2006 10 11

The Vol. 95, No. 14

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OPTIMIST

1 section, 8 pages

WEDNESDAY

October 11, 2006

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www.acuoptimist.com

Thursday night Blackout Pep Rally planned

IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Leadership crunch

Students from the College of Business Administration can attend a January short course in Colorado to learn leadership skills, page 4

Abilene Artwalk

Abilene’s October Artwalk will be downtown Thursday with the theme of “Chalk it Up!” on page 3

n The Homecoming Steering Committee sponsored Spirit Week this week, featuring a pep rally in the dark at Bennett Gymnasium on Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

FEATURE

By ASHLEY ROBINSON Student Reporter

The Homecoming Steering Committee planned a new event to get students involved in Homecoming activities: the Blackout Pep Rally.

“It’s basically a pep rally in the dark,” said Shelby Coates, senior broadcast journalism major from Nashville, Tenn.

The event will take place at Bennett Gymnasium on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. This is the first year for this type of rally. Special Tshirts are being sold to students who want to glow in the dark at the rally.

The committee has been planning activities since early

A league of her own

Sophomore Haley Dilling began college as a 16-year-old freshman, page 5

SPORTS

See

Winning streak

The Wildcat volleyball team went 3-0 at the LSC Crossover Tournament in Kingsville last weekend, page 8

Five social clubs lose pledges

Alumni to receive Gutenberg Awards

n Six students de-pledged from five men’s and women’s social clubs this year, just short of the end of pledging season. Club presidents said most de-pledges do so because of time commitments.

n The Journalism and Mass Communication Department will honor three alumni Thursday for their achievements in journalism at the annual Gutenberg Dinner.

brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

ONLINE

Behind the scenes

The Homecoming Steering Committee has been busy planning for the Homecoming weekend, view it at: www.acuoptimist.com

WEATHER TODAY’S FORECAST Friday sunny

HIGH 83

LOW 54

SPEED READS Spirit week guide

Members of the Homecoming Steering Committee planned a week of activities and ways for students to dress up to show support for ACU’s Homecoming Weekend.

Wednesday: Mis match day Thursday: Homecoming T-shirt day Friday: Purple Friday

BLACKOUT page 7

Pledges from women’s social club Sigma Theta Chi and men’s social club Galaxy, skated together on Bid Night at Skate ‘N Place in Abilene on Sept. 15.

By KATIE GAGER Student Reporter

De-pledging is not a word heard often at ACU. This year, six students de-pledged in all clubs combined, said Mauri Westbrook, coordinator of student organizations and activities.

The students de-pledged from Sigma Theta Chi, Tri Kappa Gamma, Alpha Kai Omega, Galaxy and Frater Sodalis.

For many pledges, the largest factor for deciding to de-pledge is the time it takes during the pledge weeks. According to school policy, the clubs are only allowed to require their pledges to commit to 15 hours per week.

While some clubs use every hour, all of the clubs strongly encourage pledges to stick it out and balance their time.

“They don’t look at it for the day to day, but they look at the big picture and become overwhelmed,” said Frater Sodalis president Brady Hilton, senior visual communications major from Abilene.

“They de-pledge because it’s too much work for them to do school, jobs and pledging,” said Ko Jo Kai president Shelbi Watten, senior broadcast journalism major from Coppell. “Pledging is very time consuming.”

De-pledging is a sore subject among all clubs. Club presidents said they never like to see people de-pledge.

“That’s the last thing we want to happen,” said Sigma Theta Chi See

DEPLEDGE page 7

By ATSUMI SHIBATA Page Designer

LACI ADKINS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Nunus Lauren Rodda, sophomore interdisciplinary major from Carrollton, and Hayden Huey, sophomore biochemistry major from Tulsa, Okla., from Ko Jo Kai, prepare to do the elephant walk during Bid Night.

Three ACU alumni will travel from Dallas, Michigan and Singapore for achievements in professional journalism to receive Gutenberg Awards on Thursday.

Jim Batts, Byron Harrell and Srene Goh are the nominees of Gutenberg Award, an annual award given to alumni of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication who display exceptional work in journalism. They will be honored at the Gutenberg Dinner Thursday in Teague Special Events Center.

See

GUTENBURG page 7

Frats move haunt to island n Men’s social club Frater Sodalis is partnering with On Command Canine Resort to create a haunted island as a fundraiser for both groups.

By DENTON JOSEY Page 2 Editor

Abilene’s first haunted island is under construction and men’s social club Frater Sodalis is making it happen.

In collaboration with the On Command Canine Resort, owned by Annette Turner, the Frats are constructing a

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

haunted tour that will include a boat ride, walking tour and hayride.

Spirits Haunted Island, a fundraising effort to benefit both the social club and a future dog amusement park on the property, will be open Oct. 20-21, 27-28 and 31 from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Family hours will also be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. each day.

Frater Sodalis president Brady Hilton, senior visual communication major from Abilene, said the Frats used to host a haunted house that ran

for 20 years before the city of Abilene changed some rules and the house had to close.

Turner contacted the club in early October to see if they wanted to help with the project. Although it is a large time commitment for the club, the Frats decided to help run the event.

Jace Gallagher, senior finance major from North Pole, Alaska and Frat treasurer, said in an e-mail they aren’t certain how much money See

HAUNTED page 7

DENTON JOSEY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Men’s social club Frater Sodalis is creating a haunted island off Loop 322 that will be open to the public and students Oct. 20-21, 27-28 and 31.

Abilene Christian University

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Wednesday, October 11, 2006

11

Calendar & Events Wednesday

5 p.m.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) meeting in COBA Room 315.

Spirit Week - Mis-match Day.

12

Thursday

6:30 p.m.

Gutenburg Dinner - three journalism alumni will be honored.

Friday

5 p.m.

JamFest - featuring Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys, O’Scarlet and other student bands.

14

Saturday

2 p.m.

Homecoming football game, Homecoming Queen announced at halftime.

9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Blackout Pep Rally - Pep rally featuring a pep talk from head football coach Chris Thomsen.

8 p.m.

2006 Homecoming Musical Singing in the Rain.

8 p.m.

2006 Homecoming Musical Singing in the Rain.

World Mission Workshop at Lubbock Christian University.

World Mission Workshop at Lubbock Christian University.

World Mission Workshop at Lubbock Christian University.

Volunteer Opportunities The Salvation Army needs volunteers to interview clients for Christmas assistance, verify proper documentation and determine qualification. It began Monday and ends Nov. 10., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Salvation Army is located at 1226 Butternut St. For more information, please contact Cecilia Barahona at 677-1408.

KGNZ needs volunteers to help during the day with its “Friend-raiser.” It starts Tuesday and ends Thursday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 542 Butternut (KGNZ Studios). For more information, contact George Sweatt at 673-8801.

Lee Elementary needs volunteers to play Scrabble with third, fourth and fifth graders every Thursday from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria. For more information, contact Jennifer Clapp or Andy Blessing at 671-4895.

Junior League of Abilene Christmas Carousel needs volunteers to help with the Christmas Carousel Style Show. The main task will be entertaining children models and helping them get

13

dressed. The show is Friday, Nov. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Abilene Civic Center. For more information, contact Holly Cowan at 823-3791.

Abilene Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers for their annual Mall-o-ween. Volunteers will be manning doors and small game booths. There will be some set-up and clean-up, but it is incorporated into the time frame. Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Mall of Abilene Customer Service Desk. For more information, contact Shannon Wake at 670-0489.

