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Volume XXIII, Issue 8

February 22, 2017

penmenpress@snhu.edu

Manchester, NH

SNHU STUDENTS EXPLORE THE CURRIER Wyndee Man Photography Editor

February 22, 2017: Walking the Dog Day

News | Front & 3-5

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What's Inside:

SNHU’s Media and Design Club organized a trip to visit the Currier Museum of Art in downtown Manchester on Wednesday, February 1. The school vans left from the Student Center at 2 p.m. and the trip lasted about one hour. Students had free access to the museum and were able to walk around to browse the different artworks. The Currier is two floors high with a bottom floor that is used for a cafe and a library. Generally, it includes art pieces classified by Modern Art, European Art, Decorative Art, Contemporary Art, New Hampshire Art & Artists and American Art. Willing to explore the American culture and art, a financial student in the SNHU graduate program, Shan-Hu Chen, participated in this museum trip because she likes fancy art and paintings. She did not want to miss the opportunity to see how the American painting technique and style varied from the Asian style. “The works are gorgeous and awesome! I am not profes-

Museum goer concentrates in front of a wall of paintings on the second floor of the Currier. the club, stated that it is their first time organizing a trip to visit the Currier, which is the closest museum to campus and is convenient for SNHU students. ”I took many pictures along the tour. As a senior student majoring in graphic design, I

sional at art, but the explanation makes me learn a lot,” Chen continued, “Sometimes I didn’t understand expression of them (some avant-garde pieces), but it is totally worthy (to go), I’m satisfied with the experience.” Senior Austin Arnold, the Trip and Event Coordinator of

think such a museum trip is very helpful for getting idea and inspiration for the design project,” Arnold said. The school will offer another trip in the fall semester and plan to keep this trip as an option for students at least once a semester.

Drag Show serves laughs and sass Nicole Kenney Copy Editor

Health and Wellness | 11 Sports | 12

"John Wick 2" Review | Page 9

Rome Review | Page 10 Men's Hockey Season | Page 12

John "Velvet" Chapman-Frauwirth delights the audience.

SNHU’s Generation Equality (GE) held their third annual Lip Sync Drag Show on Saturday, February 11 at the Last Chapter Pub. The show was held from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., during which students were encouraged to help themselves to a taco bar, free Valentine’s Day themed candy and refreshments. This event was co-sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the President’s Commission for LGBTQ Advocacy. Host and drag queen Velvet kicked off the night with a dazzling performance of “This Joy” by Vernessa Mitchell. Other performances included Lottie Labelle’s take on “Into The

Groove” by Madonna, Asa Akilla’s jaw-dropping rendition of “Greedy” by Ariana Grande, and much more. GE president and senior Aubrey Shimabukuro said, “The [Lip Sync Drag Show] is always a lot of fun. It’s a great event where everybody’s just welcoming and we open it up to the entire SNHU community.” “We’ve been doing this event for three years...it’s changed since [the beginning of GE], so we’ve decided to kind of morph it into our own thing,” said Shimabukuro. “Drag has always been a huge part of the LBGT community. It's a great way to celebrate LGBT history and to have fun... People always really enjoy coming,” said Shimabukuro.

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editorial

New proposal for SNHU Culinary

THE PENMEN PRESS STAFF 2016-2017

Students who had signed the Change.org petition to “Save SNHU Culinary” may have received an email update on February 18 with new information regarding Michael Evans’ proposal. After the open forum held with the SNHU Community, it appeared as though the goal would be to look into new ways to cut costs of the SNHU Culinary program while not eliminating it completely. Jon Talbot, creator of the petition, posted an update from Michael Evans that featured a brief letter of introduction to the SNHU Culinary students. I n addition to attaching a link to his own proposal, Michael Evans writes that the “the process going forward allows the Culinary faculty, the professional employees association, the Faculty Senate, and the Dean of the School of Business to give the President their own recommendations within the next three weeks” who will ultimately make the decision on March 10. The program proposal “recommend[s] that we teach out the current approach to Culinary and replace it with a new,

CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Rebecca LeBoeuf rebecca.leboeuf@snhu.edu CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Megan Palmer megan.palmer@snhu.edu MANAGING ASSISTANT Brendon DiBiasio brendon.dibiasio@snhu.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Jaime Mailloux jaime.mailloux@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Laurelann Easton laurelann.easton@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Nicole Kenney nicole.kenney@snhu.edu NEWS EDITOR Nicole Clark nicole.clark2@snhu.edu Cyan Magenta

OPINION EDITOR Bryan Creevy bryan.creevy@snhu.edu ARTS & Gabriel Carrio ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR gabriel.carrio@snhu.edu HEALTH & WELLNESS Lori Costa EDITOR lori.costa@snhu.edu

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PENMEN ABROAD EDITOR Kamila Ataee kamila.ataee@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Matthew Martin matthew.martin1@snhu.edu

two-year Associate’s Degree program in ‘Culinary and Baking Arts.’” The first year will feature general education and culinary skills courses, while the second year will enable students to hold paid, year-long internships while completing the remainder of their general education courses online. This proposal suggests many benefits to both culinary students and SNHU, stating for example that Culinary students will receive a more hands on education while also gaining more opportunities to build up their resumes and network. Additionally, the proposal claims that only will this new proposal make SNHU culinary students more marketable, it will lower the program’s cost, which was the initial problem to this situation. Students will not complete their second year on campus, as they will be in year long internships. This means the school is able to cut down costs through downsizing faculty and kitchen space. This proposal will also add some competition to SNHU’s culinary school. Students will

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get real world experience during college, in a professional industry for their associate’s degree and then have the option to continue to their bachelor’s degree in business, which is often paired with culinary anyway. “The new approach to Culinary should go beyond a new curriculum,” Evans said. “We should make the program more attractive and relevant by developing or strengthening corollary programming that will enhance the educational experience, offer networking opportunities, take advantage of our energetic alumni, and provide opportunities that will help students develop useful skills.” Taking the input, concern, and suggestions of the SNHU Community into mind during this time of change and transition has been a critical way to ensure that SNHU students have a say and impact on their university. Michael Evans has demonstrated a level of care and commitment to the students he serves, and we hope that the future of SNHU allows Culinary students to keep serving up the best.

DRAG SHOW SERVES LAUGHS AND SASS

LAYOUT EDITOR May Mullen maura.mullen@snhu.edu

Continued from page 1

Drag queen participant Lottie Labelle said, “It was such a great experience to perform in front of other SNHU students. I never really get the opportunity to do drag at school, so it’s great to have events like this that bring students together and promote freedom of expression.”

