SIGNAL
Homecoming court exemplifies service, leadership
BY AVERY WALKER Staff Writer
Homecoming week at Ouachita was filled with festivities, all about connecting family, students and alumni. Marked by events like Tiger Tunes, parties and a recordbreaking field goal, this homecoming was certainly one to remember.
For Abby Moseley, it was even more so. On Oct. 12, before Ouachita’s game against Southeastern Oklahoma University, Moseley, representing The Women of Tri Chi, was crowned homecoming queen, cheered on by her friends and family.
Moseley has a long history of being involved at Ouachita. In addition to studying secondary math education, she is the president of Tri Chi, a ministry leader with Campus Ministries, a member of the education society Kappa Delta Phi and now, homecoming queen. Moseley described the experience of being crowned.
“I was definitely shocked,” Moseley said. “There were so many amazing girls [on court]. It didn’t feel real.”
At Ouachita, the homecoming queen and her court are an embodiment of the school and its values. They are girls who are involved on campus, passionate about what they do and those they represent and most importantly, a picture of a Christ-centered life. These girls are recognized by their peers through a long process of nominations and votes, and finally, the homecoming queen is chosen as the one who best exhibits these qualities.
Malea Borland, 4th runner up, explained what she believes the homecoming court should symbolize.
“Homecoming court should represent people who have poured into others here on campus as well as different organizations,” Bor-
land said. “It should be less about popularity and more about virtue and service.”
Alongside being a picture of involvement and Christ-centeredness, the homecoming court represents the interconnectedness of all Ouachitonians, from current students to alumni. Moseley’s story is a perfect example of this aspect of OBU, and the way homecoming celebrates it.
“My mom was on court her senior year, and my dad was there supporting her,” Moseley said.
“There’s a picture of them together. Having my dad come back to walk me was a very full circle moment.”
This special moment would not have been possible without the
hard work of Student Life and the Student Senate. Heather Dunavan and Grace Sexton, co-chairs of special events on Student Senate, were primarily in charge of putting on this event. Throughout the month, they worked behind the scenes, buying the homecoming crown, ordering flowers, compiling the names of nominees, coordinating with student life development, getting tickets for girls and families for homecoming and supervising all the people and organizations involved in homecoming. Dunavan described the flexibility necessary for this job.
“This year’s court was so good,” Dunavan explained. “That’s why we had so many ties. We didn’t know how many runner-ups there
were until the day before, so we had to hurry and buy more flowers.”
Sexton added that although the month was busy, they received plenty of support. “We had some great cheerleaders,” Sexton said. Ultimately, everyone’s hard work paid off as the homecoming court was a success. “It was so sweet to see it pay off,” Dunavan said. “Everything went so smoothly and everyone did a great job.”
The Student Senate was aided by Allison Kizzia, director of Student Life. Kizzia explained homecoming’s significance to Ouachita and all it represents. “Ouachita is unique in the way that we emphasize it being ‘homecoming and family weekend,’ with Tiger Tunes
and places where alumni can see each other,” Kizzia said. “[Homecoming] is a time to catch up on the stories that started when we were here together. It is important to remember who we are and what shapes us, and how OBU has had a continuing legacy in this process.”
From Moseley’s full-circle crowning, the cooperation of those who worked hard to put on the event and more broadly, the reunion of students, teachers and alumni, homecoming court was an event representative of the heart of Ouachita.
Moseley will return next year to crown the new homecoming queen, carrying on the legacy of her parents and of Ouachita as a whole.
School of Business ventures out of Hickingbotham for annual freshman class trip to Oklahoma City
BY EMILY HOWARD Staff Writer
For the past several years, the Ouachita School of Business has carried on a tradition of taking freshmen on a trip to a variety of places to gain experience in reallife business scenarios, build relationships and undergo something new and memorable with their fellow peers. This year the trip took place on Oct. 30.
“We [went] to Oklahoma City,” Jim Rothwell, assistant dean, said. “We went to Memphis for several years, but we’ve gone to Oklahoma City for the last three years.” This trip provided students with a range of different opportuni-
ties in the OKC area and allowed them to step outside of their box, create new memories and make friends while also exploring the business side.
“[In the past,] we visited various places, like the River Sports Complex, which is the training center for the U.S. Olympic canoeing and kayaking teams,” Rothwell said. “We’ve been to the Hobby Lobby Headquarters all three years, where we heard about retail strategy.”
The trip also featured many fun and unique activities and experiences.
“In the evenings, we went to a restaurant that was on the top of the highest building in Oklahoma City called Vast,” Rothwell said.
