Vol. 97, No. 7

ThePRAIRIE

September 3, 2014

Vol. 97 Iss. 2

Photo Courtesy of: Amanda Koontz

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UPD offers police services to students and faculty

iWeek at WTAMU

Rodeo team members talk mental prep

WTAMU student travels to China for internship

Minority graduation rates suffer

2 NEWS NEWS

Buff News Briefs

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September 3, 2014

It’s A Buffs Life

Bill Rancic to speak in B o y s R a n c h R o d e o Lecture Series at WT + a d v e n t u r e F E S T

Staff EDITOR Megan Moore ASSOCIATE EDITORS Alyssa Bonner Preston Thomas ADVISER Dr. Butler Cain AD MANAGER Alyssa Bonner LAYOUT DESIGNERS Cheyenne Black Victoria Stone

Photographers Amanda Koontz Natalia Molina

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 the Amarillo Globe-News.

B

ill Rancic will present on entrepreneurship and business on Sept. 11 as a part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at West Texas A&M University. The event will be held in Legacy Hall of the Jack B. Kelley Student Center at 7:30 p.m.

Rancic was the winner of the first season of The Apprentice and has since been on the E! Entertainment reality series Giuliana and Bill, host of Kitchen Casino on the Food Network and host of America Now.

We dding Planning Course to be offered

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est Texas A&M University’s Education on Demand is now offering a Certified Wedding and Event Planning Course.

The course will cover the basic teachings of planning, orchestrating, and host public events. The course meets from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 8 each Monday through Dec. 8 for 14 weeks at the WTAMU Amarillo Center, Room 1011 in the Chase Tower. The deadline to register for the course is 5 p.m. Sept. 3 and tuition is due at the time of registration. The cost of the course is $995.

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al Farley’s hosted the 70th annual Boys Ranch Rodeo +adventureFEST which benefitted the boys and girls of Cal Farley’s over Labor Day weekend. The rodeo featured the boys and girls of Cal Farley’s, ages 5-18, in categories ranging from mutton busting to bronc riding.

This year’s rodeo coincides with Cal Farley’s 75th anniversary and continues with a 7-decade long tradition.

Communication Hall of Fa m e i n d u c te e s

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est Texas A&M University’s Department of Communication has selected its 2014 inductees to the Communication Hall of Fame.

The four graduates will be honored at an event to be held at the Jack B. Kelley Student Center, Legacy Hall at 6 p.m. on Oct. 10.

The inductees include Gary Beagle, president and CEO for Beagle, Burke & Associates, Steve Cornett, editor emeritus of Farm Journal, Dr. Andy Mangum, senior minister of the First Christian Church in Arlington, and Lisa Schmidt-Johnson, news anchor at KVII TV, Pronews 7 in Amarillo.

Instagram Photo of the Week

September 3, 2014

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3 NEWS NEWS

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UPD offers police services to students and faculty Alyssa Bonner Assistant Editor

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oving away from home to attend college is an experience that can sometimes be nerve-wracking, not only for students, but for parents as well. Parents often have questions and concerns in regards to the safety of their children, even when their children are moving away to attend a smaller university like WT. According to University Police Department Detective Gabriel Arriaga, two common questions parents and students often have in regards to UPD are if they are really police versus security and if they are 24/7.

The answer to both is yes.

“We are a full service police department,” Detective Arriaga said. “We have the jurisdiction to issue citations and make arrests. We also have a 24/7 dispatch.”

Students can and are encouraged to always call if there is an emergency or assistance is needed, such as an escort.

In addition to traditional police department services, UPD offers an escort service. If a student is leaving or arriving to campus at night and their vehicle or residence hall is across campus, the student can call UPD and an officer will escort the student to their destination.

Students are also encouraged to sign up for Buff Alert, an electronic notification system that sends out updates on emergencies happening on campus, such as fire alarms and lockdowns.

Students can sign up by going online to wtamu.edu/buffalert.

UPD also has a lost and found service online. Students can access it through the UPD page on the WT website.

