JANUARY 19, 2010highlandernews.net

LET’S TALK FASHION Fabulous eco-friendly fashion PAGE 3InsideSTUDENTS HELP PLAN BIZ EXPO The Back Mountain Business Association will have an expo in April PAGE 4

exclusive photos • story • video • more

Only on highlandernews.net:

Martin Luther King Day

Culture of Change: Hispanic and Latino Immigrants in Luzerne CountyEditor’s note: This story is part five of an ongoing series about the growing Hispanic and Latino population in Luzerne County. We at The Highlander believe journalism is the key to education in our world, and we hope to convey the powerful stories of young Latino people within the county. These are the stories no one dares to write.

A young Latino immigrant wanted to get her General Equivalency Diploma. She scored high on the practice test. Her grades were excellent. But her lack of one piece of paper ruined her chances of receiving a diploma. “I had to document her social security number. There was nothing I could do,” said Ivette Trent, coordinator of Luzerne County Community College Hazleton Center’s Multicultural Learning Center. “It was so sad. She probably would have had the highest score [on the test].” Trent said citizenship snarls were a common educational

roadblock when Hazleton mayor Louis Barletta proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act Ordinance, which would allow the city to fine landlords and employers who accommodated illegal immigrants. “At the height, students got scared and left,” said Terry Bauder, director of the LCCC-Hazleton. “If you looked Latino or Hispanic, you were automatically illegal.” Years later, the push to help the influx of Hispanic and Latino immigrants in the Hazleton area is far from over. With state budget cuts, federal grant regulations and scroll-

length waiting lists, Bauder and Trent are sometimes unable to accommodate the students who wish to enroll in the college’s various programs, like the English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. “I’ve had days here where the traffic in my office is crazy. People practically beg me [to enroll],” said Trent. “[It] feels like your hands are tied. It feels sort of hopeless.” Hope is still on the horizon. LCCC-Hazleton’s Hispanic enrollment has jumped nearly six percent between the spring and fall 2009 semesters – from 15.7 to 21 percent. There are programs to help young

Hispanic and Latino students adjust to the language. The college’s Multicultural Learning Center offers a Bridge program for high school students. All of these programs rely upon federal and state funding. It also helps when the LCCC-Hazleton doesn’t need advertising to usher in new Hispanic and Latino students – most of the work is done for them. “We don’t recruit. Marketing for this population is 90 percent word of mouth, especially in ESL classes,” said Bauder. “[They can] be in an environment that’s safe and

comfortable, and they’re going to want to share that.” The demand for ESL programs for adults not enrolled in the college full or part time is still an issue. LCCC offers free non-credit ESL and GED classes as part of the Adult Learners’ Training and Assistance (ALTA) Program, which is funded the by Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program focuses on reading and writing to prepare learners for the workforce. Students are tested before entering the program to determine their class level: beginner, intermediate or advanced. Though it is helpful

for the growing Hispanic and Latino community in Hazleton, Trent feels it is not enough to prepare non-English speakers for the real world. “In the ALTA program, students are tested out [of the program] on reading comprehension,” she said. “It’s too time consuming to test them on other skills. They get upset. They just feel they really need more [education].” There are more options, but at a price. The college has added academic ESL classes to its roster, and student can add to their curriculum with new programs like the Native

‘It feels sort of hopeless’Lack of documentation is just one barrier to education for young Latino and Hispanic immigrants.By Sarah HiteEditor-in-Chief

MU has agreed to a five-year exclusive agreement with Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., making carbonated and non-carbonated Coca-Cola products the official soft drink on campus. Proceeds from the agreement will be re-invested in campus enhancements that are student oriented. The health and fitness center in the Anderson Sports and Health Center will be expanded to accommodate new equipment and moved to the first floor in the area formerly occupied by the occupational and physical therapy labs. The new exercise area is going to be more than twice the size of the current facility and it will feature an expanded cardiovascular area with seven treadmills, seven elliptical machines and exercise bicycles, a free weight area and an area for

selectorized machines. Renovations are expected to begin in the summer and be completed by the beginning of the fall semester. “We are thrilled to enter this exclusive arrangement with Coca-Cola,’’ said Dave Martin, director of athletics at MU. “The monies realized from the agreement will benefit our entire campus community through the purchase of equipment for our renovated fitness center.’’ In exchange for the exclusive contract, MU will receive an annual sponsorship gift from Coca-Cola and a percentage of the profits from beverage products sold on campus. MU solicited proposals from soft drink companies to become the exclusive vendor and also conducted a sample survey among the student body

MU signs exclusive beverage contract with Coca-Cola

The monies from MU’s contract with the soft drink company will help build a new fitness wing of the Anderson Sports and Health Center.

