04/07/15 Issue

@HSUORACLE www.hsuoracle.com

Henderson State University - Tuesday, April 7, 2015 - Volume 108, Issue 24

MAKING A COMEBACK Lady Reddie tennis bounces back after loss P.16

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 – Houston Fryer GRAPHIC DESIGNER – Megan Snoddy ONLINE EDITOR – Scott McKinnon BUSINESS MANAGER – James T. Allen

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PHOTO BY SCOTT MCKINNON

Rally on Little Rock’s steps

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: Junior Amanda Korinihona returns a shot against Southeastern Oklahoma Photo by Kristine Moore

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PHOTO BY CHRIS SHARP

Marine biology in Saudi Arabia

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IMAGE BY MEGAN SNODDY

Animated movie featuring retro Batman

PHOTO COURTESY OF THEME PARK REVIEW

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Magic Spings reopening

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ERRORS LEAD TO NEW POLICIES Henderson Foundation to keep closer watch on funds

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ast month, Henderson State University Foundation made an announcement that accounting errors within donor’s accounts had been found. In December, the Foundation hired the Little Rock based accounting firm, Hudson, Cisne & Co., to perform an independent review.

“We recognized that we had found these issues which had never been brought to light in our past audits,” said Jennifer Boyett, vice president for university advancement.

Boyett explained when a person gives money to the university, they may give to existing funds or establish new funds. When they work with new donors who create new funds, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is put in place.

It is a gift agreement that outlines the details of the gift including the intent of how that money is to be used.

There are two ways for donors to give monetarily to the Foundation. One is an endowment with a minimum donation of $25,000 or through a smaller donation which is placed in a temporarily restricted account.

The endowments are invested with the Foundation’s investment manager, Merrill Lynch, and the interest from the initial investment is what creates scholarships for students. Money placed in the temporari-

ly restricted accounts can be available for scholarships as soon as the next academic year and once that money is depleted, that scholarship then ceases to exist.

Boyett clarified they had endowments that didn’t get as much money as they should have and the other funds got more money than they should have.

The review also discovered the Foundation failed to properly record the allocation of earned interest to fund the Foundation’s general operating expenditures.

According to a press release from President Glendell Jones, “To correct these inappropriate allocations, the Foundation reallocated $610,654 in earned interest across all accounts to ensure that all fund balances are accurately reflected.”

Some accounting errors that were found went back as far as 25 years.

“No money is missing, no money was stolen,” said Boyett. “Nothing of the sort, it just wasn’t managed properly.”

When asked why Henderson chose not to name John Hall as the Foundation’s former executive director, Boyett replied, they didn’t comment on personnel matters.

Among some of the new Foundation policies created is the first-ever operating budget supported through an administrative fee applied to the earnings on all en-

STORY BY MOE SKINNER & GRAPHIC BY MEGAN SNODDY

dowed accounts. The Foundation Board of Directors enacted the fee last March.

In addition, all donors of endowed accounts will now receive an annual report detailing the prior year’s actions. Henderson will also be hiring an accountant to oversee the day-to-day operations.

The response from donors has been overwhelmingly positive, Boyett said. “They appreciate the transparency, all the information and the board’s actions to make sure we do things right and move forward,” she said.

Furthermore, the Foundation has fashioned a meet and greet scholarship reception for scholarship donors and recipients.

“It lets the donors meet their recipient and hopefully they feel good about it,” Boyett said. Boyett has been on both sides of the scholarship fence, first as a private scholarship recipient while she was a college student and now in the role of a donor.

Boyett said she believed it would benefit both students and donors.

“That’s why I came to Henderson to work for President Jones,” Boyett said. “I know if there is a problem, we’re going to own up to it, we’re going to address it and we’re going to make sure it never happens again.”

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CITIZENS UNITE FOR EQUALITY

Arkansans rally at the Capitol Building in Little Rock as legislature tries to pass controversial religious freedom bill

STORY AND PHOTO BY SCOTT MCKINNON

STANDING TALL— Protesters fill the steps of the Capitol Building in Little Rock during a rally on Wednesday.

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he Arkansas Capitol Building became the center of the national spotlight last week as protestors and media focused on Arkansas’ attempted passage of House Bill 1228, known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The bill’s sponsor Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, wanted to protect religious beliefs and expand the national Religious Freedom Restoration Act that was originally passed in 1993.

