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SUN FLOWER WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 2

Wichita State students, alumni and professors take stage in Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio” | PAGE 6

THESUNFLOWER.COM

Illustration by Tarun Bali

Wichita State students, faculty, staff and alumni are busy this summer. Their adventures include shooting indie films, competing for the title of “American Ninja Warrior” or learning Italian opera overseas.

Follow their journeys.

Shockers and the crown

One of three competing students, Hannah Wagner crowned Miss Kansas MEGAN LOOPER REPORTER @meglooper

For a girl who grew up thinking about books and dancing ballet, being a pageant competitor was not necessarily the first thing on Hannah Wagner’s mind.

Wagner, a sophomore majoring in business, said she finally agreed to compete in a pageant when the man who sold prom dresses convinced her to participate in the Miss Augusta pageant.

“I showed up not knowing what I was doing, but it turned out really, really well for me,” Wagner said.

After winning Miss Augusta in October, Wagner competed in the Miss Kansas pageant competition, which was held in Pratt last month. She won the crown.

The Miss Kansas Organization is a non-profit organization that offers collegiate scholarships for young women. Sponsors have collected more than $40 million in scholarships available for contestants.

“The best part about competing is knowing that it’s a scholarship organization, it’s not anything to do with beauty,” Wagner said. “Seeing that there are so many women involved in college education is amazing, and walking out with over $7,000 in scholarships is very rewarding.”

To be eligible to compete, girls must be enrolled in college and be between ages 17 and 24.

Pageant activities include displaying unique talents, as well as advocating for a platform issue.

Wagner started her talent — dancing — when she was 3 years old. Not only does she perform at pageants, but also takes part in

dance classes at Wichita State and is involved with Ballet Wichita.

For competition, she chose an issue that hit home to her as a woman pursuing an education in business — woman’s complacency in the workplace.

“Being in the business world, it’s really hard to see everyone just sitting back and not getting involved. So, one thing I am very passionate about is trying to get people to step up and get the jobs they want instead of watching others,” she said.

Not only has she received support from around campus — whether it be encouragement and support from her sorority, Alpha Phi, or being featured on social media sites — she also competed with three other Shockers.

“It was really cool to be with other WSU students because I didn’t feel like it was a competition,” she said. “It was just a week of getting to know people, having fun, being tired and wearing heels. Any time I won an award, everyone was there to hug me.”

Old friend Kiah Duggans, a top 10 finalist, as well as new friends Amanda Johnson and Jade Dowling, also represented the university.

“I’m happy I was able to meet people before I actually attend the school,” said Dowling, an incoming WSU freshman. “The Student Ambassador Society has also been a large support system.”

Duggins encouraged anyone interested in the crown to sign up for local pageants.

“The more Shockers competing in Pratt, the better,” she said.

“I have received so much encouragement from different departments and people from the

“It was really cool to be with other WSU students because I didn’t feel like it was a competition. It was just a week of getting to know people, having fun, being tired and wearing heels.”

Hannah Wagner

WSU SOPHOMORE

Photo by Tarun Bali

Sophomore Hannah Wagner was crowned Miss Kansas last month. She advocated for gender equality in the workplace.

university. I even got a letter of encouragement from our Student Government president.”

Once Wagner was crowned as Miss Kansas, she was quickly taken away for news conferences and interviews, having to put her former life on hold.

“When they called my name, I didn’t know what I should do,” she said. “It was just a big blur. I found out later that there were confetti guns and smoke cannons, and I don’t remember any of that.”

This summer, Wagner said she

will be meeting all of the sponsors, perfecting her talent, picking out her outfits and getting everything ready for the Miss America Pageant.

“I remember sitting down with my mom watching Miss America when I was younger, seeing these ideal, fantastic women that I could never be,” Wagner said. “After I won, my mom said to me, ‘That’s you now,’ and I just broke down in tears.

“I hope I can do the same thing for some little girl.”

What it takes to be

ROYAL Take it from Miss Kansas herself. When it comes to competition, here’s what Hannah Wagner advises: Always listen to the whole question from a judge or interviewer.

Take a breath for a second a half before answering.

Answer slowly and articulately.

Photo Courtesy of Student Ambassador Society

Freshman Jade Dowling, left, and senior Kiah Duggins greet visitors at the Miss Kansas parade in Pratt. Duggins was a top 10 finalists in the state-wide competition.

Remember the competition is about fueling futures and it provides scholarships.

Bring snacks.

