The Tech Talk 10.06.16

Rock, Paper, Scissors,

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

NUGGETS!

F

Union Board serves up chicken nuggets and competition at its annual rock, paper, scissors tournament

I

E

L

D

D A Y

Special Olympic athletes teamed up with Bulldogs for a day of activities PAGE 7

PAGE 2

The

Tech Talk

PRSRT STD NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE

PAID

RUSTON, LA PERMIT NO 104 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

THE STUDENT VOICE OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

OCTOBER 6, 2016

WWW.THETECHTALK.ORG

VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 3

Debate team makes final round in first tournament of year STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter| sjg021@latech.edu

Photo by Colin Fontenot

Avery Maness, left, speaks to students in Centennial Plaza about St. Jude’s Up ‘til Dawn club.

Tech Up Til Dawn recruitment top 15 in nation STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter| sjg021@latech.edu

While many college students stay up all night to study, one of Louisiana Tech’s newly reestablished organizations is preparing to pull an all-nighter for charity.

On Sept. 27, Tech’s recently reestablished Up ‘til Dawn club participated in St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn’s National Recruitment Day to enlist students to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. During the course of the event, the club signed up 163 individuals, and the club ranked in the top 15 of all the Up ‘til Dawn clubs in the country.

Avery Maness, executive director of Up ‘til Dawn at Tech, said she was inspired to bring Up ‘til Dawn back to the university after a child in her hometown began receiving treatments at St. Jude.

“There was a little boy there who was my little sister’s age who was being treated at St. Jude,” she said. “Just to see his family go through that and to have a sister the same age as him put it into a very real perspective for me.”

Maness, a junior communica-

tion major, said she was impressed with the student body’s interest in the club and St. Jude.

“When I went around recruiting for the executive board last year, I think that put it on everyone’s radar,” she said. “Now we’re asking the student body as a whole and so far, it’s gone really well. I feel like it’s going to be something really great for the campus as a whole to get involved in.”

Krista Hebert, a sophomore civil engineering technology major, said she registered to be part of the event because she thought it would be a fun experience to share with her friends and allow her to contribute to discovering a cure for cancer.

“Cancer’s an ugly thing, and I think more people need to recognize it for what it is so we can come up with a cure for it,” she said.

Micaela LaBarron, Up ‘til Dawn’s director of fundraising, said though the main event is not until Feb. 2017, students are enthusiastic about fundraising during the upcoming months.

“We’ve only been out here for a couple of hours, and we’ve already gotten a lot of people signed up so

far,” she said. “Everyone I’ve talked to so far has said they’re really excited to start fundraising, and that’s exciting since our goal is $20,000 this year.”

Maness said she believes Up ‘til Dawn would not only raise student awareness for St. Jude but would also unify the student body.

“I’ll stop and ask people ‘Have you heard of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital?’ and I get everything from ‘no’ to ‘I’ve been a patient there myself,’” she said.

“It’s been really cool because the goal was to get people from every group represented on campus involved.”

Maness said along with making sure the fundraising goal is met during the upcoming months, she wants the student body to become more aware of St. Jude and its purpose.

“To be able to bring what I’ve grown up knowing about St. Jude to people who may not have ever heard about it is a dream,” Maness said. “It’s not about the money.

It’s about the awareness and about letting these kids know that they’re supported by people who’ve never met them.”

College students from across the nation met to argue world issues and exchange perspectives at the University of North Georgia’s Chicken and Egg Debate Tournament.

Six students from Louisiana Tech’s 20-member team attended the tournament and faced competitors from universities including Cornell University, the University of Miami, Clemson University and Morehouse College.

The event, held Sept. 24-25, was Tech’s first debate tournament of the academic year.

Shane Puckett, director of the debate team, said though they did not win, he was proud of the team’s performance and looks forward to the team’s improvement in upcoming tournaments.

“This team stood toe-to-toe with the nation’s best and succeeded,” Puckett said. “I only see us getting better as the season unfolds.”

Puckett said this tournament was a partnered style of debate, and of Tech’s three partnered teams, only Seth McReynolds and Nate Foster made it to the final round.

McReynolds, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said this was the first time he had ever made it to the finals in his collegiate career and though he was disappointed they did not win, he was proud to bring a finalist trophy back to Tech.

“We did a wonderful job in the fiPUCKETT nals, but sadly came short of first,” he said. “But when talking to the judges afterward, they told us that first had been between us and the Clemson team, so Nate and I were pleased that we were in the running for first place.”

Four of Tech’s team members, Rebekah Barnes, Rachel Maxwell, Foster and McReynolds, also received top speaker awards for their individual speaking points during the tournament.

Barnes, a senior political science major, said attending debate tournaments has taught her to think quickly and critically.

“I just love seeing how there are so many different ways to look at one issue,” Barnes said. “I don’t really accept ideas at their face value anymore, and I constantly question my own convictions because there are so many different ways to look at the world. Debate is a great way to make friends, hear diverse ideas and learn.”

Foster, a freshman economics major, said he believes going to debate tournaments has expanded his view of the world.

“We are so sheltered from real issues in the United States, and debate has taught me a lot about our world,” he said. “I’ve also become more comfortable communicating with others, specifically college faculty, since they are our judges.”

Foster said last weekend’s tournament was his first collegiate debate, and he is looking forward to competing again in the future.

“It was incredible,” he said. “We compete against some amazing people, and I am looking forward to continuing to make new friends and be intellectually challenged by tackling today’s issues.”

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • October 6, 2016

www.thetechtalk.org

Union Board serves up nuggets of fun DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu

Photo by Jonathan Shaul

Austin Howze, a freshman computer science major, plays rock, paper, scissors in the plaza during Union Board’s “Chicken Nug and Champions Event.”

Rock, paper, scissors, bingo and free chicken nuggets were the name of the game Sept. 27 as students gathered to relax, hang out with friends and listen to music in the plaza for Union Board's Chicken Nugs & Champions event.

“It's an annual event, so we think students find comfort in being able to look forward to it every year,” said Colby Ashley, a senior kinesiology major and president of Union Board.

“Nothing spectacular, but we've added bingo to the schedule this year, so you could say it's a little bit of the old and a little bit of the new.”

Ashley said this event was just like most of Union Board's other events because it was designed to get students out of their dorms and apartments. He said Union Board is a group meant to encourage becoming social with other students by holding interactive events.

“We picked rock, paper, scissors because it's a simple game that everyone can master, and the tournament can be ran through in 30 minutes,”

Students celebrate banned books ISABELA PALMIERI Staff Reporter | ipa001@latech.edu The books “Where the Wild Things Are,” The Bible and “The Lord of the Rings” all have one thing in common. They are all banned books.

Louisiana Tech students and faculty celebrated the annual Banned Books Week last week in George T. Madison Hall’s Shakespeare Garden with Banned Books Day, sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the English honors society. The event was open to any interested parties who wished to read or hear passages from banned books.

