VETERAN'S DAY
Hannah Owens Managing Editor
From Nov. 4 to Nov. 11 Cameron University held a series of events in celebration of Veterans Day.
At 1 p.m. on Nov. 11 in Veteran’s Grove a formal ceremony took place honoring active-duty and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Located near Howell Hall, attendence included the Lawton Fort Sill publics, veterans and military personnel from various branches of the Armed Forces.
Following a rendition of the national anthem by CU student Grace Norbury, attendees observed a moment of silence to honor those who have served the nation in uniform.
The observance featured a keynote address by Col. Reginald D. White, Commander of the 434th Field Artillery Brigade. White spoke about the significance of Veterans Day, reflecting on his extensive career in the U.S. Army, which began with his enrollment in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1994. Throughout his speech, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans and active-duty service members.
White’s remarks were complemented by a performance from the Cameron University Concert Band, directed by Andrey Cruz, which set a respectful and patriotic tone for the event. The
ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps” by Cameron junior music major Owen Ellis.
Earlier in the day, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., activeduty military members and veterans were treated to a complimentary meal in Shepler Cafeteria, a gesture of gratitude from the university to those who have served. The meal allowed veterans and service members to connect with one another and share stories of their service while enjoying a warm meal provided by the campus dining team.
In addition to the Veterans Day observance, Cameron University hosted Vet Fest, a two-day event on Nov. 6 — 7, designed to celebrate military culture and offer resources to veterans, service members and their families. Organized by the Office of Veterans Affairs, Vet Fest featured presentations, military displays and career resources aimed at supporting veterans in their post-military lives.
On Nov. 6, visitors were treated to an impressive display of military equipment, including Fort Sill’s salute howitzer, the French 75 cannon, and Cameron’s own Big Ollie. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with Fort Sill’s mascots, Big Deuce the donkey and Shortround the goat, and explore robotics demonstrations from the 761st Ordnance Company.
Director of Veteran Affairs Vickie Henson plans the event every year and is always looking to include the community in the events.
"We invite the campus family to come join and the general public come join for the firing and the kickoff too," Henson said. "I try to incorporate many different aspects as possible, a little bit of just plain fun stuff and then some stuff that's more serious but that's helpful."
Vet Fest also included a series of informative talks.
James “Jay” Bynum, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, began the presentations with a discussion on current events affecting Oklahoma veterans. Other speakers, such as NoKeitha Winterbower from Military OneSource and Carry Metkowski, a Forbes Coach Council member, provided valuable insights into resources available for veterans and strategies for professional growth.
On Nov. 7, the festival continued with presentations by local historians and workforce experts. Mark Megehee discussed famous personalities and places from Fort Sill, while historian Amy Ward took a deeper look at the evolution of medical practices from the American Revolution to modern times. Thomas Morland from the Lawton Workforce Center shared information about veteran employment programs, and David Perry from the Muskogee VA Regional Office gave an in-depth overview of the federal hiring process.
The Veterans Affairs Office also hosted a resource fair during Vet Fest, offering veterans and their families critical information about benefits available to them, including healthcare, education and career resources. The Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs played a key role in providing guidance to veterans and their dependents about accessing these benefits and maximizing the support available to them through government programs.
Angela Hardin highlighted the importance of spreading their information to the community.
"We are actually working to try and pinpoint and reach all of those veterans that don't understand that they do have benefits coming their way," Hardin said.
The resource fair emphasized Cameron University’s ongoing commitment to supporting its military-affiliated students and community members, ensuring that veterans and their families have the tools they need to thrive in both academic and professional environments.
For further inquiries, reach out to the Cameron Veteran Affairs office at va@cameron.edu.
Photo by Hannah Owens
Means to Succeed
By Tawny Vanover Staff Writer
Kay Means, Assistant Director of Admissions at Cameron University, embodies a genuine passion for people.
Her story is one of connection, growth, a deep commitment to higher education, and the inspiring hope of bettering future generations for years to come.
Means’ journey at Cameron University started with her beginning her undergraduate degree in accounting in 1978 and completing it in 1982. This marked the start of a long-standing relationship with Cameron University as it became a home away from home after her family moved overseas.
“I chose to stay here and pursue my education at Cameron because it provided a support system that met me where I was,” Means said.
Once Means completed her degree she went on to work professionally within her field. However after years away Means realized that her true calling was in the heart of the Cameron University community.
“I knew I wanted to be on campus because, even though my undergrad is an accounting and a very analytical type thing, as I grew older, people definitely became my passion, specifically students,” Means said.