By Highlander Staff Reports

As you travel through the Espy Gap of Hanover Township in Luzerne County, you will stumble upon a veiled pathway leading into the woods and to a clearing that overlooks a complex of 20 abandoned concrete homes. Walking through the ghostly city, you can feel the eeriness slithering through the weeds in the courtyard. Rusted spray-paint cans and charred barrels scatter the dirt-covered pathway that leads to the crumbling concrete carcasses. Inside you can feel damp from the moisture trapped inside the hulking structures made entirely of concrete. When Krista Fetterman of neighboring Nanticoke was a teenager she would often explore the creepy, abandoned grounds to take photographs. “The graffiti down there is pretty cool. My favorite was the giraffe. It was a pretty strange experience,” said Fetterman. The concrete corpses were once a part of a mining town called Concrete City on the border of Nanticoke City and Hanover Township. It was intended to serve as a fire-

Hard, hulking ghosts: Tales of Concrete CityNot even dynamite could destroy the long-abandoned coal mining community, and its haunting legend continues to draw the curiosity of residents in Luzerne County.

By Amanda JamiesonPrint Editor

AMANDA JAMIESON / THE HIGHLANDER

(cont’d. on pg. 4)

(cont’d. on pg. 4)

(cont’d. on pg. 2)

Above, the side of one house in Concrete City. The community once participated in garden contests; now the area is overgrown with trees, weeds and brush.

Students travel to Jamaica during break, page 5

highlandernews.netJANUARY 19, 20102

CONTACT US

(570) 674-6737

highland@misericordia.edu

Sarah HiteEditor-in-Chiefhites@misericordia.edu

Amanda JamiesonPrint Editorjamiesa2@misericordia.edu

Eleni KonstasWeb Editorkonstase@misericordia.edu

Multimedia EditorMichele Drago

dragom2@misericordia.edu

The Highlander is a free, biweekly publication produced in conjunction with MU Communications Department. Any full-time student is encouraged to join the staff.

We are a member of the American Scholastic Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, and the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.

The Highlander works to produce up-to-date, clear, accurate reporting. If any information is inaccurate or not covered thoroughly, cor-rections and information will appear in this area. Opinions and views expressed in The Highlander in no way refl ect those of Misericordia Universi-ty or the Sisters of Mercy. The Highlander staff welcomes students, faculty and reader response. The Highlander reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical errors and length. All submis-sions must be signed. Letters to the Editor and/or materials for publication may be submit-ted by any reader. Items can be sent via e-mail.

Integrity

News

STAFF

proof housing community for the highest paid employees of the nearby Truesdale Colliery. E. E. Loomis, president of the colliery’s owner, Delaware, Lackawanna & Western [DL&W] Railroad, demanded a safe housing community for his employees, and construction began in 1911 on the 20 two-story, double block, concrete houses. Each home was able to house two families and consisted of a fl at concrete roof, rain gutters, four bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and a cellar. Although the homes did not have indoor plumbing, they did have running water and a hot water tank. The complex featured four-foot wide illuminated sidewalks, a baseball fi eld, tennis court, swings, sliding board, pavilion and swimming pool. Rent cost $8 a month. DL&W offered this state-of-the-art housing to employees who held key positions in the colliery, such as foremen of the high-producing coal veins, technicians, shop men and their families. The railway also specifi ed that all residents must be English-speaking, which excluded the majority of the colliery’s employees who were

mainly of eastern European descent. Thus residents were primarily of English, Irish or Welsh descent. While the structures seem cold and imposing, the grounds were once covered with fl ourishing trees and shrubbery, and residents kept colorful fl ower boxes under the windows. DL&W even sponsored an annual garden contest to capitalize on the innovative city. Residents took pride in their vegetable and fl ower gardens, and they tended to them with care as they hoped to win the coveted prizes. This blossoming enthusiasm earned Concrete City the nickname Garden City by people in surrounding communities. Although ideal in theory, Concrete City did not last. The hulking homes attracted dampness that often caused clothing to freeze in the winter months. A mixture of cement, coal cinders and hydraulic lime was applied to the cement in an effort to make it nonabsorbent, but residents’ clothes would freeze while hanging in the second fl oor closets. After 11 years of operation, Concrete City was abandoned

in 1924. Glen Alden, the new owner, refused to invest $200,000 for a sewer system that Hanover Township authorities required to keep the community open. The company attempted to destroy it by igniting several blasts of 100-stick dynamite inside the homes. Concrete City was unscathed. In 1966, Concrete City was purchased from Glen Alden by Wilkes University for $66,000 dollars. Wilkes allowed the Luzerne County Fire & Rescue to use the property for an exam to assess fi refi ghters’ skills. “It was the best training I’ve ever seen. You got real experience,” said Water Rescue Lieutenant Jack Rudeski of Breslau Hose Company No. 5 in Hanover Township. The training involved the practice of conducting controlled burns on the property. Volunteers would load pallets into the basement of a building and ignite them. They used the old pool to ignite barrels of combustible liquids. The training was dangerous enough, and Concrete City compounded the hazard. Six-foot-tall basement ceilings caused hot steam to circulate near the burning pallets, and this often caused fi refi ghters

