The Prairie Vol. 102 Iss. 4

ThePRAIRIE

Vol. 102, Issue 4

September 18, 2018

Serving the West Texas A&M University community since 1919

IS MENTAL ILLNESS A BACKSEAT PRIORITY?

Tova Kibal Features Editor In the spirit of National Suicide Prevention Month, the Prairie wants to dedicate this issue to everyone who has lost their life or someone they love to suicide.

According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Sweden’s death rate due to mental

health issues and substance use disorders was 5.9 of every 100,000 people in 2015. In the Netherlands, it was 2.5 and in Canada, 5.8. In the United States, the rate laid at 12.0, a full 7.1 points higher than the average among similarly wealthy countries.

On Feb. 12 of this year, President Donald Trump released the budget for the fiscal year of 2019. The

budget presented a cut of $17.9 billion to the Department of Health and Human Services and a $665 million cut to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“Many of the cuts in the plan are unlikely to become reality: Congress just increased spending Continued on page 14

Illustration by Layce Donnell/The Prairie

New Agricultural Sciences Complex PAGE 3 facebook.com/theprairiewt

In defense of the First Amendment PAGE 6

WT remembers football legend PAGE 7

Meet WT’s shuttle bus drivers PAGE 13

How to make pizza in a mug PAGE 16 @The_Prairie

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RESOURCES

CRIME ON CAMPUS

By Jo Lowry Reporter

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September 18, 2018

THE MARKET By Jelan Hutton

Over the past month, the longest bull market in recorded history continued as the DOW, S&P 500 and NASDAQ finished August in the green. Both S&P 500 and NASDAQ hit an all time high during the last week of the month. Since the start of September, there has been a slight pullback. It is unknown whether the market will continue to trend higher or if the market correction is finally among us. Proceed with investing caution, as there are multiple factors that could affect how the market moves going into the end of Q3.

S&P 500 (+0.55%)

DOW (+1.62%)

Stalking was reported in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center 1:23 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6.

NASDAQ (+0.75%)

Minor was found with possession of alcohol in Founders Hall 11:21 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20.

Burglary in the Activities Center 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29.

Source: data retrieved from finance.yahoo.com

STAFF OF THE PRAIRIE

Editors Hannah Nelson Alyssa Gonzales Tova Kibal

Reporters Jo Lowry Savannah Wesley Allegra Mora

Photographer Layce Donnell

Advertising Manager Esteban Ponce Adviser Dr. Nancy Garcia

The Prairie is a student-operated newspaper at West Texas A&M University. It functions to inform, educate and entertain readers accurately and responsibly. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, faculty or staff. The Prairie verifies the legitimacy of the advertising appearing in The Prairie, but cannot be held liable for any advertising claim made in this publication. The Prairie has a circulation of 1,500 and is printed by Morris Publishing.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -- First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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NEWS

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WTAMU opens new Agricultural Sciences Complex Savannah Wesley Reporter Good fortune showered on West Texas A&M University on Friday, Sept.

7, just like the much needed rain that fell during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that celebrated the opening of the new Agricultural Sciences Complex.

Students, faculty, city officials and citizens from the local area all gathered for the important ceremony.

Also joining were multiple people from the state government including the senators and representatives of the Texas Legislature, who were instrumental in the passing of the bill that granted WTAMU with more than $38 million of the $48 million needed for construction.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and we’re putting WT on the map,” said Dr. Ty Lawrence, professor of animal science.

Just like the rain, the creation of this new building was much needed and long overdue.

Construction, led by two of President Walter Wendler’s former architecture students, started two years ago and was completed just in time for the start of fall classes.

“I think this a really great

Savannah Wesley/The Prairie WTAMU is put on the map by the opening of the New Agricultural Sciences Complex and celebrated by the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House.

opportunity for agriculture majors and WT has some of the best professors in the country,” said Ag Ambassador Whitney Mount, junior agriculture education major.

Many students are greatly excited for the new complex and all of the opportunities it has to offer. The complex has state of the art equipment with a beef carcass center that is top of the line with a hanging rail that can carry the body of an animal from processing directly to an actual classroom. This is so students can actually study a real beef carcass

and understand the process from start to finish. The Bane Event Center will also host a multitude of events including equestrian events, rodeos and 4-H and FFA conferences and competitions.

