04/28/15 Issue

@HSUORACLE www.hsuoracle.com

Henderson State University - Tuesday, April 28, 2015 - Volume 108, Issue 27

MUSIC TO SAVOR NuFusion delivers delicious sounds to hungry ears P.8

THE ORACLE

THE ORACLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Scott McKinnon FACULTY ADVISER – Mike Taylor COPY EDITOR – Katie Brown NEWS EDITOR – Moe Skinner SPORTS EDITOR – Kaitlyn Kitchens FEATURES EDITOR – Devin Anderson VIEWS EDITOR – Dax Guilliams PHOTO EDITOR – Chris Sharp PAGE DESIGNER – Megan Snoddy GRAPHIC DESIGNER – Megan Snoddy ONLINE EDITOR – Scott McKinnon BUSINESS MANAGER – James T. Allen

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Hypnotizing performance

PHOTO BY CARMIN WILLIS

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER – Carmin Wills

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.

COVER: FreShawn Womack, music composition major; Rafael Powell, senior instrumental performance major, perform at NuFusion Photo by Carmin Willis

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IMAGE BY MEGAN SNODDY

Summer Movie Reviews

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PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAWN

Cinco de Mayo in Hot Springs

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PHOTO BY CHRIS SHARP

Softball champions

APRIL 28, 2015

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WHERE THERE’S SMOKE Dunn Recreation Center evacuated after faulty air conditioner catches fire

STORY BY JORDAN JOHNSON — PHOTO BY SCOTT MCKINNON

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small fire was reported on the second floor of the Charles D. Dunn Student Recreation Center Monday afternoon, sending students and visitors scurrying for safety. The Rec center was evacuated and there were no injuries reported.

“As I am sure you are aware, there was a small fire on the second floor of the Student Recreation Center this afternoon,” Kris Dunn, Director of Campus Recreation, stated in a campus wide email last Monday.

A faulty air conditioning unit located on the second floor produced minor flames due to engine failure and fan friction.

The reported fire was described as “an electrical mishap” and was extinguished shortly after.

“I was about to go the Rec Center and get on the treadmill,” Maegan Estes, senior mass media major said. “Then I saw everybody evacuating and I was so scared and confused.”

Arkadelphia Fire Chief, Ricky Arnold discussed causes of the incident in a phone interview.

Arnold cited motor failure and fan friction as a cause for the incident.

“They did a good job of evacuating the place,” Arnold said.

Arnold also discussed the severity of an incident like this. He also explained that, upon entering the building, it was “mostly smoke.”

“It’s actually a pretty common incident,” he said. “Most people just don’t hear about it.”

Arnold hopes this incident was a one-time occurrence, but maintains that this could happen again, possibly to another unit on campus. Arnold offered advice to preventing this incident from happening again.

“Make sure the motors and the engine in the units are functioning properly,” he said.

“With AC units being used more and more, make sure they’re clean.”

Clean up, damages and repairs are estimated approximately around $10,500.

The “all Clear” message was sent out early Tuesday morning and the Rec Center was reopened at noon Tuesday, April 21.

“Please be aware that there may be strong smells of smoke throughout the building for a few days until all the cleaning is finished,” Dunn said.

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CODING CAMP COMING SOON STEM Center grants and awards allow for summer youth programs

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t has been a busy time for the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) center. With the $12,000 grant that was awarded to the STEM center, several events have been set up to put the money to good use. $7,708 was granted to the STEM center for The Common Sense of the Common Core.

This program will help middle school teachers design units for many different topics.

Betty Ramsey, director of the South Arkansas Math and Science Center, said that teachers may attend the institute for either professional development or graduate credit.

This summer, REDDIE, SET, DESIGN, a computer camp for sixth, seventh and eight grade students, will be hosted by Henderson.

According to Ramsey, students will learn the basics of coding and creating their own app.

Not only will sixth, seventh and eighth graders be able to learn to learn how to code and create apps, but Kindergarten thru fifth grade students will also learn how to do this as well.

