09/08/14 Issue

@HSUORACLE www.hsuoracle.com

Henderson State University - Tuesday, September 8, 2015 - Volume 109, Issue 3

FLOATIN’ ABROAD

Biology students study in the Galapagos Islands over the summer P.8

THE ORACLE

THE ORACLE Editor-in-chief – Moe Skinner Faculty adviser – Mike Taylor Copy editor – Dylan McNiel News editoR – Carmin Wills Sports editor – Alvin Stuckey Features editor – Rickey Miller Views editor – Dax Guilliams Photo editor – Joshua Bradley Page DESIGNER – Melanie Cole ad DESIGNER – Chris Sharp Graphic designer – Jordan Jones Online Editor – Ashley Smith

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PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. JAMES ENGMAN

BIOLOGY GOES ABROAD

Business manager – Coley Henson Distribution manager – Rylie Prescott

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.

COVER: Students float during their Galapagos trip this summer Photo courtesy of Dr. James Engman

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PHOTO BY CARMIN WILLS

Parking Problems

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PHOTO BY KRISTINE MOORE

Dance Audition

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PHOTO BY MELANIE COLE

Seasons of My Life

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HOW ‘BOUT THAT PARKING Lack of parking causes problems for students and community STORY AND PHOTO BY CARMIN WILLS This semester students have been complaining about finding a parking spot on campus. The word around campus from student drivers throughout the quad and talk in the hallways is full of complaints of walking long distances and arriving late to class.

Parking will continue to be a problem at least until the new parking lot is completed.

Students are even taking different measures to avoid having to park their car. Students such as Katie Smith, senior Spanish major, walks to school most days to avoid the parking lots. She does drive on Mondays and Wednesdays because she has a class down the hill.

“I almost always end up parking illegally because there is nowhere to park my car,” Smith said.

Parking illegally can be seen all over campus. Cars parked the wrong way on Henderson Street, is a common sight. Even vehicles parked where it is clearly marked no parking.

Students are taking risks that they would not normally take to be able to get to class on time.

Even students that have been here for four years are calling this the worst semester for parking. Zach Burnett, senior mass media major, said the parking situation has never been this bad, it is ridiculous.

“If Henderson can build extravagant new dorms, they can afford more parking lots,” Burnett said.

Every year students need to purchase a Henderson parking decal to put on the passenger rear window of their cars or on their back bumper. This year’s decal is grey and white. The parking decals costs $30.

“There have been 1,387 parking decals sold

as of this morning,” Johnny Campbell, chief of university police, stated in an email dated Monday, Aug. 31.

That is $41,610 thousand the university has received for the sale of decals for the one month. Parking citations have been seen as early the week school started. Campus police are actively looking for violations.

“There have been 414 parking citations issued for the month of Aug.,” Campbell stated in an email.

Those citations are for a variety of parking violations such as no decal, improper parking, parking in the spaces reserved for guests, students parking in faculty staff parking and over the time limit of 30 minutes where designated.

According to the handbook of procedures and regulations regarding traffic on the Henderson campus, fines vary from a minimum of $275 for parking in a handicap parking space without the proper state permit down to$10 for many other violations. For more information on the handbook for traffic regulations on campus, you can access a copy on the website. From the homepage of the Henderson website, type handbook for traffic regulations into the search.

If someone has or does in the future receive a parking violation, that person has five days from the date on the ticket to pay the fine. To pay for a citation, go to the campus police department with the ticket. If a student would like to appeal a violation, they can do that in person or in writing, but be sure to do that is done within 72 hours of receiving a ticket.

There are parking places available to stu-

dents. Caplinger usually has empty parking spaces, if students don’t mind parking that far away. At that time students can cross over the pedestrian bridge to get to the main campus.

Yes, there is a new parking lot being built, but students are not yet able to access this lot.

The new lot is across the street from the new university dorms. There are barriers built for the new lot but as far as students being able to park cars there, that has not happened yet.

“The estimated completion date is in two to three weeks,” Tonya Oaks Smith, director of marketing and communications, stated.

PARK HERE — no room available

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New scholarships created from alumni endowment STORY BY CHRISTIAN PIERCE — GRAPHIC BY JORDAN JONES

Henderson State University will be receiving two new scholarships this upcoming year. The scholarships are called the Christopher M. Wewers Scholarship and Debra L. Nutt Wewers Endowment.

