Eternal Flame Fall 2015 WTAMU Truth Behind Tradition by George L. Lozano

ETERNAL FLAME

FALL 2015

TRUTH BEHIND TRADITION

ETERNAL FLAME

Fall 2015

Eternal Flame is published bi-annually by Zip Print, 501 S. Jackson, Amarillo, TX 79101

TABLE OF CONTENTS

“Many men and women have come before you, each leaving their lasting legacy within the walls of this grand institution. Passed down, from generation to generation, are the values and beliefs the founders of West Texas A&M University established. Buffs are people of diversity, yet through our diversity is unifying sense of great pride and admiration for West Texas A&M. We show this pride through our actions and our words; a lasting reminder of those who came before.”

Source: http://www.wtamu.edu/traditions

Buffs Abroad Parental Ties That Bind A Track Star is Born A Living Tradition One Buff’s Story of Service A Heart That Helps International Buffaloes People, Pigs and Prizes The College Kid’s Great Escape

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STAFF

THE

LEADERS

EDITOR

PHOTO EDITOR

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

THE

ASSISTANT EDITOR

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atthew Donaghy is a Senior Corporate Communication major with aspirations of being a high school football coach. This is his fourth semester on Eternal Flame with this being his first as editor, serving his previous two as assistant editor. He is also a member of the communication honor society Lambda Pi Eta. Along with school, Matthew works part time at the Amarillo Gun Club and is a high school basketball referee. When he is not in school or working, he also plays disk golf and enjoys watches movies. Matthew loves seeing the development of first time student writers and photographers as they gain professional and invaluable experience through Eternal Flame.

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Danielle Johnson Kassidy Butler Codi Miller Christian Lucero

eLynn Butler is a Junior Agricultural Media and Communication major with a minor in Agricultural Business and Economics from Littlefield, Texas. She has been a part of the Eternal Flame staff the last three semesters. DeLynn is also a Student Senator from the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Second Vice-President of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and a member of the WTAMU Traditions Council and Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society. Her favorite thing about the Eternal Flame is watching the student staff members work together to create the publication throughout the semester and is always looking forward to the next. Go Buffs!

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Jacie Youngblood Malika Quédraogo Celeste Paulson Ashley Sandlin

iersten Newton is a Sophomore Pre-Med and health Science major, hoping to become an Orthopedic. This is her second semester on the Eternal Flame, with this semester being her first time as photo editor. She is also a member of Wine to Water, a leadership mentor and a certified leader for the Circle of Freshman Leaders, and also the head Social-Chairman for Delta Zeta. Kiersten is also an actress year-round in the sermon series, “Who is this Jesus?” and takes pictures for people in the community. Her favorite thing about working with he Eternal Flame is engaging with staff members, and seeing their improving talent shine through their photography.

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Teresa Herrera Kimberly Cantrell Taylor Riggins Bailey Stickle

eorge Lozano is a graduate student in Business Administration. George worked for the Eternal Flame as a copywriter before accepting the lead designer. George is the Vice President of Advertising and Public Relations for The American Marketing Association at WTAMU. He has worked as a brand ambassador for Mr. Youth, an advertising agency in New York City. He worked as a SpotifyU Campus Influencer, and he also worked for Ubisoft, a video game making company. He learned the artful skills of retouching, commercial, editorial, and typographic standards from industry professionals. He hopes you enjoy the magazine as much as he enjoyed designing it.

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Madie Hensley Zach McMeans Jessie Malacara Kim Bruce—Advisor

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Fall 2015

FEATURED ALEX MONTOYA, ANDREA GUERERO, LAURA DANGERFIELD, BRI LEEPER AND ALLISON MYERS

Women taking a break from tending to the fish they are selling at the five day market in Jeju Island, South Korea.

BUFFS ABROAD

TERESA HERERA

hink of the farthest place you’ve ever wanted to go. Envision being there, standing on one of the seven wonders of the world or on a terrace, overlooking a beautiful ancient city in the morning. Perhaps you’re sitting in a café, nibbling on a pastry while you overhear a conversation in a foreign language, amused by how much you don’t understand. Why haven’t you been to that place yet? What’s stopping you? College students feel pressure and fear from overwhelming financial burden. Burdens and fears keeping dreams of travel on the back burner for students all over campus. However, West Texas A&M University students like Alex Montoya, Allison Myers, Andrea Guerrero, Laura Dangerfield and Bri Leeper believe fear should never hold anyone back from taking part in culture, opening yourself up to different experiences and seeing the world. Alex, an MBA graduate student and a self proclaimed travel nerd, knows how important it is to understand different cultures. His more recent culture immersion took place in China for an internship. From the moment Alex stepped inside the Beijing, China airport, he felt the excitement, accompanied by a twinge of nerves. “At first you’re awe struck. It’s like a honeymoon phase,” he said. “When I

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Fall 2015

landed in Beijing, all I smelled was lake, but in reality it’s just a bunch of smog, but you notice everything. Then jet lag hits and you’re tired all of the time. Then you start getting adjusted to it.” Adjusted to things like a 2014 internship abroad with Ringier Media Company in Shanghai, China. Alex’s tasks as an intern varied, but he feels his time as an editor for foreign magazine articles left him with

speaking English. It’s night time outside, we’re hanging out at this bar on the roof, having drinks; just casual; having a good time. I don’t think you get that anywhere else. I have that here with my international friends, but everyone being from a different country at the same place, at the same group, just hanging out blew my mind,” he said. Those experiences created a love of

Photo by Alex Montoya

“The biggest thing that I’ve noticed is different than the states is the concept of time.”

Alex Montoya, a graduate student, creates video for Ringer Media in Shanghai, China.

the most experience. However, Alex would regard his best moments in China as those he spent with the friends he made there. “I was at a bar hanging out with friends and every single person was from a different country. Yet we’re all together

travel for Alex. As a result, he believes that when you’re truly passionate about something, you should take a chance and make it happen. “I’ve always had this passion for traveling. I don’t know why or where it came

Photo by Laura Dangerfield

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On the Hill of Tara stands the statue of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. In 432 A.D., Ireland was a pagan country. St. Patrick went to the hill of Tara to ask the Pagan king’s permission to spread christianity.

“They think Americans get too involved in things…”

Photo byAllison Myers

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from, but I definitely pursued it and the first thing I did when I came to WT was learn about their study abroad program.” A program Alex feels WT students aren’t taking enough advantage of, explaining how study abroad wants more students to travel and there’s no excuse for those who genuinely want to pursue it. “I find ways to get it paid for. Thankfully there are a lot of scholarships out there. People who complain they can’t afford it, are not believable. Every trip that I’ve been to was paid for by scholarships. So if people are willing and they’re wanting to put in the effort, they can actually get their trip paid for,” he said. Alex also feels there’s no need to be afraid of travel because culture shock can hit anyone during any change of routine. Stating his way of overcoming fear is to immerse himself in the culture and make friends. Still, not everyone is as confident when they travel overseas. Allison Myers, a senior mass communication major, felt the nerves associated with traveling abroad, especially having little knowledge of what to expect. “I was hella scared. I love to travel, but it stresses me. It was just totally different,” she said about interning abroad in Dublin, Ireland. Allison took an internship with One Productions, a corporate video production company for businesses and individuals across Europe, separate from WT’s study abroad program. “I found an internship program called Global Experiences. I saw that you have to apply to be in the program, but once you’re in they match you up with internships as well as supervisors they think you would click with,” she said. Though Allison trusted the internship

Photo by Laura Dangerfield

Fall 2015

program, it didn’t take away her nerves. Sad about leaving the states and her friends behind, she told herself she could do anything for at least two months. Soon after, she was in Dublin having the time of her life. “It’s green and beautiful with rolling hills everywhere. Everything is just so old. I was super excited to see all of the old monasteries and churches and things like that. I was really excited to see the Cliffs of Moher, which I did get to go to toward the end of July. That was really fun and beautiful,” she said. Still, Allison felt homesickness on the 4th of July as she saw her friends on social media participating in various activities. Thankfully, Ireland has a 4th of July festival. Curious, Allison and her Saudi Arabian roommate bought tickets. “It was actually Texas themed. They had Garth Brooks playing, Budweiser, a mechanical bull, a football game and then we watched Top Gun,” she said, amazed that Ireland has such love for America. “They said, ‘if you guys can celebrate Saint Patty’s day, we can celebrate America on the 4th of July’.” However, not everyone shares the same sentiment. WT student and Advertising/Public Relations and Media Technology senior, Andrea Guerrero,

“I was hella scared. I love to travel, but it stresses me. It was just totally different.” experienced a different attitude toward Americans on her study abroad trip to Germany and the Czech Republic. “Some people would say they really like America and would like to visit,” she

DID YOU KNOW? At WTAMU you’ll have study abroad opportunities available for the summer, a semester or even a year. You could also join one of our short-term study abroad experiences with a facultyled group for 2-4 weeks. All this, plus you get course credit and scholarship assistance.

Sources: http://www.wtamu.edu/ academics/study-abroad

said. However, others didn’t feel quite the same way. “They think Americans get too involved in things. That’s one thing our guide was talking about. He’d say we’re too much, too strongly opinionated. He’d also say that we’re fat. They were really honest and weren’t holding anything back.” Still, this didn’t take away from Andrea’s amazing experience. An experience which allowed her to see and be a part of an astonishing culture. “When we were in Prague, we went into the Astronomical Clock that had been keeping time since it was made. It’s old and still runs to this day.” This, and a trip to Neuschwanstein, what the Disney castle was replicated after, were the best experiences for her. However, her trip to the Prague Astronomical Clock was also the biggest misunderstanding she had with the country. “We got kicked out of it, and it was my fault. There was graffiti everywhere in Germany. When we went to Prague, there was graffiti all over the inside of the clock. ETERNAL FLAME

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If they have anything to teach the students at WT, it’s to not be afraid of adventure.

“I think it’s hard to say goodbye in general...”

