11/4/2017 issue

Henderson State University - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 Volume 113, Issue 9

Henderson Halloween p.3 Last Tuesday, Henderson and Arkadelphia joined forces to celebrate Halloween.

Arkadelphia Arts Center p.6 Farrell Ford, Executive Director of the Arkadelphia Arts Center dishes on art and culture.

a waste of time and emojis p.9 Kara Amato reviews the stinker “The Emoji Movie.�

Sports p.12 Reddies basketball defeats East Texas University in charity exhibition game.

Visual worlds and other work s

Campus was eng lufed with art exhibits las t week. oracle@hsu.edu

HSU Oracle

@hsuoracle

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Reddie news Story by Easton Cowart, Student Reporter Graphic by Jacob Glasgow, Graphic Designer

Editor in Chief — Pete Tubbs News editor — Ashley Smith Graphics/ Ads designer — Jacob Glasgow page layout designer — Aaron O’Quin Photo Editor — Joshua Bradley Director of A&M/ Copy Editor —Emily Bell Opinions/ Online editor — Dax Guilliams Sports editor — Jordan Williams Arts & Music Editor — Abbie Beaver LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Write us at ORACLE@HSU.EDU if you have any questions, comments, or if you just want to rant about something. Hell, if it doesn’t suck, we might publish it in next week’s issue.

Just do us a favor and keep it between 400600 words. Just like your Tumblr, we ignore anonymous submissions.

ORACLE ONLINE

Our online format has bonus content like exclusive galleries of the eclipse viewing and a video from Rec Fest.

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COVER

Photo by Emily Bell, Staff Photographer

As the winter months approach, the cold air brings along with it a nostalgic array of bonfires, basketball, and of course Battle of the Ravine. Whether you let your colors show in fierce opposition with the Tigers or dread the annual traffic jam that comes along with it, one cannot deny the historical importance this event has for both of our schools. But when did it start?

More than a hundred years ago marked the first game in the series in 1895, creating rocky start for the Reddies with a loss. This loss obviously did not affect the school’s morale too much as the subsequent early years of the series are marked by Reddie domination.

According to The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture from 1907 to 1912, Henderson carried a hot streak, but this was not the longest streak in the series. The honor of having the most consecutive wins belongs to us with an astounding seven year streak.

This was two years longer than Ouchita’s longest run. Our school also holds the record for largest margin of victory, when in 1932 we won by a whopping 62 points.

Apart from the actual athletic event there is of course a strong tradition of pranks. Although both schools’ policies warn against it, many zealous fans have some laughs at each other’s expense. From

kidnapping to vandalism, there almost seems to be nothing sacred in this rivalry.

According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History, the series has only been interrupted a few times including a hiatus during World War II. Another time from 1951 to 1963 because the pranks and vandalism proved too intense, and thus the entire event was called off.

Now the two schools have learned from their past and taken precautionary measures. Campuses have been leaving the lights on at both stadiums the week of the game to stop any chances of vandalism. Signs on both campuses are covered in black plastic.

OBU students now stand guard the Tiger statue at all hours to protect it.

Henderson students guard the fountain from pranksters toting soap and purple food coloring.

The big question you may be wondering is “Who’s won the most games?” and the answer is currently Henderson, but narrowly. The overall scores of this series of games stand at 43–41–6.

Hopefully our school will once again be victorious but the only way to find out, is to sift through the masses and make your way to Cliff Harris stadium Nov. 11.

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November 7, 2017

Henderson

Halloween

Story by Rylee Maxwell, Student Reporter Photos and Additional Reporting by Emily Bell, Copy Editor and Photographer

Campus and community came together last week to celebrate the spookiest day of the year.

Kids from all around Arkadelphia took part in Henderson Halloween. particularly is packed with trick or treaters all night, but most of the kids Neighborhoods and decorated streets were not the who attend the campus event only trick or treat there. only places to be swarmed by hoards of costumed Henderson Halloween definitely helps the commuchildren last Halloween evening. The campus was also nity, and certainly makes the kids happy. flooded with tons of children and parents Trick or Treat at the annual Henderson Halloween.