“Students can search online for items they have lost if they have been brought in, and they can file a claim on a lost item,” Detective Arriaga said.

One of the most recurrent crimes at WT is theft. Most personal property stolen on campus consists of personal electronic devices taken from inside buildings, such as cell phones, tablets, mp3 devices, computers and gaming consoles.

UPD began Operation LockOut Theft in an effort to decrease

the number of thefts. Operation LockOut Theft is a program that helps student mark their belongings and record vital information in the event of theft.

Information is retained by UPD to facilitate quicker theft reports and increase the rate of recovery. Students, faculty and staff are all encouraged to participate.

“Students and faculty can register their belongings online now,” Detective Arriaga said.

“We’ve had students register a number of items, ranging from computers to hair dryers.”

More information can be found by visiting wtamu.edu/

lockout.

UPD compiled a list of statistics that show burglaries are most likely to occur in a residence hall. Statistically, most on-campus crimes do not involved forced entry; they are opportunistic crimes.

Although theft is the most prominent crime on the WT campus, UPD reminds students to keep in mind that other crimes may still have a presence.

UPD has a number of crime prevention and safety tips they like students to take note of. These include: 1) Keep personal property close by and refrain from leav-

ing it unattended. 2) Secure personal property as much as possible. 3) Park your vehicle in well-lit areas. Always lock your vehicle after parking. Refrain from leaving valuables in your vehicle. 4) Always lock your dorm room when leaving for any amount of time, including trips to the shower and the dining hall. 5) Never allow other people access to your keys.

For more details on crime prevention and safety and to see the full list of tips, visit the UPD page on the WT website, or follow UPD on Facebook at facebook.com/wtamu.police.

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4 NEWS NEWS

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September 10, 2014

Campus Climate Survey launches at WT campus Megan Moore Editor

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est Texas A&M University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion has recently began to address the issue of low graduation rates in minority students by working with an outsourced vendor to produce a Campus Climate Survey to be administered starting Oct. 1.

“This is being given to all sophomores and juniors,” Dr. Rosemary Gray, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, said.

“We’re going to learn and be able to plan and to understand our students and what their needs are in this 21st century.”

Faculty and staff on campus have been included in this project as well. College Deans were asked to select a specific liaison through the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and that has been completed for freshman.

“Our focus is really on freshman, entering freshman and transfer students,” Gray said.

“Another purpose of this survey is to help increase our graduation rates, because based on our graduation rates they are about half or less for black African American and Hispanic students, so we want to increase the graduation rates.”

Gray worked with the Institutional Research Office to find the information needed on the graduation rates and has chosen this particular survey because it is a national based survey and will allow for a comparison between institutions of higher learning across the U.S.that have also participated in the survey.

The results for the survey will be available in the summer and will be accessible for administration, faculty, staff and others who do any sort of planning involving the results. Student Government will also be looking at the results when they come in.

“I can’t represent someone I don’t know about, so just know what types of students are here, what they need assistance with, what are they feeling so that we can focus on a positive,” Edward Akinyemi, Student Body President, said. “My biggest pet peeve is pointing out a problem

but not bringing a solution so hopefully we can find solutions to the problems we have here at WT.” The survey, however, will not be conducted every year because Grey said that the office will need to have time to address the results. In future years, the university could consider an inhouse survey.

“I think that if this is a good test run then we can start opening tests for more minority groups and not exclude the majority of the group either, because it is their campus also, so you have to make sure that we

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appease all students at WT not just certain groups,” Akinyemi said.

In addition to the Campus Climate Survey, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has also launched an Active Study Hall program held every Monday and Tuesday for freshman and transfer students in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center. The Study Hall is student led by peer leaders who are a part of the ASH program.

“I want to make this an inclusion thing,” Rhemecka Graham, senior Business Management major and ASH program leader,

said. “I know we are targeting a certain group of students but that’s only going to get us so far.

I want us to become a part of WT, help and input things into WT. I want students to know their ideas are welcomed and encouraged.”

