Issuu

The

Slate

@ShipUSlate

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania theslateonline.com

Volume 67, No. 7

October 28, 2014

facebook.com/TheSlate

Go jump off a bridge:

Bridge Day in West Virginia, A6

Big Sean:

Pumping up SU, D1

Brand on fire:

Russell Brand is hot this week in Ship Speaks, B3

King and Queen Crowned, C1 Athlete profile:

Sheldon Mayer breaks out in 2014, E4

Slate

News slatenews@gmail.com

Celebrating 58 years as Shippensburg University’s student-run campus newspaper. Management Ana Guenther....... Editor-in-Chief representative from the SU Chap- hopes to improve relations be- sult they’re excluded,” Johnson said Sarah Eyd..........Managing Editor of the diverse student population. ter of the College Republicans and tween SU and the town. News Bradley will serve as a MSA congratulated Johnson on his “We have to take more respon-

Johnson elected Student Senate president Mary Grace Keller News Editor

With the gavel in his hand and the votes in his favor, Nicholas Johnson started his first meeting as Shippensburg University’s Student Senate president on Thursday, Oct. 23. As the former senator for Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), Johnson will be serving a wider body of constituents as he takes on his new role. Johnson competed against three other candidates for the position and received news of his win on Monday, Oct. 20. Secretary Rebecca Zelner swore Johnson in as president on Thursday, Oct. 23. Vice President Olivia Straka was not present for the open caucus. After running through the usual reports from senators, Johnson opened the floor to the audience. A

A3 October 28, 2014

election, as did some of the senators. SU interim President George “Jody” Harpster welcomed Johnson to the presidency. “We look forward to working with you any way we can,” Harpster said to Johnson at the Thursday caucus. Once Michelle Bradley stepped down from the presidency, some of Johnson’s friends in MSA encouraged him to run. The support from the student body eventually won Johnson his seat. “I think I belong to a lot of different parts of the campus and that was the first time I was able to see the effects of that,” Johnson said of the election. As a former football player, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and MSA, Johnson has met students from many regions of campus. As president, Johnson

sibility as students to ensure that our campus is friendly to everyone, that there is room for everyone to grow,” Johnson said. Although the population of diverse students is increasing, Johnson believes SU can do a better job

mentor to Johnson as he adjusts to the role of president. Johnson was surprised when Bradley stepped down but he greatly appreciates that the former president will be there to guide him, he said. The executive rules committee (ERC), consisting of Vice President Straka, secretary Rebecca Zelner and treasurer Kevin Rezac, will be working closely with Johnson. “They’re very genuine, they’re very hardworking,” Johnson said. Originally from Philadelphia, Johnson is a human communications and international studies major with a minor in ethnic studies. After graduating he plans to helping those who are already here. pursue work with the Peace Corps “In our decisions that we make, before attending graduate school. we forget about them and they aren’t taken into account and as a re-

“We have to take more responsibility as students,” -Nicholas Johnson

Mary Grace Keller..........News Editor Troy Okum............Asst. News Editor

Opinion

Tyler Law..............Opinion Editor Amanda Mehall......Asst. Op. Editor

Ship Life

Hannah Wolfe...........Ship Life Editor

Hunter Wolfe...........Asst. Ship Life Editor

Sports

David Barth..................Sports Editor Cale Ahearn..........Asst. Sports Editor

A&E

Laura Kreiser.............A&E Editor Sean Fennell...........Asst. A&E Editor

Graphics

Kyle Keevill.........Chief Designer Brandi Fitch..........Asst. Designer

Photography

Robyn Woodley.........Photo Editor

Eldon Graham......Asst. Multimedia Editor

Copy

Franklin Wood...........Copy Editor

Public Relations

Erin Foreman.............PR Director Samantha New........Asst. PR Director

Web

Tu Ngo..........Web Director Brad Foreman......Asst. Web Director

Advertising Darin Robillard.........Ad Director Adviser Dr. Michael Drager...........Adviser

Contact Us Email..............slate.ship@gmail.com Phone..........................717-477-1778 Fax...............................717-477-4022 Photos by Mary Grace Keller

Interim president Jody Harpster congratulates Johnson. The executive rules committee leads Student Senate.

Board of Governors approves new degree program for SU Mohan Shendge Staff Writer

Shippensburg University students will have a new option in the fall semester of 2015 as the Board of Governors just approved the first electrical engineering degree program. The electrical engineering degree will be the first one offered in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). SU already has had two series of engineering programs introduced in recent years. The first one

was computer engineering, followed by software engineering. SU’s new electrical engineering program will be the first of many of this type of program to be added to PASSHE. The program will prepare students for a career in a broad array of fields involving the degree. “This program will help fill these unmet needs, and, in addition, will be an affordable alternative. In short, we will have a high-quality program that meets national standards at a price that is affordable for the average Pennsylvanian,” SU interim president

George “Jody” Harpster said, according to a PASSHE news release. With the cost of tuition rising in recent years, it is important for the program to be affordable to students, according to SU officials. Schools such as Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University are two institutions whose electrical engineering degrees are considered some of the best, but they come at a steep price. SU hopes that it will be able to attract students with the less expensive tuition. Kyle Fellman, a sophomore, is considering the new major. “I

could see myself picking the electrical degree for multiple reasons — the main one being it’s something that interests me.” SU students who complete the electrical engineering program will acquire the skill set to design, build, test and manage systems that are in high demand in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of now, SU plans to start with just five students in the major in the fall of 2015. The hope is that the program will grow by 18 to 20 students per year.

Mailing Address The Slate Shippensburg University CUB Box 106 1871 Old Main Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257 The Slate is a weekly student-run newspaper printed by The Record Herald. All columns and opinion articles are those held by the specific writer, and not The Slate as a whole. Only unsigned editorials represent The Slate’s position. Advertisements are organized and approved by The Slate, and are not representation of The Slate or its position on matters. Advertising deadlines are the Monday before next publication date at 4 p.m. Contact slateadv@ gmail.com for more information. Letters to the editor should be concise (no more than 300 words) and should be sent to slate.ship@gmail. com. All submissions become property of The Slate and will not be returned. The Slate will not print anonymous letters, and reserves the right to refuse to print a letter if the Editorial Board feels it is inappropriate. The Slate uses art from King Features and Associated Press Images as well as various art sources which are credited within the publication. The Slate holds weekly staff meetings on Sundays in The Slate office, second floor of the CUB. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Slate also welcomes submissions from all students. Contact slate.ship@gmail.com for more information.

Slate

News

October 28, 2014

By the numbers

Rising above the statistics slatenews@gmail.com

SU takes a stand against domestic violence, sexual assault

Every two minutes, another American is sexually assaulted. Each year there are about 237,868 victims of sexual assault.

10%

About 10 percent of men in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning. Nearly 29 percent of women share this same statistic.

38%

More than 38 percent of rapists are a friend or acquaintance. Approximately two-thirds of assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.

60% About 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. The NO MORE campaign encourages people not to be bystanders.

80% More than 80 percent of victims are under age 30. Females ages 18 to 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence.

Sources: thehotline.org and rainn.org

Photos by Mary Grace Keller

Paper tulips decorate Horton Hall with inspiring messages and words of strength for those who suffer from abuse.

