The Slate 2-12-26

Jayden Pohlman Editor-in-Chief

If you had a superpower, what would it be? Would you teleport around the world or soar across the sky? As a child, I always said I wanted the ability to control the weather — who would not want to create inclement conditions that lead to endless days off school? But if you asked me that question now, I would choose the ability to control time without hesitation.

There are so many moments in my life that I wish I could experience again. In fact, I genuinely believe that I would be perfectly content to be stuck in a never-ending time loop of 2024.

2024 was the best-worst year of my life. I interned at the Farm Show for the first time, studied abroad in Australia, jumped out of an airplane in New Zealand, spent the summer at the races — the list is endless.

But then, at the end of the year, my dad passed away. It still does not feel real.

I would give anything to go back and live through

2024 — the good and the bad — if only to see him one last time.

I want to receive his humorous texts while I intern at the Farm Show, hug him before I get on the plane to Australia, hear his laugh when I tell him I just went skydiving and sit by his side at a racetrack listening to him curse when his favorite driver does not win.

But life just does not work that way. Once a moment has passed, there is no going back.

I have said it before — time is a thief. Time whisks away the innocence of your childhood before you realize it is gone. Time steals everything you hold dear, leaving you to desperately cling to fractured memories. And eventually, your time will simply just run out. But time is also a gift. Life is special because our time is fleeting. Would a moment still be meaningful if you experienced it a thousand times?

As I stand on the precipice of becoming another year older, I feel like I spend more time grieving the past and fearing the future than actually enjoying the present.

While I do not yet have a solution to this affliction, I am learning to appreciate how lucky I am to experience things that make me mourn the passage of time so deeply. And I often wonder what I did to deserve the time I got in the first place.

Gabe Rader Staff Contributor

Residents held a town hall meeting Feb. 3 at Cleversburg Community Center to discuss Southampton Township’s data center zoning and a proposed amendment tied to 54 Airport Road after supervisors postponed a public hearing that had been scheduled for that night.

Supervisors had granted the landowner a 90-day extension earlier that day and said they wanted time to re-evaluate the township’s data center rules. Organizers told attendees the delay could lead to changes in the township’s existing data center overlay and affect how the Airport Road request is evaluated.

The meeting was hosted by Todd Crawley, Blyden Potts and Shippensburg University Professor Sean Cornell, who told attendees they plan to collect written comments, compile notes and submit a summary to township officials.

Crawley introduced himself as a regulatory compliance specialist and said he is also the Democratic nominee for the 193rd Legislative District.

Potts, a member of the Middle Spring Watershed Association, said handouts on each table included a timeline of key events and upcoming meeting dates. He said organizers learned at a

Town hall held in place of postponed data center hearing

supervisors’ meeting earlier that morning that township officials are considering changing how planning recommendations are made.

Potts said supervisors have discussed creating a resident planning commission, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, to replace a planning committee made up of the three supervisors.

“Instead of having the same three people who are the board of supervisors on a planning committee, they’d actually have other residents of Southampton Township there — at least three, could be as many as nine,” Potts said.

He encouraged residents with interest and expertise to consider serving and said the proposal was expected to be discussed at the supervisors’ next meeting on Feb. 9.

Much of the town hall

Opportunities to be found at the international studies fair

Faculty gathered on Feb. 4 in CUB 119 to share information on Study Abroad options. Locations around the globe and the experiences to have were discussed while visiting each table. Areas in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Costa Rica had professors talking all about their trip’s potential.

Mary Burnett, director of Global Engagement, greeted students when entering the fair. She assisted students by pointing out opportunities for travel and offering to schedule meetings to help students attain passports or visas to meet the needs of how long students study abroad journeys would last. Financial aid and other resources are also accessible.

Expert faculty accompany students during their stay, with options for all majors to embark on the trips. Each trip would earn students

varying credits toward their degree.

Burnett said the number of students applying for study abroad has gone through a bell curve over the years. A large spike happened after the covid lockdown ended, with individuals being reinvigorated to travel. The following years’ numbers dipped but then started to rise again.

Some trips have over 80 attendees, while a lot of classes led by professors

usually take 8 to 16 students.

Professor Pablo Delis said that his ideal number for a trip to Costa Rica is 12, yet if students are excited for the experience and want to travel, he will go up to a max of 16 students.

The France summer 2026 trip will include going to Dijon, Paris, Alsace and Normandy. Focusing on food and culture for the COMM 490 class and food and identity for FREN 393. The course will be led by

Professor Blandine Mitaut and Professor Carrie Sipes.

Gastronomy will be a core element, while also including visiting museums and historical sites. It will include a mix of exploring the old and modern aspects of France, including but not limited to the place of dukes, the Dijon mustard capital, details on the Eiffel tower and the engineer who oversaw its construction. Also, students may get a chance to visit the parliament building in France, Mitaut said.

The Study Abroad 2026 trip for Europe has been filled already, but the 2027 trip is already being planned and is looking to visit five different countries across Europe. From late May to early June, students will get to spend 20 days exploring different countries. For the 2027 trip, students can reach out to Professor Mark Sachleben for details on starting the process.

focused on the township’s data-center overlay, which limits where data centers may locate and sets project standards. Potts said township officials are considering replacing the overlay with data-center rules written directly into the township’s main zoning ordinance. He said that approach could be acceptable if it still limits where data centers can go and strengthens project requirements.

Potts said his warning about “getting rid of” the overlay was directed at eliminating data centerspecific zoning altogether.

“An overlay is a zoning ordinance that says where data centers can go, and where they can’t go,” Potts said. “If we got rid of it, people could put data centers with much wider discretion.”

Potts said township officials appeared to be weighing whether revised rules would limit data centers to manufacturing zones or allow them in both manufacturing and commercial zones, a distinction he said could matter for the Airport Road proposal and other nearby properties.

