To speak.
INDEX Feature Events Opinion COVID Update Sports
No. 2
Vol. 3
A fair shot
2 2 3 3 4
August 26, 2021
Baptist Health offering third doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to moderately, severely immunocompromised Baptist Health
visit BaptistHealthCo• Are in active treatment vidVaccine.com or call for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST. • Have received a transPlease bring your plant and are taking immunosuppressive vaccine card with you. therapy This is only for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine re- • Have received CAR-T cell therapy or a stem cell cipients. transplant (within two Patients who reyears of transplantation or taking immunosupceived their second dose pression therapy) of the Pfizer vaccine at least 28 days ago and • Have advanced or untreated HIV infection who fall under criteria established by the Cen- • Have a moderate or seters for Disease Control vere primary immunodeficiency such as DiGeorge and Prevention (CDC) syndrome or Wiskottare eligible. Aldrich syndrome The CDC classifies Are undergoing active eligible recipients as • treatment with high-dose those who: corticosteroids and other pharmaceuticals that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory
LITTLE ROCK – Baptist Health is offering a free third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for moderately to severely immunocompromised patients. Patients can schedule appointments via MyChart for the third dose at most of Baptist Health's primary care clinics or medical centers in Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Heber Springs and Stuttgart. Appointments can also be made by calling 1-888-BAPTIST. For the latest information regarding where and when third doses are available at Baptist Health,
Dance the night away Brett Thompson Contributing Reporter
Photo by William Matthews
Clinics at fairs and other fun places can attract people who wouldn't normally go get the vaccine by themselves.
William Matthews Contributing Reporter
Students came at a steady pace to get their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Henderson Street Fair vaccination clinic Friday, Aug. 20. The vaccine was not the only thing being given to patients that day. As part of the Governor's new incentives, those who received the shot were given their choice of a certificate from the Game and Fish commission to get a free hunting or fishing license or— if they were over 18—a lottery scratch off ticket. The event was hosted by the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC). They run sev-
eral vaccination clinics across the state for schools, businesses, and festivals, especially where vaccination rates are low. Because of the public’s worry over the new Delta variant and the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer jab, there has been an increase in vaccinations as of late, according to Anna Marie Sullivan, the event coordinator for AFMC. At clinics like the one at the Henderson Street Fair, people feel more at ease because they can go with friends or in a group, says Sullivan. If you have not been vaccinated yet, the AFMC is holding a follow up clinic for people that got shots at the
fair and for anyone else that needs their first shot on September 10 at the Henderson Student Center from 9 am. to 4 pm. You can get a free hunting or fishing license if you get the shot, or a scratch off ticket if you’re over 18. If you will not be able to make it to the next clinic at Henderson, you can visit healthy.arkansas.gov to find more vaccination clinics that are taking place across the state and nearby. They update the website every Wednesday so you can always stay upto-date with the most relevant information. over.
if they weren’t in attendance. The dance featured appearances from HSU Greek Life, with the night opening with routines from a variety of the sororities on campus. After the girls showed off their moves and support for their chapters, the floor was opened for the entire campus to join in on the fun. There was a nice variety of music that made sure everyone felt included with their music taste being heard. The music was provided to the students by our own Arkansas lo-
Henderson’s annual Street Dance was last Thursday during Welcome Week. It was one of the last few events to happen that week, getting all the Reddie students prepared for their fall semester. The event, as always, was held on the street outside of the Reddie Bookstore right in the heart of the Henderson campus. Due to its location, the energetic music could be heard throughout a large part of campus, so everyone could enjoy it even
cal DJ Whiskey, who also brought out an impressive light display to set the atmosphere. “Really cool to get out and experience what the campus had to offer,” said Chris Meachum, a freshman psychology major. “I like how people still had a fun time, despite being in the middle of a school week.” All in all, the night was one to remember, and will keep all the Reddies waiting for their next chance to get up and dance.
Photo by Brett Thompson
DJ Whiskey, an Arkansas native, put on quite a show at the annual Henderson Stree Dance, playing many genres of music accompanied by lots of flashing lights.
Photo by Lance Brownfield
Photo by Blanton Matthews
Arkansas finds itself among many states that have incentivized the COVID-19 vaccine.
A newly constructed entryway and office was finished just in time for school to start back at Ouachita High School last week.