“This is a wonderful introduction to computer science and is in line with Governor Hutchinson’s goal of providing computer science classes in our schools,” Ramsey said.

Joel Spencer, who works with code.org,

STORY BY ALVIN STUCKEY — PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY will be the facilitator for the program.

Here is a snippet of information about code.org that is from their website.

“Launched in 2013, Code.org(r) is a non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. We believe computer science and computer programming should be part of the core curriculum in education, alongside other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, such as biology, physics, chemistry and algebra.”

The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 21 at Henderson. The cost to participate is $35. $4,605 was funded by the Arkansas STEM Coalition which turned out the Girls Leadership Conference in STEM. The conference took place April 25 and this conference was to inform young women about possible career in STEM. Workshops were held by women who currently work in STEM programs.

With all the programs that the STEM center is providing, this fall shall be a very productive one for both students and instructors.

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UNDERSTANDING MENTAL ILLNESS Hilary Chaney to speak out about living with bipolar disorder and staying productive STORY BY JARVIS WARREN — PHOTO COURTSEY OF HILARY CHANEY “When I was first diagnosed in 2000 I was 24 years old,” Hilary Chaney, Arkadelphia attorney said. Chaney will be speaking at 12:30 p.m. in the Wilson Room at the Garrison Center on Tuesday about her battle with bipolar disorder “I graduated from Washington and Lee University in Virginia in 1998 with a degree in Sociology and German, and I was working at Capital One in Richmond,” Chaney said. “I was stressed by a job I didn’t like and a dead-end boyfriend, and I couldn’t sleep. After not sleeping or eating for six days, I became delusional and had grandiose visions of heaven. I went straight to a psychiatric facility, where I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I spent two weeks there.”

Chaney has written a book, “Through the Open Door: A Bipolar Attorney Talks Mania, Recovery, and Heaven on Earth.”

“I have given about a dozen talks on my Bipolar story throughout the country in the last five years,” Chaney said. “It’s catharsis for me. Sharing my story and my own struggles opens up the discussion and removes the stigma. After every talk I have people telling me their own scary experiences about their own illness or a family member’s. I have people call, text, email, and message me on Facebook. Listening and helping is my mission.I volunteer for Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, which offers free treatment for legal professionals and their families. It helps those with addiction, alcoholism, mental illness, stress and the like. Lawyers struggle with these things, so it is a very valuable organization.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health,“Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day to day task. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from

the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But Bipolar Disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.”

“My family, and my husband especially, are riding shotgun on the Bipolar roller coaster and they have tremendous strength,” Chaney said. “The hardest thing for families is to hear hateful or crazy things come out of the Bipolar’s mouth...they have to believe and trust that is the illness talking and the person they love is still in that body. I have burned bridges, lost jobs and bailed on friendships because of the illness. I’m one of the luckiest Bipolars because I had family support, insurance, a willingness to be treated and great doctors. But that didn’t make it easy. Law school at Washington and Lee School of Law was very hard and I mixed drinking with medications, which can be dangerous.”

“Arkadelphia, and South Arkansas, is desperate for a Bipolar Support Group, as the illness is so misunderstood and misdiagnosed,” Chaney said. “I am working on starting one. I am looking for some relatively stable people with Bipolar in this area who would be willing to help. I also need some therapists to help in some ways. My goal is to have a support group ready in the fall. Please email me at hilary@chaneylaw. com, or call me at 870-246-0600 if you can help. Or if you need my help.”

Chaney will have her book for sale for $15 cash or check. “Through the Open Door: A Bipolar Attorney Talks Mania, Recovery, and heaven on Earth” is also available on Amazon.

“Don’t give up,” Chaney said. “Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. You are not alone.”

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HYPNOTIZE AND MESMERIZE Students left under the spell of hypnotist Jim Wand last Tuesday evening

STORY AND PHOTO BY CARMIN WILLIS

VERY SLEEPY... —Students Moe Skinner, senior mass media major; and Daniel Moore, freshman criminal justice major, are in a hypnotic trance awaiting the hypnotist’s instructions.

