VOLUME 128, ISSUE 3
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SIGNAL A P U B L I C AT I O N O F O U A C H I TA B A P T I S T U N I V E R S I T Y
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cover story.......................................3 news....................................................4-5 arts/entertainment.....................6 opinions................................................7 Sports....................................................8
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SIGNAL
Ethan Dial
Addy Goodman
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Caleb Byrd
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Sara Patterson
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Phoebe Huff
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The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published twice a month on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Hope Star. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via e-mail to signal@obu.edu.
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Goodman and Tucker tackle Ouachita tradition BY CAITY HATCHETT Arts/Entertainment & Sports Editor
Addy Goodman and Selby Tucker are forces of nature. But they’re also two of the funniest people you’ll ever meet. Goodman’s laugh carries across campus and Tucker’s smile is contagious, and that’s not just during Tiger Tunes season. The two are especially excited for Tunes this year, though; as seniors, Goodman and Tucker are playing key roles in the Homecoming celebration. As the chair of special events for the Ouachita Student Foundation, Goodman has wanted to be a part of Tiger Tunes since she saw her first show in 2003. She is serving as the director of Tiger Tunes and Tiger Traks this year. Goodman does a lot of extra work outside of organizing the event and overseeing ticket sales; she also has to maintain relationships with the directors of each of the ten Tunes shows. For the past two Tiger Tunes, she has served as the co-chair of the special events committee and has learned a lot about herself and about event planning. “I couldn’t even imagine all that I would learn once I got in this position just because of the relationships I got to have and the leadership I’ve learned,” Goodman said. “It’s been worlds of difference.” Tucker is serving as the president of OSF this year, and last year she directed the Tunes show for the Women of EEE. Tucker first experienced Tiger Tunes her senior year of high school while staying on campus during Homecoming, so her enthusiasm about the show didn’t really start until her freshman year at Ouachita. Since then, though, Tucker has realized how important it is to not just have a “Tunes face,” but to have true joy during this season. Even though
Addy Goodman (right) stands with her fellow Ouachita Student Foundation leaders to announce the winner of Tiger Tunes 2018: the Women of EEE. Selby Tucker, now the president of OSF, directed that winning show last year. (photo by Alex Blankenship)
directing was a stressful experience, she felt that it strengthened her bond with the members of her social club. “I know that it was a very stressful time for everyone, and just the fact that so many of them would be so intentional with encouraging, writing us sweet notes—I definitely felt like my community with the Es was strengthened,” Tucker said. Goodman and Tucker have had different experiences with Tunes, even though they are a part of the same social club.
After her freshman year in Campus Ministries Stars, Goodman only participated in one club show before diving into the behindthe-scenes Tunes experience. For Goodman, the past two years have been a growing experience For Tucker, each year with the women in her social club has drawn her closer to them, and that’s ultimately what made her want to be a student director. And she knows that Tunes is about more than just winning or putting on a good show; for Tucker, it’s about being truly
joyful and transferring that to the rest of her club. “CM Tunes was just magical to me,” Goodman said. “Everyone’s excited, it’s like freshman church camp, you know? You just show up and everyone’s annoyingly excited, but it’s so precious. You’ll never get that again. And I think that’s why I’ve loved my job in Tunes. I’ve been searching for ways to share my CM experience with all of Tunes, because I never want it to go away.” “I think like my experience
with every show that I’ve been in is I’ve had Tunes joy—all for different reasons,” Tucker said. “Being joyful in social club shows is very, very important, and I think it’s integral to how we make Tunes work.” Tiger Tunes has been around almost as long as OSF. It’s celebrating its 41st year in 2019, while OSF is celebrating its 45th year. Goodman and Tucker are both proud and humbled to be part of such longstanding traditions, but these programs have also had a personal impact on the two. Goodman, who has grown up in Arkadelphia and at Ouachita, has seen every Tiger Tunes performance since 2003. Tunes is what made her want to come to Ouachita. For Tucker, serving as the OSF president has meant that she really gets to serve her fellow students and to push the organization’s philanthropy goals. For her, Tunes season is about having fun because you’re raising money for student scholarships. It truly promotes OSF’s goal of students helping students. “You do Tunes to raise money for student scholarships,” Tucker said. “We’re doing all this, we’re having a great time and we’re changing the course of people’s time at Ouachita.” In just a few days, though, both Goodman and Tucker will be finishing up their final Tunes show at Ouachita. Tunes has been such a big part of their life on campus, like it has been for so many other alumni, and neither of them are ready for it to end. For Goodman, though, Tunes has been such a big part of her life that she isn’t quite ready to part with the Ouachita tradition. “For me, Tunes started the second week of school, freshman year,” Goodman said. “And it hasn’t stopped. But it’s about to end October 7th.”
