The Cameron Collegian - February 15, 2016

Collegian T he Cameron University

www.aggiecentral.com

Monday, February 15, 2016

Introducing Miss

Volume 94 Issue 4

Black CU:

Sarae Simpson Chidy Chyk Staff Writer

2016

At 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in the University Theatre, the Black Student Association (BSA) hosted the 37th annual Dr. Valree Wynn Miss Black CU Pageant and crowned Sarae Simpson 2016 Miss Black CU. The event started with an opening number by the contestants, who danced to “New Day”

by Alicia Keys, followed by a welcome speech by president of BSA Ja’lyn Yarbrough.

Ciera James, mistress of ceremonies, led the audience in singing the “Black National Anthem” – “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Next, guest performer Wanda Thompson led the audience in prayer.

Master of the ceremonies Eugene Patterson and James introduced themselves and also introduced the first featured contestant, Jamie Hatcher, to come sing.

Taylor Thompson, coordinator of Diversity Affairs and director of the Miss Black CU Pageant said she was thrilled to watch the contestants compete.

“I am truly ecstatic,” she said. “We had another successful show, [and] the girls really showed their courage. They came out here and they gave it their all, so I’m extremely proud of all of our contestants.”

She also said there was a substantial audience turnout.

“I think we did have a lot of support from the community, our Greek organizations and also our students too,” she said, “so I think the turnout was great. I think you could hear the cheers from the audience.”

Contestants gave different monologues Graphic by about an actor they each found Vicky Smith

inspiring, which included the likes of Beyonce and Gabrielle Union.

Outgoing Miss Black CU Marissa Williams gave her last performance on the Miss Black CU stage with a poem.

Later on, the contestants came out in sportswear to demonstrate different sports, but they were not judged based on this.

Contestant 3, Reagan Williams, said one thing she learned throughout her journey is that pageants are hard, but she would still like to complete again in the future.

“My feet are killing me,” Williams said, “but these shoes are on point.”

There were five judges, two of whom were winners of the same crown, and also a presently crowned Queen from Texas.

Byron Phillips, a Cameron alumnus, said the event was classy and everyone was welcoming.

“I thought the event was great,” Phillips said.

“Everyone was welcoming and really accepting – excellent performances. I really enjoy all the dancing, all the songs – just a really classy event and all.”

The contestants displayed their various talents by singing, playing the keyboard and dancing. Guest performer Shaebreon Cade danced to John Legend and Common’s song “Glory.”

Taylor said every year, there is controversy about the pageant’s name and open enrollment.

“We prepare our contestants from day one to handle that,” she said, “but one of the things that we stress is that we don’t discriminate. That is not the basics of what our pageant was founded on.

“It’s really about celebrating women, celebrating yourself and being self confident, so we don’t discriminate based on race or any other factor for that matter. We want students to come and participate every year.”

Finally, the contestants came out in their eveningwear which followed with the question-and-answer segment, and the last guest was Wanda, who performed an original piece titled “When the Enemy is Me.” The outgoing Queen bade her farewell and it was time for awards and the coronation.

The first recipient was Reagan Williams for Miss Congeniality, Sujana Rupakheti for Business Woman Award, Toluwalope Adeyemi for 2nd Runner Up, Sujana Rupakheti for 1st Runner Up, and the Winner of the 2016 Miss Black CU Pageant, Sarae Simpson.

Simpson said she felt amazing and that she gave all the glory to God. “I’ve being praying for a long time for this,” she said. “I’ve being working hard for a long time for this, so it’s definitely worth it.”

Simpson said one thing she learned through the journey was to be herself.

“It’s okay to be different from other people,” she said, “and it’s okay to like other things and think other things”.

Lastly, Thompson hoped and encouraged other student organizations to see BSA as an example and put on pageants of their own.

For more information about the Miss Black Miss CU Pageant, contact the office of Diversity Affairs at (580) 5812209.

me, Dr. J [Jenkins], Mr. Bublitz, and the Collegian [staff].”

Thompson said she believes the practice of converging the two types of media will benefit students when they graduate.

“It’s very effective,” she said. “It’s good to be well rounded because any job you take, they’re going to want you to know how to write stories, as well as doing some video and knowing how to be on camera and knowing how to edit.

“You’ll have more of an opportunity to get any type of job, and you’ll be more qualified for it.”

Thompson said viewers of CU News can expect to see stories that directly pertain to Cameron University.