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ack by popular demand, Jim Wand the famous hypnotist visits Henderson for the 26th time. With this semester coming to an end, students are in search of some needed fun and relaxation. As usual, that is exactly what students received. Some students even got more than they bargained for.

A crowd of about 300 people sat on the floor of the grand ballroom in Garrison on Tuesday, anxiously waiting for Wand to walk onto the stage. Each year Wand does over 150 programs across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. He has worked with celebrities such as Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock and Larry the Cable Guy. He has also been on Comedy Central and almost every major television network. But to see his show in person is a whole new experience.

Many students have seen his performance before and will continue to come see Wand when he comes to Henderson. Students such as Keila Norment, freshman human service major, enjoy his shows and look forward to watching it again and again.

“Sit back and relax, and expect the amazingly unexpected,” Norment said.

As Wand took the stage he explained how the conscious and unconscious mind works to the audience. He also gave everyone some ad-

vice on how to take semester tests that are just around the corner.

“The worst thing you can do is study the hour before the test,” Wand explained. “The mind needs time to relax before you take that test.”

Wand asked for volunteers to come join him on the stage. He explained that hypnosis was very relaxing, and anyone that volunteered would wake up feeling as if they were rejuvenated. Hands of students were flying up in the air, in hopes that they were chosen to participate.

There were 25 participants on stage, who were put under Wand’s spell in less than 10 minutes. That is when the real fun began. The students on stage were first told by Wand that they were on the beach. Everyone on stage sat back in their chairs like they were sitting in lounge chairs soaking up the sun.

Then Wand explained that it was getting hot, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees. As he spoke the student were getting uncomfortable, they started fanning themselves, and some even tried to remove articles of clothing. Then the temperature was dropping, all the way down to 30 degrees. Students at that time were visibly shivering and cuddling up to each other trying to stay warm.

One student even yelled, “Damn it, it’s

cold.”

Wand then tells the participants when they open their eyes they will see the person they have always wanted to be with. That person was Wand. He pulls students one at a time to the front of the stage and dances with them.

Some of the dances were romantic. Some were just down right seductive. A couple of the students even grabbed Wand’s ass. The audience was hysterical with laughter.

His next suggestion to the people on stage was when they opened their eyes, they would see a movie. This was a pornographic movie.

The audience could see that some people on the stage were appalled by what they were seeing, but most were intrigued. He then suggested that the actors in this movie were their parents.

The students on stage were repulsed. Some voiced their opinion to Wand when asked. Students like Chauncey Clayton, freshman communication major, had a question he would ask his parents.

“You can do that but I can’t?” Clayton said.

Wand then tells the participants there was going to be in a dance competition worth $100,000. So the participants one at a time left their chairs to compete, dancing with a chair.

Daniel Moore, freshman criminal justice major, took this opportunity seriously. Moore

removed all of his clothes except his boxers, danced, dry humped and licked the chair in a seductive way. The audience laughed until there were tears running down their faces.

Wand had the students who were hypnotized dance to songs as a group. He then turned the guys into girls and the girls into guys. The audience laughed throughout the show.

Post hypnotic suggestions were made to a few of the participants. That included a suggestion that every time the participant shook hands with anyone they would get an orgasmic sensation. One of the participants that Wand made this suggestion to was Moe Skinner, senior mass media major, as she left the stage people were immediately going to her to test this. She shook hands with at least 30 people. Every time someone would grab her hand she would laugh and one could almost see her quiver.

“I feel like I have f***** everyone in this room,” Skinner said.

Taylor Daniels, junior mass media major, said she loved the show.

“It was hilariously awkward, almost like you could not possibly believe they had no control, no filter what so ever and I couldn’t stop laughing,” Daniels said.

Wand will be returning to Henderson on August 27.