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Wyndee Man jingyin.wen@snhu.edu SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Katerina Wilhelmi katerina.wilhelmi@snhu.edu FACULTY ADVISER Jon Boroshok j.boroshok@snhu.edu

Labelle added, “[The Lip Sync Drag Show] is a good start for people looking to break out of their comfort zone in a fun way...it was especially comforting to have such an accepting and energetic audience.” The event drew in a full house of attendees. Among them was senior Emma

L’Heureux, who said, “I wasn’t really sure what to expect, since I had only seen drag in photos. It was definitely a fun experience and I would go again if I had a chance.” GE plans on continuing this tradition to showcase SNHU’s talented and passionate students.

The Southern New Hampshire University Penmen Press is a news publication produced by Southern New Hampshire University students and funded largely by the Student Government Association of the University. It is our responsibility to inform the SNHU community about events on and around campus. The Penmen Press will print any material found to be factual and in good taste by the editorial staff of the paper. The views published do not necessarily reflect the views of Southern New Hampshire University. The Penmen Press is published biweekly during the academic year and is printed by the Concord Monitor. To contact the newspaper, please e-mail us at penmenpress@snhu.edu.

Staff Writers | We are always looking for new staff writers and contributors to the Penmen Press! No interview or application for these positions necessary. If interested, please e-mail penmenpress@snhu.edu with your information!

Rachel Dougherty

We are looking to fill several editorial positions for the 2016-2017 academic school year. We would like to fill these positions ASAP in order to provide the proper training. Positions that are available for application and interviews are:

Caryssa Propfe, Mary Newton and Kaitlin Tetreault perform at the drag show.

News news

"sexy feast" relates food to sex Rebecca LeBoeuf Editor in Chief

bia tend to have lower teenage pregnancies and sexual assault rates. The office of Residence Life, the Student Government Association, the Coordinators of Activities and Programming Events (CAPE), the Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center, Generation Equality and the Office of Diversity Programs joined Wellness in the Hospitality Salons from 7-9 p.m. along with other attendees. “It’s not every day you find a good sex talk,“ CAPE Late Night Chair Justin Terlisner, junior, said. “He made a lot of funny analogies. It was entertaining and informative.” “I is for information,” Friedman said. “We don’t get enough information.” Friedman pointed out that there are plenty of resources on campuses to get more information on sexual education, including through Health Ser-

"trapped" Inspires Discussion

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Rachel Romeo Staff Writer The Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center at SNHU sponsored the film screening “Trapped” on Tuesday, February 7. The documentary was shown at 7 p.m. in the Women’s Center. Before the film screening, students were provided with various refreshments such as pizza, popcorn and soda to enjoy throughout the event. Along with the refreshments, students were encouraged to watch and reflect on the film. The documentary “Trapped” focuses on the continuous battle between clinical workers and the

national government. The film sheds light on the struggles facing abortion clinics as new legislation laws are passed. Some bills are intentionally designed to force existing clinics out of business with intensive regulations and impossible standards. Clinics all over the United States are forced to shut down, referring to the restrictive legislation as a trap to ensure business closure. Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws are passed not to ensure the safety of women, but to prevent them from seeing professional help. As politics and medicine continue to remain at odds,

women across the states are continuing to have abortions. The documentary stated that the bills will never eliminate abortions, but will instead eliminate the safety in which they are performed. After the screening, a discussion was held to share thoughts and reactions towards the film. Many SNHU students contributed to the conversation with their ideas on what can be done about the issue First year student Jasmine McFarlin not only attended the event, but also works in the Women’s Center. “The film uncovered the conflicts of abortion and the legislatures laws that are passed to restrict it,” said McFarlin. “It has become more of a debate of people’s rights rather than an issue of [health regulations].” The discussion allowed students to express concern and voice their opinions. “Everyone has a voice no matter what side you take a stand on. This is a safe place to talk about these things even if they are so conflict provoking,” McFarlin said. Whether Pro-Life or ProChoice, students at SNHU are encouraged to have a voice and be heard.

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Sex educator Jay Friedman came to SNHU to deliver an informative and interactive lecture on sex education. On Wednesday, February 15, the Wellness Center collaborated with six other clubs, organizations and offices on campus to bring truth to many misconceptions of sex that stem from poor sex education. Titled, “Sexy Feast: What Our Favorite Foods Teach Us About Sex,” Friedman named food for each letter of the alphabet and related it to sex. For example, ‘A is for apple.’ The common saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” can be associated with sex, according to Friedman. Women on birth control should remember to take their pills every day to prevent pregnancy. Another example is ‘D is

for donuts.’ Donuts are all different; they come in many types and flavors, “you can guess, but you can’t tell by looking,” Friedman said. People are the same way. Some people are heterosexual, others are bisexual, gay, asexual, etc. It’s hard to tell just by the way they look. “I think it’s a good way to be exposed to new ideas and to spark a conversation with friends and partners,” Assistant Director of Health Services Deborah Perkins said. Perkins organized this event. Friedman, who has 32 years of experience as a sex educator, believes the sex education in America, which is already poor in comparison to many other countries, especially those in Europe, will only get worse under the new administration. “Strongly I fear the clocks will go back on all of us,” Friedman said. Other countries that lack sexpho-

Jay Friedman posing with some of his visual aids. vices. The three lessons he wanted SNHU students to take away from his lecture were to advocate for sexual rights,

communicate about sex and to celebrate sex. For more information on Friedman’s lessons, visit his website, jaytalk. com.

Rachel Dembek Staff Writer

them or bad phone reception. In each room, there is a large monitor with a webcam that has Skype capability. This allows students to connect with employers via Skype for Business or Google Hangout. The interview rooms may also be used for mock interviews. Students can record themselves using the webcam and play it back to see their performance. Seeing video is the best way to improve interview skills because the video clearly shows what needs to change to prepare and be ready for the real thing. Some might ask, “What is the difference between these rooms and the library study rooms?” The interview rooms are more for business-related and professional development use; the study rooms in the library are mostly used for group projects and do not have webcams for Skype. To book one of these rooms, students can email the Career & Professional Development Center at careerdevelopment@snhu. edu Students can also call the Career & Professional Development Center (603) 645-9793.

