I’ve been toying with the idea of my “final column” for several weeks, and it seems that there are just too many things I want to say that will never make it into this 600-word space. So, for those purposes, I guess it will be best if I just start at the beginning.

In August, over-eager to get a start on Volume 69 of The Knight, I pinned a black and white calendar to the wall next to my desk in our tiny little office on the corner of Seventh and Peach streets.

As I stare at that very same calendar today contemplating how to write all the things I want to say, it’s hitting me harder than ever just how quickly the time has gone.

It feels like just yesterday that I was planning for this year, ready to get started on Issue 1. Now, with No. 24 in the hands of readers, my time at The Knight is done.

I keep thinking I should have taken better notes along the way – entertained more of a photographic memory – because I probably won’t have another opportunity like this again in my life.

But as I reflect, I can happily say that the memories swirling in my head at this moment are all good ones.

I am so proud and thankful of the staff this year for working hard and putting out a good product week after week. They all are so incredible, and they wholly deserve the first-place award that The Knight was granted this year in the American Scholastic Newspaper Association’s annual contest.

Congratulate the staff if you see any of them around campus this week – they deserve it.

But regardless of awards, and even hard work, I feel it completely necessary to say that this staff has become a sort of family to me.

While I’m thrilled with the prospect of my future endeavors, I’m also sufficiently uneasy about letting go of something that has taken up so much of my life this past year. My actual family can testify – I’ve spent more time with the Knight staff than I have with them.

And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

We’re all different, but we all work hard and enjoy each other’s company. It’s not always like that in the newsroom, from what I’ve heard, and I’m so glad that we were able to make this year just as much fun as it was productive.

For me, that’s half of what college is all about. And we achieved it.

I’m going to miss walking into the office and eyeing up the Quote Wall for new additions, catching a staff member snoozing on the most comfortable couch known to man, and listening to “The Price is Right” in the background as I munch on my sandwich from Knight’s Cove.

Heck, I’m even going to miss the torturous Friday morning critique meetings, which, contrary to what I wrote in a previous column, are absolutely my favorite part of every week.

Most of all, I’m going to miss the feeling that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be; exactly what I should be doing with my life at this point.

If anything, all I can hope for in the coming years is that the feeling finds me there, too.

KELLY MORELAND

moreland002@knights.gannon.edu

If most of you are like me, you have not even begun to pack your stuff to take home yet, but you’ve thought about it several times. It’s one of the easiest things in the world to put off.

First, if you don’t have the necessary luggage, you’re not going anywhere. But after that, so many things could go wrong if you start packing before the absolute last minute.

For instance, what if you pack something and then a few days later, you need i? Then if you don’t remember where you packed it, you have to unpack everything and dig through it to find it again.

This brings me to my next problem of packing: procrastinating and making excuses. I have a tendency to do this more than I would like to admit. The last minute and I are very well acquainted with each other.

I even have a shirt that reads “Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow.” I also enjoy getting off-topic.

Anyway, another reason I really don’t want to begin packing all of my things is that I really don’t like moving my stuff.

OK, maybe it’s not as much work as I’m making it out to be, but in my head, it really seems like a lot of work. I think about all of the things that I need to pack up and take home only to unpack everything. The thought of all the work I have to do makes me not want to do it.

There are several other things that I could be doing that I’d rather do. For example, anything else sounds good.

Despite this, packing early can only be beneficial to someone. So here are some ways to motivate you to begin packing.

Starting with the obvious, there won’t be as much to pack once you go to leave during finals week. Even if you just pack in small increments, the amount of things you have to pack an hour before you go home will be significantly smaller.

Besides, this may also be the way you unpack things once you get home: in small increments as each thing needs to be unpacked.

If that’s not a good enough motivator, this may be. Try playing a game of “find stuff I really don’t need and throw it away.” The title doesn’t really need an explanation.

Once you’re done playing this game, there will be less things that need to be packed, therefore less that need to be unpacked.

One last thing that may help you become more motivated to pack your stuff is to try and study for finals. If you’re a huge procrastinator like me, you’d probably rather pack than study for something that may be important.

Now you may say that this is horrible advice, but I disagree. Because after you’re done packing, then you really can’t use packing as an excuse anymore.

Even better, once you finish packing, you’ll feel so accomplished and productive, that the motivation to study will be so overwhelming, you’ll have to do it.

Hopefully these tips will help you, and me, become more motivated into packing things to take home. Only time will tell.

KHADIJA DJELLOULI

djelloul001@knights.gannon.edu

The Knight will be saying goodbye to four extraordinary people, who have been the cornerstone of this year’s hard work.