APRIL 28, 2015

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PRANCES WITH HORSES

Give Me A Chance Equine Rescue saves horses from abusive owners STORY BY DEVIN ANDERSON — PHOTOS BY BRANDON HUBERT AND DEVIN ANDERSON A few minutes away, perhaps twenty miles out from campus, one could find themselves at the center of 97 Lane Road, where Give Me A Chance Equine Rescue keeps their secret sanctuary. It was here, hidden within green acres and rounded hills, where I met Tom Cates, the owner of Give Me A Chance Equine Rescue.

Originally I went to volunteer as a requirement for a group project. When I left, I was determined to try and help out Give Me A Chance in the only way I knew how, by writing about them. Everything about Give Me A Chance seemed to be genuine, which further prompted me to learn more about the organization and Cates.

In 2010, Cates purchased the land from the original owner with hopes of helping the horses. Give Me A Chance Equine Rescue was reborn under his leadership. Once he acquired the 50 acres, he found himself wearing many hats. Whether he was fundraising at Oaklawn, recruiting volunteers, or bailing hay, he worked with intense purpose.

Non-profit organizations are already challenging enough to run. Volunteers are the arms and legs of this particular organization.

Upon interviewing Cates, he said that the organization runs solely on donations.

“We raised $49,000 last year alone” Cates said when asked how much the organization was able to fundraise.

Upon meeting Cates, one will notice his warm, grandpa-like demeanor. What shocks most is how much he does even though he’s fighting illness.

“I have about 16 percent of my lung capacity left… but I still help out when I can.”

Cates has battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mesothelioma for a while.

Everyone close to Cates would recognize him with his oxygen tank nearby. However, upon interviewing him, he didn’t use it. The ranch’s clean air was sufficient enough for him.

Because he feels refreshed working with the horses, it is easy for him to get a second wind when helping out. There wasn’t an inkling of tiredness in his voice when he spoke of how he’s helped the horses. If the source of his energy comes from the will to help, it seems like he has a lot to draw from.

When asked what drives him to work so hard he said, “I [do] it for the horses.”

When asked what he wanted to see happen in five years he said, “I want to see more horses helped.” It seemed like everything he did within the organization was for the benefit of the horses.

Each horse has its own story. Some horses come in because their owners neglected them, leaving them hungry and sometimes emotionally starved. Others may have been victims of violence.

When they come to Give Me A Chance, they are given free space where they can safely interact with other horses and get the love they need from volunteers. The ultimate goal is to have every horse adopted.

“Adopting a horse isn’t for everyone… we make sure that we find the right people to adopt [a horse].”

Cates plans to continue to run the organization for as long as he can. Until there’s no more horses that need to come to Give Me A Chance, he will keep helping the horses find new owners, giving them sanctuary at his ranch.

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FUSION FUNK’D YOU UP

NuFusion didn’t let the weather keep them from lighting up the stage on Friday

STORY BY CALEB WILLIAMS

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enderson’s roof was shaken by an earthquake of rock, blues and jazz Friday night. Though it was not shaken to the ground, you can be assured that NuFusion left the audience stunned. With saxophone solos by some of our University’s greatest saxophonists, and riveting piano lines that left you gasping for air, I think it’s safe to say that this year’s NuFusion concert was one to remember for a long time.

For most students this week started out much like any other, but for the student performers in NuFusion this was a very busy week.

“We’ve been working on these scores for a semester or longer,” senior music education major Josh James said. “But we have been practicing Monday and Wednesday during the day and also Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night. It was one heck of a week.”

Performances like these are not easy, but when an ensemble plays scores that everyone knows and can relate to, they do not disappoint. The ensemble played many songs such as Led Zepplin’s “Kashmir,” “Hump de Bump” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones’ “Bitch,” and many more.

The vocal talent was provided by Claire Howard and Keke Collier. They were a power house. The performance was riveting.

Many people don’t know that this is a very unique ensemble though. Out of all the many ensembles that Henderson offers this one is

definitely the most unique and many people involved will tell you why.