to suffer steam burns. “The buildings weren’t designed to be used for purposely-set fi res. There was years of moisture trapped in the cement so with the added extreme heat, we were worried someone was going to get killed,” said Jim Wills of the Luzerne County Fire & Rescue. Training eventually ceased. “Adding extreme heat caused the cement to expand and the beams to come loose. When one of those beams falls down, the building would shake. It would feel like an earthquake,” said Chief Safety Offi cer Stanley Browski of Breslau Hose Company No. 5. Concrete City has spent the past two decades awaiting a purpose. There were once rumors that it would serve as a Regional Equipment Center, but that never came to fruition. But Concrete City did serve one purpose: exploration. One Halloween, RJ Tomascik of Courtdale and his friends investigated a legend that the abandoned city is haunted by a young boy who once drowned in the pool. He said the eerie, decrepit, graffi ti-covered buildings proved too foreboding to enter, so they stayed at the edge of

the path. He claimed that while standing among the homes in silence, he heard a strange noise coming from the woods. “We stopped and tried to listen, but the sounds stopped too,” he said. The noise returned a few minutes later – and a tiny ball of white light accompanied it deep into the woods. Tomascik said that one of his friends saw some kind of fi gure move in the direction of the noises. “I don’t know what it was and we didn’t stick around to fi nd out.” Tomascik didn’t need to see proof: He believes. “I do think the place has some kind of paranormal activity going on there. It seems that every time you talk to someone who has been there, they have some kind of experience of their own to tell,” he said. Concrete City remains as a curious fi xture in Hanover Township. In 1996, the colliery that once owned it honored the landmark with a plaque. However, the community is torn between saving the land for historical purposes and destroying it for development. Only time and funding will determine the fate of the lone carcasses of Concrete City.

Tales of Concrete City, cont’d.continued from page 1

AMANDA JAMIESON / THE HIGHLANDER

Above, a house is left in ru-ins after many years of wear and tear. This could be the result of many purposely-set fi res used to train fi re and rescue staff in Luzerne County.

Far left, graffi ti covers the side of one house in Con-crete City, which has been abandoned since 1924.

Left, graffi ti lines the walls of the inside of one house in Concrete City. Though no one has lived in these houses since 1924, locals often visit the site.

Twenty two-story, double-block concrete houses once provided comfort and stability for coal workers and their families in the early 1900s.

Student Activities has announced the campus will begin to offer movies in the recently renovated Lemmond Theater in Walsh Hall. The schedule includes “Couples Retreat,” on Jan. 24; “Precious,” on Feb.7; and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” on March 14. All movies will be shown at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is $1 for MU students with ID and $2 for the general public. “Couples Retreat” is an offbeat comedy produced by Vince Vaughn and co-stars Jason Bateman and

Faizon Love. With their relationship in danger of dissipating, a couple racing to salvage their marriage invites three other couples to join them in a tropical paradise. Upon arriving, the guests are disturbed to fi nd that participation in therapy sessions in mandatory if they plan to stay on the resort. (107 minutes; rated PG-13) The second installment of Stephenie Meyer’s immensely popular Twilight series, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural

world with the romance between the mortal Bella (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson). (130 minutes; rated PG13) “Precious,” based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire, is the harrowing yet ultimately inspiring story of illiterate Harlem teenager, Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) who escapes a life of abuse at the hands of her parents by discovering her own inner strength through the help of a social worker (Mariah Carey) and alternative school teacher (Paula Patton).

Mo’Nique has earned rave reviews cast as Precious’ verbally and physically abusive mother. (110 minutes; rated R). The movie has earned critical acclaim and has been nominated for three Golden Globe awards for Best Drama, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress and numerous NAACP Image Awards. For more information about Movie Night, please contact Patrick McKamy, coordinator of student activities, (570) 674-6411.

MU ‘Movie Night’ starts Jan. 24Student Activites will show commercially popular movies in Lemmond Theater once a month.By Highlander Staff Reports

Tune into all new episodes of CougarCast this semester

FEATURING• Flavor of NEPA• The Locker Room• MUCH MORE

on MTV-U

highlandernews.netJANUARY 19, 20103

LET’STALK

FASHIONBy MICHELE DRAGO, Multimedia Editor

highlandernews.net2

What’s your style? Let’s talk fashion!E-mail me at dragom2@misericordia.edu.