“We spent some time in Bricktown, which has shops and mov-
ies and restaurants. This year, we went to a basketball game and we sat in a private box. We have also been to the OKC Memorial Museum, which is always interesting and has a great impact.”
Each trip has its own touch of uniqueness and flare.
“The first year, we got to go inside of the arena, and all of the students had their names on the scoreboard that goes around,” Rothwell said. “They got to be on the court and practice like they were playing basketball.”
The trip is not only fun and memorable, but it is also extremely beneficial to students both in a relationship and business perspective. Students are able to network with businesses and scope out job opportunities, while getting to experience different workplaces.
“We generally visit four to five businesses, and it gives [students] a chance to see how they operate,” Rothwell explained.
Students are also given the opportunity to get to know their peers better while on the trip.
“They can pair up with a preference of roommates but on the bus, while traveling and doing things together, we really encourage them, particularly freshmen, to get to know other students,” Rothwell explained.
Faculty members go on the trip each year, giving students a chance to see their professors outside the classroom. A lot of planning and thought is required to help the trip come together.
“We try to do something fun and something cultural or historical,” Rothwell said. “We’ve gone
to arcades and ballgames, and even a musical concert this year. We try to combine culture, history and fun, but just being outside of the classroom and seeing different things and different businesses is good.”
Kylee Braley, a business administration student, reminisced on the trip she went on her freshman year.
“Even though I had friends through cheer, I wanted to be more a part of the business department, and the fact that they offer trips for every classification for free is really high value, and no other department offers that,” Braley said. “A few of my friends and I decided to room together, and it was a lot of fun. I am glad I went, and I won’t miss another business trip after the first one.”
Left: Caroline Jurkovich, Meghann Bledsoe, Haley Shourd, Abby Moseley, Georgia Richards, Jill Covington and Malea Borland pose for a photo as the 2024 Homecoming Court.
Right: Abby Moseley is crowned Homecoming Queen by 2023’s Queen, Reyna Rogers. Moseley represented The Women of Tri Chi for court. (photos by Dr. Wesley Kluck)
Career and Calling Week
BY MADDIE COX Staff Writer
What do I want to do? It’s a common enough question and one that most people have asked themselves at one point or another. So what do we do when faced with the question of career and calling? What is your calling? And how can that play into what you want to do as a career?
This is where Ouachita’s Career and Calling Week can hopefully help. Career and Calling Week is dedicated to preparing students with skills for life after graduation. Adam Wheat, director of Career and Calling, described this unique opportunity.
“Career and Calling Week is an initiative we started last year,” Wheat explained. “Its goal, similarly to Christian
Focus Week and Healthy Relationships Week, is to draw attention to this important aspect of life. Each day has an event intended to help our campus community consider how they find purpose or prepare for their future now.”
The week began Monday with an informal chat about discovering purpose in ‘How Do I Determine My Calling?’
On Tuesday, students created a resume from scratch at ‘Resume Building LIVE!’ on the stage at Dr. Jacks. Yesterday, students competed in ‘Tiger Runway,’ a fashion competition where student designers created outfits to fit a variety of professional situations.
The main career fair will take place today in the student center. Wheat explained the importance of this event.
“We will have employ -
ers and graduate programs on campus at our fall ‘Networking Expo’ to answer questions about their offerings or even general questions about life and work,” Wheat said.
The week will conclude with “Food for Thought,” a lunchtime event on Friday in the student center that includes dicussion and give -
aways. Wheat shared some of the week’s benefits to students.
“Most people—not just students—report that they want a job that they care about, enjoy or get a sense of fulfillment from, but it is sometimes difficult to sort through all the voices offering advice,” Wheat explained.
“The Office of Career and Calling always seeks, not to tell anyone what to do, but rather to give them the tools to make a decision well. The events of Career and Calling Week are built to be fun and accessible ways to gain those skills alongside your friends and to start the process sooner rather than later.”
The democratic nation of Japan is currently experiencing political uncertainty as the most recent election, which took place on Oct. 27, delivered the first loss to the Liberal Democratic Party in 15 years. The LDP secured only 215 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced that he will not step down, but instead work to push political reform and regain the trust of his citizens.
Perrin Hall residents unite for another year of haunted dorm Halloween tradition
BY CAMRYN STROUPE Opinions Editor
Every year, freshmen men band together to create a haunted dormitory out of their normal living space. Perrin Scarin’ was held Oct. 29. An event that inspires spooks and screams, Perrin Scarin’ is a longstanding tradition that many across campus eagerly await year after year.
Johnny Webb, Resident Director in Flippen-Perrin, described the event as something students should line the streets to attend.