Crawley said he questioned county planning officials at the county’s Jan. 15 meeting about whether the petition to add the Airport Road parcels to the township’s data center overlay could amount to illegal spot zoning, and said he was told it did not.

“Because if it is, then we’re done here,” Crawley said. “If this is illegal, then it just goes away.”

Franklin and Kriner

J.

2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for Shippensburg University campus construction and renovation. The two major ongoing projects are the new Franklin Science Center (FSC) and the renovation of Kriner Hall.

According to associate director of facilities and project planning Bruce Herring, Phase 1 of the FSC is scheduled to be completed May 8, 2026. From there, SU has 30 days to prepare for the second phase of construction, which will begin at the end of that 30-day period. Phase 2 is scheduled to be completed in spring 2027. The university’s plans for Kriner Hall were announced in September 2025. The former dining hall will house the Shippensburg University Small Business and Development Center, the

Charles H.

for Entrepreneurship Leadership and Innovation and the Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace. Freshens will still be located within Kriner Hall. The renovation of Kriner Hall is on a shorter schedule than the FSC, with an anticipated completion by the end of May 2026. Outfitting of the facility will take place in summer 2026. Despite frequent snow over winter break and the heavy snowstorm that occurred last month, the winter weather has not made any significant impact on the schedules of either project, Herring said. According to Herring, other projects are planned across the university campus throughout the year. These projects will include replacing the air handlers in the Ezra Lehman Library and working on electrical upgrades in Horton Hall in summer 2026.

The Slate Speaks: Is Romance Dead?

Pat Benatar declared “Love Is a Battlefield” in her popular 1983 song of the same name. Today, love is a reclamation site, and Generation Z is its refugees. ● From “situationships” to diverging worldviews, the dating world is as volatile as it has ever been. ● For that reason, we have asked writers and editors here at The Slate the question: Is romance dead? These are their answers.

Romance is not necessarily dead, but for some people, it is being put on a pedestal. There are sayings and theories that come out on social media, telling people how to accept romantic affection. Other media like books and movies have also affected modern romance, giving people false expectations. There is still some hope, but most people nowadays are too scared to approach one another. They fear rejection and being perceived. There is a lack of confidence fueling lost connections.

I believe romance is not dead, but it is more like beauty in the way that it is in the eye of the beholder. It means romance is not dead, but it is different for different relationships.

All types of media have put out overwhelming ideas and expectations for what romance is, but I believe romance is whatever makes the other person in your relationship feel the most loved and cared for.

Romance does not have to be the stereotypical acts and ideas everyone thinks they are, but instead what makes you and your partner the happiest, and the actions tailored to that.

I do not think romance is dead, but I do think our standards for what romance is have changed. This is the era of “situationships” and commitment issues.

It feels like real relationships are hard to come by. I also think social media has heavily affected how we view romance. You see a post about couples buying each other elaborate gifts, and the next post is a woman defending her boyfriend for treating her terribly.

We cannot help but compare ourselves and our partners to these people, even if we have no idea what is going on behind closed doors. Romance is not dead, but it is certainly not easy to come by.

So much of modern dating has been a return to brutal realism. Like a resume, swipe-based dating apps make it so people can weed out suitors in as quick a manner as possible. Weird selfie? That is the “ick,” and you are gone; Those under 6 feet 3 inches need not apply.

It is a cynicism that has arisen out of the ashes of the acceptance and inner-beauty movements of the millennial era.

One example of this is the overall effect social media has had on the scene. Tik Tokers have created such drivel as the “The Bird Theory,” “Orange Peel Theory” and “The Invisible String” to name a few. But there are so many of these that we now have an influencer-curated dating world. But the problem is that influencers no longer influence anything. The process has seemingly become automated. For example, let us imagine that pancakes go viral as the ultimate breakfast food. Everyone is talking about pancakes. They are memeing them and creating AI Reels about them. Soon, it all starts to blend together. The 30 follower accounts are “slop-posting” about them, and your Boomer uncle is making contextually incorrect jokes about pancakes. To stand out, a subset of influencers will branch off to French Toast, even though they have no real opinion on any of it. They just want clicks, the real “first mover” of modern society.

Where’s Your Voice?

Shippensburg University students, staff, faculty, administrators and affiliated people are welcome to submit letters to the editor for publication.

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Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this section are those of the writer and not of The Slate or University.

• The unsigned staff editorial, “The Slate Speaks,” represents the views and opinions of The Slate as an organization. Participating editors help shape the staff editorial.

This means we are left in situation where the tail wags the dog. The dating advice you are consuming is not based on any real philosophy or thought, but a reactionary process designed for the influencers self-interest in getting attention. Moreover, we have a growing rift between the sexes. Men are growing more right-wing and women more left. Each of them has their own idols. A subset of men is listening to Andrew Tate talk about “putting women in their place,” while women are fast to follow Sabrina Carpenter in calling all men pigs.

With men learning to hate women and women learning to hate men, is it any wonder things are getting rough out there? The truth is that most of us vastly overestimate our worth in the oligarchal society that has taken hold and that ultimately funds the influencer economy. We punch a clock and go to our classes while tech companies pay frauds who do not consider themselves your peers. The best we could do for ourselves is to try to live an honest and rational life. Loving someone for who they are and not some adherence to a scene or an influencer’s rules would be a good start.

“Late-night laughs and warm hugs, and holding hands while grocery shopping and surprise flowers are everything they are made up to be and more.”

Romance is not dead. Finding a true, lasting connection, especially on a college campus, feels near futile, but one will find it when they least expect it.

