September edition

ThePRAIRIE Johnson tabbed new vice president of strategic relations Sept. 20, 2017

Nick Alvarado Editor

Vol. 101 Iss. 1

looking for an opportunity to bring on someone who had d e e p relationships w i t h community c o l l e g e presidents.”

Johnson said.

L i t t l e changes will be seen, with a group having to agree in order for changes to occur.

“Changes will come in from various places in the university when we decide jointly that a change is necessary,” Johnson said.

Johnson is currently the president of Photo Courtesy of WTAMU Press Office Northeast Dr. Bradley Johnson will take his new position on Oct. 2, where he will serve as T e x a s

West Texas A&M is expanding in all sorts of ways with newly constructed buildings, record enrollment and new faculty and staff.

With expansion comes new positions in faculty as Dr. Bradley Johnson will be the new Vice President of strategic relations, starting on October 2. “[My job] is to be there in support of the President,” said Johnson, who is currently the president of Northeast Texas Community College.

“The focus will be on the development on outstanding transfer students.

This position is a resource to the university.”

Johnson’s new description will include building relationships with other college presidents across the state of Texas and in the region, aiming towards transfer students as part of President Walter Wendler’s long-term plan in ‘WT 125.’

This plan will last until WT’s 125th birthday in 2035 and was discussed at Wendler’s inauguration on Sept. 15.

“Dr. Wendler had been

Community College in Mount Pleasant, a position which he has held since 2008. Johnson cites that family brought him to WT. “My parents live in Colorado Springs, Colo.,” said Johnson. “It’s time for me to be more involved in their lives with them being in their mid-80s.”

Johnson is a Canyon native and WT alum from WT, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1981 and receiving his masters in counseling in 1984.

Johnson earned his second masters from Texas Tech in 1999 in higher education and a doctorate in educational studies from the University of Nebraska in 2004.

The transfer student ratio at WT is 13% with 845 students having transferred at WT within the past fall semster. This follows agreements with Amarillo College, Clarendon College, Frank Phillips College, Midland College, South Plains College and a handful of high schools across the Panhandle.

Vice President of strategic relations.

Buff Branding welcome freshman class of 2021

1910 PR aims for strong start in opening year

Young volleyball roster rises to tough opponents

Buffs consecutive wins show improvement

Buffs all over the world in Internships, Study Abroad

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NEWS

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Sept. 20, 2017

Buff Branding welcomes freshman class of 2021 Will McAfee Reporter he first day of college can be the most daunting time that a student can experience. If they are one of the lucky few entering college with some friends, it can make that first day more bearable. However, for those who come to college knowing no one, it can be like falling into the ocean without a life vest.

Since 1982, Buff Branding has been that life vest for incoming freshman.

It is a three-day event that helps new students find the shore. However, this year’s Buff Branding was ordered differently compared to other years. This year’s Branding Ceremony was held on the first night meant to symbolize that incoming freshmen are becoming a part of the Herd that makes up WTAMU’s student body. Shandy Warren, a

T

freshman social work major, said that the night was fun and allowed her to establish more friends before school really starts.

“I think it gets them excited to be at school at WT first,” said Missy Macon, the leadership coordinat for the event’s host group, Rogers LEAD WT. “It helps them meet other freshmen that maybe have a lot of similarities. We grouped them in with people who live in the same residence halls and really just help them meet people, learn ways to get involved and learn where things are on campus so their first day isn’t so scary and they feel connected and like WT is home.”

Macon has been helping the LEAD WT scholars organize this event for the past two years. Since they have taken the helm of Buff Branding, they have implemented different activities that help freshmen

STAFF OF THE PRAIRIE

build relationships with other incoming students such as the Buff Mudder, an obstacle course consisting of various muddy barriers that they had to overcome.

“I mean, you don’t really have to want to be involved and it just involves you and that’s that I like about it,” freshman nursing major Cole Hall said. “Buff Branding, all this, this mud run involved everybody and helped build teams and friendships that last throughout college and life, so I really enjoyed this.

It’s what I live for.”

Students also had the opportunity to meet different organizations on campus that may interest them.