THE STAFF:

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Shelby Reynolds Managing Editor Danielle Prewitt Multimedia Editor Kevin Brown Sports Editor Reece Burns Opinion Editor Alex Perry Special Sections Editor Amanda Hansen Copy Chief TJ Rigg

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BUSINESS / ADVISING Business Manager Robbie Norton Faculty Adviser Jessica Bertapelle Advertising Consultant Madeline McCullough The Sunflower is published by student-employees on Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer session, the paper is printed once a month, with exceptions for holidays and finals.

The Sunflower (published for use by WSU students, faculty and staff) is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable.

One copy may be taken for free. Additional copies must be purchased for $1 each. The Sunflower is also partially funded by the Student Government Association at WSU. The opinions expressed in The Sunflower editorials, columns, guest columns, reviews, advertisements, letters, Yik Yak posts and editorial cartoons are not necessarily those of the staff, publications board, student body or university. The Sunflower reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.

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CORRECTIONS: The Art for Your Ears summer concert series is only hosted by the Ulrich Museum of Art. A June 17 issue of The Sunflower incorrectly stated that the School of Art Design and Creative Industries was also a sponsor.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

PAGE 2 | OPINION

Avoid gym memberships, take advantage of Heskett During the summer everything slows down considerably on campus.

COLUMN BY With the RAHIM THOMPSON exception of a few students taking summer courses, not many are around. The paucity of traffic is the perfect time for students taking summer courses to use the Heskett Center to get in shape for free.

The Heskett Center is open to Wichita State students that are enrolled in summer courses and will be available to students in the fall. I’ve spoken to several students who have used the Heskett Center this summer instead of getting a

gym membership. The Heskett Center is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

“I usually come in here at 8 a.m. because there aren’t many people around and I can focus on my training,” Michael Smith said.

“The essentials and more are provided, and it’s convenient with the basketball courts and showers.”

The summer is a pivotal time for someone who’s looking to return to school, athletics or life in general with a renewed purpose.

In fact, college students who visit their campus gyms are more likely to succeed in the classroom, according to data from Purdue University. According to the

article, “Students who worked out at their campus’ gym at least once a week are more likely to earn a higher grade point average than students who visited less or not at all.”

Why is it that students who choose to workout regularly are more likely to succeed? Here’s why: It takes a high level of discipline and a clear focus to adhere to a consistent workout schedule on top of the grueling workload of a serious college student. Should it really be a surprise that a person is achieving academic excellence if they are also able to commit to working out on a daily basis? How you do anything is how you do everything.

Also, working out is an awesome

stress reliever. College can be a lot of fun, yet it can also be stressful.

Studies have proven one of the best and most healthy ways to relieve stress is to exercise consistently. Training comes of highest importance during exams. (We all know how stressful exams are.)

Working out allows you to feel confident in yourself. Through training — like studying — you come to a point of discomfort, and there will be two choices presented: push through or stop. Those who possess the mental fortitude to push through always — always — improve. Training is more mental than physical.

SEE HESKETT • PAGE 5

Equality, happiness for all SAME-SEX MARRIAGE RULING:

One step at a time

I remember sitting in the SGA office my sophomore year at Butler COLUMN BY Community SEAN JONES College.

Somehow, the discussion of marriage came about between two coworkers and I. One girl said she didn’t care who could marry whom because everyone deserves the right to a happy life, regardless of sexual orientation. But one guy took a completely different approach to the subject.

“I think marriage should be between a man and a woman,” he said. “It’s sinful that two people of the same sex would want to get married.”

A feeling of anger boiled deep inside me. My face turned bright red and a small stream of tears began to roll down my face.

“Think of it this way,” I said, “if you wanted to go get married right this very moment, you could do that. But me — I can’t. I can’t get married because same-sex marriage isn’t legally recognized.

How would you feel if you were denied a basic right just because you didn’t confine to the social norm?”

I’ve dealt with situations like this for years. When I came out to my family and friends, I don’t think I fully grasped how challenging the gay lifestyle would be.

As a gay man living in Kansas, I’ve sat around watching my straight friends hold hands with their significant others in public, get married and start families. I couldn’t do any of those things. I feared holding my boyfriend’s hand because of closed-minded people throwing jabs at us.

Marriage was out of the question

Illustration by Tarun Bali

for me because it wasn’t legally recognized. Starting a family was unfathomable due to high financial restraints from adoption services.

That’s all different now.

