Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, September 21, 2026
fear that swept through the school as terrified parents rushed to pull their children from class. At 6 a.m. on Sept. Hamilton emphasized 11, Cameron University the importance of Military Science Club remembering 9/11 and (MSC) hosted its annual its impact by bringing 9/11 Memorial Stair the once-fearful Climb at Cameron community together. Stadium alongside local Lawton Police Officer first responders and Andrew Grubbs echoed members of the Lawton/ Hamilton’s sentiment. Fort Sill community. “As I was climbing This year marks the the stairs, I was 25th anniversary of the thinking about the Sept. 11, 2001 terror people next to me,” attacks, when Grubbs said. “I was 19 members of thinking about my al-Qaida carried “As I was climbing brothers in blue, our out the deadliest brothers in red.” the stairs, I was foreign attacks in Grubbs, who was thinking about the U.S. history. in school during the The attacks, remembers his people next to me I coordinated parents’ reaction and was thinking about my how the country came assault involved brothers in blue, our hijacking four together afterward. commercial That sense of unity brothers in red.” airliners to strike inspired his service, - Andrew Grubbs and now, as an Lawton the World Trade Lawton Police Officer Police Department Center in New York City and training officer, he the Pentagon in hopes events like the Washington, D.C. of the World Trade stair climb can inspire During the attacks, Center towers. the next generation of 2,977 people lost their MSC sponsor Robin officers. lives, and twenty-five Hamilton has helped For first responders years later, the Cameron organize the stair in New York City, community still climb for four years the devastation of the dedicates this morning and commented on the attack was especially to honoring their event's immense growth, catastrophic after two memory and promising especially on this of the hijacked airliners to “Never Forget.” milestone anniversary. struck the World Trade The Cameron “Last year, we just Center towers. ROTC Comanche had the cadets plus The subsequent Battalion Color Guard about ten people,” progressive collapse started the event with Hamilton said. “This of the Twin Towers year we’re expecting destroyed much of the 100 people from Fort 16-acre World Trade Sill, the fire department Center complex and and sports teams.” surrounding area. Hamilton was a In New York schoolteacher in Ada, alone, a total of 2,753 Oklahoma, during the victims lost their lives, attacks and recalled the including 441 first responders, many of whom were working to evacuate the area following the attack. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, first responders’ evacuation efforts saved an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 lives. Interested
Devlin Calley and Gabriela Villaseñor Staff Writers
Volume 115 Issue 3
a presentation of colors, followed by an invocation from Retired Army Col. Jerry Jones. All participants then proceeded to the stadium stairs where the boom of "Big Ollie," Cameron's ceremonial cannon, signaled the start of their climb. For the next hour and a half, participants completed seven laps around the stadium's stands, ascending and descending 110 flights of stairs in symbolic honor
Photo by Gabriella Villaseñor
readers can view the complete historical account and findings, including details about the attack on the Pentagon and the crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the United States website. In the year immediately following the 9/11 attacks, military enlistment surged, with nearly 255,000 Americans joining active-duty and reserve forces, according to the Department of Defense. Army 1st Sgt. Mathew Rodriguez described the morning of 9/11 as surreal. Rodriguez, then a sergeant in the Army Reserves stationed in California, was supposed to go home that day. While driving from Southern California to his unit in Sacramento,
What’s Inside
Rodriguez learned on the radio that the first plane had struck the World Trade Center. Before Rodriguez arrived, the second plane struck, prompting his command to lock down the unit. He spent the next several days working long shifts, unsure when he would see his family again. For Rodriguez, 9/11 was a wake-up call, and the stair climb serves to remember those lost, their sacrifices and the lessons of that day. Although military recruitment has not seen similar numbers since 9/11, the attacks continue to influence Americans who choose to serve, including MSC President and Cameron University junior, Warren Jones. Jones was not alive when the 9/11 attacks occurred, but he
participated in the stair climb for the third time this year and, as MSC president, organized the event. Despite the difficulty of organizing the climb and the climb itself, Jones said he kept one thought in mind as he made his way up the stadium stairs: “Just remember where we come from.” As a third-year cadet, Jones plans to receive his commission in spring 2028 and continue his military service, carrying the lessons and memories of 9/11 with him. Cameron University students interested in joining the Military Science Club or participating in future events can contact the Military Science Department at (580) 581-2340 or at military@cameron.edu
Graphic by Angelica Martinez
Student Wellness
In Brightest Day?
