The Bison - Vol. 89, No. 18

How concerned are you?

How concerned are you?

Students & the NSA

by Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols editor-in-chief

Alexis Hosticka news editor

Harding students’ overall opinion of the National Security Agency is negatively correlated to how close the same students followed news about the NSA, according to a recent survey conducted by the Bison.

This means the more informed a student is about the NSA’s surveillance practices, the more likely that student is to have an unfavorable opinion about the NSA.

The plurality of students – 33 percent of the 157 asked – said they followed the news of the NSA “not too closely.” Still, 44.6 percent said they were “somewhat concerned”about the collection and use of personal information, but 50 percent said their opinion about the NSA was “mostly favorable.”

In June of 2013, the Guardian reported the scale of the NSA surveillance practices when it released a Verizon court order that revealed the NSA was collecting call data from millions of Verizon’s U.S. customers. Additionally, the NSA spied on heads of state, such as Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.The NSA’s surveillance practices opened a discussion about mass data collection by both the government and tech and marketing companies. In March, the New York Times reported that the Obama administration was preparing a proposal that would end some of the surveillance practices that citizens found the most disturbing. Under the proposal, the NSA would end its systematic data collection and require permission from a judge to obtain specific records from phone companies.

“I think that the government should have authority, but they shouldn’t have that much hidden control,” Alexis Sheets, junior business management major, said. “The government should be sitting behind glass doors, so we, the people, are able to see what they’re doing and how they’re functioning.”

Lori Klein, assistant professor of political science, said she does not think people are fully informed of what is going on with the NSA.

“I don’t think people have taken into account the very negative effect that it’s had,” Klein said.

In addition to concerns about personal privacy, both Klein and sophomore marketing major Kelby Czerwonka said they were concerned about foreign policy implications of NSA surveillance practices.

“Domestically, I see we’re all citizens, and we want to be safe, but internationally is where we may have crossed the line,” Czerwonka said. “Looking at the fact that we’re spying on other countries who we say we’re allies with could lead to some major repercussions that we see in the future.”

Klein said she has mentioned the topic of the NSA in several of her classes, both lower- and upper-level political science courses. However,

she said she thinks students “don’t feel informed enough to speak up and don’t feel infuriated enough to get informed.”

Instead,Klein said,students are losing interest and trust in their government.

“The fact that the government has been using our information for whatever they are doing makes me very insecure and untrusting of them,” Julia Ervin, senior business management major, said. “I don’t like the thought of the people for the government. I like the government for the people, so I think they lost a lot with a lot of people when that happened.”

Ervin said her overall distrust of the government has steered her away from traditional political parties, a trend that can be seen in the research. Overall, students who identified as libertarian reported following the news of the NSA more closely than any other political group.

Still, Klein said she thinks the system is not broken and students can still engage and affect change. Klein and Ervin both emphasized the importance of being informed and watching legislation in Congress.

“Those are the kind of voices that still get heard, so be that voice,” Klein said.

Project bonds three majors for creative collaboration

by Holly Bohnett asst. web editor

Senior marketing students teamed up with senior graphic design and junior interior design students for a branding show on display April 17-24, culminating in a reception Saturday, April 19.

Four groups were given the task of creating a restaurant brand inspired by the work of a selected artist.

The restaurant titled “Esse” was inspired by artist Eva Hesse, “Veer,” by artist Sean Scully, “Era,” by artist Joan Mitchell and “Foxtrot,” by artist Charles Robertson. The groups were instructed to base their brand on a specific piece by the artist, a color scheme found in a piece or something from the artist’s life. This was a semester-long project that allowed students from all three majors to collaborate with one another and create one unified final product.

Senior marketing major Emily Davis was a part of the group that branded the restaurant called “Veer.” Each group had a different focus and theme.

“Our brand is unique because we focused on giving customers a dining experience that encompasses their interests like community, art, music and fresh food,” Davis said. “Our brand is a mere reflection of its customers.”

Davis said she enjoyed learning about the different roles each student had in the project.

Senior interior design major Gabrielle Rowden was a part of the group that branded “Era.” Rowden said she learned a valuable lesson in the branding project process.

“I learned the importance of communication when working within a team or group,” Rowden said. “In this project, we were all in it together. Even though we were all doing things specific to our field of study,

we had to collaborate with the others to make sure we were still ‘on brand.’ ”

“Era” is based on Joan Mitchell, an abstract expressionist painter, so the group chose a contemporary theme for their restaurant design.

Senior marketing major Sarah Bobo was a part of the group that branded the restaurant “Foxtrot,” which was inspired by artist Charles Robertson. The group drew inspiration from the color scheme of one of Robertson’s dynamic cubism paintings.

Marketing majors were given the task of finding an appropriate location for the restaurant based on their target market and other researched factors. Bobo chose downtown Chicago for “Foxtrot,” which differed from the other three groups that chose New York for their locations. After the location was finalized, interior design students began the rendering process and chose details such as

LADY BISONS SOFTBALL

Team hits 30 wins, reflects on inaugural season.

fabrics and flooring. The marketing students made sure they were on track with the guidelines throughout that process.

“Esse” aimed to bring out Eva Hesse’s organic and earthy style in their brand. Junior interior design major Erik Smith said he is pleased they were able to create an inviting space

that achieved the experience they were hoping to translate to the viewer.

“My favorite part of the project would definitely have to be putting the project down on paper and then getting to create a space that we could be in and walk around in,” Smith said. “I loved seeing the complete project start to finish.”

Graphic design students focused on logos, images and the creation of a product to display, such as beverage containers or to-go bags. These final touches came together during the end of the process, completing the look and providing tangible restaurant elements to display.

SA revamps to better serve school

by Daniel Casella student writer

The amendments proposed by this year’s Student Association were ratified by the student body on Thursday, April 17.

SA President senior Tyler Gentry said the overall goal is to increase the effectiveness of communication.

Knights social club leads the singing of the national anthem to celebrate their first place sweep of Spring Sing on Saturday, April 19. The American Revolution-themed show won each of the four categories, the John H. Ryan Sweepstakes Award and the spirit award. Overall, TNT, Zeta Rho and friends took second, Chi Sigma Alpha, Regina, OEGE, Sigma Phi Mu and friends took third and Pi Theta Phi, Gamma Sigma Phi, Delta Nu and friends took fourth.

New courses offered next semester

by Zach Hailey student writer

More than 20 new courses will be available for undergraduate students in several departments for the next academic school year.

According to Nancy Tackett, the assistant to the provost, these courses will mainly be added to the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Business Administration and the College of Pharmacy. A few other courses will be added to the College of Science and the College of Bible and Ministry.

According to the provost’s office, there will be several new business courses as well as an information systems marketing course for sophomore through senior students. A new course, BUS 251, is a personal finance class for college students that will be available in the fall and spring semesters. Curriculum will include an overview of key elements of personal finance for college students to understand

before leaving college.

For the theatre department, percussive movement will be available in the spring as an activities-based course in which students will learn the fundamentals of tap.

“The emphasis will be placed on one and two sound combinations as well as rhythmic combinations,” Tackett said. “Students will also get to study the performance history of the art as well as learn fundamental vocabulary and concepts.”

“It is a good core competence class,” Robin Miller, chair of the theatre department, said. “It is needed for theatre students as an enhancement course, something to add on to what they already know.”

