The 6420 - Winter 2019/Spring 2020 by Rose State Media Group

The 6420 The 6420 The 6420 The

Letters from the Editors

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Hello Raiders, I am excited to present to you The 6420’s Winter 2019/Spring 2020 issue. For those reading, the staff and I would like to thank you for all of your support. The 6420 is a culmination of many beautiful minds working together to present our audience with meaningful and expressive material. In addition, this magazine would not be possible without the guidance and direction of Professor Darcy Delaney-Nelson. She believes in us and is always pushing us in the newsroom to be our best. With that being said, we could not do it without you guys (our readers), enjoy!

Tanner Pipins, editor-in-chief & graphic designer tanner-pipins@raider.rose.edu

Hello Raiders! Welcome to the Winter 2019 and Spring 2020 issue of The 6420 magazine. Winter is one of my favorite seasons as it represents the season of giving and joy. Spring is another one of my favorite seasons because it represents rebirth and growth. I hope this issue of The 6420 depicts these seasons well, and you all enjoy reading it just as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you.

Ahmya Williams, co-editor in chief & graphic designer ahmya-williams@raider.rose.edu

A Rose State journalism graduate, Professor Darcy Delaney-Nelson received a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication, with a minor in sociology, as well as a master’s degree in JMC from Gaylord College at the University of Oklahoma. She has been in the journalism and mass communication field for more than 20 years. She currently serves as the mass communication program head and student publications adviser. ddelaney@rose.edu

Letters to the Editor

The 15th Street News and The 6420 welcomes and encourages letters to the editor. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and are subject to editing for obscenity, clarity and space. Submissions must include name, major and phone number. 15th Street News reserves the right to not publish submitted letters. Letters to the editor may be hand-delivered to FA110. Policies

The 15th Street News is published monthly and The 6420 is quarterly as designated public forum. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. Columns, commentaries and letters to the editor are personal opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of our publications or other students, faculty or administrators of the college.

Anyone having a complaint may contact the Editor-in-Chief, 733-7400.

15th Street News is a member of OCMA, OPA, ACP, Great Plains Journalism Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists. This publication is printed by Mercury Press, issued by RSC and authorized by the Adviser of Student Publications.

RSC is in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Executive Order 11246, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.

This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.

Cover photo by Selena Williams Model: Alan Espinosa

Selena Williams

Assistant Editor selena-williams@raider.rose.edu

Caleb Betterton

Sports Editor caleb-betterton@raider.rose.edu

Leah Irwin Multimedia Editor leah-irwin@raider.rose.edu

Bailey Walker

Senior Editor bailey-walker.com bailey-walker@raider.rose.edu

Camryn Sturgill Features Editor camryn-sturgill@raider.rose.edu

Zaviana James Social Media Director zaviana-james@raider.rose.edu

Real Talk

“What is your favorite meme of the decade?”

“Kermit mirror”

Ivan Merendon Dental Hygiene major

“Me explaining”

Shelby Rodgers Psychology major

“Dark Kermit”

Daysha Black Nursing major

What’s In My Bag

Story & Photo by Camryn Sturgill

For this issue of “What’s In My Bag?” We interviewed English Professor, Corey Fitzgerald.

Course Textbooks: “I have all of my course textbooks. I teach Composition I, Composition II and Public Speaking.”

Tennis Ball/Stress Ball: “This is my stress ball, so if one of my students or me needs it we have it. Public Speaking, you know?”

Flashlight: “I have my flashlight in case anything ever happens here. You know, you never want to go without a flashlight. You never know what is going to happen.”

Memorial Pamphlet: “I am a veteran, so I was at a memorial [recently].”

Keys & Glasses: For driving and seeing.

Fitzgerald joked about the blandness of his bag, “You’re going to have to liven this up and say there was a fireball in there or something.”

Although Fitzgerald’s work bag is on the emptier side, he is full of experience.

“I used to be a journalist. I was also a videographer and still-photographer. I did it all,” Fitzgerald said.

He also made mentioned he served in the military.

“I was in the military for six years. I was also a combat vet, so all the colored combat footage from Panama was mine,” Fitzgerald said. “I got Cinematographer of The Year for that.”

Fitzgerald still keeps his professional camera with him at all times.

By Caleb Betterton

By Betterton

Rose State Runs to Remember

Story by Camryn Sturgill

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is held once a year in honor of those who were affected by the Murrah building bombing on April 19, 1995.

This year, Rose State is celebrating its 50th anniversary by organizing a team of 50 Rose State full-time employees to participate in the events at the marathon on April 26, 2020.

Chris Leland, director of health and wellness at Rose State, along with Coty Cooper, executive athletic director Rose State, are responsible for organizing the 50th Anniversary team.

Employees who decide to sign up for the marathon will have the option of receiving 50% off whatever event they register for. This offer is valid until all of the sponsorship money is gone. The first 50 employees to sign up will also receive a $100 gift certificate to Red Coyote Running in

Oklahoma City or Edmond.

Leland said he was intentional about partnering with Red Coyote Running as an incentive.

“The reason I teamed up with Red Coyote is because they do one thing-running,” he said. “A lot of it was because people sometimes go out and start running and don’t put any planning into it. You can actually buy shoes that make your feet, knees, hips and lower back hurt, so they custom fit you to the right shoe for your running pattern.”