Pickleballin' on the Court
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News
Jake Thomas News Editor
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the Student Wellness Center is working to increase awareness of mental health resources available to students. The Student Wellness Center, along with community organizations Lighthouse Behavioral Health and New Directions, will host several tabling events throughout September. The events will provide students with information about suicide prevention, mental health services and community resources. According to Tessa Craig, director of the Student Wellness Center, the events are designed to remind students that help is available and that they have multiple options for seeking support. “Help is available,” Craig said. “Sometimes, especially when people are suffering from suicide, they feel like they’re in a corner and that there’s no way out, we are here to help them see that they’re not alone.” The Student Wellness Center is located on campus and provides counseling services from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students can walk in without an appointment if they are experiencing a crisis.
Another resource newly available to Cameron students is TimelyCare, a virtual health service that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service provides both mental and physical health care, including access to counselors and medical providers, as well as access to prescriptions. Craig said TimelyCare also gives students access to information about community resources when additional care is needed. “If there is anything specific a student needs,” Craig said. “TimelyCare is there to direct them to where they need to go.” Students can register for TimelyCare using their Cameron student email address. Craig encouraged students who experience problems registering to visit the Student Wellness Center for assistance. TimelyCare also offers students a way to seek help without worrying about insurance information being shared. According to Craig, the service does not file a claim with a student’s insurance, which can be particularly important for students concerned about their parents learning that they sought care. The Student Wellness Center also emphasizes that students do not have to wait until they are experiencing
September 21, 2026 www.aggiecentral.com
a severe mental health crisis before seeking help. Craig said students sometimes dismiss their concerns because they believe their problems are “not serious enough” to warrant counseling. She encouraged students who are unsure whether what they are experiencing is normal stress or something more serious to come in and talk with a counselor. The center offers anxiety and depression screenings as well as programs focused on stress management and other mental health concerns. Craig explained that normal stress, such as worrying about an upcoming test, can often improve when a student takes steps to address the situation. However, persistent negative thoughts or feelings that begin affecting a student’s academic performance or daily life may be signs that additional support could be beneficial. “Stopping by and getting a quick checkup is never going to hurt either,” Craig said. The Student Wellness Center also maintains
confidentiality when working with students, the only exceptions being if a student were to put themselves or others in direct danger. The Wellness Center is also working to make students aware of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides crisis support by phone, text and online chat. With TimelyCare and the Student Wellness Center available, Craig said students have options for receiving support both during and outside normal campus operating hours. “We really want students to know that there is help available,” Craig said. Students can visit the Student Wellness Center during regular operating hours or use TimelyCare at any time.
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Devlin Calley Staff Writer
At 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10, in the Simmons Center, students, staff and community members gathered for the second presentation of Festival XIII: Being Human In The Age of AI. Moving to Cameron University’s Duncan campus for its second presentation, the festival featured Brad Carson presenting “What is Actually Happening in AI: The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence.” Carson is president and co-founder of Americans for Responsible Innovation, a Washington, D.C.based advocacy group established in late 2023. The organization promotes public-interest policies and safety guardrails to balance AI innovation with risk mitigation. During his presentation, Carson spoke about Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) rapid, exponential development and its presence in both the physical world and cyberspace. Using an AI-generated video of a man eating a spaghetti dinner, Carson highlighted how rapidly artificial intelligence has advanced since March 2023. Over the course of three years, distorted shapes have evolved into refined videos with realistic human movement and precisely edited sound. Despite these advances, Carson noted that AI remains prone to hallucinations, producing false but plausible-sounding information.