On June 26, the Supreme Court passed a ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states. All across the country — and Facebook — I saw support of this monumental achievement for the gay rights movement. Rainbow-filtered profile pictures and links to newspaper articles filled my Facebook newsfeed while square photos of people creatively depicting marriage equality shined on my Instagram account.

I had never been more proud to be a citizen of “I had this country never been than I was on that day. I more proud finally felt to be a equal to citizen of everyone. My this country plans for the future opened than I was up. on that day.”

I think one thing that surprised me about this decision was how long it took our government to legalize same-sex marriage.

I must think differently than most people, because in my mind, the idea of love has no boundaries.

“

SEE RULING • PAGE 5

Look on the bright side June 26, 2015, was bursting with rainbow colors and happy tears as a revolutionCOLUMN BY VICTORIA HENDRICKS ary change took place in the LGBTQAA community and their allies.

The Supreme Court ruling upheld the rights of those individuals as able to marry under constitutional right. This means that states cannot deny the union between LGBTQAA couples, as well as gaining the benefits that marriage brings under the law.

While this has angered some — with individuals threatening to set themselves on fire as protest or fleeing the country, mostly over religious reasons — logically, same-sex marriage is one of the best and most significant things to happen in this country for some decades now.

For one, it will help boost the economy, as research has shown that gays and lesbians statistically live in poverty. Same-sex couples who can marry will be buying joint everything: bigger houses to raise families in and more cars for transport, as well as the ameni-

ties, like double food and clothing purchases. Thereby, it cuts down on government programs to assist with those struggling individuals.

There is also the concept referred to as the separation of church and state. The foundations of this country were built on the ideals that religious oppression would cease progress.

This is exactly what it is happening when peoples of faiths attempt to ban same-sex marriage. Religious freedoms should not and cannot infringe on advancing a society. History has shown, as with ISIS right now, that governments and societies dictated under religion simply don’t work. That being said, if a church and its pastor chooses not to marry a same-sex couple, that should be considered, as the separation goes both ways, or it fails entirely.

Overall, same-sex marriage is not seeking to take away the institution; it wants to be a part of it. Everybody who upholds it should be pleased that same-sex couples believe in marriage and want to take part in all that it brings.

Love is blind to hate. Love is gentle. Love is patient and kind.

And love has finally won.

LETTER to the EDITOR

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Summer movie recap: This summer — like many others in the recent past — has played host to several COLUMN BY different ALEX PERRY remakes, reboots, reimaginings and retellings of old, familiar stories.

Seriously, who has time for new ideas these days?

Certainly not Hollywood.

All cynicism aside, it’s always fun to see how old ideas fare in modern times, whether it’s post-apocalyptic car combat, dinosaurs run amok or time-travelling murderbots.

So, without further adieu, here are my mini-reviews of three of this summer’s biggest franchise resurrections.

Mad Max: Fury Road Simply put, action blockbusters don’t get much better than “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

Max (Tom Hardy) and Furiosa’s (Charlize Theron) quest to liberate several young women from vividly evil sex slavers in a post-nuclear wasteland is a vibrant, delightful showcase of car chase craftsmanship courtesy of series creator George Miller.

Miller shrewdly chose to eschew pages upon pages of dialogue and exposition in favor of a show-don’ttell approach that makes the story

PAGE 3 | ENTERTAINMENT

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

Three Hollywood franchises return this summer with mixed results

God in 2015.

However, the movie isn’t as adept at dealing with its human characters. Chris Pratt’s dino handler is kind of a jerk, and Bryce Dallas Howard’s character is the butt of constant jokes simply because she’s a career woman, and that’s bad for some reason.

Still, after two extremely forgettable sequels to the 1993 classic, “Jurassic World” shows there is still something to all of this, even if this movie falls apart a bit when the dinosaurs aren’t the focus.

Terminator: Genisys

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feel more like a myth than a typical movie narrative.

There are countless hints at an endlessly fascinating world that exists just outside of our heroes’ purview, but the audience never gets close looks at most of it, adding to a sense of mystery.

There isn’t enough page space here to give proper praise to the vehicular action sequences in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Miller’s wife, Margaret Sixel, edited the film, and she should get an Oscar for it. Her editing always keeps the audience clued into exactly what is happening during each of the film’s many elaborate, creative car warfare scenes.

The film also features more and better roles for its female characters, especially Theron’s Furiosa, the true hero of the story. While this may not make it an inherently

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Sizzle up summer with latest albums from Weezy, Owl City

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feminist film as some have argued, this aspect of it can’t be ignored.

