10/14/14 Issue

STUDENT DEBT P.3

UP FOR DEBATE P.6

Henderson State University - Tuesday, October 14, 2014 - Volume 108, Issue 8

ART SHOW P.7

CLYBOURNE PARK

The controversial play comes to the Arkansas Hall Studio Theatre P.8 @HSUORACLE www.hsuoracle.com

2

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

Graphic by, Megan Snoddy

CLOSE TO HOME Ebola victim dies in Texas hospital

BY BRETT RUCKS Just a simple sneeze has the chance to spread an illness so nasty it can either put someone down or take them out. As medicine has evolved over the years, doctors are still discovering new infectious diseases and they must act fast to find effective treatments.

Developed areas of the world, such as the United States are equipped and ready for the terrors of disease. Other areas such as western Africa are not so fortunate. It is the latter are where one of the most feared disease out-

breaks of our generation has emerged: Ebola.

In order to fight Ebola, it must be understood as to what Ebola is. According to World Health Organization, Ebola is a virus that is transmitted only through physical contact. So that means that this virus is not airborne, it is only transmitted from human contact. If students have been keeping up with the news, then they should know about the case of Ebola that has made its way over into the US which infected an American citizen,

DEMOCRACY DENIED

China refuses to compromise on election, protests MCT CAMPUS China on Wednesday insisted that elections for Hong Kong’s leaders must be conducted under existing rules and insisted that ongoing pro-democracy protests in the territory were illegal.

“The illegal gathering of the so-called Occupy Central has seriously disrupted social order and influenced Hong Kong’s economy

and people’s livelihood,” People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, said in an editorial.

“If it is allowed to continue, the consequences would be unthinkable,” it warned.

The editorial said elections for Hong Kong’s next chief executive, scheduled for 2017, must proceed under the territory’s Ba-

SPORTS

Thomas Eric Duncan. Duncan passed away Wednesday, Oct. 9 and it has left many Americans frightened over whether it has spread.

Henderson biology professor, Cindy Fuller, has provided her insight as to whether the U.S. is dealing with an epidemic, or if this Ebola scare is blown out of proportion.

“Transmission of Ebola requires direct contact with body fluids to spread. Ebola patients can only transmit it after their symptoms begin to show, as compared to flu and cold victims who can transmit it to others before symptoms show,” Fuller said.

Fuller also released an article stating the infection rate of Ebola as compared to other diseases, and believe it or not, the infection rate is very low compared to more common diseases. Stated in an NPR article, people infected with Measles contaminate 18 others as compared to those with Ebola contaminate at least two others due to the transmission requirements. Just because the U.S. is a developed country with the power of modern medical science, does that mean that Ebola is curable? No, Ebola is a virus and once a virus enters the host, it has to run its course in order to leave the host. However, there are treatments that keep Ebola patients alive as the virus runs its course.

“There are great treatment options in developed countries. The treatment is very simple from keeping patients hydrated to monitoring their blood ion levels,” Fuller also said.

The Arkansas Health Department is also taking a stand against Ebola, but they are confident that the chances of an epidemic in the United States is very low, and there have been no cases reported in Arkansas. Screenings take place every time one travels to a place of risk

sic Law, which allows an open voting for candidates approved by an electoral committee, which would be controlled by the Communist Party.

It said the central government believed Hong Kong officials were capable of handling the protests “in accordance with the law, in order to maintain the core values of Hong Kong and the interests of the Hong Kong public.”

Amid growing support for the protests among by dissidents and rights activists in mainland China, the government has tightly controlled coverage by state media and heavily censored online posts. It also detained or questioned scores of suspected protest sup-

Photo of Public Domain

EBOLA — An individual strain of the deadly virus in its early stage.

as the disease has a 21 day incubation period.

“It is important to understand that there have been no cases reported in Arkansas and Ebola poses a low risk here in the United States,” J. Gary Wheeler, MD, Arkansas Department of Health said.

One of the students at Henderson has provided his insight as to whether or not Ebola will be the next epidemic in the US, or if people are just overreacting to a small controllable contagion.

“My thoughts on the subject are that if it reaches the town and this university then we will, as a university, handle the dire situation appropriately,” Josh Lightsey, senior English major said. “However, I do not see Ebola coming here any time in the future. Now we as people have a right to know about the circumstances that Ebola brings, and I thank the media for informing us, but in my opinion the media have overblown the subject out of its proper proportion and has placed fear in the people.”

Students at Henderson must take the proper precautions and avoid contact with anyone they deem suspicious of Ebola. Even though the chances of an outbreak are very low, the threat still remains.

porters.

The China Human Rights Defenders and Amnesty International listed 20 people who were reportedly detained, and 60 who were taken for questioning by local police.

“The rounding up of activists in mainland China only underlines why so many people in Hong Kong fear the growing control Beijing has in their city’s affairs,” said William Nee, Amnesty’s China researcher.

“The fundamental freedoms being exercised by hundreds of thousands of people in Hong Kong continue to be denied to those in mainland China,” Nee said, urging China to release all those detained.

OCTOBER 14, 2014

FEATURES

SPENDING THE BIG BUCKS Keeping track of loan amounts could help in the long run

BY TIFFANY SAMUEL Cody McArthur could not be more excited to finally be graduating from Henderson with a graduate degree in clinical mental health.