“Students should attend Perrin Scarin’ because it’s pure awesome,” Webb said. “The preparation and planning that goes into this event has been going on for weeks. The RAs and I have a lot of new ideas that we are planning on implementing this year, so everyone should come out and get spooked. If you are one that doesn’t do haunted houses, you can still come because we will have a s’more table, a hot cocoa bar, a photo op and an opportunity to buy merch.”
Senior Resident Assistant Kalel Langford has lived in Perrin since his freshman year and looks forward to the event every year.
“If you were to walk through it, it would be different every time depending on each room,” Langford said. “These students get to decorate their room however they want. Some people might go and decorate their room as a creepy Christmas, while others might be doing taxes as their ‘scary’ thing. So sometimes they’re just supposed to be funny; sometimes they’re actually trying to scare you. There may be people trying to scare you, people jumping out at you and grabbing at your ankles. There are all sorts of different variations of things. Everything you would see at a haunted house is here but dialed down a little.”
Perrin Scarin’ has a long history at Ouachita.
“Perrin Scarin’ goes back many years to before I was a freshman here at OBU in 2017,” Webb said. “What once started as a few rooms turning their lights off and
jumping out of their bathrooms has quickly turned into an event all of campus looks forward to attending.” An internet search for “Perrin Scarin’” reveals evidence of the event being around in 2013, if not before.
A large part of ResLife’s job during this event is to encourage freshmen to participate.
“The ones who are super excited about it are the ones going to be doing it anyway,”
Langford said. “We come in and get the less enthusiastic ones and say, ‘Okay, you don’t have to dress up in a mask, but you could even just creepily stand in a corner.’ I personally go out and buy things for the guys to use because the turnaway is the thought that you have to go buy something to make your room scary. Finding props for them to use and decorating the hallways and stairwells with the other RAs in addition to my own room
is part of getting the guys excited, and usually, once the event starts, they are likely to change their minds and join in the fun once they see how much fun other freshmen are having.”
Webb highlighted the importance of getting involved as a freshman.
“If anyone is hesitant to participate, I would encourage them to at least do something,” Webb said. “It’s too big of an event for them to do nothing. If they are unsure what to do, the RAs and I have tons of ideas, so they should reach out to us and we can help them out. If they want to participate, but do not want to give up their room, they can still dress up and scare people in the hallways and help decorate the basement and hallways.”
Perrin Scarin’ has been immensely popular in recent years.
“Last year, we had over 100 groups go through,” Langford said. “We did the math, and that means right around 1,000 people went through Perrin Scarin’ in four hours. Over half of Ouachita’s campus went through at some point. So, we’re always trying to figure out new ways to get more people to go through because it always feels like we’re running out of time. I hope we have about the same this year because it just keeps growing in popularity.”
As a tradition unique to the Flippen-Perrin dorm, Perrin Scarin’ adds to the campus culture in a way that freshmen can especially connect to.
“I think it’s just different,” Langford said. “Social clubs have their mixers and events on campus, but Perrin Scarin’ is something for the freshmen. They can claim it as their own event as non-club members and say, ‘This is our thing.’
It unites campus culture, especially when you come back after having a good experience as a freshman. You want to return and see what they did.”
Webb spoke about the importance of freshman dormitory events such as Perrin Scarin’.
“I think it’s important to have dorm traditions like this because it gives students something to look forward to every year,” Webb said. “After they leave the dorm their freshman year, they get to come back and see how the new class decorated and if it was better or worse than when they did it. Perrin Scarin’ is a great opportunity for the freshman class to engage with upperclassmen on campus. By having an event put on by the freshmen, I think it’s a great way to showcase their creativity and immerse themselves in the culture of Ouachita.”
Savory Avery restaurant offers local barbeque option for students, Arkadelphia residents
BY CAMRYN STROUPE Opinions Editor
Less than one mile uphill from Cliff Harris Stadium sits a quaint BBQ joint with a rich heritage. I received the opportunity to review the new location of Savory Avery BBQ on N. 10th St, and as barbecue is one of my favorite types of food, I jumped at the chance.
I visited on a bright afternoon and was greeted by an old red truck as I approached the entrance. With a wooden bed and a “Lil’ Red Express Truck” decal on the side, the Dodge vouched for the welcoming character of the restaurant.
Entering the door I was greeted by Sgt. Roger Avery himself and was invited
to try a free sample of their fresh smoked wings before placing my order. The great tastes had begun. When looking at the menu, there is a story behind nearly every item. I ordered BBQ nachos, made with doritos, pulled pork, nacho cheese and BBQ sauce. I greatly enjoyed the unique combination of the nacho doritos with the bbq, and the sauce was the perfect mix between sweet and savory.
