The Yellow Jacket | 9.12.19

I N S I D E WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY RECIEVES 2019 EDUCATOR AWARD S E E A 4

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SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 • VOL. 97 NO. 01 • EST. 1924

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OP-ED

REGION

SPORTS

Current students may not remember 9/11, but the tragedy's impact should not be lost

Four candidates to run in the 2019 Greene County Commissioners election Nov. 5

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Perone enters final year, planning to dedicate the season to his late brother SEE B3

Photo courtesy of University Relations

'CHANGING TIMES' WU realignment includes new initiatives and transitions for some staff positions HOLLY HENDERSHOT Executive Editor

Change is constant throughout higher education, whether it be in trends, student resources or teaching styles. This year, in an effort to adapt to those changes and anticipate the changes of the future, Waynesburg University underwent a realignment of resources, a process which began with the start of the university’s new strategic plan more than a year ago.

Stacey Brodak, vice president for Institutional Advancement and University Relations, said the pieces of that

plan are continuing to fall into place, and the realignment is just one of those pieces.

“We have a strategy, and that includes making changes to make sure we can meet our strategic plan, but also acknowledge the changing times around us in higher education and making sure we are doing what we can to keep our goals and focus consistent,” Brodak said.

As a part of the changes, Brodak said many faculty and staff members transitioned into new roles. Included in these changes, Jacqueline Palko transitioned to the role of director of Undergraduate

and Graduate Admissions; Heather Bonaventura assumed the role of assistant director of Financial Aid; Joshua Sumpter became the new chaplain; Lauren Bailey transitioned to assistant director of Campus Ministry and Adam Jack is now the new athletic director, in addition to his faculty role.

One new implementation that will have a definite impact on students is the upcoming “Pathways Center,” which will include services provided for students on campus in a single location.

Brian Carr will be director for the program, and Sarah

Bell will work with the center as the career development specialist and study abroad coordinator.

Brodak said less than 2% of staff positions were eliminated on campus, and although many changes are taking place within the university, Interim Dean of Students Pat Bristor said she believes all of the changes being made are advantageous to students.

“It is definitely for the benefit of students,” she said.

“To help students prepare for their future careers, to follow their passions and to look at vocation. How does the mission of the university

and their faith base fit into their jobs? We talk about it in classes. We have done some things outside of the classroom, but I really think, with this realignment, there is going to be more connection to it.”

Brodak said a main goal throughout all the changes taking place is to be studentcentered in every decision, focusing on three themes: value, outcome and learning experience. The aim in the realignment, she said, is to ensure that Waynesburg University’s resources are aligned where they will best serve that purpose.

“We recognize that value and outcomes are incredibly important to our students and incredibly important in higher education right now,” Brodak said. “That has got to be our focus as an institution, making sure we align our resources to make sure we deliver those things to our students and for the future.”

Brodak encourages those interested in the recent changes to read the basic overview of Waynesburg University’s “Strategy for the 21st Century,” found under the Value and Rankings tab on the Waynesburg University website.

Pathways Center Canvas system replaces Blackboard aims to centralize student support ANGELICA GOOD Editorial Assistant

LACHLAN LOUDON Web Editor

A new initiative took off during the summer of 2019 at Waynesburg University, involving students’ success and opportunity. A plan for the new “Pathways Center” was laid out and put into motion. The Pathways Center is a broad campaign that will focus on uniting areas such as exploring education, transitioning majors, studying abroad, work study, tutoring, the Writing Center, disability services, internships, academic departments, community engagement, Student Services and more, all under one common roof.

Brian Carr, formerly the Director for Student Success, recently was named the Director of the Pathways Center. He is very hopeful for this initiative and describes it as “very intentional” towards the students.

“It’s not just going to class, learning material, taking tests, getting a degree and then going out and working out in the field. There’s more experiential-type learning and experiences that we want you to have,” Carr said. “Having a common place to seek internships and a place for study abroad opportunities, all of that stuff is going to be a ‘one stop shop’ experience.”

The Pathways Center plans to create “pathways” for students by linking together all areas geared towards student success. This not only affects

exploring students, a primary misconception of the Center for Student Success, but will potentially affect anyone in need of academic counseling or advising. The center will serve as a central place to assist students in any path they need to take to explore their “vocational calling” as Carr describes.

Carr wants to “start the deeper conversations” with students through the center and give them the support and opportunities they need as soon as they can.

“It’s really designed for all students for a lot of different circumstances,” Carr said.

“We want to see students thrive. We want to see students living out their calling.”

Plans for a location for the Pathways Center are currently in the works. As of now, they plan to place the center in the Eberly Library.

Rea Redd, director of the Eberly Library, librarian IV and professor, is unsure what Pathways is going to look like for the future, but is already seeing the impact it is having on the library.

“The part the library plays in [the Pathways Center] will be more developed with time,” Redd said. “The library has always been accommodating to the needs of the campus … a continuation of using a wide variety of space to serve the student body.”

It was not Redd’s decision to incorporate the center into CENTER >> A4

As students and faculty approach the new school year, they are not only adapting to new classes, but are being introduced to an up-to-date online portal.

Throughout the last three years, Waynesburg University has utilized the Blackboard program for access to grading and other educational links. However, know-

ing the contract was coming to an end in June 2019, the University created a crossdepartmental committee of faculty and staff to discover what was best for the future.

This committee was essential in the process of properly analyzing the pros and cons of Blackboard and other online resources in order to make a decision that would be most beneficial for the students and professors.

Carefully testing various

options, the team eventually decided to use Canvas as their newest learning management platform. Canvas’s user-friendly benefits, such as mobile friendliness with the incorporation of an app for notifications, simple uploading and submission options and the use of audio and video for easy feedback are all turning points in winning over their vote.

“It is really important to get that feedback from your

instructor and have that connection point,” said Jess Sumpter, director of online programs. On top of that, the twenty-four-hour, yearround, tech support and the option of using the turn it in program as a plagiarism checker are great selling points.

Canvas provides a timely and organized system for the faculty and students on CANVAS >> A4

Students utilize new HD equipment GREG FIKE

For The Yellow Jacket

When students in the Department of Communication returned to classes this fall in Buhl Hall, it was easy to notice a big change in the equipment in the building.

Over the summer, the department underwent high definition equipment upgrades, which will allow students in the department to work with state of the art technology.

“It’s a game changer, an absolute game changer,” said Richard Krause, chairperson for the department. “When you combine it with the talented students and faculty that we have, it’s going to allow us to achieve a lot of great things.”

The department was the beneficiary of a $375,000 grant from the Stover Foundation, which is a “3 to 1” matching grant. For every three dollars they give to the department, the department

Holly Hendershot, The Yellow Jacket

Communication students are learning how to work the new HD equipement, integrating it into their education and gaining experience they can utilize in their fields of study. matches it with a dollar.

“We were responsible for raising $125,000 and that “3 to 1” campaign continues and will continue until the day of giving in November,” said Krause. “We were also the recipients of money from a couple other sources. That

money has gone together, and we have purchased close to half a million dollars in HD equipment for the department.”

The upgrade was a twopart upgrade for equipment in the studio, and equipment in the remote production

truck.

There were a number of students who came back to campus early to go through a training that RPC Video ran to demonstrate how the equipment works.

HD >> A4

PAGE A2

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 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

Climate change too dire for politics GRACE HUTCHISON Columnist

STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR DIGITAL NEWS DIRECTOR MANAGING EDITOR REGION EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR SPORTS WEB EDITOR OP-ED EDITOR WEB EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

HOLLY HENDERSHOT ANDREW HREHA GRACE HUTCHISON EDWARD BOICE DYLAN CLELAND JOE SMELTZER RACHEL PELLEGRINO LACHLAN LOUDON ELAINA SPAHMER EMMA HERRLE ANGELICA GOOD SIERRA MEDINA

TECHNICAL/FACULTY ADVISORS: RICHARD KRAUSE SARAH BELL KRISTINE SCHIFFBAUER

EDITORIAL

Tribute to 9/11 Tragedy's impact should not be lost on students As college students, who fall under the 18-22 age demographic, we tend to not remember Sept. 11, 2001.

While we may remember where we were, our memory doesn’t expand beyond that. The rest of what we know about our experience that day comes from the accounts of our parents or older relatives who would have been around us at this time.

In 2009, every American college student would have known where they were, what they were doing, who they were with and every important detail imaginable To paraphrase country singer Alan Jackson, these college students knew “where they were when the world stopped turning.”

In 2014, the memories of college students would have been a lot more hazy. Still, a college junior or a senior would have been eight or nine years old in 2001, so they almost certainly would have had some recollection of what is commonly agreed upon as the worst day in American history.

Fast forwarding to the present day, the traditional class of 2023 is the last group of bright-eyed college kids born before Sept. 11, by 2025, no student in the typical 18-22 demographic would have been on this planet when the Twin Towers went down in flames.

As current Waynesburg University students, it’s important that, as the years go on, we continue to understand what happened on 9/11. Although we might not remember who we were with or what we were eating that day, we were alive for it, which means that we lived through what will hopefully go down as the scariest day in our history.

Although current college students might not remember Sept. 11, they remember the rest of the 2000s and how the attack affected that decade in particular. We’ve seen George W. Bush’s speech outside the remains of the Twin Towers.

We’ve heard the voices of horrified victims calling to their loved ones for the final time. We know that as devastating as 9/11 was for our country, it also brought our citizens together, and that’s not something that we can afford to let fade as new generations of college students who don’t remember anything between 2001-2009 enter campus.

Looking far ahead, there is going to be a time when college students see 9/11 the way current students see Pearl Harbor.

