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Ram Vol. 86 Issue 15
ASURamPage.com
Rams saddle up for 88th stock show & rodeo Students and faculty stampede into the fair for ASU Day
Mbulelo Maqungo, staff writer
Feb. 7, 2020
What’s in store! Baseball Pg. 2
Tennis Pg. 2
Away games update Pg. 2
Sidewalk Survey Pg. 3
Ax on ‘Flix Pg. 3
A thankful start Pg. 3
Black History Month Pg. 4
ASU students, staff and faculty on Feb. 1 filled the Foster Coliseum fairgrounds for ASU Day at the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo. All members of the ASU community gained free admission to the fairgrounds when the midway opened at noon. Before that, the people of San Angelo lined the streets to watch the annual parade that marks the start of the fair. From the amusement rides to the signature eateries, the San Angelo community engaged in one of its more popular traditions. “I’ve been coming to the fair all my life,” junior Samantha Bird said. “When I was younger, watching the parade and getting all dressed up was the best part, but now, I just love enjoying the time with friends and family.” Howard College student Kayla Lowrance said she was excited to bring her daughter to the rodeo. “This could be the earliest parade and rodeo my daughter Braelyn will remember, so it’s cool to see her doing the same things I did when I was her age,” she said. According to their website, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo began in 1932 with the goal of promoting community growth and agricultural education for the youth of Texas. From steer wrestling and bull riding to petting zoos, showing contests and cooking competitions, the annual event grew
from a few West Texas community members into a showcase of talent and fun for people across the world. “San Angelo’s rodeo has always had a different energy to it compared to others,” said Maverick Potter, who has nine years of bull riding experience. “This competition in particular is the definition of what I like about what I do.” Dr. Brian May, ASU president, assisted with the roping events. May has been involved with the rodeo committee for over 25 years. The stock show and rodeo gathered decorated competitors from all across the world for all events. Families like the Wright family from Milford, Utah, were present and put on a show for the audience. “I didn’t get the results I wanted tonight, but this rodeo has always been a great one to me,” 21-year-old champion bronc rider Ryder Wright said. “I love the crowd.” Wright currently holds the title of the youngest bronc riding champion in the world. Stetson Wright, his younger brother, made his start at bronc riding similar to Ryder and their accoladed father Cody Wright, but has found recent success in bull riding. “My favorite part of all of this is being here with my family,” he said. “We’ve all usually had good luck when it comes to San Angelo and it makes coming to Texas great.”
Amongst the hustle and bustle of riders, their support teams, and fans can be found the hundreds of “Rodeo Ninjas” who keep the show operating smoothly Kevin “K.C.” Collins, assistant ASU tennis coach, has been organizing a diverse catchall group of volunteers and agricultural workers for the rodeo committee for over 24 years. “If you’re marketing to everyone who already loves rodeos, you’re marketing to no one,” Collins said. “We want to make an event for people who haven’t been exposed to this kind of things. We add so many elements to diversify the show and, thanks to ASU being such a big part of San Angelo, we have the insight to make this something more than your grandfather’s rodeo.” The festivities will continue at the Foster Coliseum and Fairgrounds until Sunday, Feb. 16.
Photos by Cora Bishoppetty: (Right) A cowgirl opens the rodeo by presenting the flag to the audience. (Top) An equestrian team raises the Texas flag as they ride through the arena.
The price of posting
Counseling services discusses social media and its effect on mental health Ixchel Sotelo, staff writer
ASU counseling services gave a presentation titled “The Psychological Impact of Social Media” on Jan. 29 in the Houston Harte University Center. Mark Rehm, director of counseling services, presented the negative and positive effects of media platforms. The presentation featured videos on the topic, correlations between mental health and social media and statistics regarding cyberbullying. “Excessive social media usage has shown to lead to higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem issues,” Rehm said. “Also, there are many great benefits of social media and we just wanted to discuss those that have a healthy interaction.” Graphic by Dominic Rodriguez
Rehm displayed a series of questions regarding the audience’s social media habits and encouraged a group discussion about them. “I think it is something that people should be aware of because everyone uses social media, especially in college,” senior Desiree Bell said. “Our generation, we were raised on using it, but I think we need to be aware of the psychological effects. When we are using it, we should use it in a positive way because we are in control of how we use it, not it controls us.” According to the presentation, 74% of the U.S. population has an active social media account, making it a modern epidemic. “We’re not saying social media is bad,” Rehm said. “We are saying to just be aware of overusing it and if you ever have any stress due to it, we would be glad to talk to you at the counseling center.”