“Books are banned because they are deemed dangerous, because their subject matter may make us uncomfortable,” said Nicole de Fee, Sigma Tau Delta’s co-faculty adviser. “They often force us to consider a worldview that challenges our own.”

De Fee said reading banned books is crucial to people’s understanding and compassion toward other people.

“They make us consider that there are other lives and experiences worth valuing,” she said. “And in confronting our discomfort, that is when we grow as humans.”

Scott Levin, co-faculty adviser, said books were banned for a variety of different reasons, many of those books being children’s books.

“If you look at the language of some of these books, it’s lascivious and salacious,” he said. “So you can understand why certain areas around the country with conservative or puritanical beliefs would not allow this.”

Levin said any element in a book that challenged authoritative language could be a reason for it being banned.

“Others are polemical because they address on touchy subject matters, such as race and religion,” he said. “Anything that at some point has some type of anti-authoritarianism to it, authority is going to feel threatened. Literature is inherently a threat.”

Levin said the Banned Books Day brings students awareness and is a learning experience for them.

“It’s a symbolic protest,” he said. “It gives us a chance to speak our voice and to deny authority.”

Amber Jurgensen, a graduate student in English and vice president of Sigma Tau Delta, said her first memory as a freshman in the English department is going to the courtyard for Banned Books Day. “I remember the dean of the College of Liberal Arts Dr. Donald Kaczvinsky’s reading of Ulysses, and it really stuck with me,” she said. “And I remember thinking that a celebration of reading books that have been banned was such an amazing thing, and it was what made me realize that the English department is where I needed to be.”

She said students that come to Banned Books Day look at reading differently.

“We are celebrating our right to read and our right to choose what we read,” Jurgensen said. “Because when you ban or otherwise challenge a book, you are stopping someone from seeing a point of view that otherwise they wouldn’t have thought of.”

Jurgensen said it is important to read banned books because although people might feel uncomfortable reading a certain subject, reading about it is how they learn.

“It’s not healthy to live in a bubble of your own opinions, because you are just in an echo chamber,” she said. “It’s important to see other points of view, to learn from people who have different views than you.

If you read challenged material, you get a new perspective in your mind that you hadn’t thought of before.”

Jurgensen said it is important for students to realize that they are getting an option that other people do not.

“Not everyone gets the chance to read what they choose,” she said. “We are in a wonderful position to be able to pick up a book regardless of the curriculum.”

Ashley said. “That being said, we think people enjoy how competitive and heated these things can get.”

Nicole Simmons, a senior psychology major, worked her way through the rock, paper, scissors tournament and eventually came out on top. Simmons said she was just happy to be there.

“What can I say?,” Simmons said.

“It was an honor to compete and ultimately win this tournament even though rock, paper, scissors might seem to some to be a game based mostly in luck.”

Simmons said there was not much to do in terms of practice because the game is one that can not really be mapped out in advance. However, she said she believes the practice tournament she held with her friends might have improved her chances.

“One of my friends told me I didn't need to think about it that much and that I needed to go with my gut,” Simmons said. “It seems to have worked out.”

Courtney Vicari, a junior kinesiology major, helped call out the spots during the bingo games. She said the game served well as a companion

game to the similarly luck-based, freefor-all of the rock, paper, scissors tournament.

“I think the addition of bingo this year definitely went a lot towards spicing up an already exciting and fun event,” Vicari said. “We will certainly try to gauge how this year went and try out new games in the next few years.”

Prizes for the game of bingo were intended to fit well into the college experience, ranging from cheese balls to expensive electronics. Joshua Jackson, a freshman music major, won the first game.

“It feels good to win because I never really win anything,” Jackson said. “And hey, it's never a bad thing to have a big container of cheese puffs to snack on for a while.”

Jackson said he intends to come to more events throughout the year because he has seen that they are a good opportunity for social interaction.

“I'd say this was a really chill event, and I think the games and music were a lot of fun,” Jackson said. “That and the fact that they picked a day where the weather just happened to be perfect for chilling.”

COSTUMES FOR

EVERYONE! FIND COSTUMES AND MORE AT ROLLING HILLS

318-251-0065 • 3487 HIGHWAY 33 • RUSTON

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• Lady Techster softball v.

ULM 6 p.m. @ Lady Techster Softball Field

• Lady Techster softball v.

Tyler Junior College 1 p.m. @ Lady Techster Softball Field

• Lady Techster volleyball v. UAB 1 p.m. @ Thomas Assembly Center

•No events scheduled

•Writing a Good Resume; 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. @ Keeny Hall

•Lady Techster volleyball v.

Grambling 7 p.m. @ Thomas Assembly Center

• Life Skills 101: Career 2 p.m.3 p.m. @ Keeny Hall

•Tension Tamers - Arts and Crafts; 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. @ Keeny Hall

•Long Distance Job Search; 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. @ Keeny Hall

• Lady Techster volleyball v.

Middle Tennessee 7 p.m. @ Thomas Assembly Center

NEWS

www.thetechtalk.org

October 6, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3

A time to live, a time to dye MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu

Photo by Ashley Kober

Maggie Herrmann, a freshman environmental science major, tie-dyes her tshirt at the Wildlife Society event.

love tie-dye,” Reed said. “But I became interested in some of the things they do as a group. It South Campus had an extra sounds fun.”

The society was excited by splash of color Tuesday, Sept.

27 when the Wildlife Society the turnout at their event and hoped it raised some awareheld a T-shirt tie-dyeing event.

The society held this fund- ness for their group.

“I actually was not expectraising event in order to get its name out to students who are ing this many people to show not familiar with South Cam- up,” Stack said. “Some people don’t even know where South pus. Afterwards, the Campus is, so this society held an interwas a surprise to est meeting for stume.” dents who wanted to As secretary of hear more about the the Wildlife Society, organization.

Stack also talked “We wanted to do about how this was something different a fundraising opporfor our shirts than just tunity for the group. white, which is what The society plans on we had before,” said going to the WildJessi Stack, secretary life Conclave, an of the society and a event where wildlife senior environmental groups from differscience major. “It is STACK ent universities get mostly guys in this a chance to meet up field, and we’ve never had a fun type of shirt, so we and compete against one another. decided to change it up.”

“We have never been to the Several students with various majors came to get their Wildlife Conclave, so this was a hands a little dirty and partici- fun way to raise money for that trip,” Stack said. pate in the event.

Stack explained that the Brittica Reed, a sophomore biology major, said she enjoyed conclave is a competition between several schools that has the event.

“I originally came just to many different activities to make a cool shirt because I compete in.

“The competitions can range from archery to photography,” Stack said. “There is something for everyone there.”

Caitlin Eades, a senior wildlife habitat management major, saw the tie-dyeing event as a way to gain new members.

“It is hard to get majors from main campus out here to see what we have to offer,” said Eades, vice president of the society. “This is why we are trying to think of new and interesting things that will get people out to South Campus.”

