03/10/14 Issue

Reddie basketball

draws to a close after both men and women fall this past weekend.

>Page 6

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014

HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY

VOLUME 107, ISSUE 23

Business plan wins HSU second place

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Several members of the business deptartment competed in the Battle of the Ravine Business Plan Competition. Above, Zack Ritter, a finance major graduate, presented his team’s business plan.

pany. Then, the judges would watch the separate teams present their information. Each company had to explain to the judges what each member would accomplish in the company.

Various factors were covered, such as inventory and supply, who the CEO would be, employees and employee benefits and the up-front costs to make the company possible.

Each person on a team had a separate. For example, on the Oil Bandits team, Little was the information officer.

He took care of advertising, managed the app the team had for phones, and did web graphic design.

Each year, external people that would not be biased towards a certain team or person are appointed judges.

They are professionals from different financial institutions. For this competition, three judges were from banks, one from a local economical institution, and the city manager dealing with finances.

The judges determined the winning team by how well the business plan was written and the components within it.

They also judged on how the plan was presented in front of them and how feasible it actually was.

The first place team can go into different competitions that award more cash prizes for winning.

There is an entrepreneurship class available to students if they are interested in entering the competition.

“The entrepreneurship class prepares you better for the competition,” Griffin said.

The competition is not exclusive to business students. Anybody who is interested in the competition may enter .

created a lot of anxiety in the higher education community the past few weeks.

“We heard a lot of things last weekend, and it was difficult to know what was true and what wasn’t,” he said. “Everyone stayed in touch regarding the negotiations going on though.”

Now that the uncertainty of potential budget cuts has passed, both Broadway and Dr. Jones are ready to get back to planning for the future, starting with budgets.

“Now everyone can shift away from those negative things and get back to working on getting our budget completed and approved,” Jones said.

Broadway said that the ADHE is also moving ahead with preparing next year’s budget proposals. He stated that it takes several months for the ADHE to assess institutional needs like maintenance, capital, and personnel requirements. The ADHE also looks at enrollment to calculate formulas that determine accurate budgets.

Along with budgetary matters, Henderson’s strategic plan is a high priority for Dr. Jones. The focus of the plan is raising the profile of Henderson on both a state and a national level over the next 10 years.

Dr. Jones believes that enrollment management and student retention are key elements of the strategic plan, as Henderson saw a five percent decline in enrollment this fall.

“Things like actively listening to our students and continually improving campus amenities and facilities will hopefully keep students coming back,” Jones said. “Since my first day at Henderson, I’ve always said that we have to

put students first and that means listening to and considering how students feel about Henderson.”

Henderson wasn’t the only university in the state to see a decline in enrollment this year, Broadway said. There has been a decline in enrollment nationally, not just statewide, and Broadway said that the ADHE is working to turn that trend around in Arkansas. The ADHE recognizes that there are many adults in Arkansas that have begun college but have never finished.

“We’ve launched campaigns that target and hopefully motivate these adults to finish school,” Broadway said.

The ADHE is also teaming up with workforce training programs and human resource managers from Arkansas-based companies to identify current and future needs and then working with schools to match curriculum and programs.

With the healthcare debate finally over in Little Rock, Dr. Jones hopes that legislators can start listening to higher education funding requests.

“There needs to be a greater investment into university infrastructures,” he said. “There are a lot of the issues with older campuses that could be resolved with minimal state investments.”

Dr. Jones recognizes the benefits of investments into updating and upgrading buildings and other campus facilities.

“We’re advocating for these funds,” he said. “I just hope that legislators understand the benefits of investments like these and how much good they could do for our colleges for decades to come.”

Ashley Smith Staff Writer

On Monday students from Henderson and Ouachita Baptist went headto-head in a business plan competition.

Students created and presented their business plan in front of various judges.

First place went to a team from Ouachita, and the Oil Bandits team from Henderson was awarded second.

Third place went to Awesome Outdoor Company from Henderson and fourth went to another team from Ouachita.

The competition has been running for about four years now. A previous

competition at Henderson occured before this one, in which one of Henderson’s teams, the Oil Bandits, won first place. Heather Griffin, senior entrepreneurship major, Wesley Duke, management graduate, and Brett Little, senior digital art and design major, made up the Oil Bandits team.

“We hope that Henderson sweeps this competition,” Griffin said. “We got first at the Henderson competition, and it’s scary to try to stay first.”

