Alumni Assoc. offers health insurance

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FEBRUARY 17, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 61 Issue 14

Wilkes-Barre businesses preserve in recession Alumni Assoc.
BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Circles relies on loyal cus-
Beacon Asst. News Editor tomers to spread the word.
“It is strictly word-of- offers health
Economic difﬁculties across the nation mouth,” said Rudy.
have challenged law and policy makers
to take a much closer look at the needs
In addition, Circles uses
less expensive technology insurance
of “Main Street,” a term that has become to highlight daily specials, BY CHRISTA SGOBBA
synonymous with private, small business according to Rudy. Its web- Beacon Lifestyles Editor
owners. While reports of chain store clos- site has received as many
ings abound, some downtown Wilkes-Barre as 4,000 hits, and Circles’s
businesses are continuing to do well in spite daily specials are also faxed For some seniors, the day after graduation
of the doom and gloom on Wall Street. to over 200 local businesses will be a cold plunge into the real world,
Circles on the Square, a popular deli lo- in the area. when they ﬁnd themselves booted off their
cated on Public Square for the last 24 years, Over the years, Rudy has parents’ health insurance plans into the
has actually seen an increase in sales over built an enduring and loyal growing pool of the uninsured.
the past few months. customer base that draws In order to ﬁght the rising tide of unin-
“Consistency and quality is what keeps heavily on the downtown sured recent graduates, the Wilkes Uni-
us in business,” said Phil Rudy, owner of workforce. versity Alumni Association has partnered
Circles. “Come again,” said Rudy with Meyer and Associates to offer alumni
Circles offers high-quality, take-out only to a customer. a comprehensive short-term medical insur-
menu items for breakfast, lunch and din- “I will, indeed,” said the ance plan. This program, which launched
The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki
ner. The business also specializes in quirky customer. in January, can provide graduates with six
Circles has been located on the square since 1985. Consis-
gifts such as refrigerator magnets, postcards Rudy believes that in part tency and quality keeps customers coming back in spite months of medical coverage for just over
and postcard books, Japanese incense and because everyone has been of economic hard times. $500 with a $500 deductible.
wooden wind chimes, as well as Wilkes- taking measures to cut back “As you graduate, you’re often on your
Barre t-shirts. on unnecessary expenses and limiting luxu- more affordable delis, such as his business, parents’ insurance, or Wilkes health insur-
But unlike many businesses seeking to ries, cutting out particularly expensive res- have actually seen an increase in sales. ance, and that expires when you gradu-
boost sales through vigorous ad campaigns, taurants has been one method. As a result, See BUSINESSES page 3 ate,” said Mirko Widenhorn, the director
of Alumni Relations. “You’re not going to
Recovery plan to impact federal ﬁnancial aid necessarily ﬁnd a job immediately, or go
to grad school immediately, so we wanted
BY AMY FUSCO dents will notice a change in their ﬁnancial courage young people from low-income a program that’s inexpensive and provides
Beacon News Editor aid details. families to consider and prepare for college. good coverage.”
According to www.whitehouse.gov, the Wilkes University runs a long-standing Up- Young adults are lacking medical cov-
Friday the 13th has long been a supersti- recovery plan includes speciﬁc changes ward Bound program through University erage at a higher rate than any other age
tious date associated with bad luck. But to education funding at both the K-12 and College. group. According to the National Health
Congress worked to reverse the stigma of higher education levels. For K-12, steps But according to the plan Obama is ex- Interview Survey conducted by the Centers
that date with its 1,073-page $787 billion such as reforming the No Child Left Be- pected to sign, there are several elements for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008,
economic stimulus plan designed to reverse hind Act and addressing the dropout cri- expressly designed to impact how and how 28 percent of all people ages 18 to 24 are
the bad fortune Americans have faced with sis ﬁgure prominently. The recovery plan much a student pays to attend college. One uninsured. For college graduates, the num-
the current economy. also includes supporting college outreach important addition is the American Oppor- ber jumps even higher. A 2008 report by the
After President Obama signs the plan, programs and college credit initiatives. A tunity Tax Credit. The website states that Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation
changes across the nation are anticipated to few outreach programs include GEAR UP,
begin in short order, and some Wilkes stu- TRIO and Upward Bound, all of which en- See PLAN page 4 See ALUMNI page 2
ALUMNI dents should do research
NEWS FEBRUARY 17, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:
amy.fusco@wilkes.edu
jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu

wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2
on the cost of a plan
from FRONT PAGE for their location after
graduation compared
that focuses on health policy, to the rate using their
found that 34 percent of graduates Wilkes-Barre address.
spend at least part of the year fol- If they are moving to a
lowing graduation uninsured. major metropolitan area,
Depending on their plan, stu- it may be cheaper to buy
dents covered under their parents’ their plan before they
health insurance may ﬁnd them- leave Wilkes-Barre. For
selves booted off the day of grad- example, the same plan
uation, the day following gradua- that will cost Wilkes-
tion, or the last day of the month Barre residents $500
in which they graduate. Students over six months will
under Wilkes’ health insurance cost those with a Phila-
will be covered until August. delphia zip code $600.
The plan offered by Meyer and Additionally, some
Associates seeks to provide short- states such as New Jer-
term health insurance to ﬁll the sey prohibit the sale
gap before graduates ﬁnd jobs of short-term medical
with their own health coverage. insurance, so students
Prices for the policies depend would have to buy the
upon length, premiums, and de- plan while still in Wil-
ductibles, as well as the zip code kes-Barre if they want The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki
which the students claim as their short-term coverage. Wilkes University has partnered with Meyer and Associates to offer a comprehensive short-term health insurance
address. Students can purchase plan for Wilkes alumni. Mirko Widenhorn, director of alumni, right, and Michelle Diskin, associate director of
A policy for a 22-year-old with a their plans up to 45 days alumni, left, discuss the policy.
Wilkes-Barre zip code would cost in advance to when they treated, like asthma, migraines, or ber one reason college graduates of bankruptcy is actually medical
just over $500 for six months with need it to be effective. diabetes. It also will not include should purchase health insurance is bills, and that’s why people need
a $500 deductible. With this plan, “It’s totally portable,” said Abdi. pregnancy or childbirth services, to protect against something cata- health insurance.”
students would pay a premium of “Even if you think you are going routine checkups, dental work, or strophic. She gives the example of For more information, students
less than $100 each month, and to move, you can purchase cover- cosmetic surgery. a ski accident which resulted in a can log on to www.meyerandas-
would pay their $500 deductible age to begin while you still live in John Botch, a senior business knee injury that required $40,000 soc.com/ma/wilkes.
out-of-pocket before their insur- Wilkes. Then, even if you move to major who is president of the worth of arthroscopic surgery.
New Jersey, that policy would still Money Matters ﬁnancial club, Graduates who take the risk of
Correction
ance kicked in.
If graduates choose a higher de- cover you because you purchased plans on looking into short-term foregoing health insurance may
ductible of $2,500, the cost of the it and coverage began when you health insurance, especially if he be setting themselves up for ﬁnan-
plan would drop to a little over were in Pennsylvania.” ﬁnds it difﬁcult to ﬁnd a job in the cial, as well as medical, hardship In February 10 issue of The
$300 for six months. The health insurance plan in- scarce job market. down the line. Beacon, the wrong photograph
“Most people go for the $500 cludes services of any licensed “Most people are outside more “Most people we’re talking about accompanied the Rinkside Re-
deductible,” said Ann Meyer physician or surgeon, prescription during the summer doing activi- would not have to take a second port. The photograph portrayed
Abdi, a vice president at Meyer drugs, lab work, room and board ties like grilling or playing sports, mortgage on their house to pay player Ben Lovejoy. The picture
and Associates. “Most people just at hospitals, and inpatient and out- and all that opportunity carries a $1,000 medical bill, but when should have been of Dustin Jef-
aren’t comfortable looking at a patient services. extra risk or more opportunity to you start talking about $40,000 frey. We apologize for any confu-
$2,500 deductible even if it could The plan will not include any injure yourself,” he said. “Some- knee injuries or more than that sion this may have caused.
save them a few hundred dollars services for preexisting conditions, times a trip to the doctor can cost a for something really serious, then
up front.” which are lingering conditions for few hundred dollars easily.” people can be in dire straights,” - ANDREW SEAMAN
When searching for plans, stu- which the student was previously According to Abdi, the num- said Abdi. “The number one cause EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Meet the staff...
Editorial Staff 2008-09
Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba
130 S. River St, Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner
First Floor, Conyngham Hall Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner
Wilkes University News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki
The Beacon/Jenna Stephens
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz
PHONE: (570) 408-5903 Matthew Gogas
EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Assistant A&E Editor
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 NEWS 3
BUSINESSES coming into the
shop.
from FRONT PAGE “We have a very
Other businesses that have managed to strong customer
survive the economic ﬁrestorm have done base… We also
so because there is simply nothing else out like to see younger
there that offers what they do. They fall kids getting in-
into the category of “niche” stores, and volved because
downtown Wilkes-Barre offers a few. then they are life-
“It really is a ‘niche’ store,” said Ryan long customers,”
Charnitski, in sales at Top of the Slope. said Charnitski.
Top of the Slope, located on South Main Charnitski says
Street just one block from Public Square, that being located
sells gear for all sorts of outdoor activities in downtown Wil-
such as skiing, snowboarding, skateboard- kes-Barre prob-
ing, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, ably hasn’t helped
backpacking and camping. The items and them, but the busi-
merchandise that the store sells are unique ness has main-
because there is not another shop like it in tained well in the
downtown Wilkes-Barre. same location for
This year, Top of the Slope managers opt- 37 years.
ed to buy less merchandise to sell; therefore, The store has
it has been harder to tell if the economy has been here since
affected sales dramatically. ’72,” he said.
“It [the winter sales] started off quick, Top of the Slope
[because] the cold weather affects the busi- and Wilkes-Barre
ness,” said Charnitski. Rocks also use
College students also support Top of the word-of-mouth ad- The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki
Slope and the climbing gym next door, vertising to attract Circles on the Square is busiest between 11a.m. and 2p.m. Owner Phil Rudy said he has seen an increase in
which have the same owner. customers. Top of sales in 2008. Customers can buy things like windchimes, and Japanese incense as well as take-out food.
Over the past few years, Charnitski has the Slope doesn’t advertise in the Clipper Magazine, which College students have also supported this
noticed a more price-conscious customer use any television or radio ads, but does has coupons in it for businesses around the store. King’s has a Commencement Ball ev-
area. ery year and Place 1 usually gets students
LCCC program addresses Located down the street from Top of the
Slope is Place 1, a high-quality dress shop
from King’s coming into the store to buy
a dress.
which specializes mostly in mother-of-the Despite the economic downturn, Place 1
economic needs of students bride and prom dresses.
Place 1 has two stores located in down-
is still getting new, fashionable merchan-
dise which has kept them in business and
BY JACQUELINE LUKAS town Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. The Wil- made them able to run two stores in differ-
Beacon Asst. News Editor kes-Barre store has been doing better than ent locations of Northeast Pennsylvania.
the store in Scranton. Another local business that college stu-
Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) recently approved a one-time 12-credit “It [the economy] has affected the sports- dents, as well as other schools in the area,
tuition waiver for students who have lost their jobs in the past 12 months due to the wear business more than the special occa- support is Futuristic Innovative Graph-
economic downturn. The program is called the Employment Retraining Opportunities sion business. There’s still going to be wed- ics Incorporated. Futuristic offers services
Program. dings. Mothers are still going to buy a dress. such as screen printing and embroidery
I think they are a little more price conscious which can be placed on t-shirts, sweatshirts,
- The program’s mission is to offer higher education opportunity to Luzerne County now. The big event in high school is the sweatpants and shorts.
students who have lost their jobs to make them more employable in a changing market- prom. They’re still going to go to prom,” “We have been steady… there has been
place. said Michaelene Coffee from Place 1. no difference in our sales,” said Mark
Coffee says that she sees women who have Kaufman from Futuristic.
- The tuition waiver is equal to $1,200 and covers the cost of the classes. Students are previously bought her dresses have found Schools which have many different clubs
responsible for paying for application fees and book costs. new ways to cut this luxury like re-purpos- and organizations provide a consistent need
ing or swapping dresses. However, regular for t-shirt designs. The business is split,
- Because the program is speciﬁc to students living in Luzerne County, those who live customers who have the same event every “Schools about 60% and businesses about
outside the county lines will be responsible to pay $1,200 to participate. year will buy a new dress for the event. 40%,” said Kaufman.
“If it’s a regular customer who comes Students from Wilkes to Bloomsburg
- The courses from which students can choose will be from the Approved Programs in every year for something for the Heart University to Delaware Valley College pa-
section on the Career Link State Training Provider List. Ball, they go to the event every year, it’s the tronize Futuristic for many events. Wilkes
same people and they are not going to go in depends on Futuristic to create t-shirts Win-
- The program will offer advanced skill training in ﬁelds such as health care, skilled the same dress. And they are going to buy ter Weekend, an annual event that involves
trades and technology, and will be administered through the Workforce and Community something. They may be a little more price team t-shirts.
Development Division. conscious, though,” she said. The t-shirt business can, however, be ex-
Place 1’s advertising is mostly on televi- pendable during an economic downturn.
For more information about when classes begin, call the Workforce and Commu- sion because customers have a visual tie to “People can cut out anything… even
nity Development Division at 1-800-377-LCCC ext. 407. the dresses after they see them. food,” said Kaufman.
“It’s easier for people to see something
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 NEWS 4
PLAN
from FRONT PAGE
Where does that $787 billion go?
the “universal and fully refundable credit $276
will ensure that the ﬁrst $4,000 of a college ed-
ucation is completely free for most Americans, Billion $233 Billion $106
and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at for Billion $78
the average public college or university and
make community college tuition completely housing, for for
$94 Billion
Billion
free for most students.” How the tax credit
will directly impact current and future Wilkes
energy, transportation, Individuals Education for
for
infrastructure, and States Jobless
students and their families, however, is still
murky.
Michael Frantz, vice president for enrollment business, and Job People
services, acknowledged that the plan will not health care,
impact everyone in the same way and could be
very good for some Wilkes students and not science,
Families Training
bad for others.
Using the website www.insidehighered.
investments
com, Frantz explained that the compromise
bill, which effects Pell grants, allocated more The Beacon/Andrew Seaman
money than the Senate and House bills did
originally. The Pell grant allocation was in- that happens, obviously the students win,” much less involved in education than the the long term even if the standard of liv-
creased by $17.1 billion. Frantz clariﬁed that said Frantz. states are. ing rises right away.
colleges do not yet know per student dollars, “We certainly believe that education is a “I would predict that what would happen Seeley explained that it is a battle of
but it could increase the grant around $500 or major catalyst of the economy. The more is that Wilkes and other institutions will look what is more important; ﬁghting the re-
change the scale to make money available to educated our society is, the stronger, I cer- at that [the Pell grant increase] and students’ cession and helping people right now
more students. tainly believe, our economy will become,” needs from us are less than before, so reduce versus the legitimate concerns about
According to Frantz, 35 percent of Wilkes Frantz added. He contends that investing ﬁnancial aid that is given from the institu- what this will do long-term. He ac-
students are Pell grant eligible. In addition to money into higher education is an invest- tion,” stated Seeley. It is understandable that knowledged that both sides of the argu-
Pell grants, the recovery plan also provides ment into the long term economic strength institutions would not give the same amount ment have merit.
$200 million for additional work study funds, of the country. of money if the money comes from some- “If you’re 20 years old, this could re-
primarily focused on community service. Dr. Robert Seeley, associate professor of where else. ally contribute to you having a distinctly
“A percentage of our work study funds goes economics, acknowledged that he does not “The economic stimulus package is a lower standard of living at the age of
to students who work in community service know all of the details of the current ver- combination of extra spending and tax cuts, 50 than what you could have had if we
jobs,” stated Frantz, “It could potentially cre- sion of the economic stimulus plan, but he which is going to create a much larger budget didn’t have this big deﬁcit,” said Seeley.
ate more work study positions.” Though this did know some aspects of it. He explained deﬁcit than anything we’ve ever experience,” Furthermore, he added, “The question is
change was in the Senate bill, the compromise that it plans to increase Pell grants, which Seeley said. This means that the government once the stimulus package presumably
bill does not have any increase in Perkins loans will have a direct impact on some college spends more than it takes in from taxes lead- helps get out of this recession, will we
or subsidized Stafford loans. students. These federal grants will have a ing to borrowing money and adding to the have the courage then to go back and cut
“Bottom line, there is more money going larger impact on lower income students, national debt. the spending and raise the taxes and get
towards student ﬁnancial assistance. Anytime but overall, the federal government is Critics of the recovery plan’s details argue rid of the deﬁcit when there’s no longer
that it places greater burden on a recession?” He does not think the vot-
future generations for paying ers grasp the damages that these deﬁcits
back the debt and borrowing. do long term.
Along with debt, the budget John Brady, junior pre-med major, be-
deﬁcit will cause interest rates lieves the plan was a step in the right
to rise higher than they other- direction because the government has
wise would be which means acknowledged the problems in the ﬁ-
less private sector investments nancial system and that there is a reces-
because it would be more ex- sion going on.
pensive due to the high inter- “[Students] have to realize that the
est rates. With the reduction in job market is shrinking out there and
private investments, including people with more experience have been
less spending on machinery, laid off and they will be competing with
which makes workers more them for jobs,” Brady explained. “The
productive, there could be less plan is trying to reboot the economy so
economic growth. that when we graduate, they’ll have jobs
“Budget deﬁcits can be very waiting for us,” he added.
useful in stimulating the econ- “In the short term, his plan will work
omy in the short run, which is because [Congress is] spending money
what we’re looking for,” See- on infrastructure and stuff like that, but
ley commented, although it is the question is, is it going to work in the
positive in the short run, there long run?” stated Brady. “The goal is to
are some long term effects. have the economy working without the
He believes it slows down the government paying for everything.”
nation’s economic growth in
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 NEWS 5
Winter weekend 2009 SG Notes: February 11, 2009
gods & godesses BY JACQUELINE LUKAS tion to allocate $550 was not passed.
Beacon Asst. News Editor - Student Concerns
Treasurer’s Report
- General: $11,324.74 Old Business
Nike - Special Projects: $3,864.06 - Acceptance of Positions
Team Friday February 20 Team
Adepha - Spirit: $4,000.00 - Matthew Zukoski Scholarship Fund
gia Photo Scavenger Hunt - Leadership: $8,652.56 - St. Patrick’s Day Parade Update
(First Floor Lounge SUB) - Start-Up: $2,100.00 - Winter Weekend Update
5 p.m.-8 p.m. - High Ropes Training
Club Reports Course
The following clubs
Saturday February 21 Events
presented updates on
Field Games (Grassy area beside Fortinsky) their events. -Winter Weekend, Feb-
11 a.m.-3 p.m. - Programming Board ruary 20 & 21
- MSC - VIP Day, March 21, 1
Volleyball/ Dodgeball Tournaments (UCOM) - Pre-Professional p.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Education Club -Wilkes-Barre St. Pat-
5 p.m.-? rick’s Day, March 15,
- History Club
- Choral Club -VIP Day March 21, 1-
2:30pm
Team Team Zeus New Business
Fortuna - Choral Club Fund Request- $2,073.00 * At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made to
Team adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was
for a concert on March 22 at St. Matthew’s
Vulcan approved.
Church in Scranton (Week One of two)
- BA 343 Fund Request- request for SG meetings are open to all students.
$2,000.00 for 3-day seminar in Dayton, They are held every Wednesday in the
Ohio for ﬁve students (Week 1 of 1); mo- Miller Conference room on the second
ﬂoor of the HSC.
KBR: Unﬁnished business
Page 8 CONTACT INFORMATION:
gino.troiani@wilkes.edu
anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu

FEBRUARY 17, 2009 wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 6
Opinion pages aim to spark conversation
BY THE BEACON that community. of the press when we try Photo courtesy of fadedyouthblog.com
Editorial Board The great thing about the opin- to take on issues we don’t
ion pages is that the other mem- fully understand. For ex-
The French philosopher Voltaire bers of the community do not ample, when do we stop
was quoted in a letter, “I disap- have to sit back and swallow an using the pronoun “he”
prove of what you say, but I will idea with which they do not agree. and start using “she,” or
defend to the death your right to Over the past three weeks we have vice versa?
say it.” seen the beginnings of a real dis- The Associated Press
In the January 27 issue of The cussion take place on our pages Stylebook, the ultimate
Beacon, we ran what has become, about the transgender community. guide for journalists,
a rather controversial opinion ar- And the discussion made us think brieﬂy touches on the Opinion pages
ticle,
Angry Rant:
“The about the issue more than we have
before.
subject of “transgender”
noting, “Use the pronoun are a podium
Celebrat- We agree that the media does preferred by the individ- for members
ing cultural need to change in the ways uals who have acquired
absurdi- the physical of the Wilkes
ties.” In it,
Beacon
character-
istics of
34 - year old Thomas Beattie (center) community to
columnist the op-
was the ﬁrst man to successfuly have a
baby.
express opinions.
Tim Seigfried posite sex
focused brieﬂy or present is human gender expression and
on Thomas Beatie, themselves in a way sexuality. We don’t all ﬁt into a
also known by the that does not corre- neat little binary.”
wider media as “the spond with their sex At The Beacon we have dis-

?
Pregnant Man,”
and offered his
at birth.” cussed the fact that sexuality is
Then, when you look another aspect of diversity that
The media needs
trademark satiric up the term “Transsexual” the the world, and Wilkes, seems to to re-evaluate
take on American book just refers the reader back to overlook. We should address that
culture, this time “Transgender.” in our classrooms and through
how it treats
focused on the “The Angry Rant” is all about the student media.
satirizing cultural phenomena. It
sexuality as it is
transgender com- As a society, how do we over-
munity. is the only column of its kind at come the hurdles that remain? not completely
While the staff
of The Beacon
that
it rep-
The Beacon, and we value the By starting conversation and ac-
freedom it affords us to laugh at knowledging that we all come at
understood.
does not share in Mr. resents ourselves. But when is it socially such conversation from different
Seigfried’s opinion, the transgen- and politically OK for satirists to vantage points.
we do not apolo- der community to be use humor and lampoon real is- The Beacon aims to serve its
gize for running his more sympathetic sues we all face? There is really community by encouraging con-
column. to the process of no agreed upon timeline we can versation and ensuring a free
Through our class- transition that re- apply. Steven Colbert, because society where all ideas, popular
es at Wilkes we have quires great cour- of who he is, might be able to get and unpopular, are heard. Hon- The issue of
learned that we need to pro-
tect all thoughts, popular
age of those who go
through it.
away with it faster than college estly, we did not know that we
journalists, but how do we encour- were starting this particular con-
sexuality as
and unpopular. They are all a The fact is that transgender age the next generation of Steven versation when we printed “The another aspect
part of the robust marketplace of issues are widely misunderstood, Colberts if we say that certain is- Rant,” but we think that The
ideas that will propel this nation and not just by the media. In every sues are simply off limits because Beacon and the Wilkes commu- of diversity is a
forward. day conversation, we have a hard they are too sensitive? We don’t nity is better for it and the con- topic that should
The Beacon’s opinion pages are time discerning fact from fallacy yet have an answer for that. versation it started.
meant to provide a podium to the when it comes to many issues per- Yes, overall, the media needs to be addressed in
members of the Wilkes commu-
nity in that robust marketplace.
taining to gender and identity. So,
yes journalists do struggle with
reevaluate how it treats sexual-
ity, because as one reader put it,
the classrooms
As an alum of the university and how to report accurately, fairly, “Gender is socially constructed, and media.
long-time member of the staff, Mr. and appropriately. There are a lot and refusal to see it for what it is
Seigfried is a valued member of of challenges we face as members undermines the vast spectrum that
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 OPINION 7
The Angry Rant: Ice Holes
BY TIM SEIGFRIED it catches the wind, it jettisons from the car tell you a secret—that ice is actually gun- as well just dump acid on your car.
Wilkes Alumnus like a parachute made of ice and pain. At ning for you. Every night, that ice hangs Listen, snow plow drivers: why don’t you
that point, the snow, which 12 hours earlier out with its other ice buddies, exchanging use a little common sense and take it easy
It’s the middle of February, but the snow is was beautiful and majestic, is now a projec- stories about the cars sent careening into with the salt and the gravel? Think of the
melting and people are wearing shorts and tile that is very capable of launching itself the ditches earlier that day. You and your roads like a delicious hamburger and the
t-shirts, the sort of outﬁts usually reserved through the windshield of my freaking car. SUV are like the white whale – the ones gravel and salt as ketchup. You only need to
for June and July. But even as the piles of Do you want to know something? My for which they want to cause an accident. put down as much as you need to add ﬂavor,
snow slowly morph into puddles of water, morning commute is bad enough; I don’t You’re like the hot girl at the party to whom and that’s it.
it is still winter for the next month and a enjoy making peace with God because some every single frat guy is going to give his Or would the gravel be pepper, and the
half which means only one thing: we live stu-tard didn’t take ﬁve minutes to clean off best line with the hope that he can brag to salt be salt? This is a confusing food meta-
in NEPA, and we are going to have to deal his car. And I mean literally, it would have his friends the next morning. And you don’t phor. Whatever I mean, stop making things
with it again…and again. taken ﬁve minutes, not like ﬁve minutes normally fall prey to the drunken advances harder than they need to be, idiots. Driving
And when that ﬁnal, inevitable, late win- when your friend says, “I’ll be there in ﬁve of some guy named “Jake,” but eventually, is a privilege, not a right.
ter storm arrives, it’s going to be another minutes,” and it’s actually closer to 25 min- you cave. And the next morning, the ice
colossal mess on the highways that turns utes. No, this will actually take ﬁve minutes, tells all his buddies that he sent the guy
the asphalt into ice. provided that you have an ice scraper. And in the SUV into an embankment. His
But the poor winter driving conditions if you don’t have an ice scraper and you live trophy? Your hubris.
aren’t the only thing to be on the lookout in Pennsylvania, then you’re an idiot, and Finally, there are the guys who are ac-
for; there are countless other hazards on the you probably shouldn’t be issued a driver’s tually dispatched to help us in our time
roads that could very easily ruin your day. license, because that would be like giving a of knee-deep snow and blocked drive-
This is, by far, my biggest pet peeve. gun to a six-year-old, and telling them that ways: the snowplow drivers.
You’ve all seen these people, and I’m sure it dispenses candy and bubblegum. They do a lot of good in the winter
some of you are among the nimrods that You only hinder yourself and you put oth- months. After all, who else is going to
I’m talking about. After a heavy snowfall, ers at risk. I’m not kidding when I say that get up at 3AM to clear the roads? Not
these geniuses only bother to barely clean people have died because of this. While me. But that isn’t the issue here. The
off the windshield, which is ﬁne, except that those people are by far the worst on the problem is that while they are busy
there is a hardened shell of snow atop the road, these next guys aren’t much better. clearing the roads of snow and ice, they
roof of the car. And guess what? Once the You know the ones: jerks driving SUVs are also distributing salt and gravel on
car starts to get warm, that heat is going to with four-wheel drive, so they think they every square inch of asphalt.
travel upwards, and after about 20 minutes, are able to do whatever it is that they want, That may sound like a good idea, but
that snow and ice is going to melt. And once regardless of the road conditions. that salt is going to cause a bigger pain
ice starts to melt, it doesn’t blow off into a “Listen,” they say, “I’ve got 50 pounds than it’s worth, because that stuff sticks
million crystals that fall harmlessly to the of sand in the back of my car, and I’m not around forever, and you’ll be cleaning
ground like so much confetti at a parade. going anywhere. I can pass going 60. That it off until May. And does anyone know
No, it breaks off into huge chunks, and when ice isn’t going to stop me!” Wrong. Let me what salt does to a paint job? You may The Beacon/Pat Zeigler