MARY GRACE KELLER News Editor

In two minutes, you can get a coffee from the CUB, run frantically to an advising meeting or wait anxiously for your Friday class to end. In the same two minutes, an American is sexually assaulted. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) shares this statistic and more on its website. Because of numbers like these, the Shippensburg University Women’s Center adopted the NO MORE campaign in April 2014 to physically show the campus t h a t SU is against domestic violence and sexual assault. NO MORE is a national campaign that strives to raise awareness and put a stop to domestic violence and sexual assault. The Women’s Center and individual groups on campus show their support by organizing events to e d u c a t e people about these issues. In honor of domest i c violence awareness month, several events were held throughout October. A tulip planting ceremony was hosted by the Women’s Center

on Oct. 8, during which passers-by could write encouraging messages on paper flowers. These flowers now hang in the Women’s Center in Horton Hall. A pink flower reads, “So that no one will ever hurt my best friend again.” One in two women and one in five men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives, according to nomore.org. College campuses can be a dangerous place for men and women, and the Women’s Center strives to prevent students, faculty and staff from becoming a statistic. “We want to help everyone that is touched by this,” Stephanie Erdice, the director of the Women’s Center, said. Help will be given to anyone who comes to the Women’s Center in Horton Hall 132. The Women’s Center gives victims options, but lets the decision come down to the individual. If a victim does not want to file a report the Women’s Center will not force them to do so, Erdice said. T w o women who experienced violence came to Orndorff Theater to share their

(L-R) Seniors Lena Delﬁn, Taylor Weisman, Emmie Burke and Chelsea Belles reached their fundraising goal of $100 for a domestic violence shelter in Carlisle. stories of abuse. Co-authors Nancy Chavez and Lynn Shiner visited SU on Oct. 16 to speak about their book, “Stabbed in the Heart — Three Murdered Children, Two Resilient Mothers.” According to thehotline.org, “the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect suggests that domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities in this country.” In conjunction with a class, students from the social work department spent two days raising money for a domestic violence shelter in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Seniors Dorothy Andrews, Chelsea Belles, Emmie Burke, Lena Delﬁn and

Taylor Weisman sold bubbles and lollipops to reach a goal of $100 for the shelter. They also encouraged students to take a stand against domestic violence by marking a tally on a purple banner or writing a message on behalf of victims. “A lot of us know people who have gone through it,” Delﬁn said of domestic violence, “It’s close to our hearts.” The Women’s Center is also hosting a NO MORE photo contest until Oct. 31 for anyone to participate in by taking a photo to take a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault.

Slate

News

October 28, 2014

slatenews@gmail.com

Here and Now

Federal jury brings justice to four former Blackwater contractors

Troy Okum

Asst. News Editor Seven years after four mercenaries belonging to a firm hired by the U.S. government shot more than 30 Iraqis at the Nusoor Square in Bagdad, a federal jury sentenced them to jail on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The four men are former Blackwater employees who worked primarily in Bagdad, Iraq. Blackwater is a private security firm hired by the State Department to protect American diplomats, reported Fox News. The mass shooting took place on Sept. 16, 2007, in the center of Iraq’s capital. The shooting left 17 people injured and 14 dead. The trial lasted 11 weeks and involved more than 70 witnesses, some of whom were flown over to the U.S. from Iraq. Nicholas Slatten, a Blackwater sniper who was accused of initiating the shooting, was convicted of murder, reported The New York Times (NYT).

The three other men, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty and Paul Slough, were convicted of manslaughter. According to Fox News, Heard was found guilty of 11 counts of attempted manslaughter and six counts of voluntary manslaughter. Liberty was found guilty of 12 counts of attempted manslaughter and eight counts of voluntary manslaughter. Slough was found guilty of 17 counts of attempted manslaughter and 13 counts of voluntary manslaughter. “The verdict is wrong, it’s incomprehensible,” David Schertler, Heard’s lawyer said. “We’re devastated. We’re going to fight it every step of the way. We still think we’re going to win.” The defendants pleaded not guilty, claiming the shooting spree was out of self-defense against armed individuals attacking them. The prosecution disagreed, arguing that there was no such gunfire from enemy combatants and that the shootings were unwarranted. “This verdict is a resounding affirmation of the commitment of the American people to the rule of law, even in times of war,” Ronald Machen Jr., U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., said, according to the Washington Post. NYT reported that the four men arrived at the square in four armored vehicles. During the trial they said they thought a car bomb was going to be set off, and the men reacted to the perceived threat by using machineguns and grenade

Photo courtesy of Press TV

A victim of the 2007 Blackwater shooting lies in a Baghdad hospital with his wife.

launchers to clear the square. Their lawyers maintain that the civilian casualties were an unfortunate and unavoidable result of urban warfare. A former Blackwater employee who was at the scene of the shooting said in court that he observed “people completely unarmed, people doing nothing wrong, get shot.” Several Iraqis who were interviewed about the jury’s decision were happy to hear the verdict, and one was even surprised the federal court convicted them. “At last we are hearing good news where justice has been

“I know that America is a country of justice,” - Saddam Jawad achieved and Blackwater will receive their punishment,” Hassan Jabir, a victim of the shooting, said, according to The Huffington Post. “I know that America is the country of justice, and I had faith in them to realize justice,” Saddam Jawad, whose mother was a victim of the shooting, said to NYT. “But to be honest, I was shocked when I heard about it.” The White House has not yet made any declarative comment on the verdict. The Intercept and The Huffington Post both mentioned in publications that President Barack Obama was publicly against private mercenaries forces, such as Blackwater, as a senator. The NYT editorial board said the verdict is an example of justice, but “[w]hat it does not do is solve the problem of an American government that is still too dependent on private firms to supplement its military forces during overseas conflicts and still unable to manage them effectively.” Since the testimonies of the defendants and the witnesses were in such great contrast to each other it is difficult to understand why the four men actually decided to conduct the shooting. While a federal jury decided they were guilty of murder and manslaughter, their lawyers continue to argue that the victims were casualties of urban warfare.

Police Briefs Lackhove Hall resident charged for harrassment

University police charged Dominic Memmi, 18, of Lackhove Hall for harassment and filed a citation against him for punching his roommate in the face. The victim reported the incident at the university police department on Oct. 19. He was treated at Etter Health Center for a minor wound and soreness around his mouth. The victim was relocated to a different residence hall with the assistance of the Dean of Students Office. Missing bicycle found at Stone Ridge Commons Gabe Clymer of Seavers Hall reported to the university police on Oct. 21 that his bicycle was stolen. Clymer reported he parked the bike in front of Reisner Dining Hall at approximately 8 a.m. When he returned at 9:10 a.m., it was missing. The bicycle, a white and black Genesis V-2100 with a red suspension, was not secured during the time of the theft. The bicycle is valued at about $150. At 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, the bicycle was found outside of Stone Ridge Commons and returned to Clymer. Underage drinking at Presidents Hall The university police arrived at Presidents Hall on Oct. 24 to assist the residence hall staff with an intoxicated female student, who was found passed out in the hallway. Officers identified the female as Erica Nanni-Gallucci, 20, of Presidents Hall. The female showed obvious signs of intoxication and was vomiting into a trashcan when the officers arrived. She was sent to a hospital due to her condition for further treatment. Officers charged her with underage drinking. Fight outside Presidents Hall ends in arrest University police cited Michael Hafer, 18, of Mclean Hall II with underage drinking, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness on Oct. 3. Officers were dispatched to the area outside of Presidents Hall due to a report of an active fight. By the time the officers arrived the fight had ended, but they did stop an individual involved in the fight, later identified as Hafer. He was found to be intoxicated and had minor injuries from the fight. Officers took him into custody and transported him to the university police department for processing. Hafer was later transported to Chambersburg Hospital for further treatment due to his level of intoxication and injuries. Criminal trespasses at Stone Ridge Commons University police received a report of a criminal trespassing on the first floor of Stone Ridge Commons on Oct. 5. A female victim of the incident reported that at 5 a.m. her bedroom door handle rattling awakened her. She got up and opened the door and a tall white male wearing only boxer shorts confronted her. The male entered the bedroom, lay down on the victim’s roommate’s bed and covered up with a blanket. The victim attempted to get the intruder to leave, but he told her that it was OK because he knew the girl who slept there. The male eventually left the room and the apartment complex. Video footage from the building appears to show the same male entered a different room on the fourth floor of the building at a later time. Harrisburg teen charged with underage drinking Schecara Frasier, 18, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was charged with underage drinking on Oct. 5. A university police officer working at a special event in the CUB encountered Frasier and another female walking down some steps. Frasier had difficulty walking down the steps and the officer stopped the two people. The officer found Frasier to be highly intoxicated and was transported to Chambersburg Hospital due to her level of intoxication.