The Oil Bandits called their company “Oil Bandits Mobile Tire and Lube.”

Contestants in the competition had to write a business plan and also offer entrepreneurship for each individual com-

*Photo by Lauren Dudley

Medicaid private option passes state House Scott McKinnon Staff Writer

In a 76-24 vote, the Arkansas House of Representatives agreed to continue the Arkansas Medicaid private option expansion on Tuesday. The expansion allows the state to use federal Medicaid money to buy private insurance for lower income Arkansans.

Higher education institutions in Arkansas, including Henderson, avoided potential budget cuts with the passing of the private option legislation.

“From a higher education perspective, we’re all relieved that it’s over,” Shane Broadway, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, said. “We could have seen big reductions in higher education budgets and programs.”

Broadway said that discussions over the weekend probably turned to the potential consequences of failing to pass the bill. In a speech to the House before agreeing to vote for the bill, Rep. Kim Hammer of Benton remained staunchly opposed to the larger idea of expanded Medicaid but acknowledged those potential consequences of not voting for the bill.

Unfortunately, higher education will always find itself in the crosshairs.

“It’s just how the budget is constructed and how other programs like K-12 education and human services are protected or off limits,” Broadway said.

Dr. Glen Jones, Henderson president, was very happy that the legislation finally passed after four failed attempts.

Dr. Jones admitted that the uncertainty

In The Fold Sports

Reddie men and women suffer tough losses this week in basketball.

The men lost in double overtime to Harding in the GAC Tournament games. The ladies lost to SWOSU by merely six points.

This will bring the basketball season to a close for the Reddies.

>Page 6

News The cost of college for poorer students has begun to rise while higher incomed students enjoy a declining price for their secondary education.

>Page 2

Features 17 different culture styles gathered in the Wells Gym last Friday for dancing, food and fun.

The International Food Bazaar is a tradition enjoyed by members of the community as well as students faculty and staff of Henderson.

>Page 3

Diversions MiSSiLE exposes the utter absurdity of self-doctoring and diagnosing through WebMD.

>Page 5

Find more news and information online at WWW.HSUORACLE.COM Monday

Tuesday

73

75

46

39

Wednesday

61

30

Thursday

64

30

INDEX News: 2 | Features: 3 & 4 | Diversions: 5 | Sports: 6

Friday

70

43

Saturday

Sunday

73

68

43

37

FEATURES

PAGE 2 MARCH 10, 2014

College costs rising more rapidly for poorer students analysis shows Who gets tax-based student aid

Though only 20 percent of U.S. households earn more than $100,000 a year, that group got more than half the deductions for tuition, fees and exemptions for dependent students. The percentage of education incentives for 2013, by income group: Pell grant 60%

American Opportunity Tax Credit

Lifetime Learning Credit

Tuition and fees deduction

Student loan interest deduction

Student exemption

50 40 30 20 10

Bottom fifth

Income less than $11,926

Lower middle $11,926$27,561

Middle

$27,562$51,807

Upper middle $51,808$91,656

Top fifth

More than $91,656

Households by income group (using adjusted gross income) Source: The Hechinger Report, Tax Policy Center Jon Marcus Holly Hacker MCT National News

WASHINGTON — America’s colleges and universities are quietly shifting the burden of their big tuition increases onto low-income students, while many higher-income families are seeing their college costs rise more slowly, or even fall, an analysis of federal data shows.

It’s a trend financial aid experts and some university administrators worry will further widen the gap between the nation’s rich and poor as college degrees (especially four-year ones) drift beyond the economic reach of growing numbers of students.

“We’re just exacerbating the income inequalities and educational achievement gaps,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and vice president of Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit group that advocates for Latino and other students.

The shift also runs contrary to an Obama administration push to make a college education more affordable for low-income students. At a White House summit in January, college leaders and others promised to find ways to make degrees more accessible for the less affluent.

In fact, lower-income and working-class students at private colleges and universities have seen the amount they pay, after grants and scholarships, increase faster than the amount their middle- and upperincome classmates pay, according to an analysis of data that institutions are required to report to the U.S. Department of Education.

The net price (the total annual cost of tuition, fees, room, board, books and other expenses, minus federal, state and institutional scholarships and grants) rose for all students by an average of $1,100 at public and $1,500 at private universities between the 2008-09 and 201112 academic years, the most recent period for which the figures are available.