This year is the first year that the ASH program will be implemented on campus. Leaders were required to go through leadership training before the start of school. Additional information on the Active Study Hall and the ASH program can be found on the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s webpage.

September 3, 2014

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5 NEWS NEWS

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iWeek at WTAMU Ice Bucket Challenge hits WT Tori Sheets Reporter

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tudents have an opportunity to get connected with organizations on and off campus during involvement week, or iWeek. iWeek is a three-day event held in Legacy hall Sept. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that focuses on connecting students with service organizations, clubs and campus departments and services that are available to them. “iWeek is the last push to help students get connected before they start getting busy,” Alex Montoya, senior Broadcast and Advertising and Public Relations Major, said. “That way they can have their niche on campus, and from there they can start on school and their organizations and enjoy their experience.”

The event is separated into three different days for specific types of organizations. Tuesday, iSucceed focused on departments on campus that offer resources and services to advance student’s academic success.

“The departments will be out of student success center, the library, police department, and other services for students,” Matt Maples, associate of student activities, said.

Wednesday, iBelong will include all organizations on campus, and in Canyon and Amarillo that students can get involved with. Then, on Thursday iCare will get students connected with service organizations and charities.

“The classroom is just half of the experience for college stu-

dents,” Montoya said. “Getting involved is the other half that you have to have. Organizations help people get involved and have fun while they’re here, instead of just being education based.”

Natalia Molina/The Prairie Hillary Siegfried and Josh Warnica pose at iSuceed fair.

Natalia Molina/The Prairie WT Career Services speak to students about upcoming jobs.

Natalia Molina/The Prairie WT Student Success Center informs students of what they offer.

Preston Thomas Assistant Editor

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myotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that destroys the neurons responsible for motor control, effectively paralyzing its victims.

In mid-summer of 2014 a slowly brewing internet phenomenon exploded into a viral sensation in the form of the ALS Ice bucket challenge; where participants either donate a sum to charity or dump a bucket of ice water on themselves, then challenge others to do the same. The effect was astonishing, with the ALS Association receiving over 40 million dollars between July and August. Spreading like a wildfire over social media, with celebrities and other notable public figures such as former president George W. Bush fanning the blaze, it would not take long for WT students to become a part of the challenge.

“The challenge has definitely raised awareness,” said freshman Music Composition major Cheyenne Birdsong, “It’s even on the school’s webpage.”

So far WT has released two videos itself, one featuring several staff and faculty accepting the challenge and the other featuring president J. Patrick O’Brian and a group of incoming freshmen being drenched.

Social media is rife with videos of WT students dousing themselves and the phenomenon is a buzzing conversation within the university.

“It has been all over Facebook,” said sophomore Music Education major Kevin Strick-

land.

“I learned about it from a video on Twitter,” said freshman Ad/PR major Charity Garrison, “I didn’t know what Lou Gehrig’s disease was before this challenge.”

“Who doesn’t like watching people freeze to death,” said Birdsong.

As mentioned, one of the driving factors of the challenge’s spread is the participation of high profile celebrities, and the

students of WT have an idea who they would like to see go under the bucket.

“President Obama,” said Strickland, “he goes golfing so he might as well find time for this.”

“There’s a lot, actually,” said Garrison, “It’d be hilarious if Donald Trump did it, his wig would fall off.”

“Ah, I need to look up a list of who has already done it,” said Birdsong.

Jose Robledo/The Prairie The construction site’s located in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.

6 SPORTS SPORTS

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September 3, 2014

WT opens with CSU-Pueblo Fitness class at AC Tyler Anderson Reporter

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espite facing a tough opening slate and coming off a three-way quarterback battle, Head Coach Mike Nesbitt and the West Texas A&M Buffalo football team appear up to the challenge for the 2014 campaign. The Buffs begin their season against the Colorado State University-Pueblo Thunderwolves on Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Neta and Eddie McRose Thunderbowl in Pueblo, Colo.

“It’s great going back,” junior defensive lineman Jacob Laguna said. “We’re going to find out who we are, and we’re going to show the nation what we’re about.”