All the Barbie movies, Disney shows, Taylor Swift songs and Nora Roberts novels taught the lesson: love is real and the best thing that will ever happen. And then, reality returns. College is the first time a teenager faces adulthood and has (mostly) absolute freedom to make whichever choice suits them best at the moment.

This generation has grown accustomed to 15-second dopamine hits fueled by swiping reels and smoking e-devices. Society wants everything brighter, better and faster. Because of that, society is losing its ability to take the time to build something real and lasting — iPhones and relationships alike.

To find romance, one needs to take the time to find and love themselves. Taking the time to build an authentic understanding and respect for the inner self unlocks the ability to look for and build one with someone else. That is the lesson they should have taught. Late-night laughs and warm hugs, holding hands while grocery shopping and surprise flowers are everything they are made up to be and more. Not just a romantic partner, but a best friend, is the best thing that could ever happen.

Happily-ever-after will find you, and you might just find them here at The Slate.

When thinking about romance in the past versus today, I cannot help but think of female autonomy. For most of history, women did not have a choice regarding who they married. They were either sold off or forced to marry a man for money or political power. Due to economic or legal pressures, marriage was the primary route to stability. Even unmarried women relied on male relatives financially. They had no other choice. Today, women are still treated as lesser than men. However, we at least have more autonomy in our everyday lives.

Women can choose, in most parts of the world, who they date and marry. They can choose to date as many men as they like, sleep around or commit, but at least they have a choice.

I hear men online call women picky about who they marry. That they should just settle and marry someone before they get old. But I think there’s something beautiful about not settling, about knowing your worth and what you deserve. Romance is not dead, but women have more choice in the matter. We do not center our lives around men. Relationships are supposed to add to our life. We should not settle just for the sake of a relationship. The most important relationship is the one you build with yourself.

Deciding on whether romance is dead heavily relies on a person’s influences, like their family, and how that romance was shown through others.

For some, romance suggests a big gesture: flowers, candlelit dinners or dressing up nice to go out somewhere. For others, the act of spending time with a person they like once a week is their definition of romance.

While the latter may be OK for some, it shows how much our generation takes easy love for granted. It is so easy to like someone and start dating them in an instant, even if the only interactions you have had with them are through snaps or texts.

We have collectively started stepping away from the romantic gestures of the past and moving to something that is simpler.

It is starting to feel like there is no thought behind the actions of romance anymore, and people are saying “I love you” to their partners at the drop of a hat. Romance is not dead quite yet, but it feels like it is slowly dying.

There are people who have seen wonderful examples of romantic relationships in their lives, and they want to be that type of person for the significant other in their life.

Though it feels society is slipping away from idealistic romantic norms, there are some people in this modern world of dating who will bring hope to the hopeless romantics.

APB hosts “Tea Mine, Valentine” to celebrate the season of love

Natalie Nichols Staff Contributor

Love for a good beverage was in the air at Shippensburg University on Feb. 7 with the Activity Programming Board’s (APB) Tea Mine Valentine’s event.

The event drew a massive crowd, with lines snaking down multiple hallways.

Inside the event, students could enjoy making a custom tea blend to sip from an

equally customizable mug.

A stocked waffle bar, raffles and the chance to decorate a mug with paints kept the crowd lively and provided a great chance to connect with peers.

The highlight of the event, the custom tea bar, provided a unique hands-on craft as students folded their own teabags, measured herbs and pre-mixed blends, and created their ideal flavor combinations. Despite the

cold, mint teas maintained a spot as a fan favorite of the night.

The end of the night saw three raffle winners take home prize baskets of Squishmallows, cups, snacks and, of course, tea.

Keep an eye out for APB’s much-anticipated Sexy Bingo night, taking place on Feb. 14 in the CUB MPR. To stay up-to-date on more events, follow APB @shipapb on Instagram.

enjoy

Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month: How to support

Jordan Neperud Ship Life Editor

Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month is a relatively new addition to the calendar. It began with the #IKNOWMARFAN campaign, run by the Marfan Foundation in 2017.

The Marfan Foundation is an organization dedicated to providing education and patient support, along with funding research on Marfan syndrome and related disorders.

The #IKNOWMARFAN campaign consisted of both social media and grassroots events. Local events were hosted by Marfan syndrome community groups throughout the U.S. with the goal of promoting awareness, fostering connections and raising funds. The social media campaign allowed those with Marfan syndrome to connect with online communities. Marfan syndrome is a genetic condition that affects connective tissue, which holds the body’s cells, organs and tissue together.

Marfan Syndrome affects many parts of the body, including the bones and joints; heart and blood vessels; eyes and head; skin; and lungs.

Marfan syndrome is caused by a gene mutation, which results in an increase in a protein called transforming growth factor beta. This causes the problems in connective tissues that characterize Marfan syndrome.

According to the Marfan Foundation, some of the common signs of Marfan syndrome are relatively easy to spot. These include long arms and legs, a curved spine, flexible joints and a chest that sinks in or sticks out.

The Marfan Foundation emphasizes the need for early diagnosis when possible, as some of the symptoms of Marfan syndrome can be life-threatening. This includes aortic enlargement, which can lead to the aorta rupturing later on.

Managing Marfan syndrome requires routine doctor appointments to monitor the condition, medications and limitations on physical activity.

About one in 5,000 people have Marfan syndrome. The Marfan Foundation estimates that about half of those with Marfan syndrome are not aware that they have it, which is why the foundation seeks to raise awareness of the condition.

The main ways to celebrate or participate in Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month are to raise awareness. The Marfan Foundation provides templates and graphics for people to make social media posts.

The foundation hosts a “Walk for Victory,” which is a fundraising event that raised almost $2 million last year. There are walks planned all across the country, with dates ranging from February to June. Some of these walks have already hit their goal.