It’s out of theaters now, but if you somehow missed “Mad Max: Fury Road,” I simply can’t recommend it enough when it sees a home release.

Jurassic World One of the more glaring issues with “Jurassic World” is its premise. Seriously, who would fund a bigger, fully functioning version of the deadly dinosaur theme park from the original film?

That said, the decision to resurrect this dead series like its long-extinct subject matter resulted in a fun, if uneven, popcorn thriller.

It’s effectively the same as the first in the series, with the key difference being that the park is actually open to the public this time when the dinosaurs run rampant.

Oh, and the park’s scientists decided that it was a good idea to genetically engineer their own super-dino to sell tickets, which of course presents the biggest problems. We’re clearly dealing with the world’s best and brightest here.

When “Jurassic World” is at the peak of its prehistoric prowess, it’s hugely entertaining, if a bit gruesome in spots. Turns out it’s still fun to see humans get what’s coming to them after they play

You can celebrate summer by swimming, tanning in the sun and COLUMN BY sipping VICTORIA HENDRICKS sangrias, and what better way to turn up the party with songs from the sizzling season of hot and heavy fun?

Artists ranging from the go-hard, bass-centric style of Lil Wayne to the dreamy, fantastical fluid-motion of Owl City give plenty of serenades to go around for everyone.

Lil Wayne The hip-hop driven “Free Weezy Album” from Young Money dropped in around July 4 to mixed reception from critics and fans alike. The 12th studio album from the rap giant — while rumored not his best since “Carter IV” — stays true to one aspect of Wayne’s notoriety: the heavy, flamboyant beats and lyrics that have made him the artist he is today.

What to expect: An entertaining, at times crude, album that adds a new side to “Weezy” — of him in love (with tracks such as “I Feel

Despite its horrific title, this fifth movie in a series that stubbornly refuses to quit, much like its mechanized villains, ends up being surprisingly entertaining.

That doesn’t change the fact that its plot is effectively high-budget fan fiction. “Terminator: Genisys” more or less takes settings and scenarios from the first two films in the series — while smartly ignoring the third and fourth — and uses time travel nonsense to remix them a bit and tell its own story.

Without spoiling too much, the friendly robot from the second movie is now a father figure to the heroine from the first movie, while the annoying kid from the second movie has turned into a malevolent cyborg demon.

Meanwhile, Skynet (the artificial intelligence that triggers the series’ signature nuclear holocaust) has been revised to fit in more with today’s smartphone-dependent, interconnected culture.

Emilia Clarke (most notably from “Game of Thrones”) shines as series mainstay Sarah Connor. It would’ve been nice for the movie to have more than one prominent woman, but at least she gets to be as involved and as competent during the action sequences as her male co-stars.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s return to the role that helped him achieve stardom is also welcome, as he’s always been a natural for this sort of genre.

Perhaps this is a result of my extremely low expectations, but I enjoyed my time with “Terminator: Genisys.” It’s not special, but it works well enough.

Good”), and not afraid to show it.

Owl City Released July 10, the fifth synth and dance pop studio album from Republic, Owl City’s new collection is one of awakening for the young artist as the tracks cohesively blend various genres into one. He said his recent rendezvous abroad inspired his writing. “Mobile Orchestra” may not have done him much good, as critics have had yet another mixed bag of reviews about it. The album does have its shining tracks in “Bird With A Broken Wing” and “You’re Not Alone.”

What to expect: An album from Adam Young that delivers on his famous roots in the industry, singing songs evoking pre-pubescent girls of fairytale love, forgetme-nots, and I-understand-yous that contribute to his light, positive, innocent attitude.

Joss Stone There is no artist quite like Joss Stone who can incorporate soul, reggae, hip-hop, world music and R&B into one magical playlist to engage the senses. “Water for Your Soul” is the singer’s first album in

THE DAILY

YAK This is a collection of yaks from the Wichita State campus. This is what you think about, talk about and wonder about. Enjoy.

Something needs to be going on tonight.

Someone dropped their fruit snacks by Duerksen. That’s depressing.

It’s very upsetting when someone you want to message you back never does for unkown reasons.

Did I scare you away? I’m sorry if I did I didn’t mean to.

Sometimes I wish I had a bigger butt so it wouldn’t hurt so much when I sit for awhile.

Sometimes, I crop dust people I really can’t stand just to make them leave the room.

My greatest downfall is that I never let anyone know I’m hurting, even if it’s someone who’d do everything in their power to help.

