Vol. 79 Iss. 27

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Ceramics p. 6

Softball p. 8

Spanish newscast star to speak at commencement

Volume 79 Issue 27 April 26, 2013

www.asurampage.com

ASU alumna won a day time Emmy Terrence Cain Staff Writer Satcha Pretto, an ASU alumna and host of Univision’s “Despierta América” (Wake-Up America), will be this year’s commencement speaker to more than 800 graduates on May 11. Pretto has a story to tell, something that makes her unique and worthy of the commencement speech that she has accepted to give. Pretto was born April 5, 1980, in La Paz, Honduras, during the reign of a military-ran government coup that started back in 1963 against their democratically elected president Ramón Villeda Morales. This coup lasted until 1981 when Suazo Córdova was elected, which would change the way Honduras was governed from that point forward. Issues such as homicide and drug trafficking plague Honduras, but those factors did not keep Pretto from living her dreams. When Pretto was 18, she came to the United States with her mother, Liz Padilla, to attend college at ASU. “One of the most vivid memories I have of my 33 years of existence is of the day I arrived at Angelo State University,” Pretto said. “Everything seemed so clean and so perfect. I took the first few steps on campus with my mother, who accompanied me to San Angelo to help me get settled in. We felt as though we were in an episode on one of the American sitcoms we had watched over the years all the way back in Tegucigalpa.” Pretto said she then realized her and her mother were finally able to start their dream.

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a t e Z a t l e D Turtle Tug Photos by Adam Sauceda

Above: Senior Jackie Coti, president of Delta Zeta, held the Delta Zeta Turtle Tug event Saturday, April 20. The event is designed to raise money for children with serious illnesses. Below: Teams competed against each other at tug-of-war, and those who lost fell in a pool of green jello.

1980s themed play to show this weekend

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Ram Page gets new website New website design will “draw people in” Allison Price Managing Editor

Photo by Adam Sauceda Chloe Casuy (Frances), Jordon Shocklee (Trisha) and Magdalena Hogan (Meredith) act in the opening scenes.

The updated Ram Page website debuted Friday, April 19, and so far there has been a large number of hits. “We had 207 hits on Friday when it opened and then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of this week we have had over 100 hits,” Freshman Riley Mashburn, Ram Page online editor, said. “We are consistently above 100 hits a day.” Mashburn began working on the website design in October and has been working with the staff to satisfy everyone’s ideas. “I have been getting general feedback from the staff as to what they wanted, going back and forth with Dr. Johnson,” Mashburn said. “There has also been a lot of e-mailing back and forth with College Publisher who is the host for the site.” Junior Mariah Powell, Ram Page Editor-in-Chief said it is important to keep the Ram Page up-to-date online and through social media. “We make sure that our online site is updated at all times,” Powell said. “If there are any alumni that want to know what is going on, this is a great way for them to see what’s going on.” Mashburn said the old website dated back to October 2010, and it was time for a new look. “We wanted a new look that would draw people in,” Mashburn said. “People were used to the same old thing every day and we did a little something different to get their attention.” Mashburn not only drew ideas from the staff, but he also looked at other websites, he said.

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IT'S OUR LAST ISSUE: See you in the Fall!


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Events Calendar Get involved on campus! Here’s what’s going on this week. Friday April 26 Softball: ASU at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. @Kingsville. Softball: ASU at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. @Kingsville. Baseball: ASU at Abilene Christian University. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. @Abilene. Arts at ASU: “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” The play begins at 8 p.m. in the Modular Theatre located in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building.

Saturday April 27 The Down and Dirty Mad Dash will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the San Angelo State Park. Cheerleading Tryouts beginning at 1 p.m. in the CHP. Softball: ASU at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. @Kingsville. Baseball: ASU at Abilene Christian University. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. @Abilene. Arts at ASU: “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” The play begins at 8 p.m. in the Modular Theatre located in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building.

Sunday April 28 Cheerleading Tryouts beginning at 10 a.m. in the CHP. Baseball: ASU at Abilene Christian University. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. @Abilene. Arts at ASU: “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” The play begins at 2 p.m. in the Modular Theatre located in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building.

Monday April 29 Art: Graduating Senior Art Exhibit open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in room 193 of the Carr Education-Fine Arts building.

Tuesday April 30 ALL DAY: Summer session 1 bills available online. UCPC Weekly Meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the UC 203-204.

Thursday May 2 ALL DAY: Track and Field vs. LSC Outdoor Championships @Canyon. Arts at ASU: “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” The play begins at 8 p.m. in the Modular Theatre located in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building.