The money was given by Christopher and Debra Weavers of Little Rock, Arkansas. The couple donated $200,000 for scholarships to help assists students here at Henderson State University. The couple wanted to make a difference in student’s lives, and an endowment was a way to do so.

Christopher and Debra Wewers are both graduates from Henderson State University. Christopher graduated with a degree in accounting and now is chief financial officer for Southern Bancorp South. Debra has a degree in elementary education. They both want to be able to help the next generations. According to an earlier news release, Debra said, “In endowing in these scholarships, we are putting our words and thoughts into action by creating opportunities for generations to come.”

These scholarships will be available to students in the spring semester, and will be awarded to full time students. The Christopher M. Wewers Scholarship will benefit students in Henderson’s School of Business, and the Debra L. Nutt-Wewers Scholarship will benefit students studying education in the Teachers College of Henderson.

The two new scholarships will provide approximately $4,000 per year and that the scholarships will be given to 1 or 2 students per year.

The scholarships can be applied to students cost of attendance which includes tuition, fees, room, board, and book, said Jennifer Boyett, vice president for university advancement.

These new private scholarships are here to assist students with more aid because not everyone is able to receive aid from financial aid, or

academic scholarships from the university. “While lottery scholarships from the state, academic scholarships the university and federal aid provide a surplus of support to Henderson students, no all students qualify for these types of aid, and sometimes that aid is not enough,” Boyettt said.

Although Henderson has awarded hundreds of students in privately funded scholarships, they should have provided more scholarships to assist the students who were not able to receive them. “The HSU Foundation was able to assist more than 250 students, it should have been noted that we had more than 550 applicants,” Boyett said. “The more private scholarships we have, the more students the foundation is able to assist.”

In order to receive the Christopher M. Wewers Scholarship students must study business. In addition to studying business, they must be enrolled full time taking at least 15 hours per semester and maintain a cumulative 3.25 grade point average. Incoming freshman must have a 25 on the ACT. The scholarship is renewable but students should be from the United States and reside in campus housing. First preference is for graduates of Boone, Garland, Hempstead or Hot Spring countries. Students from Arkadelphia High School who receive the Arkadelphia Promise are ineligible.

The Debra L. Nutt-Wewers scholarship will also have the same requirements as the Christopher M. Wewers Scholarship. In addition to this scholarship, first preference will be given to graduates of Sparkman High School or Harrison High School. Students from Arkadelphia High School that receive the Arkadelphia Promise are ineligible for this scholarship too.

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BITING THE BOOK Student explores the effects of buying versus renting textbooks

STORY BY NICHOLAS BIUS— GRAPHIC BY JORDAN JONES

For students already facing increased tuition prices, there is no solace to be found at the bookstore. Students are either forced to bite the bullet and pay outrageous sums of money for necessary components of class, or try to obtain them in clever ways without the bookstore.

Kansas Tye, sophomore pre-med major, has a required seven books among her 16 hours of class. Tye revealed that she initially wanted to wait to get her first paycheck from her work-study position in the library, and then be able to shop for the best deals on her books online.

However, after facing pressure from her instructors, who said that her grade in the class would soon suffer, Tye was forced to buy some of her books immediately from Bookstore, totaling $407.

“If you have the money and time, it’s better to buy online,” Tye said.

While renting textbooks is often significantly cheaper than buying, the option is disturb-

ingly unavailable to some students, particularly freshmen.

“The book I bought was $170,” Wyatt Atchison, freshman physics major, said, “and would’ve been 70 bucks if I rented.” Atchison was required to purchase four books for his 15 credit hours (the minimum for keeping most scholarships).

Atchison was unable to rent any books from the Reddie Bookstore because he could not provide a credit card. This comes after the fact that his original plan to purchase his books (with family assistance) fell through, and he was forced to use book vouchers.

Book vouchers are released to students in increments of $600, Atchison used $580 to buy all four of his books. Atchison first looked online, however, and noted that the books he originally planned to buy were $200$300 cheaper than at the bookstore.

Adding to the pressure to buy from the bookstore were Henderson State University staff members who he says told the freshmen

class that book vouchers were the “easiest way” to buy books without going out of pocket.

Darian Sisson, junior psychology major, and an active member of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. She kept a close eye on the prices of her books, since she is forced to pay for her schooling mostly out of pocket. If she had bought her books from the bookstore, she would have paid $896.74. However, because she went online to buy, she spent only $92 buying four of those books, and borrowing another from a friend. Sisson says renting was never an option for her as a psychology major.