Michael Phelps need not wear a scarlet letter forever
BY ANTHONY DORUNDA and the Kellogg Co. has cut ties with him. at the party, looking to construct a case should take note. This kid is manning up to
Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor Yes, it is clear he did inhale, but unlike against Phelps. his mistakes. He’s isn’t hiding behind it like
other professional athletes who have en- It’s not like the guy went Chris Brown on a coward and taking shots elsewhere. He
The drama surrounding swimming’s gaged in questionable behavior, Phelps his girlfriend or something. He was at a col- could have easily said that it was not weed
golden boy Michael Phelps and the bong took responsibility and handled the situa- lege party, a place we’ve all been, and de- and even that it wasn’t him, and he would
photo that surfaced in a British tabloid is tion maturely. He never ﬂaunted his actions. cided to have a little fun, which most of us have been believed. He told the truth, which
overblown. Prolonged press attention will only lead to can say we have done at some point in our in this day in age is like trying to nail jello
First, let’s get one fact straight: I’m not further public viliﬁcation, and for what pur- lives. Did he go too far? Absolutely. But to a tree.
an advocate of marijuana. In all honesty, I pose? To bring the once-heralded athlete the public scrutiny that has resulted from Police have defended themselves notning
hate the stuff. I think it ruins lives, leads to back down to our level? this single incident has been excessive, giv- that they are treating Phelps just as they
worse drugs down the line, and I don’t feel A case in point: The Milwaukee Admirals, en the offense. would anyone else in this situation. Re-
it does any good for society whatsoever. an AHL hockey team, will host a “Don’t Be The Phelps case suggests that is stems ally? If police pursued everyone with the
Nevertheless, I don’t pretend that it’s not all Like Mike” night on February 19. In short, from a ofﬁcer looking for ﬁfteen minutes same sort of enthusiasm for suspicion of pot
around (especially in Wilkes-Barre, which I all DARE graduates, people with the name of fame, much like the Duke Lacrosse case. use, when would they have time to catch
swear resembles the streets of Los Angeles Mike, Phelps, Mary Jane, Cheech, Chong, Phelps was acting like a kid. Yes, he should murderers and rapists? As for the media,
with the recent drug busts). Weed, or anyone who has won an Olympic wise up and realize he is a colossal ﬁgure in if I were to go on Facebook and print out
But honestly, this kid (and I say kid be- gold medal gets into the game for $2. On the sports world, an icon that children and all the pictures I have seen of people doing
cause he is only 23, the age of many col- top of that, if the Admirals score in any pe- adults alike look up to. But Phelps is still the exact same thing, and send them to any
lege students) has been ripped apart by the riod at the 4:20 minute mark, some lucky human, and for this mistake he’s deﬁnitely local newspaper or television station would
media for one silly little photo that surfaced fan gets season tickets to all games next paid the price and then some. they run them? No.
three months after the event took place. season. Phelps didn’t lie about the situation, he Michael Phelps doesn’t deserve the abuse
In spite of the fact that Phelps never dis- That’s a joke, right? I wish I could say it didn’t try and defend himself, and he didn’t he is taking for this photo. He made a mis-
puted the photo’s accuracy, and issued a was. It’s an uncalled for low blow and an go after the person who took the picture. He take. Let him learn from it and move on.
public apology, acknowledging “regrettable immature move by that organization. took it like a man, even saying that he de- Given the offense and his response, he does
behavior” and “bad judgment,” USA Swim- If it weren’t bad enough, now a South served the punishment. not deserve to wear a scarlet letter on his
ming suspended Phelps for three months Carolina sheriff is arresting kids who were A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens chest for the rest of his career.
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 OPINION 8
Americans should be outraged at KBR Beacon Poll Results
The following are results of a
BY GINO TROIANI on June 17, 2008, that Charles KBR dis- poll that The Beacon coducted
Beacon Opinion Editor M. Smith, former senior civilian posed of online this past week. The
overseeing the multibillion-dol- medical poll was unscientiﬁc, and does
Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) lar contract with KBR was forced wastes by not claim to reﬂect the overal
is the nation’s top Iraq war con- from his job in 2004 after blocking dispos- attitudes of students on
tractor, providing duties such as $1 billion in questionable charges ing them campus.
water treatment, construction, that “lacked credible data” from in open air
food services, laundry and much KBR, and warning the company burn pits.
more for troops stationed in the that the military would ﬁnd out. Military The Beacon asked:
Middle East. After his removal, the contract Times has Do you feel that Wilkes
KBR currently employs roughly was pursued. received should implement home
50,000 people worldwide, with 2005 more than rule?
more than 21,000 working in Iraq Ben Carter, a KBR water expert 100 letters Photo Courtesy of Mssparky.com
alone. at Camp Ar Ramadi in Ramadi, from troops KBR usues massive burn pits to dispose of waste. • Yes - 75%
The company’s history dates Iraq, reported contaminated, non- saying they • No - 20%
back over 100 years, originally chlorinated water in March 2005. were sickened by fumes from the McCain (R-Ariz) sent a letter to • Undecided - 5%
established in 1901 by Morris W. He said that KBR failed to use its burn pits, which burned plastics, the Department of Defense Inspec-
Kellogg. Formally a pipe fabrica- own water puriﬁcation equipment, petroleum products, rubber, din- tor General on Dec. 12 requesting Next Week’s question:
tion business, the company made allowing contaminated water di- ing-facility waste and batteries. an investigation based on claims
major strides during the World rectly from the Euphrates River, On March 10, 2008, the Asso- by former Army civilian Charles Has the media been insense-
War II era, obtaining governmen- which contained contaminates ciated Press reported that dozens M. Smith who worked out of Rock tive towards issues dealing
tal contracts to build war ships, and such as human waste and garbage of U.S. soldiers in Iraq fell sick Island Arsenal in Illinois. with sexuality?
the Corpus Christi Naval Air Sta- to be used for general purposes. because of unmonitored and po- Smith said that in August 2004, • Yes
tion near Corpus Christi Texas. Shortly after, Carter resigned after tentially unsafe water supplies. KBR charged the government • No
In 1962, Halliburton, a massive KBR apparently kept him from The individuals exposed report- approximately $200 million in • Undecided
oilﬁeld services company bought notifying the military. edly experienced side effects such unjustiﬁable costs pertaining to
KBR, and in April 2007, more 2006 as, skin abscesses and infections, dining facilities. Smith was later Visit www.wilkesbeacon.
than four decades later, Hallibur- At Camp Q-West, KBR again cellulitis, diarrhea and a variety of removed from his position. com to cast your vote.
ton formally separated from KBR, delivered chlorinated wastewater illnesses after using questionable In an interview with the New Results will be published
restoring it as a stand alone com- for showers and latrines, failing to water for personal hygiene and York Times, the executive direc- online at wilkesbeacon.com
pany. notify military medical ofﬁcials. laundry at ﬁve U.S. military sites tor of the Army Contracting Com-
As the war in Iraq began, KBR A report released in 2006 by the in Iraq. mand said the military was not
became the United States’s largest inspector general said, “KBR did Later in September, Albert willing to withhold money from
war contractor, landing multi-bil-
lion dollar agreements, and ex-
not monitor or record the quality
of water at point-of-use containers
“Jack” Stanley, a former chairman KBR because it feared the compa-
of KBR, admitted to participating ny would reduce its level of sup-
Speak Up!
panding its empire. before April 2006, even though in a decade long scheme to pay port for the troops in Iraq It’s Your Right!
Despite record proﬁts, KBR the ... contract required the com- $182 million worth of bribes to The reports are endless, and
has failed to execute agreements pany to do so.” land contracts to build a $6 billion continue to accumulate as the
in a professional manner and has Ben Carter and Ken May (for- gas liquefaction plant on Nigeria’s war in the Middle East continues. The Beacon wants your
risked the lives of thousands in the mer employees), testiﬁed at a Bonny Island. When will it stop? At what point
opinion. Contact us at
process. Congressional hearing in January Stanley served as KBR’s se- will the military put its foot down
The following examines the last 2006 that KBR used contami- nior representative on Madeira, a and prosecute KBR for the unjust WilkesBeacon.OpEd
nine years of KBR’s history and nated water from the Euphrates Portugal-based consortium called and despicable service it has pro- @Gmail.com
highlights some key events that and Tigris rivers. Carter testiﬁed TSKJ, which was awarded four vided? with your Name,
should enrage Americans. that he found the water polluted contracts for work on that com- KBR has been single handedly Major, Year, and
2000 with sewage and that KBR did not plex. robbing money from taxpayers’
Opinion!
Former vice president Richard chlorinate it. 2009 for years, and for what? Even if
Bruce Cheney resigns as Chair- 2008 Army Times reported on Feb 5, the organization executed its con-
The Beacon reserves the right
man of the Board and Chief Exec- Joshua Eller, who worked as a that Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D- tracts the right way, it would still
to edit submitted pieces for
utive Ofﬁcer for Halliburton after civilian computer-aided drafting Ore), Bill Delahunt (D-Mass), Tim be earning a more than generous
space and content.
a ﬁve year commitment. technician with the 332nd Air Ex- Bishop (D-NY), Maurice Hinchey proﬁt. I am ashamed to learn that
2003 peditionary Wing, ﬁled a lawsuit (D-NY), Keith Ellison (D-Minn), the government has continued to
The Association of Military Sur- against KBR and Halliburton for Sander Levin (D-Mich), and Ally- conduct business with this com-
geons reported that 9.1 percent of providing everyone at Iraq’s Joint son Schwartz (D-Pa), joined a list pany, and has no intentions of
soldiers returning from Iraq/Af- Base Balad with unsafe food, wa- of legislators concerned about ser- stopping, despite the information
ghanistan in 2003 suffered from ter and exposing them to hazard- vice members who say burn pits in that has been widely reported by
digestive system problems. An- ous fumes. Iraq and Afghanistan have made different sources.
other 6.4 percent had nervous sys- Eller claimed that KBR shipped them sick. A report showed that The American people should
tem disorders. 6.1% suffered uro- ice in mortuary trucks that “…still military personal were exposed to challenge their representatives to
logical problems; and another 8.3 had traces of body ﬂuids and pu- burning petroleum products, plas- carefully examine KBR’s con-
percent suffered from unknown treﬁed remains in them when they tics, and batteries. tracts and services. Those of us
illnesses. were loaded with ice,” and later On January 9, CBS reported that who proudly claim to support our
2004 served the ice to U.S. troops. Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich) military should do just that and de-
The New York Times reported The lawsuit also claimed that and ranking Republican Sen. John mand accountability from KBR.
Week in the life of
an AFROTC cadet
PAGE 11 CONTACT INFORMATION:
christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu
leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu

FEBRUARY 17, 2009 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com
9
Pharmacy student learns life lessons after brain surgery
BY NICOLE FRAIL Hoot’s head injury in the skiing accident hole’s only like the size
Beacon Managing Editor caused a blood vessel to break, and a col- of a pencil. And... by
lection of blood had formed on the surface pushing in water, they
While skiing in early January with Wil- of her brain. The CT scan revealed that the pretty much let [the
kes students in Killington, Vt., p1 pharmacy subdural hematoma, or blood clot, was lo- clot] drain out of my
student Erica Hoot lost control of her snow- cated on the left side of her head, over the head,” said Hoot.
board and hit her head when she fell on one part of her brain that is responsible for con- She added, “If I
of the courses. trolling many key functions. would’ve just let it
“It was kind of powdery so I was getting Her headaches grew worse as the clot break up on its own, it
stuck, and I just fell and hit my head… My grew, taking in more ﬂuid and creating would’ve gotten bigger
heels got caught too far in and I just wiped pressure over the area. and I could’ve started
out… It was a stupid fall… I was ﬁne af- “I was really lucky, actually. Because of to have problems.”
ter that and I went boarding two days after how big it was and where it was, I had the Approximately three
that,” said Hoot. potential of having function problems. Be- hours later, the proce-
An athlete in high school, Hoot felt that cause I’m right handed and it was on the left dure was over and Hoot
she knew what it was like to have a con- side of my brain, I could have lost function- woke up in the inten-
cussion and ﬁgured that was why she was ing of writing and motor skills and stuff. sive care unit.
experiencing headaches after the fall. I could’ve had problems with speech and “I was ﬁne after sur-
Over the next week and a half, Hoot’s stuff, too,” explained Hoot. gery, eating normally
headache returned and progressively grew A neurologist then told Hoot that she and stuff… They were
worse. would need surgery to remove the clot, but amazed at how fast I
“I could not stay awake… I normally stay he wanted to wait to see if the clot would was recovering, after
up pretty late, I was going to bed around break up on its own. He told her to stop tak- three hours I was sitting
ten,” said Hoot. “I looked, like, sick.” ing pain killers, like Ibuprofen, to monitor up in bed eating graham
Jessica Lopatto, a p1 pharmacy student the intensity of the pain. crackers,” said Hoot. Photo courtesy of Erica Hoot
and one of Hoot’s closest friends, noticed That night, Hoot went home to Hughes- Within 24 hours, she
the difference in Hoot. Erica Hoot, who underwent brain surgery on January 26,
ville, hoping that she would not have to was released.
“[She] was going to class less and less returned to classes after just two weeks of recovery time.
have the surgery. On Saturday, she worked According to Hoot,
as time went on… We were all really wor- Following a skiing accident, Hoot experienced excruciating
an eight hour shift at CVS Pharmacy and recovery from her sur-
ried… She just wasn’t herself at all, miser- headaches before a CAT scan revealed a blood clot located
felt little pain. gery should have taken
able. She just didn’t look right… All she over the part of her brain responsible for key functions.
“[But] Sunday morning, I couldn’t even up to three weeks, but
wanted was pain medication,” said Lopat- see straight. I just came downstairs and she was ready to go back to Wilkes by the pated. And she came back and started get-
to. curled up on the couch and my parents end of the ﬁrst week. At a post-operation ting perfect scores.”
Even Hoot’s professors noticed a differ- took me to the emergency room because appointment, her doctor told her she could Catching up with school work will be
ence in her behavior. I couldn’t even open my eyes because my return to school the next week and though challenging, but Hoot feels that she has
“I can remember seeing her increasingly head hurt so bad,” said Hoot. she had previously been instructed not to enough time left in the semester to make up
more distressed and I knew some things After two hours in the emergency room at drive for up to three months, he gave her anything she has missed.
were going on,” said Dr. Mary McManus, General, another CAT scan was performed permission to get behind the wheel again. “I think one of her strengths was her abil-
associate professor of pharmaceutical sci- and surgery was scheduled for the following Though Hoot received the green light for ity to communicate as well as she did with
ences. morning. Hoot texted her closest friends to many of her activities at this point, contact everybody, which is why [doctors] picked
When Hoot told the nurse at Wilkes’s let them know what was happening while sports in addition to snowboarding remain it up,” said McManus. “I think for some-
Health Services that she had hit her head her parents updated relatives frequently. off-limits for up to six months. one [her] age, the thought of something like
on the ski trip, she was told to go to Wil- “When I found out that [she] was going to On Saturday, February 7, Hoot made her that is just so far from your radar screen and
kes-Barre General Hospital for a CAT scan. be out for weeks, I was like, bawling. I was ofﬁcial return at the Pharmacy Ball and I think she was just exceptional with han-
They also made her an appointment with a like ‘Erica’s not going to be able to catch on Monday, she began classes again. She dling it and communicating with people,
local neurologist. up and she’s going to fall behind!’ Our ma- jumped right in and took an anatomy quiz letting people know things were wrong… I
“I was really afraid at ﬁrst. My ﬁrst trip jor is... intense and if you’re not going to that same day. think it saved her life.”
to the hospital, I was hysterical because I’ve school, it’s hard,” said Lopatto. “She didn’t want to miss anything… Hoot recognizes this and claims that it is
never been to the hospital before for any- At 6:45 a.m. on January 26, surgery to When she came back, I was shocked. She one of the lessons learned through the ex-
thing serious…” said Hoot. “I was freakin’ evacuate the subdural hematoma clot be- came back and she walked into my ofﬁce perience.
out. I was just hoping everything would be gan. – you know when you see someone and you “If you feel like there’s something wrong,
okay and the doctor came in and was like “Basically what they did – they didn’t don’t expect to see them? I was like ‘Wait go to the doctor,” said Hoot. “…And now
‘You have a blood clot in your head.’ And I have to shave any hair or anything – they a minute, you’re not supposed to be here!’” I’m going to wear a helmet, [but] I’ll never
just started bawling.” cut a one-inch slit in my scalp, pulled back said McManus. “I think she recuperated give up snowboarding.”
According to the medical assessment, the skin and drilled a hole in my skull. The signiﬁcantly faster than anyone had antici-
10 LIFESTYLES FEBRUARY 17, 2009
Enthusiasts light up for International Pipe Smoking Day
BY ALYSSA BENNER sentiments is Dr. Michael Garr, professor of Garr took ﬁrst
Beacon A&E Editor sociology and anthropology. In addition to place in the 2008
his day job, Garr is a pipe/cigar enthusiast. Northeast Region-
There are designated days for everything Garr’s love for pipe smoking began over al Slow Smoke
you can imagine. April 25 marks World 12 years ago on a whim. Now he owns over competition. He
Pengiun Day, and Clean Air Day in Canada 80 pipes and holds the role of President of also competed in
comes around every June 6. the Pocono Inner Mountain Pipe Enclave. In the CIPC’s smok-
However, one day in the calendar has been that role, Garr tries to turn people onto pipe ing contest in Ger-
recently reserved for pipe smokers around smoking whenever he gets the opportunity. many.
the world. On February 20, pipe smokers On Tuesday nights at El Humidor, located Adam Zwolin-
around the globe will “raise their pipes to- 525 Scott Street in Wilkes-Barre, meetings ski, a senior envi-
gether to foster friendship, benevolence, for the Pocono Inner Mountain Pipe Enclave ronmental science
and tranquility across all borders,” accord- are held. There are currently 13 members of major, works at
ing to the United Pipe Clubs of America. the club. El Humidor and
This February, International Pipe Smok- “For most, the major topic of conversa- is also a member
ing Day will be celebrated for the second tion are guns and Family Guy…there’s a of the Pocono In-
time. The Comite International des Pipe few people who are very serious about their ner Mountain Pipe The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick
Clubs or CIPC, which is the umbrella club pipes and the rest are just there for really Enclave. The Pocono Inner Mountain Pipe Enclave meets Tuesday nights
for many of the national pipe smoking clubs good camaraderie,” Garr said. “It’s very relax- at El Humidor. There are 13 members of the club who come
such as the United Pipe Clubs of America, Smoking a pipe can take anywhere from ing because it’s together to enjoy the camaraderie and smoke pipes, which can
is very excited to celebrate the day. an hour to three hours. And time is of the such a long pro- take from one to three hours.
According to CIPC’s ofﬁcial website essence in pipe smoking competitions. The cess,” said Zwo-
pipeclubs.com, “We envision a worldwide competitor gets ﬁve minutes to rub out three linski. draw to it is still the same. Relaxation and
communion of pipe-smokers that is bound grams of tobacco and load it into the pipe. This long process dates back to the 17th camaraderie are what come out of pipe
together by a shared love for pipe-smoking, Then one minute is allotted to light the pipe century when tobacco plants were used by smoking for many.
mutual respect, and goodwill” on February with two matches. After it is lit, the competi- Native Americans and then brought over to At 9 p.m. on Friday, February 20, pipe
20, 2009. tor kicks back and sees how long he or she Europe to be sold. Since then, pipe smok- smokers are being asked to share in a world-
One Wilkes professor who shares these can smoke it. ing has been reﬁned and renewed, but the wide bowl.
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11
AFROTC students balance college life, military training
BY LEEANN SEARFOSS gram are required to have one hour of class 752.
Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor (three hours for juniors and seniors), two A typical
hours of lab, and two hours of physical Monday for
training per week at minimum. Gargono, and
A college student’s schedule can be hec- “That’s a common misconception. Yes, many of the
tic: get up, go to class (sometimes), eat, that is what we’re required to do and is the other 46 cadets
study, socialize, go to sleep, and wake to baseline. However, that doesn’t take into apart of De-
repeat the cycle each weekday. account all of the Honor Guard, recruiting tachment 752,
Now imagine adding mandatory physical and community service events we do. Plus, sees him going
exercise, extra classes, and artillery train- we still have to take time to prepare our uni- to the detach-
ing. form every week and take part in other ﬂight ment building
Wilkes University participates in the activities and any speciﬁc jobs we may be to speak with
ROTC program run through King’s Col- assigned,” said Jared Dewire, a senior engi- one of the of-
lege, but Wilkes has its own Air Force neering major and AFROTC cadet. ﬁcers about a
ROTC (AFROTC), Detachment 752, on Junior history major Michael Gargano has project he is
campus. According to its ofﬁcial website, classes almost every day of the week. He currently work-
Detachment 752 “recruits, educates, and bounces from class to class, trying to earn ing on.
commissions ofﬁcer candidates from any the 120 credits necessary to fulﬁll his his- “We are creating a
of our 13 colleges and universities in North- tory degree. mock-deployment exercise.
east Pennsylvania.” Along with the classes for his history We will be working in Indiantown
There are approximately 46 cadets in the major, however, Gargano also spends his Gap, an Army National Guard training cen- dets then must
Wilkes chapter of the AFROTC program. “free” time bouncing back and forth from ter. We will be spending a few days down do another hour to hour and a half of physi-
In addition to the 30 students from Wilkes, meetings with ofﬁcers, physical training there learning some deployment skills, cal training. AFROTC Thursdays typically
cadets in Detachment 752 come from 13 sessions, and ROTC training labs. small unit tactics, self-aid, and buddy care, begin around 1:30 p.m. and last until 9:30
regional colleges, universities, and com- “If there is one thing I am learning, it’s obstacle course, and leadership challenges, p.m..
munity colleges, including Bloomsburg time management. It [AFROTC] takes up a to name a few,” said Gargano. “Fridays are usually for me, and for most
University, East Stroudsburg University, lot of time, but the ofﬁcers are really good Tuesdays, while ﬁlled with classes for people, a recovery day from Thursdays. We
King’s College, Misericordia University, about making sure no one has too much on many AFROTC students, are when Gar- need time to come back down from all the
Marywood University, and Luzerne County their plate,” said Gargano. gano usually attends his one of the two training,” said Gargano.
Community College. As a junior, Gargano, alongside his AF- physical training sessions of the week each While most college students have the
Cadets of the AFROTC ROTC classmates, is a POC (Professional AFROTC cadet must attend. ability to put their work off over a day or
p r o - Ofﬁcer Course) cadet. POCs are responsi- “While physical training times depends two of the weekend, AFROTC students are
ble for training the freshmen on the school you are at, we usually start not that fortunate. Weekends for AFROTC
and sopho- out with stretching, then running for thirty students consist of even more training, ap-
mores, minutes or so...basic calesthetics,” said proximately three hours any given day,
or GMC Gargano. as well as community service events and
(General Wednesdays are Gargano’s “slower” days, ROTC fairs for local colleges that hold col-
Military in which he focuses on school work and lege fairs and open houses.
Course) AFROTC work to prepare for Thursdays,
cadets, which are his most hectic days.
Students in the Wilkes’ chapter of the
according Thursdays for AFROTC cadets consists of
Air Force ROTC, Detachment 752, bal-
to the of- hours upon hours of leadership lab. Leader-
ance physical training, at left, with com-
ﬁcial site ship lab is the AFROTC training, consisting
munity involvement, like taking part in
for De- of everything from team-building to artil-
the parade above.
tachment lery training. On top of leadership lab, ca-
Photo courtesy of Det752.com
Jared DeWire wants to ﬂy, but not in labs. Planning each week is only a small words.
the way most little kids dream of soaring part of his job, however. He is also respon- DeWire: Procrastinator. Independent.
Student through the sky. Dewire is really going to sible for everything his two squadron com- Ambitious.
ﬂy jets. manders do—directing training and support
of the After he graduates from Wilkes with
his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering,
of the wing.
DeWire has put determination and a
The Beacon: Finish this sentence: ‘My
friends would be surprised to know...’
Week DeWire plans to move to Panama City,
Florida, where he will embark on the jour-
strong work ethic into not only his academ-
ics, but his also passion for ﬂying. For these
DeWire: ...how much I actually do in
AFROTC.
ney to commission and become an Air Bat- reasons, The Beacon has chosen DeWire as
tle Manager. its Student of the Week.
Jared DeWire DeWire, like 30 other students at Wilkes,
is a member of the Air Force ROTC (AF- The Beacon: Where do you see yourself
ROTC) program, and is training to become in ten years?
Senior a member of the United States Air AAF- DeWire: Still in the Air Force as an Air
orce. As the Operations Group Command- Battle Manager.
Engineering major er, DeWire is directly responsible for the
Photo courtesy
training cadets do every week at leadership The Beacon: Describe yourself in three of Jared DeWire
for
cert onnd
Con dm
Re
Art CONTACT INFORMATION:
alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu
yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu
matthew.goags@wilkes.edu
PAGE 14
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12
Teen’s vision for arts expansion leads to Vintage Theater
BY YOHANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. we would do other related cultural arts and alism, with personal comfort. It combines wait to perform again.”
Beacon Asst. A&E Editor events like bands, improvs, and live the- the best of both worlds.” Abby Kern from Steamtown Improv said,
ater. It wasn’t until about June [2008] that Vintage Theater is a non-proﬁt organi- “I’ve performed in a lot of places before,
Seventeen-year old Connor O’Brien it took solid ground,” said O’Brien. At zation. “We have had about four classic but the relaxed atmosphere of the Vintage
stands in the doorway of the Vintage that time, O’Brien and his mother chose ﬁlms, which included last weekend’s The deﬁnitely makes it one of the best!”
Theater in Scranton, looking more like a a name, had organized fundraisers, and Little Shop of Horrors (1960)…We have However, the Vintage Theater is not only
teenager hoping to while away a couple began planning for a schedule. And all of had about almost a about ﬁlms and bands. Organizers are about
of hours to avoid homework, rather than the planning paid off, when the Vintage dozen bands al- everything related to the arts. “…We’ve
what he really is: the theater’s owner and Theater’s grand opening took place Janu- ready. We have a had a photographer come in and hang his
the mastermind behind its development. ary 16-18. work which is still hanging currently,”
The Vintage Theater’s goal is to resurrect O’Brien said O’Brien.
theater’s classics for new audiences. describes “Next weekend we have the Carey
O’Brien is its co-founder and executive his family Grant, Audrey Hepburn thriller Cha-
director and belies the stereotype of teens as very cre- rade. Very classic and a very nice
who are only attracted to the very newest, ative, and movie,” said O’Brien. The small,
edgiest movies and videogames. arts-ori- intimate theater seats about 50, so
But when O’Brien speaks about his pet ented. “My it offers patrons a unique, personal
project, he seems far older than his 17 sister Mag- experience.
years. “Last spring the concept came to me. gie, who “What’s really important is hav-
It’s based off the revival theaters which are is also our ing a good team with you…the big-
very popular in bigger metropolitan areas, board direc- gest part is that you have to abso-
and these were more directly the inﬂuence tor, is a pro- lutely plan ahead,” he said.
of the Boston revival theaters. My mother fessional Prices are set just right for col-
Graphic Courtesy/Scrantonsvintagetheater.com
lived in Boston for several years,” said actress. She lege students. “Evening shows are
O’Brien. O’Brien’s mother, Barbara, is has done $5, matinees are $3…$7 dollars if
Vintage Theater’s co-founder and its cur- work in the local area,” said O’Brien. His lot of other stuff coming up; we’ve [even] it’s a really special event,” said O’Brien.
rent artistic director. brother has also been a public speaker for had improv shows,” said O’Brien. The Vintage Theater is located in down-
The O’Briens’ ﬁrst vision for the theater speech and debate. Dylan Loughney, member of the band town Scranton at 222 Wyoming Ave.
was as a place where they could simply Mother and Artistic Director, Barbara “Satellite” which has performed at the vin-
show vintage ﬁlms at affordable rates. O’Brien said, “What I truly feel is unique tage, said, “Me and my band think though
“Then it [Vintage Theater] grew into where about the theater is its blend of profession- that the theater was awesome! We can’t

