SPRING 2022 MIDTERM EDITION
@WUYELLOWJACKET
FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • VOL. 99 NO. 02 • EST. 1924
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OP-ED
REGION
SPORTS
Spring break provides much needed rest for students. Break begins Saturday, Feb. 26.
State Representative Pam Snyder announces her retirment after serving 9 years in office.
Brooke Fuller and Matt Popeck reflect on their basketball careers at Waynesburg University.
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Celebrating Black History Month Criminal Justice House receives new equipment RILEY HOLSINGER For The Yellow Jacket
Abigail Phillips, The Yellow Jacket
Diversity and Belonging club hosts educational events ALEXANDRA MORAR Editorial Assistant
In honor of Black History Month, Waynesburg University’s Diversity and Belonging Student Advisory Board is embracing education on campus. The club said they strive to clear misconceptions and inform Waynesburg of struggles different groups face through a book club, movie nights, discussion groups and even sharing a meal. Some of their February events include a virtual “Corporate Diversity” presentation on Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and “An Evening of Music” with Joy Ike Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. in the Benedum Glass Room. There is also a special book display in Eberly Library honoring Black History Month. Perspectives on Diversity Sarah Bell, the university’s career development specialist and study abroad coordinator, is the advisor
of the Board. Waynesburg’s Diversity and Belonging Initiative began over the summer of 2020, encouraging a diversity training session amongst faculty and staff. The Student Advisory Board was then developed in the fall. Since then, the Board has led diversity workshops, conducted a book club on Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy,” hosted guest speakers and holds monthly meetings. They are even aiming to improve campus accessibility for disabled individuals. “Since we started the initiative on campus to really make it an intentional effort to have conversations about diversity and belonging,” Bell said. “[To] see, hear and understand, has been a theme for us as a group when we're thinking about what we want to plan, how we respond to things that come off or just what we're doing in general.” Bell explained that the club really pushes the idea of everyone having
an equal voice. She did admit that it is difficult at times to have a balance and ensure that every group is heard. However, she believes valuing all groups equally is key. Bell explained what diversity means to her. “[Diversity] is such a big umbrella term, that it really encompasses any underrepresented group,” Bell said. “It could be anything that makes someone unique.” She further her explanation by emphasizing the extent of diversity. Bell included the club’s mission to tackle issues regarding military students, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, international students and even non-traditional students. “I think that there are just a lot of components that go into it,” she said. “And I think that that can be really rewarding.” Admissions Counselor and Graduate Student Isaiah Skeete shared his view of diversity in an email interview.
“Diversity means a lot to me,” Skeete said. “Diversity to me means that you are accepting and understanding of others’ opinions. This allows you to grow as a person and be informed of different perspectives.” As an undergraduate student at Waynesburg, Skeete was involved in the Student Advisory Board his senior year, 2020-2021. He helped organize and lead the “Let’s Talk about Race” workshop, in which different kinds of racism were discussed. He explained how it was an open forum for students to ask questions about societal approaches to racism. Skeete also led an event for criminal justice majors to study injustice in the criminal justice system. Skeete described the CJ event as “an open forum to talk about different policing events that happened and hear other students’ perspectives regarding these events.”
The basement of the CSI Center recently received a new addition that provides students with a “very realistic” patrolling experience. The Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences was gifted with a Patrol Simulator 7 created by L3Harris. According to
different from anything we’ve done,” senior criminal justice student Matt Dougher said. “This is a whole new experience.” “Not only is it good for us to get the feel of getting in behind the wheel of a police car, but it also helps us to navigate through problems that might come up while you’re driving and different conditions that
“We’re one of the only higher ed institutions that are using these.” ADAM JACK
Chairperson for the Department of Criminal Justice
department Chairperson Adam Jack, this magnitude of patrolling simulator equipment is not rare to see at police academies, but it is rare for colleges and universities to possess. “They sell these all over the world,” Jack said. “They didn’t know if another school had one of these, but we’re one of the only higher ed institutions that are using these.” The entire system is geared to provide a “handson, experiential training for patrol officers, offering experience without risks to people or equipment.” At Way n e s b u rg , t h e equipment is doing just that by offering students an opportunity to get acclimated. DIVERSITY << A4 “It’s been great. It’s so
might arise,” Jack said. Some of the different scenarios students can encounter is: driving during different times of the day and weather conditions, utilizing different types of vehicles, dealing with real life scenarios and more. Unlike most simulations, this equipment provides a more realistic feel to patrolling. “Everything from the mobile digital terminal to the lights and sirens to the air conditioning works on it. It’s really like you’re sitting in a vehicle,” Jack said. “It moves as if you are driving. You have to put the seat belt on or else it would jar you out of the seat if you have an accident.” NEW << A4
Students Delight women’s ministry launches at WU combat growing loan debt LACHLAN LOUDON Copy Desk Chief
MICAH LEITH Region Editor
College students and graduates from around the country continue to struggle with student debt, with 43.4 million Americans dealing with some amount of debt, according to a 2022 report by educationdata.org. The total student debt in America is $1.75 trillion and is growing 6 times faster than the U.S. economy. According to Matthew Stokan, the director of financial aid at Waynesburg University, one problem is the disconnect between rising costs and static aid programs from the federal government. He says that Waynesburg is not immune to this issue. “We are lucky here at Waynesburg because the President makes a concerted effort to keep costs as low as possible, but the reality is they do go up some,” he said. DEBT << A4
Thanks to junior psychology major Tess Marlin, national women’s ministry, Delight, now has an official chapter at Waynesburg University. According to Delight Ministry’s website, Delight is a college women’s Christian group that meets weekly to dive into a curriculum provided by the organization. Now, the club has over 30 members and is becoming more involved in both the campus and local communities. “We also serve, interact with the university community and do what we can to connect the surrounding community with Jesus,” Marlin said. “I like to describe it as a group of women that get to do life together.” Marlin, the chapter’s team director, said she worked hard last semester to assemble a team t o g ra nt Way n e s b u rg University a recognized chapter. After back and forth correspondence with Delight headquarters and associate dean of students Pat Bristor, Delight was able to launch
Courtesy of Madison Madison McMonagle
Delight members meet every Wednesday night in Stover to particpate in worship and fellowship with one another. this spring. “I felt [Delig ht] was something that a lot of women on this campus could benefit from,” Marlin said. “Our main goal is to make connections with as many women as possible and to grow closer in our relationship with God. We are so glad that we already are reaching so many people and cannot wait to see what our chapter is capable of in the future.” This semester, the book of Genesis will be the topic of study. According to Marlin, Waynesburg’s
Delight chapter will be utilizing the Genesis curriculum book offered by the national ministry group. E a c h wee k , D e l i g ht meets to work through the curriculum book and participate in discussion. The meetings beg in with worship and announcements. Then, Bible study takes place with the Delight curriculum book. After that, they conclude with discussion, prayer and more worship. “As an organization, Delig ht really focuses on being more than a
Bible study,” said Sophie Kipe, senior early childhood education major. “I think all the Delight leaders would agree that our biggest hope is that Jesus will be more wellknown, well-loved and well-served by girls at Waynesburg.” Kipe, who also is a musician on the Upper Room team, is one of the worship leaders for Delight. Marlin said Kipe “is so passionate about this group and has been a complete blessing.” The mission statement of Delight reads, “to in-
vite college women into Christ-centered community that fosters vulnerability and transforms stories.” Together, these women have already formed a strong community and have been vocal on anticipating its growth. “We hope that we can just welcome as many people as possible this semester and get our footing so we can welcome even more women next semester,” Marlin said. Anyone interested in joining should contact Marlin.