Those who want to walk for victory can register on the Marfan Foundation’s website

The foundation has also been advocating for a state proclamation for Marfan Awareness Month.

Feb. 15 is Marfan Awareness Day of Giving. This can be celebrated by donating to the Marfan Foundation, taking place in local events and raising awareness for Marfan syndrome on social media.

Love in a Mug: Red velvet cake

Ship Life Editor

It is the season of love and chocolate, and this red velvet in

Instructions:

1.

2.

3. Microwave for

4.

6. Add sprinkles.

This

be

Retired SU professor returns for book signing

Gabby Lovett Business and Advertising Director

Retired Shippensburg

University Professor Andrew Carey hosted a book signing for his newly released novel, “Unlocked,” on Feb. 3, in the CUB bookstore.

In the bookstore, Carey set up many of his new novels at the table for people to look at, purchase and get signed by him.

He was ready to make conversation, give out knowledge and talk to students about their experience in psychology or even with mental health and counseling and offer some help or knowledge.

Carey explained how his experience teaching not only at SU, but also at many other universities, helped him realize that students need different ways of looking at counseling and development.

“In my last two years of teaching, I saw students learn more when they were told a story and had something directly explained to them,” Carey said.

He saw that students had moments of growth through using stories and seeing realistic one-on-one patient and client scenarios.

Carey started writing “Unlocked” in his last year of teaching and said it took about eight years to write and illustrate it in a way that he would want for students, as well as many others, to utilize it.

“Unlocked” follows a 21-year-old woman named Isabelle Vasquez, who faces loss and other hardships and goes on to find her true self through authentic relationships and character development.

The novel plays out over six different counseling sessions that provides counselors, counselors in training and even clients of counselors or psychologists an inside look at how counseling works and how it can help change their lives for the better.

A main motivation for writing the novel for Carey was that he wished he had a resource like “Unlocked” when he was teaching. He wrote the novel to make a difference in people’s lives, to use with clients for even better counseling sessions, and for use in other counseling, psychology and social work programs.

It is important to continue to inspire people in and going into psychology, counseling, and other mental health fields, as well as help people understand things on a different level, Carey said.

Carey was a former coeditor of the Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association and has also published many academic articles, including in the American Counseling Association’s flagship journal.

He has counseled and taught counseling for over 40 years, with over 30 years being a counseling professor at SU and other universities.

Carey has presented at counseling conferences regionally, nationally and internationally, along with counseling at university and community counseling centers, private practices, schools, churches and a correctional institution.

Since leaving his university positions, Carey has had time to do the things he could not fully focus on while he was teaching. This includes mental-health counseling

part-time and he co-authored his first novel, “American Roulette,” in October 2023, in collaboration with the Charles Bruce Foundation.

Most importantly, he spends most of his time writing and traveling with his wife, Kathy.

Many other professors who are still on or off campus credit Carey for his hard work and dedication to Counselor Education at SU.

“Unlocked” can be found in many locations like Amazon Books, Target, Barnes & Noble and many online book retailers.

All proceeds from the novel go to the Charles Bruce Foundation, which supports social justice issues along with artists, musicians and writers of many kinds.

“I’ve witnessed his insistence that counselorsin-training and his professional peers see each client fully, listening to all of their complexity long before diagnostic codes and academic or social labels were ever considered or uttered,” said Kurt Kraus, Professor Emeritus in Counselor Education at SU, whom Carey worked with for more than 20 years.

Dear Sherlyn Martinez, Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you!

— Mason Yurko

Dearest Slaters, Roses are red, Violets are blue, your articles & photos ROCK, keep doing what you do <3

— Slate Mom of ’23-24

Dear Yazzie, Kelly, and Grace, To my amazing roommates, I love you all so much and I feel so lucky to spend every day with you. Here’s to many more memories together, Happy Valentine’s Day!

— Sav

Dear Jayden and Megan, Thank you for everything! Your hard work and dedication speaks volumes, but your kindness is what makes you the best editors ever! Love, Caroline

Dear Trey,

To my favorite person and best friend, I love you always. I’m so grateful for every moment with you. Thanks for being the absolute best. Happy Valentine’s Day!

— Savannah

Dear Slaters,

You are great and doing amazing work, keep it up! Lots of love from Germany!

— Nicola

Dear Mara, Don’t forget you’re a chud Sincerely, Charles

Dear Katie, I love you, happy Valentines!

— Jailene

Dear Friday Traveller Group, You are my (star) port of call: always there for me to return to after a long week away. The stars would be cold without you all.

— Your Referee, Benjamin W. Zacharias

Dear Megan Jane, where do i begin... u are awesome and my bff and thank u for driving me everywhere and letting me intrude on every aspect of ur life. love u! *finger heart* — Mara

Dear Mara, Wow I don’t know how I tricked you into being my roommate but I’m so glad I did! We have such a silly friendship and you make me giggle every day. I love our morning car time and being your chauffeur. <3 — Megan

Dear Aidan, I love you so so much. Thank you for always being by my side. You are my world babe. I can’t wait to spend Valentine’s Day with you sweetie. Love, Avs

Dear Slaters, Thank you for making this year at The Slate my best one yet! Though I never imagined I would take on this role, I am so thankful that I did because you all have made it so fun and rewarding. xoxo Jayden

Dear Sherlyn, if you’re reading this your cat is probably meowing at my door... pls collect her. oh and also thank u for being such a wonderful friend <3 — Mara

Dear Joey, Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite Wubby. You are the reason my days feel brighter, my smiles come easier, and my heart feels fuller. I’m forever “ova z moon” lol. — Alasia S.

