The Optimist Print Edition 12.01.17

Student Athlete Association prepares for Hudson Wade 5K Page 3

FEATURE

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

Friday, December 01, 2017 Vol. 106, Issue 14

SCULPTURE STUDENT WINS ART COMPETITION Page 5

‘ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME’ MAX PRESTON ASSISTANT SPORTS DIRECTOR Eloise Bissell, sophomore kinesiology major from Mertzon, walks by the Christmas tree in the Campus Center on Thursday.

CALENDAR 12/01 • •

Christmas zumba at 5:30 p.m.

A Sleeping Beauty Christmas at the Paramount Theatre

12/04 •

SA movie night Elf at 8 p.m.

12/05 •

Big Purple Concert Band at 7:30 p.m.

12/08 •

Last day of classes

•

Paramount Film series White Christmas

12/09 •

Christmas Slam basketball games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

BOX OFFICE NOVEMBER 24-26 1. Coco $50,802,605 2. Justice League $41,090,491 3. Wonder

$22,674,238

4.Thor: Ragnarok $16,863,294 5. Daddy’s Home 2 $13,217,419

9

DAYS UNTIL

FINALS WEEK SPORTS

LEWIS LEADS MEN’S OFFENSE Page 6

SA considers name change

BY LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR

Student Congress is considering changing the name of Student’s Association to Student Government Association.

Sophomore vice president Mikaela Clinton presented the name change resolution, hoping to take after universities like Texas Tech and Texas A&M. Clinton said her goal is to make Students’ Association more recognizable and engaging. Students’ Association has not changed its name since it started in 1923.

“Having spent time not in SA and then getting the chance to be a part of it, I realized that the student body knows who we are, but a lot

of people don’t really know what we do,” Clinton said.

“It’s so much more than throwing events and distributing money. It’s a government that has real influence and real responsibilities. The name Students’ Association can mean a lot of things, and I think that by changing it to Student Government Association, or SGA for short, our purpose becomes more evident and recognizable for students.”

Congress members voted to table the resolution until next semester so changes could be made to the SA constitution.

Senior president Adam Andrade also proposed a resolution to amend the constitution to publicly report

both congress members and executive’s attendance and require records of congress member’s bill and resolution votes on a public forum.

The bill states that there is a need for better record keeping to hold elected members accountable.

The bill states: “In implementing this practice, Students’ Association would model the governmental practices of Local, State, and National legislatures to further teach Wildcats on how to keep public servants.”

Any amendments to the constitution must be voted on by the entire student body.

A bill to rename and update the powers and responsibilities of the chief communication office, writ-

ten by representative Evan Rodriquez, passed in an attempt to better reflect the needs of the executive cabinet and student body. The chief communication officer will now be called the press secretary and will have a more clearly defined job description.

Jacob Pakele and Oswaldo Garcia proposed a bill to host an ugly Christmas sweater dance party for the student body, allocating $800 for the event to pay for a DJ and reserve the Hunter Welcome Center. The event will take place on December 9 at 8 p.m and will be open to all

Flower Mound, said the idea came to her during the World Wide Witness preparation class.

“We were talking about mission experiences I have had during my time at ACU and the idea of GATA being the first social club global mission trip came up,” Brehm said. “Dodd Roberts from the Halbert Institute for Missions and a GATA sponsor, Brandi Jo Delony also discussed the idea of social club mission trips.”

“Chris Flanders first talked to me last semester right after I became GATA president. I was

currently taking the World Wide Witness intern prep class and had previously been involved in other mission trips through ACU programs, so he knew I had a passion and interest in global service,” Brehm said.

There are currently 19 members attending in addition to Delony and her husband. Through the Halbert Institute of Missions and Orphan Outreach, they will be serving from June 1 through June 8.

The trip is only open to current GATA members but in the future Brehm

said there is consideration of opening up the trip to GATA alumni.

“I am so excited to see God working through my GATA sisters this summer,” Brehm said. “It is so powerful to see the gifts God gave your friends being used to help and love on others. I know this will bring us closer as a whole sisterhood, even for the girls not going, helping us live out our club motto: so long as we love, we serve.”

for enrollment management and student engagement.

“Whenever the flu or cold season are coming, everyone is trying to get into the clinic all at once and that’s sometimes when we are seeing a three or four day wait for appointments,” Campbell said.

Students will be able to get prescriptions prescribed to their local pharmacy of choice and a quick diagnosis

through their choice of either a online questionnaire, phone call or video chat.

“What we’re trying to do is bring down costs and we’re trying to crate opportunities so students aren’t going into minor emergency clinics, walk-in clinics, or just not going at all,” Campbell said.

Starting next semester, students will notice a $95 per semester fee on their bill de-

noted as “Wildcat Care.” Students will be able to use the face-to-face interface up to four times in a semester and will only pay $10 per visit to the clinic.

The university will partner with TimelyMD, a telemedicine company.

“We’ve seen that there has been tremendous advances in telemedicine, and that’s what Wildcat Care is – tech-

LMF14A@ACU.EDU

GATA plans first social club mission

BY LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR

The women of GATA are sending members to Honduras this summer to become the first social club on campus to do missions.

During their time in La Paz, Honduras, the group will be working with Orphan Outreach, a community-based program seeking to help provide quality education and after-school support services to children in extreme poverty.