With a high paying therapy contract waiting for him to sign at his new job, he felt as if all of his financial problems were over. That is until he received his first bill for his student loan payments.

The bill was over $150,000 with constant accruing debt.

“I can remember thinking I could’ve bought a Lamborghini with that much money instead of school,” McArthur said.

According to the Henderson net price calculator, the average cost for a four year bachelors degree at Henderson is around $60,000.

Because very few students consider this an easy out of pocket expense, many students apply for financial aid.

Loans can come from many sources, but according to the Henderson financial aid office, the FASFA is the most common source

for Henderson students.

The FASFA divides students into dependent and independent categories based on criteria such as marital status, military duty and emancipation.

Students who are married, on active duty or emancipated minors are declared as independent and given about $57,000 maximum of loans, while those who do not meet the criteria are declared dependent and given about $30,000 maximum of loans.

As neither independent or dependent students can depend solely on FASFA aid to pay for school, many students apply for private loans to compensate for the difference and to pay for off campus living expenses.

As these off campus living expenses are meant to be for food and rent money, some students admit to taking advantage of this extra money for other expenses.

“I was maxing out every loan just to have money for road trips and shopping trips with

TALK THE TALK Help with student presentations has arrived

BY ADRIANNE WILLIAMS Trembling hands, sweaty armpits, dead silence, a waiting audience and disorganized thoughts. This may be the scenario people face when giving public presentations.

Luckily, with the help of the new communications lab, students can receive help and guidance on the “do’s and don’ts” of public speaking, including PowerPoint presentations.

The communications lab is back on campus for student use.

“If you have a presentation you can come in and get help with your presentations skills.

We can help you brainstorm topics, help you develop your outline.

We can let you practice and we can give you a critique,” Torri Ellison, instructor of communications, said.

There is even equipment available so stu-

dents can record themselves and review where they may have gone wrong. With the help of the communications lab, students can get help deciding topics to present on, or get help putting everything together.

There are even some students who have never done power points, but want the opportunity to learn.

“I think it sounds interesting, because I have never done PowerPoint presentations.

I would definitely go there to get help,” Lori Hardage, accounting major, said.

Having to present work or speak in public is required in many jobs and professional settings.

It is important, when it is required to present, to have the correct skills to succeed.

“Pretty much any college class that you

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

3

my friends,” Kristy Staton, Henderson alumni said. “I can take out $6,000 instead of two?

Yeah, sign me up.”

Staton revealed that the funds added up to over $60,000 in loans, in which almost half was “fun” money.

Taking out money only to cover school expenses is only one way Pam Shuffield, financial aid analyst, recommends lowering future student debt.

“Many students will take out $60,000 in debt and if they are lucky, get a job that pays $30,000 a year. That’s taking too much out,” Shuffield said.

The financial aid office also recommends applying for new scholarships each academic year.

Many departments have new openings each semester for new scholarships with few applicants. Another way to avoid student loan debt is by using a meal plan on campus.

Fast food is expensive and can easily be avoided by frugal grocery shopping or eating at the cafeteria.

However, if students find themselves with a large amount of debt at the end of the year, there are federal government federations to help with government funded loans such as the public service loan federation, the teacher

loan federation and the pay as you earn repayment plan.

Unfortunately, there is no forgiveness or consolidation plans for private loans.

“My largest regret in life is taking out private loans,” Ethan White, Henderson alumni said. “Paying $1,000 on a loan payment every month is stressful and I’m responsible for that payment for 10 more years.”

Some loan payments can far exceed $1,000 a month and can expand to up to 20 years of repayment plans.

Therefore, Pam Shuffield leaves students with this advice: “Live the broke college student life now, instead of being broke when you graduate. The extra money isn’t worth it.”

take at some point you’re going to have to do a presentation,” Ellison said. “Whether it is for a group or an individual presentation that you are working on.

And even throughout your life. Even when you get into the real world.

Having a good PowerPoint or presentation may be the difference between getting the job or being passed up on the opportunity.

Much like the writing center, there will be tutors and professors there to help students.

Not only can the lab help with presenting, it can help with how to stand, speak and not be nervous when presenting.

“A lot of people deal with some type of communication apprehension in front of crowds or in front of a group and so that is something also that we can help people overcome through practice and critique,” Ellison said.

No one is alone when it comes to having issues with communication skills. Some people may be born with it, while others need a little extra help to get it right.

Considering the lab has not been back

long, not many students are aware of its return.

Hopefully many students will take advantage of the new lab.

“I think a lot of students, especially freshmen, will go because they are required to take a oral comm class and going to the lab that is specifically for presentations could be incredibly helpful for them,” Emily Blanton, psychology major, said.

Oral Communications is a required course.

If that is a scary thought, as it may be to some, why not stop by the lab to get a little extra help? It may even help enough to boost that “B” up to an “A.” The lab is located in Arkansas Hall, room 211. The current open hours for the lab are 10-10:50 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to noon and 3-5 p.m. Thursday.

The lab is open to everyone.

Even faculty members who may need help with a certain project are welcome to come and utilize the resources set out to help everyone achieve in communications skills.

