Oct 13, 2016

The E st Tex n

www.tamuceasttexan.com

Celebrating 100 years of The East Texan

First One Free Additional Copies 25 Cents Each

www.issuu.com/tamuc.easttexan

2600 S. Neal Commerce, Texas 75429

Oct. 13, 2016

Afro affirmation

Feeding hope

Fried everything

First battle lost

Opinion Editor Kerry Wilson sheds light on the discrimination and double standards of natural hair.

Page 2

Commerce food pantry serves an additional 300 people each month.

International student Jason Namm gives a personal account of the 2016 State Fair of Texas.

Page 6

Lions Lone Star Conference ranking drops to ninth after losing in a close game against MSU last Saturday.

Page 8

Page 3

Early Detection = Best Protection Greenville’s 7th annual Bras for Cause preps for kick-off

Photo courtesy/ Flickr

Isabella Garcia Staff reporter October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the annual Bras for the Cause, native to Greenville, has continued to flourish and make an impact on the community.

Janeen Cunningham, the founder of this innovative nonprofit organization, began this back in 2009. A graduate of Greenville High and an alumna of Texas A&M University-Commerce, she wanted to create an event that ensured all the revenue would directly benefit the community’s residents by aiding in cancer detection and providing treatment.

The annual Kick-Off Party was held on Aug. 25 at Landon Winery (in downtown Greenville), which unveiled this year’s Texas theme of “B4TC Ya’ll.” Last year, Bras for the Cause was able to raise a total of $122,216 to pay for new UV sterilization units for the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center. In previous years, the contributions have also benefited Janice’s Closet and Hunt Regional Healthcare.

Janice’s Closet provides free treatment, clothing pieces and wigs for women in Hunt County who are referred. Hunt Regional Healthcare’s Tubby Adkisson Mobile Mammography Coach

is entirely supplied with the latest appliances to appropriately administer a mammogram. This portable service provides previously incapable women this opportunity without being restricted by distance.

Anyone is eligible to submit a bra idea decorated with anything that interests the person as long as it is appropriate. The public, who pay $1 per vote to endorse their choice bra, is responsible for the money raised.

There will be a total of 12 “Bra-bie”awards given out to different designs. The top five bras that receive the most donations earn “BRAgging Rights Bra-Bies” awards. The other seven punny awards are independent and set in different categories. All bramakers earn a ribbon to wear during the night of the festival in recognition of their participation.

“B4TC Y’all” is given to the bra that best incorporates the year’s theme. The most ingenious use of materials on the bra wins the “BRAids, BRAds, & BRAss.” “BRAnches & BRAmbles” is awarded to the artwork with the most original use of natural materials or focuses on a nature theme. “Training BRA” is awarded to a designer who is 18 years or younger. “BRAndishing your BRAnd” is given to the bra that advertises their company logo or product the best. “BRAniac” is presented to the piece with the

best usage of technology, from lights to sounds. The display with the most outstanding name is awarded the “BRAinteaser.”

Physical voting takes place in downtown Greenville on Lee Street between Landon Winery and the Texan Theater from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. The event welcomes everyone and is free to attend. Awards will be given out later that night at 9:30 p.m. Online voting opened Tuesday, Oct. 11 at www. b4tcgreenville.com to allow a greater audience participation.

Meanwhile on campus, the Morris Recreation Center held their annual Big Pink Volleyball Game from Tuesday Oct. 4 to Thursday Oct 6. This was a unique sport event played with a gigantic 4-ft Kin-ball instead of a regular volleyball ball. A maximum of 10 players on one team could have registered before Sept.

30. The $5 that each player paid will aid in the fight against breast cancer. This limited occasion provided an enjoyable experience while helping a bigger cause.

These two occasions are uniquely different, but both work towards the same cause. Although breast cancer is a major disease, the cities of Commerce and Greenville have been doing their part every year to bring awareness and help patients. These two events prove that whether it is one person or one university, anyone can contribute.

Pot Use Goes Up with High Enrollment

Bone explained that often times, officers will find only what marijuana is left over, or what pieces students failed to dispose of before being searched. Since that small of an amount is not usable in most cases, it is simply described as paraphernalia.

Lt. Bone is confident that there are no serious trends regarding the popularity and use of the drug, although he does recognize that it is becoming much more common and accepted.

Like nicotine or alcohol, many do not consider marijuana to be a “hard drug,” yet the substance has been illegal for years, until very recently.

The legality of the drug has been under constant discussion since its criminalization, with a few states recently legalizing possession and use of it. Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska have all fully legalized the medical and recreational use of marijuana, making it a much more typical and widespread substance than ever before.

The side effects of marijuana are debated frequently, with many proponents claiming that it is not addicting, and many opponents stating just the opposite. While the research into the long term effects of marijuana are not as detailed as tobacco, we are seeing more done now, since it is being legalized around the nation.

Sam Stevens Staff Reporter In September, there were 13 drug related arrests made by the University Police Department at Texas A&M University-Commerce. All of these arrests were labeled as either possession of Marijuana, or possession of drug paraphernalia.

While 13 arrests may seem to be a high amount in just one month, Lt. Jason Bone of UPD is not too concerned.

“We may be experiencing a higher volume of arrests for it, but I think it correlates to the amount of students we have on campus this year,” Lt. Bone said. “We are seeing a growing popularity of marijuana in society, but the increase in volume of arrests is mainly due to the greater amount of students living on campus.

You have more students than ever before, so it makes sense to see more arrests.”

While about half of the drug related arrests were for actual possession of marijuana, the rest were for simply possession of drug paraphernalia. However, the term “drug paraphernalia” is not as simple as what one might think.

“Most people think of paraphernalia as pipes, bongs, and rolling papers, but paraphernalia can even be remnants, or an unusable amount of marijuana,” Bone said.

Photo courtesy/ Flickr

Page 2

Which candidate won the debate?

East Texan Twitter Poll 62%

Trump

38%

Hillary

Opinion

Clarifying Black Lives Matter

Oct. 13, 2016 You have an opinion. Voice it.

Vote in weekly surveys on tamuceasttexan.com

Dread-ful Discrimination

Delon Johnson Special Contributor

Kerry Wilson Opinion Editor

In the crux of social calamity, the emergence of a movement specially tailored for black narratives has made itself ever prominent. These accounts shed light on what being black in America means. These narratives articulate the trials and tribulations that blacks are faced with living in today’s society. They are the stories that conjure and invoke a discourse that is viral and contagious. The collection of all of these accounts, testimonies, and narratives have been the driving force of solidifying and defining what the movement Black Lives Matter means.

What does Black Lives Matter Mean? The question itself gives insight into the current status of race relations in America. The question only reaffirms the oppression that black folks experience needs to be disassociated and separated from other lives for the purpose of addressing their issues adequately. The question brings about a diverse range of answers that are special to the black narrative. Answers by black folks of different walks that each contribute a different yet vital component to the issue. What does black lives matter mean? The only affirmative and concrete response is that each issue that a black voice speaks is dire to answer such a question.

Black Lives Matter means addressing the issues of black bodies being made martyr through state sanctioned murders. It means addressing the prejudices that lead up to these killings. It means evaluating the systemic and blunt racism that has diabolically bled its way through the structure of our police force. It means securing the value of human life regardless of skin color. It means calling out supremacy structures that violently tyrannizes blacks for being just that. It means the abolishment of dehumanizing black children. It means employing officers who ascertain the circumstances of certain communities in order to elevate any preconceived notions or stereotypes. It means that they want their bodies to not be public relics of racially motivated brutality!