GATA president Kristen Brehm, a senior biochemistry major from

LMF14A@ACU.EDU

Christmas Slam features more prizes

BY DAVIS HILL OPINIONS EDITOR

Students’ Association’s annual Christmas Slam will be returning December 9th.

Shelby Werderich, executive administrator organized the event and said she hopes that it will start a trend of greater athletics support by the student body and not just be a one-time attendance spike.

“It is a time to try to encourage more attendance at the basketball games,” Werderich said.

The Christmas Slam event will occur on Saturday, Dec. 9 and feature a double header with the men’s team playing at 2 p.m. and the women’s team playing at 4 p.m. Food and prizes will be available during both games, with over $1000 in prizes being awarded.

Prizes will no longer be exclusive to organizations that attend. Individual and group costume contests will award cash prizes to best-dressed.

The executive cabinet is hoping that this change in prize allocation will encourage more upperclassmen to attend.

“We need more people packing the gym,” said executive vice president, Julia Kennedy.

DBH16B@ACU.EDU

Wildcat Care to provide 24/7 access to doctors

BY EVAN RODRIGUEZ WEB EDITOR

The Medical Counseling and Care Clinc is set to expand services with a new technology called as “Wildcat Care.”

Wildcat Care has been in the works for the last nine months and will provide better and more affordable access to medical care, said Kevin Campbell, vice president

W W W. A C U O P T I M I S T. C O M

nology that allows students to connect to a doctor within 15-20 min most of the time,” Campbell said.

Students will be able to utilize this service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether at home or in Abilene.

EMR16C@ACU.EDU

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NE W S

FRIDAY | DECEMBER 1, 2017

Beltway Omega Dance Company prepares for auditions Coffee to host roast pairing

BY HANNAH JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER

BY LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR

Beltway Coffee and Salty Roan Bakehouse are collaborating in their first ever coffee pairing with live music, different roasters and a variety of pastries.

The event at Beltway Coffee is open to the public from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The shop will provide four different cups of coffee from four different roasters. Each coffee comes a pastry that has been pre-paired.

“I love the idea of coffee pairing,” assistant manager, Kelsey Morlan said. “What makes coffee so unique is the fact that every cup can bring different tastes and experiences. With pastry pairing, we chose pastries that resemble some of the same tasting notes that are in some of the coffee beans.

I’m excited to see how it turns out because I have never heard of or experienced anything like it before.”

McKenna Hammock, a barista at Beltway Coffee, planned the event inspired by her desire to get more people into the shop and create an event for locals to come and be a part of the community in Abilene.

“I’m mostly excited to see who attends,” Hammock said. “I’ve always thought that Abilene had really cool people, it just needed more events to get people out. I’m super excited to be apart of the Abilene scene with Beltway Coffee’s event.”

With the goal of keeping the event personal and cozy, the team hopes for 1520 members of the Abilene community to attend.

“I am eager and anxious to see how this turns out,” Hammock said. “Hopefully, it’s something that people really enjoy, and that we are able to do events like this in the future again.”

LMF14A@ACU.EDU

The Omega Dance Company is conducting auditions for prospective dancers.

Sara Mott, a junior psychology major from Allen, said the dance company performs contemporary and jazz along with other styles and anyone who enjoys dancing in a healthy and positive environment should try out.

Mott said she had a strict

dance backg r ou nd “but coming in here is like a nice breath of fresh air for MOTT me.” She is also the company’s education administration officer.

Mott said the company prepares for the Spring Show taking place next semester. Practices are from 8 to 10 p.m. on Sundays and from 9 to 10:30

p.m. Tuesday.

Erin Garza, a sophomore criminal justice major from San Antonio, is also a member of the Omega Dance Company and was on the drill team at her high school. Garza says it is easy to fit in and she has danced with a great group of people.

“I like that at every practice, when it’s over, we do a compliment circle,” Garza said. “You go around and you pick

someone to give a compliment to, and by the end of the circle GARZA ever yone’s given and gotten a compliment.”

This semester was her first one being a member of the Omega Dance Company. She also performs with the Sanctify Dance Team.

Auditions will take

place Thursday from 7 – 10 p.m. in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center in Studio A. An information meeting already took place Tuesday, but attendance is not required to audition. For any questions, email omegadanceco@ gmail.com or call 979480-6833.

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

CHRISTI LIM GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CHRISTI LIM GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CHRISTI LIM GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Omega Dance Company performs routine for rehearsals at the 2017 Ethnos Culture Show

Student Life continues search for university chaplain

BY HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF

A Student Life search committee is finishing interviews for a new university chaplain and dean of spiritual formation.

Dr. Chris Riley, vice president of Student Life, said during the past few weeks the committee interviewed candidates for the position. The next step will include bringing finalists to campus for interviews with var-

ious groups on campus including students. Riley said the taskforce hopes to hire someone in the spring semester.

“The chaplain will provide leadership for the on-going spiritual formation of the campus community,” Riley said, “through the development and coordination of co-curricular programming, corporate worship including Chapel, and pastoral care, as well as creating stronger connections with local congregations.”

More than 100 people applied for the position earlier in the semester.

Riley said the application will stay open until the position is filled.

In the meantime, David Moses, director of Leadership Camps, has served as the coordinator of Moody Chapel events and Susan Cooper, Leadership Camps registrar, has been coordinating Quest small group events. All exemption requests and faith-in-action credits are

coordinated by graduate students in the Office of Spiritual Formation.

