Vol. 6, Issue 3 The Summa - Nov. 8, 2013 by The Summa

University of St. Thomas

Friday, November 8, 2013

Volume 6, issue 3

FEATURES There

Wendy Davis Runs For Governor After raising awareness for women’s rights, Texas senator Wendy Davis announces her plan to run for governor in 2017.

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EXPERIENCE HEALTH

The Summa Making it in America with Jay-Z Fast food: Cheap eats at high cost Ron Howard unveiled his documentary

showcasing the two-day Philadelphia musicThat quick burger might be cheap and festival earlier this year. What does it take toeasy to get, but getting rid of it is harder. make it in America?

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Annise Parker Wins Election

ov. 5 marked election night for the nation and the City of Houston. Mayor Annise Parker was elected for the first time in 2010, and four years later, won a third term in office with more than 50 percent of the vote. An election watch party was hosted at the George R. Brown convention center, at which Parker took the stage around 9:30 p.m., after her main opponent, Ben Hall conceded victory to Parker. “This was not us limping across the finish line; this was a decisive victory for all of us in all parts of Houston. This is a great city of optimism and opportunity,” Parker said, as

Mayor Annise Parker wins her third and final election for the cirty of Houston

her supporters cheered. “We all recognize that not everyone in this city benefits equally; that there are neighborhoods still struggling and communities with needs. But this is a city where anything and everything is possible, where we come together to make great things happen. I will lead a government in the next two years that will build in the next four years: inclusive, transparent and accountable.” Though Parker has had a mostly-successful tenure as mayor, she promises to continue making improvements for the city of Houston. “My election is over. But there is a lot of work left to do. There are important races

Election, Page 6

Students Sport Creative Costumes At Neewollah

eewollah, UST’s annual Halloween party, which featured a costume contest, pumpkin carving and pumpkin pieeating contests, took place on Oct. 25. For a $5 entrance fee, students were treated to pizza, candy and with a valid

ID, alcoholic drinks were also available. Guests were encouraged to come in costume and could compete in groups, pairs or individually to win gift cards and other prizes for showcasing their costumes on the Neewollah runway. Many entered the contest including individuals dressed as rapper Macklemore, singer

NEEWOLLAH, Page 3

Brian Bui / Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo / David Ortez

UST Allies: COC Approved, Now On Hold University committee debates club that would offer outreach to minorities and the gay community

he University of St. Thomas is reviewing a proposal for a new student organization that would offer outreach to members of the community who have been victimized by discrimination on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation, a university official confirmed Wednesday. UST Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia McKinley said that the university is in the process of vetting UST Allies, to which the Council of Clubs granted membership status on Oct. 10. For now, UST Allies is “on hold” while university leadership considers how

to ensure the club’s goals are aligned with the values of the UST community, according to McKinley. “We’re doing our best to do our research to understand how other universities handle a thing such as this,” she said. “We want to do the right thing when it comes to this kind of thing.” After receiving the COC’s stamp of approval last month, it went into startup mode with plans to begin hosting campus activities in spring 2014, according to Jonathan Rea, one of the club’s organizers. Rea said that the vote was an important step for the club, a previous iteration of which had been shot down by the COC in 2006.

“The student body was the entity that shut us down,” Rea said. “It was in 2006, so it’s fair to say that it was a different time, and a different UST body.” Rea said that when the club was first proposed seven years ago, the COC was unwilling to sign off on an explicitly “gay-straight” alliance and that UST Allies’ scope will be much broader, with its aim to serve as a voice and offer guidance to “marginalized” students and community members from all walks of life. But Rea added that UST Allies will be open to students of all sexual orientations and that club’s goals include

ALLIES, Page 2

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The Summa

Friday, November 8, 2013

International Students Association hosts annual fair ISA celebrates diversity and promotes cultural tradition among the student body

ccording to data from a 2010 census by Rice U n i v e r s i t y, Houston is now the most ethnically diverse city in the United States. To reflect this ethnic diversity, the International Student Association hosted its annual event, the Around the World Fair. “We’re just a group where we have different officers, as well as international students, in order to bring everyone together since we have such a diverse campus,” Paloma Stier said, who is the president of ISA. “Over the years it’s gotten a little harder to pull that mesh with the students and the international students. We have 100 different

countries represented on campus. We have students from Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Spain, France, Scotland and the UK.” The Around the World Fair is an established campus tradition that has been around for several years. In spite of challenges, Stier has managed to keep the tradition alive. “Since I have been on campus, it’s been done every year, so I think it’s been around seven years,” Stier said. “Whenever the past president left, my new officers and I had to revamp in order to have a new

mission statement and degree because a lot of people had the misunderstanding that it was only for international students. And [the ISA club] is just a way to get to know all the international people

ALLEIS Continued...

Program in UST’s School of Education, has been asked to serve as faculty advisor to the club. Faubert said she looked forward to helping the club get off the ground. “I feel honored to be asked,” she said. “I am a Sister of St. Joseph, and our ministry is directly related to thinking of others as neighbors. We are called to serve those not otherwise served, and I am always interested in working with people who may have been victims of oppression in our society.” Following the COC vote in favor of UST Allies, Faubert suggested that recent statements made by Pope Francis promoting inclusiveness within the Catholic faith are believed to be driving a global change in attitudes toward members of the gay community. “There’s a rationale at the beginning of [UST Allies’] constitution that quotes Pope Francis,” she said. “In the Sept. 30, 2013 issue of America, [the Jesuit magazine] Pope Francis says ‘this church, with which we should be thinking is the home of all. Not a small chapel that can hold only a small group of selected people. We must not reduce the bosom of the universal church to a nest protecting our mediocrity. And the church is mother, the church is fruitful, it must be.’” If the university signs off on UST Allies, one of

Faubert’s chief responsibilities would be to help UST Allies develop educational activities that stress the importance of the human dignity present in each person and how this is a core tenant of the Catholic faith, she said. Faubert pointed to a passage contained in the National Conference of Catholic Bishops 1998 publication ‘Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministry’ as instructive. “Every person has an inherent dignity, because he or she is created in God’s image,” she said. “And the inherent dignity of each person was a constant theme of Pope John Paul II and it sounds like it will be a constant thing with Pope Francis also.” Faubert said she hopes UST Allies will serve as a support group reflecting Catholic values for those who have been traditionally shunned by mainstream society. “The homosexual students are not listed in the laws about discrimination,” she said. “It’s not illegal to discriminate them. There have been past instances of discrimination. It’s really [for] a group of people who have been marginalized for any reason. It’s really a club for support.”

encouraging discussion of gay rights issues. “UST Allies is a group that is present to serve and provide support for all students who have experienced discrimination on campus and to basically address the needs of all underrepresented persons based on their race, gender or sexual orientation,” Rea said. In addition to hosting on-campus educational events, the club plans to make volunteering a core part of its activities, including participating in the AIDS Walk and volunteering at Covenant House, according to Rea. “Many youth in the Montrose community go [to Covenant House] as one of their last resorts. It just so happens that many of the underrepresented youth around the St. Thomas who end up at Covenant House are, in fact, homosexual youth,” Rea said. Rea also emphasized that UST Allies purpose is to provide community support, not to advocate political issues or pass judgment on the morality of homosexuality. “UST Allies is not a political group,” Rea said. “We definitely want to stay away from any political attachments and any attachment to a particular party and issue.” Sister Marie Faubert, who serves as director of the OnCampus Counselor Education