Black lives matter embodies the acknowledgment of history in regards to black folks in this country. It means to educate yourselves on the past narratives. It means to understand the diaspora of black folk in this country.

This will aid individuals to understand why history is so sire to the movement.

It makes the individual realize that discourse about racial tension cannot take place without realizing that race relations were constituted way before America had a formal constitution. History connects the ambiguities that seem too far stretched to connect. It makes the realization of the real issues that blacks face more digestible and non-negotiable rather than repulsive and debatable.

Black lives matter encompasses the struggles that happen within the black community as well. It means acknowledging the stigma that becomes present during the intersection of masculinity and Sexuality as in pertains to race. It means dismantling the idea of colorism that has been injected by supremacy complexes during slavery. It calls out to individuals who think liberation is mocking the complexes and structures that still oppresses them. It encompasses the struggle of black women and the connectedness of racism and misogyny. It embodies the deconstruction of toxic traditional norms that have been practiced for generations within its own community.

It means dismantling the contaminated notions that exist within their own communities implemented by supremacy structures.

Black Lives Matter serves celebrate the progress as well. It means to love being black. It means to embody their culture and not let any entity infringe on that right. The movement means to not be exclusive and includes others who realize how important the fight is. It means that though allies may not be able to speak on the behalf of the movement they can utilize their support to promote the movement in any form they deem necessary. Black Lives Matter means that in order to promote the idea of unification in its purest form we must liberate and elevate the most marginalized. Black Lives Matter means proclaiming that contributing to the greater good begins with addressing the real issues!

In the age of cultural diversity, it is hard to believe that miniscule factors, such as hairstyles can disqualify a person from earning an honest living.

Sadly, however, discrimination against natural African-American hair is a reality in the professional world and entertainment business.

Take for instance the case of Chastity Jones, an applicant for Catastrophe Management Solutions (CMS) in Mobile, Ala. During her interview process in 2010, a human resource manager took issue with Jones’ dreadlocks, commenting that they “tend to get messy.” Jones refused to change her hairstyle and was turned down from the job. She teamed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and took CMS to court in 2013.

After being dismissed by the Alabama Federal Court and filing an appeal, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with CMS, stating that hairstyles are mutable characteristics (characteristics that can be changed) and therefore it did not count as racial discrimination. The court’s decision was, without a question, modern racial discrimination and should be struck down.

The court’s decision completely misses the point on which characteristics can be changed. Yes, dreadlocks are a particular style of natural African-American hair, but the hair is in its natural state, without chemicals or heat processing.

Therefore, by stating dreadlocks are a mutable characteristic and can be changed on a whim, what is really being said is employers reserve the right to dictate the texture of someone’s hair. If the court is allowing employers to discriminate against this particular style of natural hair now, this could eventually spread to the discrimination of other popular black hairstyles such as braids, twists, afros, and eventually to simply having black hair in general. This is a scary thought considering how much our ancestors fought for us to have basic rights as other Americans, including the right to work. We are all American. Our country is made up of more than a mass of straight hair. America’s hair is straight, kinky, wavy, and every other texture of hair there is in the human race.

Even moving outside of the professional world and into the entertainment business, there is apparent discrimination of natural African-American hair, as well as a double standard. African-

American actress Zendaya Coleman was the subject of criticism from Guiliana Rancic on the popular E! show Fashion Police because of her protective dreadlock style. While discussing what people were wearing on the red carpet, Rancic said that Coleman’s hair made her appear as if she smelled like marijuana. Rancic apologized for her comments, but the statements left a bitter taste of racism within an industry that claims to praise diversity. And, it doesn’t stop there. Cultural appropriation is the cause of double standards pertaining to natural African-American hair.

Celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner, to name a few, sport hairstyles native to African-Americans and are praised for their “fashion sense.” The message America appears to be sending to African-Americans is “Your hair is fine, yet disqualifies you all from, well, everything.”

Natural African-American hair is not weird or unprofessional.

It is unique, it is special, and it certainly should not keep someone from obtaining a job—regardless of the style it is in. With cultural appropriation coming from people of other races, one has to wonder why America will not stop discriminating and start appreciating the diversity of natural African-American hair.

naptime Hideaways Photos and column by Alex Medrano

The third floor in the Journalism building has a quiet area with surrounding couches.

When there is no construction going on, it becomes the perfect place to chill out with your eyes closed.

The first floor of the science building, although public, has the best scenery. Between the pictures of cosmic outer space, the semidark lighting, and comfortable chairs, it presents the best place to daydream.

At the bottom of Ferguson there is a student lounge. Although there is not much traffic and it has vending machines in the lounge itself, it does not have the most pleasant smell.

Also, with such accessible food, there comes with a loud mechanic noise.

Campus Comment: Are you afraid of clowns?

“I’m not afraid, more very cautious in regards to what goes on in the mind of a person that feels its okay to scare or frighten people.”

-Raymond Williams

“I am not afraid of clowns because my mom has had clowns in my house since I was little. Although, she is afraid of clowns.”

-Alyson Ferrell

The East Texan Staff

Editor Travis Hairgrove Managing Editor Alissa Silva Sports Editor Ricky Moser Opinion Editor Kerry Wilson Entertainment Editor Imogené Wofford Web Editor Todd Kleiboer Lead Reporter Brenda Perez Staff Reporter Alex Medrano Staff Reporter Christian Aleman Staff Reporter Evangelina Morales Staff Reporter Isabella Garcia Photographer/Reporter Gwion Jason Nam Photographer Kristen Taylor Distribution Assistant Michelle Whitehead Faculty Adviser Fred Stewart Phone 903-886-5985 E-mail theeasttexan@gmail.com

“I think they’re just creepy, especially with all the clowns running around and terrorizing people.”

-Angel Byrd

The East Texan, official student newspaper of Texas A&M University-Commerce, is published 11 times per semester during the Fall and Spring by students including journalism students in reporting classes. Content is solely the responsibility of the student staff and writers. The comments and views expressed in The East Texan, in print or online, do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of other students, staff, faculty, administration, or the Board of Trustees. The East Texan is located in Room113 of the Journalism Building. Single copies of The East Texan are free, additional copies are available in The East Texan offices for an additional 25 cents each.

“I don’t know if I’d say I’m afraid of clowns, but I definitley think what’s happening is too much.”

-Mason Meyers

Letters to the Texan Letters to the Texan are welcome and should be limited to 350 words. They may be edited for spelling, grammar and libelous and malicious statements. The East Texan reserves the right to refuse publication. Letters should be typed or emailed, must include a valid signature and contact information, and can be sent to theeasttexan@gmail.com or PO Box 4104, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX 75428.

Oct. 13, 2016

News

Serving for Charity

Local Food Pantry offers edible aid food donations. We could use volunteers to process those donations and help put them away.”

Funding for the Food Pantry chiefly relies on donations Just a few blocks away from Henderson Hall, the home from charitable individuals or organizations in the commuof Student Health Services, stands the First Presbyterian nity, and canned food drives are often organized by the panChurch that houses a life-saving service: the Commerce Food try itself or by community and university groups.

Pantry.