“Buying books is more resourceful than renting, and having to use textbooks again if I decide to further my education,” Sisson said.

Unfortunately for the school with a heart, it seems that some students are disenfranchised when it comes to being able to have a choice between renting and buying books, and many are forced into spending much more money than they would like.

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DEEP BREATH — Students practice their routine

DANCE AUDITIONS

Do-si-do

STORY BY ERIN WHITE — PHOTO BY KRISTINE MOORE This is the 28th year of Auditions for the Dance Company. A group of diverse individuals who gather to show their passion for dance. With a total of 16 students auditioning, 13 made the dance company for 2015-2016 year.

We would like to say “Congratulations” to the 13 students who made Dance Company. Those students are China Banks, CJ Bernard, Kristen Brown, Jamion Burns, Carlie Clem, Riley Madlock, Brianna Massey, Larkin Parks, Hannah Perry, Riley A. Prescott , Ruth Russell, Brooke Shrewsbury and Mary Stovall.

Many students that auditioned had taken ballet and jazz, modern etc. in the past but it was a first time experience with Mrs. Maddox as the instructor. In the Arkansas Hall dance studio each year around August and the beginning of September the dance company holds audition between 4:30 pm

– 7:00 pm. This year there was a 5 person panels, 3 were previous students for the Dance Company.

In the Dance Company everyone who chooses can choreograph a piece to go in the Dance Company that is held at the end of the year.

During the Dance Company, they have a conditioning classes like Yoga, Abs, and Ballet. Each student that gets to experience Dance Company has their favorite dance, especially Brooke Shrewsbury, Sophomore, … favorite dance is Clogging and Larkin Parks, Senior, sports Managemen major loves Lyrical but each student can relate.

“Each individual has their own dance but we each work together like a big melting pot” Parks said.

If anyone would like to know more about Dance Company or to get into any classes, please Contact Jennifer Maddox at maddoxj@hsu. edu, or call (870)230-5168.

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What is Rush Week?

STORY BY KAYLA CALDWELL — GRAPHIC BY JORDAN JONES Many students are searching for a place to fit in. A wonderful place to start the search for a college clique is rush week. Rush week typically takes place near the beginning, or middle, of September. Before the strenuous week occurs, current sorority/fraternity members are given the opportunity to communicate with the possible future members.

Events such as the street dance allow members to socialize with future members.

During rush week, all potential sorority/fraternity members are required to attend a series of three parties. At these gatherings current members of the organizations introduce the chapters, and philanthropy to new pledges.

These nights will also allow the future members an insight on things such as the chapter’s ways of raising money to go towards its philanthropy. Along with an idea of what is to be expected from each chapter, the new pledges also are given the opportunity to get to know current members on a personal basis. Plus, this week also provides an idea of what personality each sorority or fraternity holds, and how the club serves the school, and community.

“I think people should get involved in Greek life in order to meet new people and get involved on campus. It’s a very good way to make connections in life, and to meet lifelong friends.” Alpha Xi Delta Faith Ledbetter, Senior, and Marketing Major said.

On top of the Greek life experience providing the opportunity to make new friends, it also gives students the chance to volunteer some time towards some major causes (the organization’s philanthropy).

One of Henderson’s sororities, Alpha Xi Delta, dedicates their time to raising money for an organization called Autism Speaks, All funds go towards research for autism. . Some of the events used to raise money for this particular philanthropy includes bake sales, softball tournaments, and the newly annual Xi Man Pageant.

Furthermore, beyond the wonderful social benefits gained through the joining of a sorority/fraternity there are also benefits such as scholarships, and business opportunities.

“Once I’m out of college I will get to benefit from the largest alumni network in the U.S. Lots of jobs are received solely because of shared affiliation.” Kappa Sigma member Parker Hancock, sophomore, Aviation Major, said, There is much more than just school, and business benefits, though.

Through the years of Greek life in a sorority/fraternity, things such as leadership skills, personal growth, and friendships are built.

“As far as my personal experience I have gained so much confidences and happiness from being a part of Alpha Xi Delta,” Alpha Xi Delta President Olivia Mathison, Senior, Childhood Education Major, said, “It’s something that’s hard to explain to other people, but the love of a sisterhood is unlike anything you could ever experience.”