Both Leland and Cooper call Oklahoma home. The two are passionate about Oklahoma and all of its history. This is one of the reasons they wanted to get involved in the Memorial Marathon.

“I think you’ll see this in Oklahoma, and this is not just a cliché, that any time there has been a tragedy or anything happens in this state, the people of this state

take care of each other,” he said. “From the tornadoes in Moore, to the bombing, to the wildfires we had a few years ago. Oklahoma is just that way. That’s why I love it here. You know, this is just a way of recognizing what happened that day.”

Leland and Cooper said they are over halfway on their goal of 50 full-time Rose State employees.

“We have 35 people signed up right now. Our goal is to have 50 people for the 50th anniversary,” Leland said.

Although the goal is to get 50 runners to participate, Leland mentioned that they might be able to help sponsor more than that.

Leland hopes to be able to fund more than 50 employees. Most of the employees who have already signed up for the 5K, which is less expensive than the other races.

Because of this, there might be enough money left over to sponsor 5-10 more employees.

Employees can choose to sign up for any of the four following races: the 5K, the relay, the half-marathon or the full marathon.

Lance Newbold, Rose State Vice President for Student Affairs, is already registered to run the 5K.

“The OKC Memorial Marathon is a special event,” Newbold said. I am not much of a runner, but I want to be a part of this city’s annual event so I chose the 5K. This year being the 25th anniversary of the bombing and the 20th year of the marathon make it that much more special to me.”

Those who are interested in participating can sign up by contacting Leland at 733-7500 or cleland@rose.edu.

Making Space with Oklahoma Contemporary

Story By Payton Hayes

In fall 2019, Rose State students who were enrolled in Dr. Suzanne Thomas’ mural class met with Pablo Barrera from Oklahoma Contemporary to discuss their new location and public art project, Making Space, where fence line murals decorated the construction site of the new building.

I was one of the students who went to see the murals in person and learn about Oklahoma Contemporary’s vision for their new location and continuation of the mural series in the future.

Barrera has numerous plans for Oklahoma Contemporary in 2020.

Barrera said that through this series, he observed that Oklahoma City and neighboring towns have a wealth of artists waiting for an opportunity to showcase their artist abilities.

“I have also come to admire Oklahoma City’s spirit of collaboration, and I have learned that we are ready for the types of conversations these underrepresented voices carry,” Barrera said. “We are giving artists a chance to share incredible perspectives, but we are also giving the city a chance to appreciate the complex, wonderful diversity that makes Oklahoma City’s visual culture so special. These artists are making OKC beautiful, both literally and as a community.”

According to Barrera, “Making Space: Summer Mural Series” was designed to support emerging artists through mentorship in order to expand the number of artists contributing to Oklahoma City’s visual culture.

“‘Making Space’ reflects a new version of ‘Guerrilla Art Park,’ an annual exhibition of outdoor public art by Oklahoma artists, held in the summers of 2016, 2017 and 2018,” Barrera said. “The mural series shares ‘Guerrilla Art Park’s’ goals: to

showcase local talent, give artists an opportunity to grow and develop their skills and offer free public art to enrich downtown Oklahoma City. The series of murals came in two phases of three murals each, in June and September 2019.”

During summer and fall 2019, Oklahoma Contemporary’s former space at the State Fairgrounds was closed in preparation for the move into their new building site this previous winter. This left a sort of “art vacuum” for the OKC area as Oklahoma Contemporary would not be able to offer exhibitions to the public during the months leading up to their move to the new site.

Barrera said they saw an opportunity to provide the public with free access to art, while supporting the local art scene by displaying a series of murals along the construction fence of their new location.

“In this way, our new home was able to provide art experiences for OKC before its doors even opened,” he said.

The murals on display during the class’ visit, were done by mentoring artist Brooke Rowlands (with emerging artist Shakurah Maynard) and Kris “GERM” Ermey (with Jonathan De Luna), and NiCole Hatfield, a contemporary and Native American artist, who draws her inspiration from old historical photographs of tribal women.

When I asked how long it took to complete each piece, Barrera said it really depended on the experience of the artists, the medium and the design.

“In the first rotation of murals this past June, Tank Ramirez and his mentee, Iliana Barrientos, finished their mural in a matter of hours during our Second Saturday Live Painting event,”

Voodoo Fairy By Kris “GERM” Ermey and Jonathan De Luna

he said. “Tank is an experienced graffiti artist, so he could have probably finished it much faster, but as a mentor, he was making sure to give his mentee, Iliana, many tips and opportunities to develop her skills.”

On the other hand, some of the murals took longer to complete because of family and work obligations. Barrera said they tried to accommodate the varying life contexts that artists come from.

“Supporting emerging artists means maintaining enough flexibility to work alongside their lived realities,” he said.

Oklahoma Contemporary paired several artists with different styles and levels of experience to blend two art styles and form a cohesive mural, allowing the budding artist to step out of their comfort zone and play with styles under the guidance of the mentoring artist. However, this selection process was not random — the artists were intentionally paired off in ways that complimented their combined styles and played to their strengths, while keeping a wide range of mediums and techniques in mind.

Barrera said that they wanted to show styles side-by-side that complemented each other.