Means returned to Cameron University and has since committed to bettering students of tomorrow, while also receiving her Master of Science in Behavioral Science from the university in 2015.
In her current role as Assistant Director of Admissions, Means plays a crucial part in guiding prospective students through the process of joining the Cameron family. As well as serving as a Cameron Presidential Leaders University Scholars (PLUS) advisor, Means has committed to nurturing positive relationships with prospective and current students interacting with people every day.
Senior English Major and PLUS Scholar Kaley Muse said that Means has had a memorable impression on her since the beginning of her journey as a Cameron student.
“She was our sophomore year PLUS advisor,” Muse said. ”She was really great. She’s very kind-natured and just open and wanting to help and very much there when you need her.”
In recognition of her dedication to
the University, Means received an ACE (Achievement Centered Employee) Award in October. This award, given monthly to a deserving staff or faculty member on behalf of the On-Campus Alumni Committee, recognizes admirable contributions to the Cameron University community.
However, Means said that the recognition, though appreciated, is not a necessity.
“Music is important to me, and there’s a song that is basically this message and the song is ‘I can sing the background,’” Means said. “I am all about undergirding and lifting up and being there to support other people; I don’t need the spotlight, and I don’t need to be center stage.”
However, despite her humility, Means bears a light at Cameron University that others are proud to recognize.
“I think she’s the best person for the job because I think she’s the first person people see when they wanna come to Cameron,” Muse said. “She actually was my tour guide at orientation... so she very much is perfect for the job because she’s the first person you see and she’s very kind and open and, you know, sunshiny, perfect.
Cameron University not only holds a special place for Means, but also for several members of her family, as her mother, sister, niece, brother-in-law and son all earned their degrees from the
institution.
“It’s become very important to our family, and it’s just a great place to have your needs met,” Means said.
In her free time, Means loves to spend time with her grandchildren and serve in her church.
“My free time is definitely my family,” Means said. “It is definitely my family and my faith. We are blessed beyond measure to have both my sons and their families right here in Lawton, and that means that my grandchildren are right here in Lawton.”
Photo by Tawny Vanover
Lawton,” Means said.
Means reiterated that she has found her true purpose of uplifting others and accomplishes that through her work at Cameron University.
“In working with students for a total of probably, oh gosh, 40 years now, in different venues, I see the potential in students and I see what they can be,” Means said. “So I want to be there for somebody else. I want to be that encouragement.”
“I knew I wanted to be on campus because, even though my undergrad is an accounting and a very analytical type thing, as I grew older people definitely became my passion, specifically students,”
Means commitment to her faith also plays a significant role in her life, serving as both a guiding principle and a source of service to others. In addition to teaching Sunday school, she embraces the opportunity to serve through music.
- Kay Means Assistant Director of Admissions
“My faith in my church and the young ladies that I teach Sunday school to are very, very important to me, and then music is very important to me, and I am a part of the praise and worship band at First Baptist Church here in
Looking toward the future, Means hopes to continue serving others through her position on campus and within her community.
“I think it’s an exciting time for Cameron,” Means said. “I feel like there’s an upswing in enthusiasm on campus with just different reasons and different things. And with a new president coming in, we’ll all get to jump on the enthusiasm with that position. And honestly, I feel like there are some good days ahead for Cameron, I really do and I want to be here for them.”
When students give back we gain more
By Alyssa Martinez News Editor
Many students choose to give back to the Lawton community and Cameron University, whether it’s choosing to spend their spare time volunteering with nonprofit organizations, or donating their skills, energy and talents in and around campus.
The mutual benefits of these exchanges make the investments worth it, by building personal and professional skills, networking
opportunities and making a positive impact in surrounding communities.
Volunteering can help students learn valuable communication skills that encourage interactions with others, as well as adaptability, creativity, teamwork and more. Building these important skills will help students when they join the workforce and become professionals in their fields.
The Student Support Services (SSS) office provides guidance and resources to those eligible, including first generation college students.
SSS offers information on
volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community.
SSS Guidance Specialist Cathleen Dutton finds it rewarding to have done something that enriches the lives of others.
“It gives you this … good feeling when you’re able to go out and help other people,” Dutton said.
In Comanche County, there are a number of nonprofits that rely on volunteers to run efficiently. Organizations include the Lawton Food Bank, Our Blood Institute, Family Promise of Lawton, Lawton Animal Welfare and many more.