She also talked about what other new things the organization has started to bring in new members.

“To get people interested, we have started doing door prizes at our team meetings,” Eades said. “We pull a few names at the end of every meeting and they get to pick from some cool prizes.”

The Wildlife Society will continue doing other events to gain more members and become better-known.

“We plan to do more fun stuff here, and even events on main campus, so people can learn more about the society and what it has to offer,” Eades said. “We would love to become more involved in the Ruston community.”

Engineering serves up Gumbo Fest KACIE KAUFMAN Staff Reporter | kjk019@latech.edu A 1960 Volkswagen truck used as an ice chest and a crowd of people in the same T-shirt at Argent Pavilion could only mean one thing: it was time for the annual Gumbo Fest event.

On Sept. 28, the College of Engineering and Science hosted Gumbo Fest for students, professors, and their families. A T-shirt, purchased prior to or at the event, served as a ticket for the meal and festivities.

Michael Swanbom, a senior lecturer in mechanical engineering, said the event was steeped in traditions.

“I bring the 1960 Volkswagen truck to be the ice chest,” he said. “The first time I did that was in 2009.

Before that, there was an-

other professor that had an it’s companies that we want old Ford and they would al- to hear about.” ways use it as an ice chest.”

Kneale said the event ofSwanbom said a new fered career and networktwist was present along- ing opportunities alongside side some of opportunities to the traditions. “It’s a way for spend time with He said Gumbo people from the Fest used to be a students to entire departtime for students enjoy a social ment. to explore orga- event outside of “We are small nizations within enough for the the college, but the classroom.” whole College this year, various of Engineering company repre- RACHEL HEGAB and Science to sentatives were Sophomore biomedical get together unengineering major present instead. der one pavilion Kelly Kneale, and have a meal a junior biomedtogether,” she ical engineering major, said said. “You’re not just a numcompanies from career day ber here.” came to Gumbo Fest.

Rachel Hegab, a sopho“They had ExxonMobil more biomedical engineerhere tonight and a bunch ing major, said the event of other people,” she said. was put on as a way to get “I feel like that brought a lot the whole COES together. of students here because “I mean, yes, we’re all in

COME CHECK OUT OUR FALL MARKET. GREAT PRODUCE, PREPARED FOODS, AND GIFTS Open 8 to 12 every Saturday through December 17 – 220 E. Mississippi Ave. –

www.rustonfarmersmarket.org

Photo by Brian Blakely

The College of Engineering and Sciences held their annual Gumbo Fest on Sept. 28 in the Argent Pavilion. the same classes together, but it’s a way for students to enjoy a social event outside of the classroom — also with their professors,” she said.

Hegab said the event provided both freshmen and upperclassmen with a place to meet and interact, not just pass each other in the hallways outside of class.

“This isn’t just about getting the degree, but it is making connections and having that experience,” she said.

Hegab said she got a glimpse of the preparation involved in the organization of the event.

“We all pitched in,” she said. “I really like how I got to see all the behindthe-scenes stuff and all the work that goes into putting on events like this for students.”

Swanbom said Gumbo Fest was a night where students and faculty alike could unwind with their families.

“It’s nice to get to more of the personal lives of some of the people who come,” Swanbom said.

“Everyone should go every year.”

www.thetechtalk.org

4 • The Tech Talk • October 6, 2016

The

TechTalk

FROM THE EDITOR

Integrity in college

MANAGEMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rachel Maxwell

RACHEL MAXWELL Editor-In-Chief | ram049@latech.edu

MANAGING EDITOR Caleb Daniel

FEATURES EDITOR Payton Potter

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Payton Potter

SPORTS EDITOR

Matthew Valcho

PHOTO EDITOR

Brian Blakely

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Colin Fontenot Jonathan Shaul Ashley Kober

ADVISERS

T. Scott Boatright Dr. Judith Roberts

I

am the first one to argue against broad complaints about millenials. It drives me nuts when people say we as a generation are lazy, entitled and oversensitive.

However, I do think a lot of young adults could use a lesson in integrity and work ethic, myself included.

College students are not known for being reliable. We try new things, over-commit, get overwhelmed and flake out.

Many of us have, at some point, joined a group, taken on a job or agreed to something only to end up backing out at the last min-

ute. I have seen countless peers do this, and I have been that person myself more times than I would like to admit.

Of course, everyone makes mistakes, and you should not beat yourself up over biting off more than you can chew a few times.

However, it seems like it is the norm for many young adults to just bow out when they get overstressed.

College is a time for personal growth and learning. One of the most valuable lessons one can learn in life is to have integrity. Unfortunately, many of us don’t figure this out until after we’ve gone through college burning bridges and painting ourselves as unreli-

able or flaky.

The work you do here will follow you, so make sure you are doing it to the best of the ability, and not making someone else’s life harder because you got overwhelmed and ran from something you committed to.

Before making a commitment, think it through. Don’t be afraid to say no to something if you don’t have time for it. And if you do choose to take something on, see it through. It will make others respect you more, and give you more self-respect, as well.

Rachel Maxwell is a junior journalism major from Benton who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.

ADVERTISING ADVISER Michael LeBlanc

PRODUCTION MANAGER

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

Michael LeBlanc

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

Thank you, Vin Scully

Michael LeBlanc

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tech Talk subscriptions are $25 a year. Mail to: Tech Talk Subscrip­ tions, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.

PUBLICATION

The Tech Talk (USPS 535­540) is published Thursdays of the regu­ lar school year, except in vacation and examination periods, by the Journalism Department of Loui­ siana Tech University. Publication office is in Keeny Hall, Room 138.

POSTAL

Second­class postage paid at Ruston, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.

CONTACT US

NEWSROOM 318.257.4946 EMAIL techtalk@latech.edu ADVERTISING 318.257.4949 EMAIL techtalkads@latech.edu

MATT VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002 @latech.edu

T

he sporting world said goodbye to a legend on Sunday afternoon as Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully signed off for the final time.

The 88-year-old has spent an incredible 67 consecutive seasons on the air since he was first hired in 1950 by the then Brooklyn Dodgers. He is still as sharp and charming as ever.

When he was only 8 years old, he became a fan of the New York Giants, now in San Francisco, after he saw the lopsided score of the World Series game between the Giants and the New York Yankees posted on a store window on Oct. 2, 1936.

Fast forward 80 years later to the day, and Scully finished his career calling a game between his childhood favorite team and the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES JOURNALISM CONCENTRATION

Matt Valcho is a senior journalism major from Benton who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.

More matter with less art

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Louisiana Tech University is com­ mitted to the principle of providing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or oper­ ates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies­and­procedures/1445. shtml.

thing that Scully has done for more than 9,000 broadcasts.

In his final game, he caught himself getting too into one of his own stories, and chastised himself on air. The thing is, not a single fan would complain if he did not pay attention too much to the game.

Many fans, regardless of where their allegiances lie, would love to sit and listen to him talk all night.