Graphic of Public Domain

4

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

ABUSE HAS MANY FORMS Students demonstrate across campus with bruises

BY JASMINE THREAT With Domestic Violence Awareness month here, the Reddies are taking a stand and spreading the word. Henderson conducted a series of events for Domestic Violence Awareness.

The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta, as well as other NPC organizations, popped off the awareness with Stop the Violence Face On — students walking around campus with fake bruises and black eyes on their face and body.

How many people noticed?

Quatia Jackson, president of Zeta Phi Beta, was spotted with a realistic black eye in the library. Seeing various students and even faculty members around campus “bruised” and “battered” may have sparked concern from other Reddies.

The week of events was intended to instill into students’ minds the importance of speaking up — it could save a life.

In addition to the Stop the Violence Face On, Veronikha Salazar, National Pan-Hellenic Conference organizations and the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta organized a moving and informative assembly called These Hands Don’t Hurt. Various speakers came to speak with the Reddies about how to stand up and stop the violence.

It began with Rebeca Bennett informing the Reddies about domestic violence statistics and discussing how it affects college students.

Bennett gave the Reddies great advice on how to not become a victim and how to help others.

“If it’s not mutually agreeable and mutu-

ally enjoyable, it’s sexual abuse,” Bennett said, making direct eye contact with the audience.

Judge Randy Hill, Clark County Judge and OBU graduate, and Jason Watson, Clark County sheriff, also shared their words of wisdom about domestic violence from a government official perspective and discussed the consequences of all offenses regarding a domestic abuser.

Watson made it clear that stopping your girlfriend or boyfriend from contacting authorities will get you arrested and violating a restraining order (no contact order) will get you put in jail for one year. The authorities take domestic violence seriously.

Imagine seeing the same person on campus every day knowing they’re hurting or being abused and then all of a sudden you stop seeing them.

Would you wonder? Would you care?

Would you take action?

Shawn Jones, Henderson’s athletic director, talked about the effect that media will have on athletes who get domestic offenses.

He encouraged all Henderson students, specifically athletes and Greeks, to make better decisions and be responsible for our brothers, sisters, roommates and teammates.

“Alcohol and drugs are not the cause of sexual abuse or domestic violence,” Jones said. “People are the cause of sexual abuse or domestic violence.”

Drugs and alcohol do not cause a change in a person’s moral standards, so that excuse isn’t going to work in front of a judge if

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

Faith Whiteside, freshman psychology major, sells baked goods for domestic violence awareness to Frances Myrick, senior art education major.. someone is convicted.

“No moment of pleasure is worth a lifetime of pain,” Jones said.

Willica Morgan, Henderson’s student services counselor, also offered some words of advice and encouragement to the Reddies.

“You guys are the first line of defense,” Morgan said. The students are the eyes and ears of the campus.

She said it is difficult for victims to leave domestic abusers, and that is where the line of defense comes in.

She reminds the audience that one may not be able to make the victim leave the dangerous relationship or abuser.

However, we can encourage them and

provide support — which is what she does for Henderson Reddies.

Morgan is located in Mooney Hall on the first floor if you ever have anything to get off your chest or just need someone to talk to.

Reddies could also show their support by purchasing some goodies at the Take a Bite out of Domestic Violence bake sale.

Domestic violence awareness didn’t stop at the These Hands Don’t Hurt seminar.

On Garrison Street, students, faculty, staff and locals were able to donate in awareness of domestic violence.

The funds were collected and donated to a women’s shelter.

Stand up and be aware, Reddies. Love shouldn’t hurt.

OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS

Photo courtesy of Daneric Hazelman

FROM ISLANDS TO ARKANSAS Fijian students accomplish goals with Henderson’s help

BY MONICA RODRIGUEZ Henderson has three Fijian students on campus. Two are Reddie tennis players and the third is a first year graduate student, who assists Brenda Joiner, the head tennis coach, as assistant coach.

These students are Annie Shannon, freshman business management major, Amanda Korinihona, junior pre-law major, and Daneric Hazelman, first year graduate school assistant coach.

All three of these students came from Lautoka, Fiji, where they grew up together.

Coach Joiner first heard about Shannon through John Ragney who coaches the Arkadelphia High School tennis team and who also knows Dan O’Connell, tennis coach at the New Mexico Military Institute.

Coach O’Connell recruits many tennis players from the Pacific to join his tennis team but also helps other schools recruit them Joiner said.

New Mexico Military Institute has a lot of students from Fiji according to Joiner.

Ragney connected Joiner with Shannon.

“Her family liked the idea of her coming to a four year school, like putting down the roots and making a home here,” Joiner said.

Ragney also let Joiner know about Korinihona a sophomore at the junior college and she started talking to both of them.

She also found out about Hazelman who was looking for a graduate assistantship.

“I was interested in all three of them,” Joiner said.

Joiner said that Shannon knowing Korinihona and Hazelman were both going to be assisting Henderson helped finalize her enrollment to the school.

Shannon began playing tennis at the age of seven. Both her mother and her father played tennis. She says her father is an inspiration to her because he always encouraged her to do her best and try harder each and every day.

The transition from Fiji to the states has been different for her.

