SWOK's
ANNUAL
Women's Business Summit
At 8 a.m. on Sept. 18 in the Worley Center at Great Plains Technology’s (GPT) Lawton campus, the 5th Annual Women’s Business Summit for Southwest Oklahoma (SWOK) kicked off.
This annual event brings together women entrepreneurs, top female leadership and executives from a variety of industries across SWOK for education, guidance and networking opportunities.
GPT Business Development Center, a local comprehensive business assistance program that helps start-up and early-stage businesses with growth and improvements, along with REI Oklahoma, an economic development non-profit helping small businesses start and grow since 1982, teamed up for the 5th time to host, plan and promote this event.
The summit had over 23 vendors showcasing their products and services, along with Banking, Accounting, Insurance and Legal (BAIL) team representatives and a small business panel to provide expert information, ideas and tips.
GPT Business Development Center Small Business Management Coordinator and one of the summit managers, Carey Monroe, is pleased with this year’s turnout and the improvements made to increase networking opportunities among vendors, panel guests, and attendees.
“I think it was really successful. You could really see lots of conversations happening, lots of new people meeting, lots of business cards being exchanged, so that was really exciting,” Monroe said.
Cynthia Pearson of KCCU FM public radio and Melissa Beck of Habitat for Humanity emceed the day's event.
The BAIL team for this year’s summit consisted of: Bankers Shelly Fields from Arvest Bank and Amanda Bay from Liberty National Bank; Accountant Dani Blackburn, CPA, of Hatch, Croke and Associates, PC who is also with Lawton Business Women; Insurers Annelise Pool of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Patricia Williams from Vincent Saylor-State Farm; Legal
wand concept to her personal life and began setting goals and writing each small step needed to achieve them.
Downs went back to college at age 40, with what she described as a GPA of less than 1. She eventually graduated with her bachelor’s and even went on to get her master’s degree. She set out to replace the outgoing CEO of her credit union and found successful leaders in similar positions to mentor her in preparation.
was attorney Monica Ybarra Weddn of Rosell & Love Law Firm.
The expert members of these vital industries answered frequently asked questions and provided valuable tips and information.
The Summit’s Small Business Panel consisted of four women from various industries who shared experiences and advice from their prospective careers. Dr. Rose Lepien of Aaragon Chiropractic, with over 53 years of professional experience, discussed some of the challenges and successes she’s witnessed in her extensive career.
Lepien said that she is proud of women entrepreneurs and the energy they bring.
She urges them to do research, as it’s important to understand “what the cost would be in time, money and energy, to get into their business,” she said.
“You can only give 100 percent in so many directions,” Lepien said. “But if they have a calling and everything works out well, I always admire our young entrepreneurs…it just has to be the right time and season.”
Dr. Janette Powers of Empowered Healthcare spoke about the struggles of starting a business without a support system and the need for a strong mentor to help navigate that process.
Hailey Hoover, owner and operator of The Sparkling Hippie, is a spiritual healer and yoga instructor. She spoke about people-pleasing tendencies and the importance of setting personal boundaries.
Dr. Sara Linneen of Elanco Animal Health discussed network building and being open-minded about communication and technology based on your industry and clientele.
The event’s Keynote Speaker, Amy Downs, is an Oklahoma City bombing survivor and featured in both a Netflix and National Geographic documentary about the tragedy in 1995 that took 168 lives. Downs became a motivational speaker, telling her powerful and encouraging story of hope and perseverance for the last 25 years.
She gave an impactful speech at the summit about her recovery process and the incredible changes she underwent after surviving that tragedy. She described the tedious
rebuilding process both personally and professionally, in the aftermath of the bombing.
Downs went back to work while still in a wheelchair, for the same credit union that she worked at in the Murrah Federal Building. The financial institution had since been operating out of another credit union’s building, with mostly new employees aside from Downs and a few other survivors who were determined to keep their company going.
“We got really good at goal setting, and every morning it was — what is the next step?” Downs said. “Strategic planning was not a once-a-year thing for us — it was a daily thing for us. We’ve got to figure out how to pivot — we’ve got to figure out how to make it.”
A new CEO came into their organization and brought in a framework asking Downs and her team, what they would do or fix if they, “had a magic wand.” Downs said this concept gave them an opportunity to think freely and created a “safe psychological space” that permitted discussing whatever came to mind.
After the input from Downs, the CEO instructed her to go make a list of the smallest things she could do, given her current situation and limitations, to make that new goal a reality. Downs admitted that this philosophy impacted her deeply as she realized that “small steps over time really lead to an amazing transformation.”
Downs decided to apply the magic
She then decided weight loss was important to her and set out to conquer small exercise goals to keep the 75 pounds of weight off, following bariatric surgery. After helping with the OKC Memorial Marathon, Downs became determined to complete a race of her own for the first time ever. With no running experience she began in small increments, one mile at a time until she finally completed a full marathon, but she didn’t stop there. A friend told Downs that if she learned how to swim, she could do a triathlon — so she got a swim coach and did just that.