Moses said students at Oklahoma Christian University update and maintain the Quest mobile app, but there are still some technical issues with the app. For example, some students are able to check into multiple Quest events at the same time.

“We implemented it before it was fully functional,” Moses said. “We

don’t have the manpower to police dishonesty.”

In the future, Moses said the Quest app could have better location tracking using a “beacon” app.

This would allow the host of a small group event to turn on a “beacon” on their phone so students in the same room as the “beacon” could check into the event.

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

SITC offers introductory course for mobile app development

BY CHELSEA TWOHY COPY EDITOR

Have you ever wanted to develop a mobile application but didn’t know where to start? The School of Information Technology and Computing provides a spring course offering an introduction to mobile ap-

plication development.

This beginner course requires no prerequisites or experience in programming, is open to all majors and even provides duel enrollment for students in high school.

Taught by Dr. Brian Burton, associate professor of digital entertain-

ment and technology, students learn the basics of how to develop a mobile application using Lua scripting language.

Burton, who literally wrote the textbook on this subject, said this course is a “gentle introduction to the world of programming.”

“We start really easy how to download the software, how to install it, do the quintessential hello world,” Burton said.

Last year, an engineering student created an app that was internet connected to an outdoor meat smoker.

It would alert the chef of temperature changes and

adjust the temperature for different kinds of meats through the mobile app.

On average 20 mobile applications or games are published annually by SITC students to either the Google Play or Apple App stores.

Burton’s textbook Learning Mobile Application and Game Development is

tutorial-based learning. He said he chose the simple name because that is what someone would type in a search bar on the internet seeking education on mobile app development.

CLT15A@ACU.EDU

POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 11/21/2017 11:24 a.m.

An area resident called about someone wearing a UPS uniform driving a golf cart on their street. ACUPD located the driver and verified they were in fact a UPS employee delivering packages.

11/22/2017 10:10 p.m.

A caller reported an intoxicated male singing as he walked on EN 12th at Judge Ely. Officers located him and determined that he was not intoxicated.

11/24/2017 3:19 a.m.

An area resident notified ACUPD that they had been threatened by a roommate. Officers determined that no offense had occurred.

11/25/2017 12:16 p.m.

ACU student reported a suspicious subject wearing a hoodie on a bicycle in the front yard of her residence. Officers located the subject and determined that he was picking pecans. Officers asked him to move along, subject left without incident.

11/27/2017 9:20 p.m.

Facilities Maintenance notified ACUPD that an unknown suspect had broken windows at storage units in building A at Sherrod Park Storage.

ACCIDENT 1 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 15 ADVICE 1 ALARM 6 ANIMAL CALL 1 ASSIST 2 BARRICADES 2 BICYCLE PATROL 5 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 11 BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) 1

CHECK BUILDING 352 CITATION ISSUANCE 1 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE 3 ESCORT 1 EVENT SUPPORT 1 FIRE 1 FOOT PATROL 15 GRAFFITI 2 INFORMATION REPORT 3 INVESTIGATION

FOLLOW UP 4 MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 6 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 3 MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 10 OTHER 2 PARKING LOT PATROL 22 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 5

PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL PROWLER PUBLIC SERVICE RANDOM PATROL REPORT WRITING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY SUSPICIOUS PERSON THEFT TRAFFIC HAZARD TRAFFIC STOP

7 3 1 9 10 2 5 1 1 2

TOTAL

547

POLICE CHIEF TIP OF THE WEEK: Avoid wearing dark clothing at night when walking or jogging or crossing busy campus perimeter streets.

N E WS

FRIDAY | DECEMBER 1, 2017

3

SAAC to host Hudson Wade 5K Charity Run Paramount theatre to show “White Christmas” in December

BY ZEKE TRIPP STAFF REPORTER

PHOEBE VOSS STAFF REPORTER

To kick off the holiday season the historic Paramount Theatre will be showing Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Dec. 8 and 9. The showing is a part of this year’s Paramount Film Series, an initiative sponsored by Lyndale Abilene that aims to preserve this theatre’s film heritage.

Each month the Paramount, Abilene’s landmark theatre, shows a film for the public. Typically the theater shows films considered “classics,” and the monthly event has brought people of all ages to appreciate film the way that the staff at the Paramount does.

“Part of our mission statement is to do what we can to preserve the history and rich cultural heritage of film, so that is an important part of why we screen classic movies.”

Barry Smoot, the artistic director of the Paramount said.

The film series has been a valuable tool in attracting a young, student audience. The $6 price tag and central location makes it attractive to many students. Smoot said the younger crowd loves the classic feel of the experience and “usually if someone attends an event here for the first time, they fall in love with the theatre and its atmosphere and want to return.”

Elle Kaye Terry, a freshman ad/PR major from Roby, said she fell in love with the theatre after attending a show from the film series earlier in the semester.

“It was really cool because you can tell the building is just full of history,” Terry said.

Each year the Christmas film series alternates between White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life.

This year, White Christmas is showing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 and from 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m on Saturday, Dec. 9. Tickets are $6 for students and $7 for adults and can be bought at the box office or online at paramount-abilene.org.

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host the third annual Hudson Wade 5K Charity Run at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 beginning at the Hardin Administration Building and ending at the Hunter Welcome Center.

