The Cameron University Collegian: April 15, 2013

Collegian T he Cameron University

Monday, April 15, 2013

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Volume 88 Issue 8

Lawtonians build Box City at CU Dianne Riddles

all – I had muscle spasms in places that I didn’t even know Crossroads Editor I had muscles, and when I A homelessness awareness woke up that morning, I didn’t event was held in Lawton on have a comb for my hair or a Friday and Saturday, April toothbrush to brush my teeth,” 5-6, on the land adjacent to she said. “Then I just happened Cameron’s McCord Field. to see my reflection in a Family Promise of Lawton, window and I thought about Inc. (FPOL) hosted this event, how when we see a homeless the First Annual Box City. person like that, then we want According to FPOL to start judging them and we Executive Director Edwina shouldn’t because they haven’t Reddick, FPOL is an affiliate had the creature comforts of Photo by Aaron Gill of the National Family the night.”

Promise organization whose Reddick said that she hopes mission is to assist homeless everyone benefitted from the children and their families to experience and came away achieve and sustain economic from Box City with a different and lasting self-sufficiency. outlook on homelessness.

“Box City is a national “I think about people who initiative but we will be picking are out there and homeless it up and we will be doing it for whatever reason and then annually,” she said. “We are I think about those of us who very pleased with the success are not homeless and how we of Box City and we are pleased don’t ever ask that homeless with the attendance as well as person what happened and with the money we raised, even how they got there, and then though, right now, we don’t if we do ask, we do it from a know exactly how much that judgmental standpoint,” she is – minus the expenses.” said. “Box City has given me a Reddick said the Salvation whole new outlook on my job Army provided the canteen to here.” serve food and drinks to the “Homelessness is a state crowd.

– it does not define the Kelly Dominick and John person – it is the state that the Edmondson, residents of person is in at the time, but Photos by Dianne Riddles the Salvation Army Shelter, it does not define who that volunteered their time to individual is,” she said. “I want cook and serve 30 gallons of family promise to become a soup, bottled water and coffee community name that families to those participating in the know and trust that they can event. come here and be treated “We help the homeless on a with dignity and be given daily basis,” Dominick said. the respect that I feel they Reddick said that the deserve.”

Box City event was a major Reddick said that she hopes learning experience for many.

Box City left an impression on “One of the things that we people. learned in the process of doing “I hope that the Box City Box City is that, right now, experience made people Lawton Public Schools has want to volunteer, want to over 400 children registered as actively get involved, and homeless,” she said. “And they want to be a part of the have come up with a way of solution rather than just tracking the siblings of those sitting back and talking about children that are either not in Raising awareness: (Top) Citizens set up cardboard boxes to sleep in overnight in an effort to raise homelessness it – and it doesn’t just have school because they’re not old awareness. They built the box city north of the Cameron baseball fields. (Middle left) Kelly Dominick, resident of to be with Family Promise,” enough or because they have the Salvation Army, prepares soup for the participants of the event. The soup was made up of ground sausage, diced she said. “C. Carter Crane dropped out of school.” tomatoes, rice, carrots, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes sauce and seasonings. (Middle right) Lawtonians create their operates on volunteerism, the According to Reddick, individual shelters using ducktape, markers, paints and crafty supplies. Many of the boxes contained sleeping bags and Salvation Army operates on some people came from volunteerism, New Directions toiletries for the participants. (Bottom) Great Plains Compassion Cooperative volunteers, Amanda Gould (left) and outside Lawton to be a part of shelter, J. Roy Dunning – Melissa Long (right) make the finishing touches to the GPCC shark box. The Box City event took place April 5-6. the event. everybody can use volunteers “We had a group come – be it a hands on volunteer Reddick said that this, but they were excited slept in their cars, even though about how homeless people to Box City all the way from where they are actually in that although many were anxious because of what they felt that we think that it’s easy to sleep live.”

Fredrick and we had a lady to participate in the event, they were going to gain from in a car – and we do have a lot Reddick said she had a box particular place and doing drive all the way from DeSoto, they did not realize how it – just by experiencing that of homeless families sleeping of her own to sleep in and that something or be it on the Texas – she heard about Box uncomfortable they would be. overnight stay out there,” she in their cars – it was not a she was sore and achy the next board making the decisions for City, registered and came to the place or whatever – just get “We noticed that people said. “The next morning, a few good experience for them and morning. participate,” she said. involved.” were excited to be a part of people, especially the ones who it really changed their thinking “It was not comfortable at

Aggies celebrate Senior Week Tyler Boydston

someone sitting in their office across town that did phone interviews and even did some skype interviews as well to Asst. Managing Editor give students real world, practical experience and to get Cameron University seniors were treated to events feedback from individuals that make those hiring decisions throughout the first week of April as a part of CU’s Senior day in and day out,” McGrail said.

Week.

The office of Alumni Relations is also still currently The week began with a resume review at 11 a.m. on working on the class of 2013 gift campaign, which had a Monday, April 1, in the MCC. Another resume review table set up in the MCC throughout Senior Week. The gift would take place on Friday for those who were not able to campaign is a way for the students to give back and donate go to attend the first review. to CU. Director of Alumni Relations Jennifer McGrail said “The class gift campaign is managed by our Office of the event helped current seniors prepare for careers postDevelopment, which is a part of the Cameron University college. Another event within the week preparee them for foundation,” McGrail said. “Each year the class gets to the job interviews, as well. select what they would like to make their contribution “The office of Career Services brought in their staff and back to. This year the class of 2013, with our development Photo by Kali Robinson different volunteers that they had to take students’ resumes director Athena Jarvis, has selected Veteran’s Grove. Any and sit down and work with them and make sure they were Work and play: Jacob Gelnar, Junior Aggie donation made to that class campaign will go back to help appropriate for the next step in life,” McGrail said. “A lot with the construction and completion of that project. “ Ambassador, and Taylor Thompson, Coordinator of of time what we have found is students will come in and, On April 4, the Senior Send-off reception took place Diversity Affairs, give Senior Lance Latiolais tips on his in their freshman or sophomore year, as a part of one of resume. Latiolais, an English major from Ohio State, said in the MCC Ballroom and acted as a networking tool for their writing courses they will have to do a resume. That the seniors, connecting them to different members of the that he has had a better experience at Cameron with a resume and what they’ll need in college are different from community. lower student-to-teacher ratio and accessible professors. what they’ll need in the real world. This is an opportunity McGrail said she was excited for the CU seniors to meet to take that resume and have someone with expertise sit leaders of the community. interviews in a wide variety of formats.” down and help them with the wording and how to change According to McGrail, the interview round-up, which the format up a bit, and one of the more exciting things we took place at 11 a.m. on April 3, presented different types did in connection with that is the office of Career Services of interviews for the students to participate in. also put on an interview round-up where they had different “There was a group that did panel interviews, an individuals from the community come out and do mock individual that did one-on-one interviews, there was

See SENIOR WEEK Page 3

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April 15, 2013

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Senator Tom Coburn visits CU Sarah Brewer Copy Editor

Oklahomans voiced their concerns to U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) when he held a town hall meeting on the morning of April 2 at the McCasland Foundation Ballroom.