“This building was built for being student-centered, so when we study in the second floor and the third floor, the offices are on the other side so we can ask questions if you are studying for an exam or a quiz,” said Ag Ambassador Hannah Wellman, senior agriculture education major.

The new building houses

the Caviness Meat Science and Innovation Center, the Bain Event Center, the three-story Happy State Bank Academic and Research Building, the Piehl-Schaeffer Pavillion and a multi-purpose arena that can seat up to 500 people. The entire complex totals up to over 150,000 square feet.

“This center is more than an academic place, it is a community place,” said Dr. Lance Kieth, head of the department of agriculture, “to bring people in, to educate and to do what a university does.”

Multiple people gave their gratitude and congratulations during the ceremony including Dr. Lal K. Almas, who has been serving as the interim dean of the Paul Engler College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences in place of the late Dr. Dean Hawkins. It was announced that the new dean of the college, Dr. Kevin Pond, will be taking over starting in December later this year.

“Yes, WT is the heart of the Texas Panhandle, but agriculture is the lifeline of that heart,” said Almas.

The new Paul Engler Agriculture and Natural Sciences Complex has put the university on the map, cementing WTAMU as an important part of teaching and training the future leaders and workers of the agricultural industry. The addition of the new complex will open up WTAMU’s attendance rate and provide more opportunities for an area heavy in agriculture.

The ribbon cutting took place at the Agricultural Sciences Complex at the corner of Russell Long Boulevard and W Texas A&M Drive with tours of the new facility following immediately after.

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BUFF BRANDING

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September 18, 2018

Hannah Nelson/The Prairie Freshmen and Buff Leaders met 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, in the Jack B. Kelley Legacy Hall to package food for local food banks. The event, titled the “Maroon Heart Project,” resulted in 55,000 meals for the food banks.

Tova Kibal/The Prairie Freshmen Yvonne Rodriguez and Odalys Arguelles climb over a wall during the “Buff Mudder” 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, on the lawn east of the Virgil Henson Activities Center. The “Buff Mudder” is a mile long obstacle course in which freshmen can participate as a part of the initiation process into WTAMU.

“Buff Branding is really close to our heart,” said Jalee Blackwell. “...We do it for the love of the freshmen.”

Tova Kibal/The Prairie Freshman Joseph Tow crawls under an obstacle during the “Buff Mudder.”

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BUFF BRANDING

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“It sets a tone for our life at WT,” said Yanai Otero.

Hannah Nelson/The Prairie Sophomore Yanai Otero labels the meals containing rice and beans during the “Maroon Heart Project.” Otero is a Buff Leader and helped organize the event.

Tova Kibal/The Prairie Junior Ailyan Canava brands the WTAMU freshmen, officially making them a part of the Buffalo family.

Every year, students and faculty gather to observe the initiation of a new addition to the WTAMU heard during the “Branding Ceremony,” a University tradition where the Buffs-to-be are branded with a stamp on their shirts as an indication that they are an official part of the family.

The days building up to the final ceremony are filled with activities designed to make freshmen comfortable and familiar with WT, including but not limited to a “Buff-Fest”, “President’s Cookout,” “Picnic with the Profs,” “Follow my Lead”

and the “Maroon Heart Project.”

Buff Branding is put together by Rogers LEAD WT, a two-year program founded in 2012 where chosen students get a chance to develop strong leadership skills and become Buff Leaders.

“It’s a year long process of planning everything,” said WTAMU graduate Jalee Blackwell, who helped organizing Buff Branding events as a Buff Leader, “so it’s pretty intense, but it’s well worth it.”

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OPINION

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September 18, 2018

Changing perceptions of First Amendment?

Jo Lowry Reporter The First Amendment in the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, press, speech, peaceful assembly and petition. Over the course of the past months, there have been issues where people’s actions have been scrutinized, although they were completely within their rights as U.S. citizens.

This includes taking down posts based on opinions, speaking harshly of the press and their reportings, and discouraging press releases of an opposing view point.

As students, freedoms are important because it allows growth and expression, but under the U.S. Government, it is oftentimes discouraged to express opinions that oppose what the government stands for.

Students are encouraged to learn, but when they decide to speak out about problems they see, their voices are questioned.

In the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments in the U.S. Constitution guarantees personal freedoms and rights that cannot be taken away from a person, even if their opinions contradict others.

on

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The government should serve as a force that protects its people and upholds the freedoms that were given to them. Although it is not a new concept that freedoms have been questioned, attacks on speech and the press have been main issues lately. This is true with President Donald Trump’s accusing tweets about the media being “fake news” and “enemies of the people.”