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Ouachita Student Foundation Members stand in front of Cone-Bottoms as they pose for the Tiger Tunes program. The members of this organization have put in tremendous work to host this year’s Tiger Tunes to help provide their fellow classmates with scholarships. (photo by Justin Trostle)
OSF celebrates 45 years of student leadership BY BROC INGOLD Staff Writer
Being the president of the Ouachita Student Foundation is no easy task, but senior Selby Tucker hoped that she would be a great fit for the role regardless of the many projects ahead of her. “I knew this would be the most challenging role I had ever taken on in any organization. I served in student senate, high school student council [and as] cheer captain, but as OSF president, I feel I am growing in all sorts of ways,” Tucker said. Tucker served as OSF vice president her junior year and has been a member of OSF since her freshman year. She knew that OSF would live up to its motto of “students helping students,” because they have been doing so for the last 45 years. OSF has not strayed from its original goals when it was founded by a group of students in 1974. If anything, they have expanded upon that statement. “It started out as a group of stu-
dents who wanted to get together and support their peers and it was strictly a foundation. It evolved into the more campus ambassador role. We started out with Tiger Traks, and then we added Tiger Tunes, and now Tunes is bigger than ever,” Tucker said. Tiger Tunes and Tiger Traks are the two main events that OSF puts on to raise money for scholarships. On average, Tiger Tunes brings in over $100,000 for student scholarships each year. “Some years it’s a little more which we love, or it might be a little less the next,” Tucker said. What many students might not know is how big of a role OSF plays in not only Tiger Tunes but also in almost every other school event. “Our sponsor for Tunes this year is Jon Merryman, our chair is Addy Goodman, and our co-chair is Brady Barton. We refer to them as the directors of Tiger Tunes,” Tucker said. This year’s Tiger Tunes is sold out and is rumored to be one of the best shows yet.
OSF’s second most popular event, Tiger Traks, happens in the spring and is another staple among Ouachita students. “Traks is a two-day field day where you gather eight friends and compete in a variety of games and competitions from trike racing, to volleyball, to even brain and mind games,” Tucker said. Traks and Tunes keep many students thriving in community, thanks to all of OSF’s hard work. What goes on in between these fall and spring events? The other events might not be as grand in scale as Tunes or Traks, but they are important nonetheless. “The good thing about OSF is that there are lots of different ways that you can serve. You can give a prospective student a tour, host a prospective student, work at concession stands, help out with banquets or put on philanthropy events,” Tucker said. OSF has student members volunteering at almost every Ouachita event, making sure it’s running smoothly and serving all participants involved.
