Category: School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Class of 2017: Meet Gretchen “Berry” Haislip (Political Science)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Gretchen “Berry” Haislip:

Gretchen Haislip - first choice

Major: Political Science

Minor: Transnational Perspectives

Hometown: Smithfield, North Carolina

On choosing to Penn State Behrend: I have always known about Penn State and when it came time for me to apply to college, something told me to choose Behrend. It was the best decision of my life.

On choosing to major in Political Science: When I was in high school, I was on a path to go into forensic science, but then I took a political science class at my local college and it changed everything. I realized I had interest in politics and government.

Scholarships: I have received the Penn State Behrend Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Bunton-Waller Scholarship, and the Anonymous Friend Trustee Scholarship.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Surprisingly, this has nothing to do with academics, but rather how I found myself. I realized what I am capable of and what I can and want to do in my life. This ultimately led me to love who I am completely and gave me confidence to face the world head on.

Campus involvement: I’m a member of Alpha Sigma Tau where I serve as the director of philanthropy, asdirector of alumni relations, and as a judicial board representative. I’m a member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa honor society, and Phi Sigma Alpha Political Science honor society; president of the Political Science Society, vice president of College Democrats, secretary of the Outdoors Club, and a member of Bread Circus and Order of Omega. I’m also a resident assistant.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’m only 19. I went to a hybrid high school that placed me on a college campus in ninth grade, allowing me to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time. I have only been at Behrend for two years.

Back to school: My highest priority in the near future is returning to school for both my master’s degree and Juris Doctorate degree, which I hope to earn at Georgetown University.

Who inspires her: My grandparents inspire me. They raised me and even though we had very little when I was growing up, they did everything in their power to make sure I was happy and had what I needed. Knowing that they put their dreams on hold and spent their nights working and raising me, inspires me to always do my best, not just to make them proud but to ensure that their dedication and love to me continue to be the foundation of something great.

Advice for first-year students: Do not be afraid to fail, not know the answer, or be lost. We come to college to learn!

After her graduation in May, Gretchen plans to serve in AmeriCorps before attending graduate school.

Class of 2017: Meet Rick Greatbatch (Psychology)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Rick Greatbatch:

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Major: Psychology, Human Factors option

Hometown: Buffalo

On choosing to major in Psychology: Initially I wanted to be a clinical psychologist and work directly with people, but after taking a class in human factors, I realized I could merge my passion for cars and psychology in a career that would be perfect for me.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: When I found out that I was accepted into two different Ph. D. programs, Behrend and the faculty members here truly gave me the experiences and knowledge I needed to take the next step in my career.

Campus involvement: I was active in the Psychology Club where I served as both vice president and president. I am also a member of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for psychology.

Breaking the mold: I’m a tall, large-framed individual with tattoos and people are often surprised when I say that I’m going to graduate school and hope to earn a Ph. D. I don’t fit the mold most people have in their mind of a person pursuing advanced degrees.

Who inspires him: I’m most inspired by both of my grandfathers, but for different reasons. One of my grandfathers was a jack of all trades. He could do everything and anything with his hands, from carpentry to masonry to plumbing to engine repair. I learned so much from him. My other grandfather invented the cardiac implantable pacemaker and always urged his grandchildren to get an education. It took me a few years and a few learning experiences to finally heed his advice, but I’m glad I finally did. I’m inspired by both of their strengths. I not only want to have the mechanical abilities, but the knowledge behind what I am doing as well.

Advice for first-year students: I started college at the age of 23. If I could go back and give my 18-year-old self a little advice, it would be to always move forward. Regardless of what you are doing and even if you’re unsure or if you fail at something, just keep moving forward. Eventually, you’ll find out what you are good at and the pieces will all fall into place for you.

Following his graduation in May, Rick will be attending graduate school. He hopes someday to find work in the automotive industry as a human factors psychologist.

Class of 2017: Meet Mark Massimino (Communications)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Mark Massimino:

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Major: Communication

Certificates: Public Relations and Advertising

Hometown: Hunker, Pa.

On choosing Behrend: I only had to visit once to know Behrend was a perfect fit for me. The Communication department staff made me feel so welcome, answered every question I had, and made me excited for my future.

A born storyteller: I took several honors classes when I was in high school and got an early feel for what I did and didn’t like. I have always gravitated to communication. At the heart of it, I’m a storyteller, and utilizing media to share stories is exciting to me.