Dear Megan, Thank you for inspiring and believing in me. You’re the best Ship Life editor I could ever ask for. I’m going to ugly cry when you graduate. — Viper

Love Lines

Dear Autumn, I’ve loved being your roommate these past four years pookie. I will miss you when we graduate. Yours truly, pookie

Dear Heather, meow — Mara

Dear The Person I Don’t Know (Yet), You don’t know me, and I don’t know you. But one thing I do know is that we’ll meet one day. One thing I know is that I’m waiting to meet you. I don’t know when I’ll meet you, but I know that I will. I’m sure you know that too. And I want to say that I love you, person I don’t know. Even if I don’t know it yet. — The Person You Don’t Know (Yet)

Dear Jayden, I’m so lucky to know you and have you as a friend! Happy Valentine’s Day!

— Maddi

Dear Avree and Gliz, Love you girls so much, I can’t wait to celebrate galentines day with you cuties.

Love, your bbg avs

Dear Josh, im so happy i transferred to Shippensburg to be closer to you! i love you so much and i am so excited to spend valentine’s day with you!

— Kate

Dear Madison, Thank you so much for getting me into the slate, I appreciate you so much for everything. You are such a hard worker, and not only me but we are all so proud of you!! <3

— Gabby

Dear Dr. Michael Drager, I cannot possibly put into words the lasting impact you have had on me these past four years. I have grown immensely as a photographer and as a person under your watchful eye. I will forever be grateful that I attended Shippensburg University, even though your profile on the university intimidated the hell out of me when I read it back in high school. I will cherish these last four months because I get the privilege of learning from you one last time. Forever grateful, Jayden

Dear Svetlana, My dearest Pook — you are my favorite dance partner and life partner, full stop.

— Brian Guyer

Dear Zach, I love you and i’m so glad I met you. Happy Valentine’s Day!

— Keira K.

Dear James, Happy Valentine’s Day! I can’t wait to celebrate 6 years with you this year. I’m so thankful for you, I love you!

— Paige

Dear Caitlyn, Life could not be more fulfilling these last 4 years together! Your work ethic and passionate personality motivates me to bring out my “inner Caitlyn” lol. Through everything we’ve experienced in college, I’d gladly experience again as long as you are there with me! I LOVE YOU BBG!!!

Sincerely, bbg Janet

Dear Sherlyn, We have known each other for so long and I don’t know how we haven’t gotten sick of each other! But I’m so glad we haven’t. We may bicker like sisters, but I love spending time with you. So glad we were randomly assigned roommates freshman year and became peers, friends, coworkers, radio show hosts, and more.

— Megan

Dear Christopher, Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart. I do not love you any more than all of the other days of the year. For me, every day with you is a day of love. You are the kindest, funniest, and most considerate person I have ever met. When I am feeling upset or stressed out, an embrace and a few laughs with you are enough to raise my spirits. When we are apart, simply talking about our days and how we long to see each other again makes the long weeks feel shorter. You’re so hardworking and driven and yet you remain very humble. How lucky am I to love such a beautiful person? What a blessing. Thank you for loving me so well. I only hope to make you as incredibly happy as you make me.

“ooxxooXoXXx” — Liliana

Dear Madison, Who knew when I was assigned your mentor that we would become such good friends! Love working with you and so glad we got closer.

— Megan

Dear Megan, Thank you for being the best mentor a girl could ask for.

— Madison Sharp

Dear Moss, You’re my skeleton key <3

— Kale

Dear Michael and Hank, Thank you both for being such supportive uncles.

— Viper

Dear Jayden, Although we didn’t necessarily choose to be in these roles, I’m so glad that we were the ones who ended up in them. So thankful that you’re the EIC to my ME. We’ve done great work in The Slate this year and I can’t wait to see what you do.

— Megan

Dear Megan, Thank you for being my InDesign queen. Without you, there would be no Slate, since my ability to create a photo box would not get us very far. I am eternally grateful that I get to work alongside you, as there’s no one I’d rather run this Ship with <3 All my love, Jayden

Dear Mom, Happy Birthday! Thank you for everything that you do, we love you!

— Vivian and Hannah

Dear Noah, Thanks for always being a great friend! I hope your semester is filled with good grades & good vibes!

— Charlie K <3

Dear Hayden, Thanks for being my twin :)

— Madison

Dear Sandra and Madison, Happy Galentine’s Day sweeties!!! Love, Regan.

Dear Mara, Thank you for always giving me a reason to smile.

— Madison Sharp

Dear Madison Sharp, *insert vegetarian joke here* <3

— Mara

Dear Nathan Wauls, I love you

— Mason

To Jayden, My favorite Nikon user.

— Madison

Dear Madison, I am glad we’re friends, even if you use Canon. — Jayden

Dear Caitlyn, Best GM ever and my favorite person to be around. I love you!!! — Maddi

Dear Dr. Drager, Thank you for all you do for your students and alumni! — A retired EIC

Dear Megan and Jayden, Thank you for believing in me and making me the Ad and Business director for the Slate. You guys are so amazing at what you do and I can’t wait to help make it even more amazing. — Gabby

Dear Viper, love u cuzo!!!!!! — Isabelle

Dear Isabelle, Don’t tell anyone, but you’re my favorite cousin

— Viper

Dear Victoria, You are my sunshine I love you

— Mason

Dear Gabriella Lovett, Happy Valentine’s Day! I love you and I’m so grateful to be your father. You amaze me every day and I’m so proud of you <3<3 Love, Daddy

Dear Abby, I love you so much, and everything you do brings a smile to face. Have a ba-ba-banana-tasting day!

Love, Ra’Shaiya

Dear Brandon Caudill, Happy Valentine’s Day to my wonderful husband, my first ever Valentine <3 I love you!

— Jackie Caudill

Dear Jayden, Thank you for being such a good role model for everybody in the organization, always supporting everyone, and especially welcoming me and making me feel at home so quickly here at the Slate.