At private universities, students in the lowest income group saw the biggest dollar increase over that period: about $1,700, after adjusting for inflation, according to the analysis

by The Dallas Morning News, The Hechinger Report and the Education Writers Association. Higherincome students paid more overall, but their costs rose more slowly (an inflation-adjusted average of about

$850 for middle-income families and $1,200 for those in the top income group.

At private research universities, including many of the nation’s most elite, the net price rose by an average of $2,700 for the poorest families ( those with incomes under $30,000 a year ( compared with $1,400 for their higher-income classmates. Those averages are also adjusted for inflation, and the sample is limited to students who received any federal aid.

Experts and advocates concede that, as tuition spirals ever higher, even more affluent families need help paying for it, making the situation far more complex.

Wealthier students still pay more for college educations, on average.

But to help colleges maintain enrollment numbers, keep revenue rolling in and raise standings in annual rankings, these students are getting billions of dollars in discounts and institutional financial aid that many critics say should go instead to their lower-income classmates.

“Schools are talking out of both sides of their mouths,” said Stephen Burd, a senior policy analyst at the New America Foundation, a nonprofit think tank. “They say that they support access, but in general they’re giving more and more of their aid to higher-income students.”

Burd calls the practice “affirmative action for the rich.”

Financial aid officials say higher-income families have learned to work this system, pitting institutions against one another to negotiate for even more discounts, while also capturing a lopsided share of outside scholarships.

This phenomenon is occurring even as colleges and universities contend they’re less and less able to help low-income families financially.

Higher-income families also disproportionately benefit from tuition tax breaks and an outdated formula for the taxpayer-supported federal work-study program.

If this really is an era of tight resources, then we need to make every dollar count,” said Julie Strawn, a former senior fellow at the Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success. Instead, Strawn says, “We’re pitting groups of students against each other, most of them from families that make less than $30,000 a year, on the premise that there just isn’t enough money to invest in lowincome people going to college.”

Just as airline passengers pay varying prices for the same trip, col-

© 2014 MCT

lege students often pay different prices for the same degree.

Until a few years ago, that information was hard or impossible to find. Now, colleges and universities must annually disclose their so-called “net price,” which is what families are left to cover through savings, loans, work study and private scholarships from civic groups and other sources.

The most recent data for the University of Notre Dame, for instance, show that the poorest students, defined as coming from families with annual incomes below $30,000, paid an average net price of just over $15,000 per year. Students with family incomes between $48,000 and $75,000 paid more, around $18,500.

And families that earn more than $110,000 paid the most, about $37,500.

Over the four years the data were collected, however, the net price for Notre Dame’s poorest freshmen more than doubled, from about $7,300 in 2008-09 to $15,100 in 2011-12, while it declined slightly for students in higher-income groups.

Some colleges and universities dispute the government’s formula for determining net price, which takes into account only students who receive so-called Title IV financial aid, and only the earnings of custodial parents. Many say they use a different calculation that, among other things, is based on total assets and the incomes of both parents, even if they’re divorced.

There are shortcomings with these figures — most notably that they take into account only full-time, first-year students who receive federal financial aid. At Notre Dame, as an example, that means just under half of all freshmen are included.

Still, the data offer the most comprehensive and transparent look at what students of varying financial means really pay. And because the government’s net-price figures have been calculated consistently over the years, they’re the best available measure of how financing patterns are changing.

Colleges and universities last year gave about $8.3 billion in so-called merit aid to students whose family incomes were too high for them to qualify for government-issued Pell Grants, the College Board reports.

Pell eligibility varies based on such things as whether students are dependent on their parents and go to school full time or part time and the cost of their tuition.

Three-quarters of Pell recipients come from families that make $30,000 or less per year.

That means public and private colleges and universities are spending more of their financial aid budgets trying to lure higher-income students, whose families earn much more than $30,000 a year, than on meeting the financial needs of lowincome ones, according to a 2011 report from the U.S. Department of Education.

The colleges do this because dividing even a little money among several higher-income students means each of their families will pay the rest (filling more seats at a time when enrollments are declining, and keeping much-needed revenue coming in) while giving that same amount to a single low-income student would result in a loss to the bottom line.

Better-off students tend to come from better-funded high schools and also typically bring the kinds of entrance-test scores and grade-point averages that make colleges look better in those annual rankings than do students from poorer districts.

The result is that, since 1995, the proportion of students receiving merit aid has overtaken the proportion that gets need-based aid, nearly doubling from 24 percent to 44 percent at private institutions, and more than doubling at taxpayer-supported public universities, from 8 percent to 18 percent, according to that 2011 U.S. Department of Education report.