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of students volunteering to host tables and cultural performances that represented different countries along the Academic Mall. “I really wanted to be a part of an organization that helped promote international students and diversity in general,” said Mwohania Taylor, the ISA Treasurer. “I think the fair went well. We had less countries represented this year, which was unfortunate, but I feel that the people that did participate had a really good time. I liked the Mexican dances and the member from the Venezuelan table who did some impromptu singing. They really wanted

I really wanted to be a part of a an organization that helped promote international students and diversity in general. -Mwohania Taylor we have on campus, and help them adapt to the lifestyle in America.” This year’s fair took place on Oct. 29 and consisted

STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ

News Editor

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to represent their country.” The fair attracted the participation of students from all fields of study, not only for the free international food, but for the opportunity to learn. “I’ve been going to the fair ever since freshman year, and for the past two years I actually represented a table,” said Abby Kvinge, and environmental studies major. “I always end up going to the fair for the food, and I always try to stop and learn something from each table, especially from the tables where the students who are representing the country are actually from that country. I get to know my classmates better and their ethnic origins.” STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ

News Editor

crime report October Oct. 2:

Theft The complainant reported her personal property was stolen from the student lounge while she was ordering a drink. Case was referred to Precinct 1 Constables Office.

Oct. 2:

Burglary Motor Vehicle The complainant found her car had been broken into. Case investigates by Precinct 1 Constables office.

Oct. 21:

Theft The complainant reported his cell phone stolen from the men’s locker room.

Oct. 25:

Fail to stop and give information The complainant’s vehicle was damages while parked in Moran Parking Garage.

Oct. 25:

Theft The complainant reported his Apple iPod stolen from the men’s locker room. Case referred to Precinct 1 Constables Office.

Oct. 25:

Theft The complainant’s locker key was removed from his pants and the contents of the locker stolen while the complainant was in the shower. Case referred to Precinct 1 Constables Office.

HERE

Friday, November 8, 2013

Facing the realities of the MCAT

Pre-med students face the challenge of preparing for the MCAT

assing the Medical College Admissions Test, better known as the MCAT, is arguably one of the most vital components of getting accepted into medical school. The test measures a student’s knowledge of physical science, biology, verbal reasoning, writing and problem solving abilities. Because the MCAT can shape the rest of a student’s medical career, planning in advance and managing test anxiety are vital to getting a high score. “The MCAT is the SAT for medical school,” said chemistry professor Michelle Steiger. “It is an exam that all students who want to go to medical school must take and it is a predictor of how well a student would perform on a state or national license exam.” The MCAT covers years of compiled knowledge. According to the Association of American Medical College, pre-med students should study at least three months prior to the test date. Senior and President of the TriBeta Biological Society, Gina Duong, agreed that planning ahead is essential to conquering time management. “I studied for three months,” Duong said. “Preparing for the MCAT is a long and arduous journey. But in the end, I knew it would be worth it because I have a goal, and that goal is to get accepted into medical school.” Most MCAT scores average from a 30 to 45. Students who score under

a 30 tend to retake the tests multiple times. However, Steiger suggested that retaking the MCAT several times can actually do a student more harm than good. “Because medical school admittance is so competitive, admissions committees will often consider a student who has made a higher score with fewer attempts over student who has made the same score with multiple attempts,” Steiger said. “Students should also be aware that many med schools take the most recent test score rather than the highest score, like the SAT.” So what is the best way to prepare for such an intensive test? Many books on the market are devoted solely to MCAT preparation. The official guide to the MCAT Exam is available through AAMC. org and provides extensive information about what to expect. Additionally, students should attend test-prep tutoring and practice out of test booklets religiously. That way, students can become aware of their strengths and weaknesses. “There are many challenging obstacles when preparing for the MCAT,” Duong said. “If you practice for long enough, you will see an initial slow progress. You just have to pick out your weaknesses, make them your strengths, and keep getting better.” The MCAT has recently undergone several changes which include an additional test section over social sciences as well as the elimination of the

writing sample. The new test is now designed to test student’s ability to apply knowledge rather than simply memorizing it. The new test will also include six hours of testing time, compared to the old test which was only four hours long. Although the new test additions seem tedious, there is always a way to find success. “My advice to pre-med students who have not taken the test yet is to practice, practice, practice,” Duong said. “Yes, it seems cliché, but practice is the one thing that will guarantee an increase in score. But not just any practice, you must target your weaknesses and make them your strengths.” The pathway to becoming a doctor is an intense, demanding and rigorous journey. Committed students whose passions reside in the medical field will find a way to push through the countless hours of studying and will need to face many challenges, such as the MCAT in order to pursue their dreams. “In my opinion, part of the reason we have to take this test is for medical schools to see who would be devoted enough to give up their lives to study so intensely,” Duong said. “They want to see who wants it so bad that they’d do anything and everything to become a doctor. Because at the end of this journey, lies a wonderful, fulfilling profession that only some can make it to.”

neewollah Continued...

many of the party-goers dress up in outlandish and fun costumes. Taylor dressed in a purple corset, tights and also donned a rainbow colored tutu. Sophomore Jose Gonzalez and his girlfriend, Alejandra De Anda came to the party dressed as Greeks. They wore traditional Athenian robes complete with gold laurel wreaths around their heads. “It was the only costume that she liked,” Gonzalez said about De Anda’s choice of ensembles for the pair. Even though they did not enter the costume contest, Gonzalez and Taylor said that it was the most enjoyable part of the evening. “My favorite part of

Neewollah was dressing up for Halloween,” De Anda said simply. Other costumes at the party included the cliché bunny rabbits, cats, superheroes and Harry Potter characters, but other students did take it upon themselves to come up with creative and cool Neewollah costumes. There were costumes inspired by Spartans, Cleopatra, The Great Gatsby, Dora the Explorer, Cruella De Vil, Kermit the Frog, Snow White and her Prince “Charmin” as well as Day of the Dead skeletons, a taco and even a Barbie in a box.