NEWS

Friday, April 26, 2013

Boston Marathon runner returns to classes shaky but alive and well Haynes finished an hour before attack Mariah Powell Editor Last week, as Boston went into lock down, marathon runner and ASU senior Sebastian Haynes was on a delayed flight back to San Angelo. After qualifying year after year, Haynes decided to attend the 2013 Boston Marathon with his father. A month before the race, Haynes did not know if he would be able to participate after breaking his foot in February. He was cleared by his doctor on March 28 and found an available hotel right outside of Boston. Haynes knew that running the marathon would be difficult, and he would be walking some of the distance. “It’s scary just thinking about if I had to walk more than I did I would have still been in the city when the bombs went off,” he said. Haynes finished the marathon in 3 hours and 12 minutes. At the time of the explosion, Haynes said he and his dad were headed back to their hotel. “My dad was waiting on the side line for me, and it took me a while to find him but he must have walked right past the bombs,” Haynes said.

“If these bombs had went off just an hour sooner my dad and I would have been right there.” After their American Airline flight was cancelled three times,

marathon and receive their medal because of the incident,” he said. “Almost 60 thousand people were made stop the run and stand out in the cold for three to four hours.” Haynes said from the time of the incident on forward his phone was buzzing off the hook. “I didn’t realize I had so many people that supported me so it was an awesome feeling,” he said. “Everyone wanted to make sure I was okay and tried to reach out to me.” Just like everyone else, Haynes said he does not understand why someone would commit such an act of terror. He said he was in shock Sebastian Haynes for a week after the situasenior tion. “I realized that you can’t Haynes and his father finally take things for granted because the boarded a plane on Wednesday. people that you love might be there “The airport was almost just as one day and the next they won’t – bad as the city of Boston being shut life happens that quick.” Haynes down,” Haynes said. “There were said. SWAT teams, FBI, police with maHe said the incident should not chine guns and canine units [pres- make people shut down and give up ent].” on the Boston Marathon, it should Haynes said after two planes encourage people to be more acwere evacuated, he was scared and tive. thought that another incident was “I plan on going back next year about to take place. and running the marathon again,” “I feel sorry for the people who Haynes said. “You can’t give up bewere told they couldn’t finish the cause then the terrorists win.”

“I plan on going back next year and running the marathon again. You can’t give up because then the terrorists win.”

Sauvage earns first D.C. internship Student looks to be first of many from Angelo State

he always had hopes of being a part of what Texas Tech has done for years and is proud to see things moving. “Last Fall, before Dr. May was president, I spoke with Mariah Powell him about joining Texas Editor Tech in this internship and he seemed very enthusiastic Junior Chase Sauvage will about it,” Barbour said. “May spend the Fall 2013 semester in was able to set up an $8 thouWashington D.C. working with sand scholarship for the recongress. cipient.” Sauvage will live at the Texas The internship will be in Tech house for the semester. the fall for now, but if more “The main thing we had to money is presented will be work out was the housing,” present in the spring as well, President Dr. Brian May said. Photo courtesy of Communications Barbour said. “As being a part of their system, and Marketing The minimal qualifications we wanted Texas Tech to allow were being a Political Science us to house at least one person major and having a 3.0 GPA. in their house it makes everything affordable, and you Then the students were given questions to answer in are close enough to everything that you don’t need a an interview. car.” “We looked at the students’ responses to our quesThe internship had been in a planning state but tions and checked out their letters of recommendacould not get off the ground without proper funds, tion and then we chose the top two candidates from May said. there,” Barbour said. “I’m hoping Chase will be the first of many that we “I am really honored to be chosen for this opportucan send to Austin,” he said. nity and be able to be the first person to ever represent Dr. Jack Barbour, professor of political science said ASU through this program,” Sauvage said.

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Now Accepting Applications for 2013-2014 Staff Positions Are you considering working in the media field after you graduate? Why wait?

Applications are outside the Ram Page office, 3rd Floor Library, B324.

The Ram Page is a good place to start. Gain experience with ASU’s student-run newspaper. We are looking for students who can meet deadlines and deliver quality work.

Applications should be submitted to B318. Be sure to attach sample work to your applications.

Interviews begin April 29.


NEWS

Friday, April 26, 2013

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These shoes were made for walking ‘Walk a Mile in her Shoes’ event helps to eliminate stereotypes Adam Sauceda Staff Writer The Concho Valley Rape Crisis Center and Pi Kappa Alpha are hosting The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with proceeds to benefit the rape crisis center. The event, a one-mile walk in which male and female participants wear high heels, will be at the Tom Green County Courthouse at 112 W. Beauregard Ave. The CVRCC is asking for a $10 registration fee donation, and prizes will be awarded for the individual and team who raise the most money for the CVRCC. The national event started as a men’s march against violence against women and made its way to San Angelo in 2009, Executive Director for the Concho Valley Rape Crisis Center Karla Payne said. “[The event] is a way to get men involved in what is typically looked at as a women’s issue,” Payne said. “Women have been told what to do to stay safe, and [society] has kind of put it on the women to prevent sexual assault when really, we should be educating the people who are typically doing the assaulting.” President of Pi Kappa Alpha Connor Frankhouser said he expects participation to be huge this year, and the Pikes would be out in full force to show their support for the event. “You get 30 of your best buddies walking around