In the face of losing Harlon Hill runner-up Dustin Vaughan and a core of playmakers, Nesbitt will turn to junior quarterback Preston Rabb and a youth movement on defense. The defensive unit will be led by Laguna, junior free safety Ethan Morriss and sophomore linebacker Patric Youngman, who earned honorable mention allconference honors.

“We’re really starting to come together as a group,” Youngman said. “A lot of the guys are in the same situation as I was last year.

So far in practice, everything been going along great.”

As the Buffs are set to reload, the Thunderwolves return two First-Team Preseason All-Americans in senior defensive lineman Darius Allen and senior defensive back C.J. Roberts. CSU-Pueblo also possess Second-Team preseason

All-American quarterback Chris Bonner. Bonner passed for 33 touchdowns and more than 3,400 yards in 2013.

Since the two began playing each other in 2011, the young rivalry between the two Division II powerhouses have been close. However, the Buffs seek to even out the series at two games apiece.

“The rivalry [between WT and CSU-Pueblo] is that we’re always ranked and it’s a re-

gional game,” Nesbitt said of a potential contention between the two programs. Nesbitt also noted that the trip to Pueblo is a close one and that the Buffs and Thunderwolves have met before in the Division II playoffs.

“If you’re not ready, they’re going to beat you,” sophomore offensive lineman Austin Carson said. “If you should be fine.”

The game will be featured on KCIT (FOX-Channel 14) at 7 p.m.

“We’re going to find out who we are, and we’re going to show the nation what we’re about.”

-Jacob Laguna

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Amanda Koontz Reporter

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n partnership with Shape-Up Program and Weight Watchers, the Virgil Henson Activities Center offers fitness classes to students, faculty and members.

Fitness, a division of the Virgil Henson Activities Center, grants students and members opportunities to become active

in Zumba, yoga, water aerobic, karate and swimming. The Fitness staff is dedicated to help with fitness needs.

WTAMU students have free access to these classes. Community members are charged $60 per class and WTAMU faculty and staff are charged $45.

For more information, contact Elosia Reyna at 806-6512323 or come by room 124 in the Activities Center.

September 10, 2014

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7 SPORTS SPORTS

WTAMU carries on rituals Alyssa Bonner Assistant Editor

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he spirit of WT and some of its traditions are coming back to life as various sports seasons are underway.

From volleyball to football, and other sports in between, Buff fans are coming back together to show their support and encouragement to the university and its athletes.

Students and fans from the community supported the Lady Buffs Volleyball team at the BritKare Lady Buff Classic Sept. 5-6.

At the end of each game, the Lady Buffs stood and held their Buff signs as the band played the Alma Mater. Head coach Jason Skoch said this year will be different.

“We have injuries, and we have kids that have never done this before,” Skoch said, “so this will be test to see how loyal players and supporters are if it gets rough early on.”

Though the Lady Buffs fell to two teams last weekend, leading to a record of 2-2 to start the season, the crowd still cheered and remained standing after the games until the end of the beloved tune.

“Everybody up,” is a familiar sound at volleyball and basketball games. At The Box before volleyball games and at the First United Bank Center before basketball games, fans stand up and clap in unison until the opponent scores their first point.

The fans can remain standing and clapping for a large amount of time during a period of Buffalo domination. It is also a tradition to stand and cheer at

volleyball games when the Lady Buffs are one point away from a match win.

At football games, fans can always expect to see the Herdsmen running across the turf with WT’s beloved mascot, Thunder, a tradition that has been alive since the fall of 1977. The Herdsmen founders believed a live mascot was needed to get the students and team fired up. Still, in 2014, the Herdsmen can be seen running down the field with the buffalo, now Thunder 11. The Herdsmen and Thunder 11 are followed on the field by members of the Maroon Platoon carrying flags that spell out “Buffs.”

The Maroon Platoon is campus organization whose mission

is “to support and cheer on our West Texas Buffs,” according to their Facebook page. The Maroon Platoon is easily recognized by the men who paint their bodies at football and basketball games. Members of the Maroon Platoon can also be seen performing a dance called the Haka before sporting events.