UNIV 150 is a special course available from the Center for Student Success. Available in the fall and spring semesters, it is a one-hour course designed to assist students who are on academic probation.

The course goal is to help establish better study habits and strengthen

skills required for greater academic and personal accomplishments.

“ The purpose of the class is to hopefully reduce the number of academic suspensions we have each semester and that it will assist students in raising their GPA,” Jake Brownfield, director of academic advising said. “This class gives us more contacts with

these students in academic difficulty, which I believe is mutually beneficial. Also, when students improve and do well, then this obviously is good for the university. This class is still in its early stages, so we don’t know for sure how much it is helping students, but I believe that it is.”

A list of all the new courses can be found online.

The changes ratified for the SA constitution are adding direct international student representation within the senate and making adjustments to the panel of SA committees to better fit needs of the student body, including allowing each year’s SA to decide whether dorm representatives are needed that year. The SA also changed outdated language within the constitution.

SA Vice President senior Joseph McManus said the process to bring these amendments before the student body took a while because the SA senate had to first finalize what it hoped to see. After that, the senate had to meet several times with administration to help the administration understand the purpose and then come to an agreement on both sides. Gentry said the process got frustrating at times but turned out to better the constitution.

“Any time you’re dealing with multiple parties, (there are) going to be communication errors — it’s just something you gotta work through,” Gentry said. “I will say, I think we benefited from that because, ultimately, it allowed us to re-evaluate some things and make sure it was the best thing that we were doing.”

Dean of Students Zach Neal, whom McManus credits with offering several suggestions, said he saw communication as the best and most important part of the process.

“As far as affecting what happens next or affecting the future, I don’t think it’s specific to the constitution as much as it is an example that communication between administration and students exists,” Neal said.

Junior Zach White, incoming SA vice president, said he looks forward to having international student representation on the SA senate as well as a student committee specific to chapel.

“I just think that that’s going to be a really cool thing that we can have somebody that voices their opinions and helps us connect to them,” White said.

According to Gentry, the SA senate is using what is left of the semester to mentor the newly elected members as much as possible.

“It’s all about passing it down: passing down our ideas … passing down the projects that we’re currently waiting on or that we’re currently working on,” Gentry said. “A lot of what we wanted to establish by this constitutional change is continuation.”

McManus said the SA senate does not have a set schedule for meeting with new SA members but intends to make sure they are fully prepared and understanding of their roles. The senate also plans to have committee chairs and committee members selected by the end of the semester.

Film festival promises to provide entertaining evening

by Kelsey Pierce student writer

After creating the 5 Minute Film Festival as a student, assistant professor Grant Dillion is now directing and running the event on April 25 at 8 p.m. in the Benson Auditorium.

Dillion said the best films from the festival will receive guidance and financial assistance from the Harding University Film Studies Association toward submitting their films to larger national and international film festivals.

Dillion said university film festivals are typically made up of film students. Since Harding doesn’t have a film program, students from all different departments and majors produce the films.

“I love seeing students make films who have no formal training or experience,” Dillion said. “It ends up being a collection of the most creative people on campus, and you never know what you’re going to see.”

Dillion said the only requirements for the festival are that the films have a runtime of less than five minutes and must not contain any content that is not Harding appropriate.

people on campus, and you never know what you’re going to see.

- Grant Dillion, director of the 5 Minute Film Festival

“Anyone with a camera and a passion to tell a story should submit a film,” Dillion said.

Junior Kidron Cannon has submitted a video in two 5 Minute Film Festivals. This year he will be submitting two videos. One of his videos, about unicycling, recently won an award in the Chattanooga Local Hero Project, a film festival focused on outdoor activities. His other video is a documentary about a mixed martial arts fighter. Cannon said the festival is a great way for students to get their work and name out there.

“Film festivals are great experiences for filmmakers,” Cannon said. “They provide a chance to get feedback from a large audience and have your film played in front of a lot of people.”

Junior Jacob Norwood will be hosting the 5 Minute Film Festival this year. Norwood said his job involves intro -

ducing each film before it plays, leading Q-and-A sessions with filmmakers and keeping things moving. Norwood will be submitting one of his own videos into the festival titled “The Lone Rubberband Man,” a western inspired by the Chi Sigma Alpha tradition of playing “Assassin” every spring. Norwood said the festival is a chance for students to flex their creative muscles and puts students at the forefront

to allow them to express themselves.

“It might seem intimidating to think about submitting a short film to a festival,” Norwood said. “Maybe you don’t feel like you know a thing about filming or don’t think you have anything to say. But if you have an idea you think would be entertaining, you can film it on an iPhone for all I care. Just make it. That’s what this film festival is all about.”

GRANT SCHOL | THE BISON

staff list

Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols editor-in-chief

Jesse Hixson business manager

Alexis Hosticka news editor

Alex Ezell sports editor

Matt Ryan features editor

Cole Mokry opinions editor

Shane Schock asst. sports editor

Hannah Robison PR and marketing director

Kristi Soto web editor

Holly Bohnett asst. web editor

Taylor Gleaves asst. web editor

Grant Schol head photographer

Virginia “Vivi” Vitalone asst. photographer

Henry Gonzalez asst. photographer

DJ Lawson volunteer photographer

Tyler Carmical graphic designer

Jewelya Williams asst. graphic designer cartoonist

Jared Dryden head copy editor

Haleigh Edge asst. copy editor

Joshua Johnson editorial assistant

Braden Niblock multimedia editor

Bethany Aspey beat reporter

Bradley Cain beat reporter

Megan Smith volunteer writer

Katie Ramirez faculty adviser

guest writers

Reid Belew

Daniel Casella

Michael Claxton

Shelby Daniel

Zach Hailey

Tabor Hammond

Elizabeth Harper

Kelsey Pierce

Sydni Sansom

Mandy Valentine

Julie Anne White

Marianna Woodruff

Will Bone

At the Bison, it is our goal to serve the Harding University student body with integrity, truth and open ears. However, we believe that meeting that goal is a two-way street between our staff and the public it serves. We pledge to keep our eyes and ears open to what our community has to say and hope that, in return, that community will be an interactive audience, sharing its stories with us. We also pledge to do the basics: Report accurate and relevant information, check our facts, and share them in a professional, timely manner.

If you have any story ideas, questions, comments or concerns for the Bison staff, please email Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols, the editor-in-chief, at lruble@harding.edu.

“The Bison (USPS 577-660) is published weekly (except vacations, exams and summer sessions), 18 issues per year, by Harding University. Periodicals postage paid at Searcy, Arkansas 72143. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bison, Harding University 11192, SEARCY, AR 721490001.”

Friday,

Do Your Homework: Get to Know Your Favorite Artists

reid belew

guest writer

Music is a universal language. We all speak it, and it speaks to us. We all have favorite bands and songs, and I think it is very important to recognize who they are because it makes it easier to find new music with a similar sound.

But how many times do you listen to your favorite band’s main influences?

Listening to the bands that help mold the sound of your favorite band will help you understand the band’s foundation and will ultimately help you appreciate how they make music.

Take Coldplay as an example. I’ll start by saying I love Coldplay, and “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” is one of the better albums of the last 20 years.

It isn’t hard to discover who has influenced your band of choice, as a quick Google search will reveal what you’re looking for. Sometimes Wikipedia will have an “Influences” section, which really makes it easy.