OSF members have the opportunity to find the way they enjoy serving the most and give well by doing something that they love. There are certainly enough events to make sure that the students stay busy throughout the year and live out their motto. The new philanthropy committee is currently working on mobile giving, an easier way for people to donate to OSF. Instead of having to pay in person or at a computer, people can give over the phone through text. The philanthropy committee is currently looking for more ways to improve the philanthropy program by taking notes from other colleges, gaining inspiration so that OSF can operate at its full potential. Tucker got plugged in to OSF her freshman year by the OSF president at that time. She knew OSF was somewhere that she wanted to be because she always had a heart for serving her peers. Tucker noticed early on that OSF genuinely cared about helping their fellow students and weren’t just do-
ing their jobs to get a box checked. The OSF community made it easy for her to find people who had the motivation to serve. Anyone can join OSF, and anyone willing to put in the effort should do so. “I believe that we have some of the hardest working and selfless people that choose to work in OSF every year. If someone feels like they’re hard working, servant hearted, and just joyful, then OSF would be the perfect place for them,” Tucker said. OSF is going 45 years strong this year, and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. From its humble beginnings in 1974 with Tiger Traks to raising an average of $100,00 a year with Tiger Tunes, OSF is always finding new ways to reach the needs of students. The legacy of OSF is in good hands with Tucker and the rest of the members, and it is more than reasonable to assume that the founding students are proud of what the organization has become and confident in what its future holds for the many generations of students to come.
NEWS
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Ouachita ranks No. 1 as ‘Best Value College,’ residential enrollment rises the ‘best value’ recognition. It reflects Ouachita’s affordability, Staff Writer high-impact learning and commitThis semester marks Ouachi- ment to spiritual growth that conta’s highest residential enrollment tribute to a 99% career outcomes since 2012. Totaling at 1,506 stu- rate, 15 percentage points higher dents, the residential population than the national average,” Sells has seen three consecutive years of said. The “Best Value” is especially growth. President Ben Sells takes pride noteworthy considering that cost is often what keeps young adults in this increase. “The growth is further evidence from attending college. While that Ouachita is rising,” Sells said. many view Ouachita as costly, it “Ouachita is increasingly recog- only costs $2,000 more than the nized by students and their fam- national average, according to Niche. Though that ilies, as well as by may seem costly, over those who rank uni“Ouachita is 98.5% of Ouachiversities.” increasingly ta’s students receive Ouachita’s currecognized by financial aid, at an rent enrollment totals average of $17,540 1,633 students. The students and each. More than $41.2 small size of the stutheir families, million is awarded to dent body is one of Ouachita students in Ouachita’s most imas well as by loans, portant characteristhose who rank scholarships, and work-study jobs tics. It allows students universities.” annually. and professors to Ouachita was also connect on a deeper -Dr. Ben Sells named the third safest level, which is what campus in Arkansas by Niche, anmakes Ouachita, Ouachita. As Sells pointed out, the in- other pervasive concern amongst crease in population is not all that college students. The site specifies Ouachita has to be proud of. The that it is the town of Arkadelphia students and alumni have spoken that lowered Ouachita’s ranking out, earning Ouachtia state and re- in this category, not the campus gional recognitions online as well. itself. In fact, the campus is now This year alone, according to safer than ever with the increasing Niche.com, Ouachita was rec- amount of staff on campus safety. With campus growing larger and ognized as No. 2 “Regional College in the South” by U.S. World stronger, Ouachita will continue & News Report, No. 1 in student to rise, as Sells said. The rankings satisfaction throughout Arkansas, determine that Ouachita’s students Texas and Louisiana, and College remain safe and well educated, far Consensus has named Ouachita beyond other students throughout No. 1 “Best Value College.” The the state and country. “The rankings are a reflection awards take into consideration the cost, student debt, graduation rates, upon our outstanding students, alumni income and reviews by cur- committed faculty and staff and generous alumni and friends,” Dr. rent students and alumni. “We’re especially pleased with Sells said.