President Trump has taken to calling seemingly liberal news outlets that include CNN, The New York Times, and NBC “fake news” and “enemies of the people” on and off social media.

Most journalists not only strive to take news to the masses, but they try to do so with honesty. The Society of Professional Journalists states in the Code of Ethics that journalists should seek the truth and report it.

This means that journalists check facts multiple times, make sure that their sources are credible, and avoid putting their own opinions in their reporting.

In the end, journalists write articles about news that not everyone agrees with, but they typically do so with sources and research to back up what they say.

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We the People Illustration by Jo Lowry/The Prairie

In response to President Trump’s accusations of the media, The Boston Globe published an article asking news outlets to express their stances, including high school, university and major newspapers. The papers were tasked with their own opinions on the freedom of the press even though The Boston Globe editors knew that “newspapers were likely to take different approaches” on the subject. Over 300 news outlets published editorials of their own opinions regarding President Trump’s claims and the importance of the media

on Aug. 16. The Breeze, the school newspaper for James Madison University, stated that “without the media, the country would be blind. News outlets allow the public to see what’s happening in other countries and hear what’s really going on behind closed doors.”

The Daily Californian of the University of California at Berkeley made the point that joining The Boston Globe’s call to action is crucial because the young journalists are “the next group of writers to protect the freedom of the press.”

The question remains, has

the publics’ perception of the First Amendment changed? Does the U.S. Government need to take a few steps back and let others voice their own opinions? If so, they need to take a long look at the future of the country. They need to focus on building their students in high schools and universities up by encouraging them to write about the issues that are important to them.

Focus on upholding the First Amendment, on remaining fast to the freedoms of the people that they swear to protect.

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SPORTS

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WTAMU remembers “Pistol” Pete Pedro Alyssa Gonzales Sports Editor

There have been a number of legendary Buffs to walk the field at West Texas A&M University. One of the most well-known was “Pistol” Pete Pedro, who passed away on April 22, 2018. Known to many as a talented and dedicated football player, he was also a loving father, friend and teammate.

“They would always talk about what an amazing athlete he was and the career he had, but also I think in the same breath, they also

talk about what a wonderful human being he was,” said Pete Pedro Jr., son of Pete Pedro Sr. Pedro played the running back position for the Buffs from 1961 to 1963 under legendary coach Joe Kerbel.

During his time at, then, West Texas State, Pedro led the Buffs in rushing yards and attributed to the victory over the Ohio Bobcats in the 1962 Sun Bowl. After his time at WTAMU, Pedro went on to be part of the taxi squad for the Boston Patriots. Pedro was later inducted into the WTAMU Athletic Hall of

Photos Courtesy of Helen Brown Former WTAMU running back, “Pistol” Pete Pedro.

Champions in 1988 and in 2000, was named one of the “Top 100 Sport Legends” in Texas.

“Still to this day, I hear amazing things about him and how much people enjoyed him,” said Pedro Jr. “He was an incredibly interesting, caring, thoughtful, individual.”

Though Pedro was an accomplished athlete, he was very humble when it came to his achievements. Pedro was described as a loyal friend and devoted family man. He was always supportive towards his children in whatever they did and was active and involved when it came to his grandchildren.

“He always had a smile on his face, that’s one thing I’ll always remember about him,” said Maria Guerrero, Pedro’s sister-in-law. “People always gravitated towards him. He had a really good personality.”

During his time at WTAMU, Pedro left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Pedro had respect and always spoke fondly of Coach Kerbel and his former teammates. Though he eventually returned to Lynn, MA and taught for their school district many years after his football career, the relationships he built at WTAMU would ultimately

Photo Courtesy of Helen Brown Pedro reuniting with his former WTAMU teammates.

form into lifelong friendships between him and his teammates.

“He was a sweet, gentle giant,” said former teammate, John David Bryant. “He kept me on my toes, he was like a brother to me.”

Bryant was a dear friend of Pedro and mentioned that they always kept in touch throughout the years.

Bryant recalls a time when the Buffs faced off against Texas Western, now known as UTEP. Pedro scored an impressive total of six touchdowns against the Miners. Bryant remains a close friend of the family and still keeps in contact with them today.