“We researched each artist’s color palette, preferred subject matter and aesthetic, then we created a short-list of artists that could work well within the scale of the painting surface and share powerful messages,” he said. “In choosing the mentors, we looked for artists that demonstrated or expressed enthusiasm about helping a new generation of mural artists to gain experience.”

Barrera explained that after they’d done all of this, they then approached the selected artists to see who was available and felt strongly about participating in the project.

Both the mentor and the mentee artists can benefit from collaborating with each other, and in turn, the city also benefits from the increase of beautiful, public art. Barrera said this collaboration allowed experienced artists’ work to live on and provide emerging artists an opportunity to learn and grow under the guidance of the experienced artists.

“Every rotation of murals saw artists trading tips and networking for future collaborations,” Barrera said. “Emerging artists were able to witness the power of mentoring, and experienced artists were able to see their art as part of an inter-generational process. I imagine that if artists continue to harness this spirit of collaboration, the projects will become more ambitious and far-reaching. Also, on a practical level, mural arts become sustainable as more artists share their experiences.”

Oklahoma Contemporary is interested in continuing the project after the construction is completed and the new location is open in March 2020. Barrera said that in light of the success of the recent mural project and positive response and excitement from the artistic community, they’ve decided to continue the mentor/mentee pairing for a new rotation of murals throughout the year.

“We are in the process of setting up a mural wall near our new art studio buildings hopefully before the closing of the inaugural exhibitions, Bright Golden Haze and Shadow on the Glare,” he said. “Oklahoma has a growing and thriving mural

art scene, and we hope to support this exciting part of our city’s artistic landscape.”

In addition to their continuation of the mentor/mentee mural series, Oklahoma Contemporary is willing to collaborate with other construction projects to integrate more artwork throughout the OKC area.

“We will always help Oklahoma City celebrate and support art in all its forms, and we are happy to lend our experience and expertise in realizing such projects across our communities,” Barrera said. “Our Curatorial and Exhibitions Director, Jennifer Scanlan, is involved in the Oklahoma Public Art Network (OPAN), which helps both artists and organizations work through the public art process,” he said. For more information, visit the OPAN website and Facebook page.

To read more, go to www.the6420.com.

“I loved my time at Rose State. It really helped me grow as a person and a player.” - Madison Zick

The Juco Perspective

Story by Caleb Betterton

Photos courtesy of Bob Whitaker and sportspix

Junior college athletes, or “JUCO athletes,” face unique challenges and have a different approach and view of college life than students at four-year universities.

For most college athletes, the focus is on becoming a professional athlete or using their degree to pursue a career. For JUCO athletes, the focus is different. JUCO athletes are taking a shot at going to a four-year university and trying for a chance at becoming a professional athlete.

This is the reality the athletes at Rose State are experiencing, aiming high and going for a chance at pursuing their dreams. This journey is not an easy one.

“Grind” is how Rose State outfielder Alex Eddinger defines being a JUCO athlete. With practices twice a day and classes in between, it is an absolute grind. “But it is a grind that never gets old,” Eddinger said.

It is all a part of the journey for these athletes even though it is hard work. While most athletes would prefer to go straight to a four-year university, starting at a junior col -

lege can be beneficial, especially when transitioning from high school to the college environment.

“While it was work, the smaller environment helped make it easier,” said Madison Zick, defensive midfielder for Texas A&M University-Commerce and Rose State alum.

The junior college experience helps with the growth of these athletes not only as a player, but as an individual. Players get the chance to work on their skills and learn about themselves while getting opportunities to show they have what it takes to go to the next level.

“I loved my time at Rose State. It really helped me grow as a person and a player,” Zick said.

Another aspect of JUCO athletics is the relationships these athletes develop that continue on after their time in college is over. Junior colleges also provide opportunities for international athletes to come to America and maybe have the opportunity to eventually play at a four-year school.

One of those athletes is Aristides Batista who is an in fielder on Rose States baseball team. Batista is from Puerto Rico. Not being able to see friends and family for so much of the year is one of his biggest challenges. However, Batista said it is worth the sacrifice because it has been his dream to study and play at the collegiate level in the United States.

This is really what being a JUCO athlete is all about following your dreams and working on making them become a reality. It is about the journey.

One athlete that has made the most of this journey is Jake Hamilton. Hamilton started his journey at Rose State as a pitcher. He struggled his freshman year on the field

but turned it around in a major way his sophomore year. He went 6-1 with 2.08 ERA with all American honors.

“You have to love it,” Hamilton said.

That’s what drives these athletes to do the work through adversity and fulfill their dreams.

One thing every one of these athletes mentioned was the work it takes to go after their dreams.

“You get a better perspective on what it’s like to have to work for what you get,” Hamilton said.

The biggest thing these athletes get out of their time at junior college is perspective. They see what it takes to get to the next level and are thankful for the opportunities they are given to make it to the next level.

“You get a better perspective on what it’s like to have to work for what you get.”

- Jake

Hamilton

Jake Hamilton, #12, former pitcher for Rose State. Aristides Batista, #25, infielder for Rose State.

‘Capturing Life at a Higher Quality’

From self-taught to professional: Photographers share their insights

by Camryn Sturgill

Self-taught photographer Grayson Gregory has nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram and is a senior at the University of Tennessee. He said he always enjoyed taking pictures and making videos with his family, but his knack for photography did not turn into a hobby until 2017, when he bought a professional camera.

