02/01/16 Issue

@HSUORACLE www.hsuoracle.com

Henderson State University Monday, February 1, 2016 - Volume 110, Issue 16

TWIN TOWERS

The Vance twins’ profile - pg 5

THE ORACLE

THE ORACLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Moe Skinner FACULTY ADVISER – Mike Taylor COPY EDITOR – Madison MacNew NEWS EDITOR – Carmin Wills SPORTS EDITOR – Dom Cella VIEWS EDITOR – Dax Guilliams

4 CONSTRUCTION ISSUES

PHOTO BY CARMIN WILLS

An update on what’s happening around campus

VIEWS EDITOR – Jae-Kur Lockhart PHOTO EDITOR – Joshua Bradley PAGE DESIGNER – Melanie Cole

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BLACK AND GOLD Alpha Phi Alpha holds annual scholarship pageant

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SAB Different activies now offered for students

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SWIMMING Senior Night

AD DESIGNER – Chris Sharp GRAPHIC DESIGNER – Jordan Jones ONLINE EDITOR – Ashley Smith BUSINESS MANAGER – Coley Henson

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Have an opinion on an issue or response to what we said? Just want to rant about something for a while? Write us at ORACLE@HSU.EDU. We want to hear what you think. Hell, if it doesn’t suck, we’ll publish it in next week’s issue. Try to keep it between 400 and 600 words. Just like your Tumblr, we ignore anonymous submissions.

ONLINE STORIES Make sure to check out our other featured stories online at www.hsuoracle.com.

SUPER BOWL ADS TENNIS UPDATE A SUPERHERO’S HEART STREAMING SENSATIONS KUNG FU PANDA REVIEW

COVER Jacob and Jordan Vance stand tall.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHY VANCE PHOTO BY KRISTINE MOORE

FEB. 1, 2016

FEATURES

VIEWS

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SPORTS

GIRLS JUST WANNA ?

HAVE FUN

?

New events available this semester STORY BY KAMERON BROWN

The spring semester has started and you still haven’t done anything outside of school, just sleep, play video games and FaceTime. This semester the Student Activity Board (SAB) will host a wide variety of movies and activities to entertain students after classes.

When it seems like you are always in your dorm doing homework and studying, it can be stressful and can be a little hectic, and you might need something to do free on campus. These activities are great just to relax.

“I will try to make it to all the activities,” Brenna Moore, sophmore pre-nursing major, said. “People think they are lame, but they actually put a lot of work into them. I am on the committee. I loved the activities last semester as well, such as the ’80s dance.”

The SAB will be hosting a wide variety of activities this semester such as movies like “The Good Dinosaur,” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.”

These activities are not only for you to get out of the dorm and relax, but to meet and interact with new people.

“Being in the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority takes up a lot of my time but, if I have free time I will try to make it to some of the activities this semester,” Mary Stovall, freshman psychology major, said.

President of the SAB, Avery Shoebridge, sophomore recreation major, along with other administrators have been putting these activities together to get the students activities to do and have something to call fun at school.

“Attending the activities this semester is a must for me,” Shoebridge said. “Getting actual opinions and words from students and getting their opinion on events that they want on campus helps us get the activities we put out.”

Last semester, the SAB put forth a lot of activities that attracted a lot of students, and students might get the opportunity to see them again this semester, but that will be a surprise to the students who will come back to Henderson.

As we are just in the beginning the spring semester of 2016, students are just getting settled in their classes and getting their studies back on track, but the SAB activities being mostly later in the day, wants to reach out to everyone here at Henderson.

“Me being a swimmer and having practice later in the day, these activities being later as well makes it easy for me to go, and I am excited to see what is to offer this semester,” Francisco Ochoa, freshman mass media major, said. “I really want the hypnotist to come back because he hypnotized some of the swim team and it was funny.”

This spring semester, one of the big talked-about activities is the spring fling. Just before finals, and ringing in spring for this school year, there will be activities, food, entertainment, and more for this years spring fling which will be held April 25-29.

“I just cannot wait till spring fling comes,” Heath Sims, guest services coordinator, said. “It is just a wonderful experience to come to, and for freshmen that haven’t experienced yet, you will enjoy it as your semester will be wrapping up.”

GRAPHIC BY JORDAN JONES

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FEATURES

VIEWS

SPORTS

OBSTACLES ON CAMPUS

GRAPHIC BY JORDAN JONES

PROGRESS UNDERWAY — Workers continue to improve areas on campus.

