Issuu

Volume XXIII, Issue 12

Penmen Press The

penmenpress@snhu.edu

April 26, 2017

Manchester, NH

CCEL HELPS GIRLS BECOME PROM READY

April 26, 2017: Help a Horse Day

Rebecca LeBoeuf

Lisa Allard, Kristy Turner, Codi Lyons, Izzy Proia and Rebecca Lariviere welcome teens to event. Cyan Magenta

Rebecca LeBoeuf Editor in Chief

What's Inside: News | Front & 3-5

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Manchester Memorial High School and Manchester School of Technology), the Child Family Services Initiative, the Boys and Girls Club, the Teen Center and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) could take without any cost. According to senior Kristy

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emmy-award winner laverne cox inspires snhu Abby Meltzer Staff Writer The Art and Culture Enrichment Series (ACES) at SNHU hosted Emmy-award winning actress Laverne Cox on April 9 in the Dining Center Banquet Hall for her talk entitled, “Ain’t I a Woman?” Cox is known for her leading role of Sophia Burset in the show “Orange is the New Black,” which has earned her and the rest of the cast multiple award nominations and wins. Alongside her acting achievements, Cox is an advocate for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Questioning+ (LGBTQ+) community and uses her platform to speak out about transgender equality and self-acceptance. The event began at 7 p.m. when Cox took to the stage to present for a crowd of SNHU students and faculty and speak about her journey and experiences growing up as a transgender woman. In “Ain’t I a Woman?” Cox shared her own personal story of growth to bring attention to

challenges surrounding race and gender identity. Following the presentation, Cox accepted questions from members of the audience and offered students advice on learning self-acceptance. Richelene Pierre, a first-year student at SNHU, attended this event after watching Laverne Cox on “Orange is the New Black.” “I love Sophia’s character on the show,” said Pierre. “She strongly represents many minorities who struggle with their gender identity.” ACES is a new committee this year and was determined to bring an inspiring speaker to SNHU for the campus community. Colleen Lubin, the Associate Director of Student Involvement, helped coordinate this event. “She is just an inspiration and the epitome of triumph after adversity,” said Lubin.  “She talked about having empathy and love when dealing with people who don’t understand you, even ones who are cruel, and I think that is a very difficult thing

Student Involvement

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SNHU’s Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) put on their fourth annual Girl’s Night Out on Tuesday, April 11, in which high school girls from the Manchester area were

invited to SNHU to prepare for prom. The SNHU community donated 450 prom and semiformal dresses as well as shoes and accessories that girls from four local high schools (Manchester Central High School, Manchester High School West,

Turner, a CCEL service learning coordinator, CCEL’s goal was to collect 100 dresses, which they quickly surpassed in first three weeks of the dress drive that began in November. Just the day before the event alone, 30 dresses were donated. “It’s like a mortgage with how much some of these dresses cost.” Patty Lynott, the university college provost, said about today’s prom expenses. Set up around the small gym were racks of dresses, sorted by length and color, which girls browsed through and tried on in fitting rooms built by Facilities. After they selected their dresses with the help from their friends, moms and volunteers, they made their way to a table with shoes and jewelry and then, finally, to another table where they could get their dresses steamed and put into

Senior Liana Therrien at a meet-and-greet with Laverne Cox. to accomplish.” Pierre believed that Cox successfully shared her story in a way that was influential and engaging to the audience. “The things Laverne touched upon were so moving,” said Pierre. “It reminded me how important it is to love yourself before you bring anyone else into the picture.” The event brought together

a large turnout of students and faculty who believed that Cox successfully inspired others through her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech. “I hope the students learned from her and felt supported,” said Lubin. “The committee felt it was most important to bring someone who would share a message of inclusivity and I think she did just that.”

editorial THE PENMEN PRESS STAFF 2016-2017 CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Rebecca LeBoeuf rebecca.leboeuf@snhu.edu CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Megan Palmer megan.palmer@snhu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER Brendon DiBiasio brendon.dibiasio@snhu.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Jaime Mailloux jaime.mailloux@snhu.edu ONLINE EDITOR Nick Klotz nicholas.klotz@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Laurelann Easton laurelann.easton@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Nicole Kenney nicole.kenney@snhu.edu

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Over the past few years, our staff has seen a dramatic growth from eight members to 40. Now, we have to say goodbye to 12 seniors and three underclassmen who are leaving SNHU. A few of these students have been here since the Fall 2013 Involvement Fair and many others have trickled in over the years. These people, who started as total strangers, have come together to create a biweekly product that is continuously improving and a club that is continuously expanding. Some seniors have served on our editorial board since the beginning, and others have been loyal staff writers that the paper wouldn’t have been the same without. Not only have we grown in number of active members, but we have increased our con-

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NEWS EDITOR Nicole Clark nicole.clark2@snhu.edu

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Lori Costa EDITOR lori.costa@snhu.edu PENMEN ABROAD EDITOR Kamila Ataee kamila.ataee@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Matthew Martin matthew.martin1@snhu.edu LAYOUT EDITOR May Mullen maura.mullen@snhu.edu PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Wyndee Man jingyin.wen@snhu.edu

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.

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: 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!

Continued from page 1 bags. Snacks and refreshments were provided as well as a sitting area around tables clothed in pink and adorned with bouquets of flowers; this area was for the girls to spend time with friends and listen to the loud, upbeat music playing from the speakers. CCEL and the students in Dr. Dawn Sime’s Managing Quality class, which helped with the preparation of this event, reached out to businesses and asked for donations of their services that could be raffled off. Throughout the afternoon, girls won gift certificates for manicures and pedicures, dry cleaning and hair/makeup services for the day of prom. Charming Charlies donated several pieces of jewelry that were also raffled off. “We wanted to make sure that this wasn’t an issue for other girls who wanted to go to prom but couldn’t afford it, so we tried to reduce the cost as much as possible by giving free dresses, free jewelry, shoes, free hair [appointments] [and] free makeup [appointments], so that everyone could enjoy the biggest event of high school,” said senior and event coordinator Cori Lyons. More than half of the dresses were taken by the end of the night. Some of the remaining dresses were then boxed up and

Rebecca LeBoeuf

FACULTY ADVISER Jon Boroshok j.boroshok@snhu.edu

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and a constantly growing readership. Bringing more diverse and timely content has shown an increase in the paper being read by the SNHU Community, both local and remote. We would not be able to do what we do if it were not for all of you reading, sharing, and living the stories worth telling. In the same way that we wish the best to our own staff, we wish the best to you, simply another part of our family. While we’re sad to see all these people go, we are excited to see what they do when they leave, and hopefully they will all take the skills they have learned in the Penmen Press to the real world. Congratulations to all graduating seniors and always know you have a home in SNHU.

CCEL HELPS GIRLS BECOME PROM READY

OPINION EDITOR Bryan Creevy bryan.creevy@snhu.edu ARTS & Gabriel Carrio ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR gabriel.carrio@snhu.edu

tent, averaging on 16 pages per newspaper and having one Penmen Post per day as we develop an online portal that will give the SNHU community access to more timely news. We have hosted more events, collaborated with more clubs and done more community service activities together as a team. In order to help our staff members grow and improve as writers, business managers, graphic designers and photographers, we have attended conferences, asked staff and faculty members to speak in their areas of strength in our meetings and developed a buddy system that allows for experienced staff members to take newcomers under their wings. This organization is built on a foundation of strong leaders

Sophomore Mary Claffey and first year student Clarice Brooks man the jewlery station. brought to New Hampshire Technical Institute for a similar event for girls in Concord run by a SNHU alumna; the rest were saved for next year’s event. CCEL Director Elizabeth Richards oversaw the preparation for Girl’s Night Out and said the purpose of the event is to provide equal access to prom. “We thought about what we can’t control: we can’t control the price of tickets that the school charges, we can’t control the price of going out to din-

ner before prom. But what we can help out with are things like dresses and shoes and jewelry and makeup,” Richards said. “So that’s the purpose: to make sure that cost isn’t a barrier, that any girl that wants to go has the opportunity.” Turner knows that prom is expensive, but by having this event, CCEL will hopefully be “letting [high school girls] enjoy that time in their life to literally dress like a princess and really shine in every aspect.”

News news

COM STUDENTS TOUR NBC STUDIOS Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Staff Writer

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With the warm weather trend, it was a perfect time for SNHU’s Communications (COM) department to plan their trip to New York City (NYC). Students from all majors were able to attend. There were two choices to pick from: a walk around Time Square, Central Park and touring the NBC Studios or a photography trip of The Highline/Freedom Tower and the Chelsea Galleries. Ensuring the trip happened took a semester’s worth of work, whether it be for planning, booking the tickets or coordinating between all the faculty. Dave Humphreys, a communications instructor, facilitated the trip. Regarding why he chose New York and NBC Studios, Humphreys said, “As a department, we were trying to find a trip that was both far enough away to give students a [possibly] new cultural experience,

but close enough to do in a day.” Students and faculty arrived in NYC around 11 a.m. where they then broke off into groups. Students who chose the NBC portion of the trip were allowed to explore on their own or along with chaperones for a few hours before visiting Central Park. “I wanted to go on the trip because I absolutely love the city. I had an opportunity to go on a photography trip to the city with my History of Photography class, but the agenda for the COM NYC trip seemed so much more interesting as I felt it would give me an opportunity that I probably wouldn’t get or think to do otherwise,” said Liana Therrien, a senior Fashion Merchandising and Management major, on why she chose to go on the trip. After touring around the city, it was time for the highlight of the trip: visiting the NBC Studios. Students learned how the whole process of making television shows works: from

Student art on display Nicole Kenney Copy Editor

the lighting, sound and stage design, to how hosts and guests get ready for primetime. Since it happened on a Saturday, the tour also got to see something special; Saturday Night Live happened to be rehearsing for the show. They got to see Alec Baldwin practicing as President Trump for a skit. The tour was a huge hit with everyone who went. “At first, I was thrilled to be able to tour the NBC Studios, as I want to go into television broadcast, and the idea of seeing the job behind the scenes excited me. Once the trip grew closer, I was excited to just be in city, and really did not care what we did,” said Matt Krajcik, a junior Communications major, on his experience of the trip. As to what Humphreys learned on the trip, he said, “I learned to double check my bus reservations! We had a number of issues in finding a bus, but it eventually all worked out.”