The statute, signed into law by President Clinton, was originally designed to protect fringe religious groups like the Native American Church and its use of the psychoactive drug peyote.

However, this federal mandate was ruled unconstitutional for individual states in 1997, thus the need for states to pass their own Religious Freedom Restoration Acts.

Arkansas’ bill closely mirrored a recently passed Indiana bill that set off a groundswell of opposition around the country.

The two bills differed from the national law in that they would allow individuals to file a claim of religious infringement in almost any circumstance, whether the government is involved or not. Many viewed this as legally sanctioning the discrimination of groups like the LGBT community.

On Tuesday, the House passed HB 1228. Cor-

porations, both local and national, began apply pressure on Governor Asa Hutchinson to veto the bill.

One of the harshest critics was Walmart. In a statement released via Twitter on Tuesday morning, CEO Doug McMillon asked for the bill to be vetoed. “Today’s pas sage of HB1228 threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state of Arkansas and does not reflect the values we proudly uphold,” the statement said.

The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement that was co-signed by 40 CEOs of technology companies including Yelp, Twitter, Ebay, Zynga and Paypal. Their statements mirrored a March 29 Washington Post opinion piece by Apple CEO Tim Cook directed at state legislatures like Arkansas’.

Cook, who is openly gay, stated, “This isn’t a political issue. It isn’t a religious issue. This is about how we treat each other as human beings. Opposing discrimination takes courage. With the lives and dignity of so many people at stake, it’s time for all of us to be courageous.”

Locally, rallies took place in and around the Capitol Building and at the Governor’s Mansion on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, protestors lined the stairs leading to the House Chamber, shouting “shame on you,” at backers of HB1228

and wildly cheering for opponents. On Wednesday, Arkansas Citizens First Congress, Public Policy Panel and the Human Rights Campaign organized a massive rally on the capitol steps in anticipation of the bill being signed.

Before the rally began, the governor scheduled a news conference to announce that he would not be signing HB1228, and instead sending it back to legislators to have a bill that mirrors the 1993 federal law.

Gov. Hutchinson claimed that the issue was incredibly divisive between younger and older generations. “My son, Seth, signed the petition asking me, Dad, the governor, to veto this bill,” Hutchinson said. “It shows that there is a generational difference on these opinions.”

At the rally, in which several hundred protestors attended, speeches from local political and business leaders praised attendees for their dedication to the cause of equality among all Arkansans.

“If there’s one headline at this moment, it’s this: They are listening,” said Human Rights Campaign president and Arkansas native Chad Griffin. “Make no mistake about it, we wouldn’t be here in this state or in Indiana if it were not for you. You the constituents of the very folks in this grand house behind me.”

The Arkansas Senate moved quickly to create

Senate Bill 975 that closely mirrored the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act on Wednesday night. As protestors and camera crews left the Capitol Building on Thursday, some saw the events as a positive change. Public outcry had made a difference and the new law signed by Gov. Hutchinson was an improvement over HB1228 in the eyes of groups like The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas.

They released a statement following the signing of SB975 that opposed the legislation, but found the positives in the event. They thanked Gov. Hutchinson “for recognizing that HB1228 would do irreparable harm to the reputation and people of Arkansas,” but also made requests of the Arkansas legislature.

First, they asked for new laws that would end the exploitation of civil rights protection as a shield for discrimination. Second, they ask that new laws allow civil rights protection against discrimination based on age, military status, gender identity and sexual orientation.

The ACLU of Arkansas also asked that, “elected officials take Arkansas forward by ensuring that religious liberty coexists with other civil rights and that civil rights belong to all Arkansans and Americans fairly and expressly.”

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UNDERGRAD RESEARCH CONFERENCE Student scientists to have chance to present and review findings in upcoming conference

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ooking for the opportunity to show off your research or view others research from around Arkansas? The Arkansas Academy of Science will hold its 99th annual meeting Friday and Saturday on campus.

Henderson will also host the 22nd annual conference for the Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference at that time. The combined conferences will provide a large venue to accommodate a large variety of student submissions from any discipline.

The conference provides intimate sessions for students to present their research to an audience of their peers and to hone their public speaking skills.