Students can also volunteer their time on campus such as the annual flag planting, run through the Office of Veteran Affairs. The event is meant to honor Veterans and Active Duty Service members every year by planting over 7,000 American flags before Veterans’ Day and Vet Fest.
Finding a non-profit that aligns with the values of a student might seem daunting, but students can reach out to Community Resource Coordinator Francesca Morris for ideas. Morris connects students with many nonprofits in the area and finds that students
gain more enjoyment when they volunteer with an organization that they enjoy.
“If you’re volunteering for something that aligns with your interests or your professional goals, you’re probably going to get more enjoyment out of it,” Morris said. “If a student doesn’t know where to start, I would encourage them to come and talk to me. I would love to be able to help them find an organization that meets their interests.”
When a student decides to volunteer their time and effort back into the community, everyone involved gains something valuable.
PAC/Magic Lantern Fall Movie Nights
By Julian Ebacher Staff Writer
On Oct. 25, in the Communications Building Room 114 of Cameron University, the Magic Lantern Film Society screened “Clue.” On Oct. 30, Programming Activities Council (PAC) screened “The Ring” in the MCC Ballroom, both as a part of the Halloween festivities on campus.
Dr. John Morris, Magic Lantern Film Society’s faculty advisor, organized and put together the event with the help of student members. The event provided a substantial amount of refreshments and a raffle for all attendees.
Morris preceded the film with a cast list and the more recognizable films they would appear in, especially giving note to the director, Jonathan Lynn, who would go on to make “My Cousin Vinny,” and the composer of the score, also named
John Morris, who wrote the score for such films as “Young Frankenstein,” “Blazing Saddles” and “The Elephant Man.”
A nominal mystery, a determined comedy, and an irreverent deconstruction of the genre, Clue is based on the Hasbro board game of the same name, features an ensemble cast who attempt to figure out who killed the individual who is blackmailing them all.
Also, this year, for their celebration of Halloween, PAC decided to show the film “The Ring.”
Caryn Stringham, the primary organizer of the event, said they planned a movie night because of the previous event’s popularity.
“The last time we had a Halloween movie night a couple years ago, it was pretty popular, so we started to think about what movies students might like to see, and just kind of went from there,”
Stringham said.
While the turnout wasn’t as significant as when they screened “Scream,” it was still substantial, and that they’re proud of the turnout they received.
A number of students joined in the festivities and refreshments were available. Students also brought blankets and pajamas, in keeping with the nature of the event.
In the end, both of these events were massive successes. Going forward, the Magic Lantern Film Society plans to screen Akira Kurosawa’s “Dreams” on Nov. 15 at the same location. One of the final films from the legendary director, it is an anthology of eight different vignettes, told impeccably by a genuine master of his craft.
PAC plans on doing just a few more seasonal events before they go into their final, and undoubtedly most popular, event of 2024 — the end-of-semester bingo.
STUDENTS FOR LIFE
Julian Ebacher Staff Writer
Dreamwork’s Animation Studios recently released, “The Wild Robot” in theaters to critical acclaim.
A heartwarming tale of growth and death, the cycle of life torn in two, and the fallout that happens when that disruption is foisted upon nature. It asks, “what life is,” and then deconstructs whatever ideas the audience may hold.
It’s also profoundly mediocre, the script wholly lacking the gravitas it needs in order to fully drive that point home.
I do not exactly fault the film for it — clearly, it is meant to be a comforting movie designed for children and those who find themselves despairing in this wonderful world, but it does force the overall message to grasp its meaning.
Regardless, thr film does two things absolutely wonderfully: its animation and its sound mixing. The former is apparent, the latter less so.
Sound mixing discussion has been having a bit of a renaissance in 2024, with some very polarized films combined with a sort of “subtitle culture” skewing the perception of those films.
For those who do not know, sound mixing is the film deciding the various volumes of the different outputs for their finished work. For example, determining which of the microphones in this shot
are louder, and how they relate to the volume of the music.
“The Wild Robot” uses its sound mixing as almost a Steinbeck-esque signifier of optimism in a broken world.
topic. One would hardly expect it to be, given the fact that the audience barely processes it — it’s almost completely taken for granted by modern movie-goers.
The former is a very cute, slice-of-life adventure of the Höss family, as they do ordinary things and as they have Mrs. Höss’s mother over — the
reminder that this world is far too grand, it stands far too divine in order to be affected by the actions of man.
It has a remarkable effect upon the tone of the film, and that tone is one of its most redeeming factors.