Therefore, a great place to begin your search for self-discovery, strong friendships, volunteer opportunities, and so much more is in a sorority/fraternity. You will never go through anything alone, and you will always have somebody to guide you. Do not miss out on the fantastic opportunity.

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FANTASY ISLAND Students travel to Galapagos on Biology trip

STORY BY KATIE SMITH— PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. JAMES ENGMAN

SAY CHEESE - Students smile for the camera

The biology department took the trip of a lifetime this summer. From Machu Picchu to the Galapagos Islands, 10 students experienced South American landmarks, culture and wildlife.

Dr. James Engman, biology department chair, has been on 24 of these trips with students. However, he described this group as the best one he ever traveled with, because they were very enthusiastic. He said he doesn’t have a single complaint about them on the trip.

The team spent over two weeks exploring various parts of Peru and Ecuador. They started their journey in Lima.

Then they flew to Cuzco. From there, they embarked on adventures to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

After a few other ventures, they flew from Peru’s capitol to Ecuador’s, Quito. Following that was a five day cruise through the Galapagos Islands. It is during this time that a few of them described their favorite moments of the whole trip.

Engman said for him, the best moment of the trip was when they saw some whales from their ship deck on the last night of the

WAVES- Students riding the waves

cruise. He said the “students’ faces said it all” and that it was a “teaching moment you can’t get in the classroom.” Kalee Holloway, sophomore biology major, described the scene as “breathtaking.”

Leah Efird, senior biology major, said it was a comical moment as well.

She said everyone was standing around the sides of the boat trying to “speak whale” like Dory from Finding Nemo. One of the whales seemed to respond and moved a little closer to the ship.

Efird said the five day cruise through the islands was her favorite part of the whole trip.

“Every biologist dreams of going to the Galapagos,” she said, “I got to see animals that not very many people get to see.”

There were several other unplanned moments on the trip, much like the whales. The group got to swim with sea lions while snorkeling. Holloway said she even had one touch her leg.

A couple of the students even reported seeing sharks during the dive. They were also able to get in the water with penguins, and saw a volcano erupt in the distance.

Aside from the biological lessons, the crew was able to experience some Hispanic culture while abroad. They visited a school and met some of the children who attended it. The students there sang for the travelers. Holloway said she danced with a little boy who had special needs, and the experience moved her to tears.

The explorers got to taste some of the local cuisine along the way. Engman said they were prepared oven baked guinea pig in a Peruvian home. Efird said she much preferred “lomo saltado,” the main dish in Lima.

Engman plans on taking groups to Panama and Belize in the summer of 2016. He also plans on repeating this trip in summer 2017.

Efird said she believes most people’s concern with trips like these is the price, to which she replies “it’s worth every penny.”

Both Efird and Holloway said they would do it again if presented with the opportunity.

Efird said, “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the trip and the stuff we did there.” Similarly, Holloway said she loved getting to see a different side of the world and she would “definitely go back.”

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ART OF THE SEASON

Jo Ann Diffee displays the seasons of her life

STORY BY DIOMONIQUE MCKISSICK — PHOTO BY MELANIE COLE Henderson has hosted many art shows. Each as interesting as the last. Jo Ann Diffee’s Show “The Seasons of My Life” did not fall short.

Jo Ann Diffee is a 72-year-old artist, born in Finland, Arkansas.

Diffe was raised in Blyth, California. There she graduated high school, got married, and gave birth to a son. She did not attend college because she wanted to be an artist and decided to focus more on her work.

As an artist she has done great things through out the years. In the early 2000’s she open and operated her own art gallery in Bismarck, Arkansas. In 2007, Diffee and a few of her associates founded the Caddo River Art Guild. Diffee credits her mother and father to be her biggest inspiration for continuing her work.

“They got me through those first years when I would have to be stopped,” Diffee said.

The pieces clearly support her statement. With portraits of her grandson and a friend showing how personal her work was to her.

“The Seasons of My Life” is a blanket statement covering more than fifty years of my love affair with art,” Diffee said in an artist statement.

Students at the event seemed to really take interest in the art work.

Most came in just to glance but stopped at certain pieces to admire different aspects of Diffees work.

Kardashia Howell, senior, human services major is a frequent visitor of the art shows in the Russell Fine Arts Building.

“I really enjoyed the portraits on display, especially the one of the little boy. It reminded me of my daughter because of how precious the little boy looked in the painting,” Howell said.