Hudson Wade passed away in the spring of 2016 from a battle with leukemia. Wade attended Abilene Christian School and he loved everything from sports, friends and his family. He was a kid that everyone wanted to be friends with and wanted to be around.

The Hudson Wade 5K Run is a great opportunity for participants and bystanders to have a great time in a fun atmosphere

while remembering a great young soul.

Kyle Karnei, former president of SAAC said, “It will be a fun atmosphere where we get to remember Hudson.”

Participants may walk, jog or run as this is not a timed event.

Dorothy Swanson and Karnei started this event back when Hudson was diagnosed to provide support for the Wade family.

“After Hudson passed away we wanted to have this event yearly to remember his legacy and the lives that he touched,” Karnei said.

SAAC president Joshua Fink said he is excited to tackle the great challenge and reward that he has in front of him by coordinating his first ever Hudson Wade 5K Charity Run.

“My favorite part of coordinating the event is being able to witness how many lives Hudson has and continues to touch. His battle is an inspiration to all of us to live life to Kyle Karnei and the Wade family (Photo Courtesy of Kyle Karnei). the fullest and take nothing for granted,” vides Apple iPod Touch- Children’s Medical Censaid Fink, junior finan- es and iTunes gift cards ter, West Texas Rehabilcial management student to pediatric cancer pa- itation Center, and Henfrom Coppell. tients at Cook Children’s drick Hospital.

The money raised in Medical Center. The the Hudson Wade Chari- foundation also assists ty race will go to the P4X Abilene-area children OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU foundation, which pro- and families at the Meek

MATTHEW BAKER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF

Paramount Theatre to show “White Christmas” in December

Float at the 2017 Christmas Parade

HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF Girls waving to crowd at the 2017 Christmas Parade HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF Children on float at the 2017 Christmas Parade

APARTMENT FOR RENT Teakwood Townhomes

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Call for details (936) 662-3265.

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2 LOCATIONS! 6410 Buffalo Gap Rd (325) 704-4200 2534 S. 7th (325) 673-2726 naturalfoodrestaurant.net

Notice Dear Students, Faculty and Staff, We are excited to announce that Dr. Kyle Sheets (‘73) will preside as the medical director of the ACU Medical Clinic beginning January 2, 2018. Dr. Sheets is the founder of Concord Medical Group and was awarded the 2017 Humanitarian Award by the American Academy of Family Physicians at its annual meeting.

Dr. Sarah Ferguson is the current medical director of our Medical Clinic and she will be closing her practice on campus December 22.

This will not affect her other practice located in the Jones Building at Hendrick Medical Center. It has been a privilege to host Dr. Ferguson on campus and she has blessed the ACU community in many ways.

Please know that your medical records will remain the property of the ACU Medical Clinic. You may get copies of your medical records, including immunization records, by completing the Release of Information form and returning it to the Medical and Counseling Care Center (MACCC). If you have any questions, please call 325-674-2625 for more information.

-ACU Office of University Marketing

ADAPTING TOYS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS On Saturday, December 2, from 10:00am-2:00pm, the ACU Maker Lab and students in the

AT/AAC course will host a special kind of Christmas toy drive. We’ll have toys on hand that

EVERYONE’S INVITED!

& TOOLS PROVIDED need to be adapted for children with special needs. TOYS Toys, tools and supplies will be

learn the how to provided and we’ll have staff available to teach you Come how to adapt toy.

adapt a toy for a child with special needs.

Saturday, December 2 We’d love to see all of our ACU Everyone is Invited! We’d love to see all of our ACU family as well as our Abilene are friends family as well as our Abilene 10:00am 2:00pm come and take part in this special project. Grab some friends, come down to the Maker Lab friends come and take part in and learn how to adapt a toy for a child with special needs. It’ll be a great day.

ACU Maker Lab this special project.

Saturday, December 2 stay as long as you want!

Come when you can and 10:00am-2:00pm

4

OP I N I ON

FRIDAY | DECEMBER 1, 2017

Healthy Recipe: Veggie Quiche ASK SAWYER SAWYER COBB GUEST COLUMNIST Senior nutrition major Midland, Texas

CARTOON BY ERNESTO GUAJARDO Without a university chaplain, the university developed its own version of “Mad Max.”

Chapel void creates free-for-all THE ISSUE

Chapel has become a free-for-all: students are sliding, gliding and checking into Quest events without attending.

OUR TAKE

Student Life needs to hire a university chaplain quickly.

More than 150 students signed into ACU College Republicans Chapel to get a Quest credit on Monday.

Yet the room itself could only hold about 40 people and fewer than half of those who signed into the event stayed for the entire meeting.

Why did this happen?

Well, some students returned from Thanksgiving break to find they still had many Spiritual Formation Credits to get and no Moody Chapel to attend. But maybe the real reason so many students are not really attending small group Chapels is the lack of accountability from Chapel leadership. Or, the lack of Chapel leader-

ship in general.

Student Life has been trying to find a new university chaplain and dean of spiritual formation since Dr. Jan Meyer left at the end of the spring semester. In the meantime, David Moses, director of Leadership Camps, coordinates Moody Chapel and Mark Lewis, dean of students, serves as the interim dean of spiritual formation. This means Chapel probation or any other failure to meet credit requirements goes through Lewis, even though he also handles most other disciplinary issues on campus.

So who is monitoring the integrity of small-group chapels across campus? No

one, really.