Luckily, there is far more video that illustrates Sept. 11, which can’t be said for the events of Dec. 7, 1941, so it will be harder for the tradgedy’s impact to be lost on anybody.

As this week commeraters that awful day 18 years ago, we at The Yellow Jacket encourage all Americans to remember that this is no ordinary week. Not too long ago, our society changed. The more we are able to grasp the impact of Sept. 11, the more we will be able to pass that on to future generations.

TO THE READER In order to provide better coverage in a more timely fashion, The Yellow Jacket is tranistioning to 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 full-color pages and will be printed on an bi-weekly basis.

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Copyright © 2018 Waynesburg University 51 W. College St.Waynesburg, Pa. 15370

It’s predicted that the Great Barrier Reef will die completely in our lifetime.

Our children will never experience its magical beauty. We have ruined that beloved ecosystem. Let that sink in.

Melting ice caps are forcing starving polar bears to look for food on terrestrial land. Ice is melting earlier in the spring and forming later in the fall, inhibiting their ability to hunt as their instincts tell them to.

The Amazon rainforest, home to the richest ecosystem on the planet, is still burning at an unfathomable rate of three football fields per minute. It has been burning for weeks, and countless animal and plant species have been irreversibly decimated. Humans are likely to blame.

The president of Brazil, the country which encapsulates much of the rainforest, is a climate change skeptic.

The fire likely started from farmers trying to clear more

of the rainforest to use for the country’s soybean and cattle exports.

Our planet is suffering.

There has never been a more critical need for change.

The worst part: there is no answer in sight.

The globe continues to scramble for solutions and accountability, while many politicians discount the importance and urgency of the matter altogether.

Our president, in fact, is a climate change denier himself.

Trump, in one of his many infamous tweets, posted in 2012 that he believes that climate change “is a concept created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing noncompetitive.”

I wish I was joking.

Needless to say, no groundbreaking legislation in America will be established to address climate change anytime soon. Quite the opposite, in fact.

During his three years of presidency, Trump has worked to remove many of the limits Barack Obama had in place which limited greenhouse gas emissions.

Trump also elected to

leave the Paris Accord, which is a global effort to mitigate greenhouse gases. In his endless effort to bring back the coal industry, Trump created the Affordable Clean Energy rule, easing limits on coal-fired power plant emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency, which is technically overseen by Trump himself, stated that the rule could result in 1,400 more premature deaths by 2030 than Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which it is set to replace.

Trump is hyperfocused on fulfilling his campaign promise of bringing back the coal industry above all else. He ignores modern, cleaner forms of energy and the well-being of Americans to boost his chances of reelection.

Trump’s gross negligence towards climate change legislation will be felt for years after he has left office.

Because this article can only be so long, I digress.

Back to my original point, climate change isn’t a political issue. Yet it is.

Democrats and republicans play an endless game of tug-of-war stalling, revok-

ing and passing legislation related to the issue.

Republicans generally minimize the importance of the topic, while many democratic presidential candidates are making environmental changes a key part of their campaign platforms.

The importance of the 2020 campaign in relation to global climate change cannot be overstated. Trump’s rollbacks and indifferent attitude towards global warming comes at a particularly vulnerable time, as this July was the hottest month ever recorded and in 2019 the first mammal went extinct as a direct result of climate change.

Even the immediate onset of the most radical legislation would merely put a bandaid over the irreversible damage already done to the planet.

Climate change is our planet suffering in unprecedented ways as a result of our current practices.

Though Trump misconstrues climate change as a bipartisan issue, when the planet continues to get hotter, all humans will suffer the impact regardless of political affiliation.

‘IT’ movie emphasizes topic of fear RACHEL PELLEGRINO Columnist

After watching the movie “IT Chapter Two,” I couldn’t stop thinking about two things: the first being the creepy image of Pennywise and the second being fear.

For those of you who are not avid “IT” fans or know nothing about the movie, fear plays a huge role in the film and not just because the movie is scary.

Fear is what Pennywise the clown feeds on; it is what strengthens him. In order for the main characters to defeat him they have to learn to overcome their fears or else he’ll keep terrorizing their town.

As I was watching this movie, my heart was racing.

I was on the edge of my seat and I had my hands covering

my eyes. I will admit, I was afraid. By the sounds of other people screaming, I know I was not the only one afraid in that movie theatre, and I am not the only one to ever experience fear.

I want to talk about fear because fear drives people’s lives. It makes people do things they shouldn’t and not do things they should.

With a new semester beginning, it is the perfect time to face some of your fears and step out of your comfort zone.

As I watched each character in the movie overcome their fears, I asked myself, “what am I afraid of?”

I could answer this question in so many ways. I could list my “go to answer” for when this question is used as an icebreaker or I could actually think a litle harder.

Let’s start out with my “go-to icebreaker answers.”

I am afraid of elevators.

I am afraid of heights.

Now, let’s dig deeper.

I am afraid of failure.

I am afraid of not reaching my potential.

It is okay to have these fears, but when they run your life, that is when it is not okay.

A great concept that Times magazine noted in an article about “IT” was that “without belief, there’s no such thing as fear.” This is important to dwell on because a lot of what we fear is based off of unrealistic events that could happen in the future.

These construed fantasies are not realistic. Therefore, if we stop believing these thoughts and fueling them, we could stop being afraid.

In the movie “IT,” whenever the characters realize that their fears are not real, the hallucinations caused

by Pennywise disappear.

This does not mean the fear is gone. It just means they

have come to terms that the imaginations inside of their head cannot be real.

A part of me believes we can never live without fear.

Fear keeps us alive; it is a survival instinct, engraved in our minds.

Fear is not bad, but like anything else, it can be twisted into something dangerous. What controls it from becoming something bad is our own minds.

I encourage you to get out there and stop being afraid of things you can’t change or you believe could happen.

Don’t let a world of “what if’s” stop you from living in a world of “I did.”

As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

I challenge you to write down your fears. Try to think about how you can overcome these fears and step a little out of your comfort zone.

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.

JOE SMELTZER Sports Web Editor

1. Dorian survivors tell stories As Hurricane Dorian continues to make an impact all over the world, citizens of the Bahamas are telling stories of their dealings with the natural disaster.

“I don’t feel safe,” a resident told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “I don’t see the authorities around. They say that they have, but I honestly don’t see them. There’s a lot of death that’s around us. It’s a lot of chaos.”

The death toll in the Bahamas is currently at 20, as the Hurricane has a category two status.

2. Jeep owner explains himself Hurricane Dorian has also affected the Carolinas, as both North and South Carolina have been hit. In South Carolina, Charleston was struck with dangerous wind and rain, causing thousands of locals to lose power. A man in Myrtle Beach, located 90 miles south of Charleston, decided to leave his Jeep on the sand of a beach. The man, who requested to re-

Tribune News Serivce

Hurricane Dorian survivors hand out supplies after devastating destruction and loss. main anonymous, explained what happened to WMBF, “This morning he thought it would be cool to go on the beach and take a quick video of the sunrise before the storm came...I guess there’s that runoff there and he didn’t realize it was in front of him, he looking out the window when he went off and got stuck.”

The man’s cousin apparently tried to get assistance with towing the vehicle off the beach, but was unsuccessful because of the weather conditions.

3. Child attacked by Mountain Lion An 8-year-old boy from

Colorado survived a neardeath experience with a Mountain Lion. The child, Pike Carlson, talked about the encounter this week, a month after the horrifying experience in his backyard.

Pike and his older brother were casually playing on the trampoline when the

younger Pike heard one of his friends yell a warning to him from a nearby house.

The lion subsequently went after him and nearly killed him.

Doctors had to reattach Pike’s left eye after the attack, closing wounds on his head with 60 staples.

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. All letters must be received by 5 p.m. the Monday of any publication week.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

PAGE A3

Project Linus offers service opportunity for students RACHEL PELLEGRINO Op/Ed Editor

Last year, 236 blankets were made by Waynesburg University’s students and 236 children’s lives were changed.

This was made possible by the national non-profit organization Project Linus, which provides security blankets to children in need.

Kelley Hardie, assistant dean of Student Services, started a chapter of Project Linus in Greene County in April, because she believed there was a need in Waynesburg for the organization.

“I decided to apply to initiate a chapter here in Greene County, because it was a need that wasn’t being met,” Hardie said. “I just thought that [it] would be a really great opportunity for Greene County.”

Hardie was also motivated by the organization’s mission. Project Linus’ two-fold mission is: to first provide love and a sense of security to children in need and sec-

ondly, to provide a fun service opportunity that benefits children.

The organization has existed since its founding in 1995 by Karen Louks, who decided to make blankets for her local children’s cancer center. Project Linus was named after the infamous Linus from the Peanuts comic strip, because he was famous for carrying around his security blanket. Now, security blankets are made for children to carry around for the same reason as Linus - comfort. “[Project Linus] provides security blankets to children who have a terminal illness or some type of life threatening condition or that could include domestic violence or mental illness,” Hardie said.

Waynesburg University sends the blankets made by students to a variety of places, Hardie said, as long as they fit with the mission of Project Linus.

“We send them to any organization that fits that mission, so in the past, we’ve

Courtsey of Heidi Dziak

Students meet once a month to make no-sew blankets for children in community. sent them to Ronald Mcdonald’s in Morgantown, and we’ve worked with Catholic Charities, we’ve worked with The Angel Tree Ministry program and a local church,” she said.

Hardie believes it’s a great service opportunity for students on campus.

Heidi Dziak, senior ac-

counting major, helped out substantially last year with the event. She enjoyed making the no-sew fleece blankets, because she said they’re easy and fun to make.

