BUnow's 15th Anniversary Magazine

Cover Photos by Carly Busfield.

Rachael Smith and Carly Busfield.

Editor’s Note

Welcome to the 15th Anniversary edition of the BUnow Magazine! The mission of BUnow is to provide ethical story telling, reporting, and interviewing, while maintaining a positive club experience for all members. BUnow is open to all students, regardless of major. If you have a passion for writing, storytelling, social media, podcasting, public relations, and more, then BUnow is for you!

The Magazine team is comprised of editors Carly Busfield, Abby Stoubt, Evan Brzoska, Hannah Robson, Maddie Tewksbury, Myah Stackhouse, Natalie Miller, Novalea Verno, Olivia Antonucci, Steph Phillips, and Sydney Stokes.

Page Desgined via Adobe InDesign, designed by Gage Dabulis, Eliza Nevis, and Carly Busfield.

Ad Directors include Natalie Miller and Maddies Tewksbury.

Special thank you to our club advisor Richard Ganahl!

This editon is for YOU! This is for our students across the Bloomsburg campus and current/past BUnow supporters. We hope you enjoy the reading of this magazine and we hope to see you join BUnow in the Fall!

Sincerely,

BUnow

Fanduel

BeReal

Ukulele Kid: Like Father, Like Daughter in BU Psychology Department Bloomsburg University’s

Unofficial Troubadour

By: Novalea Verno

have become a crowd favorite. While out playing, he is often greeted with fistbumps and head nods from those passing by. His appearance sparks many posts on the app YikYak and even the occasional group chat is lit up with texts resembling ‘ukulele kid is on the quad.’

Some students even join in the fun by singing along to whatever tune he is serenading campus with at the moment.

His love for music began at a young age. His first instrument was the piano and then the guitar. His trademarked instrument, the ukulele, was introduced to him a few years later by a friend.

“My one friend had a ukulele and I was like ‘dude that’s so cool.’ So I switched over to that and it’s my main instrument right now,” said Guzevich. His family also had a significant influence on his passion for music.

The Guzevich family is a household name among a unique niche of music listeners- polka enthusiasts.

Guzevich’s dad, Henry Guzevich, is a grammy nominated polka artist.

By: Carly Busfield

Bloomsburg University instills a sense of community among the Husky pack, but also family. Dr. Mary Jo Larcom is an assistant professor of Psychology at BU and an alumnus. Her father, who passed only last year at age 76, Dr. Lloyd Richard Larcom was also a Psychology professor at the time while she was in attendance.

Warm days at Bloomsburg University mean students pouring into the academic quad, lingering between classes and soaking in sunshine either while laying on the grass or swinging on a hammock. Students know that good weather means the campus’s unofficial minstrel will be taking center stage on the quad, singing and strumming along on his ukulele for all to hear. The harbinger of good times and sunshine has been nicknamed the ‘ukulele kid.’ The man behind the name is Jacob Guzevich, a junior marketing major student.

Guzevich’s impromptu concerts

“It’s all love… nothing but love,” said Guzevich when asked about the response from students. His choice of location for playing allows him to interact with a lot of students. Guzevich’s goal in hosting these jam sessions is to provide students in all stages of their day with a bit of joy.

Whether they’re running late to class and in need of a motivational soundtrack to accompany their sprint or have just received a disappointing grade and are in need of a pick-me-up, Guzevich is there to assist.

“That’s what I’m here for. [I’m] here to spread the love,” said Guzevich.

“I think of my dad as a normal person. But, in this own little world, like in this small niche of polish people, they go crazy for him,” said Guzevich.

Guzevich plays in his dad’s band, sporting his signature ukulele, along with his brother who plays bass.

“I’m trying to bring the [ukulele] to polka music. The old people… eat it up. All the old grannies… love it,” said Guzevich.

The legacy Guzevich will be leaving behind as he enters his senior year is not merely a compilation of antics on the quad. More than that, it’s the accumulation of moments shared with strangers that can only be accomplished through lyrics and melodies sung by a pure soul. Here’s ukeing at you, kid.

Dr. Mary Jo Larcom graduated from BU in December 2005 and furthered her career in her father’s footsteps by joining the teaching staff. Her area of expertise involves the psychosocial changes in older adulthood and the experiences of older adults relating to their psychological well-being, social interactions, and emotions. He earned a Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. in Psychology. He earned all his degrees at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He taught for 33 years at BU. He also taught at his alma mater, Ohio State University, for 3 years while he was in graduate school. When she was a student, he was teaching courses in child and adolescent development. He actually used examples from his two daughters’ childhood within his class concepts. Initially, she shared, “Because of this, I thought it would be too weird to take a class taught by my dad.”

Growing up, she attended Bloomsburg Area School District elementary, middle, and high schools. Many of the student teachers who taught her classes had her father as a professor. He was fond of telling the class stories involving her and her sister, they said. Her father’s pupils were mostly elementary and secondary education majors. Dr. Mary Jo Larcom currently teaches Adulthood and Aging in addition to

Principles of Gerontology, and she tells her undergrads stories about her day and his experiences as an older adult. It’s fascinating to see how the tables have turned.

“I didn’t think at all about becoming a professor because my dad was a professor and I wanted to “forge my own path” in psychology”, she continued. However, her time spent within “Theory and Practice of Academic Psychology” (which is more commonly known as the “TA class”) inspired her to be driven in teaching. In this class, students serve the role as teaching assistants (TAs) for the mass-enrollment sections of PSYCH 101.