“In the month of October, there are going be several food “We serve about between 30 to 40 families each week,” drives at the schools and at the university with the sororities Food Pantry Board President Isabel Davis, who has worked and clubs there,” Davis said. “The postal service has a food for the pantry for four years, said. “And it usually adds to over drive every year, and then people just come and drop off do300 people a month that we serve.” nations at the church from time to time.”

The Pantry offers its services to those in Commerce who Because of the heavy reliance on food and money donaare “food-insecure”, defined by the USDA as “reduced qual- tions, the Food Pantry’s financial footing is unstable at times, ity, variety, or desirability of diet” or “disrupted eating pat- but that may change in the future as the board has successterns and reduced food intake”. The latter is more severe, and fully gained the status of a non-profit organization. an estimated 12.7 percent of U.S. households were food-in“We will be applying to the North Texas Food Bank in secure in 2015.

October and November,” Davis stated. “Beginning next year, “We are also a choice pantry which means we have a selec- we should be able to get food from the North Texas Food tion of items,” Davis added. “They [the families] can choose Bank. We haven’t [been connected to it] because we never from those items what they would like to have instead being had our non-profit 501(c)(3) status.” given a bag of groceries that they didn’t have any choice over The pantry board decided recently to emphasize highwhat they got. That cuts down on waste and is more satisfac- protein food items because they thought that their selection tory to the people who are coming.” was not providing enough protein to families. They have It has been estimated by Feeding America, a national earmarked a grant from Commerce Community Care just network of food banks, that nearly half of its clients in col- for that purpose, and Davis urged donors to bring certain lege had to choose foods. between paying “If people for their educawant to bring tion and paying food to the panfor their food in try, we would the past year. In really appreciate the University of tuna, spam, chili, California Sysbeans, and rice,” tem, 42 percent of Davis listed, “beits students were cause a lot of the determined foodvegetables and insecure. the other things “We do have that we give out some college stuare not high-prodents who come tein items. We for food,” Davis try to have it [the a c k now le d g e d . selection sheet] “Sometimes they be balanced so are in the athletic it has grains and department. They protein and vegmay have a scholetables, but I arship, but durthink we need ing the Christmas more protein.” holidays or during L o ok i n g the summer when ahead to the futhey’re not actuture is murky for ally playing their the Food Pantry sport, then they because of its come here to suprocky financial plement the food situation, but that they need.”

Davis shares that To be clear, a long-term goal the Commerce of the board is to Food Pantry is diestablish the panrected by the city try in a separate through the Food building to better Pantry Board. serve its clients.

Even though it “We would resides in the be able to serve First Presbyterian the people better Church, Davis with more space assured that the and be able to pantry is entirely have refrigeraseparate from the Photo Illustration courtesy/ Todd K leiboer tors and freezer church. to keep perish“The Presbyte- Commerce community member Kathryn Hanson is filling out an applicatoin with the help of Food able food,” she rian church lets us Pantry board member Richard Smith and Food Pantry President Isabel Davis in order to receive Food described. “Right Pantry’s help. use the building, now, we’re limitthe utilities, and ed to canned and the space,” she said. “They help us with printing and all kinds non-perishable items except once a month we’ve been getting of things, but we are not a part of the Presbyterian Church. fresh produce from FISH in Greenville, but we have to pick it We are a separate entity.” up and dispense it all in the same day. That limits the amount Volunteers are hard to come by sometimes, and while a we can give out and limits the amount of families that can few members of the Food Pantry Board volunteer often, the benefit from that.” challenge is often not the number of volunteers that are availThe Commerce Food Pantry is open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. able during the month but at what time they can volunteer. every Thursday, and families (which can be as small as one “It’s hard to schedule volunteers so that we have a full person) can come once a month to pick up food. It is locompliment of volunteers every week,” Davis sighed. “We cated at 1216 Monroe St. and can be contacted by calling need each week at least five people working. We could always the church office at 903-886-3783. Picture ID and proof of use more volunteers, but we can’t use a whole bunch at one Commerce residency are required. time usually although there are occasions when we get large Todd Kleiboer Web Editor

Page 3

Counseling Corner Strings of Hope

Agnes Gonzalez, M.S. Special Contributor Thank you to those who shared their unique encouraging messages at the Strings of Hope event of the Counseling Center this week. We hope that these genuine messages of care will touch and uplift many more. Take your time to read through the words of your peers and feel the warm support of this community: • Make sure to know you’re loved and to learn to love yourself.

• Hey there, I know you aren’t having the best time right now.

But this is the time to find inner peace. You’ll get through this, strong one!

• You can do this little brother. I believe in you. We all do. You are incredible and amazing. You have so much for the world to offer. I love you, big sister.

• I know it’s hard to remember you matter and that you’re loved.

But I promise you’re stronger than you feel, you matter more than you know, and you are loved. You are not alone.

• Life’s not the mountain tops; it’s the walking in between them.

• I know it may not seem like it right now, but there is always hope for happiness. Keep going! You can get through this!

• We all have a meaning in this world. We all are special. We all are great and wonderful.

• No matter what is going on, there is someone out there who have gone through a similar experience and someone to talk to.

• You are a beautiful human being! Believe in yourself!

• It gets better. It may not feel like it today, but tomorrow is a whole new day - a new chance to start over.

• You are created perfect and unique. Love yourself for who you are. You are important. You are loved.

• I know things look rough right now but if you keep smiling and looking at all the good in your life, one day you will have an amazing day!

• You are stronger and braver than you think. You are loved and valued for who you are. Hugs!

• You’re brave. No one can tell you who to be! There will always be someone there who know how you feel and got through it. Have Faith! Good luck!

• One day you will be able to look back and see how far you have come.

• I know how painful it is right now, the pain seems unreal, but there ARE people out here to help you. They care, and it is going to pass with time. You are loved and cared for.

• Believe in yourself. You are able to handle any problem you face. Reach out. People care more than you think.

• It’s okay to only think of today. Don’t worry about tomorrow.

Don’t stress about the past.

• Keep going! Things may seem tough and impossible now, but there is always hope!

• I believe that you have a purpose. I believe that someone loves you and cares about your success. I believe that you have a long life ahead of you. I believe that you can overcome all our adversities.

• Hold on. Keep going. Awake every morning knowing hope is real and can stay. Pain, though real, will go away!

• Everything might change in college but that doesn’t change who you are. Keep trying when things get rough and keep going.

Believe in yourself!

• Hope is possible!!! Reach out to someone. Believe in yourself.

• People are available to care and help. Reach out for support.

Find those words that really speak to you and remind yourself of your worth and of the support around you whenever you need it. And remember that the Counseling Center staff is also here for you!

Campus

Page 4

Oct. 13, 2016

The Fandom Society’s

Super Smash Bros. Tournament

A collection of the original Super Smash Bros. playable characters, including Mario, Donkey Kong, and Pokemon

Meeting times and locations for Guilds are: anime is at Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. in BA 106, furry meetings are at Friday, 3 p.m.- 4p.m. in Integrity/Sam Rayburn The Fandom Society of Texas A&M UniversiStudent Center 2nd floor, Magic, the Gathering meet on ty-Commerce put on a Super Smash Tournament Tuesdays, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. in Innovation Room A/Sam Rayon October 1st. burn Student Center 2nd floor, cosplayers can cosplay toThe sign-up period began around 12 till 2 p.m. gether and design on Thursday, 3 p.m.- 5p.m. in Innovation When the tournament started it was scheduled Room B/Sam Rayburn Student Center 2nd floor, Dungeons in a bracket style tournament, following Super & Dragons can role play on Wednesdays, 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.