Coming home to SU Take Connecting with an alumnus: Scott Hershberger

Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Scott Hershberger

Guest Columnist

Sunny skies, warm temperatures and fall foliage created a perfect setting for this past weekend’s homecoming celebration. Hundreds of alumni returned to campus to enjoy annual festivities such as tailgating, football and reuniting with old friends. Among the alums who made their way back “home” are the members of the Shippensburg University Alumni Association’s (SUAA) board of directors. A group that many current and former students may not realize exists, the SUAA board meets a few times each school year to discuss ways to better serve the university. Members are expected to assist with homecoming each year, and they were on campus again in 2014. After a meeting in the CUB on Friday morning, board members attended the university’s 29th annual Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the Tuscarora Room of Reisner Dining Hall. Six student athletes and one head coach were included in this year’s class of inductees. Work started early on Saturday as members of the board spent an hour at King’s Kettle Food Pantry on North Fayette Street, stocking and organizing shelves. Others set up a tailgate tent behind Seth Grove Stadium, where they handed out free promotional items bearing the university’s name and logo to anyone who stopped by. Activities were also planned for alumni who came to campus thirsty. “Café Flambe” and “Wines of the World” both offered an opportunity to taste a variety of beverages inside of Reisner Hall while also teaching about the creation of the coffees and wines that were featured. Finally, past and present members of the alumni board were on hand to serve up “SHIP Floats”

at the SU interim president’s postgame supper on the Martin House lawn following the football game. Members of the SUAA board of directors are not the only ones tasked with ensuring that alumni who return to campus for homecoming weekend leave satisﬁed. A dedicated homecoming committee works with staff members from SU’s department of university relations throughout the year to think of the best ways to leave a lasting impression. All of these individuals share the common goal of keeping former students involved with their alma mater. Many current attendees of this institution have made new friends while developing a passion for the place where they spend the majority of their time throughout the year. After graduation, homecoming provides a chance to keep that sense of pride alive. So, until it becomes time to accept that diploma and transition to life in the “real world,” continue to enjoy everything that this eventful weekend has to offer. But, know that homecoming will be even more rewarding in the future, when it actually requires “coming home.” Scott Hershberger graduated from Shippensburg University in May of 2007 with a degree in communication/journalism.He was a regular contributor to The Slate during his time on campus. After graduation, Scott spent three years as a news reporter at WHAGTV in Hagerstown, Md, followed by three years as a public relations contractor at the Franklin County Visitors Bureau in Chambersburg. He, his wife and his daughter live in Waynesboro, where Scott currently works as the town’s director of economic development. He joined the Shippensburg University Alumni Association’s Board of Directors in the fall of 2012.

the plunge slatenews@gmail.com

Adventure club goes to Bridge Day NATALIE EASTWOOD

SCOTT HERSHBERGER

News

Slate

October 28, 2014

A blue thread snaked almost 900 feet below the New River Gorge Bridge as people catapulted themselves into the air, some scrunching into flips before floating to the ground with billowing parachutes. Saturday, Oct. 18, was the 35th anniversary of Bridge Day, an international event in West Virginia. This was the sixth year Shippensburg University’s Adventure Club attended, Adventure Club President Patrick Peck said. Forty-four Adventure Club members left Friday by carpool and stayed at a campground that included white water rafting in the package. Although Bridge Day was free, the camping and rafting would have been $168, but was knocked down to $40 per person through Adventure Club. Bridge Day provides an opportunity for people to B.A.S.E. jump, which stands for building, antenna, span and Earth. B.A.S.E. jumping, which is jumping from any fixed structure or cliff, is more dangerous than skydiving because there is less time to react, Peck said. B.A.S.E. jumpers have about three or four seconds to orient themselves and pull their parachute, compared to the several minutes a skydiver has to react. For this reason, no one from the Adventure Club B.A.S.E. jumped from the bridge; only professionals were permitted. There were a total

of five tandem spots awarded to amateurs through an online lottery, which allowed people to jump attached to an experienced jumper, Peck said. Bridge Day is one of the few times that B.A.S.E. jumping is legal. Because it is so dangerous, establishments allow it sparingly to avoid legal ramifications, Peck said. People packed together on the New River Gorge Bridge to see the B.A.S.E. jumpers. Some people leaped from a diving board rigged to the bridge while others were catapulted into the air. “They’re just trying to outdo each other,” Peck said of the jumpers, some of them competing to get the most flips before righting themselves in time to open their parachutes. The jumpers aimed for a target just off shore, but the wind blew most of them into the trees or the river, senior Lily Berish, Adventure Club member and Bridge Day participant, said. The only injury was a broken leg of a jumper who was blown off course, Peck said. The Sunday following Bridge Day, club members got up early for whitewater rafting on Class 5 rapids on the Upper Gauley River. Rapids are ranked on a scale of one to five, with one being the tamest. They are judged by the technical skill required and the level of damage that would result from a mistake, Peck said. Berish rode the bull, she said, a term rafters use to describe a daredevil trick down the rapids. With legs draped over the edge of the

Photos by Emily Sarver

Jumpers leapt off this platform into the valley below.

raft, Berish said she held on to a strap attached to the front of the raft with one hand and pretended to lasso with the other. Berish demonstrated, waving her right arm in the air like a cowgirl. “I want to ﬂip on every rapid,” Berish said, who was tossed from the raft.

Parachutes release behind the jumpers as they ﬂoat down over the river. The longest bull rider, however, was Marilyn Miller, who said she was eventually pushed back into the raft by a big wave. “Don’t fall off,” was the thought Miller had racing through her head as she rode the bull through the foaming water. As a sophomore and Adventure Club’s supply manager, this was Miller’s second time at Bridge Day and her second time whitewater rafting. “This year, it wasn’t as terrifying because I kind of knew what to expect,” Miller said of the whitewater rafting, which was her favorite part of the trip. After a weekend of tent camping, watching B.A.S.E. jumpers and white water rafting, Peck held a meeting at the rec pavilion Tuesday, Oct. 21, to regroup with the club members. For the full story, visit theslateonline.com/news.

Ship

Speaks

B1 October 28, 2014

shipspeaks@gmail.com

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you To The Editor Frankie Wood Copy Editor

It is almost comical to hear prochoice advocates try and explain how an unborn child is not a life at conception. Any doctor or human biologist will testify that it is not just a blob of tissue. An embryo, in its’ earliest form, leads to a human life. By the end of the third week, a fetus has a heartbeat. When surgical abortions are conducted by the first trimester, the baby has all its appendages. Regardless, 61.3 percent of abortions in America are conducted at this point in pregnancy, every year (741,730). What is more damning is the fact that most abortionists agree that life begins at conception. You can infer, then, that the vast majority of pro-choice advocates believe that a woman’s right to control what happens to her body takes precedence. As important as it is for a woman to control what happens to her own body, why is aborting a living human being not murder? We have collectively lost our minds as a “civilized” country when we refuse to cultivate, defend and protect the integrity of the vulnerable, especially unborn children. In 1972, the year before Roe v. Wade, 39 women died from illegal abortions. As tragic as that was, approximately 50 million unborn children have been legally slaughtered in America since then. Abortion is in direct defiance of the commonly

accepted idea of the sanctity of human life. It is ironic how we choose to acknowledge or defy such virtues. We create laws to protect our citizens from intentional harm or taking a life. Pro-life supporters are not clueless to the fact that some women are put in very precarious and awful situations — protecting a mother’s life, incest and rape. However, if we lose an arm or one of our senses, we endure and adapt. Life goes on. Yet, when it is convenient, we choose to end a child’s life, even though adoption is a viable alternative. This is a go-to talking point for most abortionists, but the fact is less than 1 percent of all abortions in this country were a remedy for such cases — protection of the mother’s life, .2 percent; rape, .3 percent; and incest, .03 percent. To choose not to abort is easier said than done, especially coming from a man, I know. But it is polar to a mother’s nurturing instinct. Unfortunately, the decision not to abort often transcends our human capabilities, but it is one of extreme moral courage. The vast majority of the 1.21 million abortions conducted every year in this country were as a result of an unwanted pregnancy. Many abortions are also conducted by “mature” multiple abortionist — 32.6 percent are 20-24 years old and over 45 percent are 25-39 years old. Surprisingly, 23 percent of all pregnancies in America end in abortion. With more than 1.5 million American families willing to adopt, every year, there should be no such thing as an un-

wanted child. Even more, to carry a child to term, instead of aborting, would relieve most young women of a life of intense psychological pain and stress. At the time of the abortion procedure, 57 percent of women claim to be “emotionally or financially incapable” of carrying a baby to term. Ironically, abortion only adds to the emotional turmoil. I would offer, that under any circumstance, it is not the child’s fault. Abortion, for whatever reason, is punishing the unborn, nor is abortion a form of birth control. The point at which we should grant the rights of personhood to a human is at conception. However, our largely secular society has deemed abortion legal. Regardless, this does not make it “good.” I would argue that it has led to a very intense coarsening of our moral sensibilities. We have lost our moral “compass” in determining the value of a human life. We rail against wars, but we embrace the most inhumane loss of life this world has ever known. Before we slip further into the abyss, we must respect all human life and protect the unborn, especially. Every procured abortion is a moral evil and is gravely contrary to the moral law, especially in a society like America, that proclaims that the inalienable right to life and pursuit of happiness is a constitutive element of civility.