Just before Downs turned 50 and was about to step into the CEO role and conquer yet another goal she set, she decided to try something crazy and compete in an iron-man competition.
“Now, an iron-man is a 2.4-mile swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride, finished up with a 26.2 marathon,” Downs said. “And it has to be done in 17 hours, all with time cuts along the way. I went to Tempe, Arizona and I did it. I became an Iron-Man.”
She continues to apply the magic wand theory to her life and still uses it today as she accomplishes every goal — one small step at a time.
Downs concluded by reminding the crowd that they are full of life and can always “do something to push forward.”
“So don’t take this life for granted,” Downs said, “don’t float complacently, don’t let everyone else around you zap your energy, your time — carve some out for you — to make sure you’re living a life with purpose and intention.”
The annual Women’s Business Summit takes place on the third week in September, on a Thursday. Monroe said potential vendors can fill out forms on REIok.com around June for an opportunity to be a part of the next summit. Follow REI Oklahoma and GPT Business Development Center on Facebook for more information and updates.
Amanda Purser Managing Editor
Photos by Amanda Purser
Cameron University presents:
‘Unity 1918’
The Cameron University Department of Art, Music, and Theater Arts premieres the gothic romance and dark comedy, “Unity 1918,” by Kevin Kerr.
According to a CU press release, “The characters in ‘Unity (1918)’ find themselves navigating the end of World War I amidst the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic
in the small-town of Unity, Saskatchewan. Gabriella AguilarFreeman, Oberkirch, Germany; Skylar Edwards, Las Vegas, Nev.; and Shade Linville, Lawton, star as the Wilde sisters, whose lives entwine throughout the play.”
The production runs from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Oct. 2 through Oct. 4; and 2 - 4
p.m., Oct. 5.
Tickets are available online or at the door.
University students receive one free admission with their CU ID.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens, members of the military, and CU staff.
This production is recommended for mature audiences.
Campus Closet, a Cameron resource for students
Ciera Terry Voices Editor
The Campus Closet is exactly as its name implies — an open closet for all Cameron students to utilize; however, the Campus Closet provides a multitude of amenities that aren’t just clothes.
Financial and Community Resource Specialist Francesca Morris, oversees the planning and organization of the resource and describes it as a free thrift store for students.
“It’s really meant to be a space that helps to fill in the gaps for student,” Morris said, “so that they can focus on school and they don’t have to take time out of their day to go to the store to buy hygiene items. Or so that they don’t have to spend money on professional attire or things like that. We also have school supplies, so just hoping to support students so that they can be successful in their academics,” she said.
The Campus Closet is located on the bottom floor of Shepler and began around 2019, however, when Covid hit, the operation was put on hold. When Morris arrived at Cameron four years later, the Campus Closet was revitalized.
“It was really a blank canvas whenever I got it,” Morris said. “So I’ve been operating it since 2023, but the operation falls with the SEC, the Student Enrichment Center, and actually owned by the Student Alumni Association, that’s who started it all those years ago,”
she said.
The Campus Closet resources depend on the community and what is donated. In order to help out, the Alumni Office here on campus runs donation drives.
“They host them one to two times per year, just kind of depending on the need,” Morris said. “So if I’m running low on things, then I’ll reach out to the Alumni Office, and they usually are really great about putting a drive together for whatever we need,” she said.
In spite of the name, clothing isn’t the only thing provided.
“It does kind of, you know, lend itself towards you having people think that it’s just a clothing closet, and maybe that’s how it started,” Morris said. “But at this point, it has grown to include professional attire, hygiene items, and school supplies ... We even have some decor items, you know, things you can hang up in your dorm room. And sometimes we even have little appliances like coffee maker and microwave, just all depends on donations,” she said.
The Campus Closet is actively accepting and looking for volunteers.
“One of the main ways that we get volunteers is through a partnership with Student Support Services. They have a student leadership team, so they usually try to send someone to help volunteer. But we also get volunteers from
PLUS like our plus scholars or our athletes,” she said.
The Campus Closet has partnered with many organizations and clubs around campus from the softball team, to most recently with Lawton Business Women.
“They (Lawton Business Women) had a few of their members come out and help us go through all the donations we had gotten over the summer and then get everything ready for the start of the fall semester,” Morris said.
In order to have such a successful resource center, volunteers are more than needed — they are required.
“Otherwise it would just be me and the student worker from Alumni. So definitely appreciative of anyone that wants to come and volunteer with us, and they can come during normal hours for the fall 2025 semester. We’re open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m., so anyone wanting to volunteer can just come during those hours or reach out to us,” she said.
The Campus Closet is a space that provides for students in need.