Following a brief introduction, Senator Coburn opened the floor to constituents for an hour.

Questions about the economy, education budget cuts, immigration reform and gun control legislation remained at the forefront of the discussion.

Local educator Ruby Peters asked Senator Coburn if he would oppose further budget cuts to education. Senator Coburn answered that the federal government should not have a say in education at all.

He blamed the bureaucratic administration of education in Washington, D.C., for the current lack of funding for education.

“If we didn’t have to fill out all this paperwork and do all this work and do all these things and follow all these mandates, then we would have plenty of money for education,” he said. “The other problem is education decisions made in Washington are not being made by teachers that care about kids — they’re made about bureaucrats that have never taught, and the real

Photo by Sarah Brewer

Economic discussion: Senator Tom Coburn speaks on the CU campus, allowing questions from the public. The event took place on April 2nd in the MCC Ballroom. control on education ought to be in Lawton, Oklahoma, where the parents, teachers and administrators make the decisions that are in the best interests of the children — not in the best interests of the politicians.”

When questions of immigration reform into the discussion, Senator Coburn acknowledged the need to keep skilled workers in the United States.

“What we ought to do is have a common-sense policy that says if somebody has a skill that we’re lacking in our country, than we ought to figure out how we develop a career path toward developing more natural-born citizens with that skill, and we ought to encourage those people to immigrate and stay here and become an American and take advantage of the greatest country in the world.”

One man asked Senator Coburn if he would oppose Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and his motion to mandate universal background check for all gun sales that he proposes in his Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 (S. 649) and support a filibuster led by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).

Senator Coburn explained that it would be difficult to take a stance without knowing

what the bill will include. He said he was most concerned with overhauling provisions that allow citizens to sell weapons to felons and people with severe mental issues.

“If I want to sell a gun, I really would like to know that I’m not selling it to a schizophrenic or I’m not selling it to a felon,” he said, “and if I can do that without infringing my Second Amendment right or the Tenth Amendment right of Oklahoma to do something different if it wants to, then I think we ought to do that and show that we’re not only good citizens when it comes to the Second Amendment, but we’re good citizens when it comes to doing something common sense that might prevent someone from getting killed or hurt.”

Another constituent asked Senator Coburn to imagine if he was former Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) when a gunman shot her at a public meeting in 2011. The man went on to insert Senator Coburn into the 2012 Aurora Colorado Theater Massacre and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and asked Senator Coburn if he would feel the same about universal background checks, regulations and gun sales.

The Oklahoma Republican confirmed that he would take the same position on gun

control legislation.

With sequestrationinduced furloughs looming closer, one woman articulated her exasperation with the House and the Senate placing blame on the other chamber and its inability to reach a decision about the federal budget. She asked Senator Coburn how the furloughs would personally affect him while her husband loses pay during a 14-day period.

“There’s not much right with Washington,” he said.

“But let me make a point to you: this country is not going to get out of trouble without everyone one of doing some suffering. And if you think there’s going to be any protected class and I survive, you’re wrong,” Senator Coburn said.

Despite facing difficult and controversial issues, Senator Coburn expressed his confidence in resolving them with effective governance.

“I don’t think there’s a problem in America that we can’t solve,” he said. “We have some big problems. They’re difficult, they’re tough, and they require a lot of sacrifice from everybody, but what is lacking in leadership — courageous, moral leadership that is not afraid to confront real problems and not afraid of tough solutions that may be painful now but will make us healthy in the long run.”

Speaker series continues with FBI Agent Alex Rosa-Figueroa

“We want to be able to predict what will happen,” he said, “so that we can prevent these from occurring.”

Staff Writer Finch also spoke on the Joint-Terrorism Task Forces. These task forces are small cells of cooperating FBI agents and local law Students gathered for the last installment of the Department enforcers working to seek out and prevent terrorism. The task of Criminal Justice and Sociology’s Speakers Series. forces internally shares intelligence, seeks out leads and provides At 11 a.m. on April 8, James E. Finch, Special Agent in security for special events in the name of preventative measure. charge of the Oklahoma City Division of the FBI, spoke to Finch said that there are two main task forces in Oklahoma, Criminal Justice students and attendees in the Center for one of which being his own in Oklahoma City. The FBI also has Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES) Conference Center as a part of the department’s Speaker Series. a number of satellite offices in the state, and the bureau covers 77 Finch was the last of the series, and spoke on working in the FBI. counties in Oklahoma.

“We have the state pretty well covered,” he said.

The lecture began with a word from Dr. Odo, professor and Finch’s discussion also focused on his own role and the chair of the department. Dr. Odo introduced Finch, and once technological advances the world — and in kind the FBI — has the special agent in charge began speaking, he handed out fliers made. and information packets that Finch had brought to the event.

“Prior to coming here, I was the director of the cyber Finch began his lecture, speaking on the FBI both nationally division,” he said. “It was a role I was drafted for due to my and with regard to Oklahoma specifically. He explained the technological background.” multi-tiered goals of the bureau, which were mainly concerned Finch explained that the growing role of the Internet in the in the prevention of invasions, cyber-attacks, internal corruption modern world has called for re-evaluation of the nature of a and white collar crimes. According to Finch, though, these terrorist attack, as threats can come wirelessly now. goals — though important — fall secondary to the FBI’s main “The internet, as much as I love it, is a double edged sword,” objective.

“Our primary mission is to prevent another terrorist attack,” he said.

Finch also said the FBI is prepared, though, as the United he said.

States is quite experienced in the realm of the Internet.

Finch explained that since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, “We are much more advanced when it comes to cyber-attacks the FBI had restructured itself to fit a new primary goal — a than other countries,” he said. necessary reformation.

Finch then discussed the multiple opportunities in the FBI, “After all, the FBI had to change, and we have gone under a with roles such as special agents, support teams and intelligence radical change,” he said.

One of these changes, Finch explained, was the establishment analysts. He spoke on the positives of such a large and varied organization, and the benefits the FBI provides that other, more of the Directorate of Intelligence, a workforce that deals with single-focus groups do not. both human and electronic intelligence to work at preventative “There are other agencies out there — none as large; none as measures for terrorism or terrorist attacks. diverse,” he said. “In the FBI, if you don’t like white collar, you

can work drugs; if you don’t like drugs, you can work cyber.”

Finch, with his lecture, let students and attendees know what prospective applicants can look forward to in the FBI if they put forth the effort to join.

“We have very interesting work in the FBI — but you have to get there,” he said.

Photo by Alex Rosa-Figueroa

Special agent Finch: FBI Agent James E. Finch speaks as a part of the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology’s Speaker Series. The event took place on April 8 at the CETES Conference Center.