Katy Perry and Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series, while pairs were dressed as superhero legos, stars of TV show Duck Dynasty and a cowboy and cowgirl. Katy Perry and the cowboy and cowgirl pair won their respective contests. Senior Mwohania Taylor had such a unique costume that she had to tell people what she was. “I was a raver, but no one got it!” Taylor said. A rave is a large, usually colorful party that features DJs who specialize in electronic dance music. The party is colorful because

AMBER DAY Features Editor

The Summa

UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, Nov. 8 Little Women 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Jones Hall

SATURDAY, Nov. 9 UST SleepOut 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Academic Mall

MONDAY, Nov. 11-12 UST Blood Drive 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Jerebeck

tHURsday, Nov. 14 SAB Pub Night 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. TBA

FRIDAY, Nov. 15 SAB Scavenger Race 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. TBA

friday, Nov. 15

Wind Ensemble Concert 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cullen Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 19

Fifth Annual Chili Cook-off 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Academic Mall

Friday, Nov. 22 SAB Bingo 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Crooker

Friday, Nov. 22

Women’s Basketball vs. Schreiner University 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Jerebeck

Sarah oyarce

Entertainment Editor Brian Bui / Courtesy Photo

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Friday, November 8, 2013

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An alternative music lover’s dream: Buzzfest 31

Houston radio station, 94.5 The Buzz, hosted the 31 annual music festival

uzzfest is a biannual music festival hosted by Houston’s alternative music station 94.5 The Buzz. This year, Buzzfest 31 was held at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. Buzzfest has a side stage and a main stage so that while one band is playing on the main stage, the side stage band is setting up for their performance. This allows fans to see all of the bands playing at the festival without having to choose to attend one performance over another. The main stage at the festival donned Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington, Chevelle, Blue October, The Dirty Heads, New Politics, Iamdynamite and The Virginmarys. The smaller and more crowded side stage held performances by Cage the Elephant, 10 Years, Oleander, The Mowgli’s, Middle Class

Rut and Nico Vega. Personally, the side stage was my favorite of the two stages because it was a giant mosh pit. You could push your way through the crowd until you were practically touching the stage. However, the side stage is not for the faint of heart. Overly excited and overlyintoxicated people throw their beers in the air and push and shove the surrounding concert goers. When 10 Years was playing on the side stage, a fight broke out; where people gathered in a huge circle and pushed each other. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fight. Crowd-surfing was also an extremely popular activity at the side stage. I was jumping and fist pumping and I was suddenly grabbing someone’s leg. A few people got dropped while crowd surfing but no one got seriously hurt. The day started off slowly because, as custom in most festivals, the more popular

the band, the later and longer they played. The first act that I saw was The Dirty Heads on the main stage. They put on a decent show, but it did not compare to the later acts of the night. Chevelle had the best performance of the night and entertained the whole crowd all the way to the very back of the lawn seats. Second to Chevelle was 10 Years, who worked the entire audience and had everyone rallied up.

The third best act of the night was Cage the Elephant. The lead singer, Matthew Shultz, is a fantastic performer, because of his crazy antics, which included him sticking the bulb of the microphone in his mouth. The most epic part of his performance, however ,was when he told all of the people leaving to turn around and then he said, “Goodbye,” and fell into the crowd. The weather was

absolutely gorgeous. It made the fabulous festival even more fantastic. It was slightly chilly which made the mosh pits an enjoyable and non-sweaty experience. With all of the rain Houston has been getting lately, I was worried that my lawn seat would be turned into a mud seat ticket. Fortunately, this was not the case. The Pavilion put wood chips on the slightly damp areas to make for more pleasant seating arrangements. The extremely muddy areas were coned off. Overall I greatly enjoyed Buzzfest and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of alternative music. The mix of bands as well as the atmosphere of the Pavilion was highly entertaining. Be prepared for some crazy times and people at Buzzfest, but if that is your thing, I will see you at Buzzfest 32. SYDNEY KELLER

Photo Courtesy / Violeta Alvarez - Houston Press

Opinion Editor

The art of lucid dreaming becomes newest trend The trend of lucid dreaming is a growing phenomenon, learn how to control your dreams with these tips

he whole idea of being able to control your dreams may be extremely appealing to anyone interested in the paranormal. Even those who find it scary must admit their curiosity toward the subject. There are not only medical explanations for lucid dreaming, but also reasons that are completely pseudoscientific and spiritual. A lucid dreamer, according to a 2011 CNN article, “is a person who is aware that he or she is dreaming and is able to manipulate the plot and outcome of the dream.” Lucid dreaming has been called a light version of an outof-body experience and has been seen as a pathway to the spirit world and communication with it, through ways other than physical manifestations. According to “Validity Established of Dreamlight Cues For Eliciting Lucid Dreaming” by Stephen LaBerge and Lynne Levitan, there are two kinds of lucid

dreaming: dream-initiated lucid dream and the wakeinitiated lucid dream. The first is a dream which starts out normally and later the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming. The latter type deals with a dreamer who sets out to have a lucid dream, which is going from a waking state immediately to a dream state without any seeming lapse in consciousness. The skeptics of lucid dreaming say that the only way a person can be aware another person is dreaming is by asking them. This has its setbacks and

has many scientific flaws. So why is there a rise in interest about lucid dreaming? It gives you the ability to control your dreams and it gives you the power over something that you had absolutely no previous control over. The BBC claimed in 2012 that “interest in lucid dreaming has grown in recent years,” and that this interest has garnered the invention of apps on smart phones to help people experience the phenomenon. One such app had a half a million downloads in a matter of six weeks.

WikiHow.com has made a five step guide of how to go about initiating a lucid dream by means of the “Hand Method.” The premise of the “Hand Method” is a simple way to realize that you are dreaming, allowing you to then control your dream. This practice involves looking at the palms of your hands every night before you go to bed. While looking at your hands, you repeat to yourself that when you see your hands in your dream, you will then realize that you are dreaming. After repeating this affirmation

for 30 minutes or whenever you get tired, you can fall asleep. When you wake up during the night, look at your hands again and repeat the affirmation, especially if you do not recall seeing your hands in your dream. If you practice this method enough times, you will eventually see your hands in your dream and consciously recognize that you are dreaming. Once this happens, you enter a state of lucid dreaming. I encourage all those who read this to try to lucid dream, as it truly is an experience of a lifetime and one which is so abnormal and abstract that simply speaking of it does it a disservice; one must experience it. It does take a lot of practice to have a lucid dream, let alone control the dream and make it do what one wants it to, but once it is done, it is truly an interesting experience. ADALBERTO TOLEDO

Claire Logue/The Summa

Staff Writer

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Friday, November 8, 2013

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Shopping tips for Black Friday, Cyber Monday Are you ready for the biggest shopping days of the year?