Some universities concede that they use merit aid to improve their academic standings. “As an institution with a rising academic reputation and building selectivity, we do use merit strategies to employ scholarship dollars,” said Melissa Connolly, spokeswoman for Hofstra University in New York, where students whose families earn $30,000 a year or less face an average net price of about $26,800, while their wealthier classmates have seen their costs drop by about $1,100 to roughly $31,600.

“There are good arguments for institutions to make limited and judicious use of merit aid,” the University of Southern California’s Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice and the Education Conservancy jointly warned as early as 2011.

But “the practice has grown to the point of significantly reducing the funds to qualified students from lower-income households who could benefit from a college education.”

FEATURES

PAGE 3 MARCH 10, 2014

Bazaar provides cultural, taste enrichment J Scott McKinnon Contributing Editor

The Henderson International Student Association held its 18th annual International Food Bazaar on Friday evening at the Duke Wells Center.

With the sound of steel drums echoing through the building, the International Food Bazaar welcomed students, faculty, and community members to experience the cultures of 17 different countries through food and performance.

The food bazaar wasn’t just a fun way to enjoy exotic foods like ragout d’igname au boeuf, a yam and beef stew, from the African country of Benin or Saudi Arabian fattoush, a rustic salad of pita bread and vegetables.

It was also a way for international students to feel close to home.

“International students usually don’t get to go home during breaks, so they get homesick. Participating in the food bazaar is a nice reminder of their homes for them,” Mindy Auduong, president of the Henderson International Student Association, said.

One of those international students is Nwakoby “Charles” Chukwunonso, freshman biology major.

Chukwunonso prepared three dishes from his home country of Nigeria: a meat pie, Nigerian fried rice, and coconut candies.

“I have enjoyed making people aware of my culture and really enjoyed getting to see all of the other cultures,” Chukwunonso said. “It has also been fun trying the other foods.”

Another way that international students shared their culture was through dress. Chukwunonso, who wore traditional Igbo tribal clothing from Nigeria, was one of many students who chose to take pride in showing off their native garments for the event.

Many of the roughly 200 guests made several return trips to the food lines wanting to try as many dishes as possible.

“I’d have a hard time picking a favorite,” Ethan Tedder, junior public administration major, said. “Maybe

*Photo by Kristine Moore

CULTURED UNIVERSITY HISA has hosted the Annual Food Bazaar for the past 18 years introducing several different cultures to members of the Henderson family as well as the Arkadelphia community.

Above, Emmitt Knowles helps serve one of the many dishes shared at the program. the South African milk tart? It was really, really good.”

There were many favorite dishes of the night. Cecilia Medina, junior fashion merchandising major, loved the Canadian poutine, French fries smothered with gravy and cheese.

While the focus of the food bazaar was obviously the food, it was not all about eating.

After guests sampled the food, they were treated to vocal and dance performances as well as a cultural fashion show.

“The food bazaar is an opportunity to share cultures,” Dr. Drew Smith, director of the Henderson Center for International Programs, said. “It’s a real celebration of cultures.”

The spirit of celebrating was in full effect Friday night.

“I just love seeing all of these different cultures represented, and it’s so great that it lets others experience new cultures,” Medina said.

Auduong agreed that international students are always excited to give the community a taste of where they

come from.

Smith said that the food bazaar was entirely student run. The students planned the event and festivities along with choosing what they would like to cook.

The only assistance they received from administrators was shopping trips for exotic ingredients and help with bringing food from the International House kitchen to the Wells Center.

The event was originally held in the Garrison Day Gym, but due to the ongoing remodeling, it had to relocate to the Wells Center.

Smith was initially worried about the change of venue, but said that Ernie Higgs, director of Garrison Activity and Conference Center, was a great help with the transition.

Not only does the food bazaar give international students the chance to show off their cultures, it also helps people in need.

Every year, the International Student Association decides where they would like to donate part of the proceeds of the food bazaar. This

year, they chose to send a donation to typhoon disaster relief in the Philippines.

Several years ago, before Smith came to Henderson, the money would go to funding group trips, but Smith went to the student association and encouraged them to do good with the money.

“They now send between $500$1000 to a charity or organization after every food bazaar, and they always feel so good about doing it,” he said.

Smith said that he was very pleased with the turnout, considering some of the other activities happening on campus.