— Gabby

Dear Verge, Thank you for being such a special coach to us!!!

— The SU Swim Team

Dear Connor Ludwig, Can’t wait to see you tonight.

— Mason

Dear Madison, Thank you for making this the best semester ever! So glad to have met you and have you as my mentor <3 — Keira K.

Dear Keira, I can’t wait to see everything you do in Multimedia <3 — Madison

Dear Luna Calcagni, I really appreciate all the effort you put in and the kind of partner you are. I hope you always feel loved.

— Astrid

Dear Gabby Lovett, I love being your roommate! I have so much fun with you and Dorito!

— Emma Sokolowski

Dear Emma Sokolowski, Thank you for being the best roommate ever, helping me so much with Dorito, and welcoming me into your world. I don’t know where I would be without you, thank you for always making sure I am included. <3

— Gabby

Dear You, I love you, but I’m not sure you feel the same.

— Me

Dear Victoria Bartholomew, You are the sweetest person I know, sweeter than chocolate. You are more beautiful than the finest bouquet of flowers. And I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day from yours truly!

With much love, Benjamin Hummel

Dear Mara, Thank you for helping me so much with everything, and you are the best ‘coworker’ I could ask for <3 — Gabby

Dear Miss Maddi Warner, I adore you!!! — Miss Caroline Cooper

Dear Caroline, You are a superstar and I would be so lost without you!! Proud of you always! — Maddi

Dear Megan, Thank you for believing in me, always making sure I am good, and supporting my ideas. You always make sure I am heard and let me know that you trust me. I can’t tell you how much your support has helped me grow, thank you. — Gabby

Dear Annie, Thank you for always being an ear to listen, even when I’ve told you the same story three times over. — Kyra

Dear Viper, Happy valentines! I’m really glad that I can have a second year with the best partner I could ask for. I hope you’re looking forward as much as I am to the time we’ll get to spend together, my love. Love always, Elisée

Dear Elisée, Thank you for being such a wonderful partner and presence in my life. Happy Valentine’s Day and happy (early) two year anniversary. I’m looking forward to many more. I love you.

— Viper

Dear AJ, Happy Valentine’s Day..you will always be my emotional support cashier!! ALWAYS!! OXOX, Tammy

Dear Madison and Hannah, You two are my favorite part of this school. I’m grateful for both of you every day

— Viper

Dear Hannah and Viper, Thank you for being the best trio <3 — Madison

Dear Viper and Madison, Love you guys!!!

— Hannah

Dear Becky Sipes, Thank you for everything. Love You — Haiden Martz

Dear Gabe, I love loving you! My best friend, my person, my everything. Here’s to another year in the story of our lives.

Love, Caroline

Dear Caroline, Your love and support get me through every day, your eyes, smile and laughter brighten up my life and fill me with such euphoria. Never change.

— Gabe

Dear Erica, Happy Valentine’s Day. Let it be canonized in an official record for the many years to come. Love you always.

— Matthew

Dear Mara, You’re the ray of sunshine in the Sloffice.

Valentine’s Day: Puzzles ‘n’ Ship

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with fun love-themed puzzles!

Spot the differences, feat. The Slate management!

This is the original photo.

Take a long look before moving to the altered photo. You can come back to find the rest. Circle the differences, and good luck!

This is the altered photo. Notice anything different?

Hint: There are eight things different between the photos. Pay attention to details!

Partition

Palooza

Puppy

Ravioli - Serendipity

Sonder - Ultracrepidarian

Crossword and word search by Astrid Huber.

Valentine’s Day Coloring

Puppy love lights up the stage at Luhrs

Standard Poodle, Rudy, making a long jump over five hurdles during Puppy Pals LIVE.

“Puppy Pals LIVE,” a humorous stunt dog show, came to the Luhrs

Performing Arts Center on Saturday for a double feature show, one at 1 p.m. and a later one at 5 p.m.

The dogs were able to make high jumps, rollover on command, jump through hoops and many more. At the start of the show, they

played “Who Let the Dogs Out,” as the stars ran out onstage. The host, Renaldo Calienes, encouraged the audience to say, “I let the dogs out,” in response to motivate the dogs.

“The louder you cheer, the more it motivates them,” Calienes said.

Puppy Pals LIVE has been seen on America’s Got Talent Season 15 in 2020, gaining more recognition for the group of talented rescue dogs.

A lot of parents brought their

Get Booked: ‘A Heart in a Body in the World’

Abbygale Hockenberry A&E Editor

Some of the best books I have ever read are the ones that I find unexpectedly. For instance, I normally go to the bookstore to look for a specific book that I know I already want, but then it turns out with me purchasing three other books I have never even heard of. The ones you have not heard of, those are the ones. “A Heart in a Body in the World” by Deb Caletti was one of those books for me and should be one that everyone has heard of.

The story follows a young girl named Annabelle Agnelli, who is dealing with past traumas as she decides to run from Seattle to Washington D.C. She gets support from her grandfather, Ed, whom she is close with. The further she runs, the more she reveals what happened nine months ago.

I found this story to be paced well. I kept reading because I truly cared about what previously happened to Annabelle and if she was going to make it to the end. I also really loved the connection that she had with her grandfather. He was there for her and kept pushing her to make it to the finish line, even when she doubted herself and wanted to quit. The novel jumps between the present and the past, which I found jarring, but in a positive way. I would get so wrapped up in what was happening in the past or present, and then it would switch. I often hate when perspectives change, and then I am less immersed in one or the other. I feel like I must fast read through the less interesting storyline.

children in the crowd for an afternoon filled with entertaining puppy fun.

Gizmo got the most laughs out of the crowd. Calienes referred to the 3-year-old Poodle mix as the “wild card” of the show. As his actions are often unpredictable, Gizmo started break dancing and doing backflip after backflip along to music — sending the crowd into a fit of laughter.