“Whether you think about it as, you know, those typical categories of first-generation or, you know, low income college students, things like that — I think just in general, aside from any of those categories, having a place where you can get resources like this is just so helpful, because you’re able to eliminate an area of stress in your day,” she said. “Because
everybody knows that there are times in our college journey where funds might be a little tighter than others, and everything that’s in the Campus Closet is free,” Morris said.
Resources like the Campus Closet are not only good for the students but also help advocate for sustainability
“It’s just going to be great for us and for the future of our environment. And I think it’s really cool that students get to play a part in that just by utilizing a free resource,” she said.
In regards to future plans, Morris hopes for only two things.
“I would love to be able to have a regular source of donations that would be monetary, so that we could make sure that, you know, let’s say we’re running short on some items and we haven’t had that item physically donated, we would have access to some sort of funding to be able to purchase items just to keep the necessities on hand,” she said. “We’re in the works of exploring options, and I can’t make any guarantees, but we are definitely looking into potentially having a food pantry, and I would love for that to be associated with the Campus Closet, so maybe it could be open at the same time,” she said.
Morris’ for advice to
to step over the threshold,” she said.
Acie Rodriguez has been a student worker for the Alumni Office for around two and a half years working in the Campus Closet to help Morris in partnership with the Student Enrichment Center.
The Campus Closet has provided accommodations for all students and for special circumstances.
“A lot of students will have maybe a presentation coming up where they have to wear professional clothing, but they can’t,” Rodriguez said. “Either they can’t afford the professional clothing, or they don’t want to buy it and keep it for the rest of their lives.”
The Campus Closet is a safe space.
“It’s so cozy, and I feel like it’s very welcoming here. Students are able to just come in and vent if they want to,” Rodriguez said.
Being a worker in the Campus Closet for so long, the dynamic between students and faculty becomes deeper than transactional need for resources — it becomes stronger and community motivated.
“The great thing about this Campus Closet is that it’s not just a store. It’s a place to build relationships and organic ones at that,” Rodriguez said.
Photos by Ciera Terry
TWENTY ONE PILOTS, TIMELESS AND REIGNITED
TWENTY ONE PILOTS, TIMELESS AND REIGNITED
Serenity Clark Staff Writer
When I was fourteen, I believed Twenty One Pilots to be eternal–something that would always be there regardless of how much time continues to pass. I learned once that the interests you obtain at that age stay with you forever, no matter how far you go or how much you think you’ve forgotten.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected a lot of artists’ momentum. Some of you may be thinking, “wait, Twenty One Pilots still exists?”
They do, and they’ve been telling a story to the few, the proud and the emotional for over ten years now — a story that began with the release of “Blurryface” in 2015, continuing through “Trench (2018),” “Scaled And Icy (2021),” “Clancy (2024)” and finally, coming to its conclusion with “Breach” this year.
With “Clancy’s” announcement in early 2024, my interest in Twenty One Pilots had reignited. All it had taken was the initial twenty seconds of “Clancy’s” first single, “Overcompensate,” for me to be thrown back into the mind of my fourteen year old self, a perfect nine years after Blurryface.
I remember vividly how many people said after their first listen that “Clancy” felt like it needed to be a deluxe album, that it felt unfinished. Another near-perfect year later, Twenty One Pilots announced their eighth studio album, “Breach.”
traditions.
It is a nod at their former selves, and a nod at fans’ former selves too (even the cover is a reference to the “Blurryface” cover).
Twenty One Pilots have an enormous, highly dedicated fanbase–most of whom have been here for years, which is why I believe the band’s career has headed in this direction: a fan-focused one, with complex lore and history that really only makes sense to those that take the time to understand it.
Twenty One Pilots have never cared about having a lot of fans; they have always cared about having some fans that are just as dedicated as they are.
The album opens with “City Walls,” reminiscent of opening tracks like Trench’s “Jumpsuit” with thick bass and heavy drums and an outro identical to “Blurryface’s” “Heavydirtysoul.” The bridge even slows in tempo like “Jumpsuit,” a gentle pause before returning to that electric build-up that explodes in a scream.
his voice, and then I felt those same years rest on my shoulders.
The second track, “RAWFEAR,” represents the years past and wisdom gained really well, with lyrics like, “life is just forever, never slowing down,” and “learning all that really matters is a slow and painful lesson,” backed by the altered screams of Joseph’s two daughters.
Joseph’s growth is not the only growth represented in this album, either–and if you’d told me eight years ago that I’d be hearing real-life
center stage on “Drum Show.” The thing about percussion instruments is they force you to feel them (there’s a joke in here somehow about how drummers control the entire show, from genre to tempo) and I feel as though the song is mixed so that the drums are equal with Joseph’s voice, harmonizing like the instruments are an extension of Josh Dun himself.
Maybe the most impactful part of the song (aside from Josh Dun singing) is how drastically Joseph’s vocals shift after Dun’s bridge.
minutes and twenty six seconds.
It is the one track that sounds most like it came from a different album entirely, and that’s because it is actually a reconceptualized demo from 2011.