52 different organizations attended the second day of Buff Branding. Rogers LEAD WT senior scholar Maggie Murphy said that meeting with these organizations gives students an opportunity to get involved in the university

Editors Nick Alvarado Jonathan Espinoza

and not fall into the crowd.

“It also gives them a sense of community like they’re not alone,” Murphy said.

“That’s why we split them up into groups and they can’t form cliques because in college, you know, you’re supposed to open up your boundaries and see what’s out there and make new friends that you didn’t think about before.”

The final night was entitled “Ignite the Night,” where students wrote down their dreams for the upcoming semester on flash paper and threw it in the fire symbolizing that they had the chance to ignite their dreams here at WT. Fireworks and music from a live band filled the night, officially ending the 2017 Buff Branding.

A student gets branded during Buff Brandings ceremonies.

Natalia Molina/The Prairie

Sports Editor Allie Smith

Adviser Nancy Garcia

Advertising Manager Adhi Viriya

Photographer 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 1,000 and is printed by The Pampa News.

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.

Sept. 20, 2017

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NEWS

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Students kick-start careers with internships Jasmin Ruiz Contributor With the school year beginning, students may take advantage of many new internship opportunities.

Internships can help students get their feet in the door of opportunities that could help them get their dream job after college. Students can find internships locally in the area or even nationally around the country.

“You learn so much and meet so many people,” said Amariah Maes, senior sports and exercise science major, said. “If you get the chance to leave Canyon, for a while, do it.”

Maes is currently interning at Disney World in Florida.

She works in Pandora: The New World of Avatar, which is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

She currently works on the Na’Vi River Journey. Her job consists of interacting with guests and making sure that the travelers who ride the attraction are safe as they are loading and unloading from the ride.

She heard of the internship through one of her sorority sisters who loved the experience she had, so Maes decided to try it out for herself.

Maes mentioned that one of the things she loves about her internship is that it opened her eyes to a world of business.

Other students may need to find an internship as a requirement for their degree

Photo courtesy of Amariah Maes Amariah Maes works at Pandora: The New World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. plan. Senior broadcasting electronic media major Ryan Money prepared himself a little early with a summer internship and he now has two internships that are helping him with his internship class.

“I already had in-field experience,” Money said, “An internship is the next step to show that I have worked for someone besides the school in my field and so that is why I wanted to get one.”

Money is currently interning for the Amarillo Bulls hockey team and 806 Sports. Money said that he would like to work in sports broadcasting so he

applied on Buff Jobs for the opening for an internship for the Bulls. For this internship, he interacts with people by attending events like parades and High Noon on the Square in Amarillo, informing people about the season and ticket prices. They also have raffles that give people a chance to win tickets for their games.

Aside from the public relations aspects, Money also helps with drafting players, looking up their information and spreading the word about these players on social media.

Money said his internship with the Bulls opened another

opportunity to work for 806 Sports, which is a radio broadcast that focuses on sports in the area. Money also believes that being able to work hard can really help in the long run of getting more opportunities.

“Have a good attitude and just be as positive as possible and be better than the next person and it will show,” Money said.

If students are looking for internships, jobs, or even ways to prepare for both, the Office of Career Services can help students discover their next step.

“I worked with students and

internships,” Experiential Education Coordinator Steve Sellars said. “We have lots of resources to help students prepare and look for internships.”

Sellars is one of the many faculty members in Career Services that helps students find internships as well as job opportunities. Some of those resources include résumé workshops, mock interviews and different job fairs that students may attend. If students want to attend a job fair, the first of the semester will be on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Legacy Hall located in the Jack B. Kelly Student Center.

Fairs like this give students a chance to connect with employers not only for jobs but for internship opportunities as well. Career Services also offers a Buff Jobs database, which was recently upgraded to a new program called Handshake.

“It has a Facebook-type of feel to it and I think students are going to be able to navigate and find opportunities a lot easier,” Sellars said.

Although the database is another helpful tool for students, Sellars does encourage students to consider other ways of finding jobs or internships.