The festive campus tradition brings student organizations, faculty, and staff out to the south lawn to hand out candy to the kids in the community. All of the organizations contribute by having their own table and donating some of the candy. The university also buys extra candy to help organizations make it through the event without running out of candy too soon.

This helps parents out on what is usually a hectic night. The parents can bring their kids to campus to trick or treat and be done for the night without having to go all over town. Children struggled off campus with their stuffed bags brimming with treats.

Not only is attending the campus’s trick or treat event less stressful for parents, it’s safer for children as well. Instead of kids ringing random doorbells and taking candy from strangers, the parents can bring their kids to the school for a well-regulated event and know everything will be okay. This also takes the stress off of some of the bigger neighborhoods. North park A young Sherlock Holmes was eager to get candy.

How did Barrazza Lloyd, senior art education major get those scars?

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A view

from the corner Story by Emily Bell, Copy Editor and Photographer

What it’s like to do a second undergrad...

Spoilers, sometimes it sucks

It’s easy to feel out of place in college, especially at first, whether you’re a new student or faculty member.

You haven’t had the time to settle in, to explore the campus and surrounding community. Eventually, and usually quickly, you find your place.

Even as a grad student pursuing a masters or Ph.D., you have peers and professors with which you create a community. However, that doesn’t usually pan out for someone pursuing a second undergraduate degree.

In fact, few people pursue a second degree at all.

It’s tiring to explain to people what I’m doing and why I decided to go for a second degree before pursuing my masters in psychology. It’s eventually understandable (sometimes), but takes a summarized back story to answer every person’s “why?”

Some people respond with a joking, yet degrading, “Oh, so you weren’t ready for the real world yet, eh?”

To anyone who believes that college is somehow not a part of the real world, I must assume they were entirely privileged enough to have mommy and daddy cover their costs, not worry about bills and grades to the point of hospitalized exhaustion, and happily coasted through with few to no issues.

News flash, we are all present in the real world. You can stop throwing that asinine, pretentious phrase around.

Also, today, it is much more difficult yet far more necessary to achieve higher education than it was decades ago.

Others actually consider me to be an uber-successful individual for achieving a second degree. That’s a little off the mark as well, although I appreciate the admiration. Really, it’s just a little more practical for my situation.

There was absolutely nothing I desired to do with my Bachelor’s in Child Care and Psychology professionally. I wanted to pursue a psychology career beyond what my current degree allowed, thus graduate school was and is necessary.

As I busted my ass (literally) as a stocker at a grocery store, I realized how difficult it would be to maintain such a position while attending grad school, supporting myself, and dedicating the time necessary to complete a PhD. It would have been a precarious, nearly impossible situation. If I ever got sick and missed any work or

school at all, I could be facing homelessness… Again.

That is not a situation I ever wish to revisit. Plus, with my medical history and genetic disorders, working while sick is sometimes just not an option unless I want to be bedridden indefinitely… Again.

So I worked hard to save enough money to go for a second degree in media. I had a slightly professional history and decent experience in media since junior high. I liked the idea of working in journalism, writing, even creating art while pursuing a PhD in psychology.

I was also very bored in my last degree, aside from my psychology courses, and realized too late that I didn’t really get to do what I wanted to do. I was pretty miserable in my first degree, and I think everyone in my department could tell.

In this degree, I was given the chance to learn new things while polishing old skills. I had much more fun with my studies, and I get to work in my field professionally.

The downside: I never got to settle in anywhere.

The whole time has felt like some existential nightmare.

I have made good friends along the way, but a second undergrad is like waiting in limbo. You’re too young to get very close with your professors, too old to enjoy hanging out with your “peers” too often.

I tend to enjoy the company of older people, but we all know most professors are not going to be caught dead hanging out with any undergrads.

I respect that, but it still kind of sucks.

Graduate students aren’t really an option either.

Many have a tendency to look down on my second undergrad decision.

Every semester that sense of feeling out of place increases. I’m a little kid in a dunce cap sitting in the lonely corner, watching all the kids play while the teachers talk over coffee in the lounge.

To be fair, I wasn’t here to make friends, rather to network, focus on my work, and build my career. It’s not a painful experience, but not a great one either.

You’re just there, watching everyone else from the corner. You either can’t relate or can’t be related to.

