HB 1269: Record-breaking release of inmates
Story and Photo by Bailey Walker Senior Editor
Over 450 people were released for nonviolent drug offenses after the commutation of 527 sentences Nov. 4. According to Oklahoma Policy Institute data on annual cost of incarceration, this release could save the state upwards of $7,423,650.
Legislators and residents of Oklahoma have been trying to control the state’s sky-high incarcerated population. House Bill 1269 is the latest step in that journey.
HB 1269 makes the effects of State Question 780 retroactive, reducing sentences for felony drug possession and allowing the opportunity for those released to expunge their records. The bill received overwhelming support, passing in the House 76 to 22, and the Senate 37 to 5 and took effect Nov. 1.
Criminal justice reform has been a major focus for Oklahomans even before the passage of SQ 780, which reclassified sim-
ple drug possession and minor property theft as misdemeanors. Oklahoma had the highest incarceration rate not only in the country but in the world, incarcerating around 1,000 people per capita. Oklahoma’s rate was nearly twice that of the national average and surpassed that of Russia, Brazil, Turkey and India combined, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
Though the incarcerated population has been declining for three years due to action from activists and legislators, the title of top incarcerator in the world still haunted Oklahoma. That was up until the largest commutation of sentences in the nation’s history.
Opposition
Largely, groups directly operating under the criminal justice system opposed SQ 780, including the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and several district attorneys. OACP did not respond to a request for comment.
“I am very supportive of criminal justice reform, but I am
not supportive of decriminalizing drugs and doing nothing to address drug addictions,” said Oklahoma Rep. Justin Humphrey who voted no on HB 1269. “We are creating a cycle of multiple misdemeanor cases that eventually will result in a felony. We are turning people loose with no real supervision or tools to change behavior. Want to see the results of this kind of criminal justice reform? Look at the West Coast.”
Looking to the West Coast, California passed two dozen criminal justice reform bills recently. California will end mandatory sentencing, stop using facial recognition software in body cameras, speed up rape kit processing, provide automatic record expungement for low level offenses, allow former felons to serve on juries, with a pre-trial diversion program for primary caregivers of children so they do not end up in jail and more.
State Rep. Jim Olsen, another no vote on HB 1269, had a vague, ideological take.
“When someone commits a
crime, they are liable for all of the consequences of that crime,” Olsen said. “If somebody doesn’t like the consequences of a crime, then they should not commit the crime. For the protection of the community, and of potential employers, people are entitled to know a person’s past record. Only in unusual or exceptional circumstances, should a record be expunged.”
Effects
The expungement process is not automatic and not free as in the California reforms. It costs around $300 to fill out the proper paperwork for the process. More fees are charged for further steps in the process, including paying court debts before starting the process, gathering case history, obtaining legal counsel and paying for final expungement documents, all of which have varying costs depending on one’s situation. This means that a certain number of people will be priced out of this opportunity, helping to sustain being trapped in having access only to lower income jobs.
To ease the process for new releases, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections held transition fairs at two facilities, the Eddie Warrior and Jess Dunn correctional facilities, with plans to hold more at other facilities. These transition fairs were set up to help new releases reintegrate into the public by, according to Fox 25, connecting people to organizations that help with housing, transportation, employment, mentoring, health care, mental health care and other resources offenders need after release.
The state is estimated to save more than $7 million over the next year after this first round of commutations, with more savings from people spending less time incarcerated. Oklahoma is demonstrating a pattern of willingness to grapple with mass incarceration and criminal justice reform. These moves will free up funding for state functions and improve the lives of those affected by the criminal justice system.
House Bill 1269 released more than 450 incarcerated individuals Nov. 4.
Campus Chat
“What is your favorite Thanksgiving meal side?”
Shaye Stuart
Major: Physical Therapy
“Mashed potatoes with brown gravy”
Marissa Casey
Major: General Studies
“Apple pie”
Chris Manning
Major: Electrical Engineering
“Bread rolls”
Raider Rundown
by Tanner Pipins Editor-in-Chief
Rose State is providing students with the opportunity to go by their preferred name on Canvas. This addition is to benefit both students and faculty alike. As many people prefer to go by their nickname, middle name or even are in the process of changing their name, this adjustment will accommodate those circumstances.
To avoid confusion, Canvas will display both names in most places and allow faculty and instructors to see both names
in all cases. However, in peerto-peer areas like the discussion board, only the preferred name will be displayed.