Students have been “sliding and gliding” at Moody Chapel for years, and Student Life typically monitors this.

They use banner ID numbers to see that students swiped into Moody then swiped into the Bean or another building. Sometimes they send an email to the student to tell them they got caught and if they continue the behavior, they must meet with the dean of spiritual formation.

But this year, many students are taking advantage of small group chapels and the Quest mobile application to sign into multiple events at the same time. Students can walk into the Bible building on a Tuesday and use the app to sign into Seekers of the Word, Ko Jo Kai and GATA events at the same time without actually attending any of them.

Students can also sign into an event on a piece of paper, leave the event, and the student in charge of the event is

not going to stop them. Student chaplains to the list of attendees and take off those who didn’t really attend. The spiritual formation office isn’t going to notice that a male student signed into a female club Chapel event.

There’s no accountability for students who cheat the Quest credit system. This isn’t fair to the students who are actually attending smallgroup events, or the students who plan or host these events.

What’s going to happen when we actually do have a dean of spiritual formation?

Students who have been sliding and gliding may get a reality-check if the new dean decides to crack down on the integrity part of the policy.

Integrity is just one reason Student Life needs to find a new dean quickly. At the same time, students need to be prepared for changes when the new dean comes.

DAVIS HILL OPINIONS EDITOR

Freshman psychology major San Angelo, Texas

Sinclair Broadcast Group, one the largest telecommunications companies in the United States, plans to merge with Tribune Media Company.

Sinclair Broadcast Group currently owns and operates 193 local news stations, more than any telecommunications company in the nation. If the merger is approved by the Federal Communications Commission, Sinclair would have influence in 72 percent of American households.

This would make Sinclair Broadcast Group a

television monopoly. As if the thought of a monopoly isn’t concerning enough, Sinclair Broadcast Group is known to have a very biased conservative political agenda.

During the 2016 presidential election, Sinclair forced its stations to run segments advising people to not vote for Hillary Clinton because the Democratic Party was historically pro-slavery. Jared Kushner even struck a deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group to secure better local media coverage of his father-in-law Donald

Ingredients: • 2 sweet potatoes • 8 eggs • 2 zucchinis • 1 cup of spinach • 1 bell pepper • 10 Brussel sprouts • Pumpkin seeds • Sunflower seeds • A dash of cinnamon • Salt Instructions: 1. Thinly slice the sweet potatoes into small circles.

2. Layer it on the bottom and sides of the pie pan. This will be the crust.

3. Then sprinkle cinnamon and a pinch of salt on the uncooked crust.

4. Bake in the oven on 350 for 40 minutes.

5. While the crust is cooking, slice up the veggies. (I used what is listed above but you

Trump.

Unlike Fox News, CNN or other nationally known biased news services, local stations are seen to as more trustworthy. Pew Research Center found that Americans believe that local news stations are the most credible form of news, and this is exactly where Sinclair does its work.

This is where the problem with Sinclair comes into play. Sinclair Broadcast Group operates local news stations without boasting their logo on the screen. People don’t realize that the station they are watching is operated by the same people who operate Fox news.

Most people in Abilene don’t think they have to worry about Sinclair getting into their household,

but as of mid-2017, Sinclair Broadcast Group owns and operates KTXS – the fact that you undoubtedly did not know that proves my point exactly.

It no longer matters who you voted for last election or what your political ideology is. News on both sides of the spectrum will contain biased information in an attempt to sway your opinion.

We must be wary and cautious of all information that we consume, regardless of where the information comes from. Whether you watch Fox, CNN or KTXS, you are watching news that could very well be biased.

users post videos about how shocking it is that a homeless person gives back when they have nothing, and then the Facebook user “rewards” them with more money or more items. But the Christmas season is the prime time for people to boost their likes by being “selfless.”

I’m not discrediting the thousands of businesses, clubs and non-profits that

host drives and fundraisers to give back to the community during the holidays. I am discrediting the selfishness of posting a selfie holding a “less fortunate” child with a caption about how blessed they made you realize you are.

The moments you choose to represent Christ are valuable only with a servant’s heart, not a servant’s

DBH16B@ACU.EDU

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

can use any veggies, take some of mine out or add your own favs; I know veggies can be weird for breakfast sometimes) Add the veggies to a baking sheet, sprinkle salt and pepper on them and a bit of olive oil.

Bake on 400 for 25 minutes.

Once the quiche crust and veggies are done, add the veggies on top of the crust.

Beat the eggs & add them on top of the veggies.

Then bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Remove with 10 minutes left and add the nuts.

Pop, it back in the oven for 10 more minutes.

Hope you enjoy this yummy quiche. Only two more weeks until Christmas break! We can do this!

#ACU

EDITOR@JMCNETWORK.COM

Television monopoly takes over Abilene OVER THE HILL

This quiche has basically become a staple at our house and we are loving it. One of my roommates made this for our whole house last fall and ever since then I have made it multiple times. It has so many flavors and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Or all of the above.