Photos by Robyn Woodley

Greek Letter Organizations

Dear Editor,

In the issue of The Slate published September, 30th, there was a pair of articles written for the opinion section that discussed the benefits and issues of Greek Life (which has been a heated topic of discussion for decades). While the article presented some interesting points on both sides, there were parts of Greek life that desperately need more coverage. These articles shed plenty of light on the bad things that Greek letter organizations have done in the past at different schools, but there seemed to be few positive actions observed. You can spend all day finding isolated situations and convincing yourself that Greek life offers no value to society but this ultimately is not true. One could also find sufficient examples to bash American football. Look at the examples of Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson who are both facing suspension and jail time. The assumption that these two people’s actions impact the meaning of the game is largely unsupported and most fans will continue to follow the sport. Greek letter organizations strive to build men and women of character who are capable of being contributing members of society. Its members take actives roles in supporting charities, communities, and fellow Greeks on a day-to-day basis. At Shippensburg University, Greek life has had a steady positive influence on the community. Every year Greek organizations participate in our Relay for Life event, raising several thousand dollars for the cause.

There are countless other programs supported by our school’s Greek organizations including the Adopt a Highway Program, Kings Kettle food pantry, and the Movember Foundation. Another great aspect of Greek organizations is its focus on education. At Ship, members of Greek organizations are significantly more likely to achieve their goals in school and graduate with a degree. Incoming freshmen from 2003 to 2007 had an overall graduation rate of 61.7 percent. During that same time period, Greek students had a graduation rate of 79.7 percent. While there have been isolated issues tied to Greek life at other campuses, there have been no incidents at Ship that would warrant such a pointed article against these organizations. Any contact with one of a number of credible sources on campus would have quickly shed light on the flaws to such a viewpoint. Some great resources on campus include the office of Fraternity and Sorority life, the Inter Fraternity council, or members of any fraternities found on campus. Better yet, pick any sorority member and you will likely hear that fraternity houses at this university are not risky bets but are instead a safe place to be at. Furthermore, Greek letter organizations are greatly watched over on a local and national scale. The organizations here at Ship face a great deal of pressure to do things right. Between the expectations of chapter advisors, the Greek life office, and nationals for each organization, there is no error. - Michael Kuder

Speaks

Ship

October 28, 2014

Pros and cons of pro-choice

MARCUS WATKINS Staff Writer

The pro-life versus pro-choice debate has been a prominent topic of discussion ever since the Roe v. Wade case in 1973. The case determined that it was a woman’s right to have an abortion under the due process clause of the 14th amendment. Since then, the connotation of the terms pro-life and pro-choice has been misconstrued. Many people consider pro-life activists to be anti-choice. In contrast, many people consider pro-choice activists to be pro-abortion. Such generalizations could not be further from the truth. It is important to remember that people often hold themselves to different standards than they do the rest of society. Someone whose political views would have them fall

put that person out of their misery. There are also people who simply cannot choose a side of the debate. Whether due to them simply not believing that they should expose their political and moral views, or that they do not know enough information to form an exact opinion on the subject, they do not take a side. What are these people called? Surely, there must be a side for them as well. It also seems as though the debate often turns into a power struggle between those with conservative political views and those Photo Courtesy of Planned Parenthood HCR with liberal political views. under the category of pro-choice Though the pro-life versus might still disagree with abortion pro-choice debate does have an infor themselves. He or she might ﬂuence on the political system, it is believe that abortion is wrong and not necessary for every single dethat they would never personally bate to turn into a power struggle. have an abortion, but that it is ultiIt makes it seem as though peomately not his or her responsibility ple care less about their points of or right to hold everyone else to the view and more about remaining in same moral beliefs. power. This happens in almost evSomeone who is pro-life might not ery debate including debates about be entirely anti-choice either. There global warming and evolution. Not are many topics where the term pro- only is it unnecessary to turn it into life is used as a side of a debate. Oth- a power struggle, but it is also a deter examples of where pro-life is used riment to society. It is difﬁcult to are in discussions about the death achieve anything when people only penalty, euthanasia, war, birth con- want to argue because they are trytrol, etc. It is possible for someone ing to preserve their own power. to have varying opinions on the difThe point is that the pro-life verferent topics, so it is not necessar- sus pro-choice debate is not as cut ily fair to pin the term pro-life on and dry as it seems. There are mula person entirely. While someone tiple facets to a debate — morals, might feel abortion is wrong, he or politics and struggles for power. It is she might believe that war is neces- not as simple as a two-sided debate. sary at times or that euthanasia is necessary to put help someone and

DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed within these pages are those of the writers. They are not directly the opinions of The Slate, its staff, or Shippensburg University as a whole. Concerns or letters to the editor can be emailed to shipspeaks@gmail.com

shipspeaks@gmail.com

Amanda Bynes and celebrity mental disorders AMANDA MEHALL

Asst. Opinion Editor When someone is sick, it is only natural they seek help to get better. For example, if you are up all night coughing and cannot breathe through your nose, you go to the doctor to make the problem go away. If you show no noticeably visible symptoms of illness though, it can sometimes be easier to hide how you are feeling. Even though a mental illness differs from physical illness, they should both be taken equally seriously. If you have friends who catch the ﬂu, do you laugh at them? No, you tell them to get well soon. So, I am wondering, why do people insist upon making fun of Amanda Bynes? I do not know what Bynes was diagnosed with, but she shows obvious signs of being mentally unhealthy. When Robin Williams killed himself, due to depression, America was devastated. When Bynes was taken to the hospital, people laughed. Do people only start feeling sympathetic and stop making jokes once someone ends his or her life? Does it really take a suicide to get people to open their eyes to the severity of mental illness? Williams and Bynes both have places in our generation’s hearts for making us laugh, so why do we only feel sorry for one of them? Mental illness is not something to joke about or judge someone for. Mental illness can happen in anyone, it does not discriminate. I am sure if any of your close friends or family mem-

bers, had one you definitely would not be amused by it. Bynes’ life is not easy, I am sure. Her struggles are not for the public’s enjoyment. Something terrifying is happening in her head from which she has no escape and can potentially be deadly. I find it pretty sad that society needs this wakeup call and must be reminded that making fun of a mentally unstable person is not OK. Some people argue that since she is famous, she is “fair game” to poke fun at because she is putting herself in the spotlight. Did we forget celebrities are humans, just like everyone else? I can almost guarantee if she killed herself, people would start reminiscing great memories of “The Amanda Show” and “What a Girl Wants.” I do not know why people start feeling sorry once it is too late, but that needs to end. I do not care what wig Bynes puts on next, what her next tweet says or what outfit she throws together next. We should all be hoping Bynes gets the help she needs so she can move forward from this. Flashback to kindergarten when we all learned the phrase, “treat others the way you want to be treated.” I, for one, am completely cheering Bynes on to start her path to recovery. Maybe she could start making sense of what is happening to her if everyone stopped condoning her unhealthy acts by publically ridiculing her. To me, mental illness never was and never will be a joke or a reason to degrade someone.

WE WANT YOUR OPINION Interested in writing for opinion? All majors are welcome! You are invited to write as much as you would like. Email us at: shipspeaks@gmail.com

Ship

Speaks shipspeaks@gmail.com

Hot

October 28, 2014

Hot or Not

Russell Brand

Actress Renee Zelwegger’s appearance at the ELLE awards has a lot of people talking. Everyone in the tabloid journalism world has had something to say about her new look. Some call her “unrecognizable.” Fellow entertainer Russell Brand took to his YouTube show, “Trews,” to address the controversy and plastic surgery rumors about Zelwegger. “What’s Renee Zelwegger having surgery for? It’s like she’s under some intense pressure regarding her physical appearance or something,” he said sarcastically. A TMZ reporter noting Zelwegger’s change in eye shape, described her eyes as what made her, her. Brand’s response quickly attacked that position. Not any personal experiences she’s been through, not her talent or her charm...it’s her eyes,” he sarcastically stated. He went on to remind the viewers that everything changes over time from himself to the city of Baghdad. “The only thing that has not changed is a McDonald’s hamburger, because that is something time cannot impact.”