Students who wish to use a preferred name will need to submit an eLearning Helpdesk Ticket. From there, the help desk will assist in updating student information. Additionally, all preferred names will be added and approved in a timely manner at the discretion of Rose State.
As of Nov. 1, Oklahomans can carry firearms in public without a license. Concealed or unconcealed, Rose State College’s policy does not allow firearms on its premises. All guns must be left in a locked vehicle and must remain there until it is off the campus grounds. Law enforcement officials are the only individuals allowed to carry while on campus unless written permission has been obtained from Rose State College’s president. This policy is to ensure the safety of our students and faculty.
The law allows most people over the age of 21 to carry a gun without having gone through a
background check or training requirements. Oklahoma is now among 15 other states in the U.S. to legalize permitless carry. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill into law in February. Petitions had been circulating in hopes to postpone the law from going into effect until a later date. The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed those requests.
However as for Rose State, there will be no firearms allowed on campus.
If there are any questions in regard to this policy, please contact the office of Safety, Security and Risk Management.
Veterans Day: A one-on-one with Rose State’s own American Hero
Story by Camryn Sturgill Features Editor
Veterans Day is a day of remembrance, a day dedicated to all U.S. military veterans, past and present. On Nov. 11, Rose State and the surrounding community honored those who have served, are serving and will serve the United States.
Lance Newbold, Rose State vice president for Student Affairs, served in the U.S. Army for 26 years.
“I went in right after I graduated from college in 1985,” he said.
Newbold went through a program called Officer Candidate School after receiving his bachelor’s degree.
“I was attending a very small liberal arts school in Iowa, and I had a lot of older friends who were graduating when I was a junior,” he said. “I saw them go through the job hunt, and I saw the jobs that they were getting. I said to myself, ‘Man, there has to be something else. The stuff they are going to do is not what I want to do.’”
Even though Newbold’s peers seemed to be happy following an already paved road, he wanted something different for himself. Newbold’s best friend was attending the University of Northern Iowa and was in the ROTC program there.
“He said to me, ‘Well, you know the Army will take you after you have a bachelor’s degree and you can go to their Officer Candidate School and become an officer that way,’” Newbold said. “So the summer before my senior year, I started the process. It was like New Year’s Eve of 1984 when they said they would accept me contingent upon me finishing my bachelor’s degree.”
According to Today’s Military, there are three types of people who attend OCS. They include “graduates from a traditional four-year college or university, enlisted service members transitioning into officer roles and Direct Commission Officers with specialized skills or professional degrees.”
Military subjects, leadership skills and physical education are all taught in OCS; however, the duration and type of training may vary.
In the 26 years Newbold served, he held many official titles, but he retired as a lieutenant colonel.
“That’s what’s really cool about
the Army,” Newbold said. “You can do a variety of different things. Everything from being an instructor in Army schools to being a commander to being a staff officer. You just move through all of these positions.”
Rose State President Dr. Jeanie Webb spoke highly of Newbold and his leadership and character.
“I knew the minute we hired him that he was an extraordinary leader,” Webb said. “Lance Newbold has sacrificed for his country and served in the United States Army as an officer. He truly demonstrates his leadership through strength, honor, dedication and loyalty. Any task given will be completed with great success. I could not be more proud to have Lance as part of the Rose family and team. It is my good fortunate to work with a great person with outstanding character.”
However, the people he met and experiences he received while in the armed forces seem to be what captivated him.
“There are so many great moments when I think back about all the places I went and all the people I got to meet,” he said. “That’s really the best thing about the Army.”
While meeting new people, seeing new places and having new experiences was a driving force for Newbold, a lot of media coverage of veterans addresses mental or physical health upon returning stateside, but Newbold said not every veteran is the same and should not be stereotyped.
“There’s no such thing as a typical veteran,” said Newbold. “Obviously, there are some veterans who have had experiences and they struggle when they come back. For some of them it’s physical and for some of them it’s emotional. When we send our young men and women into combat zones, they see things; sometimes they are a part of things. That change their lives.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “More than 1.7 million Veterans received treatment in a VA mental health specialty program in fiscal year 2018.”
VA provides services for veterans, including health care, rehabilitation, employment assistance and education assistance. The goal of VA mental health care is to support veterans who have undergone
traumatic events and experience mental health issues because of those events.
Another obstacle military families experience is that of deployment.
