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i== The Lion’s Eye
Vol. 111, Issue II. Penn State Brandywine Media, Pennsylvania October 14th, 2009
Replicating Reality Under
Ronika Money to be
the Influence Honored by Jill Biden
By Jenn Knowlton - Lion's Eye Campus News Editor By Jennifer Santangelo - Lions Eye Campus News Editor
jak5450@psu.edu
On September 29th, 2009 Penn State Brandywine hosted a DUI Simulator
event in order to “educate the Brandywine community on the risks of alcohol use espe-
cially as it relates to driving under the influence,” as stated by Coordinator of Student
Services, Ronika Money. From 10am until 4pm, students had the opportunity to see
themselves and others driving hypothetically under the influence.
The simulator allowed students to simulate drinking and driving , get into
accidents, kill people and receive their own injuries after an accident. In order to “ride”
the simulator, you had to choose how many drinks a student had, their gender, pick
one of the thirty-one different scenarios, location while drunk driving, how long they
had been drinking, age and :
a person’s body type. Joe
Morgan and Brian Francis
were kind enough to do so for
all of students who partici-
pated that Tuesday. The car
in which students were seated
was hooked up to a computer-
controlled road using sensors
and actuators. Goggles were
worn which created a virtual
reality. The simulator had not
only simulated drunk driving
on normal nights, but it also
created scenarios of the most
extreme of conditions such as
raining, snowing or icy roads.
Students found it
extremely hard to stay on the
road, let alone not hit a pass-
ing car or pedestrians. From
my own experience using
the simulator, I hit two cars,
couldn’t stay on the right side
of the road, and ended up
jms1084@psu.edu
One of Penn State Brandywine’s own will be honored on October 16, 2009
at the Hotel DuPont. Ms. Ronika Money, Coordinator of Student Services, is being
honored by the Vice President’s wife Jill Biden. Mrs. Biden is a keynote speaker for
Delaware Futures, a college preparatory program. Ms. Money participated in this pro-
gram from the time she was in eighth grade right up until graduating from Newark High
School. “Delaware Futures was started by the mayor of Wilmington in conjunction with
two churches” explains Ronika; “It was established for students with economic hardship
but academic potential.” The criteria for qualifying for this program included a yearly
income of just $18,000 for a family of three. “This is below poverty level” she notes.
Without Delaware Futures, many
participants would never see the
inside of a college classroom.
Delaware Futures is not
just about encouraging teenagers
to attend college. Teens involved
in the program are taken camp-
ing, canoeing, white water rafting
and to other activities that inner
city children would not ordinar-
ily enjoy. “These trips are meant
to expand their horizons” says
Ronika, but “there is a service
component as well,” she adds. In
return, participants are encouraged
to give back with projects such as
building a wildlife sanctuary; “we
challenge ourselves to be service
leaders.”
Mentoring, tutoring and
scholarship assistance are just
a few of the benefits of being
involved in the program. Being
connected with others that share
a common background is another.
“This became a home for many
Wig nie froonipes. Onc of my ~° Ronika Money sits at her desk in the of us,” Ronika explains. Delaware Futures has twelve partnering
Bisnds ving ale used ihe Shwlor ind Willd tno pe rtons, Student Life Office of the Commons schools Through this partnership Ronika was able to obtain a
which, it rontVivss vould sone him toil fahaniiclde A Building. She will be honored by the vice partial scholarip for four years cnding Delaware State Uni-
person could lose their license, be fined or even go fo jail as president's wife on October 16th, 2009. versity. Besides meeting the faci) criteria, one must adhere to
consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The simulator is completely safe
for students to use and has been shown to students worldwide.
The patent pending program allowed students to understand
the consequences of their actions before making the mistake of drinking under the
influence of alcohol. Always remember, don’t drink and drive.
- Photo courtesy of Jen Santengelo.
strict academic guidelines also, in order to be a recipient of a
scholarship.
Ronika’s long road to success finally brought her to
Penn State ten months ago. Coach Jim Gastner offers, “she does everything Matt Shupp
and I can’t do!” Some of Ronika’s duties include but are not limited to: FTCAP orienta-
tion, peer education, organizing clubs, student leadership, updating
the website, communications, and major event planning such as
Convocation and Spring Fling. She does all of this in addition to
supervising the AmeriCorps Campus Vista. When asked how she
pulls this off she says with a smile, “There is never a dull moment.
Every day brings a new set of things.... although I would love
to concentrate on just one or two. I am [being] six people in one
person.” The luncheon to honor Ronika will be the first of its kind.
This is their first time recognizing “their alumni,” she notes. Ronika
admits to being “nervous but excited.” In addition to the advisory
board of Delaware Futures, attendees include many noteworthy
politicians and, of course, Jill Biden. When Ronika’s mother found
out Mrs. Biden would be awarding her daughter, she told Ronika “I
got to get a new dress!” “My mom was fifteen when she had me,”
shares Ronika. “It’s her moment too. Hopefully she can inspire’
someone else.”
Penn State Brandywine is proud to see Ronika Money hon-
ored for her hard-earned accomplishments and dedication.
The DUI Simulator was set-up in the Commons’
courtyard. Students could engage in the virtual real-
ity simulator and experience what it would be like to
be drunk on the road.
Photo courtesy of Jenn Knowlton.