“When Pete came in, he was one of the first three black athletes to ever play major college football on the state of Texas,” said Bryant.

A scholarship has been created in Pedro’s memory and will be awarded to a player of the WTAMU football team each year.

The recipient is selected by the coaching staff and must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average. Some of Pedro’s former teammates including John David Bryant, Corky Dawson, Jerry Logan, Wayne Fox and David Sims founded and have contributed to the scholarship.

“He would be incredibly thankful that other student athletes get to benefit from his legacy,” said Pedro Jr..

“He had such an incredible love for West Texas, knowing that it’s continuing somehow in some way, I think would mean a tremendous amount to him and it certainly does to our family.”

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WELCOME WEEK

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Allegra Mora/The Prairie Students gathered with blankets and popcorn to watch “The Incredibles” 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, on the Cornette Library East Lawn.

Layce Donnell/The Prairie Wakeboarding, rock climbing and basketball were of the activities offered during “Night at the AC” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, in the Virgil Henson Activities Center.

Hannah Nelson/The Prairie Special Education major Kayla Harrah getting a free snowcone from Snowball Stop Wednesday, Aug. 29, at the East Pedestrian Mall.

As returning Buffs made their way back to campus, the University welcomed some new faces to to West Texas A&M during this year’s “Welcome Week.” Students participated in various events to celebrate the new academic year and to greet incoming students. Funfilled events took place such as “Join the Herd 2.0,” where students had the opportunity to check out different oncampus organizations. Other events, such as “Night at the AC” allowed students

to visit the Virgil Henson Activities Center and make use of the all the facilities and equipment the campus has to offer. Outreach and Instruction Librarian Pippin Macdonald described the movie night that kicked off Welcome Week as “a breath before the semester.” Welcome Week at WTAMU is an opportunity for students to get involved, and gave new students a preview of what it’s like to be a part of the Buff family.

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WELCOME WEEK

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“Welcome Week has helped spice things up a bit. I’m not typically a social person, so it has helped get me out of my shell,” said freshman Katy Burgar.

Savannah Wesley/The Prairie Student Government Chief Justice Colton Bourquin, sophomore, and Vice President Elise Tolley, junior, speaking at the “Student Government Meet and Greet” 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, in the Senate Chamber.

Jo Lowry/The Prairie Students danced, played volleyball and competed in challenges against each other during the “Block Party” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the Wesley Foundation.

Layce Donnell/The Prairie During “Night at the AC,” students got to bowl for free, an activity that normally costs $2 per game.

Layce Donnell/The Prairie Students had the chance to win free school supplies at “Supplies Bingo” 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in the Alumni Banquet Hall.

Hannah Nelson/The Prairie Senior Brooke Parrish and sophomore Claudia Padilla tabeling at “Join the Herd 2.0” 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, on the Pedestrian Mall. The event is designed to help students discover on-campus organizations.

10 FEATURES

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We asked students...

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September 18, 2018

How do you pay for your tuition?

Allegra Mora Reporter

Tate Parker, theater performance- “I rely a lot on scholarships that I’ve earned thanks to just being involved in UIL in my high school career and financial aid helps a lot with that, and then basically the rest of it is covered by my family.”

Alvaro Callejas Vazquez, musical theater, junior“It’s all me. I don’t get any help from my parents at all.

A majority is grants and scholarships and I have a lot of money saved up.”

Avery Bailey, biology, freshman“Over half of my tuition is paid by scholarships and the rest my parents are paying for me.”

Julia Wasson, nursing, freshman- “A decent portion of it is scholarships and the rest of it my parents pay for.”

Paige Sturup, dance, Kelly Mundell, dance, junior- senior- “I’m fortunate “Loans and scholarships.” enough that my mother covers my tuition and I Mia Black, dance, sophomore- have scholarships so it’s a “Work study, grants, loans, my combination of scholarships mother and scholarships.” and my mother.”

Louie Pacheco, communicaton, former student- “The first 2 years were completely paid for by financial aid and scholarships.”

Loreal Sylvester, dance, sophomore“I have one loan and a couple scholarships as well as some grants. I also worked over the summer and saved a bunch of money for books, as well as tuition.”

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FEATURES 11

theprairienews.com

Business mixing up flavor on the Square Hannah Nelson Entertainment Editor

“Strawberry Fields [Forever]” may be just a song title for most people. However, step into one of Canyon’s newest businesses on the square and it becomes a blend of strawberries and bananas.