Campus involvement: I am the production leader of Wintergreen Media, Penn State Behrend’s student-run production company. I also am a show host for BVZ Radio, and I have been published in The Beacon.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Leading a team of fellow students in producing videos for area non-profit organizations was, by far, my proudest accomplishment. Balancing clients and classes was challenging, but it was good experience. Every organization posed a different challenge, and we aimed to tackle them and surpass their expectations.

Sports production or bust: I want to work in professional sports video production. I know it’s a difficult field to break into, but working with production crews at the Erie Insurance Arena and UPMC Park in Erie have given me a great starting point. I am taking the right steps to make my dream a reality, and I’m not going to stop until I achieve it.

Passionate about innovation: Every time I get behind a video camera, or the computer screen when I’m editing, I am always trying to innovate and offer a new perspective or a way for people to experience things. I take pride in my work and will never put my name on anything that isn’t the best I can do with the time and resources I have.

Definition of a good life: A good life is spending every day using whatever talents you have to make the world around you a better place. A mentor recently told me: ‘You are in charge of your own destiny.’ I know that I can achieve anything as long as I make a plan and put in the work.

Advice for current students: You get out of college what you put in. Get involved and make use of the tools available to you. Don’t waste those resources!

After his graduation in May, Mark plans to look for work in professional video production, preferably in sports video production.

Class of 2017: Meet Yuanheng “Arthur” Wang (English)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Yuanheng “Arthur” Wang:

 

Arthur Wang

Yuanheng “Arthur” Wang is the definition of a standout student, and he has the accolades to prove it, including the T. Reed Ferguson Award and the Irvin H. Kochel Award. He is also a two-time winner of the Rose Cologne Keystone Citizen Award and, in 2016, received the LaMarr Kopp International Achievement Award, a University-wide honor recognizing students who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the international mission of Penn State.

Yuanheng “Arthur” Wang

Major: English

Hometown: Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

On the value of strong faculty and staff mentors: Many faculty members at Behrend are not only wise mentors, but also thoughtful friends. During the past four years, many of my professors in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, especially those in the English program, have gone above and beyond to help me polish my education, support my intellectual and personal growth, and become a better person. Their guidance has been invaluable.

On choosing to major in English: It is the most versatile major in a liberal arts education. It can give me a solid and comprehensive foundation for whatever I do later in life, such as research, teaching, and mentoring. Moreover, the English program at Behrend features rigorous courses that combine both theory and practice. These courses helped me develop my critical thinking and communication skills, which will be useful in any field I later enter.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: The most personally rewarding one has been working with hundreds of international and multilingual students as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching assistant and tutor. Mentoring these students and interacting with them really enhanced my teaching and communication skills. It also helped me form an appreciation for multilingualism and broadened my horizons as the students I worked with came from all over the world.

Campus involvement: I was the regional vice president of the Student Penn State Education Association, the co-membership chair of the Lambda Sigma Honor Society and on the executive board of the International Student Organization. For three years, I have been an orientation leader during the International Student Orientation Week program, which is organized by the Office of Educational Equity and Diversity. (Editor’s note: Last year, Arthur even shepherded a group of Behrend-bound international students for 24-hours when their flight to Erie was canceled: Read his first-hand account of the travel nightmare turned bonding experience here.)

What you’d be surprised to know about him: Many people, particularly native English speakers, are surprised when I explain to them the seven different sentence structures of the English Language, which some of them don’t know.

Advice for current students: Try to spend at least one semester living with a roommate who comes from a different country, embodies different cultural values, and speaks a different language from your own. Trust me: You will learn a lot from that person and about yourself!

After his graduation in May, Arthur will attend graduate school at Columbia University in the Applied Linguistics program.

 

Class of 2017: Meet Christa Schonthaler (Communication)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Christa Schonthaler:

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Major: Communication

Hometown: Erie

On choosing to major in Communication: I originally came in as a Nursing major, but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. At that point, I had to seriously consider my interests as well as my strengths and weaknesses. I’m very passionate about music and want to work in the music industry. I’m also very comfortable talking with people and realized that Communication fit my personality, my desires, and my future career plans. I love my major.

Happy at Happi 92.7: I’m currently an intern at Happi 92.7, an Erie “Top 40” radio station, where I do a little bit of everything, but am mainly focused on promotions and social media. I’ve learned a lot and had a great time at Happi.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’m proud of being on the Dean’s List for the past six semesters. It’s not easy to do that while balancing classes, work, and extracurricular activities.