“Our main audience is the students and the faculty and the staff,” she said, “and we want it to be something that they can relate to.

“We’re really trying to cover stories that are really important to the students, and we’re really covering the budget, … so that’s going to be something that you’ll see a lot more in the next coming weeks.”

So far, CU News has featured three Collegian editors on camera, the first one being sports editor Jacob Jardel, who explained how students can register to vote.

According to Thompson, the more time the print and broadcast students work together, the more they bond.

Converging CU News and the Collegian Vicky Smith

Managing Editor @pinkwritinglady

New this semester is the convergence of CU News and the Cameron Collegian – the merging of broadcast and print media.

Producer of CU News Morgan Thompson, senior communications major, said she and the CU News newscast have started welcoming Collegian editors on camera.

“We wanted to really push the convergence of the journalism and the radio-TV side,” she said, “so we’ve started with interviewing somebody every week about a story that’s going to be in the Collegian. It’s really a joint effort between

What’s inside

Gearing up for homecoming Page 3

See CONVERGENCE Page 2

What is love?

Aggies split six-game series

Page 5

Page 6

2

News

February 15, 2016

www.aggiecentral.com

Board sets 2016/2017 housing rates Eugene Patterson Staff Writer

Following an approval by Rogers State Board of Regents, Cameron University set housing and board rates for next fall 2016 and spring 2017 semesters.

The housing rates for Cameron University students will not be raised for the current semesters while board rates will increase slightly for the next school year.

The new change in board rates will be implemented Aug. 1.

Although there will be a few changes to some of the fees associated with room and board, Vice President or Business and Finance Ninette Carter said Cameron has fought to keep housing rates affordable for all students who wish to live on campus to continue their education.

“Cameron University has worked diligently to keep its housing rates among the lowest in this state,” Carter said. “Holding rates at current levels will allow the University housing options to remain as affordable as possible.”

This news comes amid discussion about potential budget cuts for some schools in Oklahoma.

For residents of both the Cameron Village and the Shepler Halls, the room rates have

stayed the same and will show no increase for the next two semesters.

Also staying the same from the previous year is the policy for all students living on campus to participate in a food service plan to ensure that they have access to a balanced and nutritional meal throughout the semester.

It also serves as an opportunity to build a community in an on campus dining environment.

Over the past few years, the university’s food service costs have increased 2-5 percent each year. Board and commuter plans only increased by 3.28 percent last year.

The rate increase will ensure student access to quality foods at times that convenience them. It also helps offset increased costs associated with the university’s food service contract.

Cameron University’s average rate for room and board this academic year was 51.8 percent less than the national average rate of $10,138 for public 4-year institutions.

Cameron students will continue to pay less than most students at comparable universities in the state and significantly less than the national average.

For more info on room and board rates, plans, and policies visit: www.cameron.edu/ housing.

Photo by Vicky Smith

Coming soon: annual Red River Career Expo

Courtesy of Janet Williams

A look at last year’s expo: The 18th annual Career Expo featured tables from over 70 employers representing various fields, including criminal justice correction programs and education. This year’s annual Career Expo will take place from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the Aggie Rec Center.

Angela Jenkins

“It is colorful and crowded but in a good way,” she said.

The career fair is open to the public and brings in around a Staff Writer thousand people looking for jobs and internships each year.

Career Services suggests students dress in business-casual The 19th annual Red River Career Expo will take place on attire, bring resumes or portfolios and carry notepads and from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the Aggie Rec Center. pens to take notes.

There will be companies from Oklahoma and Texas In order to stand out from the crowd, Scribner also offering jobs in multiple fields. This event will provide suggest spracticing a 30 second elevator speech that contains students with a chance to network with potential future the student’s name, major and interest with the company. A employers. firm handshake with good eye contact would also come in Jordan Scribner, Career Services coordinator, said the handy, she said. career fair is a great event for students to explore their Prior to the event, Career Services will offer students help futures.

“This event can provide students with opportunities to not to prepare them for the expo.

Office doors will be open for advice on resume writing only find employment but [also] network,” she said.

Scribner said the size of the event can be intimidating but on “Talk to us Tuesdays” from 12:30-3 p.m. in suite 225 in Cynthia Ross Hall. is part of its success.

Career Services will also hold their “How to Navigate the Red River Career Expo” workshop on Feb. 11 from 2-3 p.m. in the Centennial Room on the first floor of the Shepler Mezzanine.