Smash guidelines. in Vision/Sam Rayburn Student Center 2nd floor, PokeThe intense matchup was played off of the Ninmon trainers meet Monday, 4 p.m. -6 p.m. in Loyalty/Sam tendo WiiU, using most DLC (Downloadable Rayburn Student Center 2nd floor, the Pokemon League Content) characters that were pre-purchased. meets Saturday, 1 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. in Integrity/Sam RayThe DLC characters that could be used were burn Student Center 2nd floor, and Vanguard guilds meets Bayonetta, Corrin, Cloud, Ryu, Roy, Lucas, and on Thursdays, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. in Integrity/Sam Rayburn Mewtwo.

Student Center 2nd floor.

The battling lasted till late in the evening but The entirety of the Fandom Society meets on Fridays at one victor emerged, Leonel Cabrera was the win- Members of The Fandom Society.

5 p.m. in the McDowell Business Administration Building E ast Texan Photo/ A lex M edrano ner of Texas A&M-Commerce’s Super Smash BA 109.

The society comprises of different sections or guilds of special Tournament. He won a $20 dollar gift card. interest.

The different guilds are trading card games, tabletop roleThe Fandom Society was founded in 2009 and is the official playing games, Anime, Cosplay, video games, creative writing/ science fiction and fantasy group of Texas A&M University-Comdrawing and science-fiction/fantasy book reading. merce.

Alex Medrano Staff Reporter

Learning Some Italian-Style Table Manners Brenda Perez Senior Reporter Career Development at Texas A&M University- Commerce will be giving students an opportunity to learn about the dining customs in Italy can take advantage of the Global Business Etiquette Dinner on October 20.

“We put this together based on our Quality Advancement plan to get students ready for an interconnected world,” Tina Boitnott Director of Career Development said. “We do think it is valuable for students because we do know there is a possibility that they will be conducting business in a global world. It will be a basic lesson on dining while conducting business.”

This Global Business Etiquette Dinner will be the fifth dinner hosted by Career Development, this year’s dinner will focus on the etiquette that would be appropriate in Italy.

Previous years have focused on Asia, Mexico, Germany and the

Middle East.

“I am always looking for people on campus, in our community, that are from that county and that culutre to invite them as guests,” she said. “ That way studetns will have at least one person who knows about that culutre at their table.”

Students will be seated at a table with at least one person from the culture of the county they will be focusing on, this will allow for students to ask questions they may have about their etiquette. They can conversate with those at the table with them and learn from each other.

This year Dr. Attardo, Dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts will be presenting at the event; he also happens to be Italian.

It will give students who attend to get hands on experience with what they can expect to encounter if they are conducting business in Italy.

“The dress code is buisness professional,” Boitnott said.

This can be important becasue our customs do not always translate with those of other countries.

The dinner is an opportunity for anyone who attends to brush up on thier communiation and dining skills, even if they are not planning on taking part in any business dinners.

Anyone who would like to bring a friend,child or spouse is welcome to do so.

“I expect the students to walk away with a better understanding of the culture, a better understanding of doing business in that country,” Boitnott said.

The dinner will be on Oct. 20 from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m in the Sam Rayburn Student Center. A four course meal will be served and the tickets for the meal will be $25.

Anyone is welcome to attend the dinner.

Any students who have any questions can call Career Development.

Honors College Luncheon in Honor of 10th Cohort Christian Aleman Staff Reporter

The Honors College celebrated its 10th anniversary Oct. 4 as a luncheon for honors students, faculty, and professors. President Keck was in attendance as well as former President Keith McFarland, who helped establish the Honors College in 2007.

President Keck opened the festivities with a speech over the college and included a reminder to the current students of the program.

“This may not happen again in your experience on this planet,” President Keck said.

Former President McFarland followed with some of his reasoning for helping launch the Honors College.

“We wanted a student who was involved, who wanted to be in the Honors College, who wanted to interact with other students, who wanted to

interact with faculty,” the former president said. “And so we said ‘How can we do this? How can we bring it ab12 “A lot of wonderful things have happened in the past ten years with the Honors College,” the dean said.

“We’ve had numerous students graduate and get into prestigious post-baccalaureate programs whether it’s traditional PhD programs, med school, law school, vet school…” .of our students over the years have been first generation students who really, during their junior and senior years in high school, weren’t sure if they were going to college,” Greed said. “They weren’t sure they could afford it, and if they thought about going to college they didn’t think perhaps they were going to do the four year residential experience… and so to know that we’ve changed the trajectory of people’s lives and their fam-

ily’s lives is really the most satisfying part of having the privilege of being involved with the Honors College.”

Since its early stages the Honors College has set itself apart, according to Assistant Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Yvonne Villanueva-Russell.

“Honors students go above and beyond, and they seek, and they draw you in as a faculty member and I think that’s a really neat feature of the Honors College,” the assistant dean said. “The students really reignite the passion of the faculty members.”

Students of the college also understand the significance of the program’s achievements and growth over the past decade.

“It shows how far you can go with an idea and how people can come together to create something amazing,” Rachel Guffey, a member of the Honors College’s 9th cohort, said.

Dean of Students Dr. Tomas Aguirre talks with 9th Cohort member Michelle Hodge.

Photo Courtesy/ Jason Nam

Features

Page 5

Oct. 13, 2016

On a Roll with Freedom of Speech Christian Aleman Staff Reporter The oversized beach ball covered in writing at the Campus Crossroads on Oct. 4 was an effort put on by Turning Point USA to raise awareness over free speech, or the lack thereof, on college campuses.

“So on a lot of college campuses they have free speech zones,” Jonathan Narramore, Field Director for Turning Point USA said.

“But a lot of college campuses have rules that say there’s a free speech zone and so if you go outside this free speech zone, your speech isn’t protected.”

A beach ball is used to promote Turning Point USA’s idea of free speech on college campuses as it attracts attention from its size and how it is covered in different messages.

“This is one of the things we like to do on a college campus to bring awareness to the issues, you can’t miss it,” Narramore said.

“It’s sort of big and so that’s something we like to do.”

Using the beach ball to promote awareness about free speech is not exclusive to A&M-Commerce as Narramore has traveled to other universities with the non-profit organization.

“I’m taking it to Tarleton State tomorrow,” he said. “This ball has also been signed at the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University, so it’s going on its fifth spot now.”

As for future plans with the campaign, Narramore plans to keep on getting signatures on the ball and even extend the campaign to private universities.

“I’m going to go to one more campus this week with this ball until I fill it up and then I’m going to start over again,” he said.

“I’d like to take it to places such as the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, and Southern Methodist University. They would be fun ones.”

Turning Point USA is a nonprofit organization that aims to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited economy,” according to their website.

John Narramore with his massive beach ball, covered with the signatures of students from several different universities.

“Turning Point USA likes to talk about free markets, free speech, limited government and what we’re focusing on today is free speech,” Narramore said. “We [Turning Point USA] don’t endorse parties or candidates. We like to focus on the issues that affect millennials.”

Operation Blue & Gold Serves the Commerce Community

TAMUC P hoto

As a public university, A&M-Commerce is an open campus, which means that freedom of speech can be carried out anywhere on campus as long as it does not interfere with the education and safety of students. To find more information regarding Turning Point USA, visit the nonprofit’s website at www.tpusa.com.