: N O I T A N I T S E D

per

Lee Photo by Bri

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to complete her Spanish minor. “The biggest thing that I’ve noticed is different than the states is the concept of time. In the U.S., we’re always hurrying, but here they eat late, spend hours at the lunch table, and stay out late. The atmosphere in much of the city is very relaxed, not to mention, the siestas are REAL,” she said. Bri feels grateful to have such an amazing opportunity to study abroad and already feels she’s a part of Spain, a place she describes in a way that would make anyone want to book a plane ticket there. “My favorite part is my neighborhood, Gracia! There are lots of terraces where you can eat outside, artsy shops to buy clothes and nontouristy souvenirs, cafés with great coffee and free wifi, and hipsters everywhere. Also, Park Guell is about a 10 minute walk from my house

I ended up writing it on Jeju. I absolutely loved that destination. I loved everything about that trip.” Laura added that even though she loved the trip, it never got easy to be away from her daughter. However, she kept reminding herself how amazing it is to be in a different country, surrounded by another culture. “I think it’s hard to say goodbye in general, but by the time I got there my whole class was there and the energy was great. Everyone was so excited. It’s hard to keep that from rubbing off on you,” she said. Laura found that a new attitude had also rubbed off on her. She stated that coming back home was difficult because she experienced a form of reverse culture shock. “Over the summer, I yelled at two different strangers about talking down to people who couldn’t speak English. Mainly because I’d been in a country where English isn’t the prominent language. So I know what it’s like to have to struggle with that language barrier,” she said. Laura carries this new attitude in her heart, knowing how difficult it is to adjust in a country that is basically an entirely new world. Bri Leeper, a senior Broadcasting/ Electronic Media major, is also experiencing a new world as she’s in a study abroad program in Spain for 3 months, working

Before, we would write our names on all of the graffiti we saw and it was okay,” she said. She came up with the idea of her group writing their names inside the clock. As soon as she wrote her name, a guard ran up to her group and knocked on the window beside them. “He just started yelling, “No!”, because that’s the only English he knew and we got kicked out. I don’t care because my name’s still in there and I can find it next time I go. Laura Dangerfield, a senior majoring in Mass Communication Advertising/ Public Relations, studied abroad in North Korea for the WT Asia 2015 Trip with Dr. Butler Cain and Professor Kim Bruce. After a class learning how to write international news pieces, Laura traveled to Korea to write about the Haenyeo (pronounce “henyo”) on Jeju Island, who are female divers. She couldn’t wait to see how these women live their lives. “I knew from the getgo that Jeju was going to be the thing. That’s what I wanted to see. That was the culture I wanted to immerse myself in. So I was just really excited that was our first destination. I didn’t get to write my story on the Haenyeo, but 10

L E V A R T D L R O W

Photo by Bri Leeper

“Even though I loved the trip,it never got easy to be away from my daughter.” and it has amazing views of the whole city.” Through her experience in Spain, Bri feels she has refined her Spanish speaking, though she’s had to overcome obstacles with the language. Nonetheless, she feels she has developed the capability to thrive in another country. She said many people in Spain actually speak English. Photo by Allyson Myers

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“But they love it when you can have a conversation with them in Spanish or even better, Catalan! Catalan is a regional language that is spoken primarily in the Catalonia region of Spain, but also parts of Italy, France, and Andorra,” she said. Though Bri will be spending the entire fall semester in Spain, she already feels the looming approach of the end of her time there. However, she’s excited to graduate and share what she’s learning. Thanks to their study/intern abroad experience, Alex, Allison, Andrea, Laura and Bri feel forever changed for the better and have amazing stories to share. All five have had to overcome obstacles and fear and return(ed) with knowledge and gratitude for the opportunity to study/intern abroad. If they have anything to teach the students at WT, it’s to not be afraid of adventure.

INTERESTED IN STUDY ABROAD? Go to: www.wtamu.edu/studyabroad

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Fall 2015

PROFILE NATHAN NUCKOLS

PARENTAL TIES

“With a child in the picture, everything is harder.”

THAT BOND

BAILEY STICKLE

eing a college student is not easy. It’s exhausting staying up late to study for tests and work on the endless piles of homework. Don’t forget about making good grades while only getting 4 hours of sleep in 2 days. Parenting isn’t a ‘walk in the park’ either. A baby screaming at the top of its’ lungs at 3 in the morning and spending so much on diapers and baby food that it seems like you never have a dollar to your name, isn’t exactly what you had imagined. Doing both might seem impossible. However, some people make it work. “Don’t freak out” usually isn’t the start to a conversation that is going to end well. When Nathan Nuckols found out he was going to be a father, that’s exactly how he started the conversation with his best friend. Nathan was nervous but tried to remain calm as he explained his situation. Nathan, a junior music education major, found out he was going to be a father when he was a freshman in college. “It was quite the shock, I thought she was kidding,” he said when the mother of his son told him the big news. “You’ve got to be [explicit] kidding me,” Nathan said. He said he couldn’t believe it was happening and had no idea what he was going to do. He kept thinking, how am I going to get through this? Not only was that hard enough to deal with, he also had to face his parents as well. He said the hardest part about having to tell his parents was the fear of disappointment they would have in him. Nathan didn’t tell anyone that he had

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gotten someone pregnant because it was something that he felt nobody else was going to resolve. He said he had to deal with it himself, with the exception of talking to his friends. At the time, his only option was to put his son up for adoption until his parents offered to take care of his son while he finishes school. Nathan talked to his mother about why he, at first, wanted to put his son up for adoption. He told her there was no way he was going to be able to take care of a baby and go to school. That’s when she told Nathan that if he and his son’s mom decide against adoption, then Nathan’s parents would take care of their son while they’re in school.

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Caleb’s life. Although she is not a student at WT, she is a college student as well and is in roughly the same situation. She sees her son once every few weeks and has her parents help her with Caleb while she finishes school. When he first left for school without Caleb, he said not much was going through his mind. “I knew he was being taken care of,” he said. He said it had to be done so he could have the opportunity to get this part of his life started. Nathan is afraid that while he is away from his son for so long, that Caleb won’t know his parents as much as he should or he won’t be comfortable when it comes

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He probably would have dropped out and resented the situation he put imself into.

His one-year-old son, Caleb, currently lives with his grandparents about 9 hours from WTAMU in Longview. Nathan’s parents not only take care of Caleb but also support him financially and encourage him during hard times and when he begins to feel stressed. He said they keep him going so he knows there is love and support back home. Caleb’s mom also plays a big part in

time for him to come live with him or his mother. Nathan said the biggest sacrifices he has made going to school without his son is not getting to see him every day. He explained that he gets to see him once every 3 to 4 weeks at football games during the fall semester, holidays and spring break. About once a week, he can FaceTime his parents to see Caleb but it’s not always

Photo by Bailey Stickle Caleb Nuckols held by Shawn Jordan, Nathan’s aunt, at the WT Football Game at the At&T Stadium in Dallas.

enough. He said going to school away from his son is extremely hard and at times he wishes he could see him, but he can’t. He usually relies on close friends who understand or offer support when he needs someone to talk to. Nathan finds different ways to keep himself busy by being in the West Texas A&M band, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha. His friends and family supported his decision to stay in school and told him if he dropped out, it would be impossible to support his son. He has received help from close friends and teachers as well. Nathan’s friends have told him that he inspires them by continuing school to get his degree and are glad that he is fortunate enough to have his parents and his Caleb’s mother’s parents to help him out. His best friend, Miguel Pizaña, was by his side the whole time. Miguel is a senior music education and business double major and is also a member of the same organizations. He and Nathan have been best friends for the past 2 years. Miguel said when Nathan told him he

was going to be a father, he was nervous, but calm and told Miguel that he had something important he needed to tell him and to not freak out. Miguel said that he reacted with some “unkind words” but he was there as someone to talk to because of Nathan being so far away from his family. “It seemed almost as if Nathan had waited to tell me, so he could come to terms with it before talking,” Miguel said. He helped Nathan through his situation by being there to talk and giving as much advice as possible. Miguel is a middle child that comes from an experienced family of small children. He said he has been around kids all his life and understood Nathan’s situation. Miguel supported Nathan’s decision to stay in school and thought it was the right choice for him while continuing to send positive vibes in Nathan’s direction. “I made him realize that it was a better choice instead of leaving,” Miguel said it would be so hard to leave and try to come back years later. Miguel knew school was going to be harder, but he didn’t doubt Nathan’s abili-

ty to continue receiving an education. “With a child in the picture, everything is harder,” Miguel said. He said both families play a part in the situation, therefore there isn’t as much of a toll. Miguel is glad that his parents and the mother’s parents’ are both willing to take care of their son so they can focus on school. Miguel motivated Nathan to do a little better in school by saying that it’s not just his future; his sons’ success starts with his own. He pushes Nathan to focus more on his grades and finishing school as fast as he can. Miguel believes that Nathan’s situation would be very different if he didn’t get any of help from his friends and family. He said that Nathan would have been in a different state of mind. “He probably would have dropped out and resented the situation he put himself into. It helped that he had support.” Not having the support system he currently has would add more stress to his life. Nathan may have had to take fewer classes each semester or his grades would have ETERNAL FLAME

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Young parents are sometimes put into a predicament of an accident and they are not ready. tion, most definitely take it,” Miguel said. He believes that an education is one of the best ways to support your children. Community college is a good place to start if you can’t attend a four-year school. “These days, all that matters is that piece of paper. It’s important,” he said. He explained that degrees get your foot in the door; you earn more respect in the workplace and gain a mutual understanding between the boss and co-worker. Miguel has a great amount of respect for young parents getting an education. He said it shows that they aren’t just thinking of themselves, but also their child. “Anything they can do to give their child a better future, to me, shows big moral character and not taking the easy way out.” Jessica Thomson graduated from WTAMU in the spring of 2014 as a music education major. She was a Nathan’s “big sister” in Tau Beta Sigma, the sister organization to Kappa Kappa Psi. When Nathan told Jessica he was going to be a father, it was during a typical dinner conversation. “He was excited, but worried.” Jessica said. They had a two hour-long conversation when they got back to her car and talked about how his life along with Caleb’s moth14

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Being on a budget has its drawbacks, so we have devised a simple and inexpensive recipe that is destined to bring you and your family some happiness. Whether you are busy balancing life or tending to daily chores, you cannot go wrong with chocolaty goodness. As your mouth waters, just remember you are not hopeless—you can join in on the fun and make these delicious recipes. Besides, you cannot go wrong with Oreo® Cookies.