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Sophomore Doug Gavelek and senior Liana Therrien conducted a mock late night show.

For the eleventh year in a row, SNHU’s McInich Art Gallery has the best student art on display for the Annual Graphic Design Exhibition. The opening reception of the exhibit took place on Thursday, April 6 from 5-7 p.m. and was catered with hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Graphic design professor Harry Umen was among the staff that decided which works of art got chosen for the exhibition. “We can’t hold all of the best work since the gallery is very limited in space. It’s hard sometimes to select because there’s so much good work; we could probably fill two galleries with a lot of the work we have,” said Umen. Umen continued, “This year, we’re featuring a couple of projects that were developed by photography and design students for the TEDx event that’s held every October. This time, digital murals that were group conceived and developed were displayed at the Stockbridge Theatre during the TEDx event.” The gallery features art created by students from the game design and graphic design departments alike. However, majoring in either of those fields was not a requirement to grant entry to host art in the exhibit. Senior Alexander Bergeron said, “It’s kind of nice being an Accounting Finance major and taking an elective [like

photography] where I’m getting actual experience displaying my art…I’ve never done photography until I took the class. It’s nice feeling like an artist.” For many students, this was the first time seeing their art on public display. However, some students have had the opportunity to showcase their work over more of their years at SNHU. Among them is senior James Cowin who said, “This is my second time being in the exhibit and it’s always good to be able to go to an art space and physically show people what you’ve been working on…it’s always an amazing experience.” This exhibition is the only time that SNHU’s McInich Art Gallery has student work on display rather than an artist outside the SNHU community. “It’s always nice to, at the end of the year, kind of take a step back from the usual exhibits and have the students showcase their work,” said Cowin. Senior Austin Arnold showcased two photography pieces at the exhibit and said, “I just think this exhibition is a really good opportunity for students to showcase their work. I think a lot of the times [student art] is just displayed on bulletin boards and things like that, but it’s nice to be put on a formal display.” Art forms ranging from typography, to photography, to game illustration and more will be on display at the gallery through May 6.

ASHLEE LINDSEY WINS SGA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Nick Klotz Online Editor On April 7, the results of the Student Government Association (SGA) Spring elections came in. Ashlee Lindsey won the title of SGA President for the 2017-2018 school year with 63 percent of the votes. “I’m so speechless, there are so many people I want to thank,” said Lindsey, a sophomore student in the degree-inthree business administration program. “I hope to accomplish a culture within SGA where

everyone in the organization feels comfortable being able to make a difference,” said Lindsey. “It’s not just me that’s going to make the change, it’s everyone that’s a part of the organization. If I can instill that, the organization will go even further than I can think of.” Lindsey has been involved in SGA her whole SNHU career thus far. She was a senator in her first year at SNHU and Chief Financial Officer this past year. In the other categories, Michelle Fortin will be Vice President, Alan Mendonca will be

Chief Information Officer and Elisha Borden will be Chief Financial Officer. Next year’s senators will be Molly Rogers, Richard Oliver, Marylouise Jepsen, Cameron Kearney, Oshea Turnball, Emily Napolitano, Eliane Cabral, McKayla Hutchins, Iesina Tupouniua, Taylor Brigham, Timothy Price, Kristin Morrison, Shannon Conway and Ryan Evaul, who was Lindsey’s opponent in the presidential election. “I still plan on being an active member of SGA,” said Evaul. “I plan on working closely with the new executive

board and helping to bring the focus back on students and their clubs and organizations.” Also on the ballot was a choice for the name of the new residence hall. The results of that poll will be announced at a later date. Students may have noticed SGA shuttling students to their classes the Wednesday and Thursday before ballots closed. “We have 8-passenger SUVs and, to get people to vote, we offered them a ride. While students were in the back seat to their destination, we asked them if they knew

about SGA,” said Lindsey. “It’s a good way to promote our organization. People appreciated the ride, especially in the rain.” When asked about plans, Lindsey was very humble. She expressed that SGA was a team effort and any big changes would come from the community. She did have one idea, however. “I’d like to work more directly with Paul LeBlanc and have him incorporated more in campus. I think a lot of people love seeing him. Having him more involved in SGA and events would be so much fun,” said Lindsey.

News news

SNHU STUDENTS SHOWCASE THEIR TALENT Rachel Romeo Staff Writer

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singer jULIETTE REILLY ROCKS THE STAGE Amber Khan Staff Writer Singer and Youtuber Juliette Reilly performed at the Last Chapter Pub on Saturday, April 8. This event was put on by the Coordinators of Activities and Programming Events (CAPE) The young pop artist sang songs that were from her two extended plays (EP) “Battlecry” and “I Am” as well as some original songs and covers. By engaging the crowd through singing along to covers, as well as taking the time to discuss being young, being in college and the territories that come with it, Juliette was enamored by the crowd. “It was great to reach a college audience, which was nice, especially since I recently graduated college—I’m able to relate to you guys a bit. The crowd was so warm and welcoming,” said Reilly. Among the college students who were at Reilly’s performance, there were some outliers

to the crowd. Sheena and Chrystina Folkman, two long time fans of hers, drove to see the artist from their home state of Illinois. “Juliette’s music is full of hope that everything in life is going to be okay,” said Chrystina Folkman. Her wife, Sheena, chimed in, “I find that Juliette’s music is easy to connect with and that she has great stage presence and knows how to work a crowd.” Senior Laurie Smith was pleased with the artist and her music. “I’ve never really heard of this artist before, but I’m glad I came. I definitely would want to check out her future work,” said Smith. As the show was going on, the young artist got an interesting question from a much younger fan of hers, a young boy named Logan J. “Are butterflies always strong?” asked J. The artist took the time and responded, “Yes, Logan J., butterflies are always strong.” When asked about Reilly, J said, “I like Juliette’s song ‘Bones’ and I like her singing.”

mith,” said Hewes. At the conclusion of the event, judges were asked to deliberate and announce the winners. Third place was tied be-

tween singer Carly McDonough and dancer Christian Smith. Placing second was Richie Oliver and coming in first place with an instrumental piece was

Tyler Crain. The sisters of Phi Omega Psi plan to host this event again next year for anyone that might be interested in sharing their talents on campus.

Wyndee Man

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The sisters of Phi Omega Psi hosted the annual talent show at SNHU on Thursday, April 13 in The Last Chapter Pub. Co-sponsoring with Student Government Association (SGA), Phi Omega Psi welcomed all SNHU students to come and showcase their talent to a panel of judges. Between each performance, audience members were encouraged to snack on chips and candy. Attendees were also given a chance to win a 50-50 raffle. Sophomore and member of Phi Omega Psi, Carissa Kent, coordinated the event. “This is our third year doing the event. We ask people to show their talent to the judges, to the audience and to everyone that’s here, and then they get prizes for it,” said Kent. The awards this year consisted of cash prices. The firstplace contestant was awarded $200, second place got $100 and third place got $50. Seated at the judge’s panel

were Athena Adair, Breanna Chmielecki, Annie Gaudet and Selina Marcille. After each performance, judges were able to provide feedback and constructive criticism. SNHU students shared their talents through various songs, dances and instruments. The first act consisted of an original song written and performed by Ericka Brodenick. Judges commented on her relatable lyrics and strong stage presence. Another musical performance was presented by Richie Oliver and his guitar named Cassidy. Both Oliver and Cassidy took the stage to perform the song “Angela” by the Lumineers. He was provided with positive feedback from the judges who all commented on his unique voice and interesting song choice. Sophomore Shannon Hewes was one of the last performers to take the stage. “I was asked to put this together last minute and I [chose] to sing the song “Bright” by Echos-

First place talent show winner Tyler Crain.

International GALA SPREADS CULTURAL AWARENESS Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Staff Writer On Friday, April 7, the International Student Association, in collaboration with Radio SNHU, Student Government Association, Diversity Programs and others, hosted the 34th Annual International Gala in the small gym of the Athletic Center. The goal of the event, which attracted a large crowd, was to increase awareness of the international community here at SNHU and to promote global culture. The event attracted a large group of students and staff members, who were encouraged to dress semi-formally. For the first hour of the event, attendees were given an opportunity to mingle with one another and to help themselves to a buffet of Italian, Brazilian and Creole items provided by Sodexo. The Gala was hosted by Gehad (Gigi) Abdelkarim

and Ye-Htet Soe. University Provost Patricia Lynott opened the event with a speech that emphasized how the International Gala is among her favorite events of the year. She continued to affirm that international students will always be welcome at SNHU. Perhaps the most anticipated part of the International Gala was the flag parade. Students represented their native countries by enthusiastically waving the national flag of that country. Accompanied by upbeat music, the students were called one at a time, representing over fifty countries in total. At the end of the parade, the group stood together on stage and waved their flags together. The final component of the event was an array of performances that included Bollywood dancing, traditional Nepali and Saudi dances,

singing and a classical violin performance. Junior Samantha Chery particularly enjoyed the performances. “I really liked the different dance performances. I am very interested in dancing and it’s cool to see all the different styles,” said Chery. In addition to the performances, there was also a pancake flipping contest. Two volunteers were challenged to flip a pancake in a skillet without dropping it while running across the main stage. Senior Toneita Thomas thoroughly enjoys this event every year. “It’s always one of my favorite events. It’s very exhilarating to see all the cultures come together,” said Thomas. The event was followed by an afterparty in the Last Chapter Pub, which featured international sweets, a large cake, Mardi Gras decorations and karaoke.

