Pg. 3 Mock Trial League
Friday, Feb. 10, 2012
Pg. 4 Students on Valentine’s Day
Vol. 78 No. 17 www.asurampage.com
ASU loses dedicated, fun-loving student
Photo Courtesy of Kendra Webb
Jonathon Webb:
Ultimate friend, incredible performer, life of the class Dillon Brollier, Dana Choi Staff Writer, Editor-in-Chief ASU senior Jonathon Kyle Webb, 24, died Feb. 3. Friends and classmates remember Jonathon as a positive and fun-loving person. “Jonathon was very lively and outgoing,” senior Jessica Buren said. “He loved life and he had his ups and downs like everybody else, but whenever he was ‘up,’ everyone knew it.” Jonathon was always very lively, Buren said. Even simple things such as staying at home and watching a movie would be more fun than normal, she
said. He always had a very positive outlook on life, junior Marlissa McNease said. Even when things may not have been going well, nothing seemed to keep him down. “Jonathon was very dedicated to his friends and family,” senior Jessica Shepard said. “He always put them first, before himself.” Jonathon loved singing karaoke at Woofers and Tweeters; he had a very animated personality, Shepard said. Sophomore Jordon Shocklee said she met Webb in her performance studies class and that he was an incredible performer. “He was the ultimate friend, and you always wanted to be around him,” Shocklee said. ASU professors also have fond memories of Webb, a communication major. “Jonathon was in my advertising principles class and he was the life of the class,” said Dr. Cathy Johnson, associate professor of mass media. Jonathon is the kind of person whom one never forgets after meeting him, Johnson said. Everyone always talked about how much of a joy Jonathon was to have in class, said Dr. Chris Collins, assistant professor of communication. “I had Jonathon in my basic performance studies class last
semester,” Collins said. “I was so moved by some of the work he did in class.” He was somebody who wasn’t afraid to be himself, Collins said. “The last time I saw Jonathan in class was Thursday of the first week of classes,” said Dr. June Smith, professor of communication. “I was flabbergasted; I just do not have any way to think ...about a 20-something year old being in hospice care,” Smith said. Karen Webb, Jonathon’s mother, said ASU and its faculty were wonderful. “One of the instructors asked my daughter if it was OK that they may pray for him,” she said. “We felt good and comfortable that everyone was praying…I thought that was really touching.” Buren said that Webb had been in hospice care, in Rotary House of Hope. Karen Webb said Jonathon died from global brain asphyxia; he lived alone and was unconscious for too long. She said Jonathon had had a very bad kidney infection, which he wasn’t aware of until adulthood, and a blood problem. He had come home from work with a bad headache, which was caused by the infection, and started having convulsions, she said. When he
passed out, he fell and hit his head, which caused bleeding in the brain, she said. Lack of oxygen that lasted over an extended period of time caused brain damage. Kendra Webb, Jonathon’s sister, said he had touched everyone he met in some way. “I hope that people who met Jonathon take whatever they
learned from him and apply it to their lives so that his memory lives on,” she said. Jonathon was an icon and a legend in his own right, she said. Jonathon was originally from Ozona, Texas. Celebration of his life was Monday morning at Shaffer Funeral home.
Photo Courtesy of Kendra Webb
Sophomore Kendra Webb and Jonathon Webb Nov. 5, 2011, are at a friend’s wedding reception. “The three of us were very close,” Kendra said. “I remember that, as was his nature, he spent the whole day taking pictures of me and my best friend, Monica, and telling [us] how beautiful we both looked,” Kendra said. She said this is one of the last pictures she took with Jonathon, and it is of one of their most memorable nights together. “I just remember him jumping right onto the dance floor,” she said, “not caring who was watching, and living that moment to its fullest, like he was so well known for doing.”
South Korean teachers experience Texas culture ‘Real American life’:
Teachers from overseas plan to bring some of Texas back to students overseas
New program to prep Honors students for ‘real world’ Photo Illustration by Mark McDaniel
Alumni: Honors students to
be exposed to success stories, advice Adam Washington Staff Writer The ASU Honors Program is adding a new mentoring program to help Honors students gain experience and knowledge in preparation for their careers. The “alumni mentoring program,” to be added in March, identifies selective ASU alumni who have gone on to have successful careers, said Dr. Shirley Eoff, Honors Program director. The program will start with a Skype session with Dr. Shivraj Sohur, neuroscientist and ASU alumnus, Eoff said. “I think the Skype mentoring program will be a great learning experience,” junior Kelsey Merritt said. “It will allow us to connect with alumni… and allow us to see where past Honors students have gone with their careers.”
