descent The Polish Room Committee Scholarship ($3,000 top award) welcomes applications from Luzerne County residents. To be considered, applicants must write a brief description of their Polish heritage and what that heritage means to them. Applications can be emailed to allison.naumann@wilkes.edu with the subject line “Polish Heritage Scholarships.” Deadline for applications is Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m. BACCHUS Alcohol Awareness Walk The Alcohol Awareness Walk will take place on Oct. 24 from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Fenner Quad. Food will be provided. Kappa Psi Paint and Dip Kappa Psi is hosting a paint and dip night on Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m. in the Jean & Paul Adams Commons (JPAC) on the second floor of the Henry Student Center (HSC). Admission is $5 per person collected upon arrival. This event is open to the school but will be capped at 50 responses. Sign-up form: https://docs.google. com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7s9CMJrJ fnbhT15vGacPt9qPevcQKKz8lNpRk xauM30TzRg/viewform?usp=sf_link Chemistry Club Krispy Kreme Fundraiser The chemistry club is selling Krispy Kreme donuts until Oct. 19. Distribution is from Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in CSC 101. Boxes are $12 and orders can be placed at http://wilkes.edu/ chemistryclubdonuts. Contact emily.purcell@wilkes.edu with any questions. student and vice president of SG. This was for a fall event getaway for members of the student community. The trip would see them travel to Roba’s farms, the Taste of Autumn and a scavenger hunt. This would occur over fall break from Oct. 16-20 and give many students a chance to have an activity to break up the semester as it comes right before midterms. The cost and fund request for this trip went down from $3,600 to $2,800. This was voted on and approved for the full amount. SG will meet again on Oct. 4. Table of Contents News..................2 Life, A&E............7 Opinion............14 Sports................19 Upcoming Events: October 8 - Statue of Liberty Boat Tour NYC 12-15 - Fall Break 19 - Couch Potato 23-27 - Freak Week 28 - Dorney Haunted Park November 2 - Silent Disco 9 - Giveaway Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Amanda.Montgomery1@ wilkes.edu �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 News 3 What’s happening in the Honors and Scholars Program? By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Honors and Scholars Program is a fouryear program that allows students to take challenging honors courses, provides them access to special programs and speakers, and lets them register for classes before all other students. While many students are familiar with the program, not every student knows about the Honors Program Student Committee (HPSC). “The honors office was looking for ways to offer leadership and real-life valuable experiences for our students where collaboration, communication, creativity, and workplace skills could be used during their four years here with us at Wilkes,” said Jennifer McLaughlin, the HPSC assistant director. Members of the HPSC executive board use these skills to host academic, social and service oriented events during the year. “HPSC is different from other clubs on campus because of its commitment to instilling the values of the Honors Program onto our honors students," said Kaelin Hughes, senior political science and history major and the president of HPSC. "The program is committed to leadership, scholarship, community, along with other values, and our job as a board is to provide those opportunities for these students through our different opportunities." Leadership skills are not the only benefit to joining HPSC. “They earn a participation point for being on the team and they also earn additional funding for experiences such as study abroad, research, and internship opportunities for each term served,” said McLaughlin. Honors students are required to earn two of these participation points every academic year to remain in good standing. They can earn these points at HPSC events. “I learned that HPSC means a lot to me and I want it to be successful!" said Hughes. "We are leaders within the program, and it is extremely important to me that our events reflect quality leadership and encourage other honors students. I learned that I am a capable leader and can successfully run and encourage a board of students dedicated to the same values as I am." HPSC is not open to all students because of the club’s focus on the Honors Program. However, some events are open The HPSC Executive Board to everyone. One of Hughes's favorite events, a semester-long donation drive for Give Kids the World, a non-profit based in Florida, is open to all students and faculty. Other events are more specialized. “I think my favorite [event] is, and always will be, the registration night event that HPSC organizes each semester,” said McLaughlin. "At this event, older honors students can earn a point by helping younger students register for honors courses." Other honors events have students learning about the Sordoni Art Gallery, playing trivia or enjoying a trip to Lahey’s Family Fun Park. As the semester progresses, HPSC has more planned, including a "Name That Tune" event for honors students on Oct. 20 and the annual registration night on Oct. 29. Those who are interested in attending events should keep an eye on WilkesToday for more information. Photo: The Beacon/Morgan Steiner Who's so Honors? Student spotlight: Bhavika “Nikki” Dawar By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Bhavika “Nikki” Dawar, a junior biology and pre-medicine honors student, embodies #thatssohonors. Dawar recently applied for the Guthrie Scholars program, a clinical semester experience at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. This experience is highly selective, with seats going to students at two universities: Binghamton and Wilkes. Applying for clinical experiences might seem daunting, but for Dawar, it was simple. “The application was done over the summer of entering my junior year," said Dawar. "I had to send in my Curriculum Vitae (CV) along with three letters of recommendation. It was a very manageable application." Over the summer, Dawar participated in the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Research internship. Dawar also has a minor in chemistry, and is an honors small group coordinator. In between all these internships, extracurriculars and experiences, she still finds time to study for her Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). “My biggest advice for anyone wanting to apply to the program or apply to any other internship, is to never doubt yourself," said Dawar. "Hearing “no’s” may be a part of the process; however, that first yes is probably the greatest feeling in the world. So never hesitate to test the waters and apply for something that may seem out of reach." To keep up with what’s going on in honors and to hear about more amazing opportunities, like Dawar’s, follow @ wilkeshonors on Instagram. Photo Courtesy Nikki Dawar Nikki Dawar upon her acceptance to Wilkes University. �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 News 4 Programming board gives out hoodies for homecoming By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Programming board gave away Wilkes University hoodies for their Thursday event. The table opened at 11:30 a.m and eight minutes later, more than 100 hoodies had been given away. Members of the campus community welcomed the giveaway and found the change of pace exciting compared to their usual Thursday night events. “I love pop up events," said Adrianna Aziz, sophomore pharmacy major. "I think they’re a great opportunity for the community to get involved and immersed in Wilkes culture.” Members of the general board were also excited about the giveaway. "We don’t have to hopefully get bingo or get a raffle ticket to win," said Aiden Allen, sophomore history and secondary education major. "Everybody gets something." There were several changes in the way this giveaway functioned compared to those of years past. First, instead of branding the hoodie with “programming board,” the sweatshirt instead promotes the school. "Wilkes University” was written in bold across the front, followed by the programming board logo which goes down the arm. “I do like this item,” said Aziz. Her sentiment was echoed by Natalia Williams, a first-year Spanish major and general board member. “They’re so cute and it’s nice because it’ll get colder outside,” said Williams. Another change was implementing numbers. As students got in line, they were given a number with their spot in line. Their WIN numbers were collected and they handed the number back in. This was to ensure that no students were skipping the line. In addition, the giveaway was moved to the second floor which is a rarity for giveaways. “[The event was] very well organized and it ran really smoothly,” said Williams. The new changes were very well received, by members of the community and the programming board. “(It) gets some energy into the crowd. It really gives people a chance to get free Wilkes swag if they can’t afford it,’ said Allen. Executive and general members of the programming board pose with their new hoodies to celebrate a job well done. From left to right, first-year students Jada Michel, Ashlyn Smith, Ella Villani, Elena DiScullio and sophomore Mackenzie Edgar were the first in line after the event moved upstairs. Photos: The Beacon/Morgan Stiener The crowd awaiting the giveaway on the first floor of the student center. Students lined up during club hours to secure their own hoodie. �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 News 5 Colonel Cupboard hosts bingo and collects donations By Emma Broda News Staff Writer Upperclassmen resident assistants hosted Colonel Cupboard Bingo for students last week, on Sept. 25. Students gathered to play bingo, but also to make donations to the Colonel Cupboard. Colonel Cupboard is a pantry at the university with food, personal care items and household items for students to take as they need. In return for donations, students received extra bingo boards to raise their chances of winning. Donations included items such as cereal, rice, shampoo, hand soap and toothbrushes. “I don’t come from a super food secure household, so I will go to the cupboard, but I like to give as much as I can too,” said Kayla Bicskei, junior English major. Everyone is encouraged to take full advantage of the Colonel Cupboard, but as Bicskei mentioned, giving back to the community through donations at events such as Colonel Cupboard Bingo is also very important. One of the resident assistants who hosted the bingo, Shelby Brazes, senior criminology and psychology major, expressed that she also uses the Colonel Cupboard and loves it. The prizes included baskets such as a fall basket, a movie night basket, a self-care basket, a Wilkes basket and a sports basket. Throughout the bingo games there were also rounds of food, nutrition and food pantry related trivia. Each student who answered a trivia question correctly, won another bingo board to play with and increase their chances. “I’m passionate about bingo, everyone should come, it's awesome,” said Bicskei. Students attended hoping to win prizes and to have fun playing bingo with friends. The evening was eventful, full of laughs and suspenseful “sudden death” rounds. It was a fun night spent with friends, and students also were able to learn information about nutrition and how they can donate to their community. Veronica Codjoe, sophmore undeclared, and Courtney Charlera, junior nursing, comparing their bingo cards together. Starr Sandt, junior psychology and sports management major, and Nolee Anna Grabowski, junior buisness managament major markerting minor, calling bingo. Photos: The Beacon/Emma Broda From left to right, bingo winners E Alexis, Sydney Allabaugh, Kayla Bicskei, Bri Johnson and Ud Uwawuike holding their respective prizes. �6 The Beacon - October 5, 2023 Dr. Mona Pearl joins Wilkes as assistant professor By Amanda Montgomery News Editor Dr. Mona Pearl joins Wilkes this fall as assistant professor of management in the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. Her focus is on international business. Pearl received her undergraduate degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Ill. She then received her graduate degree and doctorate degree from DePaul University also in Chicago. She moved to Wilkes-Barre from Chicago, but was born and raised in Romania. “After living in big cities my whole life, I was looking for a smaller place where people are kind of more human,” said Pearl. Pearl’s journey into academia began with a strong foundation in business, earning her doctorate and spending the majority of her early career in the corporate world. As she delved into teaching as an adjunct professor, she discovered her passion for education. Choosing Wilkes was a deliberate move for Pearl, who sought a smaller community with a focus on international business. “Some of the jobs that I did as a student were translations, cross-cultural training for companies and then I decided there is something in it,” said music and the arts. Pearl. “It’s like the children’s story, Bob the With a rich background in Builder,” said Pearl. “Bob is to the rescue, international business, Pearl shared her so that’s the left side of the brain. On multilingual the other hand, abilities, it’s poetry, it’s s p e a k i n g music, it’s the G e r m a n , arts and culture. F r e n c h , And this is Spanish and something that Romanian. Her people can’t c ro ss - c u ltu r a l grasp that exists experiences and in one person.” skills became Reflecting on evident when her teaching she assisted career, Pearl T-Mobile in expressed entering the satisfaction U.S. market. in witnessing “This is stu d e nt s’ when I started growth over a to realize that semester. She what I take aims to make a Photo courtesy Dr. Pearl for granted, lasting impact some of the on students’ skills, may have more value than I even lives through experiential learning, understand,” said Pearl. fostering collaboration on international Outside the academic realm, Pearl, projects. despite her busy schedule, enjoys hiking Looking ahead, Pearl plans to continue and reading, with a past interest in expanding her experiential learning poetry. Revealing a lesser-known aspect initiatives, engage in research and of her life, Pearl explained the balance contribute to the community through between her analytical left brain, which service. Her commitment to making a drove her corporate success, and her difference and preparing students for a artistic right brain, appreciating poetry, globalized world is evident in her goals for the future. “I’ve traveled the world and worked with some of the largest companies,” said Pearl. “I’ve been to I don’t know how many countries and lived in I don’t know how many countries so I’m kind of looking to stay put.” When asked about her proudest achievement, Pearl acknowledged her journey of building a life and career in the U.S. as a female immigrant. Coming to the country in her 20s, she emphasized the importance of perseverance and not settling for less in life. Pearl offered valuable advice to students, emphasizing the pursuit of happiness, passion and not succumbing to external pressures. “Find out what makes you happy, what you want,” said Pearl. “Follow it. Don’t give up. I know many people say that, but when you get to a certain stage in life, I’m really happy about not giving up on my passions.” Her words resonated with a call for self-determination and not settling for a life that doesn’t align with one’s true aspirations. “Don’t let others determine where you’re going, what you’re doing, because you don’t feel secure,” said Pearl. “You have choices that you can choose. Don’t let someone push you into the corner, and then you’re stuck for the rest of your life.” �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu Wilkes swim team hosts a duck toss fundraiser By Cassidy Brumagin Contributing Writer The Wilkes University swim team hosted a duck toss fundraising event on Oct. 1. The event took place at the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center (CYC) in Wilkes-Barre. Students and members of the Wilkes community were offered the opportunity to purchase rubber ducks to toss at targets in the pool in hopes of taking home a prize. The fundraising event cost $5 per duck, and participants were able to purchase as many ducks as they pleased. Anyone who purchased a duck was assigned a number that coordinated with a duck that would be thrown into the pool in hopes of hitting the target. Participants were offered the opportunity to attend the event themselves and toss a duck or have their assigned duck thrown for them for a volunteer attending the event. Within the CYC pool were numerous intertubes which served as the targets for the rubber ducks. Once the ducks were thrown, the ones that managed to make it into the targets were then collected, marked down by number and prizes were distributed accordingly. The CYC, located at 36 S. Washington St., hosts the home pool for the Wilkes University swim team. The atmosphere was complete with swimmers, hundreds of rubber ducks, pool toys and candy. Featured in the pool were targets shaped like flowers, sharks and more. After the ducks were all thrown, members of the team put their skills to the test to swim around the pool collecting all of the ducks to clear the lanes for following events. At the conclusion of the event, 19 participants walked away with prizes. The prices varied from gift cards to local restaurants, ShopRite, Sheetz, car wash coupons, tanning salon packages and more. Some of the largest prizes included five $50 gift cards to various businesses and a car wash package for five premium car washes, valued at over $50. The prizes were all donated by businesses wanting to support the university and the swim team. Prize winners ranged from students, to parents, to long-distance relatives to supporters of the swim team. The prizes were distributed to the winners at random. Each duck that made it into the target received