“It’s been a cultural shock,” Shannon said.

“People here are more direct,” Shannon said. “They really tell you what they’re feeling.”

VIEWS

HUMOR

Before the game Shannon listens to music and does sprints so it’ll help her begin the game feeling good.

In the future, Shannon is hoping to go back home but isn’t for sure.

“I don’t know, it might change as more ideas go by,” Shannon said.

Korinihona lived in Fiji for seven years and graduated from there as well. In 2012 she received a full scholarship to play tennis for New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M., where she graduated this past May. “Do I like it here? Yes I do,” Korinihona said.

Korinihona is happy to have someone from home with her because it makes her feel like a part of home is here.

“I miss the food and the beach,” Korinihona said.

Tennis for Korinihona is something that helps her build confidence and learn how to communicate.

Before a game she likes to do warm-ups and pack her bags.

“I have to pack my bag,” Kornihona said.

“If I’m missing anything in my bag I feel unprepared.”

Korinihona is ready to play against her old

SPORTS

5

school and she is certain that Henderson is going to win.

Shannon and Korinihona will be playing doubles together this year according to Joiner.

She said that they have really good chemistry with each other and that helps a lot with the tennis matches.

Hazelman was the head coach for the men’s tennis team at New Mexico’s junior college before he came to Henderson.

As soon as he saw the opportunity to come to Henderson he jumped on it without a second thought.

Hazelman played tennis for Roswell for two years and then headed to Carthage College in Wisconsin and received his undergraduate degree.

He then coached for New Mexico as a head coach and now is Joiner’s graduate assistant.

“To be back with them [Shannon and Korinihona] in the United States at the same place coaching them is a blessing,” Hazelman said.

The next two teams that Henderson’s tennis team will be facing is Texas A&M in Texarkana, Texas, at 10 a.m. on Oct. 15 and New Mexico Military Institute in Plano, Texas at 9 a.m. on Oct. 16.

“It will be like a Fiji reunion,” Joiner said.

6

NEWS

UP FOR DEBATE

VIEWS

HUMOR

Photo by Jeffrey P. Gilmore

Students prepare to get schooled by new debate professor

BY ASHLEY BLES Arguments don’t always have to be impolite. Henderson gained a new debate coach and assistant professor of communications this semester. Darrel Farmer is a fresh new face bringing changes and new enthusiasm to the debate team.

Farmer, an award winning debater in his own right, comes to Henderson from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he was one of six forensic coaches and the only one focused in debate (while the others focused on individual argument).

SPORTS

Forensics is the term used for competitive speech and debate.

Farmer received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication at Central Michigan University, where he stumbled upon the debate team completely by accident.

Originally a journalism major, he says argument was an outlet for a competitive spirit.

“What really was seductive to me about debate was the ability to compete,” Farmer said.

Farmer is coming off of about a decade of school and will be finishing his dissertation in December of this year.

His two main focuses in argument are how persuasive arguments affect public opinion and finding new ways to measure what a student gets out of debate. He says that this information is important to give to administration at schools to encourage them to keep funding debate.

Outside of work, Farmer is engaged to a fellow student of forensics, a woman named Brin who sometimes helps him coach the Henderson debate team. He joked that two debaters living in one house means he’s learned “the art of concession” and that he doesn’t win many arguments.

Farmer says they chose Henderson and this area to live in because it had a “metropolitan feel” with cities like Little Rock nearby and also had natural beauty and a small town feel.

He says they love aquatic sports and “nerd opportunities” like fantasy games and Dungeons and Dragons.

Farmer brings a completely new style of forensic competition to the debate team on campus. Before this semester, they competed at IPDA (International Public Debate Association) events. These debates were off the cuff and the topic of the debate changed each round.

A new style of competition team will par-

ticipate in will be through the National Forensics Association.

In these events, one topic is followed through the entire year and evidence has to be brought in to each round to build on arguments. The team will argue sometimes for and sometimes against the topic, as a way to strengthen their forensic skills. The topic for this year is whether or not the United States should go to the moon to mine for rare resources such as minerals, energy or water.

These competitions also feature individual events that focus on things like public address, interpretation and arguments given with little preparation. These individual events are evaluated and ranked, which means there isn’t a winner and a loser in each round.

Farmer says this new style should offer a “smorgasbord of opportunities” with “full helpings of very different options” for debate students to try out.

Of course, changing to a new style of competition means everyone from freshmen to seniors are on the same page learning rules.

“It’s exhilarating,” Paige Powell, a freshman psychology major said. “Mr. Farmer has been great, he never gets frustrated with us... his only rule is don’t cry.”

Communications senior, Joseph Branscomb, has been on the debate team since fall 2011 and says this new style of forensics is a step up and a great way to build experience for his career.

“I can’t wait to go out and see what it’s like,” Branscomb said. “We’re just getting our feet wet.”

The debate team puts in 10 or more hours of work each week researching and practicing the new debate style.

The first of two competitions this semester was held in September in Bowling Green, Ky.

OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

7

ART TO ART— Jarah Jacks, senior art education major, (pictured left) and Megan Michon, senior art education major, (pictured right) show off their artwork at their senior art show.

Jarah appears in front of her oil painting self-portrait.