2 Sports
2.7.2020
Rams open season with a three-game sweep Rams baseball beat the Greyhounds in tournament
Jeremiah Devereaux, staff writer
ASU Rams baseball team emerged victorious in a three-game series from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 against the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds. In the first game, both teams went scoreless in the first two innings, until senior Josh Elvir sent sophomore Jordan Williams home after a double, which gave the Rams a 1-0 lead. ASU picked up the pace in the fourth inning, scoring five runs, and again in the eighth,
putting up an additional four runs. The Rams defeated ENMU 10-1. The second game turned out even better for the Rams. ASU finished the game with a score of 26-3, which tied the program record for most runs in a game. Junior Aaron Walters led the team with five RBIs in two appearances at the plate and scored two runs himself. Elvir scored four runs, four RBIs and one home run. Senior Nicholas Novak had four runs scored, one RBI and one hit. ASU ended the final game in the bottom of the seventh inning on the mercy rule with a score of 10-0. Senior Josh Barnett pitched six innings, striking out five batters, allowing two hits. This concluded the series with ASU beginning the season with a record of 3-0. The Rams will return home to compete against Cameron University in a three-game series from Feb. 14-16. Photo by Cora Bishoppetty: Tyler Mendoza, senior, accomplished two assists on the field and one home run at the batting plate in the game on Feb. 1.
Tennis team falls to Tyler Junior College The Belles interpret loss and look to improve
Ixchel Sotelo, staff writer
The Belles tennis team on Jan. 31 faced Tyler Junior College for their first exhibition match of the spring season and lost 4-3. “I thought today was great,” Chris Bizot, head women’s tennis coach, said. “This is exactly the type of exhibition match we were looking for. It was good for us.” Doubles partners Valentina Gonzalez and Ena Ovcina won their match by a score of 6-2. The Belles claimed all three of their points in the singles category on courts one, five, and six. Junior Zoe Gubbels defeated her opponent in three sets. Gubbels won set one 6-0, but lost the second 6-3. She came back in set three to take a 6-3 victory for the Belles. “You have to get there, stay positive and fight point-by-point,” Gubbels said. “I feel like every single practice we feel like we
need to have a good attitude and not slack off because every practice counts.” Graduate student Anna Schneemann secured her win in two straight sets. Schneemann took the first set in a 7-5 victory and won the second set 6-2. Gonzalez claimed the final match point with a three-set victory. She lost the first set 6-4, but fought back and took the second set win 6-2. She ended the match with a 6-1 victory. “We are excited,” Bizot said. “We got a lot of girls coming back from last year and this is our third season together. So far, we’ve been able to build on each year and improve, so that’s what we’re looking to do.” Photo by Cora Bishoppetty: Ena Ovcina, swings against Tyler Junior College opponent. Ovcina is a junior from Tidaholm, Sweden.
Away game updates: BBELL ELLEE YYEEA AH H Softball: Tennis: Belles tennis on Feb. 2 win first game of the spring season in Plano, Texas, against Harding University 5-2.
Track:
ASU track and field on Feb. 1 competed in Pittsburg, Kansas. Trenadey Scott, senior, won triple jump with a distance of 12.32 meters. Decio Andrade, sophomore, placed second in weight throw with a distance of 21.09 meters. In section 10 of the finals, the men’s 4x400-meter relay team finished fourth with a time of 3:10.24. In section eight of the finals, the women’s 4x400-meter relay team took third place with a time of 3:45.10. Trpimir Siroki, sophomore, on Jan. 31 established a new school record in the heptathalon at the Texas Tech University Invite. Siroki scored 5,596 points in the event and is ranked second in Division II.
Belles softball on Feb. 2 run rule the Pittsburg State Gorillas at the top of the fifth inning. On Feb. 1, the Belles beat the University of Central Oklahoma, but lost to Augustana College. Belles softball is now 3-2 for the season.
Basketball:
!!! M M E ’ E ’ M M AM RRA M’E A
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Rams basketball on Feb. 1 defeated Texas A&M University-Commerce 72-69. The Rams are now 14-4 overall in the season. Belles basketball on Feb. 1 took a loss against TAMUC 67-78. The Belles are 12-6 in the overall season.
3 Opinion
2.7.2020
Sidewalk Survey:
Do you plan on watching the Oscars? If so, what are you looking forward to the most? If not, how come?