Via Wikipedia, Coldplay’s chief influences are U2, Oasis, Muse, Arcade Fire, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel. Just right there, you have thousands of hours of listening that, in the end, will help you appreciate Coldplay more. You understand what has been brought together to create Coldplay’s trademarked sound.

I actually did this with Coldplay. I went through and listened to some of these listed artists. At times, I didn’t like the music, but I loved hearing it. I loved hearing something new that explained more about a band I liked. I would catch myself making comparisons like, “Wow, he really sounds like Bono (of U2) here.”

Think of this in terms of people. Maybe you are especially fond of a certain individual. Would you not appreciate them more if you knew they had a unique hobby like woodworking or swordfish wrestling? Would that not make them more interesting? At the very least, it should make you appreciate them a tad bit more, as you have come to understand them better.

If you know the foundation of Coldplay, or any band for that matter, you will appreciate them more. So if you really love a band, get to know them a bit better. Find out what makes their sound distinctive.

All things considered, if you want to love something more, get to know it a bit better. Put forth some effort and dig deep to discover what makes something unique.

Summer: A Season of Responsibility

The end of the semester is here, for all intents and purposes. Only dead week and finals week stand in the way of summer break, when everyone on campus makes a mass exodus for the next three months — or much longer if you’re graduating in May.

It’s hard to visualize summertime when all you’ve known for the last 10 months is homework, curfew and caf food. I keep getting asked what my summer plans are, and it never fails to throw me off. “Wait, why are we talking about summer? Isn’t that months away?” No, I’m reminded — it’s right around the corner.

Summer is a magical time filled with Sonic milkshakes, Friday nights at the drive-in, barbecues, driving with the windows down, avoiding old high school friends, staying up all night and sleeping in all day. In addition to those things, summer is the perfect opportunity to play catch-up on everything you didn’t have time to do during the school year.

The Weight of the Word

hannah robison

As my time as an undergraduate student is coming to a close, there is one thing that stands out to me as the greatest influence that I have received during my time here. This item carries weight, yet it can also be freeing and reviving. It can cause the deepest pain or stir the most sensational joy. If I can give one piece of knowledge that I have obtained during my past four years, it is this: the weight of a word.

To think of every word that I’ve spoken, typed, written, sung, thought or mumbled from the time that I set foot in Sears dorm to when I walk across the Benson stage May 10, is almost incomprehensible.

I am blessed with a great memory, however, so there are words and conversations that stand out to me clearer than ever.

There are thousands of serious, sentimental and silly moments that I can recall. There are chapel lessons and cafeteria conversations that remind me I am not alone in this world. There

are computers throughout campus where I have spent hours pouring time and effort into perfecting papers or projects. There are folders holding sheet music that I have sung and memorized. There are mugs that hold my daily coffee as I intertwine work, study, play and peace at Midnight Oil.

I know through all these words from myself and others that I am loved and appreciated, even when I choose the wrong words or the right ones. As a public relations major, words are my love language. I hear them and soak them in. I write them and convey a message that is understandable and attainable. I sing them in praise, and I stretch out the phrases for each hymn and song as if they are brushstrokes in a painting. I read them continuously in a plethora of ways and through an abundance of means.

I hold words so very dear to me, and they resound through my mind regardless of time or forgetfulness. I scribble them on Post-Its; I tweet them in 140 characters; I write them in my prayers, and I share them with others every opportunity I get. We all have a choice to make when we formulate our thoughts and structure

our syntax and attempt to communicate a message. We must decide whether we will share words of hope, encouragement, affirmation or praise. We can choose to tear down, rip apart or condemn others with even a sentence fragment. It is our responsibility to own up to our words and to realize they can provide peace or pain.

To every person that has shared their words with me here, be they good or bad, I thank you. Thank you for putting your thoughts onto paper or speaking sayings of advice or admonition. Your words have brought me life and have the power to do so for others.

So be mindful of where your words are heard, seen or read. Know their weight. Know that I thank you for each of them, and I thank you for allowing me to share a few.

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” -Colossians 4:6

1. Class. Possibly the worst thing you can do with your summer is spend it in a classroom. It goes against everything summer stands for. To be fair, though, it is a great option to get ahead and potentially lighten your course load for the following semesters. I’m taking six hours, and while I’m definitely not looking forward to spending precious poolside time under fluorescent lights, the fall will be a breeze thanks to all the work I probably won’t do this summer.

2. Work. The process of finding an internship or a part-time job is at least as difficult as whatever internship or job you’re looking for. If that has been your life for the last 2-3 months, I apologize. Working over the summer can also seem like torture, but the experience you gain and the money you save are well worth the time spent.

3. Relax. While this may not seem like the most “responsible” option, there is something to be said for resting. Lyndsey has said in her column that it can be beneficial to your creativity, and her word is law. I used to tell people I liked to swim, but they constantly misunderstood and thought I meant actual swimming. I have since clarified by telling them I like to float, which much more accurately describes what I do in the water. There’s really no swimming involved. There’s nothing wrong with taking an afternoon to crash your neighbor’s pool. In fact, sometimes it’s just what you need to motivate yourself.

4. Prepare for the future. This being my last summer before I graduate in December, my to-do list is a mile long. Between compiling a portfolio, scouring online job listings, building a website and fine-tuning my resume, I’ll be spending a fair amount of time procrastinating in front of a computer screen. In that regard, summer isn’t very different at all from the school year.

I look at summer as a grace period, a chance to complete unfinished business free from the stress of being at school. Take advantage of that time to do something besides binge-watch 90s TV shows — I recommend “The X-Files” — but don’t forget to do that either.

HANNAH ROBISON is the pr and marketing director for the Bison. She may be contacted at hrobison@ harding.edu. Twitter: @hannahkrobison

REID BELEW is a guest writer for the Bison. He may be contacted at rbelew@ harding.edu.

guest writer

Meeting the Right People

If you’ve learned anything from me, or anything from the Harding experience, I hope it’s the value of the people around you.

When it comes right down to it, every single column I’ve written has been about and inspired by the people around me. So much of creativity is about loving and listening and dreaming with the people you get to call friends, colleagues and fellow students.

For me, that has been my Bison staff. For the last two and a half years and the last 44 issues of the Bison, I’ve been surrounded by people who have shaped the way I think, the way I create and the way I share with my readers.

The Bison has been my favorite part of my Harding experience — not because of the resume material it has provided, not because of the pay and certainly not because of the “fame.” It’s been so sweet because of the incredible, passionate, intelligent and creative people I have worked with. Most of the tips I have given in this column don’t come from my mind; they come from observing the talented and dedicated people seated around me on deadline nights.

While I’d love for you to join the Bison staff next semester, that’s not the point. The biggest point I want to leave with you is the value of the people around you and the environment you get to work in.

The university setting is one many of us will never experience again. Just think about it: we get to be here, with a huge group of likeminded people, studying and learning together. It’s the perfect environment for creativity and innovation and human blossoming. Why do you think communities like Silicon Valley form? It’s because people want to be surrounded by people who are doing the same type of work.

The people we surround ourselves with serve as resources and support systems, but they also influence the ideas we have and the ways we learn and connect new information. We have all of that right here in Searcy: not in Silicon Valley or New York City or Los Angeles.