Taking advantage of new technology is a great way to link ASU students with experienced alumni throughout the country, Eoff said. “It shows what a great educational background they’re getting at ASU, how much they can do with [their experience] beyond here, and give them tips on how to succeed beyond expectations,” Eoff said. Mario Castillo, president of Aegis Corporation in Washington D.C., will be on campus April 11 to meet with the Honors Program students, she said. He will bring real-world experience to better prepare them so that they will be more competitive when they go out into the global marketplace, she said. She said these speakers will not talk only to a broad range of students about the possibilities of ASU, but also to specific groups of students who have a focused major in their department. “They were looking for a way to
Resume Resuscitation @ University Center
Wednesday, Feb. 15, through Friday, Feb. 16 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
See Alumni pg. 3
Dana Choi Editor-in-Chief Four South Korean English teachers will return to South Korea Feb. 14 with new ideas after observing classes in local schools and visiting ASU. The four primary school and secondary school teachers arrived at Texas through Fulbright, an international educational exchange program. They spent five weeks in Austin improving their English, and then came to San Angelo Feb. 1 to experience West Texas culture. The teachers have since visited local schools and given presentations over Korean culture in classes at local schools and at ASU, said associate professor Dr. Richard Evans, the Department of Teacher Education delegate for the Korean Teachers of English program. This was their first time to visit Texas. Jiwon “Stephanie” Shin, who teaches fifth- and sixth-grade English, said learning about the culture is very important when learning a language. “I wasn’t sure if [what I taught my students] was ‘real’ English,” she said, “so I’ve been to the states several times.” Shin said she would find that some of the English phrases she taught to her students were indeed used by native English speakers in the U.S. “So I can say to my students, ‘You can say that to Americans and native English-speakers,’” she said. Evans said only a small percentage of
what people say is words; the rest is body gesture, behavior and context. He said he learned that, in Korea, people would greet others by asking, “Have you eaten yet?” while Americans often ask, “What’s up?” Shin said experiencing the “real American life” lets her bring some of the American culture back to her students in South Korea. She said she likes to show her students photos she took in the U.S. and talk to them about studying overseas. “They had no idea about that so they were quite surprised,” she said. “‘Can I?’ they asked me.” Jin Sun “Joy” Kim, who teaches 11th grade English, said she found out that Texans are not as conservative as she had expected and are open to accepting differences. “They’re very kind and ready to help foreigners,” she said. Evans said, “That’s very much West Texas culture.” Hyun Jin “Heather” Oh, who teaches English at all elementary school levels, said it hit her that she was in Texas when they visited the rodeo. “At first I enjoyed it a lot because I like horses, but toward the end of the show I felt pity toward the animals,” she said. Oh and Shin, elementary school teachers, visited John Reagan Elementary School while Miyoung “Sophia” Yun and Kim, high school teachers, visited Lee Middle School. Oh said they were able to get ideas from the classes they observed.
See Teachers pg. 3
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
Editorial: Smoking ban
pg. 5
Review: “Woman in Black”
pg. 4 Feb. 11, 2012
Songs of the Week
pg. 4
A day to practice optimism and think positively
Page 2
Events Calendar Get involved in communityand campus-wide events! Friday, Feb. 10 Art Exhibit: “Shady Grove,” by Sarah Irvin at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday in the Art Gallery in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building LiveWhale Training: Creating Forms from 3-4 p.m. in the Mathematics-Computer Science Building, room 111A Saturday, Feb. 11 Arts and Flavors Events from 2-8:30 p.m. at the Adult Enrichment Center Sunday, Feb. 12 Civil War Lecture Series: Emancipation at 2 p.m. at the Fort Concho Commissary
NEWS
Friday, February 10, 2012
Students view smoking ban favorably Anniversary: Students reflect on city-wide smoking ban
Adam Washington Staff Writer Today marks the one-year anniversary of the city-wide smoking ban placed on restaurants, bars and other businesses in San Angelo. Students who live on campus used to be able to smoke near the doors of a building, but now have to be at least 15 feet away. “I was already used to [the ban],” junior Chris Gaither said. “I always smoke outside anyway.” Gaither had previously lived in California, where the smoking ban has been effective since 1998. As a musician, Gaither said he does not mind the smoking ban. “It used to be hard to breathe on stage…and now it’s easier to play,” he
said. Sophomore Shannon Garcia said the ban does not bother her either. “I never smoked in restaurants,” Garcia said. “I don’t like smoking around people.” Garcia said she understands that most people do not like to smell smoke while they are eating at restaurants. “I’m in favor of the ban because even though I smoke… I think it’s only acceptable to smoke outside,” Garcia said. Many ashtrays are placed away from building entrances. “I’m glad they put benches outside of the dorms because it’s more comfortable for me to sit when I smoke,” freshman Sur Broadway said. Private businesses and night clubs in San Angelo were also affected by the smoking ban. “The smoking ban has made business better,” Fat Boss manager Cari Mayer said. Some students at ASU agree with
Café et Conversation held its first meeting Monday, Feb. 6. English and Modern Language Professor Dr. Randolph Peters teaches students how to use different dialects in French. The program is hosted in the University Center and welcomes any student who is striving to improve his or her French. It takes place every Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. behind Starbucks.