Photo courtesy of Mark Nolan

Not

The cast of La Traviata at the Opéra Bastille in Paris

SARAH EYD

A muslim woman was asked to leave a live performance of La Traviate in Paris, due to her facial coverings. The unnamed woman was ﬁrst asked to remove her niqab. When she refused, she was told to leave. However, the most shocking part of this is why she was asked to leave. It was not a complaint from another audience member or even a theatre staff member. The cast of the opera gave the theatre director an ultimatum, demanding the woman’s removal or they will not continue their performance. According to the Telegraph, the actors spotted the woman during the second act. It is unclear how her niqab in the middle of a dark theatre affected the performers ability to continue, though I am guessing it really had no affect.

Managing Editor

Photo by Steve Evens

Ship Life

Slate

October 28, 2014

Homecoming committee crowns queen and king at football game

Hunter Wolfe

Asst. Ship Life Editor With thousands of Shippensburg University students, faculty and alumni watching excitedly, Nicole Nicholson and Brandon Bord were crowned Homecoming Queen and King. At half-time during Saturday’s football game against the Cheyney Wolves, this year’s Homecoming Court took to the field while the marching band performed around them. The court included: Jackie Hubbard and Allen Koederitz, first runners up; Lucy Davis and Tyler Graham, second runners up; Laura O’Donnell and Charlito Iwaugwu, third runners up and Emily Larsen and Josh Ebright, fourth runners up. Former Queen and King, Sarah Maize and Joey Bucher were ready to crown their successors. Maize described her experience as queen as “wonderful.” She was enthusiastic at the idea of recognizing another student who was just as involved as she had been. Bucher was just as excited to pass the torch to his fraternity brother, Bord. “It’s 30 years in a row of Kappa Sigma brothers having been Homecoming King,” he said. “I think

that’s really special.” When asked how she felt when she was the last person to have her name called, Nicholson says she was shaky. “When we were walking on the field, I wasn’t nervous at all,” she said. “My body told me otherwise.” Nicholson was thrilled to have been selected. She explained that Shippensburg left its mark on her and helped her to break out of her shell, and she is honored to now represent all the best things about SU’s student body. Bord was relieved, excited and proud of all of his colleagues for meeting two-thirds of their fundraising goal. This year, the Homecoming Court raised money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Shippensburg and Chambersburg, an after-school organization that provides equal opportunity education for children from low-income families. Nicholson raised $1,456 for the organization, and Brandon Bord raised $1,324. All together, the homecoming committee has raised $10,450.79 for the Boys and Girls Club so far,but intends to continue fundraising through November. The Homecoming Court will participate in the Shippensburg Borough’s Dickens Day Parade on Nov. 21.

Photos courtesy of Hunter Wolfe

Ship Life

Slate

October 28, 2014

Retire your razor this Movember Hannah Wolfe

Ship Life Editor “Touch your junk!” has not caught on among college-aged Americans quite like “feel your boobies!,” but perhaps it should, since men aged 15 to 34 are at highest risk for testicular cancer, according to cancer. gov. That is one of the reasons why students in associate management professor Allison Watts’ strategic implementation class, are volunteering to spread the word about Movember, a men’s health initiative, at Shippensburg University. Men can support Movember by sporting a groomed mustache during the month of November, according to Movember.com. Todd Hayes, a student in Watts’ strategic implementation class said he and his classmates Ravone Cornish and David Stein volunteered to do the project in lieu of writing a 10page paper. Since then, the project has progressed. “A lot of people our age don’t really know about some of the health factors we actually risk. The majority of the people who have testicular

cancer are people who are our age and slightly above. It’s good to start knowing about that now instead of in the next few years,” Hayes said. Watts said she put few restrictions on the project and anticipates that the students will exercise relevant business skills. “What I have found, is that when I step out of the way, they do a much better and more creative job,” Watts said. Watts added that the Movember project involves skills like collaboration, event coordination and gaining support from a large portion of SU’s campus. Hayes, Cornish and Stein have teamed up with the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) and have been working with Emilee Danielson-Burke, assistant dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life, to create noise across campus for Movember, Hayes said. Movember will kick off Wednesday, Oct. 29, with Shave the Date. Supplies will be provided for students and campus personnel to shave their faces. The rules of Movember include beginning with a clean shave, Hayes said. The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the CUB

amphitheater. In addition to testicular cancer awareness, another component to Movember is prostate cancer awareness, a risk factor that increases with age and can be prevented with good diet and exercise, according to movember.com. Mental health awareness for men is the third initiative. “Mental health is usually overlooked for men because we try to put our feelings aside. We don’t really talk about it like girls would,” Hayes said. In a recent speech, UN Woman Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson brought this same issue to light. “I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness unable to ask for help for fear it would make them look less ‘macho’,” Watson said. Other upcoming Movember events include a flag football tournament fundraiser on Nov. 25 and Mofest on Nov. 21 where the winner of best mustache will be announced. For more information about Movember, visit Movmeber.com or contact Todd Hayes at th4572@ship. edu.

Artwork by the Slate

The Grimm adventures of a Philipino radish Collin Bracken Staff Writer

Three visiting authors read from their writing Thursday night in a seasonably chilly Old Main Chapel. The Reflector, the Department of English and the College of Arts and Sciences sponsored the poet Karla Kelsey, the novelist Erin Entrada Kelly and the memoirist Jen Hirt. The authors read from their works that displayed the different formal conventions and methods to make meaning, but also the author’s different foci and backgrounds. Professor Neil Connelly introduced the writers but also announced that submissions to The Reflector, the journal of creative writings, will be accepting new submissions until Nov. 14 along with $150 being awarded for top works. Kelly read from her novel “Blackbird Fly,” which will be released in spring 2015. The story is a comingof-age tale of a 12-year-old Filipina facing the crises of reconciling immigrant culture and a developing self in the U.S. South. Kelly’s writing, even though written for middle-grades, is full of symbols and metaphors. Young readers may not get the foreshadowing in snow being, “a sign that the seasons of our lives are changing”; however, they are forced to see through the narrator’s eyes to accept, and for that reason Kelly’s novel could be popular in the coming years. “A Conjoined Book” was one source of Karla Kelsey’s readings for the night. Her book of poetry interweaves a classic Grimm fairy

tale with scenes from Kelsey’s experience in central Pennsylvania; she teaches at Susquehanna University. She described her poetry as looking through the stained-glass in Old Main Chapel but only if it was broken and you could see the mountains beyond. The background was the retelling of the “Juniper Tree” Grimm Tale and the foreground was images of central Pennsylvanian landscapes. Dancing between grisly plot and serene landscape, Kelsey managed to breathe new life into the old story and continued the poetic tradition by adapting traditional stories to modern forms. Jen Hirt, an assistant professor at Penn State Harrisburg, read from her creative non-fiction essay, “Not Less than 1000 bottles for horseradish.” Hirt humorously walked the audience through the story of her great-grandfather’s radish production and her search for that portion of her heritage. Her memoir introduced her historical and current family in very funny and personal terms, and it was not simply a historical record but a complete and entertaining story. Amidst the mostly extra-credit attendees in various stages of consciousness and the few English majors and Reflector staff genuinely interested who gathered in Old Main Chapel, the authors all wove together different modes and themes to create poignant, creative and entertaining writing. For more information about The Reflector email reflect@ship.edu or visit facebook.com/Shippensburg. reflector.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia user icely88

Ship Life

Slate

October 28, 2014

Spirit rally kicks off homecoming weekend

Photos by Raymond Schungel

The spirit rally was held in Seth Grove Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday. Free T-shirts were available to all students while supplies lasted.

How to celebrate Halloween on a college student’s budget HUNTER WOLFE

Asst. Ship Life Editor Do you want to celebrate Halloween but do not have the money? Well, trick or treat, you do not need it. We have assembled this handy guide for how to celebrate Halloween with the college student in mind. Our tips are so scary good, they will have you crying for your mummies.

Celebrate with Local Businesses

Local shops and restaurants are getting into the Halloween spirit, and they want to celebrate with you. For example, if you show up at any Chipotle on Halloween after 5 p.m.

with a costume, you can score a burrito for just $3. Drop of Ink, a tattoo parlor in Shippensburg, is offering 1x1 designs for a reduced price of just $30 throughout the month of October. The Hot Point Inn invites locals to its midnight costume party on Halloween. Prizes will be awarded to the sexiest, scariest, most original and best overall costumes.