in high heels, and at the end of the event your feet are rubbed raw, and you have blisters already,” Frankhouser said. “You just gain a new appreciation for women and the plight that they go through.” Payne said the Pikes participation is great for the event and for fraternities’ image. “It shows that men are supportive and are against rape also,” Payne said. “Fraternities do get a bad reputation, and it helps them be able to show support and that [the stereotype] isn’t the norm.” Frankhouser said the Pikes use this event as a way to abolish the fraternities stereotypes. “Fraternities get the negative connotation that they’re rapists,” Frankhouser said. “By doing this, it’s a great way for us to come back and combat that stereotype the best we can.” Payne said the event isn’t just aimed at trying to reach potential perpetrators, but also bystanders. “Guys can take the initiative in recognizing a potentially dangerous situation and say something about it,” Payne said. Senior nursing student Anna Melby volunteers at the rape crisis center and is planning on walking in the event. “It almost raises more awareness when the guys do it because it’s not every day you see a guy, let alone a bunch of guys, walking around in high heels,” Melby said. “When a guy stands up [against sexual assault] and says that it’s absolutely not okay, then he is being an example to all the other guys.” Education coordinator for the CVRCC Crystal Ward started doing the event many years ago when she was a student at Texas Tech in Lubbock, but this

will be her first in San Angelo. “Having men involved sends the community a message that it’s not just women trying to protect other women,” Ward said. “It’s men trying to protect both men and women and standing up for the community.” Ward said that the event is a big fundraiser for the CVRCC. “We’re a non-profit organization, and every dollar that we get donated to us keeps our doors open and keeps us doing the work that we’re doing,” Ward said. “It’s very important to keep our services completely free and never have someone’s finances be a burden to getting them the help that they need.” Ward said that she hopes the event not only helps the center to gain funds but also spreads awareness about the CVRCC. “One of the misconceptions about rape crisis centers is that we’re kind of the feminist, ball-busting, hairy-chested, men-hating type people, and we’re not,” Ward said. “We know that most men are not going to sexually assault somebody, so the more people we have involved in the event, it ends up becoming just people doing what’s right for other people.” Melby, who becomes a registered nurse in May, said she will continue her involvement with the event on into her profession. “I would like to get a group [of nurses] from the hospital say this is something we’re passionate about, we’re standing up, we’re registered nurses and we’re going to get up and walk with them,” Melby said. “This is my chance to stand up and say I support this, not only as a person but as a professional.”

Phi Kappa Phi welcomes ASU ASU is the 20th inducted Texas university Terrence Cain Staff Writer One of the most prestigious honor societies in the world, Phi Kappa Phi, has finally accepted ASU into its ranks after two long years of setbacks. ASU is the 20th Texas university to become part of the PKP honor society. The PKP honor society was originally founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. There are more than 300 campuses that house the PKP chapter in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Each year, approximately 30,000 members are initiated into the PKP honor society. Students are invited to join PKP, and it is because they are in the top 7.5% of the junior class or in the top 10% of the senior class, Havlak said. “As provost, two years ago, I got this started,” President, Dr. Brian May said. “Because PKP is a coast to coast honor society, I felt they were something we needed here at ASU.” May appointed Dr. Karl Havlak, professor of mathematics, to fulfill the process of bringing PKP to campus. “The process of chartering a chapter of PKP at ASU was a two year process,” Havlak said. “ASU first had to have a group of faculty and staff petitioners. These are individuals who were inducted into PKP as students. This group then submitted a preliminary application to PKP in 2010, which included different facts and statistics about ASU. Things like special programs such as the Carr Scholarship and Study Abroad, then library holdings,

faculty profile and so on were all submitted. After reviewing this application, ASU was asked to proceed to a second phase in the application process. In this stage a team from PKP visited the ASU campus and interviewed a number of key individuals including the president, provost, registrar and librarian— among others.” May said it was more than just the normal paperwork that delayed the PKP honor society from accepting ASU as quickly as everyone would have liked. “PKP has been going through many changes, and that’s what took them so long to accept us,” May said. “Their selection committee had changed, then offices were moved, and a new set of directors and operators were put in place. They sent a group from PKP to make sure we could house their chapter, then the vote got delayed after that for whatever reason—it was crazy.” Dr. Havlak said that PKP uses Greek letters in their name and that often causes confusion for students as to what the organization is and its purpose, but students who become part of PKP should feel honored to be part of such a great American establishment. “Having PKP allows ASU to recognize its outstanding students. In addition to this recognition, students are given the opportunity to compete for over $500,000 in monetary awards each year.” The PKP honor society was officially installed on April 25. The ceremony was conducted by Dr. Missy Hopper from Mississippi State University who is also the vice president of the South Central region of the PKP honor society. At the ceremony, the original petitioners signed the official PKP charter and several faculty and administrators were inducted into the honor society. In the fall of 2013, the first students of ASU will be initiated into PKP.