Brother and sister duo open up new juice bar in hopes to provide options for people on any diet.

Julie Simmons and Cody Hudson are the owners of Squeezy Street Juice Bar located on the square at 1512 5th Ave suite 203.. This juice bar offers options from juices, to smoothies and “Nice Cream”. The business opened its doors in April.

“We just wanted to try and give people a healthy option,” Hudson said.

Born and raised in Canyon, the two owners saw an opportunity for their business. They both noticed a lack of options for people who have diet restrictions. They hope that Squeezy Street will be a place anyone can come and find something to enjoy.

“We have family and friends that are doing the vegan thing and trying to eat healthy and they don’t have anywhere to go,” Hudson said. “We wanted to give them an option.”

When designing the juice bar, the owners wanted to create a place that was fun and funky.

The space is decorated with bright colors with art, street signs, and magazine covers. The owners also incorporated their vision into the menu option names.

“I knew I wanted to name one the “Blue Meanie” but we didn’t have one that was blue until we finally came up with one,” Hudson said.

As for their menu, the owners want to offer something for everyone.

According to Simmons, they take the diets of customers very seriously.

They can customize most menu options to fit the person.

“We can change anything. We can make anything you request if you don’t see It. Just ask about it because we want to be able to give the people what they want,” Simmons said.

Simmons and Hudson also want students to have a place to study. They want to provide a welcoming environment for students to come grab a smoothie and study or gather with a group.

“We kind of wanted to have that coffee shop vibe where if you want to come in and get a juice and crack your books open it is set up for that,” Hudson said.

For West Texas A&M senior education major

Hannah Nelson/The Prairie Owners Julie Simmons and Cody Hudson standing infront of the Squeezy Street Juice Bar on the Canyon Square.

Jordynn Penton, she has enjoyed having Squeezy Street as an option in Canyon. She first tried Squeezy Street in the summer and sees herself using the space to study.

“I think that Squeezy Street has a great environment. Employees are always upbeat and seem happy about working there. They are always quick about getting me my order,” Penton said.

“I keep wanting to come back, not just because of the quality of their drinks, but because it’s great customer service and welcoming atmosphere.”

The friendly service makes Penton want to go back and recommend her friends. When they can, Simmons and Hudson

enjoy getting to know the people that come in.

“It’s the customers for sure, the people that come in are awesome, they are very gracious with us as we are learning, but everyone has just been so friendly,” As winter gets closer, the owners are planning on having more hot options to fit the weather.

Squeezy Street Juice Bar is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. and 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Saturdays. They have WiFi available for customers.

It is a place where people can grab a healthy bite to eat, socialize, and study.

“Come on in,” Hudson said. “They hear juice bar, and they think it is just juice, but we got something that everybody likes.”

12 NEWS

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September 18, 2018

DACA students reflect on life in the U.S. Allegra Mora Reporter

In 2010, Julio Salazar’s uncle was murdered in a cartel shootout in Juarez, Mexico. His mother went to Mexico for the funeral and was not allowed back into the United States. Around the same time, Salazar’s father was also deported.

“I was 17 when I was on my own,” Salazar said.

“I was probably about a year old when we came over,” said Salazar. “I took my first steps here in the U.S. and grew up in Amarillo.”

Salazar is a pre-med student at West Texas A&M University and one of nearly 800,000 active recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The DACA program aids many individuals and allows recipients to work and pay for college.

“I had private scholarships that I used to pay my first few semesters through WTAMU.” Salazar said. On top of scholarships, Salazar pays out of pocket.

“Cost will not stop me.”

With DACA being reviewed, the chance of the program being repealed could mean deportation for many people.

“It was a terrifying

Photo Courtesy of Julio Salazar Picture from 2010, the last time Salazar (second from the left) and his family were together.

reminder that even though I feel American in my heart, I am not, under the eyes of the law,” said Salazar.

With opportunities DACA offers, various individuals are given the chance to attend college.

Itzel Anett Enriquez, junior, secondary math education, is politically active when it comes to DACA. She was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and lived there for a year. She graduated high school from Bovina, TX. Enriquez is a first-generation

college student and a DACA recipient. “I’ve lived here my entire life,” Enriquez said. Enriquez’ parents always pushed her to get an education. “I always knew I wanted to go to college.”