“I took this recipe from the Air Force,” Sgt. Avery said. “My burgers are from the Marine Corps, the burrito is from drill sergeants, the smoked wings are from the Navy and the sandwiches were created by the Army. We had a day when my First Sergeant did not
want to feed my soldiers, so my wife and I took it into our own hands with the help of all my soldiers. They all had a hand in our current menu.”
The Avery family has a rich history in serving the country. Sgt. Avery shares his family’s story on the back of the restaurant menu.
“We are an Army family, and I am retired from the US Army with a total of 31 years of service,” Sgt. Avery said. “Both of our sons are currently serving with the US Army. Our daughter led her JROTC team to first place at Arkadelphia High School. She is my little green beret! My wife is a true-blue Army wife, and she served as an English teacher while I was deployed.”
Sgt. Avery served in the Cold War, Desert Storm and over 100 missions in Iraq while in the Army and Air Force as an NCO (noncommissioned officer). Numerous medals from his time in service are proudly displayed on the walls of the dining room along with a flag from his time in Guantanamo Bay. As a senior engineer he also guarded nuclear weapons in multiple locations and even President Reagan’s plane in the Air Force.
Savory Avery BBQ began during Sgt. Avery’s service.
“One of my privates during PT decided to hide in my truck and eat some ribs I’d made,” Sgt. Avery said. “I went looking for him and when I found him he looked over the seat and said, ‘Sa -
vory Avery!’ That’s been the name of our barbecue since then.”
Though the family has been in business since 2008, they recently acquired their new location across from the DeSoto Bluff. I really think this spot allows them to have a lot more visibility to the community and reflects their welcoming environment.
Savory Avery Barbeque can be found on Facebook and also offers DoorDash services. My time at the BBQ joint was completely positive and I felt right at home.
“We don’t have customers,” Sgt. Avery said, “We have company.” After my experience at Savory Avery BBQ, I couldn’t agree more.
Left: Students pose inside the Perrin haunted dorm at the 2023 Perrin Scarin’. Leaders of the event space out each group in order to give attendees a less crowded experience. Right: Students make s’mores outside of the dorm. The lawn space in between Flippen and Perrin was set up with a campfire for s’mores and a table with candy and drinks for those who attended the event. (photos by Joshua Rhine)
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Tiger Tunes 2024 wraps up with The Men of Eta Alpha Omega’s “Penguins” in first
BY SAM BENNETT Staff Writer
The 46th annual Tiger Tunes, hosted by the Ouachita Student Foundation (OSF), took place Oct. 9-12, at the Jones Performing Arts Center (JPAC). This highly anticipated event brought students, alumni, friends and family together, raising funds for student scholarships while showcasing talent from 11 campus organizations and the Tiger Blast marching band.
This year’s performances included themes like “Babies” from The Men of Beta Beta, “Flamingos” from Campus Ministries and “Penguins” from The Men of Eta Alpha Omega, who ultimately took first place. Eta director Gabe Mills reflected on their win.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” Mills
explained. “Everyone was locked in and gave it their all.” Mills was particularly proud of their consistency in winning “Overall Entertainment,” adding, “It took a lot of work to get the guys to stay in character acting as penguins.”
The Women of EEE’s “Three Ring Circus” claimed second place, while The Men of Kappa Chi’s “Robots” earned third. Kappa Chi director, senior Connor Brown, shared how bittersweet it felt to finish his four years of Tiger Tunes as a head director.
“I’ve done Tunes all four years at OBU, and I had a full-circle ending by continuing the legacy my dad started,” Brown said.
In fifth place were The Women of Gamma Phi, whose “Sailors” theme earned multiple awards, including “Musicality” and “Theme and Lyric.” Director Ali Gordon expressed her pride in the club’s
accomplishments.
“Gamma hasn’t placed since being re-founded,” Gordan explained.“[Getting fifth place] was a moment I’ll never forget.” Gordon expressed how she’ll remember the 2024 Tunes season. “I will definitely look back on the late night practices with my club and just the feeling of slowly seeing the show come together,” Gordon said. “It was surreal to see the ideas that me and Jordan (Dallimore) came up with months ago finally become real.”
Despite the dazzling costumes and performances, the true winners of Tiger Tunes are the students who benefit from the OSF scholarships, ensuring they can continue their education at OBU. The event remains a beloved tradition, blending creativity and philanthropy into one unforgettable week.