ou know that huge party in high school that everyone went to? Black Friday is that party, only it’s held at the mall once a year. Cyber Monday is basically the after party, except online. Black Friday is supposed to be the day after Thanksgiving, but in recent years, retailers have adopted the trend of opening doors as early as 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Of course, this usually pushes Thanksgiving dinner to midafternoon, allowing shoppers to gear up and make their way to the first stores on their list. Shoppers typically have a list of items they want to get deals on, like big name electronics or apparel. “I’m going to try to pick up a few mp3 players for my younger siblings this year,” junior Zully Ramon said. Ramon also said that most of her Black Friday shopping will double as Christmas shopping. In fact, a lot of students said they intend on picking up Christmas presents by ransacking the aisles at Walmart. However, you might not want to venture into Walmart unless you’re

equipped with pepper spray because it can get a bit out of hand. If you’re after hot deals on electronics, the first place you should look is Best Buy. Everything from that new 3D TV to the new Xbox will be up for grabs at deals you can’t miss. If you’re more like freshman Daniela Cedillo and aim to stuff your closet with even more apparel, you should skip the frenzy at the Galleria and try smaller shopping malls like Memorial City or even the Houston Premium Outlet mall, which opens at 6 p.m. At the outlet, I’ve been able to snag a pair of sunglasses from Solstice for $27 rather than the usual price of $110. Other clothing hot spots include H&M, JC Penney, Kohl’s and Target. Many are braving the sales by travelling in groups and splitting up in different sections of the mall or store in order to grab the items on their lists quickly and effectively. Usually one person (the fastest shopper) stands in line and holds their place, while the others finish the shopping. This method has been proven quite effective and is a personal

favorite of mine as it ensures we get everything we need and still have time to shop the next store. Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Black Friday. Deals and sales are usually kept a secret until the event starts. Serious shoppers are seasoned pros who are experts at adding items to their virtual shopping cart and have their credit card information saved onto the computer for a speedier check out. According to cybermonday.com the best deals are on big-ticket items such as Christmas trees and new UGG boots. Amazon is heaven for Cyber Monday with shipping prices non-existent but only if you exceed the $50 minimum and everything that is already marked down from retail prices is even cheaper. Be sure to check out these sites and other store’s websites for additional savings and coupons so you will be well prepared by the time Black Friday and Cyber Monday rolls around.

HAWA PATEL Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy/ Flickr User: Coffee Core

Michelle Obama leads campaign to increase public water intake

“Drink Up!” A new initiave put in place by the first lady to encourage the drinking of more water

n early September of this year, First Lady Michelle Obama presented her new health initiative, which was received positively. As part of her “Let’s Move” campaign, the move to “Drink Up” has highly received opinions, however, many were not convinced that this new initiative to drink more water is the best health campaign for Americans. The purpose of “Drink Up” is to encourage people to drink more water each day than they normally would. One more cup of water is all it takes, says Michelle, because it “can make a real difference for your health, your energy and the way that you feel.” Drinking the proper amount of water has substantial health benefits and helps maintain the balance of body fluids, controls caloric intake, preserves kidney health and maintains normal bowel functions.

While Obama’s efforts to increase our water intake are positive, many people feel that this will only add to our waste of energy and pollution. They also see it as an unnecessary move for our economy. Controversy is most intense among environmentalists, scientists and public health campaigners, according to a politico.com article about Obama’s campaign. While those in support of it say that there are actual benefits to drinking eight glasses of water a day, others do not think that is entirely true. According to the Huffington Post, the Executive Director for Let’s Move, Sam Kass, cited data including the typical amount of water that Americans drink each day, including among children where obesity is evident. Of course, keeping our bodies hydrated is especially important, but the National Institute of Health’s website

states that there are no official guidelines as to how much water we should actually drink. “There really isn’t data to support this. It’s not a very scientific approach they’ve taken,” said Stanley Goldfarb of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to the criticism, environmentalists are also speaking up against the initiative. Emily Wurth, who is the water program director for Food and Water Watch, spoke with a Wisconsin reporter for watchdog.org on behalf of the ‘greenie’ group. They are concerned with the production of all the extra plastic water bottles that will result from Drink Up. The campaign has partnered with Evian, Dasani, Brita, Voss and others and will begin printing a “Drink Up” logo on water bottles so as to encourage the people to buy them. “[They] wish instead that [Michelle Obama]

were encouraging people to choose the much more affordable, more regulated option of tap water,” Wurth said. It is also interesting to mention the strategy behind the advertisement and marketing of the “Drink Up” campaign. Kass said that instead of focusing on the negative details of why people should drink more water, they are taking a different approach and simply “being positive and not getting [into] details about what a glass of water can do,” according to the Huffington Post. While many questions arise as to the real health benefits of water and drinking a glass or two more, trying it out for yourself may give you an better answer.

MARIELA GARCIA Staff Writer Claire Logue/The Summa

Friday, November 8, 2013

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Wendy Davis Announces Intent to Run for Texas Governor First Attempts to “Turn Texas Blue” Will Begin in 2014

ick Perry’s announcement that he would not be running for re-election has predicted a fierce gubernatorial race for 2014. Several candidates from multiple parties will be vying for the governor’s position, including Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott, and the former Libertarian presidential candidates, Gee Chapman and Lee Wrights. Most notable, however, is Sen. Wendy Davis, who announced she would be running on Oct. 3. She represents Tarrant County, and garnered national media coverage during summer 2013 because of her involvement with the anti-abortion legislation that passed in the Texas legislature. Her opposition to the Texas omnibus bill has been predicted to be a major influence on the future of Texas politics, as she drew mass support. Davis is known for her 11hour filibuster against Senate Bill 5, an action that gained her national acclaim.

“Davis is a very powerful speaker, as well as a motivating and very moving,” said Maria Castillo, president of the UST College Democrats. Castillo had the opportunity to listen to the senator speak at the Texas Democratic Party Banquet in Galveston on Oct. 11. Davis is expected to face a difficult campaign, due to the combined obstacles of traditional Republican support and socially conservative values that dominate Texas voters. “I think she is at least going to be able to put up a fight,” Castillo said. “Even though she might not have the monetary assets that, for example, Greg Abbott has, she has people. They say that wherever she goes, there’s a mob following her. People are really excited about her.” Castillo, like many Democrats, is convinced that Wendy Davis will be a leader in the Texas Democratic Party’s mission to “Turn Texas Blue.” Republicans will put up opposition against Senator Davis’s run, more because of

her strong pro-choice stance. The UST College Republicans stated in a formal press release regarding Davis’s campaign announcement. “Wendy Davis is a oneissue candidate whose filibuster is an example of her short-term momentum. Her radical agenda is out-of-step with Texas voters, and does not align with the conservative values proudly held by Texans,” the press

Election Continued... yet to be decided. There will be runoffs. We will need to commit to work hard in those races to send great people down to City Hall, to work with me and the returning council members,” Parker said in closing, as applause punctuated the pauses in her speech. “My election is over, but the work is going to get much tougher, much harder; I don’t believe in lame ducks. My election is over, but the next two years have just begun. Thank you very much!” Approximately 300 people attended the election watch party, including two UST students, Bao Dinh and Coleton Mayo. “It was so exciting to be in a room so full of happiness and energy, and it was also reassuring personally to be in a room with so many Democrats in the City of Houston,” Coleton Mayo said. “It’s not every day that you can get that many like-minded people to gather in one room, and it was such a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. We worked hard, trying to get her reelected, and her track record has showed her to prove herself as mayor. Its

great we are going to have her for her final term as mayor, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the future of the city and maybe her future political campaign.” Mayo, like many residents of Houston, hopes that Parker will continue work on improving the city. “Particularly spending a lot of time in the Montrose and the University of St. Thomas, I do hope Mayor Parker will carry through with her promises for street rehabilitation and improving our roads,” Mayo said. “I personally look forward to the

chance of having Metrorail extended along Richmond. I hope she’s able to put forth more of the Metrorail that would help our students - that would help our community and the city as a whole.” Though victory was won for Parker, Harris County voted against a $217 million bond referendum that would have funded renovations to Astrodome. It is likely that the eighth Wonder of the World will be demolished in the coming years.

release stated. “Davis represents outside interests, and her oneissue fame is unbecoming of the state’s highest office. Not only is she considered undeserving of the post but the statement goes on to imply that her ‘shortterm momentum’ is unlikely to make much of a difference in the long run.” While these two college groups’ ardent opinions represent the polarized ideas

of many Texan voters, Davis’s announcement of her race for the governor has undisputedly brought a spotlight on her and on her party. It is speculated to be close competition, and will be a historic race; one that might set a precedent for future the future of the Texas Democratic Party.