Other students saw the artwork and felt inspired. Iesha Adams, senior, pre dental hygiene and biology major viewed the art work and felt encouraged.

“I am not an artist but seeing these paintings and seeing the women behind them makes me want to do some work of my own,” ADMIRING — Ongoing spectators inspect artwork Adams said.

With Diffee were two of her supporting friends Hank Armstrong a Henderson State University Alumnus graduate of 1980, and his wife Shawn Armstrong who did Diffee’s framing for her art work during the years the gallery was open.

Diffe seemed to really have enjoyed herself.

“I was really shocked when I saw all of these people here at my exhibit looking at my work and waiting to talk to me and meet me.”

Diffee said.

If she could leave Henderson’s art students with anything she would like to leave this statement, “if they really love it they need to stick with it, because it will eventually being what they want it to be.

SEASONS — More of Diffe’s artwrok on display But it takes a lot of work.”

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LETTERS TO EDITOR Agree or disagree

THE FOLLOWING ARE RESPONSES TO THE “SAGGY PANTS” ARTICLE Cheyanne Massey Dear Mrs. Skinner, I would like to add my opinion to the “sagging pants” sign issue that has been circulating our campus. I am a sophomore English major here at Henderson. Many were offended, but one can only take offense to what they are guilty of. The only reason I would have taken offense to the sign is if I were 1) excessively loud 2) acting rude 3) using profanity 4) wearing sagging pants or 5) any combination of the four. No, signs are not the way to “fix” a conduct problem, but it was not meant as racial discrimination.

The person/people responsible for posting the signs WERE targeting a certain group. Not a racial group, but a group of people who were doing the things the sign stated were not to be tolerated. They were targeting the loud, rude and profane people who were disrupting other people. As a staff member of Reddie Bookstore located in the Garrison, I know how distracting it can be when work is trying to be done and a group of people walk through whooping and hollering. During the days that the sign was posted, new students were moving onto campus, their new home. Many parents and friends of family were around helping their children and loved ones get settled in. Parents want to feel at ease knowing this campus is a safe and preserved environment.

College is a big stepping stone on the path the successfulness.

All students should act, dress, and

practice professionalism because that is what we attend this school for- to eventually gain a career and to learn how to be successful.

Higher education means higher standards are to be held of the students and even faculty. Sagging pants is prison behavior (if you do not believe that, look up “Fleece Johnson” on YouTube.) As college students, we should not be practicing for prison, but for a bright future provided to us by Henderson State University. Most employers are not going to hire a person that cusses or cannot dress appropriately in a job interview.

As a female, I do not want my under garments to be showing to everyone on campus and most certainly do not want to see a male’s.

It is uncomfortable to look at and makes it difficult to take a person seriously. If we all dress and act like adults, this campus will be sitting pretty.

Katelynn Hardage Dear Editor, I am writing in regards to the article “Do Your Pants Hang Low?” I do not think this sign should have been put up on campus, especially in the student’s center. This topic should have been brought up in discussion at an assembly or throughout student organizations before it was posted over campus.

If the faculty thinks that this is a major issue then the Dean of Students could have sent out an email, again to start conversation. I feel like this would have started a discussion over campus about sag-

ging pants instead of it feeling as if it is directed towards a specific race.

People around campus get offended by sagging, yet girls can walk around campus in shorts that their butts hang out and shirts that are way too low cut. I see more skin on campus than I do on the beach. Why is that not being addressed? I find that more offensive than sagging; however since Henderson does not have a dress code, students can wear what they want.

The sign stated that, “The Following Would Not Be Tolerated: Profanity, Excessive Loudness, Rude Behavior, Sagging Pants.”

Profanity, excessive loudness, and rude behavior should all be addressed because it is disrespectful to others. The only issue with that is, everyone’s opinion of profanity, excessive loudness and rude behavior are different. Who determines what is excessive and rude?

My definition of rude behavior would not be the same as the guy sitting next to me in the computer lab with his music spouting out profanity with every other word and being super loud.

Lastly, I do not see how this is a racial issue. Sagging originated in prison to show other inmates that they are sexually available. It is meant as a sign of “sexiness.” It has nothing to do with a specific race. If you look up prisons online, you can see who is incarcerated. There are whites, black, Asians, Chinese, Hispanic, Indian and every other race. So no, this cannot be pinpointed to a specific race. If

this poster would have been put up two years ago, I do not think this would have been an issue. Since there is a lot of racial tension going on in the world today, I think that people are defensive and automatically think “racism.” I do not see that as the issue with this sign.

