3
campus news
wednesday 03.07.12
missions
Soccer tournament benefits mission trip Brookelee galle student reporter Students from across campus participated in a soccer tournament last weekend to benefit Mission Lazarus. The event was conducted as an attempt to help families in povertyravaged Honduras, where soccer is a part of the children’s culture. “Soccer is what kids love in Honduras,” said Sarah Boleslawski, senior communications major from Spring. Over spring break, 21 ACU students will travel to Honduras to lend a hand to the many families living
there. The students have had to raise their own money to go on the mission trip, and money they receive for the tournament help them with their project. The country recently experienced 96 days of flooding, damaging many of the families’ homes. Students participating in Mission Lazarus will be rebuilding the destroyed homes. The funds will help those on the trip provide supplies such as building materials, food, clothes and medicine for the refugees. “It was a really good experience and it was for a good cause,” Boleslawski said. “Those who participated seemed to really en-
joy it.” With more than 60 people playing in the tournament, at least $400 was raised. Individuals contributing to the event paid $7 and each team donated a soccer ball. The tournament started at 5 p.m. Friday and the final game ended Saturday around 11 a.m. Men’s social club Gamma Sigma Phi won the men’s tournament. The women’s social club GATA captured the women’s title. “You get a really good feel of how the community is in Honduras with the soccer tournament,” said Shayla Herndon, junior English major from Troy. “The kids play soccer every
day and they don’t have the best equipment. By sending soccer balls it will be a huge blessing to the kids and to the community.” Herndon, who has travelled to Honduras with Mission Lazarus, hopes the tournament becomes an tradition, allowing ACU students to help those in need in a practical and fun way. “I hope they continue to do the soccer tournament in the future,” Herndon said. More information about Mission Lazarus can be found online at www.missionlazarus.org. contact galle at blg09c@acu.edu
mandy lambrighT chief Photographer
Chip Moore, junior biology major from Abilene, and Cory Nickodam, sophomore information systems major from Trophy Club, head off against each other during the Mission Lazarus soccer tournament.
diversity
BSA marks history production success staff report
The Black Students’ Association conducted its 16th Black History Production, titled “A Walk through Time,” Saturday. This production continued the tradition of celebrating 500 years of African-American history through storytelling, poetry, music and dance. Featuring ACU students, “A Walk through Time” showcased a diverse number of performances, each paying tribute to a significant movement of black history. Back from a three-year hiatus, “A Walk through Time” featured a powerful montage of history, poetry, music and dance in an energetic show promoting Black history and its impact on American Society and the ACU community.
Melodie Atchison, freshman nursing major from Albuquerque, N.M., participated in the production as a dancer and also helped backstage. She believes shows like this are important and encourages other students to take part. “Events like these allow the opportunity to learn more about where they come from,” Atchison said. With this year marking the 50-year anniversary since the enrollment of the first black students at ACU, the show marked a significant reminder of the progress in cultural enrichment and the work still needing to be done. Though preparation for the production was time consuming, Atchison found it worth the effort and amount of work for the enjoyable experience. “I loved working with the amazing cast and
crew of the show,” Atchinson said. “I had reservations about the time commitment and the stress involved, but God worked everything out.” Byron Martin, BHP director, said this year’s show was significant because it’s the first time most current undergrad students have seen a production about black history. “This year’s production was different because the students involved got to experience it through new and fresh eyes,” Martin said. Martin thanked everyone who supported the production on campus. “We especially want to give a shout out to Residence Life who supported us extremely heavily,” Martin said.
contact the optimist at optimist@acu.edu
campus
Students perform in Edwards concert series brittany williams staff photographer The lobby of Edwards Hall was filled with the sounds of acoustic guitars and the voices of three students Friday. Gabe Guerra, Erin Daughtery, and Spencer Goudeau displayed their musical talents as a part of a concert series held in Edwards Hall. “I thought it would be a good way to bring people together on a Friday night,” said Jordan Bunch, residence director for Edwards. “It’s for people who didn’t want to spend money on going to the movies.” Bunch formed the Edwards concert series, in its second semester, after seeing Monk’s packed with ACU students. “Every student needs to have their voice heard; we’ve provided a safe and
creative environment to do that,” Bunch said. Bunch thought installing a stage in Edwards would make it more convenient for students to have a concert and sell their CDs and have a venue to express their talents. “We wanted to do something different,” Bunch said. “Something that would give people more options.” Guerra, a freshman psychology major from Edinburg, said performing allows him to evolve as a musician. “Every time I get a chance to perform, I get a chance to grow,” Guerra said. “It’s a stretching experience.” Guerra covered songs from Coldplay, The Shins, The Avett Brothers, Miike Snow and Ray LaMontagne in his set Friday night. “I feel like this year has been a chance to figure out what I like in music,”
Guerra said. Guerra’s mother enrolled him in piano lessons when he was seven and guitar and voice lessons when he was 12. Although, he credits his uncle for influencing him into music and helping him find his calling. “What really helped me was I let myself love it,” Guerra said. “Let yourself get passionate about it.” Later this month, E5 Crew and M.A.Double are scheduled to perform as a part of the series. To find out about other upcoming concerts and events in Edwards Hall, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/EdwardsHall or follow them on twitter, @ACU_Edwards.
contact williams at bnw11a@acu.edu
destiny hagood Staff Photographer
Students perform in the Black History Production Saturday in Cullen Auditorium.