“Downstairs” was born during the development of Twenty One Pilots’s one and only independently released album, “Regional at Best.”
“Regional at Best” is hugely loved by the fanbase, our hidden gem, despite being removed from circulation when the band signed to Fueled By Ramen in 2012. Despite Joseph scrapping the demo, Dun kept returning to it over the years; he proposed its reconceptualization, creating a very emotionally effective track with twenty three year old Tyler Joseph singing alongside his current self.
again,” a line violently familiar to those of us that know what it’s like to feel trapped in a cycle.
The lyrics are kept short as the lesson is simple; it’s been the same lesson all this time: “The sun will rise and we will try again.”
No matter how many times you fall, it is always worth getting back up. Learning is part of living: “Intentions are everything / Intentions will set you free.”
I don’t necessarily want to say this is Twenty One Pilots’s best album, but… it really might be. “Breach” is both “Blurryface’s” counterpart and its opposition; it is the answer to a long-ago proposed question.
“Breach” is an homage to the band’s entire career, full of callbacks to old songs or live show
There are lyrics in this one calling back to “Migraine” and “Holding On To You” on “Vessel,” some of their most popular live songs, especially among older fans. As one of the older fans myself, my first listen of “Breach” felt emotional and charged: I was both fourteen and twenty two at once. Tyler Joseph was in my ear but this time, instead of being an angsty adolescent, he’s “a little softer than he used to be,” a husband and a father of three. I could hear the years that had passed in
recorded Josh Dun vocals on a real-life released Twenty One Pilots song, I’d say you are out of your mind.
But that’s what the album’s third track is all about: “Drum Show” is Dun’s gospel, evolving from someone too afraid to perform facing the crowd to a Grammy award winning drummer who regularly performs in front of thousands–and now singing to them, too.
The drums are incredible and powerful in any Twenty One Pilots song, but Dun really gets
Before, his voice is controlled and maintained; afterward he becomes completely unhinged, both of them equally vulnerable and heightening the intensity of the song.
“The Contract” is another highly charged song on the album; the only single proceeding “Drum Show,” an intentional choice to set the tone for the upcoming era.
But to me, “Downstairs” is easily one of the strongest tracks on the album, taking its time at a runtime of five
But the loose ends of this story really come together in the final two tracks: “Tally” is about being appreciative of those that love you despite your ups and downs, while also having a hard time trusting that love. Twenty One Pilots have been painting an image of the cycle of one’s mental illness for over a decade: the personification of one’s inner demon and the constant fight to stay afloat.
This band understands that you cannot always be at your best, and you will always come back from your worst.
“Intentions” starts with the reversed instrumentals and vocalizations of the final track on “Vessel,” “Truce.” The track opens up with the line, “I am starting it all over once
There is a return to the recklessness of “Blurryface,” this time with lessons learned and years of experience under the band’s belt. While “Blurryface” was a tightly fitted suit, something sharply disciplined and held together in a vise, “Breach” is stepping into one’s most comfortable outfit.
There is freedom to move and breathe and a confidence in one’s own decisions–this is the evolution of Twenty One Pilots, the individual growth of Tyler Joseph alongside his best friend Josh Dun, and how their growth has impacted the lives and growth of thousands of others. I take it back, I do want to say it: “Breach” is Twenty One Pilots best album.
The duo’s final tour for the foreseeable future will begin Sept. 18 in Cincinnati, Ohio. To all who will be attending: dance extra hard for me!
ID Card Safety on Campus
Steven Utter Staff Writer
In the wake of the seemingly endless amounts of gun violence in schools around the country, I think we should review Cameron University’s ID card policies.
Last year I discovered that Cameron charges a 35-dollar fee for student ID cards when attempting to purchase one for access to the newsroom, which is locked with a card reader.
I was taken aback by this, especially because I was unable to charge it to my financial aid in my Cameron account, even though my aid did not get distributed for another week and the first copy of a parking pass are recieved for free.
Cameron University Controller, Amanda Koll said students can charge their ID and additional parking permits to their account during a set period each semester.
“The charge period for Fall 2024 was
July 22 through September 4, 2024. For Fall 2025, the charge period was July 21 through September 3, 2025. The charge period ends each semester a few days prior to the first financial disbursement,” Koll said. “The purpose of the charge period is to eliminate financial barriers for our students who would otherwise be unable to purchase their books or ID cards until after they receive their financial aid. We have a cutoff date to allow student account charges to settle prior to disbursements beginning. If we allowed students to continue charging these particular items throughout the semester, it potentially creates an unpaid balance for students as they may not be receiving any additional aid.”
She also said the Board of Regents approved elimination of the parking permit fee in the 2021 academic year to remove barriers to vehicle registration.
“The purpose of the Student ID Card Fee is to cover operational costs of the ID card system across campus,” Koll said. “Which encompasses the ID card
printer, card supplies, and card readers throughout campus facilities.”