Photo Courtesy ASU students and community released balloons as part of Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Delta Zeta girls pitch in to hold garage sale Money raised will be donated to the Starky Hearing foundation

Mariah Powell Editor Delta Zeta will host their first garage sale Saturday, April 27, from 7 a.m. to noon at 4016 Huntington Lane. There will be racks of clothing, shoes, jewelry, a television and much more for sell, junior Destiny Jackson said. “Every member of Delta Zeta is pitching in, and we invited the alumni chapter to bring items as well,” she said. “We will have music and a lemonade stand just to make the event fun.”

Half of the proceeds collected from this sale will go to the Starky Hearing Foundation and the items that remain will go to the San Angelo women and children shelter, Jackson said. “My sorority sisters and I have just accumulated so much since coming to college, and we are ready to do some spring cleaning and give to a good cause,” sophomore Chaienne Lucas said. “We aren’t trying to overprice our items and have someone pay $20 for a t-shirt.” There will be several prom dresses for sell, with prices around $85 and under, she said. “We are really excited and hope that a lot of people come out to our garage sale,” Lucas said.

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2 Coors Light Drafts $ 3 Enchanted Rock Vodka $ 3 Rebecca Creek Whiskey $


NEWS

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Pretto to share experiences and dreams Cont. from p.1

“For us, it was not just arriving at a university,” Pretto said. “It was the realization of a dream that was achieved through many years of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. I can truly say I began living my American dream the moment I arrived in Texas, and I have not stopped ever since.” Pretto officially moved to the United States in August of 1998. When Pretto was sixteen her father died from a heart-attack, but she was able to find a fatherfigure in Billy Huffman, a San Angelo resident, who allowed her to live with his family in her last year at ASU. Pretto graduated in 2001 with a degree in communications. Since Pretto’s graduation, she has worked with numerous television stations. First Pretto worked for KWES-TV 9 out of the Midland/Odessa area for KTLE-Telemundo as a newscaster, as well as an English-language newscaster for the NBC affiliate. Pretto has also worked with CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360. In 2007, Pretto won a daytime Emmy award as co-host of Univision’s broadcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade held every year in Pasadena, California. In July, 2011, Pretto was promoted to the morning anchor desk of Univision’s No.1 rated live morning show “Despierta América” (Wake-Up America) where she has been viewed by many as the Katie Couric of the Spanish-speaking world. “What a compliment!” Pretto said. “I had no idea I was regarded as the Katie Couric of the Spanish news, but I will take it and run with it. I love my job. It is never perfect, but it is always rewarding.” Pretto was unable to give a commencement speech in the past because of her work schedule, but she said she feels privileged to give this speech.

Photo courtesy of Satcha Pretto

“It is a truly great honor to have been chosen to serve as speaker at ASU’s commencement ceremonies,” Pretto said. “This is the third time I have been considered for such a prestigious role, and as the say-

46 new members join Alpha Chi honor society Members had strong presence at annual convention

Adam Sauceda Staff Writer

The Alpha Chi national honor society inducted 46 new members on April 11. Additionally, three ASU members won research presentation awards at the annual Alpha Chi National Convention held April 4-6 in Nashville, Tenn. Senior physics and mathematics major David To won a $100 award for Best Presentation in Physics/ Geology/Astronomy. Senior animal science major Mary Jones won a $100 award for Best Presentation in Ecological and Organismal Biology. Junior chemistry major Binhong Lin won a $200 scholarship from the ASU sponsors for best presentation by an ASU student. New inductee, junior Codi Foster said she looks forward to the opportunity to go to the conferences and present her future research and see what other students come up with. “I wanted to join because it’s a national honor society, and they have a lot of scholarship opportunities,” Foster said. “I like that it’s not an honor society

for a specific major, and [it gives us a chance] to see all the different things that people will do with their degrees.” ASU is located in Alpha Chi Region I, and Dr. Karl Havlak, professor of mathematics, is the head faculty advisor for the ASU chapter. Additional faculty advisors include Dr. June Smith for the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Biqing Huang for the College of Business, Dr. Ann BullionMears for the College of Education and Paul Osmanski for the College of Health and Human Services. Havlak is also secretary-treasurer for Region I and a member of the Alpha Chi National Council. Havlak said it’s a way to recognize students for outstanding academic achievements. “Students sometimes don’t really know what Alpha Chi is,” Havlak said. They hear that name, and they think it’s a fraternity or sorority, and that’s not what it is. It’s a legitimate honor society that’s trying to recognize good students and it gives them a way to connect with other students throughout the nation.” Alpha Chi is open to students majoring in any academic discipline, has over 300 chapters nationwide and more than 400,000 members. To be eligible, students must rank in the top 10 percent of seniors at their college or university or in the top five percent of juniors.

