The Summa
University of St. Thomas
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Vol. 4, Issue 3
ustsumma.wordpress.com
Jobs Fair promotes businesses, volunteerism
»INSIDE
THIS ISSUE » Opinion
Who’s Ahead? As the race heats up, see one student’s take on the latest news from the Republican presidential nomination race. Pages 5
» Features
Loud or Quiet? As Mid-terms creep closer, find the best study spots on campus that fit your studying needs. Page 7 Photo by Michael Brannon
Opportunities for Jobs and Service
The Career Services Center works to promote the integration of UST students into the workforce through a variety of on-campus events.
Stephanie Hernandez Staff Writer The University of St. Thomas hosts several job fairs on campus throughout the academic year. On September 20, 2011, the first fair of the academic year was held. Called “Helping Hands NonProfit Job and Volunteer Fair,” the event hosted various nonprofit organizations such as Catholic Charities. Other social activist organizations were present, including immigrant advocacy and anti-
human trafficking groups. “I was hoping to connect with any teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) organization, because I have been actively volunteering with the Literacy Initiative for Today (LIFT) Program teaching English on Saturdays to adults for the past year now,” said Mayra Alejandra Morales, a senior who is double majoring in Spanish and International Studies. Morales and other UST students and alumni attended the fair in the hopes of gaining
a better grasp of the current state of the jobs market through meeting representatives of various fields. “I was happy to get to talk to representatives from the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET), Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees (PAIR) and ELS Language Centers Houston. I’ve been interested in teaching English abroad sometime in the future for a couple of years now, since I first taught English to adults in Madrid, Spain while studying
abroad one fall semester,” said Morales. The variety of organizations gave candidates an opportunity to develop business relationships for their personal benefit, as well as that of the wider community. “I talked to representatives from Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and representatives from the Not for Sale Campaign in order to make connections with
» Entertainment
Local Mysteries Houston author, Michelle Brooks, shares some insight into her newest dark romance, Bone Dressing, with one of our own writers. Page 9
» Sports & Clubs
Women’s B-Ball Find out more about the Lady Celts Basketball Team’s first season with this preview. Page 11
FAIR, Page 2
Houston’s 33rd Annual Festa Italiana returns October 14-16 Michael Brannon Photo Editor Since 2009, the University of St. Thomas has been the host for the annual Festa Italiana, a cultural festival that will celebrate its 33rd occurrence once again on campus. The festival hasn’t always taken place in the heart of the UST campus, however, and for many years moved around the city until landing here. The festival started in 1978, but after twelve years behind the Sacred Heart Hall the event leaders decided it was time for a move. “Moving from its original location behind the Sacred Heart Hall off Airline to St. Anne’s Church on Westheimer meant more space, a greater audience potential and a bigger challenge,” says the history page on Festa Italiana’s website. By 1993 the festival had
continued to expand, causing the event to change locations yet again. “The Festa was located around the reflection pool of City Hall, in Tranquility Park and on the terrace of the city library, taking over three city blocks and four streets.” While no event occurred in 2003 or 2004 due to inclement weather, Festa Italiana returned in 2005 with the help of The Farm & Ranch Club. “The Farm & Ranch Club provided a pavilion with over 40,000 square feet under cover. Festa Italiana returned to its long tradition of its affiliate clubs and their members making all of the wonderful foods that Houstonians love — pizza, pasta, stuffed artichokes, sfingi (sfeen-gee), faccia de vecchia (fachya day vay-kia), Italian sausage, meatball sandwiches, cannoli and Italian cookies.” This is the third year that
Che buon’idea!: Celebrating Italian Culture
Photo by James Ramos
Festival attendants stop to appreciate an entry at the 4th Annual I Madonnari Sidewalk Art High School Contest in 2010. On October 14, 2011, the contest, along with the rest of the festival’s attractions, including concessions, beverages and live entertainment, returns to the UST campus.
Festa Italiana has called the UST campus home. Events include a grape stomping contest, pasta eating contest,
and hours of live music. While the food and merchandise are not, admission to the festival remains free to all UST
students (and to everyone else until 4:00 p.m. Friday). The events start on October 14 and continue through October 16.
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News
The Summa
Miller Lecture on Theology Dr. Michael Waldstein of Ave Maria University gave the eighth annual Archbishop Michael J. Miller Lecture in Jones Hall. The lecture, entitled, “Overcoming the Mechanization of Nature: John Paul II’s Theology of the Body” offered a refutation of the modern conception that faith and reason are separate entities, with science emerging as the empirical proof of the fallacies of religion. The Miller Lecture took place on September 27 with an introduction by Sr. Paula Jean Miller, FSE. Her brief speech outlined the founding of the annual lecture. “The vision of this lecture series is to honor each year a lay Catholic professional; somebody who has become an expert in their field, not in spite of being a Catholic, but because of being a Catholic,” said Sr. Paula Jean. “Someone who has truly learned to live the motto of John Paul II: that a real Catholic professional has integrated their Catholic faith with their profession.” The next speaker, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dominic Aquila, introduced Dr. Waldstein to the onlookers. Dr. Aquila discussed Waldstein’s work on a retranslation of Pope John Paul II’s “Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body” from the original Polish manuscripts. “To be sure, the excitement and importance of this discovery – I can only imagine the joy of discovery that Michael must have felt – when he found all this out, as anyone who deals
with archives would know,” said Dr. Aquila. “And that discovery surely stands on its own as a scholarly discovery and achievement, but then add to it Michael’s cultivated and creative mind, and we have a discovery with significance not only for scholars, but for much wider and pressing cultural questions of our time.” Dr. Aquila segued into a restatement of the title of the lecture before Dr. Waldstein took the podium and engaged the audience in an investigation of the Theology of the Body. “Science, then, [according to Richard Dawkins] is a religion without faith,” said Dr. Waldstein. “Let’s examine that statement in some detail. And I will do this in several steps; in three main steps. First, faith as grasping a reliable testimony. Then, faith as unfounded opinion. And then John Paul II’s own approach, which consists of this: the experience and power of the beauty of love.” In a thorough, logical fashion, Dr. Waldstein offered proof that science, like religion, depends upon faith in something beyond the individual person: the findings and consensus of the scientific community. He examined the origins of the strictly empirical form of science promoted by Dawkins, from Aristotle to Descartes. Dr. Waldstein briefly discussed the basis of the Theology of the Body in the creation accounts of the Book of Genesis. “To point out, from the teachings of Jesus, and from Genesis, that our own experience, our experience of our own body, teaches us the fundamental truths proposed by Jesus,” said Waldstein.
With Houston temperatures finally dropping into manageable levels, students find time to enjoy the outdoors. The turn in good
weather comes just in time for Fall Break and midterm season, tempting many to take their studying and recreation outside.