NASA called, they want to recognize my legs as the second sun.

All I’ve eaten today is mac and cheese and ice cream...yeah I’m a grown up.

I wonder what chocolate spaghetti would taste like?!? :):):) If you get food stuck on your elbow should you attempt to lick it off?

I need to invest in more than like 4 friends because then I’d at least have someone to always talk to.

more than three years. Its release date is July 31.

“This album has been four years in the making and I’ve collaborated with some truly amazing people all around the world to make it happen,” Stone said in an article from Official Charts. Music “feeds my soul, the same way water feeds a flower. It’s also about being brave, letting go and realizing that, ‘Hey, you’re alive today.’”

What to expect: No doubt this will contribute to the sound she has inspired over her years of earthy, angelic, clean vocals and melodies.

Band of Horses and Iron & Wine “Sing Into My Mouth,” a collaborative album set to drop Friday by front men Ben Bridwell and Sam Beam of Band of Horses and Iron & Wine, respectively, is a new album from the longtime friends. The duo worked anxiously together in the studio on a list of cover tracks from artists such as Talking Heads and Sade: “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” and “Bulletproof Soul.”

What to expect: Sing-songy, indie folk, taking on a unique spin while paying homage to the artists’ creations.

PAGE 4 | NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

Canta in Italia:

Opera, voice students perfect craft in heart of Italy program. They enjoyed handson coaching and lessons from Italian professionals. “The interesting part of the program is to see the changes in the students,� Mozzani said. “They gain so much knowledge and culture.�

Voice graduate student Chad Ingram said the lessons were intense. “We really worked in depth on voice techniques and opera literature,� Ingram said. “The native Italian coaches really drilled us on accurate diction, as well. After the lessons we would be able to take the training and use it immediately since we were immersed in the culture.�

The students participated in workshops and master classes Monday through Thursday each week. “They had such a profound knowledge on how Italian operas should be performed,�

Ingram said. “We learned many

MARISSA CAMPBELL REPORTER @soupitup13

College opened up opportunities for vocal Wichita State students. They gained hands-on training, learned from professionals and traveled the world.

Ten opera and voice students studied abroad in Lucca, Italy, last month, where they participated in the Canta in Italia abroad program.

Pina Mozzani, with the School of Music, said she has participated since 2008. “I studied and lived in Italy for many years and I am fluent in Italian,� Mozzani said. “During the trip, the students are required to learn and use Italian, which helps with their studies, as well.�

Lucca, Italy, is a renowned musical city in Tuscany, known as the original city of opera. The students studied in an intensive, four-week voice and language

Let’s hear it for the boy Ron Baker has been selected as a member of the U.S. Pan American Games team roster, according to a news release from the Athletic Department.

Baker made it through the final round of cuts after a six-day training camp.

Fred VanVleet made the top 16, but he did not make the final team of 12.

The U.S. men have been placed into Group A of the Pan American competion, which begins July 21.

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were able to end the trip with a performance of opera scenes. “I highly recommend the program,� Ingram said. “It’s a prime educational and performing opportunity. You literally learn a lesson and then use it immediately. The whole experience is pretty fantastic.�

Ninja Shocker

Former Wichita State track star competes in televised obstacle course “American Ninja Warrior�

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Solutions on page 6

historic amphitheater was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “The amazing part was that we were all the way at the top and could still hear the singers clearly,� Malone said.

After the four weeks, students said they learned genuine Italian singing and performing, and

Photo by Tarun Bali

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Wichita State opera and voice students traveled to Lucca, Italy, last month for a four-week, intensive language program called “Canta in Italia.� Students also visited ancient cathedrals, like this in one Florence.

Cassie Craig, a 2013 Wichita State graduate and former Shocker track star, was featured in the NBC show “American Ninja Warrior.� The episode aired on TV last month. Craig is training to audition for next year’s competition.

File Photo

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Graduate Student Not only did the students participate in voice and language lessons, but they also got to experience the culture as tourists. Through the streets of Florence, students visited cathedrals and ancient architecture. They also saw an opera at a historic amphitheater built in 1 A.D. “They have palaces and gardens that are so extremely beautiful,� said Ryan Malone, a junior majoring in voice performance. “I’ve been to Florence before and it is the most beautiful place I have seen.�

Ingram and Malone agreed that going to the opera at the

CHANCE SWAIM REPORTER @chanceswaim

Life is full of obstacles. Some are born with them.