ing goes, ‘third time’s the charm.’” Pretto said nothing is by chance in life and believes that there is an important reason as to why it has taken her so long to make it to her alma mater to serve in this year’s function. “It has been 12 years since I graduated from ASU,” Pretto said. “I feel those 12 years have shaped me into the journalist that I am now, and I feel that has put me in a position to share some valuable life experiences with others.” May said all of Pretto’s life experiences are special enough to cover so many of the departments here at ASU because her life story can relate to so many others out there. “In the past ASU has had a lot of politicians come in and speak, so we felt that we needed more diversity for the graduates and we felt Satcha, who was in ASU’s magazine last year, would be a great speaker with her background,” May said. “[The administration] is trying to give a little more variety to the graduates of ASU.” Dr. Flor Madero, a professor of communications and mass media, has been a long-time friend of Pretto, and was a great help in bringing Pretto to this year’s graduation. “Satcha is both a success story that can inspire many and is an example of the quality of students that ASU can produce,” Madero said. “She came from Honduras as an international student and maximized her opportunities while in college. She has gone on to do great things in the national Spanish television circuit and is an articulate, classy, and talented individual with whom students can easily identify because of her humble beginnings.” Pretto will address graduates at the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

Spring 2013 ASU inductees Katriona Baker Jordan Benfield Cheyenne Benson Lindsey Blair John Blake Abby Bobo Leigh Ann Bodenchuk James Bufkin Jeffrey Camron Harrison Chevalier Leonor Constancio Jacqueline Coty Jacob Crawshaw Kelsey Curry Sandra Davis Aimee Denham Hannah Dodds Sarah Elliott Brett Estes Beth Forehand Codi Foster Danielle Freeman Marcus Garci

Meghan Harp Cody Harrelson Kimberly Hiseley Connor Hoelscher Sierra Honea Trisha Killen Dylan Littlejohn Matthew Lombardo Arlis McMullan Melissa McNaley Sarah Meyer Donald Moore Steeli Morgan Sean Motl Logan Niehues Leisa Prettie Caradee Pyott Corey Schwartz Evelyn Sullivan Ethan Swatzell Tara Warren Brittney Welchon Steven Wusterbarth

Ram Page moves to social media Cont. from p.1

“I looked at other sites College Publisher had designed in the past and got ideas from that, while working with Mariah on the mast head,” Mashburn said. “I arranged the website all together and sent it to College Publisher. There was a little bit of back and forth and eventually we got where we wanted to be.” In order to get more students to visit the website, Powell said she plans to promote it in the paper. “Along with promoting the website we will promote Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest,” Powell said. “We want to get more student involvement and add more pictures so it will catch people’s attention. We also want to make the paper more accessible and give our readers something to look forward to every week.” Mashburn said he sends out e-mail additions of the paper every Friday to those who subscribed. “Right now we are at 1,212 subscribers on the email paper subscriptions,” Mashburn said. Mashburn said he has a few ideas for future additions to the website. “Flickr will become a big thing next semester,” he said. “There has always been talk of blogs and of course the podcast will still be there. We are just trying to get everything we were originally doing back up and running.” Powell said Mashburn has done a great job with working on the website and other online activities. “I think that Riley has done good keeping up with everything; designing new pages and making a completely new design,” Powell said. “The staff thanks Riley for being a great tech man.”


FEATURES

Friday, April 26, 2013

Page 5

Photos by Adam Sauceda

Five girls, one dress; let the drama begin Audience will “connect” with the relatable play

Terrence Cain Staff Writer

Arts of ASU will bring Alan Ball’s “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,” on April 25 at the Modular Theatre. Ball’s play is set in the 1980s, and it is about an ostentatious wedding reception at a Knoxville, Tennessee, estate where five bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom, attempting to avoid the proceedings below. Sharing the stage with an almost all female cast is one man named Tripp, played by Tyler Tennell. “It’s one of the first times, in a long time, that I’ve been able to step into a romantic role,” Tennell said. “It’s a nice balance to play this kind of a role from the other roles I’ve played this semester.” “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” is a more mature play with depictions of drug use, mild nudity, adult language and behavior. The play, however, is far

more complex than those themes give it. Maggie Hogan, who plays Meredith, said this play has helped bond the thespians and guest director, Cathryn Sanders, together. “It was just a joy to work with someone [Sanders] who you haven’t worked with before because it gives you a new angel at learning what you love to do,” Hogan said. “We have taken on a strong bond of sisterhood among the cast, and I feel like I’ve gotten four more friends.” The bond that the girls have formed has not left the only male in the play out in the cold, however. “At first as a guy you’d think that would be an ideal dream,” Tennell said. “As we got to know each other we began to feel more like a family, and I feel very protective of them and see them more like they’re my sisters.” Sanders is a relatively new theatre director at ASU, but has been working with various theatres all over the country for the last fourteen years. “I’ve directed in Missouri, California, and New Mexico with different troops that I have been a part of,” Sanders said. “I’ve taught theatre from sixth grad-

From above: Jordon Shocklee (Trishia), Morgan Slaughter (Georgeanne), Deborah Valcin (Mindy), Magdalena Hogan (Meredith), Chloe Casuy (Frances) and Tyler Tennell (Tripp) are the cast of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. The play will run April 25-27 and May 2-4.