“I spent a year in Korea by myself, without any family,” Newbold said. “I spent seven months in Kuwait and a year in Iraq. I had a wife and kids at home, so I missed birthdays and that’s difficult.”
While Newbold discussed the difficulties of being deployed, he also said treating veterans too delicately can be detrimental to their readjustment.
“I mean, as a soldier, you go off and you leave your husband or wife and then you leave your kids. Then there’s a year of that you’re not a part of,” Newbold said. “It changes things. Having said that, the vast majority of us are not damaged goods. We are not people that have to be treated differently, you know? I would say respect veterans, but don’t treat them as if they are emotionally fragile. Don’t treat them as if they are damaged.”
Deployments can be challenging to more than just the individual enlisted. According to USO. org, the average deployment is between six to 18 months, with spouses missing birthdays, holidays and births.
“It’s easier for our military folks to deploy and go do things,” Newbold said. “I mean, in essence, I go with a bunch of guys that I love, to go do something that I have trained for and while I’m deployed, I’m just worried about taking care of the mission. Meanwhile, spouses are back at home trying to raise kids and trying to make
things as normal as possible for the kids. That is a far harder job. I always want to give my shoutout to the military spouses who hold these families together while their service members go off and do what the government wants them to do.”
Veterans Day is a time the U.S. has dedicated to recognizing members of the military community for their service. However, Newbold said sometimes it can be forgotten.
“Unfortunately, Veterans Day is not one of those federal holidays that most businesses and schools close for,” he said. “I think sometimes Veterans Day gets lost in the shuffle because it’s not the Fourth of July or Memorial Day, you know, days that everybody looks forward to.”
For those interested in showing their appreciation to active military, the HUGS Project is an Oklahoma-based non-profit dedicated to creating care packages year-round for those currently deployed. Individuals can donate or volunteer by visiting thehugsproject.com.
For Rose State student veterans, there is an organization dedicated to them.
“There is a Student Veteran Organization that is on the books in our Student Engagement Office,” Newbold said. “It has not been active for a number of years. We have struggled to find student veterans who are interested, but that would be a great thing if we could get that organization stood back up.”
For more information regarding services and outlets for veterans, visit www.va.org.
Photo courtesy of Lance Newbold
Black Student Association: Excellence in the making
Story and Photos by Selena Williams Assistant Editor
According to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, the most recent statistics show nationwide college graduation rate for black students stands at an appallingly low rate of 44%. This figure is 19% below the 63% rate for white students. However, there is positive news. Over the past four years, the black student graduation rate has improved by 5%.
As of 2019, Black Student Association had 45 members that are active in their organization.
Rose State BSA President Taniah Herron had a message for students who want to join.
“I want students to know the Black Student Association is an organization where minorities can come and feel comfortable,” Herron said. “Students that join can feel united in the fact that others can relate to them and what they have been through.”
Because most colleges and universities are predominantly of white descent, BSA is an organization where students can share common ground. Herron explained why.
“Students will know that they are not alone, even if they are the only black or brown student in their classroom,” she said. “They will know that their presence is appreciated.”
Herron added that most minorities at Rose State are first generation college students who come from urban neighborhoods, and she thinks BSA is where they can come together, voice their concerns and uplift one another.
Even though BSA represents minorities, all races are welcome to join. BSA Vice President Aleah Walker explained why.
“Students of all ethnicities can join. We know that most people may not feel comfortable in a predominantly white space or a predominantly black space,” Walker said. “But those people really need to experience a new culture and that is why BSA is for everyone.”
BSA offers its members moments that may only come once in a lifetime. Herron has had the chance to meet some prestigious people. She explained how growing up she could not believe no one told her that there were so many black leaders within the community.
She was never told there were black chambers of commerce, she would have never had a personal connection with them, but because she is a part of BSA, she is able to reach out to them. Herron explained how BSA gave her the courage to recognize her full potential.
“I’ve learned how to overcome my fears like public speaking. It pushed me out of my com-
fort zone,” she said. “It’s almost like makeup. Makeup does not change your face, it enhances it. So, that’s what BSA does. It enhances the abilities that you already have, it takes you through a perfection process, so when you do go to a university you already have those skills.”
A person might ask, what skills? BSA teaches students how to write professional emails and conduct meetings. It also teaches students leadership skills, organization skills, how to put their ideas into action and how to organize events.
Both the president and vice president of BSA have goals that they are planning to reach. Their organization’s goal for this year is to reach out to the community around them and show people why they should join BSA. A substantial goal for them this year would be to give back to students on and off campus.