Caution: Construction ahead STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARMIN WILLS Navigating through campus this semester is almost like finding a parking spot in order to get to class on time. There are areas that are closed to students, extra equipment to walk around and there are places that students need to be extra mindful around, especially when driving.

Students need to avoid going into any construction site, Tonya Smith, executive director of marketing and communication, stated in an email interview.

“You can tell they’re active because we have fencing around them,” Smith stated.

There are currently three projects going on around campus. There seems to be more but, one of the projects is happening throughout campus. That proj-

ect is the energy savings project, in this project the workers are replacing pipes underground. These pipes are what the school uses to provide air conditioning and humidity control for all the buildings on campus.

Smith stated that the construction should not cause any traffic issues unless they are moving large equipment.

“We would like to remind students that they should slow down,” Smith stated.

Especially if students are turning off the highway by the fountain, going towards the bookstore or Womack Hall. This area is partially blocked due to construction.

FEB. 1, 2016

NEWS

VIEWS

SPORTS

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VANCE SQUARED Two hott to handle

STORY BY KATIE SMITH — PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATHY VANCE No matter who is asked, everyone gives a similar answer about the Vance brothers: they fill the roles in their life in every way you could possibly want them to. Be it child, brother, friend, or student, these two are known for their great personalities and giving hearts.

Jordan and Jacob were born two months early and just seven minutes apart. One of them almost didn’t make it. Their dad, Will Vance, said that when they were born, they were so small, you could fit them into the shoe boxes of the sneakers they wear now.

They grew to be an incredible 6’8 and 6’9, and followed in Will’s not-so-small footsteps of playing college basketball. After lettering in both basketball and golf in high school, they were recruited to Henderson by former assistant coach Dwayne Paul.

Both agreed that it wasn’t hard to make the decision to become a Reddie, even though their dad went to Southern Arkansas.

“Something about Henderson made it feel like home to us, so we chose it,” Jordan said.

Will said he was proud of his sons for making their own footprints.

The twins turned down Division I opportunities and scholarships to stay together as they went to college. However, everyone in the family agrees, the school with the heart was the best choice.

This season has been a struggle for the Vance’s, as both boys have battled with health issues.

In early December, Jacob sustained a concussion in practice that was followed by seizing. Due to the team’s protocol, he was not allowed to play for around three weeks.

Shortly after his brother’s injury, Jordan woke up one night with appendicitis like symptoms. After being taken to two different hospitals, they finally diagnosed him with severe dehydration accompanied by a possible GI virus.

They have both been medically released to play again.

The twins have a big presence on campus and in their community; one that doesn’t have anything to do with their height.

Coach Jimmy Elgas talked highly of them, saying they were “great ambassadors on campus” and they “exemplify what we [the coaching staff] want out of a Henderson State basketball player.”

Jordan and Jacob both volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club in El Dorado. They said they grew up playing there and thought it just made sense to go back and help. Jacob said they try and do whatever they can to help out.

Will and their mother, Kathy, said they could not be more proud of the men that their sons have become.

“As a father, it is one of the truest honors to have someone come up to you and tell you how well your boys carry themselves,” Will said.

They both agreed that they have always tried to teach their kids to do the right thing and put God first.

“God blessed us with two amazing individuals,” Kathy said, “and I thank him for them everyday.”

GAME FACE — Jacob keeps his focus on the court.

COMIN’ AT YA — Jordan gets ready to take on the opponents.

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NEWS

WINNER — KeAmbra Roberts takes the crown.

VIEWS

SPORTS

PHOTO BY KRISTINE MOORE

MISS BLACK AND GOLD

Alpha Phi Alpha holds annual scholarship pageant STORY BY MYKAYLA ARNOLD

On Tuesday, Jan. 26 the Theta Kappa chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. hosted the annual Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant. Nine contestants worked tirelessly to create the perfect image of a Pharoahs Queen.

Many students gathered in the Garrison anxious to see who would be crowned the 2016 Miss Black and Gold.

During the pageant, the contestants were judged on their talent, swimsuit, business wear and formal wear. Not only did the contestants prepare a rehearsed dance to showcase their personalities, they also prepared introductions that included their life philosophy.

“In the weeks leading to crowning a new queen I was excited yet sad because I’ve grown close to the Theta Kappa chapter as individuals and I love them all. It felt like I was a part of their family. I started to ask the girls how they would benefit from the fraternity and what they were getting from the experience but once the day came I understood that I had done my duty as the 2015 Miss Black and Gold and it was time for someone else to develop as a woman, not only as a queen,” Ayanna Willis, junior psychology major, said.