In the closing moments of the broadcast, Scully signed off as eloquently as ever. “There will be a new day, and eventually a new year, and when the upcoming winter gives way to spring, ah, rest assured, once again, it will be time for Dodgers baseball!” he said.

“So this is Vin Scully wishing you a very pleasant good afternoon, wherever you may be.”

STRANGER THAN FICTION

318.257.4427

The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number.

Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 138 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publi­ cation. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu.

You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/.

team that his voice has become synonymous with during his long tenure in Los Angeles.

His send off included multiple tributes, once in Los Angeles during his final home game and again in his final ever game the next week. Fittingly, his final home game ended with a walk off home run that clinched a playoff spot for the Dodgers. Scully announced in September that he would not be calling any playoff games because he “only wanted to say goodbye twice instead of 12 times.”

Scully’s Hall of Fame career stands alone in the world of broadcasting for his articulate speech and anecdotes. Baseball is not a fast paced game like basketball or football, and play-by-play announcers are required to do much more than just describe what is happening in the game. They have to tell a story, sometimes about the game but also of life, some-

CALEB DANIEL Managing Editor | csd020@latech.edu

I

love a good story. Whether in books, movies, video games or comics, a well-told story can draw me into it until I almost believe it’s real.

Part of my passion for stories comes from the idea that the good ones, no matter how fantastical, convey messages of real-world significance inside their fictional packaging.

These insightful glimpses of reality inside imaginary worlds are the focus of my Fact In Fiction columns, and this time I’m taking a look at perhaps the greatest play of all time – Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

Like most protagonists in tragedies, Prince Hamlet suffers from several fatal flaws. The most prominent of these flaws is something we can still easily fall into today: crippling indecision.

You see, Hamlet was the son of the King of Denmark. At the opening of the play, Hamlet is grieving the death of his father. Soon he is visited by the King’s ghost, who tells him that he was murdered by the young Hamlet’s uncle (think “The Lion King” if you’re confused).

The ghost urges Hamlet to

take revenge against his cruel and murderous uncle Claudius. Hamlet swears to do so, but soon finds himself in a state of constant doubt.

Like many people would, Hamlet begins to question the ghost’s message. Was this really his father asking for a just revenge, or some form of demon sent to tempt him to commit cold murder?

Hamlet decides he must test the matter further. He sets up a play in the King’s court, a play that essentially depicts the plot of Claudius’s murder of the former King. With Hamlet and his trusted friend Horatio looking on, Claudius becomes obviously uncomfortable, to the point of leaving the play out of guilt.

Until this point, Hamlet has been smart in testing his beliefs and contemplating his course of action.

Now, with the guilt of his uncle confirmed by his own witness as well as his friend’s, he follows Claudius and finds him alone, attempting to pray.

This is Hamlet’s perfect chance to achieve his goal, but in a moment of fear and indecision, he lets it slip away. This moment is barely halfway through the play, and Hamlet spends the rest of it still stuck in his indecision. In fact, his father’s ghost has to visit him again “to whet thy

almost blunted purpose.”

Oh, how often can our purposes be blunted as well! Opportunities for greatness, for amazing experiences, for career advancement or last relationships spring into our lives, and how often do we let them slip through frozen indecision!

Don’t get me wrong, just like with Hamlet, there is a time for reflection and testing of purpose. But there is also a time for action. If a sudden opportunity arises to start a relationship, take an internship in another country, accept a job in a slightly new field, or just try something new, don’t let yourself turn it down simply because you couldn’t come to a solid decision. Don’t let yourself be overcome by fears and doubts.

Ultimately, as one would guess with Shakespeare, Hamlet doesn’t decide to kill his uncle until he himself is already dying. While your own indecision probably won’t lead to the slaughter of several people, asking yourself “to be or not to be?” for too long might leave you with a lot of regrets.

Caleb Daniel is a junior journalism major from Lake Charles who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk.

What does the Trump tax scandal mean for the election?

On Oct. 1, a copy of Donald Trump’s 1995 income tax return was published by The New York Times.

According to this document, which was verified as legitimate by tax experts contracted by The Times, Trump reported a loss of over $916 million. The 1995 loss may have exempted Trump from paying income taxes for the following 18 years.

The loss came following the bankruptcy of three Atlantic City casinos – a loss that reportedly affected and bankrupted a number of contractors and suppliers in Atlantic City. In Tuesday’s vice presidential debate, Trump’s running mate Mike Pence said he sees nothing wrong with Trump’s actions.

“He used the tax codes exactly the way they were meant to be used, and he did it brilliantly,” he said.

In the first presidential debate Trump said, but later denied, “that makes me smart” when Hillary Clinton suggested that Trump did not pay income tax. But Trump, a selfproclaimed supporter of military and veterans, can do nothing to benefit or fund these people if he, himself, does not pay a cent in income tax.

In an interview that followed the debate, Trump denied what he said and instead deflected, saying he is disappointed with the government spending of tax dollars.

An official statement from Trump’s campaign said, “Trump knows the tax code far better than anyone who has ever run for president and he is the only one that knows how to fix it.”

While it is true that Trump undoubtedly knows the tax code, it may not be true to say he is the only one who knows how to fix it.

Trump’s proposed tax plan favors a trickle-down form of tariffs that would allow wealthy individuals like himself to pay very low rates of taxes.

Perhaps Trump only knows how to fix the tax system to benefit himself.

In the debate, Trump claimed that he would release his tax records if Clinton released her deleted emails.

Five years prior, Trump claimed he would release his tax records if President Obama released his birth certificate.

“Maybe I’m going to do the tax returns when Obama does his birth certificate,” Trump said in a 2011 interview.

Will voters ever see a copy of Trump’s tax returns? It seems unlikely. The only thing to be gleaned from this tax debacle is Trump is a dishonest man. And a dishonest man does not an honest president make.

RETRACTION In the last issue, we incorrectly identified Dr. Dollian Hurtig.

Dr. Hurtig is a professor of French.

We apologize for this error.

Octber 06, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5

www.thetechtalk.org

MOVIE REVIEW

Beware the Blair Witch AMBER HARRINGTON Staff Reporter | anh038@latech.edu I screamed, you screamed, we all screamed. Just not for ice cream this time.

While watching Lionsgate’s new release, “Blair Witch,” this same quote can be applied. Just a little differently, however.

Instead, it went something as follows: they scream for their lives, you scream for your life, I scream for my life... and then get up and walk out of the theater mid-movie in absolute fear.

Yes, the movie was that (insert expletive here) terrifying.

Written by Simon Barrett and directed by Adam Wingard, (the filmmaking duo behind “You’re Next” and “The Guest”) “Blair Witch” is a follow-up to the 1999 hit thriller “The Blair Witch Project.” Now, almost 20 years later, the sequel picks up in 2016 and follows a nearly identical timeline to the original movie.

“Blair Witch” centers on a group of six teenagers who decide to venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland which is said to be home to the Blair Witch.