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He demonstrated the problem by searching for OpenAI determined its models were responsible. information about Fort Sill, showing that even the Turning to AI’s physical footprint, Carson latest OpenAI model, ChatGPT -6, can generate presented images of the Stargate data center campus inaccurate information. in Abilene, Texas, highlighting how quickly the site The AI response incorrectly identified people expanded to meet the growing computing demands involved in the founding of Fort Sill, citing of artificial intelligence. individuals who did not become part of the post’s Cameron University sophomore Holden Bailey history until years later. offered his perspective on the growing number of AI Carson also cited other examples of unpredictable data centers. AI behavior, including an “It’s growing at a tremendous Anthropic experiment in which rate. The amount of electricity researchers prompted Claude to it takes to power those plants “It’s growing at identify itself as the Golden Gate and the amount of land they’re a tremendous Bridge. using definitely raise problems in rate. The amount of He also referenced a 2025 some areas, but I think it is also incident in which xAI’s Grok beneficial.” electricity it takes produced antisemitic content and Tying the presentation together, to power those plants referred to itself as “MechaHitler.” Carson addressed during Q&A and the amount of While reflecting on past who bears the most responsibility failures, Carson also discussed the land they’re using for making AI safe. potential for increasingly capable “Everybody…That’s how I definitely raise AI systems to operate with less see AI: it’s unavoidably unsafe,” problems in some human oversight. Carson said. “Which is why I He referenced a July 2026 say it has incredible benefits. But areas, but I think it is incident in which OpenAI models because it’s like a problem, you also beneficial.” circumvented controls designed can’t make it (AI) safe.” - Holden Bailey to isolate them from the internet For more information on Cameron Student Festival XIII events, contact and gained unauthorized access to systems operated by AI platform Cameron University Public Hugging Face. Affairs at 580-581-2211 or email The activity continued for several days before publicaffairs@cameron.edu.
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Voices
September 21, 2026 www.aggiecentral.com
A student’s perspective:
Navigating college with a disability
Fabiola Perez-Aponte
Community Outreach Editor According to a recent study in 2024 from the National Center of Education Statistics, about 7.5 million students have been diagnosed with a disability, which can be estimated as about 15 percent of all public students. When categorizing the most common disability type within students, 32 percent have been recorded with a specific learning disability. Whether they realize it or not, many students may suffer from physical or mental health, which can affect their learning and everyday lives. From my experience with ADHD and Autism, I , too, have my fair share of struggles when it comes to learning. I can barely focus on school work for more than 30 seconds, I have trouble talking coherently without stopping or stuttering, have constant brain fog, have trouble listening to others or following directions without constant reexplanation, and talking for too long without realizing, as well stimming and fidgeting at random times.
I also have problems with both controlling my emotions and expressing my emotions. Even though I’ve been able to manage these things myself perfectly fine, there are still moments where support is definitely needed. Director of Student Development Jennifer Pruchnicki said she wants students to know that they are not alone in their struggles. “I believe that students with disabilities definitely have some challenges,” she said. “When students come to us, we do an intake process for accommodation. The students provide documentation to support what they’re requesting, while also explaining themselves what they struggle with. “We discuss what struggles they notice, themselves, when learning,” Pruchnicki said. “Our purpose in the office is to determine what accommodations are reasonable for the classroom environment … then we notify the instructors. We do not disclose why – that is entirely up to the students.” Hannah Chaves, a senior business major, shared her own obstacles that impact her education. “Getting to and from
class is a challenge due to fatigue,” she said, “having trouble focusing and getting school work done, and having severe memory fog.” Many people with disabilities tend to be treated much differently than people without. Chaves said her service dog definitely brings her some attention. “But I feel like, if I didn’t have a clear billboard walking with me, nobody would even realize,” she said. It’s important to remember, even with good intentions, that someone shouldn’t assume someone’s capabilities because of their disabilities. “Sometimes, it is helpful and very accommodating,” Chaves said. “I don’t want to be asked if I’m okay all the time, as I am capable of managing that. However, I do like when someone asks about my limits and if I am able to do something without assistance.” Pruchnicki said Cameron tries to accomodate students without making them feel like they are getting special treatment. “For instance, making desks more usable for people with wheelchairs, and making spaces more accessible for people with mobile disabilities,”
she said. “When it comes to invisible disabilities, we help to ease their minds and try to figure out what accommodations can be made in order to help them better understand their education and succeed.” “We want students to understand that these are accommodations,” she said, “Not special treatment. Accommodations do not guarantee that you will get an A in the class; they are here to make sure that they have equal access to the education they are entitled to.” There are medications that usually help manage disabilities. For instance, I take medicine for my ADHD that helps my focus and concentration on my work. Without it, I would barely be able to work or study without my mind wanting to do something else and I’m barely able to focus. It also helps reduce my fidgeting and acting out of impulse. However, it does have its downsides. It serves as an appetite suppressor, so it makes it hard to eat or even remember to eat, which causes my blood sugar to lower and have less energy. It spikes my heart rate, making it so that
