The Merciad May 4 Issue

News .................... 2-5 Features .............. 6-9 A&E .................. 10-11 Opinion .......... 12-13 Sports.............. 14-15 Laker Living.......16 MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY

| W E D N E S D AY, M a y 4 , 2 0 2 2

| VOL. 95 NO. 18

Bryce Vine performs at Springfest PAGE: 2

Online poll results

We asked: How was your campus living space decorated?

Photo Credits: Contributed photo

With a big tapestry!

With photos of my friends and me

6: In memoriam: Dr. Hedi-Hosey McGurk

With art

PAGE 2 I don't

10: The 814- The Zodiac Dinor 14: Women’s Softball vs. Slippery Rock

This week’s

POLL

Look out for new polls in the fall! Have a great summer Lakers!

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

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Wednesday, May 4, 2022

NEWS

Bryce Vine performs at SpringFest

By Eva Mihelich

News editor

Mercyhurst students had the opportunity to see singer Bryce Vine perform on stage in the Warde parking lot on April 23 for the first ever outdoor SpringFest. He is known for his many hit songs: “Guilty Pleasure,” “Sour Patch Kids,” “Drew Barrymore,” and “La La Land.”

The concert was completely planned and executed by Mercyhurst Student Government.

A small team of executive board members work together starting in October each year to plan this traditional event. It was a lot of hard work to plan the event and it really paid off.

“We worked super hard to set up the concert all day before and the day of SpringFest.

We’d been planning the event for months and it was so awesome to see all of our hard work pay off. We were really happy with the turn out and everyone had an awesome time.

Plus we really lucked out with the weather. We are hoping to be able to host SpringFest outside again next year because it was just such a great experience,” said Nick Brodfuehrer, president of MSG. During the day prior to the performances, students could check out the special SpringFest menu in Grotto Commons Dining Hall.

Parkhurst partnered with MSG

to create the menu and transformed the dining hall into a California Food Truck wonderland. While at Grotto Commons, students could check out some of the stations MAC/ SAC hosted including a temporary tattoo station, flavored oxygen bar, and CD painting.

To attend the concert, students had to get a ticket, free of charge, by showing their

student IDs, and then they were also permitted one guest pass if desired for anyone who isn’t a student at Mercyhurst.

Doors opened at 5:45p.m., and students began lining up. No outside bags or beverages were permitted: just you and your high energy! The performance started out at 6:30 p.m. with DJ Ca$hEra from Chicago, IL who played pump-up songs ranging

from “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston to “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes. The crowd was roaring with energy, ready for Bryce Vine to take the stage.

Finally, the time came. The smoke machines were going, the lights were flashing, and Bryce Vine himself appeared from the performing arts center doors, jogging to the stage

with a smile on his face. He delivered an energetic, lively performance with infectious energy that had the whole crowd cheering along. Many students did not know who Bryce Vine even was before SpringFest but left with high spirits and a new artist to listen to!

Bethany Jentz, sophomore Intelligence Studies major, said, “I had only listened to Bryce Vine a couple of times before SpringFest, but I didn’t know all the words or anything. But now I have been listening to him a lot more. He just had such a great stage presence even at such a small concert.” Jentz said that her favorite song performed was “Drew Barrymore,” which was a song that really got the crowd hyped.

Because of COVID, students have not had SpringFest in two years, so the return of it was met with great anticipation and high hopes for a future of more events to return to campus. If you missed SpringFest and did not get the chance to see Bryce Vine perform, follow him on social media and listen to his music. His songs are well-liked by many and have a happy-go-lucky summer feel to them, so it is fitting that he performed on a rare sunny day in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Contributed photo

Bryce Vine encouraging the crowd to sing the lyrics with him to his song ““Guilty Pleasure.“

From the archives: what the duck?

By Hannah Brooks

Features editor

Imagine waking up in the morning and heading to your classes, just to be faced with an interruption. Can you imagine what that may be? A slow walker or some sort of obstruction on the walkways? Perhaps a gigantic, larger-than-life duck? While this may seem like something out of a fever dream, this was a reality for Hurst students in November of 2012, as referenced from the Nov. 7, 2012 edition of the Merciad.

Now, understandably, you may have many questions about this.

First of all, how did such a large duck appear on campus? Why was it there? Who had this idea? Was it some sort of prank? All of these are understandable questions.

The duck appeared as a part of a rotating art display that was ongoing under previous administration, according to Michelle Scully, campus minister.

“The school used to have a rotating art display on loan throughout the hallway in Old Main on the first floor where the archive photos now hang,” said Scully.

“There used to be arts of all sorts there, and some of it got pretty weird - there was once a sculpture made of pool noodles hanging from the ceiling in Old Main.”

Being that the larger than lifesized duck obviously was not going to fit in the hallways of Old Main, the concept required those involved to think bigger - the home for the duck became the lawn out in front of Old Main, according to Michelle Scully. She added that the duck also had wheels and a rope attached and was not just a sculpture set to stay in one place.

“Oftentimes, especially on weekends, there were times that the duck would mysteriously be moved by students and end up in many locations,” said Scully.

“While it was often outside of Old Main, it sometimes rested outside of the grotto as well as many other locations on campus.

It ‘journeyed’ around.”

The reason why the duck was created in the first place is even more interesting than its life at Mercyhurst - it was a concept created by Erie artists David Seitzinger and Gary Cacchione as part of their 2012 “Giant Quacker” project.

As part of this project, a number of large ducks including Mercyhurst’s duck were entered into the 2013 ArtPrize competition.

The contest drew in 1,524 entries from artists all across the world, in which similar displays such as this one were made and placed in

various areas around the world.

Though ‘Quackers’ did not win, the display finished in the top 50 for the contest. Additionally, the creators of the project still work in Erie and create art to this day at Dovetail Gallery.

Though ‘Quackers’ has left campus long ago, the mark of the duck has still been made and brought joy and excitement to students and faculty alike during its time spent on Mercyhurst’s campus. The idea, concept and all that comes with ‘the duck’ are interesting and different.

“It was definitely one of the funnier things that has happened at Mercyhurst in the past decade,” said Scully.

Though you will not see a large duck in front of Old Main today, for more information as well as photos of the duck and the project itself, more information is available at https://www.prweb. com/releases/2013/giant_quacker/prweb11281522.htm.

Contributed Photo

A student poses on ‘Quackers,’ poking out her body for a photo.

Contributed Photo

Two students stand on ‘Quackers’ and pose with their hands on their hips

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

NEWS

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Dr. Earls’ Farewell to Mercyhurst

By Isabella Lee

Staff Writer

The end of the academic year generally entails a variety of professors leaving or retiring. This year, it is Averill Earls, Ph.D. assistant professor of History, that will be leaving the Mercyhurst community.

Earls is heading off to be an assistant professor of History at St. Olaf College in Minnesota where she will be teaching classes such as Witchcraft, Sex in Modern History and History of the British Empire. Earls made her official announcement of her departure to the History Department on April 21, much to the surprise and sadness of the department.

Earls has been a massive part of the History Department for the past six years. She created the department’s Instagram and Snapchat accounts and has been advisor for the History and Irish

Clubs, the latter since its inception. She has been an important part of History recruitment, specifically the History minor (which is only six History classes, if you are interested). She has taught iMU for the past three years and had plans to take students to Dungarvan and Germany before COVID derailed those plans. She has taught over 50 sections of 20 different courses, her favorites being Sex in Modern History, Holocaust, French Rev, Digital History Storytelling, Russian Film and Decolonization.

The list goes on of how much she has done for this campus.

I have been privileged to have taken three different classes with Earls (Sex in Modern History, Global Civil Rights and World History 2), and I am going to miss her teaching style and brutal sense of humor. I am going to always remember her office in Preston, where I have collected a variety of snacks ranging from

Pop Tarts to applesauce cups. I am especially going to miss her dog, Madame Curie, who was and still is beloved by every student she comes across.

Earls has asked me to share her parting words here, “The best thing about Mercyhurst is you: the students. Having you in class, advising you, being a brief interlocutor in your lives. That’s what I will miss the most. My time teaching at Mercyhurst has been formative, and that’s because of all the students who were willing to experiment with Unessays, games, Ungrading, podcasting, and my various unorthodox methods. Thank you for your patience and good humor and mostly positive comments on YikYak and Rate My Professor. com. Thank you for your honesty and kindness and for fighting for what is right. Thank you for always surprising me.

And since I can’t be here to do it myself, please welcome the

Visiting Assistant Professor in History in the fall, and make her feel at home and appreciated. It’s hard starting a new job in a city far from home. Having students as kind and thoughtful as you will make it easier. I only hope to be

so fortunate at St. Olaf.

In the words of Anna Kendrick, ‘You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.’ But I’m gonna miss you more.”

History Club Photo

Dr. Earls’ and junior Lily Smith showcasing how fun it is to be a History major at the Majors & Minors Fair in 2021.

April was Autism Acceptance Month

By Nick Klein Staff Writer

There are around 75 million people with autism in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with more than 2% of children born since 2010 being diagnosed with autism, up from 0.75% of children back in 2000. As an autistic student here at Mercyhurst University, I want to fight for autistic rights and spread awareness about it.

Mercyhurst has a program called AIM (Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst) whose mission is to facilitate and support the successful adjustment of autistic college students in all aspects of college life.

It was introduced in 2008 by Brad McGarry and has since grown to be one of the best college programs for autism in the world.