The pageant began with an introduction of two hosts, alumni Stanley Jones and Nylla Hines, junior mass media major.

I had an amazing time hosting the pageant this year. “Just seeing the girls work hard should really inspire others,” Jones said. Not to worry about what society says about them, but how they truly feel about themselves. All the contestants displayed their definition of elegance and beauty,” Jones said.

“It was a really good turn out and I’m happy for all of the contestants and the winner. Very interesting hosting a pageant in front of people you see every day,” Hines said.

Backstage a few of the contestants appeared to be quite nervous. For some this was their first pageant. It takes a driven person to face the fear of preforming live for the people you interact with on a daily bases.

“That week of the pageant, I was so nervous and worried about my talent because I did not have it finished at all. When the day came, I just prayed to God and said, ‘Lord use me! Let me feel the anointing in my body and dance in your name,’” Kebreanna Creggett, sophomore sociology major, said.

All the contestants finished the pageant with confidence and satisfaction knowing that the audience seemed to be pleased.

“The pageant was truly a great experience. It’s always amazing to see people embrace their fears and even passions. I was grateful to be given the honor to judge a group of wonderful girls,” Rayven Giles, senior mass media major said.

Creggett was awarded Best Talent and First Runner-up; Shirelle Coakley,sophomore pre-nursing major, was named Miss Congeniality, and the 2016 Miss Black and Gold went to KeAmbra Roberts, junior marketing major.

“I am so honored to be the 2016 Miss Black and Gold! It was my first pageant ever so it was a little stressful but definitely worth it,” Roberts said.

“I met a lot of new people and made some friends along the way. All of the girls were really nice and we’ve also managed to keep in touch after everything,” Roberts said. “I gained confidence and proved to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to as long as I am willing to work.”

Roberts will represent Henderson and the Theta Kappa chapter in the District Miss Black and Gold pageant on Feb. 6.

FEB. 1, 2016

NEWS

FEATURES

SPORTS

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

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OPINION BY DAX GUILLIAMS — PARODY IMAGE BY JORDAN JONES BASED ON AN IMAGE © BIMMERFEST FORUMS Students at this university need a better place to spend some of their free time. There’s no place on campus that has enough space for a large amount of students to spend time at with enough equipment to keep them entertained.

A place like this used to be on campus and it was located on the first floor of Foster Hall.

Just a couple of years ago, students had access to a entire floor of computers, televisions with Youtube and Netflix built in and games to rent and it was great. Then, it just went away like it wasn’t even there.

Since then, the first floor of Foster is now used to aid students with disabilities.

It’s nice that Henderson put a place for those students, but it was also nice having a place where every student could just hang out and do things together during anytime of the day.

Back when that floor of Foster Hall existed, it’s where my friends and I would spend a large amount of our time, but know that’s gone and there’s nothing close to it on campus.

The only thing that came out of the disappearance of the old Foster Hall is that the computers are located in the one room in Garrison that no one ever visits.

Every time I walk past that room, there’s next to no one in there. The only time people ever go in there to use those computers is when they have late homework to turn in and they were too hungover to find the library.

And whatever happened to the things you could rent from the front desk of the old Foster Hall? There were Xboxes and Playstations available for rent and I guarantee they’re not being used anymore.

Plus, that place was perfect for just renting one of the rooms and relaxing.

Have you tried relaxing in the front area of the bookstore? Most students avoid that area like a plague was introduced in

that spot.

The old Foster Hall used to mean something to us students. It was a place free of the stress of the rest of the university, unless you were doing school work on one of the computers like a psychopath.

Where else on this campus can a bunch of nerds sit around watching Power Rangers? That’s what we did. We rented a room and watched the Green Ranger fight monsters and ninjas and it was great.

There have been rumors that the old cafeteria is going to be turned into something. I know exactly what it should become and that’s Foster Hall 2.0.

The students here deserve to at least one cafeteria that’s enjoyable to go to, so it may as well be one that’s converted into a place for students to relax and hang out in.

It wouldn’t be too hard, I should think.

Just take the computers out of the room in Garrison and remove most of the TVs in the cafeteria.

Only two to four of those are on most of the time so they might as well get some use since the university spent so much money on them.