@allentmartin 11/26/17 7:30 P.M. Jesus sent the demons out of this dude and they were like “yo can we go in the pigs?” And Jesus was like “yeah sure idc” so they went in the pigs which then ran off a cliff @ErikaEmDubyaa 11/27/17 12:04 P.M. by the way can someone remind Taen that she is a ham and cheese toastie on a warm buttery croisant. @MercedesC11 11/27/17 2:34 P.M. According to Jessica Nguyen the average age of a person at ACU to get married is 20 years old... #acudifference @marysa_travieso 11/27/17 11:23 P.M. It wouldn’t be that terrible for me to drop out of college when I only have one semester left right..?? @elliecornett 11/27/17 9:12 P.M. Just watched a 5 minute video about how cranberries are grown. I didn’t even realize it was so long- time flies when you’re having fun

Let’s double-tap for generosity this Christmas season QUITE FRANCO-LY

LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR Junior psychology and convergence journalism major Fort Worth, Texas

It’s the season of giving, the season of love, the season of family and the season of really good food. But it’s also the season of exploiting

homeless and “less fortunate” people.

Throughout the year, an unfortunately large number of well-known Facebook

T H E

EDITORIAL AND LETTER POLICY Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

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Instagram.

The entire passage of Matthew 6 condemns public display of righteousness, and urges the privacy of stewardship in all situations.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received

their reward in full,” as written in Matthew 6:2 (NIV).

Rather than making the reason for the season a series of edited photos for your Snapchat story, focus on spending genuine time learning about the stories people have walked through.

LMF14A@ACU.EDU

O P T IM IST

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FRIDAY | DECEMBER 1, 2017

F E ATUR E

5

For the Love of Sculpting Lucky in love and looking for inspiration, Hayley Middlebrook’s sculpture was selected and presented at the Big Country Art Association show.

PHOTO BY EMILY GUAJARDO

Hayley Middlebrook describes her luck and inspiration for her art.

BY EMILY GUAJARDO ARTS AND FEATURES EDITOR

I

n an age where technology seems to be at odds with the fine arts, literature and original thought, Hayley Middlebrook has decided to embrace the negative notions and show technology – and society – a thing or two.

Upon competing in the Big Country Art Association, Middlebrook, senior 3-D modeling major from McKinney, was recognized as one of the few contestants whose work presented an appreciation for technology in the online dating realm today.

“I was kind of surprised I even got in,” Middlebrook said. “My professors told me about it and I kind of had to hunt it down and remember ‘Oh, the deadline is approaching and I submitted my work and got in. I felt like my work didn’t fit in with the other pieces selected, but it did and that was really cool.”

Before meeting her fiance on OkCupid, Middlebrook thought millennials and young adults had a negative stigma toward those wishing to pursue online dating. Despite her hesitation, Middlebrook decided to try out the online dating culture. And just like that, she met her man. “[The sculpture] was kind of created out of me thinking about online dating,” said Middlebrook, “and if that leads to actual physical relationships and maybe even marriage in the future which is relevant to me since I found my guy through it.”

E

ven though the sculpture does not contain a detailed summary about Middlebrook’s intent, her personal testimony is what connects the originality and nuance. It’s the uniqueness of her story and piece that grants the viewer hope for the possibility of finding love in the midst of a technological world.

“I was proposed to on the day of the reception,” Middlebrook said as she giggled in excitement. “I’m not a big surprise person and I knew it was going to happen and it helped that the show was happening that weekend too. Oh, and my birthday was the following day. And we were talking about how he was going to propose because we had already talked about it and then he said ‘Well, I should get on my knee then,’ and that’s how it happened. The show, the proposal and my birthday all in one weekend.”

Although her love story inspired her piece, Middlebrook discovered her passion for art much earlier. As a child, Middlebrook loved to create.

Whether it be a painting, a clay sculpture or a simple drawing, Middlebrook knew she wanted to pursue art as a full-time profession.

“I was always in art growing up, and I don’t really have any specific memories that are technically my favorite,” laughed Middlebrook. “It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that I came to ACU for art.”

Switching over from graphic design at the end of her sophomore year to 3-D modeling, Middlebrook knew she had found her niche. From one year to the next, Middlebrook’s artistic atmosphere changed. She was finally creating again.

“I initially came here as a graphic design student to make more money than just fine arts,” Middlebrook said, “But, ultimately I changed over to 3-D modeling because it made me happy. And I thought I would rather be happy than make money. Since I stayed within the art department, I had already taken a sculpture class before I changed, and that was really drove me to change to being a sculpting major.”

Inspired by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, Middlebrook said she always admired his work and tried to incorporate his techniques into her own work.

“I started off with [Giacometti] style and then slowly fell away from that and tried to find my own style and techniques and niche within that,” said Middlebrook.

T

hrough the halls of the Don Morris Building, one can catch a glimpse of Middlebrook at work: craving, analyzing and, ever so slightly, admiring the future piece of work to blossom from the mess before her. Like all talented artists, Middlebrook see’s her end result in sight.

By understanding the audience and listening to their artistic appetites, Middlebrook knows what each piece created should represent, who should it speak to and how it should be perceived.

“Art is so subjective and some people are going to like your work and some aren’t and you just kind of have to keep going with your life,” Middlebrook said with a grin.

Smiling as she strokes her pixie-cut hair back, Middlebrook returns to her station eager to create another masterpiece, another possible submission.

EAG13A@ACU.EDU

Using her own life as inspirtation, Threshold was displayed at the Big Country Art Association show.

TOP NETFLIX ORIGINALS FOR THIS FINALS SEASON Combining flare and fight, thirteen women find the chance to reclaim their stardom in women’s wrestling.

Following a group of colored students facing cultural bias, social injustice, misguided activism and slippery politics, Dear White People highlights both humor and irony all into one show.