Calienes selected an audience

member to come onstage and juggle, while the dogs were taking a break. He started off with throwing one hoop back and forth, then said thank you for joining and would yell “WAIT!” as the audience member would start to leave the stage. Each time he added another hoop and made the juggling harder. Every time he yelled “WAIT!” the crowd would start laughing.

One of the main stars of a show was a 4-year-old Standard Poodle

named Rudy, who was a cancer survivor, and the dog who could jump the highest. The newest edition to the pack is a 1-yearold Jack Russell named Chip. He was another comedic part of the show as he would jump in and out of a barrel, while not listening or staying put. For more information, visit Puppy Pals LIVE Instagram at @ puppypalslive.

John Mueller’s ‘Winter Dance Party’ travels to Shippensburg

Madison Sharp Multimedia Editor

Shippensburg witnessed a blast from the past when John Mueller’s worldfamous “Winter Dance Party” took the stage in the Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Thursday.

“Winter Dance Party” is the “official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final tour and the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates,” according to the Luhrs Center website. Mueller performed as Buddy Holly, Linwood Sasser as the Big Bopper and Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens. The show is a two-hour concert-like performance featuring hit ’50s rockabilly songs.

Residents and visitors of Shippensburg alike gathered in the Luhrs Center to experience this unique music experience and viewed a slide

show featuring the three singers: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper, as audience members found their way to their seats.

The show kicked off with music from the accompanying band, which consisted of a lead guitarist, saxophonist, drummer and a stand-up bassist. Members of the band pointed out to each other during these opening songs, resulting in bursts of applause from the audience.

After this introduction, the performers of Holly, Big Bopper and Valens made their way out onto the stage, with each of them performing individual songs with the band backing them up with instrumentals.

One of the many songs performed was “Running Bear” by Johnny Preston. In a moment of humor before the song, Sasser turned to the audience.

“It’s a tale of star-crossed love, so get out your handkerchiefs,” said Sasser.

Anthony sang the next batch of songs,

all while playing electric guitar. One of the most famous songs he performed was “We Belong Together,” one of Valens’ love ballads.

Mueller himself then entered the stage performing as Holly. Mueller continued to play more classic ’50s hits and encouraged the crowd to sing along and dance to the music, letting their voices carry the room.

“We’re going to have a little fun tonight,” Mueller said. “You showed up, and we’re here.”

As his final solo performance, Mueller sang a song of his own titled “Hey, Buddy.” This 2009 release was written as a tribute to Holly and received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The show concluded with the three singers joining together on stage to play one last song, but as a group. After the final note was sung, they were met with a standing ovation from the crowd.

Track & field breaks school records at Penn State meet

Shippensburg University’s indoor track-and-field teams found success in two meets this past weekend with two individuals breaking school records on Saturday.

Some of the team traveled to Susquehanna University for the River Hawk Friday Night Showdown where multiple women qualified for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships. In the 60-meter hurdles, four Raiders placed within the top five. Freshman Linda Hussein placed first with a time of 9.18 seconds. Right behind her was redshirt freshman Layla Duggan with a time of 9.20 seconds.

Sophomore Camryn Pyle earned third place in 9.37 seconds, and freshman Hannah Stonesifer secured fifth place in 9.78 seconds. Hussein, Duggan and Pyle qualified for PSACs with their times.

Two women also found success in the triple jump.

Sophomore Riyah Whigham secured first after reaching 37 feet, 10.75 inches. Sophomore Anne Gardner placed second with a height of 36 feet, 5.75 inches. Both qualified for PSACs. Other Raiders who won their events and qualified for PSACs included freshman Mya Trotty in the 5k with a time of 18:43.62 and sophomore Shaela Kruskie in the mile with a time of 5:18.68.

Junior Carissa Bender earned second place in the pole vault event at 11 feet, 6.5 inches. The men’s team had one PSAC qualifier when junior Ridge Crispino placed second with a weight throw of 51 feet, 9.25 inches. Saturday, another contingent for SU traveled to Penn State for the Sykes and Sabock Challenge. At Penn State, six women qualified for PSACs. Freshman Izzy Slezak qualified in the 200-meters with a time of 25.29 seconds, sliding into the No. 4 spot on Shippensburg’s all-time list.

Wrestling wins a close battle at home

Savannah Silvestre Staff Contributor

Shippensburg wrestling triumphed in a close battle with Felician University on Wednesday evening at home, winning 26-23. The team’s overall record moves to 6-10.

It was an electric night in Heiges Field House as this was only the second dual meet held at home this season. This is the start of a home stint before the team heads to the NCAA Regional Tournament in a few weeks. There were six wins on the night for the Raiders at the weights of 125, 141, 149, 165 and 184.

Freshman Colin Marano at 125 earned a decisive win over his opponent, Marcus Lowry. The two wrestlers exchanged a series of takedowns, but Marano was victorious with an 11-8 decision.

Redshirt freshman Cole Coffin earned a forfeit win since Felician had no wrestler able to compete at the weight of 141 pounds.

One of the most exhilarating matches of the night was from redshirt junior Mike Trainor, who earned a pin against Felician’s Giovanni Scafidi. Only a minute into the first period, Trainor positioned a hold on his opponent and lifted him from the air to the mat to place him in the perfect position for a solid fall.

After the match, Trainor said, “Coming into the day, the team knew if we wrestled the way we know how to, we come in with a mindset that we know what we’re doing and if we trust our preparation, then we can come away with victories.”

Graduate Nick Delp added another win to his impressive undefeated record of 16-0 this season. Delp’s match was nothing short of a battle, with the first two periods being scoreless for both wrestlers.