BY Sandy Swanson
Full house expected for all shows BY ASHLEY BECK
Staff Writer With homecoming in early October, students are rushed into both the regular busyness of school and the chaos of Tiger Tunes rehearsals. Songs are in the heads of most students as they walk to class. Miscellaneous dance moves repeated over and over have wearied their muscles. With late nights and not much sleep, students can barely get homework done. However, this season also brings new friends and lot of laughs, and now show times are sneaking up at lightning speed. Ticket sales have come and gone faster than Ouachita has ever seen in its history. In fact, Tiger Tunes is sold out. Every hotel in Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia is now completely booked. Everyone is ready for 2019 Tiger Tunes, both on and off campus. Parents prepare for trips to see their kids perform, while some will be watching from the comfort of their own home. Ouachita has found a miraculous way to ensure that everyone with a heart for Tunes is able to watch the show and be a part of all the fun. The OSF Tiger Tunes officers work hard to make sure everyone gets a fair opportunity to watch the show. So how do ticket sales work? Well, at first ticket options are given to social clubs and organizations on campus at a discounted price. These tickets go on sale about a week before tickets for the general
public. Each club member is given a limited number of tickets to reserve at a discounted price to prevent the possibility of shows selling out from just campus clubs and organizations. After the clubs are offered tickets, it is opened up to alumni, who usually grab the rest of the seats for the Friday and Saturday shows. Leaving much of the balcony seats and Thursday night show spots open. With work schedules and kids in school, Thursday night shows are hard for most people in the community and family members of Ouachita students. To create more space this year, Ouachita has opened the Wednesday night show that is normally for students and youth groups in the area, to the community, giving people a few more ticket options. Another option is the live simulcast for the Saturday shows. This will be held in Verser Theatre directly next to Jones Performing Arts Center. The show will be on a big screen in this venue; guests will not be in Jones Performing Arts Center, but they will be given the option to watch the show and engage in Tunes week fun on campus and the different events clubs put on. Holding 200 people, Verser has given the opportunity for more people to enjoy Tiger Tunes live and on location. Every year, thousands of people have tuned in to the Tiger Tunes live stream. For some people, traveling to campus is not even an option due to distance or scheduling
conflicts. Likely viewers include alumni and family members of performing students from around the world. Tiger Tunes has been a major show on campus for 41 years now. These shows are major fundraisers for student scholarships. Most students at Ouachita are here on scholarship of some level. For many, college would not be possible without scholarships. People cannot create more seats in Jones Performing Arts Center, meaning that Tiger Tunes can only make a certain amount of money every year for scholarships. There is a program that is offered now for people to buy ticket packages that ensure you get the seat you want. This costs more than a general public admission ticket would, but you have the opportunity to pick the same seats every year, and in the long run are supporting a student’s educational successes in purchasing ticket packs. Tiger Tunes has left an imprint on the lives of students all around the globe. Many Ouachita students give thanks to Tiger Tunes and the families and alumni who support all of the hard work and dedication that goes into each show year after year. “Tiger Tunes has definitely been a lot of fun and I have learned so much about Ouachita and time management. It has always been one of my favorite events at Ouachita,” said freshman Lauren Dowty.
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Tunes show directors hone leadership skills BY RYLEE ROBERTS Staff Writer
Looking back: top Tunes shows BY ADDY GOODMAN Copy Editor
One thing I think is so funny about Ouachita culture is the tendency to watch old Tiger Tunes shows for fun. As an Arkadelphia and Tiger Tunes native, I always find it so entertaining that Ouachita students love Tunes so much that they can have extensive conversations about past Tunes shows, shows way before their time on campus. Watching Tunes shows on the Internet has become not only a Tunes season pastime, but one that takes place year-round. However, I pride myself in being able to comment on past Tunes shows not because I watched them on a screen, but because my little booty sat in the audience and watched these iconic shows in real life. I believe this gives me a different kind of appreciation for Tiger Tunes, and that’s why I’m here today giving you my list of legendary Tunes shows that I have seen (in no particular order). First, we’ll start with an absolute icon of a show that I wish could be performed during this season of insane political tension. Five words: Tri Chi White House Secretaries. I think this show is sometimes over-