NEWS news

SNHU BUDDIES CELEBRATES AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Staff Writer

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The month of April is recognized as National Autism Awareness Month. SNHU Buddies and the Coordinators of Activities and Programming Events (CAPE) hosted an autism awareness-themed bingo night on Wednesday, April 12 in the Last Chapter Pub. SNHU Buddies is a relatively new student organization on campus that enables members to establish meaningful friendships with individuals that have intellectual and developmental disabilities. SNHU Buddies President Meghan Brower, Junior, started the organization with the hopes of providing resources to those with disabilities. She used the

popularity of weekly bingo to help increase awareness of the organization. “I am a special education major and I realized that there were no outlets for those with special needs. We wanted to get our name out there,” said Brower. Members of the organization were encouraged to bring their buddies along with them so they could be a part of the event. Blue ribbons pins, which are a nationally recognized symbol for autism awareness, were handed out to attendees. First year student, Shannon Gayron, recently joined the organization. “I just joined SNHU Buddies and I wanted to support them,” said Gayron. Attendees had the opportu-

Amy Sumsion Staff Writer

nity to win a multitude of prizes, such as an Applebee’s gift card, a movie-themed basket and an Amazon gift card. The Autism Society began an Autism Awareness campaign in the early 1970’s and it has been growing tremendously ever since. The group, which has over 120,000 members, aims to promote awareness, provide educational programs and support research within the autism community. This was the last weekly bingo night of the semester, and the event drew a massive crowd. Sophomore, Nate Cushman, was among the many attendees. “I thought the event was great. There was a great turnout and I think everyone had a great time,” said Cushman.

Second semester is almost over and that means it is almost time to walk the stage and complete exit counseling for any federal student loans students may have taken out while here. Students that took out federal student loans participated in entrance counseling, remember how easy and informative that was? Exit counseling is just as easy, informative, and…required! Exit counseling is an online exercise to help students learn about the responsibilities and rights as student borrowers that can be completed on paper or online at studentloans.gov. When completing exit counseling it is important to come prepared with names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers for

STUDENT EMPLOYEEs HONORED Amy Sumsion Staff Writer

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The second annual Student Employee of the Year Reception was held on April 12 in the Hospitality Center on campus. Twenty-four dedicated, hardworking SNHU student

workers were nominated for Student Employee of the Year and honored at the reception along with their managers and supervisors. The National Association of Student Employment Administrators (NSEA) designated the second week of April as

student’s close family, two references who live in the United States and current information for future employers if that information is available. It is important to keep in mind that even if students are not graduating but instead are not completing the program studied, cannot find employment after graduation, or are not completely satisfied with SNHU federal student loans, they are still required to be repaid and exit counseling is still required. There is no need to stress or worry about Exit Counseling. If students have not already, contact exitcounseling@snhu.edu to schedule an appointment to complete Exit Counseling with a friendly counselor or log on to studentloans.gov to complete the exercise on your own. It is a quick and easy process. Happy Exiting!

SNHU HOSTS DREAM CATCHERS FRIENDRAISER Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Staff Writer SNHU recently hosted a ‘friendraiser’ in partnership with Dream Catchers NH. Organizational Behaviours (OL-342) is taught by Dr. Lowell Matthews. This semester long project required students to not only work in the classroom but outside as well. The event helped Dream Catchers spread the word about their organization, as well as involve the campus and community. They are a non-profit organization, which helps provide social and confidence building activities for individuals with different intellectual, social and learning abilities. Held in the ACC, the class hosted about 30 individuals from the organization, as well as people from all over Manchester and Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan

Amy Sumsion

Student employee of the year Chelsea Robinson and James Gassman, who nominated her for the award.

Student Employment Appreciation Week. NSEA provides a selection process in which supervisors can nominate student workers for consideration for the Student Employee of the Year honor. Mary Young, SNHU WorkStudy Coordinator, explains, “The purpose [of this week] is to enhance awareness of student employment, recognize students who perform outstanding work while attending college, and thank employers, who hire students and make the program a success.” The SNHU Student Employee of the Year for 2017 is Chelsea Robinson, nominated by James Gassman. Robinson is an Equipment and Events Supervisor for the Athletic Department. For this role, Robinson assists with the Athletic Complex’s day to day operations, manages home athletic contests and trains new student workers. NSEA also provides a selection process in which winning Student Employees of the Year are sent in for state consideration. The state winner is considered for regional the title, and the regional winner advances for national consideration. Robinson also won the honor of being named the State of New Hampshire Student Employee of the Year. Congratulations Chelsea!

exit counselling for seniors

neighboring towns. Though the participation was not what they hoped for, it still helped spread the word. “The best part of the event was seeing the impact on the members of Dream Catchers. They greatly appreciated the opportunity to connect in a social context with SNHU students. It was also powerful to see SNHU students being willing to share and connect with the members of Dream Catchers,” said Matthews. “My favorite part was being able to execute what we had been working on all semester,” added junior Chris Moquin, one of the students in the class. Throughout the semester long course, students were split into four different groups to help organize the event. Each group had a different problem or issue that they had to help solve and will present to the Board of Directors on April 26.

Feature Megan Palmer Editor in Chief

STUDENTS TRAVEL TO MEMPHIS FOR CONFERENCE On UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

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In early April, six students from a variety of majors and disciplines represented SNHU at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Memphis, Tenn., to share their extended research projects along with 4,000 other undergraduate students. Traveling with School of Arts and Sciences’ Crystal Bickford and School of Business’ Kevin Snyder, Ashlee Carper, Nate Fournier, Casey Morrison, Megan Palmer, Jenelle Psaledas and Alicia Tilsley left for Memphis from Boston International on April 5 and returned April 8. The projects spanned a variety of fields and disciplines; from education to robotics, from sports to psychology, these presentations encompassed so much of water of what SNHU has to offer. These presentations included: "How College Athletics Impact Career Development” (Carper); "Education Paradox: The Opportunity Cost of U.S. Professional Soccer” (Fournier); "Body-Worn Cameras for Police Officers and the Security vs. Privacy Issue" (Morrison); “Student Perceptions of Grit and Best Practices for Mediated Failure” (Palmer); “A Pilot Study on the Effect of a Cat Robot for Patients with Alzheimer’s or Dementia” (Psaledas); and "A Study in Robot Instruction for Elementary Baton Twirling" (Tilsley). The projects were split evenly between 15-minute oral pre-

sentations and hour-long poster sessions, each providing the presenters with a unique experience in a professional setting. The students shared their thoughts about the experience, highlighting the opportunities they had to network with both other students and professionals in their fields. “I believe undergraduate research is one of the best and most applicable ways to add real value to the classroom experience that encapsulates us at SNHU,” said Fournier, a senior. “Having the opportunity to travel with, present to and engage with like-minded individuals in the pursuit of new and exciting fields is not only invigorating it's necessary for growth.” Fournier expanded on this statement, thankful for the opportunity to travel, saying, “It's easy to find yourself stuck in the bubble of the SNHU community... that safe, warm place where you know where you stand and how you compare. Taking the initiative to step onto the 'national stage' to share your work is exciting, rejuvenating and even courageous to some extent.” Fournier’s project focused on the thoughts and perceptions of young athletes in the Major Soccer League (MLS). Winning first place in the work-inprogress section at SNHU’s Undergraduate Research Day that same week, Fournier’s project built upon his observations and studies conducted through his internship at MLS in New York, N.Y.

The group poses with University of Memphis' Tiger after a long day of conferencing. Carper’s project also had a sport component; however was focused on the career development opportunities available to student athletes. Carper, a junior, commented on the way in which she thought the conference supported her professional development, saying, “The most memorable part of NCUR was being able to see speak with other students and learning about their research and road to NCUR. I was nervous to attend NCUR, not knowing what to expect. I believe that others felt the same way but it’s pretty awesome to see the excitement others get from presenting because I have only ever gotten that kind of excitement while playing sports.” Both Carper and Fournier presented oral presentations,

(Left to right) Fournier, Morrison, Palmer, Carper, Psaledas and Tilsley on Beale Street.

while Morrison, Psaledas and Tilsley presented their posters. Psaledas’ project fused psychology and robotics, as she utilized the calming presence of a robotic cat in conjunction with calming effects it had on patients living with dementia. Psaledas, a senior, reflected on the ability to receive feedback that she had as a result of traveling to NCUR: “The most memorable part of this experience was getting feedback about my presentation. Getting to talk to more people gave me the opportunity to hear many different viewpoints. I got the chance to talk to nursing professors and students. They had some great suggestions for when I continue my research.” In addition the positive reviews from the students, NCUR chaperone and mentor to Palmer and Carper emphasized the importance of undergraduate research and its role in national conferences. “Aside from the research component itself, I think having students attend and/or present at national conferences offers a 'complete' experience in that they learn to negotiate travel (sometimes under difficult circumstances), execute time management as they juggle responsibilities on campus while traveling, experience networking opportunities and engage in presentation/public speaking skills,” Bickford said. Bickford also commented on

the group of students that she traveled with, saying, “For this trip, specifically, the students were engaged, energetic and eager for new experiences.” While the four days was jampacked with conferencing, the group of eight also found time for adventures through Memphis which included trips to Beale Street, Rendezvous Barbecue, Graceland and the Mississippi River water front. The students’ passion and support for undergraduate research and their trip to NCUR rang throughout the high praise they provided and the sharing of their experiences. Fournier, emailing his responses from a New York subway, wanted to share the benefits of the trip. “Personally, the biggest gift that NCUR gave me with was a shift in perspective,” Fournier said. “As I sat watching a presentation on molecular biology, I realized not only the breadth of research at the conference, but the breadth of ideas, people and experiences that were taking place all around me. I believe this expansion is critical to developing the "growth mindset" that is essential to the college experience.” After returning from Memphis, the photos and presentations were collected from all the students to create an online portfolio documenting their trip and their hard work. Their portfolio can be found at snhu-ncur2017. weebly.com.