“Looking back on it, I don’t mind that my dad told stories about me as examples of child and adolescent development. I have a feeling that he does not mind if I share his experiences with my students. I think he would be happy if my students could learn from his experiences.”, she has grown to believe over her time spent at BU. Larcom truly enjoyed her job as a TA, so it didn’t feel like labor. She served as a TA for two semesters, and that experience helped her realize how much she adores instructing psychology. She didn’t mind that she was taking the same career route as her dad.

By the time she made the decision to attend graduate school and pursue a career in academia, specifically in teaching. Her heart swelled with pride as she continued her father’s legacy.

“I had very diverse learning and extracurricular experiences – although not a requirement for the psychology major, I took 10 lab courses in biology and chemistry, for two years, I was a writer and a section editor for The Voice, I took second language courses in Spanish and Russian, I was a member the Women’s Coral Ensemble for seven semesters, and I was on the Program Board.”

Larcom loved her time at BU and was actively involved in both her studies and extracurricular activities. She completed an internship in clinical neuropsychology at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, and graduate school required extreme specialization. Her experiences were a time of exploration full of opportunities.

Jacob Guzevich plays his ukulele on the quad on a bright sunny day.

Goodbye Class of 2023

By: Maddie Tewksbury

Long Island, NY

Major: Social Work

Minor: Child Life Specialist

“Greetings, I am Justin Maiorana, a senior at Bloomsburg University. My youth was spent in Long Island, New York. I am currently majoring in Social Work and my minor is in Child Life

Specialist. I was inspired to participate in extracurricular activities at school to make Bloomsburg feel more like a home to me. I was part of H.O.W.L.S for four years and it was an amazing experience for

me. I loved being an orientation leader because I felt it was important to help new students transition to college life. I also enjoyed being able to connect with existing students on campus and share my knowledge and experiences. As an orientation leader, I had the opportunity to be a part of a team that creates an inclusive, welcoming environment for new students. In addition, I had the good fortune to network and establish relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff. As a Social Work Major I participated in

the Social Work Club for three years. I loved being part of the Social Work Club because it allowed me to collaborate with other motivated individuals who were passionate about the same cause. I was able to learn from them, share ideas, and support each other in pursuit of our collective goal of improving lives in our communities. Being part of the club also enabled me to better understand the complexities of social work, as well as develop my advocacy skills through various volunteer experiences. I am grateful to Bloomsburg for giving me the opportunity to establish an internship

with Geisinger Medical Center. My internship as a medical social worker was beneficial to my future career in many ways. I was able to gain handson experience working with children and families in medical situations, as well as learning about medical terminology and processes that I may have not been exposed to otherwise. I was able to gain an understanding of how a healthcare team works together to provide the best possible care to patients. After graduation, I will be furthering my education to pursue a Master’s in Social Work. By obtaining my Masters in Social Work,

I believe I can make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Overall, I am grateful that I chose Bloomsburg University because it has provided me with many opportunities to grow both academically and personally. The professors and staff are knowledgeable and dedicated to helping students succeed. The campus is full of resources and it has a vibrant and welcoming community. Bloomsburg has

“My four years at Bloomsburg University have been a wild, great ride and I wouldn’t change a thing. I decided to come here because it felt like home when I toured the campus, and my hometown is exactly like the town of Bloomsburg. Very quiet, not much to do but a good community. I’ve spent the majority of my four years in Hartline, because of my major,

and I love the community I was a part of there. Some of my favorite professors have been Dr. Polinski, Dr. Surmacz, Dr. HareHarris, and Dr. Debardeleben. The social life at bloomu holds a lot of opportunity, and there are so many clubs and activities to be a part of. I enjoyed the activities I was in, and the majority of my time here I was a leader

in YoungLife, which helped me gain many great qualities I will carry with me in future jobs and positions. The best part of my college experience has been the friends I’ve made along the way, and all the memories we made. I know these friendships will last a lifetime. I graduate this spring, and my plan is to travel and move out of state before finding my next thing. I want to

Major: Biology, Health Sciences

work and gain experience in the healthcare field and then

eventually go to graduate school. Wherever my degree takes me,

I am so excited to be a part of the healthcare field.”

Majors: Communication Studies (Organizational Communication Concentration) & Sociology

Minor: Psychology

“The last 4 years at Bloom have been some that I will never forget. I took the opportunity to be extremely involved on campus and wouldn’t change a thing because the clubs and orgs I was a part of have provided me with lifelong friends and development opportunities that have shaped me into who I am today. One organization I was involved with was Residence Life where I spent

3 years being a Community Assistant. I grew professionally and personally while getting to be surrounded with likeminded people while getting to support incoming firstyear students. I was also the President of Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Studies Honor Society, my last year at Bloom which helped me be involved in connecting the campus with communication resources and

showing why the Communication Studies Department on campus is important. My favorite opportunity, though, was doing research in the Sociology department and getting to present my research at the 2023 Eastern Sociological Conference in Baltimore. I researched the interaction of demographic variables on life satisfaction and got to meet other Sociology students with

similar interests. All of these opportunities have led me to wanting to continue my education. In Fall 2023, I will be attending Villanova University and getting my Master in Public Administration. After graduating from graduate school, I plan on working as the Executive Director of a social advocacy non-profit organization to enact change in our society

Justin Mairoana

Luke Yingling Boyertown, PA

Jadyn Glunt

Shippensburg, PA

Ashley Cavanagh

East Stroudsburg, PA

Major:Communication

studies with a concentration in organization.