FilmFest needs volunteers to help with the editing lab, located in the Mabee Library Auditorium. The volunteer does not have to have experience with film editing. The lab is open Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight and on Saturday from noon to midnight. FilmFest also needs someone to help with the budget, keeping track of funds and donations. The premier for FilmFest is Nov. 3, and ushers are needed as well as people to run the ticket booth. For more information e-mail filmfest@acu.edu.

Announcements What do Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill and Kanye West have to do with Jesus? Come find out Thursday evenings. “Jesus and the Hip-Hop Prophets” will take place at 8:30 p.m. in Bible Room 128.

For more information, contact Matt Worthington at mrw03b@acu.edu.

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver lunch to those in need. This is a great way to serve in the Abilene community and you can get credit if your delivery time conflicts with Chapel. For more information, stop by the Volunteer Center in the Bean Sprout.

Students in Free Interprise (SIFE) - Meet Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in COBA Room 315 if you are interested in sharpening your business skills, entrepreneurial and leadership skills and want to be of service to the community at the same time.

The FilmFest Lab is now open. It is located in the Mabee Library Auditorium, which is by the old entrance to the Library. Hours are Monday to Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday, noon to midnight. Hours to be extended

as demand merits. The lab is open to anyone interested in gaining knowledge about video editing or in need of video resources. For more information, contact Matt Maxwell at mam02j@acu.edu.

Habitat for Humanity is bringing an ice skating rink to Abilene for the holiday season. Volunteers are needed to work the front gate, ice skate rentals and concessions.

Also, anyone who would like to help build a house front with a fence to be used as the entrance, contact them ASAP. The ice skating rink will be open from Nov. 17 to Jan. 13. For more information, contact Karen Mendoza at 201-0250.

Girl Scout Troop #1550 needs young women who want to make a difference in young girls’ lives through Girl Scouting. The girls are from underprivileged homes, and they need positive Christian influences in their lives. Meetings are every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. This program will end in May. For more information, please contact Diltzie Andrews at 673-6379.

Credited Chapels remaining:

32 38

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at jdj03e@acu.edu.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

ACU Police Tip of the Week Window peepers often target college campus neighborhoods. Remember to always close window shades and blinds after dark. Be alert and always report suspicious activity to ACUPD at 674-2305.

Police Log Edited for space

Monday 10/02/2006 13:03 pm Assisted Taylor County Sheriffs Office with locating student with warrants for arrest, unable to locate student Tuesday 10/03/2006 09:30 am Arrested student for outstanding Taylor County warrants, booked into jail.

18:20 pm Checked University Park Apts for subjects shooting paint balls.

Advised to stop.

Wednesday 10/04/2006 23:30 pm Report of social club harassing females at Barett Hall, Gone on arrival.

Thursday 10/05/2006 11:51 am Burglary of motor vehicle report at the Sherrod Lot , 06-174 21:25 pm Assisted Abilene PD with criminal mischief on Griffith Road,

possibly related to pledging activities.

Friday 10/06/2006 15:30 pm Attempted to contact student at University Park Apartments in reference to theft of service involving pizza delivery-refusal to pay.

22:45 pm Disturbance in the parking lot of University Park Apartments between two students Saturday 10/07/2006 20:40 pm Assisted Abilene Police Department with two subjects at Super 8 Motel 22:27 pm Subject reported hearing female screaming near the Bible Building, checked area unable to locate anyone Sunday 10/08/2006 03:03 am Attempt to locate vehicle involved in hit and run for Abilene PD

Corrections In the Oct. 6 issue, the picture on the Arts Page is from Betty Rose’s, not Sharon Allen’s. Also, the ad-

dress for Sharon Allen’s is 849 E. Hwy 80.

CAMPUS NEWS

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Edwards computer lab to undergo renovations n Interior design majors Laza Razafimanjato and Rebecca Steffins will remodel Edwards Residence Hall computer lab for winning a design contest.

By SARA POTTER Student Reporter

Two interior design students won a team design contest and the opportunity to participate in the refurbishing of the Edwards Residence Hall computer lab Oct. 2.

Rebecca Steffins, junior interior design major from Irving, and partner Laza Razafimanjato, junior interior design major from Antananarivo, Madagascar, won a $300 prize plus a consultation award of $300 to proceed with implementation of the design.

The winners will be given the opportunity to consult other leaders on the physical development of their design.

Edwards is the prototype for all of the other residence hall computer labs that will soon be updated similarly,” Steffins said.

Kitty Wasemiller, interior design program director, helped connect students with the opportunity to participate in this competition.

“The contest was held in order to let the residence hall labs take on a new look that was especially well-fitted to the students in today’s learning environment,” Wasemiller said.

The competition took place “because of the great impact the Library’s Learning Com-

mons has had on the student body,” Steffins said. “The residence hall labs need to be brought into the 21st century as well, and we are starting with Edwards.”

Second place winners Andrea Gibbons, freshman pre-architecture major from League City, and James Hardin, freshman pre-architecture major from Longview, were awarded a $150 prize.

The ACU chapter of the American Society of Interior Design sponsored the competition, while the ACU LINK Team and the Office of Residence Life Education and Housing provided the judging and awards.

Among the judges were George Saltsman, interim director of the Learning Commons; Dr. Mimi Barnard, Residence Life Education and Housing director; and Wasemiller.

This project was “mutually beneficial,” Barnard said. “The students were able to have a realworld experience using the skills and knowledge they’re acquiring.”

All the while, the university is gaining students’ perspective on design.

Winners will meet with a design team to further discuss implementation of their design.

“We are really excited about this opportunity,” Steffins said.

E-mail Potter at: smp04a@acu.edu

Page 3

ArtWalk to feature chalk artists n The Center for Contemporary Arts will host “Chalk It Up!”—this month’s ArtWalk— Thursday, starting at 5 p.m. Students are encouraged to attend.

By MICHELLE JIMENEZ Arts Editor

Local artists and students will coat the pavement near the Grace Museum courtyard and Everman Park with sidewalk chalk during ArtWalk Thursday.

This is ArtWalk’s firstever chalk event in its 13year history. The theme, “Chalk It Up!,” was inspired by an e-mail Patricia Ditmore, office manager and volunteer coordinator of the Grace Museum,

received a year ago about an artist creating three-dimensional chalk artwork on public sidewalks.

Ditmore said she found it interesting and pitched the idea to Marianne Wood, curator of education at the Center of Contemporary Arts and coordinator of ArtWalk.

“Chalk It Up!” will begin at 5 p.m. and last until 8:30 p.m.

Professional artists such as Linda Fawcett, Linda Murray, Danielle Delhomme, Tony Brown, Bradley Oiler, Patty Rae Wellborn and Ruth Jackson will work by high school art teachers and their students in Ever-

man Park, demonstrating chalk art techniques, while the courtyard of the Grace Museum will be open for all to try their hand at creating chalk drawings.

“Some wanna-be artists can start on the pavement,” Ditmore said, referring to the courtyard event.

Local businesses will also provide other sources of entertainment. The Historical Paramount Theatre will show the film Paradise Now, the story of two Palestinian friends recruited as suicide bombers in the last 48 hours of their lives.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students, military, children and seniors.

Street vendors will provide free dream interpretations by Dream On, original watercolors and folk art by Sonia Philips, driftwood art by Sharon Moses and Tin Shed Creations by David Bavousett.

A preview of the Erinshire Folk Festival, which will be Oct. 21, will take place in Minter Park. Audience members will get to hear the music of Jamison Priest, Catclaw Creek, Vincent Allen Dawson, Tony Barker and Greg Young.

The whole community comes out, Wood said.

