The Centurion
The Award-Winning, Financially Independent, Student-Run Newspaper of Bucks County Community College
Volume 56 Issue 1
September 17, 2020
Bucks-News.com
@Centurion_Bucks
Student Clubs are Finding a New Platform Amidst Remote Learning Leah Miller Centurion Staff
Students are now encouraged to become involved with Bucks’ Clubs and Organizations through the College’s new platform Bucks+ this fall semester and moving forward. Meetings will be held via Zoom and any social media already established by each club will be utilized due to the unprecedented times colleges face in this pandemic. Most student clubs have suspended all activity due to COVID-19 and regulated to remote learning. Staff and advisors have been working from the beginning of the summer to keep the community together by introducing the new app. It is generated by Suitable, and many schools, such as Temple University, have taken on their own form of the app. The Bucks+ app is what the college hopes to use to keep the clubs going and students connected during the pandemic. The primary goal the college wants to achieve is that the app will be utilized after COVID-19 passes, so that students who choose to learn remotely can still be involved in the future. Student life and athletics department director, Matthew Cipriano, stated in a recent Welcome Luncheon via Zoom that there is
no rule for student platforms and what they may use. While the college encourages the use of the app, they understand most clubs already have their own platform for connection and recruiting. Matthew West, the Minister for Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), said that his club is learning to utilize the Bucks+ app while already using their established social media sites, such as Instagram and Facebook. Clubs like CCO and Habitat for Humanity are in the process of setting up virtual meetings via Zoom with the hope that Bucks+ can be an asset. “Student organizations are going to play an important role this year. Clubs are one of the biggest activities holding the community together and are behind the scenes for a lot of campus events,” said Cipriano. “For the college shared at the Luncheon that each club will have a specific Zoom account made available for them as requested,” said Technology Director of Classroom and Emerging Technology, Damon Hunnicutt. “The college will be moving away from BlueJeans, the originally preferred platform, although it is still available. The College hopes to be able to communicate meeting times for clubs through the Bucks+ app
Courtesy of Bucks’ Facebook page.
so that it is easily accessible for students and not entirely public.” Bucks is still learning and adapting to a world with COVID-19, like so many other schools. The college’s staff is
excited to share Bucks+ with students so much that teachers are offering extra credit to download the app and take advantage of it. Also, students can start their own club by having an advisor sponsor
them. They encourage students to meet one another, and the best way to do that is by joining a student club.
“I thought Bucks did a great job with their safety plan. They put it out early, before a lot of colleges did and now that cases are starting to rise again, it worked out well. I was actually glad everything was online because it meant I
wouldn’t have to commute to Newtown for my final semester,” said Miller. The Fall semester began on Aug. 26, with further courses commencing on Sept. 14 and Oct. 19. With the college’s plan
in place, students should have a safe and healthy semester until a vaccine for the virus is available. Then, hopefully things will return to some form of normalcy.
Bucks Stays Online for the Fall Dean Guiliano Centurion Staff
INSIDE
Ever since COVID-19 hit the world like a raging storm, universities all over had to make major decisions for the safety of the students. Bucks’ campuses have been closed since March 14, right around the start of the intense spread of the pandemic. Classes since then have been regulated to online status, with varying methods in their delivery of assignments and testing. This is where the concept of remote learning came in to play. In uncertain times, remote learning has become vital to both students and faculty. Remote learning requires students to meet with their professor and classmates on a Zoom conference call while being in sync with one another. E-learning, alternatively, solely requires the completion of assignments and tests with no Zoom meeting needed. Hybrid classes, having both an in person and virtual component, now have their online plans laid out in the syllabus. Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt, president of Bucks, shared the plans
found by the “Green Team Task Force on Reopening Campus” back on June 18. In this plan, Shanblatt stated, “Our plan is grounded, first and foremost, with consideration for the health and safety of our college community, our second consideration is ensuring a quality learning experience for all enrolled students.” The detailed plan further reiterated classes would be only online, save for certain exceptions that require a direct hands-on approach such as a scientific lab course. Students can only be on campus for the allotted class time, and they must wear a mask or face covering. Gina Donaghy, a returning Bucks student, said, “As far as remote learning goes, I feel as though it’s hard to really get the full experience of a class let alone a full college experience when you are learning remotely.” Donaghy continued, “But due to the health risks and exposure that can be involved, I think it’s good to do to ensure everyone’s safety.” Leah Miller, in her final semester at Bucks, is very happy with the plan the college has made.