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April 15, 2013

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CU Succeed teaches business etiquette Kaylee Jones

fill the void, presenting a 30-minute lecture advising A&E Editor students how best to act in Complications arose as the work environment. the CU Succeed workshop “We [Career Service] presented its thirteenth wanted to do a business lecture of the Spring 2013 etiquette 101 workshop to semester entitled “Business give students some practical Etiquette 101.” However, knowledge of not only how Taylor Thompson, to handle themselves to get Cameron’s Coordinator a job, but how to handle of Diversity Affairs, made themselves after a job,” Best the call that ensured explained. refreshments would be She expressed the available for the workshop. relevance of the workshop After a brief visit from for students, continuing: Daniel Ghrayyeb, General “I think etiquette is very Manager of Sodexo, cookies important in the business were stocked, soda was world. It really doesn’t chilled, and the lecture matter what your skill set could begin. is, if you can’t work with The workshop, scheduled people and people don’t to begin at 11 a.m., was held want to work with you, in the Centennial Room in you’re probably not going to North Shepler tower. The have a job.” scheduled speaker, Wendy The atmosphere Locke, Cameron’s Employer became more casual as the Relations Coordinator, realization dawned that the was not able to attend due turnout for the workshop to recent orders from her would be a total of one doctor to stay on bed rest student. until she has her baby.

Best popped a can of Angie Best, Career Dr. Pepper and began, Services Coordinator at highlighting the importance Cameron, stepped in to of making a good first

Best closed, asking for questions, as Thompson handed out a survey inquiring on the effectiveness of the CU Succeed Workshop series.

The survey included topic suggestions, which Thompson explained are key in developing the criteria for the future workshops.

“We definitely want to provide workshops that our students are going to think are beneficial for them.

They can always contact our office to propose different topics, or even if they have a professor or someone in the community that they know speaks really well on Photo by Kaylee Jones a specific topic,” Thompson said. “They can give us that Business proper: Career Services Coordinator Angie Best gives a lecture on how person’s information and we to behave at work. The event took place on April 9 in the Centennial Room of Shepler. can contact them.”

For students interested impression, practicing of your relationship with educating the group on the appropriate communication whoever that person is concept of “prairie dogging.” in learning more, the Department of Career and limiting cell phone professionally.”

In other words, “prairie usage in the work place.

After cautioning against dogging” is when coworkers Services is located in Suite 225 in the School “You only get one the all-too-well-known in a cubicle populated chance to make a first “reply all” error committed workplace stick their heads of Business. Walk-ins are welcome, but students can impression, “Best said,” and too often in the workplace, over the wall too often, call or email to set up an if you don’t do that well, Best incorporated humor invading the space of those appointment for assistance. it’s going to affect the rest into the presentation, around them.

Health fair presented at CETES Sarah Brewer Copy Editor

The Western Oklahoma State College nursing program held a health fair to provide information for improving head-to-toe wellness.

Local vendors and businesses joined students on the afternoon of April 4 in the Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES) to share information and encourage the community to adopt healthier habits.

The event was the collaborative effort of the graduating class, according to student Stephanie Jones.

She said the students wanted to have the health fair at CU because the students wanted to reach as many people as possible.

“We decided that Cameron University would

be best because it had a wide range of ages,” Jones said.

“Our goal is to educate the community and promote healthy lifestyles and preventative measures people can take to stay healthy.”

The Oklahoma Blood Institute, the Christian Family Counseling Center, Marie Detty Youth & Family Services, the Lawton Food Center the Southwestern Medical Center and the CU Wellness and Career Services were some of the vendors that were present during the health fair. Ken’s Pharmacy, Sheridan Express Pharmacy, John Roundtree, M.D. and Jaroslaw Paszkowiak, M.D also sponsored the event.

Jones said the students and vendors had the same objective in mind for the health fair.

“We have several different topics that we are covering, and we just want to let people know that there are resources

here in Lawton and in the surrounding communities to support their efforts to get healthy.”

To meet this goal, the WOSC students offered nutrition and fitness advice, mental health counseling services, pregnancy sources, presented statistics regarding drugs use and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Comanche County and surrounding areas.

“Each group reported risk factors of certain diseases or conditions and ways to prevent those things, and we have screening tools and we are doing blood pressure checks and glucose checks,” Jones said.

In addition to these booths, Jenna Frederick — another WOSC senior — wore a pair of sunglasses she has covered in petroleum jelly while riding a child’s tricycle through a line of traffic cones

to illustrate what driving under the influence of alcohol looks like.

“It was hard,” she said after the demonstration. “I really couldn’t see what was going on. I could see the floor from the orange cones, but that was it. I couldn’t maneuver between the cones and the handle bars were too small to move around.”

Despite encountering difficulty during this demonstration, Frederick said she wants other Oklahomans to know how drunk driving and other specific issues impact the state.

“We’re trying to pinpoint things that happen in Oklahoma,” she said. “We have a lot of drunk driving; we have a lot of STIs going around. We’re trying to bring everything together that affects the state, portray it and give information to make people aware.”

SENIOR WEEK continued from page 1 “The senior send-off was such a fantastic event,” she said. “We had members of the Cameron University Alumni Association board of directors, and the Cameron University foundation board of directors along with different deans, directors and chairs from here at Cameron. It was a great opportunity for us to be able to introduce our graduates to the community. It was also a great event to be able to let them start making some networking connections. As a student would come in we would try to find out what major they have and introduce them to members of the community that were within that same area of expertise or even maybe the same major they graduated in.”

According to McGrail, Senior Week has involved a culmination of different departments on campus, all working together to put together the events.

“We’ve been working on this for about six months now, and it was truly a representation of lots of different departments on campus,” McGrail said. “There was the committee that puts on commencement and graduation participated, and almost every other office on campus had some type of involvement, and we had an entire senior week committee that sat down and planned what we thought we would like to see, and then as we worked through the events, we’ve taken suggestions and recommendations and we look forward to making changes and making the event even bigger and better next year.”

Cameron hosts Teacher of the Year Elaine Hutchison Kaitlyn Stockton

allowed her to use the “Flip the Classroom” method in her daily lessons. She said this practice has permitted her students to bring Staff Writer their own technology into her classroom.

“The idea behind the flip classroom is that a teacher would Cameron University played host to the 2013 Oklahoma record their own lesson ahead of time, upload it to the internet Teacher of the Year Elaine Hutchison at 11 a.m. on April 1 in the and students could use whatever technology they have to watch CETES Conference Center. the meat of the lecture. So now their homework is listening to the Elaine Hutchison – the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year – lecture at home.

When they come to class, they are engaged and presented a lecture to CU Education majors on her experiences working problems.” from 19 years of teaching in the classroom and her innovative Hutchison said she sees the promise of using technology in her teaching methods and beliefs. classroom.

As the future of students depends on their teacher’s Hutchison is currently a teacher and coach at Fairview Public methods, she said teachers must find new ways to incorporate High School in Fairview, Okla. She also is a part-time Calculus real-world skills into her daily classes. teacher for the Oklahoma School of Science and Math Regional “If we teach today’ s students the way we taught yesterday’s, we Center. She is a National Board Certified instructor and teaches rob them of tomorrow,” Hutchison said. “Their future is going to math at every level. depend on you taking an innovative approach to education. You Hutchison began her presentation by describing her reasons for going into the education field. As a fourth generation teacher, are going to bring in the tools that they need.”