Organic doesn’t only apply to the bag of Newman-O’s cookies – which are delicious – or the small carton of Stonyfi eld Farms strawberry yogurt. Oh no. It has a new place in the hearts of people with names like Oscar and Proenza. What am I talking about? The dirt in the fashion world is this: eco-friendly organic cotton is the new black, and everyone’s a fan. Oscar de la Renta and Proenza Schouler are switching fabrics to create the most glam Al Gore-friendly looks for their organic cotton lines. This switch is not only a phase or a fad for designers to cash in big, but it’s also a solution to an issue. “Production of clothing fi bers can be highly damaging to the environment, with cotton being one of the worst,” according to the Organic Consumer’s Association. Seriously, someone should have thought of organic cloth couture a long time ago – oh wait, someone did. While some are just fi guring out that organic is the way to go, independent designers like Nicole Carey and local stores like Earth and Wears have had this idea set in motion long before de la Renta even dreamed of jumping on the eco-bandwagon. The classic eco-green color (good for recycling bins; bad for shift dresses) is leaving its mark in the fashion world, and it’s becoming the staple color for most organic fashions. In my opinion, organic fashion

will be a huge success once the big designers’ seedlings start to sprout. Woodstock fans won’t be the only ones to promote peace and love via fashion – this eco-

conscious couture will be the style of a socially

aware fashionista. I’m all about organic fashion, especially

after visiting one of the most famous shopping spots

in South Beach Miami – Lincoln Road. Eco-friendly clothing was everywhere. I

looked through the windows

of fi ve high-end stores to see the word ‘organic’

in bold green capital

letters. Say hello to the future of fashion.

“We have got to fi nd ways of making our activism sexy, and fashion is it,” said Bono in a 2006 New York Times

style article. I agree even though I think Bono, not exactly a fashion icon, wears the cheesiest sunglasses I have ever seen. (Google pictures of him; you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.) Every day, fashion evolves in some way – like the fi rst man to walk on the moon all over again – except within the world of fi erce faces and sky-high stilettos. Eco-friendly designers are popping up all over the place and some familiar faces are trying the trend, too. My top two: Threads for Thoughts and Stella McCartney. I especially love the rounded hem snakeskin print cardigan at Threads for Thoughts for less than $30. Fresh, fun and eco-fabulous. Designer organic brands aren’t as pricy as you think, but I know some that are worth the extra green. Maybe I’ll tell – next time.

It’s a Tuesday night. Jane stands in the hallway patiently waiting while she plays with her iPod looking for the perfect song to start her sun salutation – “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. She makes adjustments to her wig so it will not fall off when she bends and stretches. Ann sits in the black leather massage chair getting her mani and pedi. “I’m feeling vivacious this week, let’s go with fl amingo pink.” Susan sits next to her, grinning as she gets a back massage. “This is the life.” Kate, from across the hall, glances over at the fruit basket so she can sketch the right edges on her canvas of yellows, oranges and reds. This chaotic scene is the work of founder Penny Cunningham. Cancer patients across Northeastern Pennsylvania have a place to go for belonging, support and community in tough times: the Center for Cancer Wellness, also known as Candy’s Place. Traditional and gentle yoga classes, spa days and art therapy sessions are a few of the long list of activities offered for one sole purpose: to help women like Jane fi nd emotional support when she’s just not having a delightful day. “We hold this day of nurturing where the patients spend the day at a local spa and get facials, therapeutic baths and massages. This event is popular with the women that come to us,” said Cunningham. She holds down the fort, attending all of the workshops, checking e-mails, chatting with the women awaiting yoga, fi lling out paperwork for volunteers, making sure everyone’s work is up to par and ensuring them that “they’re doing a great job today.” Her inspiration is her sister, Candice Mamary. Candy’s Place began in September 1998 after the death of Mamary, a mother and social worker who was diagnosed with primary lung cancer. Mamary was trying to fi nd a way to help cancer victims fi nd support and Candy’s Place was born. “Candy’s death changed my whole perspective on life. Don’t sweat the small stuff. If we touched two people while we have been opened this has made it for me,” she said. Back in September 1998, when Candy’s Place opened, success poured in the doors. Cunningham remembers this day better than most: she received one phone call and shortly after, 50 more. “I

knew what we were doing was effective for the community and it was helping the patients as well.” As a planner, mother, founder and shoulder to cry on, Cunningham lives a full life. One week she was worrying about not being in the offi ce enough as she awaited her daughter’s wedding. But she describes her life philosophy in four words: “It’s all worth it.” Dealing with the daily tasks is diffi cult, but the challenge of owning an organization that solely relies on donations can be daunting. “It gets hard. It costs approximately $400 a day to keep up the operations of the center. We came up

with ways to obtain this while involving our community.” Developing ideas was the easy part, but getting the word out to the community – not so much. Candy’s Place raises money through a Day Sponsor program where people sponsor a day of operations at the busy center. “Our team sat down to brainstorm of so many ideas to make this a place where cancer patients don’t have to pay anything to come here and feel at home.” The team developed a “Tree of Life” that lists donors’ names, the annual Candy’s Rainbow walk and different fundraisers held within the comfortable Mia Bella fresh cotton living room. “Honestly,