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FEBRUARY 17, 2022 S PJ B E S T A L L - A R O U N D N O N - D A I LY N E W S P A P E R
WINNER: 2004 2016 FINALIST: 2003 2013 2014
OPINION
Going beyond surface-level faith ADAM HARTNETT
STAFF
Columnist
EXECUTIVE EDITOR MANAGING/OP-ED EDITOR REGION EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR SPORTS WEB EDITOR DIGITAL NEWS DIRECTOR COPY DESK CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER GRAPHIC DESIGNER WEB DESIGNER SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR MARKETING & ADV. ASST EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS SPORTS ASSISTANTS
RACHEL PELLEGRINO SIERRA MEDINA MICAH LEITH AUSTIN BECHTOLD JARED WIKER REBEKAH VAUGHAN LACHLAN LOUDON BEN CHAMP ABIGAIL PHILLIPS JOSHUA HUGHES IVY ALLEN ROBERT REDINGER ADAM HARTNETT ALEXANDRA MORAR MARLEY WOLF JEREMIAH MILLER CALEB YAUGER
TECHNICAL/FACULTY ADVISORS: RICHARD KRAUSE KRISTINE SCHIFFBAUER
EDITORIAL
Breaking is back in fashion Spring Break is back
The last time Waynesburg University students had a full mid-semester break was in the spring of 2020. We all remember how that semester transpired. Shortly after students returned from spring break, a week later they were moving out of their dorms for the year as COVID-19 pushed all classrooms online. Since then, in order to mitigate the spread, breaks were shortened and, in some cases, eliminated altogether. The time for fall/spring breaks would be made up through an elongated winter break, with a couple “wellness days” sprinkled in between. When students arrived on campus this fall, they were curious to see that their fall break only yielded two days off class, as opposed to the traditional five. Including weekends, fall/spring breaks would stretch out to 10 days in total, allowing students to visit home or go on a trip during that time. This lack of a sufficient break proved toilsome to students who have been working hard all semester. Burnout and mental health were emerging topics of discussion when the semester prolonged without that traditional break. On Feb. 26, spring break is set to return in all its glory. A 10-day spring break is among us, and while the thought of having extra days off is nice, there is another reason to be optimistic. Two years ago, the world completely shut down in response to COVID-19. What originally seemed like an extra week of spring break turned into an indefinite cycle of fear and sorrow. The fact that we, as a university, are able to transition to a full, 10-day spring break is a sign of the progress that has been made since then. The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over, but we can look back at how little we knew back then, as opposed to now, where we have vaccines, science and precedent that help us dodge the virus. While it’s still important to be diligent in taking the necessary steps to remain healthy, spring break gives us an opportunity to relax and enjoy ourselves. Midterms are stressful. Students have a lot on their plates, and having a break is something to truly be thankful for. From Feb. 26 until March 6, take the time to enjoy yourself. Get off campus. Get your mind off the books. Stay safe. And appreciate the time off.
TO THE READER In order to provide better coverage in a more timely fashion, The Yellow Jacket focusses on an online-first format. Online coverage for campus, region, Op/Ed and sports can be found on our website, theyellowjacket.org. Due to this change, the print publication has been condensed to eight
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Editorials in the left-hand column represent the views of the Yellow Jacket. Letters from readers, columns, cartoons and other elements on the editorial page do not necessarily reflect the position of this newspaper and university.
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According to a Gallup poll on March 29, 2021, titled U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time, it states “Americans' membership in houses of worship continued to decline last year, dropping below 50% for the first time.” Looking at this percentage, I can see how truly blessed I am to have grown up in a church community in a small town in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. I had the opportunity to learn about Bible stories and experience a church family. However, upon entering high school, I discovered that my faith lacked a substantive foundation. I needed to be pushed to go deeper in my faith during these years, but unfortunately, such growth eluded me. After coming to Waynesburg University, though, I was able to build my faith back up as I moved past the surface-level Chris-
tianity I had known. What exactly is surfacelevel Christianity? To me, surface-level Christianity is never getting into the real essence of the Bible and knowledge of God. Imagine being in a relationship with someone for 10 years without never learning more about them than you did on the first date. While knowing only trivial things about them is okay at the beginning of the relationship, after years and years of being together, you are expected to know the inmost things about the person you love. It is the same with God. While simply knowing about God and what He has to offer us is fine when we first believe in Him. However, if we really want to grow in our relationship with God, we must also grow in our knowledge of Him, and what His heart longs for. I feel as if many Christians in the United States are stuck in this surface-level relationship with Christ. They dwell only on what Christ can do for them, or the rewards they
will get for loving Him. They never focus on why they believe what they believe, and ignore everything in the Bible that doesn't make sense or is "too confusing." In short, surface Christianity is hurtful to a life of true faith. To get beyond the surface to true discipleship, however, there are several essential steps that I think are beneficial: Diligently studying scripture (even the hard parts); emphasizing God, learning how to listen to Him and obeying Him; and being accountable as a Church body. Diligent study of scripture is essential to go beyond the surface. Scripture is not a manual we pick up as needed, it is the key to lifelong exposure to the heart of God. By emphasizing the person of God in scripture, we can cultivate an actual relationship and not just feeling. The natural outcome of studying the Word is a heart tuned to God’s voice. As we ground ourselves in truth, we learn to discern God’s voice and follow Him into obedi-
ence. By emphasizing God in scripture, He will lead us to speak, act and choose according to His will that we learn through Scripture. Being accountable as a Church body is especially beneficial in our relationship with God. There are seasons when church attendance isn’t possible (COVID-19, sickness and the like). But this should not be our norm. The accountability and discipleship of the church equips us to be witnesses in our world, and keep us accountable with and among our brothers and sisters in Christ. Surface-level Christianity will be preached and followed as long as we are on this earth, but believers don’t have to settle for it. Instead, use your foundation in Scripture to dig deeper and cultivate your relationship with God. Teach fellow believers how to discern the true motive for a changed character, and how God is the one who works it, not us. We don’t have to settle for status-quo faith. Jesus died for so much more.
College does not equal real life REBEKAH VAUGHAN Columnist
Don’t get me wrong— when I moved into college as a freshman I was beyond excited. I was out of my hometown high school. I could finally be my own person and do my own things. I could sleep whenever I wanted and eat whatever I wanted and I felt free. As I finish up my junior year though, I’ve learned that college life is simply not real life. In college, you’ll mostly stick with like-minded people. Students within your major are likely to think similarly to you and then “boom” you have a college friend group. I consider friend groups with diversity lucky. It’s the different-minded people that help you grow
and expand your mind. In an office space, not everyone is going to think the same. People will have different opinions and ideas and you can’t just turn your back on them because you don’t agree with them. You might be assigned to work with them on a project and you can’t say no. It’s hard to admit as a college student, but your ideas are not the end-all-beall. You have to learn how to be open-minded and learn how to take criticism. Secondly, problems in the real world don’t get fixed just because you complain about them. While there are nice people out there, you’ll run into folks who just don’t care. They are under no obligation to listen to what you say. College classes have a syllabus laying out when everything is due so you can prepare for exams and projects well in advance. In the real
world, you make your own syllabus. No one is going to tell you exactly what to do for the rest of your life. Managing yourself and your time is going to be critical in any job. Do you remember in high school how your GPA was the most important thing in the world? I don’t even remember my high school GPA anymore, and the same thing is going to happen with the college GPA. There’s more to being smart than just your GPA. You need to know how to work with and understand other people. Students need to develop emotional intelligence so they aren’t stuck in the loop of studying, taking tests, getting grades and studying more. For many college students, college is about doing minimal work so they can spend their free hours binge-watching “Euphoria” or hanging out with friends.
Neither of these activities socializes the student or prepares them for a strong future. If you’re a college student reading this and just had the realization that, “oh no, maybe I’m not going to be prepared for the real world,” then I highly recommend you read the College of Distinction article “Is College Preparing You for Real Life?” written by Tyson Schritter. Schritter writes about the importance of having an internship during college and how to participate in extracurricular activities to take part in interactive learning. All in all, it is up to you, the student, to make sure you’re ready for the real, working world. College classes will give you the education you need to do the work, but it’s up to you to be active outside of classes to learn how people really interact.
NEWS
In the news: Three notable headlines EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a synopsis of a recent topic trending in world or national news. SIERRA MEDINA
Managing/Op-Ed Editor
1. Rams beat Bengals to win Super Bowl LVI The Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 at their home venue, SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California on Sunday. The game had fans on the edge of their seats as the Rams held control for much of the first half, with the Bengals coming back in the second half after Odell Beckham Jr., a key player for the Rams, injured his knee, according to the Rams official Twitter account. The game ended after the Rams took the lead in the last two minutes and the Bengals were unable to score on a fourth down conversion. 2. The Ukraine-Russia Border Crisis The United States closed t h e i r e m b a s s y i n Ky i v, Ukraine on Feb. 14 and is temporarily relocating west as tensions ramp up on the border between Russia and Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that this move does not mean the U.S. is ending their support of Ukraine, or their diplomatic efforts with Russia. This move occurred after the State De-
London Bridges via Unsplash
Super Bowl 56 was held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinatti Bengals partment and U.S. officials repeatedly asked American citizens to acknowledge the threat of Russian invasion and exit Ukraine immediately. President Biden spoke with Russian President Vladmir Putin over the weekend, and previously said that an invasion into Ukraine will cause America and its Allies to impose swift and severe costs on Russia. 3. The Western Drought The drought happening in the west since 2000, has left that region drier than it has been for the past 12 centuries according to a journal titled “Nature Climate
Change.” According to the journal, 42% of this “megadrought” can be attributed to climate change caused by humans. Study leader Park Williams said megadroughts typically peter out after 20 years, however, the American west consisting of California, Wyoming,
Utah, Nevada, Arizona, most of Oregon and Idaho, much of New Mexico, western Colorado, northern Mexico, and the southwest corners of Montana and Texas, are only getting drier. This has contributed to much of the destructive and widespread wildfires in the area.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor are encouraged as a method to bring issues of concern into the public eye. Letters should be typed, limited to 300 words, signed and include a phone number for confirmation. Letters may be submitted to 400 Buhl Hall, sent to the Yellow Jacket via campus mail or via email to jacket@waynesburg.edu. Letters may also be sent to Yellow Jacket, 400 Buhl Hall, Waynesburg University, 51 W. College St., Waynesburg, Pa. 15370.