a prize; however, the prize assigned to each duck was up to chance. The numbered ducks were thrown at random to give a fair chance to those who wished to participate in the fundraiser but could not make it to the event themselves. Both men’s and women’s swim team members worked to sell as many ducks as possible. In total, more than 200 ducks were sold and thrown at the fundraiser. The ducks came in all sorts of colors and patterns. There were ducks made to look like dogs, pirates, Christmas trees, aliens and unicorns, just to name a few. The duck toss was part of a two-day “Swim-a-Thon” hosted by the team. The event featured relays every hour, games and live updates through Instagram and Facebook. The fundraiser was combined for both men’s and women’s swimming teams. The money raised will go toward paying for the teams’ training trip, end of year banquet and any supplies that may be needed throughout the season. Particularly, the team is hoping to purchase new swim blocks for the pool. This training trip is an annual event. The trip takes place in Florida every January. Members of the swim team are working on fundraising with events such as this to raise money for the team to attend and have the opportunity to swim down South. In addition to the duck toss, the swim team has hosted apparel sales to raise funds. A smaller apparel sale may reopen soon for the team. In addition, an alumni meet will be held in January which will feature basket raffles. Overall, the team has an ongoing donation page set up at reachingourgoal. com with a goal of $10,000. Wilkes Swimming will open its 20232024 season on Saturday, Oct. 14. The first meet will be held at the CYC at 1 p.m. The men and women will face the University of Scranton, Moravian University and Lebanon Valley College. The following meet the team will travel to Messiah University in Grantham, Pa., for a tri-meet with Messiah and Mount Saint Mary College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21. Members of the swim team will compete in nine swimming events throughout the season. Three home meets are scheduled at the CYC for the Colonels this season prior to the season wrap-up at the Landmark Conference Championships. The Beacon/Cassidy Brumagin The ducks that were numbered and later tossed into the pool to win prizes. �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Chemistry Club By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor Wilkes University is known for its scientific departments and programs, lauded in many fields. This merit is also reflected within extra curricular activities, as the Chemistry Club gains just as much well deserved praise. The Wilkes Chemistry Club is a multifaceted club that focuses on giving students an authentic and educational - yet fun scientific experience, primarily within chemistry. This includes performing fun and exciting experiments and attending events. “So far this semester, the club has hosted numerous experiments and events including mini-lava lamps, chromatography flowers, an embroidery session and a game night,” said Reagan Weldon Peri, sophomore geology major. All of the listed events have already occurred within the current semester, making chemistry club a certainly active organization. The club will also enjoy more upcoming events that cover a wide range of activities. “We plan to do many more fun events this semester and further in the future, including a trip to Roba’s Family Farm on Oct. 20, a Women In STEM panel, an ice skating trip, a Krispy Kreme donut sale and more,” said Peri. These events not only entertain club members and keep them engaged within the department. It also entices those not initiated into the scientific sphere, allowing for a dichotomy between fun and education that not just chemistry majors enjoy, but any major on campus can too. “A big misconception about our club is that we only cater to STEM majors,” said Peri. “This is not the case. We welcome people of every major, class, etc. to join us. “Do not worry, we will not bore you with any lectures or homework. We want every meeting and event to be enjoyable and lighthearted.” It should be known that the club is easily accessible, harboring a safe and fun atmosphere that anyone can enjoy. “Our goal is to spread the knowledge of chemistry through educational and fun events and increase communication/strengthen relationships between the chemistry department and Wilkes students,” said Peri. The chemistry club hosts general meetings every other Tuesday during club hours. These meetings often involve fun experiments of some kind. However, the larger events hosted Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: Home To Another One - Madison Beer KEEP IT SOUTHERN - BROCKHAMPTON Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: Blue Copper - Quarters of Change Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: zombie girl - Adrianne Lenker Zara Lantzman, LA&E Editor: that’s how you make a villain - emyln Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: 1,000,000 - Nine Inch Nails Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Our very own Zara Lantzman has put together a Spotify playlist where you can scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff by the club typically occur during both club hours and during the night, allowing for greater participation and higher availability. The chemistry club is a club that promotes fun, exploration, education and companionship. Every stride the club takes involves nearly all of those qualities. The club’s mission of allowing all kinds of students to stretch their limbs of curiosity and experimentation is what makes chemistry club so special. “If you like fun experiments, developing yourself professionally, social events, outreach to the community and getting to know professors in the chemistry department, chemistry club is for you.” said Peri. Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Michael Who Walks by Night - Strawberry Switchblade “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Zaibastu - Exyz Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: MY EYES - Travis Scott Lara Mullen, Designer: Unintended - Muse Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Foolish One (Taylor’s Version) - Taylor Swift Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon – October 5, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 10 Creative writing workshops offered this month By Cally Williams Life, Arts, and Entertainment Staff Writer Creative writing is one of the many programs available to study at Wilkes. This week, a special workshop will be offered on different areas in creative writing. Taught by Shanta Lee, Ross Klavan, Robin McCrary and Barbara J. Taylor, this six-session workshop will cover several topics and offer several options for courses. From a course on screenplay writing to nonfiction creative writing, there is something for every aspiring writer. Registration for this workshop ends on Oct. 5 and costs $120. Some of the classes will be online and others inperson at Wilkes. Lee will teach the course, “Dazed and Seduced: Eroding the Line Between the Monster and Ourselves Across Genres.” Lee’s course will address the theme of monsters in literature, and will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays online starting on Oct. 4 and ending on Nov. 8. In this class, students will discover and explore monsters from different cultures and stories and how they are viewed. Students will be challenged to think about who the real monsters are…the ghastly creatures or the humans that interact with them? Lee is an award winning writer, artist and photographer. She has written several books and collections of poetry and has even written a short film. Her collection of poetry, entitled “G H E T T O C L AU S T R O P H O B IA : Dreamin of Mama While Trying to Speak Woman in Woke Tongues,” won the the 2020 Diode Editions full-length book prize and the 2021 Vermont Book Award. “NOT THIS AGAIN: Getting Your Film Beyond the Usual” is another class offered in the workshop. This course will examine alternative ways to write screenplays, taught by writer, screenwriter and voice actor, Ross Klavan. In the workshop, students will be watching and examining scenes from movies, participating in group discussions and doing writing exercises. “Most film writing courses are very rigid and formulaic,” said Klavan. In his class, students will learn the standard screenwriting formula, then disperse into some different methods and think outside the box. “Teaching is always a strangely moving, terrific, sometimes frustrating experience,” said Klavan. “It is great to see people learn. Teaching about film, you’re not only offering an education in writing but in a way to see things.” Klavan has written many screenplays. His most well known screenplay being that for the film “Tigerland” which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. Klavan currently lives in New York City and his course is online on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The course began on Oct. 3 and ends Nov. 14. For those interested in writing a novel, Barbara J. Taylor is offering a class accurately entitled, “So You Want to Write a Novel.” This class will cover techniques and strategies for writing, organizing ideas and plot, developing characters and more. Taylor was born and raised in North Eastern Pennsylvania. She likes to set her novels in Scranton and is currently working on the final book of her trilogy. It will be released in the Spring of 2024. Some of her Scrantonian characters include “miners, evangelists, vaudevillians, gangsters, seers and a prostitute or two.” Her course will run every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., starting on Oct. 5 and ending on Nov. 9. It is in-person at Wilkes. A class on creative nonfiction will also be offered, entitled “Illness, Health, Creative Nonfiction.” This course will be taught by writer and teacher Robin McCrary. This class in the workshop will have students write about illness through many different viewpoints. McCrary’s class will be in two online sessions on Oct. 7 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “There is much to learn from stories themselves, and much to learn about looking deeply into stories,” said McCrary. McCrary decided to teach this course to show how creative nonfiction writing can help writers and readers understand illness and wellness from the viewpoints of patients to healthcare workers. “This privilege of narrative and insight together gives us tools about how we might do things better in our futures, toward those who might benefit from these insights,” said McCrary. McCrary is a public health humanist and author, and he has written several journals and essays. McCrary teaches writing studies and health humanities at Syracuse University and served as low residency faculty at Wilkes. McCrary’s first major was psychology, but he decided to pursue writing after receiving advice from a professor. McCrary has written many pieces, but his favorites are “Two Cities” from his book “Island in the City” or “Seeing Red (Or, The Red Caps are Coming).” Some of his work has been published in various academic journals, including “Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies” and “Essay Daily.” Want to register for one of these creative writing courses? If interested in registering for these non-credit courses, contact Dawn Leas at dawn.leas@wilkes.edu for more information Graphic by Morgan Rich �The Beacon – October 5, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment 11 �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 By Adam Grundt and Sam Mullen Assistant Sports Editor and Staff Writer The Colonels recorded their first Landmark Conference victory in a rout of Juniata College on Saturday afternoon, kicking off a weekend of games held on Homecoming Weekend at Schmidt Stadium . The team opened up the game with a nearly three-minute, five-play drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by first-year running back JayJay Jordan. The offense then followed that up with a 75-yard touchdown pass by junior quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez to first-year receiver Juju Fears to put the Colonels up by 14 points to end the first quarter. The Colonels then opened up the second quarter with a drive spanning four minutes that ended in a 26-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Devin Higgins to put the team up 21 points. Later in the quarter, Jordan again ran for a 44-yard �13 The Beacon - October 5, 2023 are getting amped up to play Juniata,” said junior Bridget Rosenfeld. “Being new to the Landmark, teams are underestimating us. We will continue to prove why we belong in the Landmark.” touchdown to put the Colonels up by four touchdowns. The first half was finished off by a 70-yard touchdown pass from Rodriguez to sophomore wide receiver Justin Moore, putting the Colonels up 35-0 at the break. currently leads the Landmark Conference in tackles with 51 through four games. Junior defensive lineman Angel Ramos finished the day with two sacks resulting in 31 yards lost by the Juniata offense. The Colonels field hockey team takes on Marywood University on Monday, Oct. 2 in Scranton, Pa. They resume Landmark Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 7 when they host Juniata College at Schmidt Stadium. The team picked up right where they left off in the third quarter after a score by Juniata. JayJay Jordan found the end zone for the third time on the day with an 18-yard touchdown to put the team up 42-7. Even with the win this past weekend, Coach Drach said the players will “continue to be competitive and keep looking forward to the next game.” The football team travels to Williamsport, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 7 to take on Lycoming College in their second Landmark Conference game of the season. In addition to the Colonel’s football team playing in their first Landmark Conference game, the Wilkes field hockey team hosted a Landmark Conference game of their own at Schmidt Stadium Saturday night. For more information on football, field hockey, and all of the Colonels’ sports teams, please visit gowilkesu.com. Junior Xavier Powell then found the end-zone with a 33-yard touchdown to put the Colonels up 49-7. Juniata answered right back with a touchdown of their own to bring the score to 49-14. Sophomore running back Ben Contella was the next Colonel to find the endzone with 12 minutes left in the game. Contella ran 11 yards to the end zone after being set up by a 55-yard reception by freshman J’Vier Johnson. The Colonels finished their offensive onslaught with a touchdown throw by Powell to first-year wide receiver Trevor Fisch, which brought the score to 63-14. With this victory, the Colonels won their first game in the Landmark Conference. Quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez led the way on offense with 308 yards passing on 13 completions with three touchdowns. JayJay Jordan led the running game with 77 yards on eight carries and three touchdowns of his own. In the game, the team shattered the school record for offensive yards with 725, a record that previously stood at 677 yards. Sophomore linebacker Tallen Murray led the defensive unit with 14 tackles. Murray Despite the team’s valiant effort late in the game, the Colonels fell to Moravian College 4-3 in their third conference game of the season. The offense was led by juniors Lexie Nevel, Morgan Millard, and Olivia Gayoski. All three Colonels scored goals in the match, with Gayoski’s goal coming late to pull the team within 1. The unit ultimately fell short in the match, bringing their Landmark Conference record to 1-2. “The team played really well together, and fought till the end,” said Nevel. “All we need to do now is take that loss as a lesson and keep pushing forward and continue to take the things we learn at practice into the games.” Senior Bridget Rosenfeld after Saturday’s game stated “With every loss [the girls] are gaining more strength and skill and �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 Opinion Editorial Staff 2023-24 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Amanda Montgomery LA&E - Zara Lantzman Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Anthony Cazun Sports - Adam Grundt & Samantha Mullen DESIGNERS Designer - Lara Mullen SECTION STAFF WRITERS News - Emma Broda LA&E - Cally Williams Opinion - “Freeze” Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or morgan.rich@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 or Morgan Rich at morgan.rich@ wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact opinion editor: sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu. Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. Is homecoming royalty still a valued tradition? Homecoming is a big tradition, not just here at Wilkes University, but at many colleges and high schools in the United States. While the football game is a big part of it, so is the homecoming dance and homecoming court. This year, Wilkes moved from having a homecoming king, queen, prince and princess to homecoming royalty and junior royalty. This creates an opportunity for students who may not fit within the gender binary to feel included in a tradition. Additionally, it contributes to the dissembling of heteronormativity as it shows that there can be more to a royal pair than just a king and a queen. Seeing the university being more inclusive and shifting from the old traditions of a gender-specific homecoming court is great, but even with having new homecoming royalty, some still don’t like the idea of homecoming court. Having a homecoming court is a great tradition, but it sometimes feels like a popularity contest. It is easy to predict who will make it onto the court, and it always seems to be the more popular students. If someone unpredictable makes it onto the court, it may seem like a joke or that votes were cast out of pity. High school courts can be the same way. The most popular girls and boys make it to the court. Or, sometimes, high schoolers use their vote for the court as a pity vote, typically as a joke, which is cruel within itself. Granted, many Wilkes juniors may not even have had the opportunity to be on a homecoming court in high school due to COVID-19. What if you make it to the court and don’t get picked? What if you are paired up with someone else in class you barely knew? College homecoming royalty is very different from high school. It still has the main court being seniors, but it also allows for other underclassmen to be included with junior royalty. It’s great how we are allowing anyone whether male, female or nonbinary to be included into homecoming court rather than having the typical king and queen. It’s pretty clear that many of the students around campus also agree with this change. In high school, it seems like the main focus is the homecoming dance and who will be named king and queen. But in college, it’s more about alumni coming back to their alma mater and seeing how the university has changed since they left. It is also a great time for former student athletes to play against current players from their respective sport. It’s a fun tradition to be held during the beginning of the school year but should it should just be a high school tradition not a college one. Not only can royalty be seen as a harmful popularity contest, but it also simply seems like an unnecessary part of a college homecoming, as it is not necessarily valued among students. Although the switch from homecoming king and queen to homecoming royalty is a step in the right direction, we have surpassed the need for a homecoming court at Wilkes. We should instead focus on coming together as a campus community. 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: morgan.rich@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 - October 5, 2023 Opinion 15 The Return of The Red Video game spotlight: “Castle Crashers” review Raven: An original story By “Freeze” Opinion Staff Writer Amidst all of the recent news about Wilkes homecoming, I can only imagine that a great many of you are hoping for something different. Allow me to relay yet another experience for you to immerse yourself. This week, I shine the spotlight on a lesser known title. Let’s take to the castles! Despite its age, “Castle Crashers” remains a beloved game among players. It is a game where “four brave champions” set out to retrieve a stolen magical item and save the King’s daughters. A person can band together with three others in order to progress the campaign and beat up the enemies, which range from the classic thieves to humanoid bears and yellow aliens. Not to mention, there are a variety of items, pets and a special super-sandwich powerup that drive further the comical theme. The first thing to love about this game is the low learning curve. There is almost no skill required to enjoy the game, which is what makes it great for anyone that just wants a good time. The mechanics involve jumping, moving right and left, using light and heavy attacks, casting magic spells and occasionally spamming arrows so your opponents can’t stand up. Any of these mechanics can be sequenced randomly or combined to produce more effective results against the enemy. A person can just mash buttons on their controller and still perform well. This system, which is intentionally simplified, is common in games like “Castle Crashers.” The genre is known as “Beat Em-Ups,” where the objective is, you guessed it, to beat the enemies up. In fact, “Castle Crashers” enables players to beat up one enemy for potentially an infinite amount of time even after their health is depleted. This occurs when you mash aerial combos against the edge of the screen with an opponent in your reach. Nobody quite knows why the developers chose to leave this in the game. Perhaps they enjoyed beating their enemy to a pulp as much as the rest of us. The reason “Castle Crashers” stands out is because of its character and weapon system. There are seven starter knights, as well as unlockables to total thirty-one playable characters. Each character has unique magic, such as fire, lightning, poison and ice (my favorite of course), while the rest of their mechanics are universal. It’s important to note that different types of magic work better with certain weapons. Each weapon has unique stats that pertain to the four main attributes: strength, magic, defense and agility, which can be upgraded as characters progress and earn XP. Each playable character’s progression is unique, so players are inclined to use them equally. There are also pets, called Animal Orbs, that give players support in combat, health, defense, magic and even looting. All of these elements of character building allows players to find their unique touch to the game. A special game mode, “Arena,” adds to the party experience of Castle Crashers. Players and their friends can enter the doors of the arena and battle each other to the death, all while earning gold and XP for use in the campaign. This is a great place to practice new combat skills, and an even better place to destroy your friends. “Castle Crashers” offers the perfect comedic vibe that people look forward to when playing with their friends and family. The gags and small details alone make it a great experience. The soundtrack of this game is highly recognizable and very catchy. Did you know that “Jumper” is not originally from “Geometry Dash?” The song was originally composed by Waterflame for a level in “Castle Crashers.” As mentioned before, “Castle Crashers” is a fairly old game, as it was published in 2008 by small developers under the name “Behemoth.” A remastered edition of the game, which features multiplayer and coop, was released for consoles including Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. This version of the game was essentially the “completed” form of the original title. Even now, this game is a topic of discussion among professionals. The current world record speedrun of this game was achieved only two months ago by a player named Cream, who dethroned a four-year record by just under one minute. By Leah Smith Contributing Writer PART 4. A horn screeched behind Rick, which snapped him back to the driver’s seat of his car and his view of the road. Rick drove forward past a greenlight as his mind finally processed where he was. He was only two right turns away from the police station and got there without further interruption. He parked his car across the street, grabbed the box of VHS tapes and locked the doors. He carefully walked across the street, his eyes criss-crossing the road and the box. A young and lanky officer held the door for Rick and gave him a pleasant greeting. “Detective Greenblatt told me you’d be here. My dad was a big fan of yours.” “Well, that’s really kind. How is your father now?” Rick couldn’t help but ask. The lanky officer led Rick inside of the station, stopping in front of the main desk where Isabelle told him to meet him. “My dad’s alright, for a retired dementiaridden old fart I guess,” the officer answered. “That’s rough, I’m sorry to hear about that. Do you think he would want an autograph?” Rick asked. “I’m not sure if he’ll remember you, but as a conversation starter for the next time I see him, sure,” the officer answered honestly. The officer handed Rick a small notepad and pen from his blue pants pocket. Rick started to write down an iconic quote from “The Red Raven” but realized he didn’t catch a name. The officer realized that when Rick raised his head. “Just put ‘To Edgar and Nathan.’ He would appreciate you adding my name too.” “You’re Nathan I assume?” Rick asked. “My dad isn’t that cruel to name me Edgar,” Nathan smiled. Isabelle walked down from the hallway and crossed her arms when she caught up to the two of them. “Just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Isabelle shook her head. “Don’t take it that way, detective. It’s for me and my dad,” Nathan defended Rick, who was speechless but understanding in Isabelle’s comment. “I understand, but I don’t want him to be tempted to start his own Red Raven Convention in the station just because he has someone who remembers the show that isn’t in retirement. We are here for serious reasons and I won’t let him or anyone else involved in this case get distracted.” Nathan and Rick didn’t say anything in response. Isabelle took their silence as an agreement and led them up to the hallway she came from. The hallway was a dense corridor full of doors crowding up the small space. They reached the end of the hallway at a door that was located on the right side. Isabelle unlocked the door with a key from her pocket and held it open for Rick and Nathan. The would-be interrogation room was small and painted with dark green walls. There was a table with a small, square, black television and VHS player on top. Rick placed the box on top of the table and handed Isabelle the first tape, which contained the first episode of “The Red Raven,” which was titled “The Alphabet Murders.” Isabelle took the tape from Rick’s hand and pushed it through the VHS slot. Nathan turned the lights off as all three of them took their seats in front of the screen. As the episode played, Rick looked over to Isabelle and smiled at her. He wanted to remind her of the days he remembered when she was a little girl. The days when she watched the show repeatedly and always told him how much she admired him as a superhero. She didn’t look back at him once. When the episode concluded, Isabelle took out the tape and placed it back into the box. “Did you two get anything from that?” “The murderer used alphabet blocks as weapons and went through letters A, B, and C until he was discovered by the Red Raven. Rudy Jenkins was the killer and was arrested,” Nathan summarized. “Right, and if the murderer were to strike again and murder someone with a wooden block with the letter ‘B’ then, we would have reason to suspect that they have taken inspiration from the show,” Isabelle concluded. “So, there is a connection.” Rick said. “Not exactly, and until there is, your assistance is no longer needed,” Isabelle affirmed. Rick stood up and asked, “Why don’t I stay with you?” To be continued... �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 Opinion 16 The outrage over Senate dress code regulations is silly By Sydney Allabaugh Opinion Editor After more than a week of heated debates over a potential change in the Senate dress code, the Senate came to an agreement: Suit jackets and slacks are here to stay, but is it for the best? On Sept. 18, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate would no longer be enforcing a dress code on the floor. This decision was likely inspired by Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman as he frequently had to vote from doorways as his clothing decisions, like wearing shorts, prevented him from being on the Senate floor. This relaxed dress code decision outraged Democratic and Republican senators alike, with many arguing that dressing casual is disrespectful to constituents. Their concerns were addressed on Sept. 27, when the Senate passed a resolution that requires business attire to be worn on the floor, which, according to the resolution document, means men must wear a coat, tie and slacks. Although senators believe that they owe their constituents formality, is it even something that citizens value? As a culture, we have been straying away from dress codes and embracing more casual wear in our daily lives. In K-12 schools, students are less likely to be given uniforms or forced to wear polos and slacks. At work, it has been more common to wear jeans and leggings instead of a dress or a suit. In universities, students have been going so far with casual dress that they wear slippers and pajama pants to class. We are not only just embracing casual wear, but we are taking it one step further by actively opposing restrictive dress codes. Many argue that dress codes are outdated. Others believe dress codes are discriminatory in some way as they may not be equally enforced, commonly with women’s appearances being overly policed. Although this likely not the case in the Senate considering there were not even specific attire regulations for women mentioned in the resolution document, the point remains: many people do not like being told what to wear. If, as a culture, we are slowly embracing more casual dress - even in the workplace and other formal settings - and are beginning to oppose attire regulations, it seems silly to be so concerned about the Senate dress code, especially if senators would likely continue to wear business professional attire regardless of whether there was a rule in place. This is not to say that I do not believe that politicians owe constituents respect and consideration. It is quite the opposite. I just do not see appearance as all that important in determining whether someone may be an effective and considerate representative. In the case of Fetterman, as someone who is his constituent, his appearance and casual clothing choices have always been a nonissue to me. If anything, I think it is refreshing to see a politician not only act as if he is an average citizen but to look like one, too. Further, I thought it would be interesting to see how senators would present themselves if there were no boundaries. Potentially, they could wear something to make a political statement. Maybe there would be changes in our perceptions of what a senator can look like. Or, the most likely option, senators would continue to dress in business attire anyways and all the outrage would be over nothing. All the energy that has gone into deciding whether senators should have a dress code could have been better directed elsewhere. If they are anything like me, U.S. citizens have bigger concerns they want to be addressed by the Senate than whether they should have a dress code. Time spent on something so trivial is time wasted. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 Opinion 17 How politics have ushered in the collapse of the nation By Bryce Greco Contributing Writer As the Republican debates continue and the nation prepares for the upcoming presidential election next year, something is worrying me and many other Americans. With every year, it appears that the country has become more heavily divided. At this point, I believe the U.S. is beyond a state of repair. The American Empire may collapse just as many empires have before, and our generation may be the ones to witness it Anyone who studies history knows what kills empires: divisive politics, economic failures, fallen culture. In modern day America, politics have become a wedge between everyone in society. What once was a matter of opinion now defines one’s entire life. If you are a Republican, you socialize with Republican friends, watch Republican news, follow Republican leaders. If you are a Democrat, you socialize with Democrat friends, watch Democrat news and follow Democrat leaders. The states of America is no longer a united front. Rather, it seems to be caught up in a civil war of sorts. But this time, there is no Mason-Dixon Line to draw battle lines. Neighbors turn against neighbors. Family dinners turn into vile screaming matches over whatever topic the two parties have decided to recently fight over. Friendships crumble. Relationships end. Politics are only the beginning of America’s troubles. The economy is in shambles. Institutions such as healthcare and education are failing the populous. What it means to be “American,” what once defined our culture, is now lost to the tides of political war. America’s time as an empire is through. This is, in my opinion, not a fixable condition. Politicians on both sides of the spectrum have become so massively corrupt. A former president is being charged as a criminal. Insider trading leaves the politicians rich and the people poor. The “swamp” of Washington D.C. is deeper and murkier than ever imagined, filled with Republicans and Democrats together. There is no miracle candidate, no saving grace. No one can save us. Our generation shall likely be the one to witness this fall. Our generation is, according to many reports, very progovernment, but what we fail to see is how the government is failing us. While billions of tax dollars are funneled into America’s tyrannical military industrial complex to destroy societies overseas, we are left with a dysfunctional healthcare system in our homeland. While politicians find new ways to make the rich richer (and make themselves richer in the process), we are left to beg for financial aid. Gen Z has placed trust into a dystopian, tyrannical government that has proven time and time again to be a failure. With no one to stand against the horrors of politics, America’s empire will continue to grow until it caves in upon itself. Our generation may very well be the one to witness the collapse. If the empire is nearing its end, what are we to do in the interim? I believe the greatest weapon we have at our disposal is an unlikely one: books. There have been countless initiatives, whether through schools or the government itself, to ban books of a certain dystopian genre. The best way to learn about our fallen society is to read about similar societies. Authors have long predicted America’s end, and their predictions may become reality, which is exactly why our leaders want to ensure you will never be able to read them. George Orwell, Phillip K. Dick, William Gibson, Ray Bradbury all have excellent works that will open your eyes and mind to the dystopia that we live in. The American Empire has fallen. We are witnessing it every day. So, take a stand against the powers that be, those who have kept us all in the gutter to see themselves rise. Stray away from modern politics. Stop participating in a system that is continuing to fail you. The government, the politicians, the rulers of this nation care for only themselves. No one is coming to save you. All that is left is to save yourself, before America joins the many other empires that have already succumbed to their fates. Graphic by Lara Mullen Campus Suggestions: Why you should attend campus events By Samara Carey Contributing Writer Welcome back to “Campus Suggestions,” a column in which I tell you my thoughts and feelings about things on campus... and I try to convince you to feel the same way that I do. Today, I will be discussing the reason why you (and your