You’ve graduated and you’re working professionally while studying with a bunch of people who still wear their university lanyards around their necks and go to

the cafeteria for lunch.

Yuck.

Your professors know this, but there are policies and crappy students who enjoy spreading rumors anytime they see an undergrad hanging out with a teacher too often.

However, I also understand that my lack of marriages, children, and life experience in general essentially makes it difficult for anyone over 40 to enjoy my company.

The whole thing feels itchy and sticky at the same time.

You’re not as concerned about grades and minor assignments because you know that skipping that class or half-assing that easy assignment isn’t the end of the world.

You can focus on your work better, and even ask for more challenging assignments (if your professors allow it). Sometimes, you just have to trudge through the beginner baby work whether you like it or want to slam your head against a desk.

However, some professors still look at you as a regular undergrad like everyone else. They treat you as though you’re 18, fresh out of high school, clueless to the reality of adulthood.

It’s annoying and babying me in such a way is a colossal waste of my time, but I deal with it. (In general, treating any hardworking undergrad student like a child is pretty crappy) Other professors will treat you like the mostly-functioning adult you are, and are respectful of your attempts, your work, and your desire to learn more.

Thankfully, I lucked out near the end of this second degree. I met someone who took a break from their first degree, and came back to finish it years later. He was also older than me, and was well-established in some aspects of his career.

Although we both feel entirely out of place, we’re out of place together, and that doesn’t make it so crappy.

If you’re like me, I can’t say you’ll find a comfortable place with any of the other non-traditional students at your university, but sometimes one is right where you are. Perhaps, it will ease your funk just enough to make it through.

November 7, 2017

The delph & beyond

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Art is everywhere: Farrell Ford on the Arkadelphia Arts Center

Story by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief Photos by Emily Bell, Copy Editor and Photographer

“I just want to do anything I can to connect and promote artists,” Farrell Ford, executive director of the Arkadelphia Arts Center said. “Art is everywhere.”

Over six years ago, the state of Arkansas came to her and asked if she’d have a hand in bringing the defunct Arkadelphia Arts Center back to life. “About four of us got the Clark COuntry Arts and Humanities Council going,” Ford said.

The Arkadelphia Arts Center is host to several organization’s art including Arkadelphia Little Theatre, Arkadelphia Philharmonic Club, Arkadelphia Poets and Writers Guild, Caddo River Art Guild, Clark County Historical Association, Clark County Public School Arts, Clark County Quilters Guild, Henderson State University Arts, Ouachita Baptist University Arts and Women’s Library Association.

“We act as an umbrella,” Ford said. “We offer them the space for their work and don’t charge anything.”

In addition to being host to art galleries, art workshops frequently happen at the center as well. Ford says that the main mission of the Clark County Arts and Humanities Council is to promote “cooperation, coordination and communication of all of the artists around.”

Ford has been in Arkadelphia since 1969. She has two degrees from the University of Arkansas and

achieved her masters at Henderson. an exciting new gallery called Wandering Spirit.”

She taught art at the Arkadelphia Public School “Wandering Spirit” will focus on African Art and and was later a guidance counselor at the same Bateik art. It will run all through February in celebraschool. She recieved the invitation to revamp the tion of Black History Month. center after she’d retired.

Not only can you volunteer, you can also become The center is non-profit. It makes its money off of a member of the Clark County Arts and Humanities donations and grants.

Council. Student membership is only $10.

Originally, the state provided the council a grant.

The Arkadelphia Arts Center operates from Tues.

“After that we had to find our own money,” said thru Fri. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. It’s located on 625 Ford.”

Main Street.

The only employees are volunteers. “If you want “The two things that bring me the most thrill is seeto help, just walk in and tell someone you want to ing communication between artists,” Ford said, “and volunteer,” Ford said.” convincing people that they are artists and helping to The center is now host of one of Henderson’s promote them.” exhibits called “Outlook,” which runs from now For more information about the Clark County Arts until Nov. 10. It features fice students including Erica and Humanities Council, call 870-403-8216 or visit Burrow, Gabby Calvin, Grace Dane, Erin Hickl, and ccahc.org.

Shelby Stone of the advanced photography class.

The center has new galleries from week to week.

Starting on Nov. 15 and running through Dec. 15, the Holiday Bazaar will be taking place.