I was lucky enough to stumble upon the Bison and learn the true impact that plugging in can have, and I don’t want anyone to miss out on that.

No matter how much time you have left here, find the people who are like you. Find the people who inspire you and challenge you and will talk with you for hours about your ideas. I certainly did, and it made all the difference in the world.

Adventures Abroad

sansom

Ihave been blessed to have the opportunity to live in Vina del Mar, Chile, for the past two months. I wish there was a way I could fully encompass this experience and share it with you, but words ring hollow and pictures fall short.

I had so many expectations for what this semester would be like, and although I was wrong about so many of them, I am far from disappointed. This semester has been the most unbelievable, adventurous, exhilarating, mind-blowing, overwhelming and encouraging experience of my life.

I have had the opportunity to experience three unique cultures: mainland Chile, Argentina and Easter Island. Chile is a bustling, mostly urban culture where life moves quickly; however, Easter Island stands alone, more than 1,000 miles from any other inhabitants, with a population of

Just the Clax

6,000 people. The Rapa Nui people operate on “island time” and live peacefully, taking the time to notice and appreciate nature. Argentina is urban but is more spread out than most of Chile and runs on a much more relaxed schedule. The day starts late, and everything shuts down in the afternoon for people to rest during the heat of the day before they start up again and work until late in the evening.

Living among these people has opened my eyes and given me new perspective, but it has also given me the opportunity to have some really exciting experiences. Since being here, I have scuba dived off of Easter Island, rolled down giant sand dunes, hiked around a volcanic crater, drunk water from a glacier and gone horseback riding on the beach and galloped through the waves. I got spit on by an alpaca, rode a boat through icebergs, rode a 100-year-old elevator, explained to an Argentine man what a polar plunge was (he never really understood) and ate the best steak of my life and only paid $4 for it.

I have stood speechless in front of a mountain, looked out my window and saw the ocean, two castles and the president’s summer home, walked two miles to get to

the store, bought jelly in a bag and had a funeral for a beta fish. I have lived beside a volcano for a week, whitewater rafted in Patagonia, ziplined across a canyon, missed free refills, missed free water, missed free bathrooms, ate every single meal outside for a week, bought groceries at the open air market and played peek-a-boo with a seal. I have learned a lot of Spanish, realized that my perception of South America was totally wrong and that there is much more to the world than the northern hemisphere, taken a lot of pictures and made it my goal to have at least one adventure per day and leave this place with no regrets.

If there is anything I have learned from living in this wonderful place, it is that no matter where you are or how busy you are, you have the chance to live life to the fullest. God’s majesty is clearly seen in the wonders he has made. Take the opportunity to have an adventure and experience his glory. Meet new people; go new places; take a new perspective; and bring glory to God everywhere you go.

SYDNI SANSOM is a guest writer for the Bison. She may be contacted at ssansom@harding.edu.

The Funniest Thing

For a few months one summer I worked at Measurement Inc., an organization in North Carolina that grades the essays children write for standardized tests. I worked there to help put myself through graduate school. Instead of shelving organic food or putting chocolate sprinkles in customers’ lattes like most starving grad students, I somehow decided to read essays written by third-graders. To this day I am not sure what I was thinking.

The work was pretty grueling, now that I think back on it. Dozens of test scorers sat in rows in a classroom, and during the first week of training, we were drilled on the criteria for evaluating essays. Over and over we scored samples according to a strict rubric. We were looking for three things: a paper had to have a main idea, supporting evidence and specific details. Each category received a score from one to five.

After we were all calibrated, the scoring began. We read essays nonstop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day. Since Measurement Inc. served schools nationwide, we worked in volume. There was such pressure to grade quickly that we became an assembly line of critique. Henry Ford would have loved it. I often wondered that summer why anyone would want to grade essays for a living.

One older woman named Alice had obviously been there for a long time. She had a raspy voice, perfect for cracking one-liners. If you remember Selma Diamond from “Night Court,” you can picture Alice. She was such a pro that she could score two dozen essays during a nap. That’s why her preferred seat in the room was behind a huge white column. I asked her once how she could stand staring into the column all day. Alice deadpanned, “I have a vivid inner life.”

michael claxton

Only one thing made the job bearable and kept Alice and me going. All of the children were given the same writing topic: Describe the funniest thing that ever happened to you.

Eight-year-olds do not generally have a highly sophisticated sense of humor. Their stories often featured people bumping into things, falling down and getting gassy at bad moments. Any episode of the Three Stooges would cover most of the topics they found hilarious. But there were occasional gems. About once a day, we’d all stop grading to listen to an essay that was a real howler. After a few weeks, I started jotting them down.

Recently I found my list of some of the funniest things that have ever happened to third-graders. And as I re-read the catalogue of comedy and tragedy, I remembered the stories, such as the boy who glued his eye shut. Or the girl who fell up the stairs and got carpet in her braces. Or the poor screaming child who ran around the beach with a crab pinching his backside. Or the boy whose sister once picked her nose while on a date and got a Lee Press On Nail stuck in there.

Some of the stories about adults were pretty wild. One kid’s grandmother got so mad during the movie “Die Hard” that she threw a doorstop at the TV. Some unfortunate mom got her head caught in a steering wheel. One poor lady suffered the indignity of having a lizard poop on her nose. According to

one child, a “fat bald man caught the spirit at church,” ran around the room until he got his head stuck in a fake plant and then fell and “squashed a choir girl.”

Even worse things happened in the bathroom. One girl fell “way down in the toilet” and got stuck. When rescue efforts failed using peanut butter and Crisco, we’re told that “the fire department came and sawed her out.” Another child got her hand caught in the sink, and the paramedics ended up taking both the girl and the sink to the hospital. One boy learned why you should never tinkle near an electric fence. I especially liked the child who had mastered his euphemisms and wrote about the time he “used the washroom” on himself.

Occasionally, spelling and usage caused problems. One child began his story by saying, “I’ve seen many funny things, but this one cuts the cake.” One boy broke his leg and had to wear a “casket” for four months. Another child did his best to describe the family Halloween costumes. They went as “Count Drackqueler,” “Doctor Franckinstime” and a “Gost in a Big White Shet.”

But of all the stories from that summer, my favorite was both funny and endearing. As often happens in the world of children, it seems that a little girl wet her pants at school. But instead of laughing at her, the entire class decided to wet themselves in solidarity to make her feel better. Leave it to kids to figure out that we’re all in this together. United we stand, divided we leak. Have a great summer.

sydni

international programs guest

Alex Ezell

Wrigley turns 100

“Root, root, root for the Cubbies, if they don’t win it’s a shame.” This is what you would hear during the seventh-inning stretch if you ever go to a game at the historic Wrigley Field in Chicago.This past Wednesday, April 23, Wrigley Field turned 100 years old.

Why is this a big deal? Well, it may not be to every sports fan, but Wrigley is the oldest baseball park in the National League and the MLB’s second oldest. And personally, I am obsessed with the Cubs.

Here is a brief history of Wrigley: It was originally called Cubs Park, but the name was changed to Wrigley Field when William Wrigley, Jr., became the team owner. It only has a capacity of 41,009.That may sound like a big number, but it is one of the smallest in the MLB. The ivy-clad outfield walls, uncommon wind patterns from Lake Michigan and large red marquee sign at the entrance are all a part of what makes Wrigley Field such a special place.