Lynley Billingsley Dear Ms. Skinner, I think that it’s a bad indication for the current mindset of the HSU administration that it couldn’t pick up on the number of reasons that hanging up a list of forbidden behaviors was a very, very bad idea. Who is to say what classifies rudeness or profanity?

Who gets to decide what an appropriate level of volume would be? Some of us recoil when we hear the word crap like others do when the big baddy F-bomb gets casually dropped into a conversation. I may be studying or wanting some quiet time in the Garrison Center and may think another person is being too loud, but others around may not take any issue with the volume. It’s all entirely subjective, impossible to enforce, and makes the brainchild behind the sign come across as a crotchety elder one cafeteria visit away from telling us all to get off their lawn.

The only rule on there that actually is enforceable is so terrifically inappropriate that I can’t believe someone didn’t intervene before the two signs were placed out in public where we hang out. Not only were they culturally insensitive, but the signs clashed against

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concepts being taught to us as students by the very administration that found it acceptable to post them.

I’m a senior at HSU in the Teacher’s College. One of the main fundamentals we are taught as future educators is that students learn best when their teachers provide an environment of respect and rapport for the students and their cultures. It’s so important for us to have this type of classroom environment that we have a required class titled Teaching People of Other Cultures. It’s awesome, it’s informative, and I learned so much in that semester from Dr. Jenkins, not just about being culturally sensitive, but also how to make students across all demographics feel included and valued in their school.

Whoever thought of hanging the sign in the Garrison Center should enroll in a few of the classes offered from the Teacher’s College to get a better glimpse of the standards that Henderson holds for its future educators. Commentary from the administration and teachers that is insulting to the students doesn’t exactly build a strong, supportive educational system. It’s demoralizing. It sparks outrage from all levels of audience, from other administrators and professors to students and parents to people not even part of the school. Teachers are supposed to exhibit model behaviors that they want emulated from students in the classroom. I am going to be a role model in my future career whether I want to or not, and I can make a choice to embrace my students and their quirky choices or I can resist and try to make them change who they are.

THE SIGN, capitalized because it has gone from being a small incident of unintended (I hope) ignorance to a really big deal, not only is a direct contrast to what future educators are being taught so our students feel inclusive, it’s a swing away from the Henderson State University strategic plan. On the website, it states that “...Henderson, above all, is centered upon the success of the student, and to ensure that success we value academic excellence, collaboration and community, human difference, integrity, tradition and innovation, and the liberal arts education.”

Right now many of us are probably thinking that Henderson values community and human difference as long as we are wearing the right pants and a nice, sensible belt.

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WHO’S THE BIG BOSS? OPINION BY DAX GUILLIAMS — PARODY IMAGE BY JORDAN JONES BASED ON AN IMAGE © KONAMI The Metal Gear series has entertained gamers for many years. Last week, the next game in the series, and also the final Metal Gear title to be designed by the original creator, Hideo Kojima, was released.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is one of Kojima’s finest works and is an epic conclusion to his vision on the series.

Phantom Pain also serves as the conclusion to the origin of the character, Big Boss, and is a direct sequel to the last game that was released, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeros.

Immediately following the events of Ground Zeros, Big Boss wakes up after spending nine years in a coma from the attack launched on his unit. Upon waking, Big Boss is forced to leave the hospital after it is attacked by Cipher, the group who led the attack in Ground Zeros.

Once he escapes the hospital, Big Boss is met by Revolver Ocelot, a character Metal Gear fans know all too much about. Ocelot leads Big Boss to safety and informs him of the events that have happened while he was hospitalized.

His unit was betrayed by Major Zero, the man Big Boss once worked under and who, in the future, unleashes his tyranny on the world with his group, The Patriots.

Later, once Big Boss rescues his old partner, Kaz, the two decide to reform their unit to go after Cipher for revenge.

They rebuild their headquarters, Mother Base, and reform their unit under a new name, Diamond Dogs.

With his new team in place, Big Boss adopts the codename Punished “Venom” Snake.

Phantom Pain improves upon the stealth mechanics the series is known for.

Enemy AI is even more intelligent, so the use of stealth is important for staying alive and completing your missions.

I’ve always loved using stealth in games. Sneaking around the enemy is just so thrilling and many games benefit from

allowing players to use stealth as an option instead of direct conflict.