“My years at Bloomsburg have been filled with memories, laughs, learning, and growth, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I have made life long friends here who I hope to never lose contact with and skills in life and academics that will help me forever. I have taken some amazing classes in my years here

at Bloomsburg like Conflict management and resolution, Leadership and teambuilding, Principles of management, Event planning and even Interpersonal communication. I feel like I have learned valuable skills in these classes that I will definitely use after I graduate. I actually have an internship at

TCB Promotions starting a week after graduation and included these classes on my resume, and it turns out the women interviewing me actually took some of the same classes. We talked about how the skills you learn in these classes are very applicable in the work we will be doing and it made me feel more

prepared. After my internship I hope to either get a job at TCB Promotions or to find a job in event planning but either way I can’t wait to see what the future may hold.”

See You Later, BUnow!

By: Eliza Nevis

We’d like to take the time to honor our four BUnow seniors who have dedicated and contributed so much time and effort to our organization over the past few years.

Olivia Antonucci - Treasurer 3 year member

Marrika (Steph) Phillips - Public Relations Director 1 year member

Madison Tewksbury - Staff Writer / Ad Director 1 year member

Kira Loomis - Social Media (Facebook and Twitter) 2 year member

“I’m the President of the BU Global Business Association and a member of the American Marketing Association, the Association for Supply Chain Management, and the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. Reflecting on my four years at BU I am grateful to have a lot of positive things to say. I love how accessible it is to get involved on campus and develop your career. I became involved in clubs during my first semester at BU and it has made all the difference in my trajectory.

Whether it’s by participating in a workshop or traveling across the country for a competition, I’ve found that challenging yourself to try something that’s new or outside your comfort zone are the greatest catalysts for growth—and will show you that you’re capable of more than you know. I encourage all students to take advantage of the many opportunities that BU has to offer beyond the classroom!”

After graduation, I will be attending the Faculty-Led

Study Abroad in Vietnam as a Media Assistant to capture promotional content for the program before starting a full-time role in the Supply Chain department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.”

Maranda Plunkett, Upper Darby PA.

Major: International Business major with a Specialization in Marketing

Minor: Supply Chain Management

Thank you all for your contributions to our program. We couldn’t be where we are now without your help! We wish you the very best with your future careers and endesvors. Just remember you’ll always have a home within BUnow!

Olivia Antonuci

Marrika Phillips

Madison Tewksbury

A Crash Course in BU now History

By: Abigail Stoudt

In 2007, media and journalism professor, Dr. Richard Ganahl approached the then-Vice President of Technology at Bloomsburg, Wayne Mohr, with the idea and need for a new student media website. The following spring semester, BUnow was born. Now, celebrating its 15th anniversary, BUnow has grown to feature thousands of stories, dozens of videos, and several podcasts, produced by more than 900 students, all totaling about two million page views.

“When I first approached our VP, Twitter was still relatively new and Facebook was newly open to the public - not just available to college students, explained Ganahl. “I thought, we should be doing something. We needed to tap into this growing online environment.”

In that first year, BUnow had a team of just 10 students who were eager to learn as they built a new student media from scratch. Today, the site has around 20 active members who contribute to its 25 monthly stories. The stories range from hyper-local campus news and opinions to national and international events.

Over the last 15 years, several BUnow stories have gone viral, including one authored by a former editor-in-chief, Kristen Wagner ‘15. “The End of Block Party as We Know It,’ is my favorite story I wrote for BUnow,” Wagner said. “I attended a Bloomsburg Town Council Meeting where they adopted an ordinance amending the code that regulated outdoor social gatherings. I then went back to my apartment to write and publish the story before going to sleep. By the time I woke up, it had gone viral with more than 20,000 views in less than 24 hours.”

What makes BUnow unique when compared to other forms of traditional student media is its commitment to remaining adaptable to change “I’ve always considered BUnow to be experimental and unafraid,” Ganahl

said. “We’ve always had a fantastic team of students here who are always trying something new here.”

Since its inception, BUnow has branched into a variety of different digital media formats. From building its presence over several social media platforms, to starting a blog, and hosting several guest-speaker filled live streams, Ganahl is eager to see how the site will evolve in the years to come.

BUnow goes beyond digital media as well, with a history of event planning and fundraising as long as the site’s been running itself.

BUnow has raised over $25,000 for various causes including the Make a Wish Foundation, the United Way, the Women’s Center Inc. of Columbia and Montour Counties, and Camp Victory, among many others.

In 2012, the organization’s executive board planned, organized, and hosted Pennsylvania’s first inter-collegiate media conference, the PASSHE Collegiate Media Summit. “This event sealed BUnow’s reputation and legacy throughout the state,” said CJ Shultz ‘13, a former editor-in-chief of the organization. “I will always be honored to have been a part of it. During my time as editor-in-chief,

my goal was always to provide our writers and editors with real-world experiences, connections, and education they would otherwise not receive in the classroom.”

When BUnow celebrated its 10th anniversary, Ganahl reflected on the legacy his students have built in the organization, calling it a “whole new journalism” that encouraged students to write about their lives and reflect on current events in a personal style. He says that this still holds true for BUnow today.

“Regardless of yearly personnel changes, we hold strong to our personal style of journalism,” Ganahl said. “Everything we do is always the students’ decisions. We weren’t ever, and probably will never be ‘hard news,’ but we’re still able to do some really fine work here.”

BUnow hasn’t just built a legacy as a student media, but as an outlet for students to grow and discover their passions. Kyla SmithBrown ‘19, joined BUnow as an undecided sophomore, but working with the organization led her to discover her dream career in media.