DIEGO FRIAS Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy/ The Texas Tribune

STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ

News Editor

Claire Logue/The Summa

Friday, November 8, 2013

Thoughts THOUGHTS

The Summa

Technology in School: Harmful or Helpful? The use of technology in the classroom is a current issue up for debate. Do students benefit from the growing use of technology in school or does it hurt their learning experience? Two students share their opinion on the subject.

Technology in School: Harmful

would first like to admit that there are some perks to using technology in a school classroom, but overall, I think that it does more harm to a student’s learning experience than good. The detriments can come to students in the form of lowered grades, a decline in attention and a loss of academic integrity. A student’s grades can drop because of a difference in testing and learning environments. It has been shown that students perform best on tests and quizzes when they study in a setting that is similar to their testing atmosphere. This varying environment is caused by laptop use while in class but using a pen and paper on a test. It is better if students take notes by hand in class because they will more than likely have to use pens and paper on their tests.

SYDNEY KELLER Opinion Editor Another reason why it is beneficial to use pen in paper in class as opposed to laptops is because people remember more when they handwrite things. Hand writing helps with fine motor skills and cognitive exercise. Laptops in class are highly dependent upon battery life and availability of outlets in classrooms. Many classrooms do not have the number of plugs to accommodate all of the students in the class. Also, students can become easily distracted when using technology in the classroom. With Wi-Fi reaching most places on campus, students can easily click over to Facebook or play Candy Crush on their laptop or smart phone during class. The only two solutions to limit laptop distractions in class remain infeasible. One solution is for the teacher to

either stand in the back of the class; the second is for a giant mirror to be placed in the back of the class room so all laptop screens are reflected. The first solution is detrimental because the teacher would be hindered in their communication to the students. The second option is impractical and expensive. Also, a teacher should not have to act as a “computer police” and should have their primary focus on teaching. Furthermore, there is a second-hand laptop effect. When one student is off-task and playing a game on their computer, many surrounding students begin to look at that person’s laptop causing the surrounding students to pay more attention to what their colleague is doing rather than the lecture. Lastly, the usage of technology in the classroom

can lead to a loss of academic integrity and critical thinking. Students using their phones in class can text each other answers to tests or quizzes. Also, if laptops are frequently used in class, instead of a student pondering questions the teacher asks and using critical thinking to come up with an answer, they can simply Google it. This readily available knowledge is valuable, but it hinders critical thinking by having all of the answers at your fingertips. Overall, I do not think that the classroom should be a haven to technology. It causes more harm than good by distracting students and lowering grades. Technology also causes harm by having a loss of academic integrity and critical thinking. A traditional style classroom with pen and paper is preferable.

Technology in School: Helpful

aving technology in school classrooms has always been a controversial topic. Experts have come to defend both sides of the argument and the issue has been debated extensively. However, what most people don’t realize is that the debate has been over for a while now. The truth is that in almost every classroom, there are some pieces of technology that did not exist fifteen years ago. From SmartBoards to phones to iPads, even the teachers with the most stringent rules against electronic devices use some kind of device for themselves.

DIEGO FRIAS Staff Writer It is true that technology such as laptops and phones can be a distraction and are not always used in the most appropriate situations. However, they are more beneficial than detrimental. Anyone who decides to use electronics to tune-out a class they’re paying for will quickly realize that they are the only ones being hurt. They will soon learn to use technology accordingly. It would actually be a good lesson for students to learn in regards to keeping up with the class and paying attention and not just showing up to nap. Furthermore, in the classrooms where technology like laptops are welcomed,

students are able to take notes and look at posted Powerpoints. They can also do quick Internet searches on something they don’t understand and even pull up their electronic textbook to participate in class in a much more interactive manner. Likewise, math classes use calculators that can graph, save documents, connect to the Internet, take measurements and write computer programs. When studying for a test, students can get help from YouTube by searching for whatever topic they need. Sparknotes and similar websites also provide a refresher for the books you haven’t read since high school. Many people use

Blackboard, a popular program at UST which professors use to put up grades, assignments and notifications about their classes. Programs like Blackboard are relatively new, and they do not seem to be detrimental to students. Even The Summa, like many newspapers today, has online versions of its editions. The technology is out there and it is not going anywhere. The future of education rests in the classrooms that have learned to integrate these developments instead of opposing the evolution of learning. We might not have to use an iPad or a laptop for everything, but these technologies definitely should not be ruled out as modern classroom tools.

The Summa

THOUGHTS

Friday, November 8, 2013

Inconsistencies with the Library ID Cards

n The Doherty Library-a public sanctuary where students have some quiet time to finish their research for a paper, do a last minute homework assignment or simply catch up on the latest shows on Netflix. But before any student can enjoy these luxuries, they must pass through the annoying magnet reader that verifies the UST identification cards. While this system may seem fool-proof, it’s anything but. For as long as I’ve been here, this system has been completely inconsistent. Let’s start off with the basics; generally, all UST students know that in order to enter the library, they must scan their student ID cards. If students don’t know this beforehand they must provide their driver’s license and know their student ID number. Seems easy enough and logical, right? Well, that wasn’t the case with me. As I recall, last semester I was in a hurry to get to the library to work on some much needed homework for class.