It will feature “original art that has been sold before and is now available for sale again.”

Proceeds from the event help run the center.

“After Christmas we’re gonna have the walls redone,” Ford Some of the artwork from the advanced photography class’s gallery called “Outlook” said. “And in which is on display until Nov. 10.

January, we have

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Spring Fling

Good times: things to do next week that you may not’ve heard about

Story by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief

It’s starting to get cold outside, and as the temperatures drop and holiday festivities go into full swing, you may be looking for something to do next week.

Well, you’re in a good location.

Here in central Arkansas, you’ve got a supremely diverse collection of activities that will entertain even the most stalwart folks. So if you’re more bored than you’d like to be, here are some things you can do next week.

Nov. 7 - Garrison Keillor in Little Rock The creator of “A Prarie Home Companion” will be darkening our door this week. The author of books such as “Lake Wobegon Days” and Leaving Home: A Collection of Lake Wobegon Stories” Keillor will be performing at the Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7.

Nov. 7 - Scientots @ Mid America Science Museum Every Tuesday and Saturday at the Mid America Science Museum in Hot Springs all members can go and hear stories and do science activities. For more information about education programming, call 201767-3461 and visit midamericamuseum.org.

Nov. 8 - Hospitality and Tourism Conference in the Diamond Lakes Region If you’ve ever wanted to know how to get into the hospitality and tourism field, then this conference is for you. Lasting from Nov. 8-9 at Degray Lake Resort State Park, this conference will give you the ability to network and learn more about specific strategies that you can use to better yourself in the field of H&T. Nov. 10 - Fall Reggae Party The Rev Room in Little Rock will be host to the Fall

Reggae Party on Friday, Nov. 10. The party will feature Indika, Irie Trinity, and Butterfly. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $15. Call 501-818-0568 for more details.

Nov. 10 - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Acclaimed Director of films such as “In Bruges” and “Seven Psychopaths” Martin McDonagh’s new film opens on Friday. It’s already getting rave reviews and early Oscar buzz for it’s actors, including Woody Harrelson, Frances McDormand, and Sam Rockwell.

Nov. 11 - Tom Petty Tribute Encore In honor of the man that made us all free fall, the Rev Room presents a concert that features the music of the man, the myth, the legend Tom Petty. Tickets range from $10-15 and the doors open at 9:00 p.m..

November 7, 2017

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ARts & MUSIC

Exhibits galore: Campus up to its knees in art Story and Photo by Emily Bell, Copy Editor and Photographer

Last week, the campus and Arkadelphia were hit with an array of galleries captivating and engaging students and member of the community.

Erin Hickl held her senior show, “lux permanent,” in Huie Library on Tuesday. She presented her studies of light and darkness through her subtly eerie photography. Her show will be up until Nov. 7, on the second floor of the library.

At RFA, visiting artist Tammy Harrington drew a crowd at her gallery opening, “Reactions: Visual Words and Other Works.” Her work

focused on colorful prints, paper-cuts, and at the far end of the gallery was a cozy, lit-up paper room. Her intricate, tediously hand-cut sheets draped over the frame, with warm lighting pouring through her details.

A lot of artists use lasers for their paper-cuts, but she does it by hand because she enjoys the process. It’s essentially her zen. She’s never been out of school in all this time, going from high school to college to graduate school. However, she says this a good thing, because she has been

A student admires some of Tammy Harringtons paper-cut art.

able to focus on her artwork so much.

Half of her show involved a collaborative effort with professors and colleagues in her school.

They wrote about her work, and then she created response pieces with their writings. Her show will stay open until Dec. 4.

A new photo gallery opened at the Arkadelphia Arts Center downtown. Students from an advanced photography course at the university worked together to showcase their collections, each with a different focus.

Gabby Calvin’s work focused on intense color lighting scenes, and how lights pierce through the dark. Erin Hickl framed soft glows in shrouds of darkness, often featuring lanterns in the night.

Grace Dane presented stunning, dramatic shots of regular life throughout Arkadelphia.

Also last week, professor Kasten Searles had her art seminar students host a “pop-up” exhibit for only one afternoon in RFA. This was the second time the pop-up gallery occurred.