Build interview skills

The Southern New Hampshire University Career & Professional Development Center in the Gustafson Center has many great features and resources for students. One of these is the new interview rooms. On-campus interviews are important for all SNHU students. These opportunities allow the student to interview with employers for internships and jobs right on campus. By having a central location on campus, it is easier for the employer because they can interview many students in a day. At the same time, students do not have to drive to the employer’s office, or even leave the campus. There are 12 on-campus interviews scheduled in the new rooms for this semester so far. Even if students do not get the job or internship offer, these interviews serve as a chance to network with recruiters and fine-tune interview skills. The new interview rooms provide a nice, quiet place to speak with employers. Students no longer have to worry about noisy roommates interrupting

COMPOUND INTEREST: TOOL OR WEAPON Amy Sumsion Staff Writer

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For some, compound interest may be a new term and a new concept. However, for students in college, it is crucial that this daunting term is understood. Simply put, compound interest is the additional amount of money that is added to an already existing balance. Compound interest can either work for or against students depending on whether they are borrowers or investors. According to Student Loan Hero, the average 2017 College Graduate will graduate with $37,172 in student loan debt. For these loans, interest will accrue and compound as time goes on, which makes the amount of debt increase even though payments are being made. Now, if a student is on a 10-year repayment plan for that amount with a 6.24 percent interest rate with a minimum monthly payment of $417.18, a total of $12,889.56 in interest will be paid towards the loan at the end of the 10-year repayment period. This means, in the end, $50,061.56 will be put towards student loans. While this may seem intimidating, there are ways to help reduce the amount of interest being paid. First, put money

Ebenezer Korankye

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toward the loan before the repayment begins. That money will be put directly towards the principal, which is the amount before interest is added. Also, when making a payment, paying more than the minimum due can help reduce the principal faster. Compound interest is not all bad and can actually be used to earn money as well. Opening up a savings or investment account with a high interest rate will allow for students to earn more money in the long run. It may seem early to start putting money into an investment account, but the earlier the better. Interest will start accumulating sooner and the investment will grow on its own. When people put money into a bank or an investment, the bank is using that money for various investments. So, in return for putting money into the account and keeping it there, banks will pay the account back with interest. The key with compound interest is time. The earlier people begin paying toward their debt or the earlier they start investing, the more money will have in the end. Compound interest can be utilized as a tool to earn more money or it can be a weapon that drains the account.

SNHU WOMEN DRESS IN HIJAB

SNHU women modeling in their hijabs to raise cultural awareness. Gehad Abdelkarim Staff Writer Ginny Fagan Staff Writer The Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center sent an open invitation to SNHU students to learn about hijabs, which are headscarves that some Muslim women wear, and then to participate in wearing one. This event took place on Thursday, February 2 from 7-9 p.m. in the Green Center and was co-sponsored with the International Students Association. The event was to celebrate World Hijab Day, which passed its fifth annual year the day prior to the event, on February 1.

“The event was an invitation for Muslims and nonMuslims to experience the feeling of wearing the hijab and get educated on the reasons why Muslims choose to wear it,” graduate student Youssira Akennad said. She said that wearing a hijab is a personal choice made by a woman. “I wear hijab because rather than distracting people by my appearance, their attention will go to my beautiful soul, heart and brain,” Akennad said. The attendees of the event listened intently to the explanation of why women and girls want to wear this kind of head cover and then were all eager to try wearing one themselves. The event organizers helped

BRAVING THE COLD, DEAD OR ALIVE

Troy Robinson Staff Writer Nick Klotz Staff Writer

AMC

Walking Dead fans flocked to The Last Chapter Pub on Sunday, February 12 for a special screening of season seven’s mid-season premiere. The event saw an impressive turnout that proved the popularity of the show with SNHU students. Student Involvement and SNHUmans vs. Zombies (SvZ) co-sponsored the event and provided students with free pizza. If that wasn’t enough to get students to brave the cold outside their dorm rooms, they also offered zombie-themed candy and gelatin made with brain-

shaped molds. Prior to the event SvZ hosted some festivities, helping students feel more “zombified” with undead face painting. “We’ve never worked with SNHUman’s vs Zombies before

and I thought this would be a perfect [event] to co-sponsor with them,” said Tom Balestracci, Assistant Director in the Office of Student Involvement. With the lights off and the Pub’s large projector screen lit up, it

was almost like getting a movie theater experience with a television show. The energy in the Pub was positive throughout the entirety of the event. The crowd audibly reacted at the revelations pre-

the group of people put the hijabs on and a conversation started about what they felt like and what they looked like. “In troubled times, it is up to us to spread awareness and stand up for all the cultures, even other than our own,” first year student Jasmine Mcfarin of the Women’s Center said. “The hijab is beautiful and empowering, and anyone who has ever said anything other than beautiful things about the hijab needs to be #woke.” At the end of the of the event, each attendee could take a hijab of their choice with them, and some of them even walked out wearing it. Junior Amy Mercedes said, “We stand with you. We love you. Do not be afraid.”

sented, and when the exciting and unbelievable happened. Everyone had their eyes glued to the screen. Joey Cote, a SNHU student, said, “So far it’s going okay, they’ll probably cut to a scene of Carol and we all know how that goes.” His thoughts on the series overall were relatively positive. The episode itself had a balance of action, death, gore and build up. “Sunday nights are hard to get students out of their dorms… I don’t see why we couldn’t do another one or other [shows] that are happening like Game of Thrones. I know that’s a big one students love,” said Balestracci. Balestracci expressed an interest in doing more events like this based on the night’s success.

News news

Students Crush the Game Jam

Resume Prep for Fair

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Wyndee Man Photography Editor

The annual Board Game Jam challenges participants to build a board game in 24 hours, and occurred from Friday, February 10 at 6 p.m. to the following evening. This event is geared not only towards game design majors, but to all those who have a passion for gaming. Hosted by members of the Game Design Cub and supervised by game design professor, Randall Case, five teams participated, creating a variety of games based on the theme “Sabotage.” “A Board Game Jam is a great way to get people developing games and designing them, without having the technical skills to make a video game,” senior James Cowin, the president of the Game Design Club said. The jam encompasses any participant of any major who is willing to try their hand at creating a game of their own. “The Board Game Jam allows those who aren’t familiar with video games to be able to hone in on things such as the mechanics of a video game and game dynamics while learning to create good board games, and then good video games,” Case said.

SNHU’s Career Development Center (CDC) organized the Resume Critique Night on Wednesday, February 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first floor of the Gustafson Center. Approximately 20 professionals including marketing managers and recruiters from different companies in the New England area were invited to help undergraduate students from all majors. Many students attended the event to have their resumes critiqued in their desired field or industry during a one-on-one 10-minute session with a professional. Preparing a resume can be difficult and students without experience may be unconfident about their first attempt. With resume critique sessions, students can get their resumes reviewed within a few hours with help from counsellors and industry professionals, so that they are fully prepared and confident about the resumes they are going to present. “I am working for the SNHU library information desk right now, but I also like to take this chance to seek for some

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Amber Khan Staff Writer

Xavier Christenses and Amanda Howlett with their game. “Developing a game can be more complicated than some think,” junior Kevin Bettis, a student in the game design major, said while competing in the Game Board Jam. “It is a journey, depending on the theme and the ideas.” Bettis’ assessment was accu-

rate, as the games created ranged from games of skill to games of improv. Bettis’ teammate, junior Alicia LeBlanc, said, “We improve every time we do a Game Jam.” The event's 24 hour run time allowed for many students to try their hand at game design.