“There was nothing that specifically got me into photography or cameras in general,” Gregory said. “Over time, I just had a desire to capture moments of my life at a higher quality than I had before. Something about the whole creative process was just extremely entertaining to me and it still is.”

Although Gregory experiments with many different types of photography, he enjoys landscapes the most.

“I usually like to be outside taking pictures and videos in nature. I get such a desire to go out and see the world from nature photos, especially in the mountains. I don’t hate doing portraits or more professional photos, but it definitely doesn’t bring very much excitement to me,” Gregory said.

Gregory now uses a Sony A7-III to capture his masterpieces. The Sony A7-III is a professional camera often used by travel photographers because of its compact size.

Gregory enjoys taking photos and videos when he travels. He said his best memories and photos are from a trip he took with friends in August 2019. They visited the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado where they looked up at the tallest dune and decided they would not leave until they made it to the top.

“It took so much longer than we thought, and I felt like just falling over and passing out,” Gregory said. “We eventually made it to the top and the wind was blowing insanely hard, like seriously hard. We were there for a long time and watched the sunset there, which was incredible. The whole trip was amazing for us and it was definitely the best trip I’ve taken so far.”

Gregory credits his friends and family for supporting his photography and video skills in a way that builds him up and allows him to make more creative decisions.

As far as inspiration goes, Gregory named Ryan Resatka, Garrett King, Josiah Gordon, Stevin Tuchiwsky and Daniel Ernst as people who have inspired him.

Gregory does not consider himself to be a professional

photographer, but others may disagree when looking at his work. Either way, Gregory remains humble and admits that he still has a lot to learn.

Gregory’s advice to those who are interested in photography is lighthearted, yet motivational.

“Just get out there and do it,” Gregory said. “No matter what you use for your camera, just go take some pictures. Nobody picks up a camera and is a pro from the start. It takes some time and the only way to really do that is by taking a lot of pictures or videos.”

At the other end of the table, some people decide to take their love for photography to the next level and turn it into a career. Kenneth Beachler has done just that.

Beachler is a professional photographer as well as Rose State’s official photographer. He has been in the photography field for 26 years. Beachler attended Rose State as well as a vocational school for photography and eventually graduated from the graphic design program at University of Central Oklahoma. Beachler’s job as a photographer has opened the door for many opportunities.

“Photography has afforded me travel to places I may have not had a chance to go,” he said. “For instance, I was flown to Hawaii to photograph a wedding. Also, I’ve been able to photograph people like Lewis Black, Martina McBride, Rex Linn, Shirley Jones, Anthony Bourdain, Brian Regan and more.”

Beachler uses a Nikon D810 DSLR camera at work, but for his personal projects he uses a Nikon D7500.

“I used to use Canon DSLRs. I switched because using Nikon cameras over the last 11 years with Rose State has made them more comfortable to me. Canon and other brands are great, I just simply feel at home with Nikon now,” Beachler said.

Throughout Beachler’s 26 years of experience, he has learned many useful tips and wanted to give a bit of advice to beginners.

“Have fun,” he said. “Utilize your own personal imagination and creativity, and then learn how to make that image in your mind coalesce through traditional or digital means. You’ll have fun, learn more about the craft and have a final image that is uniquely you.”

To see Gregory’s photos, visit his Instagram @graysongregory.

“Have fun. Utilize your own personal imagination and creativity, and then learn how to make that image in your mind coalesce through traditional or digital means. You’ll have fun, learn more about the craft and have a final image that is uniquely you.”

-Kenneth Beachler

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado by Grayson Gregory

Downtown OKC at Night by Ken Beachler

Get to know Steve Carano: Family Man, Professor and Meteorologist

Story by Selena Williams & Photo Courtesy of Steve Carano

Geosciences Coordinator and Professor Steve Carano has taught at Rose State since 2001. He wants his students to understand the weather and not fear it, so he teaches the way he would want to be taught.

“I want an instructor that is not a robot, somebody that’s not unattainable. I don’t want to talk over my student’s head,” Carano said. “I don’t want to sound like a know-it-all, that’s not my intention. To walk in with an ascot and a pipe and they call me professor. That’s not me. It’s kind of the same way I was on the air. What you see is what you get on and off the camera.”

Carano’s Ratings:

Carano has an excellent ratings on Rate My Professor. Here is what one student had to say about his Earth Science class.

“Prof. Carano is an incredible instructor. He really is there for the benefit of his students. Show up, take notes, and you will receive an A. Lectures are very straightforward, video heavy and very interesting. Great man, great teacher.”

Carano’s Faith and Religion:

Where It All Began:

Carano’s interest in the weather began back in high school.

“Everyone knew that I was going to be a weather guy in high school and in college. They really knew, because my little 1988 Chevy Beretta looked like a porcupine. It had antennas all over it because I was always storm chasing in it.”

Carano is devout in his Christianity and considered devoting his life to the cloth.

“I thought about being a Catholic priest,” he said. “I probably would go that route if something happened to my wife. I probably wouldn’t remarry. It’s not a knock on my wife at all. That’s not what I’m saying, it’s not like marriage is a bad institution. I just don’t think I could have what I have now, again.”