Career services will take a select number of students to the Greater Grads Career Fair on Mar. 1 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. Sign up is in the Career Services office and open to all students. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Feb. 24.

Career Services will review registrants’ resumes prior to the event, and professional attire will be required on the trip.

Currently, 65 different employers are set to attend this year, and they are listed at http://www.cameron.edu/career_ services/redriverexpo/list.html.

For more information, contact Career Services at (580) 581-6769.

CONVERGENCE continued from page 1 “I just want us to all feel like a family,” she said.

“I think it’s a little bit harder when everybody has all these crazy schedules.

“But … people who have been there earlier or before, have really taken the newer students under their wing. They’re helpful.”

Thompson said offering encouragement to others is an important part of working on a team.

“It’s very important to encourage each other because college is not easy,” she said. “It’s good to have people who understand what you’re going through – like fellow classmates who know the course loads gets heavy. … We’re all here to help each other and build each other up.”

According to Thompson, when she first started working on CU News, she was nervous to ask others for assistance.

“Sometimes you’ll need help on things,” she said,

“but you can always learn something from somebody else. It’s good to talk to each other.”

Thompson began working with CU News her sophomore year, after she decided to change her major from English to communications.

“I had a fundamentals of broadcasting class, and I liked it,” she said.

“That’s when I started over here.

“The first year I helped [with CU News] was the sports show. … From there, I directed ‘Let’s Talk’ with Kim [Garner], and then after that, I went on to be the producer of CU News.”

Thompson said she did not receive any experience in broadcasting in high school, and initially, she was not even comfortable being on camera.

“The more I did it, it really just became easier and easier for me,” she said. “[I] still get nervous. … I think you’ll always get nervous, but I think that’s

okay. You just handle it a little differently.”

Thompson said her favorite part of her job is its unpredictable nature.

“You think you have everything set,” she said, “and something is going to be different. Something is not going to go like you planned, but you really have to think on your toes. … I know how to manage things, and that’s fun for me.”

Photo by Vicky Smith Thompson said students Making magic on CU News: Senior communication major and CU News who would like to be a part of producer Morgan Thompson works behind the scenes during the news broadcast.

CU News or who would like to contribute story ideas can come talk to her or send her an email at morgan.thompson@cameron. edu.

• Get the lastest on Cameron sports on “Game Time” with hosts Haley “You might like it, and you Wilson and Makenzie Burk. The duo recaps the week in Aggie athletics might not,” she said. “That was with interviews and game highlights. me. I didn’t know if I would like it, but I ended up loving it.

• For fans of all things big and small screen, tune in to CUTV’s “Film “If that’s not your thing, Geek” with host Haley Berry. Berry provides the latest trailers, news and try something in a different reviews from the movie world. department because you might • Stay informed on the important topics with “Hot Button” and hosts love it. Just try something new.”

Temilade Adelusi and Chidy Chyk. The pair interviews experts in various To view archived episodes fields for insight on the hard-hitting issues. of CU News and other student • The week culminates with “CU News,” the student source for the broadcasts or to read articles goings-on throughout campus. The student-run program features and issues of the Cameron journalism and media production students rotating roles in front of and Collegian, visit AggieCentral. behind the camera. com.

The student broadcast weekly lineup

February 15, 2016

www.aggiecentral.com

3

Student Life

Press start on Homecoming Vicky Smith

Canfield said homecoming week events will kick off with comedian Eric Managing Editor O’Shea at 9 p.m. in the MCC Ballroom. @pinkwritinglady “On Tuesday,” she said, “[Circle K Cameron University student International] CUCKI is partnering organizations and departments with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, and are gearing up for an event-filled they’re offering a blood drive on campus homecoming week, themed “Game for students in the MCC Ballroom.

On.” The events begin Monday, Feb. “That night, PAC is working with the 15, and end with the women’s and men’s club Gamers Anonymous to offer a game basketball games on Saturday evening, night for students where we’ll have video Feb. 20. game tournaments. … We’re going to Megan Canfield, the coordinator of be giving away some gift card prizes and campus life and new student programs, some free food.” said the purpose of celebrating She said on Wednesday, student, homecoming is two-fold. faculty and staff can help themselves “Monday through Saturday, we to free pizza from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the really work for on-campus students,” MCC Ballroom.