ers to college-level, and I’d say that teaching college level is my favorite.” Jordon Shocklee, who plays Trisha, said she feels right at home with the character she plays. “Oddly enough I always seem to end up with these kinds of characters,” Shocklee said. “The one difference, however, is that I am not a lead character this time. I just get to kind of sit back and let others lead and that’s definitely different for me.” Morgan Slaughter, who plays Georgeanne, said that the characters in the play are ones that the audience will connect with because their stories are so relatable. “It’s got a lot of stuff that people have gone through,” Slaughter said. “I think people will be able to connect with this play a little more than others we’ve had in the past because of that.” The play will run from April 25 – 27, showing at 8 p.m. each night, and again on May 2 – 4, at 8 p.m. There will be one matinee performance on April 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale in the Carr Hall. Student tickets are $3, non-students $4 and adults $8.


FEATURES

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Asian-Pacific Islander Celebration

Photos by Nadia Sabroso

In commemoration of Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month, students celebrated with Hawaiian cultural games, refreshments and entertainment provided by Tropical Productions.

4 panelists brought to speak at 28th annual symposium Symposium focused on vases Allison Price Managing Editor Hand-crafted ceramic vases made by students were on display at the 28th annual ceramics symposium Friday, April 19, featuring four panelists who shared their experiences with the audience. Assistant professor of art Esteban Apodaca has been involved with the symposium for 24 years and will continue to be involved. “I enjoy doing it,” Apodaca said. “I am usually the [behind-the-scenes] of the symposium, and I put together the luncheon and the university part.” Senior Horacio Casillas has been involved with ceramics since the Spring of 2011, and his piece was displayed at the symposium.

“The symposium is a great opportunity for students to show off their pieces, and it looks great on resumes,” Casillas said. Apodaca said that each year comes a new assignment. Last year students created figurines and the symposium was titled “small figures.” “Last year I created a gnome-like figurine and the year before that, we made figurines hang from the wall,” Casillas said. Apodaca said a total of 1500 works were entered for the symposium, but only 125 works were put on display. “My vase was 20 inches tall with impressions and coils protruding from the impressions,” Casillas said. The 4 panelists that spoke at the symposium were Susan Toomey Frost, Mark Shaprio, Keith Kreeger and Claudia Reese. The panel moderator was Howard Taylor, director of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.

“We invite these artists, and they come to speak about the work they have done,” Apodaca said. The vases were on display from April 2 through the 22nd. “On the last day of display, flowers were placed inside the vases to add life to the pieces,” Apodaca said. “HEB donated flowers and some flower arrangements.” Apodaca said he does repair work on ceramic work sent in from out of town. “Work that comes in could have breakage and my job is repairing those damages,” Apodaca said. “I do restoration for the museum, and it is the best part of my job.” Casillas said he will continue to work with ceramics after he graduates. “I plan to pursue my masters of fine arts degree in ceramics within the next two years,” Casillas said.

Photo cou

rtesy of E steban Ap o

Photo courtesy of Esteban Apodaca

daca

Photo by Nadia Sabroso

Ceramic vases made by students were on display April 2-22. On the last day of display, flowers were added to each of the vases.


OPINIONS

Friday, April 26, 2013

Hanging by a string

Adam Sauceda Staff Writer Corruption. Revenge. Deception. Ambition. Loyalty. Suffering. Greed. Lust. Love. Temptation. Guilt. Jealousy. Judgment. Conflict. Manipulation. Betrayal… No I’m not talking about any of Shakespeare’s sonnets. I’m talking about an average day in my life. I usually confront most of these things by lunch time in college. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to pass myself off as the victim of all these things because Lord knows I’ve dealt my share. I can hold a grudge like a wounded baby gazelle in the death-locked jaws of a crocodile, but the last year and a half

has been quite the roller coaster for me. I was struggling, questioning, doubting and wondering if I’m a hero, villain, or just another victim in the pure drama that unfolds in front of my eyes that I call a life. Just about a year ago, I was starting to bottom out and an important influence in my life told me something. She told me that I “was more.” It sounds strange out of context, but she was quoting a song. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it in time to save our friendship, but I did before I could convince myself that I was permanently this “villain” I had become at the time. I still crashed and burned, metaphorically speaking, but one late night nine months ago, in my selfloathing, I came across this girl named Lindsey Stirling on YouTube. I’ve been infatuated by a girl’s talent and beauty before, I am only human after all, but there was something different about her. I clicked on her first video, and I was instantly hooked. This girl could dance, play the violin, sing and she was funny. By the end of the night, I had watched every video on her channel. I learned in one of her interviews that she had struggled with her own personal demons in college. I would have never guessed that she was struggling while she was playing her violin. After watching her videos daily for three months, I decided for the first time

How do you plan on spending your summer?

“I’ll be taking summer classes and exercising a lot to get fit.”