Hutchison said she believes she received the award from her Hutchison said she is a teacher because she loves her students and compassion towards her students. the chances to work with them.

“I think that I cared,” she said. “I think I care probably a lot “Teaching is something I am completely addicted to and more than people think is practical. A few years ago, I had a something that my family embraces. I have family that tells me student that was coming to school to be fed. I had a really big you could do whatever you want to, and I tell them that I am,” change in the way I suddenly saw every student; my perspective Hutchison said. “I am through my students. The rewards for changed. I think when your perspective changes, it brings back all teaching go way beyond the paycheck we receive. The reason we those emotions you wind up teaching for in the first place. I think go into teaching is because of the students.” that using my emotions, being passionate and caring is the one The Teacher of the Year presented students with her thing that I did that made the difference.” technique for teaching in the classroom. Her method named Kasey Plumbtree – an Elementary Education major – said she (HT)6 is an innovative process she uses to improve her classes’ became inspired and motivated from Hutchison’s words. She said productivity up to 20 percent. (HT)6 consists of the areas of: she learned various tools that she can use for her future classroom High Tech, High Touch, Hands On Techniques, Higher Level “It has been really motivating. It is something that I can keep Thinking, Habitual Thankfulness and Heroic Teachers. forever,” she said. “Whenever I am going through difficult times Hutchison said this practice has allowed her to connect with as a teacher, I can always looked back to what she said.” her students and their needs on a new level.

Overall, Hutchison said she hoped she inspired up-and“(HT)6 will allow you to teach in your classroom with Photo by Kaitlyn Stockton coming teachers to pursue their love for teaching. She said she impact,” she said. “These are things that if you can implement in believes everyone can be a teacher in some way.

Technologically advanced: Oklahoma Teacher of your classroom, they will magnify and multiply exponentially.

“I would hope that I inspired these young people and these the Year Elaine Hutchison speaks to her audience about These are things that students, when they go on into the real young minds,” she said. “I would hope that I even inspired world, help them to learn by doing.” the use of technology in the classroom. Hutchison someone who didn’t want to be a teacher. Everyone has something Hutchison explains that her first HT – High Tech – has spoke at the CETES Conference Center on April 1. to teach, and everyone has something to give.”

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April 15, 2013

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The view from here looks pretty good: (Left to right) A visitor takes in artwork from Cameron’s Senior Art Exhibit. Artwork from Unorthodox hangs on walls for public viewing. CU Senior Blagica Ristovska displays a piece she created for the exhibit. The show will remain open for viewing until May 5.

Photos by Kaitlyn Stockton

UNORTHODOX Cameron University’s senior Art majors welcomed the public to view their artwork exhibited in the Unorthodox – Senior Art Show on April 6.

In this student-produced art exhibition, Cameron University’s graduating Art students welcomed fellow students, family and community members to the opening of their show entitled Unorthodox.

The show began at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum of Great Plains and will remain open to the public until May 5.

Senior Art major Blagica Ristovska said she and her fellow graduating Art students have spent their entire Capstone course working toward the purpose of this exhibition.

Not only did the students create and design the invitations for the show, Ristovska said the group also organized the food and music preparations as well.

“We worked together to do all the publicity, the design of the invitation, sending the invites to everyone and hanging work.

We have worked on everything from day one: catering, music, everything,” Ristovska said.

Ristovska said the students were also in charge of naming the show. As their graduating class consisted of artists that used a variety of styles, cultures and mediums, she said the concept of the name came from their diversity and unusualness.

“The reason we called it unorthodox is because it is such a variety of artists that are presenting their work,” she said. “Some

In the pocket: Coors for a cause Charlene Belew

Light Shootout. To the right were six pool tables; this is Staff Writer where the pool tournament At 11 a.m. on April 6, The would take place.

Great Plain’s Coliseum became Previously, 32 pool home to the 33rd Annual tournaments were held to raise Coors Light Pool Shootout money for the March of Dimes Tournament. Sponsors of this and invite the best players event included Coors Light and from around Lawton to this On the Snap Billiard. tournament.

The Coliseum was lit by Two event planners, General Coors Light lamps, with Manager of Coors Kevin guests scattered around the Ezell and Shawn Maudlin, arena. On the left was a trailer, set the series of tournaments accompanied by the Coors up throughout Lawton at 32 Light girls, and a table set different bars. Ezell said that up for selling pool sticks and this was the way they raised the supplies. Straight ahead were money for the March of Dimes. seven dart stations, roped off Directly behind the pool

by Coors Light banners, and tables, viewers could see the a white board marked Coors giant check that would be going

Ristovska was one of 13 Cameron University students presented in the show. The artist said it was an honor to display Staff Writer her work with her classmates. of the artists are not working in traditional mediums. We have a “This particular group is full of talented artists,” she said. lot of digital work and a lot of printmaking work. We have a lot of “We’ve grew together. We’ve grown up together. It is exciting to international students graduating this semester. It is something share this experience with them. We have such a diverse group. It that is unusual, something not typical and something you haven’t is such an honor to be a part of it.” seen it before.”

Dr. Katherine Liontas-Warren — one of Ristovska’s professors Twenty-four-year-old Ristovska said she was both excited and — said she was proud to see her students’ growth displayed for the scared to see her art displayed for the public; the artist said she had public. As she and her fellow professors have had all the students experimented with various styles different from her norm. in classes and have seen them grow as artists and people, Dr. “I was kind of scared since it is a little transition from my work. Liontas-Warren said she sees fantastic futures for her students.

I have some very realistic pieces, and then I have some that are very “We are certainly very proud of them and to see some a nonrepresentational,” she said. “But I got a lot of positive feedback great variety of work from each student. Their visions have just from it, and I am very excited about that. People are enjoying developed these past four years,” she said. “I wish them all the best seeing my work, and that is a great accomplishment.” in their future endeavors.”

Ristovska said she was blown away by the turnout for the show.

For Ristovska’s future, she said she plans on pursuing her love While she said the crowds could be nerve-wrecking, she enjoyed of architecture in graduate school. She said she will continue to the opportunity to meet and network with community members. enter shows and her love of making art in the process.

“The show is great,” Ristovska said. “We had a huge turnout.

“I don’t know how much time I will have, but I want to still be We exceeded the numbers from previous years. More people an artist while pursuing a degree. Architecture is really interesting found out about it and came to see it. It is very exciting because because it can be a combination of science and art. Architecture is there are a lot of people coming, and it is a great opportunity to a perfect blend of that. I got accepted into five different graduate show your work to different people, not just to your peers and your schools,” she said. “As soon as this show is over, I have to make a professors, but also people in the community.” decision.”

Kaitlyn Stockton

year, we raised $1,500 more than we did last year.”

From 11 a.m. to approximately 1:30 p.m., the women’s pool tournament took place with the men’s tournament taking place afterward. The dart tournament started at 2 p.m. with practice rounds taking place during the pool tournament.