Carano interned for Gary England at KWTV in the summer of 1993.

“I had gone to KOCO, I think first, and they said ‘no we don’t need an intern.’ Then I went to KFOR and they didn’t need an intern,” he said. “My thought was ‘my hopes were dashed.’ You know KWTV? I saved the best for last. I went [there] and Gary England said yes. I was floored because Gary England is known nationally; I mean, he’s known and not just in the Oklahoma community.”

Carano loved interning for KWTV and they were going to hire him, but they wanted him to gain some experience from a small station first. So, that is exactly what he did; he went to Texas KTEN, a small station in Denison, Texas and worked there for a year.

Carano had a rough time at KTEN because their team was unkind toward him, but he said that unkindness toughened him up.

“They told me I sucked, that I was never going to be anything and that I would never be in Oklahoma

City. And within a year in a half, I was,” he said.

After KTEN, Carano went on to work for KFOR for three years, then took a break for a year because of a noncompete clause. Carano’s next move was KOCO, where he worked on the weekends. He took a break from forecasting at KOCO, but will return this year.

Becoming a Professor:

He was told by KFOR’s Dan Threlkeld that Rose State was looking for somebody to teach. He went on to work for Rose State on Mondays through Thursdays.

“I thought ‘well, that sounds fun, adjunct professor, that sounds kind of cool,’” he said. “Just teach one class and see how it goes. It was like, it got in my blood and that was fun for me, and now it’s flipped - flopped. I was full-time TV weatherman and now I’m full-time professor, so you never know what is going to happen.”

Joe Carano. Interestingly enough, he is actually named after his grandfather Steve Anthony Carano.

“My dad is probably my No. 1 inspiration. I told him, if I could be half the father that he was to me I’d be OK,” he said.

Fun Facts about Carano:

Some interesting facts about Carano is that he is a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, and was a trombonist for the OU band. He loves to cook. One of his favorite meals is squirrel and potatoes. Also, he had a chance to go to the Olympics to compete in target shooting. He was so good that he could shoot the stems from underneath dandelions with a BB gun from 33 feet away.

“My dad is probably my No. 1 inspiration. I told him, if I could be half the father that he was to me, I’d be OK.”

Carano’s Favorite Television Show:

- Steve Carano

Although Carano is no longer a weatherman, he got the chance to work this past summer at KSWO, a TV station in Lawton. They had a couple of meteorologists leave and asked Carano if he could do some contract labor.

In doing this, he had to spend some time away from his family. But his 10-year-old son Sam Carano got a chance to visit his dad and see him in action.

“It may be the last time I’m ever on the air,” Carano said. “What was cool about it was I got to take my son down there. He got to see it. It gave me a bit of family time, so I wasn’t quite so home sick. I don’t know if my wife missed me a lot. She was probably glad that she got rid of me for six weeks.”

Sam Carano enjoyed his time with his father.

“I was happy because I had to wake up at 2 a.m., and then I had to wait there which was kind of fun,” he said.

Carano’s inspiration:

Steve Carano’s biggest inspiration is his father Steve

As for movies and TV shows, Carano is a fan of Star Wars and Star Trek.

“I watched the Science channel a lot. I like how the univese works on the Science channel just because it keeps me on my game here,” he said. “I got into Disney+ the other day, and I watched the Mandalorian, I’m a big Star Wars and Star Trek fan.”

As for music, he is definitely a fan of the ‘80s.

“I’m not a big rap fan. I loved The Fat Boys growing up and Run DMC. That’s about as Hip- Hop as I get,” he said.

He is a fan of classical, rock and country music.

“Merle Haggard is one of my favorites. George Jones, those old timey country guys and that’s real country for me,” Carano said. “I’m definitely an ‘80s guy. I love Def Leppard, Dokken all of the ‘80s hair bands, Cinderella, Poison and Alice Cooper. I’ve actually seen Alice Cooper four times now in concert. I don’t mind ‘70s music either. A little Bee Gees.”

Sam shared some more interesting things about his dad. While his son is excited about his dad’s storm chasing and broadcasting, to Sam his dad can be summed up in three words: “best dad ever.”

Horoscopes

ARIES

(March 21-April 19)

The year 2020 will be all about making moves for you, whether it is moving into a new home or even new job opportunities. Use your intuition to dig deeper into your problems. Learn some new skills or revisit some old ones. Don’t be hesitant to reunite with old friends or to make new ones. Start many new projects this year, but don’t forget to finish them. It is time to change old habits and create a new you.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

The new year will be all about upgrades for you. Find empowering and uplifting connections. Step back into your creative side throughout the year. Look at everything from a different angle.Open your mind to different possibilities. Face your fears, don’t let anything stop you from chasing your dreams.

by Ahmya Williams

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20)

Try to connect with different people this year. Explore different areas of life. You will come across a very valuable bargain this year. Know your worth. Be aware of someone trying to control and manipulate you. You will come to face with many financial responsibilities. It is time to start prioritizing the right things for yourself. Don’t get stuck, keep moving.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

You will face many changes in 2020. Most of these changes will be things you have been waiting for. It is time to let go of anything that is not benefitting your growth. Your inner creativity will make several appearances. Finish the big projects that you started in 2019. You will receive an abundance of prosperity in 2020.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

It is time to level up. The new year will be all about transformations for you. There will be many opportunities for you to turn your life around. Discover some of your many talents and use them for your benefit financially. Are you truly ready for a relationship or is it time to focus solely on yourself and your new journey?