(The only) girl in a band: I’m a singer in an eight-member band called The Romantic Era. I’m the only woman in the group, so it’s like I have seven big brothers. We sing all-original pop-EDM music and have performed all over Erie and beyond. We did shows at Stadium Red in Manhattan, and Fenway Park in Boston, and we have a show coming up in Beverly Hills, California! I’ve been in the band for four years and it’s my life right now.

christa schonthaler - the romantic era1

Beyond the band: Outside of the band, in my free time, I love to play my guitar and ukulele, read mystery novels, and do yoga. I also have three sisters and a family that means the world to me.

Inspirational sister in song: There are a few female artists who inspire me. Ariana Grande is number one because she’s an incredible vocalist and she is also a huge advocate for female empowerment and equal rights for all. I also look up to Hayley Williams from Paramore, Jessie J. and Demi Lovato because they are all strong women in the music industry.

Scholarships: I received the Anonymous Friend Trustee Scholarship in my first year and the Michael Jude Woods and Tracy Kimes Woods Family Trustee Scholarship last year.

Advice for current students: Don’t stress! College is a huge adjustment and you’ll figure it out eventually. Once you master time management and study skills, everything gets much easier.

After her graduation in May, Christa hopes to find a position at a radio station in promotions/social media.

Rachel Cotton finds niche with BVZ: Behrend’s Voice

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By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

If Penn State Behrend’s students have not seen their classmate Rachel Cotton on campus, there’s a good chance they’ve heard her.

For listeners of BVZ: Behrend’s Voice, the college’s online student radio station, Cotton’s voice is a hard one to miss.

The junior communication major serves as station manager of BVZ and can be regularly heard across the cyber waves hosting her current show, “Next in Line,” where she previews upcoming artists. She also is happy to jump in and deejay whenever there’s a lull in programming.

She knows that professional radio jobs may not be easy to attain, but that has not stopped Cotton from positioning herself to be an ideal candidate for a future opening in the field.

“If I could ever make it in radio, that would be the best thing ever,” said Cotton, who is originally from the Philadelphia area. “Having a great personality in radio is so important, and you get to create an emotional appeal. I love it.”

Cotton’s love of radio is nothing new. In high school, she actually won a contest where she got to be a deejay on a local station for a day.

She brought her love for the medium to Behrend as she got involved with BVZ, which celebrated its fifth anniversary in November, early in her freshman year. As a sophomore, she served as PR and events manager for the station before becoming its manager this past fall.

In the past, students could not join BVZ or host a show on the station before first completing the Radio Practicum course, but Cotton saw limitations with this formula.

“There are people who necessarily cannot take the class or might be in a different major where they can’t have it as an elective,” Cotton said. “I wanted to find a way around the class, so folks in any major can find a way to participate.”

This past fall, Cotton developed a BVZ Fast Track program for students who want to host a radio show but cannot take the course. Cotton meets with interested students separately and runs them through the basics of operating a live station in just a few weeks. So far, four students have participated in the program. Cotton said she eventually hopes to have 10 to 20 students going through it at once.

BVZ continues to build its presence on campus as the station hosts weekly “Hump Day” broadcasts from Bruno’s Café. The station is also always willing to collaborate with student groups if the organization would like BVZ at an event it’s hosting.

The station has already worked with some student groups, which Cotton said has helped BVZ spread its reach.

“People love when we come out to events,” she said. “We have been at more events this year than I can ever remember. It’s stellar to see that people are noticing us more and not just for giveaways or concert tickets, either. They’re actually listening to hear us. I love it.”

To listen to BVZ, visit behrendbvz.org.

Students interested in joining BVZ and taking part in the Fast Track program should contact Cotton at ryc5136@psu.edu.

Student finds niche playing Smith Carillon

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Penn State Behrend sophomore James Lisi began playing the campus’ Smith Carillon this fall. He plays regularly throughout the week on the campus’ practice carillon (pictured) and played a concert during finals week for the campus community. While he’s been a musician since he was a child, mastering the carillon has been a new kind of challenge. “Instead of having the keys right next to you, you have to branch out,” Lisi said. “This wears your hands out a lot faster because you have to move them all over, but there are pedals too, so some of the notes you can play with your feet, which makes it easier.”

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Walk into Penn State Behrend’s Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel on a weekday morning and chances are you’ll hear James Lisi before you see him.

He’ll be playing one of the building’s many pianos. Or pedaling away on the practice carillon.

“I start every day by playing music here,” said Lisi, a sophomore psychology major. “When I play the piano or the carillon, it gets me going and sets the tone for the day.”

Lisi, a Cleveland native, has always appreciated music. He started singing in third grade and began playing the piano two years later. He is also a member of the Choirs of Penn State Behrend.

While he has experience playing several other instruments, Lisi said he was taken aback to learn about the college’s carillon.

