Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, October 10, 2016
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Volume 95 Issue 6
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Nigerian
Independence
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We are
celebrating culture.
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Victor Effiong t Pho
Senior music major
o by S ta cie sen L ar
CUNSA hosts independence day event Stacie Larsen
serve by the previous events,” Ilondior said. “The last event we had the same Staff Writer food items. We saw that some people On Oct.1, in the MCC Ballroom, the didn’t really like eating it. Cameron University Nigerian Student “Most Nigerian foods are a little bit Association (CUNSA) hosted the 56th hot and spicy. We had to make some annual Nigerian Independence Day adjustments and tone it down without Celebration. taking away the taste.” CUNSA member and senior music Effiong said the dance performances, major Victor Effiong was the event’s including encouraged volunteer guest Master of Ceremony, along with Codancing, involved Nigerian dances such Master Jennifer Omogbai. as Efik, Yoruba and Igbo. Effiong said the purpose of the event “We try to carry everyone along,” was to help Nigerian students feel like Effiong said. “They are part of us. When they were still part of the nation-wide we have African dance, we also want celebration. them to be part of the show—not to just “We are celebrating culture,” Effiong sit down and watch us throughout. We said. “We are celebrating independence also want them to partake in it.” from the British because the British According to Effiong, the skit were our colonial masters. Then in 1960, centered around the opinions of others Oct. 1, they handed over the government regarding Africa culture, based on to Nigerian inhabitants.” CUNSA member experiences after The celebration featured an coming to America. informational presentation, Authentic “They thought we were living in the Nigerian food, CUNSA dance forest,” Effiong said, “because Africa, performances, volunteered guest the way they see it on TV. So, we try to dancing, a skit, guest question and sensitize them that we also live in houses, answer sessions, a fashion show and tall sky scrapers like we have them here. silent auction. We have good roads. We have vehicles. Senior chemistry major and CUNSA “One of the [skit] scenarios was when President Emmanuel Ilondior said the the guy asked the girl, ‘How did you get presentation focused on Nigeria not here? Did you f ly? Did you swim?’ She solely for entertainment purposes, but tried to explain that we have airports and also for educational purposes. we have f lights, so we f lew here.” After the presentation, CUNSA After the skit, guests answered members served homemade Nigerian questions such as “How many states does food, including jollof rice, fried rice, Nigeria have? What’s the largest river? plaintain, poundo yam, and fried What does the President say in Nigeria?” peppered chicken. “The quick quizzes were to see who “We choose what we are going to was following the slides,” Ilondior said.
The celebration concluded with a fashion show and silent auction. CUNSA members wore customary attire. The silent auction included items such as unisex dashikis, Nigeria and Africa shaped pendents, Ankara bags, necklaces and earrings. All event proceeds go toward CUNSA scholarships. Ilondior said the event’s purpose was to also show the diversity of Nigerian culture. “To give to [the] community of Lawton a taste of what Nigerian culture is, we try to bring as much as we can,” he said, “like the dances, the performances, the attire [and] the food. We do the best we can.” Ilondior’s work with CUSNA puts him in a position to reach out to Nigerian student’s. “As president, you get to maintain the bond of Nigerian students [and] have to create this kind of ambient environment that can always reach to have a sense of hospitality.” Dr. Jonathan Odo, the faculty adviser for CUNSA, said CUSNA helps Nigerian students transition from abroad to the new culture. “It’s to give them a platform in their new environment,”
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I want them
to succeed while they are here - that’s
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the key thing.
Dr. Jonathan Odo
Faculty Adviser for CUNSA
What’s inside Aggies take stage at pageants
Odo said, “as a vehicle to get together and talk with one another.” Odo said the University where he studied as an undergraduate didn’t have a Nigerian student organization. “I knew how I struggled,” Odo said. “What we are trying to do with this organization is to help those coming in and reach them on time and try to help them settle down and help them find their way on campus.” Odo said, in addition to helping students transition to America and American culture, the organization is structured to encourage campus involvement, including school events and community activities. “I’m like a dad to all of them,” he said. “I want them to succeed while they are here — that’s the key thing. If we have done anything in that regard, I feel like we’ve done something.”