other work,” said Caryssa Propfe, a junior majoring in early childhood education. Propfe came to the event because it is required for the SNHU-303 class she is taking. “It is very helpful to come tonight. I’ve talked to three people, and it is nice to sit down and network with them.” There will be a series of internship and career fairs beginning on Wednesday, February 18 for students from all majors to attend to find internships and job opportunities. Kansas Ferguson, a freshman who works for CDC said that the office wants to help students get prepared before the internship and career fairs. Apart from having the resume review, there are events such as Impressing Recruiters & Interview lecture and SNHU Professional Styling Event to help students pick up a professional outfit. They are organizing these events to help students be successful. The office offers a variety of services for students during their walk-in and by appointment hours. For more information and details, please check the Career Services website careeredge. snhu.edu

Black History Month Film Viewing Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Staff Writer The idea of Black History Month began in 1915, but it was not officially recognized until 1976 under President Gerald Ford. Since then, the month of February has been designated as the month for recognizing the achievements of the African American community as well as the impact African Americans have had on United States history. The Office of Diversity kicked off Black History Month by screening the historical drama, “The Birth of a Nation” in the Mara Auditorium on Wednesday, February 1. Popcorn and bever-

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ages were free for the taking. The film tells the story of Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher in the 19th century. Turner was called upon to preach to unruly slaves across the state. While doing so, he witnessed numerous atrocities, including the merciless beating of his wife. Angered by all he had seen, Turner united with other slaves and planned a large-scale rebellion against slave owners across Virginia. After two days of advancement, in which roughly sixty white men and women were killed, the rebellion was suppressed and Turner was hanged. The rebellion, which frightened many white Virginians, is considered to be the largest sus-

tained slave revolt in U.S. History. The event was hosted by Michael Reeves, director of Diversity Programs. “We really wanted to have a balance between current and past events,” said Reeves. “I think black history is American history, and it’s important to recognize the struggles that occurred.” The film was incredibly powerful and intense, as well as heartbreaking. It also did an excellent job of bringing awareness to a very unsettling time in American history. Actor Nate Parker, who portrayed Nat Turner, gave a very convincing and dramatic performance. Parker also served as the director of the film.

PENMEN PASSION news Tom BaleStracci: INvolved for life

Matt Montminy Contributing Writer

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Some professionals in their industries knew that they would be in their respective careers from the moment they entered university. Others ended up in their fields by accident, but now have zero intentions of leaving. One of those who didn’t know where he’d end up right away is Thomas Balestracci, the Assistant Director of Student Involvement at SNHU. Balestracci, 26, is in his second year at SNHU. He is closing in on completing his sixth year in the field. He has many tasks assigned in his role, to which he says “nothing is the same.” The office he works in mirrors this uniqueness with various posters hung, most of which feature his beloved Boston Red Sox, as well as papers spread everywhere over the desk. Balestracci’s primary roles include co-advising the Coordinators of Activities and Programming Events (CAPE), the university’s programming

board, supervising the campus design team and planning and executing events including the Fall and Spring Late Night Breakfast. In regards to why he loves his job, Balestracci said, “It’s the fact that I get to be with students. Talking and interacting with students is one of the reasons I want to be in student affairs for the rest of my life.” As an advisor to CAPE, Balestracci meets weekly with three of the organization’s seven executive board members. The Weekend, Late Night, and Weekday chairs all report bits of information, including the status of upcoming events and their annual budget. “Tom is an excellent advisor. I’m so happy that SNHU brought him on board,” junior Haley Mailloux said. Mailloux, the current vice president of CAPE, was one of Balestracci’s first advisees. Despite being in the professional world of student affairs for less than two years, Balestracci has received considerable recog-

nition for his work. At the 2016 National Association for Campus Activities Northeast regional conference held in Hartford, Connecticut, Balestracci was awarded the David A. Ross New Professional Award. Balestracci said of his recognition, “When the announcement was made, I couldn’t believe it. I was just barely eligible. All of my mentors and students came in to my head. I wouldn’t be getting the award without my students or mentors.” One week later, at the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Region 1 conference in Burlington, Vermont, Balestracci received two awards in the new professionals category. One, the N.H. Richard F. Stevens Outstanding New Professional Award, recognized him as the top student affairs professional in the state. The other, the Region 1 Richard F. Stevens Outstanding New Professional Award declared Balestracci as the best student affairs professional in all of Region 1 of NASPA. Region 1 includes

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Tom with his David A. Ross New Professional Award at NACA 2016

N.H., Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, six Canadian provinces, and twelve European countries; however, the award Balestracci received covers strictly the United States. Upon receiving both awards, Balestracci said that he felt the same emotion as when he received the Ross Award. When he started his undergraduate education at Eastern Connecticut State University (Eastern), Balestracci had absolutely no intentions of going in to student affairs. His field of study was sport management, and for the first year and a half, his only other involvement was as a runner on the track team. “I wanted to take that first year to see how college was and to see whether or not I could handle being a runner along with my coursework,” Balestracci said. The transition to the field of student affairs started in the second semester of Balestracci’s sophomore year. His then-girlfriend, now fiancé, convinced him to join the Eastern Campus Activity Board (CAB). Balestracci said he was hooked from that point forward. During his junior year, the year he made his decision to pursue a career in student affairs, Balestracci served in his first leadership role. As Communications and Media Coordinator for the CAB, he oversaw executing promotional operations within sub-committees of the organization. Balestracci had an annual budget of $8,000 and 50 general committee members with whom he used to accomplish his goals. One of the goals was to plan a big event for the campus community at Eastern. His members came up with the idea for Arcade Night. For this event, Balestracci had a slightly smaller member number: around 30 to 40, with Balestracci as the leader. The event consisted of a large banquet hall on campus filled with all types of arcade games and was the highest attended event during the semester. In total, 300 of the university’s 5,500 students attended. ”I am so proud of the students I worked with. I was a student with them but as their guide, I couldn’t have been more proud. It’s the same feeling I get when one of my CAPE advisees plans a successful event,” Bal-

estracci said. After graduating from Eastern, Balestracci jumped right in to graduate work. He attended the University of Rhode Island (URI) and pursued a master’s degree in college student personnel. Balestracci served in three graduate assistantships. His primary assistantship was in the Office of Student Involvement at URI. Some of his tasks assigned while he was in this role are very similar, if not identical, to his current profession. He was responsible for co-advising the Student Entertainment Committee, URI’s equivalent to CAPE. One task that differed from his work at SNHU was that of managing the Student Event Advising Office (SEA). Balestracci was tasked with helping fraternities and sororities with their events, something he does not do at SNHU. Also during his time at URI, Balestracci obtained facilities management skills. He learned to run the campus student center, Memorial Union. Of this role, Balestracci said the training was of the most help because most of the events he planned took place in Memorial Union. A proven valued member of the SNHU staff, Balestracci knows he has found his lifelong passion. “I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t working in student affairs. The students and staff are amazing,” Balestracci said. Eventually, he says that being a dean of students would be a dream, but would be difficult due to his overt positivity. “To be someone that has to be very strict about conduct is something that I am hesitant about. What makes me hesitant is that I am a naturally positive person,” Balestracci said. “Having fun is one of my favorite things.”