FOOD

DIRT AND WORMS WHAT YOU WILL NEED • • • • •

1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O® Brand Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding 2 cups cold milk 1 tub (8 oz.) Kraft® CooL Whip© topping, thawed 15 Oreo® Cookies, finely crushed 10 worm-shaped chewy fruit snacks

WHAT TO DO 1. 2. 3. 4.

Beat pudding mix and milk in a large bowl with whisk for 2 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir cool whip and ½ cup of cookie crumbs. Spoon into 10 cups, top with remaining cookie crumbs. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Top with worms before serving.

OREO CRUNCH BROWNIES WHAT YOU WILL NEED • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 cups butter 1 lb semi—sweet chocolate chips 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 6 large eggs 3 tablespoons instant coffee granules 2 tablespoons vanilla 2 ¼ cup sugar 1 cup flour ¼ cup flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 4 cups chopped Oreo® cookies (50 cookies)

WHAT TO DO 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and flour an 11” X 17” pan (for thicker brownies you can use a 9X13). In a heat proof medium bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, heat butter, chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate until melted and smooth. Allow cooling slightly. In a large bowl whisk eggs, coffee, vanilla and sugar. Blend chocolate mixture into egg mixture, cool to room temperature. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture. In a small bowl, stir Oreo® cookies and remaining ¼ cup of flour. Add Oreo® mixture to chocolate mixture. Pour batter into baking pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow time to cool. Refrigerate, tightly wrapped, until cold. Cut into squares and enjoy!

CRAVINGLY DELICIOUS

started to fall. At times when Nathan starts missing his son, Miguel is there to take his mind off of it by playing video games. “We go drive around and bro out,” Miguel said. “Nathan tends to keep to himself though. It helps to be the second party or third-person view of the situation, the way you see things isn’t always like they really are,” Miguel said. Miguel’s opinion of young parents is that “it’s up to the person themselves.” He said some people aren’t meant to be parents and adoption is the better choice, especially if they aren’t financially or emotionally stable. He believes that some people grow up faster than others, although age doesn’t always matter. “As long as you have a good support system and you put the child first,” Miguel said. “If there is opportunity for an educa-

Photo by Bailey Stickle Nathan Nuckols and his son, Caleb Nuckols get ready to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.

ers’ life are going to change. “I was definitely surprised, but supportive,” Jessica said. She went through the same thing with her sister, so she knew what to say to Nathan and how to help him. Jessica recalls right before Nathan told her his news, “something was on his brain” but he wasn’t acting much different from his normal self. She said he is good at hiding how he really feels and is very selective with who he opens up to. Jessica also supported Nathan staying in school and remembers when they both sat down to weigh the “pros and cons” of staying versus leaving school. “He would have given up everything he worked for,” she said. She told Nathan that being in school is a good way to support Caleb. Jessica was a significant influence on Nathan keeping his son instead of choosing adoption. Part of their long conversation when she found out was also the discussion about whether or not adoption was the better choice. They came to the agreement that life would be better with a kid. She said Nathan is different than most young dads because he stayed in school and is maintaining a relationship with his son. After becoming a dad, “he’s matured a little, just a little,” Jessica said jokingly. She noticed that Nathan has a better respect for himself, his family, and many

people around him. She said when he is around Caleb, Nathan is more protective than he normally is and you can tell that he genuinely loves his son. Jessica admires how well he has maintained his relationship with Calebs’ mother and how well he is balancing his schoolwork and his time with his fraternities. “It’s been hard, but he’s doing a good job,” Jessica said. Alongside Jessica, Nathan received a lot of help from a teacher of his, Dr. Robert Krause. He is the oboe professor and teaches music literature. “He’s the dream student. I wish all of my students were like him,” Krause said. Dr. Krause describes Nathan as outgoing and always the first to raise his hand whether or not he knows the answer. Dr. Krause thought that Nathan continuing to attend school was the right choice. He explained that Nathan is a wonderful student and always puts forth effort in what he does; it shows that he is in school for the right reasons. He said sometimes college isn’t for everyone and some people should be stay-at-home parents, but definitely not Nathan considering how well he does. He hopes that Nathan’s friends and family are all supportive because if his situation were any different, he would be sad compared to his normal, positive attitude. He recalls a

moment in class when he asked Nathan what he would do with any money that he earned in the future. “I would buy a gift for my son,” Nathan said and that meant a lot to Robert. “Young parents are sometimes put into predicaments of an accident and they’re not ready,” Krause said. He said some people are forced into a problem but still need to take responsibility for their actions and show effort no matter how old they are. “Age has nothing to do with it,” Krause said. Krause is a teacher who’s easy to connect with. He and a student will sit in his office, talk through their problems, and let them know that everyone goes through hard times. Robert helped Nathan talk through his decision to stay in school. “He’s been a g reat

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“If there is opportunity for an education, most definitely take it.”

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help to me and anyone who needs advice,” Nathan said. He said if there was anything he would say to Nathan, it’s to “continue being a good dad.” Nathan’s parents, Edward and Lynda Nuckols, were angry at first. Not because he was having a child, but because he didn’t tell them. “It’s not like we kill our kids because they do something stupid,” Lynda said. Lynda said Nathan was really quiet and distant before his parents found out. “It seemed like there was something on his mind. I kept asking him what was wrong but he kept saying he was okay.” “He still hasn’t told us,” Lynda joked as she explained that Calebs’ mom told Nathans’ parents, instead of Nathan telling them himself. She said it was still a while before her and her husband were informed. Nathans’ parents explained that they think he didn’t tell them because he may have been afraid of the disappointment he would receive from them. “He knew it was gonna upset us,” Edward said. Lynda said that she and her husband talked to their kids about how and why to avoid a situation like this. “We spent many years telling them to not be like dad,” Lynda said. Edward was a young father as well so he was more understanding of the situation, despite how upset he was. “We were scared about what was gonna happen. We didn’t know what the plan was, if they were going to keep the baby or what,” Edward said. After news spread and people began

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It seemed like there was something on his mind. I kept asking him what was wrong but he kept saying he was okay.

adjusting to the situation, Lynda told Nathan he needs to stand behind Caleb’s mom in whatever she wanted to do in regards of keeping the baby or putting him up for adoption. “Even though your kids will disappoint you many times over, it doesn’t mean they’re bad people,” Lynda said.

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She said a situation like this might be an inconvenience for some families, but not for everyone. “Regardless, he needed to finish school,” said Edward, so he told Nathan to keep them informed on what he wanted to do so they can make it happen. His parents supported Nathan’s decision to stay in school, although they were concerned about him. “We were afraid that he would feel it would be too much,” Lynda said. They kept telling Nathan to stay in school and it’s better to get it done now than having to go back with minimal help. To this day, they still remind him of that. Now that Caleb lives with Edward and Lynda, they had to get used to having a baby around all of the time instead of the typical “weekend visits” that most grandparents have. “That thing about ‘Grandparent’s Day? Yeah, that’s doubled for us,” Lynda said jokingly. Edward and Lynda agreed that their biggest sacrifice is that they’re no longer empty nesters. “We raised all of our kids and now we’re starting over.” Lynda said. Although they were only “empty nesters” for a year, it is easy to forget what it’s like having young children around. “It’s been 20 years since we’ve had a baby in the house,” Lynda said, “it’s strange. You forget the basic baby-proofing necessities, like how to put a car seat in the car.” Edward explained that having another child around makes you realize that you are responsible for another life. “We have to make accommodations for him and do things that he can also do.” He said going to the bar isn’t something you can do every night unless you found a babysitter. If Edward and Lynda wouldn’t have been able to take Caleb in, there’s a chance the situation would be very different. “We may not have him in the family at all,” Lynda said. Edward explained that Caleb would be with different parents since adoption was the plan in the beginning. Lynda said they are very glad that they have Caleb because he is so much fun. “He is the most special grandchild we have. Although it helps that he is the only one. He’s super spoiled,” Edward said. Edward and Lynda plan on taking care

{

CHILD DEVELOPMENT 1

A baby cannot taste salt until it is four months old.

Human babies are the only primates who smile at their parents.

A baby can recognize the smell and voice of its mother at birth.

4 5

}

Even though your kids will disappoint you many times over, it doesn’t mean they’re bad people.

At birth, babies have no kneecaps. Kneecaps do not develop completely until after six months. Adults have 206 bones. When babies are born, they have 300. Their bones fuse as they grow, resulting in fewer bones as adults.

Source: http://facts.randomhistory.com/ baby-facts

of Caleb for the next two to three years while Nathan finishes school, then Caleb will live with Nathan. “The biggest reason my son is in my life is because of the amazing support system that my family has given me throughout the entire process,” Nathan said. “Caleb loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, especially in the morning when he just wakes up,” Nathan said. He said Caleb also likes it when they go on walks and being pushed around in his wagon. Something that Nathan and Caleb will do together is laying down on the floor and Caleb “will climb around on me and I can pick him up and play with him” by throwing him in the air. Although he is not able to see his son every, Nathan is very grateful to have his son in his life. He said that every child born would change someone’s life. “Caleb, to me, has honestly made me more humble and has gotten me thinking about all the ways that a single life can alter your entire reality.”

Photo by Bailey Stickle Miguel Pizana and Shelby McCandless, Nathan Nickols’ roommate, hold Caleb Nuckols, Nathan’s son, during the WT Football game at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Nathan visit’s Caleb in Dallas several times a semester.