Megan appears in front of her sculptural installation.

Each of the artists are seen here dressed professionally, anticipating the responses from their viewers as this is the last, major step before they begin their school internships.

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

ART FROM THE HEART Art show brings fresh look at painting and sculpture

BY MADISON MACNEW Bright oil paints on canvas, red clay bust sculptures, various sized jars full of knickknacks and books suspended from the ceilings – these are only a handful of what could be seen at the senior art expeditions of Jarah Jacks and Megan Michon.

The two artists created two separate collections that came together as one on the second floor of Huie Library.

“Memories Preserved” by Jarah Jacks, is, more specifically, a collection of oil paintings, drawings, screen-printing, mixed media and installation which come together to represent all of the cherished memories Jacks has made through her life with several of her family members.

One piece that truly represents those memories is entitled “Papaw in a Jar.” In 23 jars, sizes ranging, Jacks carefully places small tokens that remind her of her life thus far with her Papaw.

The jars are precisely organized and labeled with small titles, such as “Down by the Creek,” a green tinted jar full of mud, sticks and other such brush, and “Looking for the Right Skipping Rock,” a smaller jar full of flat, smooth stones.

The items are full of meaning, and are both found and recycled, holding the term mixed media to its name.

The jars also represent the family tradition of canning and preserving foods which Jacks

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

experienced throughout her childhood.

“The jars are a part of my identity,” Jacks wrote in a summary of her exhibition.

The symbolism of glass jars can even be seen in a few of her oil paintings.

Two paintings that go hand in hand are “Self Portrait Vol. 1” and “Self Portrait Vol. 2,” where the artist paints a vision of herself as seen through the fractioning glass design of a typical Mason jar.

Jacks plans to develop a more significant display for her jar collection, while also continuing to create more conceptual art in the future.

“Remember Who You Are,” the collection

by Megan Michon, also came from creating works of art inspired by close family memories.

Michon used stories passed down from her grandmother to create both 2D and 3D pieces. These stories included one particular tale of how Michon’s great-great-grandfather was known as a “Louisiana voodoo healer.”

Several of her pieces in the collection reflect that healing and voodoo mystique.

“Detention,” is the name of one of her paintings that features the teething process of a young girl.

The young girl is modeled after Michon’s younger sister, but represents her grandmother as a girl, who claims to be relieved by the said voodoo healer.

Michon’s collection also included a piece assembled from handmade and found objects, like wooden box and dangling browned tea bags, entitled “Power.”

“Power” is a tribute to Michon’s grandmother.

“She is a very driven woman who has been through many obstacles but still remains confident,” Michon wrote in the synopsis of her exhibition.

For the artist, “Remember Who You Are,” is not only the title of her collection of works that display memories, but a phrase she’s heard time and time again from her beloved grandmother.

Michon plans to continue her use of mixed media to create art that represent her heritage and the stories of her grandmother as an artist in the future.

Both artists used multiple forms of media to create works of art that reflected on their close ties to family and tradition.

“Each collection in itself was completely awesome,” Abbey Nivens, sophomore marketing major, said. “And when I realized how they came together, the result was even more wonderful.”

The two senior art students’ exhibitions are available side by side for viewing on the second floor of Huie Library from Oct. 5-13.

8

NEWS

VIEWS

HUMOR

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

CLYBOURNE PARK Play tackles the sensitive topic of race

BY ASHLEY BLES There are some things in today’s society that don’t get talked about. It’s easier to avoid the issue and to say things are better than it has been in the past.

Race is a pretty big example.

Are we past racism as a society? Or is racism evolving, becoming something less obvious but just as present? The Henderson Theatre Company is raising this question with their first production of the semester, a play called “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris.

The play opened last Thursday, followed by an interactive Q-and-A with the cast on the topic of race relations.

It doesn’t matter what your race is, this play says what needs to be heard by everyone.

The play is tied to Lorraine Hansbury’s “A Raisin in the Sun” and the home that the Youngers fought so hard for. The play is split into two acts, the first taking place in the home in 1959 and the second in 2009.

In 1959 we meet the white couple who is selling their house to the Younger family. Bev and Russ, played by Georgeann Burbank and Dakota Mansfield, are moving while still coping with the death of their son.

We see their friend Karl, played by Zachery Ingersoll, tell them the family they sold the house to is black. Karl tries desperately to

convince the couple to reconsider, saying how one black family only opens the door for more which would ruin the safety and value of the community.

There to add to the tension are the couple’s black housekeeper Francine, a polite and meek woman played by Jordan Sereal, Francine’s husband Albert, played by LaDarius Jamerson, and the couple’s friend Jim, played by Matthew Burnett.

The scene escalates and runs the emotional spectrum from playful banter to screaming and swearing as Bev and Russ’ son’s death comes up alongside the issue of blacks and whites living together.

Comedic relief comes in the form of Karl’s pregnant wife Betsy, played by Jacey Russell. She is sweet, deaf and adorably oblivious to most of the tension.

The play skips forward 50 years to 2009 for the second act, which takes place after an intermission that is its own entertainment.

The set is changed from a quaint 50’s living room to an abandoned and trashed shell of its former self, complete with a new door and graffiti.