David Markus News Editor
An Afternoon Delight
Photo by Rebecca Mechler
FAIR Continued... them,” said Morales “Since I am currently Co-President of Students Working Against Trafficking (SWAT), and we are planning a human trafficking awareness event in the future and would like to have these two organizations helping us raise awareness as well.” “The Helping Hands Non Profit [Job and Volunteer Fair], hosted 32 organizations, with about 75 students attending. The purpose of this past job fair was focused on non-profit, government, and education organizations, who were primarily seeking interns and volunteers,” said Lindsey McPherson, Director of Career Services and
Thursday, October 6, 2011 Testing. The Career Services Center works to connect current and past generations of Celts. In a few instances, the Center helps locate work study opportunities to cover part of the expenses incurred by current UST students. “Some students who have been awarded work study also were sought out by these organizations, so that they could do work for non-profits for their work study. Internships for these organizations could be both paid and non-paid, depending on the organization, some for college credit,” said McPherson. “The Helping Hands Fair sought volunteers and interns to do a wide range of work; since non-profits
have accounting and media aspects to their organizations, even finance or accounting students could apply for internships, and still get college credit towards their degree if they wanted.” The most recent jobrelated on-campus event, the Business Career Fair on October 4, served a similar purpose, and created a formal venue for employers and potential employees to exchange information and promote professional relationships. Individuals met in the Scanlan Room in business attire from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. for the fair. To see a list of jobs fairs, job postings, and other upcoming networking events, visit CeltCareers.com.
Pig Roast for charity builds community
Photo courtesy Duckworks Studios
David Markus News Editor The smoky scent of roasting meat will fill the air when Campus Ministry holds its third annual fall pig roast on Thursday, October 6, 2011. Led by Fr. Michael Buentello, CSB, UST students will sell pulled pork tacos on the Crooker Patio from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. “Every year, when I do a pig roast, there is a specific cause,” said Fr. Mike. “This year, our main emphasis will be to provide a Thanksgiving dinner to needy people. We’re working with Catholic Charities; part of the proceeds will go there. The other proceeds will go to a charitable group that the Knights of Columbus have brought to my attention: a group of doctors that perform surgery on children with cleft palates.” The Knights heard of Smile Trek, the charity for facial reconstruction surgery, through another Knight and UST alumnus, Alex Osborne. “He came over and talked to us about a colleague of his, a Marine, because Alex is also a Marine,” said Grand Knight José Bolivar. “This Marine is doing a fundraiser across the nation, from coast to coast.
He’s starting on the west coast, going down to Florida; from Florida, he’ll go all the way up to New York, to the east coast. He’s stopping along the way, city-by-city, fundraising money for Smile Trek.” Smile Trek raised $50,000 during its campaign in the United States via rallies in several major cities across the nation. The money will go toward funding surgeries for children in Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, and Laos. “The coolest thing about this is, though, is that he’s doing it in-between his deployments. He just came back from Iraq, he’s off-duty for six months (that’s when he’s fundraising the money), and then he’s going back for another deployment, back to Iraq. He’s coming back, and that’s when he’s doing the final trek,” said Bolivar. The menu for this year’s pig roast is different from last year, as Fr. Mike hopes to make the pork available to students on-the-go through a simpler, more readily-made vehicle: tacos. “For World Youth Day, we did pulled pork with potato salad and beans, bread, and all the trimmings,” said Fr. Mike. “But this year, we’re doing a
Pig Roast to coincide with our Activity Period, and I realize that students don’t have a lot of time and need something that’s very fast to assemble.” The roast will begin on Wednesday night, and taco sales will begin on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. “We’ll be selling those for $2.50 each,” said Fr. Mike. “We’ll be outside of Crooker, out by the patio. I’ll roll my smoker up on campus, which I’ve done before.” Drinks will also be available for purchase, courtesy of the UST Knights of Columbus. “[The] Knights are going to be selling Coca-Cola, Mexican Coca-Cola, water, and some other soft drinks to go with it, so you’ll get a full and delicious meal with it,” said Bolivar. The roast not only has a charitable aspect, but a community-building one as well. “[The] smoking of this pig has become a tradition now and I look forward to it. Just the idea of people coming together to support a cause, I think, is a very good thing, and to have fun doing it, too,” said Fr. Mike. For more information about the Smile Trek, go to smiletrek.org.
The Opinion
“God’s plans put a man’s best dreams to shame” - Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Dear Cancer,
Katherine Casey Features Editor Cancer is a disease known to many. It can be fatal and causes a lot of pain not only to the one with the cancer, but the people who surround them. Cancer is an illness that an entire family works to beat. I know this because my father was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer last March and my grandfather was diagnosed with Leukemia in December 2010. I cannot even imagine them dealing with their illness alone. I have seen the struggle to even walk out the door, the constant vomiting, the loss of weight and appetite, and the drastic change of appearance that both my dad and my grandpa have faced. Looking back on how they use to look and act, the comparison is terrifying. They look as if they are walking on the border of death, and they both know this. When my dad feels up to going out in public, children look at him with terror. People are scared of him even though he is the kindest, funniest, and sweetest person I know. It is human nature to judge people by how they look and that takes a toll on people with cancer. They are already self-conscious and have already lost their selfesteem and the looks people give them are inconsiderate and hurtful. When people know the truth about what makes my grandfather and father look the way they do, they automatically become sympathetic and apologetic. Most people understand that cancer is tough, even if they do not realize just how difficult it is to deal with.
John Lackey, an inconsiderate jerk who pitches for the Boston Red Socks, filed for divorce from his wife who is in the middle of battling breast cancer. The first question that comes up is what did she do to make him want to divorce her? No one in their right mind would leave someone with cancer unless they had a good reason, right? Reports say he is leaving her because they have a conflict in personalities. She did not cheat on him or do anything harmful to him. He is abandoning her strictly because he feels like their personalities do not mesh. This is something most people realize, if not before they start dating, then before they get married. After three years of marriage, he should have realized they do not go well together. Not during her battle against cancer. Leaving her is not the worst part of their story. They both signed a prenuptial agreement, and since the money and several homes they shared technically belong to Mr. Lackey, she is being left with nothing. She has no home, no money, no husband, and has probably already lost her dignity due to cancer. Cancer is a common but deadly disease that most people have either dealt with personally or alongside a family member or friend. Instead of Lackey having sympathy for his wife and taking care of her, he has chosen to be extremely cold-hearted and strip her of everything she has left. I do not even want to imagine where my father or grandfather would be right now if they were left to fend for themselves. The idea is horrific. Cancer sucks, and so does Lackey.
The Summa University of St. Thomas Student Newspaper 3800 Montrose Blvd. • Houston, TX 77006 • 713.525.3579
The Summa is the official newspaper of The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. It has a circulation of 2,000 copies. The Summa is a student run organization, whose purpose is to inform, comment, and interpret events of local, national, and worldwide importance. This paper serves as an open forum of student expression and welcomes letters from the UST community. All submitted materials will be printed at the discretion of the editorial board. The Summa is dedicated to serving as a model of ethical journalism, acting with honesty, objectivity, and integrity.