“It takes some effort and it takes some planning,” Sellars said. “Start early and then partner with us.”

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NEWS

Sept. 20, 2017

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Students go global with study abroad program Will McAfee Reporter Taking college courses in South Korea, learning about C.S. Lewis and the Beatles in England, and visiting penguins in between service projects in Africa are just a small sample of the opportunities that West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) students experience during their study abroad adventures.

Junior Broadcast electronic media major Madison Monday began her study abroad adventure this semester in Seoul, South Korea. Monday will take classes in South Korea that count towards her major over the course of the semester while living in and exploring the county.

“I think everyone should study abroad because it’s an amazing opportunity to travel, see so many different things, and meet people from all over the world,” Monday said.

There are other forms of studying abroad as well, such as short-term, facultyled trips. Codie Harrah, a senior sports and exercise science major, traveled to England for one of these trips in July 2017.

“This study abroad trip

Will McAfee/The Prairie Students can get more information about study abroad through the office of study abroad located in office 115A. experience was incredibly surreal,” Harrah said.

“Getting the opportunity to visit where legendary writer C.S. Lewis wrote some of his most influential books of his time that also transcended to our time was priceless.”

Harrah and several other students spent the spring semester of 2017 studying the effects of British icons C.S. Lewis and the Beatles on pop culture and media. They then had the opportunity

to travel to England and see where these people lived and learned of their impact on the country.

Studying abroad doesn’t just mean taking classes in another country, however; students also can work with organizations that fall into their field of study.

“We will be going to work with three different organizations in Cape Town, South Africa, go on a safari ride and see penguins,” Public Relations and Applied

Communications major Sarah Young said. “It’s going to be a really amazing experience.”

Young will be going to South Africa in March with other students where they will spend a week exploring Cape Town while having the chance to further her educational

experience through partnering with these organizations. One organization has asked them to help develop a virtual tour of a museum in the city to show those who cannot see it in person.

Paying for study abroad trips can be daunting; however, there are scholarships that allow students to apply for relief in the cost. There are scholarships that WTAMU gives out to students wanting to study abroad as well.

Students may visit the Office of Study Abroad for more information on finding different avenues to receive funds to pay for studying abroad.

∙ FEATURE 5 WTAMU welcomes new organization Sept. 20, 2017

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leadership, event planning and communications.

“I am looking forward to seeing a lot of freshman and sophomore involvement,” said Blake Kelly, student consultant and senior business management major.

“That is our target group for the organization and it is going to be great to see them in these leadership roles.

Normally they would join an organization and simply be a member. Here they will have a lot of empowerment in how things are run.”

With a desire to not only create an organization that succeeds in all aspects of the word, they also hope to establish a culture that allows each of them to feel as if they were truly be a part of

Jonathan Espinoza Co-Editor

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tarting a new organization on campus has the potential to be a trying experience.

So much establishing the most basic of framework, then it could all be wiped away at the student turnout can be seen as a gauge regarding future organizational success.

For West Texas A&M’s Outreach Leadership Team (BOLT), they exceeded their expectations and had meeting.

“I’m excited to see the consultants take on a mentor role,” said Sami Landers,

as a member of BOLT at the heart of it all is a hope for student success that current student consultants already have.

“We want everyone

of Student Engagement and Leadership. “I think we have some great student and to give them the time and space…is a unique experience for them.”

What sets BOLT apart from many other groups on campus is how it is internally organized in such a way that it promotes student leadership from the freshman level on up, giving students a sense of ownership about what happens on a daily basis.

“It is an activities board,” said Landers. “When these BOLT members, when they join, will get to work with, and put on events with our student consultants,

An

initiative

from

college-aged students do not necessarily have the time to commit to grand endeavors on a weekly basis.

By creating an organization that allows students to commit as

Engagement and Leadership is what inspired the creation of BOLT. They sought to not only foster student involvement on campus by experience…and having a reaching out to everyone, while still being involved, it voice as to what happens on but they did so with the allows each of the students their campus.” understanding that typical

Isamar Villarreal, student consultant and senior health sciences major. “I love our and we like to do many things for our students and that’s why we want everyone to be involved, because that is what makes your college career fun.”