As The Gannon Knight bids its seniors farewell, it also welcomes the new members of its staff for 2013-2014.

The Knight will be led by Editor-in-Chief, Hiba Almasri, who currently serves as Assistant News Editor.

Her position will be filled by Michael Haas, who has served as a staff writer for the section. Meanwhile, Colleen Langham, who currently serves as the Roundtable Editor, will be serving as The Knight’s News Editor.

Khadjia Djellouli will continue working as Arts & Leisure Editor for another artistic year of theater, concerts and arts. Sammie Janik will be joining our staff as the Arts & Leisure Assistant– replacing April Shernisky.

Shernisky will be moving up the ladder to become the Features Editor for The Knight.

Meanwhile, the Sports Editor position will be filled by Connor Sondel, who has served as a staff writer for the section.

If any one of you readers is interested in joining our staff and writing entertaining stories as Assistant Features Editor or Assistant Sports Editor, please contact Almasri.

We are also happy to introduce Zak Westfall as next year’s Photo Coordinator and Roundtable Editor. Finally, Josh Taylor will remain The Knight’s Business Manager for another year.

We wish all of the 2013 graduates success, fully confident that they will excel in whatever they pursue, and we look forward to a successful new school year.

The first time was when I visited Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris in May. For nearly an hour, I searched for Jim Morrison’s grave, and the map didn’t help.

At last I found him, hidden between two cobblestone paths. There was no flashing sign, but only a simple headstone with the inscription “true to his own spirit” written in Greek.

Lately the 12-minute tune has answered its encore in my subconcious concert hall, maybe because I’m near the end of my undergraduate career at Gannon.

I’ve tried my best to avoid thinking about it for the past month as the last grains of sand sink from the top bulb of the hourglass.

The most sobering thought, though, is knowing I wouldn’t be able to spend time, chat or even say goodbye to each friend I’ve made here.

I’ve got too much end-of-semester work to do, my career search has still not yielded a job, and the weather is improving right at the time when I cannot fully enjoy it.

I can only hope I’ll receive more of those little prods to go left one day, instead of right, sending me bumping into one of those friends  I’d like to leave with my best wishes.

But as to how I’ll leave Gannon, and by extension, Erie, remains to be seen.

I need a change of scenery, whether it’s back home in Cleveland or anywhere with less wind and without meteorologists needing to use a Magic 8 Ball for their weather predictions.

I’ve considered if my exit will bear any resemblance to how some TV sitcoms have ended.

I could take in my surroundings one last time and then walk off into the shadows like Sam Malone.

Perhaps I’ll receive a surprise gesture from a friend I’ve made, a unique way to say goodbye without stumbling over the words. Just like B.J. Hunicutt leaving the rocks for Hawkeye to see from the chopper.

Or maybe I can take a page out of the Huxtables’ book and dance to wherever the music takes me.

Fortunately for me, Cleveland is west of Erie. That means I could leave in the evening and ride off into the sunset.

My apologies if any students need to drive back toward Buffalo. Your departure wouldn’t be featured in a Western.

I came to this university to do, well, what every 18-year-old wants to do: discover who they really are. I think I’ve achieved that, even if I had to jump ship from the health sciences and grab the humanities life preserver.

I’m swimming stronger now.

Hopefully, these won’t be the last words I write. My goal is that the words that began on this page will generate more readers who were inspired by this columnist’s quest to be “true to his own spirit.”

DAN KUBACKI

kubacki001@knights.gannon.edu

I would like to talk about a certain group of people – I may even call them a “type of people” – people who think the world revolves around them, or stops for them; that if their troubles are gone – then everyone else’s troubles must be gone, too.

I would like to talk about the group of people who, in the literal sense, engage in “who’s the most miserable of them all?” competitions; those who try to top each other with their troubles. We all know them, we’re probably sitting next to one of them – or maybe this just sounds too familiar. Don’t worry – there’s still time.

I am not saying the following because I have a specific person in mind; I know lots of people who do that, and I even do it at times, too. No one really intends to do it – or maybe they do. I am writing this because I think it’s never too late to correct a wrong – in this case a negative attribute, such as the one in question.

Walking around campus, I run into a lot of people who fit that description. You can set them apart, those who constantly – and I do mean every time – respond to a simple courteous question like, “how are you?” with one single, dreaded word – “tired.”

At times I wonder if they know any other adjective to describe their state of being.

I am not asking people not to express their feelings, or whine if they feel the need to do it – because that is exactly what I am doing right now – but I am asking them to know when and how often to do so.