Canfield said, “– to get them excited “[On] Thursday,” Canfield said, “we’re about Cameron and to help build their having the Homecoming Dance [at relationship to the university as a whole. 9 p.m.] in the MCC Ballroom. We’re “The other purpose of homecoming trying a new dance format this year, is to really celebrate our alumni and which we’re really excited to test in front welcome them back to the university and of our students, and we’ll have our photo to show not only our appreciation for booth there as well.” them but to give them the opportunity She said the third annual Golf Cart to reconnect with the university.”

Parade is at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and According to Canfield, homecoming Family Fun starts at 6 p.m. in the Aggie is a special time for students to show Rec Center. their Aggie spirit.

“A new event we’re hosting this year is “It’s important to really bloom where Family Fun in the Aggie [Rec Center],” you’re planted,” she said. “I think it’s she said, “which is a great opportunity really important for students to celebrate for our faculty and staff who maybe have the university and show pride in it. This kids or students who have kids. is where you are, [so it’s] making the “We’ll have some corn dogs. They’ll best of your situation and really showing be able to swim if they want or play on the love for the university where you’re scooters. … We’re doing a sidewalk choosing to spend your time.” chalk contest.”

Canfield said the week will open Canfield said at 8:30 p.m. on Friday is many opportunities for students to show the bonfire pep rally. their Black and Gold pride.

“PAC is working again with athletics “I highly encourage students who to really celebrate all our studentare a part of a student organization to athletes and get excited for the big do what they can to help their student game,” she said. “The pep band will be organization,” she said. “It’s part of what there to play the Fight Song. … Our makes college such a great, interesting cheer and dance team will be there to get and unique time.” the crowd excited.”

Canfield said the Aggie Family Fun Run, which is open to the public, is at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the MCC Lobby.

“It’s not necessarily a run,” she said.

“It’s a walk as well. People can opt to go whatever distance they feel comfortable doing, and right afterwards, we’ll have an oatmeal bar, which is being provided by the alumni association this year.”

According to Canfield, Tailgate and Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, hosted by the agricultural department, is at 2:30 p.m. on the Gym Lawn.

Canfield said the homecoming basketball games begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday in the Aggie Gym. “The women will play first,” she said.

“During half time of that game, we will announce all the student organizations who have won our various competitions throughout the week, and then during the halftime of the men’s basketball game, we will have our coronation ceremony for our king and queen candidates.”

Canfield said she encourages students to attend the homecoming festivities and invite their friends and family.

“They’re really open to the public,” she said, “and we want everyone in the Lawton-Fort Sill community to come out, as well as our Cameron University family to enjoy these events and enjoy the experience.”

She said Ole Kim will certainly be in attendance.

“Ole Kim is the proudest Aggie that I know,” she said. “He’ll definitely be at the pep rally this year, right there cheering on our teams with everybody else. It’s not a basketball game unless Ole Kim is there, throwing out shirts and interacting with the crowd.”

For more information about homecoming week 2016, visit https:// www.cameron.edu/homecoming/ homecoming-for-students.

Player select: 2016 Homecoming Court

Akinola Akinlawon International Club

Andres Berber Sports and Exercise Science Club

Casey Curtsinger Aggie Club

Chidinma Chykugwu CU Nigerian Student Association

Ethan Estep Alpha Phi Sorority

Jessica Limbocker Sports and Exercise Science Club

Robert McCoy Psi Chi

Kariel Ming American Chemical Society

Sijalu Paudel International Club

Katelyn Roberson Alpha Phi Sorority

4

Voices

February 15, 2016

www.aggiecentral.com

Black History: THIS IS

reality

THIS IS

our music Photos courtesy of Tribune News Service

forgiveness for the sins he’s about to commit.

To others, he’s praying for the strength to keep the willpower needed to keep from taking action.

The thing about music is that there will always be multifaceted interpretations, but hip-hop “Hip-hop has done more damage to young seems to be on another level of multiple African-Americans than racism in recent years. interpretations. Call it a race thing. Call it a This is exactly the wrong message.” culture thing. Call it whatever you will.

Fox News contributor Geraldo Rivera made The point remains that hip-hop has come a this statement after rapper Kendrick Lamar’s long way since “Rapper’s Delight.” opening performance of his single “Alright” at It started with “The Message” by the BET Awards in June 2015. Kendrick rapped Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. They on top of a vandalized police car, spitting rhymes told a verbal story about life in the projects.

Rivera felt were “counterproductive.”