Finding pride in the name of love
CU volleyball takes on Lions, Pioneers
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News
October 10, 2016
www.aggiecentral.com
Changes at Cameron Library Vicky Smith
the chance to run a business.” Managing Editor Students can also This fall, the Cameron University now determine where Library offers many new resources that they want to study benefit student learning. based on the noise-level CU Library Interim Assistant Director signs that hang outside Barbara Pickthorn said Vice President for the designated study Academic Affairs Dr. Ronna Vanderslice rooms. and Associate Vice President for Academic “We ask people to Affairs Dr. Sylvia Burgess have been choose rooms that instrumental in the process of renovating fit the amount of the library. noise level or voice “They [looked] at what other libraries level that they need are doing to get more students in the to have because some library,” Pickthorn said. “They have people don’t want any encouraged us to make changes. … talking,” she said, “and Everything that we’ve done is to try to be some people want to more student-friendly.” work together. Pickthorn said she and the library staff “So, we have also received feedback from surveys that collaborative spaces, question students about the library. and we have quiet One change she and the staff has spaces in an effort to implemented is the addition of furniture. try to control [noise].” “We ordered bigger chairs – the bigger, Pickthorn said soft chairs – the big foot stools [and] the there’s a room at the ottoman,” she said. “We’ve added some top of the stairs that’s colored sofas.” called the “silent Pickthorn said the library will also be space.” receiving more computers from labs that “We just want have closed down, such as the lab that was people to be able to in the music building. go in there and read a According to Pickthorn, students are book,” she said. now permitted to drink soda and eat food in Another feature Photo by Christopher Reif the library. In the past, the rule was to only of the library that will Studying in comfort and style: The Cameron Library now features new furniture and more drink water unless a certain area specifically appeal to students who computers. MSIII cadet Christopher Lacock (above) studies in one of the renovated study spaces. permitted other beverages and snacks. are also parents is the help students. approval from a professor. Now, students can access a vending family room. “That’s the focus basically – to make it According to Pickthorn, because the machine in the library. “[The family room] has computers more comfortable for students to be here,” Cameron Exchange building is now closed, Pickthorn said the library might feature for the students and then things for the she said. a coffee bar in the future. children to do and little [Leap Pads] for the the CU Honors students, as well as the For more information about the PLUS scholars, have their own room in “There’s a program they’re hoping to kids so that they can do games.” Cameron University Library, visit Cameron. the library where they can join together for implement, which allows students to be Pickthorn said students are also welcome edu/library, call (580) 581-2957, email meetings and fellowship. entrepreneurs” Pickthorn said, “and they to check out various gadgets, including lap ask@cameron.libanswers.com or tweet @ Pickthorn said the library is still would run the coffee shop. … It’s still desks, earphones, calculators and Kindle CameronLibrary. undergoing changes that will ultimately something they want to do to give students Fires for test-taking purposes upon prior
Convocation: welcome new academic year Cameron administration, faculty, staff, selected students and guests joined together for Convocation at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30 in the Aggie Gym. A student representative from each department carried a flag in celebration of a new academic year. SGA President Kelly High recognized honor students, and students Vicky Smith, Jessica Gesell and Jennifer Stringham shared their Cameron stories with fellow Aggies.
Photo by Stacie Larsen
A look at Aggie Archives Hitting the sales at CU bookstore Savanna Sanders Staff Writer
Cameron University’s speech and debate team has been active since the school’s time as a junior college. The first team started in 1933 under the coaching leadership of I. Fuchs. Throughout the years, teams have experienced varying amounts of success. Since 1977, the CU speech and debate team has ranked among the top ten at the Pi Kappa Delta national speech and debate tournament. From 1981 to 1985, the national office for the society was located at Cameron. Former Communication Department Chair Tony Allison served as the national secretary-treasurer for the organization during this time.
Photo courtesy of Savanna Sanders
Under the leadership of Allison and fellow coach J.C. Hicks, the 1979 team won their first national championship. However, this win would not be the last. After getting a taste of success, the team continued working with one goal in mind: another national championship. Realizing they had what it took to win was all the motivation they needed to achieve more. Their dedication paid off two years later when they won their second national championship in 1981. According to current speech and debate coach Sarah Collins, the legacy the students and coaches on those teams left continues to be a source of inspiration to members of the current team. “For me, the inspiration became clearest at our homecoming reunion last year,” Collins said. “To see members of that team interact with the current team was great. It was a great reminder and motivation. “This isn’t just an important historical event for the team, but they are very real people whose life trajectory was changed by involvement in speech and debate.”
Robert King
it is usually clothes.” While CU Duncan does not have a Staff Writer bookstore, Duncan students can come Cameron University’s bookstore to the main campus and browse the is located on the first floor of the books, or go online with the option to McMahon Centennial Complex. pick up orders or have them shipped It is a one-stop shop for all Aggie to them. gear, clothes, course materials, Starting this semester a selection of supplies and software. Elf brand cosmetic products became The bookstore also serves as a small available. post office where students and staff Another new item is a pair of can purchase stamps and envelopes as flannel pants with Cameron written well as ship small packages. down the side. Manager George Woodwards One section of the bookstore has said the bookstore receives many current titles on the bestseller lists, online sales from students all over the such as “The Girl on the Train” and country. the newest Harry Potter book, which “People graduate from Cameron Woodward said are popular items. and move off to New york, Florida, “The Harry Potter book sold out and elsewhere,” he said. “They want a quickly,” Woodward said. “Corporate Cameron University t-shirt, and they sent us more copies because we sold can order that through us. our allotment probably within the first “They’ll go to our website and see week, which is good for us because it, place an order, and we ship it to everyone wanted it.” them.” Follet Higher Education Group There are also periodical flash sales is the company behind Cameron’s that last two days. bookstore. “All we do is put a sign out in front The bookstore is open Monday of the store and students come in and through Saturday during the fall and browse,” Woodwards. “Sometimes spring semesters, and the website is other items are included in sales, but cameron.bkstr.com.