The second act features the same people playing new roles. This time, however, rather than blacks moving into the neighborhood the

SPORTS

newcomers are a white couple who want the house for its “charm” but not any of its story.

This scene has less of the blatant separation of the first act. The tension lies in what nobody will talk about or say — that race is very much a line between the two couples who are discussing the terms of selling the house.

The white couple Lindsey and Steve, played by Russell and Ingersoll, and the black couple Lena and Kevin, played by Sereal and Jamerson, try to discuss the 20 page contract for the house.

Instead, they end up dissolving into a screaming match over offensive jokes and more importantly how race can be a punchline or insult, even in today’s society.

The entire debacle is made even worse by Kathy and Tom, two lawyers played by Burbank and Burnett, who can’t keep the meeting on track.

The comedy in this scene comes mostly from Mansfield, who plays Dan the construction worker who is happy to discover a trunk buried in the yard.

Dan eases the tension by appearing, babbling cheerfully and then bustling back out again in the middle of the heated argument.

The play’s shortest but strongest impacting character is Bev and Russ’ son Kenneth, played by Skyler Shankles.

He is a part of few words at the end of the play, but his part is haunting and somber to end what was at times hilarious, at times tense and at times absolutely heartbreaking.

The play overall is something that sticks with you after you walk away, something that Sereal at the Q-and-A said, “Takes people by surprise.”

“We’ve reached a period in our history of political correctness and ‘what can I say to not offend people’... this is something that’s been so forbidden to talk about and having a play where we can discuss it is great,” Sereal said.

Adrianna McLeod is the dramaturg for the production, a person that does research and helps the cast to connect to the play in order to better make the audience connect.

She led the Q-and-A afterward, asking the audience what they took away from the play and their opinions on race relations in modern America.

In the first act of the play, Burbank’s character Bev asks desperately why black and white people can’t just sit down at the table together and “try each other’s food” instead of staying separate.

The parallel of this scene with two couples

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

LEFT: Matthew Burnett, sophomore theatre major; Zach Ingersall, freshman theatre major; Jordan Sereal, junior theatre major; Jaycey Russell, freshman theatre major; LaDarius Jamerson, junior theatre major.

RIGHT: Jaycey Russel, theatre major.

Cover: LaDarius Jamerson and Jordan Sereal, junior theatre majors. trying to sit and have a conversation while delicately avoiding race in the second scene asks a big question.

Does ignoring race and racism make it go away?

The answer comes off as a loud and clear “no” that makes the entire play worth seeing.

I laughed, I cried. I actually laughed until I cried, too.

It’s the kind of play that opens up the heart of a society where we’re all afraid to offend someone and points out that by ignoring things, there’s plenty of offense happening.

It’s the kind of play that makes you grit your teeth, tense up in your chair and really pay attention.

The cast and crew did a phenomenal job of evoking emotion and calling attention to something that even on our modern campus still should be talked about today.

The play will be showing the week after fall break, Oct. 23-25, in the Arkansas Hall studio theater.

OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS

FEATURES

Photo by Houston Fryer

FLAME WARS Two Oracle staff members to do a new podcast

BY DAX GUILLIAMS Starting Tuesday, the Features Editor, Devin Anderson, and I will be recording a new podcast titled “Flame Wars” on campus.

This is a brand-new idea that has not been done on campus until now. It will mainly feature Devin and I discussing different sides of various opinions.

We will be covering many topics, some of which will also be covered in “The Oracle.”

The topics will be in full detail in “The Oracle,” but the podcast will have quick discus-

sions on these topics.

We at “The Oracle” understand that sometimes people just get tired of reading certain subjects, so hopefully this podcast will alllow people to get information on certain subjects in a unique and easier way.

The podcast is a cross promotion with Henderson’s radio station, so expect them to get involved as well.

In a past issue, Devin and I did conflicting opinions on the cafeteria. Devin discussed the

HUMOR

pros of the cafeteria and I discussed the cons on the same page.

The podcast will be posted online on The Oracle’s webpage, on iTunes and through various podcast apps. It can be downloaded and listened to at any time at your own convenience.

Some of the topics we may discuss on the podcast will be the Ebola virus, ISIS, politics and other ideas that people form strong opinions on.

Another thing to note is that it will be mostly Devin and I, but guests may also be on the show. Other people giving their opinions and discussing them with the two of us can happen in the future, but nothing has been scheduled just yet.

What we are hoping to accomplish with the podcast is getting more information to students in a unique, fun and convinient way.

It will be done in a serious manner, but it will still be a discussion between two or more people and it won’t always be so direct. We’ll try to have fun and make it as entertaining as possible.

Not every topic is going to be so serious.

If a celebrity goes on Twitter and says something crazy, we may just talk about that for a while.

So tune in and enjoy Devin and I telling you what you should know on a weekly basis.

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.

ORACLE STAFF Editor-in-chief Stephanie Malcolm sh170973@reddies.hsu.edu Faculty adviser Mike Taylor taylorm@hsu.edu News editor Moe Skinner ms191999@reddies.hsu.edu Sports editor Kaitlyn Kitchens kk175413@reddies.hsu.edu Features editor Devin Anderson da176236@reddies.hsu.edu

Photo editor Jeffery P. Gilmore jgilm123@gmail.com

Nintendo’s crossover fighter hits the 3DS

Page designer Houston Fryer hf179598@reddies.hsu.edu

BY DAX GUILLIAMS title. A new mode called For Glory has been added to the online mode and it allows players to fight on a basic stage with no items. This is the mode competitive players will enjoy.