AIM has been encouraging the campus to celebrate Austism Acceptance Month throughout April. The program recently did the Northwestern PA Autism Society Walk, which happened on April 23.

Students and staff from AIM walked the track at Lake Erie Speedway and provided information to the local community about the AIM program.

The program has also taken trips to Indonesia and the Grand Canyon. I went to an AIM sponsored trip to the Grand Canyon called “Conquer the Canyon” last May, where we hiked a path that few people have ever hiked before.

Besides the trips, AIM has introduced me to new people that have showed a lot of solidarity

with me and made me feel more at home. I would recommend this great program to anyone who wants to go to college and has high functioning autism.

For the month of April, Old Main lit up blue to mark Autism Acceptance Month.

Just last year, the name was changed from “Autism Awareness Month” to “Autism Acceptance Month,” to include and help autistic people develop in the community and get a sense of connection to other people, not just knowing somebody who has autism.

April 2 is known as “World Autism Awareness Day,” which has been officially recognized by the United Nations since 2008 with the goal of improving the quality of life for people with autism.

Initially, the focus of World Autism Awareness Day was to bring a cure to eliminate autism.

However, in recent years, many Contributed Photo people (including many autistic A photo of Old Main at night, lit up blue to raise awareness of Autism Appreciation Month adults) just want inclusion and neurodiversity acceptance rather than a cure.

People with autism are five times more likely to get incarcerated and a fifth of autistic young adults will have an interaction with the police before they turn 21.

Autistic people also have an unemployment level of 70%, including the under employed.

Considering the labor shortages today, autistic people are a great asset, due to their special skills that can influence how people work in their careers.

I hope that we, autistic people, will continue to improve in our quality of life and rights and that Contributed photo we will be granted more opportu- This virtual handout was posted on the Student Hub in order to raise awareness about Autism Apprecianities within my lifetime. tion Month.

NEWS

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Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Seniors present at Illumination Merciad IN A MINUTE

By Eva Mihelich

Extended Housing Forms Students are required to be moved out of their housing by Friday, May 13. If you need to stay any longer than this date, complete the exception request located under Housing Forms in the Housing Portal. Be aware that if you live in Duval, Ryan, Warde, or a select few Briggs apartments you may be moved to temporary housing.

Free Movie MSG and the Modern Cinema Club are hosting a free premiere of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” at the Cinemark Tinseltown Erie.

Transportation leaves at 6:15 and the movie starts at 7:00 p.m. To reserve a ticket, email moderncinemaclub@ gmail.com and include your full name, email address, and transportation needs.

News editor

Illumination is an annual event that showcases students and their projects that they have completed throughout the semester. Any student of any major is able to present, so there is a wide variety of subjects that are covered. Most students choose to present their projects via poster board, but there is the option to use any visual overview of their work, as long as the student is present to answer any questions.

This program was created so that students’ diligent efforts and outstanding scholarship has the chance to be recognized by the Mercyhurst University community. It provides students the opportunity to practice their presentation skills and exercise their ability to think on the spot and answer any questions people may have about their research.

Contributed Photo

Carin Rushnock poses with her presentation on the effects of caffeine.

FSAT Deadline Extended The deadline for applications to study abroad in France, Italy, or Dungarvan, Ireland has been extended to Friday, May 6. Students will have the opportunity to take a course in subjects suh as Food and Wine, Food and Culture, or Beyond the Gates credit while exploring a great country of your choice! Email studyabroad@mercyhurst. edu for more information!

Return your books Friendly reminder to return all your rentals back to the Mercyhurst bookstore before you head home for summer break! They are also doing textbook buybacks, so even if you did not buy a book from the bookstore, they can still offer you some cash for it. If you would like to purchase your rental book for its full price, you have that option as well, so just make sure you stop in soon!

Have a tip for Merciad in a Minute? Want to tell others about your club’s events?

Email us at merciad@ mercyhurst.edu

Contributed Photo

Students present their projects to attendees as they walk around.

Contributed Photo

A table with flyers for the event laid out.

Mercyhurst holds blood drive

By Nadine Fox Staff writer

Mercyhurst University hosted a blood drive with Community Blood Bank on April 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Union Great Room. A Blood Bank is a place where blood is collected and stored before it is used for transfusions. Blood banking takes place in the lab.

This is to make sure that donated blood and blood products are safe before they are used.

Alyson Merryman, the Mobile Drive Coordinator of the Community Blood Bank of NWPA and WNY, said that “many blood centers across America have been experiencing a blood shortage for well over 2 years now. Community Blood Bank is currently critically low on ALL blood types. It’s so important to donate blood because you nev-

er know if you or someone you love might need blood one day.”

Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries.

Donating blood can save a life, or even several lives if the blood is separated into its components of red cells, platelets and plasma which can then be used individually for patients with specific conditions. Just one person making a generous donation can make a huge impact on another’s life. Donating blood not only saves multiple lives but also gives you an opportunity to add value to your own life.

Community Blood Bank is the exclusive blood supplier to Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. When students donated at Mercyhurst University, they also received a $10 Tim Horton’s gift card as

an incentive. Donating blood is only 30 minutes out of your day to save 3 local lives. 1 unit of blood is split by red cells, white cells, etc. that saves up to 3 lives.

This equates to 10 minutes of your time per life saved.

The average person can donate blood every 56 days, up to six times a year, if they meet the following criteria: in good health and feeling well, at least 16 years old and weighing a minimum of 110 pounds. Additional eligibility criteria apply, including certain medications, medical conditions, travel to certain countries and personal history. It is important to visit the Red Cross blood donation eligibility for specific eligibility information. According to the Red Cross, those that received a COVID-19 vaccine may still donate blood.

When students arrived to do-

nate, they were given a form to fill out with their medical background. They then had a general health screening including blood pressure, iron levels, and heart rate. If the student passed the screen, they were then taken to the chair to donate. The donation itself took between 5-12 minutes. Once the donation was finished the donor could head over to the refreshment table where they were encouraged to enjoy light snacks and beverages.

The need for blood is constant. Please consider taking the time to donate blood and help make an impact by scheduling an appointment at fourhearts. org.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

NEWS

Check out these upcoming events:

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

This weekend’s campus events

MERCYHURST CAMPUS

CRIME LOG April 20: Drug Violation in Ryan April 20: Liquor Law Violation in Ryan April 20: Sexual Assault reported in Warde April 22: Liquor Law Violation in Briggs April 22: Drug Violation in Briggs April 28: Larceny/Theft in Old Main April 29: Criminal Mischief in Lewis

FEATURES

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Wednesday, May 4, 2022

In loving memory of Dr. Heidi Hosey-McGurk

By Bella Lee & Victoria McGinty Staff writer, Managing editor

Together, Mercyhurst is mourning the loss of a beloved member of our community. On April 12, Dr. Heidi Hosey-McGurk, dean of the Walker College of Business and longtime professor of English, passed away. The news was announced by President Getz on April 13. “She has been a cherished friend to many of us at the university,” Getz said in her message.

Hosey-McGurk was an integral part of Mercyhurst for nearly 30 years. She was a scholar of feminist theory and a recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award.

Besides being the dean of Walker College, she served

in a variety of educational roles, including chair of the English Department, dean of the Hafenmaier College of Arts and Humanities, vice president for strategic planning and vice president for instruction and assessment. However, most students know her for being the overseer of the Beyond the Gates requirement.

One of Hosey-McGurk’s greatest accomplishments while being with Mercyhurst was helping to establish the Office of International Programs and Experiential Learning, where she served as dean and created the study abroad program that connects our community with our sister city of DunContributed photo garvan, Ireland.

In the three decades Hosey-McGurk was part of Dr. Hosey-McGurk was a beloved member of the Mercythe Mercyhurst community, hurst community and she will be greatly missed.

she touched the lives and minds of many students through her teaching as well as her various other roles.

Like most at small universities, she wore many hats over the years, and through her varying positions she interacted with many students, staff, and faculty members across all walks of campus.

“Heidi has been part of three administrations, yet always valued her role as a faculty member,” said longtime colleague and friend Alice Edwards, Ph.D., chair of the Department of World Languages. “Her immense capacity for work was matched by her creative problem solving and innovative ideas.” Plus, Edwards said, “Heidi was always the funniest person in the room.”

As a person, she was known to be quite humorous and would always know how to make everyone around her smile. In addition, Hosey-McGurk was incredibly kind and a joyous presence to all who knew her.

It’s hard to imagine what life at Mercyhurst will be like without Dr. Hosey-McGurk. No matter how well you knew her, her presence was and will always be felt.

Her legacy at Mercyhurst is one that will always be cherished and remembered in the many years to come.

At this time, please keep Hosey-McGurk’s family and loved ones in your prayers and thoughts during this hard time.

Literary magazine unveiling and awards ‘il-Lumen-ated’ stage on April 28

By Samantha Weber Editor-in-Chief

Every year creative students contribute to the “Lumen,” which is Mercyhurst’s Creative Arts Magazine. On Thursday, April 28, the English Department, Mercyhurst faculty, students, and the Erie community came together in Taylor Little Theatre for the unveiling of the “Lumen.”

The design of the 24th edition of the “Lumen,” focuses on a particular definition of the word lumen—the measure of brightness from a light source. Because of this, a light bulb theme is present throughout the booklet.

“The design process started off with researching current design trends in magazines and books” said designer Megan Perusek.