September 19, 2016 www.aggiecentral.com
3
Student Life
Aggies find poise for state pageant Krista Pylant
Founders’ Day parade where she got to experience Copy Editor her favorite aspect of both @KristaPylant8 pageantry and cheerleading, Not only are Rylee which is interacting with Wilson and Jancy Jeffus children. both students at Cameron “It’s really neat to be a part University, but they are also of something that’s bigger 2017 pageant title holders. than yourself,” Wilson said Wilson, a junior “Seeing these girls and how accounting major, holds three they want to be a princess Oklahoma pageant titles just like you. Even whenever including her most recent I’m in the cheerleading crown for Miss Piedmont, uniform, girls will come up which she won in July, while to you and say ‘I’d love to be a Jeffus, a sophomore animal cheerleader.’ science major, recently won “It’s just seeing little girls Miss Eastern Oklahoma look up to you and knowing County in August. that you’re doing it for them, Both Wilson and Jeffus and you’re trying to be the will compete in the Miss best person that you can be, Oklahoma pageant in June so you can be a role model for 2017. them.” Wilson is currently Rylee Wilson preparing for her second Hailing from Altus, run at the Miss Oklahoma Oklahoma, Rylee Wilson pageant; however, a recent transferred to Cameron injury set back both her University from Western training and cheerleading. Oklahoma State College after Wilson dislocated her receiving a scholarship to knee and tore her medial cheer on the spirit team. patellofemoral ligament Wilson began cheering performing a stunt at the when she was in the fourth beginning of the September grade and has participated and has had to adjust her in the sport ever since. In training regimen as a result. high school, she also played “I can’t work out my legs basketball, softball, ran right now,” Wilson said, “So cross country, showed steers I’m sticking to my arms and for FFA and served as class instead of having one cheat president. meal on the weekends, it’s no During her sophomore cheat meals. Right now, no year of high school, Wilson carbs after six. It’s just really began competing in pageants, eating clean food and making winning her first in 2012 sure I’m giving my body the as Miss Northwest Passage proper nutrition that it needs, Teen and her second title in so once I do have my surgery, 2014 as Miss Altus. I can come back faster than In her junior year, ever.” Wilson began centering her Wilson is no stranger platform on her passion for to injuries having fractured extracurricular activities and her back practicing back has carried that message with handsprings for cheerleading her to her latest title as Miss all-state tryouts her senior Piedmont 2017. year of high school that As a part of her pageantry forced her to wear a brace all appearances, Wilson day, every day from January travels to various public to June. schools throughout the area After dislocating her knee encouraging children to foster this season, Wilson was active lifestyles. concerned that she would “I focus on Pre-K through have to find a new talent aside sixth grade a lot because that from clogging; however, she is when kids are starting to expects to be back in full develop habits,” Wilson said. force in December leaving “If you start young, they will her sixth months to work on create good habits and carry her routine before the Miss those up to junior high and Oklahoma pageant. high school.” “I’m going to have to hit In her first event the gym extra hard to make as the newly crowned up for the time I lost,” Wilson Miss Piedmont, Wilson said, “As well as going around volunteered at the USA Piedmont and finding other Canoe and Kayaking Sprint local events that I can be a National Championship in part of so I can give back to Oklahoma City. the community and work on On Sept. 10, she made being me and finding myself an appearance at Piedmont’s and just working toward who
I think Miss Oklahoma is.” Wilson’s experience recovering from injuries coupled with her knowledge of Miss Oklahoma places her at an advantage for her return to the big stage where she aims to place in the top-10. “The first time I went to Miss Oklahoma, I was 17 years old,” Wilson said. “I was the youngest contestant, and I felt like a baby compared to everyone. I was so scared.” But Wilson’s experience has translated into resolve, even in lieu of her injuries. “Now I feel like I’ve had my two years off,” Wilson said, “and I’m ready to come back stronger than ever.”