“No, because usually the movies they have in there, I don’t like them. Their movies are the real serious ones and I haven’t seen any of them. Especially that one year they had all these space movies and they kept winning and I didn’t like that.” -Savannah Moore
“No, I’m not. Honestly, because I just never watch it. I’m a big movie-watcher, so I feel like I “No, the views of the actors are far should be watching them, but, too political for people who are not the awards part of the Oscars in the lives of normal, everyday doesn’t really interest me.” Americans.” -Aaron Kelly, junior -Shaun Hawkins, freshman
Ax on ‘Flix
“No, because I don’t have cable in my dorm.” -Cindy, freshman
In this week’s film pick, Axel reviews “Mid90s”
Axel Marcenaro, editor-in-chief Jonah Hill’s directorial debut “Mid90s” is the story of a 13-year-old boy who discovers skateboarding at a troubling time in his life. Stevie, the boy, is fatherless, has an almost absent mother, and a more abusive than average relationship with his older brother. The kids he meets at the skate shop show Stevie what hope and trouble look like as he navigates parties, drugs, girls and true friendship. This movie is a pure ride through nostalgia. Hill uses music flawlessly, avoiding the obvious ‘90s hits and striking the audience with tracks that roll right with the story and right with our ears. Everything from the RZA to the Misfits find a perfect moment in “Mid90s.” Additionally, the wardrobe and props are fantastic, with characters in baggy jeans, striped tees, playing Nintendo and jamming everything on cassette tapes or CDs. The movie also dons a true film look with imperfections in the frames and discolorations in the shadows. “Mid90s” looks and sounds exactly how it should. However, the cultural references in this film are only utilized as support. The real nostalgic feeling comes from a much deeper layer and speaks in the form of what it feels like to grow up, no matter
the decade. No one has to have had Stevie’s exact life to relate to the feelings he held and the experiences they resulted in. As Stevie navigates this strange and lonely time, he only wants to fit in somewhere, a feeling Hill portrays perfectly with honest and sometimes hilarious dialogue that sounds like kids just being kids. I obviously loved this film and the feeling it gave. However, it was not without its issues. For starters, I immediately felt like the actor who played Stevie was a bit too young and, in fact, he was only 11 playing a 13-year-old. I found myself periodically withdrawn from the story as I noticed how comically tiny he was next to his older friends. It didn’t look like a young kid tagging along with the older guys. It looked like a younger sibling who wouldn’t go away. Second, and most importantly, I didn’t get quite enough connection with Stevie’s family in the end. I understand Hill wanted the movie to be about a time when friends take on a larger role than family, but with Stevie’s homelife being so rough, I expected more of a conclusion in that space of his life. It’s not terribly done by any means, but I think if Hill had fleshed Stevie’s family relationship out more, he would have given us a fuller, more complete feeling in the end of the story. Overall, I highly recommend this movie. I think anyone who grew up in or around the ‘90s will love it, while everyone out of that frame may still find a piece of them in a simple coming-of-age tale.
A thankful start to the day Sophia Gravatt, copy editor When I wake up every morning, the first thing I think about is all the stuff I have to do that day. I often think, “Another day of getting up, going to school and work, and then going back to sleep.” I think a lot of people can relate to that. However, what many of us fail to consider most of the time is how lucky we are to have even woken up. We take so much in our lives for granted just because we’re used to it. I’m not saying every person is ungrateful and selfish, but we really don’t spend enough time acknowledging how lucky we are.
People tend to think about what they don’t have rather than what they do. I am often comparing what I have to others. A few days ago, I found myself wishing I had a car as nice as my friend’s and I had to remind myself some people don’t even have cars, and at least I have one. We’re all guilty of doing things like that, but it’s actually really harmful to our mental health. If we shifted the focus to what we’re grateful for, I think we would all be a little bit happier. Now when I wake up, I try to list a few things I’m thankful for, even if they’re small things. It has helped me realize just how much I actually have, and it’s made me more appreciative for my life in general. Life is precious. We don’t know when our last day could be. Be thankful every day.
Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas 76909
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PUBLISHING POLICY
Faculty Adviser Dr. Ellada Gamreklidze
Published every Friday and available on campus and online. The student newspaper of Angelo State University is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its content. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Ram Page welcomes opinions from anyone who would like to share. If you would like to contribute, please email us. Do include your name, major (if applicable) and classification/position. The paper reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and clarity, and all submissions are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel and privacy. Deadline is 5 p.m. on a Monday. Submission does not guarantee publication. Opinions 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.