“We used Adobe InDesign to layout the pages and used a combination of master pages and paragraph styles to place the writing and photos that needed to be included. After a series of proofs and revisions between us and the editorial board, we solidified a final proof and sent it to print. We also created a PDF version of the Lumen that is completely ADA compliant that is uploaded on our website, mercyhurst.edu/lumen, so that those who don’t have a physical copy of the book can enjoy it as well.”

The cover depicts five lightbulbs which spell out the year “2022” and also showcase the letter “L,” for the “Lumen” as the filament of the light bulb.

Along with the light bulb theme, an art deco style is incorporated throughout the book as well, as depicted in the font and borders.

“I couldn’t be happier with how the final product turned out.

Having a project I spent so much time on actually go to print and

become a tangible object that we can hold and read through is a very rewarding feeling. Hearing all the positive feedback on the final design and publication on the day of the release was very affirming that all the time and work we put in was worth it,” said Perusek.

The “Lumen” celebrates the arts at Mercyhurst and showcases the students’ talent and hard work from the past year. Throughout the pages of the “Lumen” are featured poems, prose, dances, music compilations, and pieces of artwork. For longer prose pieces, as well as dance pieces, the physical copy includes a QR code to scan in order to view the full piece online.

Before the unveiling began, some of the dance and music pieces played on the screen as the audience entered the auditorium.

Then Greg Brown, Ph.D., an assistant professor of English and one of the advisors for the “Lumen,” took the podium and the unveiling began. After Brown, the Editors-in-Chief, Ash Carr and Emma Coppolo took the stage to discuss the hard work that goes into the editing process, which led into the presentation of the design. Chair of the Art Department, Jodi Staniunas-Hopper spoke and introduced the designers Megan Perusek and Sydney Dietz.

“Being an Editor-in-Chief was an incredible honor that I enjoyed immensely.” Said Co-Editor-inChief Emma Coppolo. “Getting to collaborate with so many talented writers and editors was really enjoyable, and everyone’s hard work definitely paid off.”

There were four awards that were presented to students who had their work featured in the “Lumen.” Three of the awards were presented for creative writing and one was presented for

critical writing. Co-Editor-inChief, Ash Carr got first place for creative writing with their pieces titled “Cold, Deconstructed” and “Conversion.” The second and third place winners for creative writing include Elijah Goe, senior Cyber Security major, for his piece titled “Results Over Intention” and Skylar Moon-Ferguson, senior Psychology major, for his poem titled “December 24th, 2006.” Madison Jukkola, sophomore English major, won the P. Barry McAndrew award for critical literature essay for her essay titled “The Sartorial Commodity and Stitched Social Relations of Gaskell’s Cranford.”

After the awards, an open mic session was held in which students hit the stage to read their own works aloud to the audience.

This was a moving experience for students who’ve not been able to take part in events such as this during their time yet at Mercyhurst.

“Holding the physical copy of the magazine that we’ve been working on for nearly the entire school year was unbelievably rewarding. Getting to experience such joyful energy as people read their pieces during the open mic was something I’ll never forget.”

Coppolo said.

“The past two years have been much different due to the pandemic, so being able to host such a successful event feels like a revival. I’m so excited for people to read the magazine and get to see the product of so much love and creativity.”

Be sure to check out the “Lumen” to appreciate the works of students who participated in the creation of the magazine—and remember that it is never too soon to get started on your own personal piece for next year’s installment of the “Lumen!”

Contributed photo

The 2022 cover of the “Lumen,” Mercyhurst’s student literary magazine.

Contributed photo

P. Barry Mcandrew award recipients from left to right: Madison Jukkola, Ash Carr, Elijah Goe, and Skylar Moon-Ferguson.

FEATURES

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

RSCO FEATURE SOCIAL WORK CLUB

Laker Major/Minor Spotlight: Art Therapy major

By Mackenzie Zent

By Hannah Brooks

Opinion editor

Features editor

Mercyhurst Social Work Department photo

Members of the Social Work and Applied Sociology Club participated in decorating of the Erie City Mission back in December.

Social Work is a very essential field, one that continuously grows as the demand for social workers becomes higher. As you may be aware, Mercyhurst offers a Social Work program, as well as an Applied Sociology major. With that major also comes a club that is dedicated to both the field and the major, known as the Social Work/Applied Sociology Club.

The Social Work Club is one that is unique, as the purpose is not to simply celebrate the major - it is to really live by the Social Work core values and make a difference in many areas, whether it be on campus or in the Erie community.

“The Social Work and Applied Sociology Club strives to make a difference not only around campus, but also in the community,” said Tierney Ashe, sophomore Social Work major and president of the club. “We bring awareness to important social justice issues that our society ultimately faces, as well as create a safe space amongst one another. Each month, members get together to eat snacks and treats and plan events that create awareness of change on campus and in the community.”

The club has, and does, participate in a number of activities on Mercyhurst’s campus. One event includes the annual suicide awareness and prevention walk, which was “the biggest event held over the years,” according to Ashe. Other events include the donation of over 500 pieces to the International Institute of Erie, a partnership with the Active Minds club to create the “take-one-leave-one” board with positive notes/messages for students and faculty, decorating the Erie City Mission for the holidays, participation in the Mercy March for Anti-Racism, and a partnership with AIM for the “paint and sip” event.

Though the club celebrates the Social Work and Applied Sociology major you do not need to be part of either major in order to join. Just the desire to help out and make a difference in the community is more than enough of a reason to join.

“The club is open to anybody interested,” said Ashe. “Members in our club vary and are very different from each other, and that is what is so neat about our club. Although we are not all studying the same major, we all come together as one.”

The club is one that is also convenient for students who want to help out and make a difference but may have busy schedules that do not allow for much time to participate in events.

“We usually meet about once a month when all members can get together,” said Ashe. “Meetings typically range from a half hour to an hour in length, usually lasting a little bit longer when we are planning an event.”

This club is one that is very beneficial for students to join and is one that can be joined regardless of major - you simply need to have the desire to help out. The club often partners with other organizations on campus, such as Active Minds, to create awareness as well as help out in the community.

Upon returning to campus in the Fall, be sure to keep an eye out for events and activities sponsored by the Social Work and Applied Sociology Club and be sure to get involved - this group is one that will welcome you with open arms.

PAGE 7

Art therapy is a small program that Mercyhurst offers with great opportunities for students to further their education in many ways. Art therapy is a type of therapy used to express emotions through crafts and artwork like painting, drawing and any other form of art.

Heather Denning, who is the advisor for the art therapy department, said the major has been offered since 1980 at Mercyhurst.

The courses are a combination between psychology and studio art classes with five specific art therapy classes. Mercyhurst also requires students to complete an internship for hands-on experience in the community.

Something that is unique about the program is that they offer opportunities to study abroad and gain experience that way. Next year they plan to go on a service trip to Italy to teach art in schools.

This will be a really cool way for students to further their learning while experiencing a completely different culture.

In the past year many art therapy students have also gone into the Erie community to teach art in different settings and help others. This helps students have a better understanding for the profession and the ways it can benefit people.

Students will want to continue on to get their masters degree in art therapy after they have completed four years in the program here.

Mercyhurst offers all of the classes needed to apply for more training for graduate programs. If someone decides not to get their master’s degree, they can get entry level jobs such as becoming case managers, working in human services and other similar jobs.

There are many different work environments an art therapist can work in. Working in a hospital is very common because there are so many departments someone could choose to work in.

Mental health treatment centers are also a common place of employment as well as halfway houses and rehab centers.

Art therapy can be beneficial to everyone, so there are really no limits on where someone could work.

The goal of art therapy is to manage feelings and behaviors and reduce anxiety and stress. It can be done at the same time as regular therapy and other mental health treatment as it helps understand and process feelings and emotions. It is also a great way to express yourself and engage in self-discovery.

While the program at Mercyhurst is small, there has been a lot of crossover for those picking up a minor in

art therapy. It goes really well with social work, psychology, criminal justice, as well as many others.

If students are interested in the major, there is an intro to art therapy class that is open to all majors. Even just taking the intro class can be beneficial and interesting no matter what someone’s major is.

This major is incredibly unique to the university and has drawn in students from all over.

Like Music Therapy, Art Therapy focuses on human services and personalized experiences to fit a person/ groups needs.

This program aims to teach students the fundamentals of art, and how the student can incorporate their personal skills and talents and turning it into a career that helps others.

Art therapy is a lesser-known major, and we are lucky that Mercyhurst has a great department for it!

If anyone is interested in learning more about the major or minor they are encouraged to look into the program.

Mercyhurst Art Therapy photo

Students in the Art Therapy department collaborated with students in the Social Work club for a ‘Paint and Sip’ event last Friday.

COME JOIN US THIS FALL FOR ANOTHER FUN YEAR! NEW WRITERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, LAKERS!

PAGE 8

HURST CLASS CATALOG INTRO TO CREATIVE WRITING

By Hannah Brooks Features editor

If you are looking to fill an English course requirement or simply wish to sharpen your own creative writing skills, Mercyhurst has a perfect opportunity for you with Intro to Creative Writing. Whether you like poetry, prose, or both—this course provides the best of both worlds for all students excited about creative writing. Taught by Greg Brown, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, this course is one that is both exciting and engaging for students.