Do you know any SNHU staff or faculty that should be featured in a Penmen Passion piece? Email us at penmenpress@ snhu.edu!

OPINION news

all you need is love

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Saddle up because Valentine’s Day is in full swing. From flower shops to the local Walmart, there’s no denying that love is in the air. Okay, maybe it’s the smell of chocolate mixed with the sweat of someone who’s buying a lastminute gift. Regardless, it’s a time to celebrate. Valentine’s Day is the only day where it’s socially acceptable to be a Mondo weenie with the people you love. For those not in a relationship, there is no reason to avoid celebrating Valentine’s Day with your friends, your pets or even yourself. While some rampallians can’t wrap their minds around this so-called Hallmark holiday, there is no shame in going all out to give and receive love on February 14. Whether these feelings are expressed through a special night out, a homemade dinner or just grabbing bae’s holy grail order from Taco Bell, the perfect “I love you” can have many forms. Choose the one that vibes with your relationship for maximum brownie points.

It’s important to remember that Valentine’s Day is not exclusive to romance; any type of love can be celebrated. Pop in a bath bomb, crack open the tube of cookie dough and settle into a Netflix marathon. Let’s face it, everyone needs a big helping of self-love every now and then. For those unafraid to live loud and proud, take full advantage of the opportunity to go completely over the top on V-Day. For once, snarky lovehating mongrels can pipe down and lose the side-eye upon the sight of a couple out in daylight and enjoying each other’s company. There’s no shame in going completely ham with candies, decorations, love letters and those sweet Valentine memes. Nothing says I love you like a cut-out of Nicolas Cage’s face and comic sans text reading “Roses are red, violets are blue, u stole my heart, there is a map on the back, it leads to the treasure, u have 2 hours.” The point is that Valentine’s Day is a free pass for taking that dive by talking to that crush, doing something extravagant for your lover or downright treating yourself.

Gabriel Carrio A&E Editor

The Ugly Truth

Nicole Kenney Copy Editor

can't buy me love

Valentine’s Day is the one holiday I never look forward to in the year. Whether or not I’m single (I am) only plays a small part in that. Okay, maybe it plays a pretty big part, but whatever. Like most holidays, Valentine’s Day falls into that commercial trap of losing the original meaning behind the holiday, and gearing it towards sales and profit. Candy, flowers, cards, jewelry, petty things that would mean much more on literally any other day, the whole shebang. All of these things are shoved in our faces as soon as we enter any grocery or convenience store, the mall, all of it. It’s less about love, and entirely about spending. That’s a terrible message to send to people. Rather than spending the day with your significant other, doing things you both enjoy doing together and expressing your love for one another in sincere and heartfelt ways, people are encouraged to spend their money on trivial things that don’t mean anything on

Valentine’s Day. On any other day, it shows that you thought about your SO and wanted to give them something to show your affection and appreciation. On Valentine’s Day, you buy these things because “you’re supposed to.” I wonder how many people even know the origin of the holiday. St. Valentine was put to death for performing secret marriages between couples under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, who prohibited young men to be married (he thought bachelors made for better soldiers, rather than men who had wives to think about). But now it’s barely about the celebration of love and the freedom we have to do so. No, now it’s about how expensive that necklace is, how large that teddy bear is, or how sweet those chocolates are. I shake my head at the commercialism of holidays, regardless of its necessity. “Good for the economy,” blah blah blah. Whatever. I’ll just stay over here and be single. It’s not like I’d WANT to have someone I can lavish with gifts or anything anyway. Loneliness can be cool too.

transitional odyssey offers students new opportunities Thomas Cahalan Staff Writer

as the scourging homesickness fades away is one an individual gets to build on their own terms. Transitioning to SNHU can make reconstructing one’s life possible and give a student more control of the blueprints. Loneliness may pop up around the dark corner with the intention of a surprise attack, but an individual will be the one to decide if it wins. So, refuse to grant it the satisfaction. Advice to transfer students is to remember an old saying: Rome wasn't built in a day. It's normal to feel a sense of loneliness and homesickness; it means your previous destinations in life were ones of substance. Just make sure not to let your fondness of the past fog your vision of the present opportunity. Never give up fighting the good fight. Ramble on fellow transfers and embrace the odyssey!

Rebecca LeBoeuf

Life rarely ceases to surprise, and transitioning to SNHU is no exception to this rule. Preparation for this massive life change often involves a potent combination of surging excitement with neurotic nervousness. However, that's the beauty of it all. Before I came to SNHU I attended Norwalk Community College (NCC) back in Connecticut. While my old school provided stability hand-inhand with a familiar environment, it lacked an essential element: the ability to reconstruct one's life. I always dreamed of leaving my home state to forge my path somewhere else. NCC was great as a stepping stone, but I knew it would take another school to achieve my dream. Seeing how SNHU had

generous transfer credit policies (you only need 15 credits for the minimum) and was away from home, I knew it was the next stop on my odyssey. Granted, adjusting to a new environment isn't a complete walk in the park; homesickness has proven to be a worthy adversary. At the same time, it's opened a lot of doors. A resolve to conquer homesickness and put it in its place is what makes or breaks people in this process. "Staying active and realizing I'm here to further my education, and [that] this isn't forever, keeps it from getting to me," explained Jasmine Davis, a SNHU transfer student, who shared some light on how to beat homesickness. By investing oneself into involvement opportunities and academics, homesickness will slowly drift away. The world of the past may not be the current one, but the one unfolding on the horizon

arts andnews entertainment “Kill List” Is Seriously Messed Up But Seriously Good

Gabriel Carrio Arts &Entertainment Editor

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Addison Thyng Staff Writer “Soulslike” is a term that is being tossed around a lot lately. Ever since FROM SOFT-

two continue the job. At this point, the movie hits you with more and more disturbing imagery, and ramps up the creep factor of the plot, the characters, and everything else. Before my roommate and I even finished the movie, we agreed it was one of the scariest films we’d ever watched.

The sound design in the middle and towards the end paired with the horrific imagery made for some of the most unsettling cinema I’ve ever experienced. And it was incredible. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this movie for squeamish folks, or those who can’t handle truly unsettling imag-

ery based in reality. The ending will leave viewers unhappy and uncomfortable, but that makes it so much better. “ Kill List” is a shocker, and pulls no punches. It’s truly scary and memorable. It’s not on Netflix, so you’ll have to do some work to watch it, but it’s worth it. 9/10

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A little while ago my roommate and I decided to watch a movie. On a whim, we found a movie we knew nothing about, read the basic plot summary, and went from there. No trailers, no reviews, just the basic idea. What we got was a film that blew us away, and left us feeling severely uncomfortable. Directed by Ben Wheatley, “Kill List” is a British psychological horror film about two experienced hit men undertaking their final job. The film is roughly 90 minutes long, and goes from 0-100 halfway through. The film begins with Jay (Neil Maskell) arguing with his wife (MyAnna Buring) while their son listens from the other room. Things get very heated very quickly, and we already see that Jay isn’t completely stable. The film goes on, and Gal (Michael Smiley), Jay’s partner and best friend, shows up with a date for a dinner gathering hosted by Jay and his wife.