“I love making them, and it’s really easy for me to do.

Plus, I know it’s really important,” Dziak said. “Having that little bit of security

to hold on to is really really important for some people because if not, what do they have? I think of kids in foster care who don’t have someone as their security. They can’t go to their mom or dad, they can’t go to their brother or sister, because they don’t have them. So, to have that nice soft warm feeling of a

blanket really means a lot.”

Both Hardie and Dziak hope the “blanket making parties” become bigger at Waynesburg and more people get involved this year.

“Anybody can come, it doesn’t matter; even if you don’t know how to make them and you just want to help,” Dziak said.

Dziak described the emotions and benefits she’s experienced from helping out with Project Linus.

“When you finish a blanket, you just see this awesome product … when you look back and see it, you’re just so proud of it, and the fact that not only they can be proud of it, but knowing that it’s going to a good place.” Dziak said. “I want everyone to be able to feel that and to feel they are making a difference in a child’s life.”

Project Linus will meet in Stover 102 at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, Oct. 25 and Nov. 8. Snacks, coffee and materials will be provided.

All are welcome.

Education bill funds foster Waynesburg SAB changes students' tuition and fees roles for 19-20 school year SIERRA MEDINA Editorial Assistant

The Fostering Independence Through Education Act, a bill that provides a unique opportunity to those who remain in the foster care system after the age of 16, was passed by Gov.Tom Wolf on July 28.

For fostered students, the bill waives tuition and general fees for up to five years of education. These five years do not need to be consecutive, but it becomes unavailable after the age of 26. This new law will be applied to private, public, community and most vocational-technical colleges in Pennsylvania.

Waynesburg University already receives hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Pennsylvania state government every year, as well as almost $1.8 million from state grants for students this year alone, said Matthew Stokan, director of Financial Aid. Stokan commented on whether he thought the new bill should be applied to private institutions.

“If the tuition waiver is paid for by the state, I think that’s fine,” he said. “I’ll be

interested in the particulars of how we’ll collect that.”

Waynesburg University sits at a cost of about $36,000 a year, including tuition, fees and room and board, Stokan said.

Students who were in the foster care system are independents, typically with no expected family income.

In addition, they already qualify for the maximum available federal and state grants.

Stokan believes the new bill may discourage good students who were in the foster system from attending colleges that strive to maintain reasonable prices.

“Schools that are reasonably priced are going to miss out on students, because those who were in foster care would get more bang for their buck going to a higher priced school,” he said.

Waynesburg University, with its core Christian values, strives to assist students as well as possible through various programs and scholarships, said Stokan.

“Our goal is to help as many students as possible, especially students who

were not blessed in their family,” he said. “We’d be all for helping that student advance.”

The law will go into effect during the fall semester of 2020 and will not cover incurred debt from previous years. The law also does not cover room and board.

The application process for the waiver is not yet known but will be available in January of 2020.

A high school diploma or an equivalent degree is required for eligibility of the tuition waiver. Additionally, “satisfactory academic progress” must be maintained while at college to retain eligibility for the waiver, as well as developing points-of-contact at the university attended to ensure the students’ success.

Various colleges have different tuition prices for in or out-of-state students, but Waynesburg University stands out for their actions to treat all students the same said Stokan. Stokan hopes that this, as well as the University’s desire to help those in need, will keep students choosing Waynesburg.

Upper Room adds prayer coordinator role to team OHSEUNG CHOI

For the Yellow Jacket

In March 2019, the Upper Room team added a new position titled, prayer coordinator. The Upper Room advisor, Josh Sumpter said this new role is intended to help coordinate opportunities for prayer.

“Prayer coordinator in Upper Room covers the whole program in prayer and provides opportunities and spaces for students to pray and be prayed with,” Sumpter said.

A sophomore digital design major, Rachel Sanders, became the prayer coordinator for Upper Room in March. Sarah Long, Upper Room leader, stressed the importance of the prayer coordinator having a strong prayer life themselves.

“I saw genuine prayer life from Rachel,” Long said.

Since Upper Room added the new role, the Upper Room team and Sanders are brainstorming about the foundation of the new position for the future.

“I want to have more of an

outline of a job description for the next prayer coordinator,” Sanders said. “That means certain events or projects for the future prayer coordinator to continue to do. It just to have a heart to want to praise the Lord.”

Another reason the team implemented the new position is comfort.

this authentic form of worship, form of communication with the Lord, not some righteous form of speaking.”

With the new school year starting, Sanders thinks it’s important for students to know about her position as the prayer coordinator.

“I think there is a stress and a lot of anxiety that

HANNAH ROSE AND GRACE HUTCHISON For the Yellow Jacket

Ryan Smith, assistant director of Student Activities, now oversees the operations of the Student Activities Board, a duty previously held by Pat Bristor, associate dean of students.

This new role is a result of realigning responsibilities within the Student Services office after staffing changes occurred over the summer. Smith has assumed leadership as the head of SAB while Bristor acts as the interim dean of students.

“This semester is going to be our transition period,” Smith said.

Previous to the shift to this new responsibility, Smith was planning large events for the upcoming semester and focused on growing the social media presence for SAB. His move to this new role caused many of his past projects to be slowed for the time being.

“These changes were not what we were expecting for the semester,” he said.

Smith is no stranger to change, as he has shifted from a graduate assistantship, to assistant director, to this new responsibility in just two years.

“It has been transition after transition for me,” he said.

This role comes with a plethora of new responsibilities for Smith, including taking leadership on event promotions, overseeing

For the Yellow Jacket

RACHEL SANDERS

Sophomore digital design major

“I want more people to be comfortable with prayer because prayer is not this huge thing that most people think you have to have scripted or it has to be a certain way,” Sanders said. “It can be as small as ‘Lord, thank you’ or ‘Lord help me’. Just more people can be aware of that too. Prayer is supposed to be

comes with being a student in college,” Sanders said.

“Where can we go whenever we are struggling and we are broken? The answer should be we go to Lord.”

Prayer Coordinator is not just working during Upper Room on Sunday nights. Students can reach out to Sanders anytime.

within the organization.

“We of course are going to miss her,” Cardish said.

“But we are also excited to have [Smith] as one of our new point people. We are excited for the future direction of SAB.” This future direction

“I think SAB is taking this change in a positive way. We're all trying to make the best of it and see what growth we can get out of it."

ANNALISE CARDISH senior nursing major

Though overseeing SAB was an unexpected opportunity for Smith, he has proactively coordinated with the current president to bring some new ideas to the organization in the upcoming school year.

Annalise Cardish, senior nursing major, acts as the president of SAB and has worked closely with both Bristor and Smith during her involvement in the organization. In her role, Cardish said she acts as the gatekeeper between SAB and staff, consistently communicating with organization committee members and finding common ground amongst them.

Bristor attended the first SAB meeting of the semester to announce to members that Smith will now be overseeing her former role, but she will still be available as a resource for those

includes having student members assume more advanced roles in the planning of campus events, as well as getting faculty and staff more involved in student activities. “[The changes] are on a by-trial basis,” Smith said.

“We’re going to try them out … if we mess up we are going to learn from our mistakes.”

Thoug h the shif t to Smith’s new role is still recent, he said he feels comfortable with the responsibility because of his past experience working closely with the organization and Cardish. Both are excited for this new opportunity and what it may bring.

“I think SAB is taking this change in a positive way,” Cardish said. “We’re all trying to make the best of it and see what growth we can get out of it.”

Renovations to lounges stun returning residents BRUCE DAVIDSON

“Prayer is supposed to be this authentic form of worship, form of communication with the Lord, not some righteous form of speaking.”

weekly campus-wide emails and care packages, as well as balancing some of his past responsibilities, such as maintaining the student services website and social media accounts.

“I’m always up for a challenge,” Smith said.

As the new academic year begins, Waynesburg students may have noticed some differences in their dorms. Locations such as the lobbies of Thayer Hall, Ray Hall and the second floor of Martin Hall underwent changes and work.

New furniture was added for students to enjoy within all the lounges on campus.

The new furniture is all the same product, but with variations in design and fabric depending on the dorm. It will bring a sense of cohesion across campus making each dorm similar but unique from each other at the same time.

While it may seem like

it to students, this was no overnight transformation.

Matt Pioch, director of housing and resident director, oversaw the renovations.

“This is a project that has been ongoing for a little while,” Pioch said.

Beginning over last year’s spring break many of the storage rooms in the lounges of campus dorms were removed as an effort to give space back to students said Pioch.

The initial decision to make renovations was done in large part by two people; former reverend James Tinnemeyer, and former Waynesburg University chief financial officer John Oland.

After renovating the Beehive the previous year, Pat Bristor, interim dean of students,

was brought into the project as well.

“Bringing her in was monumental in making sure that the aesthetics and design were done well,” Pioch said.

Andrew Heisey, chairperson for the fine arts department, selected colors and fabrics that worked well together. With more open space students are expected to take advantage and spend more time out of their rooms and in larger groups in the lobbies.

Signs from the Waynesburg Facilities Services remain up, but any additional work is minor and just final touches that are occurring.

In the lobbies of Waynesburg campus dorms it’s a new look for a new year as the 2019 fall semester gets underway.

PAGE A4

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Waynesburg University presented with Educator Award GRACE HUTCHISON Managing Editor

Waynesburg University was recently recognized with the 2019 Educator Award by the western Pennsylvania chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The award was presented at the foundation’s annual Out of the Darkness walk in Pittsburgh Aug. 17 and is given to schools that lead efforts to train students on suicide prevention.