FEATURE news

EATING HEALthY ON CAMPUS: IT'S POSSIBLE Ginny Fagan Staff Writer

Jaelle Mattieu

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Prepackaged lunches offer students a quick meal on the go. something healthier rather than recreating the wheel, it’s very customized,” McGovern said. Many changes have been made during the past year because of Jessica McGovern teaming up with Sodexo management. “We’ve made a lot of changes since I came onboard in October, some willing and some unwilling, but we’ve transferred over from a trans-fat margarine to SmartBalance, so now we’re trans-fat free. There are new additions to the yogurt bar, as well as creating the oatmeal bar, and we’ve been trying to do a lot more of our mindful options,” McGovern said. Daniel Vanavery, SNHU’s Sodexo general manager, pointed out, “we changed from soy to canola frying oil about a year and a half ago. It’s better for digestion, so we eliminated all soy because people were complaining about discomfort.” Sodexo is open to suggestions and wants to do what is best for students. They ask that if there is an issue, that students report it so that Sodexo is aware. A consistent rumor on college campuses in general is that the food contains laxatives. “Why would anybody do that? It doesn’t make any sense,” Vanavery said, stating putting laxatives in the food does not benefit anyone. “No, there aren’t laxatives in the food. On any college campus, you go there and you’re completely changing the way that you’re eating. Any time you completely change the way you’re eating, you’re gon-

na have some digestive issues, whether its constipation or you’re going to the bathroom a million times a day. Sometimes you’re eating more frequently, or eating more, or moving around more than you were in high school, or even drinking more water,” McGovern said. There are many reasons why students may feel discomfort, or have digestive issues, but laxatives are not one of them. When asked if she thought Sodexo food was healthy, McGovern said, “Here [at SNHU], yeah. A lot of our things are made from scratch. Do we have unhealthy options, absolutely, but we’re a business, so my job here is to put the business aside and promote the healthy things. I don’t always think about the cost involved, I think about the

impact for our students. The SmartBalance is twice the cost of the margarine we were using, so we’re going to higher quality products.” Along with changes to the actual food, Sodexo is also changing other aspects of the way the food is given to students. “I like to teach the hand method of portion sizes. [The staff] is going through training right now for portion sizes, and we’re working towards the mindful gold certification, so we have to meet certain criteria,” said McGovern. Looking towards next year is important to Sodexo, as they are not looking to stay the same. “Yes, the food could always be healthier. The answer is yes because that’s what we’re continually working towards. Each

Jaelle Mattieu

Some people are constantly questioning the quality of the food they consume. Sodexo, the company that provides food to SNHU students, is not immune to this. Students living on campus with no kitchen available to make their own food must rely on the food in the Dining Center. This leads to questions regarding whether or not Sodexo’s food is healthy enough for its consumers to truly live a healthy lifestyle when only eating the food they provide. SNHU’s dietician, Jessica McGovern, believes it is possible to eat healthy at the Dining Center. McGovern came to SNHU in October and also services other colleges and universities in the area like Rivier, Colby-Sawyer, Franklin Pierce and Daniel Webster. “SNHU is where I’m based out of, but sometimes I’m only here twice a week. I’m usually here between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., but I have a flexible schedule, so if students need to see me later I can come in,” McGovern said. As for the services she offers, there are many. “I do free consultations for students so I can work with them one on one. It can be for anything such as weight loss, to healthy eating to allergies. I’ll walk them through the café and show them what their options are and work with them so if they need something ordered we can talk that through. I also do tablings, presentations, and educational sessions with giveaways, like fitbits,” McGovern said. She is also working on allergen information and nutrient analysis. Nutritional information has been popping up around the Dining Center lately, so look out for it. If a student is looking for something more customizable than a few suggestions, McGovern can create a meal plan specific to a student’s needs. “I always ask that people keep a food diary because I can create you a meal plan, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll stick to it. If I can see what you’re used to eating, it’s nice to just tweak it and give you

semester we revamp the menu, and remove and add items. We go through chicken fingers and pizza more than anything else, but that’s the student’s choice. You have the ability to make it as healthy as you’d like to or not. For next year we’re looking at the Traditions line, and working on a new menu that incorporates simple servings into the line. More vegetables and more grains, etc,” Vanavery said. “We’re hoping that when we open up in September a lot of our signage will look pretty different. The nutritional information for standard menu items will be available.” For the rest of the school year, students will notice more nutritional information available throughout the Dining Center and hopefully will try new, healthier options. Come fall, things will be slightly different and the menu will change. Though it may be hard to resist chicken fingers and pizza, students are urged to remember that there are healthier options available to them. Students looking to contact Jessica McGovern can do so using her email: jessica.mcgovern@sodexo.com Students looking to contact Daniel Vanavery for questions/comments/suggestions/ complaints can do so using his email: d.vanavery@snhu.edu The mindful gold certification criteria can be found here: https://www.mindful.sodexo. com/why-mindful.

The salad bar is open for lunch and dinner every day.

ALUMNI ADVICE Trust Your Struggle

Networking 101

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Martin Foley Class of 2015 Contributing Writer

I have been staring at a blank word document for 20 minutes, trying to come up with post-grad life advice that, along with being helpful, is clear and concise. I believe I struggled with this because, that is not life! Most of the time, life will be messy and confusing. Especially in your twenties, you are trying to figure out what really matters, who really matters, and why it matters! You will struggle, but trust your struggle. What this means to you, I will leave for you to decide. In the meantime, here are some messy and maybe confusing bits of life advice to match your messy confusing life… Breathe. Strive to be balanced, not the best. It is not what you have but who. Be kind. Now be kinder. Fulfill your sweet tooth All strength is built, not born. Give yourself room to grow. Breathe more. Take a multivitamin. Forgive yourself. Forgive them. Never snooze your alarm. Be grateful. Don’t bottle up your

Although I am now at a university approximately a 23hour drive away, SNHU will always be a very special place to me. I cannot envision a better start to my professional career since I graduated two years ago, and I know moving forward, my connections at SNHU will play a vital role in my professional success. I currently work as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at the University of West Florida (UWF) athletic department. Two years ago, during my senior year at SNHU, I interned in the athletic communications office. It was there that I learned all of the basic skills I now use on a day-to-day basis, and my supervisors Tom Wilkins, Geoff Lopes and Greg Royce (now at Stevenson University) are people I try to stay in contact with and visit whenever I am back in N.H. Two of my former profes-

sors, Dr. Doug Blais and Dr. Kostas Karadakis, are still both considered mentors and close friends of mine. They are always willing to help me with whatever I might need, whether it is a letter of recommendation, professional advice, homework help for my master’s degree or a look at my resume. I received an opportunity to teach an undergraduate class in the sport management department at UWF this semester and, to no surprise, they were the first people I looked to for advice. The relationships you make at SNHU should not end after graduation. In fact, my two years at SNHU are looking to be just the beginning of a lifelong relationship with a lot of special people in my life. A quick email, text message or office visit if possible, goes a long way in creating some very special relationships. And not to mention, one of the best parts about these relationships after graduation – there is no more tuition bill.

short-lived Being involved on-campus identifies that you are dedicated to your job, and in today’s work world, that is critical. What is great about being in a club or organization on campus is that you have an ability to be the leader, manager or men-

tor, and practice the skills that you will need once you receive your diploma. You become a better-rounded student, and you have a bigger tool-box at your disposal. Again, congratulations! We are rooting for you and always here for you!

Josh Harwood Class of 2005 Contributing Writer

Alicia Frazier

Cyan Magenta

Alicia Frazier Class of 2016 Contributing Writer

Frazier participating in the 2013 Color Run with Tyler Durant. emotions. Follow nature. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Drink more water. Put your phone down What you think, you become. Welcome silence. Don’t settle for less. It is not supposed to be easy. Stretch every day. Recycle. Did I already say fulfill your sweet tooth? Have self respect. Welcome a challenge. Welcome fail-

ure. Breathe even more. Save your money for what matters. Know your needs from your wants. Slow down. Don’t let your laundry pile up. Love is love. Share. Don’t try, do. Be organized. Laugh multiple times a day. Ask for help. Be silly. Keep breathing. Trust your struggle.

From SNHU Student to Professor Play-Doh

Josh Harwood

Harwood celebrating his graduation. After all, you are part of the SNHU family, and you are now representing the name of a great institution. Your involvement at an institution is significant: it means

that you are loyal, you will do anything for an organization, and you have skills of working with a variety of different people. Yes, an internship can do some of this, but internships are

Josh Harwood

A very heartfelt congratulations and welcome to the Alumni Family! It is amazing to look back at how many years ago I graduated from SNHU. When I arrived on the campus, I had no idea how everything I did would have an impact on my career success. Of course the amazing faculty and support system at SNHU was helpful, but it was all of the extras that I did that supported me once I left the university. Everything from being a resident assistant to DJ-ing provided me with tools to be a better manager and employee. Even more important were the connections that I created: keeping in-touch with your friends, former faculty and staff. We want to know your story and help you along the way. Whether an exciting promotion or obstacle, your faculty are always here for you wanting you to be successful.