Cameron Journalism and Media Production Junior Michael Evans said he believes Cameron shouldn’t be charging for IDs at all.
“I don’t think having a charge is really that serious,” Evans said. “Because we already have enough that we pay for […] Charging 35 dollars for an ID seems really ridiculous in my opinion.”
I wondered why this fee wouldn’t be charged directly to tuition.
Koll said tuition does not cover all of the operation costs of the University while still listing tuition as a revenue source for operational costs.
“The operational costs of the University are covered through multiple revenue sources, which include state appropriations, tuition, course fees, and other student fees (like the ID card fee).”
Koll said
I believe charging tuition directly for this fee would be a huge benefit to safety on campus by providing everyone
that belongs on campus with a form of identification that is quickly recognizable at a glance with its bright yellow colors. This would also certainly bring Cameron more money as every student would then be paying for one rather than only the students needing access to locked rooms.
On the topic of safety, Evans said he feels no one should be allowed on campus without a Cameron ID of some kind.
“I feel like if you don’t belong on campus, you shouldn’t come to the campus at all and if campus security stops you and you don’t have an ID then, not only should they be alerted, the police in town should be alerted to make sure if this individual should not be here.”
Cameron could provide guests and concurrent students with temporary passes of their own. Although this would cost additional money, I imagine charging the ID card fee directly to all student tuition would help alleviate that burden.
Graphic by Ciera Terry
The CU Art Guild
Angelica Martinez Student Life Editor
After several years of inactivity, the Cameron University Art Guild returned this fall to strengthen campus creativity and connect with the Lawton-Fort Sill community.
The guild supports artistic pursuits, promotes art appreciation and fosters an inclusive environment for students. Membership extends beyond art majors; students from any discipline can attend events, join the organization and even hold leadership positions.
Leaders are partnering with the Music Department to host art displays during choir concerts, giving audiences a chance to view and purchase student work.
Art Guild President April Luikart encourages students to share their creativity in any form.
“If you make something amazing and you want people to see it, when we have a pop-up show, put it in,” Luikart said. “It doesn’t have to be on a flat piece of paper. It could be 3D; maybe you sculpted it. It could be digital art. We provide those opportunities.”
Luikart also emphasized that the guild helps student artists build confidence.
“Sometimes people feel shy about sharing their work, but this group is meant to be supportive,” she said. “Whether you’re painting, sculpting or just trying something new for the first time, we want you to know this is a safe space to take risks and grow.”
The guild takes a 20 percent commission from art sales to fund future activities, but Luikart described it as an investment back into students.
“That money doesn’t just disappear,” she said. “Every dollar goes right back into more supplies,
Rekindled
more events and more opportunities for students to showcase what they love doing.”
The guild recently hosted its first campus event, where students followed an instructor and painted a ghost in a forest with their peers.
Art Guild members paid $7 to participate, while non-members paid $12. All profits went directly into supporting future Art Guild activities and events.
Junior art major Daijah Watson-Kyser joined to expand her creative horizons and connect with other artists.
“The guild helps broaden my creative outlook, and I just want to see everyone’s art,” Watson-Kyser said. “It’s
easy to get stuck in your own viewpoint, but connecting with other student artists pulls you out of that.”
Watson-Kyser added that she values the variety of perspectives the guild brings together.
“The best part is hearing ideas from people who think differently than you do,” she said.
“When someone shows you a technique or even just a sketch that you would have never thought of, it pushes you to grow. That’s what makes this guild so important.”
The next event open to all students is a printmaking workshop, “Kitchen Lithography,” scheduled for October.
The official date will be announced soon. The guild is also planning an equine drawing workshop in collaboration with Open Arms Behavioral Health, which will be open exclusively to official Art Guild members.
With ambitious plans and a renewed sense of purpose, the Art Guild invites Cameron students to join in building a lasting space for creativity, collaboration and community. To get involved, follow the Cameron Art Guild Facebook page, join the official Discord server, or email al079105@ cameron.edu.
DON CROUCH
Art Exhibit
exhibit and a lecture explaining his upbringing as a collector and an artist.
Son and Cameron Professor Jack Crouch introduced his father at the event by showcasing the many museums and shows Don’s work has been displayed in, across the country in places such as Indianapolis, Iowa, and included in art shows like Western Visions in Jackson, Wyoming.
Don began his lecture with a description of how he views his collection as an art in itself, how collecting strengthens his bond with the Western world he’s grown to love, and how the pieces have inspired his own journey, which led him to where he is today.
He reminisces about an early memory in his life; in an old garage with a rusty toolbox, he discovered his innate curiosity for craftsmanship. With encouragement from his father, he created his own toys and tools from woodworking.
It’s that same inspiration that brought about his love for collecting. In an old Native American shop, he found a feather bonnet that caught his eye. He recalls having to learn to skin animals and selling their hides for money that enabled his first purchase for his collection, an item he still owns today.