“Don’t miss it,” she said.

E-mail Jimenez at: mmj04b@acu.edu

Drinks for meal plans unfair exchange n Swapping a large hot beverage for a meal plan is an unfair exchange, said Anthony Williams, director of retail. It replaces a full meal with a drink.

By KELSI PEACE Features Editor

Turning a profit is not the goal for the dining facilities on campus said Anthony Williams, director of retail and Campus Store manager.

Williams said allowing students to use a meal plan in exchange for an iced beverage or supremo-sized hot beverage should not be an option because it is not a fair exchange.

Last semester, students filled out 1,800 online surveys and participated in 23 focus groups, which helped form dining service’s vision for this year.

Williams said students’ ability to use a meal plan at Starbucks, reflects the overall goal he is trying to

achieve: convenience.

Williams said Dining Services is more interested in providing opportunities for students to use meal plans than making money.

When students use a meal plan at the satellite restaurants, any facility on campus except the Bean, they do not have access to a buffet-style, all-you-can-eat facility.

Williams said any money that appears to be left-over from a meal plan used at a satellite restaurant is covering hidden costs that accompany the facility.

Preparation and transportation incur extra fees, Williams said, and employees must also be paid to staff each facility.

Williams said Chick-fil-A is the top earner, Starbucks a close second.

Students usually use Bean Bucks rather than meal plans, Williams said, and faculty and staff who

frequent Starbucks use cash and credit cards.

ACU receives approximately 10 percent of the money earned each day at dining locations.

Williams said the university continues to consider acquiring a full-fledged Starbucks on campus.

The Learning Commons offers a Proudly Brew level Starbucks, which provides Starbucks brand coffee.

A full-fledged Starbucks offers Starbucks brand iced beverages; recipes for iced beverages are not released to Proudly Brew levels.

Costs to become a fullfledged Starbucks could be as high as $250,000, Williams said.

“We have to make a decision if this is an investment, and it is substantial, that would be worth undertaking,” he said.

Cost per item will increase by about 25 cents

if the change is made, Williams said.

Brittany Harris, freshman undeclared major from Fort Worth, said she would support the change as long as meal plans could still be used.

Harris, who spends 10 hours per week in the library for her university seminar class, said she uses all of her lunch meal plans in the Learning Commons.

Harris said she finds this cost effective.

When she purchases an occasional white chocolate mocha, Harris uses Bean Bucks.

Williams said the cost to become a full-fledged Starbucks cannot be recovered through selling coffee, and the upgrade would not be a business decision.

“We would do it because we felt it was important to do,” he said.

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Page 4

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

COBA offers January short course Leadership Summit n COBA welcomes students from various departments to participate in its ninth annual January intensive program to learn what Christian leadership should be.

By JEREMY POND Student Reporter

One hundred students from the College of Business Administration and other departments across campus will spend the first week of January participating in intensive spiritual and academic growth set within the Colorado landscape.

Students attending the ninth annual Leadership Summit, hosted by COBA,

will take a three-hour course designed to challenge them to consider what real Christian leadership should look like.

Mike Winegeart, assistant professor of international business and director of collaborative learning in COBA, said the program is arguably the best offered by the college.

“This is the highlight of my year,” he said.

“This course combines a Christian perspective on leadership in the home, marketplace and church, and when you get the students away from home, they are that much more

focused and engaged.”

Winegeart said he wants students to understand the importance of the work they are studying for.

“The main thrust of this program is for students to be able to walk away and say that being a Christian in the marketplace is not a secondclass calling,” he said.

While COBA hosts the program and the course is geared toward students looking at a career in the marketplace, Winegeart said students from all departments are welcome to attend.

“We’ve even had inte-

rior design students attend this program,” he said. “That’s cool for us because it helps us expand our own horizons.”

Dr. Rick Lytle, dean of COBA, co-founded the program.

“We had an idea that the students needed some sort of an intensive, remote experience that was spiritually based to help them see God’s call on their lives,” Lytle said.

“It has just been incredibly successful.”

The program functions much like a seminar, complete with class sessions, group projects and

assignments and multiple guest speakers, including CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.

The 100 students that attend begin each day with a community breakfast and begin and end each day’s studies with a praise time led for the past seven years by Dwayne Adams, former member of Acapella.

“This serves as a real intensive blending of spirituality and the marketplace,” Lytle said. “It’s amazing for me every year to see what God does through the people at the Summit.”

Partial List of Guest speakers n Gary Skidmore, president of Harte-Hanks, Customer Relationship Management Services. n Ginger Graham, president and CEO of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. n Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama. n Mike Haley, manager of the Gender Issues department in the Public Policy division of Focus on the Family.

E-mail Pond at: optimist@acu.edu

Forensics team expects solid season with new members n The ACU forensics team prepares for its second tournament of the year and anticipates a successful season with its new members.

By KELSI PEACE Features Editor

The ACU forensics team practices about 15 hours per week preparing for its upcoming tournament, the Nebraska Double-Up at Creighton University and the team’s second tournament of the year.

The team will compete at Creighton University Oct. 20 and 21.

Steven Gaines, assistant director of forensics and professor of communication, said the team’s

success at the first tournament was impressive.

Team members traveled to University of Houston for the Fourth Annual Pussycat Swing Tournament Sept. 15 and 16, where they claimed 12 awards and closed out the debate rounds for the first time in the tournament’s history.

This year’s team is composed of many students new to college debate. Of the 15 members, eight are new to the team and seven are freshmen.

Team captain Kevin Gillespie, senior biology education major from Highland, said he thinks the team will have a suc-

cessful season.

“We have a bigger squad. We have a lot of freshman who came in who are good, as opposed to years past where they all kind of bleed away after the first semester,” Gillespie said. “I think a lot of them are gonna stick around this year.”

Gillespie is beginning his fourth year with the team and said this year he hopes to win the open division Lincoln-Douglas debate at the National Christian Colleges Forensics Invitational in California.

Gillespie has already won at the novice level.

Gillespie said everyone will attend at least seven

tournaments; members will attend more if they qualify.

Second-year team member Seth Copeland, junior political science major from Van, said he would like to attend the NFA tournament this year.

“I think breaking is a very lofty goal,” he said, “but I would like to go.”

Copeland said his experience on the team will prepare him to be a lawyer.

Abby Barnes, freshman political science major from Odessa and firstyear member, said she shares Copeland’s goal.

“I love debating; it’s my passion in life,” Barnes said. “I want to be a lawyer later on.”

Not all members are aspiring to careers in the public eye, however.

Gaines said the variety of majors helps the team when it comes to debate because different interests offer a wider base of knowledge.

“You never know what kind of debate topic you’re going to get,” he said.

Gaines also said he was impressed with the “synergy” the team possesses.

Kristina Anderson, a graduate assistant who works with the forensics team, also said she’s impressed with the teamwork shown.

“I’d say the most important thing we have is

a lot of great leadership from the veterans on the team,” Anderson said.

This year is also the first time since 1991 the team has two faculty members working with it.

Dr. Sally Gary, director of forensics and assistant professor of communication, oversees the team.

Organized practice is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, but team members put in extra hours polishing speeches, researching arguments and tweaking performances, Gaines said.

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu

Page 5

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Two years younger, ages ahead

By MALLORY SCHLABACH Editor in Chief

Just by looking at her, no one would know she is only 17 years old.

Her teeth show no signs of braces nor has acne pocked her face like the other high school juniors her age. Except Haley Dilling is not in high school anymore.

A year ago, Haley began to decide which college to attend in the fall. She was 16.