TOP BOX OFFICE MOVIES BY YEAR

CULTURE

eing busy with college has its ups and downs. While making millions sounds absolutely enthralling, missing out on some great movies has its drawbacks—if you are a movie fanatic like we are, then it will break your soul. To liven the situation and bring you back to earth, here are movies you just have to see.

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Spider Man Finding Nemo Shrek 2 Star Wars Ep. III: Revenge of the Sith Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Spider Man 3 The Dark Knight Avatar Toy Story 3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II The Avengers The Hunger Games: Catching Fire American Sniper

Want a discounted movie ticket? Go to the Jack B. Kelly Student Center and speak to one of their staff members. All students are welcome. WT wants you to enjoy your college experience and what better way to do so than to sit back and watch something you love?

™

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EDITORIAL PROFILE LIBBY STRICKLAND

A TRACK STAR IS BORN MALIKA OUÉDRAOGO

A {

“Working hard for your team and being able to represent WTAMU at the national level makes it all worth it.”

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}

s impressive as a celestial aster, Libby Strickland is an outstanding college athlete who deserves to be epitomized as a WT Star. Libby Strickland grew up in the Panhandle area and lives in Amarillo. As a senior, her major is health science, and she envisions pursuing a master’s degree in the same field. It is important to notice that she is considered a first-generation college student as she will be the first to graduate from college in her family. Libby Strickland is a bright student and track star who embraces diverse achievement in school and track and field as well. Libby decided to focus on track and field when she entered college at West Texas A&M University. Competing for the West Texas A&M University’s track team, Libby managed to achieve outstanding performances. During her freshman year, she spent a lot of time learning new events and getting adjusted to the life as a student athlete succeeded at the national level during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Since Libby’s freshman year, she has earned a total of 8 All-American awards in various events, such as the high jump, the 4x100m relay, and the indoor pentathlon. The pentathlon, also as known as the multi, is a combination of five different events in track and field and the number of points scored in each events determines the rank. “I am very proud to have been on the Academic All American team several times throughout my time at WT,” Libby said. With her warrior personality, Libby really enjoys these disciplines because it requires her to be strong mentally and to maintain consistent performances continuously in order to achieve victory. Given that she loves challenges and surpassing herself, the pentathlon is her better ally. The year 2014 was her most crucial time in her evolving track career at WT. For instance, Libby scored 42 points during the 2014 Outdoor Lone Star Conference Championship meet that occurred in San Angelo, Texas; which were the ETERNAL FLAME

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most points ever scored by an individual at a Lone Star Conference Championship. “I was able to win the long jump, high jump, 4x100m and 4x400m relays, and I placed second in both the 100m and 200m,” Libby said. Better yet, the satisfaction reaches its pinnacle in the last outdoor meet of 2015 when the team placed third in the 4x100m relay at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division Two (NCAA DII) Championship. According to Libby, the magic of being a part of a track team is to experience sensational moments, extraordinary victories that someone can share with her/his teammates for the sake of the “Team Spirit.” Thus, Libby Strickland definitely embodies fair-play values. “Working hard for your team and being able to represent WTAMU at the national level makes it all worth it,” Libby said. Obviously, Libby does not think about her own situation but thinks about how she can be involved for the track team fully.

Being a “Track Star” requires some responsibilities, such as time management. Time management plays a key role for Libby. Indeed, she strives for bridging college and athletic requirements daily in order to stay in the race. Most people do not realize it, but being a college student involves discipline and sacrifices that collegiate athletes must make in order to be successful in school and in their sport. For Libby, it is important to balance school with athletics. First, it is a way to demonstrate how organized she is and how efficient she can be. Second, how she can make the difference by being a striking person. In reality, being a track athlete it is like running a business agenda. “Being a student athlete sometimes feels like a full-time job,” Libby said. Roughly, if student athletes are not organized and devoted either in school and athletics fully, there is no reason to apply as a college athlete, given the responsibilities. No one can reproach Libby for anything because she strives to obtain an av-

erage GPA equal or higher than 3.4 which is considerably high for a student athlete, especially when it is known that she practices from Monday to Friday and often travels over the weekend to attend track meets. Libby Strickland is handsomely talented because her passion implies multiple skills with risks. Beyond the athletics, Libby is involved in a leadership organization because she is eager to be useful and helpful to people. She serves on the Student Athlete Leadership Team which is an on campus organization that works with the community to raise money for the Make-a-Wish, a foundation that helps individuals suffering from a life threatening condition to achieve their last wish by supporting them financially and emotionally. Even if Libby is known as a track star covered with mountains of medals, there is a side of her character that we forget. Libby is a young college athlete who wants to make her life productive by using her energy for those who need it. Throughout, Libby’s life, peo-

ple can see the ardor and the sincerity of a woman who wants to enrich her personal life experiences so that her story can become empowering. For this year, Libby’s big goal is to beat her personal best in every field and event in which she competes, and above all, to remain a track star by attending and ranking the most significant championship in the NCAA. She has been training hard since the beginning of August 2015, because Libby is very determined to obtain two more trophies in order to be a 10 time All-American. Athletes often seek for more intensive workouts, success and more recognition, because humans are programmed to improve their condition by making their lives better—Libby’s aim has meaning. The track and field season will be long and will start in January 2016 and go until

May 2016 (indoor and outdoor included).That being said, the “Beast Mode,” as her teammates call her, has already been pushed toward the stars and no one can stop her mania. Since August, she has maintained training which is focused on strength conditioning and specific track and field workouts in order to be well prepared for the coming season. Libby hopes to finish her season on a high note as she plans to end her undergraduate athletic career. As a graduate student, she plans to be centered on her master’s degree only, but life is full of surprises and unexpected situations. Perhaps, the Olympic Games could be a gateway for a Supernova.

CAITLYN JENNER, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, is someone you may know. She is a gold medal-winning track star who set a world record in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics. She made news this past July when she officially announced her name changed from Bruce to Caitlyn on the cover of Vanity Fair.

No pain, no gain. You will be great Libby.

Libby Strickland is an outstanding college athlete who deserves to be epitomized as a WT Star.

Libby Strickland shows a different side of herself that extends beyond her fierce competitivenes on the track.

SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS 100 METER TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES MEN

1 2 3 4 5 Photo by Malika Ouédraogo

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Usain Bolt (Jamaica) Fastest Time: 9.58 seconds 2008 Summer Games in Beijing Tyson Gay (United States) Fastest Time: 9.69 seconds 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Asafa Powell (Jamaica) Fastest Time: 9.72 seconds 2007 IAAF Rieti Grand Prix Maurice Greene (United States) Fastest Time: 9.79 seconds 1999 World Championships Donovan Bailey (Canada) Fastest Time: 9.84 seconds 1996 Atlanda Olympic Games

Photo by Malika Ouédraogo

Source: toptens.com/sports-track-sprinters

SPORTS

WOMEN

1 2 3 4 5

Florence Griffith-Joyner (United States) Fastest Time: 10.49 seconds 1988 Summer Games in Seoul Carmelita Jeter (United States) Fastest Time: 10.64 seconds 2009 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix Marion Jones (United States) Fastest Time: 10.65 seconds 1998 IAAF world Cub in South Africa Shelly-Ann Fraser (Jamaica) Fastest Time: 10.73 seconds 2008 Olympics in Beijing Christine Arron (France) Fastest Time: 10.73 seconds 2006 World Chapionships in Paris ETERNAL FLAME

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FEATURED WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

LIVING TRADITION JACIE YOUNGBLOOD

here is nothing like the roar of the crowd on a West Texas A&M football game day. The crowd going crazy, music blaring, and then, the live buffalo mascot being led by the Herdsmen runs out across the field. Tradition, as well as school spirit, have always been an important component that makes West Texas A&M such a special place to attend. The heritage of the Herdsmen organization has always been a unique tradition that has kept school spirit alive on campus. The story of the Herdsmen goes back to when it was rekindled in 1977 by a group of young men who had the drive to bring back a live mascot for the school. The owner of the Big Texan Steakhouse in Amarillo, Bob Lee, donated a buffalo from the herd he kept outside the restaurant to the West Texas A&M Herdsmen group in 1977. A member of the original Herdsmen, and business major,

Photo Courtesy of Barbra Arnold

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Kevin Arnold of Kermit, Texas became the foreman of the buffalo trainers, and trained the first live mascot whom they called Thunder I, or Lollipop. Arnold was approached by a couple of friends who asked if he would be interested in being a part of the Herdsmen group. He was looking for a way to get involved on campus. Arnold originally wanted to play football for West Texas State University. He tried out for the team and the coaches liked the way he played, but due to suffering a major back injury while playing high school football, he could not pass the physical needed to play. Arnold knew that being a part of the Herdsman was the perfect opportunity for him to get connected on campus. This is when he began training Lollipop, which would soon become a part of campus history. Working with Lollipop came very natural to Arnold, as he had always been good with animals. Arnold recalls that the two had an instant connection. A man by the

Kevin Arnold and his daughter Kelsey feed Thunder at the JK Ranch in Kermit, TX, more than 20 years ago. After Kevin left WT, he and his family agreed to take care of the retired WT mascots. ETERNAL FLAME

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Kevin Arnold and Lillipop prepare for a WT football game in 1977.

name of Breezy Cox, who worked at the Big Texan steakhouse as the buffalo keeper taught Arnold how to care for the buffalo, as this was a new experience for him. The Herdsmen kept Lollipop behind the Big Texan, and everyday Arnold and few of the herdsmen would go into Amarillo to feed and work with the buffalo. Richard Oliver, of Oliver’s Saddle Shop in Amaril-

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during a “get-together” in the cafeteria, this became known as the first meeting of the Herdsmen. One of the many stories passed down by the Herdsmen was that one day Arnold was hauling a buffalo cow for the Big Texan, and the buffalo ended up jumping the fence and got on to the interstate. Arnold and a friend tried roping the buffalo who

}

In 1979, Arnold retired from the Herdsmen group, but his involvement did not stop.