friends) should be going to school events and joining different clubs on campus. Now, this may just be the e-mentor in me coming out, but I truly think that there are many amazing organizations located right in the middle of campus and they are not getting the love that they deserve. With that being said, I am determined to get everyone reading this article to join and or attend at least one different event held on campus this semester! For starters, despite what some people say, sporting events on campus are fun and a great way to show school spirit. Ignore the fact that the football team has only won one dame this season. The other fall sports teams are killing it when it comes to winning their games. That being said, attendance is still very low and we should be supporting our fellow classmates. Up next, as cliché as this may sound, you have the potential to meet new people and also have the ability to create new opportunities for yourself every time you join a new club or wander into a school-held event. Following that, even if you don’t want to join a club, chances are they are giving out free stuff at their events (shout out to Programming Board), and who doesn’t like free stuff ? I know for myself, I have met so many amazing people from joining various clubs on campus, and chances are I wouldn’t have been able to have that chance if I didn’t step out of my comfort zone and join. Another reason that I stand very firmly behind this is the fact that even if you hate the event or hate the club that you joined, you can always leave it and never turn back. After all, it is college and this is the perfect time in your life to experience new things and to learn and differentiate yourself from your old interests. To help support my claim regarding how amazing all the different clubs on campus are, there are well over 50 clubs that you can choose from. Even I will admit, there may be too many clubs available on campus. This is because of the fact that I never even heard of some of them. For example, what is the fly fishing club? Well, now you can find out for yourself and witness whatever it is that they do outside of campus. Our recent homecoming brought so many events to campus, including a pep rally, football game, dance and various giveaways. This was the perfect opportunity to show school spirit and support the teams and clubs that represent our school. To make you feel less pressured and to feel comfortable about stepping out of your comfort zone, you can always reach out to friends or family and see if they will join you for a night out. Besides that, not to mention the e-mentor program again (that you should all totally join by the way), but ask your mentor to join you if you’re a first-year student. Chances are your mentor would love to and would love helping you reach out to different things in our community. While I understand that it’s hard to sometimes get into the school spirit due to the stress and weight of the classes, it is still important to try and think positively and make the most out of your college experience. �The Beacon - October 5, 2023 Opinion 18 The end of the WGA strike is a win for art as a whole By Shawn Carey Contributing Writer After an almost five-month-long protest, the Leaders of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have authorized its members to return to work following a preliminary agreement between the union and Hollywood executives. The 2023 WGA strike is officially over. While there is much more to be discussed regarding the deal, this is still a massive win. It was also recently announced that the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) met with studio heads for negotiations on Monday, Oct. 2. While nothing was officially said, it is believed that the WGA helped set up this meeting in some way. With the Hollywood shutdown being almost over, it seems like it won’t be long until shows and movies will be able to start production again. “The Batman: Part II,” “Community: The Movie,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Thunderbolts” and “The Tonight Show” are just some of the projects that were put on hold. While it’s exciting to see these projects picked back up, we shouldn’t forget why they were stopped in the first place. Screenwriting has always been a somewhat difficult profession. Not only is there the actual writing aspect of it, but an additional list of complications to worry about. Writers have to keep in mind the project’s budget, available filming locations, run time, the scripts of other writers and much more. As you can imagine, this is no easy feat. With that being said, it seems like studio executives have a hard time understanding this. It’s sadly not uncommon to hear stories about scripts being rushed out due to unreasonable deadlines and work days lasting more than eight hours. Work overload happens all the time in Hollywood; however, writers tend to be the ones who experience it the most. Sadly, this isn’t anything new and has been going on for decades. Poor wages and benefits also tend to be an issue. More often than not, writers don’t tend to have a set salary. Payment tends to be based around the type of script being written, project size and budget and position. Additionally, there seems to be two different ways of payment depending on the project. While weekly is the most common, a “Writers Guild Strike.” On Jan. 16, 1960, the WGA called a “two-pronged” strike against both film and television production. The president at the time attributed his main reason behind calling the strike to only receiving residuals for the first six reruns of a show. We may be used to seeing reruns now, but at the time they were a pretty new concept. Starting in 1955 the show “I Love Lucy” became the first television commission based payment plan is also used. Using a recent example, during the 2019-2020 television season, “Variety” reported that the average story editor makes around $7,000 a week. If we use the commission payment method, writer-producers earn a minimum of $42,000 for each 60-minute script, or $28,000 for each 30-minute script. As great as this sounds, most Hollywood writers aren’t at the story editor or producer level. They are instead staff writers, the lowest rank. Keeping all of this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the WGA has a history of striking. There have been a total of eight strikes in the past, all happening for a number of different reasons. While the problems I previously mentioned played a factor in them, there tends to be a larger eraspecific issue behind the strikes. Let's take a look at the very first series to replay old episodes regularly. This proved to be a very popular decision as many network programs would follow in the show’s footsteps soon after. After a 148-day strike, a deal was reached. Five percent of the total earnings from pre-1960 reruns of a show would go to pensions, healthcare and other funds that helped writers. 63 years later, this rule is still in place to this very day. The 2007-08 Writers Guild of American strike provides a somewhat more recent example of era-specific problems. The strike primarily sought increased residual rates for DVD sales and jurisdiction over and residuals from new releases of older media. The strike that took place in 1985 happened for a pretty similar reason, except it was over VHS and LaserDisc sales. If this sounds familiar, that is because one of the key reasons behind the most recent strike happens to be wanting an increase in residuals from streaming. In this age of nonstop media consumption, it only makes sense for writers to want to earn more. The rise of AI also played a role in the strike. Writers feared that with AI getting more and more advanced that it would start writing show scripts for them, eventually taking their jobs. It should be noted that the WGA isn’t entirely against the use of artificial intelligence. They believe AI should only be used as a tool for research and script development. As you have probably noticed these strikes tend to start up whenever an advancement in home media technology happens. While I only mentioned four of the strikes, rest assured that the same goes for the other half. Whenever there’s a change in the status quo things tend to be a little rough at first. This is especially true for the world of entertainment. Hollywood is constantly looking for new and easy ways to earn revenue. Oftentimes they don’t tend to think about the people that help them fill their pockets. Once again, this isn’t anything new. Since the start of cinema there has been a certain level of greed associated with the art form. This greed doesn’t originate from the filmmakers. However, it comes from the people selling the art. This goes for all types of creative work. Picture this. You spend your entire life putting your entire heart and soul into creating something meaningful, something you can be truly proud of, only for some big shot businessman to slap a price tag on it. If your line of work requires even an ounce of creativity, you can be sure that this will happen. It’s pretty difficult for most artists to fight against this greed, which is why I believe the writers' strike was fantastic. It shows that it is possible to fight for your passion, no matter what you’re up against. The strike ending on the writers’ terms is not only a win for them, but for every person willing to fight for their art. Graphic by Lara Mullen �Sports The Beacon - October 5, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Hannah Landis Senior Women's Soccer Goalkeeper The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week Landis recorded two shutouts to help the Colonels to one win and one tie. She made five saves in a 1-0 victory at Albright College, and recorded five more saves in a 0-0 tie against Susquehanna. Landis totaled 10 saves for the week and had a perfect 1.000 save percentage. Major: Nursing Hometown: Red Hill, Pa. High School: Upper Perkiomen What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Beating FDU-Florham in overtime to earn us a spot in the MAC semi-finals. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Volleyball or lacrosse. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? My senior night in high school. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? What is your favorite post-game meal? What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? Philadelphia Eagles. Spend time with my friends and family. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Wawa. I feel very honored for the opportunity and I am excited to see what is in store for the rest of the season. My favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes is that you get to make lifelong friends and memories all while pursuing a degree. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? "Miracle." Compiled by Adam Grundt, Asst.Sports Editor The Beacon//Sam Mullen 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 - October 5, 2023 Interested in writing for sports? CONTACT Adam Grundt adam.grundt@ wilkes.edu Does your team have a milestone to celebrate? Does a team member have something to celebratate? 24 STUDENT HOUSING 2024-2025 for OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2023 from 12 - 2 PM Scan this QR code to sign up for the Open House! COME GET A TOUR OF OUR UPSCALE, CLEAN, ALL-INCLUSIVE MANSIONS! Sign-up for housing as singles, doubles, triples or quads. We offer the best in affordable offcampus housing, and are only steps away from your classes! Tour begins at 281 South River Street. feature... multi-bedroom, shared mansion-living 3.5 bathrooms fully-furnished all-inclusive rent (all utilities, WIFI) fully stocked kitchen with appliances, pots and pans, dishware, etc. living room dining room full laundry facilities secure entrances Let our sports team know. You may be featured in the next Beacon! Contact us: 570-592-3113 | znpropertiesllc@gmail.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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 October 5 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication. https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/3fe80b2ce0bc85592a6833dd9d5f6042.pdf ddcf0cbd4bda396cde259668d9855caa PDF Text Text The Beacon - November 2, 2023 THE BEACON Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Volume 76, Issue 4 1 “The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.” Programming Board hosts annual “Freak Week” on campus By Cassidy Brumagin Contributing Writer In celebration of Halloween, Programming Board hosted “Freak Week” the week of Oct. 23, with events every day leading up to Fall Fest on Oct. 27. The week began with bingo on Monday, followed by a Fear Factor event on Tuesday, Haunting for Candy on Wednesday and a hypnotist on Thursday before rounding out the week with Fall Fest. The first event of the week proved to be a fan favorite: bingo. The event was free to the students, with the opportunity to receive a free additional board for dressing up in costume. It offered the chance to win one of 10 baskets featuring a variety of prizes. The event was hosted in the ballroom of the Henry Student Center. The event filled the ballroom resulting in standing room only. Students in costumes from superheroes to animals to movie characters were joined by those who chose to participate in casual dress in various rounds of bingo. Each round sent a student home with a gift basket put together by the Programming Board. The hosts of bingo were two characters from Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax”. The orange A taste of Polish food comes to Wilkes, page 5 painted hosts read the bingo calls out for students to mark on their boards. Winning requirements varied by round, including traditional bingo, an L-shape on the board and an entirely blacked-out board. “It was bloody amazing,” said Heather Brinig, senior international relations and political science major, on being one bingo winner. Brinig’s basket was filled with art supplies and cozy gifts. “The crochet narwhal is my favorite.” Some prizes in the baskets for the winners included a Kodak camera, a weighted blanket, a Halloweeen Squishmallow, Halloween candy, Legos, hot chocolate fixings, a Keurig Mini, art supplies, a 32-inch TV and a mini fridge. Winners also got to pose for a photo with their new prizes. On the overall success of the first night’s event, one Lorax-dressed host had but one thing to say. “I just wanna say I speak for the trees,” said Kylie Jayne, junior nursing student, without breaking character. Day two’s event was Fear Factor, which was complete with reptiles and basket raffles. ... Freak, continued on page 7 Taylor Swift’s latest rereleased album, “1989 (Taylor’s Version,” page 9 The Beacon/Cassidy Brumagin Kylie Jayne, a junior nursing student, dressed up as the Lorax to host bingo. How indie studios are changing the animation industry, page 17 Wilkes dance team now recognized as a sport, page 21 �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 News News 2 Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Amanda Montgomery: Amanda.Montgomery1@wilkes.edu Student Government notes: Oct. 25 weekly meeting By Zach Paraway Contributing Writer Student Government held its weekly meeting on Oct. 25. The remaining amount in the SG account is $30,330.84 The first order of business was a fund request from the Fly Fishing Club. The presentation was given by club president Jacob Smith. The Fly Fishing Club is a conservation group that also teaches and takes students fly fishing locally. Members came to request funds to purchase fund raising materials. The group would like to do a clothing sale including, T-shirts, hats and patches. The money raised would go toward club business such trips, upgrading equipment and sending students to conferences. The total request was for $490. This is to be voted on next week. The second order of business was a club report by the Speech and Debate team. The presentation was given by Gracie Giuszak, Emilie Protsko and E. Alexis. The third order of business was a club report from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The presentation was given by Micheal Nowak, Evan Feng, Trent Szczecinti and Ian Williams. The fourth order of business was a constitution update by Student Government. This presentation was given by SG Parliamentarian Francessca Mehl. Many changes were proposed to the constitution beginning with an update to the academic leave policy. The rest of the changes had to do with when a member of e-board and/ or student government is removed or leaves. The voting was passed to make these changes official. The fifth order of business was the emergency election of executive treasurer. This was a second attempt to fill the position by vote and is the first with the changes in the constitution. One vote was held and a new secretary was elected. P2 student Makenzie Psarakis was elected and accepted the position of executive treasurer. The sixth order of business was a constitution update from the Resident Hall Council. The presentation was given by RHC President Natalite Hernandez. Changes include language updates, more defined roles for the treasurer and the secretary, move from weekly meetings to bi-weekly and a change in the proposal process down from two weeks to one, unless stated otherwise by RHC E-Board. This was voted on and passed. The seventh order of business was a fund request for Casino Night. The presentation was given by SG Corresponding Secretary Marytere Quintana-Avila. This was formerly known as Casino Week and was formally in a request to SG a month ago. SG voted to take Casino Week down to Casino Night. This is the fund request for those festivities. The event will take place on Nov. 10. The lead up to Casino Night will include giveaways and a performance by a to-be-determined entertainer. The total budget requested was $21,000. Last week, the prizes for the event were voted on, totaling at $6,054.20. This week, the rest of the budget, T-shirt and decorations were to be voted on. The remaining amount was $14,590. This was voted on and approved. The eighth order of business was an overview of the SG bonding trip. This presentation was given by the E-Board. The trip will take place on Jan. 28 to