Resume Resuscitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Thursday in the University Center Conversation Partners from 1-2 p.m. in the MCS Building, room 119
Children’s Advocacy Center Champagne and Diamonds at 6:30 p.m. at the Cactus Hotel Wednesday, Feb. 15 Dorm Room CEO: How to Start a New Business from 2-4 p.m. in Rassman 109
Photo Illustration by Pam Belcher Photo by Pam Belcher
Tuesday, Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day
UREC: OA Backpacking 101 Clinic from 6-7 p.m. at the ASU Lake House
Mayer. “Without as much smoke in the bar, more people feel welcome to come in and enjoy a drink while breathing in clean air,” Broadway said.
Café et Conversation SGA prepares to honor organizations Rammies: Nominations to be made at the end of March
Dillon Brollier Staff Writer
Every year ASU hosts the Rammie awards to celebrate student organizaThursday, Feb. 16 tions on campus. Business Brown Bag: Business “The Rammies are a Student Government Association initiative to recGoal Setting for the New Year ognize organizations for the work they from noon to 1 p.m. at the San have done throughout the course of the Angelo Visitor’s Center in the academic school year,” Student Body Riverview Room Vice President Vincent Perez said. The SGA will be working with the Center for Student Involvement this Downtown Art Walk from 5-9 year to make the awards a better experip.m. ence, Perez said. Nominations will be made around SMART Workshop: Give Your Se- the end of March, Perez said. The packmester an Energy Boost from 6-7 ets will be sent out to all organizations and are expected to be turned in by the p.m. in the Academic Building, end of March or in early April. room 119 “We will be revamping the Rammies this year,” Perez said. “When we send the packet out, we are going to be very clear Submit event requests by 5 p.m. about what we want to see in your packet Tuesday for Friday publication to to help the organizations make themrampage@angelo.edu selves look as good as they can.” Perez said SGA will change the nomination packet so requisites this year will be different, but he does not know yet what the changes are. The nomination packet will be postAccording to an ASU news release, fourth graders from San Angelo and the surrounding area will participate in ASU’s Science Days on Feb. 9, 16, and 23 in the Cavness Science Building. Science Days is expected to host more than 600 students, who will see specimens from the Biology Department’s Natural History Collections and Spring 2012 learn about geology, while participating in hands-on experiments. After lunch, for the grand finale, the Considering a career in the chemistry and physics magic show will media after graduation? entertain the elementary students. Start with ASU’s student-run Activities begin at 9:20 a.m. each day and end after the magic show, which be- newspaper. We are looking for students who can meet gins at 12:40 p.m. Science Days works to provide fourth deadlines and deliver quality. graders with the chance to experience science in an educational setting. It is crucial to reach students with science at an early age. Studies reveal that it is harder to interest students in FMI: rampage@angelo.edu science in the upper elementary grades. Professor of Biology Dr. Bonnie 942-2323 Amos organizes Science Days each fall and spring semester. Science Days has hosted more than Applications available at 10,000 fourth graders since 2006, when B324 (library, third floor) the program first began.
News Brief
Hiring
ed on the SGA website and hard copies will be available in the SGA office, Perez said. The winners are chosen by a committee of non-biased students and faculty members who are familiar with student organizations, Perez said. Perez said he, Romo and other student senators will interview potential judges so the committee will be as unbiased as possible. “We are actually developing a rubric as we speak to make the awards go smoothly as far as selecting a winner,” Perez said. The awards ceremony will take place in the C.J. Davidson Center on May 2, 2012, Perez said. “I’m not going to give too many details about the show because I want everything to be somewhat of a surprise, but we really want to make it like an actual awards ceremony that you would see on TV.” Notable winners from last year’s Rammies are Delta Zeta for the Greek Organization of the year and Outstanding
Leadership on Campus awards, AMAS for Most Spirited organization, Circle K for Outstanding Community Service, ASA for the Multicultural award, Order of Omega for the Rising Ram Award, and Tri Beta for the Academic Organization of the Year and Honors society of the Year, Student Body President Hector Romo said.
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NEWS ASU’s mock trial team wins award at first competition
Page 3
Friday, February 10, 2012
Spirit of AMTA: Semesterold team recognized at regional level
Staff Report After ASU’s Mock Trial League competed at a regional tournament in Houston, it placed first in the Spirit of AMTA (American Mock Trial Association) category. ASU won over the University of Texas at Dallas by one point with a perfect score of 30. This award goes to the team that best displays professionalism, courtesy, and the characteristics of an ideal attorney, said sophomore Tyler Corder, founder of Mock Trial League. All of the competing teams voted on the teams that would place. “We didn’t expect to get this award, and then they called our name: Angelo State University,” Corder said. “Of course, everyone was shocked because we were brand new to the world of mock trial.” Corder founded MTL last September. MTL did not advance to the next level of competition, but did win against University of Texas Pan-American in the second of four rounds, Corder said ASU had faced University of Georgia, a mock trial “power house,” in its first round and lost. ASU’s losses to Collin College
and Southern Methodist University were very close, Corder said. He said the majority of the competing schools have a law program, connections with attorneys and local judges, significant funding, and/ or have had a mock trial program established for a significant amount of time. Some of the schools even have “allies” in the mock trial world, with whom they can practice before the competition.