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NEWS

Sept. 20, 2017

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theprairienews.com

WT comes together for hurricane relief efforts Hannah Nelson Contributor

A

fter

the with the High Plains Food

“We were still in contact of Hurricane with them and they reached Harvey, many victims are out again,” said Natalie in need of assistance. To Pugh, Administrative Associate three for Campus Gulf Coast, West Texas to Community.

“This is A&M has provided ways for what led to the donation students and faculty to get drive through the campus. involved.

We love to give back to the The university’s Campus community.

That’s what our to Community teamed up with the High Plains Food Bank and collected donations to send to places

Donations were dropped from September 1st to the

11th. Snacks including granola bars, trail mix and crackers were donated.

The items collected by the university also included diapers, wipes, formula and cleaning supplies.

are in need of donations.

Other parts of campus are also contributing to helping

will go toward Harvey relief

Harvey. On the WT home

by Hurricane Harvey, it is important that they keep in contact with the university to be able to talk with the appropiate faculty members and to create a plan of action.

For more information about online donations and student assistance, students and faculty can go online

information on Hurricane Impact Information, where than what I could have ever the university has provided imagined us getting.” Pugh said. ways. There is a variety of organizations presented that up the donated items and include SPCA of Texas, taking it to the High Plains The American Red Cross, Food Bank in Amarillo. Feeding Texas and The From there the food bank Hurricane Harvey Relief will sort the items out and Fund. Donations made to these organizations listed

For students who have

out more information.

Students are advised to follow pedestrian laws press release sent out in August, pedestrians are accountable for 12 Students are being percent of all deaths advised to follow in motor vehicle traffic pedestrian laws now that crashes. Of those, 41 phase two of Operation percent have occurred Safewalk at West Texas in four states including A&M University has Texas, and other studies gone into effect. The University Police pedestrians were killed Department, Canyon nationally and more than Police Department, and the Texas Department were injured. of Public Safety “I really hope this Highway Patrol have works,” said Vanessa partnered up once Valenzuela, junior again to make sure that inter national business everyone at WTAMU is and CIS major. “I’ll do safe. my part as long as others According to their do their part as well.”

Jasmin Ruiz Contributor

Valenzuela also said that she tries to be careful when crossing the street and pay extra attention to cars since she has had incidents where drivers do not stop for her as she crosses the street.

“I wait until someone stops or slows down because I know that if I continue walking, someone won’t stop and zoom right in front of me while walking,” Valenzuela said.

The initiative reminds students to follow the pedestrian sections of the Texas Transportation

Code which includes restrictions and guidelines for pedestrian right-of-way at a crosswalk, traffic control signals and signs crossing at a point other than a crosswalk, and the due care that drivers must exercise.

“The reason why we are enforcing those four laws is because it’s very important that our students use the crosswalks and that our drivers yield to our pedestrians in the Hildebrand, UPD public infor mation officer.

“It is very important for the safety of our community.”

Sergeant Hildebrand also wants students to know that UPD would appreciate if pedestrians and drivers would join this operation not only because it is important to follow pedestrian laws but to also make sure that everyone in the community is safe.

If any students would like to know more about these codes they of the Transportation Code for the State of Texas.

Sept. 20, 2017

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ORG. SPOTLIGHT

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1910 PR aims for strong start in opening year What motivates you to for the 2017 – 2018 school make 1910 PR succeed? year.

Stokes: I’m motivated The Prairie: What has partly because of my passion in the history of for my professional career, the university, a you while a member of 1910 student-run public relations PR? Burgin: After becomcampus.

1910 PR, named after the birth year of the uni- motivates me to make this versity, was established in ership rally…that was someBurgin: I want to create Jonathan Espinoza Co-Editor

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said and done, that we were

Burgin

(1910 PR).