Aquatopia. Minor changes had been made over the week to insinuate this presentation. The cost will come out to be $2,628. Table of Contents News..................2 Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events Life, A&E............7 Spring 2024 Commuter & Resident Student Parking Applications Sports................19 Compiled by Beacon News Staff Commuter and resident parking permit applications are available now until Monday Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. If you are interested in a Ralston permit, please note your preference in the comments. The applications will not re-open again once they are closed. The link for parking applications: https://www.wilkes.edu/campus-life/ safety-security/parking/studentparking-permits.aspx. Any questions contact parking 570408-7275, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. HPSC Give Kids the World Fundraiser Join the Honors Program Student Committee in community service by donating children’s books and Halloween costumes to Give Kids the World, a nonprofit that helps make dreams come true for Make a Wish children with a critical illness. Monetary donations can also be made. Donations will be accepted in the Honors office until the end of the semester. Any questions, email jennifer. mclaughlin1@wilkes.edu. Professional Portrait Sessions The Center for Career Development and Internships is holding professional portrait sessions for students on Nov. 7 and 9 during club hours. Spots are limited. The Colonel’s Clothing Closet also has professional wear that is free for all students. Link to register: https:// forms.gle/ZHx3rvsGEb2RCXUo8. Contact Lois Grimm at lois.grimm@ wilkes.edu or 570-408-4060 with any questions. Spring Break Trip The International Business trip is now open for registration. The trip leaves the Philadelphia Airport March 2, 2024, and returns March 9. The total estimated cost is $3,500, which includes airfare, hotel, breakfast and dinner expenses. Contact Dr. Matus at justin.matus@ wilkes.edu for more information. Opinion............14 Upcoming Events: November 2 - Silent Disco 9 - Giveaway 16 - Fast Food Bingo 30 - Break-FEST December 7 - Bingo Want your event featured in the calendar? Email: Amanda.Montgomery1@ wilkes.edu �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 News Who's so honors? Student spotlight: Kaelin Hughes By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer Kaelin Hughes, a senior political science and history honors student, is this week’s honors feature. Hughes also has a minor in policy studies, is the president of HPSC, an honors peer mentor, an honors small group coordinator, and has been making the most of work study opportunities at Wilkes. Work study jobs are on-campus jobs that get students involved in the inner-workings of different departments. They can range from jobs related to extracurriculars, like working with student athletes in the weight room or shelving music in the Darte Theater, or jobs related to coursework or major, like the ones Hughes has. Hughes works as a Supplemental Instructor (SI) for students taking Quantitative Reasoning for the Social Science, which is cross listed as PS-265 and SOC-370, depending on the major. This course focuses on teaching students how to collect quantitative data in research projects. Hughes shared that this was a valuable experience, both for them and students enrolled. “This is my second year helping with the course. I’m glad I can help make the course material more digestible for students who may not be math or computer-oriented with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) database.” For many social science students, this type of data analysis can be difficult. Hughes holds open meetings weekly that allow students to come and ask for help with the content they are struggling with. Hughes’ second job relates to their history major. Over the summer, she began working at the Harold Cox Archives, located on the third floor of the Farley Library. The goal of her specific role is "transcribing and inventorying the John Jenkins papers, a collection of 18th and 19th century documents concerning our local history.” Similar to how Hughes’ SI job helps with her stay engaged with SPSS database, this role helps engage critical thinking and historical research skills. Unlike the clear outcome of helping students maintain good grades, the goals of this role aren’t as well-defined. “Hopefully, once it’s all transcribed, we can process it into different sub-series within the collection,” said Hughes. This work aims to make these historical documents more accessible and better organized for future students to utilize. For those interested in work study, view job postings online at wilkes.edu/ workstudy. It is important to note that some work studies are federally funded, while others are funded by Wilkes University. In short, some job opportunities may not be available because of Financial Aid eligibility. Hughes is one of more than 200 honors students on campus. If you’re an honors 3 student and want to share your story, please fill out the Google Form found at the end of the weekly Honors Buzz. Photo Courtesy Kaelin Hughes In addition to these work study jobs, Hughes is also an RA in Waller Hall, a firstyear Residence Hall specifically for Honors students. �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 News What is... the University Barre Scholars Program By Morgan Steiner Contributing Writer At Wilkes, there are so many opportunities for students to try something new, from community service with the Bonner Leaders to trips with Wilkes Adventure Education (WAE). There is also a program for students who solely want to focus on academics, without worrying about meeting requirements or extra projects. The Barre Scholars program was introduced in the fall of 2021 as a way for students to access benefits of the Honors Program, like waived course overload fees, honors courses and special access to research and work study opportunities, without the requirements of the Honors Program. Sydney Farmer, a junior nursing major, was one of the first students to enter the Barre Scholars program. “The Barre Scholars program was mentioned to me prior to entering my freshman year of college. I was excited to be a part of a program that provided opportunities, such as bringing in speakers for students,” said Farmer. If students qualify, they are contacted before entry their first semester and it is a simple “yes or no”. There is no outside application or interview required. Barre Scholars receive one email a month, full of opportunities for excellence. These opportunities usually include internship opportunities, research presentations and special “Pizza Plus” events, where students can enjoy pizza and learn about different opportunities, like Study Abroad. In September, current Barre students gave a research presentation to discuss what they have been able to accomplish on campus. Farmer was one of the presenters. “For me, I was able to discuss research, work study opportunities, and some of the clubs I’m involved in,” said Farmer. During her presentation, she focused on her work study job in the weight room in Marts and her research project with Dr. Angela Jones, which aims to find a correlation between clinical judgment and being a camp nurse. Jones is an assistant professor of nursing. As for requirements, students are only required to maintain a certain GPA, which raises after each year. By their senior year, Barre Scholars must have a 3.6 GPA. “I do not believe it’s too difficult to maintain,” said Farmer. Should scholars slip below the GPA requirement, they receive an email at the end of that semester and have a grace period to bring it up before being removed from the program. This spring marks the first time Barre Scholars will be graduating. To keep up with information about the Barre Scholars program, you can follow@ wilkeshonors on Instagram. 4 Sydney Farmer presents at the Barre Opportunities Panel in September. Scholars attended a social pizza party on Oct. 26, a fun way to get to know each other. Photos Courtesy of Honors Program Beacon Graphic/Amanda Montgomery �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 News Taste of Polish food, hosted by the Polish Room By Emma Broda Contributing Writer Students, faculty and alumni gathered recently in the Farley Library to taste a variety of Polish foods. The second floor of the library is home to the Polish Room, a room dedicated to Polish heritage and culture that has been in the library since 1950. The room features many Polish artifacts and publications which have been collected by the Polish Room Committee. This same committee holds the annual Polish food tasting event, in which members of the committee bring homemade Polish foods for members of the community to enjoy. Many students attended as well, ranging from those who are Polish and come every year, to those who were not and were trying the foods for the first time. “I’m Polish on my mom’s side, but I’ve never been to one of these before,” said Mia Decker, junior history major secondary education. “I loved the potato salad and the deviled eggs were very delicious.” There was a range of savory and sweet foods that everyone enjoyed, as well as sharing an appreciation for Polish culture. “I wasn’t aware of it in the past, but I saw it in the email and was really excited,” said Lily Hebda, junior English and Top: There was plenty of chatting outside the Polish Room with participants enejoyed a variety of food. Bottom: A plate filled with some Polish food that was served at the event. secondary education major. “I’ve never had candied sauerkraut and decided to try it, and it’s awesome.” Two members of the committee, Susan Braden and Rose Fritzen spoke about the event as well as the scholarship offered to students of Polish descent. “It’s nice to see everyone’s smiling faces, and it's just fun to be here,” said Braden. Both Braden and Fritzen participate in the event every year and look forward to it. “We enjoy being with all the students and faculty together,” said Fritzen. Fritzen also spoke about a special scholarship. “We award the scholarship to three 5 students of Polish descent every year. They have to write an essay, and we award based on those, financial need, and academics.We award the scholarships to the winners in December. "We get a lot of applications every year.” Students who attend Wilkes and have Polish heritage are invited to apply for the scholarship next year. The criteria is submitting an essay based on their Polish heritage according to the prompt, as well as including financial information and GPA. Photos: The Beacon/Emma Broda Top: Donna Stankiewicz and Joyce Latowski welcomed students and other visitros to try a variety of Polish food. Bottom: The Polish Room was set up with tables full of Polish food for visitors to sample. �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 James Jones First Novel Competition winner 2023 By Amanda Montgomery News Editor Wilkes University announced the recipient of the James Jones First Novel Fellowship. This was done through the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing and in collaboration with the James Jones Literary Society. The prestigious award, established in 1992 to honor the literary legacy of James Jones, recognized outstanding submissions in its latest iteration. Catherine Carberry of Woodstock, New York, claimed the top spot and a $10,000 prize for her novel titled, “Bitter Tropic.” Carberry’s work, inspired by the true story of the women leaders of Puerto Rico’s independence movement and the subsequent assassination attempt on President Truman, stood out among 637 submissions. Anna Badkhen, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, secured the first runner-up position, earning $3,000 for her novel titled, “The Sound Keeps Coming.” Badkhen’s work, set against the backdrop of imperial collapse in northwest Russia, explores the complexities of love, loss and memories of violence within a septuagenarian couple and their teenage grand-niece. Jennifer Deane, from Clifton, New Jersey, claimed the second runner-up position, as well as a $2,000 prize for her novel titled, “The Eleventh Horse.” Deane, with a background in social work, visual design and psychology, weaves a tale set amid rural Tuscany’s natural beauty and the edge of New York City, exploring the lives of peasant farmers and the challenges they face. The James Jones First Novel Fellowship, established to celebrate the unblinking honesty, determination and insight exemplified by James Graphic: The Beacon/Amanda Montgom- Jones, author of acclaimed novels such as “From Here to Eternity,” and “The Thin Red Line,” has been a beacon for emerging writers since its inception. Carberry, the first-place winner, boasts a rich literary background with fellowships from the Macdowell Artist Retreat, Hedgebrook Writing Retreat and Sewanee Writers Conference. Her fiction has been featured in prestigious journals, including Guernica, The Kenyon Review, Tin House online, North American Review and Harvard Review. Badkhen, the first runner-up, is a prolific author with seven nonfiction books, including the shortlisted “Bright Unbearable Reality.” Her awards, such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Barry Lopez Visiting Writer in Ethics and Community Fellowship, reflect her significant contributions to literature. Deane, the second runner-up, brings 6 a unique blend of expertise with a master’s degree in social work and bachelor’s degrees in visual design and psychology. Her diverse writing experiences range from freelance newspaper writing to collecting oral histories from Portuguese whaling men. The James Jones Literary Society, founded in 19992, aims to promote appreciation for James Jones’s writings and encourage academic study of his contributions to 20th-century literature. In addition to the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, the society sponsors an essay contest for high school students and the annual James Jones Symposium at Eastern Illinois University. For more information about the James Jones Literary Society, visit www.jamesjonesliterarysociety.org. Catherine Carberry, winner of the 2023 James Jones First Novel Competition. Photo Courtesy Kelly Clisham �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 7 Life, Arts & Entertainment Life, Arts & Entertainment Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact Life, Arts & Entertainment Editor: Zara.Lantzman@wilkes.edu ...Freak, continued from Page 1 The event featured a demonstration by the New Jersey Snakesman and eight to 10 of his reptiles. Included in these reptiles was a bearded dragon, a blue-tongued lizard and a 17-foot python. Students were even offered the opportunity to hold one of the reptiles. In addition to having the opportunity to hold the reptiles, students were offered the opportunity to compete in two food challenges. The challenges involved eating a flavored cricket or a very spicy jelly bean. Students who either held a reptile or completed a food challenge won a ticket to enter into the basket raffles. Additionally, students who were too spooked to go in and actually see the reptiles themselves were offered the opportunity to participate in a door prize raffle. Wednesday’s event was called Haunting for Candy. The students began in the Student Union Building (SUB) where they picked up their “passport” and then continued on to nine stops around campus. At each station students got a passport stamp and candy. Once the student earned all nine stamps on their passport, they would return to the SUB to be entered for a chance to win one of five total raffle baskets. For Thursday’s event, a hypnotist by the name of Eric Mina was brought into the ballroom from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Mina has done over a thousand shows, including venues in Las Vegas and New York City. Food was also provided at the event with Auntie Anne’s pretzels, popcorn, cupcakes and chocolate covered pretzels from Alle’s Chocolate Shoppe. The show began with Mina asking the entire audience to participate in an exercise where they imagined their hands were being glued together to find who would be most susceptible to hypnosis. From there, he gathered his volunteers up to the stage and used his hypnosis Bingo was a definite favorite part of the 2023 “Freak Week.” techniques on them to put them in a dream-like state they would remain in for the rest of the show. The participants were then told to perform various comedic activities, starting with playing fake instruments and dancing as though they were giving a rock concert performance. Later in the show, they were tasked with believing they were dogs chasing a ball, seeing their favorite celebrity out in the audience and competing on “Dancing with the Stars” all thanks to the conviction of hypnosis. One of the participants who Mina deemed to be in the deepest state of hypnosis later stated she had a vague memory of what had happened throughout much of the end of the show. “But the beginning,” Becca Earnst, first-year marketing major said before shaking her head. “No, I don’t remember anything.” After the show, Mina sent participants home with a complimentary copy of his book on the power of hypnosis for volunteering for the show. Freak Week concluded with Fall Fest on Oct. 27. Students were encouraged to come and get donuts and cider from Brace’s Orchard. Additionally, the event featured pumpkin carving and painting, making your own scarecrow and decorating your own tumbler. “Freak Week has been amazing this year,” Programming Board president Kim Wheeler, junior pharmacy major, commented. Punch cards were given out to students who attended the Freak Week events. Students who went to at least three events and brought their punch card were eligible to receive a free Freak Week 2023 T-shirt. Shirts were given out at the Fall Fest event. “We have had over 500 students at the events throughout the week and seeing the campus community enjoy the different nights has been really rewarding,” Wheeler continued. “Planning this week was very much a group effort to make sure we did a different style event for each day. One of my favorite things about campus is that we are able to host these events because I get a lot of happiness seeing students have a good time.” Photos: The Beacon/Cassidy Brumagin Bingo winner, Heather Brinig, senior international relations and political science major, shows off her basket. �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 W Life, Arts & Entertainment 8 Club of the Week: Games & Media By Anthony Cazun Asst. Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor There are many clubs across campus that seek to invigorate students in many types of ways. Advocation, expanding one’s understanding of a field or spreading awareness. In between all those efforts, however, one needs some time to just sit back, relax and enjoy some games with some close friends, or maybe make some new ones. This is the express purpose of the Games & Media Club. The club does not fail to live up to its name, as there is a large library of different types of games, and media, to participate in. There are a variety of board games available to play, not just the classics such as Clue, but also more recent fan favorites such as One Night Ultimate Werewolf. These classics allow for a more familiar, casual game night, while the newer more experimental games will allow for greater discovery, competition and unexpected fun. Tabletop games are also a welcome addition. Tabletop games seek to invigorate the imagination of players by creating vast worlds and complex or silly characters. These games create palpable excitement and encourage creativity. The club is not just limited to games in the physical sense, but also video games are a large part of the club’s weekly itinerary. There are spots for people to bring their computers and laptops in order to play games, single player or multiplayer. Members are also encouraged to bring portable systems such as Nintendo Switch’s or Steam Deck’s. Some will even choose to bring a home console and plug it into the television. There are many options to enjoy video games with all members of the club. If one would so please, members of the Games & Media club are encouraged to bring their own board and tabletop games as well. The club’s collaborative nature goes far beyond just converging with other members, but also other schools and clubs entirely. Just recently the Games & Media club collaborated with the Bloomsburg Smash Club. Together, they all enjoyed eating snacks and versing each other in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. While the title insinuates a more Morgan Rich, Editor-in-Chief: Suburban Legends (Taylor’s Version) Taylor Swift Amanda Montgomery, News Editor: Something to Believe - Weyes Blood Emma Broda, News Staff Writer: Casual - Chappel Roan Anthony Cazun, LA&E Asst. Editor: linear, focused club, that could not be further from the truth. The Games & Media club does not act expressly as a club for strictly games and media, but also pop culture as a whole. Just last week, the club pulled together and ventured to the Movies 14 theater to go see the new Five Nights at Freddy’s movie. The Games & Media club is an excellent way to shed the stress of student life and just have some fun with some friends. The club meets on Mondays and Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. in the SUB lounge. Sydney Allabaugh, Opinion Editor: Manmade Horrors - Dorian Electra “Freeze,” Opinion Staff Writer: Paulygon - Ghost House Adam Grundt, Sports Asst. Editor: Style (Taylor’s Version) - Taylor Swift Sam Mullen, Sports. Asst. Editor: S.OS From ‘Mamma Mia!’ - Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep Lara Mullen, Designer: Muldur and Scully - Catatonia Liz Cherinka, Social Media Manager: Prove It - Poppy Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Our very own Anthony Cazun has put together a Spotify playlist where you can scan it and listen to the Beacon’s staff weekly picks! Cally Williams, LA&E Staff Writer: Harness Your Hopes - Pavement Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) - Taylor Swift Graphics/Lara Mullen �The Beacon – November 2, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment Taylor Swift’s latest re-released album, “1989 (Taylor’sVersion)” By Cally Williams Life, Arts, and Entertainment Staff Writer Taylor Swift’s most recent re-released album, “1989 (Taylor’s Version,)” dropped on Oct. 27 at midnight to the excitement of “Swifties” everywhere. Taylor Swift started rerecording her albums in April of 2021 after Scooter Braun bought and sold the master rights to her first six albums: “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989” and “Reputation.” In 2019 Braun bought the record company, “Big Machine,” that she was contracted with. He then bought Swift’s masters and later sold them, without her knowledge or consent, to “Shamrock Holdings” in 2020 after having them for a year and a half. Swift took back her music by rerecording and rereleasing her albums, with some slight changes, rebranding them with the label “Taylor’s Version.” She started doing this in 2021, beginning with her album, “Fearless.” “1989” was originally released on the same date in 2014. Swift posted “My name is Taylor and I was born in 1989” on Instagram once the album was released for the first time in 2014. “1989” included some of Swift’s most popular songs including “Shake It Off,” “Welcome to New York” and “Blank Space.” Fans have been looking forward to “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” since Swift announced its re-release on Aug. 9. “She revitalized the pop sound that she had in her original album with a fresh, new tone,” said Olivia Scarborough, a senior theatre major. “One that matches her beachy theme within her new era.” Since “1989” was one of the albums that Swift lost because of Braun, she rerecorded it in 2023 and added five songs that she never added to the original album. These songs, which Swift refers to as “vault tracks” are, “Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” “Suburban Legends (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” “Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” and “Slut! (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” Swifties have been especially excited and curious about “Slut!” considering its unusual title. “It is cool that when you look up ‘Taylor Swift slut’ it is the song and not any articles,” said Ella Villani, first-year theatre major, who reported that “Slut (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” is her favorite vault track. “Slut! (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” addresses the immense shaming and criticism Swift has received in the past. Because Swift often wrote her music about ex-boyfriends, the public has made many sexist remarks about her, often shaming her for her dating life. “Slut! (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” despite what its title makes listeners assume, is a lighter sounding song with a pretty chorus; this allows Swift to reclaim the insult in her vault track. Swift has added her vault tracks in previous re-recordings of albums, but “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” stirred much excitement among fans. Swift herself remarked that she could not believe she ever left the five songs in the vault. “To be perfectly honest, this is my most favorite re-record I’ve ever done because the five from the vault tracks are so insane,” Swift said in a post before the release of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” “Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” is another of the five vault tracks released in “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”. There have been speculations that Swift may have written this about singer and former One Direction member, Harry Styles. One lyric made fans think that the vault track was written about Styles: “Now that we 9 do not talk you grew your hair long.” This lyric made fans wonder, as Styles grew his hair out after the breakup. Swift wrote “Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” around the time that she and Styles broke up, so she may be continuing her theme of writing songs about her ex-lovers. “Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” is a heartbreaking song about wanting someone to stay with you even though they have fallen out of love. Swift wrote the tragic vault track in 2013 with songwriter Diane Warren. Warren has written many famous hits for popular artists, including Aerosmith and Mariah Carey. “It is such a popstar kind of song and I love popstar Taylor,” said Charley Cain, a first-year theatre major. “It is my guilty pleasure.” “Is It Over Now (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” is another break up song by Swift, that talks about a doomed relationship, possibly about one of Taylor’s former boyfriends. One of the lyrics mentions a blue dress on a boat. An iconic image, and meme, of Swift shows her sitting sadly on a boat in a blue dress after her breakup with Harry Styles while on a trip with him. Swifties have theorized that “Is It over Now (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” may have also been written about Styles at the time, as supported by her blue dress lyric. The last of Swift’s five vault tracks is “Suburban Legends (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault).” The vault track tells of two lovers in a small town whose success ends up breaking the couple up. Fans have commented on how similar the song is Swift’s song “Mastermind” from her album, “Midnights,” and some have even referred to the songs as “cousins.” Swift rightfully took back her music and is continuing to do so by re-recording her iconic albums. “1989’s” re-release officially made her a billionaire, proving that artists deserve to keep their music. �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Life, Arts & Entertainment “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Word Search ����������������������������������������� Words To Find: HUNTERS CLEAN BLUE FOXES SEAGULLS SNOWGLOBE BEACH BAD BLOOD WONDERLAND WOODS STYLE NEW YORK Answer Key: Credit for this puzzles goes to: www.thewordsearch.com Compiled by Morgan Rich, Editor In Chief 10 �The Beacon – November 2, 2023 Have an upcoming event on campus? Let us know about it! Email kalen.churcher@ wilkes.edu Life, Arts & Entertainment 11 �Page Design Lara Mullen Ryan Piekanski (Left), Mechanical Engineering Major Zackery Drake (Right) Computer Science Major �Studio 20’s Trip to Roba’s Family Farm! Sean Papke, Environmental Science Major Sydney Ruskey, Sociology Major �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Opinion Editorial Staff 2023-24 MANAGERIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief - Morgan Rich Social Media Manager - Liz Cherinka Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher SECTION EDITORS News - Amanda Montgomery Opinion - Sydney Allabaugh ASSISTANT EDITORS LA&E - Anthony Cazun Sports - Adam Grundt Sports - Sam Mullen DESIGNERS Designer - Lara Mullen Section Staff Writers News - Emma Broda LA&E - Cally Williams Opinion - “Freeze” Want to join The Beacon? Several positions are open! Contact : kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or morgan.rich@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 or Morgan Rich at morgan.rich@ wilkes.edu The Beacon Est. 1936 Pa. Newspaper Association Member Opinion 14 Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact opinion editor: sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu. Our Voice Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue. The TicketMaster monopoly needs to end The dreaded “10,000+ people ahead of you” in a TicketMaster queue is practically a death sentence for fans trying to acquire tickets to see their favorite band. TicketMaster is a greedy monopoly that consumers want burned and demolished as soon as possible. However, it is often disguised as an American ticket sales distribution company in California. For years, fans have been suffering at the hands of this large company, facing problems such as hidden fees, the verified fan system and bot attacks. According to The Atlantic, fans even end up paying an additional 60 to 70 percent more money for service fees on top of their actual ticket. One of the most well known dilemmas that fans faced was getting tickets for Taylor Swift’s, “The Era’s Tour.” This tour was singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s sixth tour in five years. Of course, Ticketmaster ensured Swift and her team that they could handle it. However, they were mistaken. When tickets went on sale, the site experienced a bot attack, which caused the site to glitch and shut down for hours, causing thousands of people to stay stuck in a paused queue. When fans were finally able to purchase tickets, no tickets were available and quickly appeared on scalping websites for thousands of dollars. On Nov. 18, Swift posted to her Instagram story, “There are a multitude of reasons why people had such a hard time trying to get tickets and I’m trying to figure out how this situation can be improved moving forward. I’m not going to make excuses for anyone because we asked them, multiple times, if they could handle this kind of demand and we were assured they could.” From a different perspective, another artist that has had some strong words publicly for TicketMaster is country music superstar Zach Bryan. Bryan wants his fans to be able to see his shows “without paying $450 a ticket.” The artist wants the working class to be able to afford a ticket to see his show, and rightfully so. The artist has become so fed up with TicketMaster that he took to Twitter to publicly state his disgust with the popular ticket app. “I have met kids at my shows who have paid upwards of four hundred and fifty bucks to be there and I’m done with it,” Bryan tweeted. “I’ve decided to play a limited number of headline shows next year to which I’ve done all I can to make prices as cheap as possible and to prove to people tickets don’t have to cost $450 to see a good and honest show.” Bryan then went further with the matter and released a live album titled “All My Homies Hate TicketMaster,” containing his performance from the iconic venue of Red Rocks in Colorado. It was at this moment Bryan became a superstar in the country music industry when he quite literally had 10,000 people at this venue screaming every word to his songs in a snowstorm that lasted an hour and a half. All in all, artists with such large magnitude such as Bryan are speaking out against TicketMaster and their, for lack of a better term, garbage policies regarding ticket sales. Their words are certainly reaching their fanbase, as many music fans around the world are boycotting TicketMaster as a whole. 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: morgan.rich@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 2, 2023 Video game spotlight: “Mario Kart Wii” review By “Freeze” Opinion Staff Writer If you’ve read my previous articles, you know that I like to appreciate video games as if they are art. I think it’s appropriate to shine the first spotlight on my favorite video game of all time. You have probably heard of the hit 2008 release: “Mario Kart Wii.” If you haven’t, well, it’s about time you grabbed that steering wheel. “Mario Kart Wii”, although not the first of its kind, has proven to be the best in its own series. The truth is, this game is not only enjoyable to people of all ages, but it is also a revolutionary contribution to the video game industry as a whole. First of all, this game is exceptionally entertaining. If you’ve played the game, I’m sure you remember spending hours racing with your friends and family and destroying each other’s relationships with an optimal blue shell or the dreaded lightning bolt. Anyone can easily pick this game up and enjoy it for what it has to offer, without even being particularly good at it. If you don’t believe me, you can always ask my mother. Believe it or not, my mom is the reason why “Mario Kart Wii” is my favorite. She spent hours unlocking the characters and races using my license... and she still claims I am not her favorite child. Even though you will notice that the CPU algorithm has a dangerously heavy bias towards human players and practically beats them to death with cruelty, the game is still very inviting. In fact, a lot of players claim that is the fun part. When compared to the ridiculously simple “Mario Kart 8,” their view of the Wii version makes complete sense. This is similar to how gamers prefer “Super Smash Bros. Melee” over the rest of the installments of the franchise. I can confidently say that “Mario Kart Wii” is the “Melee” of the “Mario Kart” series. “Mario Kart Wii” also offers a decentlysized roster of characters, all uniquely organized by weight and stat-classes. Most casual players will use whatever vehiclecharacter combination they prefer, while the professionals can be seen primarily with Funky Kong-Flame Runner, Luigi/Daisy- Opinion Mach Bike or Toad-Quacker/Magikruiser. Additionally, the game includes a selection of the best tracks from previous games, as well as many great originals. My personal favorites, both for the level design and the soundtrack of the course, are Mushroom Gorge, Toad’s Factory, Daisy’s Circuit, Moonview Highway, Wario’s Gold Mine and the killer Rainbow Road. “Mario Kart Wii” has been one of the leading video games for speedrunners to really test their limits. The most noticeable thing about this racing experience is the surplus of glitches, specifically known as “ultra shortcuts,” available for a player to take advantage of. Basically, they allow a player to increase speed, swiftly maneuver or even completely skip entire portions of the race course, allowing them to finish in record times. Two courses with the most iconic ultra shortcuts are Coconut Mall and Grumble Volcano. The former can be completed in roughly 40 seconds, while the latter in only 15 seconds. Through years of experimentation, optimization, and tool-based analysis, speedrunners have obtained various track records. The modern tool-assisted speedruns (TAS) present ways to match the best possible time using computer-generated movement that is frame-perfect. Human world records for “Super Mario 64” and “Super Mario Bros.” have exceeded