Don paints a picture that his inspiration snowballs into the next medium or event in his life: a well renowned archeologist approached a sixteen-year-old Crouch about an
earning him a new internship internship to get into college, where he first focused on sculpting before having to pivot to painting in order to make his name known throughout surrounding community shows. Don believes that going through these phases of different media and art “puts the inspiration puzzle together.”
His son Jack said that it is circumstance that moves his father through modes of working.
“He works with assistants now, so he has people that work under him that he uses to help do some of the preparatory work,” Jack said. “And that changes over time as well.”
Despite his everchanging position, Don keeps a strong head on his shoulders, not letting work consume his life or personal relationships.
In the middle of the presentation, Don took the audience through his trips to several ancient temples and architecture.
Places like Chetro Ketl, Mesa Verde
and White House Ruin all intrigued him enough that he felt the need to share the history as much as possible, through art, literature and with his son, Jack.
What caught Don’s attention so much was the so-called “peculiar circumstances of older art” listing it as one of the primary reasons for collecting some of these pieces as well.
In those times, artists did not have the same advantages that we do today, creating a piece was a far more arduous process, requiring more discipline and time. The dedication required to create art in a much different era gave him a reason to
innovate himself.
This idea is fully ingrained in many of his landscape paintings as well, where he showcases the many landmarks he has explored over the years. However, Don explained that to give them all a sense of cohesion, he added a “signature feature” in most of his paintings. Throughout the paintings Don adds a familiar motif to his work, an owl, to showcase a connecting thread to all of his life experience. He remarks “Different paintings, but all the same line of thought.”
The exibit remanied open to all Cameron Students until 5 p.m., Sept. 26.
Graphic by Angelica Martinez
Photos by Angelica Martinez
Courtesy Photo
Photo by Jake Thomas
Do you ever feel like you’re reliving the same day over and over?
whether to go back into the real world or stay with Sarah.
“Groundhog Day” is a 1993 sci-fi romantic comedy that follows Phil (Bill Murray) as he’s stuck in a time loop, forced to relive the exact same day.
The film is directed by Harold Ramis and written by both Ramis and Danny Rubin.
As expected by the title, the film takes place on Groundhog Day. Phil finds himself trapped in the small town of Punxsutawney, Philadelphia, where the Groundhog Day ceremony takes place every year. Phil, a news anchor and weatherman, is assigned to cover the event, much to his displeasure. After a half-hearted report, and several failed social interactions, the sour-faced weatherman returns to his hotel for the night.
The next day, Phil realizes that he is reliving the same day when events repeat themselves. He she refuses.
The weatherman tries to seduce her over many, many attempts to no avail; Phil gradually starts to change as a person and realizes that his actions have meaning regardless of whether the day resets or not. He starts to help the other townsfolk, learns all about them, and becomes a more openhearted man. By the end of the film, Phil finally confides in Rita, and she promises to stay with him. The next day, Phil wakes up to a whole new day with Rita by his side.
Do you ever feel like you’re reliving the same day over and over?
“Palm Springs” is a 2020 sci-fi romantic comedy that follows Nyles (Andy Samberg) as he’s stuck in a time loop, forced to relive the exact same day.
The film is directed by Max Barbakow with a screenplay by Andy Siara.
The film takes place in sunny California at a
spirited attitude leads to the pair spending the night together – until Nyles is attacked by a masked man (J.K. Simmons), which leads to Sarah following Nyles into a mysterious cave where she is brought into the time loop with him. Sarah quickly discovers that Nyles has been trapped in the time loop for quite some time with only the attacker – Roy, who also stumbled into the cave due to Nyles’ recklessness – as company. Sarah initially tries to escape the loop, but she eventually decides to embrace the freedom and lack of consequences. However, after she falls for Nyles, Sarah becomes determined to leave because – in a plot twist – we discover that Sarah slept with her sister’s soon-to-be husband the night before the wedding. Sarah’s guilt and Nyles’
After some time apart, the pair reconcile and, with Sarah’s newfound understanding of how to escape the time loop, they leave the loop together.
Both “Groundhog Day” and “Palm Springs” are funny, philosophical, and romantic takes on the theoretical effects of a time loop on a person. However, if I were to compare the two, I would say that “Groundhog Day” is certainly more philosophical in nature. Both films play into the comedic aspects, of course, but Ramis’ 1993 film has a touch more sincerity with its understated humor.