BIANCA GOMEZ Copy Editor Upon entering the library, I didn’t realize that I left my ID in my car. When a worker approached me about this, I tried to explain to her that I had left my ID card in my car; this should’ve been a hint that I had my driver’s license on me. At the time, I had no idea that I could’ve given my driver’s license to them, and I also had my ID number memorized. Rather than offer the second choice to do just that, the student worker insisted that I needed my ID card, and wouldn’t allow me in the library. I had to annoyingly walk back to the parking garage, grab my ID and then walk back to the library to scan my ID card. I felt that having to go through all that trouble for a piece of plastic was extremely unnecessary. Also, there have been times where I was able to walk through the card scanner without being stopped. I wasn’t doing this spitefully, but I simply forgot to scan my card. I have other UST friends who have told me they can only count on one hand how many times they’ve either scanned their card or have been

stopped by library staff. As I was on my way to the library the other day, I purposely didn’t scan my card to see if anyone would notice as an “experiment;” I was halfway up the stairs when someone finally stopped me. This didn’t surprise me, which leads me to conclude that I’m not completely sure how fool-proof this system really is. Granted, I understand the reason for why the library enforces the student ID scanners; there’s enough violence outside the walls of this campus in general. The last thing students and faculty need to worry about is some strange person running into the library and causing chaos in a place where learning should flourish. However, I feel that library staff either needs to be more diligent with students scanning their cards, or they need to come up with a more concrete system to keep track of traffic coming in and out. While this sounds expensive, they should install a magnet scanner for when students exit. It doesn’t make sense that

there is a magnet scanner for when students enter, but there isn’t one when they exit. I mean, if the library staff can’t keep up with student traffic, then installing a magnet scanner on the exit could help eliminate the number of “unauthorized” persons in the library. We could install an alarm system that has a magnetic reader above the door that goes off if students don’t scan their cards before entering the library, but maybe that’s a little too progressive and expensive. In the past three semesters I’ve been here at UST, it seems that the library staff has been doing a better job of keeping track of students scanning their ID cards before entering the premises. I know that not every system is perfect, but it shouldn’t be that much of a hassle for students to sit in a quiet area and do some homework, or to simply relax. Maybe I’m being too critical, but I’m sure I speak for many students when I say that this system is too inconsistent and that there should be another way.

THOUGHTS

Friday, November 8, 2013

The Summa

Freshman Symposium: Yea or Nea? Two students share their view on the strengths and weaknesses of Freshman Symposium.

Freshman Symposium-Yea

Freshman Symposium-Nea

SYDNEY KELLER Opinion Editor

any people may complain that Freshman Symposium is an unnecessary class; however, I found that it has many beneficial qualities and helps students learn more about the University of St. Thomas. I personally was unaware of the university’s rich history before I took the class and of what it meant to attend a liberal arts university. Prior to this class, I thought a liberal arts university was just a school that didn’t specialize in math and science. After going through the first chapter in the Freshman Symposium book, I was enlightened that a liberal arts university is “an educational tradition that celebrates and nurtures human freedom.” I also learned that liberal arts universities try to find common ground between all disciplines in order to make well rounded students. This knowledge about the university can help distinguish students in job interviews. Future employers may ask questions about what distinguishes the University of St. Thomas from other universities. Freshman Symposium actually was created when the school realized that many students had a lack of knowledge about why St. Thomas was special compared to other learning establishments. It also has helped students recognize the uniqueness and value of attending a school that specializes in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. There are additional benefits of Freshman Symposium other than just learning the history and value of the university. It is a great opportunity for the freshman class to bond and make new friends. By mixing the disciplines of students in the Freshman Symposium class, it has helped me meet people that I wouldn’t have normally met.

It also unites commuters and noncommuters, as well as teachers and students. The first few days of school are nerve racking for many people; however, I was comforted in many of my classes because I saw familiar faces from my Freshman Symposium class. Freshman Symposium has also helped me meet professors that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. For example, I am a political science and psychology double major, but my Freshman Symposium student mentor and faculty mentor are both from the international studies department. I also probably wouldn’t have become as close to my staff advisor since I would not have normally met with her. Not only does the class help students get to know other people better, it also helps them know themselves better. By taking tests such as the Myers-Briggs, students can recognize their personal strengths and weaknesses. The personality test also helps students to acknowledge leadership qualities in themselves in order to make them more confident leaders in the school and work force. The personality test that freshman take during Freshman Symposium help them become more understanding and accepting of those different from them. It also helps them learn how to interact with people with different personalities. Freshman Symposium is probably one of the most important courses you can take at the university. It helps students learn more about themselves and the world around them. It also helps students know more about the place they are going to be spending the next four years. Overall, it is a great foundational class for freshman that helps them build and nurture relationships that will last for years.

The Summa

t seems like everyone I talk to about Freshman Symposium sees it as one of the most pointless, time consuming and boring classes they have ever taken. However, it’s a required class for all freshmen, but it’s not like the other core classes we all have to take. We all have to take philosophy, theology and English, but those classes are bearable and even slightly fun. In contrast, Freshman Symposium, which is supposed to be a break in the week from the stresses of college work, but it is the stressor every freshman has on Thursday. I figured out the three problems associated with Freshman Symposium, and I’ve thought of some ways that the future Freshman Symposium classes could change in order to make it more fun and less of a nuisance. The first one is obvious: it’s boring. None of us, except those who are really eager and dedicated, want to hear an hour and a half lecture on the Catholic Church. Most people are either on their phones or sleeping during these talks. I, for one, really enjoy the speakers that come, but I can see why other people would think they are dull. The panel of former students was an interesting and amusing experience that did not have as many people sleeping or on their phones. The other speakers, however, were either vaguely interesting or just plain boring. I think it had to do with the fact that when we were in Jones Hall it was just speaker, after speaker, after speaker. Instead of having lectures and class discussions, Freshman Symposium should focus on learning about not only the school itself, but also the area around the school as well. Tours of the school, including the random administrative houses, as well as tours of the immediate

Montrose area are a thousand times more fun than sitting in a chair for an hour listening to someone talk about the Catholic Church. The second problem I noticed is regarding the class discussions. My class in particular is mindnumbingly boring and devoid of any fun. I’m not going to point fingers, but I’m sure that other classes are not as boring as mine. The Freshman Symposium classes are also very different from each other. Some are more fun than others, and some don’t have the regular work that others do. Some Freshman Symposium classes have to write an essay every week, while others just write one at the beginning of the semester. Freshman Symposium should have a universal syllabus for every class with the same assignments and general ideas. This brings me to the third problem which is the break-away groups. What are they for? Being there for the past few months I am still puzzled at what the small class discussions are meant to achieve. I simply do not understand why in every class we have to talk about such subjective topics as leadership and success. Instead of having different classes all the time, there should be a system where the classes are bigger. The classes should also play games that not only teach us about the university and its mission, but also give us a way to escape from the daily stressors of college life. During orientation, we had the same break-away groups as we have during Freshman Symposium. We did fun activities during orientation, but those activities completely died once school began. This is truly a shame. I am certain that if the idea of having fun and learning at the same time were re-introduced to the people who make Freshman Symposium, the student body would appreciate the class much more.

Jeremy Heallen • Faculty Advisor

Staff Writers & Photographers

Katie Thomson • Editor-in-Chief

Amber Day • Diego Frias Mariella Garcia • Bianca Gomez Stephanie Hernandez • Sydney Keller Sarah Oyarce • Hawa Patel Adalberto Toledo • Hannah Vergult Claire Logue

University of St. Thomas Student Newspaper

Claire Logue • Design Editor

3800 Montrose Blvd. • Houston, TX 77006 • 713.525.3579

Sarah Oyarce • Content Editor

The Summa is the official newspaper of The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. It has a circulation of 2,000 copies. The Summa is a student run organization, whose purpose is to inform, comment, and interpret events of local, national, and worldwide importance. This paper serves as an open forum of student expression and welcomes letters from the UST community. All submitted materials are due by the last Friday of the month. The Summa is dedicated to serving as a model of ethical journalism, acting with honesty, objectivity, and integrity.