the speed of some TAS throughout history, and it’s not surprising for it to happen in this game as well. The bottom line is that “Mario Kart Wii” has revolutionized the experience of a party game. Many racing games have been inspired to include elements that are similar to “Mario Kart.” This game has shaped the lives of many of us students, as we were children when the game was released. “Mario Kart Wii” introduced, and made perfect use of, the motion control system that made the Wii so unique. Without a game like this, I always wonder where I would be and how I could have ended up as a person. The Return of The Red Raven: an original story By Leah Smith Contributing Writer PART 5 “Why don’t I stay with you?” Rick repeated the question. Isabelle sighed and pressed her fingers against her temples. “Because there’s nothing for us to go off of here. The murderer hasn’t repeated the same crime which means there’s no pattern and also means that your theory is wrong. There’s no reason for you to be here,” Isabelle explained. “But what if something happens and you need help?” Rick urged. “The chances of that happening is minimal. Besides, I don’t need your help,” Isabelle replied, coldly. Nathan scurried out of the room like a sneaky mouse and left Rick and Isabelle on their own. He didn’t want any part of this. Rick understood Isabelle’s refusal but couldn’t tolerate her cold shoulder any longer. “What’s with you, Izzy? You haven’t seen me in years and this is how you treat me? This is just petty,” he scolded her. Isabelle’s face lit up and a wave of anger crashed against her. “Petty?! You do not get to call me petty!” she yelled. “What you did all those years ago was unforgivable and yet you think that I’ll just forgive you and welcome you back like nothing happened? You’re pathetic. You think just because you had more than the average fifteen minutes of fame that everyone will just kiss your ass, but I’m not like that anymore and neither is the world! You’re too damn old to be acting like this and too stupid to actually see it yourself which is why you’re coming up to me and calling me petty even though, deep down, you know I’m right!” she rebuked, tears running down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes with her palms and began to walk out of the room. “What are you doing?” Rick asked. “Holding the door. This is the last of my patience for you. Get out, now.” Rick opened his mouth to object but lowered himself back down where reality was. He took the VHS box and took the walk of shame out the door. Isabelle didn’t say a word to him as he walked up the corridor to the front area. She walked across from 15 the VHS room to what he assumed to be her office door. She entered the room and slammed the door behind her. He lowered his head as he left the station. The sun was buried under the darkness and tiny sparks of stars when Rick made it outside. He found his car parked out across the street and placed the heavy box of VHS tapes on the passenger’s seat. He slid the key in the slot which brought the car to life, but he couldn’t feel bothered to move. His hands rested on top of the steering wheel and he started to sob. He knew that she was right about all of it. He knew that her anger was justified and his selfishness plagued their lives. He bashed his head against his resting hands, which landed on the car horn. The horn beeped twice and Rick perched his head back onto the seat. He didn’t know where to go from here, what to do or how to make amends, if he even could. Suddenly, his phone buzzed against his thigh where his pants pocket was located. He quickly searched for the phone and pressed the green button before the ringtone ceased. “Hello?” Rick answered, weakly. “Hello, Mr. Greenblatt. I’m a big fan of yours. Such a fan in fact, that I met one of your co-stars from The Red Raven the other day. Teddy Flowers,” an indistinguishable, monotone voice answered. Rick’s body warmed up with goosebumps rising on his arms and legs. “You’re the murderer,” Rick stated. “Correct, Mr. Greenblatt. However, murderer is such a strong word. I’m just a big fan who likes to express themselves differently,” the voice responded with a darkly joyful tone. Rick furrowed his eyebrows and gritted his teeth. “You’re no fan in my book, alright? You listen to me, the people at the station and I are going to find you and you’re going to rot for what you did,” he said, raising his voice. “Well, that meeting didn’t work out quite well, did it? Now, you listen to me, you drive back to your house and don’t hang up this phone or else your husband dies,” the voice demanded. Rick hesitantly responded, “What?” “Time is of the essence, Mr. Greenblatt,” the voice said. To be continued... �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Opinion 16 Letter to the Editor: Grubhub is effective and convenient By Class of English 101-M Contributing Writers Over the summer, Wilkes made the transition from Dining Sidekick to Grubhub. Grubhub is an established food ordering app with many userfriendly features. Some upperclassmen have exhibited resistance to change but adapting students will find a better dining experience. The switch to Grubhub has proven to be a positive change, as it is simple, effective and convenient to use. Grubhub has created a simpler network for students to buy food on the go. When entering the Grubhub app, these students will find the full menu with pictures of the desired items, creating a more simplistic experience while surfing through the app. Many may find the use of Grubhub as second nature due to it already being an established app across the U.S., whereas Dining Sidekick could prove to be more isolated to Wilkes students, making it harder for incoming freshmen to navigate. In addition to its established proficiency, Grubhub allows for better dining customization within the elements of the meal compared to its counterpart which did not. Moreover, Grubhub has made the dining experience more simplistic. Grubhub has been effective because it is quick and easy to use, especially when someone is in a hurry. Upon opening the app, everyone is greeted with the available restaurants and wait times. Each restaurant has pre-built orders that can be customized to one’s liking. Past orders can be reselected to speed up the process, showcasing Grubhub’s speed of use, which has saved many in a time crunch. Additionally, mobile ordering has streamlined the restaurant business by increasing efficiency and reducing errors regarding a customer’s order. There is no confusion between the cashier and the customer that is caused by verbal miscommunication. Grubhub offers convenient qualityof-life features that Dining Sidekick lacks. Grubhub’s interface has several useful features such as displaying the user’s campus card balance. Using this feature, students can see how much they can buy while they order instead of switching to another app. In addition, Grubhub provides an image and description of most of the menu items, which makes it easier for students to choose what to order. Grubhub also visually displays what place the user is in line, which keeps students updated on how long they may have to wait for their food. Furthermore, most students have used Grubhub before coming to Wilkes, so they are already familiar with the platform. The transition from Dining Sidekick to Grubhub is a significant change. However, the benefits provided are worth the switch. Grubhub only offers additional improvements and qualityof-life changes to the previously existing Dining Sidekick system. It’s simple, effective and convenient interface is the best way for busy college students to order food on the go without wasting their time in line, thus making the best of time management. Do you have strong opinions? Do you wish you had a platform to share them? Well, look no further than the Opinion section of the Beacon. Contact Sydney Allabaugh and get your opinions off your chest. sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Opinion 17 How indie studios are changing the animation industry By Shawn Carey Contributing Writer Animation is amazing. It offers us a truly special experience. I’ve always seen it as a true test of creativity. The amount of work that goes into a single project is astounding. Writers, artists, musicians and actors are usually all required for a single piece of work. No matter what creative field you work in, there’s a chance that it’s a necessary part of the animation process. We have been fortunate enough to be in a sort of animation renaissance as of recent. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” “Entergalactic,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and “Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse” are just a few of the impressive projects we have seen in the last few years. These projects received countless praise from both fans and critics alike. Animation is a long and challenging process, but in the end, it tends to be extremely rewarding. Creating a truly amazing and unique piece of animation requires time, money and talent, three things Hollywood executives have strong opinions on. Studio execs tend to carry this quantity over quality mindset when it comes to releasing products. This is mainly because releasing multiple cheap, easy to produce movies tends to be more successful than releasing a single expensive one. If there are two things animation is not, it’s cheap and easy. For example the average filming time for a drama series is two to five days. Meanwhile, the average time for an animated show is a full year. While multiple episodes are usually worked on at once, the team is much smaller and demands more time. Movies follow the same pattern. Most films take one to two years to complete production while animated movies take four years at the very least to finish. Let’s not forget the budget as well. Animation isn’t cheap, especially 2D and stop motion. It takes many skilled animators to make even the simplest scenes. The more expensive the project, the less of a chance it has to make back its cost and be successful. There’s a reason there has been an increase in remakes and sequels. They are simply known brands and have much better chances of making money. No matter how ingenious a concept is, it will always be second in the eyes of the studio. With all that being said, I would still say animation is in a pretty good state right now all things considered especially in terms of creativity. I mainly believe this to be true due to the rise of online indie projects. The internet has always welcomed animated content, whether that be the short and edgy flash cartoons of Newgrounds or the video game parodies of Youtube. The internet allows so many talented creatives to release whatever they want without a studio looming over them. Having grown up on online content, I can say that I have seen some truly fantastic projects that can only truly belong on the internet, which seems to be a way of thinking many share. For the longest time, most online animated content was done by extremely small teams. Honestly, that made a lot of sense as most videos would only go on for a few minutes. We wouldn’t see larger, studio-size teams until 2020. People had a lot of time on their hands due to the pandemic, and because of that, creatives got thinking. They could do so much more, work on larger projects if they were a part of a studio. “Spindlehorse,” “Glitch” and “Iron Circus” are the three biggest studios that formed. These studios were created by actual artists, so there’s a bit of a sense of understanding among them about deadlines and creative freedom, which is what I find to be the most impressive part. Some really cool and interesting projects have already been released. “Helluva Boss,” “Murder Drones,” “The Amazing Digital Circus” and “Lackadaisy’’ are just some of my personal favorites. What’s even better is that they’re all available for free on Youtube. While I don’t think this will ever become the status quo for animation, it’s great seeing what can be achieved through a common love of the art form. Graphic by Lara Mullen was when those with a platform were sharing information and videos about the unjust killing of George Floyd. Since those with audiences were keeping eyes on the situation and holding the officers involved accountable, perpetrators were tried and charged, and legislation followed to try to prevent another situation like this. Although social media activism can be effective, issues arise when a situation is more nuanced and requires further research. Celebrities and influencers are so concerned about getting their side out there quickly, they become less concerned about the merit or factual basis of their message. Reposting an Instagram story infographic without conducting further research is not just inadequate and superficial, but it can be harmful. This can be seen over the past few weeks regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Celebrities, influencers and regular people were quick to choose sides via an Instagram story repost, before quickly deleting them and choosing the other side, then retracting their statements another time and posting an infographic without considering the credibility of the information. Many fail to take the time to understand and develop a nuanced and fully developed opinion before speaking, which can have detrimental effects. As a result of careless statements and reposts, there has been a slew of misinformation, antisemitism and Islamophobia that likely would be lessened if those with audiences were more careful about their messaging and information they shared. This new age of democracy has turned many into self-proclaimed social media activists. Although this sounds positive in sentiment, it falls short when these people are only partially committed to issues, do not fact-check information or start talking over the minority groups. Not everyone is cut out to be an activist and not everybody should be expected to if they’re not willing to put in the necessary effort it requires to make adequate and effective messages. Sometimes the most meaningful and effective thing those with an audience can do is just stop, listen and amplify voices of those who are knowledgeable and committed instead of speaking over them. “I don’t know,” or “I do not have enough information to speak on this,” can be the most intelligent thing to say before blindly choosing a position and realizing it may be the wrong one when it is too late. More people are relying on social media for news and opinions, so it is more important than ever to be extra considerate and critical of messages shared, especially if you have a large platform. Many argue that silence is violence, but what may be even more harmful is careless misinformation and performance activism. Do your research before partaking in social media activism By Sydney Allabaugh Opinion Editor Social media has granted the opportunity for anyone, regardless of status or merit, to have a platform to share information and their opinions. The power to influence the masses comes with great responsibility, and it too frequently seems to be wielded carelessly. In a politically polarized nation in which individuals are presented with instantaneous updates on politics and world events, there are increasingly intense pressures for those with both small and large platforms to choose a side quickly and publicly on each new issue that arises. Audiences argue that a person with a platform has the responsibility to speak out on the issues that matter. I agree with this sentiment to a degree. Those with a platform should amplify stories and injustices that go overlooked. A great example of when this was effective �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Opinion A review of Travis Scott's fourth album, "UTOPIA" By Logan Colonna Contributing Writer “UTOPIA” marks Travis Scott’s return into the music world as it’s his fourth studio album, following the successful release of “ASTROWORLD.” Travis had to really pump out a great album here after the 2021 incident at his Astroworld Festival. The project clocks in at roughly 75 minutes, making it his second-longest album. It also shares features with the likes of Drake, The Weeknd and SZA. “HYAENA” starts off the album energetic as ever. The drum patterns, bass and other assortments of instruments are in full effect. On top of the overproduction of the track, Travis is back again with his amazing delivery and flow. While he’s not known for being the most lyrical rapper by any standards, he still makes this track enjoyable for the average listener. One of my favorite features on the album is by Teezo Touchdown on “MODERN JAM.” He’s been making a name for himself as of lately, and this performance from him doesn’t disappoint. Travis is having so much fun on this track as his usual autotune is being used here. To pair up with this, we have Teezo’s verse that is very reminiscent of David Bowie or Freddie Mercury’s soundscape with his vocals. This song is one of the best that “UTOPIA” has to offer. “GOD’S COUNTRY” is a leftover from Kanye West’s “Donda” that was given to Travis for this project. The influence from Mr. West is strong here from the entrancing instrumental to some vocal effects, like Travis’s screams, as they sound eerily similar to Kanye. The track as a whole is a great addition to the tracklist. “MELTDOWN” gives the listener another collaboration between Travis and Drake. The song had big shoes to fill since their last outing together, “SICKO MODE.” This track does everything right, from Drake’s verse, Travis’s verse, and even the chorus is flawless. Drake offers one of his best verses of the 2020s so far. The second half of the song has a beat switch and has Drake and Travis going back and forth for a bit, before going fully into Travis’s verse. All artists’ performances here are amazing, making this one of the greats on the album. My favorite track on the album is “I KNOW?” with good reason. The content of the track is Travis’s life as of now with drugs and alcohol tainting it every second of the day. With this, we get the realest he’s ever been. With his raw vocal and no autotune, we hear the extent. Travis’s verse is decent but not anything to be in awe over. The 