Things happen, and eventually we’re shown Jay and Gal talking about the job they’re about to do, then a flashback of them meeting with The Client (Struan Rodger). Jay, but not Gal, signs their contract in blood at the request of The Client. The film then follows Jay and Gal as they take out three targets: The Priest, The Librarian, and The MP. With each target, a sinister, deeper plot is suggested at. Each target has something linking them to one another, and it’s ludicrously unsettling. In fact, about halfway through the movie (when we meet The Librarian), I had shivers running through my body at the discovery of The Librarian’s obscene archive. Jay and Gal successfully take out The Priest and Librarian, but are too disturbed by what’s going on to pursue The MP (spoilers, but it’s frightening and definitely surprising). They meet with The Client to try and terminate their contract early, and subsequently have their lives and the lives of their families threatened. Left with no choice, the

“Nioh” - Dying Has Never Felt So Good WARE’s “Dark Souls” stormed the gaming world and revitalized the hardcore genre of games and brought it into mainstream gaming, many games have tried to recreate its

formula and its success. “Nioh” is the most recent of those attempts, and hopes to take what was great about the “Souls” series and give it its own identity. Luckily for “Nioh,” it

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adapts the formula well and is just as fun to play. “Nioh” is an interesting game to say the least. Originally announced in 2006 for the Playstation 3, it faced a development period of over ten years, making it even more surprising that its weird and quirky elements came together so well. The combat is straight from the “Souls series,” with a third person camera and the player relying on good timing with blocking and dodging to defeat extremely large and difficult bosses. “Nioh,” however, introduces a “stance” system, which switches between fighting styles to focus on speed, power, and a balance between the two. The combat itself is more fast paced as well, likening it to what was seen in “Bloodborne” rather than “Dark Souls.” The most unique aspect is “Nioh’s” presentation. While “Dark Souls” had a medieval verging on gothic setting and “Bloodborne’ was set in the

Victorian 1800s, “Nioh” goes back to 1600 fictional Japan and follows the story of real British explorer William Adams. This leads to samurai, ninja and a world full of Japanese lore and quirks. One moment you’re fighting a giant flaming wheel with two faces and the next you’re speaking to your talking spirit cat about it. “Nioh” also focuses more on story, providing full text and cut-scenes between each mission, which had me more invested in the narrative as a whole. “Nioh” is an excellent game. Its combat is simple yet deep, has an interesting narrative and is extremely hard but never feels unfair for the most part. The Japanese aesthetic is very welcome and the faster combat feels more fun in my opinion. I highly recommend “Nioh” to fans of Japanese mythology, the Souls series, or those who want a difficult, but fun, experience. 9/10

arts andnews entertainment

Party Around the World with Mario Party 2

“Constellations” feels like Stargazing

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Gabriel Carrio Arts & Entertainment Editor

“Mario Party 2” is available now on the Wii U eShop. This title, despite being older, falls in line with many modern design principles. It combines the conventional nature of a modern party game with the wacky antics of a Mario title. Slap in some of that randomness that everyone loves and you have a true friendship-ruining competitive and collaborative experience. Each board is thematic, with characters costumed in relevance to the board. There’s Western Land, the spaghetti western train track board. Then there’s Pirate Land, a treacherous island lined with ships waiting to shoot you. There’s Space Land, in which tractor beams and space patrol are the main operating conflict. Mystery Land is home to conspiracy and research, as ancient artifacts fill the land. Finally, Horror Land combines frightening scenery with witchcraft and wizardry to make the culminating board. The primary mechanics of “Mario Party 2” revolve around rolling a die to move

A few months ago, future bass artist Grant Bowtie (signed to the indie electronic label Monstercat) went through a rebirth, and changed his name to simply “Grant.” A lot of Grant Bowtie’s music was upbeat, very feel good, and incredibly easy to bob your head to. Grant, on the other hand, makes a lot more emotionally complex music. Grant’s first track under his new alias was “Wake Up,” an incredible melodic future bass song with Jessi Mason providing vocals. As good as that song was, though, it doesn’t even touch “Constellations” in terms of quality. “Constellations” is Grant’s second release under the MCat label, and his third under his new alias. The song is future bass, Grant’s (and Bowtie’s) specialty, but it goes beyond that genre. It reaches deep into the hearts and minds of listeners to elicit nostalgic memories of spending time with someone you love, looking up at the night sky and watching the stars rotate ever so slowly against the blackness of space. Obviously, someone who hasn’t experienced that (or something like it) won’t fully click with this song, but I defi-

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on a board map, earning coins through minigames, and purchasing stars. The minigames focus on numerous different mechanics, from intense button mashing to rapid platforming, players will see nonstop homage to the play style of Mario in a way that almost creates a genre of its own. Unfortunately, unlike most installments of the series, “Mario Party 2” fails to innovate. It recycles most of the elements of the first game, including numerous minigames. Despite a very charming

aesthetic, this game falls short mechanically, and due to the repetitive nature of the boards it lacks the same replay value as other games in the series. While it may not be the best in the series, “Mario Party 2” is one of the most easily accessible games to owners of modern platforms, and certainly strays away from the more dumbed down mechanics of recent titles in the franchise. Owners of Wii U consoles looking for a fun party game to play with friends and family should consider giving “Mario Party 2” a try.

nitely did. The wubby (there’s really no other word to use here) synths are still head bob-able, but the depth of their pitch and frequency of their wubs trigger more than just dancing in the listener. They make the listener think, remember, and love. The melody walks a blurred line between upbeat and melancholic, reinforcing the nostalgic feel the song evokes. Jessi Mason provides the vocals once again. Her voice is lower, almost husky in this track, unlike “Wake Up.” Her lyrics reflect on that feeling of looking up at the sky with someone, and takes it in a direction of bringing in someone new to look with. Remembering the past, but optimistically going towards the future. “Why don’t we collide like stars and constellations?” Grant seems to be hitting a stride under his new name, and if he continues to collaborate with Jessi Mason, one can bet that the music he releases will increase in quality with each new track. I’m looking forward to seeing what other emotions Grant can make me feel from a four-minute song. Grant’s “Constellations” can be streamed on Spotify and YouTube. Give it a listen if you’re looking for a dose of melodic future bass and a slap in the face of feels.