On the other hand, I think the romantic aspect is executed far better in “Palm Springs.” As much as I enjoyed “Groundhog Day,” the relationship between Rita and Phil felt
partially because Rita doesn’t know about Phil’s plight, nor does she share his memories of the many time loops they shared together. It’s especially heinous to see Phil and Rita get together because, even after his complete change of heart, it’s hard to forget the montage that showcases an angry Rita slapping Phil over and over and over again in each attempt he makes to sleep with her throughout the loops. Sarah and Nyles were far more fleshed out and had a more reasonable ending. Sarah as a character was also more layered because the audience is allowed to spend more time with her outside of when she crosses Nyles’ path. We see her take charge of her own fate, and despite her feelings for Nyles, she promises him that she will leave whether he decides to join her or not. The story doesn’t necessarily rely on Nyles getting the girl or Sarah choosing
“Groundhog Day” was originally written in the middle of the story with Phil already in the time loop, though writers Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin adjusted the script to start at the beginning of Phil’s journey after a producer expressed interest in seeing his initial reactions to the time loop. Similarly, “Palm Springs” finds the Nyles already stuck in his time loop, having made a weird, almost-peace with his circumstances – it is only through Sarah’s character that the audience gets the similar effect of experiencing the loop for the first time.
I think time loop movies are a fun and fascinating way to explore philosophical questions regarding mortality and what it takes to become a better person. Unfortunately, I’m not sure many will ever perform as well as Ramis’ or Barbakow’s films. They both take place in very
This semester “The Collegian” is giving a “thank you” to a special reader. For your chance to win a FREE gift , play along! Solve the crossword puzzle below and write down the letter in the gold box. Collect all 8 gold letters from the next issue’s puzzles to spell a secret word. That word is your entry into the drawing at the end of the semester! Combine the letters together with your phone number included. Stay tuned for our drawing at the end
ACROSS:
1. Seven days.
THEME: TIME
2. One-thousand years.
3. Where to see days of the year.
4. Twelve in a year.
5. One-hundred years.
DOWN: 1. Sci-fi shortcut through space-time; tunnel.
2. Very long time.
3. Something to tell time with (not on your wrist).
4. Sixty seconds.
5. Opposite of day.
6. Sixty minutes.
7. Twenty-four hours.
Amelia Lozano A&E Editor
Courtesy photos
As the neon glow of our screens flickered to life in the colorfully lit eSports lab on campus, the air was thick with that electric buzz only a competitive Overwatch 2 match can bring.
We’re the CU Pickaxes, a crew of undergrads at Cameron University, fueled by late-night snacks and an unshakeable belief that every pixel-peek counts.
On Wednesday night, we squared off against the Mustang eSports squad, a team led by a Top 100 tank from a few competitive seasons ago. Best of five, hero bans, map picks decided by the sting of defeat–it’s the kind of high-stakes chaos that makes college eSports feel like the big leagues.
Spoiler alert, though: we walked away 3-1 victors, and man, was it exciting.
If this series was any indication on how the rest of our season will go, the Pickaxes are just getting started.
It all kicked off with a coin flip that handed the Mustangs first pick of the game map–they chose Oasis, my old nemesis. We slapped a ban on one of the characters, Sombra, since her stealthy hacks could unravel our backline.
They retaliated by sidelining Roadhog, figuring his grappling hook would turn their squishies (a low-HP character) into piñatas. The next game on the Oasis map was stressful, lasting a blistering five minutes and 46
seconds. We dropped 0-1, no sugarcoating it.
Their tank, a character called Ramattra, was completely immovable, shutting down our dives at every turn.
As the defeat screen appeared, I leaned back in my chair, feeling like this might turn into just a short night at the lab. Losing the first round can sting, but if you know ball, you know that’s just fuel for the next match. We picked the next map, vowing to turn the tide.
Enter Kings Row: a classy and enjoyable map for almost anyone who plays Overwatch. The Mustangs, however, wanted to play the Christmas edition, so we obliged.
With the ball in our court, we took an aggressive route, banning their Ramattra to restrict what killed us in the first round, while the Mustangs banned our Genji, one of my teammate’s best heroes (probably tired of his blade ripping through their supports).
The Mustangs opted to defend first, which played in our favor. What followed was a 14-minute nail-biter, ending 3-2 in our favor.
I remember the third point like it was yesterday: we were on defense, stalling their tank and attacking their supports at every chance. Our communication was great, and as the word victory splashed across our screens, I let out a loud “Let’s go!”
Another map down. The Mustangs had to pick next, and we could sense their hesitation.
They doubled down on a Flashpoint map called
Suravasa, another 3-2 thriller, clocking in at twelve minutes and 41 seconds. Two wins in a row for us and the Mustangs were picking the next map with their backs against the wall.
They chose Colosseo, a map with Italian hills that demand precision or perish.
The final round had a runtime of five minutes and 46 seconds, it was over before it really began, 1-0 Pickaxes. The attempts to topple us barely budged under our coordinated comms, with our tank peeling, our supports clutching, and the damage-dealers putting in the work.
With the series win sealed, I cheered so loud that I’m sure anyone in the Academic Commons could hear me. We’d clawed our way back after being down one, to go on a three-match winning streak, turning a potential sweep into a statement win.
Look, the Mustangs are no slouches, and we still have work to do with team coordination–but wins like this? They’re why I love the game of Overwatch and playing for the Pickaxes.
We’re not just a team; we are homies. Oasis taught us resilience, Kings Row our aggression, Suravasa our synergy, and Colosseo? That’s confidence exploding.