21 Savage verse here is great, but it isn’t enough to save the rest of the performances here. The worst part of this song is the chorus. It’s just annoying as Travis stretches the syllables in the words within the chorus, which irritates me. On top of that, it’s just repetitive. I often see myself skipping past “CIRCUS MAXIMUS” because it lacks personality. Every other collaboration fact that he’s reflecting on himself. The instrumentation is excellent as well. While it’s as simple as some effects being thrown around over a piano beat, I love it so much. The track brings together everything great about Travis, cementing it as the best on the project. We get one of the few lowlights of the album with “TOPIA TWINS.” Everything about this song is just decent at best. I’m not the biggest fan of the Rob49 verse here at all. People just know him for sounding similar to NBA Youngboy, who I also dislike to a certain between Travis and The Weeknd is excellent. However, this record just doesn’t seem to have both artists giving it their all. The instrumental is spacey which I thought I’d like, but with the subpar verses, it made the song worse. A major highlight of the album is “SKITZO.” It offers several beats, all of which are fantastic. Travis’s performance starts off at great but slowly starts to ramp up as the beats switch. Young Thug, a common collaborator of Travis, keeps up with Travis here well. I’m not blown away by his performance, but it 18 doesn’t take away from the track. The last verse of the song is my favorite by far. The sample used here, on top of the instrumental, is perfection. It wraps up the whole song excellently. Yet another highlight is heard with “LOST FOREVER.” James Blake is credited on the track but adds little to the overall track besides a short intro and a sample cut used throughout the song. Travis has a great verse per usual. Westside Gunn steps into the scene and blows me away. The beat turns twisted as he begins, making it seem like a complete dystopia. His weird rapping style scratches an itch in my brain. With this, his adlibs, flow and delivery of all of this, he gives us one of the best verses on the project. “LOOOVE” is yet another one of my favorites. The instrumental is as fun as ever. Kid Cudi takes the cake here as the beat matches his style used here so well. I love the chorus and refrain from Travis. While it is repeated a lot here, it’s fine because it’s simply so good. You can just tell that both rappers had so much fun on this track, which I appreciate a lot. Possibly the best outro track on a Travis Scott album is here with “TIL FURTHER NOTICE.” James Blake’s voice conveys so many emotions of sadness here and gave me goosebumps during my first listens of the song. Travis’s and 21 Savage’s verses are fantastic as they rap over the beautiful instrumental sent in by none other than Metro Boomin. Metro showed me why he’s the best hip-hop producer as of right now. The record is used as a way of telling the listener “until further notice” of new music from Scott. After all is said and done, this is Travis Scott’s best work to date. It may be recency bias speaking, but I believe it’ll stand the test of time. While there are some lowlights seen on the tracklist, they’re still great at least. The positives absolutely outweigh the negatives. Between the production, performances from the artists and the flow of the overall album, we have an amazing album in front of us. Graphic by Lara Mullen �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Sports Sports 19 Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: Adam.grundt@wilkes.edu Women’s ice hockey set to begin season By Ava Tureen Contributing Writer The women’s ice hockey team is off to a solid start after winning its first two preseason games. The team carried its momentum into regular season place on Oct. 27 and 28. Wilkes beat Hockey Training Institute with a score of 6-3 and then followed up that game with a 9-0 shutout against rival King’s College. The team then went on to win its regular season games against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, with scores of 6-0 and 6-1. First year player Milica Veleck is excited to get the season started. “Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts …(has) never played in this division before. I think we will play well because our team and Coaches have experience in this division. We work great as a team and we are ready to play a great game!” Although the season is just getting started, some folks were quick to point out some potential standouts for the season. Audrey Milne, #47, is a goaltender. This is her first season as a Colonel, but she was quick to comment on the team’s strong bond. Defenseman Allie Spencer, #3, is another first-year player. She has been named by the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) as one of their 20232024 players to watch. Other players to watch include, #4 Abigail Barcles, from Hamilton, New Jersey. Barcles is a defender and a graduate student. During the 2022-2023 season she received an all - UCHU honorable mention. Bella Kaczorowski, a junior from Anchorage, Alaska, plays forward and set the Wilkes single-season record: nine goals and 14 points (last season). Finally, Rachel Morey, is a senior from Buffalo, Wyoming. Morey is one of the three captains this year and has 22 career points. She also holds a record of 618 career face-off wins. Coach David Labaff is excited to see what this season brings for the team. “This year’s squad brings its own distinctive characteristics when compared to last season’s roster,” Labaff said. “Every year is a new canvas filled with unique challenges and opportunities. One significant change is the infusion of 14 fresh faces, boosting our roster size. “Every player brings their unique set of skills and strengths, and we’ve got individuals who understand their roles and are committed to daily improvement. The hope is that this depth will serve us well throughout the season.” Labaff was reluctant to name his own players “to watch,” but is excited to see what his team member can do this season. “…(T)here are certainly individuals who are showing the potential to make a significant impact. It’s not solely about individual performance; it’s about how players mesh within our team dynamics and contribute positively to the collective Photo credit to Wilkes University Athletics effort. of skills and strengths, and we’ve got “Every player on our roster understands individuals who understand their roles that you can’t shine on the ice as an and are committed to daily improvement. individual without the other 26 players The hope is that this depth will serve us on our team. Last season they played 28 well throughout the season.” games including two exhibition games, This season also sees 13 players return and they lost 85% of those games.” to play. Labaff continued to state that each year “We’re certainly feeling the excitement brings a new team with its own “unique for the upcoming year,” Labaff explained. challenges and opportunities.” This year, “But our approach remains unwavering – the team has 14 new players. Nine of taking it one day at a time, delivering our whom are international students. absolute best every time we step onto the “We have a lot of international talent, ice as we continuously strive to raise our and our team plays as a unit and not standards. as individuals,” said Rissa Brazeneau “In the UCHC, success isn’t handed (forward), from Timmins, Ontario. “I out freely; it’s earned through relentless enjoy the environment and it’s been a hard work and unwavering dedication. good transition.” Our commitment to achieving our shared Lily Zingaro is also a first-year student objectives as a team is resolute, and we’ll from (Collingwood) Ontario. Zingaro spare no effort in our relentless pursuit of agrees that the team is very close knit and excellence.” has “a lot of deep-rooted talent.” For more information on the women’s Labaff agrees. ice hockey program, visit gowilkesu.com. “Every player brings their unique set �The Beacon - October 2, 2023 Sports 20 Mixed thoughts on switch to the Landmark Conference By Adam Grundt Asst. Sports Editor In December of 2022, Wilkes University was invited to leave the MiddleAtlantic Conference and join the Landmark Conference. According to its website, he Landmark Conference was formed in 2005 and competitions began 2007. The conference “recognizes, as paramount, the centrality of the academic mission at each institution, while embracing the idea that athletics competition is an important component of the undergraduate experience.” After considerable discussion, Wilkes accepted the invitation, thus ending the 75-year relationship the university had with their former athletic conference. The Colonels began competing in the Landmark Conference at the beginning of the 2023 fall sports season. The teams have been finding success throughout the first two months of the seasons, but there are mixed opinions on the university joining this conference after a lengthy tenure as members of the MAC. Wilkes joined the Landmark Conference along with Lycoming College, making the two schools the ninth and tenth members of the conference. Other members of the conference include 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.; Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.; and the University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa. “We get to play new teams in a more competitive conference,” sophomore football player Ben Contella said. “There are more opportunities for us to play in the postseason and compete in the NCAA Division III playoffs.” As members of the MAC, the Colonels were able to compete against a few schools within 10 miles of campus. With Wilkes departing the MAC, they no longer get to compete in the same conference as schools such as rival King’s College and Misericordia University. Although the schools may still meet in exhibition matches, the ability to compete against schools within an extremely close proximity is lost. “I like the switch to the Landmark,” said Devin Markert, a sophomore on the Wilkes University baseball team. “We get to travel farther and see new places, but we won’t be able to compete against teams like King’s and Misericordia in conference play anymore, something I really enjoyed being a part of.” Although the switch to the conference provides new opportunities for Wilkes athletes, some miss being a part of the Middle Atlantic Conference. “Honestly, I miss the MAC,” said Abby Kuppinger, senior member of the cross-country team. “I think the Landmark is better competition and I like it from that perspective. But I miss racing against King’s because we are rivals and it was always fun to race against them.” Currently, the Wilkes University Colonels sports teams are finding some successes in the new conference. The football team holds a conference record of 3-1 as of Oct. 27, with an upcoming game against Catholic University of America on Nov. 4. The field hockey team recently clinched the No. 6 seed in the Landmark Conference playoffs with a 1-0 win against Drew University on Oct. 25. They are scheduled to face off against the No. 3 seed, the University of Scranton, on Oct. 28. For more information on all 23 of Wilkes’ collegiate sports teams, please visit gowilkesu.com. The Beacon is looking for sports writers for the Spring 2024 semester If you are interested in sports writing, editing, photography or graphics contact Adam Grundt at adam.grundt@wilkes.edu �The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Sports 21 Wilkes dance team now recognized as a sport By Samantha Mullen Sports Assistant Edior Dance has been celebrated as an art form where individuals can express themselves, tell stories, and bring cultures to life. At the start of the year, Wilkes Athletics recognized the Wilkes dance team as a sport. The team has become an integral part of the campus culture while performing during sporting events, pep rallies and other functions. Dance teams have long struggled to be viewed as a sport, despite the athleticism and discipline required. Though dance teams cannot officially be recognized as an NCAA sport, the university has given them a spot as an athletic team. The official recognition of the dance team as a sport has brought numerous benefits to the team and the university. Junior Morgan Andretta, a pharmacy major, said that being recognized as a sport has led the team to “make routines that are enjoyable for the audience.” Additionally, it helps her and her teammates to push themselves harder in practice. Senior captain Carolyn Purdy, a psychology major, said she sees “a bright future for the team and with this continued trajectory for the team.” Purdy also stated that she and Jeanne Rabel, the team’s adviser, “got the ball rolling to be recognized on the athletics website last year”. Rabel also works at the university as an advising coordinator in the University College. Purdy said that the move by Wilkes acknowledges the training and dedication the members have -- just as other athletes do. The recognition is not just a milestone for the team, but a celebration of diversity within the athletic department. This achievement allows for the team to be highlighted on the Wilkes athletic page and include a full team roster. In the next coming years, members hope to continue to push boundaries within their routines. Adding more challenging movement to their jazz, pom, and hip hop will definitely bring attention to their hard work and dedication. The dance team will perform at halftime during the Nov. 4 football game. Their first basketball performance will be on Nov. 9. This year's captains include Purdy, Amanda Merrick-Topkins, Katherine Ecker and Mya Corcoran The dance team posts some of their performances and highlight plays on their Instagram @wilkesdanceteam. Dance team members are, first row, from left, Amelia Merrick-Tompkins, earlychildhood education; Carolyn Purdy, psychology; Katie Ecker, nursing; and Maya Corcoran, English. Second row, Zoë Morley, biology; Morgan Rich, communication studies; Amelia Smicherko, biology; Lauren Stokes, digital design and media arts; and Jennifer Zemetro, pre-pharmacy. Third row, Jessica Rushton, political science and history; Bethany Yaskus, neuroscience; Emily Makaravege, digital design and media arts and Morgan Andretta, pharmacy. �The Beacon November 2, 2023 Sports 22 Athlete of the Week Cole Jungwirth Junior, Golf The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Jungwirth shot his season low score of +7 at the Landmark Conference Fall Preview which was enough to get him 7th overall in the tournament. Major: Corporate Finance Hometown: Bloomington, Minn. High School: Thomas Jefferson What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Winning MAC Rookie of the Year for golf my freshman year. What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Minnesota Wild What is your favorite post-game meal? Angelo’s sweet sauce How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? Appreciative and proud. The work and dedication that the team and I have put in and will not on translate to match success, but to life as well. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Completing my assignments and papers three weeks early for my professors. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? The camraderie and culture that we get to experience and live by every day. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? Miracle The Beacon/Sam Mullen Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s staff 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." If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Pickleball Compiled by Adam Grundt, Sports Editor and Morgan Rich, Editor-In-Chief �Sports The Beacon - November 2, 2023 Athlete of the Week 23 Kellie Scott Junior, Field Hockey Midfielder The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week In a road conference match aganst Lycoming College, Scott scored the two goals in the game on two shots leading the Colonels to a 2-0 Landmark Conference victory. In retrospect, this performance propelled the Colonels into the 6th seed allowing them to clinch a playoff spot. Major: Communication Studies and Psychology Hometown: Northport, Maine High School: Kents Hill What had been your favorite sports memory from your time as a Colonel? Clinching a playoff spot in the Landmark Conference for sure. Our whole motto this season has been to "do hard work well" What is your favorite professional sports team (any sport)? Philadelphia Eagles or Boston Bruins. What is your favorite thing to do away from sports? Watching a good crime documentary or movie in my bed with some good snacks or comfort food. What is your favorite part of being an athlete at Wilkes? Definitely the grittiness of it. The hard work, dedication and overall sense of community that Wilkes athletes bring to campus is unmatched. What sports movie is your go-to for movie night? Creed 2. If you did not play your current sport, what sport would you have wanted to play? Definitely something like cross country or track. Something with running. What has been your favorite sports memory overall? I think this year as a whole. It has been filled with so many great memories. From our wins, losses. practices, or even conversations. All of it has made my experience at Wilkes memorable. What is your favorite post-game meal? Mac and cheese, dinosaur nuggets, and a chocolate chip cookie. How do you feel about being selected as the Athlete of the Week? I feel honored. The field hockey team has worked hard to make a new name for ourselves. We are the embodiment of the new era of WIlkes field hockey. I feel honored to be under a new program, with a new coach, with a new team to help pave the way for future Colonels. Compiled by Adam Grundt, Asst. Sports Editor The Beacon//Adam Grundt 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 - November 2, 2023 23 � 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. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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, 2023 November 2 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Wilkes University retains copyright of this publication.