Last year’s focused on conflict, whereas this year the theme was emotion.

Although we’re nearing the end of the semester, there will be a couple more galleries on campus before finals. Keep checking our Facebook page and Twitter for updates on upcoming shows.

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I’d like to thank

Story by Zac Walthall, Staff Reporter

After a successful premiere of Magee-Lee Preston’s “I Am Emily Doe,” it seems as if the production simply refuses to end. This year, at the Henderson-hosted Region Six Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, the original play was performed alongside other university productions, all hoping to place and secure a nomination for the regional competition.

This year, the home turf advantage proved rather lucrative, as both the production and three actors participating in it, LaDarius Jamerson, Dakota Mansfield, and Savannah Reynolds, were nominated to move on to the next level. The script itself was also slotted for nomination for the separate playwriting category. Allin-all, it seems as if the theatre department has had a rewarding semester thus far.

The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival is an organization that seeks to “encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater program,” by hosting several smaller festivals in which universities compete to gain nominations.

One of these nominations is that of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Named for and founded by the late Irene Ryan, who came to fame as Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies, it is a $5,000 national scholarship for thespians who wish to pursue higher education.

Being an established radio, movie, vaudeville, Broadway, and television actress before her death, Irene Ryan used her one million dollar estate to start the Irene Ryan Foundation.

Among those slated to receive the prestigious award are our own LaDarius Jamerson, Dakotah Mansfield, and Savannah Reynolds, who played John, Brock Turner, and Emily Doe, respectively.

“For me, character development was really difficult,” began senior theatre major Mansfield, describing his descent into the darkness that is the mind of Brock Turner. Having previously researched the characteristics of psychopaths for a past role, he had no problem adapting the previously-obtained knowledge to the new character. “A lot of the time, we have other productions and character analysis that we can look at,” he said.

He went into detail about how he attempted to

the academy:

portray Turner in a believable way, showing how evil the character was without becoming a caricature. He cited the multiple roles he’s played alongside Savannah Reynolds as helping him ease into the uncomfortable role, as their established chemistry made it somewhat less difficult to slip into the unfamiliar behavior.

In the end, the extra research and practice was worth it, as Mansfield gave a sublime performance, giving us a small insight into the mind of such an intelligent and ruthless attacker.

Jamerson began by separating himself from the process. His character, John, began the show straddling the middle ground, a stance that vastly opposes his own personal philosophy.

He stated that getting into the character was a task that proved rather difficult, as he was forced to see both sides of the debate in order to more accurately play the part. This process of playing the “Devil’s advocate” molded his thinking and allowed him to further develop the role.

Though the research part was difficult, as he was playing a made-up character in a play that had never been done before, in the end, he came to enjoy the role and the challenge that it brought on. Both he and Mansfield express gratitude at the extended presence of playwright Preston.

Savannah Reynolds played the titular Emily Doe, a daunting task for any artist. She discussed the pitfalls of playing such a deeply-wounded character and how difficult it is to portray the reparations after such a despicable act.

Much like Mansfield, she found difficulty in playing a character that is very much alive and living and attempting to sell the constantly-changing range of emotions in the non-linear production without appearing cheesy.

She cited the Stanislavski method, an approach to acting that focuses on the actor experiencing the role as it happens, connecting with the character fundamentally, rather than playing a part. As the secret to her success, she remained in solitude backstage in order to gather her thoughts and better prepare herself for the task at hand.

Though never experiencing such a thing firsthand,

On the supreme success of the student-penned play, “I am Emily Doe.” Reynolds dove headfirst into the role, asking “what if ” questions in order to guide her portrayal. This, paired with a hefty amount of time spent with survivor’s monologues, allowed her to carefully craft her character.

In the end, we were presented with a convincing insight into the life of a woman whose entire world was shaken to the very core, and the repercussions of such an act even up to a year later.

Magee-Lee Preston began writing “I Am Emily Doe” as an assignment for her playwriting class.

What began as a six-page entry for a two-page job, “I Am Emily Doe” has morphed into something that definitely surpassed the original goal: to write a small production based on an online article.

Preston combed through the court transcriptions, taking in not only the way Turner spoke, but the way his parents did as well, in order to craft a convincing image of the attacker. She let his words wash over her, choosing to use his own carefully-chosen speeches to sacrifice him, rather than something she had concocted.