Sound mixing made the film what it is. It told the story. Now, it isn’t a particularly flashy
That changed this year, the art being thrust into the public eye with two films that epitomized good and bad sound mixing: Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” and Lord and Miller’s “Across the Spider-Verse,” respectively.
Courtesygraphic
significant distinction being that the family lives just outside of Auschwitz, and the family is that of the commandant therein.
The sound design in general is the saving grace of the film, but the sound mixing in particular is the
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most recognizable factor. Hearing the activities the family engages in combined with the barely audible, immensely noticeable screams in the background is characters. Eventually, the viewer begins to be able to ignore those haunting screams that never truly fade away and focus on the active story that the film tells.
At that point, the game is over. The audience becomes just like the family it follows, with those who are murdered being
nothing more than an afterthought. They are dehumanized, not just in the world this film takes place in, but in the very eyes of the last witness to them. The sound mixing that leads to those cries’ quiet omnipresence is the key to making the film as effective as it is.
The latter, “Across the Spider-Verse” is what happens when you have a popular blockbuster with terrible sound-mixing and the consequences of that. The sound itself isn’t bad; the score received almost universal acclaim, the voice acting was excellent, and they lined up with the visuals in a quite exemplary manner.
Unfortunately, its sound mixing means that regardless of the volume the film is played at, it is absolutely incomprehensible for a good chunk of the runtime. It ends up being a film that almost requires subtitles in order to view it. For many, this was the only complaint they had with regard to the film, but it does mar it in a significant way. Because the actual script is so hard to hear in comparison to the score and sound effects, it dampens the theatrical experience, which the film clearly intended to capitalize upon with the breadth of its beautiful animation.
In conclusion, sound mixing is an integral part of the moviemaking process, if under-discussed.
Serenity Clark Staff Writer
2024 has been a blessed year for music—and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, my favorite indie band from across the sea comes back from tour with an album announcement and a single, with a music video to boot! I guess the Irish really are lucky.
Inhaler announced their third upcoming album, “Open Wide,” out Feb. 7, 2025. Alongside this, they dropped its first single and its accompanying video, “Your House.” The cherry on top came shortly after on Nov. 1 when they announced tour dates too.
Inhaler are a four piece alternative rock band from Dublin, Ireland, consisting of singer Elijah Hewson, guitarist Josh Jenkinson, bassist Robert Keating and drummer Ryan McMahon. The group are longtime friends, and have been making music together since 2012. It wasn’t until 2016 that Inhaler was born, but the group were performing shows before ever having released or even recorded their own music.
I should probably note that Elijah is a nepo-baby; that’s U2 lead singer Bono’s son right there. You’ll hear the similarities in their music, especially in the earlier stuff (I mean this in the most complimentary way possible).
The group began releasing singles in 2018, but the first to really blow up was “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” released March 2019. Shortly after that, in May, the group released their next single and next big hit, “My Honest Face.” These are their top two most streamed songs on Spotify to this day.
Inhaler put out their first full length album in July 2021 and named it “It Won’t Always Be Like This” in honor of the song’s success and its relevance to the content of the album itself. Not even two years later, in Feb. 2023, the band released their sophomore album “Cuts & Bruises.”
Now here we are, a year and a half later, and Inhaler is dropping music again. This group does not mess around, and I envy their seemingly neverending creativity. Where does it come from? What is in that Irish water?
Three weeks ago, Inhaler posted a quick threeminute video titled “Third time’s the charm,” full of an array of not-so-randomly-chosen shots. There are shots in the studio, shots talking to producers, mentioning tour, Eli singing in front of a night vision camera.
At the end of the video, there is a man speaking although we can’t see him. He says, “You know what sound you want to come back with, and that’s
NEW ALBUM
Courtesy Photo
important to you.”
They let the anticipation simmer until the release of the first single from this new era: “Your House” on Oct. 29.
“Your House” is an electrifying continuation of Inhaler’s sound from their last album, “Cuts & Bruises.” They’ve always had an alternative sound, but it wasn’t until 2023 that the group started implementing more and more bass into their sound–and I will always say embrace the bass.
Oppositely, the chorus is light and dancey, accompanied by bright piano and a high choir of people sounding like it came straight out of a 2000s rom com.
The accompanying music video shows us a woman storming through the streets with a briefcase in hand, making sure to smack it against every obstacle in her path.
Inside the briefcase is Elijah, loosely tied up and bloodied. All the damage done to him has undoubtedly been caused by the thrashing of the briefcase.