FEBRUARY 17, 2022
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Noon tunes features songs by two student musicians LACHLAN LOUDON Copy Desk Chief
Last week the Student Activities Board (SAB) held another Noon Tunes session, this time featuring two of Waynesburg University’s very own students, junior psychology major Tess Marlin and senior biochemistry major Andrew Gordon. “I had jokingly brought up the idea to a member of SAB and they discussed it with Pat Bristor, and she then asked if we would want to perform in February,” Marlin said. This isn’t the first time student musicians took over Noon Tunes. Last semester, SAB had two WU students perform at Noon Tunes with senior communication majors Joshua Hughes and Silas Mays. Marlin and Gordon are both actively involved with music-related activities on campus. They both participate in the Lamplighters choir and the spring musical. Gordon is also the drummer for Upper Room, but for Noon Tunes, he played the
keyboard while singing as Marlin sang alongside him. “I love being able to make students' days brighter with music. Just being on stage and knowing everyone was interacting and having a good time, partially because of our simple love for making music, was exhilarating,” Gordon said. They performed many of their favorite songs, according to Marlin, which included “The Bones” by Marren Morris, “You Were Good to Me” by Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker, “Fingers Crossed” by Lauren Spencer Smith, and more. Marlin said that the common theme of these songs was “love” which was fitting for Valentine’s Day. The two students performed on the Beehive stage during lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 9, and not only performed for fellow students, but friends. Not to mention, Noon Tunes is an untraditional performance format, as the audience is generally not paying as much attention as they would for a recital or concert. Students
Courtesy of Maria Hanni
Andrew Gordon, senior biochemistry major (left), and junior psychology major Tess Marlin (right) perform love songs on Feb. 9 in the Beehive. would stop by for several minutes before heading over to class, while some would eat lunch while doing homework or socializing. “It was kind of nerve
wracking,” Marlin said. “I have been performing my entire life but doing it in front of people while they are walking in and out is a new thing. We had to gauge whether everyone
was enjoying our songs or not, but it was a lot of fun.” Marlin said has been singing her entire life, and her mother jokes that she sang before she spoke. She notes that music runs in
the family and it is a major part of her life. “Most of my friendships and relationships started because of either band, choir, or theater,” Marlin said. “Being able to sing with someone that means so much to me just makes this opportunity that much more special to me.” Gordon, too, has been sing ing since he was young, mainly through his church. He attributes much of his musical involvement to worship in Christian ministry. “To me, music represents an astounding gift that God gave to us, which also provides a glimpse into what heaven might be like,” Gordon said. The pair expressed their graciousness in being given the opportunity to perform for their fellow students, but also noted how great it is to see music bring people together. “After all, there's no feeling quite like singing together with the people you love,” Gordon said. “There's something about music that unites us as humans.”
RA applications come to a Music Program at WU hosting lunchtime recitals close here at Waynesburg REBEKAH VAUGHAN
Digital News Content Director
The Waynesburg University Fine Arts Department Music Program will be presenting Chamber Works I on Thursday, Feb. 24 at noon in Roberts Chapel. The program will be presented as a lunchtime recital. Students from the Applied Music Classes have been practicing since the beginning of the semester to put on these noontime performances. According to the director of the music program Dr. Ronda DePriest via an email interview, usually three to five ensembles perform in each Chamber Works concert. DePriest said that the smaller ensembles help the students to grow in their confidence. “Smaller ensembles require that each member is ‘on their game,’ because chamber music is written with one player on a part,” DePriest said. “The technique our students gain by being members of a smaller ensemble, or a solo artist, aids them in growing a heightened confidence in their individual performance abilities by
taking on a variety of roles as a player in a smaller ensemble.” The Music Program has been holding these events for 14-15 years and hosts two Chamber Works concerts per semester. At the time of the interview, it was unknown
learned,” DePriest said. “There are grades involved, but that certainly is not the students’ prime concern.” The diversity in the music performed at these Chamber Works concerts is what makes them different from other concerts
“The technique our students gain by being members of a smaller ensemble, or a solo artist, aids them in growing a heightened confidence in their individual performance abilities DR. RHONDA DEPRIEST
how many and what kind of ensembles will perform at the concert. “I suspect the f lute, brass and percussion ensembles will have presentations for this one,” DePriest said. All students from the Applied Music Studios class will be performing, and while it is for a grade, DePriest said that the grades are not the main concern. “It’s an opportunity to share what they have
hosted by the music program. “It is a part of a wellrounded music program … educational for solo musicians, small group musicians and large group musicians,” DePriest said. “Each of those types of presentations is a bit different from the other, displaying music of a variety of standard instrumentations. So, the diversity is very enjoyable for performers and audience members alike.”
RACHEL DUNCAN For The Yellow Jacket
As the semester nears its halfway point, resident assistant applications have come to a close. The interview process, which started week five of the semester, will last until the end of February. It consists of 41 applicants. The interview process will look different for incoming resident assistant applicants from the process for returning resident assistants, according to Matthew Pioch, assistant dean of Student Services. “This week they have been putting together presentations for us about their experience as well as what their vision is for residence life next year,” Pioch said. “Then they will serve as evaluators in a group interview that we conduct for the new incoming RA’s and that is actually part of their interviewing process as well.” Pioch mentioned that new resident assistant applicants will start their interview process with a big group interview, during which the returning RA’s will get the opportunity to evaluate the newcomers with Pioch and the resident directors. “It gives us the opportu-
nity to see them in both a group setting and an individual setting where we can ask more specific questions to them,” Pioch said. During the interviewing process, each resident director is looking at their personal team dynamics, the applicant’s residence hall preferences and the interviews to determine who would be the best fit for each role. Although every resident director has a different set of criteria they follow when evaluating who to hire for their team, most focus on the same asset: skills. For Heidi Dziak, resident director of Burns Hall and assistant to housing, it comes down to more than one asset. Dziak says she evaluates the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses while paying close attention to their personality. “I have to make the decision of who is going to benefit Burns the best,” Dziak said. “There might be someone I like more than the other personality wise, but who’s gonna be [the] best for our building?” After the interviews are over, Pioch and resident directors sit down to make their decision on who to offer a resident assistant con-
tract. Although, according to Pioch, the decision is not easy as the applicant pool may be larger and talent may vary. The offers will be made before housing selection applications become available to the students in March. Until the offers are finalized and the applicants are officially hired, Pioch and Dziak offer advice to those who have applied or considered applying. “I think the best thing you can do is be yourself in a professional manner,” Pioch said about the interview process for students. Dziak encouraged students to be their “authentic self.” However, her advice did not stop there. “I’d also tell them too, the best thing to remember going into this as well…[is] it’s okay if you mess up,” Dziak said. “That’s the best thing about being in college. I joke and say it’s like your free trial to adulthood.” Although applications are closed, Pioch said that there is still a shortage of male resident assistant applicants. He encourages freshmen, sophomore and junior males that are interested in becoming a RA for the upcoming academic year, to email him for more information.
Handshake offers new job opportunities for students RACHEL BAILY
For The Yellow Jacket
Are you a senior on the hunt for a job after graduation or a student looking to make some extra money? Waynesburg University is one of many colleges that is participating in Handshake, a website that allows college students to find employers, jobs and connect with other students. After starting to use Handshake in early 2021, Waynesburg has increased its connections to employers, both local and national, and is now ready for students to begin searching for employers and jobs. Sarah Bell, Waynesburg University’s Career Development Specialist and Study Abroad Coordinator said, “Students can use Handshake to apply for jobs, internships [and] attend professional development events.” Students can narrow the search by looking at jobs spe-
Courtesy of Sierra Medina
Student uses the new Handshake software, which offers an array of employers and experiences, to search for jobs. cifically for their major. “Sometimes it’s like thinking about related keywords,” Bell said. “For example, if you were in communication … maybe I’ll search writing
or editing.” Waynesburg students are given the option to create a profile in Handshake, which they can do through myConnect. From there, they can
expand on that profile and can opt to make a profile public to employers. Bell is “just hoping to push it a little more out to students … So that they’re
adding their resume to it, applying for jobs and hopefully getting connected with employers.” Student worker, Samantha Pete, works closely with
Bell assisting her in screening employers and companies before students contact them, approving a variety of employers. Students have access to jobs near Waynesburg University, like Washington and Pittsburgh, but they also can look for jobs across the nation if they wish to travel. “Especially with the pandemic, they are posting a lot more remote jobs …That’s a big selling point,” Pete said. Employees on the site post job opportunities and will sometimes contact students on HandShake that could be a good fit for the job. Gloria Reed, a senior at Waynesburg University, used Handshake to start an internship at Kohl’s. Reed offers her own advice to students looking for a job. “I think it’s a really great way to find new experiences,” Reed said. “Students might not get the job that they’re hoping for, but it never hurts to ‘reach for the stars.’”