Concert Choir, Ouachita Singers present fall recital, fine arts department showcases talent
BY KADE LOOMIS Staff Writer
The Ouachita Concert Choir and Ouachita Singers presented a concert in McBeth Recital Hall on Oct. 29.
Dr. Alex Favazza, the conductor, discussed the repertoire, the general theme and the message he was communicating with each piece. Of the two groups, the Ouachita Singers performed first with a set of about 34 minutes of music, roughly on the theme of the afterlife and the return of Jesus.
Their first piece, “McKay,” was written in the 1800s.
“It’s about heaven and imagining being in heaven,” Favazza explained.
This piece is followed by “Vigilate,”’ which is based on Matthew 13:35-37 and focuses on the coming of Jesus. The Latin then gives way to a spiritual arrangement called “In His Care-O,” with lyrics about dying: “I’m afraid my Lord might call me, and I wouldn’t be ready to die.” Favazza explained that this was a common theme throughout the concert.
“Lay a Garland” sings of death and burial. This mood is contrasted with “Shout On!” which opens with a line from Job: “I know that my redeemer lives,” which typically starts a funeral at more liturgical practices.
The idea here is that the person dies in “Lay A Garland” and is reassured of their “redeemer.”
“All My Weariness Upon Thee Lean” was also a part of the production and explains how individuals give their troubles to Jesus and rest in Him. ‘
“Old Churchyard”’ follows a woman’s song, and it’s sung from the perspective of someone who has already passed. Singers concluded with “Death Came A-Knockin.” “[The conclusion] is great,” Favazza said. “I chose this piece because it fits the theme and the soloists.”
After Singers, the Concert Choir performed their set, starting with “Ecce Sacerdos Magnus” or “Behold Great High Priest” in English.
“It’s got everything from fortissimo (very, very loud) to pianissimo (very, very quiet) and an eight-part harmony to monophonic chant,” Favazza said.
This dynamic movement is followed by the contemplative “The Old Church.” It was chosen for its text. Next, they sang “Through Love, Through Light,”’ which invokes imagery of moving from this life to the next. “Lord, Just Give Me a Little More Time” followed.
“The title, even, is reflective on the idea of life, death and wanting more time to tell others about Jesus,” Favazza explained.
Following this, they sang ‘”When Memory Fades,” which is written in honor of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Ending the concert was “Rise and Shine,” a joyful spiritual.
“Like many spirituals, it has a dual meaning since they’re from the perspective of the enslaved in America,” Favazza said. “The piece is filled with hope, either in this or the next life.”
The performance covered 500 years of music history and provided the audiences with impactful messages, making for a special night of impactful music.
Films set for late 2024 release dates promise entertaining movie options for holiday season
BY KADE LOOMIS
With fall break behind us, many of us are ready to face the academic grind again. But what are you going to do during the next few breaks? Everyone enjoys a good movie, so in this column, I’ve compiled a list of films coming out during the rest of 2024. So get ready to write down these dates.
On Nov. 26 a re-release of “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” an animated movie by the award winning Studio Ghibli, will premiere. This wholesome movie depicts a young witch going to the big city to learn more about the world around her with her talking black cat. You’re probably familiar with Ghibli’s more famous works like “Spirited Away.” This movie, however, is one of their lesser-known works I recommend.
The next film is also a rerelease and arguably one of the best Halloween movies. “Coraline” hits theaters again on the spooky day itself, Oct. 31. Whether it’s a must-watch, or you’ve never seen it, this is the perfect opportunity to watch one of Tim Burton’s classic stop-motion films.
But maybe you’ve been waiting patiently for the Christmas season to be back. Well on Nov. 15, “Red One” will make its debut. The movie follows the world’s best tracker, Jack (Chris Evans), as he’s wrangled into helping an E.L.F., Extremely Large and Formidable operative (Dwayne
Johnson), rescue a kidnapped Santa (J.K. Simmons). This star-studded Christmas film is sure to start the season right with an action-packed ho-hoholiday punch.
If you want a non-holiday movie, look out for “Wicked,” a stage-to-film that releases the same day. It follows the story of the Good Witch of the North, Glinda (Ariana Grande), and the not-yet-Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). Already an acclaimed musical, this is bound to be a good movie. The next two are re-releases
again, but both are classics.
“White Christmas,” a Christmas classic, is re-releasing on Dec. 15. This would be a great holiday movie to watch with everyone, whether you like singing, dancing, romance or drama. What is there not to like about this movie?
The other re-release comes out earlier on Dec. 10. While a re-release, it’s my most anticipated film of the season.