He also said that the food bazaar isn’t going anywhere. Students and guests couldn’t be happier to hear that.

“I didn’t even know about it until I heard about it from a friend,” Grayson Dumas, Arkadelphia resident and first time attendee, said.

“But I will definitely be back next year, because this was awesome.”

Little uses comparison to illustrate his themes Dax Guilliams Staff Writer

Many of Henderson’s art students create work that could be in galleries one day. On Wednesday, that artist was former student Bret Little and the gallery is in the library.

While a few art galleries have been held this semester, this one was special not only because it showcased the work of a former student but also for it’s specific theme.

Bret Little’s gallery, titled “High Contrast,” featured his more recent work.

“My goal is to embrace those pieces by producing unique work that expresses who I have been, who I am, and who I will become,” Little said.

Little was very enthusiastic in explaining his work. He would often approach people as they entered the gallery to greet them, thank them for coming, and answer any questions.

Entering the gallery, one would meet a large crowd of well dressed people, some students, all observing the art hunging on the walls.

Although it was held in a library, the sound of several art enthusiasts’ cameras could be heard as pictures of Bret’s work were being taken.

The two art styles featured at the gallery were digital illustration and oil paintings. The art pieces had their prices labeled next to them, ranging from $75 to $175.

Some of Little’s artwork featured a scene made with digital illustration

while an oil painting featured the same scene, only from a different angle.

The two artworks would also have similar names.

Little’s artworks, primarily his digital illustrations, have a heavy post-modern influence to them. Several of the illustrations are located in subways, office buildings, or even city streets with cars passing by.

Three of the oil paintings that stood out all had the name, “SelfPortrait of the Week,” with a re-

spective number beside it. All three of these paintings were of the same room but from a different angle.

Another feature in Little’s art is that the people and statues do not have detailed faces, if they have any faces at all. While strange at first, the faceless people do add to the overall atmosphere of thework.

Shadows are also rarely featured in the overall design of the art. The objects and people in some of the featured art do not seem to cast a shadow, whereas in other works,

they cast very large and pronounced shadows.

A large majority of the crowd that attended were Henderson employees, a few senate faculty members, and also several art students who had their own interpretation of Little‘s artwork.

“It gives me a cinematic feel when I look at it,” Barrazza Loyd, freshman art education major, said. “His art reminds me of a movie screen.”

Little’s artwork can still be seen on the second floor of Huie.

FEATURES

PAGE 4 MARCH 10, 2014

The WABAC machine gets a decent update JD Roberts Contributing Editor

Back in the 50s and 60s, a flying squirrel and bumbling moose made their mark on pop-culture.

In 2000, the live action “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” flew into theaters, but couldn’t stick the landing or make the same mark that the source material had made.

Now, 14 years later, DreamWorks Animation is hoping to wipe the slate clean with “Mr. Peabody and Sherman,” an adaptation of a segment that was apart of the original “Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.”

“Mr. Peabody and Sherman,” is the usual story of a boy and his dog.

Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it. Thank you.

“Mr. Peabody and Sherman,” is the unusual story of a dog and his boy.

Mr. Peabody is a super-intelligent dog who has made technological advances, accomplished world peace and invented several internet crazes.

While he is great at almost everything, he is no genius when it comes to raising his adoptive son, Sherman.

The two don’t always see eye-toeye, but they both share a deep interest in history.

In fact, Mr. Peabody has invented a machine called the WABAC (or the Way-Back) that allows him and Sherman to travel to any part of history.

After a fight at school breaks out between Sherman and a girl named Penny, the threat of Mr. Peabody losing Sherman becomes all too real.

In an attempt to resolve the issue, he invites Penny and her family to dinner, but things quickly spin out of control after Sherman shows her

*Photo courtesy of DreamWorks Animation

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN Mr. Peabody (Ty Burrell) and Sherman (Max Charles) narrowly avoid an explosion in the eponymous film released last Friday. the WABAC. Now Mr. Peabody, Sherman and Penny must travel across time to restore the damage before the timespace continuum is destroyed, or worse, Mr. Peabody loses Sherman.

On paper this movie sounds absolutely ridiculous, but seeing it on the big screen is a fun and intelligent adventure.

It is directed by Rob Minkoff. If that name doesn’t ring any bells, go grab your copy of the “Lion King,” and you’ll find his name under director.

He does an incredible job at taking this small segment from a 50 year -old cartoon and making it humorous as well as relevant.

This best parts of the movie come from the historical references and humor.