“After writing up an assignment for Dr. Ganahl’s Intro to PR class, he recommended I join BUnow. I thought ‘Why not give it a try,’ and joining BUnow led me directly to my future career,” Smith-Brown said, who went on to found her own digital marketing company, Kaptured by Kyla Multimedia Services, after graduation. “Each experience with BUnow helped me grow my confidence as a creator and build my skills as a sto ryteller. BUnow gave me the voice I didn’t know I needed, and I look forward to seeing that happen for many more generations of students to come.”

Meet the BUnow Alumni Teams!

Thrift It!

By: Maddie Tewksbury

5$ for a size 6 pair of Levi jeans in perfect condition? Sold. And an instant serotonin increase? Sold, once again.

These ladies and gentlemen are two simple beauties that come out of the activity, and concept of thrifting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the art of thrifting was discovered, and since then people who are interested in fashion, and saving a buck, have been hitting the thrift stores like crazy.

Financially & Sustainability

The reasons to choose thrifting, and buying second-hand, rather than buying new are plentiful. Other than it being a fun activity to do with your friends, it is a financially, and environmentally responsible move.

The price tags on items at the thrift store (clothes to be exact) can range anywhere from 99 cents to 10$, (sometimes higher if it is a big-named brand). You could walk into the thrift store, pick out 5 shirts, 3 pairs of pants, and some accessories, and very easily spend less than 15$. If you shopped at a store such as American Eagle for example and purchased the same number of items, you’d be spending 100$ or more. Don’t get me wrong, it is nice to purchase new items of good quality at a store like American Eagle.

But I think a misconception of thrifting your clothes is that they are bad quality and much used, and while that can sometimes be the case, there are an extensive number of items at the thrift that are new and never worn before. You just have to be willing to search for them. Overall, thrifting saves you hundreds of dollars on clothes, and a bonus is that your clothes are unique and more stylish (in my opinion). And you are contributing to a sustainable environment.

It is no secret that fast fashion is hurting our environment tremendously. Overproduction from brands like Shein contributes to over 92 million tons of textile waste that is being created each year. This is a huge problem. Not to mention the clothes that are made by these fast fashion brands, are of extremely poor quality and are more than capable of falling apart after just one wear. Basically, people are buying all these clothes, and not wearing them, which is what generates waste. Buying second-hand cuts out the initial process of creating more waste. There are plenty of clothes to go around, and reusing and re-wearing is a smart idea, and will help to reverse the harmful actions created by fast fashion.

Thrifting Tips

As a seasoned thrift store shopper, I have much knowledge

to pass on to beginners, because there are methods to the madness.

Give yourself plenty of time!

When you are thrift shopping, there are hundreds of items to look through, and if you want to find the best pieces, you need to be thorough. This will allow you to look through all the sections and really hunt for a treasure!

Quality over Quantity

It is almost too easy to go, let’s say “hog wild” in the thrift store, you could get so much stuff for very little cost. But buying up the whole store is not necessarily the way to go. Look for items you will actually wear/use. Otherwise, you are adding more fuel to the fire, which is your closet.

Repurpose

So many times when I’m thrifting, I will grab pieces that I know I can repurpose and turn into something really cool. For example, say you find a big t-shirt that you love the color of, well, cut a solid amount off the bottom of the shirt and turn it into a crop top. And if you really want to go nuts, you can use the leftover fabric by cutting the shirt down the back vertically, and make holes going down, and stringing the leftover fabric like a shoelace through the holes to make a corset. The possibilities are endless here, this is my favorite part of thrifting, making my own creations!

Discount Days

A lot of thrift stores will offer discount days once a week. Salvation Army, for example, offers a half-priced day every Wednesday where certain color tags on items are discounted by 50% Thrifting is already a cheap affair, but saving even less money is an absolute steal. I highly recommend taking advantage of this.

College Life Hacks

By: Olivia Antonucci

Being a student can be hard and stressful but also some of the best times of someone’s life. Some of the best hacks really come from students themselves who have been through the thick of it. Here are some of the top tips for college students from college students.

1. Talk to your professors.

- One of the most common misconceptions that is constantly told in highschool, is that they won’t allow this in college. Although there may be some professors who might be strict with deadlines, normally if you talk to your professors about anything that is going on they are really understanding. They will help with missed material from a class and they will reschedule exams with you if need be. Office hours are a great way to talk to professors and get to know them on a more personal level

2. If you don’t know, it’s okay.

- If someone is struggling to pick a major and maye change their major there’s a few things to do. If someone doesn’t know what major to go in undecided for a semester it really isn’t the end of the world and nothing needs to be figured out right away.

As Makayla Miller, Junior at Bloomsburg, says, “I was a nursing major when I started at Bloomsburg and after the first semester I just couldn’t do it so I switched to Political Science and never looked back.”

3. College is what you make of it.

- College is what a student makes of it. Just sitting in the dorms, not trying to join any clubs or events on campus, even just talking to people in classes will not be fun. College is all about learning and meeting people. Anything you do academically in college can be put on your resume, joining clubs can be pivotal for this aspect of school. Going to events on campus and meeting different people gets students out of the dorms and keeps them sane.

I could go on and on about how much I love the concept of thrifting. It is unique, fun, cheap, and a great hobby! If you live in the Bloomsburg Area, check out the Salvation Army, Cotton Exchange, or East End thrift shop for great finds. You will not be sorry.