OcTUBAfest:

A&M-Commerce rumbles as annual concert approaches

Imogené Wofford Entertainment Editor

Kerry Wilson Opinion Editor The Texas A&M University-Commerce campus came together to participate in community service around the City of Commerce during Operation Blue and Gold, hosted by the L.E.A.D. department Oct. 8.

The event was the startup of a previous community service event held at A&M-Commerce that originally began at A&M-College Station and is now nationally recognized.

“It’s nationally known now, but it originated at College Station,” L.E.A.D. Graduate Assistant Domonique Smith said. “There, they started it as The Big Event. It was basically getting everybody to come together on campus, and just going out to the community and doing service. At one point in time, like four or five years ago, we used to do The Big Event here.”

The launch of Operation Blue and Gold brought participation from A&M-Commerce students and campus departments, organizations and sports teams.

“We had fraternities and sororities that were there,” Smith said. “Different departments from different areas were also there. So, it wasn’t just Campus Life and Development, which is the department I work under. We had people from the Math Department that came and helped, people from certain areas of the Science Department that came, people from athletics came, and a few alumni that even came and people from orientation came. There was a big, diverse group of people and students there.”

Participants of Operation Blue and Gold went to different areas around Commerce to perform different community service activities, increasing awareness of the help needed in the city.

Amy Fonseca, administrative assistant for the L.E.A.D. Department, said the mission of Operation Blue and Gold is to teach students

about giving back to their community and leadership.

“The L.E.A.D. Department really encourages students to understand that being a leader is not just being a leader of an organization or telling someone what to do,” Fonseca said. “Part of that leadership is understanding that your community matters, and if you’re going to try to lead someone to a direction or to a certain understanding, you can’t just leave your community behind. We want our students to understand that the community matters, people around you matter, and service matters. That’s part of leadership. If you can’t give back, then you’re not doing everything you need to do as a leader.”

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams spoke to students after their community service was completed at a luncheon in the field house.

Williams thanked students for their time dedicated to serving Commerce and encouraged them to keep serving their community.

“What it did was demonstrate to our city that there is concern from university students about our future, how we look to newcomers, and they proved it today by showing up in huge numbers to help,” Williams said. “We hope this continues and is even bigger than we saw today.”

The A&M-Commerce African American Mentorship Program (AAMMP) was one of the many organizations in attendance at the event.

AAMMP member Khristian Johnson said Operation Blue and Gold is a representation of what AAMMP stands for.

“AAMMP cares about its community and the people within,” Johnson said. “This event really helped us exemplify that goal by displaying that we care about it by going to various places around the city including the high school and middle school. Cleaning up, picking up trash, even doing things such as repainting the parking lot, simple things like that show we care about the community in which we live.”

Texas A&M University-Commerce’s Music Department is preparing for its annual Octubafest, a concert featuring music majors who are tuba and euphonium players.

Harvey Phillips, one of the most influential musicians of the 21st century, founded Octubafest. He created the tuba and euphonium recital to honor his mentor, Bill Bell, and to celebrate tuba and euphonium.

Bell was a famous tuba player who played in the New York Philharmonic; he is one of the more prominent tuba players from the first half of the 20th century.

Philips’ career began when he was a teenager, when he joined the Ringling Brothers Circus Band and toured the country; then he landed a job as a freelance tuba player.

“He was one of the busiest musicians in all of New York,” Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Dr. Jeffery Baker said.

Phillips played for famous artists like Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. In 1954, he was a founding member of the New York Brass Quintet; and he was also a big proponent for getting music written for the instrument.

“He is like the father of American tuba,” Baker said.

Phillips was a founding member of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, and he also helped in the development of the International Trumpet Guild. He was also the founder and president of the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc., which administers Octubafest and Tuba Christmas, concerts throughout the world.

He taught at Indiana University for a number of years, and many of his students upheld the concert tradition at the schools they went to teach at.

“I did my undergrad at the University of Oklahoma, and my teacher, Ted Cox, was a student of Phillips’ so we did Octubafest there; and I started teaching here, so we started Octubafest here,” he said. “It’s basically a way of celebrating the tuba and the history of tuba in the U.S.” There will be 10 students performing solos, whether it is tuba and piano or euphonium and piano; and then at the end there will be a chorale performed. The chorale is part of the tradition.

Bell’s favorite musical composition by Johann

A&M-Commerce Tuba Instructor, Dr. Jeff Baker

Sebastian Bach was Come Sweet Death, a fourpart chorale.

“We open the concert with a freshman. It’s kind of the tradition that a new freshman will play Bach’s Air and Bourree (which contains Come Sweet Death)…and then everyone comes together to close the concert as a mass chorale,” he said.

“It’ll be fun and it’s good to do something like this kind of early in the year, and get the group bonded together—even if the kids aren’t playing a solo, we’re all playing on the final piece so we’re all involved.”

This will be the seventh year A&MCommerce participates in Octubafest.

“It will be a relatively short concert with a variety of different styles of music,” he said. “It’s more than just oompas in a polka band, or a marching band; so for somebody who has no idea what a tuba or euphonium sounds like, this will be a good concert to check out that will feature a lot of our young, talented players.”

Octubafest will be Oct. 18 at 7:30 in the Concert Hall of the music building and the admission is free.

Page 6

Entertainment

Oct. 13, 2016

Texas Fried Fun Gwiwon Jason Nam Staff Reporter

Fair attendees enjoying the fair.

East Texan Photos/Jason Nam

The State Fair of Texas returned with a parade that ran through downtown Dallas at Fair Park. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Texas Agriculture.”

According to the Fair information, fair attendees will see “interactive exhibits explaining how Texas agriculture touches our everyday lives and how food gets from farm to table.”

Throughout the fair period, people can get experience of Texas culture including entertainment, art, agriculture, local food, history and more.

“This fair was a good chance for me to get closer with Dallas, Texas,” International student at Texas A&M University Commerce Sunhee Baek said. “Through the fair, I could learn a lot of things about Dallas and Texas, especially by taking a picture with the huge statue Big Tex. Also, it was a great time to release the stress with entertainment and delicious foods after mid-term exams.”

Fair attendees can also see the Mounted Unit which is housed in Fair Park year-round to demonstrate techniques during the fair. This year’s State Fair seems to have more family-friendly activities and exhibits.

At the Oak Farms Children’s Activity Center, they offer audience members a chance to dress up and

take part in the show that features a host of circus favorites, and includes favorite childhood tales told through songs, storytelling and games.

Children can participate in activities and learn how food gets from farm to table at “Little Hands in the Farm” that is sponsored by WalMart.

“Our kids liked ‘The Little Hands in the Farm,’ mother of four, and Commerce native, Susan Darnell said. “They got to pretend to be farmers and go through the process from field to table: planting, harvesting and taking care of animals.”

You definitely can’t exclude local food at the State Fair. Concessionaires offer several new food options at this year’s State Fair of Texas. People can check new food options before going to the Fair at the website:http://www. nbcdfw.com/news/local/New-FoodAnnounced-for-2016-State-Fair-ofTexas-394084291.html “This part provides magnificent view especially at night with all lighting up,” one spectator said.

Each night at 7:15 p.m. the State Fair presents the Starlight Parade, a lighted procession featuring spectacular floats, lively music, dazzling costumes and a fun assortment of characters. The Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation lights up the Esplanade reflecting pool every night at 8 p.m. with a water and laser show

featuring sparkling fireworks, liquidfire fountains, dancing water and colorful music.