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Eagles 2020 Season How the Academic BLM Protesters Seek Senior Year Success Center Police Reform p. 4 Turned Sour for Preview, p.6 Succeeds Amidst Students, p.5 Lockdown, p.2
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Centurion
STAFF
Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Moore
Assisting Managing Editor Dakoda Carlson
September 17, 2020
Bucks News
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@Centurion_Bucks
How Students and Residents are Faring with COVID-19 into Fall
Graphics Managers Olivia Ruddell Kristen Reiter Advisor Tony Rogers
Letters to the editor: Email your letters to : Buckscenturion@gmail.com Letters should be limited to 500 words. They will be edited for spelling, space and malicious or libelous statements. Letters must be the original work of the writer and must be signed. For identification purposes, letters must include the writer’s full name and telephone number. Gina Donaghy Centurion Staff
Facing the challenges of living through a pandemic are difficult, especially for local students and residents who are trying to continue their education during such unprecedented times. Students have to pivot and shift directions in all aspects of life. This is especially hard for students who are dealing with the obstacles of virtual learning and missing out on the social aspect
EVENTS
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that colleges normally provide. “I’ve been working overtime since COVID began back in March. I was supposed to lead a Habitat for Humanity trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, to help build houses for the college over spring break but it all was canceled due to the pandemic,” said Bucks student Leah Miller, who works as a pharmacy tech for Rite Aid. School functions, club events, frat parties, social gatherings and vacations no longer exist in the same capacity as they once did, and life as we know it may not be coming back for a while. Though, some are finally starting to feel comfortable with going out again
after months of quarantine. “I have been working a lot so I do not have much time to socialize. If and when I do, I invite people over to my house, so we won’t have to go out,” Miller said. Many share the same sentiment as Miller, while some college students are still striving for the “college experience,” and not accepting this new “normal.” They are still going to bars, frat parties and not social distancing like the CDC recommends. “Typically, I haven’t been seeing many people beyond when I go to work. That’s about as much going out as I do. When I have seen friends, I have only seen a
very small handful at most and it was during a small get-together a few months ago. I feel socializing won’t be normal again for me until next year. Most people seem to be feeling the say way and have limited their contact to just family and small group of friends,” said Bucks student Dean Guiliano. This is not just affecting students. Unemployment is high; people are out of work and are craving the normalcy that they once had. Even something as simple as going out to eat is something people are shying away from. “Due to having a lung issue, I am taking this pandemic serious-
ly. For the first three months, I have stayed pretty close to home, avoiding going out unless I really needed to. Since then, I go to my kid’s homes for visits. I have only been out to dinner twice with another couple, but I am not totally comfortable. Other than that, I am staying home much more than I normally would,” said Nancy Laurel of Holland, Pa. While people are still going out and trying to continue on with life while being in the midst of a pandemic, they are still trying to uphold the current CDC guidelines. It has definitely been an adjustment for everyone.