They attempt to uncover the truth about what happened to Heather,

the main character from the first movie, two decades earlier in those same woods. In this movie, Heather just so happens to be James’s (James Allen McCune), one of the teenagers, sister. As the group sets up camp in the so-called haunted woods, things start to get strange and people start to go missing.

Like most horror films, the movie starts out slow – almost painfully slow. You know, the type of slow where one could scroll through Facebook for the first 30 minutes of the movie and not miss anything special.

Their journey starts out lighthearted, but the anxiety builds as night comes. By this point, fans of the original movie will start to recognize patterns between the films such as stick figures and stone creations.

Once things start hitting the fan, they don’t stop. It’s 89 minutes of blood-curdling screaming, flashlights waving, bones breaking, trees falling and utter chaos. The camera cuts from person to person as they run, in no specific direction, for their lives. At this point the

Photo courtesy of Vertigo Entertainment

Talia and Lane wander through the woods in Blair Witch. adrenaline is pumping through my body in anticipation that something to happen, someone or something to jump out, and BAM, nothing. No bloody gruesome deaths, no witch, just a big let down. I found myself hoping for someone to die just for a break from the continuous build-up the plot puts viewers through.

The finale brings them to the house where Heather was last seen. Although the characters are

past from present, real from fiction, alive from dead. The group’s fate is apparent, but no one wants to admit it.

Truthfully, “Blair Witch” certainly isn’t as notable as it’s predecessor, and the plot is slightly boring and anticlimactic. If you are looking for a movie that will genuinely scare you and leave you feeling uncomfortable, though, it certainly does the job.

begged not to enter it, they do anyways (typical, right?) and that’s where the real fear kicks in. If it seemed scary thought before, think again.

James begins to piece together what really happened to his sister as the witch tortures him and his friends with confusing and disorienting sights. The camera throws the audience into the middle of the action as they struggle to decipher

Ruston musicians perform at Dixie KACIE KAUFMAN Staff Reporter | kjk019@latech.edu Ruston welcomed two of its own back to the stage of the Dixie Center for the Arts for a night of acoustic music.

Grant Terry and Robby Earle came to the Dixie Sept. 29. The two singer-songwriters, who both spent time in Nashville, had strong connections to both Tech and Ruston.

Terry, who recorded two albums, said he enjoyed coming back to Ruston, both to perform and to see his family.

“Ruston is my history,” he said. “I was raised on Tech’s campus. Bulldog is in my blood, even though I didn’t happen to go there.”

Terry said he would advise current students to dream big and pursue what they want.

“I took a risk and I left what was comfortable for me and moved to a new place,” he said. “Sometimes you just have to not be afraid of change to go get what you want.”

Terry’s song “Go” from his album “Silent War” recently reached two million streams on Spotify, and he said he planned to release new

studies major, said she music in October.

Candee Anderson, was a longtime supporter Terry’s mother and co- of Terry’s music.

“We were the original owner of Sue Paperie downtown, said as the Grant Terry fan girls,” former cheer coordinator she said.

Whitten said his muat Tech for 15 years, she often brought Terry to sic was something she practices at the Thomas felt she could connect Assembly Center and with.

“Some of his lyrics Lambright when he was just hit my heart,” she younger.

“He (Terry) would said. “He’s honest about how he feels in have never his songs.” dreamed when Terry’s perhe was runformance was ning around preceded by in his socks at music from the Lambright Earle. He said that he would he had known end up living in Terry for years Nashville doand had played ing music,” she shows with him said. in their homeAnderson town and at said her son TERRY Tech. had a number “In a lot of of opportunities and experiences in ways, I feel like I grew music. She said a couple up at Tech,” Earle said. years ago, he had told “Tech is still the only colher about a music video lege sports team that I filmed where he lived at root for.”

He said he thought the time. Anderson had helped to decorate the that Ruston could benefit house, and remembered from generating a greater Terry promised her the interest in the arts and house would get put back music among students and the community. together after the video.

“It’d be cool to see “It was ‘House Party’ from Sam Hunt,” she people dig into more of a music scene in Ruston,” said, laughing.

Jessica Whitten, a he said. “It’s a fun way to junior family and child spur on a community.”

SPEAK MAGAZINE

Fall Edition C O

M

I

N

G

S

O

O

N

You can view this and all previous issues of SPEAK on I S S U U . C O M / S P E A K M A G A Z I N E M E D I A

www.thetechtalk.org

6 • The Tech Talk • October 6, 2016

WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 Warm and sensitive by nature, Aries, today you could feel especially sensual. Sex and romance are likely to be on your mind. Romantic novels and movies may seem especially appealing now, as could cozy beds and warm baths. Plan a romantic evening with the special person in your life, perhaps a special candlelit dinner at home.

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 A minor accident might take place at home today, Taurus, but don’t worry. It will ultimately provoke more laughter than harm. You will want the place to look great, Taurus, because a close friend or lover could come to visit. An intimate conversation or passionate encounter is indicated. Curb the temptation to indulge in too much food or drink.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 An unexpected package could arrive, possibly shipped from far away. The circumstances could be rather strange. Friends or relatives that you might not expect could suddenly show up, and you could spend a frantic hour or two organizing an impromptu party.

This can be very gratifying, Gemini, but don’t wear yourself out. Everyone should have a good time no matter what.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Today you might strategize ways to make a little extra money to prepare to move ahead with your life and ambitions. This might be in conjunction with your significant other or some close friends. Trips to the mall might result in impulse purchases, as gifts or perhaps for yourself. In the evening, plan some time alone with your partner or get out and look for one if you’re single.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Your naturally passionate nature should be more aroused than usual today. The festive atmosphere around you gives rise to warm, intimate feelings that bring friends and couples closer together, Leo, so prepare for some good times out and excitement in the home tonight. Optimism and enthusiasm should fill the air. You will feel secure and comfortable yet crackling with ardor. Go for it!

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 An intense card, email, or phone call could come from a sibling or other relative today. Perhaps this is a good chance to patch up an old quarrel with this person, but don’t be tempted to start another! Emotions are running high now, Virgo, and it wouldn’t take much to set someone off. You might want to go out and do a

little shopping, but be careful. Traffic could be bad.

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 A proposed visit to a friend’s may have to be delayed, and this might worry you. It will be necessary to make a special effort to get almost anything done today, Libra. You could have some urgent chores to complete, but the streets and stores may be full of impatient people. Relax, breathe deeply, and summon every bit of energy you have. You don’t want to put anything off now.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 A love relationship could take on a higher and more spiritual aspect during this period, creating a desire for your souls to bond. The planetary atmosphere brings you closer together, and you may experience a closer sense of intimacy. You two might spend time with mutual friends today, enjoying yourselves, but at the same time anxious to be alone. Bask in the glow.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 The planetary energy might find you responding to a sudden sense of inspiration that arouses your creativity. You may feel an unexpected urge to write, paint, draw, or compose some music. You may want to sequester yourself, which could cause some problems with friends and family members who want to be with you. Don’t ignore this impetus, Sagittarius. As you know, inspiration can vanish as quickly as it comes.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 It looks like a busy week, but it could become even busier once Mercury jogs into your sector of career and responsibility. With a very positive focus at the top of your chart, you may be geared up to accomplish a goal or make a career move. To do so you’ll need to be cooperative, diplomatic, and charming. If you seem too self-serving, you could close the door on an opportunity that might be very good for you.