It may be true that most kids won’t get a lot of it, but adults and history buffs will certainly be rolling during each historical set piece.

That’s not to say there isn’t any kiddie humor. There is plenty, but it never annoys.

One of my favorite parts of watching the movie is the animation.

This movie has beautiful animation that has a nice blend of reality and cartoon.

“How to Train Your Dragon,” changed the animation game, and DreamWorks Animation is constantly delivering beautiful movies. Pixar

on the other hand has been wavering both in the story and quality of their films. They should take a page out of the DreamWorks book and make their films pop more and impress viewers with visuals.

“Mr. Peabody and Sherman” is a fun-filled ride that has laughs for everyone and makes history a joy to learn. The last 20 minutes will have you laughing, crying and cheering, and gives audiences one of the best movie references to ever grace an animated movie.

Animation is the way to go when it comes to adapting cartoons into movies. Maybe in a few years we could see Moose and Squirrel up on the big screen again.

Tortilla tutorial serves as culinary, cultural lesson Megan Fowler Staff Writer

On Tuesday evening in the Garrison Banquet Room, the League of Latinos hosted a how-to session in which participants learned how to make tortillas.

Joann Mejia-Vidal, a junior political science major, demonstrated how to make homemade tortillas.

Vidal met one of the students of the League of Latinos at church through a mutual friend, and he invited her to come to some of the meetings.

“This is actually only the second time I’ve met Alex, but I am very excited to teach you all tonight,” she sad.

Vidal and her family started attending a church that doesn’t believe in eating meat and some not even animal by-products.

“This is one of the reasons my family makes their own tortillas,” she said. “There is also something very special about getting to spend time in the kitchen with your family. My daughter loves trying to learn how to make all of the old recipes her grandma passed down.”

Walking into the banquet room, attendees were welcomed with smiling faces, brightly colored tablecloths with matching mixing bowls, and ingredients placed among the tables.

Vidal stressed that making tortillas is not a hard process once you have just a little bit of experience under your belt.

In order to make tortillas, you need Instant Corn Masa Flour, also called Maseca, water and a pinch of salt.

“Once you start making tortillas, you just know how much of what you need,” Vidal said. “But being

that most of you are first timers we are going to try to measure this out until you get a little more experience.”

First you need a big mixing bowl, the participants were instructed. You will start by taking a solo cup and putting about two full cups in your bowl. Take your pinch of salt and throw it in the bowl with the Maseca.

Next you need bottled water.

“I would keep two bottles on stand by. You never know how much you’re going to need,” Vidal said.

As you start adding water, only add a little bit at a time so that it is easier to work the Maseca around.

“You will know you have enough water once the dough slides off your hand,” Vidal said. “You don’t want it to stick to your gloves.”

Once you have a nice consistency for your dough, take a little bit, put it in the tortilla press and let it flatten

giving your tortilla its shape.

You should have a Comal, the Spanish word for grill, heated and ready to place your dough on. You will place it on one side for about two minutes then flip and leave it for another two minutes.

“Your tortilla will puff up and get bubbles inside of it,” Vidal said.

For this reason you flip it on the other side leaving it for only a minute and flip once more and leave it for a minute.

The final step is to pile up some chicken, steak, shrimp, or for vegetarians like Vidal, grilled vegetables.

Then you enjoy your homemade tortillas.

“I’m getting married soon and I am not exactly a good cook so this was a great start,” said Gladys Rivas, a senior marketing major. “My fiancé will be so proud I am actually learning to cook for him.”

Higgins debuts ‘Candide’ opera after two semesters of prep Kiana Waits Staff Writer

On March 6, 7, and 8, the Opera Candide was performed in the Arkansas Hall Studio Theatre. This act was open to both Henderson and OBU students as well as to the public.

William L. Higgins’ production of this opera depicts the story of a man who travels the world to find his love. This opera consists of twenty characters along with a choir.

Although this opera is originally three hours, the students managed to portray it in half the time.

The opera consisted of two acts and 22 songs, and each ended in a full ensemble of all the characters and choir members.

The students in the production practiced on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for about an hour and sometimes two.

The first semester consisted of

the characters focusing more on the music while the second semester focused more on blocking.

“When it all came together, it turned out to be really good,” Ricki Rebollar, senior education major said.

According to some of the actors, handling production as well as school can become a challenge.

“Balancing being in a production and being in school definitely takes good management skills,” Paige Chastain, senior education and vocal music major, said.