Harwood in his role as SNHU professor.

ALUMNI ADVICE Living your best life

Kyle Coumas

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Coumas donning his cap and gown for commencement.

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A concern for undergraduate students is finding employment upon graduation. My biggest suggestion would be to not rush into a job (regardless of compensation) that you are uninterested in, just to satisfy your parents or

Barbori Streibl Class of 2016 Contributing Writer

avoid the fear of being viewed as a disappointment. Once you realize that its not healthy to binge drink every Thursday through Sunday, the hardest aspect of the post-grad blues is envisioning what you want to do with you life. Once you know what you want to do, it is easier to plan how to accomplish it and execute your plan than discovering

years into your working career that you hate your industry or job role. Maybe your first job is not going to be your ideal position, but if it is helping you build and progress to your end goal, then it is more important. To find your passion, take internships across multiple industries and various job roles. Travel and take on experiences that make you uncomfortable. Ultimately, that will allow you to learn about yourself and discover interests you had no idea you cared for. Take risks. Now is the time to do it when you are young and before you take on larger life commitments and responsibilities like purchasing a home, marriage, or having children. A full-time job is typically 40 hours a week, which is approximately 24 percent of your week and another third is taken up by sleeping. If you are miserable with your job, it is likely you are not going to be satisfied with life, so take the time now to understand what is going to make you happy. Now is the most exciting time of your life. You have minimal responsibilities and can accomplish anything – it just requires determination, so get out there and crush it!

Involved for Life

As an alumna of one year, getting my Masters of Communications with a concentration in Public Relations through SNHU has been one of the best decisions I ever made. SNHU provided me with a fabulous online student experience which helped me prepare for work after graduation. Three of the best opportunities I have encountered, and continue to benefit from, are the Success Networking Team (SNT) I joined in December 2015 as part of the National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS), starting and leading the Communications

Club, and presenting webinars. The SNT I stay part of provides a place where I can share the actions I take to achieve my goals. Being part of an SNT even after graduation continues to give me accountability, support and encouragement to make sure I reach the goals I have set for myself. Starting and leading the Communications Club gave me the opportunity to work with others across different time zones and schedules using platforms such as Adobe Connect and Google meetings. This experience better prepared me for my current workfrom-home position with Dale Carnegie Training. Always eager to give back to SNHU, I have been thrilled

to work with Tiffany Fifer in presenting an online webinar titled ‘Making Working From Home Work For You.’ I first presented this webinar in December 2016 as part of the Student Leadership Series. I presented the webinar again at the COCE LEADS Conference on March 11, 2017. I am thankful that SNHU has given me the chance to present webinars as this skill will be useful in presenting online courses in the future. Without a doubt, choosing SNHU as the school to earn my masters through was a great decision. Getting involved in and creating new opportunities as a student at SNHU continues to open new doors for me now as an SNHU alumna.

Alumni, old and new. They offer their take on the world outside of SNHU. Thank you for your contribuitions!

It's all about the money (money)

SNHU

Kyle Coumas Class of 2013 Contributing Writer

The pieces in this section are written by SNHU

Gonyea representing SNHU. Chris Gonyea Class of 2004 Contributing Writer Just two months ago, I sent in my last payment for my student loans, nearly 13 years after my class (2004) graduated.  What advice do I wish I could tell 18-year-old me in September 2000 about how to better handle my finances? First, only spend what you earn. Any credit card should be paid in full , and no checking account should ever be over-drafted. If you can't afford something you need, save for it or cut expenses elsewhere. Second, build an emergency fund that will cover six months of your expenses. It is really possible to do this, especially when you're young, in college, and don't have car payments or mortgages. This significantly lowers the risk of going into debt. Third, pay off those student loans quickly (or better yet, save so you don't need loans). Work summer jobs. Work jobs during the school year. Take on a sec-

ond job. So much interest will be saved if do this now vs. spending 13 years budgeting around your loans. Fourth, invest early in your 401k and IRAs. Employers will often match your 401k contribution up to a certain percentage, and it is free money that will grow at incredible rates if you start at age 22 (if not earlier!). Pick only low expense ratio index funds. Your future self will thank you for this. Fifth, save for a 20 percent down payment before buying your first house. I pay over $150 a month as part of my mortgage on Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) because I couldn't afford a 20 percent down payment when I bought my house. I could have been far more patient. My final tip for all of you: date and marry someone who has your same financial priorities. If they can't manage their wallet, they will put you and your future at risk.

OPINION news

mainstream Madness

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A lot of people seem to be on the bandwagon of hating the mainstream. I will occasionally consider myself a passenger of that bandwagon, as well. More often than not, however, when I truly like a band, movie, series or anything along those lines, I will promote the heck out of it. I don’t understand the disdain people have towards the rising popularity of things they like. I mean, I partially understand it. People grow attachments to the things they like, and then it’s “their” thing. It’s not for everyone else to like because they liked it first, but if you really love something, why on Earth would you not want others to love it as well? The more popular your favorite band, show or whatever it is, the more successful it is. I’m not going to come out and say that people who think their favorite things gaining stardom are immature, or have a shallower sense of taste and appreciation for entertainment media, but they probably are and do. Being unable to appreciate success for the things you love, and wanting to keep them

to yourself is selfish, immature and represents a lack of respect for the industry you claim to love. Now, everyone can go about their business and keep their favorites close, near and dear to their heart, but I’m going to continue to push my favorites on everyone I think will appreciate them. Because that’s the point. Spread the love, spread the culture. Make things popular. If you keep things like that to yourself, you don’t do the artists any favors. All you do by hopping on the “I saw them first” bandwagon is perpetuating their underground status. And unless they want to remain underground, then that’s not really fair to them. Imagine if all their fans felt that way. Then they’d never be successful. I realize that that last paragraph could really only be applied to bands, but the argument still holds weight for artists in other mediums. Regardless, if you want to keep your favorite artists down and not spread them to others, be my guest. But I disagree with that mindset, and I refuse to keep quality to myself. It’s not fair to the artists, and it’s not fair to the rest of the world.

Nicole Kenney Copy Editor Picture this. You discover a band/game/show and soon enough find yourself in a budding romance with it. Nobody around you shows interest towards this thing. It’s your very own to enjoy. Six months later, everyone else suddenly likes your thing. It’s viral and unstoppably popular. Oh, the horror! Nothing causes me more distress than a gaggle of people showing an interest in my thing that I had first. Now, I understand that not all who find the thing on their own and grow an appreciation for it are bad; however, it’s the people who latch onto it because it’s the latest fad that grind my gears. Once this thing has a massive following, where is the special quality? That thing of your very own is now everybody else’s, too. You are just another follower among the crowd of fans for this thing. The new age fans have a tendency of making a name for themselves by being overbearing and obsessive. What was once an intimate connection between you and a small group of dedicated and appreciative fans is now a mosh pit of people who

The Ugly Truth

Gabriel Carrio Arts & Entertainment Editor

i liked it first have latched onto the current obsession. Never more will someone ask further when you say, “This is my favorite thing.” A statement that would have previously sparked a conversation about this peculiar interest has turned into a generic response of, “Oh God, you and everyone else.” Stumbling upon an amazing artist or hobby that is underground and yet to be discovered by the masses is a feeling unlike any other; however, these moments are few and far between thanks to the ease of becoming viral. For musicians, bloggers and content creators, specifically, what’s worst to come is after the new wave of fans. People who haven’t experienced fame before are bound to change to accommodate the skyrocketing fanbase and mass media attention. People who once communicated with followers and were true to themselves can evolve into image-obsessed mongrels whose only interactions with followers is through a three-inch crack in a tinted window in the back seat of a limo. So, next time you find something new and special, hold onto it for dear life and don’t tell a soul.

listen to both sides, democracy will thank you Thomas Cahalan Staff Writer

Nivison. “We’re human beings. The notion that you have a classroom free of bias is silly. It’s supposed to be a mirror of society not a fact factory.” Every viewpoint in a democratic society needs to be challenged. While some students may indeed be afraid to have their views challenged, others feel more uncomfortable to bring their views to light due to unfair backlash from peers. More conservative minded students may get unfairly called white supremacists, while more liberal minded students may get unfairly labeled as anti-American. Dan Passen, chair of the College Republicans at SNHU, offered an approach to try and reduce petty name calling. “It’s essential to get students involved in discussion. I personally think it’d be great for everybody to be able to hear everyone’s perspectives.” At the end of the day, fair-

tellus360.com

People today tend to live in their own little bubbles. Whether they know it or not, most individuals blind themselves from opposing viewpoints. Seeing how SNHU is a school that provides a great deal of diversity, examining how diverse the school is in terms of thought is only natural. Dr. Kenneth Nivison, Associate Professor of History at SNHU, gave his insight on this matter. “SNHU is diverse in thought. Students come from a variety of backgrounds with different perspectives. I think the fact that there’s a dialogue about openness indicates that it’s an open environment,” said Nivison. Granted, there is an open dialogue about bias on campus, but perhaps the issue is that one side tends to get more preference than the other. After all, if a

pro-abortion event is promoted, such as when the film “Trapped” was shown, while SHNU doesn’t host any anti-abortion events, one side does appear to get favored over the other. “It’s okay to have a left-wing event,” said Alyssa Scott, treasurer of the College Republicans of SNHU, “but there needs to be a right-wing event to counter balance it.” Allowing political events from both sides would serve to strengthen the very democratic principles that help make SNHU great. The idea is that instead of making it seem that only one viewpoint can be expressed, both sides of an issue would get to be heard by the SNHU community. In turn, this provides opportunity for an individual to make a more informed decision by getting exposure to both sides of the issue. However, bias is not unnatural. “Bias is inevitable,” said

ness is the ideal to be achieved through discussion. “If you’re going to preserve the right of student A to say what they believe, you preserve the right of student B to disagree,” said Nivison. People across the political

spectrum may be different in thought, but similar in humility; they show great enthusiasm at the chance to be heard. SNHU must accept the thought diversity of the campus community. Democracy itself deems it necessary.