“I had never heard of one before. There are only 200 or so in the country,” he said. “It’s just a really, really rare instrument.”

The 48-bell carillon, along with the chapel’s bell tower, was installed at Penn State Behrend in 2002 as a gift of the late Floyd and Juanita Smith, parents of Larry Smith, president and owner of Automation Devices in Fairview, Pa., and a longtime supporter of the college.

The carillon is an unconventional instrument, to say the least, according to Lisi.

“Instead of having the keys right next to you, you have to branch out,” he said. “This wears your hands out a lot faster because you have to move them all over, but there are pedals too, so some of the notes you can play with your feet, which makes it easier.”

Lisi’s past musical experience is serving him well, as is regular practice and lessons with Daniel Frankforter, professor emeritus of history and the college’s carillonneur.

Lisi is now playing the carillon on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis. He spends hours in Smith Chapel, both studying and playing the pianos and carillon.

“I just love this whole building,” Lisi said. “I get to come here and play three different instruments. It’s a nice way for me to relieve stress. It’s definitely my favorite thing about Behrend.”

During finals week, Lisi played several holiday songs as part of a half-hour carillon concert for the campus community. Students, faculty and staff members were encouraged to gather at Ben Lane Plaza to enjoy hot chocolate as they listened to the bells chime from atop the carillon tower.

“I made some mistakes,” Lisi said with a smile, “but I knew I was not going to be perfect the first time I played publicly. Thankfully, I don’t think anyone noticed.”

He will get another chance to impress this spring at a second carillon concert to be held during finals week.

And if things go his way, Lisi will not be the only one performing. He is currently introducing the carillon to several of his friends.

“I’m really working to persuade some of my friends to play it as well,” he said. “It’s just a totally different kind of instrument. I love the high notes on it, and it’s great that we have one of these right here at Behrend.”

Trip to Japan becomes ‘defining memory’ for Behrend students

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Fifteen Penn State Behrend students visited Japan this summer as part of the PSYCH 232 Cross-Cultural Psychology and PSYCH 499 Foreign Studies in Psychology embedded courses. While there, they attended the International Congress of Psychology (ICP 2016), a premiere psychology conference held once every four years.

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Grace Waldfogle expected Aug. 6 to be a somber day. Not only was it the last day of her trip to Japan as part of a Penn State Behrend embedded course, but it also marked the 71st anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.

It turned out to be the opposite.

Fireworks engulfed the sky. The sadness she had expected was not present. Rather, there was a tone of optimism.

“We asked people about it, and they said, ‘It’s not something we dwell on,’” said Waldfogle, a senior psychology major. “It was just so different from how we approach that type of thing here in the United States.”

Cultural differences like this were one of the biggest takeaways for Waldfogle and the 14 other students who visited Japan for 18 days in July and August. The students visited the country as part of the PSYCH 232 Cross-Cultural Psychology and PSYCH 499 Foreign Studies in Psychology embedded courses, which were taught by faculty members Dawn Blasko, associate professor of psychology; Heather Lum, assistant professor of experimental psychology; and Victoria Kazmerski, associate professor of psychology.

Their trip began with a visit to Yokohama to attend the International Congress of Psychology (ICP 2016), a premiere psychology conference held once every four years. Several of the students presented research poster presentations during the five-day conference.

ICP 2016 also offered networking opportunities for the students, who heard from a number of prominent speakers, including famed animal rights activist Jane Goodall.

“The whole conference itself was a total blast,” said Emily Galeza, a senior Psychology major who presented research on the effectiveness of a dog therapy program with students with autism. “The size of (the conference) was just incredible, and we had the freedom to go to any session we liked.”

Stephen Dartnell, a general business student who will graduate in December, agreed.

“I got to interact with people from all over the world,” Dartnell said. “It was kind of the icing on the cake on my educational experience, and I definitely would love to attend a psychology conference like this again.”

Beyond the conference, the students also spent time in Kamakura and visited several temples across the country. To help prepare for the cultural changes, students met with MBA student Yuki Takahashi, a native of Japan, for language and culture lessons prior to the trip.

Even with the advance lessons, the language barrier was a challenge. However, the students were impressed at how easily it could be overcome with some patience (and Google Translate, of course).

“Everyone was just so friendly and willing to help,” Dartnell said. “There was one instance where I needed a trash bag for my camera because it was raining. I just kind of explained it, and a woman at the hotel helped me. You just constantly saw language barriers being broken down.”

The numerous public art displays and eastern-style architecture were also a point of culture shock for students.