The only glimpses he gets of the outside world are through the cracks in the case–yet the first close up of his face, Elijah smiles a bloody smile into the camera.
At one point, she tosses the briefcase out into the
street, where it is promptly run over by a car driven by the rest of the band. After they finish cursing at her, she just picks it back up and carries on. She tosses the briefcase onto the ground, throws it against the wall. She kicks it across the floor — all while Elijah sings the chorus: “Maybe I sold love / for what it’s worth on the street / there ain’t a sharp enough knife / to cut me out of your life.”
The chorus ends with this damning line: “I’m goin’ to your house tonight.”
Whoever he sold this love to, it’s clear they do not appreciate it.
In fact, it seems rather like they want to be rid of him. Despite the abuse and the damage Eli has undertaken, I’m reminded of his smile at the beginning of the video. Despite all of these aches and pains he has undergone, he’s still going to their house tonight.
At the end of the video, the woman takes a peek inside the case. She sees Elijah and his bruised face — and then she tosses the briefcase into a river.
The song sets a positive, uplifting mood instrumentally and a concerning one lyrically, which has in turn given me very high expectations for this upcoming album.
Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming singles and tune in to “Open Wide” Feb. 9, 2025.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
A darker spin on a Sonic classic
Skylar Teddington Staff Writer
On Oct. 25, the highly anticipated Sonic Generations remake, Sonic X Shadow Generations, is now available worldwide to players across most new-generation consoles and PC.
While this is a remake, the game includes a whole new side to it, which follows Shadow the Hedgehog’s perspective of the events from the original title. His storyline is separate from Sonic’s and just as long, making Shadow’s side of Generations feel like an entirely new game.
Sonic X Shadow Generations retails for close to $50 for the base game, and around $60 for the digital deluxe version. Considering it’s 2 games in one, I would say that’s more than a fair price for both versions. The digital deluxe edition offers players skins for Sonic and Shadow as well as a digital art book. One of Sonic’s skins include a Sonic Adventureesque skin for Sonic, as well as a Terios skin for Shadow, which is based on one of his concept designs.
In addition to that, certain players who bought the digital deluxe version got early access to the game on Oct. 22.
As for the actual gameplay, it’s solid. Sonic Generations has been a highly recommended title
since 2010, and it plays just like the original with some minor changes to parts of the game’s dialogue. The revamps are a nice touch, and fans can replay the game with a fresh set of eyes.
On the other hand, Shadow Generations is a different experience entirely. The bright and happy atmosphere of Sonic Generations is completely gone, and instead replaced with a darker, more serious tone. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to reflect the differences between Sonic, a cheerful character, and Shadow, who’s more solemn. Shadow’s White Space is also considerably different, being openworld rather than a 2D platformer.
I played the PC version of the game during the advanced access period. While the game was two days out from being released, I didn’t experience any glitches or stuttering. The game played flawlessly, and I was able to maintain 60 frames per second during my entire
In addition to that, the levels were fun. From The Ark to Radical Highway, there were seemingly an endless amount of routes to take, especially with Shadow’s new Doom Powers which allow
him to fly, engage in combat, and even shapeshift into a squid that can swing through the air.
The visuals of the game are also excellent — Maria’s model has come a long way since the 2000s, and the game’s lighting is beautiful.
The game has been a resounding success among both critics and players. Most shockingly, the game got a 9/10 from IGN’s Jada Griffin.
“Sonic X Shadow Generations is a fantastic combination of one of the Blue Blur’s classics and a new helping of smartly designed Shadow levels built around his own abilities,” Griffin said, “and after spending some time with it has become one of my favorite Sonic games I’ve ever played.”
I, personally, loved the game. As someone who played through the series’s lowest times, it was nice to see the game become an absolute hit. I had so much fun playing and learning more about Shadow, and it was also great to see Maria and Gerald Robotnik. I think Sonic X Shadow Generations deserves a 10/10.
Courtesy Photos
NOAH ADACHI
By Ramona Villegas Staff Writer
Noah Adachi is majoring in cellular and molecular biology, but he’s also a resourceful, creative dollmaker and writer.
Adachi would be happy as a lab tech after completing college. He finds himself fascinated by research and is especially interested in the genetics branch.
If possible in the future, Adachi is also interested in working at a science museum or an area working alongside children and the public as both a scientist and public educator or activity coordinator.
“Like Bill Nye, the science guy type stuff. You teach, but it’s fun, and it’s exciting,” Adachi said.
