May 1, 1995 — LION’SEYE — Page 3 Studept Profile: SGA President Looks Back On Her Experiences At PSU Delco By Jennifer Holland “I have gained some of the most memorable experiences ever by being president of the SGA,” explains Rita Varano, SGA president. “I have found some of my true friends, had hands on experience for the working world, and learned what areas of my life I'd like to focus on. Most of all, SGA has taught me a lot about myself and what I really need to work on to improve myself as anindividual. It has given me a whole different view of the world and the meaning of life.” Rita is a top leader at PSU Delco. Besides being president of the SGA, she works hard playing women’s basketball, concentrating on her studies, and working three jobs. “It has been very difficult juggling studies, work, SGA, and basketball,” she acknowledges. “However, it has also helped me to improve time management skills, prioritize my life, to become more efficient and assertive, deal with personalities, and believe in myself.” This responsible, talented, and energetic young woman entered the world on December 12,1974, and grew up in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. She attended Our Lady of Charity grade school and Sun Valley High School, where she also participated in basketball and student government. “It’s no secret that Delco was not my first choice for college,” says Rita. “In fact, it wasn’t my choice at all. It was my mother’s! Right now, I can’t thank her enough for this decision. There is no other place, institution or campus that could educate me in the diverse way that Delco has, not even University Park,” she explains. “The people are the heart of it all. There's not a single person on this campus whom I have encountered that I do not respect and admire for some reason.” Rita is not the first Varano to attend PSU Delco. Two of her sisters and two of her brothers once attended this campus as well. Her sister, Mary, is now the coach for Delco’s women’s basketball team. “Participating in the CCAC championships and playing at the Rec Hall is one of my most memorable moments here,” Rita exclaims. During her two years at Delco, "Hopefully, I will be able to incorporate my values into my career and make a difference in other people's lives the way my family have made that difference in my life." Rita has received many awards, scholarships, and prizes. Among them are the Adult Student Organization Scholarship, Academic All-Conference Award, Award for Outstanding Acheivements for Academics and Athletics, the Boyard D. and Ethel M. Kunkle Scholarship, the Leonard E. Krause Scholarship, Women’s Commission Woman of the Year Award, and The John Egli Scholar- Athlete Award for Outstanding Female Athlete in the CES. An Outstanding Service Award was also given to Rita from Ruby ‘Tuesday’s, where she works as a waitress, ; She also works for Senator Clarence Bell’s Office in Media, where she does basic secretarial work and for Penn State Delco’s gym, where she works as a supervisor. Being around people and working with children is what Rita does best. She says, “I enjoy spending time with people to learn more about the world. There are some things that a text book just can’t teach you.” Rita's favorite past time is playing sports. “I love field hockey, lacrosse, basketball, softball, and any sport that requires a lot of physical discipline.” However, "The people are the heart of it all. There's not a single person on this campus whom I have encountered that I do not respect and admire for some reason.’ her favorite place to be is the beach “because it is so relaxing.” Like many other students here at Delco, Rita will be attending the main campus in the fall. Her plans and expectations include improving her GPA and possibly getting involved in extracurricular activities, such as intramural field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. As for SGA, Rita hasn’t made any definite decisions. “I would like to pursue SGA. However, anticipating an extreme increase in difficulty within academics and adjusting to the overall transition, I can’t definitely say yes.” Who helped this vivacious lady become the person that she is today? Without hesitating, Rita answers, “My mother, because she has taught me more about life than anyone could ever imagine. Just from watching her I have learned how to be a strong person and have learned never to give up, no matter what the circumstances, if you beleive in something. She has taught me never to have pity on myself when things go wrong because there is always another person out there with a problem a thousand times worse than yours.” : If it were up to Rita to have one wish, it would be the ability to change society and the way it works. “I want to be able to give all children the chance to experience and see all of the good things in life that I have.” Fortunately, the children of the future will have the chance, as Rita hopes to become a social work lawyer for abused children. “When I was a kid, I remember thinking that it wasn’t fair that my best friend had ‘Guess’ jeans and I only had ‘Levi's’. Now I realize that material things don’t buy you happiness; love does. I am a firm believer in family values. Hopefully, I will be able to incorporate my values into my career and make a difference in other people’s lives the way my family have made that difference in my life.” Rita also strongly admires many staff here at Penn State. Nancy Trainor, Francine Stackhouse, Dr. Jane Cooper, Diane Jankowski and Tiz Griffith have all made an important difference in her life through support, understanding, and listening. Rita says, “I would like to take this time to thank everyone on this campus because, although you may not know it, in some way or another you have made a difference on campus and in my life. Thank you!” With SGA President as one of her many titles, Rita Varano leaves this campus with many goals accomplished and many aspirations to acquire. Photo by: WES TOMLINSON SEPTA Strike Stops Class Continued from Page 1 Gideon remarked, “This is America and if you work hard you can earn a scholarship, but if you are one of those who make excuses, like 'the strike kept me out of class,’ then you are in the wrong country." Gigeon was proud of the fact that he did not miss one class. Many students took advantage of the emergency transportation network. The following people were valuable in making the emergency transport work: Ms. Sylvia Schaffer, Financial Aid, Mrs. Barbara Daniel, English Dept., Mr. John Tierney, Chemistry Dept., Dr. Phyllis Cole, English Dept., Mrs. Phyllis Payne, Student Life, Mrs. Nancy Trainor, Student Life, Mr. John Gaul, Computer Services, Mr. Joe Biscontini, Public Relations, Mike Craddock, DUS, Steve Wiley, DUS, Bob Gartside, DUS, Chuck Wise, DUS, Fiona Miller, DUS, Jill Bradley, DUS, Bob Lewis, Liberal Studies, and many others who helped to organize and support this effort. Budget Cuts Hit PSU Campuses By Jobin Pathappillil Bad news for Penn Staters. It was announced in the recent budget proposal in Harrisburg that allocations of money from the state of Pennsylvania to Penn State University will stay exactly the same as last year. That means that students at Penn State will have to make do with the same equipment and services that they had last year. That limits school growth severely. At the same time, other Pennsylvania funded state schools will recieve huge grants from the government. Apparently, Governer Tom Ridge feels that Penn State already receives enough money from promotions and increased enrollment. That is not entirely true, because with the increased enrollment, comes increaesed expenditures, that are covered by the school promotions, such as those you may see on college football games on TV. The extra money requested by Penn State president Jaob Thomas is to be put towards the bettering of each individual campus, making each one a more interesting place to pursue ~ collegiate activities. - To combat the government, and aid Penn State, Penn State officials are asking that all students write to their senators in protest of these extraordinary budget cuts. With all the students help, Penn State may get the money it is qualified to receive. Still taking two courses a semester at Penn State Delco, Peg Gavan loves stu- dying in her 89th year. Photo by: WES TOMLINSON RPS ~ Attention: (No weekends!) upon graduation. Apply in person, M- F: Exton, Pa. Located in the Oakland Part-time Work! College Students Get paid to stay in shape! Part-time Package Handling Jobs. * Earn up to $8.00/hour after 30 days (includes tuition assistance) *Work 5-10 PMori1-6 AMM -F * Opportunity for advancement into management, Roadway Package System, Inc. 442 Creamery Way Route 30, one mile west of Route 100. Corporate Center off
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