Netﬂix Movies

One especially cheap way to celebrate Halloween is by watching TV. All you need is a cable provider or a Netflix subscription, and you are good to go. Netflix has an entire queue of HalPumpkin Carving loween flicks to watch — such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Children of the Corn, The Addams Carving or decorating Family, The Blair Witch Project, or pumpkins is a great way to The Haunted Mansion. have some Halloween fun with your friends. Most pumpkins Bargain Shopping at are between $5 and $10, and a simWalmart ple sculpting kit can be picked up for just $6.32 at Walmart. The best part Walmart has a plethora of $1 decis that you can even bake the pumporations you can buy in the seasonal kin seeds for a delicious snack. section including strings of orange

and black lights or spooky bulbs, webbing for your walls, and even full-sized door posters.

Halloween Playlist

Looking for some musical chills? Apps like Pandora and Grooveshark let you assemble that perfect Halloween playlist. Songs like Thriller, Ghostbusters, and This is Halloween are musts.

Photo courtesy of openclipart.com user Tom

A&E

Slate

October 28, 2014

slateae@gmail.com

Big Sean ends homecoming with a bang Amanda Mehall

Asst. Opinion Editor People were lined up outside the Ceddia Union Building waiting to see the rapper Big Sean rock Shippensburg University for the homecoming party on Saturday night. At 10 p.m., the doors opened and everyone swarmed in with excitement. The concert took place in the CUB’s multi-purpose room and the place was packed with people squished in all around. There was a party-like atmosphere in the MPR with red, blue and green lights flashing and the DJ who was first on the stage played a heavy bass through the speakers. He played different, popular rap songs doing some mixing on the turntable, adding his own twist to them. Next, the rap group Cozz and Effect, from Los Angeles, California, performed and handed out some free CDs to fans. Finally, close to midnight, Big Sean stepped up to the stage and the crowd went wild with cheering and applause. He opened up with a cover of the song “Lamborghini

Mercy” by Kanye West. After his first song, he mentioned how it was his first time visiting Shippensburg, and he said the crowd did not disappoint. He then performed some fan favorites including “Burn,” “Dance (A$$),” and a cover of “Gang Bang,” by Wiz Khalifa. After a couple songs, Big Sean offered a valuable piece of advice to the fans. He told everyone that if they follow their hearts, they will be successful no matter what. Also to not ever look back on your life wondering what you could have done differently. He explained how people told him he would not be where he was today. He was told he would not make it out of his neighborhood, let alone in the rap industry. He concluded with, “I got love for everybody who got love for me and if we all share the information we got, if we all give each other our information, we are unstoppable. If you f*** with that, let me hear you make some noise.” Then the crowd roared with agreement. Big Sean wrapped up his performance playing “Big Booty Hoe,” “I Don’t f*** With You” and he end-

ed with “My Last.” The party was over and the fans piled out, seemingly happy with the overall performance. “The crowd was a little crazy, but overall it was a great time and the performers were great. I also thought that the venue was nice and the lights and equipment were great,” attendee Brad Lochen said. Another attendee, Joel Feggins, agreed saying, “The concert was great. He performed all the songs he was supposed to, everything was smooth and he didn’t mess up in any way. The crowd really enjoyed him being there.” Feggins also brought up how he believed Activities Programing Board should end the concert after the main act. “I think that APB should make the headliner as the last act because a DJ was on after Big Sean and only about seven people were there.” Feggin said. The majority of people left after he [Big Sean] did and you would think they [APB] would leave the main event for last. That happened at the MGK concert too where there were like 10 people left for the ending DJ.”

Photos by Michaela Zimmerman

SU students packed the house for the homecoming party featuring Big Sean.

Rapper Big Sean rocks homecoming with hits like “My Last” and “Burn.”

Opening acts fire up the crowd for Big Sean.

Big Sean certainly did not disappoint Saturday night.

Beach Boys bring more than ’60s style music CHRIS RITTER Staff Writer

The Beach Boys were a threepeat at Shippensburg’s H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Oct. 25. They performed in 2008 and 2011 before returning for another completely sold out performance that rounded out the university’s homecoming celebrations. Their popularity is not surprising. These Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have sold more than 100 million records, with 33 of their releases receiving platinum or gold awards from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Original founding member, Mike Love, and Bruce Johnston, who joined the band in 1965, led the seven-piece ensemble in well over 25 hit songs. Decades worth of immortal hits included “Surﬁn’ USA,” “Barbara Ann,” “California Girls” (covered in 1988 by David Lee Roth), “Kokomo” and Paul McCartney’s favorite song of all time, as stated in an interview, “God Only Knows.” The stage was casual elegance. A

A&E

Slate

October 28, 2014

projection screen on the back curtain added modern day mixed media to the concert, but some tropical plants on either side of it, subtly but effectively lit, maintained that ’60s vibe. The screen had visuals on it throughout the show, including black-and-white photos and movie clips from the era, along with scenes throughout the years. At several points during the performance, Love would reference something on the screen, or make it a part of the song being performed. A very special addition to the show iced that memory lane cake. In the fall of 1964 the band appeared on the season opening of “The Ed Sullivan Show,” the place to be seen in those days. The actual 1932 Ford “Deuce Coupe” from that 1964 performance made it to the Shippensburg stage Saturday, courtesy of the owner, a fan from New York. Since their ﬁrst hit, “Surﬁn’,” in 1961, the band has kept the beach vibe of the ’60s alive and taken it worldwide. That vibe was made even more real on Saturday, thanks

to 500 vintage beach-related items on display in the Luhrs Center’s Orrstown Bank upper lobby. These reminders of sun, sand and surf were courtesy of Bob Smith, associate dean of students at SU. He loaned his collection of vintage sand pails, shovels, toys and photographs for the event, bringing smiles to fans young and old who gathered in the display area. The Beach Boys trademark sound is centered on tight, multi-layered harmonies and catchy chord progressions unusual for today, let alone back in the early days of

rock and roll. Love mentioned the difﬁculty the band had learning the jazz-based harmonies to “Their Hearts Were Full of Spring,” a 1960 hit for The Four Freshman, which the Beach Boys performed Saturday. The Beach Boys were founded by Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine, a close friend. Sadly, Carl and Dennis have both passed away, and Jardine no longer tours with the group.

Photo by Blake Cooper

Beach Boys take many down memory lane Saturday.

Creative Corner: Darkest Nights, and Sunrise Author Bio Alexander Strickler has been writing down words in a purposeful way since his high school graduation. He has written in many forms including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and prose poetry. What he has sent us for this publication is one of his prose poems. His influences include Chuck Palahniuk, Vince Guerra and Shane McCrae. Alexander is currently editor-in-chief of The Reflector and has been working with Shippensburg University’s undergraduate journal of the arts since he started college. He is an English secondary education major and will be student teaching this spring semester.

When I was younger, I watched the moon out of the car window. I gave him a face and body so he could run along, so he could keep up as we drove at fastball speed. I love the old myths about the moon and the sun and how they were lovers kept apart so the world could live on. The man on the moon must be forever hopeful that each morning, when the sun and the moon switched hemispheres, he can see her, his sun, for a moment. I thought I saw the moon, or sun, in her eyes, or in mine when I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom. But she left, as the moon and sun traded spots in my Pennsylvania sky, with naked feet and a bad headache. These are the girls who fade like smoke. Their memory is best drowned out night after night. As life starts to move at fastball speed, I think maybe I am becoming the moon. Drowning memories every night only to brieﬂy see hope before she leaves my apartment without looking back (I watch her until I can’t see her from my bedroom window). When the moon was a man, I didn’t know the earth revolved around the sun and that it took 365 and a quarter day to complete one rotation. I didn’t know the moon stayed in the same spot. I didn’t know time would speed up, like the older folks said, and that each day would hold an eternity and nothing. I didn’t know the sun rising each morning would be the only thing I could count on. Drunk girl kisses aren’t promises. There is a moment when the sun and the moon are both in the sky together. In this moment they can see each other and it’s beautiful, like it is the only thing worth it all. That moment when she wakes up next to me and her eyes open and close a few times before focusing on me. And she smiles. She smiles at me for that brief moment before she gets up, before she gets dressed and leaves forever. For a moment the sun and the moon see eye to eye. Those moments and short and ﬂeeting but, I guess, that’ll be enough to live on for now.