Thinking before she says anything, she quietly explains how she ended up thousands of miles from her Florida home a few months after her sweet sixteenth birthday.

As the youngest and a top student in her graduating class at Vero Beach High School, Haley could have chosen nearly any college to attend. But the school she chose had to meet strict criteria. She wanted to attend a Christian university in the southern part of the United States for her own personal preference, and one with excellent art, business and music programs.

“For a short answer, it was God and the Internet that brought me here,” Haley said.

When it came down to choosing, ACU and Oral Roberts University were her top choices. Having never heard of the West Texas university before, Haley and her mom left Florida and traveled to Abilene to see what ACU was like.

“After visiting ACU, I loved the people and the atmosphere,” she said. “I saw the professors were serious about seeing their students grow not only academically but spiritually as well.”

In fall 2005, Haley began ACU as a freshman majoring in marketing and art, and pursued music also. A year later, she’s still glad she chose ACU.

Growing up When Haley was three, her mom, Trudy Dilling, wanted her tested to see if she could begin preschool early. She was already reading Dr. Seuss books to herself and could add and subtract.

To pass the test Haley had to correctly answer questions about the color of every day objects by pointing to a brightly painted, wooden block.

After correctly answering what colors the grass and sun were, she began to get restless, Trudy recalled. Haley answered the instructor in complete sentences instead of just pointing to the blocks, and begged her mom to take her home with her eyes.

“Haley, what color is the sky?” the instructor asked. “The sky is yellow,” she quickly answered.

The instructor glanced at her mom standing behind her, who then shot a confused look at Haley.

“Oh, mom. I’m just kidding,” Haley said rolling her eyes. “Of course the sky is blue.”

A few months later Haley began preschool.

“That incident before preschool explains Haley. She’s fun and silly, but serious and intelligent, too,” Trudy said.

Haley said by first grade, she was already enrolled in the gifted program, but her teachers noticed she wasn’t working very hard.

After she spent every day reading in second grade, her mom went to the school board.

“Haley was reading book after book in second grade because she was already done with all her schoolwork,” Trudy said. “She was quiet and didn’t bother anyone, so her teacher let her read at her desk instead of giving her meaningless busy work.”

Trudy had a background in special education and knew her daughter could easily move up a year.

“I had to do something; third grade would not be enough for her,” Trudy said.

Because Haley was testing off the charts on her achievement tests, she skipped third grade and entered fourth grade with a new set of classmates. But only after spending the summer doing homework.

“I wasn’t excited about doing homework during the summer, but I spent most of my days learning my multiplication tables and learning how to write in cursive so I could start fourth grade that fall and be caught up,” Haley said.

The rest of elementary and middle school passed in a blur for Haley, who excelled at everything she did, often to the dismay of her female classmates, her mom said.

“I was ornery and more talkative growing up,” Haley said. “I loved to be outside and to play sports, my best friends ended up being the boys.”

Family ties

Growing up, Haley was taught to be a leader, to think for herself and to trust in God. “We didn’t do the whole baby talk thing with our children,” Trudy said. “We talked to them like a part of the family and asked for their input when making decisions. We taught them to be as positive as possible and to know that our faith shapes us.”

A middle child with an older sister and two younger siblings, Haley grew up feeling like the oldest child, she said.

Her sister Hillary, who was almost five years older, was born with Down syndrome.

“Growing up with an older sister with Down syndrome, at a young age I took on the responsibility of looking after her like I was the older sister,” Haley said. “I recognized that Hillary was not as intellectually or physically capable as most people, and I helped her and watched out for her as much as possible.”

Hillary would sit on her mom’s lap and Haley at her mom’s feet when Trudy began story time for the two young girls. Haley soaked in the words and committed the stories to memory. She gives her sister Hillary credit for helping her learn to read so quickly, and for molding her into who she is today.

“Sometimes her stubbornness frustrated me, and we sometimes had ill-natured wrestling matches, but I loved her,” Haley said.

“The trying times taught me patience. Her needs developed a compassion for others in me, and a desire to do everything in my power to help and love them. Her joy and loving nature toward people taught me something about caring for people and overcoming my personal inhibitions towards others.”

When Haley was 10 years old, Hillary was killed when she was struck by a truck, outside the front of the church on a bright Sunday morning. She was life-flighted to a nearby hospital with her parents where she later died.

“On the way, her eyes kept roving around – a sign of brain damage,” Haley said. “Tests at the hospital revealed no brain damage whatsoever. My family believes Hillary was seeing angels. While we waited, I prayed with complete faith, trust, and peace that God would completely heal Hillary.

“He did. When I heard she had gone home, I had absolute peace knowing that her life in Heaven was infinitely better than the most joyous experiences here on Earth. Sure, I still miss her, but I’ll see her again after a while.”

Those who know Haley say her peace is what defines her. Her mom says her sister’s death contributed to her peace, but that her relationship with Christ solidifies it.

“Haley is probably the one person in life who I think is what Jesus had in mind when he talks about God abiding in us,” Trudy said.

“In some ways her faith is stronger than mine.

She’s the closest person I know to being like Jesus.”

Transitioning

Haley spent the first 14 years of her life in the rural Pennsylvania town of Altoona, located in the heart of Pennsylvania in the Allegheny mountain range. The summer before her junior year, her family moved to Vero Beach, Fla., for the warmer climate, church family and advanced courses Haley could take at the larger public high school.

By her sophomore year, Haley had already taken almost every upper level course needed to graduate in Pennsylvania. Trudy said she and her husband didn’t want Haley to graduate at age 14 and head to college, so they began to look for other alternatives.

Trudy said the family had spent the previous three summers living in Florida at their summer home, so everyone had made friends; the family had found a church and was ready to leave Pennsylvania’s bitter winters behind.

Haley’s father is a family physician and her mother works with him from home, so he could relocate his practice to another state, which made the move easier.

Once the family moved and Haley was settled in Florida, she left behind her small high school with a graduating class of 80 and began in a class that would graduate more than 600 students.

In both schools, Haley faced questions regarding her two-year age difference from her classmates. Luckily, she was blessed not only with brains but with height too, Trudy said of her five-foot-eight daughter.

Haley said students either didn’t realize she was younger or they would ask her in taunting voices, “Ooh, are you smart or something?”

She said these comments often saddened her and left her feeling angry.

“That always made me uncomfortable,” she said. “I didn’t ever have a good answer. I wanted to be modest about my intelligence and at the same time, I didn’t want people to know I was younger.”

She said it was a hard time in her life trying to deal with being younger than everyone else.

“I really struggled in knowing how to react and how to give God the glory for the talents he’s given me,” she said.

She decided to use her talents to get involved at her new high school.

She joined the drama team, took up dance, sang in the chorus, played in the band, and traveled with the Brain Bowl team, an academic challenge team.

“The move to Florida was the best thing we could have done for Haley,” her mom said.

katie gager STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Haley Dilling is one of six students since 2002 who have started at ACU between ages 15 and 16.

“She wasn’t developing study habits at her high school in Pennsylvania nor was it challenging her.

Despite being two years younger, Haley was taking classes two years above the grade she was in and still not satisfied. I never saw her finally have to work for her grades until we moved. It prepared her for college.”

A new chapter Today, Haley said she has found peace in her life with her age difference.

“Despite the responsibilities and everything going on,” she said, “I take time to rest in the Lord and spend time with my heavenly father everyday. My main mission in life is not to succeed academically or financially but to spread the good news and bring people into the life and love of the Lord.”

Although she said she feels the age gap is closing now that she is at college, she actually feels much younger than other students sometimes.