OPINION news

april in the eyes of a senior Bryan Creevy Opinion Editor

life-hacker.com

Cyan Magenta

April of your senior year. People don’t really think about it until they’re there. The last month, last leg on your journey. It’s a lot to take in, and a lot all at once. Senior year is a mix between senioritis, long and hard assignments and a longing to get as much out of the last year as possible. Even in the beginning of the second semester, it doesn’t feel quite like the end yet. There are four months left, and that can be a lifetime. The realization comes crashing down once April hits, and everything becomes real. Every project becomes one of your last projects. Each test becomes one of your last tests. As small as four weeks sounds, it feels ten times worse the week after and the week after that. Time is closing in, and it feels like a ticking time bomb that, when it goes off, marks the end of the “best years

of your life.” Finding a job becomes a major focus, and there needs to be a balance between the job search, finishing the remaining school work to pass classes and securing the degree. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as it sounds. On top of everything else, it’s spring; the weather creates perfect opportunities to create some last month memories with friends before everyone is no longer living on campus together. Trying to enjoy the last month of school while passing classes, searching for jobs and getting a healthy amount of sleep puts a lot of stress onto your shoulders. One cannot easily predict how they’ll feel when approaching this part of their college career. It’s very overwhelming to be on the last page of the college chapter in one’s book. Everything in the pages before this built up to this one moment, and it’s hard to guess what might occur once a new chapter begins.

The last month as a college student makes one want to stop time from moving forward. So many great memories were formed and opportunities have risen from your time in college, and it feels like a big chunk of who you have become

may be disappearing forever. The daily routines and the essential aspects of one’s life taken for granted will no longer be the same. Friends will be miles away and a direct line to experienced help gets severed after this month.

Taking full advantage of what a university provides is key. Before the first big step into the real world, make sure you get the most out of your time on campus. Whether you want it to happen or not, graduation is only weeks away.

first year undertakings

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Thomas Cahalan Staff Writer For many students, the first year is one filled with excitement, independence, being pushed intellectually as well as socially, stepping out of your comfort zone and the occasional case of anxiety. There will rarely be a truly dull moment. SNHU attracts a variety of individuals. While some students may be from the surrounding area, out of state students and international students have a presence on campus as vast as the skies above. The people at SNHU themselves are a main part of what makes the community great. First-year student Nathan Grimm shed some light on how the SNHU community influenced his decision to attend. “It was the people that got me hooked here. I came here a couple of times and people seemed to love it here. The place rubbed off on me,” said Grimm. Besides growing fond of the SNHU community, the opportunity to get out of your shell is another event one can

expect to happen in their first year. First-year student Elisha Borden revealed her own personal experience with this mighty challenge. “SNHU has brought me out of my shell. Joining clubs and talking to new people offered opportunities for growth I wouldn’t have gotten to have otherwise. Talking to other people also made me aware of all the diverse backgrounds people come from,” said Borden. Being exposed to diversity will happen during the first year at SNHU. Seeing how some students that attend the school may come from more homogenous communities, getting exposed to people of all walks of life is the icing on the cake to the experience. Random moments of life should also be expected at this stage of the journey. Whether it’s walking into your room and seeing your roommate give a stranger a tattoo, hearing someone regret their lunch decision in the bathroom, or witnessing a group of friends ride through a current of emotions with the grace of a swan, randomness will reign supreme.

Valuable life skills like learning what to eat and not to eat from the dining center, time management and keeping track of finances will all be learned successfully when the first year ends; however, certain expectations before the year begins may turn out to be incorrect. “Going into the year, I expected to have more close friends from a singular group. I’ve learned it’s a lot better to have a lot of friends out there, rather than just one clique,” said Grimm. Cliques aside, SNHU is a great school for a variety of people. “I’d recommend this school to anyone that enjoys education and takes advantage of all the opportunities. SNHU is excellent at working with people to create a flexible schedule, whether it’d be through campus or online classes, and is also very welcoming to commuter students and international students,” said Borden. Overall, SNHU can only be properly enjoyed if one is willing to put themselves out there; the first year is a worthy undertaking.

arts andnews entertainment Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why” Is a Poignant Tribute

Mustapha R. Price Staff Writer

Netflix

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It’s almost expected that any sort of anti-bullying content will stand on a sanctimonious pedestal, creating a climate that fails to get people to understand the depths of what their actions are capable of. In spite of this, “13 Reasons Why” manages to break the tropes associated with this style of content. It’s an honest, often brutally so, adaptation of a fantastically raw novel written by Jay Asher. But the Netflix series manages to push everything just a bit further, forcing you to feel in arguably the realest, yet most authentic and painful way possible. While the subject matter is strong, it wouldn’t be nearly as effective without such a wonderfully raw cast of characters, portrayed by some truly incred-

ible actors. While a lot of the side characters put on spectacular performances, the two leads really help the show to shine. While the actors portraying Clay and Hannah (our two stars) struggle to gain their footing within the first two episodes, it doesn’t stop them from really standing tall in

the remaining episodes. Unfortunately, it’s the realism of this show that makes it so painful to watch. While this stands as one of its strongest characteristics as a series, individuals who struggle with this sort of subject matter will find themselves no solace in a show like this.

night in the woods Alex Scheuer Staff Writer

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a love letter to '90s platformers

Playtonic Games

“Night in the Woods” is a single-player adventure game developed by Infinite Fall for PC, Mac and PlayStation 4. The game centers on Mae Borrowski, a college dropout who decides to return to her small hometown of Possum Springs. She then reunites with her friends Gregg, Angus and Bea, who she is in a band with, and continues to hang out with them. The overall gameplay is amazing and features wonderful interactions with the townspeople of Possum Springs, including Mae’s friends and parents. There are occasional moments in the game that feature some incredibly fun platforming that are hard to resist regardless of whether or not they’re required for a task or not. There are also a couple entertaining mini-game elements that are not too challenging or stressful. The story is highly enjoyable and is likely to captivate anybody who’s playing the game. Without spoiling too much, it starts off focusing on Mae’s daily interactions and her past, to her stumbling upon a mystery that she is deter-

mined to solve with the help of her friends. The turn the story takes is wonderfully unexpected and will have you questioning what happened and guessing about what eventually will. The game’s soundtrack is well made and incredibly beautiful. The background music ranges from being serene and peaceful, to suspenseful and intense without being overbearing or confusing. It even features a couple of awesome songs that are performed by Mae’s band in the game. The characters are also quite unique and incredibly interesting, each with different personalities and ways of interacting with Mae. Even her group of friends have diverse behaviors and outlooks, as well as really moving backstories. All this makes spending time with them in the game that much more fun and exciting. Night in the Woods is definitely a rare gem of a game that only comes around once in a while. I’ve loved every second of it and really enjoyed playing it. I highly recommend it to anybody who’s looking for a fun adventure game that doesn’t cause too much stress. 10/10

Dealing with issues of suicide, sexual assault, homicidal behaviors and much more, “13 Reasons Why” refuses to shy away from the more graphic elements of its story. This is part of what makes it so effective, but it also evokes some very intense feelings. “13 Reasons Why” is not per-

fect, despite a lot of its greater qualities. Sometimes, due to its political commentary, it places itself on a platform, and all of the advice it gives, or the stances it takes don’t quite mirror some people’s real experiences, and has incited quite a bit of backlash for some of its approaches to issues of mental health. While this is an incredibly complex and harsh narrative, it also offers a particularly thorough look into some of the most prominent issues we’re facing in our society today. With sexual assault, sexism, school bureaucracy, bullying, suicide and many more issues at the forefront of this story, driven by powerful characters, a meaningful impactful narrative and some of the greatest execution and pacing in Netflix history, “13 Reasons Why” may be one of the best shows we’ve seen this year.

Addison Thyng Staff Writer

Infinite Fall

“Yooka-Laylee” is what every mascot platformer in the 90s wanted to be. It isn’t perfect, but it’s colorful, creative and has the addictive quality that “collectathons” live and die on. While the controls are sometimes wonky and some parts of the game feel unpolished, it does the job it was made to do. Made by the same team that did “Banjo Kazooie,” “BanjoTooie” and “Conker’s Bad Fur Day,” “Yooka-Laylee” is worthy of the title “spiritual successor.” It’s the same gameplay and style that those older games were known for, the point being: grab everything in sight. In this aspect, the game thrives on delivering on the feeling of progressing, collecting and exploring so you can get

the next item just out of reach. Even with the game's wonderful aesthetic and gameplay, it does fall short in a few noticeable areas. The controls can go from smooth and precise to frustratingly floaty and unresponsive at a moment's notice. This leads to the platforming puzzles ranging from well thought out challenges to annoying and trying. Another noticeable issue is that the game feels too ambitious for itself. “Yooka-Laylee” was funded on Kickstarter, which is fine for making smaller titles, but this one ends up feeling like they tried to do too much. The developers try to do everything that the previous games did but bigger and better, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. The core gameplay, music and characters are all very well done, but then they try to add more.

