The Cameron Collegian - February 20th, 2023

On Feb. 10 and 11, in the Academic Commons and Nance Boyer Cameron’s Forensic team hosted a Speech and Debate Tournament called the Sweetheart Swing.

Instructor and Director of Forensics Katie Stringer has been running the tournament for six years and has been the coach of the Cameron Speech and Debate team for four years.

“Being a part of the team teaches you more skills than I can even list,” Stringer said. “Some include, relationship building, professionalism, time management, organization, competition skills, learning how to present yourself, learning how to speak up and have your voice heard, public speaking, networking and so much more.”

She also said that there is a lot of hard work that goes into hosting a Speech and Debate tournament, including things that people can see including prepared ballots, awards and signs.

“When preparing for hosting a tournament there are many sections you have to think about; the online set up, the tournament software set up, getting the campus ready, getting the team ready, running things day of, and the aftermath or cleanup and paperwork,” Stringer said. “However, many people don't think of the 1 a.m. emails and texts from judges and coaches, the time it takes to input all of the information into the software to run the tournament, or the time it takes to practice and prepare your students to be okay on their own while you run the event. I would argue that what people see on the surface of a tournament is not even a 1/8th of the work that goes into it.”

What’s Inside

Freshman Allied Health major Inez Brumfield joined the Forensics team in Fall 2022, and this tournament was her first experience with an inperson Speech and Debate team because her other tournaments were virtual.

“I always had an interest in it in high school,” Brumfield said. “But I was too scared to do it, and Katie was super welcoming and open.”

Brumfield said Stringer helped her feel

professional,” Braumfield said. “Formulating thoughts really, really quickly.”

Brumfield said this tournament was a lot of fun.

“It was my first in-person tournament,” she said. “I think that the way it was ran was perfect, the competition was great, everyone was so sweet. I think this tournament was a great first introduction to the in-person speech and debate world.”

Brumfield said she enjoyed meeting the speech and debate community face-to-face.

“In-person has a certain flair to it,” she said. “You can play off your competitor a little bit better.”

Additionally, Brumfield said that the team likes to joke around with each other, and it is not as serious as people may think. She also said she would love seeing more people join the team.

“If they have any inkling,” she said. “if they like talking, they should probably come and check it out. You can do anything with speech and debate.”

Stringer said she would also love for more people to join the team.

confident enough to join the Speech and Debate team and taught her that it is okay to mess up.

“Debate is creating the arguments,” Brumfield said. “That’s really in every single event. The debate, where you create the arguments and formulate your game plan.”

She also said she has learned a lot about communication from being on the forensics team.

“Talking in a specific manner, that’s more

“If someone would like to join the team, I encourage them to reach out to me and come sit in on a practice, really get a feel for (the) team and what it has in store,” Stringer said. “I would be happy to speak with anyone wanting or thinking about joining! There are a lot of benefits to joining, a few would be getting to travel, networking, a place to feel like you belong and can be yourself, scholarships, room waivers, growing your communication and public speaking skills, a place to express yourself, and so much more.”

For more information, contact Stringer at kstringe@cameron.edu or stop by her office in the Academic Commons room 122.

Brittney Payette Managing Editor

Crunch time: Cameron's Director of Forensics Katie Stringer and Biology major Maryssa Crispin work hard to make sure things run smoothly and that participants have a great time at the Sweetheart Swing Speech and Debate tournament hosted at Cameron.

Photos by Brittney Payette

Choose your drone adventure

On Feb. 11 Dr. Matt Jenkins hosted Cameron’s first Drone Flying and Video workshop. The workshop was the first in a series of five weekend classes.

Among those attending were students with Journalism/Media Production and Agriculture as well as students from varying fields of study.

Saturday morning began with a presentation by Drone Instructor, Chad Ellis. Ellis, a commercial pilot, briefed students about some of the rules and regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

Some of the regulations discussed were requirements for flying drones for recreation and commercial purposes. Rules for flight include things such as maximum altitude, speed, restricted airspace, and night flight.