“There’s really nowhere else that you can play Bruno Mars, Led Zepplin and a classic blues chart in the same set,” freshmen music education major, Tim Breshears said.“There’s a sense of musical freedom and flow that you don’t get from set, preplanned music.”

“I feel like, in NuFusion, it’s much more student involved,” senior music education major Andrew Steck said. “We write our own charts, and we play a variety of genres.”

“Honestly, this ensemble is great because it’s the only ensemble that allows you to dance, talk, eat and come and go as you please,” senior music education major, Elijah Sullivan said. “We’re also the only one to play pop tunes.”

There’s nothing quite like it. NuFusion takes jazz band and turns it into a spunked out show band. Rehearsals, for many, are the greatest part about being involved in this musical group.

“The rehearsals are very free, that’s all I’m gonna say about that,” Sullivan said.

He chuckled afterward.

“I don’t know if there’s an attendance policy, but everyone shows up. We just get to be ourselves on the stage. It’s great.”

Students that want to be involved in NuFusion can rest assured that they do not have to be involved in the music department or have to be a music major for that matter to

be a part of NuFusion. You can email Rick Dimond, professor of music, for more information at dimondr@hsu.edu.

If you missed the show, you missed out on one of Henderson’s greatest events that they offer on campus.

APRIL 28, 2015 Photos by Scott McKinnon, Carmin Wills and Chris Sharp

Left page: NuFusion led by Rick Dimond, professor of music.

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Top left: Guitarists Eric Gomance, graduate mental health, and Drew Parnell, junior instrumental music major Top middle: Andrew Steck, senior music education major, on percussion Top right: FreShawn Womack, sophomore music composition major, on sax

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Bottom left: NuFusion brass section bombarding the audience with sweet sounds Bottom right: NuFusion sax and brass sections rehearsing Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” on Friday afternoon.

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SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW

OPINION BY DAX GUILLIAMS — IMAGE BY MEGAN SNODDY

The sun is shining, every building has its air conditioning turned on and swarms of angry bees are attacking every man, woman and child in sight. That means it’s summer and one place people can use for entertainment and a hiding spot from the deadly bee swarms are movie theaters.

Summer is usually when a lot of movie companies will release their biggest works and this summer has plenty of films that are sure to be interesting. There are also a lot of films that look so bad, you’ll be able to keep cool in the summer heat with all of the tears you’ll be shedding after viewing them.

This summer movie list starts off strong with the newest entry in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, “Avengers 2: Age of Ultron,” being released on May 1.

Personally, while I liked the first Avengers movie, it still felt disappointing in some aspects. Even though I like him, Loki as the first main villain was a little underwhelming and they did next to nothing with Hawkeye.

“Age of Ultron” looks a lot more promising on those accounts. Ultron is a greater choice for the villain of an action movie.

He’s a super intelligent, super strong robot made of adamantium that destroys the future only to go back in time so he can do it more successfully. Plus, he’s voiced by James Spader, who has a perfect voice for the sophisticated death machine.

Also, from what the trailers have shown us, it seems Hawkeye will have more personality in this film. Hawkeye’s great as he’s handsome, he’s funny and he has a cool bow.

He’s basically me but with a cool bow.

Not only will Ultron be the main villain, but Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will also be antagonists to the Avengers. Those two are very interesting in the comics, so the whole movie has a great line-up of characters.

Unfortunately for people with taste, there’s going to be a third “Insidious” movie released on June 5. And it’s a prequel, so we can see how this horrible travesty started.

I’ve never been more bored with a horror movie than I have with “Insidious.”

If someone were to make a movie where a guy gets scared of his own shadow, that would be more exciting and more horrific than “Insidious” could ever hope to be.

And what’s with them bringing that boring old woman from the first movie back? Sure, it’s a prequel, but that old woman is more bland than a meal consisting of boiled potatoes and sawdust.

Old women in horror movies are supposed to be mysterious and creepy.

One of the most eye catching films to be released this summer is “Jurassic World.”

In theaters June 12, “Jurassic World” is the next in the “Jurassic Park” franchise.