Anabel Ramirez Freshman

Page 7

working through problems one note a time

in my life I wanted to express myself through music and more importantly, the violin. I went to Hastings, bought a cheap violin with the “Teach Yourself” book and went at it. I was convinced the neighbors thought I was running some sort of dog/chicken fighting ring out of my apartment, but I couldn’t put that cheap piece of laminate wood down. A month after I bought my violin, I found an amazing instructor who played with the passion and skill that I wanted so desperately (Jealousy, see? Told you.), so she started giving me lessons, and slowly but surely, I started gaining skill and knowledge. I was in my own little world where it was just us and the violins, and for an hour on Thursday afternoon, all those issues went away. I don’t dare call myself a violinist though. I can look at music, play through it horribly chopped and at a painfully slow pace with my instructor pointing out the finer details. Once I memorize the notes, I can play it at a recognizable and enjoyable speed, but what kind of violinist can’t read music? I don’t care. When I’m alone, I put Lindsey Stirling on my iPod and bow along. I’m sure if anyone can hear me, they would call the police for animal cruelty, but to me, Lindsey and I are playing a concert for the heavens. An hour of playing can undo an entire week’s worth of frustration and

“My plans are to work all summer and keep making more art.”

Michael Reyes Junior

“I’ll be going back to Korea to spend time with my family.”

Jieon Noh Junior

doubt or anything else I’m struggling with. A friend of mine asked me when I would feel good enough to play in front of people. I told him I don’t care to play for people. He asked me what the point of playing was then, and I told him that I played to escape the world and the people in it. The last thing I want to do is stand in front of it and be judged on whether I was good enough, or whether I played something the way they wanted me to. That’s just my reason. It doesn’t have to be anyone else’s. It also never fails that while I’m playing, I think of those words, “you are more,” and I realize that I am. Maybe she’ll never believe that again or anyone else for that matter, but I do. Isn’t that the important thing after all? What I really wanted this column to be about was how playing the violin saved me from my doubts and insecurities when I was hanging by a string. Now that I’m done, I laugh because I don’t even know if writing it all out makes sense to me, let alone anyone else. I know for a fact that these black and white words don’t capture my experiences, struggles, and victories in the last year. All well, I guess that’s why I have the violin and we all have music because like French author Victor Hugo said in one of my favorite quotes, “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

“I plan to go study “I’ll be staying here in abroad in China, then San Angelo and going work until July and to summer school.” then go back home to Amarillo.”

Cole Piper Senior

Jessica Martinez Freshman

Ram Page Staff

2012-2013 Angelo State University Editor: Mariah Powell Managing Editor: Allison Price Copy Editor: Rachel Riggs Online Editor: Riley Mashburn Staff Writer: Stephen Cogan Staff Writer: Terrence Cain Staff Writer: Adam Sauceda Circulation Manager: Mariah Powell Photo Editor: Adam Sauceda Photographer: Nadia Sabroso Advertising Manager: Kaitlynn Glendinning Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas 76909-0895 Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Newsroom: (325) 942-2323 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.

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SPORTS

Page 8

Friday, April 26, 2013

A sport of lifelong friendship and brotherhood 11 seniors reflect on their time with the Rams Stephen Cogan Staff Writer ASU saw 11 seniors on the Rams baseball team say goodbye to Foster Field and goodbye to the loyal fans of ASU on April 14 as they won their final home game of the season. A 9-5 win over Tarleton State University gave the Rams a fitting last memory as they were honored with food and emotional speeches about their time at ASU before and after the game with their families. “I was the middle child growing up,” LaCombe said. “There were five before me and five after, so there was always plenty of people in the house. It was awesome growing up with them.” What made life more awesome was how devoted LaCombe’s parents were to their children’s interests and how they tried their hardest to be at every one of the sporting events to support them. “Baseball’s always been a part of our family,” LaCombe said. “My younger brother plays. My older brother played a little bit. Everyone’s been around the game a lot and everyone enjoys watching it.” LaCombe’s and his 10 fellow seniors, have a variety of paths they intend to go on as they graduate from ASU and start their new lives. LaCombe’s next role will be a full-time citizen of San Angelo as he said he intends to, “put down roots” here and will look into banking for a career. Senior outfielder Lee Neumann said he’s been studying animal science, but he still hopes to keep playing baseball at the next level as an MLB prospect. Neumann has the talent to make it as an MLB prospect, but a torn UCL in his elbow has hampered him