The course is taught in a workshop-style. Meaning that if you take this class, you should be prepared to participate. While this may feel intimidating to some—or even a deal breaker—don’t let this hinder you. Not only is this very helpful to students, the atmosphere is often very supportive on top of being very constructive. By the end of this course, you can expect to emerge with a refreshed state of mind and a newfound comfort in presenting and reading your own work aloud. You will also learn about the many different types of poetry, as well as styles and formats, and explore different styles of fiction writing as well.

The course will start off with poetry, as students work on four different types of poetry - accentual verse, which is “poems which make their rhythms through the way each line handled the stress of language, timing of the line, and the device of alliteration”; accentual-syllabic, which is “verse that depends for its rhythm on both the number of syllables to the line and on the number of accented and unaccented syllables”; blank verse, which is “unrhymed, but otherwise regular verse, usually iambic pentameter”; and free verse, which is “a literary device that can be defined as poetry that is free from the limitations of a regular meter or rhythm.”

After the poetry wraps up, students will then begin to work on fiction stories for the remainder of the semester, writing a total of three short stories for class.

Throughout the short story writing, students will focus on using a variety of literary devices to fit standards for their characters, such as focusing on creating a “round character” which is a character “sufficiently complex to be able to surprise the reader without losing credibility” and/or practicing using different points of view for the story. Students will also have the opportunity to write a short story that is not traditional, getting the opportunity to practice different techniques for writing which may not be seen in “traditional” short stories, such as switching between different points of view, writing in interview formats, or writing stories taking place in different time frames.

While taking this course, you will be graded throughout the semester on quizzes and tests, but not your actual work itself. Per Brown, students are to “work on their pieces all throughout the semester, revising and making edits as they go.” Inspiration for these edits may come from techniques that students learn over time throughout the duration of the course, or potentially during the workshops.

This course is one that will help students not only fulfill needed credits for English or Expression, which is admittedly a bonus, but it is one that will help students to develop and polish many of their skills while having fun doing so in a creative and supportive environment.

If you have not already, be sure to add Intro to Creative Writing to your schedule the next time it is offered and be ready to test your creative writing skills as well as learn some new writing techniques!

FEATURES

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Taking Back the Night against sexual violence

By Hannah Brooks Features editor

On April 28, Mercyhurst students and faculty participated in the ‘Take Back the Night’ walk.

Take Back the Night is an organization with a mission to “end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and all other forms of sexual violence,” according to their website.

Take Back the Night is the “earliest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence” with events and protests beginning in the 1960’s in Belgium and England, and in 1973 in the United States.

Many Mercyhurst students and faculty worked to put the event together on our campus.

Prior to the walk, students in the Mercyhurst Equality of Women (MEOW) club gathered to lead sign making in the Ryan Hall Lobby. Ashley Barletta, sophomore English major and president of MEOW said that many students attended and showed their support for the event.

“A bunch of people showed up to make signs,” said Barletta. “It was nice to know that so many people care about ending sexual violence and harrassment.”

Events like this one are very important to MEOW and support the mission of the group.

“We are a group of women sup-

porting women and ending sexual violence, or at least making a statement and doing what we can to stop it, is so important to the mission of supporting women,” said Barletta. “Of course, it is also important to understand that it also happens to young men, as well. In other words, no one is immune to it so it is vital that we do what we can to stop it.”

Ann Miller, Title IX coordinator and Compliance officer, coordinated the walk along with Steph Przepiora, director for Campus Involvement, Sue Sweeney, Assistant Athletic Director and Amy Blackman, community partner from Crime Victim Center. Other members of the Bystander Intervention Committee were also involved in coordinating the planning process. This committee has members from across many offices on campus as well as community partners.

Przepiora reported that the walk had a “great turnout” with around two hundred students showing up to show their support for the cause.

“This type of event shows that there is a group of students at Mercyhurst who are willing to stand up against sexual violence and that as a Mercyhurst community, we do not tolerate that on our campus,” said Przepiora. “It is important because it educates students who were maybe required to be there about

issues surrounding sexual violence and exposes them to conversations that show the importance of being a good active bystander in those situations.”

This event, and others like it, are very important—not only at Mercyhurst but everywhere. It is imperative to be aware of sexual violence and how it affects everybody. With an alarming rate of one American being sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, we need to be sure that we do our part in educating ourselves and others about these pressing issues. It is essential to take a stand against it not only on campus, but also in the community.

Mercyhurst partners closely with Crime Victim Center, cvcerie.org, 814-455-9414 and SafeNet, safeneterie.org, 24-hr crisis hotline: 814-454-8161.

For more information and resources, be sure to check out the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) at https:// www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence, the Take Back the Night website at www. takebackthenight.org, and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at https://www.nsvrc.org/.

Additionally, the Sexual Assault Hotline may be called for assistance and is staffed 24 hours a day, and can be reached at 1-800-6564673.

Contributed photos

Students gathered around campus to support the cause of Take Back the Night and take a stand against sexual violence.

FEATURES

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Boyd and MU Dining are all smiles winning top Parkhurst awards

By Samantha Weber Editor in chief Katie Boyd, general manager of Parkhurst Dining at Mercyhurst, is the recipient of both the “We are Passionate About Food Award” and “The Extra Smile Award.” There are five total RAVE award categories and each one represents Parkhurst’s Core Values.

The Extra Smile award is given to those who collaborate with different partners within the organization, meeting and exceeding expectations and the needs of those they work with, creating smiles and are willing to go the extra mile. Boyd is the first person ever to be awarded these awards at the same time.

The dining halls here on campus would not be the same without her and the Mercyhurst community owes a lot to her.

Boyd was surprised and honored to be the recipient of both awards.

“I was so humbled by this experience, and ultimately so proud of my team,” Boyd said. “Nothing happens without them and their support, so the awards are all of ours as far as I’m concerned.”

The dining halls are always put-

ting on fun events for the students to try and provide them with different food options throughout the year.

Boyd talked about her favorite event that Parkhurst helped with this year.

“It is so hard to choose, there is so much time and effort put into all the events we do. If I had to choose, I would have to say that would be our Hurst Day food tents. It’s just a one-of-a-kind event, and I have had the pleasure of being part of it since the very first one” said Boyd. “Picking the themes for the tents, getting the decorations and choosing the menus are all so fun. And the teamwork to tie everything together is what makes that a special day.”

When talking about next year, Boyd mentioned that dining services at Mercyhurst could always be improved, with the help of students.

“I think if there is anything I would like to improve, it would be getting more student feedback,” said Boyd. “We can’t ever get enough of that, and the more we get the better we all are.”

Boyd is very passionate about receiving student feedback that Parkhurst has had multiple sur-

veys throughout the year. There is currently a survey out right now that students can complete and it only takes a few minutes and they are entered into a gift card giveaway if they complete the survey.

Additionally, if you keep tabs on what goes on in the Grotto Commons, you know that they are no stranger to pop-ups. There is almost one pop-up every week between the Grotto Commons and the 501 Grille.

One of the items that returned this year is the scoop-it-yourself ice cream that the students can not get enough of. Parkhurst formed a partnership with Northern Scoops, a local ice cream company, and there is always some ice cream available from there for students to enjoy.

“We want to continually evolve our services each year. My hopes are that the students enjoy their experience, and that everyone is happy” said Boyd.

Next time you see Boyd, or any of the members of the very dedicated dining services team at Mercyhurst, be sure to congratulate them on their awards, as well as thank them for their hard work and the service that they give to Mercyhurst!

Wedding date needed, inquire within

By Hannah Brooks Features editor

As a very exciting senior date auction prize, the winner is given their own very special feature in the Merciad. This year’s winner, Eli Louis, hopes that this feature will help him find a date to attend a wedding this fall. This article will serve as a guide in all you need to know about your next perfect date partner.

First, the most important place to start is with preferences. When it comes to Louis, he admits that his preferences are “very specific” and also “non-negotiable,” meaning that if you do not share the same interests, the possibility of a date with him is non-existent.

“I like to save kittens from burning house fires and build houses for the wealthy in my free time,” said Louis. “I also find great pleasure in participating in organized crime. I frequently play chess against myself, but I always lose. I actively search for buried treasure though I have no clues or leads.”

Louis adds that in addition to his date wearing attire that complements his, he requests that his date also gets a matching face tattoo for the very special event.

Additionally, he has some very specific requests in other various categories.

“I want a date who needs to have her food separated on the plate. If it touches, she is going home,” said Louis. “Also, she either needs to be under five-feet-

one, or above six-feet-one, otherwise, we will have nothing to talk about. She should be deeply interested in eastern punk rock subcultures as well as Five Nights at Freddy’s lore.”

Louis additionally adds that his date needs to be “comfortable with berating him in front of his family” and that he would like to be “compared to his date’s ex girlfriend or boyfriend often, frequently, or even without end.”

Before the wedding, of course, comes the first date to see if the two of you are going to be compatible with one another. That, for Louis, like many other things - includes some very specific requests, wants, and even a few necessities.

“An ideal date starts with you interrupting everything I say and ends with both of us alone and dissatisfied, maybe even crying.

However, us just getting Starbucks together is also a viable alternative,” said Louis.

Louis seemingly became confused at this point in the interview, asking me who I was and why I was asking him so many personal questions. He asked if I would appreciate being interrogated and asked so many personal questions.

However, once reminded of the subject matter and why such questions were being asked, he did seem to become aware again of what was happening.

“There is a wedding in the fall, I don’t know the exact date or anything like that, I also might be in it, I don’t know, man,” said Louis.