“[We] want children and teenagers to see us because they probably have never seen a college student before,” Herron said. “And seeing us could inspire them to attend college.”
BSA looks out for students and creates an environment in which they can feel comfortable.
Walker makes sure the organization maintains its charitable spirit.
“[We] want to diversify and make our organization different than the others,” she said.
“I would like to organize a BSA citywide clean up and maybe host a few giveaways to give back to the students who support our club,” Walker said. “Also, [we] want to build BSA so when we’re gone we can pass the torch and still do what we set out to do.”
BSA meetings are held at 2:30 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month in the University Center, Room 203.
March 26, 2020: Black, Brown College Bound conference from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Professional Training Education Center
For more information about joining the Black Student Association, contact Adviser Terrance Grayson at tgrayson@ rose.edu.
Club President: Taniah Herron at taniah-herron@raider.rose.edu
Club Vice President: Aleah Walker at aleah-walker@raider.rose.edu
Black Student Association Instagram: RosestateBSA
BSA President Taniah Herron
BSA Vice President Aleah Walker
Story by Caleb Betterton
Testing the waters: Rose State Swim team dives into first season
provided by Kenneth Beachler Sports Editor
The Rose State Swim Team has started its first year as an official program.
Rose State swimmer Kara Carel said it’s “very exciting and a big responsibility” being on the first swim team.
For several years, Rose State had a swimming club. It is because of their success Rose decided to create an official team under the National Junior College Athletic Association.
“It’s a challenge,” said Swimming Head Coach Josh Everett.
Because this is a brand new program at Rose State, one of the things Everett is facing outside of the pool is getting the word out to potential swimmers who might be interested in attending Rose State to swim, as well as those on campus and in the community who may be interested in supporting the program.
Since this is the team’s first year, it is more focused on cutting times than scoring high. This is because times will
determine if individuals and teams make it to nationals.
They are also using this year’s swim meets as an opportunity to grow as a team and learn the strategies they want to implement, as well as learn their strengths and weaknesses and gain experience.
One of the unique traits about swimming is that it is not only an individual sport, but also a team sport. This allows
Thanksgiving
them to set goals for the team, as well as for the individual. It also allows them to view meets in a different way. If the team does not score well, but one or two individuals have qualifying times, it can still make for a good meet, especially for a smaller team.
With this being the first season, the expectations are different because there is nothing in which to compare it.
They cannot look back at last season and say they need to do better in specific areas because they are setting the bar as they go and figuring out what they bring to the table as the season progresses.
All swim meets are open to the public and are free for students, faculty and staff.
For more information and a schedule, visit rscraiders.com/ sports/swimming.
in The Village
Story by Leah Irwin Multimedia Editor
Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for what one has and to spend time with others. For some Rose State students it is a bit more complicated than that. However, Director of Residence Life Alyssa Loveless and her mother have an answer for that. In college, it is common for
students to stay on campus instead of heading home or spending time with family for the holidays. Some students are unable to find the means to return home. Others may not have one to which they can return. At Rose State, no one has to be alone during Thanksgiving dinner.
Starting in 2015, when The Village housing first opened,
Loveless and her mother, Becky Loveless, began a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day for the residents of The Village. During the dinner, those who attend can watch a football game, play board games and, of course, have dinner cooked by Becky Loveless.
This year, the dinner will start at noon Thanksgiving day in the clubhouse. Anyone can attend
Did you know ...
Female turkeys do not gobble.
The average turkey can run up to 25 mph.
Benjamin Franklin believed the turkey was a more respectable bird than the bald eagle.
the homemade meal.
Those interested in attending the dinner are asked to RSVP in advance, but if someone is unable to they are still welcome to join the dinner.
The Village also hosts a Thanksgiving meal a week before for all its residents.
For information regarding the meals, contact Loveless at aloveless@rose.edu.
Turkeys have two stomachs.
Baby turkeys are called “poults.”
Turkeys have almost become extinct on multiple occasions. Now there is estimated to be over 7 million in the U.S.
Photo
Swimming officially becomes a recognized Rose State sport.
Horoscopes
ARIES
(March 21-April 19)
It is time to end the cycle, Aries. Try to avoid beginning new important projects and focus on completing current ones. Learn something new this month, and share it with others. There will be many new opportunities and beginnings for you soon. Accept them cautiously. Enjoy the new opportunities and positive energy entering your life this month; you deserve it.