This film looks really good, not just for its special effects, but also because Chris Pratt is the lead actor in the film.

Have you ever seen Chris Pratt in anything that’s bad? If so, please don’t tell me because I refuse to live in a reality that has something with Chris Pratt in it that is unwatchable.

But in all seriousness, the film does look good and both Michael Giacchino and John Williams are scoring the film’s music.

“Terminator: Genisys” has what I’ve been wanting for not very long, but have been wanting nonetheless. It has old Arnold Schwarzenegger fighting a young Arnold Schwarzenegger.

That’s double the Arnold, double the overthe-top action and double the one-liners.

No wonder the title has a different spelling of the word “Genesis.” Having two Arnold’s fight on screen is a gift from God. But the film I’m the most excited about this summer is the “Ant-Man” film, being released on July 17.

The trailer for this movie was so amazing, it made me forget about the swarms of deadly bees lurking around every corner.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for this film, do two things. One, watch the trailer and bask in it’s glory and two, punch yourself in the face for not watching it sooner.

Don’t actually do that. I don’t want to lose this kick-ass job.

Paul Rudd as Ant-Man could not have been a better choice, mostly because he likes the character so much. Plus, it’s the Scott Lang Ant-Man, meaning he’ll be funny.

Throughout the semester, and in this story, I’ve praised comic books and their movies, but I just can’t believe how much I hate everything I’ve seen for the new “Fantastic Four” movie, which will be in theaters Aug. 7, but I won’t be there beause I can’t see this film being good.

The first two weren’t good and this one looks like it’ll be just as bad, if not worse.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the first

two films had better casting than this one and those movies had Jessica Alba.

Remember Jessica Alba? Hollywood doesn’t and there’s a good reason.

If any Marvel movie should be good, it should be one with the “Fantastic Four.”

They’re the series that put Marvel on the map in the first place, but the films are just so bad.

You think the people at Marvel would just look at what’s happening and decide that maybe it should stop. Maybe the “Fantastic Four” should have movies that aren’t completely toxic to the human eye.

Overall, I’m excited for the comic book movies that will be released, except for the new “Fantastic Four.”

Plus, “Terminator: Genisys” looks like a fun action movie and I’m confident that “Jurassic World” will be a film worth paying money to see.

“Insidious 3” shouldn’t be viewed by anyone. No one deserves to be bored to death and that’s all this film will accomplish.

And although I’ve already mentioned it, “Ant-Man” looks incredible.

Paul Rudd in a comic book movie that isn’t afraid to have humor? That sounds like the perfect movie experience.

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HOT SPRINGS HAPPENINGS RED DOOR STUDIOS PRESENTS: “DERBY DAY” Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor St. April 30 – May 2, May 7 – 9 at 7 p.m., May 3 & 10 at 2 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door Local playwright Samuel Brett Williams explores family, love, and mortality in a dark comedy that culminates in a race that you will never forget. t’s Derby Day and the Ballard brothers have a luxury box at the Oaklawn Racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For ticket information, visit www.reddoorhotsprings.com Image and synopsis courtesy of Samuel Brett Williams

BINGO DE MAYO AT OAKLAWN Oaklawn Racing and Gaming, 2705 Central Ave. Tuesday, May 5 from 5 to 10 p.m. free Oaklawn will host Bingo de Mayo. There will be $2 Domestic Drafts, $2 Margaritas, $4.99 Deluxe Taco Bar and a $5,000 cash giveaway, in addition to the Summer of Champions Reel Tournament at 7 p.m. There will be bingo games and random cash prize giveaways throughout the evening.

Image and synopsis courtesy of Oaklawn Racing and Gaming

“ROAD TO NASHVILLE” Hot Springs Convention Center, Horner Hall, 134 Convention Blvd.

Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. $10 student admission, $15 general admission Come see the Fun City Chorus with Trey Stevens, emcee, Susan Erwin, and the Trey Stevens Band, along with a talent contest featuring nine high school students competing for the Grand Prize of a trip to Nashville to write and record their own song! There are cash awards for second place and the “US97 People’s Choice” award winner.