You know you have a problem when the only topic of conversation you can think of is how awful your day or life is.

Don’t let this fool you, though. Those who do not feel the need to whine 24/7 have problems, too – they just learned how to conquer them.

Common misfortunes are usually the most natural topics of conversation between two strangers –  and they often form the basis of a relationship.

However, the duration of that relationship is severely compromised when all that goes into it is negativity and pure unhappiness.

I probably sound harsh. But I honestly think we need to examine our characters and the way we behave if we expect people to bear with us and carry us.

Life doesn’t run on only receiving, the other part of the equation is giving. And I always tell people –  you get what you give.

This is the last week of the semester, and finals week is just around the corner – everyone will feel tired  – if they don’t already – and everyone has the right to say it.

But those who manage to reply with “not too bad,” or the surprising “I’m fine, thank you. How are you?” are those who acknowledge the problems others have as well – and those are the people whom I think really deserve the support they need.

There is nothing easier in life than thinking about all the things that we think we deserve, yet don’t have. Let’s try to challenge ourselves by thinking of what we have, yet don’t deserve for a change. Maybe then, we will appreciate our lives just a bit more.

HIBA ALMASRI

almasri002@knights.gannon.edu

After jumping for joy for about 20 minutes, the first research I did was, of course, what to wear.

As many of you are going off to internships and professional careers across the globe, I figured I would share my knowledge.

Even if you aren’t going off to work this summer, this is still good stuff to know for that time in your life when you need to look like a professional.

In most cases, you won’t be wearing a suit and tie to work every day, and no college student has the wallet to back up a suit for every day of the week. However looking professional is pretty important because as the intern, you’re at the bottom of the totem pole.

At the very least, if you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into – much like I am with this marketing internship – at least you’ll look the part.

Let’s start at the bottom. Sneakers will never work with dress pants. Don’t even try it.

Maybe you can sneak a pair of classic Chuck Taylor’s into your outfit every once in a while, but it’s not recommended.

Ladies should wear shoes that both look nice, but are most importantly comfortable.

Do not wear the pointy stiletto heels that you wore to homecoming. Those will not get you through a 9-to-5 work day.

Invest in a pair of Clarks or if you’re a ballerina flat enthusiast, stick a pair of Dr. Scholl’s in there. Wear nylons, unless you’re a guy. But seriously, no matter how hot it is wearing a pair of sheer nude nylons under your skirt is the way to go because it’s going to smooth out all of those unnecessary clothing lines.

Also my mom says it’s tacky if you don’t wear nylons.

Since it’s summer, it’s very appropriate to wear skirts, but they should reach the start of your knee if not longer. Those cotton stretchy skirts that girls wear to parties are not going to cut it.

You also have the option to wear slacks or Bermuda style slacks, but Bermuda shorts went out of style when cell phones stopped having antennas on them.

Options for on top are pretty much limitless. A few things to keep in mind are no plunging necklines.

You don’t want to distract your co-workers and you certainly don’t want to climb the company ladder that way.

Button down shirts give a nice masculine look. Silk and ruffles are a big trend right now.

Depending how lax your bosses are you may be able to wear sleeveless shirts, but I’m certain a halter top will never fly and don’t even try strapless.

For your jewelry you’ll want to stay away from things that are too sparkly; this isn’t prom after all.

Most internship jobs require a lot of work on the computer so bracelets that jingle get pretty annoying very quickly.

Look for costume jewelry that lies along the collar of your shirt. It’s the perfect accent for your work wardrobe.

BRIANNA WOODS

woods012@knights.gannon.edu

Featuring eight main stage performances, three Youtheatre performances and two special events, the season will run from September through August 2014.

Youtheatre is a specialized division of the Erie Playhouse that allows people age 18 and under to earn an educational experience with the performance in question.

Special events are classified as anything that differs from a main stage or Youtheatre performance.

The season begins in September with “Spamalot,” winner of 14 Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2005.

The Erie Playhouse website describes it as “featuring a bevy of beautiful show girls, cows, killer rabbits and French people” which means it’ll leave you wanting more (cows).

Next, in October, the Playhouse takes a decidedly darker mode with “Carrie: The Musical.” This show is a musical adaptation of the novel by Stephen King.

The first Youtheatre show, “Freckle Face Strawberry,” opens in November. This show, based on the book by Julianne Moore, shows that everyone is different, but it’s what makes you different that makes you special.

In December and early January, “Mary Poppins” flies into the playhouse as a main stage show. Based on the Disney movie, this musical will allow audiences to relive an old childhood memory.