Jancy Jeffus A native of Grandfield, Oklahoma, Jancy Jeffus began competing in pageants when she was 15 years old inspired by her older sister who she watched make two trips to the Miss Oklahoma pageant herself. Following two years of competing on the teen circuit, Jeffus transitioned into the Miss division in 2015, participating in 15 contests but winning none. However, 2016 saw the tide turn for Jeffus who would win in her second pageant of the year where she claimed the crown for Miss Eastern Oklahoma County 2017. “When they called my name it was complete shock,” Jeffus said. “I couldn’t hear anything after they called my name, and I was shaking for a good thirty minutes after I got my crown on. The tears were flowing. It’s cloud nine and every time I think about it, that moment just makes me smile.” As the newly crowned Miss Eastern Oklahoma, Jeffus’ first appearance included a visit to Choctaw’s Oktoberfest, which brought over 40,000 people in attendance. While the distance to Choctaw sometimes proves difficult for Jeffus, she continues to volunteer at local events like the Comanche County Fair and Spirit of Survival in Lawton. Jeffus’ current plans include continual involvement with the Children’s Miracle Network and visits to local schools where she can share her platform, Be-YOU-tiful, with children. “My platform is about promoting confidence and teaching young kids that they
Photo courtesy of Jancy Jeffus
Crowning achievement: Aggies Jancy Jeffus (above) and Rylee Wilson (below) are preparing to compete for Miss Oklahoma after winning their regional pageants. are absolutely perfect the way they are,” Jeffus said, “There’s no reason to doubt yourself and there’s no reason to bash anyone else for being different because that’s what makes us unique.” Jeffus’ chose her platform based on her experiences in high school. “In high school I was very quiet,” Jeffus said. “I was the girl who sat in the corner and thought nobody came up to talk to me because I didn’t look a certain way or I didn’t sound a certain way or I just didn’t have what it takes to have a lot of friends. “That really hurt me growing up, so when I go into these schools, I want to be the person that I wished I had in high school.” Jeffus’ platform is one that she reminds herself to embody daily, and she said that from competing
in pageants she has seen personal growth within herself. “It helps me so I can walk down the street and notice myself with my shoulders hunched looking like I’m closed in,” Jeffus said, “So I tell myself, ‘No you’re Miss Eastern Oklahoma County. You stand up straight and wear your crown even if it’s invisible. Walk tall and be proud of who you are.’” In between appearances, Jeffus continues training toward her first Miss Oklahoma pageant. As a part of the Miss Eastern Oklahoma pageant, Jeffus also won a fitness sponsorship, which assists her with meal and exercise planning, which she uses in addition to practicing her tap dancing talent. While this Miss Oklahoma pageant will
be Jeffus’ first, she knows from her older sister’s experience that the pageant will be a weeklong series of competition and events where stress tends to run high for all of the contestants. “I am worried about being stressed out and being overwhelmed,” Jeffus said, “But I know that these girls will help me get through it. All of the girls I’ve met so far are insanely sweet, and they just want to be there for each other. I feel like that atmosphere is going to make that whole week less stressful.” As far as goals for the Miss Oklahoma pageant, Jeffus said, “I would love to walk out of there knowing that I did everything I can to be the best person possible. Win or lose, I want to know that I did everything to better myself.”
Photo by Krista Pylant
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Voices
October 10, 2016
www.aggiecentral.com
Feeling pride in the name of love or hurt. We need to change that.” Voices Editor Oct. 11 marks the 28th @JJardel_Writing National Coming Out Day, a time to promote a “This world would be a safe world for individuals whole lot better if we just of all sexual and gender made an effort to be less identities to live openly and horrible to one another.” congruently with their true Actress Ellen Page selves. spoke these words during a It’s an experience Page speech at the Human Rights Campaign’s inaugural Time mentioned in her speech as one she had been building to THRIVE conference. up to for much of her life She addressed the relative before coming out. ease of listening to people “I’m tired of hiding, and understanding who and I’m tired of lying by they are. However, that omission,” she said. “I sentiment came with a suffered for years because I caveat. was scared to be out. “It can be the hardest “I am standing here with thing,” she said, “because all of you on the other side loving other people starts of that pain.” with loving ourselves and Unfortunately, though, accepting ourselves.” A few seconds later, Page many individuals do not have this same experience. came out as a lesbian. With the 5-4 decision The positive responses of Obergefell v. Hodges, rolled in immediately. the U.S. Supreme Court The crowd reacted with ruled that marriage is a thunderous applause. a fundamental right Celebrities and fans alike guaranteed to same-sex took to social media in couples. Despite this fact, support of her. there are many instances of As she told the legislation denying rights Huffington Post two from lesbian, gay, bisexual years later, the deluge of and trans individuals. emotion hit her hard. But Mississippi’s House Bill she also recognized not all 1523 and North Carolina’s experiences are like hers. House Bill 2 are two such “[The response] makes laws, preventing many me think of all the people, citizens from receiving particularly young people, or using services on the who come out and don’t basis of how they identify receive that support,” Page themselves. Statutes such said, “[who] don’t get a Tribune News Service standing ovation and an as these have a common Love is: In line with National Coming Out Day, LGBT pride events like Pridefest in outpour of love ... [who] get thread: rash reactions to Boise allow for many individuals to live congruent inner and outer identities. things unknown. kicked out of their homes
Jacob Jardel
There is a sort of hatebased fear that comes from interaction with unfamiliar things. It doesn’t happen for everyone, but for many, the concept of someone falling outside of a typified norm stokes this vitriol – particularly if those norms are very set in stone. It shows through in senseless killings like the Pulse Night Club shooting in Orlando. A gunman opened fire at a prominent LGBT night club, and the results, needless to say, were tragic. Not all reactions are this extreme. However, many have the same fuel: hate for those who feel differently. In the end, though, put very simply, love is love. There may be different views on what constitutes love – many of which are dogmatic to some. We can respect these stances. But we need to respect other stances, other canons, just as much. If we look past the obstacles many of us have, we can see eye to eye. And maybe we can learn something that Page spoke about two years ago. “What I have learned is that love – the beauty of it, the joy of it and, yes, even the pain of it – is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being,” she said. “We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.”