Briana Ryan, senior arts administration major and Bonner scholar, selected suicide prevention as her assigned issue-based project for the Bonner Program during her freshman year.

An issue-based project is an extensive year-long project where Bonner scholars coordinate local community and campus events around an ongoing societal issue.

Though she played a major role in the achievement of this award, Ryan says the accomplishment was very much a collaborative effort.

“It was everyone coming together,” Ryan said. “I couldn’t have done this on my own.”

To earn this recognition, Ryan and group members hosted suicide prevention training programs campuswide and also held a special

Center

Continued from A1

the library. Last year, architects came to Eberly Library to assess the architecture.

The consensus among the experts was that the library had too much “underutilized space” and the Pathways Center could possibly employ that space.

“They said, ’We have a good idea and want to change the library,’” Redd quotes the proposition brought to him.

Redd mentions how there are more than 150,000 books in the library and up to around 180,000 books online.

He wants to utilize reading and study space and expand on what is already in place.

This includes windows being obscured by bookshelves.

“They’d rather have windows looking out on the ‘pathways,’” Redd said, using a play on words in remarks to the integration.

The hope is that the center has a set location where students can easily navigate the different “paths” they wish to embark upon. Sarah Bell, career development specialist and study abroad coordinator, had her office, formerly in Miller Hall, relocated to the library as a start to put the different pathways in one general area.

As of now, the Pathways Center is a forthcoming project that will be constantly developing during the years to come. Students can fully utilize the center now, but it is still being refined and organized to better serve the needs of the students.

“Nothing has gone away,” Carr says. “Nothing has really changed outside of the fact that we’re realigning things differently to provide things more comprehensively.”

Canvas

Continued from A1

campus to use to their advantage. The process of finding, testing and properly implementing the new system took approximately a year to complete. A substantial amount of hard work and research took place throughout this time to guarantee a smooth transition.

Canvas “helps with the efficiencies of communication,” claims Sumpter.

This transition period did not take place immediately.

Photo courtesy of Briana Ryan

The Bonner scholars in the suicide prevention issue-based project group, headed by Senior Briana Ryan, recieved the 2019 Educator Award Aug. 17 for their efforts in training students on the difficult topic. training for Residence Life staff.

The Bonner scholars in the suicide prevention issue-based project group also held the university’s second annual Out of the Darkness walk and hosted special coffeehouses, called “Redemption Stories,” to allow students the opportunity to address topics around mental health.

These coffeehouses gave

students the opportunity to speak out about their own struggles with mental health and find community with each other.

“If you share your story, you don’t know who you can help,” Ryan said.

Waynesburg’s annual Out of the Darkness walk has become a popular event on campus. Students and faculty gather and walk in recognition of mental health is-

sues and in rememberance of those lost.

“When you’re there, you realize just how many other people have gone through what you’ve been through,” Ryan said.

When Ryan initially joined the suicide prevention issuebased project group, the project overall wasn’t very active. During the last several years, the suicide prevention project has blossomed.

Adrienne Tharp, coordinator of the Bonner Scholar Program, remembers the origins of these new programs.

“Students who were coming in said that we could do more with this,” Tharp said.

Tharp plans to coordinate with current Bonner scholars to continue the events that have been created to promote suicide prevention on campus, including the annual Out of the Darkness

walk.

Tharp encourages even more students to participate in the walk.

“It’s really a celebration of living,” Tharp said. “I think people have a misconception that it is a dark, gloomy event.”

More than 250 students participate annually in the walk, alongside faculty and representatives from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“If nothing else, even without getting the award, it’s rewarding to know that the school is coming together,” Ryan said.

Tharp believes the recent growth of the suicide prevention project is the result of hard work and also a cultural shift towards being more accepting and open about mental health.

“Students are more aware, and they’re not afraid to hold back,” Tharp said. “It has been great to see students really owning this.”

Ryan is incredibly proud to have earned this achievement, though she says that the award has motivated her to set even higher goals for suicide prevention programs within the university.

“It’s exciting to see students put all of their time and energy into something and see it pay off,” Tharp said.

Vira Heinz recipients reflect on trips abroad All her life, Elena McDermott felt sheltered.

“I had a sort of bubble around me, and I wanted to break it open,” she said.

McDermott, a junior environmental science/biology major, found her chance to burst that bubble last year through the Vira I. Heinz scholarship.

According to its website, the Vira I. Heinz program “prepares women for tomorrow’s global challenges by offering a unique opportunity for international experiences, leadership development and community service.”

This summer, McDermott was one of six Waynesburg University students who were selected for the Vira I. Heinz Scholarship, which offered them an opportunity to study abroad in their major at different points throughout the summer. McDermott [Australia], Kara Compton [England], Nia Shuler [South Africa], Briana Zaharko [Costa Rica], Lexi Reinek [Belize] and Rebecca Fremd [India] were the six chosen.

To apply for the scholarship, female students must be in either their sophomore or junior class with no experience outside of the United States. In addition, they had to meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.

McDermott applied as a sophomore, and was chosen, taking her trip between June 24 and July 24. As an environmental science, biology major, she had experience in the Stem Field, which she said helped her in the application process.

For her trip, McDermott went to Australia, and it

didn’t go according to plan.

Initially, she thought she’d be going to the north-eastern coast of Australia, where the Great Barrier Reef is located.

But, that program was cancelled at the last minute, so she wound up going to the western side of the country to work on projects relevant to her field.

“Mostly, the projects were comparing two different sites,” she said. “So I was comparing diversity and abundance of stingrays in two different areas of the reef, and coral health in two different areas of the reef. I got to learn about all the diseases of the coral, the different kinds of coral. It was just an amazing appearance.”

Biology wasn’t the only major represented this summer. Senior Kara Compton traveled to London, England between July 14 and August 14 to learn more about the criminal justice field. Compton took two classes at the CAPA London Center, one on wrongful convictions and another on human rights.

One thing that stood out to Compton was the differences in criminal trials in England compared to the United States, particularly in the frequency of wigs in a courtroom. Compton also took note of the difference in terminology [it’s “holiday,” not “vacation”]. Before going to England, Compton had a vision of the country, thinking of British accents and other customs of the United Kingdom. What she found, however, was that the country was much more diverse than she initially expected.

“I would go shopping, and you wouldn’t just see the typical english guy or gal with the British accent.

Canvas was first introduced to our students during summer graduate classes in which any shortcomings were immediately addressed. From that first semester of testing only positive feedback was given, and continues to spread.

Since technology is always evolving, and human expectations of this technology are constantly changing, it is hard to say if Canvas will be around for the long run.

However; within contract, it will be active for at least the next four years.

“Ultimately, we want to make sure that whatever

technology that is for our faculty and staff is of good use for the institution,” said William Dumire, head of information technology services.

All involved in bringing this idea to life are extremely proud of the growth seen thus far. Overall, those on campus who have embraced this new system should know that their support is greatly appreciated and valued.

“We wanted this to be driven at the faculty and student level to find the right tool to properly educate the students,” Dumire said.

JOSEPH SMELTER Sports Web Editort

Photos courtesy of Kara Compton and Briana Zaharko

Above, Kara Compton went to England for her Study Abroad experience.

At right, Briana Zaharko, on her Study Abroad trip to Costa Rica.

There were people speaking so many different languages,” she said.

In her trip to India from May 25-June 29, senior nursing major Rebecca Fremd found a striking difference in healthcare due to doctors without the necessary preparation to care for patients.

Aside from nursing, Fremd also took note of the quality of schooling in India.

“The education system doesn’t really exist there,” she said. “You can’t get public education in India if you don’t have money for an actual education. You’re not gonna go anywhere and you can’t get an education. So there’s a lot of after school programs for slum areas and orphans and underprivileged people who don’t have the money to go to a private

HD

Continued from A1 “This is an exciting time for the students,” said senior Paul Zalakar, General Manager of WCTV. “Everyone was excited to come back, and there is a lot of enthusiasm. The best part about this is that it resembles what we will be seeing out there in the job market.”

Waynesburg University President Douglas Lee played a huge role in getting the ball rolling for the project.

school to get an education.”

Compton plans on spending a lot more time out of the United States. After college, she’ll be joining the Peace Corps in Armenia, where she’ll be staying for at least the next two years.

For Compton, going to a country that spoke her native language was essential in preparing for her future.

“I feel like it was nice to just get my toes in the water,” she said. “For me to get a diverse group of people around the world and kind of see. I know how travelling abroad works, but I also feel confident in my ability to do that, and then going off doing something a little bit more challenging where I

have to learn a new language and things like that. So yeah, I definitely feel a lot more comfortable. Taking more of a risk in what I do.”

Senior Briana Zaharko, also a nursing major, spent her time in San Jose, Costa Rica, studying under the program AIFS at Veritas University from May 25 to June 20. She summed up the trip by saying how it can be a springboard for her as a future leader in her profession.

“Going abroad, gaining a lot of leadership and a lot of confidence, a lot of independence,” she said. “I think a lot of those things are super helpful. I’m excited to take those with me into my job in the future.”

“I want to publicly thank President Lee for his efforts,” said Krause. “He has been instrumental in making this happen. President Lee works very closely with the students on this campus, and without him I don’t think any of this would have been possible. He has been such a strong leader for us, and we greatly appreciate what he’s done.”

Krause said preliminary conversations on this project began close to two years ago. Now that the equipment is in place, the department is looking to do great things.

“I want to get to a point

where we can take advantage of the new equipment and hopefully partner with some people in the local community to do some really exciting things,” said Krause. “We want to possibly look at ways to reach out to high schools and get them involved in what we do.