The annual State Fair of Texas has taken place nearly every year since 1886, and in one of the most popular states in the USA. The 2016 State Fair of Texas is to celebrate 130 years of history with Dallas and the Lone Star State.

State Fair of Texas President Mitchell Glieber provided his welcoming, “With the 130 years of history, it is clear the Fair serves not only as an annual celebration, but as a unique destination where people come together and create lifelong memories. It is our goal to bring people together for a tradition that embodies all aspects of Lone Star culture.”

The fair will run through Oct. 23, and is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Admission tickets are available at bigtex.com, Kroger, Walgreens, or at the gates of Fair Park. A general admission ticket is $18 for adults, and $14 for children and seniors. Food, rides, and some other activities will require the purchase of extra coupons, which you can get at the fair or order online. For the additional information, you can go to online website: http://bigtex.com/

Cinema Spotlight: Scott Derrickson Part II: The Day the Earth Stood Still Manuel Ramirez Staff Reporter When we last left Scott Derrickson, his debut film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, was a success.

It performed well at the box-office, won Jennifer Carpenter an MTV Movie Award for Best Frightening Performance, a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film (Saturns are basically the Oscars for all that is sci-fi, horror and fantasy) and despite a mixed reception from critics, the reviews were mostly positive. For his next film Derrickson shifted gears, or in this case genres from Horror to Science Fiction, specifically a remake of a 1951 classic.

The Day the Earth Stood Still, which premiered in December of 2008, followed the storyline of the original about an alien named Klaatu who arrives on Earth to deliver an important and crucial message to the planet. In this version he is played by Keanu Reeves, who also starred in John Wick (though many may recognize him as Neo from The Matrix). Upon arrival, Earth’s government officials immediately see him as a threat and it doesn’t help when Gort, an enormous robot that acts as Klaatu’s bodyguard, intervenes with lethal force.

On the run, Klaatu blends in with the planet’s inhabitants as he embarks on his mission while also getting to know the people he encounters including an astrobiologist (Labyrinth‘s Jennifer Connelly), her son (2010’ Karate Kid Jaden Smith), a NASA official (Mad Men’s Jon Hamm) a physicist (Monty Python’s John Cleese) and the Secretary of Defense (American Horror Story’s Kathy Bates). Given the notorious reputation of remakes, could Derrickson pull off what very few filmmakers achieve and deliver if not a great, but decent remake?

Visually, the film looks nice from the cinematography, action set pieces, and to an extent the visual effects, especially the alien spheres, and Klaatu’s human transformation, but much like Steven Spielberg’s 2005 retelling of the War of the World’s, it enhances the scale from sets and visuals, but the plot and characters fall flat. The original had heavy themes with a focus on

Klaatu and his earthly encounters, seeing the good and bad in humanity and an acknowledgment that the world is cruel, but still has hope.

In this movie the focus is all over the place that Klaatu and its themes are almost an after thought. The human characters only fuel his reasons on how humans are dangerous, especially an unbearable Jaden Smith that I’m inclined to agree with him.

There is so much more focus on the darker aspects of humanity and very little mention on the goodness that I expected it to end with everyone dying.

I could go forever on how the original succeeds where the remake fails, but for the sake of this paper I’ll keep it brief.

First there’s the portrayal of Klaatu, in the original he is wise, benevolent, crafty and never engaged in a fight even against his oppressors; he had Gort to handle that. He was careful to hide his secret identity, expressed both perturbation at Earth’s horrors and fascination at its wonders. This version of Klaatu is more hostile and has no problem harming humans without the need of Gort and immediate on the idea that humans are a danger to the planet.

While on the subject of Gort, despite knowing that it’s a man in a giant rubber suit in the 50’s version it still had an intimidating presence with its practical feel and eerie soundtrack than the 2008 CGI hybrid who plays out more as Transformer eyecandy.

What I appreciated in the original and in Derrickson’s previous film is that the religious aspects were subtle and not spoonfed to the audience. That’s exactly what happens here with Klaatu waving his hands in a stigmata and walking on water for no reason other than the plot says so.

To make a long story short this film is what Man of Steel was to many, all spectacle, a misinterpretation of a well-known character in a dark and grim retelling and obvious Jesus imagery that made no sense and got annoying. I’ll give the movie this; it introduced me to the 1951 version and I enjoyed it ten times better for its story that has surprisingly aged well.

If you like explosions with overstuffed CGI and are not impressed by the original with its retro look than you might like this remake. While not the worst movie of all time and I can tell that Derrickson put a lot of effort into the making, it’s definitely his weakest film so far.

What’s Derrickson to do next? What could show that he has what it takes to make a good movie? The solution: it involves a Super 8 film camera and the ominous content that it contains to all who come across it…all on the next issue of the East Texan.

A Play Within a Play Alex Medrano Staff reporter The first theatre production of the season is about the relationship between an acting instructor and his student. Acting: The First Six Lessons is written by Beau and Emily Bridges and is based on the book by Richard Boleslawski of the same name.

The play goes in depth on the relationship between teacher and student, and the mutual lessons that happen knowingly and unknowingly.

The novel-turned-play is the third show for director and producer, Kelsey Cooper, who chose the play because of past experi-

ences with the lessons that are taught throughout the novel.

“Acting: The First Six Lessons is written in dialogue form,” Cooper said. “It’s a self-help manual for acting.”

The heart of the play is going to be spoken word that is acted out. Cooper wants the “magic of theatre” to be the priority and with “words and concepts to be the focus, and the production aspects simple.”

The play, being primarily centered on the main characters is going to introduce two new students from the theatre department. The Acting: The First Six Lessons characters are the Teacher and the Creature (a young actress cast as a Creature), who both remain unnamed throughout the play. The Teacher is played by

A&M-Commerce transfer, Corbin Winston, and the Creature is played by freshman Samantha Cox. They auditioned the second week of school and, along with the other four members of the ensemble, began rehearsals.

The show begins Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Seats were added to accommodate more people but the shows are expected to sell out fast. Reservations can be made, starting next week with the purchase of a ticket from the theatre box office located in the Performing Arts Center front entrance. The tickets cost $5 for students with ID’s, $15 for adults, and $10 for seniors.

Page 7

Oct. 13, 2016

finalscore 26-25

hotshot 5.53

A Top Ten showdown between A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State ended in this heartbreaker for the Lions and another victory for the unbridled Mustangs.

Average number of kills per set Tarleton State volleyball’s Hailey Roberts who leads in the LSC in terms of this stat.

Volleyball

Trio take home weekly athletic awards

2016football

Team Conf. Overall Midwestern State 4-0 5-0 East. New Mexico 4-1 4-2 A&M-Commerce 3-1 4-1 Tarleton State 3-1 3-3 Angelo State 2-2 3-3 West Texas A&M 2-2 3-3 West. New Mexico 2-3 2-4 A&M-Kingsville 1-3 3-3 UT-Permian Basin 0-4 2-4 O.K. Panhandle 0-4 1-5

Schedule

October 15th West Texas A&M AT O.K. Panhandle A&M-Commerce AT West. New Mexico Tarleton State AT East. New Mexico Angelo State AT Midwestern State UT-PB AT A&M-Kingsville

women’ssoccer

Team Conf. Overall A&M-Commerce 5-1 8-3 Angelo State 4-2 8-3-1 Midwestern State 4-2 7-3-2 West Texas A&M 4-2 6-4 Texas Woman’s 2-4 6-5-1 East. New Mexico 2-4 3-7-1 UT-Permian Basin 0-6 0-9-1

Schedule

Photo Courtesy/L onestarconference .org

Angelo State, Tarleton State, and West Texas A&M top the Lone Star Conference standings. League play rolls on with five games on both Friday and Saturday this week.