PAGE 9

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

By Nicholas Klein Staff writer

Historical Event: May 4, 1980 42 years ago today, Yugoslavian President Josip Broz Tito died in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Yugoslavia at 3:05 p.m. from gangrene, which is a condition that kills the tissue due to the lack of blood supply. He was 87 years old and was just short of his 88th birthday by three days. With four kings, 31 presidents, six princes, 22 prime ministers, and 47 foreign ministers coming from 128 nations, it was the largest state funeral by the number of politicians and state delegations in history. The funeral took place on May 8, 1980, and he is now buried at the House of Flowers in Belgrade.

Top 3 Songs This Week According to Spotify’s Global Charts 1. “As It Was:” Harry Styles 2. “First Class:” Jack Harlow 3. “Heat Waves:” Glass Animals On the Charts This Week 30 Years Ago According to Billboards Charts 1. “Jump:” Kris Kross 2. “Save the Best for Last:” Vanessa Williams 3. “Tears in Heaven:” Eric Clapton Top Artists Today Male: Jack Harlow Female: Dua Lipa Top Artists 20 Years Ago Male: Usher Female: Jennifer Lopez Top 3 Podcasts This Week According to Spotify 1. “The Joe Rogan Experience” 2. “MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories” 3. “Batman Unburied” Top Grossing Films This week: “The Bad Guys” Sixty Five Years Ago: “The Bridge on the River Kwai”

Eli Louis photo

“A date to come with might be nice. But I expect her to be willing to destroy at least one food web or ecosystem. After the wedding, I would like to pointlessly burn plastic together.”

When asked if he had any other details he would like to add, Louis said, “I would like for my date who will be willing to share her buried treasure clues with me, but will expect nothing in return.”

If Louis seems to be the perfect match for you, please be sure to act quickly, as spots are surely going to fill up fast.

Louis asks that you contact him via Instagram at @_louis_eli_ for any further questions, as well as to put in your official application to be his wedding date.

Top 3 TV Shows on Netflix This Week 1. “Selling Sunset” 2. “The Marked Heart” 3. “Ozark” Top 3 TV Shows 60 Years Ago 1. “Wagon Train” 2. “Bonanza” 3. “The Beverly Hillbillies” In the News: 1. “Moderna vaccine will be available to children under six in June” 2. “Pelosi hopes to approve $33 billion Ukraine aid” 3. “The Supreme Court strikes to overturn Roe v.

Wade”

PAGE 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

The 814: Visit Zodiac Dinor

By Victoria McGinty Managing editor

If you crave the traditional American diner experience, the Zodiac Dinor is Erie’s own American Dream.

Located at 2516 State Street, this place is a staple for breakfast or brunch in Erie.

Like any true diner, the Zodiac is home to an amazing staff.

They will give you tips on the best menu items and make sure your coffee is always hot.

When dining there to craft this article, the restaurant was packed, but the staff still made sure to give us a memorable dining experience.

Our server was very talkative and friendly, and she went above and beyond.

While the venue is on the

smaller side and can easily become cramped due to its popularity, it is worth it for the menu and pricing.

The restaurant’s theme is iconic with a colorful exterior and a retro outer space theme to compliment the inside of the restaurant.

While most diners aim to capture the essence of 1950s American culture, the Zodiac does something different—and it works.

The result is a quirky, zany spot with incredible food and service.

As for the menu, the diner has an array of breakfast classics, lunches and a rotation of seasonal specials.

As someone who loves breakfast food, it was a very hard choice to pick just one thing off the menu.

Everything sounds absolutely delicious, so making a selection was nearly impossible.

While visiting the Zodiac, I

chose the “Big Dipper.”

This is a breakfast menu item that includes two eggs of any style, bacon or sausage, and toast.

Priced at $4.99, this plate was bigger than one could have anticipated.

I dare you to find another diner in Erie offering better for less.

The serving sizes are enormous and almost impossible to finish.

The price is definitely worth the size and quantity, especially on a college student’s budget.

While one can find joy in the traditional breakfast choices, the Zodiac also offers a variety of Belgian waffles, French toast as well as Big A$$ pancakes.

Yes, that is actually what it is called on the menu, no joke.

While one can enjoy these griddle classics plain, the diner is always featuring these items with

special toppings or inclusions.

As summer is quickly approaching, the diner is currently offering a special on strawberry Belgian waffles and apple pie French toast.

If sweet breakfasts are not your style, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Everything you try on the menu is sure to surprise and delight you.

If you are one who does not particularly like breakfast, the diner also has some classic lunch menu items as well.

One can choose from a variety of grilled favorites such as hot dogs and hamburgers, chicken sandwiches as well as a variety of salads.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is similar to any hometown restaurant.

It is very family-friendly and resembles what any small-town din-

er is good at, which is hospitality.

The staff is incredibly welcoming and attentive and the service, even on a busy Sunday morning, will go above and beyond to make your experience memorable.

While the restaurant may not be the most spacious in Erie, it is still incredibly special to the area.

Even better, it’s not too far from campus!

I would highly suggest you stop in at least once.

Currently, the diner is open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm every day.

If you are looking for a new spot for a girls’ day brunch or somewhere local to try just because, then I suggest the Zodiac Dinor.

You’ll be back for more before you know it!

Hurst Hot Take: Freaks and Geeks

Contributed photo

The main cast of Freaks and Geeks.

By Hannah Brooks Features editor

When you think of your favorite television series, you most likely envision shows with wonderfully written character arcs, stories and other exciting components to them.

You most likely are not thinking of a show that did not even last one season and had a total of eighteen episodes before its demise.

However, a show that was arguably written before its time, “Freaks and Geeks” is the perfect comfort show to watch. The show premiered in 1999, but is set in 1980 in a small town in Michigan.

The show follows Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini) and her younger brother Sam (John Francis Daley) through their interactions with friends, family and peers.

Lindsay is a mathlete who has started hanging out with the “burnouts,” aka “freaks,” at school.

Her brother and his friends belong to a group who has been given the title of “geeks.”

“Freaks and Geeks” focuses on a lot of the normal coming-ofage components that most shows touch on.

The Weir siblings are caught in teenage dilemmas of doing what is right versus wrong, standing up for their friends and choosing between friends and family.

Though the show was shortlived, in the first and only season of the show we got to see each sibling deal with relationships and the subsequent drama that comes with dating as a teenager.

The awkward interactions and cringey dialogue perfectly capture what it is like to be a teenager.

We are able to watch both characters grow and find themselves and what makes them truly happy over the series.

As mentioned, the show takes place in the 80’s but aired two de-

cades later.

Funnily enough, it is interesting even now how similar situations are from both of those times to today.

For example, being that technology was not nearly where it is now in 1980, or in 1999, it is interesting to see a show without cell phones or any mention of them.

There are also many pop culture references made throughout the show that are so different from now.

References that would have been innovative or funny at the time remind you that the show was made before our time. It also provides insight into what it must have been like to be in high school in 1980 compared to being a high schooler during the 2000s.

Though the show only lasted a season, the project was actually the first for many stars who ended up breaking out and becoming very successful.

A number of the actors rose to unbelievable success, and you may recognize many of these names today.

Linda Cardellini is well known for many shows and movies such as “Scooby Doo” and more recently “Dead to Me.” Jason Segel is known for “How I Met Your Mother” as well as many comedies.

James Franco is well-known for many movies including “Pineapple Express” and the original “Spider-Man” alongside Toby Maguire.

Seth Rogen is known today not only for his many movies including “Knocked Up,” but he is also become somewhat of a TikTok celebrity with his pottery hobby.

While many of these stars rose to fame shortly after the demise of the short-lived show, they were just starting out when the show first aired.

Judd Apatow, the director, has also risen to prominence in Holly-

wood and is known for a number of movies that he has created over the years.

His family is a powerhouse in Hollywood, including the likes of Leslie Mann and Maude Apatow.

Getting to see so many actors that are famous today as teens is really unique, and I think that is what makes the show special.

“Freaks and Geeks” is the perfect comfort show and is one that would not require much attention to detail being that the show does not provide much of a conclusion.

Though that may seem like a bit of a letdown, that is just another interesting part of the show.

You get to ultimately decide where the characters of the show may be today.

As of 2021, the show is available to stream on Hulu.

This summer, as you look for new shows to binge watch and get lost in, make sure to check out “Freaks and Geeks.”

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 11

Raw Edges showcases senior talents

Contributed photo

MIAC’s promotion for Raw Edges XXIV.

By Annie Markel Staff writer

Costuming, lighting, casting, choreography, beats, rhythm, movement and energy are only a couple of things on the senior dance majors’ minds for their Raw Edges pieces.

Raw Edges is the senior capstone of the Dance Department.

All the hard work the senior dancers put into their Mercyhurst career leads up to this.

They must research their idea for their piece, cast dancers and put their work into motion, all in the spring term of their final year here at Mercyhurst.

This is the 24th showcase of Raw Edges, and each one is better than the last.

Each piece is so unique and special that any could easily bring a tear the audience’s eyes and for all different reasons.

Dance majors are taught throughout their years at Mercyhurst how to be good choreographers and go through many assignments and lessons to get to this point.

This is now the time they really get to explore their own voice and soul through movement.

Not only must they do self-exploration, but then they must express their thoughts and feelings through their fellow dancers. The seniors must have faith in their cast to portray their vision.

These are 8–10-minute pieces, so the seniors have a lot of music to fill. These are the longest pieces they have been asked to create in the Dance curriculum.