“I look around and see all these people who look so much older,” she said, as she smoothed her blond ringlets back into the ponytail at the nape of her neck.

“So many people are engaged and planning to get married. I’m nowhere close to that right now.”

ACU is different for her because people don’t care if she’s younger. She said people of all ages are at college so it makes it easier.

Only one person has called her a baby here, she said.

Most people just think it’s neat that she is younger than most sophomores.

“If I don’t tell them, they’d never guess I was younger, and most don’t,” she said.

“I’ve progressed with my classmates throughout the years academically and socially. Right now the only difference would be that physically and legally I am still behind my peers.”

Jenny Robinson, one of Haley’s friends, only recently learned Haley was younger than her.

“I never would have guessed Haley was younger than me,” said Robinson, junior special education major from Overland Park, Kan. “In fact, she always seemed older to me.

She has a lot of maturity and wisdom for her age.”

Robinson met Haley last fall while in an Honors Humanities class.

“I noticed right away that she was an extremely hard worker; she works harder than anyone I’ve ever met,” Robinson said. “Yet at the same time, she knows what is important in life and has her priorities right.”

Her friends aren’t the only ones that notice a difference.

Dr. Tracy Shilcutt, associate professor of

history and Haley’s U-100 class professor said Haley was enthusiastic beginning college like most freshmen who begin, but that she had a different path than most.

“Haley had a determined path that she wanted to follow that was not just an academic path but a holistic journey that integrated her school with her love for God,” Shilcutt said in an e-mail.

Dr. Monty Lynn noticed her drive too.

Lynn, her Intro to Business and Technology professor during her first semester at college, said Haley was a person of purpose.

“Obviously, she is very bright,” he said. “She had diverse interests and her faith is evident, for it shines through her work. She’s mentioned she wants to be a Christian influence in the business world, so I’m anxious to see how her interests play out.”

Haley said her dream would be to begin a Christian online advertising business once she finishes school. But then again, she also has her two other interests to consider: art and music. By the time she is 22, she will be ready to enter the work force with college and graduate school already finished, she said.

“Who knows how she’ll meld her interests together, but you know she’s not just wandering through life here. She has a purpose and a plan,” Lynn said. “You can just assume she’s like one of the rest, just an all around good scholar.”

She doesn’t appear younger than anyone, he said, and her 4.0 GPA doesn’t reflect that of a 17-year-old in college either. She’s not the only young student to begin at ACU. Since 2002, six students between ages 15 to 16 started at ACU, said Lisa McCarty, assistant director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment on campus.

Attending on a full-tuition National Merit scholarship, Haley does what she needs to and does her best. Although it’s weird to think about it, Haley said, she probably is considered a genius because of test scores.

She hasn’t formally taken an IQ test, but she made a 1530 on her SAT, which according to the Collegeboard Web site placed her in the 99.7 percentile of students who took the test that year. Only one in 300,000 students make her score in any given year.

Being labeled as a genius doesn’t define who Haley is though. After class, work, church and homework, Haley finds time to hang out with her friends in Barret Hall, or to spend time along studying or reading a book with a cup of coffee in hand.

“I’m normal, just like other college students,” she said.

E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu

ViewsWednesday

Page 6

October 11, 2006

OPTIMIST

Don’t lose sleep over midterms this year The issue:

With midterms approaching, students tend to adopt unhealthy habits that have negative physical and mental results.

Our view:

Students cannot perform well in their classes if they are not taking proper care of themselves.

The solution:

Getting a good night’s sleep, eating well and taking time to exercise will increase students’ ability to succeed in school despite hectic schedules.

Midterms are upon us.

We’ve approached that point in the semester in which the pleasantries of a new school year have worn off, and it’s difficult to find the motivation to focus on the task at hand: maintaining good grades and physical health.

As midterms approach, some among us have started to blow off classes and bask in the ever-enticing delights of late night poker, Xbox, Whataburger and movies.

While these late-night endeavors are part of the overall college experience, and even members of the editorial board find it difficult to succumb to the demands of school over the demands of recreation, it is important that all students exercise certain steps to ensure physical and mental health in the midst of these educationally trying times.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Health is worth more than learning.”

This quote is extremely

applicable to lesterol and We believe that a life of all work is college stufatigue. not much of a life at all. dents. While Reduced learning is fat tortilla important in chips and the preparasalsa is one tion of a student for life af- might be able to recall the of the healthiest snack foods ter ACU, one can’t effectively information on the test, but you can eat. There are many learn without maintaining it will most likely be forgot- different kinds of foods like physical and mental health. ten shortly after. However, this that make great alternaTherefore, several things if you study during the eve- tives to a Big Mac or Whopmust be done to make this ning or afternoon and get a per. Consult your nearest exhappen. Several of these good night’s sleep, you are ercise science teacher or do are no-brainers, but it never going to remember what you a Google search to find out hurts to hear things twice. study. During an eight-hour what they are.

• Get plenty of rest. night of sleep, one will enter Developing healthy eatAlthough the amount of into the deepest sleep state, ing habits will improve your required rest varies from a state required for learning physical health, concentraperson to person, it’s impor- new material. tion, alertness and confitant to know how much rest Along with getting enough dence, resulting in the imyour body needs to function sleep for learning purposes, provement of educational alertly each day. According sleep deprivation affects performance. to the Brown University Web how one interacts with oth• Recreation and study site, most people need be- ers. are both important. tween seven and eight hours • Adopt a nutritious diet.

Too often, students overof sleep each night, especialThe on-the-go lifestyle commit themselves. Too ly college students. many of us lead keeps us at much time is spent studying, Pulling all-nighters can the drive-thru for most of and not enough time is spent interfere with students’ our meals. However, going enjoying friends or watching ability to learn what they’re grocery shopping and having a good movie. It’s important studying. If you spend all quick, healthy foods available to establish strong study night cramming for a test will greatly help decrease habits, but it’s more imyou have the next day, you our issues with weight, cho- portant to make sure these

Let Loose

I rarely tell people the How tragic that my obviname of my hometown. In- ous distaste for all things stead, I find it is much easier Montana only further perto simply answer “Montana” petuates those stereotypes when people and leaves me disparagask where ing the very place that I’m from, equipped me to succeed rather than outside its borders. launching The big joke is how often into a lengthy I repeat my mantra, “I just explanation don’t belong there,” because of quaint I don’t particularly enjoyW h i t e f i s h , ing hiking, camping, fishing Thoughtful Montana and or skiing, I am a Montana Ramblings its proxim- girl at heart. I still have a ity to Gla- shovel in my trunk that my Kelsi cier National dad bought me just in case Peace Park and my car got stuck in the obCanada. At scene amounts of snow that this point , I finally conclude accompany a Montana winlamely that I grew up in the ter. I still wave to everyone Northwest corner of Mon- I drive by when I visit my tana. And yes, we do have a parents. I own more scarves speed limit. In fact, the last than I know what to do with. time I rode a horse was 14 Montana is part of who I years ago at a fair. am, and I am determined to At this point, the conver- recognize and respect that sation usually grinds to a halt from this point forward. If because few people know we can’t see where our quirks anything about my state. come from and embrace that, Not to mention we’re not quite my terrible atas confident titude towards in ourselves Montana is part Montana has as we like to of who I am, and been exposed think. Those I am determined things about us as I have most likely wrinthat are unique to recognize kled my nose, — weird, even and respect that emphatically —are often the from this point vowed to never most memoforward. move back and rable. laughed about So pity the how small the next person population is. who asks me And that kind of attitude where I’m from because not doesn’t have a whole lot to only is he or she going to say for my character. Aside get a detailed description of from the fact that many peo- Whitefish’s location, but its ple I know and love, includ- allure as a ski resort town, its ing my incredible parents, charming and old-fashioned choose to live in Whitefish downtown and its cheerily and probably don’t appreci- hippy-like attitude will folate my belittling it, that town low. is also where I developed If it snows in Abilene this into the person I am today; it winter, I’ll be prepared with is part of my own history. my winter-driving experiAs someone who gen- ence, ability to quickly and erally practices infallible easily cross icy patches and optimism, I can’t help but skill at bundling up to brave wonder where those rose- all manner of cold. colored glasses go when I And I’ll proudly display talk about my hometown. that aptitude. After all, I’m When I peer deeper into from Montana. my motives, I find a desperate effort to escape the stereotypes that accompaE-mail Peace at: ny coming from a sparsely knp04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu populated, rural state.