“We were already outmatched there,” he said, “[but] we went to competition and we actually won one of the most prestigious awards.” Along with the Spirit of AMTA award, there were also Outstanding Attorney awards and Outstanding Witness awards. Eight out of 24 of the competing schools qualified for the Opening Round Championship series in Memphis, Tenn., according to the AMTA website.
Photo by Pam Belcher
The Mock Trial League prepares to leave for their regional tournament in Houston the weekend of Feb. 3 to 5.
Alumni to mentor Honors students Continued from Page 1 allow distant alumni to reconnect with the university and to give back to the university that [helped] them develop the skills and tools needed to succeed in their careers and personal lives,” Eoff said. President Dr. Joseph C. Rallo has been helpful in linking the Honors Program with potential alumni mentors, Eoff said. “I’ve never really used [Skype], but I think it will be fine,” sophomore Aidid Mohamed said. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.” “Modern technology makes it possible to work around [the alumni’s] busy schedules,” Eoff said. Along with Sohur, those who are excited about the program and willing to help launch the pilot project are Albert Reyes, President of Buckner International, Henry Jackson, Head of International Operations, Buckner International, Dr. Kyle Longley, Arizona State University historian and author, and Brittani Teague, Hilti International, Eoff said. “The mentoring project is dualistic,” Eoff said. The students will meet with mentors and discuss topics such as critical issues and career advice. The students will then break off into smaller focus group discussions with students interested in their particular field of interest, Eoff said. “These [alumni] are wonderfully successful students who have used their ASU education as a springboard for success in a variety of fields, Eoff said. “Our students can learn much from
Teachers emphasize importance of learning culture Continued from Page 1 She said she found the monthly school rally interesting; it was College Day. “They gathered all the students in the hall, and as soon as the music started they [started] dancing,” she said. Shin said the schools were very encouraging when it came to promoting college education. “It was very impressive,” Shin said. “On the wall it said, ‘College begins with kindergarten.’” Shin said her mentoring teacher told her class that while everyone does not have to go to college, anyone can. Oh said it would be interesting to see this kind of rally incorporated into Korean school systems, but the school she teaches at is too big. “It might cause chaos,” she said. However, Oh said, students in South Korea often do not need extra motivation to go to college. “That’s a cultural difference—motivation for educa-
tion that we don’t see anywhere in the United States,” Evans said. Some parents in the U.S. don’t push their children to strive for higher education, Evans said, which is why society is now promoting college education starting at elementary schools. “If we can change these little ones as they grow up, it will change our culture,” he said. The teachers also observed “Fabulous Day,” when students with qualifying grades can participate in various, fun activities, while other students must attend class to catch up in school work. Shin said she noticed that extracurricular activities were optional in the U.S., but in South Korea all students are involved in clubs. Kim said there is also a great difference between how much effort and energy is put into academics in South Korea and the U.S. “Sometimes it’s
not effective [in South Korea],” she said. Then again, Oh said, South Korea is a very small country and it does not have as many international resources as other countries. “It’s kind of understandable, but still, staying at school too [long] puts pressure on young students,” she said. There should be a system in which students keep their energy and motivation, but study more effectively, Oh said. Shin said she loves South Korea’s devotion to education, so she was shocked to find out the U.S. cut budgets for education. “We can’t imagine that
happening [in Korea],” Shin said. “If that happened, parents would be very upset.” This is not the teachers’ first time in the U.S.; Shin said she visited California two years ago. “[Texas] is quite a different experience,” she said. “I’m happy to experience different cultures because [they’re] part of America and I love to teach about diversity.” These four South Korean teachers are not the only ones learning about different cultures through this experience. Evans said, as a result of the three years he spent volunteering in this program, his and his wife’s “culture” has changed.
“It’s made us much more aware and much more interested,” he said. “We’ve also noticed we’re [more] cautious about what we say and how it comes across.” Culture has a big impact on education, Evans said. “If you don’t understand culture, you can’t connect with people [and] you can’t teach,” he said. “You really have to bridge that gap.” Learning about different lifestyles and cultures makes the world much smaller and allows people to connect more efficiently, Evans said. This is the first year ASU has seen four teachers from South Korea; it has had two
FEATURES
Page 4
Friday, February 10, 2012
Photos by Mark McDaniel
Hearts SPLIT over
Valentine’s Day Sawyer Ricard Contributor
The holiday that many people celebrate on Feb. 14 has a different meaning to students at ASU than it did to people less than 2000 years ago. First established in the late 400s, the holiday was created in honor of the Christian martyr St. Valentine. It soon became a day of significance for lovers as a chance for them to celebrate their affection for each other through handmade cards and gifts, a custom based off the legend of Valentine giving his ‘beloved’ a card he had written her while in jail. However, for some students such as freshman Jenni DeBie, the holiday has become too commercialized and has lost its special meaning. “It has become more of a status thing than anything else,” she said. Now better known to many as ‘Single’s Awareness Day’, it has become rather “pointless” for some people and “should burn,” she said. Some agree with DeBie’s idea that the holiday isn’t what it used to be. “It’s definitely lost some of its meaning,” junior Chelsea Atkinson said. Despite this, she likes the holiday, she said. “I still like Valentine’s Day just because I’m a hopeless romantic at heart,” she said. “It’s sweet to see people do nice things for each oth-
er.”