4. Use your resources

- Colleges have so many resources, to librarians for each major, the recreation centers, LGBTQ+ and MultiCultural Centers, Gaming rooms and so on. Use these spaces! Students spend so much money on college and that includes all the resources on campu. Take advantage of them since they are paid for with students’ money!

Photo by Megan Lee on Unsplash.

Photo by Adrienne Leonard on Unsplash.

The Age of Aquarius: What Will This Mean?

By: Evan Brzoska

If you’re prone to avoiding change or struggling with the current technology trends, prepare for a bumpy ride. For anyone who may not know, astrologers will categorize time periods, from a couple thousand to tens of thousands of years, in an “age” of one of the twelve signs in the zodiac.

The world was in the age of Pisces. This age began in the year 1 AD and is still disputed about when an end is coming. In this age, the ideas of transcendence, empathy, forgiveness, love and hate, good and evil; and heaven and hell were greatly emphasized. During the age of Pisces, the explosion of religion was witnessed. Now given this information, the next assumed age to come would be in the sign of Aquarius.

This is presumed because Aquarius and Pisces are next to each other, how-

Will Women Take Over the MLB?

By: Sydney Stokes

Over the past few years, we have seen more and more women stepping into the professional Men’s coaching field. There were 11 women in “on-field coaching roles” in 2022, with the number already increasing to 19 in 2023.

It was Alyssa Nakken who set the pace for a wave of female coaches rising through the ranks of numerous MLB organizations. In January 2020, Gabe Kapler hired her to join the San Francisco Giants’ staff, becoming the first woman to hold a major league coaching position.

Today exhibit.

Following Nakken, more women decided to step up.

Rachel Balkovec, who previously worked as a hitting coach for ten years in a rookie-league, took a position as a Yankees full-time hitting coach. As well as her main coaching position, she also became the first woman to serve as a coach in the MLB Futures Game, setting her a place in the MLB Hall of Fame.

ever, the timeline is going in reverse order from what is typically seen on the calendar year for sun sign seasons. The nature of the air sign, Aquarius, is as follows: radical, unique (overemphasized uniqueness, almost obnoxious), innovative and freedom-seeking. Those traits are key when looking for clues about the future.

As a result, the age of Aquarius is going to emphasize a change in power dynamics within the government/political environment, self-perception and individual freedom, and technological innovation. It is speculated that this change of signs had begun in either the year 2020 or 2021.

Regardless, the trends of technological advancement and shifts within the global power dynamic have been significant. Most of today’s world is radically making changes that could be considered ‘progressive’. There has always been change in the world, but

nowadays it is drastic and frequent. In the coming years there will likely be more shifts within societal norms and the attitudes of the general population toward “taboo” topics.

With each age, there is a lesson to be learned. Pisces taught the world to love and respect one another with compassion that can come from interdependence. Now, the world will learn how to accept and embrace change, and constantly reinvent and revamp individual personality.

This period will teach the lesson of materialism and how this attribute negatively impacts the life of any person. The current message is innovation and to live in the moment for the experiences.

Life is what is made of it by the pursuer, hence, those with the will to find individual freedom will be granted that wish.

Not only was Nakken the first to hold a coaching position, she also became the first woman to coach on the field, as the first base coach for the Giants.

Nakken then donated her jersey after her first game as a major league coach in 2020 to the MLB Hall of Fame. It can now be seen in the Giants locker within the Museum’s Your Team

In an interview with The National Baseball Hall of Fame, Balkovec stated that she “doesn’t want to be a role model,” she wants to “be a visible idea for young women and to be a visible idea for dads that have daughters; [I] want to be out there. [I] have two jobs, and that’s fine.”

To be clear, women have always been there. Whether it were cheering in the stands, playing in different leagues (like Mamie Johnson, Toni Stone, and Connie Mogan

in the Negro Leagues), scouting (like Edith Houghton in 1946 for the Phillies), or even owning the St. Louis Cardinals, as Helene Britton did in 1911.

All of these historical women set the stage for more opportunities that coaches such as Nakken and Balkovec had taken in today’s day in age.

Over the years, structural changes began taking place in the sports world along with advancements in gender equality. The MLB broke barriers this past year, calling for all ballparks to have a “clean locker room space that is close to the main clubhouse, is private and includes a restroom and shower. ” This change

Bloomsburg baseball player Brady Gibble pictured.

Photo provided by Anna Watson

Photo by Dario Brönnimann on Unsplash.

BU Men’s Soccer Rises to the Top

By: Hannah Robson

FanDuel Frenzy Amongst BU Students

By: Carly Busfield

Ahandon the lever, and eyes on the prize, the numbers are spinning and the sevens line in three. You won! Sports betting and gambling in the casino has been around for a long time. A newer, innovative application has taken over for college students called Fanduel Sportsbook.

FanDuel Sportsbook provides a way to bet on so many sports games whether they are live or upcoming. The application also provides a fast and easy way to hit the casino to win your next jackpot. Many college students are filled with excitement on their 21st birthday because they can legally drink, but they can also sign up to start betting on Fanduel too. FanDuel was founded in 2009 by SXSW in Austin, Texas. The application progressed from, “What started as a backyard Texas brainstorm between 5 co-founders is now the driving force in a multibilliondollar industry...”, according to FanDuel.

aspects of the application is the amount of chances they allow for users to profit.

At 6pm ET each day, casino users will receive 3 free spins for an opportunity to win a “casino bonus”. To win money off this bonus, the player must get a win playing a game initially with the prize to be able to withdrawal any winnings out.