And all over campus I see advertisements for Campus Quad telling students to use the app to find out what’s happening on campus. Let me tell you all what’s happening on campus. There is nothing happening on campus.

There’s nothing happening in this entire town. It’s Arkadelphia and there’s barely anything going on all year. If anything does happen, we get an email about it from the faculty.

But with the old Foster Hall, students could still do nothing, but we could do it together. That’s how friendships are formed.

I just miss that place so much. It was such a great place to spend time at and it was just taken away with no warning.

Now, considering I’m on my way out of this place and I no longer live on campus, I really don’t need a place like Foster anymore. However, all of the freshmen coming in each semester and the current students that have a few more years of classes could use a place like the original Foster Hall.

I don’t think it’s asking too much of a university to put as much effort into a good student center as they can and I do believe Henderson faculty care about the well being of students.

I just think one of the ways they can really show they care is making a place that’s just as good as the old Foster Hall.

It doesn’t have to be just like the old Foster Hall either. It doesn’t have to be open for twenty-four hours a day and it doesn’t have to have a huge amount of

computers, and TVs, but as long as something like that was a part of the campus again, it would provide a lot for students.

Without it, most students don’t really have anything to do on the weekends or at night when classes are over except stay in their rooms or go drive somewhere, but not all students have vehicles to do that.

Henderson was just so much more enjoyable when Foster Hall was the way it used to be. Just one building on campus made the university so much better and students who choose to be at Henderson should have a place that’s that good.

And maybe the faculty does have plans to create something like the old Foster Hall. If they do, going through with that will be one of the best decisions they could make at this time.

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NEWS

FEATURES

VIEWS

BITTER-SWEET SENIOR MEET Red Wave seniors line up on the blocks for the last time at home STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOM CELLA

CRUISE CONTROL — Senior Payten Frunzi glides through the backstroke.

Eight straight months of muscle aches, overexertion and lack of sleep, that’s what the seniors of the Red Wave swim team have dealt with since arriving on campus in the fall of 2012.

Saturday afternoon held possibly one of the most memorable swim meets of their lives when the 11 seniors walked through a tunnel of teammates to approach their home blocks for the last time.

Applause, flashes and tears of proud-joy from their parents accompanied the swimmers as they took a farewell gift and roses from head coach, Coak Matthews.

The women would drop their meet to the women of the University of Little Rock, 170-125, but it could not drop their spirits. The women swam hard and finished strong against a rival that always puts up a good fight. Senior captain Camille Leary impressively won both the 100-yard breaststroke and the 50-yard butterfly with times of 1.09.95 and 28.15, respectively.

“The team has definitely come a long way. Watching everyone race and race well

made the meet pretty bittersweet for me,” said Leary, “Leaving the team is hard.

They are an amazing group of people but I know next year will bring in a new class and even more accomplishments.”

In an exhibition match the men swam against Ouachita Baptist, due to UALR not having a men’s team.

“The meet was a fun experience but also sad that it was our last dual meet ever as seniors,” Rourke said.

The women’s swim team retired seniors consisted of captain Phoebe Campbell, captain Payten Frunzi, captain Camille Leary and Megan Ross while the men sent off captain Dylan Anderson, Erubiel Basurto-Ruiz, Shea Bielby, captain Guy Buls, Matthew Gribble, captain Daniel Morgan and Evan Rourke.

The Red Wave have begun tapering for their four-day-long conference meet starting February 17.

DIVING INTO THE ACTION — Red Wave women gracefully launch into their backstroke starts.

YOUR WEEK IN SPORTS Basketball Mens: Thursday vs Southern Nazarene - L 61-73 Saturday vs Oklahoma Baptist - W 72-59 Womens: Thursday vs Southern Nazarene - W 78-61

Saturday vs Oklahoma Baptist - L 60-66 Baseball

Friday vs Tarleton - L 10-5

Saturday vs Tarleton - W 5-2 / L 13-5 Tennis

Thursday vs Texas A&M Texarkana - W 9-0

Both basketball teams split wins and losses this week at home. The men were lead by sophomore guard Kaylon Tappin who put up 13 points and shot 82 percent from the free throw line. Senior Dulincia Keener bagged 20 points and has put up double digits in 16 games this season. Baseball managed to avoid getting swept by Tarleton as senior pitcher Nick Vanthillo picked up a win. Tennis shutout Texas A&M Texarkana 9-0 with strong performances from sophomore Annie Shannon and senior Amanda Korinihona.

For more stats and scores go online to www.hsuoracle.com