Thursday, October 17, 2013

Page 1

ARTS pg. 4: What type of beer are you?

SPORTS pg. 8: Lassiter follows in father’s footsteps

Thursday, October 17, 2013

www.mustangnews.net

Volume LXXVIII, Number 10

Connecting on the spectrum ARYN SANDERSON @ArynSanderson

“ I also sometimes talk a lot, like too much, when I first meet people, and that can overwhelm people a bit. But it’s funny because for me, when I’m talking so much, it actually means I’m comfortable.”

N

atalie Belton’s eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of film and animation. She rattled off dates and names, her words practically toppling over each other. As she demonstrated near-encyclopedic knowledge, her eyes — bright blue, striking in contrast to her dark brown shoulder-length hair — looked forward, making direct contact. Her hands flapped at the wrists with excitement. But at the mention of large groups of people, those blue eyes shifted away. Her hands fumbled toward her hair, and she began to twirl a lock. “I’m fine talking with a small group of people or one-onone,” she said. “But in large groups, I guess I get quiet and very, very nervous. I also sometimes talk a lot, like too much, when I first meet people, and that can overwhelm people a bit. But it’s funny because for me, when I’m talk-

ing so much, it actually means I’m comfortable.” Still, she’s come a long way, she said. “When I was younger, I’d share so much miscellaneous information. I would think, ‘Oh, I find this so fascinating. Everybody else must think so, too, right? Oops, I guess not, because they just left … Okay,’” she said. “But that happens a lot less now. I’m more aware of my actions and have gotten more control of that.” Belton still freezes up in big groups, though. “When there are a lot of people or things seem to be moving very quickly, I have slow reaction times, and it’s usually in situations where it’s very loud,” she said. “Like big parties or raves, a lot of people like going to big parties or offcampus raves or that sort of thing, but that would probably scare the crap out of me.” Obsessive interests, discomfort in social settings and even

Belton’s sound sensitivity are common traits often found in those on the autistic spectrum. Belton, 21, was first diagnosed with Asperger’s at age 9 and self-identifies as having Asperger’s, although the term was recently folded into the umbrella definition of “highfunctioning autism.” During the past 12 years, Belton has come up with strategies to cope with her tendencies. She blogs about her passions to avoid overwhelming others, she heads off on runs when anxiety takes over, she pushes herself to join new clubs to create social connections. Connections: Those are the goals behind a push within Cal Poly’s Disability Resource Center to help students on the spectrum meet and support each other. That effort includes the creation of a peer mentor program see CONNECT, pg. 3

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN HEDDINGER

WEEKLY COLLEGE UPDATES WHO: Orfalea College of

WHO: College of Liberal Arts

WHO: College of Architecture &

WHO: College of Science &

WHO: CAFES

WHO: College of Engineering

WHAT: “Meet the Dean and

WHAT: CLA Ambassadors

WHAT: Hearst Lecture Series,

WHAT: Résumé workshop

WHAT: Résumé workshop

WHAT: Engineer-in-training

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 18

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 18

WHEN: Oct. 19-20

WHERE: bldg 33 room 289

WHERE: bldg 124 room 117

WHERE: ATL bldg 7

Business

Seniors of Orfalea” WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 17 11 a.m. to noon

WHERE: bldg 3 room 207

Information Session WHEN: Friday, Oct. 18 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

WHERE: bldg 65 room 220

Environmental Design

Part 2 WHEN: Friday, Oct. 18 5 p.m.

WHERE: bldg 3 room 213

Mathematics

2:10 p.m. to 3 p.m.

exam review session

11:10 p.m. to noon

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Toast to the pub Half marathon unites students SUHA SAYA

@suhasaya

Cal Poly officials, including University President Jeffrey Armstrong and Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President Jason Colombini, are considering the possibility of opening a pub on campus, Colombini said Monday.

CHECK OUT MUSTANGNEWS.NET for articles, videos, photos & more.

SOPHIA LIU/MUSTANG NEWS

The first City to the Sea race got started 18 years ago — making it the oldest half marathon in San Luis Obispo. It began as a fundraiser for Cuesta College’s track and field and cross country teams.

ARTS pg. 8 Lassiter follows in father’s footsteps

As the sun began its usual race against time this past Sunday, a group of energized individuals prepared for a race of their own. The renowned City to the Sea Race — consisting of a half marathon and a 5K — brought a record 2,500 runners to downtown San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach this year. Both the 13.1-mile half marathon and 5 kilometer race sold out a month before the event. “The participating base was great this year,” race director Brian Locher said. “Five hundred people (ran) in the 5K and 2,000 in the half marathon.” The half marathon, which began on the intersection of Court and Higuera streets downtown, is the oldest half marathon race in San Luis

Tomorrow’s Weather: high cloudy sunny

INDEX News...........................1-2 Arts.............................3-5

81˚F

low 48˚F

partially cloudy

cloudy

foggy

windy

Obispo, Locher said. “The race began 18 years ago at a fundraiser for the track and field and crosscountry facilities at Cuesta College,” Locher said. “Two gentleman decided that a half marathon would be a good way to start raising funds, and it’s turned into a fundraiser for both of our teams ever since.” The money helps provide transportation, equipment and room and board for away races for both the cross-country and track and field teams at Cuesta College. Cal Poly students and staff in particular are known to be great contributors and participators in the fundraiser, Locher said. “I came up with 38 entries of registered calpoly.edu emails for this year’s race … see RACE, pg. 2

Opinions............................6 Classifieds........................7 Sports................................8 light rain

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thinderstorm


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