The Haka is a traditional ancestral war dance that is performed by a group, with strong movements and stomping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.

Whether it is a football game or a volleyball match, fans young and old stand tall and proud to cheer on the West Texas A&M University Buffaloes.

“We have injuries, and we have kids that have never done this before,” -JasonSkoch

Photo courtesy of the Maroon Platoon.

“Members of the Maroon Platoon carry the flags across the field at WT’s final home game of the 2013 season.”

Photo courtesy of the Maroon Platoon.

“The Maroon Platoon performs the Haka during last season’s Pink Out football game.”

8 ARTS LEISURE ARTS& & LEISURE

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New iPhone revealed Forrest runs to IMAX Cheyenne Black Reporter

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or months there have been rumors swirling around about the new features that Apple has added to the iPhone 6. Each year Apple releases the next generation of the smartphone. Though this year, Apple has devised a plan to unveil two new smartphones.

According to the tech site, MacRumors the expected release date for the new 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is set to be Sept. 9, but the release date for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 has had some disagreement as to when the release date should be due to production issues. However, there is still a chance that the 5.5-inch version could be released with the 4.7inch version.

The new iPhone 6 will include a sapphire crystal screen.

The glass is a transparent crystal that is stronger than steel and harder than the Gorilla Glass that is on the current iPhones.

The newly updated iPhone 6 will also accommodate a faster and more efficient A8 chip. The new characteristic that everyone has been anxiously waiting for, is the significantly larger screen that has increased from the iPhone 5 size at 3.5-inches to 4.7 inches and 5.2 inches. The final version of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is said to be 6.9 mm thick, 138 mm long and 66 mm wide. Compared to the current iPhone 5s, which is 7.6 mm. MacRumors also states that the glossy 4.7-inch iPhone 6 front panel has thinner bezels and slightly tapered with rounded edges that will fit tightly with the rear shell.

In a recent article post by Time magazine, iPhone 6’s purported NFC capabilities could possibly kick the credit cards out of the wallet and turn the iPhone into a mobile wallet, allowing users to pay for goods and services with a swipe of the phone. Time magazine also reported that Apple is conversing with credit card companies and banks to make this happen which could put mobile payments at the top of the media headlines.

After the debuting on September 9, the new iPhone will likely be available for purchase on Sept. 19.

Josh Collins Reporter

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e’s been a soldier, a shrimp boat captain and a cross-country runner.

He was an All-American football player, an international PingPong player, and among the first Americans to visit China in “a million years, or something like that.” He’s been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and accidentally discovered the Watergate Scandal. He was continually told to run. A man who witnessed American history through a different perspective, Forrest Gump.

“Forrest Gump” will return to the big screen for its special 20th anniversary showing in IMAX on Sept. 5. For the Panhandle area, the film will hit the big screen on Sept. 4 at the United Artists Theatre in Amarillo, TX. The film has been digitally remastered for the IMAX experience. However, the film will only be re-released for one week following the anniversary of the film. To round out its anniversary, the film will also be released later this month in a special Diamond Luxe Blu-ray edition.

In its 142 minutes, the film covers love, politics, religion, history and destiny. Since its release, the movie has won 48 awards, including 1995 Academy Awards Best Picture, and has been nominated for 54 other awards. During its release, “Forrest Gump” was the highest grossing film of all time, generating a complete total of $677,387,716 in worldwide box office sales.

Based on Winston Groom’s novel of the same name, the film follows the adventures of Forrest Gump, an athletic man who unknowingly stumbles upon some of the most significant events in American history from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. Oscar winner Tom Hanks stars as Forrest, while Golden Globe winner Robin Wright portrays Jenny.

Since the movies worldwide success, a sequel to the original novel was released in 1995 entitled “Gump & CO.” The book follows the life of Forrest Gump where the first novel left off, on a similar journey through the 1980’s and 1990’s.