Adachi has many creative hobbies, two of which are writing and making dolls. His love for writing started thirteen years ago with a massive story. He uses his art forms to explore his stories in different ways.
Dollmaking was another way for him to develop his stories by literally and figuratively bringing his characters to life.
“Figuring out different ways of how I could create these characters drawing, painting, sculpting now,” Adachi said.
In the beginning of his dollmaking hobby, Adachi started by repainting old dolls, as he saw people online doing by taking children’s dolls and removing the factory paint to paint on their own doll design.
Over a year ago, Adachi decided that he wanted more creative freedom when it came to head shapes, sizes and features. He still does the repainting.
“I like to mix up what I’m working on,” Adachi said.
The first doll that Adachi crafted was a clown named Jelly Bean. Adachi absolutely loves and adores clowns.
“I love them. I like the idea of them. Scary clowns, funny clowns, all of them. I like the colors. I like the shapes. They’re different, they’re unique, they’re exciting,” Adachi said.
Adachi decided to make a clown first not only because he loves clowns but also because he uses many upcycled materials while creating his dolls. He figured
that making a clown would be the perfect doll to start with since clowns tend to have natural patchwork on their outfits.
“I’ll get a whole lot of fabric and stuff that’s just off cuts from other people’s bigger projects. Things that people think they can’t use anymore, and I sew little things, and so I’ll make little objects, little outfits and stuff like that,” Adachi said.
Dollmaking takes practice, and for Adachi, it took many trial and error runs to figure out what works best. This allowed him to grow and learn over time, so each doll is a little bit better than the last.
His first doll, Jelly Bean, is very weak in the body frame since the wire was too thin, but Adachi has since adjusted and started using thicker gagged wire and twisting it to create a strong body frame.
“For the head and hands, I’ll sculpt those out of clay. I’ll use polymer clay, and I’ll just mold them in my hands and stuff like that,” Adachi said. “Sometimes, I’ll use small tools to move stuff around if I need to for detailing.”
After baking the clay in an oven at a low temperature, Adachi paints the doll’s head and hands.
After he gets the pieces from the clay sculpted out, he will attach them to the wire, usually with a two-part epoxy clue so it is secure to the frame.
On the actual wire itself, he uses quilt batting, cuts the batting into thin strips, and then wraps the batting around the wire. He then uses exercise tape to wrap around the batting because the tape is sticky and clings to itself. If he wants to make a doll a little plumper, he’ll put stuffing between the layers and wrap exercise tape around the stuffing.
on a pattern to guide him. Instead he measures out the doll to get an estimate of what he needs.
“The doll kind of tells me what more I need to put on itself. Like as I’m looking at it, I’m thinking you need something else. I need to add something else, and I’ll just kinda dig around my massive collection of random bits and pieces and add things on until I finish it out,” Adachi said.
The end product is about 12 to 13 inches long.
“They’re not huge, they’re typical,” Adachi said. “Because I do them with the wire, I can kinda pose them in different ways. They can stand, they can sit. I can do different things with them.”
Occasionally, Adachi starts his dolls with a simple idea and lets it go from there by using a color, work or theme. For example, one day, he made a candy corn doll inspired by the candy corn theme. His partner, Wyn Jessie, asked him to make a fat doll and wanted it to have flowers and the color pink.
“That gives it a pliable body that I can then put clothes on top of,” Adachi said.
Adachi also makes the outfits by hand, not relying
“Easy enough to be said and done. I went through and sculpted it out and just went wild with it and it turned out nice,” Adachi said. Adachi makes human and goblin dolls because he finds it fun to sculpt the different features.
“The goblins I made tend to have really big noses and big ears because they are less human-shaped, and they also have tails,” he said. “When I make my goblins, they have cute little tails with fluffy bits on the end.”
Adachi enjoys collecting miniature toys, too. He likes to pick out a toy and make a goblin to fit the theme of that toy.
“This one’s got a little tiger, so I made ... a safari tiger theme with him,” Adachi said.
James Jones Staff Writer
On Oct. 11, Director Damien Leone once again made his terrifying return to cinema with his theatrical release of “Terrifier 3.” Being the fourth installment in Leone’s cinematic universe featuring the infamous Art the Clown, “Terrifer” fans and horror fanatics expected a lot from the film.
After watching the film, I think Leone manages to not only satisfy those demands, but also add onto what made the previous films so well received.