The science and fiction behind nuclear energy and unpredictable. As a result, authors often used radioactivity as a harbinger of Staff Writer doom. Much like electricity giving life to Frankenstein’s monster in the 18th century, On March 30, 2016, independent radioactivity gave birth to any number of presidential hopeful Jill Stein tweeted, imagined mutants and monsters in the first “Nuclear power plants = weapons of mass destruction waiting to be detonated. Time to part of the 1900s. Then came the atomic bombings of shut them down.” Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. These To many people, this sentiment probably does not come as a surprise. Nuclear energy is events showed the incredible destructive often considered volatile and dangerous, and power of nuclear energy, and after that, it would very likely be no one’s first choice for no one could be blamed for immediately associating radioactivity with instantaneous a non-carbon energy substitute. annihilation. The science was, after all, In many ways, then, Mrs. Stein’s answer already little trusted, popularly. could be seen as popularly correct, the right This reputation is not earned, however. At move at the right time for a far-left politician least, not in relation to coal. with presidential aspirations and a base that Coal is the most major supplier of energy will automatically distrust nuclear energy, in the US, with mines producing upwards of given its many widely reported and well 8 million tons of the stuff for domestic use, documented failures. This is a power source that shares much of its origin with the atomic plus some for export purposes. It is a massive business with a powerful lobby in the United bomb, after all. But is this popular opinion necessarily the States government. The greatest testament to this lobby’s case? When comparing the environmental power may very well be that most Americans costs and damage to livelihood of nuclear would consider it to be at an equal danger energy versus the carbon energy sources level to the production of nuclear energy. commonly used now, the answer is nearly That belief is fantastically untrue. unanimous: absolutely not. Coal is a contributing factor in In order to establish why this environmental damage surpassing the misconception exists, we should first potential of nuclear plants, with mines determine how it started, and the answer is acting as agents for acid rain and ground fairly simple: science fiction. water pollution. Further, according to recent During the early days of popular sci-fi scientific studies, coal ash actually sends more sometime around the early 20th century, radioactive material into the environment the science of harnessing radioactivity from than the waste disposed of from nuclear elements was a fairly new one. As such, few plants. people understood this highly-technical More specifically, according to a 2007 concept. article in the Scientific American, a particular So, radioactivity was seen as mysterious
Payton Williams
About Us
Death rates by energy source
100 deaths per watts produced
Coal
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN
Our Views
Managing Editor - Vicky Smith Voices Editor - Jacob Jardel Student Life Editor - Joel Frambes A&E Editor - Erin Owens Copy Editor - Krista Pylant Asst. Editors - Kerry Schoonaert, Sandi Colby Aggie Central Editor- Jeff Larson
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.
0.04 deaths per watts produced
Oil
Nuclear
coal byproduct, fly ash, can send out up to 100 times more radioactivity than the waste found in a nuclear disposal pool. And even in the case of this fly ash, the amounts of coal-based radioactivity are trace and show little discernible impact on the surrounding population. According to a study from NASA, if reliance on fossil fuels worldwide were traded for a reliance on nuclear energy, over the next 35 years, upwards of 6 million lives could be saved. Now, it should be noted that this is a comparison between nuclear energy and fossil fuels. In no way is nuclear energy a safe energy source. It has the power to do great damage to human life and to the environment, as was the case in Chernobyl in 1986 and in Fukushima in 2011. However, popular opinion grossly misrepresents the safety levels associated with nuclear energy for very little reason. Nuclear
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.
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.
60 deaths per watts produced
Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff
Newsroom Staff
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Temilade Adelusi, Derick Acheampong, Haley Berry, Sandi Colby, Cheyenne Cole, Sammy Diehl, Jonathon Good, Zayna Haliburton, Erin King, Robert King, Stacie Larsen, Savanna Sanders, Kerry Schoonaert, George Weaver, Payton Williams, Jonathan Vann Staff Photographer - Christopher Reif Advertising Manager - Erica Driskill Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
Graphic by Jacob Jardel. Based on 2011 statistics from Next Big Fixture. For more information, visit www.nextbigfuture. com/2011/03/deathsper-twh-by-energysource.html
energy, when compared to fossil fuels, is an absolute wonder of an energy source demonized simply because it sounds scarier than it is. Even in the worst occurrences of nuclear disaster, death tolls are often greatly exaggerated. In the case of Fukushima, for instance, no deaths were directly linked to the meltdown of the facility, and the World Health Organization predicts that the increase of cancer as a result will likely be at statistically undetectable levels. To put it in perspective, the Fukushima disaster is the second-worst nuclear disaster in the whole history of nuclear energy production so far. When compared to the conservatively estimated 100,000 deaths per year attributed to the generation of coal energy, these results are positively miraculous. It’s not just something to be passively denied by a politician, regardless of how many votes it may earn them. 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.
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A&E
October 10, 2016
www.aggiecentral.com
The Tempest: thundering success Cheyenne Cole Staff Writer
Cameron University’s Department of Art, Music and Theatre Arts performed their intriguing production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2. “The Tempest” follows Prospero, a magician and the former Duke of Milan, who was stranded on an island 12 years ago, along with his daughter Miranda, by his jealous brother, Antonio. During Prospero’s 12 years on the island, he plots revenge against Antonio and gets the chance to act on it when a ship containing Antonio passes by the island. The King of Naples, his brother and his son Prince Ferdinand are also on the ship. Prospero conjures up a storm, and the ship wrecks on the island. The compassionate Miranda, unaware of the evils of the world as she has lived on the remote island since she was three, begs her father not to kill the passengers of the shipwreck. She meets and falls in love with Prince Ferdinand. This play was sophomore theatre major Sierra Sorrell’s fourth as an actor in her time at Cameron, and her prior experience showed in the performance. Photo By Christopher Reif Sorrell shines in her role as Miranda. Brewing the storm: Student Mark Branson, portraying Prospero, shows off the staff used to conjure the storm. Branson, a She portrays the character mostly through facial expressions and with the senior, has been involved with Shakespeare in the Park at Oklahoma City for the past two years. These roles helped him prepare for convincing innocence and naiveté in her his role in “The Tempest.” eyes. “I tried to put myself in a mind-set of just “I was very, very happy with the cast, stole every scene she was in. Even if she was on Brewer wore was definitely a factor of the not knowing,” Sorrell said. “Most things my crew and designers,” Onishi said. “Everyone the side of the stage while others spoke, her amusement. character sees in the play are new to her, so a worked very hard collaboratively on this show. presence was made known to the audience. Onishi said she felt the chemistry between kind of wondrous awe.” It was just a really nice group effort.” The back-and-forth between Branson and actors in this production was strong. Actor Mark Branson portrayed Prospero Onishi said she read “The Tempest” many Rinestine as Prospero commanded Ariel was The casts’ chemistry was palpable to brilliantly. His many lines and soliloquies times to decide how she wanted to go about entertaining, mostly on account of Rinestine’s the viewers, especially between characters were spoken without a trace of doubt. directing it and every time she read it, she hysterical facial expressions. Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano, who shared Branson never faltered nor missed a line found something new, particularly in the love Onishi said for many students, this was a hilarious rapport. or let the hurt and anger Prospero must have scenes between Ferdinand and Miranda. their first production at Cameron. However, Branson’s emotional last soliloquy was a harbored for years about being betrayed by his Abigail Rinestine’s take on Ariel, a magic any rookie actors were not detectable to the perfect end to the play. own brother leave his eyes. sprite who is bound to serve Prospero, may audience. Onishi’s interpretation of “The Tempest” Assistant Professor of Art, Music and have been the most eye-catching performance Viewers laughed throughout the play at was romantic, emotional and comical and an Theatre Arts Deidre Onishi directed the play of the production. Samuel Brewer’s performance as the island overall success as a result of the hard work on and was satisfied with the finished product. Rinestine’s light, comical portrayal of Ariel creature Caliban. The strange-looking mask the part of everyone involved.
Orndorff displays identity in Cameron art exhibition Photo by Haley Berry
Haley Berry Staff Writer
2016 Cameron graduate Victoria Cortez-Orndorff is exhibiting her art collection “Identity,” on display until Oct. 23 in the Cameron
Science Complex. Orndorff held an art show on Sept. 22 to explain to students, faculty and potential art buyers why she added certain pieces to this collection. For her, “identity” is more than the title of her
current exhibition. “Those pieces represent who I am,” she said, “and I used colors that tie me in as an artist. I’m very passionate about this collection. These pieces are a part of me.” Orndorff discovered her
and how to recreate that with crayons and watercolors. Hands-on activities like that inspired my creativity.” Two of Orndorff’s family members worked with her in her early years and are responsible for making her the artist she is today. “My grandfather used to be an architect,” she said. “He would always sit down and draw with me. My uncle is a comic book enthusiast. He would always try to recreate panels, and he would give me some of his comic book cards to try to recreate the scene with my own style.” These experiences helped Orndorff develop her distinct style. One of the pieces in her collection is a project she love of visual media early in completed as a senior. her life. When she was in The charcoal piece is school, she had her chance a hybrid of a pug and an to recreate a renowned piece octopus attacking one of the from a well-known artist. seven wonders of the world, “We were introduced to “Stonehenge.” She named Vincent Van Gogh,” she said, that piece “Pugtopus.” “specifically his ‘Starry Night,’ “I watched this commercial
one time,” she said, “and there was this huge pit-bull-headed dog with a Chihuahua body, and it was causing destruction in the town. “When my former art teacher assigned a piece that had to have a head of one animal with the body of another animal, I knew I wanted to have a pug and something with a lot of legs that could really do some damage.” Works like these encapsulated the style Orndorff developed over years as an art student. Psychology graduate student and long-time friend Jacob Jardel said she has come a long way in her work. “I’m happy to see [Orndorff] exhibit her hard work in such a method and a place where many of our fellow students can see just how awesome she and her work are,” Jardel said. “I’m proud of her and all she’s accomplished.”