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 The focus on far horizons could see you making travel plans and considering study options. And the more willing you are to move out of your comfort zone, the more exciting the doors that open up can be.

Regarding a career move, it might be wise to trust your instincts. The job might sound perfect, but if you suspect that it isn’t, investigate further. It’s also possible that a pattern of belief may be holding you back from trying something new.

6/28/2016

CROSSWORDPUZZLE

HIGH 91 LOW 60

FRIDAY

HIGH 90 LOW 63

www.bestcrosswords.com

Go back | Print | Help

Across 1. Plant flower 6. Sail support 10. Narrow path for walkers, cars or ships 14. State Farm rival 15. A single time 16. Pub offerings 17. Mother-in-law of Ruth 18. Ancient Semitic for “Lord” 19. Land map 20. Ford flops 22. Railway ties 24. Clear tables 26. Concurs 27. Contort 31. Deteriorate 32. Building addition 33. Book of maps 36. Pigpen 39. Consider 40. Fabric of jeans 41. Distinctive quality 42. Get it?

43. Young male horses 44. The cruelest month?

45. Dusk, to Donne 46. Mail charge 48. Ice cream topped with syrup 51. Sauna site 52. Private feud 54. Concerning Comanches, e.g.

59. Buffalo’s county 60. ___ Camera 62. In ___ (unborn) 63. Pro ___ (proportionally) 64. Not closed 65. Wears well

BestCrosswords.com ­ Puzzle #1 for June 3, 2016

66. Coffin support

Across 67. Sleuth Wolfe 1­ Plant flower; Sailworks support; 10­ 68. Some Art 6­ Deco Narrow path for walkers, cars or ships; 14­ State Farm rival; 15­ A Down single time; of 16­ruin Pub offerings; 17­ 1. Cause Mother­in­law 2. Be in frontof Ruth; 18­ Ancient Semitic for "Lord"; 19­ Land map; 3. Western Indians 20­4.Ford flops;words 22­ Railway ties; 24­ Treater’s Clear tables; 26­ Concurs; 27­ 5. Letterbox Contort; 31­ Deteriorate; 32­ 6. Crowd Building addition;of33­ Book of maps; 7. Collections anecdotes 36­8.Pigpen; Consider; 40­ Milan’s39­ La ___ Fabric of jeans;with 41­ Distinctive 9. Message quality; 42­ Get it?; 43­ Young male frequent stops horses; 44­ flap The cruelest month?; 10. Little 45­11Dusk, Donne; . Treetolined walk46­ Mail charge; 48­ Ice cream topped with 12. Approaches syrup; 51­ Sauna site; 52­ Private 13. Ballpark figs. feud; 21. 54­ Big Concerning ___, Calif. Comanches, e.g.; Buffalo's county; 60­ ___ 23.59­ Archer of myth Camera; 62­ In de ______ (unborn); 63­ 25. Madame Pro27___ (proportionally); 64­ Not . Pops closed; 65­ Wears 28. Arrow poisonwell; 66­ Coffin support; 67­ Sleuth Wolfe; 68­ 29. Dagger Some Art Deco 30. Pro ___ works;

34. Explosive stuff

6/28/2016

50. Military camp

Go back | Print | Help

Puzzle #1 for June 2, 2016

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Down 35. Does a Daffy Duck 52. Action word BestCrosswords.com ­ Puzzle #1 for June 2, 2016 Across 1­ Cause of ruin; 2­ Be in front; 3­ Western Indians; 4­ Treater's words; 5­ Letterbox; 6­ Crowd; 7­ impression 53. From the U.S. 1­ Rumple; 5­ Roughage; 10­ Numerous; Dog star; 15­ ___ stops; 10­ Little flap; 11­ Tree­ Collections of anecdotes; Message with14­frequent 36. Chapter of the Koran8­ Milan's La France; 16­ Author Seton; 17­ 55.___; ___ 9­ Tass (Russian Prepared to drive; 18­ Actor Delon; lined Approaches; 13­ Ballpark figs.;agency) 21­ Big ___, Calif.; 23­ Archer of myth; 25­ Madame 37.walk; Math12­ subject 19­ Nerd; 20­ Apportionment; 23­ news Cooling units, for short; 24­ Terre de 38 ___; Pops;school 28­ Arrow poison; 56 29­ Dagger; 30­ Pro 34­ Explosive stuff; 35­ Does a Daffy . Ivy27­ League Haute___; sch.; 25­ Management of . Of the highest quality large amounts of resources; 33­ Duck Koran; 37­ Math subject; 38­ Ivy35­ League school; 40­ 40. impression; Contribution36­ Chapter of the 57 Greek fabulist; 34­ Spheres; ___ . Commedia dell’___ Dawn Chong; 36­ Singer k.d.; 37­ of Vietnam; 39­ Religious Capital Contribution; large; 45­ Make beloved; 47­ Choose; 48­ 41. Fitting 41­ Fitting; 43­ Yield; 44­ 58By . A and pitcher may take one ceremony or ritual; 40­ Before, to 41­ Routine;word; 42­ Poles for53­ From the U.S.; 55­ ___­ Caravansary; camp; 52­Burns; Action 43. Yield 49­ Come together; 50­61Military sails; 43­ Disease of the heart . Year abroad Dawn goddess; 48­ Tass news agency); 56­ Of the highest quality;muscle; 57­47­ Commedia dell'___; 58­ A pitcher may 44.(Russian By and large Droop; 49­ Cosmopolitan; 56­ Monetary unit of the Netherlands; take 61­beloved Year abroad; 45one; . Make 58­ Overcharge; 59­ Burkina ___;

47. Choose 48. Caravansary 49. Come together

DAILY U

60­ Sports figure?; 61­ Like some furniture; 62­ PC programs; 63­ Alley; 64­ Take away by force; 65­ Political cartoonist Thomas;

Down 1­ ___ Hari; 2­ Previously owned; 3­ Wineglass part; 4­ "The Sweetest Taboo" singer; 5­ Ignominious failure; 6­ Treat badly; 7­ Wall Street pessimist; 8­ "What I Am" singer Brickell; 9­ Chinese money; 10­ Large wine bottle; 11­ Work without ___; 12­ TV's "Science Guy"; 13­ Shaggy­haired wild ox; 21­ Seniors' org.; 22­ Those, to Juan; 25­ Stiller's partner; 26­ "Lou Grant" star; 27­ Gear tooth; 28­ New York's ___ Island; 29­ Acapulco gold; 30­ Notre Dame's Fighting ___; 31­ Spiteful; 32­ Matches a bet; 33­ Sir Guinness; 37­ Jail; 38­ PIN requester; 39­ Squealer; 41­ Civil disturbance; 42­ Biblical trio; 44­ Signify; 45­ Siouan speakers; 46­ Evident; 49­ OPEC member; 50­ Jungle warning; 51­ Microwave; 52­ In the blink ___ eye; 53­ Wine valley; 54­ Snakes; 55­ Missing; 56­ Night school subj.; 57­ Tony­winning Hagen;

Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu

http://www.bestcrosswords.com/bestcrosswords/printable/Home,printable.sdirect?formids=loadSolution%2CpuzzleNumber%2CpuzzleDate%2CDatePicker%2Cforma… 1/1

http://www.bestcrosswords.com/bestcrosswords/printable/Home,printable.sdirect?formids=loadSolution%2CpuzzleNumber%2CpuzzleDate%2CDatePicker%2Cforma… 1/1

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 A co-worker might be away, and this could increase the amount of work that you have to do, causing strain and upset, especially if you aren’t familiar with the work. Don’t try to do it all at once. A distant family member you haven’t heard from for a while could phone out of the blue, and you could spend a happy half hour catching up.

WEEKLYWEATHER TODAY

Puzzle #1 for June 3, 2016

www.accuweather.com SATURDAY

HIGH 82 LOW 51

SUNDAY

HIGH 82 LOW 48

MONDAY

HIGH 83 LOW 49

TUESDAY

HIGH 86 LOW 52

SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty MEDIUM

WEDNESDAY

HIGH 83 LOW 55

www.sudoku-puzzles.net LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

Marbury lecture series continues with ‘Ethics in Business’ AMBER HARRINGTON Staff Reporter | anh038@latech.edu

On Sept. 27, Louisiana Tech’s College of Business and Cedar Creek School hosted a lecture seminar titled “Ethics in Business.”

The series, known as the William Ardis Marbury Jr. & Virginia Lomax Marbury Lecture Series, began in 2006. It is inspired by William A. Marbury & Company, Inc., a general insurance agency which grew to be the largest agency in Louisiana and one of the largest in the South.

This year, the keynote speaker was the talent analytics manager at Toyota North America, Cole Napper.

Napper, a graduate from Louisiana Tech University and a Monroe native,

spoke to students and guests on topics such as virtue of opportunity, planning and taking risks.

He explained what it was like to work for a global, Fortune 500 company like Toyota how his degree in industrial/organization psychology has benefitted his career. Furthermore, he offered some inspiration to students about their future careers being graduates of Tech and how the key to success is about taking risks.

“I think it’s very important to encourage college students because these are the future leaders of society at the local, regional, state and national level,” said Napper. “Any modicum of positive impact I could have on their future would be more than I could ask for.”

Paisley Futch, a senior accounting

major, said Napper achieved just that.

“It was interesting to hear about his career path, especially since he grew up around this area like many of us did,” Futch said. “I appreciated that he was humble enough to talk with us about the difficulties he faced and how he overcame them. That’s really encouraging to me as a student entering into the workforce.”

Mandi Rose, another senior accounting major, also felt Napper’s lecture was motivational.

“It’s neat to see that although things may not always work out the first time, if you’re confident enough in yourself and your abilities, you can achieve your goals,” Rose said.

Currently, Napper is responsible for managing data and design while pre-

dicting employee performance, attrition and cost and how they impact business results for Toyota. Outside of Toyota, he has also worked for many big name companies throughout his career, including PepsiCo-Frito Lay, Anadarko Petroleum and CenturyLink.

Throughout his career, though, he has been inspired by the Marburys’ work ethics.

“When Mr. and Mrs. Marbury were alive, they were known for their strong work ethics and their even stronger sense of ethics doing business in Ruston and throughout North Louisiana,” Napper said. “Having the chance to speak on their behalf is something for which I could not turn down. I feel very honored to have the chance to stand for the principles they represented.”

October 06, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7

www.thetechtalk.org

More Talk

Photos by Brian Blakely

Far left: Louisiana Tech cheerleader Savannah Dorking aids in field day activities.

Top right: Special Olympics athletes pose with Champ.

Bottom: Tech students and athletes bond during a field day game.

Special

Olympics 2016 ISABELA PALMIERI Staff Writer | ipa001@latech.edu

On Sept. 28, 2011, Seth Hanchey died twice.

After being struck from behind by a van while on a 60-mile bicycle ride, Seth Hanchey had to be airlifted to LSU Health Science Center Shreveport where he was not expected to live through the night.

“They said he’d never run, never speak, a lot of nevers,” said Kimber Hanchey, Seth’s mother. “A year later Seth ran a 5K.” Five years after his traumatic brain injury, Hanchey is unexpectedly able to run on his own, talk and help his mother in the Special Olympics.

“I began to see the challenges of people with disabilities,” Kimber Hanchey said. “Not with them as much, but the way people treated them and the obstacles that were out there for them. Because of that it pushed me into a different arena in my life, and I call it purpose.”

Kimber Hanchey said she would not let anyone define what Seth Hanchey was capable or not capable of doing.

“I have fought to give Seth the opportunity to de-

Special Olympics athletes participate in field day at Louisiana Tech

cide on his own what his limitations are,” she said. “Seth began to powerlift with a hand that was never ever supposed to open. We began small things, and Tech helped us a lot. They had a phenomenal attitude.”

Kimber Hanchey, the Special Olympics team management director, and Jessica Hughes, the PR coordinator, worked together to ensure the Special Olympics event ran smoothly on the morning of Sept. 30.

The Special Olympics of Louisiana’s first annual field day brought together children and adults with intellectual disabilities and the Ruston community for a field day full of activities on Louisiana Tech’s campus.

“Ruston is a very small and unique community,” Hughes said. “We come together for a lot of different things. We need to show that we don’t discriminate against anything, that we have stuff for everyone and every walk of life.”

Timauris Nelson, a 17-year-old participant, said his favorite Field Day event was capture the flag.

“Oh, I just love it,” he said. “It was so spectacular.

It was a lot of fun, and we just run and jump and we love it.”

Hughes said the field day helps the kids get ready for the full Special Olympics games in the spring. The kids spent most of the morning and early afternoon playing games like flag football, soccer and horseshoes.

“My favorite part is seeing the kids happy and running,” Hughes said. “Those kids get that normal feeling with us that they don’t get in a lot of places. And they get to participate in something that normally people don’t do, or that they can’t do.”

Hughes said the event makes the kids feel normal, which is important in their otherwise different daily lives.

“You can see it through this event that the kids get some of that normalcy,” she said. “They get to participate in this really cool field day that was made just for them, and it’s not something unattainable.”

Jenny Robertson, volunteer coordinator, said events like the Special Olympics Field Day help the kids in more ways than one.