To others, it may not be as strenuous.

“For me personally it wasn’t as difficult for me to balance school and being in a production,” Jordan Murdock, junior education major, said.

Taking on a leading role can be hard but very exciting. Chastain played the role of a woman who was fighting and running to see the love of her life no matter what her fam-

ily thought or what happened along the way.

Her role also consisted of a lot of singing, which required her to know over 10 songs plus her lines in the script.

“Playing one of the leading roles was difficult and took a lot of work, but in the end it was worth it,” she said.

Although some of the other roles may not have been as big, the actors still enjoyed playing their characters.

“I loved my role as a mime, because I didn’t have to memorize anything but it was still fun,” Rebollar said.

Several of the actors appreciated the uniqueness of their characters.

“I loved my character because I got to be a pervert, but only because it was something different and very animated,” Murdock said.

At the end of the play, all of the characters bowed to an applause displaying the appreciation of and satisfaction of the audience.

“I really did enjoy the opera, and it was definitely worth coming to see,” Ayanna Willis, freshman psychology major, said. “Even though coming to this opera was only for extra credit, I do think that I gained more than just a few extra points.”

Wait for it...

The Oracle staff will be at the Spring National College Media Convention in New York City this week and thus will not be producing a paper, but look for The Whoracle on schedule after Spring Break.

DIVERSIONS

PAGE 5 March 10, 2014

SPORTS

PAGE 6 March 10, 2014

Reddie men suffer tough loss in double-OT Hunter Lively Staff writer

After victories over Arkansas Monticello and Southern Arkansas in the first two rounds of the GAC Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Reddies lost a heartbreaker in double overtime to the Harding Bisons in the championship game on Sunday afternoon.

It was the first time the Reddies played in any type of postseason championship game since 2007.

In two meetings during the regular season, the teams split, as Harding took the first matchup 89-71.

Henderson won the second 101-97 in overtime.

The Reddies got off to a slow start, facing an early 7 point deficit in the first five minutes.

Harding would push the lead to 8 before the Reddies mounted a first half comeback.HSU saw its first lead come at the 4:02 mark when Alioune Mboup slammed home an easy dunk from a Charles Wesley assist.

The Reddies would push the lead out to as much as 6, leading 40-34 with 37 seconds remaining, but Harding’s Jacob Gibson nailed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left to pull the Bisons back within 3.

Strong first half performances from freshmen Brian Umoru, Kevin Kozan, and Wesley helped give the Reddies a 40-37 halftime lead.

The second half began with a 9-0 Harding run, as the Reddies didn’t score until Melvin Haynes connected from beyond the arc with 15:18 to make the score 49-43 in favor of Harding.

Harding started to heat up from the 3-point stripe, something they’ve been notorious for all season.

A pair of free throws by Blake McNair at the midway point of the second half gave Harding their largest lead of the second half, 59-47.

Henderson would answer, however with a 3-pointer from Melvin Haynes on its next possession.

This paved the way for another monumental comeback for the Reddies, something they’d struggled with all season.

Ronald Lawson then got into the mix with a putback layup to pull the Reddies back within 5 at the 8:10 mark.

*Photo by Liz Chrisman

DOUBLE OVERTIME The mens basketball team put up quite a fight, as seen above where Melvin Haynes prepares to take a shot. The Reddies were defeated in a second overtime against Harding. The loss was a season-ending hit, but the Reddies will be back next year hopefully for a better end to the season.

The teams traded buckets on the next two possessions, as Melvin Haynes canned back-to-back 3’s, keeping the Reddies within a score of tying it up.

Harding would answer with a McNair jumper, but the Reddies came right back as Kevin Kozan nailed a triple from the right wing at the 2:49 mark, making the score 72-69 in favor of the Bisons.

Once again, the Bisons’ McNair connected on a jumper, pushing the lead back to 5.

On the Reddies next possession, however, Smith dialed in from long distance, cutting the Harding lead to 2.

Smith then tied the game at 74 with a pair of free throws at the 1:24 mark.

The Reddies were able to get a defensive stop on the next Harding possession, and got the ball back with 50 seconds left.

Melvin Haynes drove the right side of the lane, but Harding’s Weston Jameson was waiting on him and took a charge, giving the Bisons the ball back with 32 seconds remaining.

Harding’s Gibson attempted to take the game winning shot from three feet behind the arc as time ex-

pired, but the ball rimmed out and the game headed to overtime.