What is something that most people do not student and Executive Diknow about 1910 PR? rector of 1910 PR is very Stokes: Maybe why we are called 1910 PR? Stokes: Probably what Burgin: Yes, because Who has been your

up to this point in your life? class for the fall of Stokes: Mine Jonathan Espinoza / The Prairie has been Mark Hope Stokes, Assistant Director, and Krissi Burgin, Executive Director, of 1910 Williams, he was world, hands-on ex- PR my teacher at perience, 1910 PR well on the way to pact on campus.

In this edition of Prairie sits down with two members of 1910 PR’s leadership: senior advertistions major Krissi Director of 1910 PR, and senior adlic relations major Hope Stokes, Assistant Director of 1910 PR, and asks them about the hope and what is in store

and say I did the best work possible.

What kind of legacy would you like to leave when your time is done with 1910 PR? Alternative Burgin School, and he really was the ple hear “1910 PR” they one who kind of pushed me into Stokes - list for this, I want to see this path

I

would

Burgin: Mine What are some big would prob- things that can be exably be Charlene pected from 1910 PR. Frost, she was my Burgin: In the future, we hope to become nationshe has helped me with my professional career.

Right now, in this moment, what is worrying you the most?

(Public Relations Student Society of America). And event this fall.

Fill in the blank: 1910 PR is ____________?

Stokes: Passionate.

8 ENTERTAINMENT

Sept. 20, 2017

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‘IT’ delivers the terror in new adaptation Jonathan Espinoza Co-Editor Plain and simple, I liked fantastic movies in the horror genre, (The Devil’s Candy and A Dark Song are two gems worth checking out) Andy Muschietti’s big-screen adaptation of “IT” sets itself apart. On the surface, Muschietti presents us with a legitimate horror movie almost from the very gie (Jackson Robert Scott) joyfully splash in the rain as he chases a paper boat

made for him by his older brother Bill (Jaeden Lieber- the remaining three memher). The boat, dubbed the bers: Beverly (Sophia Lillis), Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor) the sewer and in an attempt and Mike (Chosen Jacobs). to retrieve the boat, young On screen, the seven young actors are a pleasure with Pennywise the Dancing to watch; they are the golden Clown (Bill Skarsgard), and thread that holds the movie true to the movie’s R rating, together. Each has a story to tell and Muschietti agony having had his arm does a great job of givremoved from his body by ing each their due as dozens of sharp and angry looking teeth. you want to be a part And just like that, we are of their club every step of the way. From spitmissing, along with dozens of others. Joining Bill are best friends Richie, played by the hilarious hard, Eddie (Jack Dylan

easy to give these four young men praise for the acting ability, and even more so when the Losers Club

to foul-mouthed banter, Muschietti and Co. bring to the screen a sense of humanity and childhood whose mark is often missed in the genre.

To counter the humanity of the Losers, enter Pennywise. “IT” is the anti-human presence and, in the form of Pennywise, “IT” is feverishly terrifying. Skarsgard brings to the screen a solid performance that not only brings the shocks and scares, but a maniacal intensity that is unnerving, to say the least. Every time Skarsgard is on screen, he leaves you with an uneasy feeling, both want-

ing more and wanting less.

Tim Curry will always be a fan favorite when it comes to his portrayal of the 1990 incarnation of Pennywise, but Skarsgard’s performance will sway even the most hardcore Curry fan.

All in all, “IT” was a terrifyingly fun movie. Anchored

by the acting of the young cast, “IT” shines in the realm of solid character development of the core cast.

rely on the jump-scares a bit too much, he has woven together a solid movie that will stand the test of time.

7/10

Sept. 20, 2017

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OPINION

Texas Strong: Why you should help

f you have opened any form of media in the last couple weeks, you have witnessed the incredible damage left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. major hurricane to hit the U.S. in over 12 years when it hit the Texas coast on August 25. It has left thousands without basic needs, displaced countless farm and domestic animals and has taken at least 60 human lives so far.

Another key fact to

remember is the estimated 25,000-40,000 Hurricane Katrina refugees who now call Houston home. Almost to the day, 12 years after Katrina in New Orleans, they are now treading the same waters a state away.

What can we, monetarilychallenged college students, do about it here in Canyon, nine and a half hours north?