CANCER
(June 21-July 22)
Analyze yourself intensely this month. What changes do you need to make to create a more positive outlook on life? This is a great month for volunteering your services to others. Looking into new job opportunities or expanding your career this month will be very beneficial. You have many new blessings on their way. Are you ready to receive them?
by Ahmya Williams Co-Editor in Chief
TAURUS
(April 20-May 20)
Try practicing an abundance of self care this month. Do not be afraid to take risks and demand what you want. You deserve more positive changes in life, but it is only up to you to allow this to happen. Identify what has been keeping you stuck in a rut, and get rid of it.
LEO
(July 23-Aug. 22)
Rethink your home and family environment. Is it time to leave the nest? It is essential for you to declutter your home at this time. Discover your true passions this month and incorporate it into your daily life. Deception will reveal itself soon; be cautious.
(May 21-June 20)
This is the month of completions for you. Complete anything you have started or have been procrastinating. You will be very busy this month. Do not neglect your health while you are juggling your busy schedule. Creating a consistent disciplined diet and exercise regimen this month will be significant for you. Monetary opportunities will be persistent this month, but be cautious of how you accept them.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
New beginnings will present themselves this month. Networking this month will be beneficial for you. How can you improve the way you communicate? This is a good time to beautify your surroundings; find a way to make at least one area of your home luxurious. This is a wonderful time for you to publish some of your work.
GEMINI
What do the stars have to say?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Be proactive. You are ready to make some big changes this month. Analyze your priorities. Are they right? Do not be hesitant to network this month. It will benefit you tremendously. You are ready to make new friends; do not be afraid to do so.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Happy birthday, Scorpios. You are in for many endings and beginnings this month. Your rebirth will be a wonderful time for you to reinvent and reassess yourself. It is time to make some major changes. Treat yourself this month. Create more sources of income, but do not overwhelm yourself. Think about what is really important to you and prioritize it.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Your renewal is coming soon. What is a bigger plan that you want for yourself? Discover more passions this month. Bring more creativity and fun into your life to create an escape from your responsibilities. Let go of your past traumas; they are holding you back. Positive changes are ahead.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
How can you improve your communication skills? Become more proactive this month. Create a list of goals for yourself. Your love life will improve this month as you will meet someone new, or you and your partner’s bond will become stronger. New money opportunities will present themselves. Accept them cautiously.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Happy Birthday. Life has been chaotic for you lately. Are you having enough peaceful time alone? Your renewal is coming soon; prepare yourself for it. Trust your journey. You are capable of more than you think. Be aware of getting rid of any daily tensions. Do not allow anything to remain stagnant.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
What’s really important to you? The change you want is coming soon; you have to accept it and be ready for it. Your growth is coming. It is time to prepare for it. Create better study habits as the end of the semester is approaching us soon. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. You are not in competition with anyone but yourself; focus on your growth.
Wrestling with gender in the workplace: The invisible barrier that affects women’s success
Story & Illustration by Selena Williams Assistant Editor
Equal pay, treatment and job promotions are what all women want from their careers. But most women are kept from reaching their full potential in the workplace because of the glass ceiling.
The glass ceiling is an unofficially acknowledged barrier in advancement within a profession, especially affecting women and members of minority groups.
Rose State Sociology Professor Tara Hall explained why this metaphor keeps a given demographic from rising beyond a certain level.
“What you have with women is a glass ceiling, an invisible barrier like a ceiling, and it doesn’t matter what their qualifications are or how many hours they put in; all things equal, they are more likely to be held at a certain level in companies,” Hall said. “It’s something that keeps them from their career rising any more.”
Most men are put in higher positions because of the glass escalator. The glass escalator describes the differences in upward advancement between men and women in the workplace, particularly those workplaces that are female-dominated. Hall explained in more depth what this means.
“What you have for men is the exact opposite,” Hall said.
“They have a glass escalator, so if they go into predominantly female fields, what you’ll see is it’s like an escalator, you jump on, fast track to the top. So, men that go into predominantly female fields like teaching, they are often fast tracked to principal, administration and the superintendent’s office something up the ladder.”
Explaining why these metaphors affect most women is to evaluate the thought process of these male-dominated compa -
for maternity leave and then when they have parent teacher conferences and field trips. So, they assume that she’s going to take time off all of these times and disconnect from her career.”
