The Cameron Collegian - April 24th, 2023

banquet

PLUS: graduate Presidential Leaders and University Scholars

At 6:30 p.m. on April 11 in the McCasland Ballroom in the McMahon Centennial Complex, the Presidental Leaders and Univeristy Scholars (PLUS) advisors held a banquet in honor of the 2023 PLUS graduates.

The event began with President John McArthur welcoming all of the attendees to the banquet.

“You’ve had a very interesting time period at Cameron,” McArthur said. “I hope, at some point, you’re going to be able to look back at some of this and smile and laugh.”

McArthur said he is grateful for all of the leadership students here at Cameron.

“You helped us get through some difficult times with the pandemic and some other items on campus,” he said. “I really couldn’t ask for more of you, and I couldn’t have asked for better people to go through a tough period with."

McArthur said he was also grateful that the parents and family members shared their students with Cameron.

“The students you send our way, your family members, that’s what makes this place special,” he said.

Senior Journalism and Media

Production major Breanna Pursley said the PLUS program helped her throughout her collegiate journey to learn about success and leadership to prepare her for life after college.

“PLUS has benefited me in so many ways,” Pursley said. “Mainly in my leadership skills. I’ve had several opportunities to work with… freshman, work with my peers on projects and really just grow myself.”

Pursley said some of the significant skills that PLUS taught her were how to prepare for job interviews, how to network and how to open up to other people.

“My favorite PLUS memory would have to be volunteering to be a mentor at the freshmen retreat we had back in August,” she said. “It took months of planning, and it was really nice to see it all come together and be really successful in the end.”

Pursley said she thought the PLUS banquet went really well, and she was happy to see how many students had family members present, including her own. Moreover, she said the banquet was another excellent opportunity to network.

Pursley said getting to graduate is a huge honor, especially since she is a first-generation college student.

“For me, it’s crazy to believe that four years (have) gone by so fast,” she said. “I’ve gained so

much out of it, and it… kind of feels foreign to me to be graduating because it’s become something really cherished to me, and it’s going to continue being very cherished to me in my memories.”

Director of Alumni Relations and PLUS advisor Jonna Turner gave a speech at the banquet.

“This group of young adults is exceptional,” Turner said. “Not only do they excel academically and as campus and community leaders, they’re just genuinely enjoyable people to be around.”

Turner then called each PLUS graduate up to receive their PLUS stole for graduation and take a picture with President McArthur.

Each of the graduates had a slide with a picture of them on it, their degree, future plans, favorite PLUS memory, most impactful service project, and what they will take away from the PLUS program. This information was collected before the event.

Turner said she wants to challenge the PLUS graduates to continue to work hard, but also to remember that success looks different for everyone.

“I’m going to challenge you to go and do your next big thing and remember why we had you do all these crazy PLUS requirements," she said. Turner said, as the Director of Alumni Relations, she has the privilege of getting to see how the PLUS program graduates succeed after getting their degrees from Cameron. She ended her speech with some advice for the graduates.

“Join all the boards and organizations,” Turner said. “Build your community and network. Find your people. Find your mentor that you trust and… show up for the job, show up ready to lead."

For more information about the program, go to the webpage on the Cameron website at https://www. cameron.edu/plus.

Brittney Payette Managing Editor

Photo by Brittney Payettte

Courtesy Photo

Ask an aggie

Photos by Neal Kirmer

Kemar Noel

“Traitor” by Olivia Rodrigo

Clara Williams

“Favorite T-shirt” by Jake Scott

Photos by Neal Kirmer

To stream, or not to stream?

Jaci Hernandez Staff Writer

What is the best way to watch TV?

That’s a big question depending on what exactly viewers want.

A lot of people have cut the cord from cable services to go to streaming platforms. Streaming services are definitely more relevant today and cable is becoming less and less needed.

Although, which one people get depends on what kind of watcher they are. If they’re the kind of watcher who either likes to watch everything or doesn’t need to watch anything specific, then a cable service might be the best option. If they want specific content or certain channels, then they can get streaming services for what they want.

There are so many streaming services out today that viewers can pick and choose what they want. There have been some new streaming services that have still come out just recently.

To be able to stream, though, viewers need to have Wi-Fi and a streaming device like a Firestick or a Roku and/or a smart TV.