Her goal for the future is to “just be a good teacher,” she said.

With talk of repealing DACA, “Dreamers” are at risk of being deported.

Most DACA recipients have spent their lives in the U.S. and consider themselves Americans.

“It’s like taking an [American] citizen and putting them in Mexico,” Enriquez said.

As far as politics go, many are concerned with changes being made.

“I think the fact we’re putting people in cages is ridiculous,” Enriquez said when talking about the detention camps.

“If [DACA] gets repealed, I can’t teach.” Enriquez said.

“If I go back, I completely start over.”

The Deferred Action for

Childhood Arrivals program was created by the Obama administration.

DACA allows young individuals to remain in the U.S. with temporary protection from deportation.

Most “Dreamers” know they are going to college.

Many don’t know how they are going to pay for it.

To pay for college Enriquez does the paper FAFSA, has Texas grants, as well as scholarships. Enriquez also works in residential living as a hall director.

“They have the same opportunities any other students have.” said Velma Murillo Perez, director of the scholarship office. “The difference is students don’t think it applies to them”, so many don’t apply, Murillo Perez said.

As more changes are made to DACA, people are coming forward to share their story and support for “Dreamers”.

“When people ask me what I am? I say American.

As Dreamers we love our culture, we love being Latinx, we love our roots, however we love this country and its values. We don’t drain the system, we are young educated individuals, with no criminal records or we wouldn’t be able to apply for DACA,” Salazar said.

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FEATURES 13

theprairienews.com

The driving forces behind WTAMU

Hannah Nelson Entertainment Editor

Just as the sun rises at 7 a.m., Dave Sims hops onto his shuttle to start his rounds. Sims is one of the six shuttle drivers at West Texas A&M University who ensures members of the WTAMU community get to their destinations on campus timely and effectively.

For many students and faculty members, these shuttle drivers are the first people they see in the morning and the last people they see in the afternoon.

However, even though the shuttle drivers become familiar faces on campus, many people may not know that much about them.

Sims has been a driver at WTAMU for approximately seven years. When he first started working at the university, he also worked as a school bus driver for Canyon Independent School District in the mornings, and then came to the university in the afternoon. He has since retired from CISD after 30 years but still enjoys driving for WTAMU. “It is really cool that we get to greet people and tell them good morning and those kinds of things, visit with them and ask them how they are doing,” Sims said.

Hannah Nelson/The Prairie WTAMU shuttle bus outside the Jack B. Kelley Student Center

Throughout his time here he has gotten to know people on campus from students to faculty members. As time has gone by he has started to recognize many of the people that have ridden on his shuttle.

“I have students that I wave at that don’t ride anymore, some of them are graduate students now…I see them every once in a while, and I stop and visit with them for just a second. It is just kind of fun to see how they are doing,” Sims said.

Sims believes that everything should be a social event. Talking with riders is one of his favorite things to do while driving. The same thing goes for afternoon shuttle driver Terry Rainey

who believes it is important that the shuttle bus drivers give people a good experience while using the service.

“I have always been the type of person [who] wants to make a good first impression,” Rainey said, “I realized we are the first impression for the students here at WT.” Rainey keeps maps of WT in his bus to so that students can figure out the campus and where the bus stops. He wants to be someone that can give a helping hand to the people he meets every day.

“A lot of them want to know where are the bus stops, where is this, where is that?

Here is a map and I will draw you the bus stops on it so you will know exactly where we

stop,” Rainey said.

Rainey is a retired truck driver of 40 years. He started as a shuttle driver at WTAMU last semester and even attended the university for a semester in 1969. One thing that Rainey enjoys is making people laugh.

“I love nothing better than to see people laugh, whether it is because somebody else did something, or something I said or did,” Rainey said. “...Even if they are laughing at me I don’t care, as long as they are laughing.”

According to Rainey one of the key things he picks out about students is when they have eye contact with him.

To him eye contact is one of the most important things that students need to have now and in their future.

“I am a people person, I believe in looking people in the eyes, although a lot of times if I am trying to count how many are getting on the bus I miss some of them.

Eye contact is something these students need to learn because it will be very useful to them in their future,” Rainey said.

The shuttle drivers work to make their rounds as effective as possible. According to Sims the shuttle bus is one of the best stress-free ways to get to class. To prevent downtime during shift changes every

day, each driver’s time is staggered to ensure shuttle busses are constantly in route.