What’s Streaming: Stranger Things, a Netflix original Cheyenne Cole Staff Writer
“Something is coming. Something hungry for blood.” Mike Wheeler prophesizes to his friends in the basement of his home as they play Dungeons and Dragons on the night of Nov. 6, 1983 in Hawkins, Indiana. As Will Byers rolls the dice, the group is interrupted by Mike’s mother, who tells the boys to end their game because it is a school night. Chaos erupts, and the roll of the dice is unknown, except to Will. When the boys are leaving, Will reveals only to Mike that he rolled a seven. “The Demogorgon, it got me,” Will explains. As Will rides off on his bike, the porch lights flicker off and on. This is an eerie foreshadowing of what is to come for Will Byers in the Netflix Original
Series “Stranger Things,” which became a hit over the summer. Something the audience cannot see escapes the Hawkins National Laboratory, a part of the U.S. Department of Energy, and on his way home, Will is chased and abducted by a tall, shadow-like creature. The search for Will begins. Will’s mother Joyce Byers, portrayed by ‘80s movie queen Winona Ryder (“Beetlejuice” and “Heathers”), teams up with Hawkins’ perpetually drunk, washed-up Police Chief Jim Hopper to search for Will. Joyce and Hopper communicate with Will through cryptic messages sent by Will via light sources. Joyce becomes aware that Will is somewhere out there, and like any mother, she refuses to give up on finding him. Mike and his friends Lucas and Dustin immediately begin their own rogue hunt for
Will. In the woods, the boys stumble across a strange girl named Eleven with a shaved head and psychic abilities they use to find Will. Mike’s sister Nancy helps Will’s older brother Jonathan search for Will after her own friend Barbara disappears mysteriously. Only when the three groups come together can they answer the question everyone is asking: “What happened to Will?” Little do the groups know that as they are searching for Will, the Hawkins National Laboratory is pursuing Eleven, Will and the creature that kidnapped him. The series pays homage to quite a few 1980s movies, including “E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial,” “The Goonies” and “Stand By Me” through direct imagery and a goosebump inducing, synth-heavy musical score. Any Netflix subscriber looking for something to stream that includes romance,
mystery, adventure, sci-fi and comedy alike will be satisfied by “Stranger Things.” Complete with set design, wardrobe and a soundtrack straight out of the 1980s, “Stranger Things” authenticity makes the audience nostalgic for a time many younger viewers never lived in. The child actors, especially Millie Bobby Brown who plays Eleven, make the show particularly enjoyable. Ryder terrifically portrays a panic-stricken mother. Each episode ends with a suspenseful cliffhanger that makes “Stranger Things” almost impossible to stop watching. With only eight episodes and a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, “Stranger Things” is the perfect spooky October weekend binge-watch. The series has already been renewed for a second season, which will become available in 2017.
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Sports
October 10, 2016
www.aggiecentral.com
Chasing Destiny The Chicago Cubs and their journey to end a 108-year drought
Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service, graphic by Jacob Jardel
The sky is the limit: Cubs reliever Pedro Strop celebrates the third out in the eighth inning of a 5-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 23. Strop was a major piece of a top-ranked pitching staff that helped Chicago to a 100-win season. The Cubs field a first-place squad in this year’s playoffs and has a chance at winning the team its World Series for the first time since 1908.
Jacob Jardel Voices Editor
@JJardel Writing The Major League Baseball playoffs could be one to remember. Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is playing in his final postseason, while the San Francisco Giants are vying for their fourth title since 2010. The Indians could help turn Cleveland into Title Town, USA, if the team wins its first title since 1948. But arguably the biggest of these storylines is the Chicago Cubs. The North Siders entered the playoffs with the Major League’s best record at 10358, winning the National League Central division by 17 ½ games. They scored the third-most runs of any team and maintained the best earned run average in the majors. In short, the Cubs are poised to make a World Series run. If they happened to win, though, it would mean more than just brining a trophy to Wrigley Field for its 100th Anniversary. The Chicago Cubs last won a championship in 1908. Put in perspective, the Ottoman Empire would not end for another 14 years. Both the Berlin Wall and
the Soviet Union would rise and fall in that time period. Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii were not states yet. From the baseball perspective, the New York Yankees won all 27 of their titles in that span. The Marlins and Diamondbacks began play in 1993 and 1998, respectively, and won three combined championships. Their fellow “cursed” counterparts in Boston even won three titles after falling short for 86 years between 1918 and 2004. But this team brings with it a hope that Cubs fans have not felt since their early2000s heyday in the NL Central when players like Sammy Sosa, Kerry Wood and Moises Alou patrolled the friendly confines. Young talents like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Jake Arietta paired with resurgent veterans like John Lackey lead many to believe this team has a chance. On top of that, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA Title brought with it a newfound hope to a city who had not witnessed a champion since 1964. Boston’s win in 2004 rejuvenated the Fenway faithful after years of heartbreak.