my anxiety can increase and makes it hard to sleep at night, so I stay up way too late. I can get so focused on what I’m doing that I forget to do other important things like eating or doing chores. Chaves also has her fair share of benefits and downsides when it comes to taking her medication. “They help me with my anxiety and help me feel more comfortable and less nauseous,” she said. “However, some of my medications can cause more anxiety, heart palpitations and they can make me more tired.” Since I got used to the medications, it’s been easier to manage the side effects. If you feel like you could benefit from certain medications for your disabilities, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what’s right for you, as well as doing research about the benefits and the side effects that may affect your everyday life. Many students who struggle with learning due to their disabilities are too nervous to ask for support from other students or teachers. Pruchnicki see this firsthand. “I think one of the biggest challenges for students is coming into
the office,” Pruchnicki said. “They may be hesitant or nervous, and we want them to know that our main focus is to support them. We want to make it as easy for them as possible so that they can get the accommodations that they are entitled to.” There are many resources outside of Cameron, and although it may seem embarrassing, asking for support will be a substantial benefit. Remember that you don’t have to face your struggles alone. There’s many support systems that can help, whether that be friends, family, doctors, students or faculty members. “You are more than your disability,” Chaves said. “Just believe in yourself because you can do anything you set your mind to. Everybody has to overcome challenges and it will be okay.” For more information or support, contact the Office of Student Development on the third floor of North Shepler in room 314. Students can contact Jennifer Pruchnicki at (580)-581-2209 or email at: jpruchni@cameron. edu. Students can also visit many disability support groups throughout Lawton like United Way of Southwest Oklahoma.
By Fabiola Perez-Aponte
About Us
The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available twenty Mondays during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
Letters Policy
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff
Managing Editors - Angelica Martinez News Editor - Jake Thomas Voices Editor - Jaley Melton-Wiley, Gabriela Villasenor A & E Editor - Makayla Flenoury Sports Editor - Matthew Hasley Community Outreach Editor - Fabiola Perez-Aponte Student Life Editor - Rachel Nunn Copy Editor - Rachel Nunn Digital Content Editor - Steven Utter
Newsroom Staff
Staff Writers - Steven Utter, Michael Evans, Alex Weaver, Daniel Zikan, Devlin Calley Photographers - Jones Baskett, Sean Greenwood, Billy Shane Peterson Graphic Design - Fabiola Perez-Aponte, Jaley Melton-Wiley Faculty Adviser - Prof. David Bublitz
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. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be e-mailed to aggiecentral@cameron.edu.
Accessibility
The Cameron Collegian is dedicated to ensuring all journalistic content is accessible to all readers. For access to PDF copies of The Cameron Collegian, contact Adviser David Bublitz at dbublitz@cameron.edu.
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A&E
Magic Lantern Film Society September 21, 2026 www.aggiecentral.com
Photo by Daniel Zikan
Selena Daniel Zikan Staff Writer
At 7:30 p.m, on Sept. 11, in Comms room 114, the Magic Lantern Film Society began their 42nd annual Classic Film Series with the screening of the popular biopic of the famous Mexican-American singer Selena, released in 1997. Before the screening of the film, Magic Lantern Society President Angelica Martinez gave an opening statement about the film and a brief introduction about the person behind the biopic. Martinez said, “Selena Quintanilla Pèrez is one of the most beloved Mexican-American musicians of her entire generation and to this day.” She then went on to give a brief summary of the plot of the movie, with the movie documenting Selena’s journey from a small Texas town with her family to eventually headlining the Astrodome in her final televised performance. Martinez spoke on the impact Selena’s music had. “Her music connected people through all
different cultures and her languages,” Martinez said. “Even those who don’t speak Spanish love her music.” Martinez then shared some facts about the production of the movie. The movie was made about two years after passing in an attempt to control Selena’s image after her death. Jennifer Lopez, who eventually won the role of playing Selena, had to beat out 22,000 other actresses for the role. She also took professional lip syncing classes as she wanted people to hear Selena’s voice. “You can actually hear Selena’s vocals in this movie,” Martinez said. After the screening of the film, the advisor of The Magic Lantern Film Society, professor John Morris, gave some insight into why the film was chosen as the first in this year’s film series. “September is Hispanic Awareness Month,” Morris said. “When Angelica and I got together in February to choose movies for this year, this was a movie that she wanted us to show. And I had never seen it, so I enjoyed watching it for the first time
tonight.” Morris said that a way to get involved in Magic Lantern is by showing up to their movie screenings. He also went into the requirements of a film for the series. “The other way that they can be involved is through requests,” Morris said. “We do try to honor requests when we can, in fact, one of the movies that we are showing this year was requested by a student … So we invite students to make suggestions.” “We define classic as anything at least 10 years old that has received critical acclaim of some kind,” Morris said. “We show movies of all kinds, we try to show different genres. We are now showing international films again … We like to think we have a little something for everyone.” For more information on the Magic Lantern Classic Film Series is on www.cameron.edu/ magiclantern. Students may also request films on their website. The next screening is at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 2, in Comm 114.