In the afternoon session, students were able to fly two different versions of drones. Before flying, each student had to successfully complete The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) for recreational unmanned aircraft usage.

The flight portion of the course took place inside the music hall practice room. Student pilots had to fly five separate missions. The first was a

simple take off and landing.

The second through the fifth flights were more complex as students were required to maneuver the drones through a series of exercises intended to familiarize them with the equipment.

Future flights will be held outdoors and away from campus as weather permits.

Students who successfully complete all five workshop sessions and score 70 or above on the final exams will receive a micro-credential in Drone Flying and Video and will be eligible for a $200 scholarship.

Jarred Burk, who works locally at KSWO TV, said that his interest in the class comes from his work at the station.

“Right now, there is only one person at the station that has a license to fly a drone, so I believe it would be beneficial to have my certification so I could be a backup pilot,” Burk said. “I’m also a storm chaser for the station, so it will be great to provide live drone video when I’m in the field.”

Burk also has an interest in obtaining his drone license to develop a side business.

Business major Katie Back and her husband owns a bulldozer service in Tipton, Oklahoma called Evan’s Dirtworks.

“I started a bulldozing business, and I’m interested (in this workshop) because I think it would be good to have something I could take an aerial photo of what I need to use in my portfolio, and it sounded interesting,” Back said.

Neal Kirmer is a student at Cameron minoring in JRMP. Kirmer’s interest in the workshop came from a job interview where he was asked if he had experience with drones. Kirmer had some experience, but was not certified.

He saw the workshop as an avenue to obtain his certification.

“The first part of the day was heavy in lecture, but I learned a lot of rules and regulations that I didn’t know about,” Kirmer said.

Kirmer’s favorite part of the day came in the afternoon session.

“It was fun to watch everyone fly for the first time, a lot of newcomers, so that was interesting.” Kirmer said.

Kirmer’s favorite maneuver from flying was taking off and landing in a different location.

“I probably did the best on that one. The last maneuver was making a circle, I did the worst on that one.

My circle was more of a square than a circle, but I got it done,” Kirmer said.

Dr. Matt Jenkins also took part in the class. He said that the most unique thing about this class is that unlike other drone flying classes, this is the first time that students can actually earn a micro-credential that will hopefully entice students to go and take the FAA certification test.

Jenkins said that he wants to get his certification. As a filmmaker, Jenkins hopes that it is something he can use in the future when shooting his movies.

The next four workshops will again focus on regulations as well as areas of study pertaining to airspace and weather. Students will also receive extensive training on outdoor drone flight ending with a simulated commercial UAS photography mission. The final session for the Drone Piloting and Video workshop will be held March 25.

Cameron University offers several unique workshops throughout the semester. For more information, contact your academic advisor or contact Cameron’s enrollment specialist Julie Kendall at 580-5812235.

Homecoming Dance

Scott Smith Voices Editor

Photos by Scott Smith

Photos by Neal Kirmer

Reality TV and its crafty manipulation

By Victoria White A&E Editor

I have been watching a lot of “Love Island” lately. For those unfamiliar with the reality dating show, the basic premise is that a group of single people are sent to a gorgeous, remote island villa and must couple up with each other, or else they are voted off the show.

The best (or rather, the most believable) couples have a chance of winning a grand cash prize at the end of two months.

Like other reality shows, it is highly problematic while also being very addicting and entertaining.

“Love Island” and its international spin-offs differ from other reality dating

of the contestants, but also invites viewers to develop more of a parasocial relationship with the individuals on screen.

Parasocial relationships are one-sided, often between celebrities and their fans.

In the case of “Love Island,” contestants are prohibited from social media use and cannot interact with fans (or detractors) during their time on the show. The casual environment and constant surveillance leaves viewers feeling like they know the contestants, while the contestants themselves are isolated from the outside world.

The show has come under serious fire in the last few years for various controversies.

beyond.

But is this enough?

For a show that relies on prefabricated drama and capturing the fallout, the therapy essentially serves the purpose of putting on a helmet after getting in a bike accident.