Speaking of childhood memories, Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” arrives at the playhouse in mid-January as part of their Youtheatre series.

Then it’s back to the main stage performances with the debut of “Once on This Island” in early February.

This musical, which received eight Tony nominations, is set in a tropical island – perfect timing for those cold Erie winters.

“Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald in his classic novel “The Great Gatsby,” which will be premiering on the Erie Playhouse stage on March 7.

In April, Erie audiences will delight in two special events. The first, “Bobby Borgia Light… Camera…. Magic!,”  is a live magic show by Bobby Borgia. The other special event, “Chess in Concert,” is a rock opera set during , oddly enough, a chess championship.

Rounding up the Youtheatre series, “A Little Princess” premieres in May. This show will help to remind audiences that a little imagination can go a long way.

About a year and a month from now, “Jesus Christ Superstar” will hit the stage. This rock opera tells the story of Jesus Christ as interpreted by theater superstars Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Finally, the EP rounds out their season with two comedies: “Mark Twain’s Is He Dead” and “Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.”

The former, which takes place in July 2014, showcases an artist as its main character – Jean-Francois Millet. The latter is well known for the 1974 film by the same name and hits the Erie stage in August 2014.

To find out more information, go to erieplayhouse.com.

MICHAEL HAAS

haas009@knights.gannon.edu

“And the World Goes ‘Round” showcases the talent of Gannon University students, a professor and a student from Mercyhurst University.

The show is described as a musical revue. However, don’t confuse it with a musical, because that does not describe it at all.

“And the World Goes ‘Round” is designed more like a choral concert of Fred Ebb and John Kander’s songs. The show features songs from different musicals such as “Chicago” and “Cabaret.”

One of the biggest aspects of the show is the musical numbers. Most of the show consists of songs performed by the cast members, so the ability to sing and sing well is a key component.

The songs in the show are a mix of cute, silly and powerful. Each song is performed on par to the type of mood that it embodies.

The cast members each have a different vocal range, which affects which song and part they sing.

The cast members puts their hearts into every song they sing, even if the microphone doesn’t work well with them.

The show goes on and the actors make the songs they sing their own.

Acting can be incredibly difficult to judge in a show such as this.

“And the World Goes ‘Round” is mostly sung, so the script has very little dialogue or distinct storyline.

That being said, the cast members of this show still manage to give a distinct character to themselves while singing the songs in the show’s set list.

Each person has a specific personality without having to say what it is outright.

To make this musical revue into a triple threat, the last thing it contains is dancing.

Some of the choreography in “And the World Goes ‘Round” is very complex and can only be performed by someone who has dance training.

Other dance numbers are not quite as complex. Either way, the choreography is executed almost flawlessly by the cast members.

Some of the choreography is performed while on roller skates, which can be quite difficult.

Despite this, the cast members seemed to either know how to dance in roller skates, or made themselves look like they weren’t supposed to be able to dance in them.

With regard to the more difficult dance numbers that required more complex choreographers, the cast members not only find a way to perform these numbers well, but they also sing while remembering the dance moves.

Add character work without dialogue to the package and the show becomes quite a triple threat.

Lastly, the show would not be nearly as spectacular without the technical aspects.

One of the most notable aspects of this show is the lighting. Not only are there several spotlights to draw attention to different cast members, a variety of the lighting work gives depth and added to each performance.

As the show is a musical revue, sound also plays an incredibly large part in the show.

The pit band on stage not only adds to the authenticity of attending a musical, but the band keeps a steady tempo and does not clash at all with the cast members’ timing.

While on the subject of sound, the cast members also have microphones in order to be able to sing for two hours audibly without frying their vocal chords.

Even when technical difficulties occur and microphones don’t work well, the cast members show they understand the concept of projecting their voices.

When it’s performed well, it’s a must-see at least once, if not twice.

The Schuster Theatre more than accomplishes this.

“And the World Goes ‘Round” continues to run at the Schuster Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Admission to the show is free with a Gannon student ID and $5 for the general public. For reservations, call the Schuster Theatre’s box office at 871-7494.

For more information, check out the Schuster Theatre’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/SchusterTheatre.

KHADIJA DJELLOULI

djellouli001@knights.gannon.edu

What sets them apart as big men or women on campus is what they do wearing the Gannon uniform.

So without any further ado, I present JC’s BM(and W)OC’s:

Mani Brueckner, women’s soccer — Just when the Knights lost one of their best all-time players in Amanda Sharbaugh, Brueckner, a freshman forward, turned in a season for the ages, by being named the PSAC Player of the Year and the program’s first NCSAA All-American.