I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without my team and the community. I owe them everything.” People create their own ways to get involved. King’s College student Amanda Melski donated money to Candy’s Place by doing a senior project called “Jewelry For a Cure.” She sold jewelry at a nursing home and raised over $200 in two weeks. “My friend and I wanted to help out and be a part of something we heard was great by word of mouth. Some didn’t even buy my jewelry; they just gave donations to the nursing home to give to Candy’s Place. It was a great experience.” Melski believes people just keep giving because of the positive word. “I think one of the reasons for the success of Penny’s nonprofi t organization is the kindness and loving attitudes you get when walking in the doors. Penny really cares and I think that’s one of the reasons she has this success story under her belt,” said Melski. MU sophomore Megan Carey went to Candy’s Place to take a yoga class and fell in love with it. “I’m actually fi lling out volunteer papers now to try and help out. My major is actually business and at Candy’s Place I can actually help fundraise and do clerical work. This is a great opportunity for me at least.” Carey says she is happy there is an outlet for cancer patients and feels there should be organizations like this all over the country. “I wish there was a place like this by where I live. When having a family member with cancer, it can be a tough situation.” Cunningham has found ways to make sure cancer patients can participate in activities that will benefi t their bodies and souls. According to the American Cancer Society, aerobic exercise in a supervised program while undergoing therapy was found to enhance physical performance, increase hemoglobin and decrease fatigue. “Anyone can attend the yoga class. Anyone can get involved even if you don’t have cancer,” said Carey. Cunningham doesn’t do this for success or gratitude. She does it because she knows she is helping people who need emotional support. “I feel humbled to be a part of this place. There are so many emotions that I can’t even describe all of them. I know that when dealing with cancer it is that one phone call that can change everything.”

the path. He claimed that while standing among the homes in silence, he heard a strange noise coming from the woods. “We stopped and tried to listen, but the sounds stopped too,” he said. The noise returned a few minutes later – and a tiny ball of white light accompanied it deep into the woods. Tomascik said that one of his friends saw some kind of fi gure move in the direction of the noises. “I don’t know what it was and we didn’t stick around to fi nd out.” Tomascik didn’t need to see proof: He believes. “I do think the place has some kind of paranormal activity going on there. It seems that every time you talk to someone who has been there, they have some kind of experience of their own to tell,” he said. Concrete City remains as a curious fi xture in Hanover Township. In 1996, the colliery that once owned it honored the landmark with a plaque. However, the community is torn between saving the land for historical purposes and destroying it for development. Only time and funding will determine the fate of the lone carcasses of Concrete City.

Candy’s Place brings sweet successThe non-profi t center provides camaraderie and kindness to cancer patients in Northeastern Pennsylvania.By Michele DragoMultimedia Editor

AMANDA JAMIESON / THE HIGHLANDER

Above, a house is left in ru-ins after many years of wear and tear. This could be the result of many purposely-set fi res used to train fi re and rescue staff in Luzerne County.

Far left, graffi ti covers the side of one house in Con-crete City, which has been abandoned since 1924.

Left, graffi ti lines the walls of the inside of one house in Concrete City. Though no one has lived in these houses since 1924, locals often visit the site.

Twenty two-story, double-block concrete houses once provided comfort and stability for coal workers and their families in the early 1900s.

Illustration: Eleni Konstas/The Highlander

Programs offered at Candy’s Place

Movement• Gentle Yoga - Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.Introduction to the relaxation and energizing benefi ts of yoga, designed for people with and without cancer.

• Lite Cardio - Mondays at 5 p.m., Wednes-days at 5:30 p.m.Full body workout for all fi tness levels.

• Standing Strong - Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m.Incorporates walking, tension bands, light weights, stretching and light exercise.

• Traditional Yoga - Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.Focuses on meditation, breathing and posture.

Healing Arts• Reiki Therapy - Call for appointment

• Massage Therapy - Call for appointment

• Art Therapy - Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Visit www.cancerwellnessnepa.com for more information about upcoming educational events, volunteer oppor-tunities, and other information about

Candy’s Place.

Celebrate KwanzaaSunday, January 245 p.m. to 7 p.m.Blacktop Lounge

Learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa and enjoy the traditional food served during the holiday.