You do not have to be a Cubs fan to enjoy a game at Wrigley. The experience will be more than enough to distract you from the game because, chances are, they will be losing.

Game-day traditions include the seventh-inning stretch, when a guest leads the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” fans who stand on Waveland Ave. to catch out-of-the-park home runs, and fans who throw the baseball back on the field after an opposing player hits a home run.

Wrigley Rooftops are the place to be if you want to have an outside-the-park game experience. These are located around the outfield perimeters. The owners of these buildings are now partnered with the Cubs organization after the Cubs tried to file a lawsuit saying they were infringing on their copyrights. So, the “Official Rooftop Partners” are a great location if you want to take a large group out to see a game, but have more of a private viewing.

I am not writing all of this to try and force you to see a game at Wrigley. I am simply saying that if you get the chance, do not pass it up. You might think the Cubs are awful (rightfully so), but trust me, you do not want to miss out on one of the most iconic fields in the history of baseball.

ALEX EZELL is the sports editor for the 20132014 Bison. She may be contacted at aezell@harding.edu.

Baseball steps up their game

by Mandy Valentine student writer

The Harding baseball team stands fourth in the Great American Conference with a 16-11 conference record and a 26-19 record overall.

Lady Bisons track prepares for A-State Red Wolves Open

by Tabor Hammond student writer

The women’s track team has broken a number of records this season, according to hardingsports.com. Senior Rachel Roberts, sophomore Kelsey Taylor, and freshmen Kaitlyn Leonard and Amber Webb have broken records in the 4x1600 relay. The relay team finished the race in 21 minutes, 31.34 seconds.

“This season has been so much fun so far,” senior Kristen Celsor said. “There are so many new faces on the track team this year, and it has been such a joy getting to know everyone. Everyone has been performing really well this year. We have already had multiple people hit provisional marks and have people breaking school and personal records at almost every meet.”

Taylor will be running the 5K and the 1500-meter in this weekend’s meet. At her last meet Taylor ran the 5K in a time of 18 minutes, 06.21 seconds, taking second place. She looks to better that this weekend.

“I hope to get closer to a personal best,” Taylor said. “We are all trying to lower our times with conference coming up in three weeks, which is also the weekend before finals. Our team goal for the season would be to be able to perform at the best of our abilities at conference. We mainly want to enjoy our time running with each other and encouraging each other and remembering we are running for the glory of God and

not ourselves, but remember how much of a blessing it is to be able to run what we run.”

According to Taylor, workouts have been one of the hardest parts about of the season.

“Workouts hurt,” Taylor said. “A lot of the time you just want to stop. We are at the point now where we feel good but just have to continue to push ourselves and each other and have confidence in what our coach has trained us to be able to do. The team helps so much. Just running with the other girls is so much of an encouragement because it’s not just you out there. Your teammates help pull you along when you are tired or discouraged. Also, Coach Guymon does so much for us to get us ready for races and also talk us through them as we run. None of us would be where we are without his help.”

Celsor also shared how she and the team are staying positive and hope to finish strong for her last season.

“We just have a really motivated, hardworking group, which makes practice and meets exciting,” Celsor said. “Personally, with this being my last season, I am just soaking up my last few meets and really just enjoying the ride. Track is such a fun sport, and I love every second of competing and cheering on my teammates.”

Heading into the meet this weekend Harding has eight athletes who are ranked in the top 100 in NCAA division II. The Lady Bisons have a meet tomorrow at Arkansas State University.

Berryhill Award Winners 2014

The Bisons defeated the nationally-ranked University of Arkansas, Monticello at Jerry Moore Field in Searcy on Wednesday, April 16, 13-3 with 14 hits. The game ended in the seventh inning because of the NCAA’s 10-run rule. Redshirt sophomore catcher Davis Richardson hit two home runs to contribute to Wednesday’s victory over UAM.

The Bisons’ weekend series in Arkadelphia against Ouachita Baptist University kicked off with a 0-2 loss as senior pitcher Cameron Walker pitched a full game facing OBU’s Davis Ward. Head coach Patrick McGaha said Walker pitched well in Friday’s game and that OBU’s pitcher, Ward, is one of the best in the conference. The Bisons took the series 2-1 after the Saturday doubleheader, winning the opener 10-7 and the second game 10-0.

Our focus is always on the process and getting better a day at a time, even this late in the season.

-Davis Richardson, redshirt sophomore catcher

“We really needed to win both on Saturday, and the guys came out and took the challenge and played about as well as they have all year,” McGaha said. “(Senior outfielder) Trent Wooldridge went 8-for-8 for the day; hitting 6-for-6 in the first game of the doubleheader and 2-for2 in the second. (Senior pitcher) Logan Holthaus was really strong on the mound in game one, and (redshirt sophomore pitcher) Andrew Fiddler came in and struck out the three guys he faced to finish the seventh, then finished up the last two innings strong to get the save.”

It is such an honor. I can't believe it. I am so glad to share it with Mollie and Matt; they are both amazingly talented, so to receive it alongside them was a huge honor in itself. To receive an award like this to end my career at Harding was so humbling and I am so thankful.

last week as the Bisons went 3-1.

The Bisons have one last weekend of conference play against Arkansas Tech University before they reach the conference tournament. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Harrison Hunter said the team needs to continue to play hard and focus on winning each inning to make it through the last weekend of conference play and the tournament.

“We have played extremely well as a team this season; one of our biggest strengths is the team being a family,” Hunter said. “Coach McGaha and (assistant coach) Andy Schatzley are the two best coaches I’ve ever played for, and they have prepared us extremely well for the long season and what’s ahead of us. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the moments we’ve shared as a team, as well as playing each game together this season.”

Davis Richardson said he was extremely impressed with the team’s performance this past week and enjoyed catching for sophomore pitcher Collin Campbell as he threw his second consecutive shutout in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

“Our focus is always on the process and getting better a day at a time, even this late in the season,” Richardson said. “Arkansas Tech is another really good team, but we’re just going to try to get better each game and let the results fall into place. The same goes for the conference tournament; we’ll take it a game at a time when it gets here. It’s definitely going to be a fun couple of weeks.”

The team must remain in the top six in the GAC to ensure a spot in the conference tournament.

Wooldridge received GAC Player of the Week for his .823 (14-for-17) performance at the plate

“We have not clinched a spot for sure for the tournament yet, but there would have to be a lot of crazy things happen to keep us out,” McGaha said. “We have a good enough team that if we make it over to the tournament, we have a great chance of winning it. I’m proud of what these guys have accomplished this season.”

Eat Filipino every day of the week! Mon-Thurs

am - 8 pm

GRANT SCHOL | THE BISON

Sophomore Rachael Donmeyer clears the bar during the high jump competition at the Bison Invitational on April 19. Donmeyer broke her own school record for javelin with a throw of 134 feet, 10 inches at the UCA Open on April 19.

I have always looked up to and admired the people who have won this award before me, and I hope that I will be that person that younger athletes look to and that they will always leave everything they got out on the field or court. This is an award that I will always cherish and hold close to my heart.

I am honored to be able to represent my teammates and Harding by winning the award. Many great people before me have won the award. It’s neat to think someone may be looking up to you just as you looked up to other great athletes.