We really want to provide the best educational experience for our students and take full advantage of the blessings we have received.”

Zalakar is excited to get into the swing of things this semester and start working hands-on with the new equipment.

region SECTION B

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG

ME E T

T T Photos Courtesy of Greene County Commissioners

T H E Photo Courtesy of Betsy Rohanna McClure

Photo Courtesy of Mike Belding

C A ND I DAT E S Republican hopefuls challenge democratic incumbents in 2019 commissioner race ANDREW HREHA

Digital News Content Director

Just because 2019 isn’t a presidential election year does not mean there aren’t contested local elections happening. A major election in Greene County for 2019 is the Greene County Commissioners race. Date?

Four candidates are vying for three positions on the County’s commissioner board.

Currently, two democrats and one republican run the board.

While both democrats are running for reelection as incumbents, Archie Trader, republican commissioner and secretary on the board,

is not running for reelection.

The republicans elected two candidates to run for commissioner in the 2019 Primary, with Betsy Rohanna McClure receiving 44% of the republican vote and Mike Belding receiving 43%. Both incumbents Bl a i r Zi m m e r m a n a n d Dave Coder won the democratic primary, with Zimmerman receiving 33% of the democratic vote and Coder receiving 29%.

Belding, who grew up in Greene County before a career in the United States Marine Corps, moved back to the area with his family after retiring.

“I came back to Greene County because of fond

memories of growing up here,” Belding said. “I love this place.”

If elected commissioner, Belding wants to focus on improving the efficiency of local government, diversifying the economy and addressing the drug crisis.

“At the county level, we should all be focused on what is important to our future,” Belding said. “The safety of our children, the strength of the economy, the success of our education system and opportunities presented to the next generation.”

Belding has focused his campaign against party politics, as evidenced by his “Not Red, Not Blue, Greene” initiative.

“It’s not about political parties or re-election opportunities,” Belding said. “Right now we need a significant change in the culture of Greene County government where taxpayers come first and decisions are based on what is best for the future of Greene County.”

McClure, who has lived in Greene County her whole life, has spent her professional career as a nurse. A major change McClure wishes to bring to the commissioners board is transparency.

“I would like to hold commissioner meetings in the evening so that more of the residents can attend, and make meetings available on

video or even live stream if possible,” McClure said.

“I would have an opendoor policy and welcome the public to stop in or to schedule a time to share their concerns, ideas and solutions to challenges we have here in the county.”

Zimmerman, who serves as the chairman of the board of commissioners, is running for a third term as commissioner. Before being elected to his current term, Zimmerman, then the mayor of Waynesburg, was selected to replace former commissioner and current Pennsylvania state representative Pam Snyder on the board, completing the remaining three years to complete his first term.

He was appointed the chairman position in Jan. of 2016 and previously served on the boards of retirement, salary and prison for Greene County.

Coder, who is currently the vice chairman of the board, will be running for his sixth term. As a native of Greene County, Coder was first elected in 1995.

Coder served two years of his fourth term from 2008-2010 and was then re-elected to the board in 2016.

Neither Zimmerman nor Coder commented at the time of publication.

Election day is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, with the top three vote-getters gaining seats as Greene County Commissioners.

Farmers markets offer local charm Golf tournament funds community impact projects HOLLY HENDERSHOT Executive Editor

As the fall season starts rolling around the corner, local vendors at farmers markets are keeping their tables full of seasonal produce, baked goods and even locally processed wine. Greene County hosts two farmers markets: Wa y n e s b u r g Fa r m e r s Market and Fencerow Farmers Market, both open through mid-October.

Waynesburg Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.

- 2 p.m. and usually has six consistent vendors each week, plus other possible vendors.

The market is located next to the Greene County Courthouse on E. High St. in Waynesburg. Although it has only been at this specific location for a few years, the Waynesburg Farmers Market has been in the county for around 18 years, said Market Manager Tanner McKnig ht and many of the vendors have been selling there for at least 15 of those years.

“Ever yone loves the farmers market,” McKnight said. “They see it, and it’s something they can go do.”

McKnig ht said the farmers market helps the community by supporting local businesses.

“It helps with staying l o c a l ,” h e s a i d . “ T h e money is going into [the community,] and then it

EDWARD BOICE Region Editor

Holly Hendershot, The Yellow Jacket

The Waynesburg Farmers Market is each Wednesday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on E. High Street. goes back into Greene County, so I think it helps keep sustainability.”

Included in the list of vendors that consistently sell at the Waynesburg Farmers Market are Harden Family Farm, Sue’s Bakery, Autumn's Boutique, Willow Tree Farms and Plum Run Winery, Inc. Fe n c e row Fa r m e r s Market is located at the Greene County Historical Society at 918 Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Kevin Paul, owner of the market for 10 years, decided to move it to the Greene County Historical Society just this year as a benefit to the organization.

Paul, who grew up a mile down the road from the

historical society, said he has a special connection to it because of his own family’s history with the organization. “ The brother of my seventh great-grandfather was the original owner of the grounds,” Paul said.

“Due to the family history, I’ve always had an interest in the historical society… so, I thought we’d try it here and see how it went.”

Up to 42 farms have done business at the market in the past, and so far this year, the market is doing well at its new location, averaging 32 visitors to the market each week.

T h e ve n d o r s at t h e market are currently selling in-season peaches, apples, sweet corn, tomatoes and more.

Paul said the market

supports local businesses and keeps money circulating in the area, benefiting the community as a whole.

“You support the local merchants, which support other local merchants,” Paul said. “All the ones I deal with are at least second or third generation, and one was further back than that, so it helps those families stay on the family farm and keep things going. It’s good for the agricultural community.”

Fe n c e row Fa r m e r s Market will be at the Harvest Festival Oct. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this year at the Greene County Historical Society, and Paul said it may be open during the Christmas Open House i n Wa y n e s b u r g w h e n winter comes around.

T h e G ree n e C o u nt y U n i t e d Wa y t e e d o f f their eighth annual golf tournament Friday, Sept.

6.

This fundraising event took place at the Carmichael’s Golf Club with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. and went well into the afternoon.

All donations and funds raised from the event were directed t o t h e U n i t e d Wa y ’ s Community Impact Fund.

After assisted research, the fund partners with organizations who they think are best-positioned to make a change in their community. All to bring healthy living to as many people as possible.

“It was just a beautiful day,” said MaChal Forbes, executive director of the Greene County United Way. “We could not have asked for a prettier day to have a golf outing.”

Forbes said it was a small golf outing, but surely a fun day with about eight and a half teams consisting of four golfers.

Roughly 45 members of the community attended in total.

“It gave us an

opportunity to raise awareness around the agencies we work with and to talk to people about where their money goes when they donate to the Greene County United Way,” Forbes said.

Attendance of the event also included volunteers who are pulled from the community, as well as the local organizations that the United Way supports.

This gives those organizations the opportunity to publicize and draw awareness to causes that are in need of support.

Aside from the golfing, the event was full of games, prizes, raffles and food, all of which were provided through donations from the community, individuals and businesses.

Just a few of the United Way’s supporters include Waynesburg University, Community Bank, First National Bank and individuals such as the United Way President of the Board Lisa Pedrow, a n d t h e U n i t e d Wa y Treasurer of the Board Joshuah Daines.

“I think all of our events are great because the money that we raise filters GOLF >> B2

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

PAGE B2

High Point Raceway hosts PAMX championship series L a s t S a t u r d a y, t h e Pennsylvania Motocross Association held one of i ts sanctioned rounds of competition at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania, for motocross racers from ages 4-50.

Jeff Cernic, president of the PAMX Association, said the organization was honored and excited to be able to hold a weekend of competi tion at the historical raceway.

“The Pennsylvania State Motocross Championship has been around for at least 35 years,” Cernic said, “and High Point has been a part of it from the very beginning. We are very honored to have a series here because High Point has so much history and it's one of the top tracks in the nation. It’s a fantastic facility for motocross.”

Part of Cernic’s job is securing a venue for the competition rounds. Across the state, PAMX uses seven different locations.

At the High Point location, Cernic works closely with their management group who is always excited to host the event, said Kayla Bolton, media manager for PAMX. “We just go and help put on the races, we help with registration and scoring for the day,” Bolton said.

Cernic has been working within motocross for over 30 years. He said PAMX wasn’t established at the time he began working in the sport.

“I have been with Western Pennsylvania motocross since 1987, and the PAMX was founded in the early 2000s, but I have been around for many years,” Cernic said.

Cernic and the organization are excited for a variety of events that can entertain people of all ages.

“The PAMX offers classes from ages four years old all the way to 50 years old,” Cernic said. “So, you’ll see every age group of motorcycle racing there this weekend. Like I said, it’s a great event, the viewing is fantastic, the spectator, it's a very reasonable event to come in.”

In addi tion to state racing events, the historic raceway of Hig h Point has also been the host to some nationally recognized events, Cernic eloborated.

“High Point hosts one of the rounds of the AMA Lucas Oil outdoor nationals, and it holds one of the largest events in the nation there, so this is a national caliber event,” Cernic said.

Events and races like these, however, could not be put on completely b y PA M X . B o l t o n s a i d the track crews are around throughout the

Golf

Heritage Craft Butchers' retail store profitable

ABIGAL PHILLIPS AND DYLAN CLELAND For The Yellow Jacket

Continued from B1 right back into Greene County helping children, helping seniors, helping people with disabilities,” Forbes said. “Any event that we talk about funnels right back into the community and into programs that help people who are struggling.”

For the past three years, the United Way has given back $50,000 annually to programs that supported over 40,000 residents of Greene County.