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There is also an intoxication mode that gives users the feel of what it would be like if they were driving under the influence behind the wheel. “That’s one we’d like to play with in the future because I think this is not only a great tool to train criminal justice students, but it’s also a great tool for anybody to get on and utilize to learn to drive and multitask,” Jack said. In the future, Jack hopes that not only criminal justice students can utilize this new equipment, but other students on campus. Jack and the rest of the department have moved fast to incorporate the new piece of equipment inside the classroom. “We’re going to be implementing this in a number of classes,” Jack said. “I have had my freshmen in here already. Our upperclassmen have also been in here already.” Hopes are that the patrol simulator will continue to be implemented more in the near future. The Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences has set an importance on preparing students for post-graduation by staying up-to-date in getting equipment over the past few years. The program also received a Laser Shot Firearms Training Simulator back in 2018 that has been heavily utilized. “Today the criminal justice field is evolving every day,” Dougher said. “There’s new issues and there’s new technology so to have our program evolve with that at the same time is awesome.” The purchase of the simulator totaled over $100,000 and was fully covered by a
The majority of student loans come from the federal government, but there are some limitations on how much a student can borrow, Stokan said. Fi r s t -ye a r s t u d e nt s may borrow up to $5,500, second-year students can borrow $6,500 and third and fourth-year students can borrow up to $6,500. He said that this presents issues for students who need more than four years to finish their degrees because the aggregate limit is $31,000, leaving students who study for more than four years only $4,000 left. Stokan said that he considers student and parent loans as a “last resort,” but has seen an increased number over the past year. “What you have is a financial gap between the student’s costs, the aid that they receive, whether that be state, federal or institutional aid and the loans they take out, there is still a gap so there's been a proliferation of what they call alternative or private loans,” he said. For students at Waynesburg University, there are some scholarships that can be used instead of loans. Waynesburg offers several loans to students, ranging from the $16,000 A.B. Miller scholarship to the $6,000 opportunity scholarship, which Stokan says is the minimum offered to students. “Any student that is admitted to the university in one of our traditional programs, the bare minimum is they get what
Diversity Continued from A1 Both of these events Skeete assisted wi th, “helped start the conversation about injustice and racism that people are not having, unfortunately.” “I think having different movie nights and lectures to engage the audience and then talk afterwards is very helpful,” Skeete said. “In my experience, students enjoyed these events and meaningful conversations resulted from them.” Sierra Medina, a senior
Courtesy of Riley Holsinger
Criminal Justice students utilize the new equipment in the basement of the CSI Center. The simulator equipment provides a realistic feel to patrolling. donor who wished to stay anonymous. “He was very involved
in the installation and the purchase of this,” Jack said. “We’re very fortunate to
have a lot of wonderful backers of our criminal justice program.”
communication major, is a current leader on the Board. She has been a member for the past two years and is very involved in the planning and discussion processes. Medina also described what diversity means to her. “I feel like it's a loaded word,” Medina said. “And I think for people, we can feel overwhelmed to feel like something as complicated when really it's simple, it just has a lot of baggage.” She continued, “it's a neutral word. But being diverse in the past hasn't been great in the present; it’s still not great.” Medina then added, “And so
I think that's why diversity is married with: the words equity and inclusion, because being different doesn't always mean being included and being equal.” As a student, Medina shared her frustrations with diversity on campus and throughout the Greene County community. “A lot of the issues I see are just ignorance,” Medina said. “And just because they have, they as in like the campus community as a whole, which is overwhelmingly white, and from this region, just don't have a lot of experience with diverse people
with gender diversity, racial and ethnic diversity. So, there might be just like levels of uncomfortability or just not knowing.” Medina clarified that she does not put judgment on people not knowing. She wants to educate those that may not be as familiar with other cultures. “ They're not bad or worse because they need someone to explain something to them,” Medina said. “But the education is even more important because it's not going to be sustainable if people don't understand why they're doing it and if they don't have, like an intrinsic mo-
Abigail Phillips, The Yellow Jacket
tivation to complete whatever task we do.” Hope through Education Bell and Medina feel education is the main sense of hope for change on campus and in society. “We know that we need to start out with lots of education for the campus community to even want to participate in actions we think are necessary,” Medina said. “So, I think some of the biggest things we've accomplished is setting out on that journey of educating people.” Bell noted that educational programs, like ones offered for Black History Month, are most likely not going to make a large change happen. Nonetheless, she views them as a step in the right direction. “I think that acceptance and understanding of each other is really important. I don't know if I would say that the Black History Month programs are going to make that happen, but I think any opportunity that we have to have those conversations about diversity to showcase Black leaders on campus and in our community, and to really just hear voices and perspectives that are different from our own, is meaningful, even if there isn't like a systematic change.” Bell’s hope for the future is to have a sense of universal respect and acceptance. “I think it would be great if everyone on campus prioritized respecting each other, acknowledging each other's differences, and celebrating the differences that we have,” Bell said. “Because it's beautiful to have like a diverse group of students and faculty and staff who really are all here and coming together at Waynesburg, at this small place that we all found in some way.”
we call the opportunity award,” he said. There are also state and federal grant programs that don’t need to be paid back as well. The most important one is the Federal Pell grant. “The foundation of all financial aid is the federal pell grant. It’s based on the results of your application for federal student aid, and it's dictated by what they call the EFC, which is the acronym for Expected Family Contribution,” he said. “That EFC number is a guideline number used by financial aid administrators to determine what kinds of programs students are eligible to participate in.” The federal government also offers aid through the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. According to studentaid.gov, the grant is administered “directly by the financial aid office at each participating school.” According to Stokan, students at Waynesburg receive $200 a year. The state of Pennsylvania also offers a grant to students, and Stokan said that the majority of the students at Waynesburg that receive the grant receive the maximum of $5,000. According to Stokan, the financial aid office processes $35 million in financial aid per year, $16 million of which comes in institutional aid. Stokan said that his office is always open to students who need assistance with their finances. “My goal, and really the goal of this office, is that no student should have to leave the university for financial reasons. That’s the idea, that’s the goal,” he said. “Nine times out of 10 we are able to make something work.”
Student Senate meets openly COLIN RHODES
For The Yellow Jacket
Are you familiar with the Student Senate? Student Senate President Luke Diel sure hopes so. Diel has been serving as president of the Student Senate this school year, overseeing its operations as senators try to be the voice of students to the administration at Waynesburg University. Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, the student senate has been working to improve the quality of living for students on campus. However, not all students are aware of this. “While some students are not aware of the Student Senate, many students have started to become more aware of it,” Diel wrote in an email. “That being said, most students are not aware of what we accomplish on campus.” Some of the more recent accomplishments include the 24-hour printers in Stover, the outdoor dining tables at the Benedum Dining Hall and the reusable takeout containers sold at the dining hall. One of the ways the senate has accomplished this is through the weekly polls, which can be found on the myConnect page or by scanning the QR codes on flyers found around campus. “I highly encourage students to answer our weekly polls. They are super fast and go a long way in fixing problems on campus,” Diel wrote. Student Senate meetings are every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Stover.
region SECTION B
FEBRUARY 17, 2022 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG
Police investigate shooting deaths MICAH LEITH Region Editor
The Waynesburg Borough police and state police responded on Monday to an incident on Morris Street where two people were found deceased, according to patrolman Nathan Hamilton. According to the county coroner, the autopsy was completed on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Coronor Gene Rush said that both died of gunshot
Police are investigating two deaths at a Morris Street residence
wounds to the head, but the manner of the deaths has not been concluded. According to an email sent to students from Stacy Brodak, vice president for Institutional Advancement and University Relations, Waynesburg University does not believe that the campus is in any danger. Rush identified the deceased only as a Black male and white female. Further information was not available from police on Tuesday.
Rachel Pellegrino, The Yellow Jacket
PIONEER program accepting applications
Grant will provide up to $50,000 per applicant and $500,000 per project MARLEY WOLF Editoral Assistant
Greene County’s Potential Infrastructure Opportunities Needing External Expenditures and Resources program, PIONEER, has announced that they are now accepting applications. This PIONEER grant goes up to $50,000 per applicant and $500,000 per project. “PIONEER is a strategic leveraging program created by Greene County Commissioners using ACT 13 function and other available funds for Townships, Water, and Sewage Authority, and other eligible services providers that made a commitment to provide and/or improve infrastructure,” a press release from the Greene County Commissioners said. Community Development Block Grant Home Director Crystal Simmons outlined a main requirement for this application. The applicant m u s t b e a t ow n s h i p , water/sewage authority, "quality public organization duly authorized to act upon one or more municipalities," or a borough to be eligible for this grant.