Others face them every day.

Cassie Craig approaches them as a matter of course; she’s training to become a ninja warrior.

Craig is a former Shocker track and field star and 2013 graduate of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State. Craig was a 2010 and 2012 Missouri Valley Conference champion in pole vaulting. She finished her track and field career third all-time on the school’s records in the 60-meter indoor hurdles.

In April, Craig traveled to Kansas City to compete in the qualifying round of the NBC television show “American Ninja Warrior,� where competitors must complete an obstacle course in a given time, or face elimination for a year. The episode aired last month on NBC. “I chose to be on the show after finishing my five years at WSU as a track athlete,� she said. “I wanted to try something new, something that brought all my past experience in sports together.�

Craig started young in karate and gymnastics. She excelled. She moved on to hurdles and pole vault. She thrived.

Her passion for sports created the perfect repertoire for an American Ninja Warrior. “And it was a good excuse to make a cool video of me doing my favorite things,� she said.

The TV competition chooses its participants based on video submissions, similar to a portfolio of obstacle course proficiency, body contortion command and balance-beam brilliance.

Craig did not complete the obstacle course, which she ended up attempting near 2 a.m. on a Saturday in April after spending all evening waiting for other competitors to run the course.

It was the obstacle called “Bungee Road,� near the end of the course, where Craig did not finish. “[The bungees] were intense,� she said. “I couldn’t believe I even made it that far, let alone almost to the end. It was definitely great to share with my family, too.

That’s my favorite part about it. Sharing it with my friends and family that came to watch.�

Craig trains at Optimal Performance, a gym that features training sessions ranging from golf performance to Mix Martial Arts (MMA), and specialty equipment from squat racks to gymnastic rings and tractor tires. Craig said she trains before going to work in the morning, and often works out after work, too.

WATCH IT ONLINE An electronVisit thesunflower.com ic media to find the episode of graduate of the Cassie Craig competing Elliott School, on television.

Craig has worked at PK Technology as a media and marketing designer for the last year and a half.

She said balancing it all — work, training, leaving town, interviews, videos submissions — is challenging. “It’s definitely pretty chaotic,� she said. “My boss has been super flexible with my schedule as long as I communicate and get my projects done on time.�

Having a dedicated trainer helps, she said.

Her trainer, Marquis Bradley, is a former college football star. Besides Craig, he also trains Mixed Martial Artist David “Caveman� Rickels, from Bellator’s “MMA Tournament,� as seen on Spike TV. He said he shows and tells his trainees what he expects, that is, if he can do the movements himself. “I’m no Ninja,� Bradley said, laughing. But he knows what it takes to improve for next year’s competition. “I am a sensei. That’s what she calls me, at least.�

The next audition deadline is in January. “I had an amazing rookie year,� Craig said, “and 100 percent plan to keep training and be back on the show next year.�

Photo by Tarun Bali

Cassie Craig, a Wichita State graduate featured on the NBC show “American Ninja Warrior,� trains for the next season with pull-ups.

Illustration by Tarun Bali

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PAGE 5 | NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

Delta Gamma sisters make Heather’s Camp a yearly tradition CHELSEA MOORE

REPORTER

@chelslalamoore

Photo by Celeste Thompson

Andrea Alexander, the art director for the indie short film “Rorschach Firefly,” takes a break between scenes.

‘Rorschach Firefly’

Former students spend summer working on short film CELESTE THOMPSON

PHOTOGRAPHER

@celestet525

“Rorschach Firefly,” a short film written and produced by former WSU student Owen Lawless, finished filming last weekend.

The film is about a struggling artist dealing with mental illness and internal conflict. Along with writing and producing the film, Lawless also stars as the lead role.

The film has been in the works since January, when Lawless brought the idea to his friend Andrea Alexander, the art director for the film.

“Rorschach Firefly,” the film’s working title, was funded over the summer through a campaign website. The group collected more than $1,000.

“Rorschach” was shot over a total of three days in various locations throughout Wichita, including Alexander’s apartment.

Other WSU affiliates working on the film include director of photography Andre Kahmeyer and art director Andrea Alexander.

Kahmeyer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication and owns a freelance production company.

Alexander, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing, recently took a number of photography courses at WSU and plans to continue her studies.

“Rorschach Firefly” is in postproduction and is expected to release in early 2016.

HESKETT FROM PAGE 2

Sure, the body will develop and look good (if you are disciplined with your diet), but the mental discipline is what will improve you. Training is more mental than physical.