Of course, Friday’s golf outing could not have ended without a winner of the tournament. What Forbes referred to as “ Team Grandel,” went home with f irst prize.

This team consisted of members Laura Grandel, Chris Haines, Bobby Dean and Craig Conklin.

Forbes said they have yet to determine the grand total of dollars raised from the event.

Photos from the event can be found on the Greene County United Way’s Facebook page.

EDWARD BOICE Region Editor

"I haven't really had anybody come in, ‘oh this price is this,' or, ‘why.'

Everyone's pretty much, ‘hey, can we get some more steaks down here,' or ‘can we get this.' We're just trying to figure all this out. It's only been but a month and a half," Brandon Dukate, an employee at Heritage Craft Butchers, said.

From Marianna in W a s h i n g t o n C o u n t y, Pennsylvania, Heritage Craft Butchers set up a retail store in Waynesburg July 12.

Now about two months into the business, coowners Bob Von Scio and Jered White report the shop is proving its keep.

"It's a little slower than our original projections, but it covers its cost," Von Scio said. "It's a profitable location for us, and it requires relatively little work on our part. It's sort of like, we make 50 pounds of a particular sausage, 10 or 15 go down there, I drop it off and it goes out the door."

While the main location

Ben Champ and Colby Bowen, The Yellow Jacket

Contestants racing down the track at High Point Raceway Sept. 7 during sanctioned rounds for the Fly Racing PA State Champhionship Series. weekend to keep up with the maintenance of the raceway.

“It’s actually our track crew, they’re out basically the whole week working on the track, making sure i t’s groomed, watered and ready to go for the weekend,” Bolton said.

Cernic said the event was truly for anyone, as throughout the weekend both new and experienced

in Marianna is where the craft meat experiences occur, the Waynesburg location's purpose is to draw customers from grocery store chains.

"Down there is basically just a retail location in a high traffic location with a unique product differentiated from Giant Eagle, Aldi, Walmart and whatever food retailers are there," Scio said.

Since the knowledge and expertise are all in the main location, the Waynesburg location does not sell all the unique products the offer.

While the location does receive some items such as veal meatballs and bison (the bison is a limited-time item) from Marianna, the retail store provides the everyday dairy and meat needs.

"The knowledge base is located here [in Marianna], so if you come in and ask about a chorizo asturiano versus a morcela chorizada, like we can talk at length about what those products are," Von Scio said. "Some of them are a really small batch, it might be a oneoff type of thing, and it wouldn't make sense to

riders came through to participate.

“It’s a very reasonable

event to come and see,” Cernic said. “Every age, from the youngest

to the oldest, there [were] amatures [and] professionals.”

Edward Boice, The Yellow Jacket

Brandon Dukate shows a steak and reaches for a package of bison meat at the Heritage Craft Butchers' Waynesburg retail store. make a training regimen or someone down there [at Waynesburg] to necessarily know 300 products and the origin, the history and the cultural significance of those products. Whereas, if someone [ just] wants a steak, local eggs, highquality milk, stuff like that, it's more of a… I don't want to say a convenience store, but it is a store with a limited selection of predictable everyday needs."

So far, the Waynesburg

store's best-selling product is their milk, said Dukate.

"I just say it's kind of like Wendy's melted Frosty because it's thick but white," Dukate said. "It's not really thick, but then you feel it.

A local guy from Kirby, Mt. Morris area, Andy Fox does all that stuff."

However big or small the product selection is at Heritage Craft Butchers in Waynesburg, customers can be sure their products will be fresh from Greene

County.

"Ask your Giant Eagle butcher where that meat came from," White said.

"They'll be like, ‘a Cisco truck? I don't know.' Some of these animals, if you were interested, we could tell you the name of the animal, but a lot of people don't really want to hear that. Animals with names I feel are a little happier and maybe taste better than animals that came off a feedlot and known by a number."

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Officer Shawn Wood reflects on 18 years of experience RACHEL PELLEGRINO Op/Ed Editor

When asked about Officer Shawn Wood, fulltime patrolman, Chief of Police Thomas Ankrom said, “we’re lucky to have him here.”

“Officer Wood is an 18 year veteran of the police department,” Ankrom said.

“He was born and raised in Waynesburg and ended up policing his hometown.”

Wood’s whole life has been centered around his hometown of Waynesburg.

This is the town he grew up in, attended high school and went to college. As Wood stated, “It's my neighborhood,” and that is why Wood came back to serve as a police officer here.

Even though Wood has been a police officer for

20 years and served in Waynesburg for 18 of those years, he didn’t always want to be a police officer.

“In high school, I was really involved in drafting, screen printing [and] architecture, that k i n d o f s t u f f ,” Wo o d said. “After high school, I went for engineering and architecture and then halfway through a semester I decided ‘I can’t do this, I don’t want to be behind a desk all day.’”

This idea of “not wanting to work a desk job” led Wood to major in psychology at Waynesburg college in 1993.

Although Wood enjoyed the psychology classes, part way through his time at Waynesburg he started to take criminal justice classes.

“Halfway through

taking all my psychology classes...I started taking criminal justice classes up there and I thought, ‘This is something I could do the rest of my life.”

Wood ended up graduating Waynesburg College with a psychology degree in 1997 and then attended the police academy.

“I went to the police academy after graduation and here I am,” Wood said.

Fo r 1 8 ye a r s , Wo o d has been working as a full-time patrolman for the Waynesburg police and continues to do an excellent job, said Ankrom. “ He’s a n a g g r e s s i v e of f icer [and has] maintained that level of policing throughout his 18 years here,” Ankrom said.

“Yet, he seems to be very fair with the public. He’s

very good with community policing.”

W h e n Wo o d i s n o t working as a police

daughter] plays for school, she plays for travel. It’s all year round.”

If Wood isn’t coaching

“He’s an aggressive officer [and has] maintained that level of policing throughout his 18 years here. Yet, he seems to be very fair with the public. He’s very good with community policing.”

THOMAS ANKROM

Waynesburg Cheif of Police

officer, he’s coaching his daughter’s softball team.

He said it consumes a lot of the free time he does possess. “[W hen] we’re doing something [in] reference to softball, it’s 24/7 ... She [his

softball, he and his family can be found relaxing on their boat.

“What we do as a family to relax, we have a boat and we float around and relax on the boat.”

All of this helps Wood get

through the “bad stuff” as a police officer.

“We do see a lot of bad things and that’s pretty much what I remember,” Wood said.

Despite this, Wood said there is good stuff that happens too.

“The good things are station tours with kids, boy scouts and the [Greene Arc., Inc.] clients,” Wood said.

Just last week, GARC clients, mentally disabled men and women, came to the station.

They were given a tour, were able to put police gear on and shown a police car. Events and visits like these are what make the job worthwhile for Wood.

“I like the spontaneous nature of the job...that’s why I started the career,” Wood said.

sports PAGE B3

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG

‘PLAY FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T’ waynesburg qb competes for late brother JOE SMELTZER Sports Web Editor

At first, it seemed like a regular day.

But then Tyler Perone’s world turned into a living hell.

It was the first day of spring practice for the 2018 season. Tyler, a rising junior, spent the day throwing out patterns and shouting signals, inching towards getting back the starting quarterback position he lost with three weeks left in the previous season.

After practice, Tyler got back to his room in Willison Hall and planned on playing a video game, Dungeon Defenders, with his teammate, roommate and close friend, Andrew Brncic.

Then, Tyler got a phone call from a paramedic.

His brother, Brendan, had taken his own life.

He was 18 years old.

As Tyler lay on the floor, overcome by flowing tears and paralyzing shock, he didn’t think about the pain of losing his brother.

He didn’t think about the sled rides, or about the video games or the Lego collections they shared growing up.

He didn’t think about not being able to play college football with his best friend,

who had just committed to Waynesburg a month before.

He didn’t think about himself, or, strangely enough, about his brother.

No, Tyler’s immediate thoughts were about his mother, Kim. “The first thing I said was, ‘My poor mom,’ Tyler said. “I remember saying that, and it’s engraved in my head more so than anything. That whole day was just – it was like hell.”

After the phone call, Tyler went home and was away from the college life entirely. It’s a good thing his grades were strong, because whe returned to Waynesburg four days later, he had no motivation to go to class. When he was supposed to be getting sleep and recharging for the next day, all he could do was stare out the window, the somber sky matching what his world had turned into.

“Just two weeks ago I was talking to my brother, and I’d call him up, asking if he wanted to play video games.

And here I am now, in this situation,” Perone said.

Now, 17 months after Brendan’s passing, Tyler still isn’t recovered— but he’s also motivated to play the game they both loved.

For his teammates who he

leads, and for Brendan, who 's presence he feels every practice and every game. *** Depression runs in the Perone family.

Tyler said his mother has lived with it for her entire life. Her father was also depressed, so much so that he took his life when Tyler was in grade school. Despite the traumatic circumstances, or perhaps because of them, Tyler wasn’t even aware of how his grandfather had died until last year—a few weeks before Brenden would suffer the same fate.

His parents had protected him from the details of how his grandfather had died for almost 13 years, but now, in 2018, his father, Mike, told both of his children the truth about what happened.

He did this because he knew his youngest son was hurting, and feared the family’s history of depression meant another tragedy lurked in the future, a fear that ultimately turned prescient.

“My brother was very depressed,” Tyler said. “We were worrying about him because he was sleeping a lot and wasn’t coming out of his room a lot. He was going down a dark path.

His friends wouldn’t have known. Only we would know that because he didn’t display it around anybody else, just at home. He was trying to outrun the feelings that he was getting.”