LSC volleyball teams are 97-75 overall this season.

The squads are currently 15-9 combined versus Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams, and 19-5 against the Heartland Conference, which are the other leagues in the NCAA South Central Region.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK OFFENSIVE Hailey Roberts, Tarleton State University, JR, Cedar

Park, Texas, Cedar Park HS It was a milestone night for Hailey Roberts as the junior went for 26 kills on a .339 hitting effort to lead Tarleton past Texas A&M-Kingsville last Friday night. Roberts’ 26 kills was enough to put her over 1,500 in her career, making her the second player in Tarleton history to reach that mark.

In the four-set win over the Javelinas, Roberts led the team with a .339 hitting performance and added one assist and one block. She also had 11 digs for her 50th career double-double.

DEFENSIVE Ashley Mireles, Texas

A&M University-Commerce, SR, Georgetown, Texas, Georgetown HS Mireles put up big numbers in the wins over Cameron and Midwestern State to run the Lions’ winning streak to five matches... In the fourset win over CU she averaged seven digs per set with a 28dig total performance... The Lions battled back from a two-set deficit versus MSU as Mireles dug out 24 balls... Her efforts helped the Lions limit opponents to a .110 hitting percentage... Mireles leads the league in digs at 5.28...

SETTER

Three earn honors for the week

Selena Batiste, West Texas A&M University, FR, Portland, Oregon, Central Catholic Batiste continued to impress for the Lady Buffs this past week as they topped UT Permian Basin in five sets on the road followed by sweeps of Western New Mexico and Eastern New Mexico at The Box. The Portland, Oregon native dished out 82 assists to average 7.45 per set to go along with 23 kills on 49 swings with three errors to hit .408 in the wins.

The freshman also registered 24 digs to average 2.18 per frame with three total blocks. Friday night saw the freshman control

the match with Western New Mexico as she tallied 10 kills on 16 swings with no errors to hit .625 to go along with 25 assists, two blocks and nine digs to finish just one dig shy of a triple-double. For the week, the Lady Buffs recorded a .304 team hitting percentage.

All honored athletes were congratulated by their universities via social media, and all players go into next week strongly.

Score Recap

Football: Italics denote winner A&M-Kingsville AT West Texas A&M

51-34

O.K. Panhandle AT Angelo State

9-31

Midwestern State AT A&M-Commerce

26-25

West. New Mexico AT Tarleton State

34-3

East. New Mexico AT UT-Permian Basin

41-44

Women’s Soccer: Italics denote winner October 4th 1-1

October 5th East. New Mexico AT West Texas A&M

Photo Courtesy/L onestarconference .org

Texas A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State square off this week as the only unbeaten Lone Star Conference teams. The Lions host the Mustangs in a game that will be broadcast on ESPN3 as part of the Division II Football Showcase schedule.

LSC football teams are 25-23 overall this season. The squads are 3-3 combined versus the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Great Lakes Valley Conference and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams, which are also in NCAA Super Regional Four.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK OFFENSIVE- Vincent Johnson, Midwestern State University, SO, RB, Lubbock, Texas, Monterey HS Johnson rushed for three touchdowns in leading No. 7 Midwestern State to a 43-22 win over Western New Mexico Saturday afternoon at Altamirano Field. It was the third time this season the sophomore from Lubbock Monterey High accounted for three rushing scores as Johnson ranks second in NCAA Division II in scoring at 16.5 points per game and third in total rushing TDs with 11 this season. The 5-10, 203-pound sophomore also turned his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season going for 103 yards on 18

carries. Johnson found pay dirt three times in the second half as culminated an 11-play, 65-yard drive with a 3-yard run in the third quarter before scoring twice in the final stanza on runs of 4 and 25 yards. His 25-yard touchdown run came on fourth-and-1 and gave MSU a commanding 21-point lead with 7:24 to play.

DEFENSIVE- Justin Jackson, Angelo State University, SO, LB, Missouri City, Texas, Fort Bend Ridge Point Jackson helped the Rams defense to holding Texas A&M-Kingsville to just 262 total yards and only 76 yards on the ground. The sophomore made six tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. He broke up four passes and recovered the fumble that sealed the victory for ASU. SPECIAL TEAMS- Ovie Urevbu, Texas A&M University - Commerce, JR, Coverage, Plano, Texas, Legacy Chr. Acad.

Urevbu scored the Lions’ fifth touchdown of the first half on a fake field goal and had one of the more impressive all-around performances in the 35-13 win at OPSU. His 28-yard touchdown reception was his first touch of the ball. The junior also had a tackle in kick coverage. Urevbu wound up as the Lions’ leading rusher on the day with four carries for 64 yards.

4-1

October 7th A&M-Commerce AT Angelo State

2-1

West Texas A&M AT Midwestern State

2-1

Texas Woman’s AT UT-Permian Basin

2-0

October 9th A&M-Commerce AT UT-Permian Basin

1-2

East. New Mexico AT Midwestern State

5-0

Texas Woman’s AT Angelo State

0-2

Volleyball:

2016volleyball

Team

Angelo State

Conf. Overall 7-1

16-2

Tarleton State

7-1

14-2

West Texas A&M

6-2

10-7

A&M-Kingsville

5-3

14-5

West. New Mexico 5-3

13-6

East. New Mexico 5-3

10-8

A&M-Commerce

4-4

10-8

Midwestern State

3-6

8-10

Texas Woman’s

2-6

6-11

UT-Permian Basin 1-7

5-13

Cameron

2-15

0-9

Schedule

October 8th

Lubbock Christian AT Texas Woman’s

October 14th West Texas A&M AT UT-PB Midwestern AT A&M-Commerce East. New Mexico AT Angelo State October 16th West Texas A&M AT Angelo State East. New Mexico AT UT-PB Midwestern AT Texas Woman’s October 17th A&M-Commerce AT Dallas Baptist October 19th Angelo State AT UT-PB

Italitcs denote winner

October 4th UT-Permian Basin AT Lubbock Christian

3-0

Midwestern State AT Southern Nazarene

3-0

October 7th Angelo State AT Midwestern State

3-0

Tarleton State AT Cameron

3-0

A&M-Commerce AT East. New Mexico

1-3

West Texas A&M AT A&M-Kingsville

0-3

Texas Woman’s AT West. New Mexico

0-3

October 8th UT-Permian Basin AT A&M-Kingsville

1-3

Tarleton State AT Midwestern State

3-0

Angelo State AT Cameron

3-0

Arkansas-Fort Smith AT West Texas A&M

3-0

Texas Woman’s AT East. New Mexico

1-3

A&M-Commerce AT West. New Mexico

0-3

October 13th Midwestern AT Lubbock Christian October 14th West Texas A&M AT A&M-Commerce A&M-Kingsville AT Cameron East. New Mexico AT Tarleton State West. New Mexico AT Angelo State UT-PB AT Texas Woman’s October 15th A&M-Kingsville AT Midwestern East. New Mexico AT Angelo State

West. New Mexico AT Tarleton State UT-PB AT A&M-Commerce West Texas A&M AT Texas Woman’s St. Edward’s vs A&M-Kingsville/ Midwestern AK-Fort Smith AT A&M-Commerce October 17th UT-PB AT West. New Mexico October 18th A&M-Commerce AT Midwestern Texas Woman’s AT Cameron Tarleton State AT A&M-Kingsville West Texas A&M AT East. New Mexico

Men’s Golf

October 17th-18th Oklahoma Intercollegiate UT-Permian Basin Midwestern State A&M-Commerce Angelo State Cameron

Women’s Golf

October 17th-18th Midwestern Invitational UT-Permian Basin Midwestern State A&M-Commerce Angelo State Cameron West Texas A&M Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate West. New Mexico

Page 8

Oct. 13, 2016

Sports

Game schedule

Oct. 14: Soccer vs Texas Women’s (7 p.m.)