You will have the mental stamina to push through long study hours, which will ultimately show when grades are due.

The brain is a muscle. The healthier this muscle is, the more information it can absorb and retain. This undoubtedly carries over to final exams, where you’ll

have to recall information from several months ago on top of what you’re learning at the moment. Scientific fact proves exercising the body can help to make the brain healthier by increasing oxygen flow and neuron creation and survival.

College is be a good time to have a healthy brain.

Now that you know this, why wouldn’t you want to workout?

On top of that the Heskett Center is free to students. Gym memberships span from $35 to $50 a month. You will save money and stress by choosing to workout on campus, where it’s convenient.

Photos by Celeste Thompson

(TOP) The crew discuss the progress they have made as they get ready for the next scene.

Pictured from left to right are Andre Kahmeyer, Owen Lawless and BeckiJo Neill. (LEFT) Neill, director of the film, takes a break during the last day of filming July 12. (ABOVE) “Rorschach Firefly,” the working title of the short film, was filmed in three days.

RULING

FROM PAGE 2 There shouldn’t be rules set in place to not recognize the love between two people of the same sex. To me, that’s not what America means. America is a place of innovation, individuality and freedom — it’s a place where we’re allowed to be who we want to be.

Since the Stonewall riots in the 1960s, the gay community has lived in constant fear. We never knew if we’d see marriage equality in our lifetime. We were forced, in some places, to hide our relation-

ships. We lied to family and friends because we didn’t want to put them in the crossfire of bigotry. We wanted to make sure our lives were normal.

But in 2015, who’s to say what’s normal? There are no guiding factors that tell us what’s normal.

Normal is what we make of our lives. Our ideas of normalcy are what we feel to be right. For me, normal is finding a man to marry, traveling the country, moving to a big city and adopting a child.

Sounds pretty scary, doesn’t it?

The idea of two men living a life together, sleeping in the same bed and adopting a child together?

But to me, it sounds normal. It’s

The crowded school bus chugs down the road. August heat clings to the neck of more than 60 campers and counselors. They are on their way to Heather’s Camp.

Heather’s Camp is an overnight camp geared to help blind and visually impaired children. During the four-day duration of the camp, counselors help campers acquire skills, gain confidence and have fun.

“It’s a great experience,” camper Savannah Schneider said. “It gets bigger and better every year.”

Members of Wichita State’s Delta Gamma sorority volunteer at the camp each summer.

August will be Schneider’s 15th year at the camp. She was only three years old when she first joined. She said she is the only camper to attend the camp every year since it opened.

“You’re never bored,” Schneider said.

Horseback riding, canoeing and archery are but a few of the activities on the camp schedule.

Watermelon and pie-eating contests are also a camp favorite every year.

Olivia Franz is also preparing for camp this summer. Franz attended Heather’s Camp every year throughout college along with her Delta Gamma sisters.

“That first year, my boy campers almost made me cry with their sweet words,” Franz said. “I knew I wanted to keep going back.”

Schneider said she’s grown close to a couple of her counselors.

Delta Gamma sister Leslie Rausch — vice president of the Delta Gamma Foundation plans to be a part of Delta Gamma in the fall.

She said she is excited to be sorority sisters with some of the counselors from Heather’s Camp.

“It’s comforting to know,” Schneider said.

Franz had only one suggestion for first year counselors: just enjoy the time with kids.

“Take a few pictures for the memories,” Franz said, “but put the technology down and get a real experience.”

If you go:

Be a counselor at Heather’s Camp When: July 30 - Aug. 2 Location: Meet at Delta Gamma Register: heatherscamp.org

something I’m willing to fight for and hope to achieve in my life.

I’m proud to be a gay man. I’m proud to have family and friends that support my lifestyle and I’m proud to talk to people that want to learn more about my sexuality and gay culture.

Being born gay has opened my eyes to a world beyond anything I could have ever comprehended.

I’m happy to see a different side to life most people are too afraid to admit exists. I’m happier to see our country advancing toward an equally sustainable place to live.

That’s what makes my heart rest easy at night. In the end, love always wins.