behind the in-person sessions available on either campus. Now, and for the foreseeable future, tutoring sessions will be hosted exclusively through technological means. Understandably, as Goodwill notes, “As we’d get closer to test time, we’d always see an uptick.” Goodwill has been with the ASC for just shy of a year, and reflects, “I’ve come to see bucks like a second home.” Normally, in-person sessions last 30 minutes, and online appointments go for an hour. Goodwill said this, “eats a little into the visit numbers.” Humphries estimates that the ASC has provided between 700 and 750 sessions since the shutdown in March. The formal data recordings won’t be completed until the end of the week; she analyzes that, “Our ratios may be similar but our numbers are definitely down.” Goodwill says that the center still experienced an influx of students seeking assistance during testing periods, but overall numbers have dropped, admitting, “Part of it is the format we are doing it on, part of it has to do with students in the healthcare field [who] are working longer hours.” Humphries acknowledges this as a difficulty when limited to online tutoring, saying, “We have people also who are dealing with the more human facet of the pandemic, who are trying to homeschool their children while trying to take classes themselves, and so many healthcare workers, and grocery store employees. Trying to balance the human need as well as the technological need is a challenge.” Assistant Director overseeing writing tutoring, Abigail Aldrich, suggests, “I think one thing we would love… make whatever software we use more mobile device friendly. GoBoard has a free mobile app student can use [best] if they have an iPad. If they have a Samsung or an iPhone, there are limitations. But I think all things considered, we’ve transitioned very well. We can’t replicate the services offered in person, but we’ve come very close.” The main reason for the ASC’s departure from using Scribblar, is
due to its dependency on Adobe Flash. Bucks administration is advising all staff to abandon Flash dependent programming, in favor of mobile accessibility. The sacrificed advantage of Scribblar, is its ability to embed right into Canvas, which GoBoard cannot. Aldrich hopes that students also understand, when conveying lessons through what is often such an impersonal medium, that tutors can’t pick up on body language like they might have been able to in person. Aldrich, who’s been with the ASC since November 2018, knows this transition to e-learning has made students and tutors alike go through a series of adaptations, but is glad that tutors can still work from home. On the downside of an all-online format, as Goodwill articulates, “Weather happens, people lose power, their laptops die, so [we’re] navigating technical difficulties you don’t always have in person.” Slight derailments like this are inevitable, but to prepare against more complex difficulties, Humphries was relieved that the
regularly-scheduled spring break allowed for an online tutoring training grace period. Another hurdle is the hiring of student tutors, amidst a solely online structure. Every semester, applications and recommendations for students to work as paid tutors at the Academic Success Center are submitted. Goodwill explains that in lieu of new protocol, “We have the interview process, on Zoom for example. We’ve [already] done some training online.” Where normally, tutors choose their preference of working on campus or online, new hires will not be afforded that choice until the campus officially reopens. “We’ll try and model this as close as we can to what we do in person,” Aldrich promises. Training, which is conducted in three tiers of expertise, is administrated through the College Reading & Learning Association. Each level requires 10 hours of training and 25 hours of tutoring, all of which Humphries is confident can be done online. In an email message to students
on Friday, March 20, College President Stephanie Shanblatt urged students, “Don’t drop your class because you are concerned about how you will do with remote learning. Remember there is virtual tutoring available and your faculty will have creative ways to assist you.” Despite this, Aldrich feels like the number of attendees may be down because students don’t know the center is still available. “That’s always a challenge,” Humphries expresses, “We partner very closely with faculty. We also partner with a lot of the developmental classes to reach students which may need our help. The week we moved online, on our Facebook and Instagram page, we highlighted a different tool to help students become more familiar with it. I feel like we’re trying but students are dealing with a lot right now, and it’s not as easy to put ourselves in front of them when everyone is dealing with so much.”
How Academic Success Center Succeeds Amidst Lockdown Nicholas Berube Centurion Staff
In the summer of 2019, the Bucks’ Academic Success Center (ASC), began the testing phase with a new tutoring platform, GoBoard. With original plans to integrate the program into regular tutoring practices at the end of the Spring 2020 semester, the ASC moved to fast-track its launch at the college, following the coronavirus shutdown in mid-March. “We were in a pretty good spot for this…We are considered a leader in online tutoring,” Director of the Academic Success Center Lauren Humphries said. “We’ve had online tutoring when more than most schools in the area didn’t,” she added. “We’ve grown it exponentially. In the past few weeks we’ve gotten calls from schools in Wisconsin, Florida, and locally, because we tend to find the tools quickly. We had three different calls with schools in Florida when this started. We already had so much in place, it just had to do with training more tutors with online specific.” On GoBoard, the ASC’s progressive new resource, tutors can conduct sessions using either a chat box, video conferencing, or audio calling. It also sends students automatic emails with a PDF of their sessions upon completion, as well as video recordings of sessions, if the video feature is enabled. To the surprise of the staff, students’ favorite aspect has been the share screen option. “[It] comes with some built in references for subjects. For chemistry there’s a bond building tool to work out bonds with atoms and molecular compounds. There’s a lot of handy features- it’s a learning curve, like with anything else,” said Assistant Director Sheridan Goodwill, who oversees mathematics tutoring. In August, Humphries will have been with the ASC for 12 years, and had been accustomed to about 1,000 out of the approximately 5,000 visitors a semester who seek tutoring, utilizing the online portal. Equipped with Scribblar, their former primary web tutoring tool, the online tutoring service was the third most popular center
Photo courtesy of Centurion website.