Ryan Hess
Measuring One’s Words Staff Writer
Language develops with the passage of time: it is an organic, one might say a living, thing. As the centuries advance, new expressions— figures of speech, ways of putting things—are invented and pass into everyday use; and others, having become quaint or awkward-sounding, likewise pass out of it. Consider an example. Today it is common (though it seems to me to be becoming less so) for a man to say that someone has been “ripped off,” which means that the individual under consideration has been taken advantage of by somebody more astute in matters of business than he. Half a century ago, a casual speaker addressing the same matter might have said that our hapless innocent had been “given the business”; but one never hears that expression so used anymore. Now consider a different case, that with which we are here to be principally concerned: it is the expression “measuring one’s words.” This is one which has been in use since the nineteenth century (nay, probably much longer than that, but I am in no mood for research) and which continues to be used today. It continues, I say, but in a diminished degree. For many of my English-speaking contemporaries neither use it nor are able to define it; and this is a sign, I fear, of what may be its approaching obsolescence. Be that as it may, allow me to explain what it means; for, even when dealing with a well-educated audience such as you, most intelligent reader, it is best to define one’s terms. So I will define it thus: “Taking care not to say anything rash or stupid.” That is what it means, and I cannot
think of any other expression that so elegantly describes the action that it does. So this, measuring one’s words, is a crucial skill to anyone who desires to appear wise before his fellow men; and if one is ever to learn it, the university is a fine place for that to happen. However, learning it by experience is painful, and not learning it at all is tragic; so I will endeavor here to tell you how it is done. First, one should never set forth an opinion about something that one is unable to defend. This is obvious, or at least it should be. Second, one should avoid saying things that are unduly provocative, lest people (sensitive creatures that they are) should stop their ears. Third, one should have the foundation of the great thinkers of the past under everything that one says: I mean that of such men as Aristotle and Hilaire Belloc. (I might give a longer list, but you know what I mean.) And fourth, one must be especially careful not to take for granted those false opinions of other men that have become commonplace. The first three items here are straightforward, but the fourth wants some explanation. So consider a couple of examples. First, take an historical one. Perhaps you have said this yourself, and certainly you have heard it said by others. It is said all the time by men who do not know how to measure their words and consequently repeat the false opinions of others without realizing it. What I refer to is the idea that President Abraham Lincoln led the North into the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation because he wanted to bring an end to the institution of slavery. We say it all the time, but it is false. His end, in reality, was to preserve the Union, and to do so by
whatever means possible. Or, to use his own words: “My paramount object is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy Slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it…. What I do about Slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save this Union.” Now, take a philosophical example, the oft-repeated idea that “you can’t legislate morality.” Here we have a case in which there is a notion that is supremely stupid but which is nonetheless repeated by people who ought to know better and who have not taken the time to think about what they are saying. If you do not believe me, go read about this in the work for which this newspaper is named, The Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas, I-II, Q. 95, Art. 2. If you have done this and still disagree, we have nothing else to say to each other; and I am running out of space anyway. So I think I have presented, clearly and concisely, the way to measure one’s words. All you have to do is to wait until you are sure about something before you say it. Ascertain that your reasoning is clear, that what you have to communicate is as inoffensive as possible, and that your sources are good; and then you are ready. Until then, the best thing to do is to keep one’s mouth shut and one’s pen still. Or, as the proverb says: Stultus quoque si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur: et si compresserit labia sua, intellegens - “Even a fool, if he will hold his peace, shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.” Now, if only somebody had made that clear to me back when I was a freshman….
Jeremy Heallen • Faculty Advisor Rebecca Mechler • Editor-in-Chief Matt Wood • Business Manager David Markus • News Editor Chelsea Ferramosca • Opinion Editor Michael Brannon • Photo Editor Katherine Casey • Features Editor Katie Thomson • Entertainment Editor James Ramos • Media Editor
Staff Writers & Photographers Claudia Arguelles • Samrat Bhattacharya Nadine Fahmy • Stephanie Hernandez Ryan Hess • Dominic Kisielewski Sean Kriger • Abigail Nava Melyssa Navarro • Sarah Oyarce Jihane Rodriguez • Becky Tapia Douglas Tobar • Hien Tran Chris Michels • Fransisco Montes
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Opinion
The Summa
Fighting the Texas Fires
Samrat Bhattacharya Staff Writer Texans are a proud bunch. The amount of pride that goes into being a Texan is unsurpassable to those from any other state. Having lived in New York, where city pride surpasses everything (especially in regards to sports), I can attest that being willing to defend the Lone Star State is a Texan’s best attribute. An example of this willingness was a couple of years back, when I saw Texas represented as a table, right along with various nations at the Chili Cook-Off on campus. The idea of Texas being highlighted in a fair, which represents countries from all over the world, was baffling to me. The reason I am bringing this up is because of the wildfires that have plagued Texas these past few months. The intense drought and heat aren’t just taking its toll on college students, it has scorched lands all across Texas. The triple digit temperatures, dry air, and high winds are not a laughing matter, unless your name is “Evil Step-mother Nature.” Now more than ever,
I have seen Texans band together. Specifically, I can recall the numerous Facebook posts and status updates asking friends to forward contact information of those that are able to house animals or people that have been left homeless by the fires. Unlike a hurricane or tornado, there is no reasonable amount of warning for an evacuation caused by the outbreak of a wildfire, unless you are lucky enough to have a huge park in the middle of your city, and the fire strikes out of proximity to residential areas. Yes, I’m talking about the scare at George Bush Park less than a month ago on September 13. Living in Katy, Texas, I was quite curious why news channels were not covering the story as thoroughly as one would think. I was on I-10 Eastbound when I first heard about the fire, which was wedged in a well timed traffic update. Granted, the fire was not an immediate threat, but you can understand my concern when I get out of class, my cell phone service is down, and I have no way of contacting people, except to get on Facebook to read the numerous updates from my friends. Shame on you, radio
stations covering the 100-plus losses of the Houston Astros, or the two day old news of the Houston Texans annihilating a Manning-less Indianapolis Colts team (my fault for listening to sports talk radio is arguable). I digress, however. The point of this article is that I have never been more proud of being a Texan since I learned what the people from the greatest state in the nation were doing for their fellow constituents, many of whom being students and faculty at the University of St. Thomas. Double brownie points! Therefore, I urge everyone to please spread the word if you are able to assist anyone in anyway. Whether it is you or someone you know, word of mouth is the most powerful way to spread a message. Now more than ever, Texans need a voice. Take it to the social media streets, or just casually bring it up in a discussion. There are people out there and on this campus who need help. Even if you don’t know these people, our campus is small enough to be able to find someone that can pass on this valuable information. Don’t fight fire with fire. Let the firefighters handle that situation.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
West Memphis 3 Douglas Tobar Staff Writer May 5, 1993. The naked bodies of three young boys are found in a ditch in West Memphis, Arkansas. Soon after, local police began asking people if they had seen or heard anything suspicious. A teenager, Damien Echols, is brought in to be interviewed, quickly becoming a person of interest after giving a detailed description of the crime scene that included facts that had yet to be released to the public (such as knowing that one of the boys was drowned, unlike the other two). June 3, 1993. Jessie Misskelley is questioned alone for 12 hours. He tells authorities that Echols, himself, and another teenager, Jason Baldwin, were behind the murders. The three are immediately arrested. February –March, 1994. The three teenagers are put on trial, all pleading not guilty. Baldwin and Misskelley are sentenced to life in prison. Echols is sentenced to death. August 19, 2011. The all three are free after entering an Alford plea. I have to say, this is a rather short summary of the West Memphis Three, but I wanted to explain a little of the story since most of us were still in diapers when it happened. Anyway, this article is about is their innocence. Some might agree that they’re innocent, some may not. I happen to be in the first group. “Why would you support them?” you might ask. After all, Misskelley did confess that he, Echols and Baldwin committed the crime. But what if he was forced into giving this confession? Misskelley was locked in an interrogation room with an officer for 12 hours. Of those hours, only 46 minutes were recorded. Why wasn’t the camera rolling for the rest of the interrogation? We don’t know for sure, but many things could have happened in that time. Real interrogations look nothing like the ones portrayed on television. In a cop show, it seems like the criminal and prosecutor are always playing a mind game to see who can outsmart the other. In real life cops don’t need to go through all that trouble. They have the Reid Technique, a technique that gets criminals to admit to a crime 84% of the time. It also gets innocent people to admit