Many things appear to be in place for a Chicago Cubs World Series title. But there is one big worry inherent in that mindset. The best record in the Majors is not always indicative of a championship year. Of the 11 teams that posted the best regular season records in the modern era, four failed to win the World Series, three of the top five. Since 2000, only three teams with the best record in the MLB won the championship. Furthermore, the Cubs posted the best regular season record ever in 1906 but lost in the World Series to the White Sox in six games. Regardless of record, the North Siders have not played in the Fall Classic since 1945. That was the year the fabled Curse of the Billy Goat began when a fan declared that the Cubs would not win a
championship again after an ejection from Game 4 of the year’s World Series. Since then, the Cubs’ closest chances at even making the title were 2007 and 2008 NL Divisional Series losses and a 2003 incident the NLCS after fan Steve Bartman got in the way of a potential out. Chicago
Taking cuts: Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo swings at the ball. The all-star was one of the catalysts for Chicago’s offense.
would drop the series after coming within five outs of winning the NL pennant. When it comes to factors outside of the diamond, there are many factors leaning towards the Cubs not winning this year’s championship. But the Cubs have high hopes to reverse their curse, especially after the Red Sox and White Sox shrugged off their demons in past years. The team’s biggest worry is the rigor of the upcoming playoffs. The remaining teams in the NL postseason picture can provide tough tests for the Cubbies throughout October. Their first opponents, the San Francisco Giants, have found their way to the championship game in three of the last five years. The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers feature two of the brightest stars in baseball in outfielder Bryce Harper and pitching phenom Clayton Kershaw, respectively. In the World Series, they could face some of the most potent rosters in the
Graphic by Jacob Jardel
major leagues. Many experts think a Cubs title would require visits to Boston in the World Series. If that were the case, they would have to square off against a Red Sox team with an always-clutch Ortiz, MVP candidate Mookie Betts and Cy Young Award hopeful Rick Porcello. This matchup is only one of many the Cubbies could face. Cleveland’s fleet of young talent powers the team in all aspects of the game. The Texas Rangers have the firepower to take on nearly any team, and the Toronto Blue Jays are building momentum after a Wild Card win against a hot Baltimore Orioles squad. But Chicago has the team to break the curse. Their pitching staff is one of the best in the game today, and they have the ideal mix of young talent and veteran consistency on offense and defense. They have one of the best managers in the game in Joe Maddon. Even their front office has experience in breaking curses under the leadership of former Boston General Manager Theo Epstein. The stars are aligned. Now it’s up to the Cubs to reach for them.
Aggie volleyball drops seventh straight match Krista Pylant Copy Editor
Game 2
Cameron concluded its four-match road trip with a 3-0 (2520, 25-23, 25-17) loss to Texas Woman’s on Oct. 1. The Aggies committed 19 attack errors on the match Cameron volleyball dropped two more games during a and hit .130 while the Pioneers notched a .277 attacking Texas road trip from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. percentage. The losses extend the Black and Gold’s losing streak to In set one, following an 8-8 tie, TWU went on a five-point seven as they cap off their recent four-game span of away run following two kills and three Aggie errors. The Pioneers games. would amass a seven-point lead, their largest of the game. The Black and Gold closed the gap to two at 18-16. But Game 1 Texas Woman’s held on to take set one, 25-20. CU lost 3-1 (25-13, 23-25, 25-15, 25-10) to Texas A&MCameron took the lead midway through the second frame Commerce on Sept. 30 in Commerce. and held a 23-18 advantage. The Lions hit at a clip of .255 and generated 63 kills to However, errors derailed the Aggies, as four miscues power past the Aggies’ 31. helped the Pioneers chain seven straight points for a 25-23 In set one, the TAMUC jumped to a 7-0 start combining victory. for 15 kills and hitting .250 to CU’s .051 for a 25-13 game win. For the third set, Cameron would inch within one point of Cameron would take the second set 25-23, outlasting 13 the Pioneers at 11-10. That was the closest the Aggies would ties in a back-and-forth game. The final tie occurred at 23-23, approach TWU’s lead. but a Sabra Washington kill and a Lion attack error brought Texas Woman’s went on to win 25-17. the Aggies the win. Gillean extended her streak of matches with 10 or more For set three, TAMUC would take the last five points for kills to 14 games after knocking down a team-high 12 against the 25-15 set win. The Lions took the fourth frame with a 25- the Pioneers. 10 victory after hitting a match-high .342. Sophomore Shelby Mench led CU with 29 assists, while Sophomore Jenna Gillean extended her streak of matches Quillin and Dixon combined for 11 digs each. with 10 or more kills to 13 after knocking down a team-high Sara Oxford led TWU with a match-high 14 kills. 10 against Commerce. She also recorded 11 digs for her fourth Cameron is now 2-13 on the season with an 0-7 record in double-double of the season. the Lone Star Conference. Junior Kylee Quillin led the Black and Gold with 20 digs, After playing two games at home against Tartleton State and freshman Shelby Pohlmeyer contributed a team-high 22 and Angelo State, the Aggies will hit the road again to take on Photo courtesy of Mike Mazzo assists. Southern Nazarene University on Oct. 11 in Bethany. In for the kill: Sophomore Jenna Gillean makes a Sophomore Paige Dixon and freshman Joseline Caraveo For students interested in Cameron Volleyball and other try at the ball. Gillean extended her streak of matches combined for two blocks each. Black and Gold athletics, visit cameronaggies.com for more with 10-plus kills to 14 games in CU’s losses to Texas Daisge Smith led the Lions with 15 kills. information. A&M-Commerce and Texas Woman’s University.
@KristaPylant8