Oct. 14: Volleyball vs West Texas A&M (5 p.m.)

Oct. 17: Soccer @ Dallas Baptist (7 p.m.)

Oct. 15: Volleyball vs UT Permian Basin (1 p.m.)

Oct. 17-18: Women’s Gol f @ Oklahoma

Oct. 15: Volleyball vs Arkansas Fort-Smith (5:30 p.m.)

Oct. 17-18: Men’s Golf @ The Colony

Oct. 15: Football @ Western New Mexico (1 p.m.)

Unbroken After First Loss of Season Dareious Scott Staff reporter Coming in at No. 4 in Division II, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions lost a hard fought battle to the Midwestern State University Mustangs (No. 7) 25-26, last Saturday in Memorial Stadium.

The Lions were first on the scoreboard with a 31-yard field goal by kicker Kristov Martinez. The Mustangs then drove the ball 85 yards by using 11 plays off a score from running back Vincent Johnson to give the Mustangs a 7-3 lead.

After several defensive stops from both teams, Lions receiver Darby Smith caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Luis Perez to give the Lions a 9-7 lead due to a miss extra point.

The Lions defense held its own again giving their offense the bad towards the end of the first half. After a few healthy runs by running back Richard Cooper and a 40 yard catch from Smith to set up a 19-yard field goal to give the Lions a 12-7 lead going into halftime.

When the second half was underway, the Mustangs drove down the field and scored a touchdown in just three plays to take a 13-12 lead. However, the Mustangs would try to convert E ast Texan Photo/ K risten Taylor on a two-point conversion, but would ultimately throw an interception to Lions linebacker Garrett Blubaugh. After missed Defensive back Chris Smith tackles wide receiver Jaylen Mayo. field goals from both teams the score remained 13-12 going into the fourth quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Lions gained a 15-13 lead off of a 43-yard field goal by Martinez. The Lions defense would once again get the Mustangs to punt the football and give the team good field position in which the Lions would get to the red zone, but settled for a 21-yard field goal to give the Lions an 18-13 lead.

The following possession, sophomore Danny Huckaby intercepted the football, giving the Lions the football once again.

This time, the Lions offense would see the endzone with Smith scoring his second touchdown of the evening to give the Lions a 25-13 lead with a little over five minutes left to go in the game.

The Mustangs would get the ball and would quickly score a touchdown to cut the lead to 25-20 with a little over three minutes left to go in the game. The Lions would get the ball back, but were forced to punt the football and give the ball back to the Mustangs. The Mustangs would again drive down the field and score a touchdown with 28 seconds left in the game to take a 26-25 lead before failing to convert a two-point conversion.

The Lions would attempt to get the ball into field goal range, but would be unsuccessful and fall to the Mustangs with final score being 26-25.

Despite the loss, the Lions are still looking at a healthy record at 3-1 in the Lone Star Conference and 5-1 overall. The Lions turn their attention to next game where they travel to play Western New Mexico on Oct. 15. Game time is set to be at noon.

E ast Texan Photo/ CJ C annon

Line backer Brucks Saathoff(9) tackles MSU player with help of defensive back Mark Westbrook(28).

Head Coach Colby Carthel speaks to Lions after hard fought game.

E ast Texan Photo/ K risten Taylor

Lion Football Heads West Homeward Ricky Moser Sports Editor Following their tough home loss this past weekend, Texas A&M University-Commerce looks to get back into the win column as they have a road game against Western New Mexico University on Saturday.

The Lions will fly over 800 miles to Silver City, N.M. to take on the Mustangs in a game that will be a first of its kind given the fact that both teams face off as members of the Lone Star Conference.

In March of this year, Western New Mexico University accepted an invitation to join the conference, thus leaving the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference of which it had been a member of since 2006.

In turn, Western New Mexico became the 11th member institution of the LSC.

On paper, this should be an easy win for A&M-Commerce.

The Lions lead the Mustangs in scoring on both sides of the ball and have a higher average of rushing and passing yards per game.

A&M-Commerce running back Richard Cooper is No. 2 in the LSC with 111 rushing yards per game while quarterback Luis Perez averages 287 yards per game, tops in the conference. On the other sideline, Western New Mexico quarterback Javia Hall is No. 3 but the Mustangs have the top wide receiver, Xavier Ayers.

This marks the beginning of a two game road stretch for the team before they eventually return home Oct. 29 for their Homecoming game.

Kickoff between Texas A&M-Commerce (3-1 Lone Star Conference, 5-1 overall) and Western New Mexico (2-3, 2-4) is set for Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.

Soccer Seeks to Top Mustangs Ricky Moser Sports Editor The Texas A&M University- Commerce soccer team is over halfway through another impressive season and working to build upon their three game winning streak.

The Lions (5-1 Lone Star Conference, 8-3 overall) are the No. 1 ranked team in the LSC, aided by the fact that they are the highest scoring team with 22 goals notched this season and still remain a perfect 4-0 on their home field.

The next contest for A&M- Commerce is a home game versus Midwestern State (4-2 LSC, 7-3-2 overall) set for Oct. 14. A&MCommerce won the previous matchup 1-0 back on Oct. 2 in Wichita Falls.

Following this LSC showdown, the Lions take to the road to face Dallas Baptist (6-2 Heartland Conference, 6-4-1 overall) on Monday, October 17.

Kickoff for both games are set for 7 p.m.

Rebound

Alissa Silva Managing Editor

After not being able to capture a win in the two games this past weekend, A&M-Commerce hopes to rebound with their upcoming home games against West Texas A&M, UT Permian Basin, and Arkansas- Fort Worth this weekend.

A&M- Commerce will play West Texas Friday at 5 pm and UT Permian Basin Saturday at 1pm and ArkansasFort Smith at 5:30pm. West Texas A&M stands in third in Lone Star Conference with a current record of 5-3 while UT Permian Basin has a current LSC record of 1-7.

The Lions started off this past weekend with a 3-1 loss (25-12, 18-25, 20-25, 27-29) against Eastern New Mexico putting Commerce a ranking below East. New Mexico. A&M-Commerce had 25 errors overall while Eastern New Mexico had 31. Senior Taryn Driver led the Lions with seven kills and three blocks. Junior Sydney Reyes followed with six kills and five blocks.

Eastern New Mexico’s senior Lauren Frye led their team with 15 kills and one block.

Traveling to Silver City, New Mexico after their game Friday, A&M- Commerce was defeated by the Mustangs 3-0 (12-25, 16-25, 17-25). Western New Mexico had five errors while the Lions had 21. Driver led the team again with nine kills while sophomore Jasyln Wacker came after with five kills and one block.

Lions have a current LSC record 4-4.