In her first season, Brueckner’s 13 assists shattered the previous Gannon record by four and her 33 points were the fourth-highest single-season total. Gannon fans can only hope the sequel is as good.

Robbie Bennett, men’s soccer — No sophomore slump for this South African, who was named an All-American as well as an All-Atlantic Region selection for the second straight year. Bennett helped lead Gannon to the Sweet 16 and a 13-6 season, the most wins in a season since 2007.

Bennett also had a flair for the dramatic in 2012, scoring four game-winning goals and three game-tying goals.

Lauren Sazama, volleyball — In a scene from the movie “Rudy,” Notre Dame coach Dan Devine orders a player he’s perceiving as defiant by saying “You’re an All-American and our captain, act like it.” Words volleyball coach Matt Darling likely never had to say to Sazama, a senior outside hitter.

To talk about Sazama is to drain the vocabulary of superlatives: Atlantic Region Player of the Year, PSAC Player of the Year, PSAC Tournament Player of the Year, a four-time All-PSAC selection as well as a three-time All-Atlantic Region player.

Opposing teams did all they could not to hit it to the area Sazama patrolled, a place rallies went to die.

Jen Papich, women’s basketball — Her team-high 12.3 points-per-game average was good enough to win PSAC Basketball Athlete of the Year, but the forward probably could’ve averaged twice that if she had to. As the cornerstone of an extremely balanced team, Papich did it all for the Knights, averaging 5.7 rebounds and shooting 46 percent from the field.

With a height-shooting touch ability reminiscent of Kevin Durant, Papich is quickly climbing Gannon’s scoring list as she enters her senior season— one that’s filled with sky-high expectations for the Knights.

Darrell Blanton, men’s basketball — A model of consistency, the senior forward scored at least 15 points in 19 out of Gannon’s 29 games. For the second year in a row, Blanton led Gannon in scoring (15.6 points per game) and rebounding (6.7 per game) on his way to earning all-PSAC West first-team honors.

Though listed generously at 6-feet, 4-inches, Blanton used his strength to muscle his way under the basket to become one of the PSAC’s premier post players. His powerful jump stops and thunderous dunks alone earn him a spot on my list.

Shayne Herold, baseball — Though he played just one season for Gannon, the right-handed pitcher has made it count. Herold, a transfer from Ashland, is 8-0 and leads the PSAC with a miniscule 1.07 ERA and six saves.

Herold has the Knights in prime position for the postseason, as they are currently tied with California (Pa.) atop the PSAC standings.

JOE CUNEO

cuneo001@knights.gannno.edu

WERG – which stands for “We are Gannon” – got its start in 1972, when a group of engineering students decided to establish an educational radio station for the purpose of training future broadcasters.

At 10 watts, “the little station that could” signed on 89.1 FM from its location in the basement of Zurn Science Center. Listeners enjoyed artists such as Jethro Tull, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

“WERG since its inception has been an alternative to what exists in commercial radio,” said Chet LaPrice, operations manager.

Today’s weekday audience tunes in to The Black Keys, Neon Trees, Passion Pit and other alternative rock bands. The weekend format is mix of polka, jazz and soul music as well as community programming.

But the lineup isn’t all that’s changed. From turntables to a digital sound board, the equipment has undergone a drastic evolution over the last four decades.

“What we have now is industry-standard,” LaPrice said. “What you see here is what you’d see next door at Connoisseur Media or up the road at Cumulus. So you’re learning with what you’ll actually be expected to work with in the field.”

LaPrice, who joined the staff as a Gannon student in 1988, said WERG does its best to stay up-to-date.

“The technology has changed, and the equipment we’ve used has gotten much better, but the spirit of the station remains the same.”

In its 40th year, WERG had a lighter staff, but the group accomplished quite a bit, hosting more on-air giveaways than ever before.

Several managers attended the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference in New York City, where more than 150 speakers and 1,000 students gathered to share ideas.

“It’s always rewarding to see all of the hard work pay off,” LaPrice said. “It’s preparation for a career in broadcasting, but it’s also fun.”

Cristianne Johnson, a junior journalism communications major and next year’s general manager, said she’s honored to be part of the organization.

“Being part of the radio has taught me so much,” Johnson said. “The whole staff has gained so much knowledge about radio. As general manager for the next school year, I would like to keep the outstanding work going. I’m excited about this new staff, and we are going to have a lot in store for everyone.”

APRIL SHERNISKY

shernisk003@knights.gannon.edu