“They benefit me because I can build up my winnings from it to use in the casino part of the app. I do that instead of adding my own money to gamble with.”, shares junior Early Childhood Education student, Emily Kesler. Kesler utilizes her spins each day to earn profit back that’s equal to what she is already spending on necessities such as food.

The Bloomsburg’s men’s soccer team is a group that should not go unrecognized for their achievements this past season. This young team went from not even making the conference tournament last year, going 9-9, to this season, going 14-5-1, being the number one team in east PSAC, 12th in the NCAA regional rankings, and going to the conference championship game. This left many people wondering what it is that the school changed to get these outcomes.

In 2020, Bloomsburg hired on a new coach, Mark Bassett, with hopes to revamp the team to becoming a top performing group. Previously, the school had coach Danny Wheelen for not giving results the school wanted. In 2019,

the team had gone 7-11, and the year before that 8-9-1.

After switching head coaches, the team then went on to improve their win record by a few games. With the incoming 2022 class, Bassett brought in 17 new freshmen to the team, and cut three players from the team.

With these changes, Bloomsburg’s men’s soccer team for the first time in team history went on to the PSAC championship game, but sadly lost to the number three team in the NCAA region and number one team in PSAC 0-1.

There are several major players that affected the team and shined throughout the season. Freshman Shay Gilen totaled 4 goals on the season and 5 assists.

Another key player was Sammy Ames, who led the team with 7 goals on the season. Stephen Hollis and Olly Whitman both had 5 assists on the season to help lead them to a winning season.

Freshman Kody Besser and Braden

Alicia were two starters on the team that helped them do so well this season. Both on offense and defense, their game was fantastic.

Transfer goalie Brady Rimple had an amazing season, with 90 saves on the season. This group of freshman and upperclassmen were extraordinary this season, and are looking forward to an amazing next season as well.

The company continued to share, “We are an absurdly fan-focused sports-technology and entertainment company devoted to changing the way consumers engage with their favorite sports, teams, and leagues -- making all moments in sports matter more.”

Does FanDuel fulfill this statement of “making moments in sports matter more”? Dylan Yarnevich, junior Finance major at BU, is invested in sports betting and watching his favorite team, the Philadelphia 76ers. The NBA was the first major professional sports league to officially partner with Fanduel.

“I think FanDuel has affected the perspective people watch games from because when you bet on a game it adds a whole set of emotions on to the game than if you were just normally watching it.” He thinks people are heavily reliant and affected by the outcome of the games they watch.

The casino aspect of Fanduel fulfills all gambling needs in a casino. The platform provides live dealings and online games available conveniently in the palm of your hand. One of the best and most profitable

Overall, this form of gambling impacts a large community in many different ways. Although gambling is addictive, Fanduel can provide informative and innovative ways to make extra money on the side.

Photos by Eliza Nevis.

BeReal & BU

By: Olivia Antonucci & Carly Busfield

BeReal has been revolutionary platform of social media poking at the aspect of being ‘real’. A negative of social media is that many people are not liek what is on their pages. Not everyone’s lfie is glamorous and filtered. This application will send a notification at a random time every 24 hours, telling you to post what you are doing at that exact moment. The time to take a photo is two minutes.

The app also tracks how many retakes a user takes and how many hours late from the initial notification the post is. Do not be fake. BeReal &

Scroll Down The Feed

By: Carly Busfield & Olivia Antonucci

Colton Bryner and Carly Busfield in Dr. Doll’s Interactive Expereinces class for their Immersive & Interactive Technology minor. Photo by Carly Busfield.

Photo by Carly Busfield.

Rachael Smith, junior Psychology major, catching a quick selfie with Roongo. Photo by Rachael Smith.

Photo by Rachael Smith.

Hannah Kassim and Olivia Antonucci working in the Admissions Office. Photo by Olivia Antonucci.

Photo by Olivia Antonucci.

Admissions tour guides gathered for the BU Open House.

Photo by Olivia Antonucci.

Photo by Olivia Antonucci.

Carly Busfield eating a BLT with a pineapple cup and a Celsius from Roongo’s Cafe within the Student Service Center.

Photo by Carly Busfield.

Photo by Carly Busfield.

Lily Weiss and Carly Busfield catching up at the Recreation Center before Weiss’s Dance Essemble rehearsal.

Photo by Carly Busfield.

Olivia Antonucci, senior Media & Journalism major, walking across lower campus on a sunny day. Photo by Olivia Antonucci.

Photo by Olivia Antonucci.

BU!

Hot Streams of the Year

By: Olivia Antonucci

Streaming services are constantly coming out with new shows all the time, some do way better than others, however there have been quite a few hits this year.

The latest show to hit HBO was “The Last of Us” . This was an adaptation to the video game made by Naughty Dog.

The video game coming out almost 10 years ago in 2013 and been in the works for a TV show for a while now, finally came to life and everyone loved it.

It was able to hook viewers who have not played the game while also pulling enough material form the game to have the viewers who did play the game so excited for it and to keep coming back each week to watch the 9 episode season.

“The Last of Us” has been renewed for season 2 and everyone cannot wait for it.

Binging has become such a norm for a lot of people, one show that really set the tone to back away from that norm was “Stranger Things’’.

Jumping all the way back to the summer is when “Stranger Things 4” hit Netflix and the show was a hit. The show dropped in two volumes, Volume one being the first 7 episodes and Volume 2 being the last 2 episodes.