“This is the best opportunity in Arkansas for undergraduates in all disciplines, and graduate students and faculty in all fields of science to present their research,” said David Bateman, associate professor of chemistry and director of undergraduate research.

“Our students are conducting some tremendous research across the campus under the direction of dedicated faculty mentors,” Bateman said, “The confer-

STORY BY JARVIS WARREN — GRAPHIC BY MEGAN SNODDY ence will give them and students and faculty from across the state an opportunity to showcase their work.”

A group of scientists wanting to establish regular avenues of communication with one another began meeting in 1917 to promote science and the dissemination of scientific information in the state creating the Arkansas Academy of Science.

The Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference was started by Charles Dunn with the mission to provide in one combined activity, a place for findings, as defined by their field of study. Open discussion, honest criticism and sincere encouragement are critical to the success of the conference. Finally, it is hoped that this opportunity will be available for all, especially for whom presentation at national professional meetings might be unavailable.

The Arkansas Academy of Science is a volunteer, non profit, non-partisan, non-political, professional organization consisting of scientists who pay dues to join with other scientists to promote science in the state and region.

The specific areas of science include, but not limited to, medicine, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, astronomy, botany, plant science, chemistry, physics, earth science, engineering, geology, environmental science and conservation, and terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate zoology.

The funds generated by the Arkansas Academy of Science annual membership dues provide students with assistance to attend college conduct research and provide for travel, supplies and other expenses through grants and awards.

They also support the annual meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science and are used to encourage Arkansas students. They increase collaboration among the scientific community and provides a more comprehensive network for scientific academics. These endeavors promote a higher standard of education within Arkansas and will encourage and promote a higher quality of life through educational opportunities.

The Arkansas Academy of Science publishes an annual newsletter, which contains general information about

executive committee deliberations, the dates of the annual meeting, programs and research activities. The journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science is published yearly in April containing the proceedings of the scientific contributions from the previous Arkansas Academy of Science meeting. It is distributed to libraries in 30 states, 25 foreign countries, is included in at least 10 abstracting services, and is listed in the State Academy of Science Abstracts.

The objectives of the Arkansas Academy of Science are the promotion and diffusion of knowledge in the fields of science and the unification of these interests in the state of Arkansas.

The Arkansas Academy of Science and the Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference are open to all interest areas, not just science.

They will have 15 minute oral talks and poster sessions with the expectations of over 200 people combined to watch and present at the conferences.

They will be held in rooms in the Garrison and Reynolds.

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SAILING TO SUCCESS

Biology major Itzela Cruz accepted into marine biology program in Saudi Arabia

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student is surely shining bright here at Henderson this week.

Itzela Cruz, junior biology major, and international student from Panama, has recently been accepted into King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia for a summer marine biology program.

“This was open to applicants from all over the world, and her acceptance speaks to the level of preparation she has received here at HSU,” James Engman, chair of the biology department, stated via email.

This acceptance into the program is only one of the many accomplishments Cruz has achieved.

She has studied marine biology in many different countries including Panama, Belize and she is also headed to the Galapagos in June to continue working and studying.

Cruz has also participated in undergraduate research in cave molecular genetics and is currently teaching a biology course at Henderson this semester.

The marine biology program will cover Red Sea genomics, oceanography, microbiology and will have field work, lab work and lectures.

“I am excited about going to Saudi Arabia,” Cruz said when asked about if she was nervous about being a woman there.

“Being a woman in Saudi Arabia does not make me nervous at all. In fact, I am excited to learn about and experience their culture on my own, just as I did with the United States.”

Cruz will have to wear an abaya, a covered dress outfit, while in public in Saudi Arabia because of the

STORY BY ASHLEY SMITH — PHOTO BY CHRIS SHARP

strict women’s dress laws there.

“I am very eager about it. It will help enable me to see my surroundings from a different perspective, and at the end of the day, it is just clothing.”

Cruz came from Panama to Henderson because of a scholarship that was offered by Engman.

“Over the years he has guided, helped and advised me,” Cruz said.

“I am 100 percent sure that I would not have been here without his support.”

Engman is not the only person who motivates Cruz.

Family back home in Panama play a huge role in Cruz’s life.