After moving to California, Sheila and Joel suffer through major changes leaving the couple in a state of temporary setbacks.

Seeking justice for the deaths of his wife and children, Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, digs into the conspiracies of New York to find his man.

6

S PORTS

FRIDAY | DECEMBER 1 , 2017

STANDINGS Men’s basketball Team

SFA Lamar SELU ACU Nicholls SHSU UIW UCA McNeese HBU NWSU TAMU-CC NOU

Ovrl. SLC. 6–1 5–1 5–3 4–3 4–3 4–3 3–3 4–4 2–4 2–5 2–5 1–5 1–5

0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0

Women’s Basketball Team

LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR Junior Jaren Lewis was named the Creek Classic Tournament MVP after averaging 16.7 points per game.

Men’s basketball takes title

BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS DIRECTOR

While many were in their post-Thanksgiving turkey comas, the men’s basketball team was in action in Campbell, North Carolina where it took home the Creek Classic Tournament Championship with a 2-1 performance.

The Wildcats began the weekend against the tournament host in Campbell University, who touts one of the nation’s best mid-major scorers in Chris Clemons. Clemons entered the game averaging 27.7 points per game, but ACU’s defense limited him to just 1-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc and 16 points.

This played a large role in the Wildcat’s 46-35 halftime lead, but ACU also posted a blistering 65.5 shooting percent and hit five of its first six

three point attempts.

The second half was a different story for the Wildcats.

The Fighting Camels held ACU to a 31 percent field goal percentage and forced overtime with a game-tying three-pointer from Marcus Burk with 2.7 seconds left.

Burk hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half to cut into the lead as well. However, the Wildcats were able to outscore Campbell 15-10 in the overtime period, led by seven points from sophomore center Jalone Friday to secure an 85-80 win. Overall, junior Jaren Lewis led the offensive with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

In the second game of the tournament against South Carolina-Upstate, ACU got off to another solid start, but eight first half threes gave the Spartans a 42-37 lead at the

half. The Wildcats began the second half on a 6-0 to take a 43-42, but again USC-Upstate responded, this time with a 7-0 run. The Spartans would not trail again in the contest holding on for the 88-78 win.

Entering the final game of the tournament at 1-1, the Wildcats still had a shot at the tournament title with a win and a USC-Upstate loss.

ACU upheld its end of the bargain with a 88-83 victory over MAC competitor Bowling Green. The Wildcats led by 20 points from Friday and 17 from Lewis sealed the back-and-forth affair at the free throw line. Leading 8483 with 16 seconds left, graduate transfer Tevin Foster and junior B.J. Maxwell each knotted perfect trips at the line to hand the Falcons their first loss of the tournament.

A win by Campbell, 9374 over USC-Upstate in the final game of the weekend then clinched the tournament title for the Wildcats.

“I think the key to success for us this weekend was our ability to battle through some adversity,” Lewis said.

“We were trying to bounce back from a tough loss to Lipscomb last week and we responded positively in North Carolina. The games were tough and we had to withstand some tough play and comebacks from the teams we played this weekend, but it was a good experience for the team and we came out with a winning record in the tournament.”

At the conclusion of the tournament, Franklin was named to the all-tournament after averaging 10.3 points and four assists

per game, and Lewis was awarded the tournament’s MVP award for averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over the weekend.

“For me personally it was important to trust the game plan and trust my teammates and things ended up working in my favor because of that,” Lewis said. “The coaching staff had great game plans all weekend and my teammates executed and made big time plays in order for us to leave with a 2-1 record in the tournament.”

Next up for the Wildcats is a match up with Schreiner this Saturday in Moody Coliseum. ACU will look to add to an early season resume of 4-3.

JMR13B@ACU.EDU

Wildcat Stadium benefitting more than ACU fan base

BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS DIRECTOR

When 2017 comes to a close more than 10 football games will have been played in Wildcat Stadium, but only five of them by the purple and white.

Through three rounds of the high school football playoffs, Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium will have hosted five high school games in its inaugural season, with potential for more. The Wildcats finished the home portion of their college football schedule back on Nov. 11 and on the following Friday Brownwood and Wichita Falls Hirschi took the field for a first round showdown.

Becky Brown, assistant director of internal operations for the department of athletics, organizes all the high school games played at the stadium. She said the games can’t be scheduled until the winners are determined, but there are several teams waiting to play if they win their respective games the week before.

“Teams inquire a few weeks out to be added to the list. Like mentioned above, we cannot schedule until week of,” Brown said. “We will typically host two to

PHOTO BY LAURA CORRAL Willie cheers on the football team from the sidelines, at Athony Field. three games per weekend depending on how everything shakes out. We usually have a waiting list of 10-15 schools per weekend.”

Of course that number will dwindle as the playoffs carry on, but Brown said the response to this point has been positive for ACU and the high schools.

“Teams have absolutely loved playing in Wildcat Stadium so far. Some coaches and ADs [athletic directors] have started off a little hesitant looking at the cost, but once they get here they realize it’s worth it to play in a Div. 1 stadium,” Brown said.” The players

all walk in with phones up on Snapchat and other social media and are excited to get to play here.”

Like Brown said the price of $10,000 per game can be daunting to some of the smaller schools, but after game play expenses she said ACU makes only a small profit.