In much the same way that she researched the attacker, so did she attempt to understand the victim.

Preston credits both rape survivor-written articles and a television series on college campus sexual assault for giving her insight on a situation that she herself had not experienced before.

After several summer rewrites and a number of rehearsals, the play premiered in the Henderson black box theatre, to a chorus of opened minds and wetted eyes.

In December, the cast, crew, playwright, and production as a whole will find out if they are able to attend the national convention at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C..

If you’d like to see the aforementioned actors and playwright, make sure to attend the University-produced play “The Mousetrap,” which will run from November 16th to the 20th. For further inquiries or to purchase or reserve tickets, please call the Henderson State University Box Office at (870) 230-5291.

November 7, 2017

9

OPINIONS

Poop emoji: “The Emoji Movie” is a crappy excuse for a film Review by Kara Amato, Student Reporter Posters Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

It’s an idea that was practically laughed off the moment it was announced. A movie based on emojis from our cellphones.

And yet, “The Emoji Movie” almost proves its detractors wrong. The film is given the building blocks for what could have been a serviceable, but not terribly exciting film, and that would have been victory enough.

At least, that was until they wrote a joke. Then another joke, followed by a multitude of jokes, all of which were allowed to be kept in the film.

Naturally, with so many jokes, something had to be tossed out, and indeed it was. Unfortunately for our

sake, that something was called “the story.”

There’s a part of me that goes into films like “The Emoji Movie” hoping that the marketing campaign’s rather lackluster ads are an inaccurate representation of the film I’ll eventually watch. Sometimes, it works.

This movie does not represent one of those times.

In fact, the film manages to sink below the level of expectation set in those advertisements. At every turn, the material doesn’t resist an opportunity for an easy joke, stringing a lot of little payoffs in a row without any setup throughout the film. Though when it does attempt a story, it’s pretty much paint-by-numbers platitudes without any sort of narrative drive behind it.

Getting to the subject of advertisements, this movie is full of plugs and name drops of various apps you’d experience on your phone, and it’s not subtle. If these moments were woven into the fabric of a proper story, they could have been called gratuitous at best.

In the context of “The Emoji Movie,” however, it’s a jarring experience that makes you feel like you’re playing on your phone rather than watching a movie.

But ... about that story.

The emojis all live in Textopolis, located within a brandless smartphone owned by a high school freshman named Alex.

In Textopolis, everyone has one function and one function only; the smiles smile, the crying faces cry, the Christmas trees stand still and look Christmassy, the princesses talk about being pretty, and the sushi just ... sits around getting warm, I guess (as does the eggplant,

in case you were curious).

It’s hard to tell if your kids will like The Emoji Movie, as it’s not a film that really reaches for the youngest of its demographic, and the tweens this film is aimed at will probably see themselves as above this sort of thing. That leaves the parents to be entertained, and that’s just a bridge too far to cross with this one.

What could have been another example of a film rising above the cynicism that met its inception, “The Emoji Movie” turned out to be an even worse idea in execution than it was on paper. Its characters are weak, its story lame, and its purpose unclear. Do yourself a favor, and swipe left on this one.

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OPINIONS Hats Off to Super Mario Odyssey Opinion by Dax Guilliams, Opinions Editor Image by Nintendo “Super Mario Odyssey” is one of the best games Nintendo has ever made. This game is a gigantic leap in quality and really made me remember just how great Nintendo’s development team is.

When I started playing the game, I knew it would be good, but I was not prepared for what is quite possibly the best 3D platformer of all time.

From the moment you first take control of Mario, you can tell just how much passion the team put into making the game. This was a game made for lovers of video games, especially Mario titles.

This game has some of the best controls I’ve ever felt. It is so easy to control Mario and he has so many different techniques for moving around the levels.

Mario can now roll to move ever faster on the ground and he has new ways to jump. Combine all of these with his hat throwing ability and the platforming becomes so much better and it is incredibly fun to figure out new ways to traverse the many parts of each level.

Barring two of the levels that are just very small, each level in this game is stunning. All of the levels are filled with different things to do in order to collect power moons and none of them feel empty.