“Interstellar” is a sci-fi classic. Earth is sick, so NASA sends a team of scientists and astronaut Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) through space to ex -
plore planets for humanity to live on. Go see it. The visuals are stunning, the storyline is impeccable and the soundtrack is truly one of the best of all time. Even if you don’t like sci-fi, give this one a shot. It’ll only cost you $15 and three hours.
Finally, the last big film of 2024 is one for everyone.
“Sonic 3” releases Dec. 20. Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and friends must team up with Dr. Eggman (Jim Carrey) to defeat Shadow (Keanu Reeves), a powerful foe who seems unstoppable. Sure to be a fun
family film with plenty of laughs, this would be great to watch if you ever have an unplanned afternoon. And there’s a short list of movies to watch for as 2024 comes to a close. If you didn’t see anything that sounded interesting, head to Rotten Tomatoes, where they have a complete list of films that are releasing, from a re-release of “My Neighbor Totoro” to “Moana 2” to a biopic on “Elton John,” you’ll find something. With that said, I bid farewell. I hope to see you in theaters soon.
The Men of Eta Alpha Omega perform their winning show “Penguins.” Second place went to EEE’s “Three Ring Circus” and Kappa Chi’s “Robots” took third. The proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction items went towards student scholarships. (photo by Meghann Bledsoe)
Staff Writer
Courtesy of IMDb
Courtesy of IMDb
Courtesy of IMDb
Why I am casting my presidential vote for Kamala Harris
BY PHIL BYRD Staff Writer
I hold deep to my core Christian beliefs. I believe that life begins at conception. I believe that God created man to be male and female. My worldview and understanding of the Bible affect every aspect of my life, including my political beliefs.
That means that I also believe in taking care of the poor. The orphaned. The widowed. Foreigners. The downtrodden and oppressed deserve our sympathy. I believe in a human-focused approach to immigration.
My point in all of this is to appeal to the people who believe that a person cannot vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and still be a Christian. It is my belief that Jesus holds no political affiliation and would likely be disgusted that His name has been used to promote such foul, hateful discourse. Jesus counter-culturally ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, Samaritans, lepers and all the downtrodden of society. He did not excuse their actions, but He did not use their actions as an excuse to treat them as anything but made in God’s image. I hold that same belief when I look at an individual struggling with his
identity. Or a Muslim trying to exercise his freedom of religion. Or the homeless man just thinking about his next meal.
Kamala Harris’s website states she supports “comprehensive [immigration] reform that includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s website states that he will “carry out the largest deportation operation in American history.”
One of those views sees immigrants as real people with real lives that are affected by our actions. The other is a far cry from a Christian view of immigrants. The Bible even specifically advo-
cates for immigrants in Leviticus 19:33-34, which explicitly states, “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” To me, the Bible has a distinct focus on immigrants as people, not just as a problem.
For some, the main concern politically may be abortion. I understand this concern. I support whatever plan will result in the lowest number of abortions occurring nationwide. That being said, there were 56,080 more abortions performed during the last year of Donald Trump’s presidency than
were performed during the last year of Barack Obama’s presidency. As someone who cares more about lowering the number of abortions than setting a legal precedent, I have to conclude that a complete ban on abortion is not the right solution to limiting the number of abortions.
I hold no resentment towards supporters of Donald Trump and remain friends with many to this day. But I will strongly defend this statement: I am voting for Kamala Harris because my Christian beliefs cannot support an anti-immigrant platform that cares more about legal precedent than lowering the number of abortions.
Why Donald Trump has earned my first presidential vote
BY KATE ELLIS Editor-In-Chief
As I approach this election season and prepare to cast my firstever vote for president of the United States, I cannot help but feel a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
I am feeling excitement, stirred about by the buzz and anticipation of campaigning season; hope, for the possibility of a brighter future for our great nation; anxiety, over the unknown events to come; and responsibility, found in the awareness that living in a country where my voice matters is a privilege that I should match with an educated, intelligent decision.
In this day and age, it is extremely difficult to change people’s minds and even to change your own. Although we live in a world where information seems to be
BY GEORGIA RICHARDS Guest Writer
Learning how to lead people is a process. It takes a lot of wisdom and encouragement from others, listening and experience. Serving in the Ouachita Student Foundation (OSF) has helped me grow in all those things. Since my sophomore year, I’ve served on the OSF steering team. Although it’s not typical to serve on steering the first year in OSF, I
limitless and resources are at our fingertips, we are each sealed off in our own little vacuum, more often than not spending our time with people who hold similar opinions to us or on social media scrolling down a personalized, curated feed full of confirmation bias. Knowing this, I have tried to step back and look at this election objectively.