“Our basic costs to host a game are extremely high and the $10,000 covers that and we make a small amount revenue,” Brown said. “We recognize that the cost is high, however we want to reiterate that we are not trying to nickel and dime these schools by having such

a high cost. After hard expenses we just make a couple thousand dollars per game which does not account for soft costs such as utilities, wear and tear on field and stands, et cetera.”

Director of Athletics Lee De Leon acknowledged that the small amount of revenue does help athletics reach its financial goals, but said it is not the main motive for hosting these games at the stadium. De Leon said a point of emphasis for this stadium was to interact and engage more than the ACU community and these games are a good way to do that.

“We want this to be a fa-

However, sophomore point guard Jailyn Mason connected on a buzzer-beating three pointer to make the score 54-47 going into the fourth quarter.

The buzzer-beater must have fired up the Razorbacks as the team went on a 20-3 run to start the fourth, which lasted until the 4:59 mark. The Wildcats put together a 13-5 run to close the game, but it wasn’t enough as Arkansas did more than enough to claim the victory, thanks to its big fourth quarter start.

Sophomore guard Dominique Golightly, who buried an impressive seven

three-pointers and finished with 24 points, said consistency will be important moving forward.

had coming out in the second half for four quarters straight, we will be hard to beat.” Golightly said.

With the loss, the women now slip to 3-2 overall, while the win improves Arkansas to 5-2.

Up next for the Wildcats is Florida Gulf Coast University. The Eagles boast a 6-2 record so far this season, losing only to the eighth ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State, and Belmont University.

So far this season, Florida Gulf Coast has averaged 76.8 points per game, and has shot 42 percent from the field as a team. Senior forward Julien Rosemarie

cility that could be utilized by the whole community, by the whole big country,” De Leon said. “High school games are one of many things that we hope to host in Wildcat Stadium.”

De Leon said this is also a great way for campus and its programs to get exposure among potential students and there has been lots of positive feedback about the facilities.

“A lot of these parents and fans would never be on ACU’s campus if we didn’t have our own football stadium,” De Leon said. “So this is getting all those people on our campus for the first time.

This is a Div. 1 caliber facility and they can understand that ACU is serious about its commitment to Div. 1 athletics.”

This weekend will feature the fourth and fifth high school games played at Wildcat Stadium, as Graham takes on Sweetwater at 7 p.m. and Lubbock Coronado faces Colleyville Heritage Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Brown said she expects more games to be played, but teams on the waiting list have to win this weekend’s games before anything can be scheduled.

JMR13B@ACU.EDU

Huge fourth quarter run spurs Razorbacks to victory

BY MAX PRESTON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The women’s basketball team had the unfortunate task of traveling to Arkansas to face the Razorbacks in Fayetteville, where the Wildcats took a 79-65 loss Wednesday evening.

The Wildcats were able to stay well within range of its SEC opponent, ending the first quarter down only 20-14, and the second quarter 34-24.

In the third quarter, the women sparked a 16-5 run that brought the deficit to four points at 51-47 with five second left to go.

“

if we have the solid energy and intensity we had coming out in the second half for four quarters straight, we will be hard to beat.

DOMINIQUE GOLIGHTLY GUARD

“What I think our team has taken from the loss, is that if we have the solid energy and intensity we

currently leads her team in scoring, posting 108 total points, and averaging 13.5 per game.

“Against Florida Gulf Coast, we look forward to correcting a lot of the mistakes we made in our last game, like live ball turnovers, and we know we need to bring four solid quarters together.” Golightly said.

The Wildcats will be back in Abilene to face the Eagles. Tip-off is scheduled for Sunday November 3 at 2 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.

MJP14B@ACU.EDU

SFA UCA TAMU-CC ACU Lamar McNeese NWSU Nicholls HBU SHSU NOU SELU UIW

Ovrl. SLC. 5–1 3–1 5–3 3–2 4–3 3–3 3–3 3–4 2–3 1–3 1–4 1–5 1–6

Volleyball

Team

0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0

Ovrl. SLC.

SFA 26–7 UCA 27–4 HBU 21–10 TAMU-CC 15–14 McNeese 19–13 NWSU 15–17 SHSU 14–16 ACU 13–18 UIW 8–15 NOU 12–16 Lamar 4–22 Nicholls 4–25 SELU 3–27

14–2 27–4 21–10 15–14 19–13 15–17 14–16 13–18 8–15 12–16 4–22 4–25 3–27

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Men’s Basketball Lewis was named the MVP of the Campbell tournament last weekend scoring 50 points and Lewis grabbing 20 rebounds over a three game span. His team also emerged as champs with a 2-1 record in the tournament. His team returns to action Saturday against Schreiner in Moody Coliseum.

Friday also had an impressive showing in the Campbell tournament scoring 20 points Friday in their 88-83 win against Bowling Green, and hitting the game winning three-pointer in overtime against Campbell University. Friday totalled 44 points and 18 rebounds for the weekend.

Women’s Basketball Golightly leads her team in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game Golightly after an impressive 24 point effort in their loss against Arkansas Wednesday evening.

She’s also averaging 5.5 rebounds per game, and shooting 43% from the field so far this season. Florida Gulf Coast is up next for her team in Moody Sunday afternoon.

The lone junior of the team has shown leadership averaging nearly 10 Williamson points per game this season. She’s also made 13 steals and dished out 17 assists in the women’s five games.

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