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

The new year will be the time for many prominent changes for you, good and bad. These changes will help your growth tremendously. Make a list of your New Year’s resolutions and commit to them. Be fearless in 2020. Don’t be afraid to take those risks that could possibly elevate you. Declutter your life and make room for yourself to blossom. It is time to get back to your true productive self this year.

VIRGO

2020 Predictions

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You will experience many changes in 2020. These changes will make you uncomfortable and ignite your growth tremendously. You will have many opportunities for a rebirth this year. 2020 is not a good time for considering relationships; focus on yourself. It will be a good year for you to step into your entrepreneurial side and create a business. Consider all of the challenges you go through in 2020 as obstacles that you will get through to make you stronger.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

2020 is the time for you to restructure your life. It will be a busy year for you, but with amazing opportunities for growth. The universe will provide a canvas for you to fill it with your dreams and aspirations. You will be using your talents to their fullest potential to create a life you have always wanted. Don’t give up, Capricorns.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

2020 is the perfect year for you to declutter your life. You will experience many upgrades this year. It is okay to open your heart and eliminate your trust issues for a new relationship in 2020. Make a New Year’s resolution to focus solely on your priorities to create a better life for yourself. It will be very important for you to remain productive during 2020. Stay focused.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

It is time to take your power back in 2020. Do not let anyone take advantage of you. You will experience many career changes this year. It is time to make changes in your social circle and allow people to come into your life that help you be a better person. Go beyond your fears and do something different this year; you won’t regret it. It will be a very exciting year for you, Aquarius.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You will have many opportunities for growth and rebirth in all areas of life in 2020. Take advantage of the opportunities you have to network in 2020. You will make many positive changes in your life as long as you stay focused and productive throughout the year. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

It is time to manifest all of the goals and aspirations you have been wanting in 2020. You will network with many people that will uplift and take part in your growth. Declutter your life and make room for positive improvements. Take risks and step out of your comfort zone this year; you have many good changes ahead.

CAPRICORN

Rose State Around the World

Story by Leah Irwin & Photo Courtesy of Sherri Mussatto

The Global and Cultural Learning Program has been taking Rose State students and members of the community on trips all over the world for many years; 2020 will be no different.

Set for the summer of 2020, the Global and Cultural Learning Program will take a trip to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Those attending the trips can expect nine days of traveling across the country. Some of the places the program plans to visit are Galway, Bunratty Castle, Dublin, Belfast and many more locations, including Queenstown Story exhibition at the Cobh Heritage Centre, Trinity College Book of Kells, the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Titanic Shipyard, and much more.

According to the Rose State website, “these tours enable students to appreciate the values, customs and social systems of various cultures and ultimately, function more effectively as members of an increasingly multicultural society.”

“I love castles, so Blarney Castle is one of my favorite highlights,” said Sherri Mussatto, Rose State writing program administrator and professor. “We are also going to Northern Ireland this time, so I’m looking forward to that. There is a wonderful Titanic museum there since that’s where it was built. Lori Morrow [English Professor], is looking forward to Giant’s Causeway.”

The Global and Cultural Learning Program has taken many trips before this one and plans for two other trips: one to Costa Rica in the spring of 2020 and another in Spain, Portugal and Morocco in the summer of 2021.

“We try to go where students would want to go, but we also want to go on study trips that relate to curriculum. For example, a trip to Italy would relate to humanities classes, especially with a focus on the Renaissance. The Costa Rica trip coming up in March has a direct connection to science,” Mussatto said.

So far, 15 people have signed up for the trip to Ireland, but Mussatto says their trips usually range from 15 to 35 people.

While the trip costs in total $3,904, the Global and Cultural Learning Program has a payment plan set up where after paying an initial payment of $158, one can pay $936.50 each month for four months. This expense will pay for the majority of the trip, including breakfasts and dinners. The only thing those attending will be lunch and souvenirs.

“There are too many favorite memories to name. I think climbing around Mt. Vesuvius is a super memory,” Mussatto said. “Also, Toledo, Spain was a spectacular place. Morrow’s favorite memories are watching the dogs herd sheep in Ireland and watching the Flamenco dancers in Spain.”

Even if you are unable to participate in this trip, keep an eye out for the Passport Program, which holds many trips to nearby locations.

For more information on the Ireland trip, the Global and Cultural Learning Program or the Passport Program, contact Mussatto at smussatto@rose.edu or call her at 733-7503. Trip information can be found on the Global and Cultural Learning Program page on the Rose State website and clicking the Explorica link for Ireland.

Howard Creates Hope For The Future

Story & Photo by Zaviana James

Children tend to be separated from their parents for many different reasons. Child abuse, child neglect and other issues cause children to be taken away from their parents and placed into state custody. In many cases, they are put into a group home or foster care until their parents can regain custody. Many times, these children can see their parents at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services office only under supervised visits. Being under direct state supervision can make both the child and parent feel uncomfortable.

A local nonprofit organization is looking to change that by bringing families back together in a home-like environment until children can be placed back in their homes.

