Author: lily roberti

The Suscon Screamers

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By Kim Nguyen ’23

Sem students are doing amazing work on campus everyday. But what about off campus? Mikel Salas-Warner ‘23 and Lauren Urosevich ‘23 have taken their love of music to King’s College. Lauren says “I honestly always thought it would be so fun to have a radio show and I feel like doing the show with Mikel is so perfect, since we are always sending each other new music to listen to. So we asked Mr. Doherty and he helped us get a show!” Their radio show “The Suscon Screamers”  is eclectic, meaning it features many genres of music like indie, rock, country, folk, punk, and midwest emo.

You may be curious about the meaning of the show’s name. Salas-Warner explains, “The name comes from the legend of the Suscon Screamer, a ghost that lives near the woods of Pittston, PA…me and Lauren became really good friends through making journeys to Suscon…and often during these drives we would be playing music. It’s also just a great name for anything, so why not for our radio show?”

Every aspect of the show is unique, making it entertaining and eccentric for its listeners. The hosts combine their favorite genres like 70s rock to maintain a mix of them since the show is experimental. If you are interested in listening, the show starts every Monday at 8:30-9:30 on 88.5 FM WRKC.

Dr. Christopher Thurber Visits Wyoming Seminary

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By Dino Perusko ’24

On February 2nd and 3rd, Wyoming Seminary’s students and parents had a chance to attend presentations about pressure and healthy ways to deal with pressure by a leader in positive youth development, Dr. Chris Thurber.

Thurber, a graduate of Harvard University and UCLA, has worked as a psychologist and instructor at Phillips Exeter Academy since 1999. He has helped young adults in dealing with a wide range of problems that are in his clinical interest, such as depression, anxiety, sexuality, homesickness, attention deficits, substance use, and interpersonal conflict.

In his professional work, he also focuses on the ways in which parents can contribute to their children’s well-being and the amount of pressure that their children are dealing with. In his book The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure,which he recently published together with Dr. Hendrix Weisinger, he reveals eight transformations that loving caregivers can make to raise healthy, happy, high-functioning children, asking the critical question of what is the right kind of pressure to put on kids. 

During his student presentation held on Friday, February 2, in SLRC, Dr. Thurber helped students determine different kinds of pressures that they experience in their everyday lives and their sources. Whether that is academic pressure of standing out and doing something for your school community or college process, athletic pressure in sports, financial pressure, or social pressure from your peers, Dr. Thurber discussed and provided some helpful ways in how we can cope with and avoid pressure, and prevent it from having a negative impact on our mental health.

Thurber also encouraged students to talk with their parents, who had a chance to listen to his presentation  about The Parental Pressure Paradox the night before, about the amount and the kind of pressure that they are receiving from them.  All the attendants enjoyed an hour-long presentation, engaging in conversation and discussion with Thurber before, during, and even after the presentation. Sem’s student body expressed positive feedback and gratitude to host Dr. Christopher Thurber on campus, with hopes that there will be more of these types of events happening in the future.

Swimming Nears the End of the Season

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Helena Prusak ’23

Sem swimming is enjoying a very successful season. In terms of overall records, the girls team was 9-1, and the boys team was 7-3. While both teams are extremely successful on paper, many of their strengths come from how bonded the team is. Claire Stretanski ‘23, one of the captains, says, “I think our biggest success is how supportive we are of each other. We are always cheering for each other during races, whether we are losing or winning. We acknowledge each other’s success no matter how small.”

The captains of the swim team are Claire Stretanski, Cara McCall ‘23, Ryleigh Collins ‘23, Zhantore Akyelbekov ‘24, and Harry Feng ‘24. They work together to foster a welcoming and supportive environment while also organizing team events.

Harry Feng ‘24 says, “My favorite part about being a captain is working with new and returning swimmers, and also improving and doing well at meets. Everyone who has joined the team this season has really improved since the beginning of the year. I’m really proud of them.”

A recent event hosted by the swim team was their senior night. This was an opportunity to recognize the seniors’ accomplishments and contributions to the team. Stretanski said, “[It] was very emotional, but we loved spending time together and enjoying our last moments as a team.”

One of the biggest events during the season was the Ernie Shartle Invitational in Tunkhannock. It was also an opportunity to beat a lot of personal times, and was one of the team’s biggest accomplishments.

Assistant Coach Julia Baur says, “Going into districts and even Shartle, everyone is right around their best times, or swimming even faster than they were around this time last year.” The team’s success can be accredited to their hard work and dedication.

The team’s connection certainly helps as well. Claire says, “Sem swimming has a unique bond because of the nature of our sport. The connections we form will last a lifetime.”

The swim team is currently preparing for districts and states. They still have a lot of time left in the season to beat personal times and break even more records. Make sure to continue supporting the swim team!