Being one of the only shows in while to have episodes longer than just the season finale, the longest episode in the first volume being 1 hour and 40 minutes, while the season finale in Volume two was 2 hours and 22 minutes.

Although the episodes didn’t release weekly, fans were able to watch the first 7 episodes in one day, these epi-

The Boom of Reality TV & Relationships

By: Hannah Robson

sodes were released on May 27th 2022 (Netflix) and then having to waiting almost a full month to get Volume 2 which was released on July 1st, 2022 (netflix).

Something viewers weren’t a fan about was the waiting time between volumes. However, the show has been renewed for its 5th and final season ( Tudum).

On the other hand, Outer Banks has released its third season and there are mixed reviews. Larissa Blazer, Senior at Bloomsburg, thought it was okay but wasn’t worth the hype whereas Amanda Gaffney, avid OBX watcher, loved the 3rd season and binged it in one day.

Mentioning that there was a good plot to the season, however, some of the side storylines getting a little weird for her.

OBX has been renewed for a 4th season and it is unsure at this time if season 4 will be the last season.

Reality TV has been a phenomenon that the US and many other countries love and dedicated many viewing hours towards watching. Two reality TV shows that have taken over the internet this past year have been “Love Island” and “Too Hot to Handle.” These shows have boomed with rising viewing numbers due to a few key factors.

Tik Tok’s influence increased the amount of viewers. Some of the people on these shows have social media platforms, promoting both the show and themselves. Tik Tok platforms also have been making edits as well as reposting scenes from the shows that are pivotal, dramatic, important, or hot. People fan over these characters and their looks all over the internet.

Season four of “Too Hot to Handle” is the one that had the internet idolizing some of the contestants. This specific season dealt with more drama than any other season and the contestants were extremely attractive. This pulled in countless viewers through edits and fandoms created online. Season one of “Love Island” pulled in many viewers over the beauty and attraction these contestants shared for each other.

“Too Hot to Handle” is a very impactful and sought after show due to the very different plot line. In these seasons, they take previously known sexually active people from society that think they are joining a reality TV show that allows them to have hookups with whoever they want. After this draw in, they reveal to the contestants that they aren’t on the show, but interested in being “Too Hot to Handle.” The reality show attempts to turn these people from “hoes” to someone who wants to be in a dedicated relationship.

Through this, they make the contestants try to form a meaningful relationship through not being allowed to do anything sexual and get to know each other the entire time on the show. If they do break the rules and do things that are of a sexual nature, money is docked from the total prize. This initiative makes contestants not want to break the rules in hopes of being the one to win it with their significant other. This show has broken the internet with these rules that were set for the contestants.

In “Love Island,” the premise is about people that have struggled to find love, meeting people and doing challenges that help them find it. Season one of the US version was so popular because of the attractive characters and edits that were formed online.

People love this show because they get to follow along the growth of these contestants’ relationships with each other. It basically gives people an inside eye on relationships and how they start and finish the show, without being there. Watching love unfold is something everyone loves to see, which is why this show draws in so many viewers.

The ability to watch love unfold in “Love Island” and the personality and nature of these contestants change in “Too Hot to Handle” is what draws in these viewers.

People love being able to watch real life and love occur without it being scripted or fake. Seeing something real is what attracts so many people to this TV show. Reality TV and shows alongside this style could be the future of Netflix and other TV platforms.

By: Carly Busfield

The town of Bloomsburg offers many eateries, especially in the center of town towards Main Street, East Street, and Lightstreet Road. A sandwich can fit many occasions, but most importantly a sandwich will nourish someone, especially college students.

The sensation of holding a warm, juicy sandwich can put a smile on anyone’s face and leave one drooling. A number of locations around the town provide a lot of great options whatever that occasion is.

Here are my favorite sandwiches of in-town, Bloomsburg:

1. Boom Boom Pretzellini- Tri Pi Pizzeria

Coming in hot at a strong first is the Boom Boom Pretzellini from Tri Pi Pizzeria located on Main Street. This savory specialty of Tri Pi consists of lots of flavor, chicken, bacon, mozzarella cheese, “Boom Boom sauce”, on a garlic butter pretzel bun with a size of ranch to dip into. This sandwich screams “late-night munchies” and that is the only occasion I have ever ordered a “Pretzellini” for. This commodity costs around $7.00.

I originally started out with the “Buffalini” which is a buffalo chicken sandwich that includes: breaded chicken, buffalo sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a side of dipping ranch on that same famous pretzel bun. Yet, the “Boom Boom Pretzellini” is just a step above that order. The pull of the cheese, along with the Boom Boom sauce and flavorful bun, make a dream come true.

One of my favorite aspects is the shape and texture of the pretzel bun. The bun resembles more of a ‘kaiser roll’ and has a soft, cloudlike texture. The outer crust is the same texture as a pretzel, and it tears apart in the same fashion. The chicken is spread across evenly, and the other ingredients are added on. The nicest feature of this food is that the sandwich sticks together and doesn’t drop anything, making it the perfect dipping sandwich.

The most outstanding flavors from this are the distinctive Boom Boom sauce and the bacon. The sauce is typically made with mayonnaise, sriracha, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, and sometimes even mustard is added. The flavor can be changed by adding garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and other spices, making it more dynamic and tastier.

Tri Pi Pizzeria does not open until 4pm and closes around 2am. This scheduling makes customers inclined to ordering later in the evening. They serve a specific niche for “Greek-life members”, even when the organizations are no longer affiliated with the Bloomsburg

University campus. They serve this audience by allowing members to sign onto the paddles on the wall with their corresponding organization Greek letters.