Unlike previous Metal Gear games, this one features open world mechanics.

Starting off in a large area of Afghanistan, there are many story missions and side-ops to do along with secrets to discover.

Other areas become available later, but the start of the game focuses on the one map.

While players take the role of Big Boss, other members of Diamond Dogs will join him on the battlefield. From a mute sniper codenamed Quiet, to a trained hound named DD, Big Boss can receive different kinds of assistance.

A big part of the game is rebuilding the former glory of Mother Base by recruiting more members and designing new equipment.

The Fulton system that was used in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker returns as your method of recruiting new members.

The Fulton system was my favorite feature of that game because it’s just attaching balloons to unconscious soldiers that carry them to Mother Base.

Soldiers that are recruited to the R&D department will come up with new designs for equipment that Big Boss can use, such as new guns, upgrades to the support helicopter and new designs for the cardboard boxes.

That’s right, it wouldn’t be a Metal Gear game if you couldn’t sneak around in a cardboard box.

The voice acting is some of the best I’ve ever heard. While I like David Hayter’s voice work, I believe Kiefer Sutherland has a better sounding voice and it is better suited for the voice of Big Boss.

And while I was unsure of Troy Baker doing the voice of Ocelot, I warmed up to it rather quickly.

Because the game takes place in the 80’s, the game’s soundtrack includes li-

censed songs from artists from that time.

The game opens with David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold The World and the name Diamond Dogs comes from another one of his songs. Also included are songs from bands like The Cure, A-Ha and others.

As he’s my favorite character from the series, I love that Big Boss was given another game. From being a great soldier in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater to an independent mercenary with a cause in Peace Walker to the villain of the first two games in the series, Big Boss and his history is an interesting one to experience.

Sadly, Kojima will no longer be developing any more Metal Gear games in the future as he and the company, Konami,

got into a serious disagreement over the summer and Kojima has decided to leave.

Kojima, to me, is one of the best developers of video games. He designs fun, action-packed games with interesting characters and he writes great plots for every game he’s ever been involved with.

I honestly don’t know how Konami can continue without him, but maybe they’ll find a way.

Kojima has said he’ll continue writing great stories, so maybe he’ll stay involved with developing video games or maybe he’ll go into making movies. Either way I’m going to continue following his work and I’m sure I’ll continue to enjoy whatever he comes up with.

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HOT SPRINGS HAPPENINGS HOT SPRINGS MOTORCYCLE RALLY Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Blvd.

Thursday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Sept. 12 Cost varies, see website for details

The Hot Springs Rally is the largest motorcycle rally held annually in central Arkansas. It offers something for every motorcycle enthusiast. The 3-day rally includes vendors, bike show, parade through historic downtown Hot Springs and concerts by 38 Special on Friday and Travis Tritt on Saturday. For ticket information and schedules, visit thehotspringsrally.com.

Image courtesy of thehotspringsrally.com

ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITION Hill Wheatley Plaza, Central Ave. and Reserve Street Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Free Check out vintage motorcycles from 1903-1985 at the free exhibition. The Antique Motorcycle Club of America was founded in 1954 by a group of antique-bike fans in the New England area. The AMCA has grown to become one of the largest organizations of antique-motorcycle enthusiasts in the world. Visit diamondchapteramca.org for more information.

Image and synopsis courtesy of Diamond Chapter AMCA

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW The Central Theatre, 1008 Central Ave. Saturday, Sept. 12 — doors open at 9 p.m. $15 per person The Central Theater will be screening the cult-classic film as a kick off to “Hot Springs Horror” featuring the Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival and the Theater of Horror. Come in your favorite costume for the costume contest before the movie begins. Visit hotspringshorror.com for more information.

Image courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

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Doe Boy Comics by Freshawn Womack Isn’t your mom the famous Jane Doe?

cloud

sun Yeah

And your name is Dill, right? insinuating face....

cat

Let’s stop right there.

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REDDIES “D” UP Defense stands strong as Reddies get first win STORY BY ALVIN STUCKEY — GRAPHIC BY JORDAN JONES

After a long off-season, the Henderson State football team hit the gridiron against Southeastern Oklahoma State University to open up the 2015 season.

In a defensive battle, the Reddies (1-0) won the game 23-16.

SOSU received the ball at the 25 yard line after HSU kicker Houston Ray booted the ball in the end zone resulting in a touch back.