4 News
2.7.2020
Education, enlightenment on Black history Six panelists discuss Black history through their respective professions Ashley Rodriguez, staff writer
ASU Multicultural and Student Activities Programs and the Multicultural Advisory Council on Feb. 3 hosted an academic presentation in honor of Black History Month. The academic presentation featured representatives of four departments, which included the freshman college, the departments of teacher education, health science professions and communication and mass media. ASU chapters of the NAACP and the African Student Association also took part in the event. Each of the panelists spoke on behalf of the African-American community and the roles they play in their areas of work. Destiny Brown, president of ASU’s NAACP chapter, spoke about the history of the organization, criminal justice reform and education. “We are very active in the community,” Brown said. “I just want to make that known. We’re educating and participating, and that makes us actors in history.” Dr. Herman Howard, communication and mass media department chair, discussed entertainment as education for social change and touched on a documentary about Jackie Robinson. Joyce Mechelle Grooms-Reed, academic coach and early alert coordinator for the freshman college, shared the history and the NAACP chapter of San Angelo. The chapter, which was founded on
Feb. 12, 1909 will celebrate 111 years of existence this month, she said. Next in the program, Dr. Jay Rone Brown, assistant professor, spoke about breast cancer research in the African-American community. “For black women it has remained forty-four percent more likely for them to die from this disease,” Brown said. Dr. Marva Jeanine Solomon, associate professor, explained how many teachers overlook gifted black children. “It’s important for elementary, middle school, high school or college professors that you help teach your kids in whatever profession you’re in so that they can make a difference in the world,” Solomon said. Lastly Caroline Madake, president of the African Student Association, described her cultural background and her experience of earning an education in the U.S. “When you see people of my skin color, you have to wait and hear their story before coming up with commonly inaccurate judgments,” Madake said. “I feel like I learned a lot from being here,” freshman Juma Nijimbere said. “[I learned] more about the history of the background we come from, getting to know the people who paved the way for us to have this much freedom now in 2020.”
Photo By Ian Saint: Dr. Herman Howard, communication and mass media department chair, presents during ASU’s Black History Month academic presentation. A panel of speakers, (seated from left) which included Destiny Brown, Joyce Mechelle GroomsReed, Dr. Jay Rone Brown, Dr. Marva Jeanine Solomon and Caroline Madake, also presented during the event.
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Mission Statement Angelo State University, a member of the Texas Tech University System, delivers undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. In a learning-centered environment distinguished by its integration of teaching, research, creative endeavor, service, and cocurricular experiences, ASU prepares students to be responsible citizens and to have productive careers.
Vision Statement ASU strives for excellence by fostering an innovative, collaborative, and supportive learning environment that enables a diverse student body to achieve success as citizens and professionals. Values Opportunity - Innovation - Engagement
Friday 2/7
Saturday
2/8
-Art Exhibit: SGCI Members Traveling -ASU Softball vs St. Leo University Exhibition 9:00am - 5:00pm M-F (to 12:00pm - 2:00pm *Melbourne, Floria Feb 17) *Carr EFA, Gallery 193 -ASU Baseball at Oklahoma Christian -True Blue Friday 9:15am 1:00pm - 4:00pm *Edmond, OK -ASU Baseball @ Oklahoma Christian -ASU Women’s Basketball vs No. 10 1:00pm - 4:00pm West Texas A&M University *Edmond, OK-Wind Ensemble Concert 2:00pm - 4:00pm *Junell Center 7:00pm *ASU Auditorium -ASU Men’s Basketball vs West Texas A&M University 4:00pm - 6:00pm *Junell Center
Sunday
2/9
-ASU Softball vs University of New Haven 10:00am - 12:00pm *Melbourne, Floria -ASU Baseball at Oklahoma Christian 1:00pm - 4:00pm *Edmond, OK
Tuesday
2/11
-Book-Signing Event: The Authors of “Goodfellow Air Force Base” 10:30am - 12:00pm *Porter Henderson Library -Iheartyosneaks: Shoe Drive & Fundraiser 12:00pm *Outside the UC under the blue canopy -Art of the Heart 6:00pm - 8:00pm *Pop of Color - 602 Orient St.
Monday
2/10
-Panhellenic Council Meetings 5:15pm Weekly (to May 4) *UC 202 -SGA Senate Meeting 7:00pm - 8:00pm *UC
Wednesday
2/12
-UCPC: Spirit & Traditions Committee Meeting 4:00pm - 5:00pm Weekly (to Apr 22) *Houston Harte UC -UCPC: Nighttime Committee Meeting 5:00pm - 6:00pm Weekly (to Apr 22) *Houston Harte UC -Theatre: Evening of Original One Act Plays 8:00pm Daily (to Feb 15) *Modular Theatre, Carr EFA