Image courtesey of Fun City Chorus, description courtesy of hotsprings.org

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BETTER THAN A BIRDIE

The men’s golf team took first place as this year’s Great American Conference championships while the women finished second at the GAC tournament in Hot Springs Ark.

MEN’S

The men’s golf team will enter as the fifthseed from the central region into the 2015 NCAA Division 2 midwest/central region.

Regionals will take place at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, Ill., which will be hosted by Lewis University.

This is the third straight trip in a row for the post season event for the men, who are the 2015 Great American Conference champions.

Mauricio Lira, sophomore from Mexico City, Mexico, made first team who finished six in the top 10 finishes this season.

Earlier this spring Lira was a medalist at the Dave Falconer Memorial and placed second at the Bear State Bank Invitational in Mountain Home, Ark. “My strongest part about my game would have to be my short game,” Lira said. “I’ve been very accurate and have worked hard all year on it.”

Brice Howard and Gil Debusscher earned honorable mention.

Debusscher had seven top 20 finishes and tied for 15 at the Great American Conference Championships while Howard finished one

STORY BY TAYLOR DANIELS — PHOTO COURTESY OF SPORTS INFORMATION stroke behind Drew Greenwood.

Howard won the Bear State Bank Invitational and is also a two-time GAC All-Tournament selection.

Greenwood finished as GAC champion as he earned first-team honors while he led four of his other teammates on the board.

“The best memory so far would have to be winning conference for the third time,” Greenwood, the junior from Hot Springs, Ark., said. “It’s fresh on my mind and it’s been such a fun experience.”

The men’s and women’s golf coach, Forrest Shultz, earned the GAC Men’s Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.

In his two years as head coach he has had six women and six men who earned All-GAC honors.

“I’ve been reading some gold related books that have influenced my mental game,” Lira said. “This has helped me be more calm during times where I’m not.”

The two-time defending Great American Conference champions will next play in the Central/Midwest NCAA Regional.

The tournament will be held at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, Ill., May 4-6.

WOMEN’S

The lady Reddies golf team has put up impressive numbers as a whole and individually too. The women are awaiting their official announcement for the NCAA Central Regional where the top nine teams will advance.

Regionals will be held in Bartlesville, Okla., on May 3-5.

The freshman from Fayetteville, Ark., Sarah Wright, had a great run in the Great American Conference Championship play held in Hot Springs. Wright placed 25 out of 46 and she shot an 84 on the par 72.

“I am really trying to improve my short game,” Wright said. “Because at the end of the day that is what helps you get the golf ball in the hole.”

While the women are anticipating good news on their behalf, they enjoy taking time aside from the golf course to lessen their anxiety and enjoy some stress relieving activities.

“Sometimes a teammate and I will go bowling,” Wright said. “But my personal stress relief is working out in the gym.”

Ally Harris, the senior from Nacogdoches, Texas, continues to put up impressive numbers and finished eighth after 36 holes and to-

HOLE IN ONE — The men’s golf team takes a group picture as this year’s Great American Conference champions at the tournament in Hot Springs Ark.

taled 21 pars with three birdies for the Great American Conference tournament.

Harris shot five strokes better than her opening round of 80 to 75.

“I try to prepare the same way for every tournament,” Harris said. “And I never try to overthink a course.”

Harris was a first-team selection for the GAC while helping lead the Reddies to a runner-up finish at the GAC Championships.

Coach Forrest Schultz is always emphasizing to have his team stay in the present and focusing on the shot the girls need to hit in that moment. Also he tires to encourage having a solid and positive mindset at all times.

On Wright’s desk top, a posted note is displayed with the William Shakespeare quote which echoes the team’s goal, “Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”

APRIL 28, 2015

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PITCH, PLEASE — Sophomore Chris Hunt pitches the ball in the Battle of the Ravine game against Ouachita Baptist University.