Things like transformations, retro style mini games, large levels that can be made even larger and trivia sections all give off the feeling that they tried to bite off more than they could chew. And while none of these things are “bad” per se, they feel unnecessary and sometimes not thought out completely, as if they are ideas in the beta phase instead of the final product. All in all, though, “YookaLaylee” is a good game. The main collecting gameplay is very well done, the characters are creative and funny and the music helps put the player in the perfect mood. While the previously listed things are flawed, they aren’t broken. If you’re looking for a fun platformer to scratch the collectathon itch, then this game is perfect. Just know that there will be some bumps along the way. 7.5/10

arts andnews entertainment Charly Bliss Treads Water on “Guppy”

Nick Klotz Online Editor

much-needed polish between this and their last few short-form releases. On “Guppy,” arrangements are denser and more layered. The high-pitched squeaks that often plagued Hendricks’s vocals are gone now. And most importantly, the chemistry the members have is made more obvious. On the short tack “Gatorade,” Hendricks’s voice is flanked by lush vocal harmonies. A distorted synth-like guitar lead that would sound at home in a Jeff Rosenstock song brings the track to a triumphant close. “Guppy” can feel like its suffering an identity crisis. It’s easy to pick apart the band’s influences. It’s not hard to hear bands like

the Smashing Pumpkins and the Pixies in their songs. However, I’m sure Hendricks would take a comparison to Kim Deal as a compliment. Charly Bliss has taken a big step forward in setting them-

selves apart from the new wave of fuzzy pop-punks they belong to. “Guppy” is an energetic and bubbly package that takes on youthful topics like love, sex and ice cream with enough sass to keep things interesting.

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On their debut, full-length album “Guppy,” New York band Charly Bliss delivers sticky sweet hooks with a sneer, backed by crunchy riffs and buzzy leads straight out of the best of Weezer’s catalog. The band wastes no time on the fiery opener “Percolator.” The trotting piece of fuzzy indiepop is youthful and energetic. As singer Eva Hendricks wails, “I’m gonna die in a getaway car,” one can easily find themselves itching to sing along. “Black Hole” is a song about being stuck in an abusive relationship and the struggle to get

out. “She’s got her toe in a cornhole/ Bleeding out in a snow cone,” Hendricks croons over guitars uneasy that go from delicate to more and more aggressive each time the bit is repeated. The grungy “Ruby” is an ode to Hendricks’s therapist who helped Hendricks get over a fear of fainting. The anxiety ridden image of “Guardrail, taking the stairs/ Passed out on the subway with blood in my hair” is juxtaposed by the casual ease of the chorus’s “She's pro, I'm not that bad though.” It’s times like this when Hendricks lets her charisma take center stage that “Guppy” shines the brightest. Charly Bliss has seen some

Mass Effect Andromeda: A New but Familiar Galaxy Cyan Magenta

Tyler Leighton Contributing Writer

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Five years after Commander Shepherd’s journey came to its controversial conclusion, the “Mass Effect” series has returned with “Mass Effect: Andromeda,” a foray into a new galaxy with brand new characters. A blank slate for a fresh adventure, the journey to the Andromeda Galaxy brought back some of the series’ longstanding issues.

After spending over 600 years cryogenically frozen, your character (Sara or Scott Ryder) awakens on humanity’s galaxy-crossing ark the Hyperion, a massive vessel carrying 20,000 humans after it collides with a cloud of dark energy called the Scourge. Working with humanity’s Pathfinder, tasked with finding habitable planets for human colonies, you find the Andromeda Initiative’s colonization effort is rife with

problems; the most alarming being that the seven “Golden Worlds” the Initiative located from the Milky Way have had their environments deteriorate to the point that they’re nearly uninhabitable. Trying to find a new home for humanity while exploring uncharted space is the perfect science fiction scenario for a “Mass Effect” game. As a new introduction to the “Mass Effect” universe, Andromeda serves as an ambitious first

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step, but like the original “Mass Effect,” released back in 2007, that step is followed by a series of stumbles on loose footing. “Andromeda” comes with new game mechanics. Gone are the days of cover based shooting in favor of more fast paced combat. You can change your style by customizing Ryder with skill points to upgrade Combat, Biotics and Tech abilities; each of these abilities has a minimum of twelve different upgradable skills. Once enough skill points have been invested in each ability, you can choose from eight different Pathfinder Profiles, each offering their own combat benefits. That’s a lot to learn, and I didn’t even cover weapon blueprints, modifications or specialized ammunition. “Mass Effect: Andromeda” is absolutely dense with options for players to improve their fighting ability which, after a long night of studying, does make combat fun and diverse. Unfortunately, only one mechanic exists to improve the human outposts established by Pathfinder Ryder. “Planetary Viability” is the mostly superficial tracker of how hospitable a planet is, ranking from 0 to 100 percent. Viability can only be increased by completing missions on that planet, most of which amount to glorified road trips across barren wastelands, but after it’s reached 40 percent, an outpost can be es-

tablished and the game gives no further incentive to raise it any higher. Along with the bad, “Andromeda” has also inherited its predecessors’ more positive genes. The main cast of characters on the Tempest, Ryder’s ship, are well developed, and their loyalty missions are unique and memorable, serving as some of the best that the game has to offer. The voice cast performs admirably, even in the interrogation style of discussion that “Mass Effect” dialogue has become infamous for. These characters and their growth as they attempt to rebuild the Andromeda Initiative are more than enough motivation to stick with this game. “Mass Effect: Andromeda” won’t be remembered as the series’ finest entry, but there is more than enough in the Andromeda Galaxy to keep you engaged; although a preestablished fondness for the “Mass Effect” universe certainly helps. “Andromeda” is a shaky step forward for the series and is best experienced with reset expectations. The game may take you to a new galaxy, but it doesn’t break any new ground for the series. This is more of “Mass Effect,” and while that’s not a bad thing, it’s also not particularly exciting after five years of waiting. Perhaps Andromeda’s next adventure will live up to fan’s galactic expectations.

Penmen Passion news A PASSION FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING

Lori Costa Health & Wellness Editor

Megan Palmer

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One of the primary focuses of the Learning Center is to offer a collaborative tutoring experience that requires the full attention and dedication of both the tutor and tutee. It can be a demanding process, but the structures and techniques provided by the Learning Center help to bring out the motivation and excitement in students. The Learning Center strives to improve the skills and knowledge of their students regardless of their grades. They also seek to form a positive bond between the tutor and the tutee and supply the tools that do not foster a dependency. Although the tutor is supplied to the student, it is impeccable that the tutees have an active involvement in their desire to learn. At SNHU, the Learning Center is located on the second floor of the Library Learning Commons and is available to all undergraduate day students that either want or need improvement in their academic performance. Who is in charge of the day to day operations to keep the Learning Center running smoothly? That honor goes to a woman named Lori DeConinck who started working for SNHU in the summer of 1975. She is currently working as the Director of the Learning Center. DeConinck graduated from Rivier College with a Master of

Lori DeConinck in her last semester as director of the Learning Center. Arts degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy. She also possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from SNHU (previously known as New Hampshire College) and an Associate in Science degree in Legal Secretarial Studies from (the now defunct) Notre Dame College. In June of 1975, DeConinck started working for SNHU and loved it. Throughout the years, she steadily rose through the rankings and with some hard work, became the Director of the Learning Center. Every day

is different for her, especially if she finds that students are being difficult in not wanting to receive the help they need. Day to day operations are just that for her: day to day. Sometimes she meets with students in various programs they have on campus that they run. Other times, she performs “managerial” (behind the scenes work) tasks that include budgeting, sending and responding to emails, going to meetings and any other tasks her staff may need any additional help with. DeConinck is in charge of

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The Learning Center on the second floor of the library.

keeping the Learning Center running smoothly while her staff works to help students at SNHU with any subject they may be struggling with. It can be a challenge, but DeConinck enjoys getting the opportunity to see her students succeed, no matter what the subject area may be. It is the most rewarding thing about her job, and her favorite, too. Although working for the Learning Center is mostly rewarding, there are some elements that can be difficult, too, DeConinck says. “It’s sometimes a challenge to get students to understand what they are throwing away if they don’t do well and don’t take advantage of all the support services SNHU has to offer,” said DeConinck When students are really struggling, it can become easy for them to want to give up and go home and that is something the Learning Center desperately wants to avoid. Students pay thousands and thousands of dollars per semester and it would be a shame to give up so quickly because they are struggling with math or science. DeConinck felt that this was the most challenging part of her job because she wants to see everyone succeed to the ultimate goal of getting their diploma. DeConinck does not spend every waking moment as Director of the Learning Center, however. When is she not working hard on her day to day tasks,

she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her family. Her family also includes her two cats. In the summertime, her favorite hobby is swimming on a hot day. When it is too hot to go outside (or even too cold to go outside) she thoroughly enjoys catching up on some of her favorite television shows. DeConinck also enjoys curling up with a good book while she is not at work. With the job changing every day and new hurdles to climb, it is important for DeConinck to enjoy her down time and spend time with the people she loves. One thing that DeConinck wanted to make certain was how amazing her team is. “The people on my team are phenomenal,” she said. “Truly student-centered and dedicated to helping students succeed.” It is extremely important for both tutors and tutees to be engaged in the learning process. If just one of them are not interested or not driven enough, the entire operation falls apart and no one gets the help they need. DeConinck and her staff also try to make the Learning Center fun and encourages students to come into the office. They use welcoming events such as “Warm-up Wednesdays,” where they serve either hot cider or hot cocoa to students. Another event that occurs every spring is their annual “Are You Smarter than a Tutor?” This event basically matches the tutors up against the tutees in a friendly game show-esque competition. The Learning Center would not run the as smoothly and efficiently if DeConinck was not at the head of the operation. She makes sure that every day activities are run smoothly and that students get the help they deserve. Without her, the operation falls apart. She is truly a wonderful example of “Penmen Passion” because she loves what she does and would not want to be doing anything else. She loves her team and her students and truly enjoys seeing them succeed not only in their schooling, but also in their growing everyday lives. As of next semester, DeConinck is stepping down from her position as the director of the Learning Center; she will now be taking a position as a full-time teacher of Sociology.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS news quit smoking today to live a longer life

Rebecca LeBoeuf Editor in Chief

Pexel.com

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Smoking tobacco is dangerous, both to users and the people who are surrounded by secondhand smoke. By quitting, one can reverse damage done and create a healthier environment. Smoking cigarettes is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States today, contributing to more deaths than human immunodeficiency virus, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries and firearm-related incidents, combined, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the American Cancer Society, smoking shortens people’s lives by 11-12 years, doing damage to almost every organ in the body. It causes multiple types of cancer, and is being attributed to 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths. Smoking also causes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke and negatively affects sex and reproduction in both genders.