With the PlayVS season heating up, I’m optimistic about our future. We’ve got the tools, the heart and now the blueprint for bigger battles.
Keep an eye on us Pickaxes because we are digging for gold this semester!
In the heart of Lawton, Oklahoma, where the plains stretch wide and the spirit of competition runs deep, Cameron University’s eSports program is fostering a new generation of digital athletes. At the forefront of the university’s Overwatch team stands Frank Rabel Santos, a dedicated player whose journey from casual gamer to team captain embodies the passion and perseverance that define eSports.
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Lawton since the age of three, Frank has transformed his lifelong love for video games into a leadership role that’s pushing his team toward new heights.
Frank’s entry into the world of gaming was a family affair, sparked by his older half-brother, Alexis Ditrén Santos, during their early days sharing a room after immigrating to the U.S.
“We used to share a room when we first got here, and his dad had gotten him a PS2,” Frank said. “I remember watching him play SpiderMan, SOCOM, Ben 10, and a bunch of others. Occasionally he would let me play, and I would always have fun.”
The brothers bonded over split-screen sessions on the PS3 with Call of Duty: Black Ops 1, but it wasn’t until Christmas 2013 that Frank received his own console, the Xbox 360 bundled with Minecraft.
“From there, I have never stopped loving video games,” he said.
Despite his enthusiasm, Frank approached gaming primarily as a hobby throughout his K-12 years. He never took up any extracurricular activities and that ultimately drew him to eSports.
popular vote among his teammates. He attributes it to his proactive nature.
“I am the one who usually tried to organize things, and maybe because I am the one who talks the most,” he said.
Though he’s still honing his leadership style, Frank is committed to constructive motivation for his teammates.
“I think I will do that by giving them solutions and ways forward rather than just bringing up problems or mistakes without advising them on how they can improve,” he says. “If I do not offer any path forward, then I am simply a complainer, not a captain.”
For the current season, Frank has set realistic yet ambitious goals.
“My goal is to at least make playoffs, that way I can match what our captain did last semester,” he said. “Then next semester, we can aim higher as we will
different things that other teams will attempt on us.”
This mental workload demands free time, which often comes at the expense of his personal life.
“College studies are the same thing. I just need free time to do my work and to study, but this all means that my personal life is what takes the hit,” he said.
Streaming games and hosting practices, however, provide lighter moments that require “zero brain power at all.”
Unlike many in the eSports scene, Frank doesn’t draw inspiration from professional players, admitting, “I do not really follow eSports, so I wouldn’t say anybody really influences me.”
His tastes span genres, reflecting a broad appreciation for interactive storytelling and simulation. Favorites include narrative-driven titles like What Remains of Edith Finch and A Plague Tale (both games), action epics such as Ghost of Tsushima, strategy sims like Cities: Skylines 1 & 2 and Crusader Kings 3, racing challenges in Dirt Rally 2.0, cooperative chaos in Helldivers 2, quirky survival in My Summer Car, and classic multiplayer in Star Wars Battlefront 2.
“I was tired of not doing anything,” he said. “Seeing how I was already interested in video games, I just felt that I could give this a try and I think it was a very wise choice.”
Joining the Cameron Pickaxes team marked a pivotal shift for Frank, who had always played for fun.
“Being on this team is really the first time I have actually thought about how to try and be better than other people while playing, which is a new perspective that I never experienced before,” he said.
Frank’s rise to captain came organically, through a
be more used to this new lineup and more used to me being the new captain.”
His strategy emphasizes player strengths.
“It will mostly be seeing who is comfortable in what role and properly matching up our players so that they can perform to the best of their ability,” he said.
Balancing captain duties with college studies isn’t without sacrifice.
“Most of my responsibilities as captain revolve around thinking and strategizing,” Frank said. “I have to think of my teammates, what they can and can’t do, how they can improve, how the team can adapt to
“Those are just the ones that I remember very fondly or that I have put many hours into, but they encompass all sorts of genres,” he shared.
For aspiring players eyeing a spot on Cameron’s Overwatch team, Frank offers straightforward advice.
“Just show up to practice consistently and try and talk to us,” he said. “And as long as you’re not a bad person and try to play the game the best you can, you’ll make it.”
He emphasizes personal responsibility.
“If you do not show up,” he said, “we will not chase you down. It is your own choice to be in eSports, and we are all adults here. None of us on the team are above Diamond. Even if you are Bronze 5, we will welcome you as long as you show up.”
As Cameron University’s Overwatch team gears up for the season under Frank’s guidance, his story serves as a reminder that eSports isn’t just about elite skill. It’s about community, growth and seizing opportunities. With his strategic mindset and positive approach, Frank is not only leading his team but also inspiring those around him and other gamers at Cameron.
Matthew Hasley Sports Editor
Matthew Hasley Sports Editor
Photo by Matthew Hasley
Courtesy Photo