Each student has their own story to tell. Some derive from scientific research, others from personal pain and a few are just about having fun.

All are special to the choreographer. They share their story and ideas with their dancers which can sometimes be very hard to do, especially if the dance is about personal struggles.

Many of the dances this year come from pain. Chronic pain, illness, injury and loneliness are big themes that were clear to everyone in the audience this weekend.

The pieces are incredibly moving, and one can feel the choreographer’s agony sitting in the red seats of the Performing Arts

Center.

One piece that was particularly moving was by Emmaline Devore called “(ANTI)Social.” This piece was about social anxiety and what it is truly like to be confined to your own self-destructing bubble.

It was so incredible to see a disorder many people struggle with silently be put into motion on a big stage.

The costuming of this piece was impeccable. It was simple, with a black unitard and each dancer wore a different colored blazer; this showed in the individualism that is plaguing our world today and how that only makes social anxiety worse.

In the end, when we shed our different colors, we are all in the same boat.

Another piece that was beautifully personal was by Angela Lutz.

Her piece was all about no pain/ no gain, called “Do I Quietly Walk on this Path of Suffering.”

The trauma that comes with injury is something that is so individual to each dancer.

Not only is an activity and schooling ripped from the dancer, but also their art form. Imagine your form of self-expression being taken from you in one pivotal moment that you can not take back.

The isolation of injury is something that needs to be talked about more in the dance world.

Proper physical healing is there, but the mental healing is silent and can go without notice.

Angela did a fantastic job of painting a chronology of the highs, the injury and the healing process.

The costuming and lighting were so well done as well. The dancers were fierce and emotional all while portraying a story so close to their choreographer.

However, other pieces are purely from curiosity and self-discovery. Many seniors do not want to take a personal route and that is perfectly fine. Some choose to explore a different side of dance they have not experienced in their time, or some choose to take a scientific route to forming the theme of their dance.

Some researched different therapies, how the brain works and many other topics that many do not think about when it comes to putting a contemporary dance

piece together.

One dance that really stuck out was by Sydney Gondringer.

Her piece was titled “Painting the Brain.” Sydney said she researched how color can remind people of memories, make emotions appear and affect our overall lifestyle.

Color theory is such an interesting topic to choose because it is all mental; no one can see it. However, using notes from research, making motions from this phenomenon is really quite incredible.

This would be like trying to put love into motion.

Gondringer did a fantastic job with her colors, lighting and choreography. Her music was a mix of disco-funk and contemporary which helped to bring out emotions of the audience as well.

As said, some dances are derived from learning a new type of dance in a self-taught way.

The beginning of the show started with a flamenco piece choreographed by Jenna Fritz. The piece, called “Crimson” was fierce and bold. The girls wore black and carried traditional fans.

Every movement was so sharp it could cut diamonds. The rich tones of the lighting and coloring were so seamlessly put together to create an experience as if one was truly watching a traditional Spanish women perform.

Jenna was heavily inspired by her love of women in espionage, which is her choice of genre. It was incredible the detail she put into her dance and seeing how powerful the women felt on stage.

It really was like watching a spy work.

Ramani Rosa was very open about his self-exploration inspired piece. His dance was straight out of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The piece was called “Club Confiteor” which translates to “Club Confession.”

Ramani says this is a confession of his soul’s movements. He wanted to put all of himself into this piece with the costuming, lighting and movement.

It is a fun, poppy piece that makes the audience’s inner partier come out. However, the ending is quite tragic.

The dance ends with the dancers falling one by one until there is only one left. The piece is dedicat-

ed to the Pulse Night club shooting in Orlando, Florida, in 2016.

Sadly, this was a mass shooting that ended with 49 people dead and 53 wounded.

Rosa dedicates the piece to the victims of this horrific act and anyone who has ever felt hatred or intolerance.

Another fantastic piece was the finale of the whole show. This was one for the books.

Maya Richards knows how to put on a show and she did just that. Maya is half Japanese, and her culture is extremely important to her.

Her family is a part of a Japanese drumming group out of Cleveland, Ohio, which is where much of her love for music derives from.

She decided that, for her senior thesis, she wanted her beautiful culture and family to be a part of her choreography.

The drummers are a part of the dance, and the dancers work seamlessly with them. This was such an incredible dance that everyone said that was their favorite of the show.

The musicians and dancers all looked so happy to bring Maya’s vision to life. Nothing is more important than sharing one’s culture with others.

The choreography, lighting, costuming and drumming were so powerful and strong that the audience members felt like warriors enveloped in the piece.

Of course, there are many other senior choreographers in the showcase as well.

Grace Sinke had two pieces in the program. One was her independent study about chronic pain and the spoon theory called “Beautiful Life.” This dance was agonizing and inspiring at the same time with dancers supporting each other through hardships.

Her other was a piece called “Pomp and Sunscreen” dedicated to her last few weeks at Mercyhurst and the emotions one goes through when preparing for graduation. It was fun and inspirational with a twist of speech, which is not common in this showcase.

Taylor Lowe was another choreographer who decided to pursue a more theoretical route in her capstone by researching why people are drawn to explore. Why are hu-

mans always curious?

Her piece, “Just Go,” was inspired by the wanderlust of humans and our instinct to seek out more, always more.

Libby Bullinger’s piece, called “Healing Bones, Fractured Minds,” was another about the effects of injury on a dancer’s life and mental health.

The dancers were quick to understand Libby’s desire for raw emotion. She had the biggest cast of 14 people, which is undeniably hard to work with. Libby certainly took a leap with her piece in casting that many people; however, it was successful in the end.

Some pieces were even on the creepier side. Payton Carroll took a different approach than her fellow students by creating a feeling of eeriness and desolation.

Her piece, “_topia,” was about the dystopian society that many authors love to imagine. Her movements were all sharp and the dancers hardly made an expression, which made the piece even more hair-raising.

Finally, MJ White choreographed a piece that was incredibly moving. Her dancers moved so fluidly and seamlessly.

Each time she watched her piece, “Compatior, Compati, Compassio”, MJ cried. It was so personal to her, and one could clearly see the emotion and time she put into her piece.

Her piece was about having compassion for others and never knowing what another human is going through. We have each other on this earth to help one another, but we still cannot seem to understand this.

The show was so incredible, and one could clearly see the intense emotion, hard work and challenges these choreographers and dancers went through to get to this point.

Congratulations to all the people who were part of making this show possible. Every single person was important, and the show wouldn’t run like a well-oiled machine if it was not for every single individual.

These seniors should be so proud of their work and will go on to do incredible things beyond graduation.

OPINION

PAGE 12

GOOD This is the last week of classes!

BAD Final exams are next week.

HAPPY Warmer weather is coming!

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Bryce Vine thrives at MU

By Emma Coppolo A&E editor

Springfest, or “HurstChella” if you prefer, was an absolute blast. While many of the people at the concert weren’t familiar with Bryce Vine’s music, the vibes were immaculate regardless. As the first normal Springfest in my years at Mercyhurst, it was an amazing time.

I’ve been listening to Bryce Vine since high school, so I was super excited when I heard he was coming to campus. I personally feel like he’s a very underrated artist, but it was still surprising that he came to Mercyhurst.

My favorite moment of the evening was when Vine mentioned that this was his first visit to Erie and he liked it so far, which was followed by the entire crowd shaking their heads and disagreeing. It felt a bit like a joke that all of us were in on.

As previously mentioned, Vine’s music by and large was unknown by most of the audience. However, he played

a few of his big hits that were amazing live.

“Drew Barrymore” was Vine’s first major hit, which was very evident as everyone screamed it along with him.

This song was everywhere when it came out in 2018. We were all in high school at that time, so it had a nostalgic feel to it.

“Sour Patch Kids” is the biggest hit on his 2014 debut album, and everyone absolutely lost it when Vine played it on Saturday. It’s such a feel-good song, and it was genuinely just so fun to get to experience it with my friends.

“Glamorama” is a song that I was really hoping Vine would play, and I’m still in recovery from it. It was so unbelievably good; this honestly might have been my favorite performance of the night.

The last favorite I’m going to hype up is “La La Land.”

I personally don’t like the version with the YG feature, and I was really nervous that a recording of it would be played during its section in the song as some concerts do.

Thankfully, this was not the case and Vine performed the entire song as it should be: by himself.

Live performances can often be disappointing as a lot of artists don’t sound nearly as good live as they do in the studio. That could not be less true for Vine. His voice sounds exactly as good in person as it does on recording.

The best part of it all, though, was his stage presence. Mercyhurst is undoubtedly one of the smallest venues Vine has played at recently, especially considering that he performed at Coachella shortly before coming to campus. Even though the crowd was smaller than he’s used to, he still gave the performance everything he had.

I think everyone would agree that the show was fantastic, and I thought it was super cool to be seeing an artist that I like so much come to Mercyhurst.

As a smaller school, we definitely don’t have the amenities of notoriety, like having the biggest acts at our events. I always get jealous of my friends at bigger schools getting to see people like Jack Harlow and COIN. Having Bryce Vine here felt special, and I’m really glad that we all got to be a part of it.