highlandernews.netJANUARY 19, 20104

Accent software program developed by Carnegie-Mellon University, which helps students with perfecting pronunciation. Marlin Battista, a 19-year-old student from the Dominican Republic, has benefited from pursuing ESL studies at LCCC-Hazleton, but it wasn’t easy. She did find her way to the college on West Broad Street by word of mouth, but the rest was up to her. “I had to do many things,” she said. Though Marlin had graduated from high school in her native country, she still needed a GED to pursue higher education in the United States. She received the paperwork for the Spanish GED test and got to work. She enrolled in the Move Up program, which helps students with job readiness skills. Her ESL instructor helped her fill out financial aid forms to attend the college. Now she balances 15 credits, work study and home life during the semester. “The first thing [Marlin] said to me [when we met] was, ‘I want to go to the university,’” said Trent. “She’s very self-motivated.” Battista is the only member of her family voluntarily taking ESL classes. Her parents, having lived in the United States for at least 14 years, speak little English. The problem for adult students could lie in time management. “There are a lot of barriers. [Students] have jobs and have to come home to children,” said Trent. “When it comes to ESL classes, you’ll never know how many [will attend].” Sometimes this means Battista works on her English

outside of the classroom, too. She’s often the translator for her parents and brother when the family goes to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, her brother’s high school – just about everywhere. She even translates at her work-study job in Bauder’s office. “Someone will come into the office and we’ll need someone who speaks Spanish,” said Bauder. “It happens several times a day.” Trent believes the programs catered to the younger generation of immigrants are helpful to the community. “The younger you are, the easier it is,” said Trent. And she knows from experience. Trent is originally from Miami, Fla., where her parents settled after emigrating from Cuba. Trent learned English quickly as a child, while her parents still struggled with the language. “I understand going to the bank and having to translate [for my parents],” she said. Supporting oneself in a new country is not just a barrier for education – it’s a sacrifice. A Latino man came to Trent wanting to apply to the paramedic program at the college. He had been an established doctor in his native country. “When they come here, they have to start from square one,” said Trent. Bauder and Trent are hopeful for the future of the growing Hispanic and Latino community in their area. They believe the struggles this population is dealing with are familiar when one looks in the history books. “Every new wave of immigrants has dealt with these issues,” said Trent. “We just need to be patient.”

‘Hopeless,’ cont’d.continued from page 1

MU hosted the launch of “Experience the Back Mountain 2010,” an economic development expo planned by the Economic Development Council of the Back Mountain Business Association (BMBA-EDC) on Dec. 10, 2009. The expo will be held on campus Thursday, April 22 in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. The community-wide event is designed to share resources to facilitate job creation and business growth, help connect community service organizations, churches, school and universities and let everyone know about opportunities that exist in the Back Mountain area. The “Experience the Back Mountain 2010” launch meeting included the first look at the council’s web site, www.backmountain.org, which is designed to serve as a clearing house for all things Back Mountain including cultural events, restaurant listings, and real estate and job opportunities. The domain for the website was donated by the Back Mountain Historical Society.

Statistics from an economic survey conducted in 2006 by John Sumansky, Ph.D., professor and chairman of the MU business department, were used by the planning group as a base line to show areas of economic development strength and weakness. The survey data helped them determine a business development strategy for the region, including the need for the informational expo. Among those on hand for the launch included Lynn Banta, of Twin Stacks, Executive Development Council chair; Carl F. Goeringer, Jr., BMBA president and infrastructure committee chair; Bill Leandri, of Huntsville Executive Search, beautification committee co-chair; Liz Martin, of the Suburban News, communications committee chair; and David Madeira, of Fuhrman Taylor and Markham, recruiting committee chair; state Sen. Lisa Barker, Michael A. MacDowell, president, MU; Anthony Shipula, director of development at Penn State Wilkes-Barre; Frank

Wagner, Dallas Township supervisor and representatives of numerous businesses and organizations including Valentine’s Jewelers, Really Cooking Cafe, Lake Side Bistro, Angela’s Everyday Gourmet, EnCana Oil & Gas USA, Inc., Lehman Township government, Luzerne Bank, Chestnut Ridge Communications, Quest Worldwide, Back Mountain Systems, Back Mountain Candles, District 14 W Lions Club and New Life Community Church. Presenters included MU graduate student Billy Des Rosier of the MBA program. He researched the use of business incubators in a three-state region and presented figures on incubator graduation rates and profiles of successful incubator businesses. The information will be used to help the council identify and recruit types of businesses that might be attracted to a Back Mountain incubator. Senior Brandi Brace, of Hunlock Creek, Pa., served as an intern with the BMBA-EDC communications

committee and assisted with the web page development. A team of five MU students, Joshua Yoo, Michael Muhumuza, Brian Wych, Sasha Anselmi and Alex Harman, were recognized for their help designing an advertising brochure for the April event under the direction of John N. Mellon, Ed.D., assistant professor of marketing at MU. Christine Stevens Slacktish, director of financial services education for MU and a member of the council’s recruitment committee, discussed the group’s efforts to address the economic impact of the 3,400 students who attend college in the Back Mountain at both MU and Penn State Wilkes-Barre, and help determine ways that businesses in the region can better reach the student demographic. For more information on the “Experience the Back Mountain 2101” expo or on becoming a member of the Back Mountain Business Association, call 675-9380.