After a helpful penalty point on Felician’s wrestler, Delp earned a takedown with 15 seconds left to sweeten a 4-0 decision. At 184, Cole Lang faced another tough battle against Felician’s Riley Boos. His decisive second-period takedown landed him a 4-2 decision win.

“It was such a battle, I got two bruises on my eyes, it truly came down to the wire. I’m very proud of how my teammates pushed me toward the end. I heard everyone screaming and cheering me on,” said Lang. The last win of the night that solidified the Raiders’ win came from Diesel Koser at 197 pounds. Koser dominated his match by earning 14 points in the first period and an escape in the second for an impressive 15-0 tech fall.

Read the full story at theslateonline.com.

Senior thrower Lauren Bellows also improved her spot on SU’s all-time list with a weight throw of 51 feet, 11 inches, moving her to No. 9 in school history.

Other qualifiers on Saturday for the women came in the 400-meters when seniors Alyssa Wert and Emily Calamia had qualifying times of 57.88 and 58.13, respectively. Senior Madison Malcolm finished the 60-meter hurdles in 9.02 seconds. Freshman Mary Stoltz went 2:19.05 to qualify in the 800-meters.

At Penn State, multiple men earned NCAA provisional qualifiers.

In the shot put, junior Gian Greggo broke a school record when he threw for 60 feet, 0.25 inches to win the event against mostly NCAA Division 1 throwers. He also qualified for PSACs in the weight throw.

Another school record was broken by junior Gabriel Lewis in the 60-meter event, who had previously set the record in December with a time of 6.67 seconds. His

new record now sits at 6.66 seconds.

Also earning provisional NCAA qualifying in the 60-meter was junior Ni’male Greenwood with a time of 6.79 seconds.

He is now tied for fourth place on the all-time SU list. He also finished the 200-meter in 21.83 seconds to qualify for PSACs.

Senior Quinton Townsend qualified for PSACs in the 200-meter, too, with a time of 21.77. In the 400, he qualified and moved to No. 3 all-time at SU with a time of 48.35.

Also putting their names on the all-time Shippensburg rankings were junior Tommy Crum Jr. and senior Chase Hensinger.

Crum Jr. is now No. 4 all-time in the 3K, winning the event at 8:14.47, and Hensinger is No. 4 in the 800-meters at 1:52.57.

The Raiders will travel to Liberty this weekend for the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational. Friday’s action starts at 1 p.m. before resuming Saturday at 9 a.m.

Women’s basketball earns Pink Day win over West Chester

Shippensburg University’s women’s basketball team played two games this past week, suffering a 65-61 overtime loss to Millersville on Wednesday and beating West Chester 67-45 on Saturday.

Shippensburg went down to the wire at Millersville (12-9, 8-7) on Wednesday night but came up just short in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division setback to the Marauders at Pucillo Gymnasium.

The game was back and forth, as the lead was not greater than seven points in a game that featured 10 lead changes and eight ties.

Sophomore Abbie Johns finished with a team-high 14 points and a careerhigh seven rebounds in 43 minutes of action. She added two assists and two steals.

Sophomore Michelle Olak

made it nine games in a row in double figures, scoring 12 points while grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. She also matched her career high with three blocks.

Sophomore McKenzie Thomas delivered her fifth double-digit scoring performance of the season, with her 13 points being her most in the last nine contests. Thomas added six rebounds and matched a career high with three steals.

Freshman Melana Eyer was a highly efficient 3-of4 from three-point range, totaling 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds.

Both teams shot 32 percent from the field. The Marauders finished the game 23-of-30, 77%, at the freethrow line, while the Raiders were 8-of-12, or 67%.

On Saturday, SU used a second half surge to defeat West Chester in a PSAC East battle on Alumni and Pink Day Saturday afternoon at Heiges Field House

Shippensburg (3-20, 2-14) led West Chester (10-12, 6-10) by as many as 25 points in the second half following a low-scoring first half that featured six ties and six changes.

The Raider duo of Olak and Thomas nearly outscored West Chester by themselves, combining for 42 points while the SU defense held the Golden Rams to a seasonbest 45 points defensively.

Shippensburg Head Coach Kristy Trn praised the team for locking down defensively and executing the teams game plan.

The fourth quarter was all one-sided as SU began the frame with a 19-4 run to open up a 24-point advantage.

The Raiders shot a scorching 66.7% from the field (8-for-12) in the fourth quarter and 59% (16-for-27) overall in the second half. They shot 80 percent (4for-5) from beyond the arc during that span.

Olak led the Raiders with 23 points on an outstanding 9-of-10 from the field.

“It feels so good … to come in and get a reward for the hard work means a lot,” said Olak.

Saturday’s game was her fourth outing of 20 or more points this season. She also pulled down eight rebounds.

Thomas reached a new career-high with 19 points, highlighted by a 4-for-6 afternoon from beyond the arc.

She said the team relied on high energy from each other to earn the win and bounce back after Wednesday’s tough overtime loss against Millersville.

The Raiders finished with eight three-pointers on 16 attempts overall on Saturday, one off their season high on Jan. 24 at Mansfield. Meanwhile, the SU defense held the Golden Rams without a three-pointer in the game.

Eyer was the third Raider to reach double figures with 16 points, going 4-of-8 from three-point range in the game. Johns matched her career high with five assists.

SU finished with 15 turnovers, one off its seasonlow and the Raiders won the points off turnovers battle 14-to-8.

The win over West Chester snaps a six-game losing streak for Shippensburg. It was their first win over the Golden Rams since January 2023.

The Raiders will travel to Kutztown on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip and then head to East Stroudsburg Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.

Moments of Love

This is a gallery of photos highlighting different symbols of love captured through the lenses of our photographers.