slateae@gmail.com

ISABELLA ANGELONE Staff Columnist

It does not seem like it has been a month since boy band One Direction dropped their new single “Steal My Girl” but it seems fans have not been able to stop talking about it. The song does not have the rock sound of 2013’s “Best Song Ever” but it is definitely going in the musical direction the band has been saying it has wanted to go for a few years now while keeping the lyrics the band is known for. If the hype had died down any, it kicked back in on Friday when the band released the eagerly anticipated music video. The video shows the band meeting the “best director,” Danny Devito. He makes each member a different expression before showing them in their individual parts, bringing everyone in the video together at the end. It is a very random video. The situations the band are put in for their expressions have nothing to do with the actual expressions they have been “assigned” by Devito, bringing together animals, sumo wrestlers, ballerinas, and an African tribe. Many different critics and magazines said the video was racist, particularly the part with Niall Horan dancing with an African tribe. Horan is wearing traditional tribal clothing and performing Western dance moves in the middle of a huge group of tribal men. A critic for Yahoo thought that while the men are performing the moves just fine, Horan is “mocking them with his ‘white guy’ moves, ignorantly unable to learn or take part.” Also, The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote a letter to the band, saying their use of chimpanzees in the video for entertainment was not ethical. While the music video may be bizarre and perhaps a little racist, the song is definitely a hit that will serve as a great opening track on their new album. The band’s new album, “Four,” is available on Nov. 19 and is now available for preorder on iTunes.

A&E

Slate

October 28, 2014

slateae@gmail.com

Top 20 Billboard Artist

Song

1. Meghan Trainor 2. Taylor Swift 3. Jessie J/Ariana Grande/Nicki Minaj 4. Iggy Azalea/Rita Ora 5. Tove Lo 6. Jeremih/YG 7. Maroon 5 8. Sam Smith 9. Bobby Shmurda 10. Ed Sheeran 11. Nicki Minaj 12. Clean Bandit/Jess Glynne 13. Echosmith 14. Chandelier 15. Jason Derulo 16. Ariana Grande/Zedd 17. MAGIC! 18. Taylor Swift 19. Rich Gang 20. Sam Smith

All About That Bass Shake It Off Bang Bang Black Widow Habits (Stay High) Don’t Tell ‘Em Animals Stay With Me Hot Boy Don’t Anaconda Rather Be Cool Kids Sia Trumpets Break Free Rude Out Of The Woods Lifestyle I’m Not The Only One

Top 10 Movies Movie

1. Ouija 2. John Wick 3. Fury (2014) 4. Gone Girl 5. The Book of Life (2014) 6. St. Vincent 7. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day 8. The Best of Me 9. The Judge 10. Dracula Untold

Weekend Gross $20,006,000 $14,150,000 $13,000,000 $11,100,000 $9,800,000 $8,058,000 $7,023,000 $4,736,000 $4,345,000 $4,302,000

Billboard information from www.billboard.com WSYC Top 20 music information from WSYC Movie information from www.boxofﬁcemojo.com Movie schedule from www.carmike.com

Top 20 on WSYC

Artist 1. Avi Buffalo 2. Lia Ices 3. Opus Orange 4. Tops 5. Coves 6. Kooks 7. Interpol 8. Immigrant Union 9. Dune Rats 10. Moonface 11. Persian Leaps 12. The Drums 13. Tin Sparrow 14. Sloan 15. Ryan Adams 16. Blonde Redhead 17. Black Taxi 18. Crushed Out 19. Goat 20. King Tuff

Album At Best Cuckold Ices Balance Picture You Staring Soft Friday Listen El Pintor Anyway Smile City Wrecker (EP) Drive Drive Delay Encyclopedia Shoelace Ring Commonwealth Ryan Adams Barragan Electroshock Death Grip Teeth Commune Black Moon Spell

Movie Schedule Movie Showings

Anabelle

6:50 p.m.

Fury

7:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.

Gone Girl

9:20 p.m.

John Wick

7:25 p.m., 9:50 p.m.

Ouija

7:40 p.m., 10:10 p.m.

St. Vincent

7:35 p.m., 10:05 p.m.

The Best of Me

6:45 p.m., 9:30 p.m.

Alexander & The Terrible, 7:00 p.m., 9:15 p.m. Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day *Movie showtimes are for Tuesday at the Carmike 7 Theatre located inside the Chambersburg Mall on Black Gap Road.

A&E

Slate

October 28, 2014

slateae@gmail.com

Slate Sports

The

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

David Barth, Sports Editor/Cale Ahearn Asst. Sports Editor

@SlateSports

facebook.com/SLATESPORTS

October 28, 2014

Wide Receiver breaks out in 2014, E3

Bleacher Talk: Peyton Manning: best QB in football history? E2

Fantasy Football:

Andy Dalton highlights Week 7 outlook, E4

Women’s Soccer: Women’s soccer downs Bloomsburg 2-1 on senior night E4

Photo by Ryan Trexler

Sports

Slate

October 28, 2014

slatesports@gmail.com

Is Peyton Manning the best quarterback ever? By Dave Barth

Elway or Dan Marino? Once you throw a name into a mix next to these football icons, especially when trying to determine who the AND best to ever play the sport is, I start Cale Ahearn to wonder if there really is a “best quarterback ever.” Asst. Sports Editor Montana, surrounded with talent, exploited defenses with the Denver Broncos’ quarterback tools he had at his disposal and Peyton Manning recently broke put together a perfect Super Bowl the all-time passing touchdowns record at 4-0, going 16-7 in the post record, passing for his 509th score season. against the San Francisco 49ers on Always the hero, Elway put Oct. 19. Since setting that record, on display some of the wildest it has been widely discussed and and most impressive fourthdebated whether Manning is the quarter comebacks in the history greatest quarterback to ever play of the game. He accomplished in the NFL. We asked the sports the impossible time and time editors, do you think Peyton again, playing to five Super Bowl Manning is the best quarterback to championships with some of the ever play? most heroic passing performances the NFL has ever seen. Brady has been the best player Dave on his team since he entered the Joe Montana? Tom Brady? John league. Despite being surrounded with mediocre talent for many of his NFL seasons he has picked up as many Super Bowls as the great Elway, and has the first undefeated regular season since the 1972 Dolphins. His competitive spirit has placed him in the top tier of great quarterbacks. Marino led his team to 36 fourth-quarter comebacks, and put on shockingly accurate passing displays for much of his career. None of these football greats are the best to ever play the game. That title falls to Peyton Manning, the magician and mastermind who has taken the game and dominated it physically and mentally since Photo courtesy of Mike Morbeck the Colts drafted him No. 1 overall Peyton was drafted first overall by the in 1998. He has led

Sports Editor

Colts in 1998.

two different teams to the playoffs and averaged 13 wins per season in his career — far and away the best of any QB ever. The five-time MVP has set NFL records in single-season touchdowns with 55, yards with 5,477 and holds the largest touchdown-to-interception differential with 272. The one flaw in his career is his postseason play. Manning is1112 in the playoffs, with an 89.2 passer rating. He did win a Super Bowl in 2006, a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears. Even his less talented brother Eli has won more Super Bowls, with two. Having said that, the Broncos have been on an absolute roll since Peyton took over under center. In my opinion Denver is the best team in football this year, and if the 38-year-old icon can stay healthy I predict he will see the playoffs not only this year but multiple more times in the seasons to come. If there is any question of the gunslinger’s place in football lore, he has the time and resources to answer his critics and immortalize his status in NFL history.

Cale First, I think you have to acknowledge that Peyton Manning is one of the best players who has ever played in the NFL. Manning has dominated during the regular season with both the Indianapolis Colts and his current team, the Denver Broncos, and has a chance to become the first player to ever throw 600 touchdowns. He has won an MVP in both uniforms, and led both teams to the Super Bowl. Essentially, Manning is the Derek Jeter of football, meaning that he is one of the most recognizable faces in sports. Yet, I do not believe Manning is the greatest quarterback that has ever played. The best indicator of a great player is how they perform in clutch situations, and Manning has not always been the best player on the biggest stage. Manning only has one Super Bowl title, and has suffered two devastating losses in the title game, including a blowout loss this past year against the Seattle Seahawks. In fact, Manning’s own brother, Eli, has more Super Bowl

Photo courtesy ofJeffrey Beall

Manning has broken several passing records so far this season with the Broncos titles. Besides Eli, there are 10 other quarterbacks who have won more titles than Manning. If you delve deeper into Manning’s statistics, you find that he is the career leader in postseason losses with 12, and has the most career losses in the first round of the playoffs. Yes, that means that Manning has been consistent enough to get to the playoffs for many years, but he is not able to replicate the same success when he gets there. As of right now, I still believe that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, or current New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, are better players than Peyton Manning. However, with both Brady and Manning still active players, this situation is very fluid and can change. For Manning to be considered the greatest to ever play, I believe he must win another Super Bowl title. No matter what his regular season accomplishments are, Manning’s postseason record will hold him back, unless he is able to add to it.