Shockers take the stage PAGE 6 | NEWS

www.thesunflower.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

WSU alumni, professors participate in Music Theatre Wichita production REECE BURNS

SPORTS EDITOR

@reeceburns14

On stage, WSU alumnus Steve Hitchcock is no more — he is the eccentric Professor Buonragazzo who creates “perfect children.�

While the Buonragazzo character featured in Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio� has little stage time, Hitchcock utilized every second to deliver his lines in a way he thinks will be pleasing to the audience. “I really enjoyed getting in front of an audience and figuring out where the laughs would come, and then trying to fine tune those moments,� Hitchcock said. “Every audience is different, so it can be really fascinating to see how each group responds to certain things that other nights may not have really responded to.�

Music Theatre Wichita presented the musical “My Son Pinocchio� last month, and several WSU students, alumnus and professors were either on stage or behind the scenes.

Off stage, Hitchcock is one of many individuals that operate like clockwork in the production, which for most consists of 10 days of rehearsal before the show opens. “The week before production began, rehearsals take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day,�

Hitchcock said. “On Saturday we did a run-through of the show for all of the designers. Then on Sunday we had a rehearsal from 7 p.m. to midnight. Monday we started 12-hour days from noon to midnight and then opened on Wednesday night.�

Squeezing a show in entirely in two weeks is not out of the ordinary for Music Theatre Wichita, in fact it happens every summer with a series of five productions in 10 weeks. “MTW is a very well-oiled machine,� Hitchcock said. “Everyone has their job and knows how to do it very well, so it makes the process very smooth and rewarding. “Sometimes it is nice to have more time with a show, but the way it is done over the course of two weeks, it almost feels like you’ve worked on it for longer.�

Still, several members of the production team start earlier than others. Amy Baker Schwiethale, Wichita State’s associate professor of music theatre dance, choreographed the show with the help of her longtime student, Casey

“

This was my first experience with a professional theater, so it felt pretty extraordinary that I got to play a part of this size. We moved quickly and it definitely was a huge learning experience.�

EMILY VARGO, WSU GRADUATE

Classifieds section - Emp

Photo Courtesy of Christopher Clark/Music Theatre Wichita

Wichita State graduate Emily Vargo played the role of the Blue Fairy in Music Theatre Wichita’s production of “My Son Pinocchio.�

Photo Courtesy of Jerry Fritchman/Music Theatre Wichita

Amy Baker Schwiethale, WSU’s associate professor of music theatre dance, works with cast members of Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio.� Schwiethale was a choreographer for the Musical Theatre Wichita performance.

Bagnall. “A lot of preparatory work and planning has to happen long before the 10 days of rehearsal begin,�

Schwiethale said. “Working efficiently and effectively has become a very important skill for me to garner as a choreographer.�

A 2015 alumnus of WSU’s Performing Arts program, Bagnall

described his experience working in the production as associate choreographer as “unforgettable.� “It was a very smooth process for [Schwiethale and I] to create this show together,� Bagnall said. “We had a blast. The cast and creative team were a dream to work with. MTW is such a warm environment to work in.�

Graduate Emily Vargo played the role of the Blue Fairy in “My Son Pinocchio.� Vargo, like Bagnall, already had experience working with Schwiethale through WSU and had additional experience working with the MTW’s artistic director, Wayne Bryan.

Schwiethale said MTW was a staple of the WSU theater department during her four years at the university. “This was my first experience with a professional theater, so it felt pretty extraordinary that I got to play a part of this size,� Vargo said. “We moved quickly and it definitely was a huge learning experience. It felt like home since I’d worked with [Schwiethale and Bryan] before and similar to our rehearsal process at WSU, just four weeks shorter.�

Schwiethale said getting to work with recent WSU performing arts graduates was special to her. “That is the icing on the cake,�

Schwiethale said, “watching our students working in such a professional environment and getting to be a part of that.�

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On the

Grid

It starts with a kite in the wind.

Dutch artist Greco de Ruijter is a celebrated photographer based out of the Netherlands, and is the Ulrich Museum’s artist-in-residence. He uses a kite and camera that sits entirely parallel to the earth to create a unique perspective of the southwest landscape.

During his time in Wichita, he will examine Kansas county boundaries and perform a new project that studies the human imprint on the rural Kansas landscape.

Photos by Danielle Prewitt

Greco de Ruijter attaches a camera to kite wire and sets a timer to capture an image every 30 seconds. He then uses Google Earth, still photography and Photoshop manipulation to capture and create variations of the landscape. The harness attached to de Ruijter’s body is heavy. He cranks the wire forcefully for the kite to reach a steady height.

If you go: Artist Talk

When: 5:30 p.m. reception; 6 p.m. program July 23 Location: Reception at the Ulrich Museum; program to follow in Room 210 McKnight Admission: Free; light refreshments will be served