Story continues on page 5.
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The Centurion Wins Awards at State Contest
Spenser Sheffield Centurion Staff
The Centurion continued its winning streak at the Student Keystone Press Awards with nine wins at this year’s competition. The Centurion took home wins in seven different categories. The student newspaper received four first-place wins. These first-place wins were in the “Ongoing News Coverage,” “Public Service/Enterprise Package,” “Sports Story” and “Website” categories. Wins in these categories were for coverage of topics including the student loan crisis and anxiety in college students. The Centurion has competed in the community college division since 2010 and has brought home more than 100 awards during that time. “Everyone who contributes to Centurion is a hard worker and I am happy these awards recognize that,” said Sarah Siock, former Editor in Chief of the Centurion. Siock won two awards at this year’s Keystone Press Awards. The work produced by the Centurion is done entirely by students. Stories for the newspaper are written, edited and put into layout by the Centurion’s student-run staff. The student newspaper also performed well in digital journalism categories and received two wins for video news stories. “The journalism program is excellent at Bucks. Professor Tony Rogers who is the advisor of the Centurion puts a lot of effort into the program and truly cares about his students. The success of the program can be seen by
Current Edtior-in-Chief, Alyssa Moore (left), with former Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Siock (right). Photo Courtesy of The Centurion website.
the awards it wins each year. There are not many programs at the college where you win awards for the work you produce which is what makes the journalism program special. If anyone is able to take a journalism class they should because you receive so much out of it,” Siock said. Rogers noted that the awards were for work done during Siock’s tenure as editor in
chief. “It’s no surprise that the paper did so well this year,” he said. “Sarah has done a terrific job as editor and these awards reflect that.” The competition is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association. The Association planned to hold an awards lunch for all winners this April in Harrisburg. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony is currently post-
poned. Here is the full list of winners: General News Second: Alec Sager Ongoing News Coverage First Place: Shannon Goldhahn, Erin Smith, Ulisses Morales-Columna, Tyler Seale. Public Service/Enterprise Package First Place: Sarah Siock, Joseph Sheridan, Francis Klingenberg, Elijah Pittman Public Service/Enterprise
Package Honorable Mention: Joshua Thompson, Jared Roberts, Bradley Hare Sports Story First Place: Sarah Siock Photo Story Second Place: Shannon Goldhahn Website First Place: Centurion Staff Video Story Second Place: Anthony Direnzo Video Story Honorable Mention: Nicole Aquino
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How Students Feel About the BLM Protests Kayla Gidzinski Centurion Staff
From day-to-day, too many innocent black lives are being targeted solely based off the color of their skin, which leads to the importance of justice for those who no longer have a voice. Since 2013, the Black Lives Matter movement has shed light on recurring issues ignored by mainstream society. Given the circumstances, what measures need to be taken to prevent police brutality, inequity, and racism at large? Bucks students express their thoughts over the matter. Romatta Gerring, 19, a pre-med undergraduate, voiced her concerns towards law enforcement. “I feel that cops need advanced training, prior to becoming one. But how does one teach an officer not to be a racist? Taking into consideration all the chaos that has transpired over these last few months, a change must be reinforced,” said Gerring. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, and many more, created an uproar of emotions over the summer. “If you watch the news, you begin to notice a pattern. A white person who shoots up a school, murdering several children, leaves the scene untouched. Meanwhile, a black man is shot seven times from the back because he opened his car door. That man is named Jacob Blake and he is left paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. I don’t know about you, but that is a hate crime,” said Gerring. Niyaana Tyson-Thomas, 19, social work major, who, not too long ago, transferred from Kutztown University, stated her opinions about the topic. “I have a lot of mixed feelings when discussing the Black Lives Matter movement,” Thomas said. “In order for there to be real change, people of different communities need to work
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together. We need to do more than just protest. The police should accommodate with group leaders to show how not all cops are out to kill us. It should be mandatory for schools to teach the younger generations the harsh reality for those who are black and not what is taught by using outdated textbooks. Enough is enough,”
Without a doubt, Gen Z, commonly known as the “woke” generation, refuses to stay silent until equality is served. Active protester and communications major, Betsy Watson, is heavily involved with the movement. “In general, I actually think the protests are getting a lot
done. Protesting and rioting have always been the frontline of most social injustice movements,” Watson said. Due to the multitude of protests across the U.S., the officers held accountable for the death of George Floyd were charged and arrested. Now, Black Lives Matter advocates are demanding
to defund the police. “The police are far too overfunded when those resources can and should be used towards important programs. Also, they need more biased training, along with scanning for previous mental conditions,” Watson said.