This particular organization is called Hope for the Future, founded by Clotiel Howard.

“HFTF provides an environment that allows families to connect safely, following their temporary separation due to allegations of abuse and/or neglect,” Howard said.

Hope For The Future serves an average of 50 children a month and has served at least 440 children since it opened in 2016.

What makes Hope For The Future so different from Child Welfare Services is that this organization has set up five visitation rooms to resemble a home living area. Also, they offer a party room so families can celebrate birthday parties. There are toys, televisions and even a kitchen located on site so children and parents can feel more accommodated.

“After a couple of visits, parents are comfortable, children are comfortable, the anger from both sides appears to cease, and visitations are a lot better,” Howard said.

The families are still supervised but by cameras, so they can feel

more comfortable than if someone were to be in the room.

“The greatest impact is when I see families interacting, laughing, talking, eating, doing homework or most importantly, when a family is ordered unsupervised visits because visitations have been going extremely well, that is the greatest impact of them all,” Howard said.

Each visit parents have with their children gets them a step closer to putting their families back together, and because children who are taken away from their families at such a young age can experience long lasting psychological effects, speed matters.

Howard, a former Court Appointed Special Advocates Training Manager for Oklahoma County, encountered a young juvenile girl who she says helped inspire Hope For The Future.

This young girl was angry and waiting for a judge when Howard asked about her five younger siblings and when she last saw them.

“She could not remember the exact time she had seen her siblings last, but she said they visited ‘in that stinky room upstairs’ and that ‘everyone always lied to her,’” Howard said.

Howard asked the girl what she wanted for her future.

“Her face filled with sadness. The girl replied with obvious remorse, ‘I don’t have a future’. I immediately responded, ‘Yes, there is always hope for the future,’’’ Howard said.

Howard is one of the many people running a non-profit in Oklahoma City, which on top of daily life and careers can tend to be a lot. Howard welcomes volunteers and donations from anyone who shares the same passion for social work as she does.

Hope For The Future has received no federal or state funding. For more information about Hope For The Future or to donate, call 535-2279.

States that have accepted and rejected expansion, by Kurykh (Wikimedia Commons), edited by Bailey Walker, licensed CC3.0

State Question 802:

Voters Decide Medicaid Expansion

Story by Bailey Walker

State Question 802’s petition signatures were submitted Oct. 24 in aims to bring Medicaid expansion to Oklahoma in a vote scheduled for Nov. 3, 2020. Medicaid expansion began in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act, and Oklahoma is one of 14 states that has refused the measure. An expansion would allow people ages 18 to 65, making under 133% of the poverty line (around $16,600), to be Medicaid-eligible in a population of about 200,000 in Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute. The federal government would foot 90% of Medicaid costs, leaving 10%

for the state to cover itself. Depending on the number of people in a given household, that income level can vary from $12,490 for an individual to $43,430 for eight people. Above that, add an extra $4,420 per person.

Supporters

Many major medical organizations in the state came out in support of the measure, citing various benefits it could bring to average Oklahomans. According to a statement from the Oklahoma Hospital Association, “Medicaid expansion will make families healthier and

our economy stronger. In addition to providing health care to nearly 200,000 hardworking Oklahomans, it will create thousands of new jobs, keep rural hospitals open, and boost our economy.”

A statement from Oklahoma Osteopathic Association showed agreement.

“In addition to Oklahoma’s health being ranked 47th in the United States, our state also has the second highest uninsured rate. We must seek out every opportunity to improve the health of Oklahomans, and providing access to insurance has been shown to improve healthcare outcomes,” according to the statement.

Other notable medical groups in support of the measure include the Oklahoma State Medical Association, Saint Francis Health System and the Oklahoma Nurses Association.

House Rep. Melissa Provenzano wrote, “For every dollar Oklahoma spends on Medicaid expansion, the Federal government will match that with $9. If you were running a business, wouldn’t you take that deal? Expanding Medicaid will provide the funding to bring critical health care jobs to our state, help keep our rural hospitals open and improve the overall health and well-being of our workforce, leading to greater productivity, less time off work and a positive economic impact for our state.”

This 1-9 ratio is cited by other supporters in the legislature including House Rep. Colin Walke and Jacob Rosecrants.

It is possible that, although these organizations and data do support the fact that more people will be insured and have better health outcomes, professionals and organizations working in this field have a financial incentive in seeing more insured people and more money invested into their services.

Opposition

There have been groups such as the American Legislative Exchange Council that publish reports claiming Medicaid expansion has actually increased prices for those who use private insurance. The argument is: as more people use the cheaper government program, insurance companies and hospitals will shift extra cost to private plan holders. Conservative organizations point to this as a reason to cut the whole program; Medicaid causes prices to be low for those who use it, and high for those who do not.

Progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez point to this as a reason to expand a government system fully, like Medicare for All, to eliminate private insurance all together and spread those low costs, similar to the UK’s National Health System which is entirely free at the point of use.

There’s only been one major organization to make a move against SQ 802, The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs - a conservative think tank. In June, the group

made a legal challenge against SQ 802, calling its ballot summary misleading. The group also called it unconstitutional as Medicaid expansion would be written into the Oklahoma constitution. And though 90% of funding is supposed to be from the federal government, the federal government may defund the program, leaving Oklahoma to fill the gap. The challenge was denied by the Oklahoma Supreme Court on June 18 this year.