WTAMU joined dozens of other schools in setting up a Fill the Fleet event, where

we are sending 18-wheelers the Red Cross has asked for include toilet paper, diapers, supplies such as toilet paper underwear, bleach, paper and packs of water bottles. towels, coloring books, Outside of that, students puzzles and other toys for can donate to the American kids in shelters, shoes, socks Red Cross. Even instead of and basic baby items. There going to the website, all you are also options to donate have to do is text HARVEY at United if that is your to 90999 to donate $10 for preferred store.

Lastly, a free and easy way Another way is when to help is to donate blood. you walk into the Canyon The South Texas Blood and Walmart, there is a Tissue Center is in dire need collection box for Harvey of over 2,000 units of blood, victims. Some items that at last update. Going to

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the Texas Blood Institute website will give you any information needed to make that decision.

College students, while we may be poor, tend to have giving hearts. Here is where we put our “save the world” urges to the test. It is not about how much you give; just that you gave at all. The Prairie go without a Sharky’s or Starbucks this week to help people who have a few feet of water in their houses.

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LINEUP

Sept. 20, 2017

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Young volleyball roster rises to tough opponents Allie Smith Sports Editor The 2017 volleyball season is one of turn over for the Lady

matter how close to home she is, being a freshman starter is still challenging.

“At the beginning, I was really nervous, but a good nervous,” Vogel said of her

sophomores have come out very strong and just realized that we need to take ownership of the team. I think we’ve done well doing that. Everybody just looks around and thinks, ‘I need to get it done’. I don’t think anybody really cares about how old they are or what position they are. They just want to get the job done and whoever can do it will do it.”

Vogel said that the little time she has spent with WT has taught her a lot.

“The college game is very fast,” Vogel said. “You have to keep up. As long as you come together as a team

code for a transition year, or basically referring to a year where it is acceptable to be average because the players are young and the established players graduated. was excited and I This is not the case for WT. was ready. It’s so easy to be ready running on a 7-4 record despite with the team and their roster that is chock full of be excited with the 18 and 19 year olds. This has team because you forced head coach Jason Skoch know you can trust to shake up his coaching style. them. You know “I try to prove a point to they’re going to be the team that yes, it’s early on there for you and but you better bring your A help you get out of game,” Skoch said after the a slump. It was a lot do have a little slump.” to take in but it was Skoch said he is excited “Warm ups better be crisp. really exciting.” for where this season is I’m treating these kids a little Skoch has headed. been pleased to “Long story short, I’m young and we want to send that see young players not going to get as caught message now.” taking risks. up in what our goals are,” With ten underclassmen on “Every kid Skoch said. “We’re going a list of 17, there has been an always struggles to keep [players] here and opportunity for rookies to rise with understanding not do any of that funny up and take a prominent role. how that grit Skoch said that he thinks this bleeds into other better be focused on getting should not be considered a things,” Skoch it done. So we’re a little weakness, especially with the said. “It builds up lean but I feel like we’re in success they have had against trust more because Nick Alvarado/The Prairie a good direction.” nationally ranked teams so far. it’s like, ‘I’m going Camille Jones (right center) hits the ball over an Adams State blocker durSmith echoed Skoch’s “[Other teams with to go for it more ing the match at The Box on Saturday, Sept. 2. optimism. mostly seniors] are so much because I know “The energy is so much know that you have to be there. more limited in their growth she’s going for it.’” better,” Smith said. “I think There’s no excuses for not potential than us,” Skoch said.

Vogel has been one of those playing. It’s nerve-racking a lot in age and opportunity. we have more leadership on “I’m already thinking longall levels of our team and I of times and it’s exciting but it’s term about this year and next good to have that feeling that overwhelming for the young think we have more of a goalyear so these games are big.”

“It’s really exciting but it also people trust you and people oriented team this year and I Freshman Hereford native puts a little bit of pressure on want you to be there.” done a really good job,” Smith think we’re gelling and doing Chandler Vogel said that no because if you are starting, you Sophomore Lindsey Smith said. “I think our freshmen and well.”