Amish react to shooting with grace would be any impact at all other than my co-workers and friends who know I come from that area.

ings, and countless “English” as the Amish call everyone outside the Amish faith, were stunned at the immediate forgiveness given by these unique people, LETTER TO THE EDITOR their actions following with visiting Robert’s parents—hugging and In response to the editorial crying together for an in the Oct. 6 issue of the hour.

Optimist.

Parents and siblings of those killed also visited Roberts wife and What wasn’t ad- children to tell them dressed in the article, face-to-face that they however, was more forgive him. Wendy than simply the safety told me that in the long of schools in relation- stream of horse and ship to our education buggies going to the fumajors. There is much nerals, the path chosen spiritually that we in the was directly in front of church can learn from Robert’s house. the Amish. This was Every child inside brought to light after those buggies was wavthe horrendous shoot- ing and many smiling at

Robert’s family. What is interesting to me is that the Amish usually contain their emotions and don’t reach out to the “English” except in business dealings.

They seclude themselves from the world to protect themselves from the evil in the world. For forty-five minutes, the world was invaded by Roberts who destroyed and desecrated the young Amish girls.

In the end, though, the last say was with the Amish, and that word is forgiveness.

Kerry O’Neill ACU library worker oneillk@acu.edu

Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal

attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Learning to love Montanan within

Cole Williams

Your article titled “ Effects of school shootings touch ACU students” was excellent, along with the three side notes. I am Pennsylvania Dutch on my mother’s side and grew up in Lancaster County, Pa. I know the area well because my mother has been a tour guide/historian for the county for over 30 years.

My 24-year-old daughter, Wendy, currently lives there as well. My mother knows many Amish personally, and I was even able to attend an Amish one-room school house for a day as a child. Obviously, my family was greatly affected, but it touched my heart to see an article in our ACU paper because I wasn’t certain if there

study habits coexist with your social life.

We believe that a life of all work is not much of a life at all.

Enjoy those around you and innovatively enjoy your college career. There is a time for study and a time for recreation. Find a happy medium and budget your time so you don’t have to constantly juggle the two.

As we approach that halfway mark in the semester, keep these things in mind.

Start early on assignments that need work and tests that need preparation, take the steps to create a healthy diet, stick to the diet, get plenty of rest and have fun.

When you truly learn how to responsibly engage studies and recreation, your college experience won’t be a stressful mess. It will be an enjoyable, productive time with a few stressful moments sprinkled in—nothing you can’t handle.

Editorial and Management Board Mallory Schlabach Editor in Chief

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2684

Lauren Sutton Opinion Editor

Daniel Johnson

Brian Schmidt

Sports Editor

Managing Editor

Chief Photographer

Michelle Jimenez

Mitch Holt

Kelsi Peace

Arts Editor

Jared Fields

Copy Editor

Photo department: (325) 674-2499

Features Editor

Advertising office: (325) 674-2463

Subscriptions ($40/academic year): (325) 674-2296.

Christi Stark Advertising Manager

Kenneth Pybus Adviser

Online: www.acuoptimist.com

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Page 7

FROM THE FRONT/SPORTS

Gutenberg: Alum prepare for award De-pledges: Students Continued from page 1 Batts, who graduated with a B.A. in journalism in 1965, is the senior editor and a writer in the Communication Department at the National American Heart Association Center in Dallas.

Batts also worked for daily newspapers in several major Texas cities, taught journalism and worked on publication staffs at Baylor University, Texas Christian University and Angelo State University. Batts also earned a M.A. in journalism from University of North Texas.

Harrell began his radio career as a night disc jockey while a student at ACU and graduated with a B.A. in broadcast journalism in 1987. He is a director of operations and program direc-

tor for 96.3 WDVD and 93.1 WDRQ, two ABC/ Disney radio stations in Detroit. Harrell has worked at several radio stations as program director, operations director and morning show host.

Goh, who will fly from Singapore to attend the ceremony, was the managing editor and a staff writer for the Optimist while at ACU. She was also an editor of the newsletter for the Jack Pope Fellows Program. She graduated with a B.A. in journalism in 1994 and now works at The Straights Times, the most widely read newspaper in Singapore, as an editor of IN and Little Red Dot, two sections for pre-teen and teen readers. Goh was commissioned by the National Arts Council of Singapore and wrote Sarkasi Said: Lyrics in Wax, a biography of Singa-

pore’s batik artist.

“I really think it’s one of the premier events on campus that honors alumni,” said Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

About 300 guests will attend the ceremony to recognize nominees’ achievements and enjoy a formal four-course dinner and piano music.

Tickets cost $30 per person, but the department covers the fee for its students with donations it receives from alumni and sponsors.

Not only do alumni support the event, some students are helping to plan and coordinate the event as well.

Jamie Worflar, junior integrated marketing communication major from Highland, Ill., is one of five students planning the Gutenberg Dinner in

her Media Tactics class. Worflar and other members of the class have worked on a decoration of tables and the room.

They decided this year’s theme: Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Bacon said the Gutenberg Dinner is meaningful for students because it provides them a networking opportunity with honoraries and other alumni guests. She said meeting successful professionals is an encourager for students to see where they can be in the future.

Worflar has attended Gutenberg Dinner every year since she’s been at the university, and she said it is a good experience to meet and hear from professional people.

“I just think it’s a precious experience,” she said.

decide against clubs Continued from page 1 president Hannah Williams, senior elementary education major from Boerne. “We do everything we can to work around it.”

It is rare that a pledge depledges because of reasons outside of time commitment.

Sarah Pulis, sophomore psychology major from Longview, had a few issues with her pledging process and decided she was ready to de-pledge.

“The social club system would have to undergo a major overhaul before I would consider pledging again,” she said.

De-Pledges The following social clubs had at least one person de-pledge this year. Women’s club Sigma Theta Chi had two women de-pledge. n Sigma Theta Chi n TKG n Alpha Kai Omega n Galaxy n Frater Sodalis Clubs with no de-pledges: n Pi Kappa n Delta Theta n GSP

E-mail Shibata at: axs03b@acu.edu

E-mail Gager at: optimist@acu.edu

Blackout: Rally first for ACU Frats: Club taking on project Continued from page 1 September. The Steering Committee coordinates events for Homecoming Spirit Week, to get students excited and ready for the celebratory week.

“We wanted to plan events that would allow students to get more involved,” Coates said. “We will also have pictures from Homecoming Spirit Week.”

Rally activities will include elements such as Shades, ACU’s Big Purple Band and JamFest.

Nicolas Dyer, sophomore integrated marketing communication major from Coppell, is the assistant co-chair

for the committee.

“I am over three committees: spirit, publicity and the parade,” Dyer said. “We are really trying to come up with something new that would get students hyped up.”