“Love Island” season five winner Amber Gill received a great deal of hatred during her time on the show, though it was unbeknownst to her until she was done with the show.

“Whilst I was in there, what my family had to deal with was a lot,” Gill said.

Gill was not the first, nor has she been the last, contestant to receive an intense level of hatred and even death threats.

Not only are contestants harshly scrutinized on social media, but many are also subject to manipulative editing by the

This is done to purposely mislead viewers by altering footage or placing scenarios out of context in order to negatively portray a contestant and push a certain narrative. This is not a new phenomenon, as manipulative editing is used in practically every reality television show, from “Hell’s Kitchen” to “Survivor.”

A key difference between those shows and “Love Island,” particularly the original UK version, is the heightened social media weight “Love Island” carries. Contestants often come out of the show as guaranteed influencers, garnering a substantial number of followers during their time on the show.

Season eight winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu gained one million Instagram

heavily scrutinized contestants of that season. After entering the villa a few episodes in, she immediately stirred up trouble as she had her eye on men already coupled up with other women.

As often occurs when female “bombshells” are injected into the mix for the purpose of stirring up drama and causing strain among settled couples, Cülcüloğlu was ultimately villainized for acting in line with her job.

Refinery29’s Charlotte Colombo considers the show’s editing choices and treatment of women to often be misogynistic.

“The ‘good girl/bad girl’ dichotomy especially is intended to spark critical conversations about women because, quite simply, it’s an easy way to drive up views, discourse and headlines,” Colombo said. “We can act like we’re above it all but slut-shaming sells and we’re all complicit in engaging with it, whether intentionally or not.”

The fact is most of the time viewers are unaware of the manipulation to which they are being subjected. The show is first and foremost designed to entertain, and it is certainly thoroughly entertaining.

The contestants feel real, and as a viewer you get to rally behind them to find ‘the one’ and maybe even revel in their joy with them as they begin to fall for someone. Alternatively, those portrayed as villains provide someone to root against and relish their moments of defeat. The moments of tension are intoxicating, with each episode ending on a cliffhanger to guarantee your return. The crux of “Love Island” is not

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Photos and graphics courtesy of ITV

Taking Center Stage:

Cameron Professor Ben Williams

By Neal Kirmer Staff Writer

Cameron University Assistant Professor of Theater Ben Williams does not fit the image of a traditional college professor. With a shaved head that is often covered in a newsboy cap, a neatly trimmed beard and pierced ears, he is younger than most would imagine a college professor to be.

Williams is part of a new generation of college educators who are breaking the preconceived notions of who someone in academia should be. This new breed of professor dresses more like the students in their classes and are often mistaken for students themselves. They have visible tattoos. They are more connected with the students. They know the language and trends that are popular with their students.

Like many of the new generation of educators, Williams possesses an innate ability to connect with students.

“I fall into the Millennial generation,” Williams said. “There is a lot of relatability between Millennials

and Gen Z. A lot of the struggles are the same. A lot of the things that they are going through, it hasn’t been that long for me since I last went through them.”

Williams instructs students in Technical Direction, Scenic Design, Lighting Design and Sound Design. He did not initially look for a career in Stage Theater; he intended to gain an education in vocal music.

“I didn’t really find what I was looking for there and ended up doing more theater in college than music,” Williams said. “I found out quickly that I can’t act [laughs], but I really enjoy doing things back stage.”

Williams’s love for the technical side of theater afforded him many opportunities. He attended graduate school at Kent State where he received his Master’s degree. In the past, he worked in Virginia with the Alluvian Stage Company as well as in California with the Pacific Conservatory Theatre.

Later, Williams and his wife, Susie, moved to Kansas to be closer to family. Job opportunities led him to Lawton to work at the Lawton Community Theatre (LCT) which eventually led to a position at

Cameron University.

“I was looking for a full-time job and they [LCT] didn’t have something available,” Williams said, “but they knew that the previous professor was retiring and they put my name in.”

Williams sees himself at Cameron for the foreseeable future. With connections to local theater groups as well as his duties at Cameron, there is no shortage of activities to keep himself busy.