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Sept. 20, 2017

SPORTS 11

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Buffs consecutive wins show improvement four total turnovers against the Thunderwolves. Myklebust says the defense has been playing well Most coaches say that a team as a unit.

“All of our stops and forced sees the most improvement between week one and two. guys,” Myklebust said. “We were breaker against then 13th ranked all playing good as a unit so we are very excited about the defense.”

Austin Heinen Reporter

then, seventh ranked Colorado big point of focus for this team’s identity. In fact, one of the team’s sayings have been “put it on the against a top 15 opponent, it is no secret that WT has been tested already. Beating one of these says the progression is because of the coach’s constant emphasis on can compete with the great teams. physicality and intensity.

“The entire time we have been Head coach Hunter Hughes says the biggest improvement from here the coaches have harped on week one to week two was the capitalize.

“Last week I thought we were close,” Hughes said.

“I thought we did some good things and last week. This week some turnovers at the right time and turned the tide.”

One of the things Hughes has put emphasis on is how physical he wanted his defenses to be.

Against two top 15 teams in the country, the defense has so far to score an average of 19 points. Thus, has been very solid to start the year. Senior linebacker Trevor Myklebust was one who created one of

said. “They tell us to continue to push forward no matter the circumstance and I think we’ve learned from that the most in these last two weeks and to not let up on the gas and putting on more steam as coach says. We try to hit them harder and harder each time until they get tired and we don’t.”

With intensity and physicality, there is big competition. One of which has been with the quarterbacks. Redshirt freshman Justin Houghtaling was given the starting role before leaving the CSU Pueblo game with an undisclosed injury. Junior Ben Arbuckle was given the reigns win over the seventh ranked Thunderwolves. Though Arbuckle

has this competition in his mind, but he is more focused on helping the team win in conference play. A win over a top 10 team can do just that.

“It’s a nice spring board for us for sure,” Arbuckle said. “We’re excited to start conference play.

We know the coaches are ready to start conference play. We think we are going to surprise a lot of people.”

So far, the quick progression of the WT football team has been surprising to some people.

challenge to Hughes is getting his team to start strong as the

Though this is on Hughes’ mind he also says that why teams play two halves.

“I just tell the them it’s a I think they understood that last week and we’re getting stronger in the second half. We got to start We just got to keep on getting stronger.”

WT will have a great chance to improve again as the they go on the road to Stephenville, Texas to face Tarleton State prior to hosting Eastern New Mexico in the annual Wagon Wheel game on Sept. 30.

Nick Alvarado/The Prairie WT junior quarterback Ben Arbuckle throws the ball during the UTPB game on Sept. 16 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.

12 SPORTS

Sept. 20, 2017

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Pome’e transitions to new defensive role Austin Heinen Reporter

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eam leaders can come in many forms and ways.

Some are seen by their ability to learn things outside their normal routine, basic knowledge, and their ability All these descriptions could be used to describe how senior tight end Junior Pome’e has helped lead WT football during his time in the program.

History indicates Pome’e is no stranger to change.

Originally, a highly regarded tight end recruit to the University of Southern California, also known as USC, Pome’e had gone through numerous moments

out to schools here and then coach Keola Loo reached out and summer 2015, I’ve arrived at WT in Canyon,

translating to improvement

During his time on the team the past season, Pome’e was one of the offensive weapons.

Head football coach Hunter Hughes, who

over to now, I think he’s become a leader out there.

He’s a guy we can depend on in any situation, and I think he’s grabbed a hold of it. Everybody has kind of looked up to Junior and now I think he has accepted that role.”

Pome’e has been more than pleased to accept his bigger role on the team and is feeling happy to have been given this second chance and to continue his career. WT has been a place to not just chase his NFL dream but has also found a home with a supportive community.”