Homecoming rallies are an annual event at ACU but this is the first Blackout Rally.

“We wanted to have a real, down-to-earth pep rally, and we were bouncing off ideas and came up with the Blackout Rally,” Dyer said.

Other rally activities will include a performance by B In the Ministry and twirler Tiffany Thompson.

“Maybe we can start a new tradition at ACU for Homecoming with this Blackout

Pep Rally,” Dyer said.

Blackout Rally shirts are being sold.

“The gray shirts have an ACU 101 design and they glow in the dark,” said Mallorie Frank, junior sociology major from Dallas. “We thought it would be cool to glow in the dark.”

ACU 101 Shirts are $8 and can be purchased at the Alumni House or from students on the Steering Committee.

“We want people to come and relieve some stress and show their school spirit,” said Frank.

E-mail Robinson at: optimist@acu.edu

Hockey: Team’s funding up Continued from page 8 generous funding of the team.

“They gave us almost $2,000, which is more money than they have given us in the previous six years combined.” Andrews said. “We are the least recognized and least funded of all the teams in Division II hockey.”

Despite the team’s lack of funding, the team members said they enjoy the time they get to spend with each other, fundraising and traveling to games.

Assistant captain Henry Holub, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Graham, said he enjoys eating with the team after games and traveling with the guys. Holub joined the team last year as a freshman after reading an article in the Optimist.

Many students don’t realize they can play roller hockey in college, Andrews said.

“After they graduate high school they think that is the end of it. They can play after high school,” he said.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Jordan

Dickison, a high school senior that has special freshman status at ACU just so he can play with the team.

To help defray the $3,700 league costs, the team sells T-shirts after Chapel on Fridays in the Campus Center.

If students wish to support the team in other ways, Andrews said students can log onto the Southwestern Collegiate Hockey League Web site, www.schl.org, and watch live broadcasts of the games.

E-mail Hansen at: optimist@acu.edu

Tennis: One tournament left for men Continued from page 8 Wildcats came up a little short on was in the No. 4 singles draw, where junior Meagan Brown fell to Northeastern State’s Emina Spirtovic 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in the championship match.

The Lady Wildcats also won the remaining doubles championships with Lindloff and Pavlin teaming to win the No. 2 doubles title, and Brown and Drummond winning the No. 3 doubles draw.

On the men’s side, the Wildcats took two doubles

crowns, but did not take home any singles titles. However, sophomores Juan Nunez and Ryan Hudson made it to the finals of their respective draws. Nunez charged the No. 1 singles field, but came up short in the championship match to top-seeded Brett Emerson of Midwestern State University 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Hudson marched through the No. 3 singles draw, but fell in the finals to Cameron University’s Nicolas Mascheroni 6-4, 6-3.

Hudson did combine with senior Kevin Beedy to take

the No. 2 doubles title by beating Stefan McKinney and Charles Van Swelm of Midwestern State University 6-4, 6-4 in the final. Senior Bryce Hicks and freshman Luke Hawk also teamed up to win the No. 3 doubles title with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Cameron University’s Tim Hinst and Kevin Harper.

The men have one tournament left on their schedule, the Tyler University Invitational Oct. 20 and 21.

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

Continued from page 1 they will make.

“Since this is our first year at this particular site and because most of us are new to this, it is hard to say how much we expect as far as ticket sales. Most of the tickets sold will be at the door, so it is hard to say how much we expect to receive,” Gallagher said Planners said they are looking to donate some of the money earned. The club has printed 3,000 tickets for the event.

“I expect that this will be a very successful event and one that is remembered forever by our current members in club,” Gallagher said.

Not only are they in charge of the story line, they are also in charge of making all the props. Both the expenses and the profits will be split evenly by the social club and Canine Resort.

Construction for the island began recently and to accomplish what they envision for

the event, the group will have to put in a lot of hours.

In addition to the work they are doing, advertisements are being put on television and radio stations, in newspapers and on Facebook. Fliers are even being put in to go order bags at Rick and Carolyn’s Burger restaurants.

“There’s never been a haunted island in Abilene,” Hilton said. “It’s the only one outside and the only one within 30 miles besides Jason’s Haunted House.”

What makes it unique also makes for a liability issue.

The boats will have life preservers and Hilton said lifeguards will be present.

The tour will run an estimated 20 minutes per trip and includes a boat ride, a walk through the island and a hayride finale. While customers are waiting to take the tour, a local 4-H club will be selling concessions. During the family hours there will also be games, face painting

and prizes.

Tim Connors, senior missions major from Baldwinville, Mass., is the story line director.

He said each group has a tour guide to lead them through the island, which features a village theme. The script calls for about 35 actors, but Hilton said the more the better. The main weekend volunteers are needed during fall break, Hilton said.

Children won’t be visiting the island because of safety precautions.

“We want to take every precaution and make sure everyone is safe and has fun at the same time,” Turner said.

Tickets are available online at www.abilenehauntedhouse. com or upon arrival at the dock. Admission is $4 during ‘Family Friendly Hours’ and $7 during regular hours. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Connors at tjc02a@ acu.edu.

E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu

SportsWednesday

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

ScoreBoard Standings FOOTBALL

Team

Div. 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-2

WTAMU ACU Tarleton MSU Angelo TAMU-K ENMU

Team

Overall 6-0 5-0 2-3 5-1 2-3 2-4 1-4

VOLLEYBALL Div. 4-0 4-1 3-2 1-2 1-4 0-4

WTAM ACU Tarelton St. ENMU Angelo St. TAMU-K

Overall 17-3 10-8 7-8 6-13 3-14 3-15

ACU dominates Championships n The ACU tennis teams dominated the Lone Star Conference Individual Fall Championship Tournament Saturday.

By MICHAEL FREEMAN Online Editor

When the dust settled Saturday in Wichita Falls, the ACU tennis teams towered above the rest of the field at the Lone Star Conference Individual Fall Championship Tournament.

The Wildcat women won eight of the nine finals, including both No. 1 singles and doubles finals. On the men’s side, two doubles teams took the No. 2 and No. 3 titles. Each winner of the flights earned All-Conference honors for the 2006-07 tennis season.

“It is a lot of fun when you get done what you’re capable of doing,” head coach Hutton Jones said.

In the No. 1 women’s draw, sophomore Irene Squillaci rebounded af-

Tennis ter being upset two weeks ago in the semifinals of the ITA Central Region tournament with a dominating performance in the LSC tournament. Squillaci trounced top-seeded Dasha Segenchuk of East Central University 6-0, 6-4 in the finals to claim the LSC women’s singles championship.

“Just having the opportunity Jones to play already makes me a winner,” Squillaci said. “But winning the title was incredible.”

Jones was also impressed with Squillaci’s performance.

“Nobody on our team has ever beat Dasha [Segenchuk] before,” Jones said.

“It was nice to see Irene take charge of that match.”

In the No. 1 doubles draw, Squillaci teamed up with sophomore Aina Rafolomanantsiatosika to beat Segenchuk and Ana Fernandez 7-5, 7-6 to win the LSC women’s doubles title.

Rafolomanantsiatosika also dominated the No. 2 singles draw, beating Northeastern State University’s Simona Stoica 4-6, 6-0, 6-2, in the championship match.

Seniors Holly Lindloff and Lana Pavlin also commandeered their draws, the No. 3 and 5 singles, respectively.