The

Berryhill Award is an athletic department honor given to a male and female athlete (this year there are two recipients for the first time) who have excelled in athletics, academics and service throughout their career at Harding.

Kristen Celsor Basketball

Mollie Arnold Volleyball

Matt Calhoun Baseball

2A

2B

|

by Julie Anne White student writer

Last Saturday the Lady Bison softball team defeated Ouachita Baptist University in the Great American Conference tournament. The team won 6-5 in eight innings and 9-1 in six innings.

Harding advanced to a 30-23 record overall and is currently in sixth place in the GAC standings. They will play in the 2014 GAC Championship Tournament in Bentonville, Ark. on May 1-3.

Friday,

Freshman infielder Courtney Chambers said she is very enthusiastic about the win and what it means for the team.

building team chemistry, developing leadership within the team, having players find their role and their spot on team,” Berry said. “When you have no returning players and no experienced leadership, you have to grow that.”

Berry said the team also has to frequently face “the reality that everything (they) do is new.”

“Every road trip, every time we go to a new place, it’s something we haven’t done before, both from a coaching staff’s perspective and a player’s perspective,” Berry said.

Friday,

“Saturday was actually a really big accomplishment for our team,” Chambers said. “We got our 30th win, and for a first-year program, that’s awesome. We also secured the fourth seed for the conference tournament. We honestly just tried to relax and play the way we know how. We had to adjust the pitchers and had to come from behind two of the four games. That’s what I love most about this team: we never stop. Someone always comes in clutch to get us the win.”

Head coach Phil Berry said he is pleased with the growth this first-year team has experienced, and that it is has been “the highlight of the season.”

Berry said that the team has matured throughout the season. Since the team is brand new, the players have faced plenty of obstacles. Along with training to do its best on the field, the team has worked to foster friendships and leadership positions.

“One of the biggest challenges is just

This means that with each new set of circumstances, the team must respond quickly to their observations and figure out which tactics to use on the field.

|

Freshman fielder Mackenzie Jones said the team copes with this lack of experience by “staying focused on the goals that (they) know (they) can achieve.”

“A lot of us have never played college ball before, so overcoming inexperience has been a big deal for us,” Jones said.

The players practice as a team approximately 20 hours per week and several more hours individually. Berry said the girls have learned to master time management.

“It’s a huge commitment,” Berry said. “Our players understand that, they embrace that, and they do a good job managing their time and balancing all of those responsibilities.”

Berry said that the teammates, who began the year as total strangers, have bonded over their pursuit of excellence.

“We’ve got players from all different environments and all different backgrounds, and they’ve all really come

HENRY GONZALEZ | THE BISON Freshman infielder/catcher Kimmy Hendricks runs through first base during the Lady Bisons game against Ouachita Baptist University on April 19. Harding won three out of the four games.

together and bound themselves to each other and supported each other,” Berry said. “I don’t think there’s any question that their ability to do that and willingness to work together as a team has been very instrumental in our success this year.” Chambers said teammates attended a camp over the summer in order to begin forming friendships, and all of the freshmen on the team were intentionally

housed in the same area to encourage team bonding. The team also has a weekly Bible study. Chambers said the team is her “second family.”

“There have definitely been times when we’ve had our disagreements, but at the end of the day, we all love each other and would do anything for one another,” Chambers said. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else with any other people. This team is truly blessed.”

“Why should I give a hoot about you, huh? Or anybody else out there?”

“I’m supposed to wear myself out for the team? What team? No, what I’m gonna do is, I’m gonna look out for myself, and I’m gonna get mine.”

The quotations above come from one of my favorite sports movies of all time, “Remember the Titans.” In this scene,

teammates Gerry and Julius are expressing their opinions of each other and their problems with the team. I think many of the things that Julius says in this conversation (in the quotes above) give an accurate description of the attitude that is currently overtaking much of professional sports today. Disclaimer: I know that there are still plenty of classy guys in professional sports today, but what I’m describing in this article seems to be the way that professional sports are headed. This trend had remained fairly subtle to me, until after the 2014 NFC Championship game between the San Fran -

cisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. The game ended with a fantastic defensive play by Richard Sherman to swat the ball away from 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree and into the arms of Sherman’s teammate, Malcolm Smith, to seal their victory and send them to the Super Bowl. After the game, Sherman taunted the 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and wide receiver Michael Crabtree, and then proceeded to give one of the most infamous post-game interviews of all time. Instead of praising his teammates, Sherman immediately began to berate Crabtree by calling him

“sorry,” and then he referred to himself as the “best corner in the game.”

There were plenty of mixed responses in all areas of media regarding what Sherman said, and I don’t know what was said between Crabtree and Sherman previously to spur the malice, but I believe that there is a certain amount of respect and sportsmanship that should be shown to your opponents, in victory or defeat. I realize that trash talk has gone on in sports for a long time, but this was the most pompous, arrogant display that I’ve ever seen in a nationally televised post-game interview.

Our

Athletes’ Views on Pop Culture

If you had to eat one thing the rest of your life, what would it be?

Who is more awkward when they dance, Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift?

Longest you have gone without sleep?

“Captain Underpants.” “Harry Potter” or “The Boxcar Children.”

Apalachicola raw oysters.

I always hated board games.

56 hours.

Chocolate. Duh. Taylor Swift. Miley Cyrus.

Chutes and Ladders.

“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Club

week.

39

hours.

What was you favorite childhood book?

Will Bone guest space

The ‘I’ in team: student reflects on pro athletes’ attitudes

Expensive degrees worth the extra cost

by Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols editor-in-chief

According to figures determined by adding course fees and additional spending estimations, the most expensive program on campus is nursing, followed by art, then family and consumer sciences.

In the cases of all three majors, students spend additional time and money on their academic programs, but all agree that the time and money are excellent investments in their futures.

Nursing

Senior Aaron McGaughy is a nursing major and said he is spending more than $1,000 in class fees this semester on top of normal tuition dollars. Additionally, nursing majors drive to clinicals in Little Rock twice a week, adding hefty gas prices, and regularly spend more than $800 in textbooks per semester, according to McGaughy. Senior nursing major Victoria Wood said nursing majors also have to buy supplies such as scrubs, special shoes and socks, a stethoscope, penlight and blood pressure cuff.

According to Harding’s website,

nursing majors should expect to spend at least an additional $8,000 during their four years in the program. McGaughy said he thought this estimate was accurate, if not a little low.

Nursing is also considered to be one of the most rigorous academic programs on campus. Wood said nursing majors start their days early, either with classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday or clinicals on Tuesday and Thursday. Wood said she starts classes around 8 a.m. and gets home around dinner time. On clinical days, she said she often works 12-hour days before driving home to fill out paperwork and start homework.

“People trust you a lot, so you can’t go into nursing half-hearted,” McGaughy said. “The people who want to do nursing really want to do nursing, so all these things you have to do to become (a nurse) don’t seem as big of an obstacle as it may appear to other people.”

According to Wood, 100 percent of the nursing graduates from December passed their NCLEX examination, the test that every nursing major prepares for during their time in the program.

Art

While the nursing program only encompasses one main major, the second most expensive program – art – contains several majors.

For those who major in art, class fees and additional money spent usually go toward purchasing supplies.