Atkinson said the meaning does not only apply to significant others. “It doesn’t have to be romantic,” she said. “It’s just a day when usually people are happy because something is going right in their life with a significant loved one or even a family member.” Junior Max Kennady is another student who feels this holiday is not
“
I think it’s a ‘Hallmark Card Day’ that has no actual value...but it’s a nice day to spend with someone you care about. Freshman Trey Moore
”
just for those in a relationship. “I think it’s a time when the singles could go out with a group of friends and do fun stuff,” he said. “It is more geared towards couples but that’s probably because it’s so commercialized. Singles can still have fun.” There are some students, such as freshman Evelyn Sullivan, who have conflicting views on the holiday. “I feel that the social stigma that surrounds it now is degrading to the original intent of the holiday,” she said. However, it is a holiday that has meaning to both her and her family since her parents were married on
Valentine’s Day, she said. “My sister and I have actually both talked about getting married on the same day as my parents,” she said. “It’s a day that my husband will remember and I will remember and it’s a day that will be important and special.” For Kennady, Valentine’s Day also has a little extra meaning. “My brother was born on that day,” he said. While some students have good memories and positive feelings about the day, many others, like freshman Trey Moore, are neutral about the celebration. “I think it’s a ‘Hallmark Card Day’ that has no actual value,” he said. “But it’s a nice day to spend with someone you care about.” In general, “it’s a good day,” he said. Freshman Ray Chhith is another student who neither loves nor hates the holiday. “Honestly I usually just go through Valentine’s Day without knowing it’s actually Valentine’s Day,” he said. Overall, the students of ASU have emotions for this holiday that range from hate to indifference to love. However, no matter how commercialized it has become, there will always be people that enjoy the holiday for its traditions and meanings rooted in love. “I love everybody that I choose to surround myself with,” Sullivan said. “Every single person that I’m around, that I actually will go and be
Movie Review:
‘Woman in Black’
After the death of his wife, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is sent by his law firm to handle a job at deceased Alice Drablow’s mansion. Struggling with his own past, Kipps finds that the town of Crythin Gifford also has a past of its own. He feels that he is not welcome there and senses resentment. While in the Drablow home, Kipps begins to hear and see strange things. In Alice’s Zach Daniel personal belongings, he finds old Contributor birthday cards discussing a boy named Nathanial. He finds that the boy’s mother, Alice’s sister Jennet, was declared mentally unfit to keep the child. Alice and her husband took Nathanial in as their own. In a horrible accident, Nathanial is killed and Jennet blames Alice for the whole thing. Eventually, out of grief, Jennet takes her own life and becomes “The Woman in Black”. She haunts the Drablow home and her ghost is out for revenge. Kipps soon discovers that he is not the target of the ghostly assaults. These events set up the rest of the movie that ended up being better than I thought. The story was great and may not end up the way you think. As far as fright factor goes, not so much. The tactics used were similar to the ones you might find in the horror rides at the fair, so they weren’t very effective. A few loud noises and unexpected movements will give you a jolt, but not a deep and lingering fear. The ending was bold and took an interesting and unpredictable turn. Overall I was thoroughly entertained, but not frightened. I’ll admit it was weird seeing Radcliffe play any part but Harry Potter, but he did very well. Horror fan or not, this movie will satisfy most viewers as it becomes more of a mystery than a real horror flick.
3/5 stars
Music Review:
Patrick McKeown Contributor Earth that Was Arjen A. Lucassen’s Star One If Luke Skywalker had a playlist in his X-Wing, this would be his jam. The guitar pounds with such force that the Dark Side couldn’t touch it, and the vocal power to this song is so incredible that even Darth Vader would call this song master. You will feel like a boss, just like Jack White.
Hate Train Gotye feat. Kimbra
Cold Night Skull Fist
The Ghost Rider would ride to this along while burning hellfire through the streets. “Rage is a flame,” says rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield in his normal metal snarl, this track shows us they still mean business even after all the years.
THRASH METAL HAS RETURNED. Finally a band figured out how to make music again. With high piercing vocals, machine gun style riffs, and blazing solos, these metal heads make music from the past for the future.
Man of Peace Bob Dylan Bob Dylan is the greatest songwriter to have ever lived. You would be wasting your time arguing. This groovy tune from “Infidels” has one of the best lines in history: “Ya know sometimes Satan come as a man of peace.” Only Mr. Dylan could say something so powerful and yet so simple.