Each team scored buckets on their first two possessions, and at the 3:23 mark of the overtime period, Gibson nailed a three to give the Bisons a 7976 lead.

Henderson answered with a Lawson jumper at the 1:07 mark, pulling the Reddies back within 1.

Harding’s Will Francis sunk two free throws on its next possession to make the score 81-78, but Henderson would once again find an answer as Smith converted on an “and one” opportunity, making a layup and free throw to tie the game at 81 with 23 seconds left.

Jameson attempted a runner in the lane to win it as time expired, but the ball bounced off the back of the rim, sending the game into a second overtime.

The first bucket of the second extra period went to McNair, as he gave the Bisons an 84-81 lead at the 3:56 mark with a long 3-pointer from the top of the key.

After stopping the Reddies, Jamison hit a 3 from the exact same spot on Hardings next possession, pushing the lead out to 6.

Kevin Kozan kept the Reddies

close, however, as he nailed a 3 of his own at the 2:24 mark, making the score 87-84 in favor of the Bisons.

The Reddies struggled offensively after that 3, however, as solid defense and made free throws from Harding proved too costly down the stretch, as the Bisons pushed the lead out to 8 over the next minute, taking the game 93-86.

The Reddies had five players score in double figures. Haynes led the way with 17 points. Smith and Kozan had 15 each. Deoirvay Johnson had 11, and Lawson 10.

“I’m proud of our team for fighting through adversity all season,” Doug Nichols, head coach, said.

“They kept fighting, no matter the score or our record. Our team showed tremendous character throughout the conference tournament.”

The team’s two seniors, Johnson and Haynes, both end the season in the top 25 of the GAC in scoring, with Johnson averaging 12.7 and Haynes averaging 10.8 points per game.

Haynes also finished 3rd in the GAC in free throw percentage at .823.

Johnson finished 2nd in 3-point field goal percentage at .457.

The Reddies finished the season with a 14-17 record.

Women join men in a season ending loss to Harding Hunter Lively Staff writer

With a 13-13 record on the season, the Lady Reddies basketball team entered the GAC Tournament as the No. 6 seed and faced the No. 3 seed, Southwestern Oklahoma State University Lady Bulldogs, on Friday afternoon in Bartlesville, Okla.

HSU and SWOSU split the season series with the Lady Bulldogs winning the first game 90-82 and the Lady Reddies winning the second in a double-overtime contest 101-97.

On Friday, the game was a fight to the finish, as usual, with the Lady Bulldogs prevailing 66-60.

Vanessa Pieper put the Lady Reddies on top from the opening tip with a put-back layup on her own miss.

Pieper would continue to crash the boards as the game progressed.

SWOSU jumped out to an early 10-3 lead, however, but the Lady Reddies stormed right back to tie the game at 10 with 13:16 remaining in the first half.

The rest of the first half saw five ties as the Lady Reddies took a 26-24 lead into the break.

One key to Henderson’s first half success was the errant 3-point shooting of the Lady Bulldogs. They only made three of 17 attempts.

The Lady Bulldogs’ Sarina Sayama started hitting from three and scored 14 of her 20 points in the second half.

It was a back-and-forth battle in the second half as Pieper, Aungelique Sledge, and Jasmine Settles tried to keep Henderson close.

*Photo by Liz Chrisman

DOWN TO THE WIRE Lady Reddies fought hard against the Lady Bulldogs of SWOSU, winning one of the first two games, but the buzzer rang before the ladies could pull ahead in the final game.

With 1:58 remaining, Sledge knocked down a three that pulled the Lady Reddies within five making the score 62-57 in favor of the Lady Bulldogs.

SWOSU answered with a Michelle Fisher jumper on its next possession pushing the lead back to seven. A Settles 3-pointer with 53 seconds left pulled the Lady Reddies within four, the closest they would get.

They were unable to get enough stops, and SWOSU’s Chelsea Bates sank two clutch free throws with 11 seconds left scoring the game’s last points and giving SWOSU the 66-60 victory.

“As a team, I think we played our best defense of the year today,” senior Krystal Beachum said. “We had some late turnovers that gave Southwestern momentum, and I think that was the

turning point of the game.”

Beachum also scored her 1000th point during the game becoming only the ninth player ever from Henderson State to achieve that goal.

“Even though my career is over, the future is bright for next year’s team,” she said.

The Lady Reddies ended their first season under head coach Jill Thomas with a 13-14 record.