CD Review: N.A.S.A. ‘Spirit of Apollo’ out of this world
BY ALYSSA BENNER
Beacon A&E Editor the two creative masterminds behind shining star of all compilations. The Cool
the album, Squeak E. Clean and DJ Kids, Santogold, Del Tha Funky Homo-
Zegon and their urge to bring peo- sapien, Lykke Li, Ghostface Killah and
Sure, compilation CDs are a great way ple together via good beats and M.I.A. amongst others make an appear-
to make money. Throw a bunch of people meaningful lyrics. ance on the album. Everyone contributes
on a record that appeal to the masses and Backed by Brazilian funk in their perfect niche, working indepen-
what do you have? Instant cash. We are beats, N.A.S.A., which is an dently to create a whole sound that tran-
currently on NOW 1,000, I believe, and acronym for North America/ scends categories.
still going strong. South America, has succeed- Track twelve, “There’s A Party”, fea-
However, what do you get when you ed in creating a mix/compila- tures the one-and-only George Clinton
mix Kool Keith and Tom Waits? There is tion that doesn’t sound forced. and Chali 2na. The CD liner notes Clinton
no punch line. You get brilliance. Or how It’s as if everyone just hap- as, “vocals, conscious altering, and prune
about Karen-O doing her thing with ODB? pened to stumble into each other juice.” With an opening that resembles
Again, nothing short of genius. at the supermarket and promptly
The difference between the never-end- decided to cut a record.
ing NOWs and N.A.S.A, “The Spirit of I mentioned that the album is a com- See N.A.S.A page 14
Apollo,” an album out on ANTI-records, is pilation of artists, but N.A.S.A. is the
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13
The Dark Knight and his Dark Horses at the Oscars
BY KENNY BROWN This year topping the list of the snubbed Not only was it shocking when Academy the Academy went on a binge to rid itself
Beacon Staff Writer are none other than The Dark Knight, Deﬁ- judges left The Dark Knight in the dark, of those pesky extra Seven Pounds.
ance, and Seven Pounds. First let us begin but also when they abandoned Daniel These were not the only snubs this
with the obvious, The Dark Knight, War- Craig’s newest movie, Deﬁance. The sto- year. There were a few more such as Bill
The time has come once again for the ner Bros. summer extravaganza. After be- ry is about two men and a boy who fought Maher’s documentary Religulous, which
big wigs at the Academy to make their coming the highest grossing movie of the against the Nazi forces in World War II should have been up for Documentary
choices on who they believe deserves the year, many Academy followers believed and tried to help as many Jewish victims Feature. Then there was the nice snub
top honors in ﬁlm. This Sunday, Febru- there would be a few more nominations as they could to safety. In spite of the thrown Kate Winslet’s way for her role in
ary 22, we will watch the red carpet roll than just Heath Ledger for Best Support- great storyline, it received not one single Revolutionary Road, for which she won a
out, the ﬂashy dresses light up the stage, ing Actor. The buzz was that Christopher nod. And this was when many believed Golden Globe.
and maybe, if we’re lucky Sean Penn, Nolan would get a nod for Best Director, Craig to be a contender for Best Actor, and And then came the musical punch in
will beat someone up. But I do know one Christian Bale for Best Male Actor, and the ﬁlm itself to be in the running for Best the mouth when Bruce Springsteen’s title
thing that will not be happening. possibly even a bid for Best Film. But Film. It seems after Valkyrie the Academy song for The Wrestler was body slammed.
Neither The Dark Knight, the highest alas, January came and went, and took the decided to steer clear of any Nazi ﬂicks And last we have the short-sighted pass
grossing ﬁlm of the year, nor Deﬁance, Oscar nominations with it. Left crying in this season. on the ever-popular Swedish horror ﬂick
one of Daniel Craig’s best movies, will the corner was Batman and Christopher Finally, comes the slightly surprising Let the Right One In. Even if it’s a great
win the Academy for Best Motion Picture Nolan with the Joker cackling and grin- snub of Seven Pounds, a thinker drama horror movie, the Academy is too good for
of the Year. Yes, Oscar night provides yet ning his way to the Red Carpet. Some starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson. screams and scares.
another opportunity for the Academy’s were shocked. Some were happy. And I watched it online (legally of course) and Well the time has passed for tears and tis-
judges to snub some of the best work out some were left all alone to think about even went to see it in theaters again. Both sues. The nominees are in and have been
there. what they had done in Gotham City. times I was surprised at how well done it for some time. The winners will be an-
really was. It seemed to me that Rosario nounced this weekend. I guess the Dark
Dawson was worthy of a Best Support- Knight will be riding his Dark Horse far,
ing Actress nomination and maybe even far away into the sunlight, while the Joker
a far shot nod for Best Film, or even Best wins posthumously, God bless him.
Screenplay. But when push came to shove