“Arnold and a friend tried roping the buffalo who then jumped the median to the other side of the interstate.”

Photo Courtesy of Barbra Arnold

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lo, designed and built a custom harness for Lollipop, which helped train the buffalo so she could be led around. According to current Herdsmen Logan Canterbury, the Herdsmen still use the same harness. The trust between Arnold and Lollipop grew to where he was able to train her to do such things such as lay down on command and to keep calm in front of many spectators. With the help of the other Herdsmen, she made appearances at the home games, the homecoming parade, and different events on campus. She became pretty popular and the community soon formed a close bond with their University’s mascot. Rick Cornelison, known as “Corny,” an original Herdsmen and one of Arnold’s very close friends, recalls a time when Lollipop got loose at the homecoming game. The Herdsmen would take the buffalo to the game a couple of hours before to get the buffalo used to the environment. While the Herdsmen were getting ready for the game, Lollipop got loose in Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. She ran right through the band, and scattered all the members. All of the stadium entrances were shut down. After the homecoming game had to be delayed 45 minutes, the opposing team’s assistant coach finally caught Lollipop, and the game could start. Corny was the man that suggested the guys form a spirit group with the live mascot, and he also came up with the name for the spirit group, the Herdsmen,

then jumped the median to the other side of the interstate. By this time there was a sheriff helping as well as a bystander who happened to have a boat rack that Arnold tied his rope on to, then caught the buffalo by the horns and got her safely back into the pen. Kevin’s mother, Barbara Arnold, recalls that once he got the buffalo trained well enough he would haul the buffalo in a

trailer with him every time he would leave town, no matter where he was going. She recalls many times the buffalo stayed at their ranch in Kermit when Kevin would could home. One weekend, Barbara traveled to Canyon to visit Kevin and to watch the Herdsmen run the buffalo, not knowing that Kevin was hurt earlier in the week when working with Lollipop. He and Breezy were working with her in the pens behind the Big Texan. Kevin got on to ride her, but it did not go as planned, and his leg was split open on a barbed wire fence from his knee to his ankle. Kevin did not tell his mother about the accident, but she finally got the story out of Corny. Barbara thought Kevin would sit out that week and not run the buffalo, but she was wrong— it did not stop him. She loved watching him work with the buffalo. “He was passionate about training, and running the buffalo to increase school spirit,” she said. In 1979, Arnold retired from the Herdsmen, but his involvement did not stop. Arnold furnished four buffalo for the University, and he passed his training techniques onto upcoming Herdsmen.

Kevin Arnold and Lollipop cheer on the buffs at a WT football game, in 1978, at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. This photograph appeared in the Le Mirage, WT’s yearbook in 1978.

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THE FIVE THINGS TEXANS LOVE

Bluebell—the ice cream that many Texans are exclusively loyal to.

CULTURE

Thunder I, known as Lollipop, was WT’s first mascot in the late 1970’s. The original Herdsmen began the tradition of running the buffalo at the football games.

Iced Tea—Preferably sweet tea, is part of the mandatory state diet.

German Sausage—Texas has a history of various cultures, and that is shown in the celebration of Octoberfest in the towns with heavy German influence.

High School Football—where homecoming mums cost more than engagement rings.

MEET LOLLIPOP

Whataburger—between the patty melt and collecting order numbers, what’s not to love?

During this time, Arnold said the Herdsmen were looking to trade out Thunder I, because she was getting too big—close to 2,000 pounds. The Herdsmen traded Lollipop for another buffalo through Arnold in the spring of 1979. This buffalo became Thunder II, whom they called Bufford, found in Claude, Texas. Arnold brought Thunder I back to his ranch in Kermit. Arnold and his family continued to care for Lollipop. Barbara said Kevin always loved taking care of animals, and when

“…the school spirit of West Texas A&M , and the school would not be the same without it.” Arnold told her at the buffalo was coming to live on the ranch permanently she was not surprised. She grew to love the buffalo as well. When Lollipop returned to Kermit, she joined the other cattle and blended in with the rest of the herd. Lollipop was bred by one of the bulls in Arnold’s herd, known as a “Beefalo.” Lollipop was 26

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liked on the JK ranch, and all of Kevin’s three children contributed to taking care of the buffalo. Arnold went on to do a few exchanges with buffalo for the Herdsmen. While Thunder I and Thunder II stayed on the JK ranch, they had a calf together, which they called “Max,” named after one of West Texas State University’s presidents, Max Sherman. Max went on to become a live mascot for the school on January 22, 1982. The Arnold’s eventually sold Thunder II to T. Boone Pickens. In June of 1983, Kevin did another exchange with the Herdsmen with another buffalo for the University, Thunder IV, known as “B.J.” for Bufford, Jr. who was the son of Lollipop and Bufford. Thunder I died on the JK ranch in 1998. The Herdsmen organization contributed to many great memories for the Arnold family, Kevin even met his wife, Jayme, through a fellow Herdsmen during the time that she attended WTSU. All three of Kevin and Jayme’s children went on to attend West Texas A&M. When visiting with

Kevin’s children, they recall a time when they would go visit their Grandma’s ranch in North Eastern New Mexico on the dry Cimarron River. They would stop in Canyon and tour the campus and hear many stories, which inspired them to attend the University. When the children graduated high school, they had no doubt in their mind which school to attend. Corny also met his wife at West Texas State University, and they have a daughter who received her master’s degree at West Texas A&M. Having a live mascot is part of what makes West Texas A&M such a great place to attend school. It is a tradition that hopefully lives on forever. The live buffalo mascot is special component to the school spirit of West Texas A&M, and the school would not be the same without it.

Photo curtesy of Barbara Arnold ETERNAL FLAME

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Photo by Kimberly Cantrell

FEATURED CAMP JOHN MARC

ONE BUFF’S STORY OF SERVICE MALIKA OUEDRAOGO KIMBERLY CANTRELL

utside of the small town of Meridian, Texas, there is 140 acres of ranch land that is untouched and unhampered by the materialism of society, the judgment of human nature, and the limitations associated with illness. This place is called Camp John Marc. The land was donated by Jan and Marc Myers after their 9-year-old son, John Marc, passed away after battling osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. In honor of a boy who loved the outdoors so much, Camp John Marc has been serving children with chronic illnesses and special needs for 25 years. Bre Loveless, a former camper and staff member, and now a full time employee of CJM said, “Camp is a magical place as a camper. You can conquer your greatest fears, make lifelong friends, gain confidence and spend time just being a kid with no thoughts of how a diagnosis has changed your life.” Ever since 1991, CJM has been a place for a child with

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a special need or a chronic illness to experience something they rarely get to, the opportunity to be just like any other kid. Looking at Coleman Townsend, a sophomore nursing major, you would never guess that he was diagnosed with anything other than the common cold. From playing football for Plainview High School, to being involved in multiple organizations and activities across West Texas A&M’s campus, Coleman is a lot like other WT students. However, when Coleman was three years old, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM), an autoimmune inflammatory muscular disorder. Coleman’s parents noticed he was experiencing muscle weakness and developing rashes uncommon for a child his age. They took him to the doctor where he was originally diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, but after being treated at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Coleman was diagnosed with JDM. With anabolic steroids and therapy, Coleman went into remission

within a year, but he still had to go to Scottish Rite periodically for therapy and checkups. It was while he was at one of these visits that Dana Dempsey, the camp director for Camp Joint Adventure and a familiar face at the hospital, approached Coleman and his family about the possibility of attending Camp Joint Adventure. She told them that Camp Joint Adventure, or Camp JA, is a weeklong camp for kids

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Coleman was hired as a summer staff member. So after finishing his spring finals at WT, Coleman packed up his belongings and drove to the camp, once again not sure what to expect. During Camp Reynal, the first camp of the summer and the camp that serves children with kidney disease, Coleman truly saw the impact that camp could have on a child. He remembers seeing a camper battle depression and attempt to

}

Coleman’s parents noticed he was experiencing muscle weakness and developing rashes uncommon for a chld his age.

who suffer from juvenile arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Camp JA is held each summer at Camp John Marc. On a whim, Coleman decided to apply as a CJM staff member after his freshman year at WT. While he was skeptical that he would even be considered for a position,

overcome it during his week at camp. When the campers at Camp JA discovered that Coleman was in remission for JDM and was a former camper, it allowed him to connect with the campers on a more personal level and show them all that was possible, despite their diagnosis. It was also really special for Coleman when

“Camp is a magical place as a camper. ”

The dining hall is one of the buildings that can hold the entire camp’s population. During meal times, capers can look at the flags that represent each camp. The campers like to find the flag that has the logo of the camp they attend and learn about what camps the other flags represent.

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Photo by Kimberly Cantrell Coleman sets up the targets before each archery activity. The younger campers shoot at targets from a close range and the more experienced campers can shoot at targets that are further away, or even at a moving target thats that Coleman helped create.

Dana, the woman who first convinced him to attend camp and inspired him to become a staff member, remembered him from his own days at camp. “I got to teach them the basics during the activity periods and really specialize with them each day during the project. It allowed me to be more in depth with my teaching, and I really liked that I got to teach them an actual skill,” Coleman said. It wasn’t always easy being a staff member though. Soon after he returned to WT, Coleman received news that one of his campers had passed away after a long battle with cancer. “I thought it wouldn’t happen to me. I thought I was im-

{ Photo by Kimberly Cantrell Before the campers arrive, Coleman practices with the bows to make sure everything is in working order. This also gives Coleman a chance to develop his own archery skills.