“I am from a developing country. Improving my family’s life at home motivates me to study at this university.” Cruz said. “Obtaining a high-level education is essential, so that I can be able to support my family in the future. They are what keep me going.” Cruz continued explaining the importance of her family.

“My family has always pushed me to follow my dreams,” Cruz stated via email. “They always told me, ‘We do not have money, we cannot inherit to you anything whenever we are gone. The only thing that we can give you is your education, and you should use that to make your place in this world.’ They are my biggest influence and what keep me moving forward. I want to make them proud.”

I’m sure we can all agree that Cruz’s family is probably incredibly proud of her, along with the rest of her professors and fellow students RED SEA OR BUST — Itzela Cruz is eager to explore the Middle East and here at Henderson. their culture

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VIZZUTTI BLOWS AWAY CAMPUS

World famous trumpet player performs for Henderson STORY BY CALEB WILLIAMS— PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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orld renowned trumpet player Allen Vizzutti picked up his love for music after being taught trumpet by his self-taught father.

He is now one of the greatest trumpet players in the world. He has been heard in hundreds of motion picture soundtracks such as Back to the Future, and Star Trek. Though these achievements would seem big to us, to him these are probably the bare brim of his career.

It is hard to believe that a man of this stature would take the time to play for students, faculty and music lovers from everywhere at Henderson, but I assure you this is not the first time he has done this.

“He’s been here before and played at Band Camp in 2001,” Department Chair of Music, James Buckner said. “He even ate with some of the high school students right in the old Caddo

cafeteria.”

Vizzutti came down this weekend and put on a show of a life time. Many don’t quite understand the trumpet, or music for that matter, but getting an entertainer this renowned is no easy task.

“At the beginning of every year we all discuss who we want, and we go from there,” Buckner said. “The tough thing is that most performers of this stature are booked already, so you could say we got lucky. This is why we always start a year in advance.”

Vizzutti greeted students, fans and music lovers from all over the state. Henderson’s Trumpet Guild even took him out for a nice meal and got to talk to the talented man. For a musician, there is much to learn from this man, but what was it that made the trumpeter come to Arkadelphia?

“You know we sat and we asked ourselves, who can we bring who has the name recognition, and who is great?” Buckner said. “Like when we asked people what they thought if we had Allen Vizzutti come play, they would say, ‘Really? Allen Vizzutti?’”

Dr. Buckner chuckled after saying this.

“I mean, have you heard him play?” Buckner said. “We’ve been bringing in huge performers for years, but of this stature, only twice, with this being the second time.”

To have this man come play in Arkadelphia and at Henderson for that matter is an honor, and it has inspired many students in the music department.

The performance was incredible for the many that attended. Many were in shock or in awe as they were entranced by the phenomenal playing. They were carried to a musical wonder-

land.

“The performance was very entertaining, rather comedic and mind blowing,” Cody Brown, senior music education major, said. “It inspires me to work harder and strive to do even better.”

“It was magnificent,” Tyler Barnes, freshman music education major, said. “You have to listen to him. It was inspiring to me because Al Wizzle Vizzitlizle is amazing.”

Henderson had the honor of hosting one of the most captivating shows this town has seen in a long time.

Vizzutti’s performance left people amazed and inspired. Performers like these move audiences to a place they can’t quite explain or understand.

“Vizzutti truly is a power house in the world of trumpet playing,” Brown said.

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LOVE’S LABOUR LOST Theatre department performs Shakespeare’s play

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARMIN WILLIS

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he theatre department is planning their debut of Shakespeare’s Loves Labour Lost. This is a story of friendship, love and willpower. The king of Navarre and his three friends vow to stay away from love for three years to focus on their studies.

The ink on their agreement is not dry yet when they are tempted by the princess of France and her three beautiful lady attendants.

This temptation results in an amusing game of love and intrigue. To help them keep their oath the king demands that all women must stay a mile away from the court.

According to Justin Cox, junior threatre major, who plays Mercade, there will be laughter. Cox hopes the audience isn’t intimidated

by Shakespeare. He said to see it on stage is how it is meant to be experienced.

He said that it will be a fun time. “It is all bawdy humor and sword fights,” Cox said.

As this semester is coming to an end some students are looking for a way to take them away from everyday life. Ethan Jones, a senior theatre major who plays Dumaine, said this is a perfect way to get away.