Not only does tobacco smoke hurt the smoker, it hurts everyone inhaling the secondhand smoke. According to the CDC, two and a half million adults died as a result of secondhand smoke since 1964. These victims died from health conditions similar to that of smokers: heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. “Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20-30 percent,” according to the CDC. College campuses often act as both home and work for many students and any exposure to secondhand smoke is full of risks. To quit smoking can be a challenge, but the results are well worth it. According to the CDC, in just a year after quitting, the risk for a heart attack significantly decreases. Between two to five years, the risk for smoke is equivalent to a nonsmoker’s. Within five years, the risks for cancers in the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder have dropped by half, and after 10 years, the risk for lung cancer drops by half.

By quitting, it is possible to reverse much of the damage and actually add years back to one’s life. The SNHU Wellness Center can assist anyone who is looking to quit, offering two

options. First is to see a cessation specialist and the second is to meet with one of the licensed alcohol and drug counselors on staff. To make an appointment (or ask any questions) call 603-645-9679, 603-

645-9616 or go to their office, located in the Student Center. The SNHU campus may allow smoking, but every time someone quits, SNHU becomes a healthier learning environment for everyone.

don't forget your sunscreen Lori Costa Health and Wellness Editor Summer is just around the corner and the weather is warming up quickly. With the brutality of this past winter,

people are eager to get out and get to the beach, go hiking, camping and just enjoy being outside again. The one thing that is a must for anyone going outside is to remember the sunscreen.

Anyone over the age of six months old should be wearing sunscreen if they are exposed to the sun for a long period of time. Why is sunscreen important? It combines several in-

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gredients that help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet radiation from reaching the skin. Ultraviolet radiation damage to the skin both ages it prematurely and creates the risk of skin cancer. How much sunscreen should be used? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one ounce of sunscreen should be applied to the body (about a shot glass full). During a long beach day, a person should use about half a bottle of an eightounce bottle of sunscreen. It is also important to remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before being exposed to the sun. This is because it allows the ingredients to fully bind to the skin before being exposed to the sun. Reapplication is also important when using sunscreen. It is just as important as applying it in the first place. Sunscreen should be reapplied with the same amount every two hours and reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off, or sweating quite

a bit. According to healthguidance.org, the most recommended SPF for sunscreen is 15. It is considered the most efficient in protecting the skin from the sun and ultraviolet rays. Although it may seem that sunscreen is only for summer, anytime the skin is exposed to the sun for a long period of time, sunscreen needs to be applied. This may also be in the middle of winter or fall when the temperature is below 30. It may seem silly, but anyone can get sunburnt at any time of the year. Summer is all about having fun, but forgetting the sunscreen can mean waddling around too burnt to move. It takes very little time to apply and when done properly, can even tan up the skin nicely. So, always remember to pick up the sunscreen on the way to the beach before having fun in the sun, because your body will thank you later.

sports SNHU BASEBALL READY FOR FINAL PUSH

Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Staff Writer

Black Matt Martin Sports Editor

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With the recent warm weather here in New Hampshire, the SNHU baseball team has been in full swing this season. The Penmen are 26-7 on the year and are 4-1 in their last five games. “The team looks really good so far. I think we are meshing well as a team and playing very hard together. This team definitely doesn't like to lose and it shows in all the games that we have come back and won from behind,” said senior Cam Oliveira. The Penmen were well rested and ready to play Saint Michaels College on April 12. Graduate student Zach Goldstein earned five runs batted in (RBIs) and junior Ryan Sullivan and sophomore Robert Fulkerson each earned three as they all had home runs. Senior Derek Bauer, firstyear student Joshua Goldstein and Tom Blandini, and sophomore Kevin Alexy all earned one RBI. Junior Ivan Clough pitched

Sean Webster hits a line drive for a run home against Stonehill. seven innings, allowed four walks and struck out four in the 15-5 win. The following day, April 13,

the Penmen hosted Bridgeport University. It was a close game, but the Penmen were winners by a score of three to two. Blandini

and junior Caleb Potter each got an RBI. Bauer, sophomore John Stanton and junior Kyle Pangallo earned the runs. Junior Jake Stearns pitched the whole game, walked only one and struck out six in the victory. In a three-game series at Stonehill College, the Penmen took two out of three games. The first two games were on April 15. Blandini earned four RBIs, Sullivan earned three on a home run, Potter got two, and Bauer, sophomore Kyle Ruth, and freshman Ethan Harris each got one. Senior pitcher Alex Person pitched all nine innings, walked one and struck out five in the 13-5 win. The second game was another big win for the Penmen. Potter earned four RBIs, Pangallo and sophomore Joshua Zbierski each got two, and Goldstein and junior Sean Webster each earned one. Junior Andrew Lalonde earned the victory on the mound. He pitched six innings, walked two and struck out ten in the 11-3 win. On April 17, they played the final game in the series. Zbierski

and Webster got two RBIs and Pangallo had one, but it proved not to be enough and the Penmen lost 8-5. The Penmen faced division rival Franklin Pierce University in a “Rumble with the Ravens” on April 18. The Penmen were up for the challenge. Bauer and Potter both hit home runs, while Ruth hit a double. Bauer, Pangallo, and Stanton each had two RBIs and Potter had one. Junior Mitchell Powers pitched the whole game, walked one and struck out 11 in a 8-2 victory. “The best part about this team is that we haven't played our best baseball yet and we are still winning. Once we start playing our best brand of baseball we are going to really start to create separation,” Oliveira said. The final games of the regular season are against division rival Merrimack College on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 at home. The first pitch of the three-game series is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday. After that, the Penmen begin their run at the NE-10 and NCAA Titles.

SOFTBALL CONTINUES OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT

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The SNHU softball team continued to put its high-powered offense on display with four wins in the last five games. All the wins were against Northeast-10 (NE-10) rivals Saint Anselm’s College (St. A’s), Stonehill College and Franklin Pierce University (FPU). The Penmen hosted St. A’s on April 14. This was a makeup game that was postponed on March 28. Junior Sarah Lavallee hit two solo-home runs, which accounted for two of the Penmens’ four runs. The other runs scored on senior Devan Rabidou’s triple and on first-year student Hannah Neverett’s solo-home run. Senior Nicole Gubellini pitched seven solid innings, allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks and struck out six. The final score was SNHU: 4 and St. A’s: 2. SNHU then hosted Stonehill College for a two-game, Gold Rush series against Stonehill College on April 15. The teams

split the two incredibly close games. Junior Katie Horiuchi drove in the only run for the Penmen in the first game. Gubellini pitched another stellar seven-innings. She, again, allowed only two runs on six hits and three walks, but this time she struck out nine. SNHU lost, however, by a score of two to one. The second game went better for the softball team as they won a nail biter in extra innings. With junior Brittany Perdigao on third, senior Jessica Torsiello hit a long sacrifice fly to secure the 1-0 win for the Penmen in the eighth-inning. First-year student Maddy Barone pitched the whole game, allowed five hits, no runs, no walks and struck out five. Softball had a four-day rest before another two-game series at FPU. The Penmen annihilated the Ravens by outscoring them 31-6 in the two games. In the first game, SNHU got plenty of run support as Horiuchi, Lavallee, Torsiello and Neverett all got RBIs. Senior Erin Morrissey, sophomore Erin Garczynski and

Jessica Torsiello hits a sacrifice fly to win game against Stonehill. freshman Jordan Wade also had RBIs. Barone and Gubellini split the duties on the mound. Barone pitched five-innings and Gubellini pitched two as they both struck out three batters in the 9-3 win. Game two was shortened to

five-innings because the Penmen offense exploded for 22 runs. Garczynski had the only home run in the game and drove in five runs, but freshman Gabriella Vachon had the most RBIs in the game with six. Perdigao, Horiuchi, Torisello, Wade,

Morrissey, Gubellini and Neverett also contributed RBIs to the 22-3 mercy rule game. Lavallee earned the win on the mound. She pitched all five innings, allowed seven hits, three runs and no walks, while she struck out five Raven hitters. SNHU hopes these outbursts and exciting wins will propel them forward. “It’s always exciting to put the bat on the ball and score runs, especially against rivals,” Garczynski said. “We have to use this as motivation and keep scoring runs. The line-up can’t go to sleep in the upcoming games. We need to win just about every game in order to make the playoffs so we need to make sure this wave of momentum doesn’t die out.” Softball rounds out the school year and the regular season with five home games. The Penmen host Assumption College on Friday, April 28 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 29 at noon. The last two games are against Mercy College on Sunday, April 30 at noon. and 2 p.m.