Students, faculty help Back Mountain Business Association plan April expo

‘Experience the Back Mountain 2010’ will be held on campus to aid job reation and business growth for area businesses.By Highlander Staff Reports

A team of MU students is helping the Back Mountain Business Association Economic Development Council create a brochure for the upcoming “Experience the Back Mountain 2010” expo set for April 22, 2010 in the Insalaco Hall. Students developing the brochure, seated from left are Brian Wych, Sasha Anselmi and Alex Harman; standing: Joshua Yoo and Michael Muhumza.

The Back Mountain Business Association’s Economic Development Council recently launched plans for “Experience the Back Mountain 2010 — an all things Back Mountain expo scheduled for April 22 on campus. Shown seated from left are Michael A. MacDowell, president, MU; Carl Goeringer, Jr., president BMBA; Lynn Banta, chair, BMBA Economic Development Council; standing: Christine Stevens Slacktish, recruitment committee; Jim O’Connell, web site development; Liz Martin, chair, communications committee; David Madeira, recruitment committee; Brandi Brace, MU intern; Billy Des Rosier, MU MBA student researcher; and Bill Leandri, beautification committee.

PHOTO COURTESY MU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.

PHOTO COURTESY MU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.

to determine the preferred product among the university community. The majority of those surveyed selected Coke products. MU awarded the contract in January after considering two proposals. “This opportunity will turn into new exercise equipment and renovations for our students,’’ said Michael A. MacDowell, president of MU. “Every dollar that is realized from this exclusive contract will benefit our students.’’ The agreement allows for

a wide selection of beverage products on campus. Coke’s flagship products, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite, will be complemented on campus by enhanced water products like Vitamin Water and Vitamin Water 10, Fuze tea and juice drinks, assorted V8 and Minute Maid juices, Gold Peak Teas, Nestea products and Dasani bottled water. Coke products will be available in the dining hall, cafes and vending machines.

Coca-Cola cont’d.continued from page 1

Shuttle Schedule for the College of Health Sciences

• Monday and Tuesday7:30 AM to 8:00 PM

• Wendesday and Thursday7:30 AM to 9:30 PM

• Friday7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Main campus pick up and drop off locations: -Residence Life trailer-Banks Student Life Center-Entrance to the Science Building

highlandernews.netJANUARY 19, 2010 5Viewfinderhighlandernews.net4

committee and assisted with the web page development. A team of five MU students, Joshua Yoo, Michael Muhumuza, Brian Wych, Sasha Anselmi and Alex Harman, were recognized for their help designing an advertising brochure for the April event under the direction of John N. Mellon, Ed.D., assistant professor of marketing at MU. Christine Stevens Slacktish, director of financial services education for MU and a member of the council’s recruitment committee, discussed the group’s efforts to address the economic impact of the 3,400 students who attend college in the Back Mountain at both MU and Penn State Wilkes-Barre, and help determine ways that businesses in the region can better reach the student demographic. For more information on the “Experience the Back Mountain 2101” expo or on becoming a member of the Back Mountain Business Association, call 675-9380.

Students, faculty help Back Mountain Business Association plan April expo

‘Experience the Back Mountain 2010’ will be held on campus to aid job reation and business growth for area businesses.

A team of MU students is helping the Back Mountain Business Association Economic Development Council create a brochure for the upcoming “Experience the Back Mountain 2010” expo set for April 22, 2010 in the Insalaco Hall. Students developing the brochure, seated from left are Brian Wych, Sasha Anselmi and Alex Harman; standing: Joshua Yoo and Michael Muhumza.

The Back Mountain Business Association’s Economic Development Council recently launched plans for “Experience the Back Mountain 2010 — an all things Back Mountain expo scheduled for April 22 on campus. Shown seated from left are Michael A. MacDowell, president, MU; Carl Goeringer, Jr., president BMBA; Lynn Banta, chair, BMBA Economic Development Council; standing: Christine Stevens Slacktish, recruitment committee; Jim O’Connell, web site development; Liz Martin, chair, communications committee; David Madeira, recruitment committee; Brandi Brace, MU intern; Billy Des Rosier, MU MBA student researcher; and Bill Leandri, beautification committee.

PHOTO COURTESY MU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.

PHOTO COURTESY MU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.

Theology students’ learning crosses borders

Ten theology students traveled to Jamaica from Jan. 4 to Jan. 10 as part of their course learning. Stu-dents stayed at St. Joseph’s church in Cross Keys, Mandeville. While there they visited a Mustard Seeds center that deals with HIV orphans; a Missionaries of Charity home for the elderly, which is run by the same order of sisters as Mother Teresa; and St. Bosco’s boys school, which is run by the Sisters of Mercy and houses troubled and delinquent young males.

Learn more about these students’ experiences in the Feb. 2 edition of

The Highlander.

Right, students at the St. Joseph Early Education Center participate in morning devotion.

Photos by Dan KimbroughMU Communications Professor

Above, MU students sing and celebrate with a 100-year-old member of St. Jo-seph’s parish.