Tyler couldn’t really understand his brother’s depression. After all, by Tyler’s account at the time, Brendan didn’t have much to complain about life beyond occasional nosebleeds. He was popular in high school, with a sense of humor that was more outsized than his 6’1, 240 pound frame. Now, looking back, he still struggles to process what his brother was feeling and thinking.

“My brother had nothing to be sad about,” Tyler said.

“That’s the heartbreaking thing about it is that he couldn’t help how sad he felt, and he had nothing to be sad about. We didn’t come from poverty or abusive parents. That’s the thing that a lot of people don’t understand about depression is that people that don’t have it don’t understand. I don’t understand what that feels like.”

While Brendan’s future looked promising – a starting offensive lineman in high school, two months away from graduation and ready to make an impact

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Hall

blocking for his older bro at the college level – he was c o n stantly taking part in an Oklahoma Drill against depression. And for all his success on the field, the war for inner peace was much more intense than fending off a defensive end under the Friday night lights.

Brendan opened up to his older brother more so than his parents, so Tyler knew things about his brother’s battle that nobody else did.

While he did well academically, Brendan hated being in school for eight hours a day. And although Brendan loved the diversion the autumn Friday night provided, he would tell Tyler that when he was feeling down, he didn’t want any part of any activity— even football.

Tyler hated watching his brother struggle and hoped that going to college, where

Brenden wouldn’t be conf ined to one building five days a week, could h e l p him.

B u t Tyler’s plan, howeve r we l l intentioned, wo u l d n e v e r come to fruition. *** The night before Brendan took his life, Tyler called him.

It was Easter Sunday.

Perhaps Brendan knew at the time, but Tyler didn’t realize it would end up being their last conversation.

Tyler remembers he was driving back to campus.

Tyler remembers being scared for his brother’s life.

Tyler remembers that Brendan had been drinking.

Most of all, Tyler remembers the horror of his brother telling him that he had come close to ending it all.

Tyler remembers Brendan telling him not to mention that to his parents [which he did immediately PERONE>> B4

Soccer hosts Mt. Aloysius Saturday Volleyball looks for change of pace in PAC action ADAM MORGANTE For The Yellow Jacket

B o t h t h e m e n’s a n d women’s soccer teams will host Mt. Aloysius of the Allegheny Mountain Conference Saturday, Sept. 14, and in doing so, will look to continue to improve as they continue their nonconference play.

The men’s team lost it’s last meeting against Mt. Aloysius 4-0. Head coach B r a d He e t h i u s h o p e s that his team comes out ready to play unlike the last encounter when they squared off with the Mounties.

“They were ready to play. We were not,” Heethuis said. “They hit us early with a goal and we kind of got back on our heels and they continued the pressure and just added. “[We] really have to come out with a lot of energy and try to dictate the play instead of sit back and let [Mt. Aloysius] do it.”

The Jackets played Mt. Aloysius in an exhibition scrimmage in the spring, and Heethuis feels this gave them a good idea of what to expect for Saturday. “ We know the team pretty well and they are a solid side,” he said.

Despite the 2-2 start throug h the f irst four games of the season, Heethuis is pleased with his teams efficiency, and he believes it’ll make his team improve even more.

“I think the last two games specifically we’ve done a very good job being efficient in front of goal,” Heethius said. “We

COLIN MCLAUGHLIN For The Yellow Jacket

Ashley Hall, For the Yellow Jacket

Senior Teagan Jenner is one of the leading scorers for the women's soccer team through the first two weeks of the 2019 season. haven’t gotten a lot of chances yet but the ones we’ve had we’ve finished scoring three goals in the last two games each.”

One thing that Heethius wants to see in his next few games is a shut out, because the men’s soccer team hasn’t had one so far this season.

“I’d love to see a clean sheet,” he said. “We haven’t had a shut out yet so obviously keep the ball out of our net.”

The women’s soccer team has never lost to Mt. Aloysius, leading the alltime series with five wins, no losses and one tie. The

last time these two teams played, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

As far as for what type of team Mt. Aloysius is this time around, women’s head coach Laura Heethuis made note of the Mounties physicality.

“They’re a pretty physical team and they’re pretty quick,” Heethuis said. “So, I think just trying to match the physical side of the game and then also deal with the pace that they come at us with, but I think if we can keep possession and continue to move the ball and use our midfield that is a big strength for

us.”

Heethuis feels her team must change its style of play to match up with its opponent.

“I think we are going to have to match their physical play,” she said. “Especially winning 50-50 balls in the air or any direct play they try to go from their midfield all the way up to the forwards, so we have to be willing to win the 50-50 battles and that includes being physical.”

The men’s game will kick off at 1 p.m. and the women’s game will start shortly after at 3:30 p.m. at John F. Wiley Stadium.

Picked to finish in last place again in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, head coach Hayley Kirby and the Waynesburg University volleyball team are ready to make some noise starting this weekend in Pittsburgh.

“I want to shock some people,” Kirby said. “They don’t think that we are going to be any good and it’s just because that’s how it’s always been. Waynesburg hasn’t been good for 14 years and I just don’t think they expect it.

So, we are going to compete, have some close games and beat some [teams] that people don’t think we can beat.”

This is Kirby’s second year at Waynesburg, so she now has players that she got to recruit and believes that the team is finally starting to develop solid chemistry compared to previous seasons.

“In the past, the girls just never really liked each other,” she said. “They were kind of just thrown together and were told ‘hey go play a game.’”

Despite her optimism, year two under Kirby hasn’t started too strong, as the Jackets are currently 0-6 in non-conference play. The team will start its conference slate Saturday, Sept. 14, with matches against Geneva and Chatham.

“They play the same teams [as us],” said Kirby. “So, I have watched [Chatham] play Franciscan. I haven’t got to

watch Geneva at all because they haven’t really put anything up.”

Geneva is 6-3 so far this season with Waynesburg being its first conference match as well. Chatham is 2-4 overall and also starts its PAC part of the schedule against Waynesburg this weekend in Pittsburgh. “[Chatham] looks very similar to what they did last year,” she said. “So, I think that we can beat them. I know that Geneva lost its best outside hitter from last year and other than that I don’t really know what they have.”

Kirby added that the team’s goal is to have 15 wins overall at the end of the season. They would have to win at least 15 of their remaining matches this season to accomplish that goal.

“We are off to a bad start so I don’t know if that is going to happen,” Kirby said. “We won one PAC game last year, so that was nice, but obviously I would like to win more.”

Kirby’s other goal is to get the team into the PAC playoffs this season. To accomplish that goal, the Jackets would have to finish in one of the top six spots in the PAC standings.

“I want to make the tournament and I think we can if we put it all together. I think once we keep playing more we are going to figure it out,” she said.

Waynesburg’s first match Saturday is against Geneva at 11 a.m. and the match against Chatham is scheduled for 1 p.m.

PAGE B4

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Men's cross country hopeful for continued success at SVC DYLAN CLELAND JESSE CAIN Staff Report

Following two straight weeks of competition, the women’s cross country team will have an off week, as the men prepare for their third consecutive meet to start 2019.

The Jackets will compete in the St. Vincent College Invitational in Latrobe this Saturday.

Through the first two weeks of the season, head coach Chris Hardie said he is satisfied with what he’s seen from young athletes such as freshman Jac Cokley. “[Cokley] has trained really well this summer, so he has set himself up to be pretty successful this year,” Hardie said. “It is difficult as a freshman to make the transition from a 5k, which is the high school competitive

distance, to the collegiate 8k. He has adjusted well, and I think he definitely has a bright future ahead of him.”

Hardie also praised the strength of his junior class, as the top six performed well at both the Westminster-Fisher and Bethany College Invitationals.

“There is a core group of juniors, which there [are] six of them, and they are primarily the most consistent runners on our team,” he said.

A few of those main junior contributing this season according to Hardie are Mac Colomb, Matt Durgin, Nate Jecelin, Jordan Payne and Kyle Warmbein.

All have already made an impact on the Jackets top five finishes as a team at the first two meets of the season.

W h i l e Wa y n e s b u r g

Photo Courtesy of Patty Kaczynski Scott

Nate Jecelin (left) and Matt Durgin are a part of a strong class of juniors who will be looked at to help lead the way for the men's cross country team this year. placed sixth overall at Bethany, Hardie believes there are more challenges that the Jackets will have to overcome throughout the season.

“We’re not a clear favorite,” Hardie said. “There are a couple of other teams that are probably a little higher ranked than us. One [of those] being

St. Vincent who is a really good team. They’re deep and talented, we’re going to see them this weekend coming up.”

When looking back on

previous meets where the Jackets encountered the Bearcats, Hardie recollected that they are a tough team to face.

“We saw them a little bit at Westminster, but we want to see them on their home course and how tough they’re going to be,” Hardie said.

As far as Waynesburg’s team strategy going forward, Hardie said they’ll focus on maintaining and carrying the momentum they’ve gained through the first two weeks of the season.

“I would say we’re in good shape,” he said. “We had a good race and we need to continue that momentum as we head throug h the season. I think our team looks more at themselves as a number three team that is trying to close the gap on the first and second team[s].”

Football opens conference schedule Yellow Jacket JOE SMELTZER Sports Web Editor

For four years now, Waynesburg University football’s situation entering into the second week of the season has mirrored Groundhog Day. The 1993 film depicts a weatherman, played by Bill Murray, waking up in Punxsutawney, PA and living the same day over and over again. Although Waynesburg’s circumstances aren’t nearly as absurd, the Yellow Jackets’ story going into week two is the same as it’s been the past three years; 0-1 with a loss to Muskingum, and a game against Westminster looming.