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er arrives to camp that reason melts away and kids are kids. Campers are able to experience camp in a safe environment which empowers them to try new things, make new friends, learn new skills, and experience life,” said Bre. Empathy and empowerment were both extremely important for Coleman, both as a camper and as a staff member. He says that as a camper, he was shy and reserved at the beginning of camp, but as the week went on and he built relationships with his counselors, Camp John Marc staff members, and fellow campers, he became more outgoing. Learning to be more confident and be more true to himself are skills that Coleman

I gained a newfound empathy for people in general. I don’t see disabilities anymore. I used to see a person in a wheelschair, and now I must see a person.

mune,” Coleman said. Despite the difficulties and the reality of knowing that he was working with chronic and terminally ill children, Coleman enjoyed building relationships with the campers and with his fellow staff members. “I gained a newfound empathy for people in general. I don’t see disabilities anymore. I used to see a person in a wheelchair, and now I just see the person.” “When someone understands what a child is going through or puts themselves in those shoes, that’s when you see the magic of camp. Because the thing that matters the most is the reason it does not matter at all. Campers come to camp for a reason; they have a chronic medical condition or physical challenge. However, when a camp-

}

learned at camp that he would take with him when he would go back to the real world after Camp JA was over. Coleman never let his diagnosis define or limit him. Even though he grew out of JDM in a short time period, he still experiences stiff muscles and is less flexible than the average person. It is actually because of his diagnosis that Coleman chose his career path. Coleman is a nursing major at WT and wants to become a pediatric nurse in the Lubbock or DFW area. “Being in the hospital as a kid is what made me want to go into the medicine.” Unlike most kids, Coleman actually enjoyed going to the hospital for his therapy and checkups. He said the doctors and nurses were always kind and all aspects of the hospital were inviting. It is because of

these experiences Coleman was interested in the nursing profession and his summer at Camp John Marc working with kids only solidified his chosen career path. Coleman says his time at Camp John Marc isn’t over yet. He hopes to return next

The Camp John Marc teepees are the first things the campers see as they arrive at camp. They know that moments after they pass the teepees, they pass through the gates and are welcomed to a week full of fun and friendship.

“I thought it wouldn’t happen to me. I thought I was immune.” summer as a staff member and after that hopefully continue to volunteer at different camps each summer. His time at Camp John Marc and as a camper at Joint Adventure has truly made an impact on his life. “I have a better appreciation for life in general and the friendships I made will last a lifetime,” Coleman said. The motto of Camp John Marc is Inspiring Confidence for Life. As a camper, Coleman got to experience this. Coleman’s childhood was impacted by the kindness he was shown and the confidence he gained at camp. As a staff member, Coleman got the opportunity to return the love he had for camp and help other children overcome their diagnosis. Special Camps for Special Kids is what the logo of Camp John Marc says, but CJM isn’t only a place that can change a child’s life, it can and will change the life of anyone who comes there. In the case of Coleman Townsend, three summers of fun inspired him to give back, to help other kids with all types of different diagnosis and from all walks of life have the same experiences that he did, the experiences that would eventually change his life.

Photo by Kimberly Cantrell ETERNAL FLAME

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FEATURED HELPING HEARTS

A HEART THAT HELPS MALIKA CODI MILLER OUEDRAOGO

hat started as learning from personal traumas, combined with the opportunity of Rodgers LEAD scholars, the idea of creating a support group for people in abusive situations transformed into a licensed nonprofit organization that will become a part of the West Texas A&M University campus. Helping Hearts was created by students for students and will begin offering the desired support of counseling. “Saying no was not acceptable,” for Carlye Dozier, a senior Agriculture major. In an abusive relationship in high school, Carlye also experienced a traumatic event when she began college; Mr. Perfect wasn’t so perfect when she woke up on the bathroom floor in the morning, not recalling the night before. Not admitting to herself the possibilities of what may have happened, and keeping the event trapped inside her mind for six months was difficult for her. “I needed to talk to someone about what happened,” Carlye said. Finally, deciding she needed help and to talk about the ordeal. Opening up in Counseling Services, the healing for Carlye did not happen. She needed more. Imagining other women going through such a traumatic event then not having the comfort and support to help heal like her, Caryle opened her heart to help. Being there for others was a step, but she wanted to do more. The opportunity to take her

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interest a step further, as a Rogers LEAD WT scholar, she worked as a group with others to complete a community-focused student service project. Rogers Leadership Education and Development Program was created to help further leadership qualities of West Texas A&M University students. Learning about leadership theory, participating in real world applications, and completing a community-focused project are all attributes of

Photo by Codi Miller

the LEAD WT Program. Last year, each LEAD WT scholar determined his or her main leadership strength category through a Gallop survey. One person from each category had to be in a group to have balanced leadership skills. The group then decided on a project to create a positive impact in the WT or Canyon community. “It’s like a cool boat with no map,” said Ivan Chau, a junior LEAD WT scholar

double majoring in business and finance, referring to having a $500 budget and essentially no guidelines. Each group was able to decide their project, therefore creating a wide range of LEAD WT projects. “The dangerous mixture of freedom and no direction led to a variety of projects,” said Ivan. His group created Welcome Week, a week of home economic classes offered to college students to learn skills needed to manage a home. Another group organized The Warrior Run, a 5k and pancake breakfast fundraiser for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Carlye and Meagan Brown gravitated toward each other, the unspoken awareness of abuse pulled them together. Abby Betts and Landry Morren then joined the group with their own stories. Having each person with a personal tie to abuse, they focused their actions in that direction. The initial idea of a support group for people who have gone through abuse began. It started as counseling, but with the support and influx of ideas, the project ballooned. Knowing $500 would not sustain their goal, the successful Heart to Heart Golf Tournament was held on April 10, 2015. The idea furthered and became a separate entity from LEAD WT. Abuse is more than sexual or physical, therefore the group wanted to support people in all different types of abuse; financial, digital, physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse. A 24-hour hotline with trained operators to help in trauma and scheduling of counseling appointments; walk-in, scheduled, or immediate sessions with certified counselors; licensed medical professional; trauma-response team if instant action is needed; step-by-step financial and legal guidance; and safe house providing sanctuary will be available once Helping Hearts is fully operational. Training and prevention will be priorities. Each board member, employee, and volunteer with Helping Hearts will be trained with the University Police Department and Counseling Services. Instruction of students, faculty, and Greek Life on sexual assault prevention, domestic violence, self-defense, and handling trauma will commence. Events will also happen on campus to raise awareness of abuse and Helping Hearts. Liaisons from different organizations across campus will also be included to further educate on abuse and

The key to your safety can start with a call. University Police Department (806) 651-2300 or 911 UPD Victim Assistance (806) 651 - 2307 UPD Escort (806) 651-2300 Anonymous Crime Tips (806) 374-4400 Text WT Crime Tips to 79516 Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 Amarillo Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Hotline (806) 374-5433 Suicide and Crisis Center (800) 359-6699 or (800) 692-4039 Student Medical Services (806) 651-3287 Safe Zone Trained Counselor (806) 651-2430

Do not fall victim to any form of abuse—it is not worth it. Contact any of the phone numbers above to receive the assistance you deserve, all in complete confidentiality. We are here for you, we care about you and want to make sure you are safe—free from harms way. We care enough to say stop, hold our hand we can do this together—you do not have to be alone.

West Texas A&M University Police Department

prevention. The Helping Hearts’ perspective office will be located on campus in the same building as the University Police Department. The process of obtaining the 501(c)(3) licensee to become a tax-exempt nonprofit organization from the State of Texas has created a delay opening Helping Hearts. However, that has not deterred the established Board of Directors: Carlye, Meagan, Abby, and Landry with Ivan Chau, CFO; Alex Smith, Vice President of Programming; and Madison Turbeville, Vice President of Internal Affairs. Having Helping Hearts become part of the WTAMU campus has also brought positive feedback from fellow students. Evan Elms, a senior computer science major, credits Helping Hearts for offering a good support system when it is needed. “The moral support from a safe group is needed on college campuses today,” Evan said. Creating Helping Hearts has also helped the founding members. Carlye, already has an open ear and offers supports to anyone, she believes it’s better to be open about her past experiences with abuse and help others. Subsequently, Helping Hearts is another opportunity to do so. Abby credits Helping Hearts for helping her realize her personal ordeal with abuse was not her fault. With others

in similar situations, using her tribulation as an encourager and strength to help them is powerful. Learning to forgive the person who did the harm is hard but important. “Hate is a passion, a burden and you need relief from it. You must forgive to love someone else,” said Abby Betts, a junior broadcast journalism major with an English minor. Landry Morren, a junior double majoring in Advertising/Public Relations and Broadcasting Electronic Media, although not directly affected by abuse, has always wanted to help people. “I know I may not change the whole world, but I can change someone’s world,” Landry said. The success of creating a licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has only added to the experiences LEAD WT has given each scholar. The cores values of acting with integrity, serving, striving for excellence, working together, and dreaming big with plans to succeed are all components of learning leadership. “The difference between a boss and a leader is a leader doesn’t just say what to do, but he or she does it too. A leader isn’t just the front line person, who says what to do, but they are the person that is serving right along. Sometimes they might be at the head of the pack. Sometimes they

TOP MUSIC BY YEAR 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

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might be at the back, pushing and encouraging the rear to keep moving, keep pushing forward. They show how, when the team is only as strong as the weakest link, they make that link as strong and as great as possible,” said Abby. The Rodgers Leadership Education and Development Program includes two years co-curricular leadership curriculum. This year, under the advisor Amber Black, the scholars will be completing one class project. The first year class will be working as one to put on the Leadership Summit. The second year class is coordinating with the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership to announce their selected project. Other smaller service activities will take place throughout the duration of the year. LEAD WT aligned people with the connection of abuse to help others. The platform of creating a community-focused project with a $500 budget helped begin the foundation for a new addition to the West Texas A&M University campus. The Helping Hearts business motto completes their intentions as a support system for people in abusive situations. “We might not change the whole world but we can change a victim’s world and that’s what really matters.”