“The other day I built a gelatinous cube. There is always interesting things to build that you would never think about,” Williams said. “I enjoy watching other people learn about these things and light up when they create them.”

Shayson Lenee’ is one of Williams’s students in the Theatre Department. Williams’s relatability is one of the things that draws students to his classes.

“He easily relates to all the struggles that we bring,” Lenee’ said. “He uplifts us. When he walks into a room you become comfortable. You know that he doesn’t just want to be a teacher; he wants to be somebody who helps students.”

‘SHE KILLS MONSTERS’ THEATER DEPARTMENT TO OPEN SPRING 2023 SEASON

Almost showtime! Assistant Professor of Theater Ben Williams provides guidance to CU student Shayson Lenee’. The department is ready to debut their next production, “She Kills Monsters.”

Behold! (Right) The “Dungeons and Dragons” monster Beholder comes to life thanks to the Cameron University Theater Department. “She Kills Monsters” will show at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23-25 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the University Theater. Students are granted free admission, adult tickets are $13 and senior citizen and military tickets are $10.

Photos by Neal Kirmer

Photo Credit: Neal Kirmer

Cameron University 2023 Homecoming Coronation

was played and complimented the music selection.

Davis went on to talk about student life here at CU, expressing her wish for the university to increase their involvement in the clubs and other extracurricular programs.

Furthermore, she was very supportive of Cunningham’s hopes for the crown. Cunningham previously stated that she came to win but would be happy if anyone took the scepter home. Every nominees’ positivity throughout the event was infectious, making this Coronation one to remember.

Once the Homecoming Monarch was crowned, this year’s Homecoming activities drew to a close. As for plans for next year’s coronation, Director of Campus Life Leslie Cothren has confirmed that no specific plans have been made yet, but that there would soon be a meeting to discuss this year’s Homecoming events. The planning process for the student event side typically begins in October and it really ramps up after Christmas, according to Dr. Cothren.

Skylar Teddington Staff Writer

At 5:30 p.m., on Feb. 11, in the Aggie Gym, Cameron University held their 2023 Homecoming Coronation and crowned Nathan Weston for this year’s Homecoming Monarch.

Though it was cold outside, the atmosphere in the Aggie Gym was warm and welcoming. The audience, full of friends and family members, buzzed with excitement.

All of the nominees dressed up

and walked out onto the gym floor to be introduced to both an in-person audience and those attending the Facebook livestream of the event.

One by one they walked, proudly wearing black and gold sashes with the names of the organizations they were representing. Though the event was brief, everyone who was involved worked hard to make it a success.

Nathan Weston represented Baptist Christian Ministries. With the scepter in his hands, he described his path to victory, stating that he planned a campaign a week before the event

and executed it this past Monday and Tuesday.

“It was well-planned, quick. On time, which is always a good thing,” Weston said. “It had a very good feel to it.”

Weston’s dedication and the hard work that went into his campaign resulted in a well-deserved win for this year’s Coronation.

Other participants offered their thoughts prior to the event as well. Alana Jones, representing Alpha Phi, had a particularly easygoing outlook, stating that she wasn’t there to win, but rather to have a good

Other nominees, including Holly Davis representing Omega Zeta Theta and Benetria Cunningham representing Gamma Delta Pi, recalled the music selection from the Homecoming dance, which happened the night before the Coronation. They pointed out that “Watch Me (Whip/ Nae Nae)” by Silentó

For more information about upcoming events, contact the Office of

Crowned Monarch! Nathan Weston represented Cameron University Baptist Christian Ministries as he was crowned 2023 Homecoming Monarch.

Gamma Delta Pi Bake Sale

chapter of Gamma Delta Pi at CU. One of her top priorities for the sorority is to be more involved in the community and support each other.

Indigenous Women.’”

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 14, the Cameron University sorority Gamma Delta Pi held a bake sale in the lobby of the McMahon Centennial Complex (MCC).

The women of the sorority sold a variety of homebaked goods, including cookies, cake pops, rice crispy treats and other different kinds of snacks. Everything was sold for under $5.

Gamma Delta Pi is a Native American sorority that strives to not only preserve and take pride in their heritage here on campus, but they also support and attend other Native American events in the community.

Bianca Karnes is the President of the Epsilon

“That is our main focal point,” Karnes said, “just uplifting indigenous women and their education. We work really closely with our local MMIW chapter, helping going on searches for jackets. And then for other bonding activities, like if we wanted to go out to a zoo or something, the girls wouldn’t have to worry about paying for it; the chapter could pay for it.”

The shawls are used at different cultural events that the sorority members attend. Gamma Delta Pi member Brittney Harris Carattini has gone to different cultural events around the community, including Powwows, with her sorority to provide support and to represent their organization.

Carattini also stated that the money they raise doesn’t only go toward their chapter, but is also donated to the MMIW.

“We’re having a bake sale to raise money for our sorority,” Carattini said, “and for our shawls that we use at cultural events. We also give a percentage of our profit to MMIW, which is ‘Missing and Murdered

The MMIW is an organization that strives to locate and bring missing indigenous women back home to their families. They also provide support and aid to families of murdered women. On top of providing their support, the MMIW also educates women in self-defense.

For more information about the Gamma Delta Pi sorority, email cugammadeltapi@hotmail.com.

Photos by Alannah Meyers-Young

Courtney McEunn Student Life Editor

Photos by Courtney McEunn

Fight Night Takes Over Lawton

Great Plains Coliseum hosts pro boxing show

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On Feb. 11, the Great Plains Coliseum hosted Super Fight Night, featuring boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts matches. The boxing matches took up the majority of the show and crowd hype. Winners of the fights included Thomas “The Train” Bowie winning the heavyweight category. There were approximately twenty five matches in total for the night.

Each match left the audience at the edge of their seats and asking for more.

Matches started with each fighter making an entrance to music in the

Announcers introduced fighters so the audience could have someone to root for.

The heavyweight champion “The Train” bulldozed and dominated each match with sheer strength.

In boxing or in any professional sport where fighting is involved, fighters focus on keeping their bodies in peak condition for matches.

This just was not the case for many of the fighters participating in the heavyweight category.

Anthony Luna, also known as “The Lunatic,” was a crowd favorite who came in strong.

“The Lunatic” won the finals in lightweight bracket against Nick

Gibson and was crowned champion.

The lightweight matches all started out strong and energetic with punches and swings, but the fighters who won displayed more refined and proper techniques.

The lightweight matches were still some of the most even matches of the night.

The Super Fignt Night Event should be returning to Lawton in August and Chickasha in November.

Aggie Softball Season Preview

The Cameron Aggies turn to new head coach Emma Johansen for a fresh start in the 2023 season, but key returners Kylie French and Khmari Edwards look to lead CU to their tenth straight season with a .500 or better winning percentage. Cameron wrapped up a 25-24 campaign a year ago that ended with a seven-game losing streak, a first-round exit from the Lone Star Conference Tournament, and a coaching change. The Aggies have

This season, Cameron will turn to their offense to lead the way, headlined by a trio of veteran bats, Khmari Edwards, Kylie French and Kaiden Boren. Edwards is a prolific bat with a slick- fielding glove which has earned the Senior from Del City, Oklahoma, a nomination for NCAA Woman of the year. Throughout Edwards’ career, she has taken home many honors such as Lone Star Conference Freshmen of the Year, a two-time member of the first team All-Lone Star Conference, and a secondteam member for the South Central Region. French posts a .289 batting average eight career home runs in her three years at CU, while playing elite defense at third base. Kaiden Boren had big shoes to fill, replacing future Aggies Hall-of-Famer Callie Christensen, who rewrote the CU record book. So far, the young backstop has taken the torch and ran with it boosting a .346 average, 14 home runs through just 50 games, and 27 extra-base hits in that time. Cameron will start its 2023 campaign on Feb. 6 and conclude on April 29. Their slate features 23 home games at McMahon Field, which begins Feb. 17 and ends April 22.

Photos and graphics by Jimm Alley

Photo by Kemar Noel