Smash Run, which is similar to Super Smash Bros Brawl’s story mode, Subspace Embassary, let’s players select a character and fight enemies on a map before fighting other playable characters.

The online mode in this Smash title is a lot better than the online Brawl had, but there are still a few issues. The online connection is handled player-to-player. So if you have a good connection, but your opponent does not, there will be some lag.

If portable gaming isn’t your thing, the

Graphic designer Megan Snoddy megan.snoddy@hotmail.com

Photo of Public Domain

game will be coming out for the Wii U in the future.

Super Smash Bros for the 3DS does have its setbacks, but it is still a solid title worth purchasing. Players new to Smash will be able to access it easily and because it’s portable, it can be played whenever they have the time.

9

L E T T E R S

Views editor Dax Guilliams dg172468@reddies.hsu.edu

SMASH ON THE GO The next addition to the Smash Bros franchise hit store shelves on Oct. 3. Super Smash Bros for the 3DS not only provides a new Smash Bros title for fans to enjoy, but it is also the first Smash Bros to be on a handheld system.

The game mechanics are still the same.

Fight your opponent by dealing enough damage to knock them off the stage and KO them. The battles can be adjusted by removing or adding certain items or changing how much time each fight is.

The controls handle pretty well on the 3DS, but they do take a little while to get used to.

New game modes have been added to the

SPORTS

Web designer Scott McKinnon jm146683@reddies.hsu.edu Business manager James T. Allen ja165078@reddies.hsu.edu Distribution manager Carmin Wills cw195138@reddies.hsu.edu

10

NEWS

FEATURES

VIEWS

SPORTS

OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS

FEATURES

NARROW VICTORY Henderson State’s football team struggles against Southwestern Oklahoma

BY KAITLYN KITCHENS Henderson State University’s football team traveled to Weatherford, Okla. to play Southwestern Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Henderson State (6-0 overall, 5-0 in the Great American Conference) offensively had their lowest output of the season with only 374 yards. HSU left Oklahoma with a 28-14 win over the Bulldogs.

The Reddies got on the board late in the first quarter when quarterback Kevin Rodgers connected with Dustin Holland for 3 yards to make the score 7-0 with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter.

When the Reddies had their next possession, Rodgers was picked off by SWOSU to set up their first score of the game.

In the second quarter, Rodgers connected with Darius Davis for a 61-yard touchdown to put the Reddies in the lead 14-7 with 6:50 left in the half.

Rodgers was picked off for a second time by the Bulldogs, who returned the ball 60 yards to the 19-yard line. SWOSU followed the play with an 11-yard touchdown to end the first half 14-14.

The Reddies broke the tie when Rodney Bryson had a 33-yard score on Henderson’s

VIEWS

HUMOR

first possession of the half.

HSU’s defense made big plays in the second half. The first big play was when SWOSU was 4th-and-3 and Dijon Benton tackled the Bulldogs ball carrier for a 3-yard loss.

Early in the fourth quarter, SWOSU attempted a fake punt on 4th-and-17 that didn’t fool Zack Richardson and caused the Bulldogs to lose seven yards. The offense responded with a score six plays later when Rodgers connected with Mark Czaus for 12 yards.

Rodgers completed 25-of-38 passes for 266 yards. Davis had five catches for 98 yards while Corey Chappell had seven receptions for 70 yards. Bryson finished with 103 yards on 18 carries and was his first game of his career to have 100-plus yards.

The Reddies will next travel to Russellville, Ark. to face Arkansas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kick off is set for 2 p.m.

HARDWOOD HEARTACHE Volleyball team falls to Southern Arkansas University in three sets

BY MARIAH DELAVEGA The Lady Reddies fell short to Southern Arkansas University on Oct.7. The Reddies lost in three sets but fought until the end.

Carli Owens, outside hitter was disappointed with their loss but she still kept her head up high because they never gave up.

“We just have to stay positive and keep our heads up, because it’s not over yet,” Owens, sophomore nursing major said. “We still have a chance for playoffs.”

In the first set the points went back and forth. The Lady Reddies were in the lead 2119.

SAU called a time out and got a point by Logan Tolbert with a kill.

SAU scored two more points. HSU called a timeout 21-22.

SAU scored the last point by Amanda Monge with the kill 21-25.

Violet Williams, with a kill and a set assist from Ryleigh Thompson scored a point for HSU 2-0.

HSU was in the lead 5-2, with an attack error by Alli O’Banion. The score was neck and neck the whole second set. There was a tie in the last five points 20-20. HSU had three attack errors in a row, which led SAU 20-23.

Jessica Moss with a kill and a set assist from Thompson made it 21-23.

Monge scored a kill for SAU and with game point 21-24. SAU served the ball and HSU received the point.

Moss scored a point for the Lady Reddies with an assist by Thompson 22-24. HSU with an attack error, the Lady Reddies lost 22-25.