The film follows Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) and Jonathan Shaw
(Elliott Fullam) as they try to rebuild their shattered lives. With the holiday season approaching, they attempt to stay in the Christmas spirit with their aunt, uncle and niece Gabbie Shaw (Antonella Rose). This remains shortlived as their nightmare continues with the return of the Miles County killer Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) as he brings death and bloodshed to the people of Miles County once again. The script direction and acting done by the main cast and supporting cast actually made me feel for these characters more than “Terrifier 1” and “Terrifier 2.” The family dynamic between Sienna and her aunt and uncle made me feel for her struggles with
adjusting to life after losing her mother and nearly getting killed.
The interactions between Sienna and Gabbie are very heartwarming and wholesome which further intensifies the moments when Art is around. Even Sienna’s interaction with her brother is emotional as they suffered the same experience. Some gripes I do have are the decisions made in terms of Sienna’s history with her father and Jonathan’s arc within the film.
In this installment, Damien Leone does not hold back when it comes to the kills. Not only are they as bloody and gory as ever, but also, this time around, no one is
safe. This includes men, women and even children. The first ten minutes of this film are a stark reminder of what type of movie viewers are getting themselves into.
Throughout the entire film, each kill is worse than the last in terms of brutality to really hammer in how depraved and monstrous Art is as an antagonist. This elevates him on the evil scale to the horror genre’s greats like Micheal Myers and Freddy Kreuger.
There are two specific scenes that are just shocking to witness and will leave a viewer in awe of how beautifully chaotic it is, or extremely disgusted if gore is not
Adachi’s advice for anyone interested in this art form would be just to start.
“If there’s no rules to follow; there’s no worry about doing it wrong,” Adachi said. “I enjoy it, and I think the major part is just enjoying it.”
For more information on Adachi and his dolls, stories, and more, visit his YouTube channel at https:// www.youtube.com/@KikuWaters.
their forte. What makes these kills effective is the sound design and practical effects. Compared to the previous installments, they have upped their budget tenfold with this sequel.
Special effects artists James Baker and Christien Tinsley brought their A game in the gruesome kills. Faces being ripped off looked like faces being ripped off and bones being broken from limbs looked like bones being broken from limbs.
It looked terrifyingly real and beautifully done that if taken out of context could be mistaken for an actual snuff film. A trusted and excellent team
of sound designers also put in the hard work in making the sound effects of bones being crushed or viscera being ripped from a body uncomfortably realistic. It makes the kills more visceral to witness and adds a cherry on top to the fantastic practical effects.
The combination of these two film aspects created a never-beforeseen experience, in my opinion, that at times made me feel queasy.
“Terrifier 3” at the moment has made ground-breaking records for a niche film by making around $65 million worldwide.
Definitely give this film a watch if slashers and gore are your thing.
Freshman
Photo by Ramona Villegas
Returns from USITCC Competition
Julian Ebacher Staff Writer
Cameron University’s ACTS organization recently participated in the regional U.S. Information Technology Collegiate Conference (USITCC) competition from Nov. 7-9 at Amarillo College.
USITCC is a series of competitions done together at once, among roughly 15 universities and over 200 students in the region.
In PC Troubleshooting, out of a total of around seventy-five students, Cameron students Richard Essig, Belinda Foley, Xavier McClure, Noah Heaverin and Joseph Azpietia all placed in the top ten spots.
In the Security competition, out of approximately eighty-five students, Lance Wallace, Jordan Pack, Xavier McClure, Joseph Azpietia, Richard Essig and Noah Heaverin all landed a top fifteen placement.
President of ACTS Belinda Foley said that she believes that these competitions are a great opportunity
of the competition.”
Regardless, Foley believes that with the practice they’ve had, there has been a direct effort taken in order to address those fundamentals and make it so that participants can reasonably engage with multiple variances during the competitions.
Many individuals who attended the competition were first year students. Before this, only seven students ever competed. Foley said she feels encouraged by the interest from
meaningful connections and care
Ciera Terry Staff Writer
On the 4th floor of north Shepler, Student Support Services (SSS) is a place where CU students can find support of any kind.
Freshman Guidance Specialist Cathleen Dutton said SSS is funded by the Education Department.
“We are on a five year grant, so about every five years, we have to renew the grant, and then they give us money,” she said.
The SSS goal is to help students obtain their first bachelor’s degree, within their first four years of college.
Dutton emphasized that SSS is an overall support system that helps students in any way they can; they provide academic services; advising; and personal, social and financial information.
They have an ongoing mentoring program to help students navigate hardships.