Ezell said ladies who play in pool tournaments around Hot Shot: A female finalist competes in the final leg Lawton were also invited to of the pool tournament for the March of Dimes. compete in the event.

“Sixteen ladies who tournament won a Shootout to the foundation to help find played in the most pool Coors Light jacket and got solutions to health problems tournaments this year were in premature babies and invited to this event.” invited to compete in a separate Ezell said this year, the encourage expecting mothers to tournament held at the tournament raised $7,565 for live healthier lifestyles.

Shootout event,” Ezell said. the March of Dimes, which “We had 32 pool The pool tournament was $1,500 more than last year. tournaments at 32 different required that only two people “Over the last 33 years of bars with a ten dollar entry would play for each round, fee,” Ezell said. “This money all doing this, we have raised more going head-to-head to further than $200,000 for the March went to the March of Dimes. themselves on the brackets.

The top two players from each of Dimes,” Ezell said. “This Photo by Charlene Belew

Rules and regulations stated that cue balls were not allowed to be moved without permission of the referee, that scratching would invoke the loss of a turn in the round and that jumping balls on the table during the match was illegal and would result in loss of a turn.

Competitors for each game played five rounds, and the person who won three of the five rounds would move on to the next game with a different opponent.

After almost 12 hours of pool, darts and beer, prizes were given out. Over $4,000 in prize money encouraged players to do their best, as well as the cheering spectators from around the pool tables.

“Winners will be given prizes for winning,” Ezell said.

“We have about $4,600 in prizes on the line.”

Les Trois coleurs: Rouge - It’s French for Red Alex Rosa-Figueroa

respect to the Magic Lantern’s season — was the episode just before the end of the series.

Staff Writer A hitch came with the airing of the “Lone Ranger,” though — The Magic Lantern Film society continued its 2012-2013 technological troubles caused the program to take on a ghostly season with the end of a French film trilogy. after-image effect, which called for a computer reset once the At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29, attendees young and old program had concluded. gathered in the CETES conference center for another round of It was during the night’s break — an intermission of the Magic Lantern Film Society. For this penultimate showing sorts— that the reset occurred, clearing up the issues with the of the season, the society chose “Les Trois Coleurs: Rouge” to after-images. But maintenance was not the sole purpose of the screen before the night’s audience. intermission, which allowed attendees to stretch their legs, But not unlike a standard theatre, the Magic Lantern showed obtain more snacks or step outside for a moment. previews before the night proper began. As attendees filtered Once the break had ended, and the main attraction was about into the conference center, a series of trailers and previews played to begin, a giveaway took place. Each audience member received on the projector screen, giving the audience a unique backdrop a ticket upon entering the conference center, each one a chance to as they mingled and found seating. A snack bar — operating on win a $5 gift card for the entertainment store Hastings. donation rather than traditional payment — was also available, With the tickets drawn and the cards received, the movie providing small snacks, candy and popcorn for the film. to begin. Dr. Morris gave an introduction for this film as well, Keeping with the format of the Magic Lantern — and the explaining the context and the history of the French film. traditions of the theatres of old — the night began not with the Dr. Morris explained the film, “Rouge,” was the third in a movie, but with a black and white serial. This season saw the trilogy of films that told stories through the cultural lens of screening of the “Lone Ranger” serials, giving younger audience French life, with each of the movies representing a color on the members a glimpse into a bygone era of cowboys, gunslingers French flag — blue, white and red. and western drama.

“The symbolism of the films corresponds to the French flag,” Dr. John Morris, professor in the Department of English and he said, “with blue for liberty, white for equality and red for faculty adviser for the Magic Lantern, gave an introduction for brotherhood.” the serial, providing a form of “previously on” recap which preface The night’s film, “Rouge,” stood for brotherhood, and did so such programs. The night saw the showing of Episode 14 of the under the guise of a romance, with two seemingly disparate and serial, “Messengers of Doom,” which – like the night itself in functionally desperate human beings — a woman and a man —

coming together and bonding under unusual circumstances.

However, Dr. Morris explained the movie was an antiromance that skewered ideas of love and romance while the two human beings came together platonically during the course of the film. The conference center fell dark and the chatter died down as the movie began, and the audience viewed this antiromance, presented in French with English subtitles, for the subsequent 99 minutes.

The Magic Lantern will convene again on April 12 to screen “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn,” and those seeking more information can check the Events Calendar at cameron.edu.

April 15, 2013

www.aggiecentral.com

Dress for Success with the Aggies Sarah Brewer Staff Writer

Students took formal attire from the office to the runway when striking poses during the firstever Dress for Success Fashion Show.

As part of Senior Week, the CU Office of Student Activities and the Office of Student Development held the show on the evening of April 2 in the McCasland Foundation Ballroom to show students examples of outfits that are appropriate for interviews, various workplaces and casual days at the office.

Student Activities Specialist Megan Canfield was the emcee for the show. She introduced each student as they modeled their outfits during the show and offered style suggestions to the students in the audience.

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A&E According to Canfield, this advice comes from answers Career Services frequently give to students.

“A lot of the times, Career Services gets questions like ‘what should I wear for an interview? Is it different to what I wore to an interview when I was in college?’ We wanted to display clothing for students that are great to wear and explain what it all means and give students a visual of what some of those styles look like,” she said.

These looks came from local business and larger retailers — JC Penny, SEARS, Dillards, Old Navy, Edward’s Men’s Wear, New York Fashion Clothing and Deb’s Boutique donated clothing and accessories for the show.

Canfield said she wanted the Dress for Success Fashion Show to teach students real world style before they graduate from college.

“Different business and different types of jobs require different styles of clothing, and we wanted to make sure we did a good job of representing those different tiers of attire they’ll need to wear,” Canfield said. “Hopefully, our models as well as the students that came and watched were able to get that idea of styles they can wear.”

Some the student models that participated in the show are set to graduate from CU this year, but some, like Freshman Communication major

Breshya Lewis, have a sense for the right things to wear in a formal setting.

“I kind of already knew that there are unwritten rules — you have to be very moderate and conservative. Don’t just go out and show everybody everything,” she said.

Lewis kept it casual by wearing a cream satin dress under a coral blazer with dark taupe legging and carried an oversized teal purse. She said knowing what to wear for different occasions can give students the confidence they need to transition from college clothing to career wear.

“They know that it’s okay to be dressed that way,” she said. “They don’t feel that they have to follow the latest trends.”

Blending comfort with a burst of color, Biology major Rebecca Aremu wore a charcoal blazer over a hot pink top with coordinating trousers in a pair of black high heels. Aremu confirmed that comfort is still very much in vogue, and she said she chose her outfit because it was easy to wear and made it easy to assert her individual style and formal look.

“I picked it,” she said. “It’s something I feel comfortable in. You don’t have to dress in old fashions for the office. You can put your personality into it. Dress how it is appropriate for you and enjoy yourself.”

Photo by Kaylee Jones

On the hunt: Teewhy Dojutelegan models a suit as part of CU’s Dress for Success fashion show. The show was one of several events held during Senior Week.