to White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany. To some critics, it sounds radical. Pauly Quinn, 20, of Warrington, said, “It will take a lot of time, but I think the first step to defunding the police is having community-based correction programs take over and use a lot of the money and resources being used by law
enforcement.” According to Statista, “U.S. police departments are still receiving astronomical percentage of discretionary funds compared to other crucial community programs. Police budgets remain high in 2020, ranging from 20 to 45 percent of discretionary funding in major metropolitan areas.”
A common concern is that defunding the police could result in more crime. According to CNN, “Those seeking to disband police consider defunding an initial step toward creating an entirely different model of community-led public safety.” Many major companies such as: Ben and Jerry’s, Target, Micro-
soft, Google and Bank of America are in full support of defunding the police. With protest showing no signs of ending anytime soon and major companies supporting the movement, police reform seems to not fully be off or on the table.
BLM Protesters Seek Police Reform Elizabeth Watson Centurion Staff
Systemic racism continues to be an ongoing topic of discussion affecting millions of Americans daily. After the tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, there has been an uproar regarding police brutality. As a result of these deaths, there has been a spike in participation towards the Black Lives Matter Movement. BLM has wildly spiked an interest in a call for police reform. According to New York Times, the amount of protests peaked on June 6, estimating half a million people in nearly 550 areas across the U.S. participating. Jocelyn Beltran, 20, of Doylestown, said, “There is a need to defund the police because there are things that need attention and funds, but the police hold the focus.” While many Americans are calling to defund the police, a reported 73 percent of Americans want police budgets left the same or increased. According to Fortune, “Forty-two percent say that spending on their local police should stay the same as it is now and thirty-one percent say that spending should be increased.” Julia Cullen, 18, of Doylestown, said, “Reform has happened in the past. It’s a huge step but I think that defunding is still necessary, and that corruption won’t just disappear” According to Washington Post, President Trump is “appalled” by the movement, according
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Senior Year Turned Sour for Students Dakoda Carlson Centurion Staff
Graduating during a pandemic is nothing short of strange and unfamiliar. Both graduation and senior year took a different approach this time year. COVID-19 had no shortage of causing cancellations, and senior year traditions were not of any exception. The decisions schools made for graduating students this year were revolved around safety, but one important question that needs to be raised is: “How did these seniors feel about all these cancellations during senior year?” Robert Williams, a 23-year-old student who graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre History and Performance said they went into a “nihilist” state. “I didn’t see a point to ‘performing’ efficiently the way I was prior to quarantine. I went into a heavy slump and was taking on a lot of weight thinking.” Abby Smith, an 18-year-old student who graduated from Palisades High School explained that she felt her senior year was cut short but recognized why the decision was made. “I don’t think what happened was unfair because all people and generations go through changes that were not planned or intentional.” Smith’s high school “traditions” were canceled, such as prom, and she did not have a regular graduation. “Nothing was normal about the end of the year” said Smith. The virus took a heavy toll on many plans that were set in motion. Williams had his life planned for the remaining of summer 2020 prior to the outbreak. “I made plans to work at a theatre for the summer and come back to New York to continue working my theatre jobs there. My intention was to stay in New York and step into my ‘professional chapter,’” said Williams.