ADALBERTO TOLEDO Staff Writer

Stephanie Hernandez • News Editor Sydney Keller • Opinion Editor Sarah Oyarce • Entertainment Editor Amber Day • Features Editor Hannah Vergult • Health Editor William Rodriguez • Photography Editor Melanie Solomon • Social Correspondent

Design Team Claire Logue Sarah Oyarce Katie Thomson Hannah Vergult

Copy Editors Madison Bonnette Bianca Gomez Brittany James

Distribution Brittany James

The Summa

EXPERIENCE experience

Friday, November 8, 2013

Panic! At the Disco Releases New Alternative Dance Album

Panic! undergoes another stylistic shift in Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!

anic! At the Disco’s new album Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! was released on Oct. 8. The band has gone through many changes and stylistic shifts. Each Panic! album has a unique and different sound from the last, and Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! does not fail to follow this pattern. Panic! has always had a balance between an electronic sound and a more organic sound in their albums. While some albums lean more towards electronic

and others towards organic, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! is a primarily electronic sounding album. The album itself contains 10 tracks, two of which were released as singles before the album came out. Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! is an eclecticsounding album with influence from Depeche Mode, an ‘80s synthpop band with elements of hip-hop. Some listeners complain that the new album sounds overproduced and that it lacks substance; however, fans of the new album rave at its fast-paced songs and

OUT AND ABOUT

Lights,” deal with themes and experiences he and Smith dealt with growing up as a band in Vegas. Panic! At the Disco has put out a lot great content, musically and lyrically. Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! has its moments, but does not measure up to the quality of their past albums. This does not mean that this latest album is not good, it is actually quite enjoyable, but Panic! has more potential than what they most recently produced.

song to the deeper meaning found in the lyrics. On the surface, the majority of the songs sound like dance songs, but the lyrics and messages are not all two-dimensional. “This is Gospel,” for example, comes from a very personal level for the band members. Urie has stated that the song is about drummer Spencer Smith, who has come out with his struggles with battling addiction. A lot of the songs are influenced by the bands early beginnings in Vegas. Urie has said that some of the tracks, especially “Vegas

the distinct stylistic shift. It is understandable to see why some people might be upset about the new album’s sound. A lot of effects auto-tune and synthesize Brendon Urie’s voice, who is the lead vocalist of the band. Urie’s voice is very powerful, unique and distinct and this is heavily masked by the special effects on his voice demonstrated in numerous tracks in the album. Yet, there are moments in Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! where Urie’s voice is more raw. It is these moments that connect the

HANNAH VERGULT Health Editor

Houston in November - December 7

Nov. 8:

Nov. 9:

Josh Tuner at the Arena Theatre Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson and Flatbush Zombies at Warehouse Live Common at the Arena Theatre

Nov. 10: Hoodie Allen at the House of Blues Nov. 11: Dessa at Fitzgerald’s

Nov. 12: Josh Groban at the Toyota Center Nov. 13: Drake at the Toyota Center Janelle Monae at the House of Blues Nov. 14: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky at the Toyota Center The Head & the Heart at Warehouse Live

13 6

Nov. 15: Scotty McCreery at Nutty Jerry’s Twenty One Pilots at the House of Blues Nov. 16: Pro Era and Ab-Soul at Warehouse Live Brian McKnight at the Arena Theatre

15 6

Nov. 18: Trivium at Warehouse Live Nov. 20: Celtic Thunder at Bayou Music Center Mayday Parade at the House of Blues Nov. 21: Chase Rice at the House of Blues Nov. 23: Colby O’Donis at Warehouse Live A$AP Ferg at Warehouse Live Nov. 25: High on Fire at the House of Blues Nov. 26: Hillsong United at Reliant Arena Chance the Rapper at Warehouse Live Nov. 27: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at Reliant Arena Anthony Green at Fitzgerald’s Nov. 28: Beetle (Beatles Tribute) at the Continental Nov. 29: Los Lonely Boys at the House of Blues Nov. 30: Alejandro Fernandez at the Toyota Center Dec. 1: Riff Raff at Warehouse Live Dec. 2: Third Eye Blind at the House of Blues Dec. 5: Justin Timberlake at the Toyota Center

ACROSS 1. Star of 12 Years a Slave; Chiwetel 4. They don’t want no scrubs 6. Sound made by a bird 7. Galaxy Earth is a part of; Way 10. Currency of Chile 13. Kel’s favorite

soda 15. Map that features landscapes of a place DOWN 2. Part of the eye that shows color 3. Atomic number is 8 8. St Basil’s

Created by Sarah Oyarce

Cathedral is located in 9. New Zealand singer 11. President before Theodore Roosevelt; William 12. When a turn is skipped 14. Holds plants, flowers

experience

Friday, November 8, 2013

The Summa

CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story breaks record on VH1 The biopic takes an in-depth look at the lives and careers of T-Boz, Chilli and Left Eye, otherwise known as TLC

ver since the trailer for CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story was seen during this year’s MTV VMA’s, it is safe to say that everyone who grew up in the ‘90s was excited for its premiere on Oct. 21 on VH1. There was so much excitement and buzz about it as seen on various social media sites that it is now VH1’s most watched original movie. The actresses who portrayed Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes were Drew Sidora, Keke Palmer and Niatia Jessica Kirkland, whose stage name is Lil’ Mama. Upon hearing these names, many people wondered if this group of girls would be able to adequately act out of the lives of one of the most beloved girl groups of all time. Sidora is relatively unknown, Palmer had a show on Nickelodeon

and Lil’ Mama is best known for walking on stage during rapper Jay-Z and singer Alicia Keys’ performance on the 2009 VMA’s. Clearly, they have big shoes to fill. After watching the movie, many people agree that they were perfectly cast. Not only did each of the actresses have an uncanny physical resemblance to their respective characters, but they acted out famous interviews and recreated music videos with stunning accuracy. One of the most respectable things the actresses did was not try to change or add things to their characters and just played them as they were. The film depicted many of the hard times that TLC endured throughout their journey together. The movie did not shy away from the more controversial aspects of their career like Chilli’s abortion and Left Eye burning down her boyfriend’s house. The most heart-breaking part,

of course, was when Palmer and Sidora’s characters broke down when they got the news of Left Eye’s death in a car accident while she was on vacation in Honduras. The movie itself was also controversial because it depicted that TLC’s former manager Perri “Pebbles” Reid along with music mogul Antonio “L.A.” Reid cheated the group out of money. They famously admitted they were “broke as broke can be” at the 1996 Grammy’s press conference. This, of course, angered Pebbles. The actress who played Pebbles, Rochelle Aytes, told HipHollywood that T-Boz and Chilli were on set a lot and gave her advice on how to portray Pebbles. Aytes also told that T-Boz and Chilli were in “awe” of how Palmer, Sidora and Lil’ Mama were so perfectly portraying the group. Since T-Boz and Chilli were executive producers and so closely involved in the making of this movie, it is pretty safe to

Blake Tyers / VH1 / Associated Press

say it is an accurate portrayal of their lives and days as TLC. Even though the film showcased tough moments, it was still an inspired film as viewers got to look back on TLC’s career and their own

childhoods. For people who have never heard of TLC, it is a great film to get introduced to the greatness that is TLC.