looked (most of my favorites are), but the writers were brilliant, hilarious and witty. They somehow were able to turn the awkward conversation of Democrats vs. Republicans into one that had the audience laughing the entire time. They included every aspect you’d expect: beaus as Secret Service, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama masks, political jokes. It’s a show that will always stay with me. Next up is Campus Ministries Prom. I had a good friend who was in the show (and whose boyfriend shaved his head for the show), and so this was the first time I had a connection to a Tiger Tunes show, and it really resonated with me. The first time I watched it was from the balcony (this was the first year I came to Tunes multiple times throughout the week), and the storyline and attention to detail was flawless. The show walked you through the entire process of going to prom, dress and tux shopping included, and I still catch myself singing “…gotta leave room for Jesus!” at random points of life. #NeverForget. Another personal favorite is again a production by the fabulous women of Tri Chi: Tri Chi Kindergarten. I really don’t understand why more people haven’t tried
to do a theme along these lines because this show was the most precious and thought-out six minutes I’ve ever seen grace the JPAC stage. I loved the show so much, I wanted to be a Tri Chi for an entire year afterward. God had other plans, but I still adore that show. So much so that I wear a TC Kindergarten costume to every Ouachita event I possibly can! Okay, this next one is truly legendary (but I haven’t heard anybody else ever mention it): Eta Alpha Omega Eta Clock News. The name alone—absolutely brilliant. This show is like watching Will McAvoy in “The Newsroom” meet Ron Burgundy meet Jack Bennington and the men of Eta. It includes all the funny aspects of broadcast news—including an iconic “I comb my hair back and forth” number—before the camera starts rolling. While it may not be Eta’s best performance ever, the theme and lyrics for me were untouchable. Truly a fantastic show. And last, but definitely not least, are the icons that were the 2011 Hosts and Hostesses. Their show just stuck with me for months after. I sang the songs over and over again until I convinced Mom to let me buy them on my iPod Nano. #PartyRockAnthem. #Period.
Directing Tiger Tunes means investing months of time and energy into a six-minute performance, cultivating intimate friendships and exercising skill. It means leading, serving and putting yourself last. Most participants fail to recognize the time commitment and responsibility adopted by their directors. “We are held to a higher standard when in this position, and we need to have the right attitude and purpose for directing,” Campus Ministries directors Betsy Patterson and McKenzie Duncan said. Purpose and attitude serve a critical role at every level of success. Directors take the brunt of responsibility for what happens - even if it is out of their control. The intensity of Tunes season can add pressure to directors to create a masterpiece. Most directors, however, maintain that winning the competition does not drive the experience. “I fundamentally disagree with people who take this super seriously,” Rho Sigma director Luke Roberson said. “It’s about student scholarships and having fun.” Paige Bagley, a director for Chi Mu, acknowledges that the stress of Tunes season can bring out ugly sides in people. She strives to create a light atmosphere for relationship building and puts forth her best effort while maintaining the perspective of identity and community defining a club more than its performance in Tiger Tunes. “I still want our show to be amazing and some of the best memories that the girls have,” Bagley said. Directors have the challenge of balancing productivity with fun at rehearsals. Transferring passion
for something you created into a group of others takes precision in communication and delicacy in providing a fun atmosphere for each member of the club. “Culture is created by the club members,” Beta Beta director Nathan Arredondo said. Leading their peers poses challenges for the directors. Some students have never participated in a theatrical event like Tunes and accept leadership readily. Others are well-versed and freely offer their opinions. “It can be hard to be authoritative sometimes, but they chose us to be their directors,” Kappa Chi director Aaron George said. EEE directors Laura Beth Warner and Abby Walker echo George’s words. As juniors, they have an interesting role of leading older peers. Their authority comes from their dance experience, insstead of their seniority. Directors treasure support from their peers. Encouraging words or favors in a moment of need express trust and gratitude that keeps them going. Tri Chi director Emma Pitts is a recipient of an OSF scholarship. This fuels her appreciation for the production to a greater extent. As a director, she aims to produce a quality show but recognizes the ultimate goal of Tunes. “I wouldn’t be able to be at here and be a director if it weren’t for my scholarship,” Pitts said. And after weeks of creating moments and piecing them together, directors have the exceptional reward of getting to see something they designed in their minds come to life in a colorful performance. “We’re not trying to sound the best or look the best,” Eta Alpha Omega director Justin Trostle said. “We just want to create the best moments.”