CULTURE

FEATURED VICTORIA RAUSCH, TOBIA LAHBI, JUAN VALIENTE, SUSHAN SANINJU AND ATOOL KHADKA

INTERNATIONAL BUFFALOES MALIKA OUEDRAOGO CHRISTIAN LUCERO

e s t Te x a s A&M U n i versity is home to a successful international student program. WT attracts a diverse number of students from around the world and has students from Vietnam, China, El Salvador, Germany, Italy, Nepal, Mexico, and many others. Kristine Combs is the director of the international student program and is in charge of 322 international students. 287 of those are students seeking a degree and the other 35 are in the language program. First up is Victoria Rausch, a freshman general business major from Luxembourg, and is a student athlete here at West Texas A&M University for the track team. Luxembourg is a small country in-between Belgium, Germany, and France. Going from living in Luxembourg all her life, Victoria has learned 4 different languages, including Luxembourgish, French, English and German. She said finds it very different because college in the United States compared to school in her home country

“everything is in English and it becomes difficult at times to learn”. She also said that it only takes 3 years for a person to get a bachelor’s degree in Luxembourg, compared to the 4-5 years that it takes to get a bachelor’s degree here in the United States. The reason Victoria came to school in the United States is that sports are more available here and it is easier to balance school and sports. In Luxembourg the classes are more difficult and studying takes priority over sports. She still plans on doing track after she graduates from college. Victoria wants to return home to get her master’s degree but she doesn’t know what she wants to get it in. “In Luxembourg, it is easy to get a job with any kind of degree except a degree in science,” Victoria said. So far she loves it here in the United States except that she misses her friends, family and her car back home. “Everyone is so friendly here in Texas!” Victoria said. She loves Texas because of all the friendly people and because it is so big. She also finds the classes easier than the ones back home. She wants to visit

New York City and the California beaches while she is in the United States. Next is Tobia Lahbi, a freshman sports and exercise science major and track runner for WT from Venice Italy. The big differences that Tobia found between being at a university campus here and being at a university back in his home country are the facilities. At Italian universities they don’t have sporting facil-

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in his home country’s university. Another big difference is that in Italy there isn’t graded homework, just tests and it is up to you to do and study the homework, even though it is not required. In Italy, the classes are a lot harder and you have to study more than you would. You also don’t have any free time for things like sports. Tobia finds it easier to balance studying and sports. “There are also more

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Victoria has learned four different languages, including Luxembourgish, French, English and German.

ities like the WT sports park/ practice fields, the Activities Center and Kimbrough Stadium. They don’t have Residence Halls like Centennial and Founders Hall, instead they just have apartments close to campus or students have the option to live with their parents. Tobia says that the degree he wants to get is a lot harder to get in Italy. Only 120 people get accepted into the Kinesiology program

sporting opportunities here,” Tobia said. Tobia also wanted to study here for a better chance to get a career in a job he loves. Tobia doesn’t know what he wants to do with his degree yet, but he is determined to stay in sports. After graduation, if Tobia has not found the love of his life here, he wants to go back to Italy for a while and hopefully come back to the United States to find a job. Tobia was ETERNAL FLAME

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EIGHT LOCATIONS FOREIGNERS ARE CRAZY ABOUT VISITING IN THE U.S. Foreigners love to travel. Billions of dollars are spent annually on travel locations across the globe, and some of those locations are found right here in the U.S. While leaving the country is eye opening, there is nothing better than home sweet home. Here are some great locations to travel to, if you find yourself wondering where to escape to in your own backyard.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming

Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee

Northern Lights, Alaska

Acroterion/Creative Commons

Flickr: Mikerhiks/Creative Commons

Kshitijn96/Creative Commons

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Yosemite Valley, California

Flickr: merlune/Creative Commons

The Wave, Arizona

Oneonta Gorge, Oregon

Flickr: robsettantasei/Creative Commons

Flickr: thaths/Creative Commons

Flickr: gorgejeff/Creative Commons

Skagit Valley Tulip Fields, Washington

Flickr: X-Weinzar/Creative Commons

thinking of getting a degree in economics because there are more job openings in Italy for it, but decided to do Sports Exercise Science because of his love for sports. Tobia said “the people in Texas are very open and friendly. I felt accepted right away. By both my teammates and the people who live in my dorm!” While he is in the United States, Tobia hopes to visit Colorado more than anything. He wants to visit Colorado because of all the mountains and the beautiful terrain. Along with Colorado, he wants to see the Grand Canyon and go to American amusement parks. Juan Valiente is a sophomore marketing major from El Salvador. Juan has already been at West Texas A&M for a year now and has really come to call this place home. One of his favorite memories was going to the Dallas Cowboys Stadium to watch the West Texas A&M football team play. Some differences between United States universities and the ones in El Salvador is that the education in the United States is better. “It is easier to get a job in the U.S. with the education that is provided,” Juan said. Another big difference would be university sports. El Salvador has university sports teams like soccer but it is not as popular as it is in the United States. All the classes are in Spanish except their English courses. The university classes are equally more difficult as the ones in the United States. Juan wanted to go to school in El Salvador, but the better

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funded and more expensive schools are in the capital, and his mom wanted him to study in America. After college Juan hasn’t decided whether he wants to get a job in the United States or continue his education and get his MBA. He has no interest in going back home because of the limited job market. Juan wants to one day work for the cancer association, being a cancer survivor himself. He enjoys the economical/business perspectives of worldwide companies. Juan wanted to get a business degree because he can use that degree anywhere in the world and if he wanted to go back to El Salvador to look for a job he could. Business, law, communication, and anything politically related are all popular degrees to get in El Salvador because there are more jobs opportunities. Juan loves Texas. Juan said “It feels like Texas is just one big happy family.” He goes to all of the WT football games and paints up with Maroon Platoon. “I am the one in the hula skirt,” Juan said. He loves the people because they are so friendly and have great manners. He enjoys good Texas barbecue and enjoys the climate here because he got to finally see snow. Out of all the places in the United States, Juan wants to go to Disneyland or Disney World because he loves theme parks. Juan has been to a lot of places around the United States including Miami, New York, Washington D.C., Dallas and San Francisco, he also lived in Houston for

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“The people in Texas are very open and friendly. I felt accepted right away.”

Sources: http://fascinating-places.blogspot.com; https:// commons.wikimedia.org; https://www.flickr.com

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semester is also longer, compared to our four-month semesters, Nepal has six-month semesters. Nepalese schools also have very limited sports facilities on their campuses so sports are not as big there as they are here. Sushan likes the United States and wanted to study here because of all the job and educational opportunities. He plans on going to gradu-

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at his dorm. Atool agrees with Sushan that WT does not enforce a uniform policy at school. “In Nepal there is no credit hour system for college classes. You just go through a four year study program” Atool said. The only trouble that Atool is having is when it comes to communicating with his teachers because his English is hard to understand some-

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Out of all the places in the united states, Juan wants to go to Disneyland or Disney World.

Juan Valiente, sophomore, business marketing major from El Salvador, at a WT football game cheering with Maroon Platoon. Photo by Christian Lucero.

Photo by Christian Lucero

about two months. From El Salvador to Nepal, next is Sushan Saninju, a freshman computer science major. Sushan came to West Texas A&M with a good friend of his, and they are also roommates. Sushan loves WT so far and is enjoying his time

in his residence hall. He likes that the universities here don’t require wearing uniforms like they do in Nepal. Nepalese schools also have longer classes during the day. Sushan had to sit through classes that were six hours long with one 30 minute break. The school

ate school after receiving his undergrad degree. After grad school he wants to go back to Nepal, take a break and enjoy life before coming back to look for a job. In Nepal the degrees that are worth getting are anything in the medical field and anything in engineering. Sushan Saninju enjoys being in Texas. He really enjoys the people that live at the same hall with him. “I love playing ping pong with all the friendly people in my dorm,” Sushan Saninju said. Sushan is one of the best ping pong players at his hall and has been its representative in several tournaments on campus. However he doesn’t really care too much for the climate here, but getting a good education more than makes up for it. He wants to go to Los Angeles, Hollywood, Disneyland and back to Atlanta to see if those places look like they do in the movies and just to have a good time. Also from Nepal is Atool Khadka, a freshmen mechanical engineering major. Atool is having a good time at WT, he finds the classes to be easy and is making some good friends

times, but he is improving at it day by day. Atool chose to study here first because his mother wanted him to and he wanted to feel more responsible by living away from home. He also feels like he will grow in maturity with being in a different coun-

In Nepal, there is no credit hour system for college classes. try. After college, Atool wants to get an internship in the United States and then move back to Nepal and work in the automotive industry. Atool’s dream is to open his own personal automotive brand because there is only one automotive company in Nepal. Atool is enjoying his time in the Lone Star State. “I really enjoy the environment on campus and the peace and quiet” Atool said. He likes the people and the environment and he likes that it is so calm here. Even though Atool likes Texas he wants to eventually go to Hollywood, California just to visit and site see.