Meanwhile, with a cable service people get to choose what package they want at what price, and if they choose

ad-ons with a bigger package then they probably wouldn’t need any streaming services at all.

That also goes both ways, because today there are streaming services, like YouTube Tv and Hulu, that are trying to overtake cable by offering live channels with their service.

The prices of Hulu with live TV, YouTube TV and cable all run about the same, depending on what packages and ad-ons viewers get, which is between the sixty and hundred plus dollar range. Although, like I said about cable, with streaming services people can get that live TV and all the ad-ons and would not need cable at all either.

I lean more toward streaming services just because I like having specific content. Each streaming service has their own type of content that others don’t. I’m even going to look into one of the live TV streaming services for my family this summer just because we pay so much for cable.

Having cable can sometimes be shady, just because some companies will raise viewer bills without them ever really knowing. My family still has cable because my parents aren’t

that good at knowing how to navigate our Firestick, and they like to record certain shows that they watch.

In my house we have cable paid for by my parents and multiple streaming services paid between my sister and parents. Don’t get me wrong, having both is the best of both worlds, because by having cable I can sign into network apps on my Firestick through the cable account, but I don’t think the price of both is worth it.

If viewers are looking to get one over the other, I would go with streaming services.

There are weather channels they can download and a bunch of free TV apps to download such as Roku, Peacock, Tubi, The CW, Pluto TV, Crackle and Freevee.

I feel like people can’t go wrong with streaming services and devices. They have a lot to offer, and I love having them.

FINDING YOUR NICHE: TIPS FROM A SAMPLER

Victoria White A&E Editor

I am rounding out my time here at Cameron. It’s bittersweet, because though I am ready to start my life outside of academics, I feel I am just now starting to find my place, my niche, here.

Let me explain.

I have been attending college on-and-off since 2015. I started off in one program and five programs later, I finally ended where I felt I needed to be. This was in Spring 2022, so I have only had one full year of engagement in the program. If you are struggling to find your place here (maybe you’re like me and have bounced around a bit in different programs) I would like to impart some knowledge on you so you may find your place here faster than I did.

A couple disclaimers:

I am aware that this article in itself comes from a place of privilege. To have the ability to change a degree path is to have room for error, and some people simply do not have those means. Many of my suggestions also come with the assumption that you have time to spare in addition to academics. That being said, for anyone who may find benefit from this, I hope you are able to take anything I say and use it to thrive here at Cameron.

Tip Number 1: Do what makes you happy.

I know what you’re thinking: did I really just read through her life story for the first tip to be “do what makes you happy?” And the answer is, yes, so thank you for sticking with me.

This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s valuable. In all my time at Cameron, I never truly felt a sense of purpose until I was in the program I was meant to be in. Sure, I attended classes and put forth as much effort as I could, but I was miserable all the while. So, explore other options. This isn’t to say you should do what I did and spend three years hopping from one program to the next, but rather check out all the degree options on the Cameron website and make sure you aren’t missing out on anything. If you simply can’t major in the program you have true interest in, maybe pursue it as a minor. You can still scratch that itch and take several classes in that subject and make connections with the professors and advisors in that program. If you can’t make it a major or minor, consider joining an organization in line with that field of study.

Tip Number 2: Join clubs. Lots of them, if you can.

Cameron has an abundance of clubs and organizations to suit practically anyone’s interests. From esports to pre-nursing, Cameron has a plethora of opportunities, and seemingly more are being

added every year. Just this semester, students and faculty announced the creation of two new organizations: Politics Club and The Aggie Book Club. Obviously, not everyone has the ability to be able to time out of their schedule for extracurricular activities, but if you do: seize the opportunity. Not only for networking purposes, but also to stoke the creative flames and maybe even find interests you may not know you have.

Tip Number 3: Get involved with student media.

No, this was not an article cleverly designed as an advertisement for The Cameron Collegian. Instead, I am encouraging this for a more well-rounded experience at Cameron. You don’t have to be at all familiar with journalism and/or media production to get started with student media. CU News and The Cameron Collegian have knowledgeable staff and advisors that are always eager to train and assist newcomers. Being a writer at the Collegian has afforded me the opportunity to get to know students, faculty and other Cameron officials from departments I had no experience with, and in doing so I even learned about extracurricular activities and events of which I was not previously aware.