The Jackets lost their season opener in New Concord, Ohio 31-20. Meanwhile, Westminster dominated its week one matchup defeating Capital, 66-7.

Another trend over the past few years has been Waynesburg losing to Westminster and thus starting 0-2, and that’s a trend the Jackets can halt by beat-

Perone Continued from B3

after the phone call].

And Tyler remembers Brendan promising him that his pain would never come to that.

He remembers the conversation ended just like every other call would have— with the words “I love you.”

The next day, Brendan was gone.

“God had that plan,” Tyler said. “For whatever reason, God had that plan. I won’t know until it’s time for me.

For whatever reason, Brendan was supposed to go home before the rest of us.” *** It was like getting punched in the face.

After Brendan’s death, the burden of guilt hit him like a Mike Tyson left hook.

Should he have done something? Could he have done something?

Maybe Brendan would have lived to put on his high school graduation gown had Tyler been able to convince his parents to get his brother the help he needed.

Eventually, however, the guilt faded as Tyler realized he had tried his best to save his brother’s life.

“I was a friend to him,” he said. “I listened to him.

I tried to help him as best I could. I no longer put myself in a guilt situation because there’s nothing good for me to do that. I can’t change the outcome. I just know that I did everything I could.”

ing the Titans, which they haven’t done since 2014, on their home turf in Saturday’s Presidents’ Athletic Conference opener, which is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Since hiring head coach Scott Benzel, Westminter has had frequent success in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Since Benzel took over in 2014, Westminster has won twice as many games as it’s lost, with a 3618 record, bested only by national powers Washington & Jefferson and Case Western Reserve in the PAC. Under Benzel, the Titans have handled the Jackets.

Benzel lost his first meeting with Waynesburg, but has won the four since.

“Coach Benzel has done a good job there,” Waynesburg head coach Chris Smithley said. “They’ve created a culture [of] tough, hard-nosed football, and at the end of the day, we’re going to have to go in there and play our best football to get this thing done Saturday.”

That was former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and current

Oakland Raider head coach Jon Gruden’s fancy way of promoting running the football.

Although a big storyline in Westminsters’ commanding win over Capital was its defense, which returned four interceptions for touchdowns, equally important to Smithley is stopping the Titans’ run game.

Seniors Keano Grice and Bryce Hill combined for 117 of Westminsters’ 143 yards on just 14 carries. As a team, the Titans averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt.

The Waynesburg ground attack didn’t have quite the same impact in its week one game. Waynesburg’s leading rusher, Chad Walker, picked up just 49 yards on 16 attempts, and as a whole, the Jackets averaged just 3.6 yards per carry.

“I think it always comes down to stopping the run on defense and running the ball well on offense,” Smithley said. “Those are things that we want to do on a regular basis. That’s the mindset that we have in this program.

That’s the culture that we’ve created, and we have to play well up front on both sides of the ball. That at the end of the day is what makes that happen offensively and defensively.”

For the first time since 2015, Waynesburg is starting its season with back-to-back away games. Despite not having home field advantage for the crucial conference opener, Smithley doesn’t see playing in New Wilmington instead of at John F. Wiley Stadium as a detriment.

“I see how home field can affect some Division I games, and some NFL games because of the crowd noise and things of that nature,” he said.

“But in our circumstances, I don’t see it [being an issue.]

As long as you travel well and you have the right mindset going into there, I don’t think that home field advantage does that much for you. We expect our guys to be able to play to their highest potential, and to our standard of how we want to play every week regardless of where we’re at.”

He might not have ever gotten to the point of realizing that, however, if not for his teammates—and, of all things, Star Wars. *** As he tried to figure out how to cope, Tyler leaned on two teammates in particular. At first, it would seem their common college football trajectories would bring them together.

Andrew Brncic, a defensive back, transferred to Waynesburg in the Spring 2016 semester, the same time Tyler came in after spending the fall at Seton Hill.

Tyler’s left tackle, Alex Paulina, started his career at the highest level of football— playing D-I ball for the University of Pittsburgh— before transferring to Waynesburg for the 2017 season.

Despite that common ground, it wasn’t the game, but rather “late-night nerd sessions” in Willison that bonded the 207-pound quarterback, the 185-pound safety and the 335-pound left tackle. The teammates would spend hours discussing not Xs and Os, but the different movies and theories relating to Star Wars franchise.

Thoug h he wouldn’t know the extent of it until later, since Tyler talked about his brother “all the time,” Paulina knew Brendan was hurting.

Paulina said he had hoped that when Brendan started at Waynesburg that he could have a heart-toheart conversation with him about something big-

ger than football.

“I really wanted to meet with Brendan and talk him through it, because it’s one of those things that doing it by yourself … and trying to fight it by yourself, you’re fighting a losing battle at that point,” Paulina said. “I didn’t know it was as serious as it was.”

After Brendan’s death,

Westminster.

The previous night, after the team’s weekly Friday evening chapel service, Paulina pulled his quarterback to the side and told him five words that would come to define Tyler’s newfound purpose for playing football: “Play for those who can’t.”

If Paulina’s memor y

“God had that plan. For whatever reason, God had that plan.”

TYLER PERONE

Waynesburg Quarterback

each friend tried serves him right, their best to help the next day, as Tyler cope. While the team prePaulina has been pared to run the Tyler’s go-to guy banner, Paulina for a heart-tosaid it again. heart conversa“Play for those tion, Brncic’s role who can’t.” as his roommate Paulina rewas to try to bring members a “prisanity to Tyler’s mal” look on the life— althoug h Perone face of his quarhe understood that things terback. would never be the way The game, like Tyler’s cathat they were. reer leading up to it, didn’t “What I did was I tried go as planned. to make it as normal as it He threw an interception could be,” he said. “Whether on the first possession and it’d be joking about a video was subsequently benched game, or joking about get- for the rest of the afterting yelled at practice. It’s noon. obviously a sensitive sub“Between what hapject, but you have to get it pened the year before, back to the point where it’s and this year, it seemed as close to normal as pos- things weren’t really pansible.” ning out,” Tyler said. “I just *** couldn’t figure it out. I had Five months after his been pretty good at footworld crumbled, Tyler got ball my whole life. All of a the start for Waynesburg’s sudden-- I couldn’t seem week two matchup with to get my feet under me on

alumnus dies in auto accident Former Waynesburg University football player Dan Davis died in a car crash Saturday evening.

Davis, 25, was among three killed in a onevehicle accident, along with Matthew L. King, 27, of Waynesburg, and Derek A. Lohr.

According to state police in Greene County, the vehicle was on Route 19 in Franklin Township when it lost control on a curve before hitting a guardrail and tree before overturning.

Davis was born and raised in Greene County.

He had a successful football career at Waynesburg Central High School, which earned him a scholarship to Appalachian State University.

After one year with the Mountaineers, Davis came back home to play the rest of his career at Waynesburg University, where he started at tight end for three seasons. Among Davis career highlights was being a member of the 2014 Yellow Jacket squad that went 8-3, and beat rival Washington & Jefferson, 31-28 in a thrilling overtime win.

After graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in arts administration, Davis worked at Standard Ceramic Supply Company in Carnegie.

He is survived by his parents, Dan Davis and Lori J. Paletta-Davis, along with his brother, JohnGlen who played t wo years with Dan and who graduated in 2018, as well as half-sisters KImberly Hass and Jo Beth Keefer.

the field. It just bothered me. I couldn’t figure it out.”

Two weeks later, the Jackets were back at John F. Wiley stadium, and it looked like another frustrating week for Tyler.

Just like the Westminster game, he got the start.

Just like the Westminster game, he got benched.

Unlike the Westminster game, he won. Tyler lead a 77-yard drive to set up a game winning field goal with 14 seconds to go, and Waynesburg won its first game of the season, 10-7.

The Jackets have played seven games since then, and Tyler has started every single one. *** Tyler’s career has taken him from a record-setting high school run at Seton LaSalle to a Division II scholarship, to Wayneswburg, where he’s yo-yoed in and out of the starting lineup for a team that’s lost more than it’s won.

While college football hasn’t always been kind to Tyler-- in fact, its abused him at times-- his brother’s death has reminded him of why he plays.

“Football is a big deal,” he said. “A lot of people say it’s just a game, but it is a big deal to me. A lot of times in the past, I made it too big of a deal. Rather than enjoying it for the fun it is and playing it relaxed and loose, we’re playing it for other reasons; we’re so tight. Last year, I started to pull back on that. I’m not playing this to be tasked, I’m playing it to have fun.”

This past training camp

was the most fun Tyler’s had on a football field in years. Finally, he was the starting quarterback, and there was no debate.

Even better, he had fought through his classes to finish Magna Cum Laude, and now only has to take a few online courses as a graduate student.

For Tyler, this training camp was a unique opportunity to drink in the perks of being a college athlete, with minimal worry about life as a college student.

“I got to be a kid one more time... I got to be a college student one more time,” he said. “I’m still feeling that now playing football. It’s been very healthy for me in a sense that I have time away from my family and some time to myself and some time to reflect with my friends to be here and truly figure out what I wanted out of life.”

Paulina sees a change in his friend and quarterback as he’s in the beginning stages of his final season.

Having gone through hell and found a way back, Paulina thinks Tyler has a perspective that will fuel him on and off the field.

All football players have to find something to play for, Paulina said, whether it’s doing it for teammates or personal glory. After Brendan’s death, Tyler knows football—and life— is about much more than that.

“He found a purpose when that all happened,” Paulina said. “Now, it’s a crappy way to find a purpose, but he did. He found out that life’s precious.”

JOE SMELTZER Sports Web Editor