VOLUME 128, ISSUE 2
the
SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
SIGNAL A P U B L I C AT I O N O F O U A C H I TA B A P T I S T U N I V E R S I T Y
contents
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cover story.......................................3 news....................................................4-5 arts/entertainment.....................6 opinions................................................7 Sports....................................................8 O B U
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SIGNAL
Ethan Dial
Addy Goodman
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Caleb Byrd
COPY EDITOR
Sara Patterson
NEWS & OPINIONS EDITOR
Phoebe Huff
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ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS EDITOR
Dr. Jeff Root Adviser
Justin Trostle
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Danielle Sourber PHOTO EDITOR
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The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published every Friday during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Hope Star. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via e-mail to signal@obu.edu.
cover story WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 3
Smith explores passions at OBU BY RYLEE ROBERTS Staff Writer
Freshmen Class President Kallen Smith embraces life at Ouachita, getting involved in a variety of ways across campus. (photo by Hannah Smith)
It takes a special charisma to convince a few hundred strangers you are the right man to lead them. Freshman Class President Kallen Smith accomplished such a feat within his first few days at Ouachita. Smith previously served three years as a representative of his class and one year as the student government president at his high school in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He described these roles as one of a “classy hype-man.” “I hype up people while being more regal in government,” Smith said. “I like being a team leader and representing people.” He uses his voice for the betterment of those he serves. His love for people ultimately drives his interest in the Student Senate position. Smith desires to serve his peers and community in a number of ways. Smith hopes to spend this year finding a campus ministry to plug into. He also wants to give of himself in the children’s or kid’s ministry at a local church during his time at Ouachita. Service characterizes each of Smith’s passions. Smith is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences with the ultimate goal of becoming a pediatrician unless the Lord directs him otherwise. Though this program poses academic challenge, Smith feels well prepared by his highschool academics. He is thrilled to pursue his passion for medicine with an aim to combine it with his love for serving children. As a Biomedical Sciences major, Smith must travel abroad for a summer or semester study program. His pre-existing love for seeing new places excites him toward this requirement. He holds a higher interest in Spain and South
Africa but looks forward to whatever comes. Smith says his love for traveling originates with his family. “My dad and I take a road trip together every other year,” Smith said. He enjoys the freedom to explore brought about by being at college. He plans to take numerous adventures with his newfound friends. Though he did not know anyone from his home town coming to Ouachita, he has not been intimidated because he loves to meet new people and mingle with strangers to make them friends. Socializing comes easily to Smith, a self-proclaimed “people-person.” “I feel most comfortable when other people are around,” Smith said. Coming to college opened the doors to meeting hundreds of new people. Participating in Tiger Tunes has also brought about an opportunity to build relationships with people he otherwise would not have encountered. After participating in an event much like Tiger Tunes in his hometown, Smith looks forward to taking on a collegiate-level performance. His competitive nature and high energy will no doubt show up on the JPAC stage. Smith’s friendliness, dedication, ambition, love for people, reliability and love of service make him an ideal camp counselor. He poured himself into such a role at Brookhill Ranch Camp in Hot Springs this summer. Smith first attended Brookhill as a camper in the third grade, following in his mother’s footsteps. After participating as a camper for as many years as the camp allowed and serving two years as a junior counselor, Smith worked as a full-summer assistant counselor. During his summers as a camper, Smith felt positively impacted by his counselors. Their intention-
ality and positive influence built a desire in him to pour himself out to younger students. He believes God will lead him back to Brookhill for at least one more summer to continue. Smith loves how Brookhill pairs deep spirituality with energetic activities. “It taught me how to have fun as a Christian,” Smith said. Smith taught lake sports he already enjoyed such as kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. Summers at the lake with his family prepared him well for such a position. He also learned a new set of skills working the sound board for the worship services. “I get to orchestrate this moment for these kids to have, and the Lord is using me through that,” Smith said. Spending the summer working sound taught him how to quickly change pace and helped him focus on one thing at a time. It also increased his admiration of and appreciation for those who run sound. Smith, who decided upon Ouachita after visiting, is grateful for the opportunities here. As freshmen class president, Smith will be the chair of Student Senate’s public relations committee. In this role, he will have the communicate all the ways Student Senate serves students on campus. As well as his Senate responsibilities, Smith will be enjoying all that Ouachita has to offer. Smith even enjoys eating in the cafeteria. He believes he will not grow tired of the meal choices because of the incredible variety. Along with food, Smith also obsesses over Pixar movies. He places “Incredibles” in the number one spot. Its mix of family-friendly and superhero story bring it to the top. “I could talk about ‘Incredibles’ all day,” Smith said. Even in the small things, Smith allows passion to drive his actions.