Whatever your path may be here at Cameron, enjoy it to the fullest, so that you are not inching towards your last couple weeks and wishing you had done more.

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Photo by Scott Smith

SENIOR ART SHOWCASE

“Take Heart” by Emilee Basham

“These Little Lights” by Alyssa Beth Cox

“Grave Arcade” by Alli Rose

“Sleeping Beauty” by Nikki Reid

“Train Station” by Monica Monsanto

Student Movie Competition

Courtney McEunn Student Life Editor

At 7:30 p.m. on April 17, Cameron University students competed in the Spring 2023 movie night competition at the Vaska Theater.

Movie night had four student submissions by Austin Childers, Hannah Owens, Kalen Haynes and Jimm Sosa.

Before the showing of each film, the Vaska showed two movie trailers: “Lips Like Fire,” and Dr. Matt Jenkins’s current project, “Static in the Ether.”

The judges of this event were CU Associate Professor David Bublitz and Instructor and Director of Forensics, Katie Stringer.

In first place: Austin Childers with “The Writers Room.”

Childers’s film follows a group of writers sitting around a conference table, trying to come up with an idea for their next screenplay. We see scenes acted out representing each each person’s ideas.

Jimm Sosa won the award for best use of editing with his film “How Bout that Weather: The Final Forecast.” Sosa’s film works as a finale of his previous short film series, “How Bout

that Weather.” The lead goes through different emotional events and gets stuck in the inner workings of his mind as he tries to come up with a project idea.

Kalen Haynes won the award for best story line with his film “The Mob Movie.”

Hayne’s film follows a mob family scandal, where the daughter of a mob boss tries to steal her family’s money and takes over the business. Her brother finds out, kills her new husband, which sends the female lead into a rage and kills the boss, putting herself in charge.

Hannah Owens won the an award for best first-time movie with her film “Hell Hath no Fury.”

Owens’s short film is about a woman who discovers her significant other is cheating on her with his coworker. In her hysteria, she decides to cook him dinner and poisons his wine. She enacts her revenge and kills him for his infidelity.

Dr. Matt Jenkins, a professor in the Communication, English and Foreign Language Department, started the movie night events to give students the opportunity to showcase their own, independent films in a theater setting and to participate in a friendly

competition. While it began as just that, Jenkins wanted to incorporate as much student involvement as possible with each movie night.

This past movie night has had the second biggest turn out of attendees, following behind the showing of student films from the Corporate Video Production class last fall.

Jenkins started taking some of his classes and other students and involving them in PR campaigns for movie nights.

“I plan to provide an opportunity for Comm majors with an emphasis in Public Relations to design, implement and evaluate a PR campaign for the movie night being scheduled for next November,” Jenkins said. “Instead of showing student movies, our goal will be to screen a major motion picture and conduct a Q&A with the director or someone associated with the movie.”

In addition to showing the major motion movie next fall, Jenkin’s will also host another student film competition in October.

One of the most memorable parts of movie night for both Jenkins and the student

participants is the opportunity to watch them in a real movie theater surrounded by a large audience.

“I love experiencing the audience’s reaction to what is being shown on the screen,” Jenkins said. “There is nothing like experiencing the work you created with an audience. In one sense, it is

English Program Awards Reception

The second place prize of $200 went to Rosemarie Billings for her poem “Fireflies.”

The third place prize of $150 went to Ryn Swinson with her poem “Acquaintance.”

Brown also named Thomas Juarez and Courtney McEunn as the two honorable mentions. Juarez’s poem was titled “Kaleidoscope” and McEunn’s was “sour.”

Along with presenting the winners and handing out the cash prizes, Morris also read Brown’s individual notes about what she enjoyed and thoughts about each poem, since Brown could not be at the reception.

The John. G. Morris poetry contest and the Leigh Holmes Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest kick off in the spring of each semester at Cameron. Flyers are posted all around the campus, inviting students of all majors to enter. The only students who cannot enter are those who won first place in previous years.

At 3:30 p.m. on April 19 in the Shelper Ballroom, the CU Communication, English and Foreign Language department hosted the English program awards reception to announce the winners of both the John G. Morris poetry contest and the Leigh Holmes Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest.