The Boogeyman is Back: "John Wick: Chapter 2" Review Nick Klotz Staff Writer

sic, “Chapter 2” quiets down and takes a breather now and again to allow the story to progress. The sequel explores one of the most interesting pieces of the original’s lore: the seedy underground world of assassins and hitmen. This can be where the film often falters, as the scope of the world comes across as silly and unbelievable in the film’s third act. At no time was I really ever concerned for Wick’s safety either. Whenever he got into a fight I knew that he’d win, because the lore told me so. Wick is just the best at what he does. Period. In a way, the filmmakers made an effort to address this criticism. Wick’s motivation in the first film was purely emotional. In this one, the stakes are

not so much Wick’s life as they are his honor and place in his world. But as a result, the story of this one is all around weaker. Wick isn’t fighting because he’s driven to, but because he’s being

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In 2014, “John Wick” came as a defibrillator shock to the action movie genre. It managed to feel fresh and exciting by subverting many of the tropes of the genre that had, at that point, become stale. The much-welcome sequel, “John Wick: Chapter Two,” has arrived to deliver more of what was so loved about the first one. Keanu Reeves plays the titular character yet again. Wick is a former hitman, forced back into action after the untimely death of his wife. He’s a man whose past is shrouded in mystery. What made the first movie so good was the way it handled the setup. Where most filmmakers would spend large amounts of time with flashbacks and ex-

position to deliver the story, these movies barrel down the track like there’s a jet engine strapped to them. The audience is expected to keep up. This leaves plenty of time for the good stuff: the action. And “Chapter 2”has plenty of it. Director Chad Stahelski knows how a good action scene works. This film is filled with exciting moments where great set pieces meet masterful stunt work to create something downright musical. The love for the craft is evident in the carefully placed eye the camera gives you, allowing you to see clearly every time Reeves is punched, kicked, or even slammed with a car. And that is Reeves you’re seeing. He handled the vast majority of his own stunts. Like any great piece of mu-

forced to. Fans of the first film are in for a treat with this one. It delivers more grade-A, adrenaline pumping action and builds upon the first in a meaningful way. 7/10

penmen abroad The birthplace of the Renaissance

Kamila Ataee Penmen Abroad Editor

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Kamila Ataee Penmen Abroad Editor

necting Culture Program, where families will “adopt” these students through the university’s “Family Club.” This program allows them to become fully engaged in the culture of their temporary

The view of the city of Florence, Italy.

Home away from home in rome

Location wise, AUR sits neatly upon Gianicolo (Janiculum) Hill, offering beautiful views of the historic city of Rome. It is a few steps away from Trastevere, a neighborhood popular among international students for its good restaurants and night lives. “Rome feels like my home away from home,” said Fiducia. “From the cobble-stoned streets to the charming open air markets, you just cannot find anything like that in the U.S.” This university is a smaller school than SNHU with 500 undergraduate students in 2016, including 250 study abroad students. “AUR is like a normal college. I have tons of homework to do, projects to present,” said Fiducia. “I really experience the knowledge first hand and that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.” AUR delivers programs in Archeology and Classics, Art Management, Art History, Business Administration, Food Studies, Intensive English Studies, Communication, Italian Studies and many more. At AUR, students will have

the opportunity to experience Roman culture. The school is a diverse community where students represents more than 40 nations.

SNHU students who studied abroad encourage their fellows to at least spend a semester in one of the 13 host countries. “If I didn’t study

homes. “People were always welcoming and cared to listen to my story of what I was doing in Florence,” said Johnson. FAU also emphasizes experiential learning through cultural integration projects that connect classroom learning with the city and community itself. FUA will be a good choice for students in Culinary Management, Fashion Merchandising Management, Hospitality, marketing and Sport Management degree programs. All of these programs, except Culinary Management are for Degree in Three (Di3) students. Both students and Office of Study Abroad encourage students to study abroad in order to experience different cultures, traditions and lifestyles. “I think that studying abroad should be on the top of every college student’s “to-do-list.” It is an incredible experience,” said Johnson.

abroad, I wouldn’t have met my best friend, Dina. Everyone who has the chance should study abroad,” said senior Gabby Perry.

Kathryn Fiducia

Rome or Roma is Italy’s capital. It is a cosmopolitan city with almost 3,000 years of globally influential art, culture and architecture. Some of the historical and touristic destinations of Rome are Rome Forum, Colosseum, Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, The Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain where people throw a coin to assure their return to Rome. “When you’re living in the same city as the things you’re learning about, the education you are receiving is like no other,” said sophomore Kathryn Fiducia, a SNHU student who studies abroad in Rome this semester. “I recently had a professor teach class on Capitol Hill right next to the Roman Forum.” The American University of Rome (AUR) is a newer partner to SNHU than FUA. The partnership started in 2013. “About five SNHU students study abroad in Rome every academic year,” said Stefano Parenti, the director of Study Abroad/Exchange Program.

fee shop that was unique,” said Lauren Johnson who studied abroad in Florence in Spring Semester 2016. Students have the options to either live in apartments or participate in the FUA Con-

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SNHU started its partnership with Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in 2012. Every academic year, around 50 SNHU students choose to study abroad in Florence. There are 31 SNHU students studying abroad at FUA this semester and more than 21 students applied for the Fall semester 2017. “FUA is SNHU’s main partner,” said Stefano Parenti, the director of Study Abroad/Exchange programs at SNHU. FUA campus is located in the center of Florence where students can find art exhibits, restaurants, shops, entertainments and much more within walking distances. One of its most iconic sights is Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome whose main engineer was an Italian architecture and painter, Giotto di Bondone. “It’s a

gold city,” said Parenti. Florence is home to many master pieces of Renaissance art and architecture. “I loved Florence! The architecture was amazing and every day I found a new building or cof-

Kathryn Fiducia at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Healthnews & Welness sleep loss is rampant among college students

Lori Costa Health & Wellness Editor

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Lori Costa Health & Wellness Editor

hours of outside work weekly to be considered worth three credits. With some students taking up to six classes, the weekly work load can overload to over 36 hours of homework; this does

not include jobs, studying and the time actually spent in the classroom. This can stress students out and make sleep nearly impossible. Improving overall health is

maintain energy throughout the day. Exercise can also help to release “feel good” chemicals in the brain that can boost a person’s overall mood. Healthy eating is also important while battling seasonal depression. Be sure to avoid processed foods, such as whole wheat bread and sugar. These foods not only devoid the body of key nutrients, but also seize energy levels and negatively affect a person’s mood and cause depression, lack of concentration and mood swings. Although a chocolate bar may appear to be a mood booster, it is more beneficial to reach for an apple in the long run. Even though it may be cold outside, getting sun can increase a person’s mood levels. The sunlight provides Vitamin D and helps to boost the immune system. Keeping

shades up during the winter to let sunlight in can help boost one’s mood level without even realizing it. It is also important to remember to take time to relax after work or school to avoid

an overload of responsibilities. Read a book, go for a walk, take a yoga class, meditate, anything to decrease stress levels and maintain a center of balance. Here at SNHU, the Well-

ness Center and nutritionist Jessica Bluto can help students learn about eating healthy during these winter months to help maintain proper nutrition not just in the winter, but all year round.