“Rather than having all those busses stop and having a bunch of people waiting… at least it’s staggered so we still have busses on the route.

It is just a quicker process,” Jerry Faltinek, director of support services said.

This semester, the shuttle bus program has a shortage of drivers. According to Faltinek this shortage is primarily due to the lack of qualified drivers. Faltinek oversees the shuttle bus program. In order to be a driver for the program, drivers must have a class B commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement.

“You know, we just make it work, it’s fine. On Tuesdays and Thursdays if we are short it makes it kind of hard because the busses get really full,” Simms said.

The university has been using the Panhandle Transit to help get more busses in route. Even with the shortage, the shuttle bus service keeps riders as their top priority. For Sims and Rainey it is about providing a service to members of the WTAMU community.

“Just the opportunity to visit with people and to provide a service for the university,” Sims said.

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September 18, 2018

Suicide increase nationwide, budgets are cut From Page 1

limits last week, and it rarely dares to change entitlement programs.

But the budget is an important signal of the administration’s priorities,” the Washington Post staff wrote on Feb. 16 in response to the budget reveal.

September is National Suicide Prevention month and according to the nonprofit Active Minds, today’s generation is closer to breaking the stigma around mental health than we have ever been. But suicide rates continue to climb with an increase of 30 percent from the year 2000 to the year 2016, the highest number since 1986, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

On average, one person dies by suicide every three hours in Texas and it is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-34 in the state.

“We are progressing in a way that we are getting more vocal about things, but are we progressing fast enough is the question,’’ said junior music education major Koby Solis, “I don’t think we are.’’

Solis knows what it is like to struggle with mental health while juggling life in college. He grew up in a strict household in Lubbock,

with a catholic father on active duty in the military.

A young Solis attending military events with his family was required to “hold posture and composure,” and scolded if he didn’t.

“I didn’t really have a chance to be a kid, I always had to be grown up or act grown up,” Solis said. “You had to be headstrong and that’s that. And you don’t let anyone see you be sad or soft or have time for yourself. “...I struggled a lot, especially in my middle school years and early high school, with trying to stay positive when everything around me seemed to be so negative.”

Being the oldest of four boys, there was no room for mess-ups and Solis felt like he was “next in line to be the man of the house” from an early age. His parents enforced strict gender roles, and when Solis came out as gay to his parents, the reaction wasn’t great.

“Along with all the pressure of how you should act, there was also that boiling inside,” he said. “...I would say if anything, it gave me extreme amounts of anxiety just trying to maintain the expectations.

There were many nights that I would be up super late, and [up] early just to study, or to do what was expected of me.’’

Solis’ anxiety came with

him to college. He explains that his parents’ beliefs are still engraved in him as he feels pressure to uphold the expectations and be a role model to his younger brothers. He believes that the stigma around mental health is dangerous and makes the situation worse.

“I feel like mental health isn’t talked about enough, if anything at all,” Solis said. “...It’s crazy, but people never start doing anything until something bad happens.

“How many people have to die in order for us to see change?”

Solis isn’t the only one carrying mental health issues while balancing student life.

According to Dayna Schertler, director of student counseling services, some common issues among WTAMU students are related to stress, pressure, relationships, anxiety, sleep and transition to life at college.

“I do think it is stigmatized but in the 24 years I’ve been doing it, it has gotten a lot better,” Schertler said. “...There is less stigma, but are we in a perfect place?

Probably not.”

In 2009, WT’s Student Counseling Services moved offices from the Virgil Henson Activities Center to the Student Success Center to make counseling more accessible. To ensure students felt comfortable visiting the

Age-adjusted suicide rates , 1999-2014 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Age-adjusted suicide rates per 100,000 population

Death rate per 100,000 population due to mental health and substance use disorders in 2015 Japan Netherlands Belgium Comparable Country Average United Kingdom Switzerland Australia Austria Canada Sweden Germany France United States 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Source: the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. office in the much more open location, the windows were frosted and the door closed.

Schertler requested that the frost on the windows to be taken off when she became director in 2017.

“I said: I think things are different. Things are better. I think we can probably be a little more open,’’ Schertler explained.

She was told that wouldn’t be possible, because of

the sensitive nature of counseling. Instead, she decided to at least leave the door open, and it has stayed open ever since.