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September 3, 2014

Preston Picks Top 4 Adaptations

Sherlock – The BBC’s modern update of the world’s greatest detective is an absolute blast, with co-stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman nailing their characters. The original stories remain timeless classics, and giving them a read will help pick out the references dropped by the Holmes-nerds showrunners Mark Gatiss and Peter Moffat.

Game of Thrones – The HBO show infamous for being full of boobs, backstabbing and blood sprang forth from a book series equally full of the same. The shows, despite having ten hour long episodes a season, have to leave a lot on the cutting room floor, while the novels are free to spend ample time building the massive fantasy world of Westeros.

World War Z – I will only briefly acknowledge the existence of a movie with the title World War Z, and instead continue to pretend that there is only the book. WWZ is a detailed documentary style look at the global effects of a zombie apocalypse, featuring interviews with people from all over the world about their lives before, during and after the titular war.

Anything by Stephen King

– Poor Stephen just can’t seem to get many good adaptations.

Most film or TV versions of his books are overly corny and not very well made. In most cases, they do not do justice to the original books. Kings books are compelling and strangely believable for their often supernatural content, and definitely worth a read.

theprairienews.com

ARTS LEISURE 9 ARTS& & LEISURE

TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez 1. COMICS: What was the name of Calvin’s neighborhood friend and classmate in “Calvin & Hobbes”?

2. LANGUAGE: What does “draconian” mean?

3. GEOGRAPHY: On what continent does the Atacama desert lie?

4. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What famous 19th-century author and humorist had only an elementary-school education?

5. ADVERTISING SLOGANS: What product is “the snack that smiles back”?

6. LITERATURE: What Southern author often wrote novels set in the fictional “Yoknapatawpha County”?

7. MUSIC: What was the name of Buddy Holly’s band?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What vegetable is used in making sauerkraut?

9. TELEVISION: What was Marge Simpson’s maiden name on the sitcom “The Simpsons”?

10. HISTORY: In what U.S. city was the Republican National Convention held in 1968?

Answers 5. Goldfish 9. Bouvier 6. William Faulkner 10. Miami Beach, Fla. 7. The Crickets 8. Cabbage

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1. Susie 2. Extremely harsh or cruel 3. South America 4. Mark Twain

September 3,2014

10 FEATURE FEATURE

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September 3, 2014

WTAMU student travels to China for internship

Megan Moore Editor

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here are more than 24 million people who gaze upon the bright lights of Shanghai, China and call it home. Others travel there to embrace the rich culture, indulge in the cuisine or simply take on the international business world. For one West Texas A&M University student, Shanghai brought him an internship of lifetime.

Alex Montoya, senior Broadcast and Advertising and Public Relations major, is a well seasoned traveler and desired to take his experiences abroad to the next level by seeking an internship to fulfill requirements for course credit for LEAD WT, a leadership certificate program for juniors and seniors on campus, internationally.

“The whole point of China was to be more of a clarity trip instead of a study abroad trip for me,” Montoya said. “I figure this internship will help me understand where I want to go with my career and after applying to several internships and being declined to all of them I figured China is the way to go.”

Montoya was immediately immersed into his internship, starting on the second day in Shanghai.

“Jet lag was kind of rough but I ended up working out the sleepiness with some good coffee,” Montoya said. “Starbucks is a galore there.”

Ringier, a company based out of Switzerland, is where Montoya called home for the duration of his internship. With 120 different magazines, the com-

pany dips its fingers in all kinds of broadcasting. The Shanghai branch focused mainly on magazines and websites. The magazine accounts that Montoya worked on appealed mostly to foreigners and expats who live in Shanghai for a temporary amount of time, with night life and food and bar reviews.

“Everyone kept referring to the magazine as the passport to the city,” Montoya said. “You figure out where you want to go and what are the hot spots. This magazine helps you integrate yourself into the city faster.”

Montoya interned with Ringier for a month and had to adjust to the work atmosphere quickly.

“The hardest part is getting over the fact that you are a stu-

dent,” Montoya said. “I kept having to drill in my head I’m just an intern. I’m just a student.