“It helps the children grow socially and physically,” she said. “We have different children here from other schools who are also developing children and are acting with these kids. So it’s important because when they go out into the community they will recognize them, and that will make them socially accepted.”

Robertson said college volunteers can benefit from interacting with the children, and it helps merge the gap between them and kids with intellectual disabilities.

“Some of these students will be going into the school systems,” she said. “They will be teachers, or going into occupational therapy, or speech therapy, and this gives them hands-on experience. It also helps integrate society together, instead of being separate.

We have so much separation, in schools, in community, and these kids can’t help what has happened to them.”

Jade Matthews, a senior biomedical engineering major and volunteer, worked with Kimber Hanchey and Robertson to help plan the event.

“This event shows the kids that we support them,” Matthews said. “Everyone being involved shows the kids that we are here for them no matter what and we aren’t going to treat them differently because they have disabilities.”

www.thetechtalk.org

8 • The Tech Talk • October 6, 2016

THIS WEEK IN Tech defense gets back on track

BULLDOG

FOOTBALL

The Louisiana Tech football team will host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tonight at 7 p.m. inside Joe Aillet Stadium in the Loyal Blue Out game.

The game can seen on CBS Sports Network and can be listened to on Z107.5FM. Tech leads the series between the two teams (3-2).

Overall Record: 2-3, (1-1) Points per game: 36.0 Points allowed per game: 29.8 Players to watch: Ryan Higgins – QB 109 of 171 passing, 1,415 yards, 12 touchdowns Xavier Woods – S 34 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions Tech is ranked No. 11 in the country in total offense.

ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu The defense of the Louisiana Tech football team may have finally been found.

Tech had given up 97 points in the last two games but against the University of Texas-El Paso the defense only managed to allow seven points.

Head Coach Skip Holtz said he was pleased the defense finally got it together.

“I thought they tackled really well in space for something that we really struggled with the last two weeks,” Holtz said. “I thought they did a great job. They did a couple things where we got out of some zones and gave up a couple bigger plays.”

UTEP came into the game as one of the best rushing teams in the Conference-USA. Yet, Tech played as if that did not matter.

Holtz said the way the defense dominated such a good rushing team was impressive.

“You know the tailback – Aaron Jones coming in here, that was rushing for 150 yards a game, averaging seven and a half yards carries, and that's against some pretty good football teams, as well,” Holtz said. “And for our defense to hold them to 94 and four yards a carry, just really proud of them.”

There was so much skepticism over Ryan Higgins coming into the season. He had looked shaky in games in years past and was benched against Arkansas due to a DWI. However, Higgins has played lights out and has yet to throw an interception in 13 quarters of play.

Holtz said it is not only Higgins playing mistake-free, but the offense in entirety.

“Go back to the halftime of the South Carolina State game, we've only had one turnover now in really, I believe, three and a half football games,” Holtz said. “We've had one turnover.

I'm proud of what the offense is doing. A big part of that is Jarred Craft, the way he's protecting it. And Ryan is doing a really good job of not putting the ball in danger. And so we keep doing that, it will give us a chance, but that's what good offenses and good football teams do. They don't turn the ball over.”

It was thought that Tech would take a step back this season in the rushing department due to the departure of Kenneth Dixon, who is second all-time in touchdowns in NCAA history. Craft has come in and taken over, rushing for 554 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 110.2 yards a game.

Tech’s defense will have something to prove Thursday against Western Kentucky. They have not played a high-powered offense like the Hilltoppers since they were demolished

by Texas Tech. Western Kentucky is averaging 464.6 yards a game and are giving up 360.6.

Holtz said he realizes how vulnerable Tech

Photo by Tom Morris/LATechPix.com

Running back Jarred Craft tries to break a tackle in Tech’s 28-7 win over the University of Texas - El Paso Miners. Craft finished the game with 146 yards rushing and two touchdowns. is to the big play.

“With how explosive they are with big plays, they have to be licking their chops,” Holtz said.

“We are 121st in the country in giving up plays over 20 yards. I am sure they are pretty excited.

I said we have some things to shore up in the passing game.”

Holtz said the offense must not miss a beat because Western Kentucky’s defense is underrated.

“On defense, that is where the biggest changes have been made,” Holtz said. “I have been really impressed by what they have done.

They held Alabama to 120 yards rushing.

They are really good inside. Defensively, that is where the biggest difference in this football team has been. They have a really strong defense and an incredibly explosive offense.”

Tech plays against Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. today in Joe Aillet Stadium.

Tech golf finding new leaders on team ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu Overall Record: 3-2, (1-0) Points per game: 33.4 Points allowed per game: 22.0 Players to watch: Mike White – QB 87 of 137 passing, 1,367 yards, 9 touchdowns Keith Brown– LB 34 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery WKU is ranked No. 14 in the country in total offense.

Photo by Donny Crowe/ Louisiana Tech Atheltic Communications

Tech’s Felix Palson led the Bulldogs with a final round 70, finishing tied for 19th in the Jim Rivers Collegiate held at Squire Creek on Sept. 20.

The Louisiana Tech golf team has giant shoes to fill.

Victor Lange, a first team All-Louisiana and NCAA Regional participant, graduated following last season.

Now Head Coach Jeff Jenkins and the Tech golf team must find some way to replace the Conference USA Player of the Year’s tremendous production.

Jenkins said there is one upperclassman he expects to do have a great year and help lead the way.

“Luke Neely is a huge piece in what we are trying to do this season,” Jenkins said. “He brings a lot of experience.”

Neely, a redshirt junior who is entering his second year at Tech, said he is embracing his role and is prepared to lead this season.

“I feel like it is my responsibility to lead,” Neely said. “Jacob (Wyatt) and I are the only two left from last year’s conference team. I learned a lot from the guys last season and I know I need to lead by example.”

Neely played well in both of the team’s tournaments this fall. After a tough start at the Jim Rivers Intercollegiate Tournament, Neely shot an even-par 72 in the final round that in-

cluded five birdies. At the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate Tournament in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Neely shot a final round twoover-par 74.

Two freshmen played well in those tournaments also. Felix Palson led the way in the first tournament, shooting a two-under-par 70, while Joacim Ahlund was not quite as sharp but tied for 29th with a 221. In Albuquerque, Palson led once more, shooting a three-round total of six-over-par to finish tied for 22nd.

Jenkins said the two are going to be huge contributors this season despite their youth.

“I expect Felix and Joacim to have a lot of action this year,” Jenkins said. “They both played on the Swedish national team, so I am not at all shocked by their play so far. They gained great experience traveling with the Swedes. They will be big contributors.”

Jenkins said he does not see the two struggling in golf this season, even though they have limited collegiate experience, but instead sees growing accustomed to life in America as their only struggle.

“Being seven time zones away from home is the biggest problem those two will face,” Jenkins said. “In terms of golf they will be fine.”

Tech plays Saturday at the David Toms Intercollegiate Tournament in Baton Rouge.