OPINIONS
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How to love Tiger Tunes like a Ouachitonian BY RYLEE ROBERTS Staff Writer
Unknown to the majority. Priceless to those involved. Welcome to Tiger Tunes. For the last forty years, Ouachita’s Student Foundation has hosted Tiger Tunes to raise money for scholarships. It has evolved to more than just a fundraiser, yet it holds more importance than a flashy show. Students treat rehearsal like a job, creating shows to draw in au-
diences. Each viewer means more scholarship money. Families pour in to see loved ones perform. Current and former students come to watch their friends. “Don’t have any expectations coming in,” said Aaron George, Kappa Chi tunes director. “It really is just randomness happening, but it is organized randomness.” What may seem unimpressive to a first-time viewer will elicit screams of excitement from others. Here are a few tips for appreciating Tunes: If you sit on the floor, look at the faces of each performer. Are
they having fun? Do their expressions match the lyrics? If you sit in the balcony, observe formations. What shape are they in? How do they transition? Appreciate details to your own liking. Watch for straight lines if you admire details. “Thinking too much about each show or judging them will just result in a less enjoyable time for yourself,” said Trent White, Tunes director for Beta Beta. Lyrics make or break a show. Listen closely. Does a plot line guide the show? Look for a
theme’s cohesion throughout the performance. Many lyrics describe common or humorous situations you have likely found yourself in. “We want you to laugh with us and feel what our characters feel,” said Emma Pitts, Tri Chi Tunes director. Tune your ears to hear the harmonies throughout each show. Evaluate the song choices. Laugh when a currently popular song takes on new lyrics. Most importantly, engage. Remember the creativity in Tiger Tunes. Students create every element in their shows
from start to finish. “Keep an open mind,” said Justin Trostle, a director for Eta Alpha Omega. “It’s college students running around in costumes being not themselves, singing parody songs and dancing.” Identify which groups have the most fun with their shows. The passion should manifest itself on the faces of the performers. Following the show, find singing and screaming participants on the lawn of Cone Bottoms Hall. Take pictures and affirm the performers for their jobs well done.
What I learned from serving as OSF president BY DR. REBECCA JONES Guest Writer
One morning during my first semester as president of the Ouachita Student Foundation, I was working alone in the OSF office when I heard my name spoken from a nearby classroom. Naturally, I perked up. “She’s a barracuda,” a familiar voice barreled down the hallway as a student described a recent negotiation between us. We were at odds over a fundraising partnership he and his advertising class suggested. The class wanted to develop the first Tiger Tunes t-shirt and hoped to work with OSF to generate financial support for the project. I thought the fundraiser held
promise, but I did not agree the advertising class should receive 70% of the proceeds. OSF needed to raise funds for scholarships. I countered that OSF should keep 70% of the proceeds and followed up by saying we no longer needed the help of the class. The conversation was tense. Fortunately, OSF’s then-director, Dr. Jeff Root, mediated the conflict, and all parties agreed to divide the profits evenly. The student who called me a predator fish became a good friend, and I later joined him in a spring semester continuation of the advertising class. Dr. Root’s cool disposition regarding the dispute showed me a better way to manage the situation, and I was grateful for his wisdom.