“It is culture that you won’t get anywhere else in Arkadelphia,” Jones said.

Claudia Beach, director of theatre and professor of theatre, is the director of this production. The actors and actresses enjoy working with her.

“Dr. Beach is a fantastic director, she knows what she wants and how to get it,” Jones said.

There are 17 actors and actresses in this play. Many of whom have worked in theatre

since they were in high school or even younger. Mauro Palmerin-Segura, senior theatre major, has been doing theatre since seventh grade. He also enjoys working with Beach.

“Dr. Beach is very descriptive in what she wants as director,” Palmerin-Segura said.

Georgeann Burbank, sophomore theatre major, has been doing community theatre since 2009. Burbank plays Katharine one of the princess’ ladies. She loves the opportunity to do this production of Shakespeare.

“I’m already a star, baby,” Burbank said.

Some students have a hard time understanding the language of Shakespeare’s time.

Palmerin-Segura enjoys the challenge of this old language.

“It is fun working with the language,” Palmerin-Segura said.

Beach is the director and she is assisted by Doug Gilpin, professor of theatre, who is in charge of lighting and scenery, and William Henshaw, professor of theatre, in charge of costume and makeup.

Together with the talented actors and actresses, this play should be a fun play for the audience to see.

There will be seven performances of Love’s Labour’s Lost. It will be shown April 9-11, 13 and 16-18. It will be shown in the studio theater in Arkansas Hall. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m.

On the opening night there will also be a reception after the play. The cost for attending will be $8 at the door. Of course, students will be allowed free with student identification.

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LEFT — Ben Perry, senior; Georgeann Burbank, sophomore; Jordan Sereal, junior; Bethany Weed, junior RIGHT — LaDarius Jamerson, junior; Jordan Sereal, junior BOTTOM LEFT — Damien Freeman, junior; Emily McDow, junior BOTTOM RIGHT — Damien Freeman, junior; Kenny Taggard, sophomore theatre majors rehearsing

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HENDERSON’S NEWEST CELEB Weather emails lead to Tonya Smith becoming campus celebrity

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STORY BY ALVIN STUCKEY— PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNE PETERSEN

uring the snow laden months of February and early March, students wondered every day and night if class was going to be cancelled. The decision of canceling class fell upon school officials. One school official who became “popular” during this time was Tonya Smith.

Smith is the executive director of marketing and communications, and has been employed with the university for about a year now.

Besides informing the campus community on other campus related events, Smith was the person who sent out the e-mails that stated that class was cancelled. “I’m just the email messenger about the decision that a group of campus leaders makes,” Smith said.

The process in determining if class is cancelled is not a solo process. “This group gathers for meetings and determines how we can ensure that our students, faculty and staff – particularly commuters – can stay safe when there is bad weather,” Smith said. “Then all the staff in the Office of Marketing and Communications work to share this important information with the campus through various channels.”

Around campus there were rumblings that Smith had become a “celebrity” because she was known as “that lady” to go to for the latest information on school closing and other information. Even though she finds it funny, she remains humble and business orientated.

“It’s hard not to pay attention when

students are calling you ‘the real MVP’ or ‘my spirit animal,’” Smith said. “You do pay attention to it and it is nice, but it’s weird at the same time.”

Smith’s job can be tough at times, but through it all she handles each job with precise care and professionalism. She endures a bevy of questions from members of the campus and she puts it on her shoulders to give them the answers that they need.

“I may not immediately know the answers to these questions, but I have the ability to find out and communicate those answers,” Smith said. “The members of our community deserve to have those answers, and I try to think about – especially with students – how I would want people to treat my daughter, who is a senior at LR Central High, in the same kind of situation.”

At the end of the day Smith takes much pride in her job. “I think the key is to remember that you’re part of a team that does the work to keep our community safe,” Smith said.

Students have made Smith feel closer to them than ever before. “I’m glad if [students] feel that they can talk to me or ask me about things on campus,” Smith said. “That’s part of what a communicator’s job is to engage with those who are around you.”

Whenever there is something big on campus or something important that the campus community needs to know, Tonya Smith is that person who will deliver the news with precision and timeliness.

CELEB STATUS— Tonya Smith meets television personality and nerd Chris Hardwick at the HighEdWeb Conference in Portland, Ore. last year.