In doing so, I found that I arrived at the same candidate over and over again, no matter which lens I looked through or which policy I explored. When I contemplated the financial aspect in terms of real earnings and inflation, and thought of my future as a member of the American workforce who will soon pay taxes, among other expenses such as loans, rent and grocery bills, I found only one candidate a viable option. When I thought of the border and how I want to raise my future children in a safe, secure country with low
had the opportunity to be the Communications chair. This allowed me to learn what the goal of OSF is. At the end of my sophomore year, I applied for the presidential role. I was chosen to serve as OSF’s Vice President. OSF steering is a twoyear term, moving from steering co-chair to steering chair between your junior and senior years. Serving as OSF Vice President, I learned how all of the ins and outs work to make events run and so much more. This helped me be equipped for this year serving as OSF President.
crime rates and thriving cities, I found one answer. When I thought of foreign policy and worldwide peace, which is often contingent on a strong, commanding American leader, I arrived at the same result. And if these reasons were not enough, when I considered the First Amendment and how the American people should never take it for granted, as it has seemed recently that its importance is being watered down and censorship is being propelled in the name of “fighting misinformation,” I found only one candidate who loves and respects the United States Constitution and the fundamental rights of Americans more than I do: Donald J. Trump.
I am proud to cast my first-ever vote for Trump, who radiates unwavering, genuine care for the American people and passion for this country, which he believes can be great again, if not greater than
When I knew I would be stepping into this role, it was clear that this was a unique ministry opportunity the Lord had given me. While prepping for this year, it was approached with prayer, wisdom from others and a lot of planning. This was a platform that the Lord had given me to serve and love those around me while ultimately bringing glory to Him.
There are two big lessons I’ve learned while serving in my roles. One of those is to slow down throughout the day and listen to people and what’s going on in their
ever before. The current state of our nation, in simplest terms, is not good. We are more polarized than ever, and while the media uses harmful rhetoric to deepen the divide as we stray further and further from the traditional values that made our country strong, the pockets of American families continue to thin, and hope for a better future continues to diminish. I am not sure that our culture will get better anytime soon, if at all, but it starts with electing a competent, confident leader who will follow through on their promises and put the American people first. That leader is Donald Trump.
I believe that this is one of the most important elections in American history. Two very different Americas, along with freedom of all kinds, are on the ballot. I invite you, reader, to feel the weight of your decision when you go to the polls this election season. Take this
lives. In leadership, there are a lot of different moving parts. It’s a fast-paced environment. I’ve heard it said that “your organization is only as good as your people.” Taking time to slow down to talk with the amazing people who make up OSF has been a crucial lesson I am still learning.
The second lesson I’ve learned is that I cannot do this on my own.
Leading an organization like OSF is a busy role. New challenges arise and need to be handled promptly. It was made clear to me that I cannot lead and love people well on my
civic duty seriously, and conduct your research—outside of your vacuum—when making your decision. Your final decision may not align with mine, and that is okay— beautiful actually—that we live in a country where we can experience such privileges and rights and also voice opinions that may differ from our neighbors.
One final note that I have is encouragement for those with an anxious heart. After all is said and done—when the rallies have ceased and the television advertisements have ended, the Lord will have who He wants in office, for the government is on His shoulders. We can only do so much, which is not very much, and the best we can do is pray. However, I do believe that with the little power we have as citizens, it is best wielded in the form of a vote for Donald Trump, the best option for the 47th leader of this great nation.
own strength. It takes strength and endurance that only comes from the Lord. He has faithfully continued to supply what I need through his word and the community of people around me.
OSF teaches what it means to joyfully serve those around you. Serving in various jobs that OSF has to offer is helping keep students on campus. OSF is continually striving to further our 50-year mission of “students helping students” to raise student scholarships. I’ve been thankful to have gotten to be a part of it.
Cross country reflects on season after securing second women’s Great American Conference championship
BY JANET CARDEN Staff Writer
Cross Country may be relatively new, having been started back up by Ouachita Baptist University’s competitive running program, but with one championship under their belt, the team ran headfirst into the 2024 GAC Championship and came out victorious, with the mens team placing fourth, and the womens team walking out as champions for the second time in three years.
Current senior runners on the cross country team were the beginners of their respective teams, leading and competing without the guidance of upperclassmen and holding their own against teams in their division who may have had more experienced programs with more resources. Macie Cash, senior communication sciences and disorders major, mentioned the adversities the team has had to overcome.
“I felt like the first few years when we were younger and underclassmen, we were competing against each other, and not acting like a team,” Cash said. “The mentality was ‘I want to be first on our team. I want to be the fastest’ because that was our high school mentality, one we had to grow out of.”
Cross Country is a running sport where each individual wants to place high in a 5k, but not because they want to be a top runner. They want to place high so they can score the least amount of points as a team.
Points correlate with how an individual places, so first place
would get one point; second place would get two points.
Multiple teams compete against each other at the same time, so it’s imperative that they work together to keep their team running at their best rather than trying to compete against each other.
“When you can see your teammate is right there and you know, ‘I’m capable of staying with her, so I’m going to go for it,’” Cash said.
It’s easy for Cash’s teammates to know how well she can perform because they practice with her almost every day of the week, and it’s very important that they hold her to the same standard of performance during a competition that she holds herself to during practice.
The cross country team has had to learn how to grow in leadership and experience as a group. Izzi Breaux, senior psychology and Spanish major, shared a difficult lesson she’s had to learn over her years as a college athlete of a young athletic team.
“I was very competitive with my teammates and I kind of got in my head about it,” Breaux explained. “This past indoor season in January, I really learned how to give it to the Lord, and that took a lot of pressure off of me, making me a better teammate for my team.”
Lawson Sanders, senior business administration and sports management double major from Texas, also shared his vast improvements over the years.
“I’ve been very team-oriented on my goals, and this year,
I started to realize my personal capabilities as a runner and not just what I can do for the team,” Sanders said. He was able to learn and share experience with his teammates but was also able to learn how to serve himself as an athlete. He was able to fo-
cus his senior year on himself, improving his capabilities and running for himself rather than just for his team.
“It’s very rewarding to see that all the effort I put into making myself better has grown the team in unexpected ways,” Sanders said.
OBU men’s soccer seeing new
BY JORDAN DALLIMORE Staff Writer
The Ouachita men’s soccer team is feeling great after their recent 1-0 victory against Newman. This match marked their first shutout of the season and their first shutout win since 2021.
The defense, led by junior goalie Dillon Staal, did an outstanding job, stopping 17 shots from the Jets. “Winning gives us a huge morale boost,” Staal said. “It’s a reminder that all our hard work is paying off.”
The only goal of the game came in the 25th minute when Grant Isbell assisted Alexis Murillo, who scored his fifth goal of the season. This win has lifted the team’s spirits and motivated them to pursue bigger goals for the remainder of the season.
Junior defender Kristian Baker expressed their determination.
“We feel good about the win, but we have set bigger goals
and expectations for ourselves and believe we can make the GAC tournament,” Baker said.
“We have put a big emphasis on defense, and that has shown with our results. We are now looking to score more goals and achieve some convincing wins. We are excited to see what we can accomplish in the next few weeks.”
With eyes on the Great American Conference Tournament, junior defender Alfonso Gonzalez-Gomez explained what the team needs to achieve. “We need to get into the top four to qualify,” Gonzalez-Gomez said.
A big part of their growth this season has been adapting to their new coach’s style.
“We have bought into what our new coach wants as a group, and that goes a long way to improving,” Staal said.
Defense has become a key focus for the team.
“We’ve put a big emphasis on defense, and that has shown with our results,” GonzalezGomez explained. Their recent shutout against Newman
Athletes on the cross country team were able to learn various lessons, having been a beginning team and program over the last few years. Ouachita has been given the gift of watching them grow into a talented team, and bring home several championship titles.
highlights how effective this focus has been, making them a tougher team to beat.
Looking ahead, the Tigers are excited for important matches, especially against rivals like Harding.
“Those are big rivals, and we’re looking forward to them, especially after coming off of a win,” Gonzalez-Gomez said. These games are especially important for the seniors who
want to make their last home game special. Throughout the season, the players have shown a strong desire to learn and improve.
“There needs to be a mentality that says, ‘Okay, we won, but why couldn’t we have won by more?’” Gonzalez-Gomez explained.
This mindset helps them focus on getting better by going above and beyond. Players are
also working on their individual skills, such as scoring and assisting, while still doing their defensive duties.
The OBU men’s soccer program grows stronger every day, with players and coaches building closer relationships. As they work toward their goals and focus on improving, the team is in a good position to make a big impact in the conference.
Senior midfielder Eli Stuart works to protect the defense. Seniors will be celebrated at the Nov. 9 home game. (photo by Emma Mayes)
Top: The women’s cross country team poses with their trophy after winning their second GAC title in three years. The men’s team finished fourth. Bottom: Whit Lawrence races in a 2024 season meet. Lawrence played a significant role in leading the mens team this season. (photos by OBU athletic communications)