Williams could no longer afford to live in the city due to a lack of income, and moved back to their hometown and stayed with their parents. Before graduating, Williams had signed a contract. “I was signed on to a year-long internship with a theatre company in Memphis” said Williams. The virus also affected Smith’s future, but not as drastically. “My college classes have been online, but the virus didn’t effect where I was planning on going to college” said Smith. Smith’s high school was among the schools that made the decision to put their classes online due to the outbreak back in March. Many students felt indifferent about this decision. Smith said that when it was announced online, she was really nervous. “Because I do not learn well in an online environment. My motivation went down, and my grades suffered” said Smith. Both students had different experiences graduating their schools. Williams “downplayed” their graduation. “I took the day to celebrate but was not outwardly prompting others to celebrate for me. I wanted it to be personal. I did not attempt to create a grand spectacle such as what’s expected at a traditional ceremony” said Williams. Williams believes that the virus and the cancellations caused by it reminded them not to take any opportunity for granted. Smith said that she “imagined my friends and peers being able to socialize and mingle. I was expecting there to be a group celebration, conversation, saying goodbyes, etc.” Instead, Smith’s family threw a graduation party for her which she described it being very fun, and it made up for the other things that could not have happened. Smith now attends Penn State University with a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
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Academic Success Center Succeeds Story continued from page 2.
According to Aldrich, “On campus people have an hour between classes, but it just doesn’t quite work that way when it’s all online.” She attests that the ASC has worked to compensate for such natural shortcomings by providing video chat on GoBoard, drop-ins for quick questions, and various forms. The Bucks County Community College website tells visitors that, “sessions can be conducted by phone, Skype, Google Hangouts, and more depending on what tool you’re familiar with.” Further complications come into play when considering the campus actually reopening. Humphries, Goodwill, and Aldrich all attest to the regular sanitization practices expounded by the ASC, even before the pandemic. “By nature of how the tables are, and the nature of tutoring itself, you’re working with them
closely. I can see us stepping up with more cleanings during the day. We’ve always done cleanings at the end of the day with disinfecting wipes. Maybe more spreading out as space will allow us to. We will do what we need to do per the guidelines we need to follow,” Aldrich affirms. The sentiment is echoed by Humphries. “Right now, tutoring is very much so not a social distancing activity.” None of the tutoring staff is certain if Bucks County Community College campuses will be open for the fall. As they await data to inform such decisions, they are preparing for any possible outcome. Currently, while everyone’s still under the umbrella of e-learning, times at the ASC have become more flexible. Moving into the summer, tutors in specific subjects will be available for classes that are being provided at the given
time. For other cases, students can fill out a tutor request form online, to ensure they still receive the services needed. “One of us tends to be working all day. One of us starts working at 7 a.m. and one of us doesn’t stop working until 10 p.m. Me, Sheridan, and Abigail have divided the weekend, so one of us is checking every day,” Humphries said, adding, “The only thing some people don’t know, is that we’re willing to sit down and go test the technology [with them]. We have practice spaces available, so they can feel confident before their sessions.” Humphries encourages students to check back with the ASC in the fall, as the “Summer tends to be when we make our biggest changes.” To contact the Academic Success Center, call 215.968.8044, or email tutor@bucks.edu.