2. Buffalo Chicken Big Mouth Sandwich- Naps

Making a distinction for second place is the Buffalo Chicken Big Mouth Sandwich from Naps, a well-known eatery on East Street. This sandwich is one to share or save for later. Big Mouth Sandwiches are around the size of a small or personal pizza; the bread is massive. Yet, for such a massive roll, it is not too doughy.

Breaded chicken and/or chicken tenders can leave a big impression on their eaters, especially if they are more delicious than usual. The chicken that is topped amongst this large, monster sandwich is crispy, well-coated on the outside, and has a helpful touch of spice from the hot sauce.

The sandwich comes with breaded chicken tenders, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, hot sauce, and blue cheese. I added American cheese and mayo because I was nervous the bread would take away moisture, leaving the contents dry. However, it was perfectly crisp and flavorful with the topping variety. The weight and thickness of this stacked goodness affects the texture. A bite is a mouthful of every ingredient with a balanced taste. The lettuce is refreshing and the warm chicken compliments it.

This beast is cut into four quarters which compliments the way it is eaten. There’s something about munching on it starting with a corner that is satisfying to eat. While the cheese melts into the warm, crispy chicken, the heat compliments the colder temperature of the sauces, lettuce, and tomato. It is perfect for a small gathering or to have leftovers! A Big Mouth Sandwich costs $17.98 and is $1.00 off on Mondays.

3. Roast Beef Hoagie- Steph’s Subs

I am pro-hoagie and will only call it a hoagie, not a sub. I grew up with Wawa stores and gas stations as far as the eye can see. As a result, I have high expectations for a hoagie in an area raised on Sheetz.

Steph’s Subs is a respectable local establishment that is best known for their submarine sandwiches and sense of community. Stephanie Severn is the owner who lives right in Bloomsburg and is a very active member of the Greater Bloomsburg Area. My personal

favorite is the roast beef cold hoagie. I usually only get half for $7.00, but the whole is $13.00.

All cold hoagies from Steph’s Subs include mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, oregano, parmesan, salt, and the best part, hot peppers. Hoagies should be filled with meat and veggies, topped with at least oil for moisture, but it must not fall apart. That signature ‘hoagie-grab’ or hold of the roll in your hands matters. A hoagie is a nourishing, filled sandwich, but not something I’d consider “too messy”. Steph’s Subs’ main product is compact, sturdy, and their rolls are not too bland. The rolls have a nice rip and flavor but are on the thin side that natural [tomato] juices and oils from the toppings could make it soggy.

The slice of their lunch meat is thin, which is admirable and allows for a nice tear when taking a bite. Steph’s Sub product has a distinct taste. Upon arrival and initial stay within the dorms at Bloomsburg University, Steph’s Subs was a go-to during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially when the daily specials were available. Who could turn down a half of a hoagie, chips, and a fountain drink for about $5.00? That’s a steal. However, since the turnover of the pandemic, the small business has experienced short-staffing issues and has shortened hours. Yet, the quality is just as high.

4. Buffalo Chicken Wrap- Tiffany’s Downtown

Sometimes,sliced bread is a too basic. The Buffalo Chicken Wrap at Tiffany’s Downtown hits. This wrap is like the contents of the Buffalo Chicken Big Mouth from Naps but has its own Tiffany’s spin on it.

It’s light, airy, and refreshing. It is filled with buffalo chicken tenders, blue cheese or ranch dressing, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Blue cheese has my heart, but I think either option should do justice. The sauce ties it all together and allows everything to blend together. It’s a simple wrap that can fit into any lunch or dinner.

$8.25 for a wrap and chips is not as expensive compared to many other stores, especially BU on-campus dining.

The chicken on the sandwich is spicy, just enough to tell, but is not overwhelming. The chicken induces a nice crunch with each bite. The rest of the ingredients make up for any lack of flavor and add variety. The lettuce is crunchy, and the veggies are fresh, which is something to look forward to. The best part is the tortilla wrap on the outside does not fall apart.

P.S. Get the fries. They’re fresh-cut and delicious.

5. Onion Ring Round Up Burger- West End Ale Haus

West End Ale Haus is a notable, popular restaurant and bar on Main Street past the fountain. The burgers at this restaurant have been “voted one of the best burgers in Pennsylvania!” A fan favorite and my personal choice has to be the Onion Ring Round Up Burger.

This flavorful burger is grilled with a smoky BBQ sauce and topped with two onion rings stuffed with melted cheddar and crumbled bacon. The bun is a brioche roll that is airy, crisp and provides a foundation for the sandwich. The 8-ounce patty is juicy, flavorful, and thick [but not too thick]. The bacon crumbles on top allow for a savory crunch and combine well with the gooey cheese sauce. The cheese provides that satisfying “cheese whiz” feeling you’d find on a Philly Cheesesteak, but instead a burger.

The onion rings hold the bacon and cheese mixture inside the concoction creating less of a mess. This was a nice touch. The rings have a nice fried outer-layer that doesn’t get in the way of eating the burger. With all these rich ingredients, sometimes that can take away from the burger itself. Yet, each element uplifted the others.

This meal is not something you order during late night shenanigans, but when you actually sit and enjoy the meal you are consuming. The burger comes with a pickle spear, the correct pickle to eat beside a sandwich, and a side. Sure, the burger is a meal in itself, but the whole order is worth $13.95. I would not say it is one of the best burgers I have ever tasted, but top tier for the local area.

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