to a crime 43% of the time. So who’s to say Misskelley wasn’t threatened or coerced by the officer? Then there is the evidence, which consisted of bite marks on one of the bodies and some semen. The bite marks were found to belong to an animal, not a human, and the technology was not available at the time to check for DNA. This changed in 2007 when technology allowed them to check the DNA found on the bite marks. The DNA did not match Misskelley, Echols or Baldwin, leaving more questions than answers. However, the DNA did match someone close to the case, Terry Hobbs, stepfather of one of the victims. Great! Now we have evidence that actually connects someone to the scene of the crime. Just kidding. Judge David Burnett denied use of this evidence, stating that the DNA tests were inconclusive. What a bunch of …. Finally, we have Stephen King and Metal music to thank for these crimes. Since the three teenagers were fans of horror stories and Metal, the crime must have been a satanic ritual. Wow! I thought we were done chasing “witches” around after hanging innocent people in the Salem witch trials. I wouldn’t be surprised if some members of the jury actually believed that, especially after a woman named Vicki Hutcheson helped back up the story. She claimed that she and Echols went to a Wiccan meeting, where a drunk Echols proceeded to brag about killing the three kids. This was a lie. In 2003, she admitted to a local newspaper that she was coerced by the police to help them with the case. If she didn’t agree, they threatened to take her baby away. Today, these men walk free. When they entered jail, beepers were still used, Walkmans were used to listen to music and cartoons were awesome. Imagine what they were thinking when they got out 18 years later. So, what do you think? Are they innocent or are they guilty? The course of true love never did run smooth In the article “America’s Pastime,” Mr. and Mrs. Ferramosca met at Ebbet’s Field and not Dodgers Stadium. We apologize to Grandma and Grandpa.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Opinion
Grand Old Party 2012 Chris Michels Staff Writer As we watch the Republican Grand Old Party nomination process unfold in high definition, with immediate reactions from peanut galleries around the world, you have to ask yourself, who is going to win this Republican alphabet soup? With over ten nominees, some of whom even political junkies can’t name, this is shaping up to be a race that will be both entertaining and eyeopening. Leading the race are Texas Governor, Rick Perry; Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney; former President of Godfathers Pizza, Herman Cain and Minnesota Representative Michelle Bachman. Who will win this race, and will they be able to outrun President Obama’s political machine? Texas Governor, Rick Perry has done many great things for the Lone Star State. One of Perry’s many accolades is balancing the budget, without spending the entire rainy day fund. This has become Perry’s main talking point, but is also a controversially point since he cut the education budget to do it. Perry’s mandatory Guardasail vaccine for all public school girls, was also a point of controversy. The vaccine prevents the spread of HPV, which can lead to cervical cancer, but can also act as a contraceptive. These decisions are questionable, but there is no denying his strong leadership of his state. Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, comes in second after Perry. Romney claims that one of the first things he will do once he enters the office is repeal Obamacare; why has he not repealed Romneycare in Massachusetts? Another quirk of Romney is his on-air
temper, seen when confronted with question about his role on same sex marriage on a campaign stop, and when he lost his temper after a woman confronted him on the high cost of healthcare in Massachusetts. Representative Michelle Bachman has recently claimed that the Gardasil vaccine can cause brain damage, which she used to attack Perry. The scientific community and Merck, the developers of Gardasil, have stated that there has never been a case of mental retardation linked to Gardasil. Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 plan calls for a nine percent flat income tax rate, a nine percent value added tax, and a nine percent corporate tax rate. Since the majority of American’s pay little or no federal income taxes, this idea may seem nice, but then you add a brand new value added on tax. Now my one dollar candy bar is one dollar and nine cents. This doesn’t seem like much, but this is a huge hike in taxes for the many Americans who are dependent one yearly tax returns. Here in Houston, we have a state-imposed 8.25% sales tax. When you add Cain’s 9% federal tax, you get a sales tax rate of 17.25%. So while we are being entertained by the right with all of their debates, we have to wonder, what is President Obama doing? You may or may not have noticed, depending on how much time you have spent online lately, that the banner(s) at the bottom of Youtube state “click here to donate to President Obama’s reelection campaign.” The same banner is present on several Android phone apps, including my scientific calculator. On the Fox News web site, you will see the same
banner. When clicked on, the banner will take you to a page run by the Democratic National Committee. There you will find several heart-wrenching stories on how the new Obamacare has helped people get insurance who would not have be able to get insurance otherwise. Fact check, this is a false considering that the plan won’t go into effect until late 2012. President Obama, even though not yet fully engaged in his campaign, has been building a web-fan base. His site also points out how many jobs his stimulus package has created. However, there is no mention of the negative impact of this program, or a disclaimer stating that the statistics on the amount of jobs “created” are currently under congressional investigation for accuracy. So watch the Republican soup, be entertained by it, dissect the debates, but remember that in November 2012, when the rubber meets the road, you will have to be a part and your vote will count. The last election was won by a narrow margin, as was the election before that in 2004. If the Republican nominee is going to be able to beat President Obama, he or she will have to get the Republican base to agree with his or her ideas and motivate them to actually get up and go vote. Can the Republican nominee motivate, convince, and win the votes needed to obtain a place in the office of the presidency? Will President Obama continue to use the internet and social media successfully enough to keep the right from standing any chance? These questions, along with many others, are plaguing Republican and Democratic strategists nationwide as they all prepare for a difficult race.
The Summa
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Television Moms Chelsea Ferramosca Opinion Editor Remember the good old days, when cartoons were the best things to watch, completely scripted and fictional? When TV was our escape from reality, not a glorified projection of it. Too bad, those days are long gone. Now we are trapped in an era of reality TV, where people’s problems become our entertainment. If you want to watch a show about drug addiction, tune into Intervention. Teen pregnancy? We have a choice of 16 & Pregnant, Teen Mom or Secretly Pregnant. Trashy wanna-be Italians (accused by a real Italian)? Jersey Shore. You did know that Snooki is Chilean, right? As an Italian-America, Snooki is just an insult to my people. The point that I am trying to make is that we spend too much of our time watching other people’s lives unfold in our living rooms. Don’t get me wrong, I am just as addicted to these shows as everyone else, but I am starting to think that it is just a bit unhealthy. The numerous shows that can be found on my television include, Intervention, Hoarders, 16 & Pregnant, Beyond Scared Straight, and too many others. However, the shows that really get to me are the ones with “mom” in the title. Growing up with a single mom who sacrificed everything for my sister and I, I am very sensitive when it comes to how a mother treats their child. When they mistreat them on television, I just get angry. The worst of these would probably be Dance Moms. The show revolves around a group of young dancers at
the Abby Lee Dance Studio in Ohio. Although extremely talented, the treatment they receive from dance coach Abby Lee, and their moms, is borderline abusive. The girls are pushed to mental, as well as physical extremes that include late night practices, harsh language and adult drama between their parents. If this isn’t enough, the girl’s faces are placed on a pyramid after every competition, with the best girl on top, and the worst on the bottom. Did I mention these girls range from 5 to 9 years old? Teen Mom is also a show I am not particularly proud to be addicted to. I have a lot of respect for most of the girls on the show, especially those who choose adoption. To make a mature decision at such a young age is television worthy. However, the rest probably shouldn’t be made famous for their actions. More than one of the moms seen on Teen Mom and 16 & Pregnant have had their children taken by social services for reasons that span from abuse to endangerment of a child. This makes me think of the scene out of 16 & Pregnant when the father of twins kicked their mom out of his car, in the rain, then drove off with the passenger door open as she tried to get her kids. I guess the point I am trying to make is that bad actions by a parent should not warrant the reward of being on television. A mother should not involve her children in her problems or drama, whether it is a dance mom or a teen mom. Maybe having a mother that I respect and look up to has made me too harsh of a critic towards other mothers, but I will never treat my children the way television moms seem to.