CU students stand out at annual Scissortail Festival Philip Harrington

All of the Cameron students who attended the festival this year saw their work displayed in the Page One Literary Art Gallery. Dr. Jones said being accepted for inclusion was an accomplishment.

“They said at the festival that they had over 400 submissions from around 30 universities and they only accepted 30 for the gallery,” Dr. Jones said. “Seven of those 30 were from Cameron.”

From the 30 works accepted for presentation at the gallery, a panel of judges chooses three outstanding submissions for Newswriting Student recognition the night of the showing, and each author receives a gift certificate to purchase books at the festival.

Cameron students and faculty traveled to East Central Junior English major Casey Brown said she was surprised University in Ada on April 4 for the 8th annual Scissortail when the judges recognized her for her work.

Creative Writing Festival.

“I was shocked and speechless,” Brown said. “After it had For eight years, Scissortail Creative Writing Festival has some time to sink in, it was a great feeling. To have professors brought writers and readers together for three days in April and fellow students see my work, and be proud of it, was really to hear authors read from their own work. In addition to the “It made me feel like we exciting.” readings, the last four years have included the showcase of works Brown said she enjoyed her time at the Scissortail Creative of literature as art in the Page One Literary Art Gallery. have even more permisWriting Festival with her classmates and friends.

Assistant Professor Dr. Hardy Jones acted as chaperone for sion to love what we do “I attended readings all three days,” Brown said. “It was also the trip - a role which he has previously held. and that’s just wonderful.” great to bond with other people from the English department.”

“Cameron has been taking students to Scissortail since its Brown said it was great to hear authors read their own work. inception,” Dr. Jones said. “I have been taking students for the last Casey Brown “It was really inspiring to hear so many great writers,” Brown four years, but before me Julie Hensley was taking students.” said. “Hearing them read their work was so different than just Dr. Jones said helping chauffer students to the festival each One of those seven students was 38-year-old junior English reading it. It made me feel like we have even more permission to year is important to him. major Gil Nunez. love what we do and that’s wonderful.”

“It is a chance for students to see writing and literature as alive; “I heard about Scissortail last year from someone in Sigma Brown said she was just grateful to all the people at Cameron it’s not just something out of a Norton Anthology,” Dr. Jones said.

Tau Delta.

[I went] and had a great time, so I wanted to go back that help give students like her the opportunity to attend things Dr. Jones said he wants these trips to continue every year. this year,” Nunez said. like Scissortail.

“As long as I am here I would like to see Cameron students Nunez said that he thought a visit to Scissortail would be “I would just like to thank Dr. Jones, Dr. Godsave, Mr. get the opportunity to go to Scissortail,” Dr. Jones said. “It is McCormick and Dr. Morris for going with us,” Brown said. “And large enough that they get to experience a lot of different types of good for anyone that was interested in literature or writing.

“Listening to other writers at this convention can give someone I would also like to thank Leigh Holmes for helping provide the writing, but it is small enough that they can still meet with those inspiration to write their own work,” Nunez said. funding for students to go on these trips.” authors, and that’s important.”

Wake up: The Drowsy Chaperone James Meeks

audience as if they were guests in his apartment.

Staff Writer There will also times the The CU Theatre characters will stutter Department is getting when the record sputters ready to close the curtain and stalls as if stuck, and on their spring season with the narrator must fix the their final production, record to allow the show to “The Drowsy Chaperone,” resume. the final play of “A Year Klein said one of the of Manner and Comical greatest challenges the Mishaps.” play has given the stage “The Drowsy designers is how to bring a Chaperone” is a Broadway plane onto the stage during musical written in the late the final moments of the 1990’s that satires musicals production. He said that his from the 1920’s and 1940’s crew has designed the plane but still manages a modern in a cartoonish style. feel.

“It’s not quite on the The musical opened same token as the car was on Broadway in 2006 and in Grease last year,” he received a Tony Award for said. “The plane is divided “Best Book and Best Score.” into two parts; one part is The production’s a platform unit which they director, Scott Richard will roll the pilot on which Klein, said the musical is a has a cloud and then we’re show within a show, and the going to f ly in the propeller entire play takes place in the and wings,” he said. narrator’s apartment, who Klein said he believes the he referred to as “The Man audience will easily relate to in the Chair.” plot of the production, with “He likes musicals, its story on love and comical and he’s drifting back and charm. remembering when he “It’s fun and it’s boy went and saw a show called meets girl, boy loses girl and ‘The Drowsy Chaperone.’” boy gets the girl back again, A final curtain call: CU Students Mark Deyesso, Jr., Allysa Yates, Alexander Huff, Lea Mazur, Brandi Klein said. “He takes out and anybody who’s been Goldsmith, Byron Phillips, Brandon Landers and Katelynn Grace Meeks pose for their final spring production of an album and puts it on a “The Drowsy Chaperone.” The musical opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at Cameron’s University Theater. in love knows that routine record player and as the more than once probably Katelynn Grace Meeks and Janet might quit after she He explained characters said. “These characters can before they finally walk music starts on the record Brandon Landers. gets married. The producer will enter and leave pop out of anywhere and player the characters down the aisle,” he said.

“The plot of The Drowsy does everything he can to through backdoor exits set when we go to the garden start to come out of his “The Drowsy Chaperone is that Robert keep Janet from marrying behind certain appliances scene we are going to get rid Chaperone” will open at apartment.” and Janet are going to Robert to prevent losing his and furniture within the of the whole back wall and The musical the Man in 7:30 p.m. on Thursday get married and Janet’s Broadway star. apartment. bring in another set.” the Chair is remembering April 18 at the CU producer does not want Klein said that since the “There will be a bed on Klein said he believes is a comical love story Theatre. Tickets are $10 for them to get married,” Klein play is set in the narrator’s stage left, and it’s a Murphy the show within the show that takes place during military, senior citizens and said. apartment, the characters bed so it will come down, concept will add to the the day of the wedding of Cameron faculty and staff, Janet’s producer does of the play do not enter and at one point we’ll bring humor of play as there are Broadway actress Janet and $12 for all other adults and not want the couple to get or leave the stage in a it down and there will be moments The Man in the an oil tycoon by the name free to students with a valid married out of fear that traditional manner. a character on the bed,” he Chair will speak to the of Robert, portrayed by CU ID. Photo by James Meeks

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Voices

April 15, 2013

www.aggiecentral.com

Facebook affairs of the heart Kaylee Jones A&E Editor

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Tiffany Martinez Assistant Managing Editor - Tyler Boydston Crossroads Editor - Dianne Riddles A&E Editor - Kaylee Jones Sports Editor - Matthew Berberea Copy Editor - Sarah Brewer Aggie Central Editor- Mitch Watson Archivist - Mitch Watson Newsroom Staff Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Kaitlyn Stockton, Charlene Belew, Sadie Jones, Carson Stringham, James Meeks, Alex Rosa-Figueroa Advertising Manager - Tiffany Martinez Photographer - Kali Robinson Newswriting Students Philip Harrington, Kella Haire Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Keller About Us The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution The first issue is provided free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Letters Policy Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www. aggiecentral.com.