The highs and lows of the Hurst

By Victoria McGinty

The Merciad STUDENT EDITORS Samantha Weber .................... Editor in Chief Victoria McGinty .................. Managing Editor Eva Mihelich ................................News Editor Hannah Brooks...................... Features Editor Sydney Dietz ..............................Sports Editor Emma Coppolo ............................. A&E Editor Mackenzie Zent ....................... Opinion Editor Joe Talarico ...................................Copy Editor Steph Przepiora ...................................Advisor Kristian Biega ......................................Advisor Contact editors at merciad@mercyhurst.edu

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published throughout the school year. Our office is in Hirt, Room 110.

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor.

All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit.

Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters via email at merciad@ mercyhurst.edu.

Managing editor

August 16, 2019 feels like it was yesterday.

Moving away for the first time on my own was already a whirlwind alas, I had no idea what was in store and how the road ahead would unfurl.

While I was at first excited about my time at Mercyhurst, it saddens me to say that I am eager to say goodbye.

When I came to Mercyhurst I was excited about a fresh start and the chance to start over.

Instead, my college experience was met with a pandemic, drama and more roommates than I can count on one hand.

Although, instead of completely focusing this article solely on the negative things, I want to list the good, and propose some things I believe would make Hurst feel more like home.

First, I am grateful for the academics. I have taken so many unique courses and have learned under some of the best professors out there.

Where else could I learn about the plastic pink flamingos and

the ways religion can impact our human relations?

Additionally, the diversity of clubs and organizations is incredible.

I was a part of clubs that suit my academic interests such as the History Club where I was able to meet others in my major and interact with students who are there solely for their love of it.

There are quite a few things I wish this campus would improve and or adjust for future students. The first is the housing experience.

I personally have encountered some awful living arrangements and I wish the campus would allow offcampus housing.

My college experience was dampened severely by housing. Given the opportunity to live off-campus with my long-term significant other, I believe I would have been much happier, less stressed and more prepared to live independently The second improvement I would like to see is more options for food services.

While the dining halls are mediocre, the menu is routine and the same foods are always offered. I would like to see the amazing kitchen staff find other recipes and offer more

special events.

Lastly, I hope that Mercyhurst will improve its parking rules and regulations.

As a female student, having to park in the McAuley lot at night as a last resort is something I dread.

There are so many places we cannot park and that should not always be the case.

I often dread leaving campus during the week because I fear I will not find a spot that is close enough to my residence building and walking alone at night from a further distance is something I would like to avoid whenever possible.

With that being said, I want to thank the university for a roller coaster of a college experience.

I am grateful for the outstanding education and I will take my experiences here into the world with me (when I officially graduate in 227 days of writing this) as I will use what I learned here for the rest of my life.

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are welcome and can be emailed to merciad@mercyhurst.edu

OPINION

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

PAGE 13

Summer of adventure HURST STUDENTS

By Samantha Weber Editor in chief

At the time this issue is published, I can go home in exactly two weeks. I have been counting down the days for a while now because I am so excited to go home. I love being here at school with my friends, but at points, it is very stressful and overwhelming.

This year was better than last year because we actually had a spring break and could relax for a week instead of having random Wednesdays off throughout the semester.

I am so excited for summer because I made a bucket list of some things I want to do over the summer and the list keeps growing.

I want to visit my friends from school in both Cleveland and Buffalo and go explore

FOLLOW US!

their cities. I want to go see different places in Pittsburgh that I have not been to yet or have not been to in a while.

This semester, something must have changed in my head because I have never had this adventurous mind before.

I always knew I wanted to travel, but I felt like something was holding me back and I finally feel that I am free of whatever that was and I can live my life how I want to.

I also had the realization that college is flying by more than I would like it to and that I only have two more years here.

I am expecting those two years to go by as quickly as the first two did and I am not happy about it.

I know I have to move on at some point, but I truly do not think there is a way to prepare

students for how quickly college will go by.

Everyone always said enjoy it because it will be gone soon, but I never thought it would go by this quickly.

Once this realization hit me, I decided that life is also just as short and I do not want to live it with any regrets.

I am going to go exploring, visit friends, go to concerts and find more things that I love to do in my life before I do not have the time to.

One of the biggest things I am looking forward to is my friend coming to visit. I have not seen her in two years, so I am very much looking forward to catching up.

I also have an internship that I will be doing throughout the summer that I am really excited about.

SPEAK UP We asked: What is your favorite summer activity?

Ryan Wallace, junior sports medicine pre-PA major: “Hitting the links with the guys.”

Micah Suckow, junior athletic training major: “Hanging out with friends. It’s always a good time.”

Eric Havens, freshman finance major: “Cornhole, obviously.”

Matt Hill, junior geology major with a minor in computer science: “My favorite summer activity is going to the beach.”

Twitter: @TheMerciad Instagram: @mumerciad Facebook: The Merciad

Compiled by RayLynn Chraston

Tag us in your newsworthy Hurst moments!

Freshman to senior in the blink of an eye

By Isabella Lee Staff editor

It feels like yesterday that the school year started.

2021 and 2022 have gone by in an instant.

One day I’m figuring out my junior year classes and what I need to do to fulfill my internship requirements, and the next day I’m of legal drinking age, a year away from graduation.

I have grown exponentially in both experience and maturity, and in such a short

amount of time and I’m not sure if that’s awesome or terrifying.

The main thing that I’m looking forward to next year is the fact that I’m going to be a senior. It’s crazy that it’s happening so suddenly, when I sometimes still feel like I’m a freshman. At the same time I’m definitely looking forward to how all of my college experience has culminated into this moment.

I’m also looking forward to my senior project. As a public history major, I get a project rather than a thesis, and I’ve been brainstorming what I’ve been wanting to do for several months now.

Recently, my advisor, Dr. Magoc, gave me the idea of helping with Mercyhurst’s oral history for the school’s upcoming centennial.

That is something I’m considering as it would be a major honor to be a part of something so important for the school.

Another thing that I’m excited about for next year is the potential new friends. There will be a variety of freshmen and transfers that will be coming in, so I would be more than happy to guide them in unfamiliar territory.

Additionally, one of my closest friends is graduating this year, so

it’ll be an opportunity for me to navigate college without him always by my side.

Most of all, I’m just looking forward to what it’s going to be like as a college senior.

I know I’m repeating myself, but I simply can’t believe that it’s happened so quickly.

I’ll be working on senior requirements such as Ethics, I’ll be honored as an outgoing senior at the Ambassador Spring Tea, I’ll attend my last Hurst Day and SpringFest, the list goes on.

While my summer plans ended up being different than what I intended, I’m beyond excited to return

to Mercyhurst for my last year.

A year from now, I’ll probably be writing an article here for the last time, reflecting on my four years here and what my plans are for the future.

It’s unbelievable, it’s scary, it’s amazing, and I can’t wait to see what happens.

SPORTS

PAGE 14

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Softball is headed to the PSAC playoffs

By Sydney Dietz Sports editor

The Mercyhurst softball team is heading to the PSAC playoffs after winning back to back games against the Clarion University Golden Eagles.

The team was on a nine-game streak and their triumph over Clarion pushed it to 11 games.

The softball team has been outstanding this season with only 11 losses out of 41 games.

Their last double header was against Hurst rival the Gannon Golden Knights in which the Lakers won. For the last few weeks nothing has stopped them and this game against the Golden Eagles was no exception.

The first game was played on Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m., at the Mercyhurst softball field.

Neither team scored in the first inning but the Lakers stepped up in the second inning with five runs, even after suffering two outs.

Sophomore Kaci Alderson earned a walk which led to the Laker’s productive inning.

Freshman Hannah Rozanski hit her third home run of the season which put Mercyhurst up 2-0.

After two pitches, senior Chloe McQuestion doubled to right

center which continued the dynamic energy on the field.

Soon after, freshman Eliza Reynolds got a double of her own, which meant McQuestion could advance to the third play.

Redshirt freshman Kacie Irwin made it to first base after receiving a walk. Senior Cheyenne Hindman drove in McQuestion from the third with a walk which put the score up to 3-0.

Later in the inning, junior Allison Dejidas singled which brought home Irwin and Reynold making the score 5-0.

The Golden Eagles did not score until the fourth inning.

However, the Lakers responded in the bottom of the fourth by obtaining a run increasing the score to 6-1.

In the sixth inning, the Lakers advanced their score by three.

Hindman singled to junior Anna O’Green then Dejidas doubled home Reynolds and Hindman to make the score 9-2. Junior Marisa Cartellone singled home to end the game with a final score of 10-2.

The second game was played at 3 p.m. and ended with a sweep from the Lakers. Only five innings were needed due to the Lakers scoring. Graduate student Sarah Koscho started the scoring in the second inning with a single

Hurst Athletics photo

Sophomore pitcher Mikaela Schramski prepares for a pitch during a double header against the Clarion Golden Eagles.

to center and second with a third after a wild pitch.

Alderson then lifted a fly ball to center which drove in Koscho.

After a ground out, Rozanski singled with two outs to start a scoring streak. McQuestion got a single which put the runners on first and second base. Reynolds then doubled to left field and scored both runners.

The Lakers scored three more times in the bottom of the third which changed the score to 6-0.

After a fly out, Alderson was hit by a pitch to put two runners on.

In the fourth inning, the Lakers scored even more points when Alderson got a single that brought Dejidas and Reynolds in.

The Lakers celebrated a victory with a final score of 8-0. Because

the Lakers have worked so hard to achieve the record they earned this season, they will now compete at the PSAC playoffs.

The Lakers clinched the third seed in the West. The first game will be held on Wednesday, May 6, when they go up against Shippensburg in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Way to go Lakers!