Rose Sate President, Dr. Jeanie Webb managed a home life as well as work life. She did not experience statistical discrimination, and she thinks everyone has an opportunity to reach the position they desire. It all depends on what a person
“Regardless of a maledominated field or not, it all boils down to how hard you are willing to work.” - Dr. Webb
nies. Hall said this process is called statistical discrimination and it is the idea that employers treat all women as if they will behave like
Hall explained statistical discrimination in more detail.
“Employers assume that when a woman reaches a certain age, she’s going to get married, and when she gets married, she’s going to have children,” Hall said. “And when she has those children, she’s going to need to take time off
is willing to sacrifice.
“Top level jobs mean you are responsible 24 hours a day,”
Webb said. “Regardless of a male dominated field or not, it all boils down to how hard you are willing to work. Leadership is not easy and requires total dedication. It is my hope that the best person always receives the job.”
Webb thinks having a family makes it more difficult to succeed, but she said a person must have a family that is un -
derstanding and unselfish.
“Having a family can help you understand and sometimes be more caring toward others who experience difficulty in trying to perform work and family responsibilities,” she said. “I have always believed my family was a positive attribute and helped me stay grounded and have never felt any type of discrimination.”
Webb thinks working at Rose State is all about team and family. She credited this as to why she has had a great experience in her career.
So, it does not matter if a person is a man or woman, they should pursue whatever career their heart desires, regardless if that field is dominated by men or women.
Hall gave some words of encouragement.
“I always tell my students to think about how much harder they work on something they’re interested in,” Hall said. “Whether it’s school or something extra curricular, if you have a passion for it, you push yourself further, you enjoy it more. Same is true for work. Just because you are a woman doesn’t mean you have to be pigeonholed into a job. Do what you want.”
“And the same for men, just because it’s a man doesn’t mean he has to go to work in construction, oil field or mechanics. Be what they want to be and they’ll be more passionate about it.”
Black Friday: Money and Mayhem
Story & Photo by Camryn Sturgill Features Editor
The day after Thanksgiving is most well-known as “Black Friday,” a day when shoppers from many different countries gather to find the best deals on the hottest new items.
Thanksgiving is on Thursday, Nov. 28 this year, which means Black Friday officially begins on Friday, Nov. 29. The deals, however, are expected to start much earlier than that. In fact, Amazon is already offering deals on numerous electronics, including the Kindle Paperwhite, Nintendo Switch and Apple Watch Series 3.
Walmart is a huge competitor in the Black Friday scene. Walmart’s website assures customers that, just like last year, released its Black Friday ad Nov. 8. The store also released a toy and book list a few weeks before the release of the official ad.
Walmart plans to begin the sale at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving; however, the sales will run on Walmart’s website all day. The online sale begins 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Prices are valid through Friday, Nov. 29,
while supplies last.
Some other stores participating in Black Friday sales include Target, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Kohl’s and Ulta. All of the listed participating stores are located in Midwest City and close to Rose State’s campus.
Shelby Murphy, a Rose State psychology major, only takes
advantage of Black Friday sales occasionally.
“I’ve been a few times, mostly to get bigger Christmas presents for a cheaper price,” Murphy said. “I normally do Cyber Monday instead to stay away from all the people.”
Murphy said she finds the timing of Black Friday to be ironic.
“I think Black Friday is kind of silly, especially because it happens the day after we are supposed to be thankful for what we have,” she said.
However, some students enjoy the opportunity to take advantage of some of the discounted prices.
Bailee Powell, a Rose State liberal arts major, said she loves finding great items at affordable prices.
“I love the fact that there are great deals, but the chaos is fun too,” Powell said.
Although Powell does not have a lot of experience going Black Friday shopping, she does remember going once with her mom.
“I have been one time with my mom when I was younger, and we got a lot of good things for cheap, but the parking lots were definitely full,” Powell said. “This year, I am looking for deals on clothes and laptops mostly. Those are the things I need the most right now.”
No matter how much one likes to save money, in-store or online, Black Friday can be an effective way to knock out that Christmas list while saving money on new items.
A look inside Pumpkinville 2019
Story by Sam Royka Staff Writer
Signs reading “Welcome to Pumpkinville” were immediately visible if you were anywhere near the Myriad Botanical Gardens this October. Face-painting, glitter, henna and many more activities were available in the Children’s Garden.
The event ended Sunday, Oct. 27, just four days before Halloween.