Stay Frosty Van Halen Van Halen has returned with some of the best songs they have ever written from their new album “A Different Kind of Truth”. “Stay Frosty” has that old school acoustic flair of “Ice Cream Man” and the hard and heaviness of “Hot for Teacher” blended together. Thank you Diamond Dave and Eddie Van Halen for showing the rest of world how real rock music is suppose to sound.
OPINIONS
Friday, February 10, 2012
Page 5
Smoking ban is smoking hot
Straight from the
Staff Editorial
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the smoking ban in San Angelo. As a staff, we have several opinions on the matter. We think that people who choose not to smoke have the right to clean air wherever they go. It's not much of an “inconvenience” for smokers to go to a designated smoking area away from those who are healthconscious. Even in bars and places where one might expect smoking to be okay, the air should be kept as clean as possible. People wouldn’t stand for an extremely unhygienic bathroom— air should be kept clean
as well. It might even be more important because serious diseases and other health issues can come from secondhand smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, “more than 126 million nonsmoking Americans continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke in homes, vehicles, workplaces, and public places. Most exposure to tobacco smoke occurs in homes and workplaces.” It also says that about 22 million children between the ages of 3 and 11 are exposed to secondhand smoke.
The most important thing is that no one smokes around large groups of people in public anymore. Smoking is allowed at home, so this ordinance does not protect the children of smokers. At the same time though, it does not unreasonably infringe upon smokers’ rights. There has to be a balance, and we believe this ordinance has found it. Although students are still allowed to smoke on campus, they must be at least 15 feet away from an entrance. This means that people no longer have to walk through a cloud of smoke when they enter a building.
This is also good, because the fresh air tends to alleviate the smell of cigarette smoke. At this point in history, almost everyone knows about the harmful effects of first and secondhand smoke. People have a right to make an educated decision over whether or not to put their health in jeopardy, but they do not have the right to put the health of others at risk. We support the smoking ban because it protects individuals who do not smoke, and when it comes down to it, it is a win-win situation. After all, smokers don’t smoke less; they just smoke in different places.
Web
www.asurampage.com
Poll results:
Do you often use the computers available on campus?
8%
I only use the computers in the computer lab
8%
No
84%
Yes, but I have my own computer
This week’s poll Has the San Angelo smoking ban affected you in the past year? Yes; I smoke No, but I do smoke Yes; I don’t smoke. No Vote at www.asurampage.com
Submit columns and letters to the editor at rampage@angelo.edu
Sidewalk
Survey After a whole year since it was passed, what do you think about the smoking ban?
“I think it is a good thing. Secondhand smoke is supposed to be worse for you anyway.”
Ram Page Staff
2011-2012 Angelo State University Editor: Dana Choi Managing Editor: Lisa Dees Copy Editor: Victoria Lacy Photo Editor: Pamela Belcher Sports Editor: Stephen Cogan Staff Writer: Dillon Brollier Staff Writer/Online Editor: Adam Washington Photographer: Mark McDaniel Circulation Manager: Koby McMullan Advertising Manager: Sara Beth Terral Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas76909-0895 Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Managing Editor: rampagenews@angelo.edu Features Editor: rampagefeatures@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Editor: (325) 942-2323 Newsroom: (325) 942-2134 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551 Member of The Texas Tech University System Associated Collegiate Press Texas Intercollegiate Press Association
PUBLISHING POLICY
Published every Friday and available to students, one copy per student, the student newspaper of Angelo State University is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Ram Page welcomes all letters. Please include your name, classification/position and a phone number and/or e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters must be signed and be no more than 350 words. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel and privacy. Deadline is 5 p.m., Monday. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed or submitted at the newspaper’s office, Room 324 on the third floor of the Porter Henderson Library. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
Nikki Caballero, sophomore
“Individuals have rights to do what they want, as long as it doesn’t negatively affect someone else.” Nelson Thomas, senior
“My brother has cystic fibrosis, so it makes it easier for us to go to places together.” Amber Naseman, freshman
“I just don’t really know a lot of people who smoke.”
“I don’t like smoking and don’t even like walking through it.”