“I’ve adapted and going into my third year, I fell in love with Canyon.” Pome’e said. “I love how small it is, the support from the community, the campus,

year at the helm, sees potential for Pome’e not way to Canyon. The senior only in the Nick Alvarado/The Prairie tight end said it’s been a long Junior Pome’e is enjoying the transition to defensive line after three games road but, it all turned out to defense as for the Buffs. be a blessing. well. but the position quickly grew defense is trying to do. Now “I got into some trouble “He’s a heck of an on him. The change though that I’m playing both sides, I and USC just didn’t work athlete,” Hughes said. “He’s has also provided Pome’e have an upper hand because out,” Pome’e said. “At the a new point of view to his I know what they want to do time, it was one of the worst himself into the shape of original spot, hoping to use and how they’re going to do thing that happened to me the defensive line. We’ll that to his advantage. it. Overall, it’s been a great but looking back on the road have some packages on the “It’s really helped me opportunity for me to play of my journey. I feel like it become more aggressive,” was a blessing in disguise. I the time comes.”

Pome’e said. “After playing my skill set.” left USC, played JUCO ball Tight end has been on the defensive line in fall Hughes saw Pome’e at Riverside Community the position that Pome’e camp, getting a couple plays not only come a long way College at Riverside, CA at tight end, I can feel the on learning the defensive and then started reaching California native was unsure transition. I know what the line but also sees that out to coaches… reaching about the position change,

Hughes said that learning has helped Pome’e become a better leader as well.

“Now that he’s been put in this position, he’s understanding the game a lot better,” Hughes said “From

even the workers on campus respect and support the football team as they do with the other athletic programs.

I feel like it’s been a good transition for me.”

Sept. 20, 2017

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theprairienews.com

SPORTS 13

Buffs split LSC openers, Lady Buffs start strong Nick Alvarado Editor he new soccer season is wellunderway for

T

are now coming together struggled on consecutive road trips to Colorado

respective non-conference slate.

of performances, getting edged out by University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and falling to

Heartland Conference play by splitting their opening matches at home against

State.

State and steamrolling past In the win against

Reece Schattle, Stefan Andjelic, Julio Vargas, Troy Reeves and Rafael Vasconcellos.

In the home opener,

Colorado, we played pretty well, lost 2-1 to a good team,” said women’s assistant coach Kevin Driggs. “Thursday night as much or to that team ever.” play on Sept. 22 at the

defense, shutting down a that allowed eight shots on Nick Alvarado/The Prairie target from 13 shots and Senior forward Marlene van Mourik dribbles the ball past a New Mexico Highlands defender during the game at The Pitch on Sept. 7. road, with wins against attempted upset-bid.

Colorado Christian and up a draw against New “It was a great game,” your composure and if you Colorado State-Pueblo men’s assistant coach prior to being edged out at James Crowder said. “It Northeastern State. and beat anybody. That’s recording an assist in the what we did on Saturday.” opening three games.

The men saw all of their three-game home schedule, to overtime, allowed an topping Adams State and unfortunate goal. One, you non-conference list on the

Sept. 24 before heading to the road for a three-game State, UT Permian Basin Hearland play at home International on Sept. 21

Christian on Sept. 28

14 GAMES

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Sept. 20, 2017 theprairienews.com

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Sept. 20, 2017 theprairienews.com

COMICS 15

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16

PHOTO

Kassidy Payne - Senior Theater Performance and Corporate Communications major “My favorite part of the trip was meeting and getting to explore new places.”

Annissa Riojas - Senior Ad/Pr major “My favorite part about being in the MAIP program was all of the connections it allowed me to make not just within my agency but with the other MAIP fellows. I will be eternally grateful for this opportunity!”

Sept. 19, 2017

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theprairienews.com

Miguel Soto - 2nd year Graduate Masters in Communications “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” - Theodore Roosevelt “I pushed myself through an uncomfortable opportunity, but it became one of the most rewarding experiences as an emerging new professional.”

Madison Monday - Junior Broadcasting and Electronic Media and Advertising and Applied Communications double major “I think the most amazing thing for me is being able to

Ben Mendez - Senior Mechanical Engineering major “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” The internship provided me the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. I was able to grow as a person through the knowledge I

Jonathan Cordova - Senior Criminal Justice major “Going to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato Mexico was a home away from home. With the help of the Hispanic Leadership Academy I learned my roots and I’m proud of it.”

immerse myself in it. I’m learning new things everyday!”