“I think people, because they don’t know a lot about it, make assumptions like ‘if you are struggling with depression you’re always going to struggle with depression’, or ‘if you’re struggling with anxiety Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 14 you’re not going to achieve as much as you’d like to,’” Schertler said. “I think because some of those beliefs still exist, people are reluctant to talk about it.”

Counseling Services offers 10 free sessions of individual therapy to students and unlimited weekly group sessions, all completely confidential. The university also participates in “Say Something”, a program where students who see something concerning on campus can text ‘‘WTAMU’’ followed by their concern anonymously to 50911.

There are many groups determined to help people with suicidal thoughts. The Crisis Text Line offers free support 24/7 to anyone who texts ‘‘help’’ to 741-741 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.

Talking about mental health is what saved Solis and he speaks from own experience when he says it’s okay, to not always be okay.

Today, Solis’ no longer has fear of expressing his feelings. ‘‘I found that through talking and getting it out of my head and speaking my truth I’ve found healing, and it’s freeing and beautiful. As a society we need to encourage each other to be open, fearless and proud. There’s no pain and weakness to be open, it makes you stronger.’’

Former Buff returns as Director Alyssa Gonzales Sports Editor As the Buffs and Lady Buffs return for a new actionpacked season of West Texas A&M University athletics, a former Buff has returned to help keep the buff nation and sports fans updated on the latest scores and stats for their favorite sports.

Tyson Jex has come back to Canyon as WTAMU’s new director of athletic communications. He served as the assistant sports information director at Texas A&M International prior returning to the Canyon area.

“It’s awesome because you get to work with student athletes everyday,” Jex said.

“When I was a graduate assistant, I got to know them on a personal basis. It’s cool to see their lives after college.”

As the director of athletic communications, Jex “wears a lot of different hats.” He is in charge of making sure every sport at WTAMU is covered.

With the help of the graduate assistants within the athletic media relations department, Jex and the department take care of everything from live stats, videos and game notes to social media posts, historical data and team records.

“He brings a lot of passion, he cares, he loves WT,” said Matt Stewart, head track and field coach. “He does a great

Alyssa Gonzales/The Prairie Tyson Jex has been named the new Director of Athletic Communications.

job promoting our athletes and promoting our sports.”

Despite the long hours and hard work that comes with the job, Jex is passionate about what he does and loves doing sports coverage.

He likes watching all of the student athletes succeed and has a love and appreciation for every sport, from track and field to soccer.

“It’s nice to have people that really enjoy their job...he is respectable to all the sports and loves all of them,” said head volleyball coach Jason Skotch.

As a former college athlete himself, Jex has

always enjoyed covering and writing about sports. He appreciates the “family feel” that the athletic program at WTAMU has and values the support from the fans of the athletic program. Jex received his masters degree here at WTAMU and is a former graduate assistant for the West Texas A&M athletic communications department.

Jex expressed his appreciation for the nice facilities that WTAMU has to offer for the athletes and the fans. He also spoke of his excitement towards the construction of the new stadium being built for the

2019-2020 football season.

“WT in my mind, is the premiere division II program in the nation,” Jex said. “It’s a real neat environment.

Not only because the teams are successful, but also the administration, the student athletes, the coaches, and just the community.”

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D O R M HACKS

By Hannah Nelson

September 18, 2018 Having trouble hanging your tapestry? Since nails are a no go for all dorms, it can be hard hanging up any decorations. However, there is an easy way to hang up any fabric type wall art without causing wall damage. With the use of Command Strips, scissors, and clothes pins.

STEPS

1. Take your Command Strips and cut them long ways in half 2. Place on side of the Command Strip on your clothes pins 3. Carefully stick the clothes pins in a row on your wall 4. Clip in your tapestry or other fabric

ET M R DOU do r m ur g i n yo ge t n i k o o ud C l le ge b o c a on

nA Pizza I

Mug

In a microwavable safe mug mix together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, oil, and milk. Top the mixture with sauce and cheese and any other toppings desisired. Place in the microwave for 1 ½ minutes. Let cool for 1 minute.

Ingredients

Recipe from Woman’s Day “Here’s How to Make Actual Pizza In a Mug In Under Two Minutes” by Marlissa Cepeda

 Flour- 4 tablespoons  Salt-1/8 teaspoon  Baking powder-1/8 teaspoon  Pinch of baking soda  Milk- 3 tablespoons  Oil- 1 tablespoon  Mozzarella cheese  Pizza sauce

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