Rep. Jim Olsen published an article on the matter on Aug. 19, 2019, claiming Medicaid expansion is “too good to be true.” He explained his reasoning as distrust in the federal government to continue funding the program. He also cites Health Affairs and the New England Journal of Medicine that said the majority of doctors (69%) that accept Medicaid and Medicaid recipients were six times more likely to be turned down. These are people who otherwise would not have been able to see a doctor, though Olsen omits that fact. Olsen thinks healthcare should be a “free market” so that one can shop around for cancer treatment or immediate medical emergencies. Olsen also claims that prices increase under Medicaid expansion, which is not supported by the vast majority of available data.

What Does the Data Say?

One of the largest meta-analyses available is from the Kaiser Family Foundation, which incorporated 324 studies between January 2014 and June 2019. The three main takeaways from the study were: first, that coverage of uninsured and low-income people increased, second, access to care, health outcomes and financial stability among low-income people largely improved and third, economic effects of budget saving, economic growth and employment gains were largely positive.

Medicaid expansion would disproportionately benefit rural areas, which in 2010 held about 40% of Oklahoma’s population according to census data.

Something pointed out by Jane Nelson, CEO of the Oklahoma Nurses Association, is that Medicaid expansion would bring money back into the state, “The Oklahoma Nurses Association supports returning Oklahomans’ own hard-earned federal tax dollars back to our state to provide health coverage for low-income working Oklahomans, to reduce the uninsured rate, to ease the costly burden of healthcare and to protect the health care infrastructure and the well-being of all Oklahomans,” she said.

Between insurance providers, hospital administration, government services and political obfuscation healthcare policy is incredibly complicated. If SQ 802 passes, like most policies, it is going to require monitoring and backup plans in case federal funding falls through. The benefits are clear and proven, and the drawback of federal funding is a real concern. Whether an emergency funding plan is cooked up or not is up to policy makers, while Medicaid expansion is up to the voters.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

by Ahmya Williams

Ingredients:

• 10 slices of diced cooked bacon

• 3 cups of chicken broth

• 2 pounds of potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 diced medium yellow onion

• 6 minced garlic cloves

• 1 tbsp dried parsley

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour

• 12 ounces of half-and-half heavy cream

• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• ½ cup sour cream

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional toppings: chives, bacon, shredded cheddar

Directions:

1. Add diced potatoes, diced onion, minced garlic, bacon, parsley and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 6-8 hours on low or for 3-4 hours on high until potatoes are tender.

2. Once the soup has cooked, add butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat and melt. Whisk in the flour until completely combined and gradually add in the heavy cream. Whisk the flour mixture until smooth. With the heat on the lowest stove setting, let the mixture cook until it starts to simmer and gets thicker. Stir occasionally.

3. Immediately add the cream-flour mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine.

4. Using a potato masher, mash about 3/4 of the potatoes. Make sure to leave some potato chunks.

5. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. Stir well, until fully combined and creamy. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Continue cooking the soup on low for 30 minutes or on high for 15 minutes.

* Soup can be refrigerated for up to three days.

Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Cups

by Ahmya Williams

Ingredients:

• Snickderdoodle cookie mix

• 1 egg

• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted melted butter

• Apple pie filling

• Cinnamon and sugar mixture

Directions:

1. Follow the directions on the snickerdoodle cookie mix package to make the dough.

2. Using a tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the dough. Roll each ball in the cinnamon/sugar mixture and then place each ball into a well-greased muffin pan.

3. Follow baking instructions on package.

4. Immediately after removing from the oven, make an indention in the top of each cookie by pressing the back of a tablespoon into each cookie cup.

5. After cooling for 3-5 minutes, use a knife to gently pop out each cookie cup and then place on a wire rack to cool.

6. Prepare apple pie filling by chopping up the apples in the filling into small pieces. Cook apple pie filling on low for about 7 minutes in saucepan.

7. Put a tablespoon scoop of pie filling into each of the cookie cups. If desired, sprinkle some of the remaining cinnamon/ sugar mixture on the top of the pie filling.

Remember When?

Events of the Decade:

Remember When?

Trends of the Decade:

Osama Bin Laden Assassination

Boston Marathon Bombing

Same-Sex Marriage Legalized

Gulf Oil Spill

End of the World

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Disappeared

Donald Trump Elected for President

Wuhan Coronavirus

What you need to know

The Wuhan coronavirus has spread all throughout the world, infecting about 9,800 and killing 213 people, according to the New York Times. Here are some tips on how to stay safe.

The symptoms:

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the new virus can cause symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some experts think it may be possible for the virus to be transmitted by infected individuals who are not showing any symptoms at all; the question is still being researched.

Prevention methods:

• Wear an N95 respirator mask, which costs $27. These respirators are designed to fit tightly around the nose and mouth, and, when worn correctly, block out at least 95% of small airborne particles, according to the CDC.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Random facts about the Wuhan coronavirus:

• The outbreak began in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people.

• It takes 24 to 36 hours to get test results back.

• You may not know if you have the virus.

• The virus is airborne; it could be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

• Chinese scientists have linked the disease to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses, which include the deadly SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome.