Collegian T he Cameron University
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, March 2, 2020
Volume 102 Issue 5
CU Celebrates
Homecoming Photos by Stacie Larsen
Payton Williams Managing Editor @YoureSoVanya
From Feb. 17-22, Cameron University held its annual Homecoming celebration. Each year, Cameron University recognizes Homecoming with a week of events, games and presentations organized by various student organizations and overseen by PAC and the Office of Campus Life, for students to enjoy. The Homecoming events work under a different theme every year. The theme for this Homecoming was “Aggie Adventure.” Campus Life Coordinator Daniel McFadden spoke about how this year’s theme was designed to be more inclusive for student organizations. “We have a committee that’s full of people from alumni, athletics, campus life, the dean of students,” McFadden said. “And after some time, we really came down to ‘Aggie Adventure’ which is just so open-ended and could be explored in so many different ways, that we felt was really broad enough to make it exciting.” Several student organizations set about interpreting the theme in their own unique ways, with many organizations posting paintings around campus that featured their specific takes on what the “Aggie Adventure” is. McFadden spoke about some of the paintings that stuck out particularly in his mind, cheerfully sorting through pictures of the paintings on his computer as he talked about them. “The BCM did Narnia,” McFadden said. “And the Biology club had a Jurassic Park take on it, I think.” The first event to kick-off Homecoming week on campus was the Stamp a Ring event that took place on Feb. 17 in the MCC Lobby. For the Stamp a Ring event, students in the McMahon Centennial Complex lobby were able to get free rings with personalized stamps
A new Monarch: Darius Morris (Right), the newly crowned Cameron University Homecoming Monarch, poses with last year’s Homecoming queen, Rikki Thompson (Left). Cameron University changed their tradition for Homecoming court this year by electing a singular Homecoming Monarch. featuring written messages, Zodiac representations, and various other symbols. Several events took place in the run up to Homecoming throughout the rest of the week, including a performance by comedian Nate Jackson on Feb. 18, and free pizza in the McCasland Ballroom on Feb. 19, and a Homecoming dance on the night of Feb. 20. One event that was new to Cameron this Homecoming week was a relay that took place at 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 21 in the Bentley Gardens. The Relay was meant as a replacement for the Golf Cart Parade that took place in previous Homecoming celebrations, Daniel McFadden said. “We at campus life looked to re-do the Golf Cart Parade,” McFadden said. “Attendance had been down, student organizations didn’t seem to be enjoying it as much, so we created the student organization relay instead, and
students seemed to be really engaged by it.” McFadden added that he was very excited for the new relay event to continue and possibly become a new Cameron Homecoming tradition. “Hopefully we can continue to build off of the Homecoming relay, and see it stick and grow over the next couple of years.” McFadden said. The big event at the end of Homecoming week was the crowning of the Homecoming Monarch that took place on Feb. 22 in the Aggie Gym, during halftime for the Aggie Men’s Basketball team’s victorious game against the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. This year, Cameron University changed another tradition by electing a singular Homecoming Monarch, rather than a Homecoming King and Queen. Cameron University Senior Darius Morris was this year’s inaugural Homecoming Monarch. Morris, who had not been planning
to run for Monarch this year, had been asked by the Cameron University Black Students Association to run a few days before the deadline for registration. “Advertising and social media are a foreign world to me,” Morris said. “But I had some awesome friends and some great support from members of my club and organization to really catapult me to the next level.” Morris has wanted to be on the Homecoming court since he was a Freshman at Cameron, and said it took some time for the fact he’d won the title of Monarch to sink in. “When I initially won,” Morris said. “I didn’t come to the full realization of what happened, and it wasn’t until like, Sunday or Monday that I fully realized that I was Homecoming Monarch, that this Freshman and Sophomore dream of mind had actually happened.” For more information on upcoming PAC events, contact the Office of Campus Life at 580-581-2217.
What’s Inside CU Become a Teacher Page 2
“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” Review
CU Homecoming Relay
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News
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a teacher
BECOMING
Graphic by Madison Lyda
Madison Lyda
Special Education Boot camp
CU Become a Teacher Workshop
Early Childhood Education Cohort
OGET OSAT OPTE
Topics included shortcuts, seminars Managing Editor and alternative @maddilinee education resources. Cameron also Every year, opened the event for thousands of the public to inform graduating students individuals who interested in careers previously graduated in education embark from an accredited on their journies of university, prospective becoming certified students or those teachers. looking for the next Entering the steps to certification. education field can Recent graduate be difficult and in Exercise Science competitive, but Lillian Phillips getting the job is said that — even often not the most though her degree difficult process isn’t in teaching compared to getting — her current job the certifications. with Lawton Public On Feb. 24, Schools (LPS) has Cameron University sparked a passion for held the CU Become working with younger a Teacher workshop generations. in the CETES “I had plans to be Conference Center. a speech pathologist,” Department of she said, “but working Education speaker here, I’ve developed Dean Jennifer a heart for working Dennis said that the with the younger attendance at the generation. I attended workshop was the tonight’s event in most they’ve ever had. order to learn more Faculty members about emergency from the Department certification, but of Education informed I learned about so attendees about many more routes and various pathways opportunities. I didn’t for receiving the realize how many certifications needed ways there truly are to to begin their teaching become a teacher. careers in Oklahoma. “It’s eye opening,”
Phillips said. “The amount of ways the world has created in order to help people
Students then have three years after the boot camp to complete eighteen hours of become educators. coursework and pass The truth in it really additional teaching is that no matter your certification tests. situation, there is Senior Family always a way to make Child Studies major your dreams become Brittany Smiley said a reality. It just takes the information she patience.” acquired at the event During the event, was unexpected but Dennis spoke to helpful. attendees about “When I was unique opportunities informed by Dr. offered to those Hilbert about interested in the alternative teaching, special education I decided that’s my field through the sign,” she said. “I university. knew I needed to One of the know more. So I opportunities is came to this event Cameron University’s and waited on Special Education information about the Boot Camp. paraprofessional route The boot camp but ultimately ended is a fast-paced, up learning so much specialized secondmore. eight-week course “I learned way aimed at individuals more than I thought I who have already would,” Smiley said. received four-year “I learned that there college degrees. are so many options The course for me that weren’t provides the education disclosed when I needed to teach in began my college special education. career in 2012.” After students After the complete the course, informational they become a ended, attendees certified K-12 special had the opportunity education teacher and to organize into may begin teaching. specialized groups
by category of interest to meet with a member of the education department to ask questions, inquire more about desired routes and discuss additional information. The CU Become a Teacher workshop held by the Department of Education is a reoccurring workshop. Smiley offered advice to individuals interested in pursuing a career in education: persevere no matter the obstacles they face. “Don’t give up,” she said. “Think of the all the little ones waiting on you. You may not know it yet, but you have the power to impact so many. No matter how you get there, traditionally or alternatively, you will get there.” For more information about teacher certifications, future events or additional information regarding the Department of Education, contact dhilbert@cameron. edu or (580) 581-2320.
Don’t give up. Think of all the little ones waiting on you. You may not know it yet but you have the power to impact so many. No matter if you get there traditionally or alternatively - you will get there.
Brittany Smiley
Senior Family Child Studies major
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Voices
March 2, 2020
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Donate your organs! 83.7 %
Kidney
11.3 %
Liver Heart
(as of July 2019)
3.3 %
Lungs
1.2 %
Other
1.5 %
(pancreas, intestines, etc.)
U.S. Organ Demand
Amanda King Voices Editor @the_amandaking
In any given state in America, a small pinpad will ask you whether or not you want to be an organ donor when you get a driver’s license. And it will continue to ask each time you have to renew your license. You might not pay it any attention, choosing “yes” or “no” depending on whichever they you feel like that day. You might already have an automatic response, choosing the “yes” or “no” that you’ve clicked every time before. You might notice the teeny red heart in the corner of your license if you choose “yes” — or the lack thereof if you choose “no.” But what you probably don’t do is look at that seemingly insignificant question, and think about how your answer can make all the difference in saving someone’s life. Because if you tap that tiny circle next to the word “yes,” it means that in the unfortunate event of your death, your organs will be donated to someone in need. But if you tap that pesky “no,” your organs simply die along with you. It’s easy to understand why someone might be reluctant to really consider this vital question on a payment terminal when they’re only wanting to get a license and go about the rest of their day. Who wants to briefly pause their life and consider the morbid idea of their death in the middle of a tag agency? Yes, glazing over this question is completely understandable. What is not understandable, what is completely unfathomable, is people who intentionally choose “no.” Can you imagine how selfish someone would have to be to choose not to donate the organs that they won’t need anymore to sick people who can’t survive without them? Perhaps they so intensely refuse to accept that death is the natural end everyone will meet, perhaps the thought of their own death angers them so much that they withhold out of stubbornness. Some solely cite a religious reasoning. The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that the chief reasons people cite for not donating are mistrust of the organ allocation system, (unfounded) belief
Graphic by Amanda King Information provided by the International Registry in Organ and Transplantation and the United Network for Organ Sharing
Highest Organ Donation Rates Worldwide
BELGIUM 3,340
(per million, as of 2018)
CROATIA in an official organ black market in the U.S. and fear that their organs will go to someone who is brought on their own illness — or, in their words, a “bad person.” How do you justify taking your useful organs to the grave because you might not like the person they’re donated to? Whatever the reason, there is no conceivable defense. None. Even if you choose to be an organ donor, there is a high chance that you wouldn’t be able to. According to organdonor.gov, only three in 1,000 deaths occur in a way that donation is possible — which makes it even more critical for people to consent to being organ donors. But what happens when someone doesn’t have a license, or one can’t be found, and doctors have to get permission from family members to harvest the deceased’s organs? See here, the situation is a bit more delicate — and entirely more understandable why, in the throes of grief, loved ones might not consent or simply refuse to consider the request. This is why in countries such as Italy, Spain and Norway, doctors operate under a policy known as “presumed consent.” This policy, or opt-out, dictates that unless a person has explicitly stated while they were alive that they did not want to donate organs, doctors can harvest them for donation without a relative’s approval. And according to recent data by PBS.org, Spain currently has the highest rate of organ donation — meanwhile, the U.S. ranks about average for opt-in countries. At present, there are over 113,000 men, women and children on the United Network of Organ Sharing’s waiting list, according to organdonor. gov. Every 10 minutes, another
About Us
The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available twenty Mondays during the year. It is printed by the Norman Transcript. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “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.
4,120
U.S.A. 3,332
SPAIN 4,800
person is added to that list. And every day, 20 people die waiting for a donation. What’s so frustratingly sad is that compared to other countries, this number is low — but could be even lower, if not nonexistent, if more people agreed to donate their organs. It’s mind blowing that 95% of adults support organ donation, but barely 54% are really organ donors. If the U.S. instituted an opt-out policy, or “presumed consent,” these statistics could dramatically shift toward a more positive outlook for those in need of life-saving organs. If doctors could harvest organs at their own discretion, they wouldn’t
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN
PORTUGAL 3,363
need to accept the roadblock caused by a missing red heart on a driver’s license. Organs would go to those who need them, without having to confront the emotional question of asking a mourning family member. So before you go get your license, or before the next time you renew it, think about this: if you or a loved one were in urgent need of an organ, but didn’t get one in time, how would you feel knowing that a complete stranger’s choice could’ve spelled salvation? Letters Policy
Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.
Editorial Staff
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.
Managing Editor - Payton Williams and Madison Lyda A&E Editors - Lea Killian and Kimberly Frey Sports Editor - David Perkins Voices Editor - Amanda King Copy Editor - Brittany Otero Student Life Editors - Cambron Alsbrook, Adrianna Finch Social Media Editor - James Rowbottom Photographers - Katie Hall, Stacie Larsen
Newsroom Staff
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Bryan Araujo, Katie Hall, Xavier McClure, Isabel Rosales-Aparicio Circulation Manager - Bryan Araujo Faculty Adviser - Prof. David Bublitz
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.
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A&E
Isabella Myers Staff Writer
Along their journey, they encounter three hunters (Stan Walker, Mike Minogue and Cohen Holloway) seeking the bounty placed on Hec and Ricky, a sick ranger (Stu Giles), Psycho Sam (Rhys Darby), a girl named Kahu (Tioreore NgataiMelbourne) and her dad TK (Troy Kingi). “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is based off of the book “Wild Pig and Watercress” by notable New Zealand author and personality Barry Crump. Early drafts of the script stayed true to the source material, but later took on a personality of their own. Waititi almost entirely shot the film with only one camera in New Zealand’s Central Plateau and Waitakere Ranges over the course of
“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (2016), directed and written by Taika Waititi, is a coming-of-age movie that follows Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) and his gruff foster uncle, Hector Faulkner (Sam Neill), as they traipse through the New Zealand bush following the death of Bella (Rima Te Wiata), Hec’s wife. The pair start off hating each other, but through the course of the movie, they bond and find themselves reluctant to move on to a life without one another. Sam Neill is well known Graphic by for portraying Lea Killian Dr. Alan Grant in “Jurassic Park” (1993). Julian Dennison also has created a name for himself as Russell Collins in “Deadpool 2” (2018). Ricky and Hec are out in the wild longer than intended following an injury. This incident leads all of New Zealand to believe that Hec has kidnapped Ricky, and the two of them decide to just stay out in the bush. These scenes are accentuated by Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” playing in the background. Ricky and Hec are being pursued by a child welfare worker, Paula (Rachel House), and a police officer named Andy (Oscar Kightley) who want to take Ricky away. The efforts to catch up to Ricky and Hec begin with a mild police effort, but wildly escalate to car and helicopter chases involving the military.
5 weeks in wintertime, immediately followed by a blizzard. The NZ$2.5 million movie, funded by the New Zealand Film Commission, grossed NZ$1,263,000 in New Zealand on the opening weekend, the highest grossing opening weekend for a New Zealand film, and has become the highest grossing New Zealand film, making over NZ$12 million. Waititi has a knack for being able to seamlessly blend genres and throw tonal shifts that leave the audience unsure how to feel. His work often revolves around damaged families and the relationships between fathers and sons. Looking at his other works like “Boy” (2010), “What We Do in the Shadows” (2014) and “Jojo Rabbit” (2019), his movies appear as comedies on the surface with their bright colors that are almost garish at times. These stories, however, have strong characters who are living with very real problems
March 2, 2020
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that Waititi doesn’t shy away from expressing. In his coming-of-age movies, Waititi brings a childish sense of wonder and flips it on its head with heartbreak. These movies provide humor without mockery and empathy without nostalgia. Waititi’s movies often leave viewers in tears, both from laughter and sadness. “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” combines genres like action, adventure, comedy and drama. Aesthetically, Waititi also sticks to certain elements, like wide angle shots to establish setting and characters as a whole. This may come from Waititi originally following his father’s footsteps as a painter. Each shot is framed like the elements within it could be a painting. Considering his camera work and editing, Waititi uses quick zooms, montages and chapter structure in a way that can be compared to auteur Wes Anderson. “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is an artistic movie that explores the relationship between a father-figure and his ward. Waititi’s sense of aesthetic make this film pleasing to the eye; his expert blending of genres makes it pleasing for the emotions. This movie rises to significant form in its seamless blend of elements that many wouldn’t dare combine. I highly recommend this movie and rate it five out of five stars.
March 2, 2020
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Student Life
Annual Bonfire and Pep Rally speaker, an Outdoor TrailBreak hydration backpack with a twoStudent Life Editor person hammock and adjustable tree straps At 8:30 – 9:30 or a Fujifilm Instax p.m. on Feb. Mini 7s with additional 20 films. 21, Cameron University’s Journey Productions provided music Programming Activities throughout the event. Council (PAC) Students danced along to the songs, such held the annual Homecoming as “Wobble Baby” by V.I.C and the “Cupid Bonfire and Pep Rally in the South Shuffle” by Cupid. Village parking lot. Freshman English major Tereasa Neely The event featured hot said that the music was her favorite part of the chocolate provided by PAC and fire pits event. for students to make “It was nice to see most of the students s’mores around. PAC set up dancing and laughing a raffle for the with each other,” Neely chance to win three said. “It made Cameron prizes: a JBL Flip5 feel like a big family.” waterproof The music halted for PAC
President Jose Olivo and PAC Vice President Katherine Monaghan to welcome students and faculty. President Olivo asked event goers to welcome the Cameron Spirit Team. The Spirit Team performed the Aggie Fight Song and a cheer to get Cameron student pumped for the Homecoming Basketball game the following day. After the cheerleaders performed, Olivo and Monaghan raffled off the prizes to students before inviting Ole’ Kim to the stage. Ole’ Kim removed his head to reveal who has dressed up as Ole’ Kim for the 2019/2020 school year. This year, Kavis Murry Jr. played Ole’
Kim. During his speech, Murry said that he was proud to be Ole’ Kim this year. “It was amazing to see all the students and faculty enjoying themselves at events,” Murry said. “I am so grateful I got a chance to be Ol’ Kim. It is an experience I will never forget.” Shortly after Murry’s speech, the Lawton Fire Department lit the bonfire. As the fire burned, Cameron staff added more pallets to keep the fire going the entire event. Freshman Biology major Audrey Summers said that the bonfire was one of her favorite events on campus.
“The bonfire is great,” Robinson said. “I like it because it gets everyone pumped for the game and showing school pride. I always look forward to. Homecoming Week because of the bonfire. All of the other events are cool, but this one is by far my favorite.” PAC officers invited students, faculty, staff and alumni at the end of
“
the event to the Men’s and Women’s Basketball game at 2 – 4 p.m. on Feb. 22, in the Aggie Gym. For more information about PAC events, email pac@cameron.edu.
I am grateful I got the chance to be Ole’ Kim. It is an experience I will never forget. Kavis Murry Jr. 2019/2020 Ole’ Kim Spring 2020
“
Adrianna Finch
Photo by Stacie Larsen
PAC presents: Stamp-A-Ring Adrianna Finch
Students took a piece of paper to write Student Life Editor down what they wanted At 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Courville to stamp on Feb. 17, Cameron University Programming Activities Council (PAC) hosted the first event of Homecoming 2020, Novelty: Stamp-A-Ring, in the McMahon Centennial Complex (MCC). The event featured Bruce Courville, an oncampus novelty and activity provider. Courville is commonly called the “Ring Man.” “People call me the ‘Ring Man’ because of the ringing sound I make,” Courville said. “It is also just a really cool name.” Students experienced the Ring Man in their rings. action for themselves at Students could choose the event. seven letters or symbols PAC had two tables to make sure all students lined up for students to had time to get a rings form a line by. themselves.
Students could get any letter from the English alphabet, as well as the Greek alphabet.
students to choose. When it was time for a student to choose their ring, Courville sized the
Courville also had different symbols of flowers, skulls, paw prints, hearts and the cancer ribbon among other symbols for
students chosen finger with a plastic ring sizer. Students then picked from two ring designs: a plain silver one or a silver one with a gold
band around the top and bottom. Once students chose the design they wanted,
had multiple options. After students were satisfied with their rings, Courville stamped their rings with a series of letters and a Photo by hammer to stamp Stacie Larsen the letter or symbol into the ring. After Courville was finished he handed the student their ring and wished them a good day. Senior English major Ashley Arredondo said she enjoyed watching Courville make her ring. “That was really cool,” Arredondo said. Freshman Biology major Aubrey Robinson said that it was super easy. “The Ring Man was really fast and efficient,” Robinson said. “I really like my ring too. I’m glad that I came to this event. I Courville had them try hope he comes back for on rings to make sure the another event.” size was correct. For more information Courville had rings about upcoming PAC from size 4 to size 16 to events contact pac@ make sure that students cameron.edu.
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Sports
March 2, 2020
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Photo by Cam Alsbrook
The mark of tradition: Programming Activities Council member and Psychology Sophomore Chloe Ille searches for words in the Homecoming Relay crossword. Seven student organizations took part in racing, puzzles, crosswords and an inflatable obstacle course to decide Relay winners.
Homecoming Relay Cameron starts a new tradition
Cam Alsbrook Sports Editor
point, the first teammate tagged a second teammate in – their task being a puzzle to At 5 p.m. on Feb. 21, seven solve. Upon completing the student organizations took part in the Homecoming Relay puzzle, the next teammate is event in the Bentley Gardens. tagged and sent toward the crossword puzzle to carefully These seven teams scan the provided page for competed in four tasks: a words in standard crossword race on a roll seat, a puzzle, fashion. a crossword search, and a After completing the blow-up obstacle course – two physical and two non-physical crossword puzzle, the final member of the team is events. required to traverse their way Two teams went against through the obstacle course – each-other at a time, starting boasting walls, beams to go off the relay tournament with over and under, and a slide to participants riding on the scramble down to finish the roll seat toward the lap point, where upon arriving, the rider race. For the first year of went back to the start point. Homecoming relay, first After reaching the start
place went to the Accounting Club, with Omega Zeta Theta in second and the Planning Activities Council (PAC) in third. The event marked a the start of a new tradition at Cameron, offering student organizations another way of team-building. Psychology sophomore Chloe Ille believes that the introduction of new traditions helps develop the community at Cameron. “I think new traditions are perfect for this university because of our diverse and everchanging population,” Ille said. “Introducing new traditions is a great opportunity to grow as an
Aggie community and get to know more about our fellow students. I hope they stay for future generations.” Information Technology freshman Moses Kelly said the event was great for team building. “I think it was a great way to see everyone have a fun time competing with each other,” Kelly said. “It was an awesome way to bring people together.” Homecoming events aim to provide fun and entertainment to the Cameron community through event showings, free food, homecoming dance and more. The results of the relay was announced at 8:30 p.m. at
the Bonfire event at the south Shepler village parking lot by PAC president Jose Andres and PAC vice president Katharine Monaghan. Attendees to this ceremony enjoyed the bonfire alongside friends, hot chocolate, smores and music. Criminal Justice freshman Belle Carwile was looking forward to the homecoming week events. “I was just looking for fun,” Carwile said. “The relay was definitely something fun to watch.” For information about upcoming events, students can look at the event calender available on the Cameron website’s main page.
Aggies lose 92-72 to Eastern New Mexico Missed baskets: On Feb. 22, the men’s basketball division of the Aggies lost by 21 points to the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds, suffering a 92 - 71 blow. The game took place in Portales, New Mexico, where the Aggies lost steam against the Greyhounds’ offensive shots — lacking the defense to keep them out of their net. The Aggies ended their regular season on Feb. 29, in Canyon, Texas.
Photos by Stacie Larsen