Our Views The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author.

The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board.

The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

I observed as it made its way across Facebook, jumping from one profile page to another, bleeding through my newsfeed: a red square accompanied by nothing more than a pink equals sign.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court broached the controversial subject of legalizing same-sex marriage yet again. On the docket, the overturn of Proposition 8, a 2008 amendment passed in California, stating that marriage is only valid between a man and a woman.

To raise support for the Lesbian-Gay-BisexualTransgender community, the Human Rights Campaign, recognized as the nation’s most influential gay rights group, declared a week of “equality,” asking people to express their support through the changing of their Facebook profile picture.

According to Facebook, via CNN, roughly 2.7 million more users changed their profile pictures than usual the following day. The popularity of the movement was quickly reflected in trending terms across Facebook and Twitter, and the symbol garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and shares. So many that, the HRC website was down for a full hour Tuesday morning as a result of the traffic from the image.

However, as Thursday morning rolled around, after two days of discussion in the Supreme Court, the justices had not come any closer to reaching a decision on the overturning of Proposition 8.

Contrary to several Twitter posts, the Supreme Court were not counting the Facebook profile pictures to reach a decision.

The situation recalls to mind the well-known 2010 New Yorker article in which Malcolm Gladwell coined the term “slactivism.”

Malcolm offered a criticism of the success of activism

MCT Campus

through social media, arguing, “In other words, Facebook activism succeeds not by motivating people to make a real sacrifice but by motivating them to do the things that people do when they are not motivated enough to make a real sacrifice.”

In an attempt to be fair to those that participated, I entertained the idea that maybe this isn’t that kind of movement. Maybe this movement really is about awareness and offering a simple showing of support.

While we await the decision of the Supreme Court

justices, which will be declared in June, I shouldn’t cynically devolve into a critic that mistakes authentic sympathy for mainstream stupidity, right?

However, I found myself unable to cast off the obvious: that social media movements such as these are just a knock-off of the old saying, “It’s the thought that counts.”

And frankly, it is not the thought that counts when it comes to legislation. There is a difference between laws passing and not, between voting for change and not, between taking action and not.

There are greater ways to support the legalization of same-sex marriage than “liking” a picture on Facebook.

The best place to start is by writing your state senator, as the issue of same-sex marriage is being addressed on a stateto-state basis.

While the widespread participation in the discussion should not be trivialized simply due to the medium through which people choose to participate, social media activism should not act as a substitute for demonstrated action.

The Facebook

phenomenon has had no adverse effects on the movement; in fact, it can only help to increase awareness for the cause. Social media can be a powerful tool, as long as social media activism is coupled with action on the behalf of those “sharing.

I am not here to dictate morality or ethics, but whatever the issue at hand, whatever the goal, the truth is that changing your profile picture will not change the world.

Equality is not just an idea; it is an idea put to action.

An = sign means nothing, until it =s change.

How pop culture has bred nostalgia child that I refused to watch that scene for years. While I’ve seen the movie a lot since then, finally seeing it on the big screen was a great experience.

Then seeing “Evil Dead” following that, and getting to see so many nods to the original, brought a bit of my childhood out in me.

But why should these things bring out the child in me when the child in me only left a few years ago, and in some ways Tyler Boydston is still present with my toilet Asst. Managing Editor humor?

So, what exactly brought us “I remember when…” to the point of being nostalgic I find myself growing up about so many different series alongside a generation that and events from the 90s and has gathered some sort of nostalgia at a young age. When early 2000s? What made us put “Harry Potter and the Deathly on the rose-tinted glasses while looking back in the past on Hallows Part 2” was released in theaters in 2011, a lot of talk things that some of us weren’t fully conscious for? about the end of an era was Well, pop culture did that heard (and, I must admit, said) for us, and we just played along. by this guy.

I hate to pull that card, but a lot The same could be said of us don’t quite think of what about “Toy Story 3” and we’re watching, and, while the “Jackass 3-D,” in which both “I Love the 80s” mini-series franchises came to an end.

I bring all of this about now, on VH1 was fun when it first not out of nowhere, but because aired, it also prompted a lot of us to really look back on the I had a weekend at the movies that involved “Jurassic Park 3D” 80s fondly. Even I looked back on them fondly, and I wasn’t and the remake of “The Evil Dead,” both of which are linked even born yet when they ended. to my childhood in some way or I can’t even say that I caught myself on that one. Once upon another. a time I asked if anyone else When I first saw “Jurassic missed the days of Easy E, to Park” as a child, it scared me. which a fellow editor on staff It really did. The scene in caught me and asked me when I which Wayne Knight (that’s was born. When I realized the Newman, to you “Seinfeld” error in my words, I suddenly fans) got poison spit in his started thinking about just face scared me so much as a

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how stupid I sounded, being nostalgic for things I wasn’t present for, and I knew I had to change things fast.

After the “I Love the 80s” mini-series wrapped up, and its spin-offs aired, we learned new ways to be nostalgic when “Best Week Ever” started airing in 2004. Looking back on the past week’s events, we learned how to fondly look on things that had happened in a sevenday period.

Then, Nostalgia Critic and Angry Video Game Nerd happened, and old films and video games got ripped into on a weekly basis. Now, even the

bad things of old were being remembered and brought up on the internet for countless people to talk about.

There are answers to these problems, right? We can still be nostalgic while also looking forward into the future, or at least that’s my belief.

I was once told that nostalgia was a bad thing, and when that was first said to me, I laughed it off and thought that was a stupid thing to say. After all, I loved “Rocko’s Modern Life,” and as long as I could remember it fondly and go back and watch it on a daily basis, I would be fine. However, I

caught myself not making any progression, and learned that eventually there is a good way to both make progression while also watching and re-watching old shows and movies.

So, if I were to say anything positive about nostalgia, it is this: remember where you came from and what you liked, but don’t make that who you are.

Keep growing and progressing, but make time on occasions to go back and re-watch those old Nicktoons. After all, “Hey Arnold” actually did age well as a show.

Okay, maybe do as I say and not as I do.

7

Sports

April 15, 2013

www.aggiecentral.com

Aggies battle Wildcats in Abilene Matthew Berberea

Photo courtesy of Brandon Neris

Sports Editor

Cameron University Men’s Tennis has been on a tear this season and looked to keep the ball rolling as they traveled to Eager Tennis Pavilion in Abilene to battle Lone Star Conference rivals Abilene Christian University April 5.

The Aggies came into the contest with an impressive 15-2 overall record and looked for their first win against the Wildcats since March 31, 2009. Cameron standout sophomore Nicolai Ferrigno was also looking to continue his singles win streak of 17 straight against top regional ranked opponent, Hans Hach.

The Aggies battled hard all day and were able to come out on top in a close fought 5-4 win over the Wildcats.

The day started with three doubles matches which Cameron took advantage of coming up with two early victories.

Ferrigno and sophomore Dean Weiglet played as the #2 doubles team and were able to pull out a tough fought match, 9-8. Also securing a win for the Aggies were freshmen Dennis Merdan and Joao Fazendeiro who finished with a final score of 8-6.