Joseph Garcia, sophomore
Blair Hitch, sophomore
Violent video games don’t create violent people
Joshua Leal Contributor I have murdered thousands of people, stolen hundreds of items, and have never been punished for my crimes. Of course these actions have only occurred digitally, but this is something that others might view as dangerous behavior. As a youngster my parents never let me play any video games they considered violent. I had to convince my parents that I deserved the reward of being able to play a video game and that the game was a non-violent one. This remained true until high school, when I was allowed to purchase any game that I chose. Why the change? My par-
ents explained that I was old enough to distinguish fantasy from reality. On April 20, 1999, two students entered their high school in Columbine, Colo. They proceeded to commit one of the most heinous acts in public school history as they murdered and injured their fellow classmates and teachers. Violent video games such as “Doom” and “Wolfenstein 3D” were initially scrutinized for the role they might have played in the shootings. This is due to the fact that the teens, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, played them frequently. Many people wondered if video games had a part in the Virginia Tech massacre as well. Four days after the shooting occurred, MSNBC questioned if the students’ “CounterStrike” habits were to blame for the massacre. In both of these highprofile instances, video games were blamed. In both cases, no justifiable
evidence surfaced to support these claims. In response to the Columbine shooting, the Secret Service, in conjunction with the Department of Education, published a report called “The Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initiative: Implications for the Prevention of School Attacks in the United States” (where’s an acronym when you need it?). The study sampled 37 school shootings prior to 2002 and found that oneeighth of the attackers did in fact demonstrate interest in violent video games. Attackers who displayed interest in writing about violence in poems, essays or journals, however, made up a larger 37 percent. Another study done by Christopher Ferguson and Adolfo Garza has shown that since 1996, youth violence has gone down and video game sales have gone up. Does this mean kids are just
too busy playing video games to commit violent crimes? While I concede that some violent people do play violent video games, I don’t believe that violent people are created from violent video games. Also, parents should decide what their children can handle at an early age, but we all have to grow up and make our own decisions. I have met numerous people who enjoy playing video games, whether violent or not, as a way to relax. Video games, as a whole, allow people to escape reality by providing experiences uncommon to most daily routines. Lastly, I leave you with this. In 2010 “Zynga” reported that they averaged 65 million users a day playing their games on “Facebook.” That is roughly one-fifth of the United States population playing video games. That is a lot of violent people...
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SPORTS
Page 6
Friday, February 10, 2012
Week at a Glance Friday, Feb. 10 Baseball Arkansas Monticello (DH) -12:30 p.m. @ neutral field in Magnolia, Ark. Southern Arkansas - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 11 Softball Central Oklahoma (DH) - 12:30 p.m.
Baseball Photo by Mark McDaniel Junior Austin Church pitches against Ouachita Baptist on Sunday, Feb. 5.
5-0 Ram baseball gains best start in ASU history 2012: A new set of
an undefeated and unprecedented 5-0 run. After finishing 25-23 in 2011, the Rams reformed their roster with 19 new players and now stand alone at the top of the Lone Star Conference with the best record.
The Rams started their season with a four-game sweep of Rams making plays Ouachita Baptist with scores of Stephen Cogan 14-4, 2-0, 4-1, and 16-3. Sports Editor The Rams earned their fifth win of the season against St. The 2012 Ram baseball team Mary’s University with freshis starting off the season with man Brett David batting in the winning run with a single in the top of the ninth that drove in sophomore Blaine Perkins to make the lead 6-5. Junior pitcher Michael Weatherly struck out the side to end the game where the Rams had been down 5-2 at one point against a team that was ranked No. 4 in the nation in preseason polls. “I want them to know that they can count on me and that when I come into the game that Photo by Mark McDaniel the other team Junior outfielder Lee Neumann talks to head coach Kevin Brooks during the game. is not going to
My two cents on the Super Bowl Stephen Cogan Sports Editor It was déjà vu all over again when the clock stopped ticking as the New York Giants secured their fourth Super Bowl championship with a 21-17 win over the New England Patriots. And it was déjà vu again when Eli Manning hoisted the Super Bowl MVP (most valuable player) trophy in the air for the second time in five years. Last Sunday’s game made history and has convinced me of many things going forward into 2012. Giants vs. Patriots has officially become an NFL rivalry. Granted, the teams will meet only once every four years in the regular season and can only meet in the Super Bowl in the postseason, but the fact that two Super Bowls have been decided between the two teams makes them a historic rivalry. Eli Manning has passed himself into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with this second win. He could break his back tomorrow
could have sealed the game in the fourth quarter. The ball was high, but Welker managed to leap into the air and get both hands on it. He just couldn’t come down with it. After another incompletion, the Patriots punted and the Giants went on to score the final points. That wasn’t the biggest mistake though. Those mistakes are remembered because they happened near the end of the game, but there is one mistake that I felt the New England Patriots defense made that was inexcusable and cost them the game in the end. Go back to the first quarter and the Giants’ second drive. The Giants have the ball on the 11-yard line of the Patriots and it is third-and-three. Manning completes a pass to his right to wide receiver Victor Cruz. Then, defensive back Sterling Moore gets behind him and rips the ball out of Cruz’s grasp as linebacker Brandon Spikes falls on top of it. The replay showed on TV revealed it was clearly a fumble because Cruz was still standing up with possession when the ball came out. However, the penalty flag on the defense for 12 players on the field negated the turnover and gave the Giants a first down. Two plays later, the Manning found Cruz for the touchdown. That’s the play that really draws my criticism. How can you not know who is supposed to be on the field or not? Twelve
Basketball WBB vs West Texas A&M - 5:30 p.m.