The game went scoreless until the 4:10 mark of the first quarter when SOSU’s Jake Walters netted a 37 yard field goal attempt making the score 3-0, SOSU. The field goal was set up after HSU’s Dallas Hardison threw an interception to SOSU’s Raheem Wilson at the Henderson 38 yard line back at the 6:15 mark of the first quarter.

HSU would answer back at the 12:32 mark of the second quarter with a three yard rushing touchdown by Ryan McDonald making the score 7-3, Henderson.

SOSU would get the ball back only to give it right back up after HSU forced them to a three and out. However, HSU would end up turning the ball over at the 10:44 mark of the second quarter on

Hardison’s second interception of the game.

SOSU would go on a lengthy 14 play, 61 yard drive that lasted over seven minutes only for SOSU to turn the ball over on a forced fumble by Henderson’s Kenrick Burns.

HSU’s Donovan McLeod picked up the fumble and returned it 71 yards to SOSU’s 10 yard line.

HSU would capitalize on the turnover on the next play when Hardison hooked up with JaVante Mack for a 10 yard touchdown pass to extend the Reddie lead to 14-3.

SOSU would answer late in the first half with a 36 yard touchdown pass by Polite to Franky Okafor.

However, SOSU would not connect on the extra point try. Therefore, making the score at the end of the first half 14-9, Henderson.

In the second half, both teams defense would turn it up a notch.

After turning the ball over on a failed fourth down attempt, HSU’s defense would force another turnover. HSU’s Grady Ollison recovered a fumble by SOSU’s Polite at SOSU’s 31 yard line.

HSU would go on a five play, 31 yard drive topped off with a

10 yard rushing touchdown by Jaquan Cole. The extra point try was blocked which made the score 20-9, Henderson.

The rest of the third quarter would remain scoreless so HSU took a 20-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Reddies would score again at the 11:32 mark of the fourth quarter with a 30 yard field goal by Ray to make the score 23-9.

SOSU would strike back with a touchdown after a 14 yard rushing touchdown by Ronnie Green at the 8:31 mark to cut the lead to a single score game 23-16, Henderson.

Henderson’s defense would hold strong through the remainder of the game. This was evident on SOSU’s final drive. SOSU went on a 13 play, 64 yard drive that lasted over six minutes.

SOSU would march their way down to HSU’s three yard line only to be stopped by HSU’s goal line defense on fourth and goal when Burns deflected Polite’s pass to Maxey-Meshileya.

The Reddie defense was the standout in this game.

“We can see that our defense

is playing extremely well,” senior wide receiver Joseph Snapp said.

“They really kept us in the game and I feel that they are going to be the reason we win a bunch of games this season.”

Since this was the first game of the season, many see that there are some things that need to be worked on.

“We can also see that offensively we have some things we need to correct,” Snapp said. “We just have to work on limiting our mistakes.”

Hardison finished the game with a quarterback efficiency rating of 113.4. He went 19 for 28 from the field for 160 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Lawson Schultz led the team in tackles with 13. Tavares Garner had one interception.

HSU plays in their first home game of the season Thursday against East Central University at 7 p.m. This will be highlight of the 125th Community Kick-Off that celebrates Henderson State’s 125th anniversary. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m.

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LONG DISTANCE — The 2015-2016 Reddie cross country team pose for a team photo.

REDDIE-SET-GO Cross country team prepares for upcoming season STORY BY DOMINICK CELLA — PHOTO COURTESY OF REBEKAH SMITH As the academic year begins, Coach Brenda Joiner’s 20th year as head coach of the Women’s Cross Country team is just kicking off.

The team placed ninth in last year’s Great American Conference Championship, but are focused and determined to kick some grass this season.

After defeating OBU last year for the first time in three years at the UALR Invitational, everyone is ready to have that breakout season.

Key returnees are sophomore Angel Crawford, putting up an impressive 20:04.3 at UALR; senior Alison Waggoner, who followed up Crawford with a time of 21:07.1; and senior Amanda Korinihona are set to produce for the Lady Reddies this season.

Incoming freshmen Emily Castlemann, Sydnee Parker and Chauzney Hooks are expected to bolster the team and show they can go the distance.

They will need to if they are going to fill the shoes of Stacy Emmerling and graduating senior Sarah Repp.

Team morale is at an all-time high as the ladies’ chemistry creates the “best group so far” according to Waggoner.