SARAH OYARCE Entertainment Editor

Jay-Z presents: Made in America premieres on Showtime

ade in America is a bigger i d e a than just a concert,” rapper Jay-Z explained on Jay-Z presents: Made in America, a documentary directed by Ron Howard that recorded the events

“

Rapper Jay-Z and friends tell how they “made it in America” at last year’s two-day festival in Philadelphia. The film was first shown in early September at the Toronto International Film Festival, but did not make its television premiere until Oct. 11 on Showtime. Made in America not only shed light on the acts of the festival, but also told inspiring

stories from the festival’s performers and highlighted JayZ’s own humble beginnings. Jay-Z is often portrayed as the really rich, powerful and most influential music mogul of our generation. Some even go as far to say that he is the leader of the secret “Illuminati.” However, in the

Kevin Mazur / WireImage / Getty Images

film, viewers get to hear about Jay-Z’s upbringings from the man himself. In the movie, he tells the stories of his drug-dealing past, his constant writing and how he passed around his demo to every label but didn’t get signed right away. Even though he had many failures, as he pointed out in the film, the important thing is that they did not stop him from becoming who he is today. “God has given every single person a genius level talent. You just have to find what it is that you are great at and tap into it,” Jay-Z said. Many other artists featured in the festival, like Pearl Jam, Odd Future, Rita Ora, Janelle Monae, Miike Snow, Gary Clark Jr., D’Angelo, Passion Pit, Santogold, Jill Scott and RunD.M.C. also contributed their stories, some moving and some random to the film. Singer Janelle Monae told a great story about how her mother was a custodian, her father was a garbage truck driver and she was a maid

before becoming successful. “I only wear black and white because my family wore uniforms every single day and it connects me with them… It reminds me of them,” Monae said. Even though she is not a maid anymore and spends her time making music, she is still reminded of her past through her wardrobe. The film also portrays the dreams of up and coming musicians around the Philadelphia-area who were given a slot in the festival and aspire to be the next Jay-Z. Not only were artists featured, but many of the festival workers told their own stories, including a single mother who owned a food truck. As cheesy as it might sound, Made in America is a really great documentary which features some amazing stories, really drives home the theme of “making it in America” and how music can connect everyone at any given time and spans all generations.

SARAH OYARCE Entertainment Editor

experience

The Summa

Friday, November 8, 2013

Carrie hits theaters, for the third time

othing is sacred or original these days. Many Carrie fans would likely agree based on the new Carrie movie which debuted in October. The original Carrie (1976), directed by Brian De Palma and based on Stephen King’s novel, is, to many, a

A remake of a classic horror film does not meet expectations staple in the horror film genre. Oscar-worthy performances by the original Carrie White, played by actress Sissy Spacek, and her religiously obsessed mother Margaret White, played by actress Piper Laurie. One of the many things that make this movie a horror classic is that Laurie has to be included in the category

for “Best Horror Movie Performances,” along with actress Lili Taylor who plays the possessed mom in The Conjuring and actor Anthony Perkins who plays both the son and (spoiler alert) the mother in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Carrie (1976) doesn’t contain scenes that are unnecessarily drawn out, was

Sony Pictures / AP

scored well and has fantastic acting, which are all a rarity in horror films. Carrie (2013), however, is less than stellar and probably will be forgotten just like the Carrie remake of 2002. Even though the newer version of Carrie did not stray far from the original plot with the exceptions of a new beginning scene of Carrie’s mother giving birth to her, her mother cutting herself and a girl who picks on Carrie video records the famous bathroom scene and posts it on the Internet, Carrie (2013) does not do the original justice. For one, viewers believed that Spacek was an awkward, painfully shy recluse just by looking at her face. Actress Chloë Grace Moretz, who is newcomer at only 16 years old but is already known for her role in Kick-Ass as “Hit Girl,” is not a “plain” looking girl by any means, as what the Carrie roles calls for. So trying to believe that she is a loner that no guy would ask to the school prom is slightly farfetched. This is not to say that Moretz did not do well in the

TTV TRACKER: RETURN OF THE TV SHOWS! How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

CBS / Courtesy Photo

2 Broke Girls (CBS)

CBS / Courtesy Photo

role. She is a great actress, Spacek was just better in this role. One of the aspects that made Carrie (1976) so frightening was the fact that it was shot in the ‘70s. This means that they did not have the advanced special effects that many films of our generation have, including the gym scene in the remake, so the thrills and fear that came from watching the original Carrie set fire to a gymnasium full of high school students came from the great acting that made us think Spacek was actually demented and her mother was actually a deranged lunatic. For anyone who hasn’t seen the Carrie movies, I greatly encourage you to watch the original first and then the latest version. Just skip the 2002 remake all together. As for the latest version of Carrie, it will probably be inducted into the irrelevant remake hall of shame. Nothing ever compares to the original.

SARAH OYARCE Entertainment Editor By Sarah Oyarce

Bones (FOX)

FOX / Courtesy Photo

What’s it about? In the year 2030, father Ted Mosby tells the story of how he met their mother to his children.

What’s it about? Two waitresses, one who has always been broke and one whose father cut her off, struggle to make ends meet.

What’s it’s about? A forensic anthropologist, an FBI agent and their team work together to solve cases and murders.

Why Tune In? Robin and Loretta argue,Ted’s stepdad joins Robin’s mom and Marshall on a road trip and Ted, against the signs of the universe, takes Cassie to the wedding.

Why Tune In? Max and Christine transform a prostitute into the educated and religious girlfriend Han has been telling his mother about when she comes to visit. Will Han’s mother notice?

Why Tune In? While on their honeymoon in Buenos Aires, Booth and Brennan help an area detective uncover the truth of a Nazi war criminal’s murder.

The Walking Dead (AMC)

The Mindy Project (FOX)

AMC / Courtesy Photo

FOX / Courtesy Photo

Carrie Diaries (CW)

CW / Courtesy Photo

What’s it about? The Walking Dead series documents survivors’ adventures in a world ridden with flesh-eating zombies.

What’s it about? A sassy doctor trying to find love in New York while working at her practice with her funny co-workers.

What’s it’s about? A young Carrie Bradshaw interns at a law office and goes to high school in the Big Apple.

Why Tune In? Rick and Carol ransack a nearby neighborhood for supplies while they await Daryl. Michonne also tells Daryl that the hunt for the Governor is over.

Why Tune In? When a friend tells Mindy she is too picky, she gets a date with a guy who is the complete opposite of her. Jeremy gets a visit from his dad.

Why Tune In? Carrie asks Samantha to move out, Carrie gets a meeting with a teacher at school for gifted writers and Sebastian and his father fix up a car.