Get to know the cross country coach HURST RESULTS

By Samantha Weber Editor-in-chief

Michael Williamson has been coaching the men’s and women’s cross country teams since 2020.

He has been the assistant head coach for both teams since 2014.

In his time as an assistant coach, three men and four women achieved all-conference honors.

Williamson talks about how he became a coach at Mercyhurst.

“After graduation, I took on the role of assistant coach to the program for the 2014 season and held that role until 2020 when coaches Mike and Kathy Fraley announced their retirement after 30+ years with the program.

I then took on the role of head coach in 2020,” he said.

Williamson graduated from Mercyhurst in 2014 with a degree in Social Work. He also ran cross country for the Lakers from 2010-2013.

In his last year, he was named the team captain and led the men to have the highest conference and regional finish that year.

Williamson lives in Erie with his wife Rosemary. She helps coach Gannon’s cross country teams.

Williamson currently works full-time at The Charter School of Excellence.

“The school district focuses on urban youth who are two or more years below grade level

and support them through their Social Emotional and Academic barriers,” said Williamson.

While not working at school and coaching, Williamson teaches pro-social skills to Juvenile Probation clients, trains to stay a competitive runner, loves spending time with his wife and their dog, Biscuit, and watching Marvel and Star Wars.

Williamson recalled the first time he started running.

“I have been running distance since I was 13 years old when I started doing track in 7th grade.,” Williamson said. “My homeroom teacher recommended I join the track team after always wanting to run around the track each time we went outside to walk it. After middle school track, I went out for the high school cross country team and have enjoyed running ever since.”

Coaching is a difficult job and one must really love the sport and the kids in order to be the best coach for the team. Williamson comments on his favorite part about being a coach, “I love being the biggest fan of my student athletes. Seeing the hard work that they put in pay off and seeing them celebrate their accomplishments and successes,” Williamson said. “I enjoy sharing my love of the sport of running with all of them and

April 28: Men’s lacrosse vs.

Davis & Elkins College: 23-5 Lakers

Hurst Athletics Photo

Mercyhurst’s cross country coach Michael Willamson.

to see them appreciate and enjoy the sport more and more as they progress through the program.”

The team just took a trip to Boston for the Boston Marathon. Williamson said it was one of his favorite memories as a coach because he got to see his teams experience one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the world.

Williamson is very proud of the teams so far but he would love to see them improve.

“ I am excited to see the growth of all the student athletes from this past season into next season. Both teams had individual successes this past year that they can build off of with a solid summer training season coming up to be ready to race in the fall,” said Williamson.

April 30: Women’s Lacrosse vs.

Gannon: 13-9, Lakers April 30: Men’s Tennis vs.

Edinboro University : 3-4, Edinboro

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

SPORTS

PAGE 15

A strong season finish for women’s golf

By Raylynn Chraston Staff writer

The women’s golf team made it to the PSAC Championship, which began April 22 and ran through April 24.

The championship was held in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, at the Berkleigh Golf Club approximately six hours away from Mercyhurst.

The championship was a 54hole event. The women’s team made this trip after they had spent a week with a pair of events that took place within the Erie area. Additionally, the team had made history for their program, with this being their first time in the NCAA Tournament.

In previous years, they sadly fell short, being runners-up in the last two PSAC Championships.

After the opening day of the PSAC Championship, the Lakers found themselves in third place. Additionally, they shot a 344 for this opening day.

For this day, the top performers for the women’s team were Kymberly Henry, a junior from Erie, Pennsylvania, and Isabella Walter, a sophomore from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;

Hurst Athletics photo

The women’s golf team placed second overall in the 2022 PSAC Championship held in Kutztown.

where they tied for eleventh place scoring 85 in the opening round.

Furthermore, on the opening day, Millersville was one shot ahead of the Lakers.

Gannon University was the leader, shooting a score of 323, making it a 20-shot lead in front of Mercyhurst.

On the second day of the PSAC Championship, the Lak-

ers found themselves ranked in second place, after 36 holes of the competition. Their score of 327 allowed them to move up from third to second place.

Walter, again, was the top performer for the women’s team in the second round. During this round, she used a pair of birdies on the front nine, which shot her up the leaderboard where she was sitting in third out of

all of the competitors. Overall, she shot 74 on that day.

The next on the leaderboard for the Lakers was Sofia Carrizosa, a sophomore from Bogota, Colombia.

Carrizosa had shot a score of 83 during this round, where she posted a 41 on the front nine, and then shot 42 on the back to close out her round. Because of her score, she had tied for

twelfth out of all of the competitors that were at the championship.

Gannon still held the position of first place.

Closing out the championship, the Lakers improved during the third round as they were coming to an end of their season at the PSAC Championship with a score of 324.

Overall, the women’s team earned their third consecutive PSAC runner-up finish, behind Gannon University.

The top performer of the closing day was Henry, where she had an even par through her first six holes as well as had two birdies. Mercyhurst’s women’s golf top finisher for the championship was Walter.

Walter finished strong, tying for sixth out of all of the competitors in the championship.

The women’s golf team had a successful season. The Lakers had made history for their program, where they were excited to have done this.

The season was memorable for them, and they intend on continuing to improve and hopefully come out on top next season.

NFL Draft showcases up-and-coming stars

By Bella Lee Staff writer

One of the most exciting parts about professional sports are the drafts. College athletes prove themselves to the big leagues as fans are eager to watch their careers grow.

On April 28-30, the highly anticipated NFL draft occurred.

The team with the most successful first round was the New York Jets, who had a total of three picks in that round—most teams have only one and are extremely lucky if they nab a second pick.

The Jets took Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner with the fourth pick, Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson with the 10th pick and Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II with the 26th pick.

The Jets also secured their later two picks thanks to a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for the tenth pick and the Tennessee Titans for the 26th pick.

Of course, no NFL draft would be a genuine one without guest announcers. One particular heartwarming announcer was Sam Prince, a Make-a-Wish kid who announced the New York Giants’ fifth overall pick of Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Another Make-a-Wish kid, Ben Lepper, helped announce the New England Patriots’ 15th over-

ESPN

The first round picks of the NFL draft took place April 28-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

all pick of Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.

Representatives from the American Cancer Society, the Special Olympics, the Wounded Warrior Project and three recipients of the Purple Heart Award all assisted in announcing picks.

The biggest part of the NFL draft is who gets selected first overall. Some of the famous (and infamous) first overall picks have included OJ Simpson in 1969, Cam Newton in 2011 and Jared Goff in 2016.

The past five years have also seen huge names come out of the

first overall pick, with Myles Garrett in 2017, Baker Mayfield in 2018, Kyler Murray in 2019, Joe Burrow in 2020 and Trevor Lawrence in 2021.

This year’s first overall pick, by the Jacksonville Jaguars, was Georgia defensive end Travon Walker.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ firstround pick, 20th overall, was University of Pittsburgh star quarterback, Kenny Pickett.

Pickett seems to be in position to be former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s heir.

The Washington Commanders

first round pick, sixteenth overall, was Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

This was followed by second round, 47th overall pick, Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.

The third round, 98th overall pick was Alabama wide receiver Brian Robinson Jr., while the fourth round, 113th overall pick was Louisiana safety Percy Butler.

The Commanders continued with two picks each in the fifth and seventh rounds. In the fifth round, the 144th overall pick was UNC quarterback Sam Howell,

while the 149th overall pick was Nevada tight end Cole Turner.

Finally, in the seventh round, the 230th overall pick was Tulsa offensive lineman Chris Paul and the 240th overall pick was Oklahoma State cornerback Christian Holmes.

No matter what team you support in the NFL, it is undeniable that these rosters are stacked. We can not wait until Sept. 8, when the 2022 NFL season officially begins!

PAGE 16

LAKER LIVING

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You Ewes and Rams will find your ideas cheered by a mostly receptive flock.

Those few dissenters could well be turned around by your charm and powers of persuasion.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s time for the bold and beautiful Bovine to shake off the dust of the past and shape up with new ideas for the future.

This could surprise some folks, but they’ll soon adjust.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Those nagging new doubts about an upcoming decision should alert you to step back (at least temporarily) so you can reassess its potential impact from a new perspective.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) That unpleasant situation you hoped would go away by itself needs immediate attention before it affects an upcoming decision. Expect your supporters to rally around your cause.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) You’re moving up and away from that recent setback. But remain cautious about finances. An exercise in thrift today helps cushion a possible end-of-themonth money squeeze.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You’re still dealing with overtones of pessimism that cause you to doubt your ability to make some needed changes. But the negative pressures will ease up by week’s end.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) There could be some fallout from the way you handled a recent family problem. But those who know that you were in the right won’t hesitate to step in on your behalf.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Financial strains ease by week’s end. Meanwhile, focus on cultivating that new relationship if you hope to have it blossom into something more meaningful.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Health matters once again dominate the week. Be careful not to ignore recurrences of an old problem. An almost-forgotten commitment resurfaces.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) The emergence of an unusual selfish streak could dismay those close to you. Defy it — don’t justify it — so you can become your gracious self again.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Reassess your decision to stay with the status quo. It might seem like the sensible thing to do right now, but changes around you could make that choice a risky one.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Move decisively but cautiously when dealing with a delicate personal matter. The fewer mistakes you make now, the less likely it is that the problem will recur later on.

BORN THIS WEEK: You can find beauty where many cannot. And you enjoy sharing your discovery with others. © 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

HURST TOON

Student-drawn cartoon by the Martian