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The Summa
The Features
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Stand Up and Holler: Castellon makes Lenny his own Katherine Casey Features Editor Nelson Castellon, a sophomore with an interest in nursing, took the position of Lenny the Lion, University of St. Thomas’ mascot. After the recent occupant graduated UST, the position of mascot needed to be filled. There were several candidates, but Castellon’s background with gymnastics and his good manner with children made him stand out from the rest. “I heard about the opportunity and I tried out by showing up and being Lenny at a soccer game,” Castellon said. Castellon said the job of being a mascot is not as easy as people assume. “It is a lot like acting, only words cannot be used and it is not easy to see what you are doing,” he said. Small children do not realize there is a person inside the huge lion suit. “Luckily I know how to approach children without scaring them,” Castellon said. “Having a 4 year old sister gives me experience with handling kids, even if I am
wearing a huge lion suit.” Improving UST’s school spirit is an important goal to Castellon. “I am mostly looking forward to increasing school spirit, with the spirit committee and the cheerleaders giving it their best, I really believe we can make a difference,” he said. Castellon believes it is important for the student body to have a sense of school spirit because it creates more of a community. “Since the University of St. Thomas is such a small school already, we should have better school spirit compared to other schools,” he said. With a background in gymnastics, Castellon believes this year is going to be the start of something great. “I was Gymnastics team captain my senior year in high school,” he said. “I practiced gymnastics for about 4 years and really accomplished a lot. With the high spirit of the cheerleaders and their highly spirited cheers, we will make a great team.” Castellon said he chose to attend UST because of
Photo by Michael Brannon
The New School Spirit Comes With a new Face
UST Sophomore, Nelson Castellon, takes a break from his mascot duties. Castellon has quickly filled his new mascot shoes this semester with ease.
the small community and great academic advancement opportunities. “The staff and people here are so great,” he said. “I cannot wait to work with the cheerleaders.” He plans to graduate with a major in nursing and a minor
in communications. Castellon said that his role as Lenny is helping him improve his communication skills. “I love meeting new people, making them smile,” he said. In addition to being Lenny, Castellon also enjoys
spending time outdoors, playing the guitar, and playing sports. “Growing up I was always surrounded by different sports which has resulted in my love for them,” he said. “I like swimming, running, baseball, football and soccer.”
Four Classic and Offbeat Ideas for Fall Break James Ramos Media Editor If you can look up from your books and notes, remember the glimmer of hope that is Fall Break. Fall Break in itself is somewhat strange thing. You have two days off from school, in the middle of your papers and exams, to do what you want. You can do more homework, if you want to get ahead, or catch back up. Or you can do something else and get out of the city. I advise the latter, but not without suggesting that you do some extra work the few days beforehand so as to lighten the load when you get back to campus Wednesday. Let’s start in Texas. 1) Galveston, TX. With the weather cooling down to the 80s, the beach may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it can be the most convenient! Stop by your favorite grocery store and stock up on drinks, food and maybe some beach toys that might be on clearance. A trip to the shore during the warmer daytime hours can make for an awesome picnic. There won’t be large summer
crowds, or the summer heat, but definitely a relaxing day in the sun and surf. Head down Seawall Boulevard for some classic mini golf at Magic Carpet Golf, or pretend your 10 years old and buy a colorful kite and take to the skies. Grow up a year or two and head to La King’s Confectionery (2323 The Strand) for a retro sugar rush, but keep in mind that it closes at p.m. Sunday - Friday, p.m. on Saturday. While it may not be the bluest waters, or the whitest beaches, it’s the closest thing we have to the Bahamas. And if anything, pick up some Shipleys and coffee, and get down there early in the morning, and welcome the sun as it rises on a new day. 2) Waco, TX. Yes that’s where Baylor is, but it’s also home to the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo. Seeing as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo isn’t until 2012, you can get your boots on and scoot over to Waco to get your rodeo fill. Ride some fair rides, eat some fair (fried) grub and catch some Texas country tunes. With official PRCA ProRodeo events, you can watch folks braver (and probably stronger)
than you are hang on for dear life as the bronco bucks. If you get tired of the horses, head over to the Dr Pepper Museum (300 South 5th Street) and learn more about one of Texas’ most famous exports than Wikipedia could ever teach you. Keep in mind that the Museum closes at 4:15 p.m. Monday - Sunday, with a $7 Admission Fee. $7 isn’t a lot when you can inform your friends about the most obscure details of famed soft drink. 3) Cuero, TX. In keeping with the Texas theme, head to the little town of Cuero, also known as the unofficial “Turkey Capital of the World.” Not only will you find a BBQ CookOff, a Margarita contest, two family movie nights, headlining country stars, the famous Turkeyfest Parade, but the main event, the Great Gobbler Gallop: Two turkeys (Ruby Begonia and Paycheck) literally race each other down Main Street to earn the title of the Fastest Turkey in the World. Who else can say that they saw that race? Usain Bolt, meet Ruby Begonia; Animal Kingdom, meet Paycheck. Thanksgivings Day must be an
awkward time of the year here. Now let’s move out of state to our Eastern neighbor, Louisiana. Just a hop, skip and a jump away, get on I-10 East and jump the Sabine River and get into Cajun territory. 4) Lake Charles, LA. Popular for the casinos that straddle the lake itself, it’s easy to forget that you’re in true French Cajun country and not in the middle of the Nevada desert in glittering Vegas. Skip the poker chips (or if you’re like me, just play the penny/nickel slots), and get some true Acadian culture at the Grand Réveil Acadien, or Great Acadian Awakening for us none French speakers. Hosted by Louisianans for Louisianans and their friends, learn more about this extremely interesting culture through its language, music and history. Go on a Swamp Tour, drink some French coffee, learn a few words, check out the local art vendors, then jump into the crowd when the Cajun dancing begins! This giant festival spreads itself across Cajun territory (New Orleans, Houma, Lafayette and Lake Charles) so take your time, and as they say, Laissez les bons temps rouler!