Lindloff ousted East Central’s Fernandez in the final 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, while Pavlin defeated Gabriela del Campo of Northeastern State University 4-6, 64, 6-1 in her final. In the No. 6 final, sophomore Sarah Drummond downed Sandra Leigh-King of Cameron UniverSee

Scores Friday VOLLEYBALL

Page 8

Tennis page 7

Offensive attack anchors win

ACU 3, SW Oklahoma State 0 ACU 3, Midwestern State 0

Saturday FOOTBALL ACU 45, NE Oklahoma State 20

brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Defensive specialist digs a ball during practice on Tuesday. The Wildcats will begin their second half of the season after finishing 3-0 on the weekend.

Wildcats finish weekend 3-0 on road n The Wildcat volleyball team bounced back from its first loss of the season to go 3-0 at the LSC Crossover Tournament on Saturday.

VOLLEYBALL ACU 3, Texas Woman’s 2

By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor

Upcoming Thursday VOLLEYBALL ACU at Tarleton State, Stephenville, 7 p.m.

Saturday FOOTBALL ACU vs. Angelo State 2 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL ACU at Texas A&M Kingsville, Kingsville, 2 p.m.

CROSS COUNTRY Chile Pepper Festival, Faytteville, Ark.

n Home games listed in Italics

brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Top: Runningback Taber Minner runs through the Wildcat defense during practice on Tuesday. Minner ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns during the Wildcats 45-20 win over Northeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday. Bottom: quarterback Billy Malone throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, Malone led the Wildcats to their fifth straight win Saturday after throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns.

n The ACU football team’s 25-point victory Saturday was led by the offensive performance of quarterback Billy Malone.

By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor

Briefs Leone named LSC South HItter of the Week

Sophomore middle blocker Lauren Leone was named LSC South Hitter of the Week after leading the Wildcats to a 3-0 finish at the LSC Crossover Tournament Friday and Saturday. Leone finished the tournament with 45 kills and 10 blocks in the Wildcats’ three matches.

Leone has 199 kills and 70 total blocks this season.

Intramural Round-up Upcoming n The intramural schedule seen on the Optimist Sports Page is not final and is subject to change. Any last-minute changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum.

FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS See schedule on intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum.

ACU leads the Lone Star Conference in total defense, sacks and forced fumbles. But in the Wildcats’ game against Northeastern Oklahoma State, it was their offense that took center stage, posting 612 total yards and six touchdowns in ACU’s 45-20 win.

“We’ve been waiting on a game like that; it was just a matter of time before we had one of those games,” said offensive coordinator Ken Collums.

The nationally ranked ACU Wildcats went 5-0 for the first time since 1969 and moved up in the American Football Coaches Association Poll to No. 23 after defeating NE Oklahoma in Talequah, Okla., on Saturday.

“Our success is a credit to our assistants and players for their strong commitment,” said head coach Chris Thomsen.

Quarterback Billy Malone saw the fruition of his “strong commitment” Saturday, throwing for 310 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Malone went 23 for 31, had one rushing touchdown and connected with both fullback Chris Conklin for a 50yard touchdown pass and wide receiver Jarale Badon for an 18-yard

Football touchdown. Badon, who leads the LSC in receptions-per-game and is 15th in the nation for receiving yards-per-game, recorded his first touchdown of the season and led the Wildcats with six catches for 89 yards. “[Badon] is the hardest worker I’ve been around,” Collums said.

“He is the kind of football player you could go to for third and long or fourth and one and expect him

to make the play.”

ACU’s rushing led the Wildcat offensive attack Saturday with four touchdowns and 304 total yards. Running back Chancy Campbell rushed for the most yards on the ground with 163 yards and running back Taber Minner followed close behind with 114 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. The Wildcats other two rushing touchdowns came from Malone, who ran in the Wildcats first touchdown, and running back Sneezy Beltran muscled through the line for a one-yard touchdown and the Wildcats final score of the game.

Thomsen attributed the Wildcats offensive success against the NE Oklahoma Redmen to the Offensive line’s hard work throughout the game. Thomsen said reason the Wildcats were able to gain yards in the air and on the ground was because of the opportunities the Wildcat line created.

“The line started to gel more and opened up holes for me and Taber,” Campbell said.

The Wildcats will continue their season at their Homecoming game against the 2-3 Angelo State Rams Oct. 14 at Shotwell Stadium at 2 p.m.

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

Hockey team goes 2-1 to start season n The ACU hockey team started its sixth season Saturday, finishing 21. The team played Austin College, Texas A&M Commerce and Texas Christian University.

By CHRIS HANSEN Sports Writer

The ACU hockey team scored twice as many goals as its opponents Saturday and Sunday but returned home with a 2-1 record. The team played its first three games of the season during the weekend at Breakaway

Hockey Roller Hockey Center in Arlington. The team easily handled Austin College 143 in Saturday’s first game and lost its second game 89 against Texas A&M Commerce. The team cruised to a 10-4 victory over Texas Christian University on Sunday.

Team captain Jon Mark Andrews, senior marketing major from Midland, said the team lost because of inexperience with the level of

competition.

“We are one of the most dominant teams in Division II hockey,” Andrews said.

As a member of the Southwest Collegiate Hockey League, the team advanced to nationals three times in its short six-year history.

A record of 9-9 during last year’s season was the worst in the team’s six-year history after five consecutive winning seasons. The team was founded in 2000 and finished with 22 wins,

two losses and two ties in the first year before having a perfect 2001-2002 regular season.

In past years the team has struggled to meet the financial demands of the league, only receiving about $200 from the Students’ Association, Andrews said. This year, Andrews was appreciative of the Students Association for its.

“They gave us almost See

HOCKEY page 7

The Wildcat volleyball team nearly finished its perfect weekend on the road with its first loss to a Lone Star Conference North Division team since 2003. But the Wildcats were not willing to let their hard work go to waste.

“It was a pride thing,” said head coach Kellen Mock. “We’re proud of the record we’ve had in the past and are going to uphold our end of the bargain.”

ACU finished its weekend at the LSC Crossover Tournament in Kingsville Saturday undefeated after a come from behind victory over Texas Woman’s.

After being down 2-1, the Wildcats rallied to win the remaining two games to finish with their third consecutive win of the tournament. The win extended ACU’s overall Crossover tournament record to 26-1 and was the Wildcats 18th straight against a North Division team.

Outside hitter Abbie Lowry led the team with career-best 24 kills, while outside hitter Erin Curry had 13 of her own. Setter Ericka Dickenson set up Lowry, Curry and the rest of the Wildcats, finishing with 50 assists during the victory.

Prior to the win on Saturday, ACU dominated its first day of action with three game victories over both Midwestern State and Southwestern Oklahoma State. Lauren Leone, who was named LSC South Offensive Player of the Week, led the Wildcats in the two matches with 33 kills and hit .604 in the two matches.

After losing their first conference game against West Texas A&M on Sept.

30, Mock said the Wildcats observed and fixed their weaknesses and it showed in their performance at the tournament.

“It says a lot about our team to play so big on the road,” Mock said. “We served better, our defense was much more consistent and we were more effective at delivering the ball and putting it away.”

The Wildcats are 13-8 overall and will begin their second half of the season Thursday against Tarelton State in Stephenville. ACU is 4-1 in conference play, their only loss to the nationally ranked West Texas A&M.

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

Manning Tracker n Starting safety Danieal Manning had a team-leading six tackles in the Chicago Bears’ 40-7 blowout against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

The Bears remain undefeated at 5-0 after posting more than 30 points for the third time this season. The Bears’ defense only allowed 145 total yards and intercepted and sacked Buffalo quarterback J.P. Lossman three times in the win.

COURTESY OF Chicago bears