beating the winter blues

Locus Therapy

Winter in New England can be brutal and people have been known to develop seasonal depression during these frigid months. The “winter blues” can be characterized as mild depression with a lack of motivation and low energy that also is associated with cold and flu season. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to beat the winter blues and keep healthy during this season before spring gets here. Fitness instructor and health educator Nicole Nichols shared some helpful tips to help beat the winter blues and be ready to welcome spring with a smile. Exercise is essential in staying healthy at any time of the year. The effects of a strong workout can last for several hours and help an individual

fect their academic career. There are numerous reasons behind students being sleep deprived. Here at SNHU, a threecourse class requires at least six

Health Tap

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Sleep is an essential factor for the course of anyone’s day. Especially for college students, sleep is of the upmost importance. According to a study conducted by US National Library of Medicine (USNLM), daytime sleepiness is a major problem. 50 percent of college students experience daytime sleepiness compared to 36 percent of adolescents and adults. Sleepiness can be defined as the inability or difficulty to maintain alertness in the major wake period of the day. There is no direct scientific data of how much sleep an individual should get every night, but college students should aim for at least eight hours of sleep to be considered functional in the classroom. Most students have been found to be sleep deprived, and in the study done by the USNLM, 70.6 percent of students are getting less than eight hours each night. The average sleep duration for students was roughly 5.7 hours per night. Students have ranked sleep issues second when it comes to stress factors that negatively af-

extremely important when dealing with sleep deprivation. Eating right and exercising can fuel the body with good nutrients, but can also backfire if the student is not getting enough sleep. Being sleep deprived can affect a student’s ability to memorize, learn, retain lectures and stay alert while in class. It is not completely clear why there is sometimes a correlation between the number of hours of sleep a student gets and proper memory development, but sleep is very important when studying for an exam. Pulling “all-nighters” are also dangerous in terms of retaining information. Students in the study done by the USNLM that were sleep deprived for 30 hours then asked to take a test for a second time showed no improvement. Although it may seem that studying until sunrise is the best method of retaining information, sleep is essential. Getting less than eight hours in a night will only hurt a student’s overall performance. If students want to see an A on their exam, their best bet is to study in the afternoon and be sure to get a solid eight of sleep the night before an exam.

Sports news

Athlete Spotlight: ice hockey's dynamic trio Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Staff Writer Amber Khan Staff Writer

Khyan Gaddy

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The SNHU ice hockey team has quite a trio on the roster. Three skating Penmen have played puck together since they were eight years old. Juniors Chris Moquin, Ryan Slatky and Kyle Valliere are all native to New Hampshire. Moquin is from Hooksett, Slatky from Manchester, and Valliere from Goffstown. “We were always acquaintances growing up, “said Moquin. “I have been friends with Ryan since we were about six years old because of his cousin, and Kyle and I have been friendly since age eight because we grew up in the same city. When Ryan and I got together in high school, it was like the two kingpins coming together. We took Kyle under our wing after that and became ‘The Big Three,’” said Moquin. Growing up together provided some competition between the three. “I would say it was really fun,” said Valliere. “Ryan and I actually played together and we played against Chris sometimes. I broke his shoulder in peewee hockey so I think he always had a chip on his shoulder playing against me.” That said, once together, they were always together. “Ever since freshman year of

high school, we really have been inseparable,” Slatky said. “Growing up and playing together really was amazing. From the age of 1018, I don't recall a weekend not driving all over New England for hockey. When we didn't have ice, chances are, you would find us rollerblading through Manchester at any hour of the day. Sometimes for several hours.” These players have kept the line together growing up, in high school, and now, in college. All three are Business Administration majors, but for different reasons. Moquin chose it because of the flexibility that the degree allows for. “I’m also interested in the finance side of things like investments, financial advising, or wealth management,” added Moquin. Slatky and his family believe that his personality fits the business world perfectly, and Valliere likes it because he can really go anywhere with it. When all three joined the Varsity ice hockey team, it was meant to be. Coach Hutchinson has been a big presence in their hockey careers and one of the reasons Moquin and Slatky chose SNHU. “After transferring from St A's, Coach Hutch gave me a chance to prove myself on the ice without ever seeing me play. He took a big risk in letting me come to school and join the team, but I couldn't be more thankful for the

(From left to right) Juniors Chris Moquin, Kyle Valliere, and Ryan Slatky pose on the ice. opportunity,” said Moquin. “Being close to home was a big factor and what's better than four years of college and hockey with your best friends? Hutch believed in me when other people didn't so that helped,” Slatky added. Being local means that they have lots of family and friends to attend games. Without their family, nothing would have been

possible—a statement to which all the “Big Three” agreed. “My favorite part about it is that my family gets to come watch me play every single night, and that feels great because I know how much time, effort, and money they have sacrificed to get me to where I am today,” Moquin said. “I've had a great 19 years of hockey and none of this would

have been possible without the commitment my family has made for me. It really is unexplainable the sacrifice they make for us, and I know Chris’s family and Kyle's family have done the same,” said Slatky. The hockey season has come to an end for 2016-17, but be sure to catch the Big Three of SNHU and the rest of the Penmen when they return to the ice this fall.

Men's hockey season Comes to a close Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Staff Writer

Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Junior Chris Moquin faces off against Daniel Webster's Chris Timm

The men’s hockey team at SNHU had their season come to an abrupt end last week. The Penmen failed to beat Stonehill College on February, resulting in the team not advancing to the NorthEast-10 (NE-10) playoffs. Three of the last four games showed the Penmen playing at home. In the first game against Daniel Webser College (DWC) on February 1, both DWC and SNHU scored in the first period, just 20 seconds apart. Graduate student Joe Collins earned credit for the first goal. Later in the third period, Collins scored again, and sophomore Artem Efimov-Barakov added a goal. Junior goalie

Matthew MacInnis earned the 3-1 win for SNHU, stopping 23 shots. The next game against Franklin Pierce University wasn’t as fortunate for the Penmen. MacInnis stopped 27 shots and freshman Brandon Goudreau scored the only goal, but SNHU fell 6-1 to the Ravens on February 4. The final home game of the season came against Framingham State University on February 7. The Penmen were more successful in this game. Junior Kyle Valliere got the team going with a first period goal, ten minutes in. Freshman Jared Goudreau scored less than 5 minutes later before he earned a second goal in the second period. Collins and junior Chris Moquin also scored in the sec-

ond period. As Framingham gained on the Penmen, B. Goudreau scored in the third to seal the deal. SNHU won 6-4 and with that win, freshman goalie Alex Reissis earned his first career win, stopping 25 shots. The game against Stonehill College turned out to be the last of the season. Junior goalies Ryan Slatky and MacInnis, along with freshman Kurt Gutting, all got some time on ice (TOI,) but it just wasn’t enough as SNHU lost 8-0. It was a tough season for SNHU. They finished with an overall record of 13 wins and 14 losses. With the challenging and hurdle-filled season behind them, the team now starts the offseason they hoped wouldn’t come too soon.