The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick

Greg Heindel, freshman Pharmacy major, takes pride in hanging the newest addition
of the Dark Knight movie to his varying poster collection. Photo courtesy of Scott Szili
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14

The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick

N.A.S.A from PAGE 12
light-hearted doo-wop with sporadic claps that make me
feel like I’m hanging out with friends, the goal of “There’s
A Party” is obviously to have everyone up and shaking.
And it does just that. I couldn’t imagine attempting to
sit still with any of the tracks blasting on the stereo (my
roommates reinforced my thoughts).
The album artwork is also splendidly thought out. I am in
love with picking apart an album, looking at the lyrics, the
thank-you’s, and most importantly the designs. I was not
disappointed in N.A.S.A.’s artwork and neither was Vice
magazine.
Listeners who take time to examine the four leaﬂets
wouldn’t believe they are for the same album. It’s nice to
see a CD that caters to all aspects of art—the visual and
The Beacon/Matthew Gogas
musical.
I encourage anyone who likes Brazilian beats or any of Friends and organizers of the concert for Art Redmond, which took place Sunday Feb. 15, was held at the River
the artists featured on the album to go out and buy it to sup- Street Jazz Cafe. The concert featured the bands Cabinet, The Woody Brown Project, Mike Miz and JMMD. All
port this type of collaborative effort. proceeds from the concert beneﬁtted the Miguel León orphanage in Ecuador where Redmond volunteered in his
We are all one world/each and everyone of us.- “There’s spring semester of 2007. Redmond was very well-loved within the Wilkes community. For more information on the
A Party” concert go to www.wilkesbeacon.com
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15
Crossword
BY DEVIN J. KING
Beacon Staff

Cats
Where: F.M. Kirby Center
When: Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $27-54.00

Larry the Cable Guy
Where: Wachovia Arena at
Casey Plaza
When: Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $75-81.00

Monster Jam
Where: Wachovia Arena
When: Feb. 20-21, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $5-21.00

Across
58 Powerful businessper 13 Weight of a vehicle without cargo
1 Uttered by mouth
son
5 Kibbles ‘n _____ 21 Agreeable odor
60 First ﬁve books of the 23 Small amount
9 Often becomes broken
HebrewScriptures
February 3 Crossword 14 Bubbly beverage 27 Male friend, Slangly
61 Supernatural force 28 Convulsive twitch
15 Object of worship
63 Therefore 29 March 15th
16 Sleep disorder
Answers 17
18
Country north of Thailand
Steak Sauce
64
65
Friend
Second stage of psycho
30
31
Spring Tide
Festive occasion
sexual development 32 Recedes
19 Elector
66 Cease 33 Regulation governing conduct
20 Annie was one
67 Stitch again 34 From a distance
22 Save for later
68 Ambulatory appendages 38 Mulder’s employer
24 Rear part of a ship
69 Logical 39 Web device
25 “_____ the Terrible” of
Russia 40 Where electrons may be found
Down 43 Ordinary and dull
26 Two couples eating dinner
1 Capital of Norway 41 Impoverished
32 Time period
2 Lion sounds 46 In a careless way
35 Roman god of war
3 Take into one’s family 47 Tract of open ground
36 Thought
4 Struck with a whip 48 Common type
37 City in western New York
5 Twice a year 49 Break for school kids
39 Keep from sight
6 Bachelor’s last words 52 Main artery
42 Reveal secret matters
7 Organs at the back of the 53 Enter a computer
43 Female horse
throat 54 Heavenly body
44 Hot tub
8 Arm covering 55 Residence of a person or family
45 Identiﬁcation digits
9 Cuba Capital 56 Colored portion of the eye
50 Like some signs
10 Literary genre 57 Boy servant
51 Optimal
11 Opposed 59 Slangy rejection
54 Where boats are built
12 Mouthpiece of a wind in 62 Annoy by persistent complaints
and repaired
strument
CONTACT INFORMATION:
alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu
daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu

FEBRUARY 17, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16
Wilkes Colonels defeat Manhattanville, Alvernia
BY ANTHONY DORUNDA installment of “Marts Madness” this past
Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki
Saturday versus Alvernia.
One game after Wilkes had its second Wilkes rolled to a 77-63 victory over
player in as many games topple the 1,000 the Crusaders, behind the sweet stroke of
point mark, the Colonels needed every sophomore Chris DeRojas. DeRojas led the
single point from each to get past the feisty team and set a brand new career high with
Valiants from Manahttanville. 37 points on 11 of 18 shooting from the
The Colonels came out on top 54-49, af- ﬁeld, including a scorching 7-11 shooting
ter a furious 8-0 run in the ﬁnal 2:47 of the from three-point range.
game to take home the victory and stay in Twenty of DeRojas’s 37 came in the last
the thick of the Freedom Conference race. ﬁve minutes of the ﬁrst half, with the Col-
Fourteen of the Colonels 54 points came onels amidst a 37-6 run which took them
from the free throw line, despite shooting a from being down six with nearly ten min-
Shaq-like 58% from the line. utes to play, to a very comfortable 46-26
Numbers did not matter this game howev- lead at the break.
er, as Manhattanville shot a mere four times Tom Kresge chipped in with 22 points on
from the charity stripe. The Colonels’ lead- 9 of 15 shooting.
ing scorers, Steve Kline and Tom Kresge, Steve Kline, who suited up for his ﬁnal
led the team in scoring with 13 points home game in the blue and gold, ﬁnished
apiece. Kresge also pulled down a team with 11 points, a team-high six rebounds
leading eight rebounds while Kline went and dished out ﬁve assists.
6-9 from the free throw line. Both Kline The 14 point victory avenged a nine point
and Kresge recently reached the 1,000 point loss to Alvernia suffered earlier in the sea-
plateau for their careers at Wilkes. son.
The Colonels played from behind with The Colonels have rolled off three in a
9:23 to go in the ﬁrst half until Kline hit a row and now sit at 13-9 overall, including a
pair of free throws with 1:04 to play. respectable 9-6 record in the Freedom Con-
“Against Manhattanville in the second ference.
half nothing was going well for us at all They take the court again on Tuesday,
and we couldn’t really get closer than ten when Wilkes makes the quick trip to Dal-
points,” said sophomore guard Kyle Ruby. las to face Misericordia, whom the Colonels
“Everything changed when [Kline] dove upended 59-53 in mid January.
on the ﬂoor after the ball and we ended up “The team is ﬁnally feeling conﬁdent as
getting a layup out of the play. Everyone a whole and everyone is playing for each
started playing harder from that point on other,” said Ruby. “If we are peaking, like
just because Steve made a very good hustle we all believe we are, we are peaking at the
play.” right time going into the postseason.”
The Colonels then laced it up for the ﬁnal
The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki

(Above) Number 24 Steve Kline watches the ball bounce around the rim as Tom
Kresage (33) stands poised for a possible rebound. (At left) Chris Gulla (3)
dribbles past a defender en route to Wilkes’ 54-49 win over Manhattanville.
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 SPORTS 17
On Saturday Feb- The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki
ruary 14 the Lady
Colonels basketball
team took on Al-
vernia University
for their ﬁnal home
game of the season.
The Lady Colo-
nels were unable
to overcome a slow
start and lost the
game 71-54. Seniors
Khadija Bates and
Chelsea Gosse were
both recognized for
Senior Night. Num-
ber 25 Samantha
Simcox shoots the
ball during the game
on Saturday. The
Lady Colonels will
take on Misericordia
University in Dallas
on Tuesday at 6:00 Steve Kline and John DeFeo were recognized as seniors of the Colonels’ basketball
p.m. before ﬁnishing team on Saturday, February 14, as the team took on Alvernia College in the Marts.
the regular season at Sophomore Chris DeRojas had a career day posting 37 total points in a game Wil-
home against Leba- kes won 77-63. Number 4 freshman Michael Donatoni looks for a pass during the
non Valley on Friday game. The Colonels will close out the regular season this week when they visit
February 20 at 7:00 Misericordia on Tuesday, February 17, and then Lebanon Valley on Saturday
p.m. February 21.
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 SPORTS 18
RINKSIDE REPORT
Penguins trying to avoid hairy situation
BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Juice Boy becomes Mustache Boy, and Tim Wallace, who hasn’t shaved
Beacon Staff Writer the loser of that game has to grow a mus- his upper lip in about three
When the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pen- tache for a month. weeks. According to Bylsma,
guins practice on the day before a game, “It’s adds a little tension, adds a little fun. players have the option to shave
the team usually concludes with a game of You get the jeers from the crowd,” Bylsma their mustache if they are willing
Juice Boy. said. “Guys are picking horses at the end… to pay a $500 ﬁne. That money
The rules are fairly simple. Every play- They’re making horse sounds and jockey goes into the players’ ﬁne fund,
er at practice, as well as head coach Dan sounds and whipping the horse. Inevitably which is used to organize events
Bylsma and assistant coach Todd Reirden, it ends up being one person. There’s lots of like Super Bowl parties.
take turns taking breakaways. If the shooter good hearted fun that’s going on.” “Every time I look in the mir-
scores, they’re eliminated. The last player Sure, players can joke around with their ror, it’s a little different,” Wal-
without a goal is the Juice Boy, who makes teammates once they’re off the hook. But lace said. “But we’re winning,
sure his teammates are properly hydrated nobody wants to be the last man standing so it’s fun.”
by delivering beverages around the locker in the game. With the Penguins now 54
The Beacon/Michael Cignoli
room after practice. Especially if it means they have to go games into the season, just about
Ordinarily, Juice Boy is a fun way for the without shaving for a month. everyone on the team has had an Penguins winger Tim Wallace has been growing his
team to practice one-on-one attempts and “You don’t want to lose Juice Boy,” said opportunity to be Juice Boy, in- facial hair since he lost a game of Mustache Boy in
showcase some stick handling abilities that defenseman Ben Lovejoy. “But the conse- cluding goaltenders John Curry late January.
they might not get an opportunity to try dur- quences of losing Juice Boy are nowhere and Adam Berkhoel. The goal- After looking at Wallace’s recent facial
ing an actual game. near that of losing Mustache Boy.” ies lose the game if they are beaten on four hair growth, however, gathering refresh-
“It’s a good way to show the goalie some- “It’s a pretty funny game once you’re out consecutive shots in the opening round. ments for the entire locker room is a task
thing new and maybe try to get a good laugh of the game,” said Richmond. “Guys get “It’s not a goalie tailored game, because that members of the Penguins are perfectly
out of the teammates,” said Penguins defen- pretty stressed out, but it’s pretty funny to the better you do, the longer you have to content with doing from time to time.
seman Danny Richmond. see the reaction of the guys when they’re in go,” said Curry. “Whereas the better the “Getting juice is pretty easy, compared
But once a month, the Penguins raise the the last three.” players do, they get out early, and the game to walking around with that thing on your
stakes. The incumbent Mustache Boy is winger gets over.” face,” Lovejoy said.
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 SPORTS 19
Sloppy play dooms Lady Colonels’ basketball
took a six point lead with eight minutes re- second half. 76 in overtime.
BY DANIEL KAUTZ
maining in the half on a layup by Chelsey “We learned that we have to do a bet- “Manhattanville is a very fast, fundamen-
Beacon Asst. Sports Editor
Gosse. The lead, which would prove to be ter job transitioning back on defense since tally sound, athletic team,” said Gabriel.
Visiting Manhattanville College proved their largest of the game, would not last they’re a team that loves to run,” said soph- “They’re tough because they use those three
to be too much for the Lady Colonels’ bas- long unfortunately. The two teams tied at omore forward Mari Gabriel. “The loss re- things to their advantage and are constantly
ketball team to handle last Wednesday, Feb- 25 points apiece on a basket from freshman ally came down to them beating us up and running on defense and offense.”
ruary 11, handing Wilkes a 71-57 loss. The guard Samantha Simcox before the Valiants down the court; in the future we just need to Chelsey Gosse led Wilkes’ in scoring with
victory helped improve the Valiants’ record scored the last three points of the half, tak- play better defense in general, especially in ten points, while Simcox and freshman cen-
to 13-9 (9-4 in the Freedom Conference), ing a 28-25 lead into halftime. transition.” ter Lindsey Gosse contributed nine apiece.
while dropping Wilkes’ record to 10-12 The story of the game could be found Manhattanville took a 47-38 lead with Lauren Grenier led Manhattanville with 15
overall (5-9 in conference). in the second half, when Manhattanville 10:38 left, and never looked back. They points. The women’s basketball team’s next
The Lady Colonels jumped out to a quick scored 21 points off of Wilkes’ turnovers. would score 43 second-half points in the game is tonight at 6 P.M. at Misericordia.
lead thanks to a Manhattanville shooting The Valiants came out of the break using game, and score 32 points off Wilkes’ turn-
slump that saw them make their ﬁrst ﬁeld a very aggressive full-court press style of overs. The loss was the second Wilkes suf-
goal with 15:07 remaining in the ﬁrst half. defense that forced Wilkes’ women’s bas- fered at the hands of Manhattanville this
Wilkes and Manhattanville traded baskets ketball team into 16 turnovers. The Valiants season, although the ﬁrst was a very com-
throughout the ﬁrst half before the Colonels also scored eight fast-break points in the petitive game that saw the Valiants win 78-

The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki

Khadija Bates (34) tries to get a pass to Brittany Ely (22) near Manhattanville’s baseline. The Lady Colonels’ gave up 32 points off of turnovers in the game.

Women‛s Basketball Men‛s Basketball
Wrestling
L Manhattanville 57-71 W Manhattanville 59-54
L Alvernia 54-71 W @ King‛s 29-9
W Alvernia 77-63
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 SPORTS 20
Wilkes defeats King’s in ﬁnal match of season, 29-9
BY RYAN HOLMES
Beacon Correspondent The three seniors ﬁnished their dual meet in their route to victory. Sophomore James ing six unanswered points to obtain a 6-1
season with all wins, but the realization Histed added to the victory collection with victory to ﬁnish off the Monarchs.
Senior Erik Smith received his 100th win of it being their last dual meet in a Wilkes a 0:49 second pin of Chris Poleto at 157. After the match Coach Laudenslager com-
on Friday night in impressive fashion by singlet has yet to set in. “I haven’t really After putting the Colonels up with an 18-3 mented on his memorable seniors by saying
pinning King’s junior Frankie Davis with thought about it”, Farnham commented. “I lead, Richard Sparks came threw with a nail that he is proud of what they have accom-
1:01 left in the second period. The rest of still feel like I have so much to prove with biting 4-3 victory over Jerry Robbins. plished in the years he has coached them.
the Colonels followed his lead in a 29-9 vic- the Metropolitan Championships coming King’s would then record two victories “They are all very hard to replace that’s just
tory over the King’s College Monarchs. up that’s what is on my mind now; getting at 174 and 184 which made the score 21- shy of 300 wins that are leaving the line-up,
Smith said that coming into the season he ready for the Metros.” 9 with two more matches left in the dual but they have 10 more days to get focused
was unsure of his record, but once he ﬁg- Pauling conﬁrmed the fact that it hasn’t meet. Without hesitation Matt Pizarro and accomplish their goals of being cham-
ured out that he could accomplish this, feat really hit him yet either that he had just walked in the center circle and only needed pions”, Laudenslager said. “But they will
he set his sites on the milestone win. “Get- wrestled his last dual meet. However, he is 3:17 to record an 18-2 technical fall over all be missed.”
ting the 100th win was deﬁnitely in the back proud of what he and his other teammates Lewis Snover. The Wilkes Colonels ﬁnished their regu-
of my mind as I stepped onto the mat, but have accomplished. “I’m deﬁnitely going With the heavyweight match left, Coach lar season with an overall record of 17-6-2.
I didn’t expect to pin. Just a win that’s all I to miss everything though. After four years Laudenslager opted to put sophomore Chris They now look forward to the Metropoli-
wanted”, Smith said. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished”, Smith up against the 20-6 junior heavy- tan Championships on Sunday, February 22
Seniors Shaun Farnham and Josh Paul- Pauling remarked. weight Chris Rash. Coming out of the ﬁrst at York where they all feel as if they have
ing got the ball rolling with 6-2 and 6-3 The rest of the Wilkes wrestling team period Smith trailed the very talented Rash much more to prove.
victories at 125 and 133 over King’s fresh- followed the examples of their senior cap- 1-0. However, Smith would then put on an
man Mike Tabasco and Anthony Dietrick. tains and stacked up some impressive wins impressive second and third period by scor-

The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick
Wilkes performed impressively in their match against the King’s Monarchs, which will serve as a good tune up before the Metropolitan Championships. Senior Erik
Smith works for points in route to his 100th win for the Colonels.

17 18 19 20 21
The Wilkes University
Please attend the me- Go see “Eat, Drink and Wilkes‛ 2009 Winter Department of Visual
Visit the Painting the
morial service for Dr. Be Larry” at Wacho- Weekend begins! This and Performing Arts
Beautiful art exhibi-
Matthew Zukoski at via Arena at 7:30 p.m. year‛s theme Gods and presents Le Revue Fai-
tion at the Sordoni
11:45 a.m. in the ball- Visit the website for Goddesses! rytale, a musical of fai-
Art Gallery at 12:00
room of the Henry prices. rytails for grown ups at
p.m.
Student Center 8:00 p.m.