Left, junior Samantha Scalpone takes a sip of coconut water for the first time.

Below, junior Kiersten Whitaker shaves a resident at one of the Missionaries of Charity Home.

highlandernews.netJANUARY 19, 20106

YOUR LAST SHOT

Junior Eleni Konstas captured this shot of Kristin Hoffman, cen-ter, and Alexandra Goble, left, during the volleyball team’s match against Delware Valley on Oct. 20, 2009.

SUBMIT YOUR OWN PHOTOSThe Highlander will publish original, undoctored photos submitted by stu-dents, faculty and staff in this section of the newspaper every two weeks. We reserve the right to reject any photo. If photos appear to have been manipu-lated, they will not be published. All photos must be accompanied by signed model clearances and captions.

The Happy Corner!

Send your friends a birthday, congratulatory or good luck

message in The Highlander! The cost of submissions will start at $5.00 and can be paid via check or money order. All submissions must be accompanied by signed model signatures. The Highlander reserves the right to refuse publication of any submission. All forms must be received in person. Pictures and messages can be e-mailed to highland@misericordia.edu. Please e-mail The Highlander for more information.

New and gently used winter jackets, hats, gloves and scarves will be available for free to children in need from the greater community during the Back Mountain Police Association’s fi rst annual “Warm Coats for Kids’’ at MU on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of the Back Mountain Police Association placed collection boxes at participating businesses in their Back Mountain and West Side communities to collect donated items and also held three collection drives at Thomas’ Family Markets in Shavertown. Family members can select a coat and matching gloves and hats for their children from among more

than 100 winter jackets and accessories at the Black Top Lounge. Students and members of the Back Mountain Police Association will sort through and organize the winter garments to make it easier for families and children to fi nd their proper sizes. Representatives from regional social service agencies who know of children in need of winter jacks are also invited to select items at the annual event. For more information about the Back Mountain Police Association’s “Warm Coats for Kids’’ at MU, please contact Ross Piazza, deputy waterways conservation offi cer of the state Fish and Boat

Commission, at 760-9342. The Back Mountain Police Association includes offi cers from the Back Mountain and West Side municipal police departments, including the state Fish and Boat Commission, state Game Commission and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Kingston Township Police Offi cer Martin C. Maransky is president and Piazza is vice president of the Back Mountain Police Association. The Back Mountain Police Association has been serving and supporting law enforcement departments in the Back Mountain and West Side communities for more than 50 years.

MU to sponsor Back Mountain Police Department’s ‘Warm Coats for Kids’Gently used coats will be collected in the Blacktop Lounge on Jan. 23 and 24.By Highlander Staff Reports

The Back Mountain Police Association’s fi rst annual “Warm Coats for Kids’’ at MU is being held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizing the event at MU, from left, are Michael A. MacDowell, president, MU; Sister Jean Messaros, vice president, student affairs; Ross Piazza, deputy waterways conservation offi cer of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; and Kingston Township Police Offi cer Martin C. Maransky.

PHOTO COURTESY MU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.

Alison Malmon founded Active Minds in 2001, after her brother died by suicide.Active Minds utilizes students’ voices to raise awareness about mental health issues.

• Common events include Mental Health Aware-ness Week campaigns, panel discussions, movie screenings, Stomp Out Stigma runs, posting fl yers on campus and stress-relief activities during fi nal exams.

• Chapters run anywhere from one to ten events per semester, depending on the strength of the chapter.

• Visit www.activeminds.org for more information.

• All MU students are welcome to join this peer-run group.

• Contact: Courtney Burgess-Michak at cbur-gess@misericordia.edu or call ext. 6318.

CAMPUS PEER ASSOCIATE RECRUITMENT

The term Campus Peer Associates (CPAs) is the um-brella name for the Peer Advocates and Peer Educator groups sponsored by the University Counseling Center. Peer Ad-vocates are students who are generalists in that they do not work on a specifi c issue like the Peer Educator groups do. During the fi rst semester each year they focus on helping fi rst-year students adjust to the Misericordia University and college itself. In addition, throughout the year they offer programming (for their peers of all years) that is focused on education and awareness of relevant issues to college students, service, and advocacy. Peer Educators are students who are members of the Sexual Assault Peer Educators, HIV/AIDS Peer Educators, Substance Abuse Peer Educators, and HOPE (Healthy Op-tions Peer Educators) focused on body/mind/and spirit. These groups are committed to educating and raising their peers’ awareness on these specifi c issues.

Beginning Monday, February 1st, applications for CPAs (which includes all of these groups) will be available on-line (From the EMU page, click on Campus Services and then under Counseling Center, click the link for Campus Peer Asso-ciates). The deadline to return applications is Friday, February 12th. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Cindy March, Coor-dinator of the Campus Peer Associate Program, at 674-6366, or srcindy@misericordia.edu.