MBB vs West Texas A&M - 7:30 score,” Weatherly said. “I p.m want everyone to be worryfree and confident that we are going to get the win.” Tuesday, Feb. 14 Head Coach Kevin Softball Brooks said Weatherly im@Texas A&M International (DH) proved from the weekend. 1 p.m. “He got his jitters out this weekend and he came in here against St. Mary’s Wednesday, Feb. 15 and was himself,” Brooks Basketball said. “He’s a shutdown WBB @ Texas A&M Kingsville - 6 pitcher and did a great job p.m. in a big moment for us.” Brooks said the team MBB @ Texas A&M Kingsville - 8 shows a lot of effort. p.m. “This group shows up and competes every day,” Brooks said. “They are tough Brett Parsons has eight RBIs mentally and physically. Who and a home run off of six hits. knows what is going to hapThe team on defense has pen this season, but I’m very committed seven errors, but confident that they are going has only allowed 13 total runs to come out playing hard every over five games with a .290 on single game.” base average. The combined ERA of the The team will travel to MagRams pitching staff is 1.62 with nolia, Ark., for a four-game four of the five starters giving series against Arkansas-Monup zero earned runs. ticello University (that will be The Ram offense has scored a double-header), Southern 42 runs with 35 of them earned. Arkansas University, and LinJunior catcher and in- denwood University this Friday fielder Quaid McKinnon has a and will play over the weekend. .529/.619/.588 stat line (batting average/on base average/slugging percentage).
What blew the Super Bowl for the Patriots? and never play again, and I would consider him a Hall of Famer if I had a vote. Unlike other quarterbacks who had their teams win big games without significant contribution under center, the Giants’ two world titles were secured because of Manning’s clutch performances. In Super Bowl XLII, he led a fourth quarter comeback drive to regain the lead with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the left corner of the end zone to cap off a 12-play drive that left 35 seconds on the clock. In Super Bowl XLVI, he led another fourth quarter comeback drive to regain the lead with a six-yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw with 57 seconds remaining after a nineplay drive. These were two drives in the biggest of games, where Eli Manning made clutch throw after throw to get his team the win and the ring. Is that a Hall of Famer? A guy who takes over the game at the most critical time? I think so. Whenever a team loses the Super Bowl, the fans automatically look for the person to blame for losing it--the scapegoat. Several people have already sunk their teeth into Tom Brady since he is the quarterback, but he played well going 27-41 for 276 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Brady could have played better, but Wes Welker dropped a first down pass on second-and-11 that
vs Lindenwood - 2:30 p.m. @ neutral field in Magnolia, Ark.
men on the field is a procedure penalty and procedure penalties come from a lack of discipline. If that hadn’t happened, the Giants wouldn’t have gotten the touchdown and the Patriots would have kept momentum. If that hadn’t happened, I think the Patriots would have won the Super Bowl. I think a lot of people are too quick to blame Welker or Brady mainly because their mistakes happened in the fourth quarter and that stuck in people’s memory. It doesn’t erase what happened in quarter one, though. That penalty made more difference than any dropped pass or any failed pass attempt. The biggest question for all NFL fans is if this is the end of the Patriots dynasty that has been to five Super Bowls and won three in the last decade. No, it isn’t yet, in my opinion. I thought the Patriots dynasty was over after 2007 and I was wrong then, so I’m not going to underestimate them. Now, I don’t think they’ll be in the Super Bowl year after year, but I think they could still have one more run in them before Tom Brady retires. I could be wrong about that, though. They could be in the Super Bowl next year and so could the Giants for round three. Then it’ll be déjà vu all over again.
Belle softball off to slow start 2012: Girls begin the season with a 1-2 record at St. Mary’s tournament
Stephen Cogan Sports Editor The Rambelle softball team started their season with a weekend on the road in San Antonio, and came home with a 1-2 record with two games cancelled due to rainouts at the St. Mary’s Tournament. The girls lost 3-2 in game one, 8-7 in game two, and won game three 11-5. The St. Mary’s Tournament isn’t a tournament where a trophy is presented, Athletic Communications Assistant Director Wes Bloomquist said. Senior Claire Molina, the staff ace, earned both losses in games one and two with a 7.45 ERA over 9.2 innings pitched and gave up eight runs. Sophomore Mary Kate McKay pitched 7.0 innings over two games and earned one win with a 3.86 ERA, giving up three runs. The Belles’ offense generated 20 runs with 16 of them earned (four were made due to opponent’s errors) over three games. The Belles have 28 hits with one double, and two home runs with a team batting average of .329. Senior Elsamartina Apo is batting .714 with five hits and four RBIs and senior Deeshanalynn Tafiti is batting .500 with five hits, a double and a home run included with three RBIs. Among the teams the Belles faced was Rollins University, which has the 11th nationally ranked softball team. The Belles led through six innings by two, but Rollins rallied to earn three runs on two hits to win 3-2. The Belles’ home opener will be Saturday at 12:30 p.m. It will be a double header against Central Oklahoma.