“Because we are studio-based and not lecture-based, we learn through hands-on experience,” Sarah Wilhoit, interior design program director, said.

Interior design students need supplies and materials for projects, and each project includes a number of phases from conceptual structures to complete life-sized vignettes, Wilhoit said.

Additionally, students are required to buy materials for their portfolios, research notebooks and presentation boards. The result, Wilhoit said, is some of the best interior design students in the nation. Wilhoit said students are finding jobs in great locations and constantly getting positive feedback from professionals and alumni.

“It’s all used for them to learn what the real world is like as a designer,” Ana Pia Clairday, adjunct interior design professor,

said.

Similarly, senior Erin Chambers said she approaches the fees and extra costs for her fine art in painting major as an investment in her professional future.

Chambers said her major requires “everything you have” in terms of time and money. Chambers said she buys new paints and brushes periodically, but the bulk of costs comes from buying and framing canvases.

I choose to use materials that are more expensive because they’re better quality, and that’s what I want my work to be.

- Erin Chambers, senior art major

John Keller, chair of the department of art and design, said art majors could spend anywhere from $100 to $2,000 on their senior shows, all depending on the materials a student chooses to use.

“I choose to use materials that are more expensive because they’re better quality, and that’s what I want my work to be,” Chambers said. “I’ve put my time into it, and I’ve put my money into it, and I’ve done (everything) in

college from the standpoint of a professional artist.”

Chambers said she looks at the costs, both time and money, as an investment in her future.

“One day I’ll get it back,” Chambers said.

Family and consumer sciences

The third most expensive program, as determined by course fee estimates, is family and consumer sciences, which encompasses eight different majors.

According to Elizabeth Wilson, chair of the department of family and consumers sciences, all course fees represent added value to the student.

“None of the fees attached to the courses provide funding for the department or university,” Wilson said. “The fees attached are there to provide required supplies or experiences or to save the student money.”

Fees are used to cover the cost of supplies for classes such as clothing and textiles laboratories, cost of travel for trips to provide networking and learning opportunities not available in Searcy, and professional liability insurance and background checks for field experience courses.

by Matt Ryan features editor

Searcy mayor David Morris said he does not think of Searcy as a typical college town, in the sense that the town revolves around the university’s every need. He said he believes Harding plays a significant but healthy role in the community, creating a positive and mutually beneficial relationship between students and the wider community.

Jared Nesbit, 16, makes balloon animals for customers at Chick-fil-A on Race Street Tuesday evening. Nesbit, otherwise known as “Mr. Pockets,” has been making balloon creations since he was 12.

Local balloon artist featured in ‘Food Network Magazine’

by Elizabeth Harper student writer

Jared Nesbit, a 16-year-old who has spent the last four years learning the art of making balloon creations, was recently featured in the “Food Network Magazine” and “Searcy Living.”

Nesbit, also known as “Mr. Pockets,” has posted more than 70 balloon-making how-to videos on his YouTube page. Many of the videos have accumulated thousands of “likes.” He also has a Facebook page called, “Mr. Pockets Balloon Twister,” to which he posts photos and videos of his creations.

Nesbit said the spark of interest for balloon art began when he was 12 years old. He said he watched someone make swords and hats at a Pizza Hut in Nashville, Tenn., and wanted to learn how.

“My mom bought me a do-it-yourself balloonmaking book,” Nesbit said. “For the first 30 seconds or so, I was really frustrated, but it just caught on. I did more and more and got better. I then asked Chick-Fil-A if I could twist balloons for tips. They said yes and actually agreed to pay for my balloons, too.”

Nesbit said he was really excited when the “Food Network Magazine” contacted him about a feature. Nesbit said they found him from searching for kid balloon twisters on YouTube.

“I saw an email from a lady from the Food Network asking me to make a birthday cake out of balloons,” Nesbit said. “I ran and told my mom, and then I started on the cake. I was done in five minutes, and I’ve never twisted so fast. The cake took about 13 balloons, and it was about the width of a pizza box

and about a foot tall.”

Nesbit is the son of James Nesbit, who is a professor in Harding’s college of pharmacy. James Nesbit said Jared got the name of “Mr. Pockets” after the children’s book “Katy No-Pocket.”

“‘Katy No-Pocket’ is a story about a kangaroo without a pocket who is given a vest with pockets on the front,” James Nesbit said. “My wife made Jared a vest with pockets on the front to hold his balloons. I thought of the children’s story, and the name stuck.”

James Nesbit said he is very proud of his son. He said Jared Nesbit loves creating, and he will make anything you ask for.

“He’ll just think for a second and do it,” James Nesbit said. “He made a life-sized balloon of President (Bruce) McLarty for Homecoming. It was made out of 135 balloons.”

Jared Nesbit said his favorite part of creating is making “huge, massive and giant” woven designs like the life-sized President McLarty. He said he loves seeing people’s reactions to his creations.

“Everyone loves balloons,” Nesbit said. “It’s so nice to see their faces when I hand kids a princess or Spider-Man. Their parents love it too, and I sometimes wonder if the parents even love it more.”

Jared Nesbit has made balloon creations at events like Bison Days, Homecoming, the Highlighter Run, Harding football and basketball games, Get Down Downtown and birthday parties.

Nesbit said he is homeschooled but currently taking classes at Harding. He is going to major in computer programming and is hoping to continue balloon-making as a hobby and side job throughout his life.

Morris said one of the major reasons he sees for this positive relationship is student involvement in local churches. Dan Williams, Harding’s vice president for church relations, said part of his job is to help students get plugged into area churches. For example, Williams said his office sponsors the “Ministry Fair” that takes place at the beginning of each fall semester and gives churches an opportunity to make students aware of their ministries and worship assemblies.

Williams said one of the biggest ways most students are influenced by the Searcy community is through involvement in local churches.

“Our students and faculty are influenced by area churches to the extent that they get involved with a local congregation,” Williams said. “Looking back on my own experience in a Christian college, I cherish the memories made and am grateful for the gifts developed through my involvement with a church family. When alumni come back to Harding to visit, they often cite their participation in a local church here as being one of the transforming influences of their college experience.”

Likewise, Chancellor David Burks said students should look for ways to be involved in local congregations as well as in other parts of the community. He said students will only get to know the community if they take an interest in the community.

“I think students should feel welcomed by the community, and to the extent that they get to know the community, I think they’ll feel better about the community,” Burks said. “I think they can get involved in different ways with the recreation programs, with the teaching programs, help with the parks and take advantage of different activities that are presented.There are lots of them out there, and they need to take advantage of these opportunities. I think when they do, they will feel better about the community in which they live. If they are gone all the time and never spend any time in the community, they aren’t going to get to know the community.”

Taryn Sheets, the executive director of Searcy Children’s Homes, said she appreciates students who give up time to get involved with community organizations like hers. When students get involved, she said, it can be beneficial for everyone.

I think students should feel welcomed by the community, and to the extent that they get to know the community, I think they’ll feel better about the community.

- David Burks,

“We are blessed with the opportunity to work with (volunteers and) interns through the psychology and social work departments at Harding,” Sheets said. “We are able to give students an up-close, hands-on experience in child welfare, foster care and adoption and child development as they spend time with our families, interact with our children in care and are mentored by our professional staff. We hope that the service we provide to these exceptional students is as beneficial to them as they are to this ministry.”