The fall carnival event offered several activities for guests to enjoy.
Children and adults alike were seen painting pumpkins. More than 16,000 individual pumpkins were used to build the vintage fall carnival-themed garden.
Inside the gates at Pumpkinville, Mo’s Carousel played Halloween hits that delighted children riding ponies, unicorns and other carousel creatures.
Inside Pumpkinville, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was heard
from the carousel, as was children’s laughter echoed throughout the park and the quiet hiss of the sprinkler system.
Colorful and unique pumpkins and gourds were stacked.
Photographers with telephoto lenses leaned over the 3-foot orange picket fence to get shots of the beautiful and seasonal harvest squash.
On Saturdays and Sundays, visitors to the Gardens also
enjoyed riding the Pumpkinville Express Train.
Leslie Spears, director of marketing and public relations for the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Scissortail Park, reflected on the event
“We’re coming down the homestretch of the final week for Pumpkinville,” she said. “It’s been, I believe, the best year yet. We’ve got loads of photos.”
The Gardens’ next festival
was the Dia de Los Muertos event held Nov. 2.
Marissa Raglin, director of public events at the Myriad Gardens, said the event included food trucks, flower crafts, marigolds for purchase and a showing of Disney-Pixar’s “Coco” on the Devon Lawn. More information about upcoming events can be found at oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com.
Black Friday deals: Customers shop until they drop.
Story by Selena Williams Assistant Editor
“Raising Dion”
Netflix Original Series
Created by Carol Barbee Cast: Alisha Wainwright, Michael B. Jordan, Jason Ritter, Ja’Siah Young
What would you do if you found out your child had superpowers?
Well, if you are anything like Alisha Wainwright’s character, Nicole, you are going to have some hardships.
Nicole is a widowed mom trying to raise her son, Dion, who has superhuman powers, while investigating her late husband, Mark’s (Michael B. Jordan) death.
Spoiler Alert:
She ends up finding some interesting information about her husband as the show progresses and discovers that her son’s powers did not just come out of nowhere. They were inherited and passed down from her husband.
Rewind to a few years earlier, Mark was a scientist who worked for a scientific research company called BIONA. He ended up going on a research trip to Iceland with a few people, including his best friend and assistant, Pat (Jason Ritter). Everyone who attended the trip to Iceland got caught up in the middle of a meteor shower, which gave them all super natural powers.
A couple of years later, Mark is figuring out how to control his powers, whilst keeping it a secret from his wife Nicole and their son Dion. Mark goes on a mission to track down anyone that contracted powers from the Iceland trip. He finds one woman and on the
Selena Screens It
same day he finds her, he winds up drowning trying to save her from a storm.
Fast forward a few years later, the same storm that took Mark is now after his son, Dion. Dion calls the storm the crooked man. This storm searches for people with powers and consumes them in order to survive.
You will have to watch the entire series to find out more. Raising Dion is a wonderful sci-fi, family friendly series that will not disappoint its viewers. It was filled with amazing CGI, from floating Froot Loops to flying toys, but that’s not all. It also has a profound story line. I highly recommend this series to anyone that likes superheroes.
“Countdown” Director: Justin Dec Cast: Elizabeth Lail, Jordan Calloway, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Peter Facinelli, Tichina Arnold
Spoiler Alert: Have you ever wondered when you are going to die? What if you could download an app on your phone that gave you the exact day, down to the very last minute?
Elizabeth Lail’s character, Quinn Harris, did not believe an app could determine her death, but out of pure curiosity she downloaded the app to see if all of the hype was true.
As it turned out, it was. As
Quinn’s day of death gets closer, she avoids going places that are unsafe, but in doing so she breaks the app’s terms and conditions because she steps in the way of her own fate. She begins to see a demon-like creature. This creature is sent to torture her until she takes her last breath.
To reverse what she has done, she buys a new phone to get rid of the app completely, but the app reappears out of nowhere.
In the midst of all this, she encounters Jordan Calloway’s character, Matt Monroe, who is dealing with the same situation. They go to a priest to see if he could help solve their problems. The priest comes to a conclusion that the app was a curse.
While all of this is taking place, Quinn discovers her little sister also downloaded the app and has less time than she does. So, now she has to worry about saving her sister. The three of them confide to the priest and hope to live another day.
To find out what happens next, you have to see for yourself. This movie is full of jump scares that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat. I give the director and crew a thumbs up. It will not disappoint you.
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