The elig i ble use of funds is also a requirement of the PIONEER program. “It can only be used for construction, improvement, expansion, repair or rehabilitation or a
and sewer mapping) and costs associated with engineering, design or conceptual planning or feasibility studies for the project. “The third requirement is that the municipality
"“In the end we
would look at urgent needs and see if it is emergency, health or safety related.” CRYSTAL SIMMONS
Director, CBDG program
Micah Leith, The Yellow Jacket
water system, a sewage system or a storm water system,” Simmons said. “It can also be used to purchase equipment, specifically for leak detection or sewage maintenance.” Additionally, the grant can be used for operations and maintenance of water facilities (must p rov i d e s y s t e m w i d e mapping), financial planning (including cost analysis, rate analysis, costs associated with water
or entity that is applying leverages their resources either using CashMatch, or an incline contribution which would be later materialed for equipment event rental expenses for what they used to complete the project,” Simmons said. She explained that all of those expenses have to be documented in the resolution showing that the entity will commit to the project. The submission pro-
cess is held online and reviewed at the county commissioners meeting. At this public meeting the grant will be awarded. Before this, the commissioners will review the applications in separate meetings to get an overview of the recommended projects. A scoring criteria will be used to determine what projects are most substantial and are the most beneficial. This grant is geared toward helping projects
that would otherwise not be funded. “In the end we would look at urgent needs and see if it is emergency, health or safety related,” Simmons said. “Those recommendations are made through the Planning and Community Development Department. Then the commissioners will take action.” Through the recognition that a lot of the water and sewer authorities are deteriorating and not
a lot of their systems are mapped digitally, this grant was inspired to accept applications. There have already been six or seven townships reaching out, showing their interest about this grant, and four projects discussed already. “I just am very grateful that the commissioners were able to work with the planning department to allocate funding for this initiative,” Simmons said.
Snyder to retire Trout stocking schedule announced at end of term Pennsylania Fish and Boat Commission announce 2022 trout stocking dates for fisheries statewide
MICAH LEITH Region Editor
Pam Snyder (D), District 50’s representative in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, will not seek re-election this fall after announcing that she will retire at the end of her term. In a press release issued Feb. 9, she said that she made the decision in order to spend more time with her family. “While I love being the voice of our community in Harrisburg, this past year has reminded me how short and precious our time is, and I look forward to having more time to spend with my husband and our family,” she said. Snyder served in the Pennsylvania House for 9 years and first gained the seat in 2012. According to electionreturns.pa.gov, her closest election was in 2020, in which she defeated challenger Larry Yost (R) by fewer than 1,800 votes. According to legis.state. pa.us, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives website, Snyder cosponsored 125 bills during
RACHEL PELLEGRINO Executive Editor
regular sessions over the course of her career in the Pennsylvania House. According to redistricting.state.pa.us, District 50 previously encompassed all of Greene County and parts of Washington and Fayette. That changed after redistricting following the 2020 census, however, and District 50 will now be made up of all of Greene County and portions of Washington County that were previously District 49, which is currently represented by Republican Bud Cook. In her release, Snyder said that she was grateful for her time in office. “It has been a true honor to learn, grow, and serve on multiple levels of government,” she said in the statement.
It’s oh-f ish-ial. The highly anticipated trout fishing season is just six weeks away. According to a press release issued by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Pennsylvania’s single statewide opening day of trout season will be Saturday, April 2. This differs from the two regional opening days done in past years. “For roughly the past 20 years or so, we’ve had two opening days in Pennsylvania,” said Mike Parker, communications director of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. “We had a regional opening day, which was for 18 southeastern counties, and then the remaining counties across the state two weeks later would open up for the opening day of trout season.” Due to the pandemic, Parker said the PFBC had to make adjustments
to the trout season over the past two years. The single statewide consolidation is the most recent change that Pennsylvania f ishermen should anticipate this season. According to Parker, people are in favor of the change. “Through surveys and studies over the past couple of years, we’ve determined that people preferred the one state opening d a y ,” h e said. In addi tion to the single statewide opening d a y, t h e PFBC will host their annual Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day Saturday, March 26. “Anyone under the age of 16, they get to go out and f ish along with an adult mentor and they can keep up to two trout,”
Parker said. “It’s an opportunity to get the kids out, get them involved a week ahead of time and then everybody gears up for opening day on April 2.” In preparation for the 2 0 2 2 t r o u t
“These f igures … include approximately 2.2 million Rainbow Trout; 686,000 Brown Trout; and 293,000 Brook Trout. As with past practice, the average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length with an average weight of .58 pounds,” according to the PFBC press release. In addition to the 3.2 million trout raised at the state f ish hatcheries, PFBC cooperative nurseries will also be releasing 1 m i l l i o n t ro u t to waters open to public fishing throughout Rachel Pellegrino, The Yellow Jacket the year. fishing season, the PFBC “We’re putting these trout will stock about 3.2 mil- in the water to provide a reclion adult trout in 696 reational opportunity,” Parkstreams and 128 lakes er said. “Not only is it a great open to public f ishing. way to get people out and A c c o r d i n g t o P a r k e r, catch a relatively easy fish these numbers are in line to catch, it’s also fun, it’s with those from the past decade. TROUT>>B2
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FEBRUARY 17, 2022
SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE
McCracken Pharmacy serves area for 70 years LACHLAN LOUDON Copy Desk Chief
In 1951, a pharmacist named Jack McCracken opened the doors to McCracken Pharmacy for the first time in a small town called Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Ever since then, it has always been deeply involved in the surrounding community, being an independent, local pharmacy. From donations to civic involvement, McCracken Pharmacy has played a substantial role in the symbiotic relationship between community and store, according to Charles Scott Adamson, Owner and President of McCracken Pharmacy. “[By] supporting your community, your community will hopefully support you back,” Adamson said. “That’s been the philosophy … It's a concept that never grows old. You’re really trying to foster community, and the McCrackens got that and understood that concept.” Being a community-focused pharmacy posed many challenges for the pharmacy, due to its independent, local focus. The business climate is challenging, Adamson said. However, he notes that what makes the business climate challenging is also somewhat advantageous to the local pharmacy. “We’re the only independent pharmacy [in Waynes-
Photo Coutesy McCracken Pharmacy, Facebook
burg]. We’re the only ones who do what we do,” Adamson said. “Yes, you can go to another pharmacy … but we hope to be able to provide and we feel that we can provide a service that is superior to those other [competitors].” For example, Adamson said McCracken Pharmacy is also the only pharmacy in the area that offers antivirals, which are medications that help your body fight off certain viruses. Aside from the business climate, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed its own set of challenges for the pharmacy. Maintaining a healthy staff during the beginning of COVID-19’s emergence into society was most difficult, Adamson said. Before the vaccine was available to the public, changes had to be made to make sure the staff was prepared in case a positive case were to occur. Once the vaccines were available, McCracken Phar-
macy has been involved “from the get-go” Adamson said. They have provided shots of both the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Adamson noted that McCracken Pharmacy was the only one in the area that went to individual homes to distribute the vaccine to those who lacked the means of transportation or were unwilling to take the risk of potentially exposing themselves to the virus outside their homes. “It’s something that we’re quite proud of, that we were able to prevent people from falling through the cracks that wanted the vaccine,” Adamson said. Those interested in stopping by McCracken Pharmacy can visit the store on East High Street, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. One can also learn more about COVID-19 immunizations on their website, mccrackenpharmacy.com.
Greene to receive $1.4 million as part of state settlement MICAH LEITH Region Editor
Philadelphia and Allegany counties have signed on to a $26 billion settlement in the state’s suit against Cardinal, Mckesson, AmerisourceBergen and Johnson and Johnson. With Philadelphia County and Allegheny County’s decision to join the settlement, all 67 counties have signed on. Greene County made the decision to sign on in December of 2021. “All 67 counties have joined in the suit. That means that there is a big figure with billions out there, and Pennsylvania will be earmarked for its portion,” John Fox, director of Greene County’s drug and alcohol program, said. “Apparently it would have changed the formulary, the math, if Alleghany and Philadelphia had not joined and litigated on their own.” Fox said that Greene County will receive a total of $1.4 million from the settlement, and the funds will be dispersed over a period of 12 to 18 years. However, the funding will be frontloaded. “What the thought is from the AG’s office is, I’m guessing, is they wanted to front-load counties with the first two years of the money upfront,” Fox said. “It makes sense, kind of like startup money, so here’s the first two years of your elongated settlement money to get started with something.” According to a press release from the Attorney General’s
office, the 10-year agreement will impose restrictions on Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen. Johnson and Johnson will be forced to stop selling opioids outright. The funding from the settlement will be used to “jumpstart programs and ramp up staffing to save the lives of those struggling with opioid addiction.” According to Fox, some areas of need that the money could go to are housing and treatment in county jails. Unlike Pennsylvania’s settlement with tobacco companies in 2018, there are fewer stipulations on how counties can use the money. “I think that this is going to be managed in different ways, I think this is going to be really kicked down to the county level,” he said. “Let's leave that decision-making to the people who are boots on the ground in the county, they know what they need. Give them the autonomy to meet their needs.” Fox said that there has
Photo Courtesy Olga Delawrence on Pexels
Bowlby hosts puzzle competition Trout RACHEL PELLEGRINO Executive Editor
Think you can complete a 500 piece puzzle in under three hours? Well, Greene County residents Amanda Edwards and Julia Broskey just proved that they can do it in an hour and 22 minutes. The feat was achieved by the pair at Eva K. Bowlby Library’s monthly puzzle competition held on Saturday, Feb. 12.
For this month’s competition, Edwards and Broskey were followed by Andy and Debbie Heisey as well as Renee Simpson and Sheri Fielder who completed this month’s puzzle in an hour and 25 minutes and an hour and 27 minutes respectively. “A lot of people love to do puzzles so we thought we’d encourage those who are really good at puzzling and those that just enjoy putting a photo puzzle together just
Rachel Pellegrino, The Yellow Jacket
Sarah Courtwright and Rebekah Arrison compete in the puzzle solving contest
to come out and compete against others or just to bring their friends to compete against themselves,” said Kathy Douglas, Bowlby Library Public Relations. The puzzle mania began in February 2020, but it was discontinued for a few months during the pandemic. Once the library reopened, they began offering the competition once again. Every month, ten teams of two race to see who can put together a 500 piece puzzle the fastest. All competitors have three hours to complete the puzzle, but whoever completes it the fastest, gets a prize. Since most of the competitors are returners, the competition can get intense. “There are a couple teams that get together at each other’s houses just to practice. So they take this very seriously,” Douglas said. Despite the competitors racing to win, Douglas said the event fosters community. “We encourage talking, we encourage people to bring their friends, you know, compete against each other for this,” Douglas said. “It’s just a sense of community
and also a reason to come to the library and see that we are more than just sitting at tables and reading books. We try to be a community oriented center for people.” Sarah Courtwright and Rebekah Arrison, two of the competitors, said they’ve participated in the competition twice. Even though they don’t have a lot of experience with puzzle competitions, they thought it would be something fun to do together. “It’s been a good bonding experience. We really lean on one another during these hard times,” Courtwright said. In addition to the monthly puzzle competitions, Bowlby Library will host several other events. Upcoming events include: Cosmic Bingo, Adult Craft Night, Chilli Cook Off and Poetry Competition. Even if there isn’t an event being hosted, Douglas encourages everyone to stop by Bowlby Library. “People can come in and just grab a cup of coffee. They can peruse the shelves or also sit down and do puzzles while they’re here,” Douglas said.
been discussion amongst some counties he has spoken to or been in meetings with about setting up advisory panels made up of county officials and representatives. He said that he favors that option, saying that it is “fiscally responsible.” “I’ve been in county government long enough to know that not everyone is going to agree on what the need is, so I’m going to advocate for an advisory group,” he said. Fox said that opioid abuse continues to plague the county, and stimulant and methamphetamine usage is increasingly becoming a problem, according to data that he has received. However, he is optimistic that the funds from the settlement will benefit the county. “‘If we can mitigate some things, if we can create some services that we didn’t before to make it a positive, then that's the exciting part for me,” he said.
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a family tradition [and] it’s an economic driver for the community and the entire state.” The PFBC will begin stocking trout the week of Feb. 21 and will continue throug hout the s p r i n g u nt i l o p e n i n g day. This season, the
PFBC will be partnering with conservation groups, schools as well as other volunteers to help distribute the 3.2 million trout. Trout stocking events in Greene County include the following waterways: Browns Creek, Dunkard Fork, Enlow Fork, Lake Wilma, North Fork Dunkard Fork, South Fork Dunkard Fork and Whiteley Creek.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Trout season will begin statewide at 8 a.m on Saturday, April 2.
DVSSP to bring community garden to Carmichaels SIERRA MEDINA Managing Editor
The borough of Carmichaels is welcoming a newly constructed community garden on land provided by Flenniken Library. This garden was the result of receiving a grant in the summer of 2020 by The Prevention Institute to the Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania. According to Leslie Orbin, Communications Specialist at DVSSP, “The purpose of the grant was to institute a community level violence prevention act within our service area.” DVSSP works within Greene, Washington and Fayette counties. Orbin says Car-
michaels was chosen because of the support DVSSP receives from the community. “The school district participates in our prevention programs and the community has helped us raise awareness about domestic violence,” Orbin explained. The project needed to follow The Prevention Institute’s THRIVE model, or tools for health and resilience in vulnerable environments. “Basically it's a way to address issues that might be taking place in the community and look for ways to decrease those incidents,” Orbin said. “Studies have shown that when people feel safe and connected in their community, inci-
dents of crime such as domestic violence and assault can decrease.” In order to gauge what would help make Carmichaels residents feel safe and connected, surveys were conducted in early 2021, and by March four focus groups were held over Zoom focusing on ten residents and what they saw as needs in the community, according to DVSSP’s website at https:// www.peacefromdv.org. “Staff also held informal conversations with residents around town, seeing what needs were in the community and what we could use the funds for,” Orbin said. “What kept coming up was a community garden.” The garden’s construction was finalized
last October. The next steps involve continuing the conversation with residents, and getting more community members involved with the project to help determine what to plant. “We want residents to give feedback on the garden so it can be an asset to the Carmichaels area,” she said. Orbin said DVSSP is planning a communitywide planting day in May. She said this is the first time DVSSP has been involved in a project like this and it is exciting due to its preventative nature. “One of our main goals is to work towards creating a world where domestic violence doesn’t exist,” she said. “I think every nonprofit is in
that boat. The ultimate goal is to not need a nonprofit to address whatever issue is going on. This is the overall goal of this project, to help people feel more safe and connected in their community.” DVSSP intentionally partnered with construction businesses and other organizations local to Carmichaels and within Greene County in an effort to collaborate with as many residents as possible. They purchased fencing and materials from Fred Clark Nursery and Garden Center in Carmichaels, with promotion from Carmichaels Civics Club, who is also collecting plastic bags to be recycled into a bench for the garden.
“We hope we can get as many people that live and work in Carmichaels to come out and talk to us about the project and get involved. This garden is an opportunity that can provide social interaction and a rewarding effort to support the common good, as well as a food source.” Anyone looking for an opportunity to get involved this year to help make a difference may attend a meeting or take the survey, Orbin said, at peacefromdv.org/prevention/community. “Everyone is welcome to attend and all ideas are welcome,” she said. “We want this to be as successful for the Carmichaels community as it can be.”
sports PAGE B3
FEBRUARY 17, 2022 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG
RON HEADLEE WRESTLES INTO RETIREMENT
Ben Champ, The Yellow Jacket
Headlee retires from coaching wrestling RILEY HOLSINGER For The Yellow Jacket
Wrestling has been a part of Waynesburg head coach Ron Headlee’s life for 40 years. Next year will be the first time since 1982 that Headlee won’t be spending his winter coaching, announcing that this will be his last season. Headlee immediately got into coaching wrestling following his successful collegiate career at Messiah. “I wrestled [at Messiah]. Right afterwards, I graduated and my old junior high coach asked if I wanted to be a part of [the program],” Headlee said. “Afterwards, I just really loved the coaching part and I get so much more enjoyment watching guys accomplishing their goals in coaching than I ever did as an athlete myself.” Headlee spent time as an assistant and head coach at Waynesburg Central and Jefferson Morgan before leading the Yellow Jackets for 14 seasons. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Famer coached some very impressive wrestlers over the
course of his career, most notably Cary Kolat, Coleman Scott and Jake Evans. “I feel blessed. I think God just put me in a good place here at Waynesburg and I just give him the glory,” Headlee said in response to how he felt coaching many talented wrestlers. “It could’ve been anyone in those shoes and I always just look at them as just trying to guide them to have the best success they can.” Some of the other wrestlers he guided just happened to be his sons. Both of his sons, Drew and Ethan, went on to have successful wrestling careers at the University of Pittsburgh. “It was just a great opportunity for me as a dad,” Ron Headlee said. Even if his wrestlers didn’t have Headlee as their last name, Ron still looked after them as if they were his sons. “Just the moment I got to Waynesburg here back in 2010, he was just like another father figure to me and my brother,” former Yellow Jacket wrestler and current assistant coach
Gennaro Bonaventura said. Headlee has had a lot of spectacular moments and memories throughout his wrestling career that it is hard for him to pick just one out. His classic battles in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference against Washington & Jefferson and Thiel rank high up there for him, though. Overtime, Headlee earned the respect of his opponents through the years. “I know he’s a very competitive guy, but deep down he’s a very good guy,” Thiel head coach Craig Thurber said. “We’re going to miss him and wish him the best of luck in retirement.” “I’ve always enjoyed competing against Ron. The main thing is he is nothing but class,” Washington & Jefferson head coach Tommy Prairie said. “Sorry to see him go, but also be happy not to lose to Ron Headlee anymore.” Headlee has had bountiful success in the conference, leading a dynasty at Waynesburg. He won seven PAC titles and was named PAC Coach of the Year six times. His current wres-
tlers are appreciative of their seasoned leader. “Just beyond blessed to be a part of his team especially for his last year here,” freshman wrestler Seth Evans said. “Wish he was sticking around here, but definitely an honor [wrestling for him].” “He left a good impression on me,” junior wrestler Luke LaVanway said. His former wrestlers are grateful as well. “It was really a blessing. He’s just been a great mentor,” Bonaventura said. “He was a great coach for me when I was in school and as an assistant now, he has developed me into a great coach and even a better person being around him.” Following his retirement at the end of the season, Headlee hopes to spend more time with his family and more specifically his three grandchildren. Wrestling may still be hard for Ron Headlee to escape from. “I have one [grandchild] that’s going to be turning five in April, a little boy, so I’m anxious,” Headlee said. “I was just wrestling with him this weekend.”
Wrestling hosts PAC Championships BROCK OWENS
For The Yellow Jacket
“It’s kind of bittersweet. [I] had a lot of good memories here.” That was Waynesburg head wrestling coach Ron Headlee’s reaction to coaching for the last time in the Marisa Fieldhouse. But it wasn’t just any last time at home, it was the PAC Championships. Last year the tournament was canceled, so this was the first time for the event in two years. Waynesburg hosted Washington & Jefferson and Thiel to crown the best individuals and team in the conference. Headlee, a six-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Coach of the Year, previously won seven PAC Championships, but adding to that total was
was the runner-up, finishing with 103 team points wi th three individual champions. Despite Waynesburg’s third-place finish with 67.5 points, it did not come away empty handed. Waynesburg had three finalists. The first was freshman Damion Finnegan at the 141-pound weight class. His match came down to the very end, but ultimately Finnegan came up just short in a 9-8 loss to Thiel junior Hunter Martz. Another freshman in Seth Evans (Waynesburg) was able to be a finalist at the 165-pound weight class. Evans took on Washington & Jefferson senior Jaden Datz in the finals but lost 14-7. He av y we i g ht j u n i o r Rocky McGeary wrestled the final match of the tournament and finished with
“I just kind of have to get out of my own head and wrestle how I know I can wrestle. I think that's happening.” ROCKY MCGEARY
On the PAC Championships
not in the cards. Waynesburg finished last among the three teams in the conference. “We hoped to do a little better here today,” Headlee said. T h e T h i e l To m c a t s walked away as the PAC Champions for the first time since 2016. Thiel had six individual champions leading them to 128.5 team points, the most at the PAC Championships since 2011. The Tomcats also left with all the hardware. Sophomore Evan Whiteside won Outstanding Wrestler, sophomore Hunter E. Thompson won Newcomer of the Year, and head coach Craig Thurber walked away with his ninth PAC Coach of the Year. Washington & Jefferson
a bang. It took just 43 seconds for McGeary to pin his opponent in the finals and claim his second PAC Championship. “I thought he looked real good,” Headlee said. “He’s coming along, and I hope he’s peaking at the right time for regionals.” But does McGeary think he’s peaking? “Yeah, I’m definitely getting there,” McGeary said. “I just kind of have to get out of my own head and wrestle how I know I can wrestle. I think that’s happening.” Being the final match of the tournament, McGeary’s match was the last match Headlee will coach on the campus of Waynesburg University. “Good way to go out, on a win,” Headlee said.
Lady J's defeat Thiel, clinch home PAC play-in game JESSE CAIN
For The Yellow Jacket
Waynesburg women’s basketball took care of the Thiel Tomcats Monday night 79-58. The Yellow Jackets (5-17, 5-11 PAC) were flirting in the first eight minutes of this Valentine Day matchup before breaking up with Thiel (4-15, 2-11) on an 11-0 run. “We came in very confident,” senior Brooke Fuller said. “That led in from the game Saturday and we have found a lot of good chemis-
said. “We didn’t give up easy points to the other teams so we’re not digging that deep hole we used to early in the season.” In five of the last seven games, Waynesburg has had 12 or fewer turnovers each game. With only 10 turnovers from this past game, the Yellow Jackets also stepped up on defense to create turnovers against Thiel College. “Anika stepped up big for us tonight and not everything will show up on the highlight reels,” Jones said. “She played great defense
“Anika stepped up for us tonight and not everything will show up on the highlight reels. She played great defense while controling the ball and facilitating it on offense.” SAM JONES
On Anika Dansby's Perforance Monday
try at the end of the season.” After Waynesburg took the lead in the first quarter there was no looking back, finishing with a 10 point advantage. “We’ve started taking better care of the basketball,” head coach Sam Jones
while controlling the ball and facilitating it on offense.” Junior Anika Dansby finished the game with seven points, eight assists, and only two turnovers. Freshman Madisen Dayton had another impressive game, coming off the bench
and earning a double-double in 19 minutes. Sophomore Marley Wolf got it done with 16 points and was perfect on the night from the free-throw line on four attempts. Fuller stole the spotlight once again on Saturday. The senior center chipped in a double-double of her own with 18 points and 10 rebounds. “Brooke dominated inside,” Jones said. “They didn’t have an answer for her.” The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets have two remaining regular season games and one guaranteed home, post season play-in game. “These last games I’m going to go all out like I have been all year,” said Fuller. “I mean it’s the last time I’m going to play basketball I have nothing to lose.” The next matchup will be at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse as the Yellow Jackets host Bethany College, Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 5:30 p.m. “It’s nice to have the comfort of being home and a great student section,” said Jones. “I’m sure these last games the place is going to be crazy in here with a lot of energy and I really like how we’ve been playing with it.”
Courtesy of Nathan Grella
Junior point guard Anika Dansby looks to score against Grove City on Jan. 22. Dansby has stepped up to help the Yellow Jackets win four of their last seven.
Jared Wiker, The Yellow Jacket
PAGE B4
FEBRUARY 17, 2022
Reaching 1,000: Brooke Fuller and Matt Popeck reflect on careers AUSTIN BECHTOLD Sports Editor
Only 48 players have earned the crown. 48 distinguished athletes who stand alone in an exclusive club reserved for the most focused and dedicated. Waynesburg mens and women’s basketball has experienced an abundance of players attaining a ticket to the 1,000 point club in both programs. They play different positions and operate with different styles, but both accomplished the major milestone during the 202122 season. For Waynesburg seniors Brooke Fuller and Matt Popeck, the court is their home. Their paths to becoming a Yellow Jacket differed, with Popeck destined to play at the college level and Fuller at first contemplating the decision. “My family is very big into playing sports. My mom played basketball so it was natural to me to grab onto basketball,” Fuller said. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play basketball in college. It wasn’t something I had my mind set on. I knew what I wanted to do for my major but basketball wasn’t on the priority list for me.” A 6-foot center and Allison Park native from Hampton High School, Fuller discovered Waynesburg from former women’s basketball player Julie Deklaven’s father, with Deklaven and Fuller’s father’s being friends. “I heard of Waynesburg from her dad and I was like ‘maybe I want to play bas-
Courtesy of Nathan Grella
Seniors Brooke Fuller (left) and Matt Popeck both reached the 1,000-point milestone this season. ketball.’ I contacted coach Jones and it just seemed like a fit,” Fuller said. “Waynesburg really felt like home. Coach Jones made me feel this was the place for me and I would feel most comfortable… I thought this could be the perfect opportunity for me.” The all-time leading scorer in Washington High School history, totaling 1,488 points, Popeck entered Waynesburg and instantly provided a jolt in scoring against Presidents’ Athletic Conference opponents. “I want to come somewhere I knew I could make an immediate impact and get on the court right away and make the team better,” Popeck said. “I wanted to stay somewhat local so my family and friends could come see me play.” Po p ec k , a 5 -fo o t -1 0 guard, missed all but two games during the 2019-20 campaign due to a seasonending injury, one year after being named to the All-PAC Second Team, and returned the following year retaining
his status as a junior. This season, both Fuller and Popeck expressed their happiness to be on the floor, soak in every moment, and appreciate the people surrounding them. The women’s basketball team (5-17, 5-11 PAC) struggled for a majority of the season but have improved of late winning four of their last seven. “Coming into this year I wanted to make a lot of memories,” Fuller said. “I felt a lot of seniors come into their senior year like ‘this is the last time I’m going to do this or that’ but for me it was taking it all in and I feel like that’s given me a really good senior year experience.” The men’s team (12-11, 8-8) is primed to finish near the middle of the conference after finishing last season 3-7 overall. “It means a lot,” Popeck said. “It’s great to have some team success and see our team and players get better throughout the year.” Both players entered their final year intent on achieving the immortality of 1,000
Thiel stings Waynesburg for fourth-straight loss JARED WIKER Sports Web Editor
The Waynesburg University men’s basketball team (12-11, 8-8 PAC) hosted Thiel College (615, 5-10) this past Monday Feb. 14 for a Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) matchup at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. The Valentines Day showdown would not end well for Waynesburg, as Thiel would escape with a 5550 overtime victory. Waynesburg’s head coach Tim Fusina talked about the loss and the play of the team. “[Thiel] made some plays at the end of regulation and in overtime and we did not,” Fusina said. “That’s been the story over the last couple of weeks where we struggled, and teams have made plays and we have not… We are struggling right now, there is no question.” The Tomcats would take an early lead with a 7-2 run, but Waynesburg would then score seven
was able to score late in the half from layups by Sophomores Jake Scheidt, and Antone Baker during the last 33 seconds to make the halftime score a 26-23 lead for Thiel. The Yellow Jackets were able to battle back during the second half despite losing graduate forward Nijon Kirkman to an injury which kept him out for the rest of the game. Senior guard Matt Popeck explained what Kirkman has meant to the team. “Obviously Nijon has been a great player, a great teammate, a great leader for us this entire year, so him going down definitely hit us,” Popeck said. “I remember us huddling up and saying after he went out that we have to try and get the win for him. Sadly, we didn’t have that result.” Popeck started the scoring with a layup and a three-pointer, and Waynesburg would end up with a 44-43 lead with just six seconds left in regulation before junior
“It can’t be one person. We approach it that it's everybody in our program, it’s everybody every day and right now its everyone that needs to improve.”