Going into singles competition the Aggies needed three match wins to secure the victory and the middle of their lineup proved to be the difference against the

Young gun: Freshman Dennis Merdan focuses on smashing a backhand earlier in the season. Merdan was instrumental in the Aggies victory over ACU and was named conference player of the week for his effort.

Wildcats.

Ferrigno faced Hach in the #1 position and looked to avenge a loss from the last time the two played in the fall. Ferrigno came out in the first set and battled hard on his way to a 6-4 win in the set. Looking to end the match in two sets, Ferrigno had a match point but Hach was able to win the point

and swing the momentum towards the Wildcats. Hach battled back in set two and won 7-5 and then took the third and decisive set 6-2 to win the match. The loss puts Ferrigno’s current singles record at an impressive 17-1 on the year.

Cameron Head Coach James Helvey said Ferrigno has been having a great season

despite the loss and his hard work and maturity have been instrumental in his success.

“He (Ferrigno) has always been very mature, he just keeps maturing from last year,” Coach Helvey said. “He comes to practice every day and works hard, takes one match at a time.

“If he plays his cards right and the team keeps

performing, he will get another shot at [Hach], probably in the conference finals.”

Senior Duje Janjic was able to bounce back from a first set loss to defeat Nicklas Wingord in three sets 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the #2 spot. Janjic, currently ranked #10 in the region, is 14-3 on the year in singles competition.

Merdan had a tough task in the #3 position facing the 12th ranked player in the region, Guilherme Gesser. Despite being the underdog, Merdan took care of Gesser in two straight sets 6-3, 6-4.

Coach Helvey said the freshman Merdan has stepped up through the year. “These last couple weeks he has really been playing good,” Coach Helvey said.

Merdan was rewarded for his performance by the conference being named Lone Star Conference player of the week.

The Aggies needed only one win from the remaining matches and found it in the #4 position as senior Jorge Gerosi defeated Jason Proctor in three sets 6-2, 0-6, 6-1.

With the victory, the Aggies moved into the top spot in the regional rankings.

Coach Helvey explained while the victory over ACU and the top ranking are important, his focus remains going forward and not in the rearview mirror.

“They have a good team and it’s a good rivalry but when the match is over I close my book and I move on to the next match,” Coach Helvey said. “It’s always great to be on top but you’re just adding more people behind you that want to take you down.

“I always tell my boys that it’s just a number on a piece of paper and throw it out the window, we need to play tennis.”

Cameron baseball splits series with Javelinas Aaron Gill Staff Writer

The Cameron Aggie Baseball team split a series with Texas A&M Kingsville on April 5-7 at McCord Field. Game one started the series with a bang as the Aggies put a W in the books with a walk off two RBI single from junior Brad Blumer to bring the final score to 5-4, Aggies.

Game one started in the bottom of the first for the Aggies with a double out of junior Keaton Green, who later advanced to third on a groundout from Blumer. Junior Kevin Wakau recorded a double of his own and brought Green around to score the first run of the game.

Texas A&M Kingsville fought back in the top of the second, loading up the bases twice, but senior right-hander Cody Hudson shut down the inning for the Aggies by striking out Ben Villafuerte. The Javelinas failed to plate any runs in the inning, keeping the score at 1-0, Aggies.

The third inning went scoreless for both squads. Hudson also threw a hitless fourth inning, keeping the Aggies ahead. The Aggies let one runner get on base after an error. In the bottom of the inning the Aggies extended their lead on an RBI single from senior Tyler Cox to bring Wakau across the plate, making the score 2-0, Ags. The Javelinas finally answered with a two-run fifth inning to tie the game. The next three innings were a pitchers’ duel. Kingsville recorded a three up, three down fifth and sixth inning and the Aggies answered with a three up, three down sixth inning.

Hudson threw another hitless inning in the top of the seventh.

The Aggies offense came in swinging in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases from double by senior Thomas Galvan and two

walks. The Aggies failed to score however as TAMUK pitcher Ponder worked his way out of the jam to keep the game tied at 2-2.

Kingsville scored one run in the top of the eighth and once again in the top of the ninth, giving them their first lead of the game 4-2 going into the bottom of the ninth.

The Javelinas brought in closer, Jerry Flores to try and finish out the game, but the Aggies were not giving in just yet. Galvan led off the inning with a walk and was shortly followed by senior Kevin Lum reaching on an error by Flores, advancing Galvan into scoring position. With runners on the corners senior Nick Smith drew a walk to load the bases for Green who was on deck. Green hit a blooper into right, for an RBI single. Blumer stepped up to the plate and drove in the tying and go ahead runs with a two RBI single to the right side for the walk off win for the Aggies, 4-2.

Day two came with a double header split, The Ags winning game one and the Javelinas taking game two. Green was outstanding in game one on the day, walking away with four hits and one RBI. Senior catcher Kenny Acosta recorded three hits for himself and a solo shot. The game started scoreless through four and then the Javelinas’ bats came alive in the top of the fifth. The Javelinas scored one and led 1-0 going into the bottom of the fifth, where the Aggies answered with a run of their own. The one run from the Aggies came from the boomstick of Acosta who recorded his fourth homer of the season.

Kleekamp went three up, three down in the top of the sixth, but the Aggies were not done with the bats. Junior Kaz Sanders reached on a Javelina error. Smith then singled to move Sanders around to second. Wakau then had a double and two RBIs to put the Aggies ahead by one. Wakau later scored on an RBI single from Blumer in his next at bat. Cox stepped up to the plate and brought Blumer in with another Aggie RBI single. Senior

pinch runner Colton Davis later moved around to third after a groundout from Acosta. Galvan then had an RBI single of his own, forcing the Javelinas to pull their starter Taylor Taska.

The Aggies won by a score of 7-2. Kleekamp finished the game in the seventh for the Aggies to record his third win on the season.

Head Coach Todd Holland said he was impressed with the Aggies ability to battle in the first couple of games in the series. “I felt good in the first two,” Holland said. “We beat their number one and two which is huge for us. We finally got some breaks and balls just went our way.”

There was a change of pace for the Aggies in game two on the day, taking a loss to the Javelinas, 7-4. Kingsville started the game with a three-run first inning, which were the only three runs in the first three innings, as the Aggies went scoreless through three. They added two more runs in the top of the fourth, forcing Holland to pull left-handed junior Drew Reidt off the mound.

Junior relief pitcher Steve Matta took the hill and got the Aggies out of the inning before the Javelinas could have a chance to plate anymore runs.

Cameron answered in the fourth inning getting four runs on four hits, but could not pull out the win as the Javelinas went on to win the game by a score of 7-4. Game four of the series was also a letdown for the Aggies who lost 15-2.

Coach Holland expressed his view on how the season could turn out and how crucial these next few weeks will be for the Aggies.

“There really is not a huge difference between the number one team and eight team in our conference right now,” Coach Holland said. “That is just a proving point. We are going to prepare for these last few weekends because there is a chance, there are only four games that separate us from the six spot.”

8

Crossroads

April 15, 2013

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