Green Lantern’s fresh start
Courtesy photo
Diego Rodriguez Staff Writer
Green Lantern is getting another shot on screen. HBO’s newest series, “Lanterns,” which dropped Aug. 16, brings back the iconic DC Comics superhero in a new live-action appearance. More than a decade after the character’s last major film adaptation received widespread criticism, the series presents a new approach to the Green Lantern character. The series follows an older Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler. He mentors John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, who acts as a successor and replacement for veteran
Hal Jordan as John begins his own journey in the Green Lantern Corps. The two are drawn to rural Rushville, Nebraska, to investigate an incident taking place in the town. It’s different from the traditional cosmic superhero, taking a more grounded direction on Earth. Rather than focusing on the intergalactic “space cop” aspect the Green Lantern Corps and Hal Jordan are known for, the series is structured as a crime mystery. That larger grounded approach to the show is part of a broader movement taking place within the DC Universe across film, television and more. After James Gunn and Peter Safran took
total creative control of DC Studios, they gave writers and directors more creative freedom in their projects. In an article by The Hollywood Reporter, one of the creators of “Lanterns,” Chris Mundy said, “There was a fair amount of trust that he was gracious enough to give us.” That freedom allowed the team to develop “Lanterns” around a good cop/bad cop mystery murder. It also allowed John Stewart to be introduced now rather than in another DC project down the road. The series has something to prove after the last depiction of a major liveaction appearance of Green Lantern from the 2011 film, which starred Ryan
Reynolds as Hal Jordan. It was met with widespread criticism for a variety of reasons, particularly for its story, visual effects and rushed production. It left the character with a difficult reputation to recover from. This new approach is also heavily reflected in the relationship between its two main characters. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the Los Angeles premiere of the show, Chandler said, “The main thing was to get the relationship down with Aaron and us to figure out what our parameters were, what we wanted to do and to get that relationship opened up and have fun together, and luckily that worked well.” The first two episodes reinforce the series’ approach, while at the same time introducing elements more familiar to Green Lantern fans, such as Sinestro and the Manhunters. The series has also received a strong response from critics and fans. “Lanterns” holds a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.0 out of 10 rating on IMDb. IMDb also reported that 9.3 million viewers tuned in worldwide across HBO three days after the premiere. A fourth episode is scheduled to premiere on Sept. 6, as the series is still in early stages of telling its story. Whether “Lanterns” can overcome the reputation left by the previous film adaptation is something yet to be seen. But as one of the major projects released under the new DC Universe, the series has already established a different expectation for the character. For Green Lantern, however, that difference may be exactly what the character needs— a chance to prove that his story can work on screen, and with three episodes already released, audiences will just have to wait and see for themselves. HBO’s Lanterns releases new episodes at 8 p.m. every Sunday at CST.