HSU TAKES TWO AGAINST OBU

Reddies win two out of three games against OBU during the Battle of the Ravine series

STORY BY MARIAH DELAVEGA — PHOTO BY KRISTINE MOORE The rainy forecast forced changes for this past weekend’s baseball game. The game was postponed for April 25 and 26.

It was the seniors’ last conference series before their conference tournament and they hit it off with a bang.

The Reddie baseball team won the series against the OBU Tigers on April 26, at the Rab Rodgers Field across the street.

The series started on Saturday with a win 2-0 on April 25. HSU took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Tadarious Hawkins hit a one out double down the left field line.

Both teams were having trouble scoring

until Carlos Rodriguez went up to bat in the ninth inning and hit his first home run of the year. He made the score 2-0.

They won that game but the second game was a little more difficult for them.

The Reddies held 4-0 on the score board in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Tigers came back in the bottom of the fifth inning with a huge hit being a two run double by Justin Weigle.

OBU came back and won by one run. The final score was 4-5.

It was a better day for the Reddies on Sunday April 26. The Reddies won the Battle of

the Ravine game 8-5 after splitting a double header on Saturday.

HSU started the score off 2-0 in the fourth inning. In the fifth inning the Reddies had a 4-2 lead.

The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Reddies responded with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Conner Brackhahn led off the inning with a double. After the double, Brackhahn made a single to left field and made the score 5-2.

The Tigers would have scored a run in the seventh inning with the bases loaded with one out, but they put Taylor in the game to pitch.

That relieved the Reddies for a bit. The final score was 8-5 with a win for the Reddies for their last conference game of the year.

That was the last conference game for the seniors.

The Reddies won seven of nine games in the GAC series. The Reddies will enter the GAC tournament as the No. 4 seed. The GAC tournament will be held in Enid, Okla.

HSU will open the tournament on Saturday May 2. They will play the No. 3 seed at the GAC tournament.

They will play Harding University at 7 pm this Saturday.

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WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS The Lady Reddies claim first in the Great American Conference after winning three out of four games against Southeastern Oklahoma

STORY BY JOSEPH NEWMAN — PHOTO BY CHRIS SHARP

In what hasn’t been done since Henderson State University joined the GAC in 2011, the HSU softball team swept Southeastern Oklahoma University, the Savage Storm, to take their first ever GAC conference title in softball.

Henderson needed to take just one game out of the doubleheader to win the conference and Michelle Sorenson had a big part in the first title ever.

In the first game she lead HSU to a 4-0 win after she struck out four batters and surrendered just four hits in the win. “The offense did what they had to do and I knew today was going to be a special day,” Sorenson said.

The first game started off

slowly as the first inning finished with a 0-0 tie on the board.

That would soon change as Taylor Daniels led off the second inning with a double, she would reach home after Ashlyn White’s single to right field to make the score 1-0 Henderson.

Henderson would again get on the board in the third off of a fielding error by the Storm.

With the bases loaded, Taylor Daniels hit a hard line drive to first base which was fielded wrong by the first baseman. This error would increase the Reddies lead to 3-0.

Tricia Hock’s home run in the fourth would provide the last score of the game as Henderson

went on to win 4-0 and claim their first ever conference title in softball, but their day was not over.

In the second game of the doubleheader Henderson would get off to a quick start.

Déjà vu would quickly occur for the Savage Storm as the game started off the same.

Hock led off the game with a single and would later score off a double by Sarah Gipson to make the score 1-0 after the first.

That score would hold until the third as HSU would add two runs in this inning.

With the bases loaded Caroline Cullins blasted a double to center field to bring in two runners to increase the score to 3-0.

The Savage Storm would get their first and only run of the day in the seventh, but Ali Hargis prevented the comeback attempt on the day by holding SOSU scoreless the rest of the afternoon.

The Reddies will be the top seed at next week’s GAC Tournament in Bentonville, Ark. Henderson State will open the tournament on Thursday against No. 8 seed Southern Arkansas with the first-pitch set for 2 p.m.

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