The teams were going back and forth, point by point. The score was tied 16-16.

The score became 17-16 with a kill by Owens and with an assist by Thompson. The teams tied again 18-18.

Then another tie 20-20. Moss with a kill and with an assist by Thompson 21-20. Both teams kept battling for the win, but SAU took the win with an service ace by O’Banion at 2225.

Nayeli Colunga, outside hitter had 10 kills.

Moss, middle hitter had 8 kills.

Owens, outside hitter had 7 kills.

Andjela Reljic, libero had 17 defensive digs.

Thompson, setter had 28 set assist.

Monge had the most kills for SAU, she had 12 kills.

“The girls played hard but consistency hurt us,” Rhonda Thigpen, head volleyball coach

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

DIG IT OUT—Junior Andjela Reljic from Novi Sad, Serbia digs the ball out against SAU. said.

Thigpen said that this year has been a battle for them but they always fight.

“We lead 21-19 in game one and lost, we battled the same way in next two sets, that has been a problem with this team this year due to so many new ones, and youth,” Thigpen said.

11

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

POWER GAME—The Reddies offense lines up aganst Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

“Team chemistry is still good in that they do want to win.”

Thigpen said that she is proud of the players who have been ranked in the conference this week as statistical leaders.

Moss, middle hitter is battling for first in kills, and she is top ten in blocks, and she has moved into the spot for service aces per game.

Reljic, libero just moved into first place in digs per game.

She is also in top four in service aces per game along with Sophia Cansigno, defensive specialist and Zara Loye, defensive specialist.

They tied at the 16th spot.

Thompson, setter just moved into first in assists per game.

“We have lost some close conference games that I wish we could take back,” Thigpen said.

“We are better but we have got to get over the hump. The second half of the conference I hope we play with more confidence. I am excited to play these teams again to get another chance at them and to help our seniors get a chance to advance to playoffs. These are good teams, but we just need a big win to get back in the race and I know the girls are wanting this.”

HSU will play their next home game against Arkansas Tech University Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Duke Wells Gym. It is also the Lady Reddies breast cancer awareness night and they will be auctioning off pink jerseys from the players to raise funds for the cause.

12

NEWS

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

Photo by J Scott McKinnon

REDDIE TO CHARGE—Darius starts his run during the Oct. 4 game against Northwestern Oklahoma.

DYNAMIC DARIUS DAVIS

Photo by Jeffery P. Gilmore

Senior Darius Davis has broken numerous Arkansas records and dreams of playing in the NFL

BY MONICA RODRIGUEZ Darius Davis, senior general studies major, number 8 on the football field, is proud to play for the Reddies.

As his college football career reaches an end he is thrilled to have been able to play for Henderson for four years.

Davis is a five foot 11 inch tall, wide receiver and weighs 225 pounds. He also kick and punt returns. Davis graduated from Frisco Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas.

“We saw a lot of possibilities of him being a good player for our program,” Scott Maxfield, head football coach said.

Davis’ favorite football team is the Dallas Cowboys and hopes to one day play for them although he would be grateful to play in any

team in the NFL. “I’ve always dreamed of playing in the NFL,” Davis said.

“Darius definitely has a future in the NFL,” Maxfield said.

Davis said he is number 14 in the nation for receiving yards and number two in the nation for touchdowns. According to the Henderson athletic website, Davis holds the Henderson and GAC record for receiving yards of 2,425.

“I’ve accomplished a lot of my goals personally,” Davis said. “And I’ve broken some records as well.”

Davis is the captain of this year’s team and he has taken full advantage of it. His main goal this year is to win this year’s national

championship.

“It’s one day at a time,” Davis said.

For the last two years Henderson has made it into the playoffs but has yet to accomplish what they want to do.

“He’s a big time playmaker for our offense,” Maxfield said.

“I want to get to that big stage and actually accomplish our main goal and that’s to win the national championship,” Davis said.

He thinks that this year they have a great shot at making it all the way especially because he see’s a lot of potential in this year’s team.

He says that as a team they’re going in a great direction as far as working together and having better discipline.

“I think we’ll be better today than we were yesterday,” Davis said.

Maxfield said that Davis brings a lot of energy and that he thinks that a lot of the guys on the team look up to him.

“He’s done a good job of stepping up and being very vocal,” Maxfield said.

Davis said that he’s never had money or the best clothes in the world or the best car.

When he thinks about his family and where he

comes from it makes him want to achieve. His family has always been a football loving family.

His father set the tone for him and showed him the direction that he was supposed to go.

One receiver that he tries to be like is Steve Smith who plays for the Baltimore Ravens. He looks up to him because Smith is his size, body build and his speed. Smith helps out the community and speaks at schools.

“He lets the kids know what it takes for them to achieve greatness,” Davis said.

So far this season he has eight touchdowns and many more to come. Last season he had 1600 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“I like to envision myself, you know, scoring a touchdown,” Davis said. “Or jumping over somebody and make an incredible catch.”

Davis said he thinks it’s important for him to envision what’s going to happen on the field.

After Davis graduates he plans on either going to the NFL or furthering his education and attend graduate school.

He is glad to have been able to play for the Reddies for four years and glad to have built a family while being here.