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Student Life
September 21, 2026 www.aggiecentral.com
Photo by Jialana Brown
NEW PICKLEBALL COURT Jialana Brown Staff Writer
Since opening in May 2026, Cameron University’s new pickleball court has become a popular place for students to hang out, play games and spend time with friends. The court sits next to the Recreation Center and is used often, especially at night. Many students can be seen playing there, watching their friends or waiting for their turn. Now that the court is finished, it has become more than just a place to play pickleball; it has also turned into a place where students can be around other people and have something fun to do outside of class. Cameron student Lauren Gatsos said she was excited when she first heard the school was adding the court. “I love playing pickleball on the court, and I ask my friends to join often,” Gatsos said. Charlotte Glander, another Cameron student, said she thinks the
court gives students a good way to be active and social at the same time. “The court provides students with a great opportunity to stay active in a fun and enjoyable way,” Glander said. “Playing pickleball encourages students to be more physically active while also giving them the opportunity to socialize and connect with others.” One benefit of the court is that students can use it even when the Recreation Center is closed. “Since the court is open at all hours,” Glander said. “It offers students a flexible place to exercise and spend time with others.” This can help students with classes, jobs or other daytime commitments. If they want to play later at night, the court still gives them somewhere to go. Glander said the court is especially busy at night. “It was a great decision to build the court,” Glander said. “A lot of people use it, and a night, it is rarely ever empty.
“The court also brings people together because different groups often use it at the same time, which creates opportunities for people to interact and start conversations with one another,” Glander said. For students who live on campus, that can make a big difference. They do not have to drive somewhere else or find another place in town; they can just walk over to the area next to the Recreation Center. Having things to do nearby gives them more ways to spend their free time and get out of their rooms. “Pickleball is becoming more popular among college students,” Gatsos said.
The number of people using the court shows that students are taking advantage of it. Instead of sitting empty, it has become a pretty active part of campus. For Gatsos, it gives her a place to play a sport she already enjoys. For Glander, it gives students a place to stay active and connect with others. The pickleball court may be a simple addition Graphic by Angelica Martinez to campus, but it has already become a place where students can play, hang out and spend time together.
MAJOR FAIR Come explore: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 15, Cameron University’s Student Enrichment Center hosted the Major Exploration Fair. Academic departments from across campus answered quesitons and showcased differenet majors, minors and certificates. The fair provided students a chance to discover something new that Cameron Unviersity offers.
Photos by Jones Baskett
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Community Outreach
Steven Utter Staff Writer
Cameron University alumna Amanda Purser is the owner and operator of Queensbriar Press, a local independent publishing company. Purser transitioned out of the U.S. Army in 2012 and needed to find purpose. Writing quickly became a therapeutic creative outlet for her, and she realized that she had a story to tell. She wrote a crime fiction novel, started researching publishing options and decided starting her own company was the best choice. Purser launched Queensbriar Press and published her first book, “Cost of Closure” in 2022. Purser realized she could help others publish through Queensbriar Press after “Cost of Closure” released and people started reaching out for advice on how to publish their own books. She had the goal of targeting and helping military veterans if she could and recently started working with her first veteran client, although she
is not looking to solely publish work on military topics. She did consulting work from 2023 until this summer when she decided to pivot again and work with Cameron University students and alumni to do a full-service press. Queensbriar Press partnered with Cameron University professor and author David Bublitz this summer to release “Line of Sight,” a book of poetry that had been years in the making focused on the effects of war and media on military dependents as well as his previous work “The Depend-Ant” a children’s book focused on the experiences of military dependents through the lens of a child. “I really wanted to work with Queensbriar Press and with Amanda,” Bublitz said, “once I saw her process, the way that we put everything together and the level of input and direction that I had in that process.” Purser and Bublitz hosted a reading and art exhibit on Oct. 21 at the Leslie Powell Art Gallery to celebrate the release. “If I went with a traditional publisher, it would
September 21, 2026 www.aggiecentral.com
have taken four times as long to get the work into a place where it was ready for publication,” Bublitz said. “Amanda is local, so when I get something done, I can just bring it to her.” After working with Bublitz and publishing seven books, Purser has decided she is not looking to publish any more full-length novels. “Working with him on the children’s book,” Purser said, “Another children’s book, a memoir and a couple poetry collections I realize that’s kind of my jam.” As for the future of Queensbriar Press, Purser said she has two clients currently working on children’s books, a Cameron student who is working on a poetry and photography collection, and a few more clients getting started on projects. “I’m really proud of the team that we’ve built and the work that we are doing now,” Purser said. “I’ve never been in it for the money; it’s just been for the sake of telling good stories.” For consulting or publishing contact Queensbriar Press at quessnbriarpress@gmail.com or queensbriarpress.com.