TIM FUSINA
On His Team's Recent Struggles
straight points to take a 9-7 lead with 13:31 left in the first half. Senior guard Matt Popeck gave the Yellow Jackets their only lead of the game after scoring on a jump shot from inside of the paint. Thiel stayed in the driver’s seat during the first half and led by as much as seven points. Waynesburg
guard Ryan Felberg was called for a foul. This put Thiel College Sophomore guard Marlon Ellerbee at the free throw line with the opportunity to win the game. Ellerbee would end up only making one of his free throws, and the game would go to overtime tied at 44-44. Waynesburg trailed for the entire overtime
period after both teams traded two-pointers early into the overtime period. Thiel went on a 5-0 run to take a 51-46 lead over the Yellow Jackets. Waynesburg then responded by scoring four straight points to only trail 51-50 with 23 seconds left in overtime. Thiel would end up making four-straight free throws to end the game with a 55-50 upset win over Waynesburg. The Tomcats ended the night with three players scoring double digits, while Popeck ended the night leading all scorers with 22 points. Waynesburg’s offensive struggles have been apparent at times this season, and for Fusina, offense starts with everyone. “We are struggling on the offensive end,” Fusina said. “It can’t be one person. We approach it that it's everybody in our program, it's everybody every day and right now it’s everyone that needs to improve.” The Yellow Jackets highest scorer other than Popeck was tied between sophomore Jansen Knotts, and the injured Kirkman with six points. Popeck talked about how he helps lead his teammates. “It’s important for the other guys to look to score and to stay aggressive and to play confident all the time,” Popeck said. “I’m always telling them to be aggressive and to take their man.” Waynesburg men’s basketball will finish the 2021-22 PAC regular season this Saturday when the team hosts Geneva College at home for a doubleheader. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. after the women’s game at 1 p.m.
points. Popeck did so first, only six games into action, becoming the 35th men’s basketball player to eclipse the point total in a 74-48 road victory at St. Vincent. “A lot of hard work went into it, a ton actually, but just as well as being a good teammate,” Popeck said. “I couldn’t do it without them and my coaches. They help me get open, they help me score, they encourage me to score. The coaches have always emphasized being aggressive and taking the ball to the basket.” “He’s our best scorer,” men’s basketball head coach Tim Fusina told The Yellow Jacket . "He does a lot of things for our guys.” Popeck is humbled by the accomplishment but keeping his eye on the prize. “It’s a great milestone to achieve but it’s not nearly as important to me as team success,” Popeck said. In comparison, Fuller knew she was closing in on the achievement midseason and was one of her most important goals enter-
ing senior year. “It was at the top of my priority list,” Fuller said. “I had to learn a lot about myself to reach that goal. I had to hold myself accountable with what I needed to work on which is hard for some players to do.” Women’s basketball coach Sam Jones spoke highly of Fuller’s hard work and accomplishments. “She is where we start offensively most of the time and has become a great rebounder which is a great asset,” Jones said. “One of the best post players in the program.” Popeck mentioned his 30-point performance his freshman year upsetting Westminster 88-86 as one of his favorite moments and Fuller remembered defeating Bethany 79-65 in the first round of the conference tournament her sophomore year, both at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. Fuller looked up to LeBron James and Elena Delle Donne growing up while Popeck idolized Steph Cur-
ry, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant. Despite these basketball stars, Popeck’s most important role model is closer to home. “Def ini tely my dad,” Popeck said. “He’s always pushed me since I was a little kid, worked with me in the gym, and pushed me to get better daily.” Waynesburg hosts Geneva this Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m., and will honor its seniors including Fuller and Popeck while the PAC tournament begins next week. “Playing hard, playing together, practicing together. It’s on us,” Popeck said. “We know we can make some noise in the tournament. We know we can beat anyone in the league. It’s just a matter of getting better and staying at it.” The two dynamic players hope to have left a lasting legacy and impact on the program and community. “I want my legacy to be showing how perseverance can make you one of the top players,” Fuller said. “Coming in here I had really big shoes to fill in Addy Knetzer. She was a senior when I came in freshman year. I just wanted to show you can fill those shoes. You have to persevere and believe in yourself. I want people to come in here and have confidence that you can make a difference.” “I want to impact the program in a positive way,” Popeck said. “I think I have. I’ve given a lot to his program. I also want to be known as a great player but so much as important as being a great teammate and a great person on and off the court.”
Sled hockey keeps Darrion Allensworth moving forward BROCK OWENS
For The Yellow Jacket
He’s headed toward the goal. He shoots. He scores! This is nothing new for Darrion Allensworth who’s been playing hockey for 12 years. The only difference is Allensworth isn’t skating across the ice. Allensworth was born with spinal cord atrophy and is paralyzed from the chest down. Off the ice, Allensworth gets around in his wheelchair, but on the ice, he has his trusty sled. Allensworth is a part of the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins, which is spon-
ally good at.” According to usahockey.com the main rule differences from typical ice hockey are in the equipment. The obvious difference is the sled. Other differences include each player having two sticks instead of one, and the sticks having metal picks on the bottom for mobility. And yes, they check. “One of the craziest checks I’ve seen is someone getting hit so hard they actually f ly out of their sled,” Allensworth said. Allensworth started playing sled hockey when he was seven years old. “I heard about it from
was the most physical activity I did.” Lessons are not all Allensworth did in the pool. “He broke several national records,” Chao said. As of 2019, Allensworth still held the national record in his class for the 50-meter freestyle in the under 11 and under 14 age groups. “When he was young, he competed against able bodied kids,” Chao said. But to put it lightly, Allensworth wasn’t a huge fan of swimming. “He hates i t,” Chao said. “It was one of those things where your parents make you do something because it’s good for you, and that makes
Courtesy of Darrian Allensworth
Darrion Allensworth competes in a sled hockey game. Allensworth began playing sled hockey when he was seven. sored by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The most difficult challenge of the sport for him is how it’s viewed by others. “Sled hockey is a sport that’s just as tough as any other sport,” Allensworth said. “This isn’t an activity that people should feel bad for, or even proud of us playing the sport. This is just a sport we love to play and have gotten re-
my van driver whose grandson also plays sled hockey,” Allensworth said. He told my mom about it and she took me up to a practice where I first tried it and I really liked it.” His mother, Sabrina Chao, fully supported him picking up sled hockey. “My mom wanted me to get into a sport or something to keep up my physical exercise,” Allensworth said. “Swimming lessons
you hate it.” And as you might expect, if you ask Allensworth about his national records, he brushes them off. “I always knew he wasn’t meant to be confined in a wheelchair,” Chao said. “His disability was from birth, and we found out when he was one, but that never stopped him from moving.”