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HOLY ANIMATION, BATMAN!

OPINION BY DAX GUILLIAMS — IMAGE BY MEGAN SNODDY

The DC universe has been very busy as of lately with not only their comics, but their television shows and movies too.

Along with the Arrow and Flash shows, now both of those are getting a spin-off show that will include Hawkgirl and other characters that have yet to be announced.

DC is also about to release an animated movie titled “Batman vs Robin.” But none of these have anything on what they’ve announced to be released in 2016.

Adam West confirmed that he and Burt Ward will be lending their voices to an animated Batman movie based on the Batman TV series from 1966.

That series is amazing and I don’t care who disagrees. I’m tired of dark, gritty Batman that has Christopher Nolan somehow involved..

Did you actually watch the Nolan Batman trilogy? It started with one good movie, an average movie that people obsess over for no good reason and a film that is, without a doubt in my mind, terrible.

The Dark Knight Rises is a bane on my life. Get it? Bane? Because Bane was the villain in that movie and both he and the film in general were awful?

Anyhow, the ‘66 Batman series was great.

You had Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin and they couldn’t have been better for those roles.

West’s Batman is so heroic that it’s altering his personality and Ward’s Robin is so overthe-top you can’t help but like him.

I’m really excited for this movie and I’m glad DC hasn’t abandoned what made Batman popular so many years ago.

People can deny it all they want, but the ‘66 Batman series breathed life into the character.

Before the show, Batman’s comic sales were at an all-time low.

The show itself was just fun. Remember when Batman and other comics were fun?

I’m not saying dark, edgy Batman is bad, but it needs the more fun version of Batman to help balance it out.

Even going beyond how fun it was, the TV series was just well-made for it’s time. Sure, Batman and Robin fought the villain in almost the same location every time, but that’s just using a budget wisely.

Most of the villains were played by great

actors and actresses too. You had Cesar Romero as The Joker, Burgess Meredith as The Penguin, Frank Gorshin as The Riddler and Catwoman was played by Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt and Lee Meriweather.

Have you heard Eartha Kitt’s voice? She sounds like an angel with a cool accent.

Not to mention Vincent Price as Egghead.

I like Egghead and I’m not joking whatsoever.

He was a criminal with a big head who made puns based around eggs and fought by throwing eggs. He was truly Gotham’s fiercest outlaw and I dare you to disagree.

And who doesn’t love it when Batman would punch one of these villains in the face and a big “POW! or “BAM!” appeared on the screen. You don’t have a soul if that doesn’t bring a smile to your face.

Plot-wise, it was very much like the Silver Age comics. It was lighthearted, no one ever got killed and Batman and Robin always found weird ways to defeat the villains.

No details about the new animated movie have been revealed so far, but I still have high

hopes for the film. DC’s animated films have not disappointed me yet and I doubt this will be the first to do so.

Look, I know I talk about some nerdy things with a comedic spin, but I’m serious about this. More serious than when I did a fake video game review for a Ted Cruz beat ‘em up and that was still pretty serious.

It just makes me glad that DC doesn’t only focus on one aspect of Batman’s history and remembers the series that helped the character’s popularity greatly.

The series has been released on DVD and Blu-ray and they include a good amount of special features, mostly just interviews with the cast. Well, the one’s who are still alive.

Unfortunately, Caesar Romero, Burgess Meredith and others from the series have passed away, so they will not be able to provide their voices for the new movie.

I would honestly be happy if the modern voice actors for their characters were in the movie instead.

Troy Baker has been doing The Joker for

awhile now, so he could do it. I don’t know who’s been voicing Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman, but let them do it, whoever they are.

And if Egghead is in the movie, I’m gonna buy around 12 copies of the movie to support it that hard.

Now it just needs a good video game tie-in to compete with the Arkham series of games.

Don’t laugh! The ‘66 series can do it.

So, in short, I’m glad at the direction that DC is going. Sure, the New 52 wasn’t so great, but it got better and it put a lot of the lesser known characters into the limelight. Hopefully, DC continues to do so even after the New 52 reaches its end.

I’m excited for ‘66 Batman getting a movie and I’m also excited for future Arrow and Flash episodes along with any spin-off they make possible.