When you first enter these levels, it sets you on a certain path to collect certain moons, but you can still venture off and collect other ones. Unlike “Super Mario 64” or “Super Mario Sunshine,” you’re free to keep exploring after collecting moons instead of being forced out of the level.

Following the main paths lead you to interesting events in the level that usually end with an amazing boss fight. Odyssey has some of the best boss fights in any Mario game and they’re all so different from one another.

And as you play through more of the levels, they start to open up even more and new places to explore pop up.

But the levels really open up after you defeat the final boss. Most of “Super Mario Odyssey’s” content comes after you complete the main game, including more levels that are some of the best.

My favorites of these levels were the giant desert and the big city that was shown off in all of the trailers.

I was surprised by how long it takes to get to the city

since Nintendo kept showing it off like it was the main world.

The best part of “Super Mario Odyssey” is the power-ups because there are no power-ups. Instead, Mario throws his hat, which is a living creature, onto the enemy and possesses them.

Throw your hat on a Goomba and you become the Goomba. Throw your hat on a Hammer Bro, then there is no Hammer Bro because you are the Hammer Bro. This game has it all.

Each of these enemies have certain abilities that are used to solve some sort of puzzles and none of them are alike.

The only complaints I have with “Super Mario Odyssey” are that some levels have music that sounds worse than the others. It all sounds good, but it is a little disappointing going into a level for the first time and the music isn’t as good as you had hoped.

Also, there are levels that are just arenas for boss fights. And while those boss fights are great, I still would have liked it if there were other things to do in them.

The game is also incredibly easy.

I do think Mario games should be easy in a lot of parts, but there should be some parts of levels that have high levels of difficulty.

Both “Super Mario Sunshine” and “Super Mario Galaxy” have easy beginnings, but then have pretty challenging later levels.

Even then, I think “Super Mario Odyssey” is one of the best Mario games ever made, if not the absolute best. It controls perfectly, has levels with tons of action, amazing boss battles, funny dialogue, Princess Peach is there, Bowser is there and you can be the Goomba.

Nintendo really stepped it up with this game and you can tell they put all of their passion into “Super Mario Odyssey.”

This game is so amazing that I bought a Nintendo Switch to play it and I do not regret that purchase at all. Out of every game I’ve played this year, I would recommend “Super Mario Odyssey” over all of them.

November 7, 2017

Games FOR RELEASE AUGUST 31, 2017

CROSSWORD

SudokU

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Draft day announcements 6 In-tents experience?

10 Like some dental floss 14 End of __ 15 Jai __ 16 Wrapped up 17 Artifact 18 Board member?

19 Unites 20 Volleyball players in Dublin?

23 New York’s __ Island 24 Sturgeon delicacy 25 Engineering sch. on the Hudson River 28 Euros in Rome?

32 Deadly snake 35 White House signing ceremony memento 36 __ Trinket, “The Hunger Games” chaperone played by Elizabeth Banks 37 Airport inspectors in Beijing?

42 Cosmonaut Vladimir 43 Partner of abet 44 Most of Ariz. doesn’t observe it 45 Dance lessons in Madrid?

50 CIA predecessor 51 Drivers’ org.

52 Phillies’ div.

56 Number cruncher in New Delhi?

59 SALT subject 62 Crab Key villain 63 Mazda MX-5, familiarly 64 Witty tweet, e.g.

65 Novelist O’Brien 66 Bunsen burner kin 67 Small ticks?

68 Travel aimlessly 69 One of Franklin’s two certainties DOWN 1 Musée d’Orsay city 2 Still

11

By David Poole

3 Salsa singer Cruz 4 Spring 2008 “Dancing with the Stars” champion Yamaguchi 5 Potpourri pouch 6 Wedding reception sight 7 Hit the ground 8 Hindu incantation 9 Word with carrier or passenger 10 Floors 11 Abbr. in many addresses 12 Crossed (out) 13 Jr. and sr.

21 Loses it 22 Lute-like instrument 25 Served seconds, say 26 Figure skating event 27 In other words, in other words 29 Novelist Harper 30 Quechua speakers 31 He served as A.G. under his brother 32 “Don’t __ innocent” 33 Port arrivals

8/31/17

Last week’sPuzzle answers Wednesday’s Solved

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34 Pockets for falafel 38 Start to skid?

