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Vol. 95, No. 37
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Double duty
Freshmen participating in Sing Song as Freshman Ushers will be able to perform onstage this year, as well as their ushering duties, page 9B
Child’s play
Children from the community make their debut on the stage by participating in Sing Song as clowns, page 9B
OPTIMIST FRIDAY
2 sections, 20 pages
February 16, 2007
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www.acuoptimist.com
1,200+ dedicate efforts to show n Students offer differing opinion on why or why they didn’t participate in Sing Song this year, varying from time commitments and new friendships. By TODD PIERSALL
FEATURES
Hot and smokin’
Harold Christian took over his father’s barbecue business 25 years ago, putting Harold’s Barbecue and its sauce on the map, page 5A
‘Shifting into high gear’ The host and hostesses of Sing Song 2007 differ in style, costume and voice. See scenes from the performances, page 4-5A
ARTS Book pulls ahead of film Despite a powerful tale of true forgiveness, Michael Landon Jr.’s ‘The Last Sin Eater’ fares better as Francine Rivers’ original book than on the silver screen, page 7B
SPORTS
Arts Editor
Students join Sing Song for a variety of reasons. Whether it is for the competition, fellowship or for the thrill of being in a large-scale production, around a thousand students are involved each year. Mauri Westbrook, Sing Song business manager, said she estimates approximately 1,200 students participate in the various aspects of Sing Song. This means around 36 percent of the student body is involved with Sing Song. Westbrook said these numbers of student involvement have been See
Abilene expects economic boost n Despite Lectureship’s move to the fall, Abilene hotels and restaurants still expect many customers to boost spring sales by nearly 50 percent. By MICHELLE JIMENEZ Copy Editor
Sing Song weekend usually boasts a large economic increase for Abilene, but with Lectureship moved to the fall semester, a slight reduction in commerce has befallen the city. Nancy Liles, executive director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, said numbers are a little different this year as compared to last year’s Sing Song weekend. See
Finding his way
Camille Vandendriessche arrived from France last year to be a journalist and a track and field star, page 1B
On a streak
The women’s basketball team beat Eastern New Mexico, 83-73, Wednesday. The team plays West Texas A&M on Saturday at McMurry University because of Sing Song, page 1B
SPECIAL ISSUE Publishing schedule
The Optimist will publish Monday and Feb. 23 next week instead of Wednesday. Check online Saturday night for Sing Song results.
STATS page 8A
ECONOMY page 8A
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
The women of Sigma Theta Chi perform their act as McDonald’s french fries during dress rehearsal Wednesday night in Moody Coliseum. If this club and the men of Gamma Sigma Phi win this year, it will mark six years in a row for both social clubs.
Siggies, GSP attempt No. 6 n The men and women of Gamma Sigma Phi and Sigma Theta Chi will attempt a six-year sweep of Sing Song. By JEREMY POND Staff Writer
Beginning with Sing Song 2002, the men of Gamma Sigma Phi and the women of Sigma Theta Chi have managed to capture five consecutive Sing Song victories. This year, these groups have been preparing as hard as ever as they make a run at No. 6. Jennifer Rasco, sophomore elementary education major from Abilene, will direct the Siggies this weekend for Sing Song 2007. The theme for this year’s program is “Shift into High Gear,” and Rasco said the Siggies are trying to keep their focus off of whether they win or lose. “If our goal is to win, to lose would
be to fail,” Rasco said. “We’re just here to have fun and do our best.” Both groups have been preparing their club performances since students returned from Christmas break. Sing Song rules allow for each group to practice eight hours a week, and very few of those hours have gone unused. Preston Rampy, senior psychology major from Austin and director of GSP’s act, said his group has felt a little extra pressure. “I think a lot of it, though, is pressure that we put on ourselves,” Rampy said. “We just want to go out and put on the absolute best show that we can.” As they have prepared, Rampy said GSP has looked to beat past shows. See
SIX page 8A
Hosts, hostesses journey continues onstage n Five hosts and hostesses reminisce about their journeys to the Sing Song stage and what they need to do to perform their best beginning Friday night. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
Before performances “Shift into High Gear,” Shalesia Rhodes is already talking about reuniting her fellow hosts and hostesses
at a cookout. “I pray that Sing Song is not the end of our bond,” said Shalesia, junior music education major from Longview. This year’s group is undoubtedly close-knit — while some are jittery with nerves, others anticipating the thrill of the performance and others fretting over dance moves, they all share one common emotion: love for one another.
Luke Baty, junior music major from Orchard Park, N.Y., and Sing Song host, said he expected his role to be a learning experience, and to reward him musically; he did not expect to bond with the five other hosts and hostesses. “I expected us to come in here, do our thing, and not really form relationships with one another,” Luke said. “But it’s the exact
Ceremony kicks off Center’s new campus locale n The Center for Conflict Resolution helps resolve conflicts between churches, families and ACU faculty, staff and students. By MALLORY EDENS Page 2 Editor
The ground breaking for the Diane and John Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the southeast corner of Judge Ely Boulevard and East North 16th Street. The Center for Conflict Resolution helps resolve conflicts be-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
tween businesses and its customers, within churches, in families and on campus with faculty, staff, students, friends and roommates. It has existed since 2000 after some interest in conflict resolution arose on the campus in the 1990s. “Jerry and Patsy Strader gave the money to start the Center,” said Dr. Joe Cope, executive director of the Center for Conflict Resolution. “At that time, we borrowed one See
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
The men of Gamma Sigma Phi perform as firemen during their dress rehearsal.
CENTER page 8A
opposite. I feel as close to these people as people I’ve known a long time.” The others, Evan Black, senior integrated marketing communication major from Denison; Jeremiah Gibson, senior youth and family ministry major from Garland; and Randy Royse, junior music major from Bedford, agreed that the group has See
HOSTS page 8A
AT&T gives $1 million to Welcome Center n Gift to university helps construction process begin sooner. By MALLORY SCHLABACH Editor in Chief
EMILY sMITH CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jim Epperson, president of AT&T Texas, presented the university, with a $1 million check for the Bob & Shirley Welcome Center on Thursday afternoon.
Abilene Christian University
Senator Troy Fraser (RHorseshoe Bay) and Jim Epperson, president of AT&T Texas, flew to Abilene Thursday afternoon to deliver a $1 million check to Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, for the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center. Fraser contacted Epperson about helping get the Welcome Center started several months ago, Epperson said at a press conference. “When Senator Fraser called me about the Welcome Center, he asked ‘When you hear about a Welcome Center, you just think about Bob and Shirley Hunter, don’t
you?’” Epperson said. Epperson agreed and became a partner with ACU to support the technological side of the construction. Money said the university still needs $4.5 million to begin building the Center located near the pond along Judge Ely Boulevard. He said he expected to have it raised by summer so the 16-18 month construction could begin in 2007 still. Epperson said, “I’m glad we could play a small role in creating this Center and in making a lasting tribute to memorable people in Abilene: the Hunters.”
E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu
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