You’re doing a great job, DC, and you’re making smart decisions. Now just give Bill Finger the rightful credit he deserves as the true creator of Batman and you’ll have done the fans a great justice.

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HOT SPRINGS HAPPENINGS MAGIC SPRINGS REOPENING FOR NEW SEASON Magic Springs Theme Park, 1701 E. Grand Ave. Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $19.99 Magic Springs gears up for a whole new season of thrills. During the first four weekends of operation, the park will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the water park will open on May 9. Nearly two dozen attractions including the Log Flume, Big Bad John, The Gauntlet and X-Coaster will be open for riders to enjoy. Pre-buy tickets at magicsprings.com Photo courtesy of Theme Park Review

CENTRAL ARKANSAS CORVETTE CLUB CAR SHOW Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Blvd.

April 16-18 free Come see nearly 500 Corvettes and over 1000 Corvette owners from around the country at the annual Corvette Weekend. For more details on the event, visit centralarkansascorvetteclub.com Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

FIRST ANNUAL HOT SPRINGS GUMBO & CRAWFISH FESTIVAL, 21+ EVENT Hill Wheatley Plaza, 629 Central Ave. Saturday, April 18, 2 to 6 p.m. $15 for unlimited gumbo samples, $20 for crawfish dinner It’s the first ever Gumbo and Crawfish Festival! Sample gumbos from teams competing in the “Best Gumbo in Hot Springs” title, enjoy a massive crawfish dinner feast and dance to live music. All profits go towards future Spa City Blues Society community and cultural events.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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Milton and Friends

by Joshua Bradley

Paco Taco

by Joshua Bradley

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SPA CITY

ORDER ON THE COURT Reddies fall 8-1 to Southeastern Oklahoma but win 5-4 over SNU STORY BY MARIAH DELAVEGA — PHOTO BY KRISTINE MOORE The Lady Reddie tennis team fell short to South Eastern Oklahoma on April 1, at the Bettye Wallace Tennis Center. HSU lost to Southeastern Oklahoma 8-1.

This was the Lady Reddies’ first time in over two weeks to return to the tennis courts because of the snow and rain.

All of the singles lost their matches and there were only two tie breakers from Annie Shannon and Sara Griffin.

Shannon, freshman from Lautoka, Fiji, was defeated by Alexsandra Reljic 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).

“I was making a lot of silly mistakes,” Shannon said. “Nothing I was doing was working. I was so close but yet so far.”

Sara Griffin, sophomore from Ennis, Texas lost to Ilga Racika-Racko 6-4, 6-2 (7-1).Junior transfer Amanda Korinihona fell 6-1, 6-4 to Darija Catipovic.

Senior Kristen Pierce was defeated by Maria Martinez 6-0, 6-1.

Senior Hannah Watson from Gold Coast, Australia fell 6-4, 6-3 to Milena Vitez. Maddie McJunkins from Nashville, Ark lost to Marina Dias 6-4, 6-1.

There was only one doubles team who won their match and the other two doubles lost. Shannon and Korinihona won 8-5 in their match.

“We dominated in our match,” Korinihona said. “We did really well we both played really hard but it wasn’t enough to win the whole thing.”

Griffin and Watson played against Catipovic and Martinez but they fell short 8-4.

Pierce and McJunkins were defeated by Vitez and Dias 8-1.

The Lady Reddies just need to win a few

HUMOR more games to make it to conference.

“I want to just be positive in myself and I know we can get there if we all just focus and work really hard and do what we need to do the rest of this season,” Korinihona said.

“Even though we lost today, we still have a chance for playoffs because we have had a good season so far.”

The Lady Reddies came back on Saturday and beat Southern Nazarene for the first time in Henderson history. They won 5-4 over the

Crimson Storm in Bethany, Okla.

Two of the three Reddie doubles team won over SNU. Shannon and Korinihona beat Southern Nazarene 9-7. Pierce and McJunkins teamed up to defeat SNU 8-2.

Pierce won her single matches 7-5 and 6-2 while Watson won hers 6-1 and 6-0. Tyler Reaves won her single matches 7-6, (7-4) and 6-2.

The Reddies will next face Harding University on April 6 in Arkadelphia, Ark.

YOU GOT SERVED— Annie Shannon, freshman from Fiji, plays in the match against Southeastern Oklahoma.