39 French spa 40 Strike 41 Utopias 46 More melancholy 47 Bob, for one 48 Like peacocks 49 Many a Mideast native 53 Appliance maker since 1934

8/31/17

54 Attack 55 Vandalize 56 Rascals 57 Kendrick of “Pitch Perfect” 58 “Syntactic Structures” author Chomsky 59 Nos. averaging 100 60 What a shark strikes with 61 Wite-Out maker

12

SPORTS

Reddies men’s basketball conquered East Texas University in charity exhibition game Story by Jordan Williams, Sports Editor

The Reddies took the hardwood for the first time this season in an exhibition game against East Texas Baptist University. It was for the benefit of those affected by Hurricane Harvey with all proceeds from Wednesday night’s game going to help those still in need.

The game was less about the final score and more about what the men demonstrated on the court. The final score was HSU 92 – ETBU 78, and there was a lot more to be happy about than just the victory.

From the opening tip, the Reddies displayed impressive ball movement and cohesiveness on the offensive end. They also displayed a surprising amount of tenacity on the defensive end.

The home team did an amazing job of simply moving the ball while on offense. Ball movement is key to any great team success throughout a season and it was on full display for the Reddies.

There was never any sense of stagnation with the offense. They did a good job of getting the ball to the open man, making the extra pass and moving the off ball to get the best look possible.

This wasn’t fully represented by their team field goal percentage of the night, which was a pedestrian 42.9 percent. This should definitely increase with the urgency of a regular season matchup.

Junior forward Brad Nairn did a fantastic job setting the pace for the offensive unit doing his part in not only passing the ball but stretching the floor converting on 4 of his five three-point field goal attempts for the night.

He ended up with 18 points for the night.

Junior Matt Panaggio played a major role in being the catalyst for the offense. He finished with team high 6 assists for the night and converted on all three of the field goals attempted for the night.

Freshman Chris Parker looked impressive as well finishing with 17 points. He converted on five of eight field goals and hitting three of four attempted three pointers for the night.

While the team as a whole committed 17 turnovers on the night you can only chalk so much of it up to carless ball handling. A lot of the turnovers where simply made in attempt to get other teammates involved.

On the defensive end the Reddies did a good job of simply staying in front of their man and not allowing too many open looks. They switched on defenders when cutting up or under screens and closing out on defensive possessions by grabbing rebounds.

They did a great job clogging up the passing lane and came up with a total of seven steals for the night. They converted them into immediate points and scored 14 points off turnovers alone.

While they only blocked two shots on the night they did a good job challenging and limiting shots on the perimeter and changing shots once they got into the paint. The biggest concern was be the egregious amount of fouls we committed when attempting to change shots once they got in the paint.

This could have a detrimental effect on the team throughout the season.

We will need more proficient rim protection if we want to not only hold onto to leads but also keep our starting lineup on the floor and out of foul trouble.

While this was only a small sample size and I would be getting ahead of myself by putting any sort of grand expectation on this team after on exhibition game, I liked what I saw. Our offense does a great job of moving the ball and getting it to our first, second, or even third options.

We just need more evident scoring from our starters and our defense needs to work on its rim protection and defending in the paint without fouling. Three-point shooting seems to be a premium for this roster with multiple players showing the ability to hit from deep.

I didn’t see enough midrange shooting to really get a grasp of how balanced the scoring trend for this team could actually be. All in all with the way the team looks as of right now, it’s shaping up to look like a good season. Below is a partial schedule of the upcoming men’s basketball games.

Opposing Team

Minnesota State Minot State NWOSU SWOSU Texas College Southern Nazarene Oklahoma Baptist Dallas Christian Arkansas State Eclesia College Paul Quinn College East Central SWOSU

Venue

Lancaster, TX Lancaster, TX Alva, OKLA. Weatherford, OKLA. Home Home Home Home Jonesboro Home Home Ada, OKLA. Durant, OKLA.

Date

11/10/17 11/11/17 11/16/17 11/18/17 11/25/17 11/30/17 12/02/17 12/06/17 12/09/17 12/16/17 12/30/17 01/04/18 01/06/17