Dear Slate Readers,

First, I want to congratulate all of the graduating seniors and wish them all the best of luck in their endeavors after graduation.

Whether you are going back to school, working or still trying to figure out what you are going to do, good luck.

Next, I would like to thank the entire Slate staff for a fantastic and successful year.

Every editor, writer and photographer made this year a great one. We would not be able to make this publication possible without all of you.

Again, if it was not for everybody who looked at the site and retweeted us on Twitter and liked our Facebook page, word would not have spread as quickly as it did.

This year was a big one for Shippensburg.

We had an Emmy nomination, a visit from the Plain White T’s and Fabolous, and we cannot forget about Plan B.

A lot happened nationally, too. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died along with Penn State University coaching legend Joe Paterno. There was also the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State as well.
One thing is for sure after this year — expect the unexpected.

Penn State could not have known how big the Sandusky scandal was going to get, just like we could not have known how big the Plan B controversy scandal was going to get. We learned about life through these stories. We learned to always be prepared. Even in the recent weeks with the SU Alerts, we are still learning to always be prepared and expect the unexpected.

As we finish this 2011–2012 school year at SU, I want to wish all students luck on their finals.

To the seniors, remember what we learned in the media this year — expect the unexpected and be prepared. I look forward to another successful year with Chelsea next year.

Thank you and have a splendid summer.

Cara Shumaker
Managing Editor

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Dear Slate Readers,

What a bizarre year.

Between the indecisive winter, Plan B scandal, and all the off-campus incidents, I would say normalcy was forgotten at some point at the beginning of last semester.

This has definitely been a year for the history books. So much has happened locally and nationally, it is no wonder why this year has been a total blur.

We have highlighted some of these major events which have impacted Shippensburg University, some good and some bad, but nothing we cannot endure.

After the Plan B Scandal in February, it is clear that SU can overcome just about anything.
We are a dedicated and intelligent group of individuals who know how to roll with the punches — a characteristic that is desperately needed during this time.

With Gov. Tom Corbett proposing another drastic cut in education funding, and the sudden spike in crime off campus, we may not have seen the end of big changes. However, if we stay together like we have done before, we can make it through almost any situation that we might face in the future.
Uncertainty does not always mean that things will turn for the worse. Sometimes uncertainty brings out the best in people, and inspires us to do things we did not know we were capable of.

By the end of fall semester last year, The Slate was at a very rocky point, for various reasons.
However, through hard work and the passionate dedication of my fantastic staff, The Slate is now running as strong as it ever has, if not stronger.

As of right now, The Slate has won four awards for our hard work this year: from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association for Best Editorial by Ashley Price and second place for Best Sports Photo by Hannah Brant; from the Association Scholastic Press Association for first place Newspaper and First Place for Outstanding Front Page.

I am sure there are more for The Slate in the future.

I am so proud of the staff this year. Each and every one of them has worked very hard every week, and they do not even flinch when I have to ask them to work just a little bit harder.

I could have never asked for a better staff, and I credit them for everything The Slate has accomplished this year.

I am excited to see what the new staff will have to offer, especially because I see great potential in them as I have with this year’s staff. This truly is a bittersweet ending to an interesting year.

I am excited for next year and the possibilities it has to offer, but I am also going to miss those who will not be returning. I wish all of those graduating the best of luck, though I know they will not need it.

For now, I will say farewell, readers, and thank you for all your support. For those returning, we will see you next year. And for those graduating, good luck and thank you.

Sincerely,
Chelsea Wehking
Editor-in-Chief

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