Lantern Flies Are a Real Menace Jacob Mairone Centurion Staff
In the midst of a pandemic and intense election, an invasion on U.S. soil has gone widely unnoticed for almost three years now. For those who are not aware, lycorma delicatula, otherwise known as the spotted lanternfly, is the invader. Spotted lanternflies are an invasive species, hailing from Asia, that feed on tree sap. The problem is there are not enough predators to kill the lanternfly as fast as they can reproduce. “We don’t know much about their effects on the wider ecosystem,” commented Emelie Swackhamer, horticulture extension teacher at Penn State. “Some birds eat them, so will it help that species to flourish?” “Some stinging insects collect their honey dew, so will this new food source help those insects?” Important questions to ask while assessing the threat, however immediate damage to trees and other plants is still a very real threat. They have even been documented killing grape vines and walnut tree saplings. “I bore witness to the damage firsthand that a nest these lanternflies can cause, decaying tree bases, insects everywhere clustered together in their swarm. The trees tend to drip a foul-smelling sap when they are being drained,” said Swackhamer. Suzana Schiever, weekend security guard at Falls Township community park, recalled that suddenly one day in the summer,
“We were told to scrape their eggs off the tree with our credit cards, and I just thought that’s kind of gross I don’t want to get my card dirty.” Schiever stated how they don’t seem to nest in the park, however when she goes to the city she notices them a lot more. For whatever reason they don’t infest the park is still unclear. Perhaps they just aren’t doing their due diligence at the park to
monitor the situation, or maybe they don’t colonize in areas that people often go to. “When did it become our responsibility to deal with it and how did they get into our country? Did they sneak in with wood because all of that stuff should be checked for insects,” said Schiever. The American government has had plenty of experience with invasive species and they are
aware of the danger they present, as there is an invasive species advisory. So why has this issue been flying under the radar for three years now? If we are supposed to have systems in place to stop the issue, why can’t people go for a walk outside without seeing dozens of these foreign invaders flying around? Regardless of what should have been done or who should
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have solved this problem, what’s important now is that everybody keeps their eyes peeled for these pests. If you spot a lanternfly or any of its eggs you should take a picture, kill them and call 1-888-4BADFLY, especially if you are outside of one of the quarantine zones they have set up to control the outbreak.
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Sports
Eagles 2020 Season Preview Dean Guiliano Centurion Staff
COVID-19 has disrupted our way of life over the past six months in the form of quarantine and event cancellations. But on the bright side, professional sports have made a comeback and are in full swing as the MLB, NHL, and NBA all have their seasons resumed. With the NFL season coming on the horizon, how will the Philadelphia Eagles fare given all the chaos in the world? Throughout the offseason, the Eagles sought to make the most strategic moves to boost their roster. The biggest and most notable release in the offseason was Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins, who resigned with his former team, the New Orleans Saints. Philadelphia renewed contracts include safety Rodney McLeod for a two-year deal, and resigning backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld to a one-year contract. Along the defensive line, they resigned Vinny Curry to a one-year deal, and are bringing back Jason Peters for a one-year contract. They also made a splash in free agency this offseason as well. Signing former Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman to a oneyear contract. They made a trade for San Francisco wide-receiver Marquise Goodwin, who will sit out the 2020 season to focus on his family. They played their cards well in the 2020 NFL Draft, hauling in wide-receiver Jalen Reagor and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
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The past few years, the Eagles’ key to success has been the established teammates working well together. But will their strength in unity still be enough when tensions around professional sports are at what may be an all-time high? Throughout the community of Eagles fans, some have shared their thoughts on the upcoming season and concerns regarding COVID-19. “As long Carson Wentz stays healthy and improves, no doubt we should be flying to the playoffs again,” said Temple student
Paul Coates. “But with concerns along the O-line after losing 2 starters, along with an aging Jason Peters, there are definitely causes for concern.” Other fans were not as enthusiastic, yet still cautiously optimistic. “You never can tell with football anymore because of the injuries,” said Philadelphia native Jon Pepper. “This year is even more of a question mark because of COVID. But as long as they’re in the NFC East and Jerry Jones owns the Cowboys, they have a chance at the division.” Rory Bonner, a die-hard Eagles
fan residing in Bristol, has had a love-hate relationship with the team for quite some time. “Besides my high expectations following their 2017 fairytale championship season, I like to set the bar fairly low on entering every season. Why? For every other season prior to Super Bowl LII.” With the pandemic, not being skeptical about the NFL’s response to safety regulations would prove difficult. Robert Bonner, who resides in Washington, D.C. working as a member of the Appropriations Committee in the U.S. government, said,
“Hopefully Doug Peterson will be sensitive about the COVID-19 protocols, especially since he’s now had it himself.” It’s safe to say that regardless of what the Eagles will accomplish this season, fans of the team are just glad football is back during this chaotic time. Whether this season will pan out accordingly is yet to be seen. The Eagles 2020 NFL Season is set to kickoff this coming Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:00 p.m. in Washington against the newly renamed, Washington Football Team. Until then, go Birds.