this season and could hurt his chances. “If he can get healthy, I definitely think he can get drafted,” Jeremy Bryant ASU’s radio play-by-play announcer said. Bryant has been covering ASU’s baseball team as their announcer since the team came into existence in 2005. Neumann said he’s going to take it a day at a time and enjoy spending time with his girlfriend. “It’d be nice to play after Angelo,” Neumann said. “Who wouldn’t want to play in the minors in pro ball?” Senior catcher Nate Alter said he’s happy to have lived the dream of playing college baseball and speaks for all the seniors when he says what his greatest memory is. “My greatest memory would have to be winning the Lone Star Conference Tournament this past year against Tarleton State University,” Alter said. “Best moment was when Tate Allison hit the bomb (home run) to put us up.” Every graduating senior was a part of that championship team, so every one of them will leave ASU with a beautiful blue conference championship ring to wear. However, the season isn’t over for the Rams, but it has gone by fast for them; especially for senior pitcher Bryant Rutledge, who will try to be a graduate assistant in sports management next year. “It is my fifth year in school, and it seems like yesterday I was a freshman and putting my college uniform on for the first time,” Rutledge said. “This season has gone by really fast too, but hopefully we’ve only played about two-thirds of ours season.” The Rams still have to finish the regular season and play in the Lone Star Conference Tournament. The tournament will be held in Canyon, Texas, from May 3-5, and if the Rams win that, they qualify for the NCAA D-II Regional Tournament where they can play for a national championship.

Softball takes two out of three on Senior Day weekend Senior players are grateful for memories Stephen Cogan Staff Writer

whole year. Davis will graduate in December and will try to become a physical therapist. “I’m thankful and glad I was able to help my team.” Davis said. “They are great people and great teammates, and I’m just thankful for getting a chance to do what I love on Senior Day.” However, there is possibly no one more grateful for their time here than senior outfielder Amanda Wilhelm, who made her point eloquently. “It has definitely been the best four years of my life,” Wilhelm said. “I’m eternally blessed to have played softball here. God had a plan when he sent me here to San Angelo. I really appreciate what he’s done for me. These four years have been absolutely incredible.” Head Coach Travis Scott is used to Senior Days by now, but they still have mixed emotions that come with them. “It’s bittersweet,” Scott said. “They’re a good group of seniors, and it is always good to honor them, but at the same time that means that their time is limited here and I hate to see them go.” Scott said that he was extremely proud of his team, and they intend to finish the year strong and try to get into the NCAA D-II National Tournament by winning the Lone Star Conference Tournament held May 3-5 in Canyon, Texas. The softball club has a motto, “Once a Rambelle, always a Rambelle,” and the women will live by that, and they’ll say the same the same thing that Kacie Easley said, “I’m proud to be a Rambelle.”

The ‘Belles won two out of three games against Tarleton State University in their last home series of the season over this past weekend and are drawing closer to the Lone Star Conference Tournament. The ‘Belles won Saturday’s game 9-1 and split Sunday’s Senior Day doubleheader with a 11-9 win and a 7-5 loss. The final series was not only emotional, exciting and memorable, but also historic as senior catcher Kacie Easley broke Macy Baker’s all-time home run record with a towering blast over the fence that was her 40th in her illustrious career at ASU. “It felt great that I was able to accomplish that on Senior Day,” Easley said. “It felt great to do it in front of my friends and family.” Easley has recorded 16, six, 10 and eight home runs in her four years at ASU respectively. “I love softball,” Easley said. “I’ve played this game ever since I was a little girl, and I’ve have the good fortune to meet some fantastic people along the way. I’m proud to be a Rambelle.” Easley will graduate with a degree in English and intends to obtain her master’s degree. Easley said she will miss the aspect of a team and the competitive nature of the sport the most. Two other seniors had amazing days that helped the team win. The ‘Belles were 4-1 in the final week of home games thanks in large part to senior outfielder Lauren Smith’s bat. Smith hit four home runs, batted in eight RBIs, scored six runs and stole three bases average in what was the best week of her collegiate career. Smith hit for .500 and was awarded the Lone Star Conference’s Hitter of the Week award for the second time this year. “I wish I could’ve been here all four years of my career,” Smith said after the final game. “I transferred here for my junior year and I just felt right at home here.” Smith will graduate in May and said she will head home to Waxahachie, Texas, and look for a job there with her business degree. Senior Britney Davis played her heart out on Senior Day, recording three hits, stealing three bases and scoring four Photo by Adam Sauceda runs over the doubleheader Freshman Ambra Hill slides into second base just as her opponent catches the playing sparingly over the ball.

However, win or lose, senior first baseman McKinnon said he’s been blessed while being here at ASU and has enjoyed the brotherhood between him and his teammates. “Without it, baseball wouldn’t be enjoyable at all,” McKinnon said. “You get close with the group of guys here. If you had 40 individual guys, it wouldn’t be a great team, but it is 40 guys who work together. Half of us go eat together and do homework together; it’s that brotherhood that becomes more than baseball. I’ll have relationships with these long after I’m done with baseball.” Head Coach Kevin Brooks said that baseball is game that produces that deep kind of friendship that all the players have on the team. “Baseball’s a slow-moving game to people but it allows relationships to develop during games and during practice,” Brooks said. “It lends itself more to lifelong friendships than probably any other sport.” Even Brooks has been impacted by these 11 seniors, and it will a sad goodbye when the season finally does end. “It’s been a privilege to coach all those seniors,” Brooks said. “They are great people and great baseball players. They helped me become a better person; definitely going to miss them.”


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