news
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TSD provides opportunity for students to serve BY CRAIG CRAWFORD Staff Writer
Since its inception in 1997, Tiger Serve Day has served as a tether between the Ouachita Baptist University “bubble” and Arkadelphia, allowing students and faculty to engage the community in pragmatic, tangible service in meaningful ways. This semester, Tiger Serve Day will take place on Saturday. Tiger Serve Day students serve in various capacities doing laborious activities at a number of locations around town, helping out with senior adults and the disabled, pitching in at schools and nonprofits alike. “Tiger Serve Day is the largest university-wide service event each semester, so it underscores our commitment to serve as a university and it provides our students with a chance to experience service in a positive way,” said Ian Cosh, the Elrod Center’s vice president for community and international engagement. Ouachita’s Elrod Center for Family & Community hosts, funds, staffs and organizes Tiger Serve Day. Judy Duvall, the associate director of the Elrod Center and the ElderServe coordinator, and Cosh work in tandem to orchestrate, encourage and advise student leaders in their efforts to organize and bring fruition to Tiger Serve Day, leading them in devotionals and guiding them in weekly meetings. “I see my role as an encourager and facilitator. I want to train my leaders and then give them the freedom to carry out all the work themselves. This includes problem solving and decision-making. I love to watch these students think creatively and learn through their experiences on the team,” Duvall said. While Duvall and Cosh oversee
the development of Tiger Serve Day, the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team is pivotal to its success. Over the last month and a half, this team met weekly to design media, visit project cites, recruit volunteers, organize tools and work on other important tasks that are needed to carry out this day. “I lead the meetings for the leadership team each Wednesday at noon leading up to the day. We have a meal together, do some team building, talk about the tasks that need to get done that week and always spend time in prayer,” Duvall said. Tiger Serve Day gives OBU students the means and opportunity to fulfill their passion for service and allow students to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Junior Reagan Pyle is a part of the leadership team and works on the publicity committee designing posters and flyers that show up all around campus. Pyle also made save the date notices for Tiger Serve Day that went out in the mail. As a volunteer, Pyle appreciates the opportunity to forge relationships and make new friendships with classmates and community members. “Volunteering with friends is such a joyful thing because not only do you get to do really great things for people in the community but you get to have community with the people on the team as you are serving others,” Pyle said. While students get to volunteer in groups around the Arkadelphia community and make profound changes within it, there is still much work to be done and there is still much that Pyle insists that Ouachita students can do about it. “We sometimes end up having more projects than volunteer groups and there is just so much more need in this community than I realized before I joined the team. I want to be able to help all of the
people in the community that we can, and the best way to do that is by having as many students come out and volunteer once a semester through Tiger Serve Day,” Pyle said. Sophomore Kayla Whittington serves on the projects committee that visits and prepares the 90 plus locations where Ouachita students will help out and volunteer. “Tiger Serve Day is absolutely one of my favorite things. I think it’s such a special thing that our campus as a whole gets to serve the Arkadelphia community and just gets to meet those practical and relational needs,” Whittington said. Campus enthusiasm and commitment to Tiger Serve Day is a testimony to how important its existence is to Arkadelphia as a whole. Students from all walks of life show out in teams around Arkadelphia to serve the community in God’s name. “We are a university town, so the citizens of the community love both universities and welcome our involvement,” said Cosh. While the nature of the work attributed to Tiger Serve Day is laborious, the Ouachita commitment to service goes beyond labor and into the realm of connecting with the community on an empathetic level. “The community is impacted by the practical hands-on work that our volunteers are able to provide as well as the relationships that are formed on that day,” said Duvall. While the campus goes all out on Tiger Serve Day, a number of Arkadelphia community members and organizations benefit greatly from the service of Ouachita students throughout the academic year. Working closely with these organizations, Ouachita students can become involved in faith-based organizations. Lighthouse Ministries is just one installment in the mosaic of Tiger Serve Day’s network of projects.
Adeline Boyd, Betsy Patterson and other students prepare to serve their community on Tiger Serve Day. (photo by Alex Blankenship) Lighthouse Ministries is a subsection of Red River Baptist Association. It’s a thrift store that doubles as a resource from Pregnancy Resource Center for Southwest Arkansas to provide clothes, food, furniture, networking and prayer for low income students. Lighthouse Ministries provides food for over 91 families a month. “I hope that we live up to our name to be a lighthouse. I hope that [when] people come here, they do receive help, but mostly they are treated respectfully,” said Debbie Files, director of Lighthouse Ministries. Files is responsible for paperwork and organization, but takes time out of her day to get to know these families personally and pray with them and keep them in her thoughts. “We are here spiritually for them. And just emotionally to do as much as we can,” Files said.
Since Files is the only paid employee at Lighthouse Ministries, she relies heavily on volunteers, many of whom are senior citizens. Files looks forward to Ouachita students helping her each year. “I think [Tiger Serve Day] is great, because that’s teaching kids that it can be fun to serve,” Files said. No matter where or how you serve on this day, you are helping to make a difference in the community of Arkadelphia. “Our students, faculty and staff are able to be involved in the lives of people in our community and give of themselves to help others. Tiger Serve Day is a way for our campus to put our faith in action and follow in the example of Jesus ‘who came not to be served but to serve and give His life away,’” Duvall said. For more information, go to obu. edu/tsd.
NEWS
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John McCallum, the chair of the Board of Trustees, speaks at Tuesday’s trustees meeting. The board discussed key strategic issues facing the university, such as a decline in higher education enrollment, an increase in early graduation rates and a decline in the population of prospective students in years to come. (photo by Justin Trostle)
Board of Trustees meets about strategic plans BY SARA PATTERSON News and Opinions Editor
The Board of Trustees held its first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 10,. The board followed their typical procedures and addressed a strategic issue facing Ouachita currently. “The trustees are the ultimate governing body to the university. I report as President to the trustees. They’re my boss. Their charge is to guard the mission of Ouachita and make it better. They’re like an oversight board,” said Dr. Ben Sells, president of Ouachita. The board consists of successful individuals from a variety of career fields, such as financial professionals, medical professionals, lawyers and teachers, who bring their unique perspectives to weigh in on pressing issues that require chang-
es in Ouachita’s policy. This meeting’s strategic issue had to do with the changing population climate among college students, specifically in Arkansas, and the impact this has on Ouachita’s financial policy. “The number of students enrolled in college in all of Arkansas’ institutions of higher education has declined by 9 percent since 2011. In Arkansas, a state of about 3 million people, compared to seven years ago, there’s 20,000 fewer people enrolled in undergraduate education in the state. If you have the same number of institutions and 20,000 fewer people, not everyone’s growing. For example, the University of Arkansas reported today a decline in enrollment, their first decline in about twenty years,” Sells said. Ouachita’s enrollment rate has not followed this trend of decline
that many larger universities are seeing, however. “Eight of the eleven private colleges in the state have reported a decline in enrollment. We reported a modest increase in enrollment, so we’re up one percent,” Sells said. At the board meeting, members sought possible answers to questions relating to this strategic issue, such as “What does that mean as an institution if there are fewer people going to college? How do you navigate that as an institution to enroll students?” Sells said. Another trend that is changing the dynamic of colleges in Arkansas is the increasing trend of students graduating from college in fewer than four years. “Finishing in three years is a trend in higher education. It’s not that it’s bad for us, it’s just a change in the model,” Sells said. Universities in Arkansas face a
third factor that influences enrollment rates and financial policy: a general population decline. “Nationally there’s a decline in the number of high school graduates, so in 2026 nationally, the number of high school graduates every year in this country starts to go down. Why is that happening? Well, in 2008 there was a great recession…Families started having fewer children in 2008, which often happens in tougher economic times. They are having fewer children then there’s fewer going to school, fewer graduating from high school, fewer going to college,” Sells said. “The strategic discussion is not so much for a solution as it is to raise awareness; provide information about a strategic issue affecting higher education,” Sells said. Ouachita seeks to educate and grow students, and much of this
mission comes down to thoughtfulness in the school’s policy. John McCallum, chair of the Board of Trustees and pastor of First Baptist Church Hot Springs, shares Sells’ determination in these well-intentioned and focus discussions for Ouachita’s growth as a University. “I’ve seen an increased focus on the recruitment and retention of students. The development of a strategic plan for the university and the restructuring of debt have provided focus and a bit more resources to accomplish the plan,” McCallum said. “Part of being thoughtful is understanding the current environment we’re in. We need to know our strengths, but we also need to know our environment just like you (college students) need to understand the world you’re going in to,” Sells said.
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‘Junie B. Jones: The Musical’ delights students BY WYATT ASHLOCK Staff Writer
“Junie B. Jones, The Musical” is about Junie’s (Hannah Hill) first day of first grade, but it is not at all what she expects. Her best friend from kindergarten, Lucille (Sharayah Wallace), has found new best friends, Camille (Emma Lawyer) and Chenille (Raleigh Peterson). Her other best friend, Grace (Bonnie Gentry), has also found a new friend named Bobbie Jean (Danielle Hall), leaving Junie to make friends with a new boy
named Herb (Landon Denman). Junie thinks nothing else could go wrong, but then her teacher, Mr. Scary (David Hudson), has a feeling that Junie needs glasses. No matter what happens, Junie always knows that she can turn to her mom (Emily Johnson), dad (Cedar Valdez), and her dog Tickle (Gizmo Murray) for love and support. Junie and her “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax” journal will take you on a ride that you hope never ends. Hill does a great job bringing the audience into the mindset of a first grader. She shows how stressful we thought first grade was when we were younger, but in reality we
just could not decide what to bring to show and tell. Making his acting debut at Ouachita, Denman is a shining star. His performance reminds every girl of the childhood crush they had on a boy. Cedar Valdez and Emily Johnson have great chemistry together as husband and wife. Dylan Blackwood is hysterical as Sheldon, the weird boy that everyone had in a class or had to sit next to in the lunchroom. Sharayah, Emma and Raleigh are a sensational dynamic trio. The set design is very creative, and the stage is painted to reflect the bright colors of a typical first grade classroom. Songs such as
ed strings players, attending the academy at the Music Institute of Chicago. Hersh at first did not travel very far from home to continue his dream. He received his B.M. and his M.M. from New England Conservatory, achieving academic honors. Hersh has worked hard and practiced countless hours to get to where he is. Hersh has performed at many international music festivals and schools like the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Music@Menlo, New York String Orchestra Seminar, I-M-S Prussia Cove, Kneisel Hall, Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, Lucerne, and at Meadowmount School of Music. All of these experiences have helped Hersh become better at performing, and he has inspired young artists all over the world and will continue to for years to come. Accompanying Hersh on the keyboard was Mary Scott Goode, professor of music at Texarkana College. She performs frequently in campus concerts and is the founder of the TC Music Series. Goode is the major keyboard play-
er for the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. In 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2014, Goode was the Texas Two Year College All-State Choir accompanist, and she won the award again in 2018. She played the piano well alongside Hersh on Monday night, and together they made the recital a memorable one. Shows like these are meant to inspire Ouachita students to play music to the best of their ability. Proving to students that hard work will pay off in the end. It may seem like a hard road with a lot of practice now, but someday you will look back and thank everyone who pushed you to be the best you can be, whether that is in your music career or in life. “This recital will be an opportunity for our students to see and hear a world-class musician,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, professor of music at Ouachita. “This musician is only a few years older than our students. It will help show our students how they can rise to a high level of musicianship. When you listen to excellent music, it always inspires you to be a better musician.”
“Top-Secret Personal Beeswax,” “Lucille, Camille, Chenille” and “You Can Be My Friend” are so catchy that you will be singing these songs all the way home, and the choreography includes a kickline that would make professional dance crews jealous. Stephanie Murray does an exceptional job directing this show and making the audience feel as if they are part of the show. Certain scenes are so creative with props and transitions that it blows the audience’s mind. The singing, dancing, and acting is all so phenomenal, that I highly recommend everyone go see this show. From the moment the musi-
cal started till the very end, I was immersed into a world that I did not want to leave. This show will have something that everyone can relate to, whether it is the amazing kindergarten teacher you will never forget, playing kickball, learning a new skill or—as Herb would say—being “very fond of sand.” “Junie B. Jones, The Musical” is a grand way to start the 201920 season for Ouachita Theatre. The show runs September 19-24; the doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. The matinee on September 22 will begin at 2 p.m., with the doors opening at 1:30 p.m.
Young artist concert provides memorable night BY ASHLEY BECK Staff Writer
Ouachita held its annual Young Artist Concert at 7:30 p.m. on September 16 in McBeth Recital Hall. Every year Ouachita students and the Arkadelphia community are able to come and enjoy a recital from the winner of the National Federation of Music Teachers. The winner of this competition receives the opportunity to tour the state of Arkansas at several universities and schools, beginning at Ouachita. The winner of this year’s show was cellist Alexander Hersh. Hersh had plenty of experience with the Houston Symphony and Boston Pops, and put on a great show. Hersh’s parents Stefan Hersh and Roberta Freier are both professional violinists, who come from a line of violin professors and orchestra violinists. For most of his life, Hersh has been surrounded by music. At the age of five, he began to play the cello and has loved it ever since. He studied with talent-
Alexander Hersh, accompanied Mary Scott Goode, performs on the cello. Hersh was this year’s Young Artist Concert performer. (photo by Danielle Sourber)
OPINIONS
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Roberts finds community while in Morocco BY RYLEE ROBERTS Staff Writer
Strangers become family. New perspectives expedite growth. Living simplistically brings freedom to life. This is what it means to study abroad. In fall 2018, I leaped as far away from American culture as I could put myself. Morocco in Northwest Africa- with its Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures - became home for four months. Meaning can be established anywhere. One must simply dive into what surrounds them and embrace the friction inevitable with the unfamiliar - and Morocco proved highly unfamiliar. Men wore full length covers that looked like dresses. Women received less respect, and men often cat-called. Cities made of stone stood tall after hundreds of years and teemed with as much life as always. Ordering meat meant selecting a part of the animal for the butcher to saw off and cook for you. Cramming into taxis with strangers proved the best mode of transportation. Most people denied the deity of Jesus. Few people spoke English. A woman served as my pastor. No one showed up on time for gatherings. Restaurants served dinner around 7 p.m. at the earliest. Camel heads hung in the markets. Imams called Muslims to
Rylee Roberts experiences true Moroccan culture at a small lake in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains with friends she made while studying abroad. Roberts spent four months studying in Morocco. (photo courtesy of Rylee Roberts)
prayer from every mosque in town. The university had a perimeter gate with guards. The king’s palace sat across the street. Amidst all the differences, however, life took on a familiar step. I ate out with my friends at our favorite downtown restaurants. Homework filled countless afternoons. Studying with friends in the library included more socializing than work. We cooked dinner together and celebrated birthdays and had club meetings. We escaped to the porch on the back of the gym to watch the sunset. We snuck around security to the back of the soccer field to stargaze. We comforted each other with hugs and took vacations.
Nothing received the same value as community. Through that time, I learned that people make experiences. Many times, I loaded into a taxi or onto a train and headed for the unknown with full confidence because of who accompanied me. We adventured across the country to explore the diverse terrain. Several trips to the coast filled our mouths with salt. Days in the city gave a westernized experience. Wandering through old cities hurt bank accounts, for who can resist the brightly colored blankets and world-famous tanneries? Nothing compared to the Sahara Desert. Riding camels at sunrise, rolling down massive sand dunes
and peering up at the Milky Way created a surreal memory I will forever cling to. However, not even the glories of waking up to the sunrise and having others wash my clothes can compare to the recognition of God’s work over the semester. He opened the door for countless conversations about Scripture and the Trinity. Students frequently engaged in conversations about Christianity because they had never before had the opportunity to. Most amazing of all, God drew to Himself one of my friends. I had the privilege of watching him step out in faith - in the presence of many Muslims - and proclaim his new belief through baptism.
Moroccans offered me love, hospitality and kindness, as they do to all visitors. They made Morocco a place where, though I knew so little, I felt at home. Living there showed me the destructive power of stereotyping. They taught me the importance of investing in friendships and sharing burdens. Their challenging religious questions pushed me to work through my convictions and solidify why I believe what I do. I observed how living in a new place looks a lot like living in your old place, with a few major details changed. I learned to make the most of the present. We must participate in our lives to experience them.
sports
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Swoboda brothers celebrate in end zone BY CAITY HATCHETT
Arts/Entertainment & Sports Editor Hunter Swoboda was wide-open when he caught the pass that would turn into a touchdown. His brother Tucker was not too far away, so when Hunter ran for the end zone Tucker ran with him. The two had a brief celebration after Hunter completed the touchdown and quickly rejoined the team. Much like their end zone celebration, Hunter and Tucker Swoboda have an easygoing, goofy nature. Only being a year apart in age has made them close, but they still have different personalities. Tucker is a bit more reserved than Hunter, but both have wide smiles and big laughs. The brothers have spent most of their life on the same football team or playing football at the same time. From humble beginnings, playing flag football in second and third grade, to being leaders on their high school team, the two are well acquainted with their sport. Both have spent time playing a variety of positions; Tucker has
stayed mainly on offense, while Hunter has been spotted in some defensive roles. Last season, he was a defensive end for Ouachita. Hunter made the switch to tight end in the spring, and the position seems to suit him. Tucker’s senior year of high school was Hunter’s freshman year at Ouachita, so being back on a team together has been good for them. But the brothers also enjoyed the year apart. It gave them a chance to develop their own skills and relationships with their teammates, outside of their relationship as brothers. Being on the same team at the collegiate level has been an adjustment, though. “I told him when he came, ‘As far as we’re concerned when you get here, man, we’re not related. Not until you start doing stuff,’” Hunter said. “Obviously he’s doing stuff now, so I can claim him as my little brother again.” For Tucker, the adjustment has been more in his playing style. The collegiate level is more challenging across the board, but for someone fresh out of high school it’s harder than you would think. Everyone
plays at the same level, so just being good isn’t enough sometimes. “You’re going up against a guy that can be like three or four years older than you,” Tucker said. “I played like it was normal, and it was a lot of fun. It helped me understand what I have to do to be really good.” During the first few games of the season, Tucker has made some key plays for Ouachita and Hunter has been right there to watch. Watching a younger sibling achieve what you always knew they could do is always fun, and it was no different for Hunter. He grew up playing football with Tucker in their backyard, so getting to watch him make those plays and help the team has been fun for him. “He’s been doing that stuff for years, and no one else has gotten to see it,” Hunter said. “Then he got to go out there and do it in front of everybody, so…it’s definitely a mixture of pride and joy, just being able to watch him do what I already knew he could do.” With two victories already on the board, the brothers are excited for the rest of the season. Being back
was vital to the team in tournament settings. While reflecting on her freshman year, Low realized how important the leadership of her coaches and seniors on the team was to her growth. “They really keep us accountable,” Low said. “Every time we make a mistake, we could get down on ourselves, but they always pick us up.” Low has also realized the importance of having determination and mental toughness. Being able to move on from mistakes or losses is a big part of how the coaches encourage the team. Trust and friendship are also important to building
a team, and Low recognizes how much she and her teammates need each other. “If you aren’t close with your team, you won’t succeed, which is why pre-season is all about bonding,” Low said. “Distance and negativity never win games.” A transfer from the University of Arkansas, Lexie Castillow has proven herself to be a good addition to the team. The team dynamic is just as real for her and just as important to being successful. To Castillow, hard work and chemistry are the main elements of a successful team. She has also discovered the difference between
Hunter (left) and Tucker (right) are siblings on the Ouachita football team. Both have played a key role on the football team this season. (photo by Kate Lance)
on the same team has given them unique opportunities to encourage each other - like running into the end zone together. And for Tuck-
er, the team’s goal for the season is clear. “We’re gonna win the Natty this year. For sure,” Tucker said.
Volleyball sophomores place confidence in team BY SANDY SWANSON Staff Writer
Ouachita’s volleyball team kicked off their season on Sept. 6 with the annual Reddie-Tiger Classic, playing four games in two days. The team took down No. 20 ranked Texas A&M Commerce and the University of Texas at Tyler. After splitting their wins in the tournament, the sophomores on the team are hopeful about the rest of the season. Emily Low joined Ouachita’s volleyball team as a freshman. With 12 blocks and 41 kills, she
students and student athletes. “It’s a mentality. You have to concentrate on going to school, having friendships and volleyball,” Castillow said. “You have to balance it all to bring something to the team. You have to be tough.” Rileigh Fielder signed on to play volleyball for Ouachita during her senior year of high school. This year, she has nothing but faith in her team. She sees the team in a different light than her fellow sophomores, focusing more on passion than determination as keys to success. Fielder also sees the value of teammates taking leadership positions on the court.
“Our seniors encourage the spirit and intensity that we play with. They go the extra mile, and set a trend for that,” Fielder said. “When we’re not playing well, it’s nice to be able to look at a teammate and know they’re going to pull us back together.” With their determination, trust and passion in tow, Ouachita’s volleyball team is a force to be reckoned with this season. Their coaches have helped them refine their skills, and they have built a strong bond as teammates. “I think the sky is the limit,” Castillow said. “If we keep working hard, we can achieve anything.”