Perhaps the most significant cultural difference for students, however, was the food.

“I thought I liked fish, but then I got there, and I realized I did not. They’d give you the entire fish, and you’d have to just use chopsticks,” Waldfogle said. “Every meal was a workout.”

Not all of the food differences were negative, though.

“They had so many different items that they called ‘sweets.’ They were really, really good,” Dartnell said.

From attending the conference to visiting temples across the country, the trip provided students with a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. It might have only been an 18-day visit, but the memories will last.

“This will be one of my defining memories of Behrend,” Galeza said. “I could never have planned all of these activities by myself.”

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Students create blankets for NICU babies

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By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

When Ashley Sullivan, assistant professor of early childhood education at Penn State Behrend, suggested that students in two of her spring 2016 classes plan a community service project, one idea was top of mind for Karlie Aschenbrenner.

Aschenbrenner, a sophomore Elementary and Early Childhood Education major from Pittsburgh, thought of the concept behind Brady’s Blankets, a program of the Fairfield, CT, children’s non-profit Brady’s Smile, which provides homemade fleece blankets to babies and children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“This was the one idea that really made so much sense,” Aschenbrenner said. “If we all donated $5, we would be able to purchase fabric to make tie blankets. We could then donate the blankets to babies in the NICU.”

The students voted on the service project ideas, and Aschenbrenner’s suggestion was the clear winner.

Every student in both Sullivan’s Instruction in Early Childhood Education Derived from Development Theories and Competing Rights: Issues in American Education courses donated $5 each to participate in the project. They spent their last day of class cutting and tying to create 75 blankets, which were donated to Brady’s Smile and then sent to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Aschenbrenner was not the only student with whom the cause resonated.

“The children that we’re donating these blankets to could eventually become the kids that we’re going to teach, so just giving them a better chance to thrive and survive can mean a lot,” said Madison McFeely, a first-year Elementary and Early Childhood Education major from North East.

In addition to creating the blankets, Sullivan’s students volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania where they packed more than 200 food boxes to distribute to local seniors.

“As future teachers, I think all of us really appreciate these causes,” said Gionna Fonseca, a sophomore Elementary and Early Childhood Education major from Pittsburgh. “It was really nice to see that big pile of blankets sitting there.”

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‘Looks Like We Made It’: Behrend choristers perform alongside Barry Manilow

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By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

It was not until the lights came on that Elizabeth Seng fully realized the significance of the moment.

Behind her was a jumbotron. In front stood a multi-platinum singer-songwriter. Beyond him was a crowd of thousands of people.

Seng, a senior psychology major at Penn State Behrend, has made many memories in her four years at the college, but performing alongside Barry Manilow as part of the Choirs of Penn State Behrend might take the cake.

“We were out on the stage, and then they shined the lights on us,” said Seng, a Seattle native who has been a regular member of the choir during her time at the college. “There were all these people there, and it was just really exhilarating. It was probably my most memorable experience I’ve had here at Behrend.”

Manilow invited the Behrend Choirs to perform alongside him at his April 25 concert at Erie Insurance Arena. Tone-Acious, Penn State Behrend’s student a cappella club, joined the choir for the performance, which was part of Manilow’s “One Last Time!” tour.

“This was a really unique opportunity, and it highlighted Behrend’s arts offerings in front of a huge audience,” said Gabrielle Dietrich, director of choral ensembles at the college. “It also provided a fun and highly motivating year-end experience for our students.”

“When I found out, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, are you serious?’” Seng said. “It just felt so special to think that Barry Manilow thought we were good enough to be a part of his concert.”

The choirs’ performance was especially meaningful because they joined him for the three final songs of the concert, which were amongst his greatest hits: “Copacabana,” “Miracle” and “I Write the Songs.”

The day of the concert, the choirs arrived at the arena at 3:30 p.m. and practiced before going on stage at 9:30 p.m.

“We were sent to holding rooms in which they had us practice a lot and learn the choreography,” said Taylor May, a junior software engineering major and member of both the Behrend Choirs and Tone-Acious. “We even ran through it once on the stage with the soundtrack, but thankfully we got to relax a bit before the concert.”

To honor the occasion, choristers created “Behrend Hearts Barry” t-shirts which they wore under their gowns during the concert. They even gave an extra t-shirt to Manilow as a memento.

The shirts are a reminder of what was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of the choristers.

“Before you knew it, you could see the streamers (coming down from the ceiling), and that was it. It just went by so fast,” Seng said. “To be part of one of his final tours was just really, really cool. I’ll remember it forever.”

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