“Rats in the front room, roaches in the back, In response, Lamar said that Rivera was \ Junkies in the alley with a baseball bat. \ I misconstruing the tried to get away, but I couldn’t get context and message of far \ ‘cause a man with a tow truck the Grammy-nominated repossessed my car.”

“Alright.”

It’s tame by today’s comparison, “The overall message but it still shows just how much of a is, ‘We gon’ be alright,’” he struggle many black people faced not said. “I think his attempt two decades after the Civil Rights is really diluting the real Movement of the 1960s. There problem, which is the was still a search for equity that senseless acts of killings of was yet to come to fruition. these young boys out here.

It moved on to N.W.A., “It’s avoiding the who some think toed the line truth. Hip-hop is not the with their album “Straight problem. Our reality is the Outta Compton.” While a problem of the situation. number of songs capture the This is our music. This is ethos of life on the streets and Jacob Jardel us expressing ourselves.” police brutality, the first lines of It’s true, though.

“Express Yourself” get the gist Sports Editor With his two Grammyof it. @JJardel_Writing nominated studio albums, “I’m expressing with my Lamar talks about some deep cutting issues full capabilities, \ and now I’m living in within his life. He’s a Compton kid. Gang correctional facilities.” violence is about as prevalent as police brutality, In context of the era and the group, and he’s rapped about both.

N.W.A. received a lot of heat and faced But this particular cut in “Alright” was what potential jail time for their album and stoked Rivera’s fire: some of the tracks on it – all of which were “And we hate po’-po’; \ Wanna kill us dead in them spitting truth about daily lives in the the street fo’ sho’. \ I’m at the preacher’s door. \ streets of a racially-divided Compton.

My knees gettin’ weak, and my gun might blow.

But it brings us back to Kendrick \ But we gon’ be alright.” and his lines from “Alright” – really, the To be honest, there is a lot to take in with this entirety of the song. While hip-hop has had a verse. Kendrick’s talking about police brutality a long history of songs painting a picture of life couple of lines before he says that his gun might in the ghettos and amid racial tensions, few in modern times have resonated like this opus from blow. To some listeners, he might be asking About Us

“To Pimp a Butterfly” – itself an achievement of hip-hop storytelling mastery.

With this success has come a lot of controversy. Kendrick’s performance on the cop car is paralleled in the music videos with scenes of Lamar and others in a car with four policemen acting as the wheels, carrying the car on their shoulders.

These clips and some of his lyrics show what some may find is a disrespect of police and reason for agreeing with Geraldo about hip-hop.

But ask Rodney King, Eric Garner or any of the countless black Americans who have died at the hands of police.

Hip-hop may be provocative, but its aim is to evoke thought – not death.

Rapper beefs and late night shootings aside, what has hip-hop done other than express something? Grandmaster Flash never up and ganked someone when recording “The Message.” N.W.A. members may have been violent, if “Straight Outta Compton” was any indication, but their hardest blows against police were their words.

Say what you want about King, Garner and the other late black Americans reaping consequences for their acts. That’s not the point.

The point is that hip-hop as a whole is not dangerous.

But how we interpret hip-hop can lead to some dangerous places.

Since the days of N.W.A., Public Enemy and gangsta rap as a whole, hiphop has come under scrutiny as a violent

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free.

Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

COLLEGIAN

Our Views

Managing Editor - Vicky Smith Sports Editor - Jacob Jardel Student Life Editor - Tyla Eakins Copy Editor - Joel Frambes Aggie Central Editor- Jeff Larson

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.

Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Angela Jenkins, Erin Owens, Tarayn McMillan, Eugene Patterson, Haley Berry, Makenzie Burk, Chidinma Chykugwa, Marry Ann Davis,Jonathon Good, Kailey Griffee, Zayna Halliburton,LaReece Osborne, Alexsis Page, Kerry Schoonaert,Cristina Soriano Garcia, George Weaver, Haley Wilson,Zachary Zahniser Graphic Designer - Kaytlen Dayhoff Advertising Managers - Vicky Smith, Tyla Eakins Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz

medium. It continues to this day, with “violence and guns” replaced in the argumentative lexicon with “sex, drugs and money.”

But it leads some to believe that, when a rapper puts out a socially conscious record like Kendrick did with “Alright,” the gangsta rap attack is back to defile the airwaves, the children and the streets. It’s not.

What it’s here to do is shed light on a situation.

Visit lyric annotation website Genius to see just that. Yes, some lyrics could promote violence, philandering or other generally unsavory acts. But look deeper into what you hear.

See that, in the case of “Alright,” it’s not a call to arms, but a call to think.

“Rather [than] going out here and doing the murders myself, I want to express myself in a positive light the same way other artists are doing,” Lamar said. “Not going out in the streets, [going] in the booth and talking about the situation and hoping these kids can find some type of influence on it in a positive manner.”

So many artists before Kendrick have hit the booth to try and keep others from hitting the streets. For Flash, it was life in the ghetto. For N.W.A., it was what it was like on the streets of Compton.

For Lamar, it’s about reminding the black community to remember one thing in spite of the violence and vitriol surrounding them: “If God got us, then we gon’ be alright.”

Graphic by Jacob Jardel

Letters Policy

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

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length.

Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

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

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

February 15, 2016

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Valentine Special

5

Sharing true love stories of sorts “Looking Thru the Glass”

By Darlene Bethany

looking forward to his showing up at noon to take me to lunch, after school “Hey, girl with the red shirt on, my friend wants me to to chauffer tell you he wants to marry you.” me to work Those words stopped the six of us in our tracks. We turned to laugh at the audacity of the boys who had “snuck” and waiting patiently when up behind us, but we had no interest in these boys.

Our minds were focused on the Beatles, deciding who we I was off in the parking liked best of the four young Englishmen, shaking the world with what we considered a bigger quake than Elvis had ever lot.

Then, made. either a Walking home from a ball game, my friends and I movie or discussed the boys in their uniforms and who might have making the smiled in our direction as they rounded home. drag from I was a tall, skinny, 12-year old girl who considered myself one end of the last person in our group any boy might find pretty, let town to the alone want to marry. other, over Here I was, being silly one minute and the next having and over some tall, skinny, sandy-haired, freckle- faced boy, who again. appeared to be no more than 13 or 14 proposing to me.

His However dumbfounded as I was by that proposal, I found consistent show it was just the beginning. of affection This persistent, 14-year old boy followed me for the next became the first several years and constantly reminded me that one day we thing I remembered would be married and live together forever. while putting on my Those words still sound as ridiculous today as the first make-up, combing my hair time I heard them; however, this time I can only smile, not and getting dressed. cringe.

The affection I once dreaded Our teen years were up and down, one day “going steady” put a smile on my face as I prepared and the next not. We were so different; we could not date for bed each night. consistently, let alone marry and live together in harmony.

One night after numerous love notes, He did not like to dance; I loved to dance. He was cowboy flowers and songs dedicated to me on the boots, western shirts and jeans; I was big hair and frills. radio, I realized I had fallen in love with the tall, He loved the country; I wanted to live in the really big sandy-haired, skinny boy who had proclaimed his city, far from Comanche, America. love for over five years.

I was so shortsighted I could not see past the “important” He had become my world. things on my “future” list. However, as time went on and life I no longer desired to leave our small town and move continued, it all seemed to change. to the big city. I only wanted to stay and become the wife of By the end of my sophomore year, I began to find myself our little city’s newest fireman.

Life became a blur.

We planned a wedding, bought a house and furnished it with great anticipation.

Courtesy of Brandy Belew Our home was filled with the love and laughter of three children as life opened up and seemed to swallow us, yet allowing us to savor every morsel.

Each year seemed to bring new trials, emotions and degrees of happiness we could never have imagined, yet he never relinquished his consistent show of love and tenderness toward me.

Whether the room was crowded or contained just the two of us, his eyes seemed to watch me constantly, and when our eyes met there was never a doubt in my mind he adored me.

However, one day, all that changed.

I should have been ready for that day.

After all, the page had been unfolding for several years. In the early 80s, my husband had been injured off shore while working on an oilrig.

This led to years of continual battles with sicknesses and disease, all rooted either from the accident or from the medications he had taken over the years.

During the last three years, he suffered continually and for the last year was bedfast.

The decision to care for him at home seemed natural. After all, he had given so much to me over the years.

“For My Sister, Charlie” He offered an unconditional love to each of us,

By Brandy Belew and although we may not have said it aloud, we knew we were blessed immensely.

I met one of the greatest loves of my life on Sept. 1, 1993. I Stubbornly, I yielded to the realization he and knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that my life would be I would be making our final trek together in the forever changed. physical.

Her eyes were bluer then blue and her mouth was set in a The service was held. grim line which made her look a little bit like a frog.

Friends and family were My little sister became the center of my life, and I will love numerous, loving and caring, and her from her first day until my last. all offered whatever was needed to My dear friends, love is not always about romance, somesee us through the days, weeks and times the greatest loves of our lives are the ones that only involve months ahead. kisses on scraped knees.

As I sat in silence in the I love you Little Rabbit. car while Shane, my oldest

Courtesy of Darlene Bethany

granddaughter’s fiancé, followed the hearse slowly making the eight-mile drive to the cemetery, it seemed like a thousand miles of endless anticipation as we feared an end we could not fathom.

I sat in the front-row seat, shivering cold.

I could only wonder if he knew how much I adored him.

My deepest desire was that he knew, even in the midst of his deepest pain.

Over the years, when he needed comfort, I prayed I had been the source of strength and peace to him that he had been to me.

In the night, even at his weakest point, I would wake up to find his hand on mine and hear him quietly praying for God to give me strength and peace.

I would wake up nose-to-nose with him as he leaned closer from his hospital bed with those beautiful blue, twinkling eyes, those eyes which over the years twinkled in mischievousness, always leaving us wondering what he had been up to.

Those loving eyes stared at me from the depth of his being, assuring me all would be well.

As my life changed forever, I had to decide what I would make of each and every day that lay ahead.

My desire had grown to show my God’s love not to only family and close friends but also to all whom I might meet during the rest of my life.

Therefore, I chose to allow my memories to bring me joy, peace and a calm assurance of the love we were blessed to share.

I would not allow memories to make me bitter and angry.

They would not be used as an excuse to withdraw from life or wear my pajamas daily, feeling sorry for myself.

No longer the skinny, frightened, trembling 12-year old who could never have imagined spending life with the freckle-faced, timid boy, I became the woman who chose life and elected to share my God, the one who sustained me.

I no longer looked thru the glass darkly. I could see clearly.

After all, I had experienced something some may never know.

“I no longer desired to leave our small town and move ... I only wanted to stay and become the wife of our little city’s newest fireman.”

“Making Memories of Mary”

By Doreen Thomas

color with no mats or fleas, but she has a limp and a large lump on her leg.

She is now a much happier girl who seems so appreciative to be out Mary’s reasons for being in my life are still of her former home. a mystery to me but are becoming clearer After shots and a heartworm each day. Mary’s story started as many of my test, it was off to ex-ray to determine other rescues do. if she indeed had an old fracture.

She was a dog that a family could no In the span of ten minutes, the longer care for, a product of a husband and news I received changed the entire wife divorcing and a product of an abusive course of my life. home where the husband used to beat Mary Looking at the ex-rays of Mary’s whenever he was mad or drunk. leg and her lungs, I was staring at It was a cold February day when I picked one of the many faces that death has Mary up. She was not a happy dog.

– Osteosarcomia, or bone cancer, Her owner was crying profusely, adding that had already spread to her lungs. more to an already stressful situation. Mary That all familiar feeling of was visibly upset and confused on what was hopelessness crept through my body going on and rightly so. as I cried deeply into Mary’s soft fur.

Courtesy of Doreen Thomas She wanted no part of me trying to pet her Cancer is no stranger to me. and made no bones in letting me know.

Most of my adolescent childhood The very noticeable limp and large lump was spent either watching my a lot easier for me. Her owner said that she on Mary’s left front leg was what caught my grandmother die from cancer, or spending had an “owie” on her leg and was giving her eye first – and then her horrible mats and the aspirin for it. hours and hours in the hospital waiting room hundreds of fleas crawling all over her back. while my mom battled cancer, not once but Fast-forward a few days later to the Fort Removing Mary from her situation became Sill Veterinary Clinic. Mary is a pretty, white twice, or losing my other grandmother to

cancer.

The subject of cancer is something I have tried hard my adult life to stay away from.

I remember vaguely the conversation we had in the ex-ray room, except for hearing Mary could have days, weeks or months left.

No one really knows, and for right now she can be put on pain medications. I think that was the conversation we had that day.

Mary and I took each day one day at a time. I looked at each day as a blessing to celebrate her life and not think about one less day for her to be here.

I worked really hard at making good memories with Mary.

On May 9, the day after Mother’s Day, Mary let me know that it was time for her to go and that the Good Lord wanted his fourlegged, furry angel back.

I knew that I had to be strong because the time had come.

There was a reason Mary came into my life – maybe to help me cope with one of my greatest fears by actually having to face it. I don’t know.

I believe that things happen for a reason and are all part of the master plan of life.

6

Sports

February 15, 2016

www.aggiecentral.com

Aggies go .500 in tournament Jacob Jardel

the tournament, earning a 10-2 win.

Sports Editor The Aggies jumped on @JJardel_Writing the board with a quick two runs. The first came when The Cameron softballers junior Breezy McComas took their first blemishes doubled to left center, scoring of the season, but came out junior Nikki Horton. Senior with a split of six games at Sonora Zukerman drove in the Southeastern Arkansas McComas on a single to left.

Invitational from Feb. 5-7.

The Black and Gold would The Aggies entered the keep up the scoring pace tournament coming off a sweep against Texas-Permian with two more runs in the bottom of the second. After Basin to start the season. a scoreless third, CU would With two commanding victories under their belt, the pile on two more runs in the fourth before run-ruling Black and Gold were set to Rogers State with a four-run take on their weekend slate. fifth inning.

Rogers State Zukerman (2-0) held the The Cameron nine took Hillcats to two runs in five five innings to tame the frames of work. She also Hillcats in the first game of walked one and struck out one while allowing six hits.

As a team, Cameron notched 12 hits in their third consecutive outing of 10-plus runs Turn the Paige: scored.

Junior Paige Daino has obtained numerous honors early in the season, including a spot on the Division II National Player of the Year Watch List and the Division II Preseason AllAmerican First Team.

Graphic by Jacob Jardel

Newman

After coming out swiging for their third win of the year, the Black and Gold faced their first loss of the season, falling 2-1 to the Jets in seven innings.

A Newman run to start the game was the only run for either team until the Jets scored another at the top of the fifth. The Aggies answered back when Combs scored on a wild pitch, but they were unable to get back on the board.

Freshman Alyssa Osterdock (1-1) took the loss despite a solid outing in 4.2 innings of work. She allowed the two unearned Newman runs while striking out three.

Lincoln (MO) The Aggies bounced back the next day with an early 7-0 win against the Blue Tigers.

The scoring started early with a McComas homer to left. Neither team would score again until the fourth inning when Zukerman would score on a Jessie Ingrum double to left.

The Aggies scored two more runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to pull ahead for good.

Osterdock (2-1) bounced back from a loss in the previous game to pitch a onehit shutout, striking out three and walking one. McComas led the offensive charge with a pair of solo home runs.

Southwest Baptist Cameron followed up their shutout

Photo by Krista Pylant

Split set: Infielder Carly Allerheiligen gears up for the throw to first base. The Aggies went 3-3 in the Southeastern Arkansas Invitational Feb. 5-7. win with a nine-inning thriller against the Bearcats, pulling out a 3-2 victory.

The Black and Gold scattered two runs in the first seven innings, bookending SBU’s two-run third with runs in the second and fourth frames. CU would walk off when Zukerman’s single to left scored Horton for the game-winning run.

Junior Emily Wasinger (1-0) took the complete game victory. She struck out six and walked one.

Delta State The next day started with an extra-innings slugfest against the Lady Statesmen, with the Aggies suffering a 9-8 loss in 8 innings.

Cameron pulled ahead 5-1 in the first three innings before Delta pulled back

ahead in the next three innings. A two-run took the game to extras.

Horton’s double in the top of the eighth scored Jordan Kisselburg, but two DSU runs in the bottom of the frame sealed the Aggies’ fate.

Wasinger (1-1) took the loss in relief after allowing three earned off five hits in just over two innings.

Southern Arkansas CU finished off the day and the tournament with their third loss of the season, falling to the Muleriders 10-2 in six innings.

The Aggies opened up the scoring with an Allerheiligen run on a wild pitch.

But two Southern Arkansas homers in the first and third put the Cameron nine down 4-1.

An unearned run from Chelsea DeLong narrowed the gap to two runs in the top of the fourth, but two big innings for SAU put the lead out of reach.

Osterdock (2-2) took her second loss of the tournament.

She allowed 10 earned runs off 12 hits in a complete game outing for the Aggies.

She struck out one, walked four and hurled two wild pitches.

Cameron softball is now 5-3 on the season.

After a weekend tournament in Canyon, Texas, the Aggie softball team hits the field next with a doubleheader against Mid-American Christian University on Feb. 16 in Oklahoma City.