By Briana Watson

OSWEGO, NY – Phi Lambda Phi held their fourth annual bachelor auction in Marano Campus Center to raise funds for breast cancer on Friday November 10th. The sorority is required to throw at least one big fundraising event and the sorority said they thought that an auction would be a fun and exciting way to get people involved.

Event organizer Emily Fernandez said that the idea behind the auction started with one alumna back in 2015.

“She decided that she would start an auction to donate all the money to breast cancer. I don’t why she did it but I know if I were to organize us and start it from scratch I would chose breast cancer also because it’s such a prevalent issue in women today,” Fernandez said.

The sorority garnered brothers from other fraternities to participate in the auction which they will receive community service in return. Additionally, the sorority had a raffle at the auction to give away prizes to their audience.

The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

For more information about Phi Lambda Phi’s upcoming events go to their Twitter @PhiLamb59.

By Chelsey Moore

OSWEGO, NY– The College Community Orchestra and dancers from both SUNY Oswego and the community will come together this Sunday, December 3, for a Winter fine arts performance.

The College Community Orchestra and dancers from the community will be performing Tchaikovsky’s ‘Sleeping Beauty Waltz.’ The dancers range from ages 4 to 21 years old. The Orchestra will also play other popular and classical selections.

SUNY Oswego Music Professor and Orchestral Director Dr. Juan F. La Manna said they wanted to give the “talented dancers both in the college and in the community” a chance to perform. 

The “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” will be performed in Tyler Hall’s Waterman Theater at 3PM this Sunday, December 3. Admission is free. For more information, contact the SUNY Oswego Music Department by email at music@oswego.edu or by phone at 315-312-2130.

by Daniel Manou

Oswego, NY- As underage drinking and drug use grows around the country, Oswego County is trying to find ways to not only control this epidemic but turn it into a positive trend.

On a daily basis alcohol is in the public’s eyes whether from advertisements, stores or people using it around them regardless of the viewers age. According to a multi-year study by Farnham Family Services alcohol is the most used drug among minors in Oswego County. However, compared to the last survey, this year’s results are showing progress. Prevention Services Director Penny Morley believes the results of this year’s survey is heading in the right direction.

“We did a youth development survey in 2013 and another one in 2016, and our numbers are going down, youth that are reporting underage drinking,” she said.

Although Morley acknowledges the comparison of surveys shows only a small drop in underage drinking, she is still pleased with the numbers.

“Just a few percentage points, but even just a few percentage points is better than having an increase”, said Morley.

According to the survey nearly 70 percent of high school seniors have used alcohol. Most minors reported the easiest access is from their own home.

In an effort lead by Oswego County Undersheriff Gene Sullivan, police have attempted to stop underage parties. Sullivan has been working to shut down these parties and educate minors about the dangers of underage drinking since 2011. However, he has directly seen what consequences arise.

“By the end of the night we would have fights, vandalism would occur and in the worst case scenario people driving away from that party, getting into crashes some of them were fatalities,” Undersheriff Sullivan said.

In 2014, Farnham instituted the Oswego County Prevention Coalition in response to the 2013 survey and has worked alongside schools to educate the youth. According to the 2016 results, ninth grade, the same age period when alcohol is most dangerous to children, was where the usage jumped the highest.

“Anyone that uses before the age of 15 has a much higher likelihood of addiction as an adult, their brains are not fully formed at that point”, said Morley.

With the tactics that have been put in place and continue to be worked on, there have been signs that they have made an impact.

“I think there’s been tremendous progress, but it’s been painfully slow. It’s a difficult message to deliver”, said Undersheriff Sullivan.

Even with the long awaited results showing optimism, both Morley and Sullivan know their job isn’t done.