HENRY GONZALEZ | THE BISON

The town and gown part 4: Harding and community service

chancellor

This is the last in a series focusing on Harding’s relationship with the Searcy community.

shelby daniel

Small Campus, Big Style

Dress better, feel better

This article is one that is slightly sentimental for me. This issue of the paper is the last one of the semester, therefore marking the end of my fashion column. For some of you, my column may have been totally pointless and irrelevant. For some, it may have opened your eyes to the truth that there is depth behind different clothing and the person who chooses to wear it.

Today, I want to leave you with my last pieces of advice before you go off to navigate the world of fashion on your own.

My first piece of advice: the better you dress, the better you will feel. Now, I did not take that from any scientific surveys or tests, so if you disagree, then so be it. However, I firmly believe that nothing can make a person feel better than wearing a nicely put-together outfit.

I do not necessarily mean wearing a nice shirt or outfit every single day, because even I can get tired of that. I simply mean that even if you are in a rush, you can still choose something to wear that does not make it look like you just rolled out of bed.

Even a T-shirt that is not covered in wrinkles can make all of the difference.

My second piece of advice: do not be afraid to try something that is unlike anything you have worn before. The most cliche ways to describe life, such as taking adventures, risks and exploring, are also the most accurate. Life is not meant to be spent standing still. As cheesy as it sounds, neither is your style or the items in your closet. Closets should not be filled by endless clones of the same pieces of clothing.

Every once in a while, buy a piece of clothing that you have been too scared to wear and wear it. Take a risk and have fun with your appearance.

The final piece of advice I have for you: always remember who you are and do not be embarrassed to show that off in your clothes. No matter what people say or think about particular styles, the most important thing is to remember that their opinions are not yours.

Do not choose what you buy or what you wear based on someone else’s opinion. Your background, beliefs and mind are completely different from everyone else’s. There is no better way to show that than by wearing it on the outside. Clothes are not made to be worn exactly the same on every person who owns them. Change things up. Show who you are and do not let other people’s opinions shake that.

I want to thank everyone who read my column this semester. Even if fashion is not your thing and never will be, I hope you can see my passion for what I am talking about and apply that somewhere in your life. I hope I have been able to translate even the smallest ounce of my love for styling into advice that you have genuinely been able to take.

Remember what I have said, and go out and show everyone just how stylish you are.

Sonic drink combos from a Sonic pro

by Grant Schol head photographer

Sonic Drive-In boasts 1,063,953 drink combinations. That number is quite a task to tackle for a true mixology connoisseur, let alone the average Joe who just wants a Happy Hour fix. For the rest of us who don’t quite have the time (or budget) to experience each fusion of flavor, here is a simple list of some of the concoctions you must try.

White Coconut Dr. Pepper

This drink with its shot of coconut flavor will instantly transport you (metaphorically speaking, of course) to a tropical island with the hot sun beaming down on you. With an aroma of pure liquid summer, it is the ideal companion for any outdoor activity. Take this ice-cold beverage with you to the neighborhood pool, your friend’s back deck or the Cathcart roof. It’s the perfect drink for soaking up some rays. Requirements for ordering include, but are not limited to: your favorite beach towel, vintage sunglasses and nicely broken-in flip-flops.

Vanilla Coke (with light ice)

A vanilla Coke is a classic, a staple, an absolute must. Some may call it the cop-out order. Some may call it boring or too simple. Others may say it’s just “not enough.” But there are a select few who see the simplicity of this drink as elegance, as class in aqueous form. The simple nature of this beverage makes it perfect for just about every occasion. Requirements for ordering include, but are not limited to: enough mental capacity to see the simplicity as something beautiful.

Raspberry Blue Powerade Slush

If you like drinking liquid Sweet Tarts while replenishing your electrolytes, here is a drink for you. After a great workout at the gym, first, drink your protein shake. Then drive down to Sonic and treat yourself to this explosion of flavors, and you won’t be disappointed. It is wonderful for those who don’t take their workout regimen too seriously and can afford the extra (several hundred) calories. Requirements for ordering include, but are not limited to: cut-off tee, running shoes and a shaker bottle in the spare cup holder.

The Diva Special

If you thought an Arnold Palmer was a complicated order, just wait. Comprised of one-third lemonade, one-third sweet tea and one-third orange juice, the Diva Special is

quite the drink (especially to order). If you can get past the worker who is confused by your complicated order and hold your ground with all the sass and attitude this drink requires, this is the drink for you. This glorified fruit tea is perfect for a trip to the outdoor mall or local baseball game. Requirements for ordering include, but are not limited to: a monogrammed purse, club tank top and Nike shorts and the courage to order knowing the Sonic employees hate you.

No matter what your drink preference is, remember to always go between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (happy hour), keep those empty Sonic cups in your back seat as badges of honor and always go with friends because all drinks are better in good company. Now there are only 1,063,949 combinations left. Get out there and start exploring.

complete visitor’s guide to Memphis in May

Avenged Sevenfold, Snoop Dogg, Joan Jett,Third Eye Blind, Juicy J, Grouplove, Twenty One Pilots and Alabama Shakes.

On Friday, May 2, artists will begin performing at 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, artists will perform from 2 p.m. into the night.

Junior Emily Lincoln said she is most excited to see Grouplove and Foster the People perform at the festival.

by Marianna Woodruff student writer

The 38th annual Beale Street Music Festival, a part of the Memphis in May International Festival, will take place May 2-4. Ticket prices start around $115 for a threeday pass.

The festival is held at the 25-acre Tom Lee

Park on the riverfront of the Mississippi River. The three-day event boasts musical guests from many genres of music including blues, soul and rock. More than 1.1 million people have attended the Beale Street Music Festival in the past decade. Junior Phillip Houston has been to the festival several times in the past and said he

always loves going back to his hometown for a weekend of good music and fun.

“I purchase a ticket every year because they are always very reasonably priced for the amount of artists you get to see,” Houston said.

Artists featured on stage this year include Kid Rock, Foster the People,

“This is the first year I’ve gone, and I am going because I love the atmosphere of a music festival. It’s exciting and fun,” Lincoln said.

According to a Fuse TV article, the festival is one of the top 20 in the country, on a list including others such as Warped Tour and Bonnaroo.

Since May in Tennessee is always hot and

humid, wearing shorts and a T-shirt is strongly advised, preferably breathable material, like athletic shorts and a roomy T-shirt. However, music festivals are always a place to display interesting, unique fashion. Take tips from Vanessa Hudgens’ Coachella fashion if you’re feeling like a daredevil. Sensible shoes are a must, so invest in Chacos, Tevas, Rainbows or just a solid pair of Nikes.

Last, but not least, buy the biggest water bottle you can find and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Water will be your best friend, and I’m sure the food on Beale Street won’t disappoint either.

Dress well and keep hydrated because the Beale Street Music Festival is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss it.

the addition of Tanner Brown to our sales staff.

Tanner is from Denton, Texas and recently graduated from Harding. He will be a graduate student at Harding in the fall. He and his wife Claire live in Searcy. Claire is a second grade teacher at Rosebud public schools. Tanner welcomes anyone who is looking for a vehicle or knows anyone that is looking for a vehicle to stop at the dealership and see him.

GRANT SCHOL | THE BISON

GRAPHIC BY JEWELYA WILLIAMS