FALL BREAK RECAP » GAVLESTON, TX 1 hour drive La King’s Confectionery 2323 The Strand 409-762-6100 lakingsconfectionery.com Magic Carpet Golf 9030 Seawall Blvd. 409-740-2000 » WACO, TX 3 1/2 hours drive Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo 254-776-1660 hotfair.com Dr. Pepper Museum 300 South 5th Street 254-757-1025 drpeppermuseum.com » CUERO, TX 2 hrs, 45 mins away Cuero Turkeyfest (361) 275-2112 turkeyfest.org » LAKE CHARLES, LA 3 hours away Great Acadian Awakening gra2011.org
Thursday, October 6, 2011 Rebecca Mechler
The Summa
Festival Season takes over Montrose area
Editor- in-Chief For the next two weekends, Montrose will become a Mediterranean epicenter as it hosts both the Greek and Italian Festivals. With both festivals within easy distance of the St. Thomas campus, it would be difficult to pass up the opportunity for exotic food, music, and shopping, but for those with time and budgetary restraints, here is a quick guide to the highlights. The Original Greek Festival Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral grounds When: Thursday - Sunday, October 6-9; admission: $5 at gate. The four-day Greek Festival has been entertaining Houstonians for the past 45 years. The easy access to homemade Greek souvlaki
Becky Tapia
Features
may draw students over, but more than the food will make them cry “opa!” The cheapest way to visit Greek Fest is on Friday between 11 and 3:00 when admission is free. It’s the perfect time to pick up a gyro or baklava, drop into the shopping stalls, and take a tour of the cathedral. While lunch on Friday is the most cost-effective way, music and dancing does not begin until the evenings, and does require a paid admission. The 33rd Festa Italiana
Location: University of St. Thomas; When: FridaySunday, October 14-16; Admission: Free with a valid UST ID. With its locale literally on campus, Italian Festival is more than a little difficult to miss, especially as students will walk through it on their way to classes on Friday.
Another draw to the festival is its plethora of activities and events. The Campus Life Mall will host the majority of them, but plenty can also be found along the Academic Mall as well. For those with a large appetite, sign up for the Pasta Eating Contest. For those with a smaller appetite but a hunger for cooking, the Taste of Italy pavilion will offer cooking classes all weekend. While the Bocce Tournament is now full, there should still be opportunities to play the ubiquitous game. Other quirky activities include Grape Stomping, puppet shows, the I Madonnari sidewalk art contest, and Tarantella lessons at the Children’s Stage. The Saturday night entertainment has become favorite with students as they dance well into the night to modern Italian music. Much like the Greek
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Photo by James Ramos
A Greek Affair
A Greek Festival worker shaves off some seasoned meat to prepare dozens of gyros that will be served.
Fest, Festa Italiana offers plenty of food and music, dancing and shopping. While it may ultimately come down to which cuisine is preferred, both are truly Houston gems. Students should also take note
that parking around campus may be limited and streets may be blocked off as the festivals approach. They should also have their student IDs on them as the Italian Festival will have gates and fences on campus.
Loud or Quiet?: The Top Study Spots On-Campus
Staff Writer The UST campus is beautiful and has many places for students to spend their free time studying, reading, or just relaxing and watching passersby. Here are some of the best study spots on campus, designated as such for their convenience, quietness, or appearance. If you are looking for a quiet spot to study, the Library is an excellent place to start. Composed of three stories, each with convenient locations to study and access to reference materials and the internet, the library is a quiet, easily accessible asset to the university campus. On the second floor, there are private study rooms that have their own sliding glass doors. Each has a table with ample room to spread out your books or open up your laptop, and several outlets to plug in any devices you may need. The rooms also provide a lamp over the desk. The second floor also has several designated study areas, one of which overlooks the first floor. Each of these spaces has abundant seating for group studying and plenty of room to spread out. On the first floor, there is a large area designated for internet access and several couches and outlets for group studying. In case you need a less bustling environment in which to concentrate, there are two rooms set aside for quiet study.
The Labyrinth
Crooker Patio The Lounge
Doherty Library Photos by Michael Brannon
In the basement, there are several areas dedicated to both group and private studying, with couches, tables, desks, lamps, and outlets. The Computer Lab is solely for UST students and has room for several people to sit together in a group. Not far from the Library is the Student Lounge. In the morning, there are pastries and coffee for sale. The Lounge has
plenty of room for studying, with small areas with individual tables to large couches and desks for bigger groups. The patio outside the lounge is a pleasant place to both study and people-watch. Located in the heart of campus, it is the center of UST activity and a comfortable place to relax. The most visually pleasing place to study is the courtyard
of the Campus Life Mall. There are plenty of tables in front of Crooker, in front of the Lounge, and in various other spots around the Mall. There are no outlets since all the areas are located outdoors, but they all offer spectacular views of both campus and student life. Another beautiful place for studying and quiet contemplation is the Chapel Garden Labyrinth.
This is one of the most appealing spots on campus. It has a beautifully structured maze that is surrounded by carefully planted roses. It also offers a stunning view of the Chapel of St. Basil, and the church bells with which all UST students have become familiar. Now that you have an idea of where to go on campus to study, it’s time to hit the books!
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The Entertainment
The Summa
Thursday, October 6, 2011
J. Cole makes a stop in Houston during his Cole World: World Tour Sarah Oyarce
Staff Writer If you aren’t a fan of rap and hip-hop, chances are, you haven’t heard of its new upand-coming star, Jermaine Lamarr Cole, or in other words, J. Cole. As customary in the rap game, J. Cole first came out with a mixtape in 2007 entitled The Come Up, and after that, caught the attention of rapper/music mogul Jay-Z, who signed him to his new record label, Roc Nation. Since The Come Up, Cole has released two more mixtapes (one of which was Friday Night Lights, the tape that gave him more exposure and more appeal to mainstream rap fans), and now that he has the attention of the rap community, J. Cole has released his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story and is currently on a world tour in hopes of sharing his story
with the “masses,” as he has stated in many interviews. On September 14, 2011, J. Cole came to Warehouse Live on the Houston stop of his Cole World: World Tour, and though the venue was small and over cramped, J. Cole really showed why he should be taken seriously as rap’s next big superstar. Upon first arriving at Warehouse Live, at around 5:30 p.m. for the 8 o’clock show, (the earlier you get to the venue, the closer you are to the stage) the line was wrapped around one side of the building, and as the doors came closer to opening, the more the line grew. Even though rap fans might sometimes be stereotyped as young, African American males, the line was filled with men and women of all ethnicities awaiting the performance of one of their favorite artists. When the doors finally
opened, at 8:30 P.M., fans rushed in to get the closest spot near the stage, in hopes of getting the best view, and waited through an opening act and two DJ’s, (which made it feel more like a club than a concert), until the ever so punctual time of 11:00 P.M. when J. Cole finally took the stage. Cole opened with his verse on “Looking for Trouble” with only a DJ and keyboard assisting him, which ended up being some of the only instruments he used though the night (which was kind of disappointing since he used many instruments like guitars, drums and even violins on the album, but after all, it is a rap show). J. Cole started off by playing songs off his mixtapes, primarily Friday Night Lights, but about half way through the show, Cole began playing songs off his highly anticipated debut album that dropped
on September 27, as J. Cole repeatedly said throughout the night. During the new songs, fans shifted their focus to listening to the lyrics instead of reciting them (since the album hadn’t leaked yet, it was impossible to sing along). At one point in the show, J. Cole surprised his fans by jumping on the keyboard, showing his other talents besides rapping and played the intro to the song “Lights Please” which turned into a rendition of the Drakeassisted “In the Morning.” However, the surprises were not over for the night because during Cole’s performance of “Can’t Get Enough,” Houston based rappers ‘Bun B’ and ‘Trae tha Truth’ came out on stage to support and ‘Bun B also performed the Houston anthem “Get Throwed.” J. Cole thus ended the night by saying “farewell” to his Houston fans, “throwing
up the roc” (Roc Nation’s signature hand symbol), and quickly reminding the people of his September 27 release date, again. Despite the aroma of cigarette smoke and other questionable substances and the overcrowding, J. Cole put on a really fantastic show. His beats would have had your head banging and his charisma on stage, while performing his songs, would have made you want to rap along, and to think this man shouldn’t even be standing up much less performing an hour and a half show due to the fact that he sprained his ankle quite badly during a late night game of basketball. You couldn’t even tell that he was in any sort of pain throughout the night. With this being said, J. Cole is definitely a good performer and definitely someone to look out for on the music scene; he is really about to “Blow Up.”
Out and About: Houston in October
October 6: Buckethead will be performing at the House of Blues October 7: Candlebox will be playing at Warehouse Live October 9: Never Shout Never plays at the House of Blues October 10: Death Cab for Cutie will be at Verizon Wireless Theater October 11: Dolly Parton is scheduled to perform at Verizon Wireless October 11: Plain White T’s are going to be playing at House of Blues October 12: Airborn Toxic Event will be at Warehouse Live October 12: Enrique Iglesias plays at the Toyota Center
Photo Courtesy Andrew Huff
October 13: Polly Shore will perform at The Improv October 15: Judas Priest will be playing at the Woodlands Pavillion October 16: Chris Brown is scheduled to perform at the Woodlands Pavillion October 19: Ryan Cabrera is playing at Scout Bar October 21: Jack’s Mannequin will be at the House of Blues October 21: Manchester Orchestra plays at Warehouse Live October 22: KTBZ Buzzfest will be taking place at the Woodlands Pavillion October 23: Colbie Caillat is performing at the House of Blues October 24: Minus the Bear will be at Warehouse Live October 27: Ghostland Observatory is scheduled to play at Warehouse Live October 28: Bassnectar will be playing at Verizon Wireless Theater October 29: Gavin DeGraw plays at the Arena Theater October 31: Beirut will be playing at Warehouse Live
Photo Courtesy ‘bucketseed’
Compiled By Katie Thomson
Entertainment
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Summa
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Bone Dressing: a local dark romance for young adult readers Jihane Rodriguez Staff Writer Reading for pleasure is something that we students should embrace. Yes, we read tons of material every day throughout the semesters, but do any of us read for pleasure and entertainment? Well if you do, I have something just for you: I have found another fabulous author on twitter, Michelle Brooks, and her book Bone Dressing. After reading her novel, I actually had the chance to sit down and get to know her for a bit. “I am in fact a native Houstonian,” said Brooks. “I’m a native Montrosian, born in a tiny apartment in the middle of the night behind what once was the Alabama Theater.” This is what I call coincidence as when I started both reading the book and the interview I had no idea she was a local, not only that but Michelle also went to our very own University Of St. Thomas. “I took my SAT and began my new life and my college career at none other than the University of St. Thomas, a year ahead of my classmates, who were still
happily roaming the halls of Lamar, Bellaire, and HSPVA,” she said. Brooks described her book in three words: “dark, paranormal, romance” –the three perfect ways to put exactly what you’ll get with Bone Dressing. Bone Dressing is dark in nature, sarcastic in essence, and intriguing in spirit. It contains the main elements of a Young Adult book: the troubled girl, the dashing hot (and perhaps supernatural) guy, the high school environment with its ups and downs, and a few mysteries along the way. Forget about vampires and werewolves, Bone Dressing goes far deeper than that. “Leaving everything she knows, Syd puts her life on the line, sailing from the shores of sanity through the rocky waters of the unknown.” Brooks said on her blog about the novel. Bone Dressing is a rollercoaster thriller based on morality of right and wrong. What we do in our past lives comes to hunt us all, eventually it catches up. Its dialogues are incredibly well written, which make you get “inside” the story, but not necessarily understand its characters; you get to savor
Photo Courtesy Michelle Brooks
the main character’s inner anger. The characters have attitude and are deeply thought through. Brooks explained that “Syd is by far the most like me” -a not-so-common Damsel in distress. Syd, who is the protagonist in the book, has a sarcastic attitude and can be crude and rude at times, however, you can’t help but to feel sorry for her. “Bone Dressing,” Brooks explained, “is Syd’s journey inside herself, to find herself,
love herself, save herself.” The plot is filled with interesting twists that keep you on your toes, and although it’s bitter sweet, it leaves you with a rather nice aftertaste. I do warn you, this book is not for the faint hearted. I recommend Bone Dressing for those seeking their inner darker side, those who believe in past lives, and of course for those who like Young Adult novels. (Its not a genre reserved for young adults, you
know). Bone Dressing is the first of the seven book series, so do expect to read much more about Syd in the coming months as her journey across time frees her from her innermost demons. The Dreaming is scheduled for publication in early December. Bone Dressing is available for download from Smashwords, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
Demi Lovato tells listeners “it gets better” in new album Unbroken Abigail Nava
Staff Writer Greetings Demi Lovato fans! If you’re like me, I am sure you have already heard of the new Unbroken album. After the great whoosh of rain, the sun finally came out. Not just any sun, but a brightly wholehearted shine: a light that shows Demi’s feelings of hope, confidence, love, and happiness. Lovato recently had to cancel a tour due to her struggle with an eating disorder; however, after seeking help, she has been working towards her rejuvenated comeback. After rehab, she has become a new “Demi”: she is more confident than ever and this album proves it. Hearing her songs is like hearing upbeat words that help boost the listener’s confidence to say, “call me fat or ugly I don’t care because I am unbreakable.” The album’s name Unbroken refers to the title of one of her most heard tracks. This song describes how she feels after going through her battle, which she chose to share because there are many others going through the same conflict as she was. She wants
Photo Courtesy Endless Summer
to share what has happened to her and to convey that she’s ready to move on and sings so, “I’m gonna love you like I’ve never been broken.” This song reflects her feelings of being at an all-time low, “I’m gonna fall like I don’t need saving.” Another great song in her album is “Skyscraper” because
it gives strength to those who have to overcome hardships; however, it also transmits more to the sentiments that the September 11 attacks left behind considering that it was no coincidence that this album was released in September. However, this album is not only about feeling strength: it also recaps about how we feel
towards distressing situations. The song, “For the Love of a Daughter,” explains the sentiments of a child who was unloved by her own father. It is a common scenario, in which Demi tries to convey that she also understands the feeling of neglect. This album’s main goal is confidence. In her album,
Demi expresses that without confidence, life is insignificant because if we do not believe in ourselves, who is going to believe in us? This is why I recommend this album; it shows true words from an individual who just experienced the real meaning of confidence.
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The Summa
Entertainment
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Blood and Sand actor Andy Whitfield passes away from cancer Douglas Tobar Staff Writer “The Champion of Capua” has fought his last battle. This past September 11, 39-year-old British actor, Andy Whitfield, passed away after struggling with NonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Before Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Whitfield was relatively unknown outside the minor roles he played in on Austrailian television. His name gained attention after taking the role as the titular “Spartacus,” where he portrays the Thracian gladiator who led a slave revolt against the Roman ruling class (also known as the Third Servile War). On March 2010, after a
routine check-up, Whitfield was diagnosed with NonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Production for the second season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand was halted so Whitfield could receive treatment. This time was used to produce a prequel named “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena”. Two months after Whitfield began his treatment, he was announced cancer free; however, by the end of the year, the disease reformed and he ultimately had to set aside his acting career permanently. It was only after eighteen months from his initial cancer diagnosis that he was over taken by the disease. His role was given to Australian actor, Liam McIntyre. “Andy’s
such a wonderful actor. I don’t want to follow that guy, and everybody hurts that he’s had to give up the role, myself included,” said Chris Albrecht, president of the Starz channel.“The man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life. Mr. Whitfield faced cancer with courage, strength and grace,” he said. Co-star Lucy Lawless stated in her blog that, “(Whitfield) was a gentle man who never said a bad word about anyone, a gifted photographer, engineer (no really!) and a brilliant actor. How lucky we were to have him grace all our lives. Godspeed, Andy!” He leaves his wife, two children, and a sister.
Photo Courtesy awrepublic
Crossword Corner October Puzzle: “MacArthur’s Challenge” Across 2. Sound 5. State of being 6. _____ resort 10. Not he 12. Don’t die, but _____ 13. The study of speech 15. “_____ and haw” 16. Venomous snakes 18. Type of island 20. Stone (syn.) 24. Whiny Homeric warrior 26. “Recitation” (trans.) 27. Sound of surprise 28. Negation 29. _____ orangutan 31. Sharp (syn.) 33. Chases windmills 36. Average (syn.) 37. Affirmative (Español) 38. A Sister 40. Number (abbr.) 42. Annum (abbr.) 43. Saint from Horta 46. 144,000 (term) 48. Street (abbr.) 49. Assured (syn.) 51. Gimli’s father 53. “Pronounced F” 54. Sources of art 55. Not she 57. A muscle 59. Birth of an idea 63. Santa _____ 65. Simpleton (syn.) 67. Complements either 68. Anger (syn.) 70. Mother (slang) 71. Ancestry 72. Not loose 73. Type of ray 74. Bromine (symbol) 75. Before two 76. “_____ and Reason” 77. Lost (syn.) 78. Adam’s partner Down 1. Being saved 2. Game of Kings
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3. Flying saucer (abbr.) 4. Post-Wednesday author 5. _____ point 7. Canaanite goddess 8. Jewel (syn.) 9. _____ shell 11. The Greeks 14. The Law (Hebrew) 17. Oblong fruit 19. Local area network (abbr.) 21. Shorter citrus county
77 22. Kith and _____ 23. Smart, “Dumb Ox” 25. Genesis: “Image and _____” 27. Preposition 29. Electrical current (abbr.) 30. Sweet pastries 32. Nothing (syn.) 34. Chinese flute 35. _____ Festival 39. Hail (Latin)
41. No “Less” than a Saint 44. Old Testament (abbr.) 45. Smelt this… 46. Food (slang) 47. Hooded garment 50. Game: Mass _____ 52. Representative (abbr.) 54. To harm 55. Not villains 56. Not prose 58. Coat liner
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The Sports & Clubs
The Summa
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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Ultimate Frisbee club chases fun Women’s Basketball prepares for freshman season Chris Michels Staff Writer
Field of Frisbees
Photo by Michael Brannon
A member of the Ultimate Frisbee clubs jumps in the air to make a catch on the Campus Life Mall.
Rebecca Mechler Editor-in-Chief Be careful walking across the Campus Life Mall for a wayward frisbee as the Ultimate Frisbee Club hones their skills. The club has played on the field before officially joining SCA, and becoming a well-known sight for students. “The Frisbee club is really the Ultimate Frisbee Club, there is a difference because we only play Ultimate Frisbee as opposed to Disc golf and Ultimate Frisbee or any other Frisbee activity,” said President Andrew Hite. The club provides a way for students to get physical activity and meet other students as well as locals. “It is also an easy way to meet people from all over Houston because students from Rice and UH partake in our weekly games and we have had people as far away as Humble play,” said Hite. The club meets Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday evenings until the sun goes down. All students are welcome to join in. “I play frisbee because I like the work out, I like the strategy, I like the competition,” said Sophomore Greg Heerensperger. “It’s a great combination of all the different things that I need in my weekly life to let off the stress and get in the physical
activity that I need.” Many of the players are students, but others join in the games as well. “Actually ... [we] used to play Frisbee over on the other side of Westheimer, and we kept getting chased off the field by a soccer kids that would get there before us. Instead, we found this field and we started playing and St. Thomas kids showed up and we kind of consolidated groups,” local Kris Nowotny said. While the club currently just plays scrimmages, they do hope to add more to their repertoire. “As of right now the only true tournament we have is the Ultimate Frisbee Intramural tournament, but we are looking for other city and statewide tournaments to join,” said Hite. “In the past we have played against Houston Baptist and I plan on organizing more games against them in the coming semesters.” As a sports club, the competition may be fierce, but it is also friendly. “The most important thing frisbee offers is a fun, easy way to exercise and compete in a friendly environment. We encourage new people to join and if they have never thrown a frisbee,” said Hite. “We can teach them the basic techniques and rules to Ultimate in less than an hour.”
The Women’s Basketball team has been practicing drills, plays, and developing team cohesion in preparation for the upcoming season. During practice the direction from the coaching staff was strategy, timing, and using raw emotions as the teams key to a winning first season. The Lady Celts practice was focused on developing team cohesion and being able to read, or feel what the other players are doing and then instantaneously adjusting offensive or defensive strategy to win. Head Coach Michael Ricks has focused his practices on teaching plays and running scenarios, these drills that are designed to build team cohesion. “It’s a new adventure, everything is fresh, we have been establishing the ground work at practice. Everyone on the team is going to fight for every point; our competitiveness will push us to win,” said Analyse Nemmer. Ricks’ successes at the high school level has prepared him in many ways. “A lot of our girls played for teams that were playoff teams,” said Ricks. “A couple of our girls
Photo by Rebecca Mechler
Let’s go Team
With their first game just weeks away, the Women’s Basketball team is hard at work building team unity and the skills needed to achieve their ambitious goals.
played for teams that only lost two games the entire season, and they had to play against great competition every time that they stepped out on to floor and they are used to winning,” said Ricks. “Now that doesn’t always translate to or create an atmosphere where we expect too, as opposed to kids who have come from a different type of program, it creates a mindset that they know what it’s like to win and how to avoid the loss,” Ricks said. The 16-member Lady Celts will face their first opponent on October 26 in
a closed scrimmage against San Jacinto College. The scrimmage will be streamed online; however, Ricks doesn’t want this scrimmage to detract from the season opener. This scrimmage will reflect the team’s ability to win and allow Ricks to make those final tweaks to the cohesive unity before the first season game. The season opening game will be against Loyola University on Saturday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m. in the Jerabeck Athletic Center. Be sure to check the UST athletic web page for updates on all the season opening festivities.
Upcoming Events Thursday, Oct. 6 Pig Roast Crooker Patio 11:00 AM
Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 10-11 Mid-semester Break
Thursday, Oct. 13
Trio Napolincanto Concert Jones Hall 6:30 PM Men’s Soccer vs. University of the Southwest Houston Amateur Sports Park 7:00 PM
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 14-16 Festa Italiana
Friday, Oct. 14
2011 U-6 Forum Ahern, Crooker Center All Day
Saturday, Oct. 15
Men’s Soccer vs. Texas Wesleyan Houston Amateur Sports Park 6:00 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 18
Intramural Flag Football Tournament Hackett Athletic Field 7:00 PM
Lady Celts vs. Huston-Tillotson Jerabeck Caring for the Cognitively Disabled: The Gym Moral Obligation of Catholics 7:00 PM Scanlan 7:30 PM SAB Costume Bowling Palace Lanes 2011 Young Institute Lecture Scanlan 7:15 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 19 SGA Town Hall Meeting Old Bookstore 6:45 PM
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Thursday, September 22, 2011
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