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FEATURED LITTLE INTERNATIONAL STOCK SHOW

PEOPLE, PIGS AND PRIZES MALIKA OUEDRAOGO MADISON HENSLEY

hen people think about the Panhandle or Texas in general, agriculture is more than likely one of the first things to pop into their heads. Of course when one grows up in that environment it is a way of life, but not everyone has those choices. Little International gives students who are a part of the animal science class in the Department of Agriculture at West Texas A&M University, a chance to experience hands on activities with livestock. It is a learning experience for some and others it is a chance to get to do what they love one last time. Each student has the opportunity to show a steer, pig, horse or lamb. If they do not have a background with showing, or are not comfortable handling an animal, they can participate in a quiz

bowl about animal science knowledge. The students get three weeks to prepare for the show, each team has a group leader who is a senior Agriculture Education major. They have set practice times in which they learn how to handle livestock and properly show their livestock so that

“Hopefully it will help them not be afraid of livestock.” they can be prepared for their show, where students have the opportunity to win money if they win the contest. Not only is the Little International show a great experience and a way to learn responsibility about agriculture, but it is also a way to make some funny and lasting memories. Makenzie Standlee, a Freshman Ag Education major has shown pigs for a long time and been around the country travel-

ing to livestock shows. She just wants people to become more educated about the world of agriculture. “I think it will teach them a lot about the livestock industry and about what we do in it, hopefully it will help them not be afraid of livestock and learn more about market value and the market ‘look’ of all four species,” Makenzie said. Showing an animal comes with responsibility and also a lot of commitment, it is important that students with experience in the show ring come together and help the others that have not shown before. Which can sometimes lead to funny stories, Ashley Addington a Junior Ag Communications and Ag education major was in animal science last fall semester, “I was helping someone that had never showed before show a lamb, they went to set it up and didn’t have a hold of the head,

so the sheep got loose and when it did it ended up running them over. To make it even worse it had just rained so it was really muddy, they got up and we just laughed it off, but it made for a great story,” Ashley said. It is a good experience for students that have never showed, but it is also a great feeling for people that have showed to get back into the ring and do it one more time. Ashley showed heifers for many years and attended all the major shows and not just that, but she was very successful at it. So if anyone was excited to get back into the ring it was going to be her. “It was amazing and made me realize not to take the time that you have for granted to do what you love, because you never truly realize how much you’re going to miss it until it is over,” Ashley said. Students in the class that have never shown before had and interesting but exciting first time in the show ring. “I actually loved Little I. I had a great time despite never showing before, my team leader was always there ready to help me. I know when I showed pigs it was an interesting experience. My pig kept fighting and not only that, but I got my foot

stepped on too. Luckily my roommate took care of my purple toes for me,” said Sarah Ortega, a junior Equine Business major. Along with good memories, learning responsibility and how to become a good showman, students have the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about animal science as well as animal

“Some students have grown up around livestock animals and some have never been around it.” welfare. Senior Ag Education student Jayden Kirby a Senior Ag Communications major was one of the Little I group leaders, “It is an amazing feeling to give back to the younger students within the ag department. Some students have grown up around livestock animals and some have never been around it,” Jayden said. It is great to see how each individual grows throughout the time in this class and lab. “So, it is interesting to watch experienced students grow further into their showmanship abilities. But more importantly, it is amazing to watch students, who came in knowing nothing, grow to love these animals just as I have,” Kirby said. Also many of the professors in the Ag college on campus have a lot to do with Little International. Dr. David Lust and animal science professor on campus is one of the major factors in helping to even make Little I possible. Little International has been happening for 64 years now and it is only becoming more and more

successful. “Giving students an opportunity to show when they have never been around it is something that I really enjoy seeing. It’s nice to know that we are able to give them an opportunity they would not have had elsewhere. Not only do I enjoy seeing it in the works, but I enjoy seeing it build a learning community and also build friendships throughout their upcoming years on campus,” Lust said. “I remember one year we had a student from China who had never been around any livestock, much less handled any livestock. She ended up winning her class of pigs. Another year we had a deaf student win his class and his friend was having to sign to him that he had won. It is experiences like those that also help to make Little I such a fun and growing experience,” Lust said. Many of the students learn a whole new level of responsibility and may even fallen in love with the “stock show lifestyle” they were introduced to briefly. While others may have really understood and remembered why they were glad they are done with it or even why they are happy they were never involved in the stock show scene. Either way it is always a good learning experience and an ideal way to learn more about yourself as an individual and whether the agriculture lifestyle is for you or not.

Photos by Madison Hensley

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FEATURED PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK

THE COLLEGE KID’S GREAT ESCAPE

“The canyon offers world-class views for photography, but also a scenic background for artists. ”

MALIKA ZACH MCMEANS OUEDRAOGO

t’s no secret that college is the most memorable, yet most stressful experience imaginable. Many students find themselves trapped in their dorm room, the library, or the Hasting’s Electronic Learning Center trying to stay on top of their grades. When not working on schoolwork, WT students can be found at the Virgil Henson Activities Center, Western Bowl, and countless other places in the Canyon/Amarillo area. Surprisingly, there’s one place that many students don’t go that’s in WT’s backyard, Palo Duro Canyon. Sitting just 12.3 miles east of Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers college kids one of the most important things they can receive… an escape from social and school life, and the freedom to be themselves. Palo Duro Canyon, often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of Texas,” is the second largest canyon in the United States, and has a rich history prior to becoming a state park. Over it’s storied history, Palo Duro has been home to several Indian tribes, as well as the sight of one of the last Indian battles in the Panhandle. Palo Duro later was part of the world famous JA ranch, which was co-owned by a Panhandle legend, Charles Goodnight. Finally, in 1934 Palo Duro Canyon was opened as a State Park, and made available to the public. Visitors say that they feel all the history

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when they are in the Canyon. “When I’m in the Canyon, I feel like I’m getting to be part of history. It’s humbling to walk the same paths that the Indians did so long ago, or to think that I’m in a spot where Charles Goodnight or John Adair once sat on their horse. Even today, I can still feel the sense of freedom, and escape that has been part of the canyon’s history since it’s birth,” said Micah Davidson, a freshman agricultural education major who visits the canyon every open

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you could be walking on the same trails as some of the first cattle brought up to this part of Texas,” said Brennan LeFever, a sophomore mechanical engineering major. No doubt when one hears someone mention Palo Duro Canyon, they automatically think about camping, hiking, and biking, but it turns out that the canyon is much more than an outdoorsman’s paradise. Rexie Harrist, a senior agricultural

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He probably would have dropped out and resented the situation he put imself into.

weekend. Palo Duro Canyon’s rich history adds to the mystique and charm of the Panhandle attraction. “Camping out at Palo Duro is an amazing experience. When you’re out there, you feel like your reconnecting with the past. It’s pretty humbling to think that you could be sleeping in the same spot as one of Quanah Parker’s tribe members, or that

media and communication major goes to Palo Duro for another reason, photography. Harrist emphasized that Palo Duro Canyon is a paradise for photographers of every skill level. “Palo Duro Canyon is a special place for me and many other people. We’re truly fortunate to have the opportunity to observe the many different activities and species, and just nature in general. Seeing

Photos by Zach McMeans

29,182 ACRES of scenic land 3,500 FT. above sea level 120 MILES long VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY As a college students, you may get caught up in the hassle of running around frantically trying to pass classes. Another great way to get experience apart from school is to volunteer. The Palo Duro Canyon offers invaluable volunteer opportunities, and they need you. Visit the government page for more information.

Sources: http://tpwd.texas.gov/stateparks/palo-duro-canyon; http://www. palodurocanyon.com

Palo Duro Canyon, often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of Texas,” is the second largest canyon in the United States.

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our land in its natural state is like nothing else out there,” Harrist said. The canyon offers world-class views for photography, but also a scenic background for artists. The serene and scenic background, highlighted with vibrant colors is unique to Palo Duro and makes the canyon a mecca for artists from across the world. When asked why Palo Duro Canyon drew in so many photographers and artists, Harrsit said the draw for artists and photographers is the beautiful landscape,

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if riders would like, the canyon does offer guided horse tours. Palo Duro also has several geocache spots for visitors to find. Whatever activity visitors decide to do, it’s guaranteed to be a memorable experience. “Whatever activity you take part in at the canyon, you can guarantee that it will be an awesome and amazing experience,” said Preston Bashford, a freshman sports and exercise science major who has become a frequent visitor of the canyon

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There’s something about being in nature, surrounded by the wildlife and a good friend that just rejuvenates me.

wild life, and sense of freedom that can only be found in the canyon. For those who aren’t interested in photography or the artistic side of the canyon, Palo Duro still has a ton to offer. For those who like to be outdoors, Palo Duro Canyon is paradise. The canyon offers over 30 miles of biking, hiking and equestrian trails that are available to all visitors. The hiking trails accommodate people from every skill level, there are easy and shorter paths for those who are just getting started hiking, all the way to long and somewhat strenuous trails and paths for those more experienced hikers. “Hiking at Palo Duro Canyon is one of my favorite things to do. I’ve never felt as free and peaceful as I do when I’m out hiking. It’s something I can’t explain. There’s something about being in nature, surrounded by the wildlife and a good friend that just rejuvenates me,” Trae Hannon, a sophomore agricultural economics major, said. If hiking doesn’t sound adventurous enough the canyon is home to some pretty hairy bike trails, these trails wind up from the bottom of the canyon towards the top, and contain sharp turns, narrow roads, and several jumps. Whatever the skill level, bikers are guaranteed to get an adrenaline kick. For those who own horses, Palo Duro Canyon offers a one of a kind experience. Equestrian trails offer riders a peaceful and beautiful escape from the rest of the world. For those riders who are more experienced, they can tackle the trails on their own, or with their group; however, 42

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during his first semester at WT. For those looking for a longer trip, Palo Duro offers several camping choices. The canyon has several cabins, RV spots, camping spots with electricity and running water, primitive camping spots with no water or electricity, and hike in camp sites available for rent. Regardless what option is chosen, the camping experience will be memorable. Before visitors can camp though, they must have the proper equipment, and luckily enough for WT students, the University has a place to get all the gear you need. WT Outdoor Pursuits, which is located in the very back of the Activities Center, offers students a chance to rent camping equipment. For a small fee students can rent tents, sleeping bags, road and mountain bikes, and stoves for cooking. The Outdoor Pursuits team will set up students with everything they need to make sure that their camping trip is a success. Whatever students’ hobbies are, Palo Duro Canyon is sure to have something to offer. The Canyon is accessible to all, and charges a $5 fee per person for an all day pass. West Texas A&M truly has a one of a kind escape right in it’s backyard that’s available to all students. Going to the canyon is a must do before the year comes to an end. Whether planning a hiking trip, camping trip, a photography shoot, or maybe even a date to Palo Duro, make sure you bring lots of water, sunscreen, and most importantly prepare to feel a sense of freedom like no other—Palo Duro Canyon truly is the college kid’s great escape.

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Website. www.theprairienews.com Facebook. www.facebook.com/theprairiewt Twitter. @the_prairie Instagram. theprairiewt

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