Slate

Sports

October 28, 2014

slatesports@gmail.com

Wide receiver spotlight: Sheldon Mayer breaking out in 2014 Wide out leads PSAC receivers in yards and yards per game through Week 7 By Dave Barth Sports Editor

Highly touted freshman running back Sheldon Mayer came down the home stretch to graduation at his hometown high school of Norristown, Pennsylvania, looking for a quality Division I school to recognize his immense talents. But not everything goes as planned. By the time he graduated, Sheldon had talked to a number of schools, including a central Pennsylvanian DII football powerhouse called Shippensburg University, and the school his older brother played at, West Chester. Mayer made a surprise pick and chose Shippensburg University as his home for the next four years, a decision that he would come to wonder about early in his freshman year. Just three games into his first season, a major knee injury sidelined the future star and put him up against the ropes. Mayer received a medical hardship waiver and redshirted the rest of the year. By 2014, his junior year, he has not only come back, he has sprinted past the competition and leads all Raider wide receivers this year. Not only that, five games into the season he leads all Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference wide receivers in yards, with 600, and yards per game with 109, 12 more than the next closest wide out. He has even surpassed highly touted teammate and fellow wideout Trevor Harman by 126 total yards and a touchdown. Harman is now SU’s all-time leader in

Photo courtesy of Dave Barth

Mayer dives for a score in Week 3 against California. receiving yards, receptions and scoring, eclipsing even a number of SU grads who are now NFL talents. How does one overcome a setback like that to achieve such success? “I had a lot of role models, especially back home, a lot of people that were in my corner,” Mayer said. “Outside of my family too, like coaches, good friends, older players, just people in my corner that helped me keep my head straight.” Sheldon has always been around sports, and it did not take long for him to get involved. He played in midget leagues all the way up until high school, when he started gaining recognition.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Trexler

Mayer, no. 1, takes the field on opening day 2013

Mayer had a spectacular high school career as a tailback playing for the Norristown Eagles under head coach E.J. Smith. By the end of his years there he had earned All-Suburban One First Team honors, All-PA honorable mention and had success with his pastimes, basketball and track & field. “I always loved sports and was always around sports,” Mayer said. “High school helped me out by just taking that step from just playing backyard ball to actually trying to be the best player you can be. Just taking that next step, practicing hard, doing the things you’re not really good at so you have a complete skillset is an experience that really built me as a player.” Sheldon recalls one of his favorite moments with the team, a 34-18 win in week nine of the 2013 season against PSAC rival Bloomsburg University. The game was broadcast on national TV, and the matchup was at night under the lights, an aspect that Mayer appreciated from his high school years. He ran for two touchdowns in the game with 244 receiving yards on only six catches (40.7 ypc), highlighted by a career-long 84-yarder, good for seventh alltime longest reception at SU. In 2014 Mayer has seen his hard work pay off, posting PSAC and team leading stats. “I attribute it to my hard work off the field,” said Mayer, referencing his standout 2014 season. “I blew

out my knee freshman year, tore pretty much every ligament in my knee, so just knowing you can’t take anything for granted, and that anything can happen, you can stop playing at any moment. Being able to deal with that [injury], to come back from that and still play at a high level, it’s just something that I push myself to try to do.” Mayer has fit in well at Shippensburg, and enjoys the experiences he has had with his teammates and coaches. “I like playing here,” said Mayer. ”It kind of reminds me of high school. Growing up, my high school team was pretty much a group of friends who that I knew since elementary school. Coming here I see a lot of similarities. I have a lot of close friends that I had grown close to while on the team. I like the coaches too. I really enjoy the coaching staff; they’re really down to earth, and they’re always willing to help you.” Mayer hopes his outstanding 2014 season is merely a glimpse of what is to come. He still has a full senior year to improve on his performance and put in the hard work that it will take to continue his football career after he graduates.

Upcoming Games: Field Hockey Oct. 28 vs. Slippery Rock Football Nov. 1 at Millersville Women’s Soccer Oct. 31 at UPJ Nov. 1 at Seton Hill Volleyball Oct. 28 at Millersville Oct. 31 at East Stroudsburg Nov. 1 at Kutztown Men’s Soccer Oct. 31 at UPJ Nov. 1 at Seton Hill

Photo courtesy of Norristown athletics

Mayer played football, basketball and track in high school.

Swimming Oct. 31 at Cal Nov. 1 at IUP

Slate

Sports

October 28, 2014

slatesports@gmail.com

Women’s soccer tops Bloomsburg for Senior Day victory Alex Wahl

Staff Writer

Two headers gave the Raiders the win on Saturday.

The Lady Raiders sent the Shippensburg University fans home happy after defeating rival Bloomsburg (6-8-2 overall, 5-8-2 PSAC) last Saturday on Senior Day with a 2-1 win. Before the game started, seniors Mackenzie Neal, Brooke Clippinger, Alyssa House and Carolyn Smith were honored for their Raider successes. The Lady Raiders (4-7-3 overall, 4-73 PSAC) connected on two headers to get the victory by a score of 2-0. Mallory Patterson scored her first goal of the season on an assist from Jenny Litz, lighting up the scoreboard around 39 minutes into the contest. Shippensburg later put the game away with another headshot by Caitlin Sheehan, assisted by Haley Jones, for her second goal of the season. The women’s soccer team will travel with the men’s soccer team next weekend to finish the season on the road against Pitt-Johnstown and Seton Hill.

Photos courtesy of Ryan Trexler

The Lady Raiders have two more games on the season.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Outlook

Eldon Graham is a Fantasy Football analyst for the 2014 season. He boasts three championship titles, two of them from the 2013 season. He will help you choose the player you want in your lineup or off the waiver wire. Follow him on twitter @eldonagraham for updates or questions.

Andy Dalton-Fantasy Start of the Week

If you have not noticed I have a thing about teams playing against Jacksonville. Even though the Jaguars defense has improved they still give up yards. The Bengals methodical approach to moving the ball down the field has worked to their advantage when playing defenses that like to rush the passer. The last time Dalton played against the Jaguars he threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns and rushed for one on the ground. Playing Dalton is a solid option because he has shown he can be a little mobile and score touchdowns. Some analysts do not expect Bengals’ wide receiver A.J. Green to play Sunday. If he does suit up that will only make Dalton an even better option at quarterback.

Cam Newton

There are many things I can say about Cam Newton but above all is that he is a proven playmaker. With his top four receivers from a season ago now gone, he has a batch of new receivers at his disposal he still finds a way to make plays. The New Orleans Saints defense will give Newton plenty of opportunities in the passing game and on the ground. The Saints have lost their top free agent defender in safety Jairus Byrd who was underperforming anyway. Without Bryd the Saints have the second worst pass defense in the NFL. Even as the Saints dispatched the Green Bay Packers, Newton has had their number these past few seasons.

Lamar Miller

When Knowshon Moreno went down earlier in the season everyone believed it would be Lamar Miller’s coming out party. Miller has the skills and opportunity to be a very consistent fantasy option at running back. A matchup against the San Diego Chargers shows favor especially after they gave up 133 yards and two touchdowns to the Broncos running game.

DeSean Jackson

There were many questions about Jackson’s production after he was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles and transitioned to the Redskins offense. His injuries contributed to his slow start but he finally looks like he can be the threat he used to be to defenses. The Minnesota Vikings do not have a standout cornerback that can match Jackson’s speed. The Vikings have not had the chance to play against a true speedster this season like Jackson even though they have their own.

Cordarrelle Patterson

Speaking of their own speedy wide receiver Patterson is starting to show signs of life after posting season highs in receptions and yards in his past game against the Buccaneers. His six receptions and 86 yards are a sign of relief. We know he is getting the necessary amount of targets and the offense is starting to revolve around him. Going against a Redskin defense is a sign of rejoice. The Redskins have not been the best at stopping the pass and a versatile receiver like Patterson can surely get open and find the end zone.