“We try to help students in all areas of their life, academic being number one. But we know that a lot of things interfere with students wanting to be able to get to class and continue their studies, so we try to help pretty much wherever the student is,” she said.
Dutton has been an active member of SSS since 2015.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvements through this program, helping students achieve their goals,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of students, when they first come in, they struggle a lot, and then by the end of their second semester, they’re making leaps and bounds, and it’s like in the blink of an eye, before you know it, they’re walking the stage to graduate — that’s pretty huge,” Dutton said.
The SSS host a variety of events
and workshops all over campus; however, some of those are only open to students in the program.
“We support 235 students at one time, and there is an application process; you do have to apply,” Dutton said. “And there are three criteria that you have to meet, but you only have to meet one of them. First gen, based on income and if you have a documented disability.
“So you can look for the open ones. They’re usually labeled as
bring a friend or open to campus,” she said.
Dutton encourages everyone to apply.
Benetriava Cunningham has been a student worker for SSS for three years.
“I answer the calls; I make appointments; I talk to the students that come up here about the program, and get them any information they might need on one,” Cunningham said.
The SSS made a tremendous impact on on Cunningham.
“School can be hard, and SSS has always been there for me to talk to someone, to have a helping hand, whether it is mentally or financially. They’ve always been there for me,” Cunningham said. Cunningham formed meaningful connections working for SSS
“They care about the students and they care about our well being,” she said.
Matthew Hasley Sports Editor
In an amazing collegiate Overwatch matchup, the Cameron University Pickaxes were victorious over the College of New Jersey (CNJ) Lions Gaming Blue in a 3-0 sweep.
The intense battles spanned across three maps — Oasis, King’s Row, and New Junk City — showcasing exceptional teamwork and standout performances from both teams.
The first game began on Oasis, a control map, where CNJ took the lead early, eliminating Pickaxe Captain Gleis (Sarah Monk) and dominating the first fight.
However, the Pickaxes regrouped quickly, with Gleis, playing as Reaper, and Damage Per Second (DPS) player WinterInParis (Wyatt McClure), playing Genji, delivering a spectacular combination of ultimates to reclaim the point in the fifth fight. Despite CNJ’s attempts to stall with Wrecking Ball in overtime, the Pickaxes secured the first round.
Round two saw the Pickaxes take control early thanks to a key rotation call by WinterInParis.
After a back-and-forth battle, the Pickaxes clinched the game with Azari’s (Marquis Wartley) Kiriko ultimate, Kitsune Rush, turning the tide in their favor.
“We struggled early on and came together to win without losing calmness or arguing,” WinterInParis said.
Game two began on King’s Row, a popular hybrid map amongst the Overwatch community.
On defense, the Pickaxes held their ground, with Gleis’ Junkrat and WinterInParis’ Widowmaker earning crucial early kills.
Despite the Pickaxes early success, CNJ rotated after regrouping, taking high ground and securing the first point.
CNJ then broke through in overtime to push the payload to the second checkpoint but couldn’t complete the map as Jonesy’s (Jones Baskett) timely Ramattra ultimate halted their progress.
“I had a rough start but mirrored their tank, which helped me stay in fights and support the team,” Jonesy said.
Gleis’ Reaper ultimate and Azari’s Kiriko ultimate sealed the victory for the Pickaxes.
“It started off feeling
point. However, CNJ answered back on point two, using multiple ultimates, but the Pickaxes’ DPS duo of Gleis and WinterInParis regained control.
Azari’s Kitsune Rush and a clutch Reaper ultimate from Gleis led to the decisive third point capture, sealing the sweep.
Switching to offense, the Pickaxes capitalized on a similar high-ground strategy devised by Jonesy, pushing the payload efficiently to second point.
“I was nervous going in, but our tank’s confident play proved I had nothing to worry about,” Azari said. “Our DPS were on point, and Frogboi was the key to keeping everyone alive.” Frogboi echoed the sentiment on their triumph.
“We kept calm even though we were struggling at first,” Frogboi said. “I believe that helped us win.”
This victory demonstrated the Pickaxes’ strength and adaptability. While CNJ Lions Gaming Blue presented an impressive challenge, the Pickaxes’ strategic rotations, ultimate coordination, communication and calmness under pressure propelled them to victory.
“We started rolling them and doing good,” Gleis
The Pickaxes continue their playoff run on Wednesday, Nov. 20, against Grace College. Tune in to the Pickaxe’s Twitch stream at www.twitch.tv/ esportscu to see the team compete in the playoffs and showcase their strength in collegiate Overwatch.