The professionals have been here longer than me. But after breaking bread with them it was really relaxed.”

Montoya was able to embrace the culture of more than just China as his 32 floor hotel/ apartment was shared with people from all over the world, from

England to Australia.

“The majority were students working all over the city,” Montoya said. “The elevator is a great place for conversation. It was like a little global home.”

Montoya was the recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship which helped make his trip to China possible. He worked with both the Study Abroad office and the

“For the most part our scholarships will be for any type of study abroad experience as long as they are getting credit.”

-Carolina Galloway

Photo courtesy of Alex Montoya Alex Montoya experiencing living the life of a study student.

Nationally Competitive Scholarship office on campus in obtaining scholarships and funding.

“For the most part our scholarships will be for any type of study abroad experience as long as they are getting credit,” Carolina Galloway, Director of Study Abroad, said. “For example if they are going for a semester to take some actual courses or if they go for a summer to do like Alex did, an internship that he’s getting credit for, they can apply to our scholarships.”

Laura Seals, Coordinator of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, helped guide Montoya through the Gilman Scholarship application process while Galloway helped with internship connections.

“These two ladies go out the way to help you study abroad so be sure to get to them because they can make dreams come true,” Montoya said.

These two offices are experiencing more students interested in international internships with degree plans requiring an internship fulfillment.

“The number is actually increasing,” Galloway said. “We have more students interested and inquiring about it because it’s an opportunity not only to get some work experience but also to see other countries and gain that international experience at the same time.”

“We are very proud of Alex and I know he’s looking for other opportunities,” Galloway said. “That’s really what we want to see, students that create that international mind and that want to explore and see other countries and see what else is out there.”

September 17, 2014

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theprairienews.com

11 OPINION OPINION

Hashtags enable dialogue over domestic violence

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ord on the street is that hashtags are taking over the world of social media.

United States news outlets agree and have grabbed ahold of the hashtag in recent media stories and often feed them into mainstream news. There has been an increased effort from the media to view these hashtags and the content behind them.

Hashtags are a powerful conversation tool and are a beneficial way to connect, but only when they are used correctly and the meaning behind them is known.

In practice, using a hashtag often entails becoming part of a conversation via social media which leads to the recent string of hashtags that brought light

to powerful stories of domestic violence and allowed women to speak out about experiences that often remain secretive and behind closed doors: #WhyIStayed #WhyILeft.

DiGiorno’s Pizza piggybacked off these hashtags as a PR stunt to promote their brand. What actually happened was a PR fail and outraged Twitter users. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the meaning behind a hashtag.

As these hashtags have gone viral, the issue of domestic violence has become more topical.

It has been brought up in classrooms, between colleagues, and everywhere accessible rather than being shut up and out of everyday speech. It has sparked blogs, articles and essays. It has broken through barriers meant

to keep the topic at bay.

Though this issue was brought to light because of the Ray Rice incident, domestic violence is now being seen because of these hashtags and brings forth a sense of commonality that most refuse to recognize concerning the issue. The intent of the hashtag was to expose the experience that victims suffer, and how it is both mentally and physically harder to leave than one might expect. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “70-80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.”

It took an NFL player and his then fiancé, now wife, to allow this topic to be spoken about so passionately and freely. America

finally had a visual to what domestic violence looks like and it stirred a gut-wrenching response. But domestic violence has always been awful. Having visual exposure to the issue does not make the offense worse. The hashtags suggest this.

These hashtags have essentially acted as a microphone for both victims of domestic violence and those organizations seeking to help them. America is hearing the stories and re-

sponding in a way that was not possible before the hashtag epidemic hit. The hashtag in this instance has proven to be effective in cultivating conversation rather than being a branding or marketing scheme in the advertising world.

These hashtags have allowed an issue that has long hiddenin the shadows to be brought to the forefront of American conversation and are allowing not only new voices to emerge, but community as well.

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, U.S. Constitution @The_Prairie

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August 27, 2014

Roam

The route to the Lighthouse at Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Natalia Molina/ The Prairie