Photos by Steven Utter
Makayla Flenoury A&E Editor
Over the summer, I had the privilege of traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana, with my best friend, Harleigh. We decided we wanted to go on a trip every summer, a tradition that stemmed from a shared desire to travel. The summer before (2025), we went to San Antonio. We didn’t want to go somewhere too far or somewhere too close for our first big trip together. This summer, we got a little more ambitious. New Orleans was always on my radar as a place to travel to. It’s historical, the supernatural capital, the music scene and parts of my favorite shows were filmed there. I thought I would visit in a couple of years, but with environmentalists saying the city is “at the point of no return” and will soon be swallowed by the ocean, it bumped up my list. There’s a valuable bonding experience in road trips. The trip is more connective and personal; deep conversations come to light, maybe a fight or two over traffic. That same essence isn’t there when flying. That’s why Harleigh and I chose to drive. New Orleans is only about 11 hours from Lawton. It seems long, but the drive isn’t bad. We avoided most of the heavy traffic, which was a miracle considering we drove through Texas and Louisiana. Louisiana was WORSE than Texas, which shocked me, but even so, it was manageable. In New Orleans, though, driving is much different. The streets are tiny, there are always people walking and toward the evening, streets are blocked off for the nightlife. Harleigh and I prefer to explore cities by walking, so driving around New Orleans wasn’t something we had to worry about. New Orleans feels like a different world. The architecture, atmosphere, culture and town life are
completely different from anywhere I’ve ever lived. We stayed in the French Quarter at the Holiday Inn French Quarter-Chateau Lemoyne. The hotel is not as fancy as it sounds; however, it was an extremely nice hotel. The building itself was beautiful, and the staff had excellent customer service. We were even given a gift bag with our room that had a couple of small things, but most importantly, meal vouchers for the hotel restaurant (we’ll talk about that later). The French Quarter is considered the tourist area of New Orleans, but it is worth the visit. Everything is relatively close, making it easy to walk around. Our hotel was a street over from Bourbon Street (where most of the action happens), with shops, restaurants and other activities nearby. Harleigh and I are not the club-going or drinking type (which New Orleans is good for). We prefer to explore the city, learn its history, find unique shops and have fun with other endeavors. Now, it’s not uncommon to receive a warning about the New Orleans heat or humidity, but trust me, you’ll be fine. Their heatwaves are nothing compared to a normal summer day in Lawton. Oklahomans could sleep in it. The only planned activity on our list was touring the house from the first season of “Interview with the Vampire,” because I couldn’t go to New Orleans and not see that (or the bench from “The Originals”). However, we looked for different shops and events and their locations before visiting, so we had an idea of where area to book our hotel. Then we learned the hotel is right next to the Museum of Death, so we had to go. The museum was a cool experience. It’s filled with historical and original pieces from different animals, tribes and even serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer. For example, they had original letters he wrote, a
binder full of his psychological analysis, and more. Most of the other shops were easy to find without maps since everything is close and the French Quarter is set up like a grid. Walking around may seem like a chore, but the scenery is so beautiful. The buildings carry history through their architecture, the parks are full of lush greenery and the city completely changes after nightfall. It’s not a place you’ll get bored. We arrived in the city late, so we didn’t go out. Our first experience in the city was the calm morning. Everyone was at work, and there aren’t many people walking the streets. The moment evening comes and those street barriers are blocking the roads, the French Quarter transforms into a party. People play various instruments on the streets; the neon lights turn on, and shops blast music of their own. A community comes together and has fun. It was nice to experience. Now, unfortunately, Harleigh and I are picky eaters. With that being said, New Orleans has the best food I have ever eaten in my life. If you are a seafood person, New Orleans is perfect for you, and it’s still perfect even if you don’t like seafood. The hotel’s restaurant was so good, we ended up eating there at least once a day. A New Orleans staple is beignets, a square, pillowy pastry made from deep-fried dough and powdered sugar. Every visitor should try one from Café du Monde. Harleigh and I went to the café in City Park. It’s much quieter, and we got to explore the gorgeous park. Though City Park is large, we didn’t get to see everything. New Orleans is a place I’d visit multiple times. We did so much, yet there’s still so much ground to cover. The city has an experience for everyone, from the partygoers to the food critics to the music lovers. Anyone could have an amazing time.