The winner of the poetry contest was Sophia Montoya and the winner of the nonfiction contest was Gina Welborn. Both winners presented their submitted work at the reception.

After the announcement of the contest winners, the CU Beta Omicron chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society initiated four new members in a formal induction ceremony.

The winner of the Leigh Holmes Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest was announced first. A

panel of judges picked from CU’s staff of English professors were tasked with deciding the winner for the contest.

Gina Welborn won with her essay titled “The Importance of Being Honest.” CU Professor Dr. John Morris presented Welborn with a $300 prize and asked Welborn to read a sample of her essay at the awards reception. Honorable mention went to Courtney McEunn for her essay titled “War Zone.”

CU alumni and writer Joey Brown was selected as an off-campus judge for the John G. Morris Poetry Contest. In total, the contest had 49 poems submitted by 17 different writers. Brown selected five finalists to be recognized at the reception.

Sophia Montoya won first place and the prize of $300 with her poem “A Good Book.” Montoya was asked to read her poem at the ceremony, and she said it was her first time every reading one of her poems in front of an audience.

Immediately following the announcement of the contest winners, the Beta Omicron chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society began their initiation ceremony. CU Professor Dr. William Carney kicked off the ceremony by stating the qualifications of joining Sigma Tau Delta and giving more information about the chapter.

Sigma Tau Delta inducted four new members into their chapter: Thomas Juarez, Courtney McEunn, Alec Santos and Ryn Swinson.

Following the initiation ceremony, students and staff enjoyed a small banquet of food and drinks. Everyone mingled and congratulated each other on the results of the two contest and to the students who were just inducted.

For more information about the Beta Omicron chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at Cameron University, email Dr. Carney at wcarney@cameron.edu.

Also, for more information about both the poetry and nonfiction contests, email Dr. Morris at johnmor@cameron.edu.

Photos by Alec Santos

Best Film! Austin Childers wins first place with his film: “The Writers Room.”

First time competitor! Hannah Owens submitted her film “Hell Hath no Fury” as her first ever film for the movie night competition.

Courtney McEunn Student Life Editor

Photo by Courtney McEunn

Aggie Spirit Team Q and A

Kristin murcer is a senior on the cameron cheer squad, from moore, oklahoma. MURCER TRANSFERrED TO CAMERON FROM SWOSU and majors in sports and exercise science. she hopes to become a Dietitian after she completes her degree.

What made you want to become a dietitian?

I went through a pretty rough patch in my life, and i kinda decided that i wanted to help other people not go through those same problems.

How did you first get into cheer?

It was kind of an accident really, i went to some some tumbling classes cause i wanted to learn how to do flips, and then once i learned all that basic stuff, a coach just asked me if i wanted to do cheer, so i tried it out.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of joining the spirit team?

Kristin Murcer

I would tell them that of course you’re a student athlete, and cheering here is super fun. While it does take up a bit of your time it does not take up all of your time. we have a really good school to practice ratio, so you can get all your schooling done and still go to practice to get a little relief from school life.

abby morris is a junior on the aggie spirit team from lawton, oklahoma. morris is majoring in psychology with a minor in communication. SHE TRANSFERRED TO CAMERON AFTER ATTENDING SWOSU FOR HER FRESHMAN YEAR. after college, morris would like to become a marriage counselor.

How did you first get into cheer?

i ACTUALLY DIDN’T START CHEERING UNTIL I CAME TO CAMERON. ONE OF MY FRIENDS WAS ON THE SPIRIT TEAM AT THE TIME AND SHE TOLD ME ABOUT FALL TRYOUTS, AND THAT I SHOULD COME BECAUSE THEY NEEDED MORE PEOPLE. SO I TRIED OUT, I ENDED UP MAKING IT, AND I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

What has made you want to keep going with the cheer team?

Honestly, the people that you meet. i feel like our team, especially this year, is realy close. we do a lot of stuff together and get a long really well, so that helps make it fun.

What are your favorite things about being on the cheer team?

definitely getting to meet new people, and getting to be able to go to all the games. i think my favorite thing, though, would be the stunting and tumbling, and getting to work with the people around you.

Photo by Jimm Alley

Photo by Jimm Alley