Diplomacy is one of many lessons I learned from my time as OSF president. I was fortunate to work with Dr. Root who is gifted at empowering students while also aiding their growth. It has been almost twenty-five years since the Tiger Tunes t-shirt was born, and it has become a staple of Ouachita’s Homecoming season. Beyond learning from Dr. Root’s leadership, I gained a deeper commitment to Ouachita through my experience with OSF. In those days, OSF members made fundraising trips to meet with prospective scholarship donors. Our training equipped us to ask for scholarship funds. These fundraising calls created opportunities to exhibit professionalism, create re-
lationships and facilitate giving on behalf of other students. I felt humbled to represent Ouachita in these conversations and inspired by the generosity of donors who supported OSF. During my year as OSF’s president, I also learned to appreciate Ouachita in new ways as I had a chance to peer “behind the curtain” as I gained insight into the inner workings of the university. OSF’s structure invites students to be a part of several institutional functions, and I valued the chance to learn about student recruitment, fundraising and financial aid. The most significant of the lessons I learned came about as I helped to award scholarship funds. The process involved reviewing appli-
cations and then making determinations about which students to assist. That experience revealed the sacrifices that my peers and their families were making to study at Ouachita. I remember reading one student’s application essay describing the loss of the family home to fire. Reviewing scholarship applications allowed me to recognize the burdens of my classmates. I felt thankful to be a part of an organization that worked to reduce the obstacles that prevent students from finishing their degrees. This most essential element of OSF’s “Students Helping Students” mission cemented my love for Ouachita. I realized the sacrifices made for me to study at Ouachita, and I knew the value of a Ouachita education.
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Seniors reflect on their time at Ouachita BY MICHAEL BURGE Staff Writer
The student athletes at Ouachita know all too well that every sport requires leadership, knowledge, and experience. With their last homecoming approaching, some of the senior athletes are taking time to reflect on the lessons they’ve learned over the past four years. Senior linebacker Jon Johnson has been playing football for Ouachita since his freshman year, and he’s grown quite a lot as a player since then. During his time here, the team has won two conference championships and had an undefeated regular season record and its first playoff win in school history last year. “The great thing about being a
part of the football team is that it hasn’t only grown me as a football player, but as a man,” Johnson said. “Ouachita Athletics does not only care about athletic performance but also spiritual growth as a team.” Johnson has a lot of love for his team, and his main focus this season is to appreciate every moment. He wants to make this one of his best seasons yet, and the team’s 4-0 start to the season is definitely helping. Senior volleyball player Tabatha Huckabee helped lead the team to win their conference championship during the 2016 season. She was also recognized as being a part of the 2016 All-Tournament Team at the Great American Conference Championship Tournament. This season Huckabee was cho-
sen to be a captain by her teammates and is currently working on reaching her goal of 1,000 total career kills, with only 150 kills to go. Huckabee loves her team and has high hopes to lead them to another great season. Being on the volleyball team has taught her to keep pushing for her goals. “I have learned to be resilient,” Huckabee said. “It hasn’t been an easy ride, from two practices a day to 5 a.m. workouts. I know that I am mentally and physically capable of doing just about anything thrown my way.” Some of senior Erin Webster’s most influential moments as a soccer player have happened through the course of being a part of Ouachita’s women’s soccer team. Webster believes that keeping Christ at the center of her attention
and working hard will always pay off. “Results don’t really matter if you’re working hard and doing the most you can in a game,” Webster said. “Also, God is the ultimate coach, and we play to glorify Him.” Mitchell Lee is a senior swimmer that has seen the team change a lot through the past four years. Swimming is considered to be more of an individual sport, but Lee has learned that it’s just as much a team sport as it is an individual one. “Even though swimming isn’t necessarily a team sport from race to race, it’s a team sport everywhere else,” Lee said. “I’ve found that the most important thing is to be a team player and lift others up, both academically and in practice or competitions.” Once Lee is finished swimming
for Ouachita, he plans to throw in the towel—at least competitively. But swimming will always be one of the main reasons Lee is the person he is today. “My love for this team grows with every passing year, and when I see everyone working as hard as they can to succeed and push others toward their goals, it almost makes me wish I could swim another year,” Lee said. This group of senior athletes has truly been an exceptional one. From leading Ouachita in conference play to achieving their own personal goals, these students have carried their teams over their time here. They’ve learned valuable lessons from their coaches, teammates and respective sports, and they will carry those with them for the rest of their lives.
Senior Tabatha Huckabee leads the charge against Southern Arkansas University and helps the team secure a 3-1 victory against SAU. The volleyball team has an 8-6 record so far this season. (photo by Maddie Cargile)