Info from Weather.com
FRI - Aug 20 partly cloudy
SAT - Aug 21 partly cloudy
SUN - Aug 22 mostly sunny
MON - Aug 23 sunny
TUE - Aug 24 mostly sunny
WED - Aug 25 mostly sunny
THU - Aug 26 mostly sunny
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Precipitation: 24% Wind: SW 9 mph Humidity: 79%
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Precipitation: 10% Wind: SW 7 mph Humidity: 67%
Precipitation: 5% Wind: WSW 6 mph Humidity: 60%
Precipitation: 13% Wind: WSW 5 mph Humidity: 58%
Precipitation: 5% Wind: NE 5 mph Humidity: 58%
Precipitation: 10% Wind: ENE 5 mph Humidty: 63%
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2 News
Thursday, August 26, 2021
It's always threefold Lance Brownfield Editor-in-Chief “America is like a healthy body,” said Joseph Stalin, former Premier of the Soviet Union. “And its resistance is threefold: Its patriotism, its morality and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.” Many historians agree that the 1960s was a huge turning point in American culture. While Stalin was not around to see it, he would have been happy to see the massive social upheaval of that decade. That is when America first started showing symptoms. Fast forward to 1991. The Soviets were still fresh off of their embarrassing decadelong military campaign in Afghanistan just two years prior. Republics inside the union were gaining independence and there was unrest throughout the evil empire. On Dec. 26 of that year, the Soviet Union collapsed and broke up into 15 republics including the modern day Russian Federation. It seemed as though America had won the day becoming the only remaining superpower in the world. Communism had spread to other nations, but surely the spread of this ideology was over and certainly the few communist nations left would not last nearly as long as the USSR. That brings us to 2021.
The Russians competed in the 2020 Olympics under the name “Russian Olympic Committee” just as they did in 1992, after the collapse of their country. America pulled out a last minute victory in the number of gold medals against the ever growing power of China (who is claiming Taiwan and Hong Kong’s medals to retain superiority). The United States during Stalin’s time was patriotic, morally strong and mostly religious. Today children are taught by their parents to hate the American flag, morality is subjective and religion is on the way out the door. Stalin probably believed, like communists of the time did, that the Soviet Union would last forever and usher in a new era of human history. However, looking through the lens of history, the 20th century belongs solely to the United States. Economists and political theorists have been predicting that China will overtake the US during the 2020s for a while now, but it is seeming more realistic than ever before in light of the current political climate. The difference in today’s America and the America that won the cold war is threefold: We have no patriotism, we have no morality and we have no spiritual life. We have put ourselves in the exact same position that the Soviet Union found itself just before its demise.
The whole world has watched us destroy our own cities for over a year, accept defeat in Afghanistan and barely eke out a win at the Olympics. Worst of all, we’ve completely lost our moral compass and our religious heritage is being totally rewritten. Meanwhile, China has been building relations with Africa, Europe and the Middle East through projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, nicknamed the New Silk Road. It looks to me as though China’s ascension to global superpower will be threefold as well. Through its new shipping lanes, its new railways and its new roads. Even apart from this megaproject, which spans more than 60 countries, China has been investing heavily in African nations by building much needed infrastructure such as dams and rail systems in return for political gain. The world, including Europe, is no longer sure of America. We aren’t even sure of ourselves. If patriotism, morality and spiritual life are what makes America healthy, then for the last two years we have been on life support and the past 10 years have been our slow decline in health. Whether we turn back to what made America the greatest country on earth or start the arrangements for the funeral is to be seen.
A sense of community Emberlynn Pendergraft Contributing Reporter With welcome week in the books, Henderson’s Student Engagement Center successfully hosted the annual community fair. Last Tuesday, the Garrison Center’s Grand Ballroom housed dozens of booths, with everyone from churches to local businesses using the opportunity to introduce themselves to students new to the area. During the fair, freshmen are given the chance to see what Arkadelphia has to offer. Local businesses set up tables around the ballroom and promote themselves to students as they walk through the fair. Many businesses even hand out freebies including pens, notebooks and shirts. One of the first things students saw when they walked into the ballroom was a small dog, Penny, helping to promote the Humane Society of Clark County. (HSCC) “Everybody has been great,” said one of the HSCC’s board members, Brandi Prince. “I brought Penny, she was a humane society dog that I fostered for a week before deciding I just couldn’t let her go.” The community fair
gave organizations like the humane society a chance to spread awareness and reach out for volunteers. “We need all the volunteers we can get,” Prince says, “Whether you spend five minutes or an hour, these animals need the help.” Another organization that looke d to spre ad awareness through the community fair was The Call. The Call is a nonprofit organization that serves children and youth in the foster care system through local churches. Historically, the fair has helped The Call gain both recognition and volunteers. “I’ve gotten lots of students sign up to volunteer with The Call,” Jillian Battagli, The Call’s Clark County organizer said. “So, I would say the fair is very successful,” The fair did not stop there, however. Games, interesting displays, and free food drew in students of all ages. Businesses like Domino's handed out pizza and brownies, while others like Three Seven Catering offered cookies and lemonade to students as they passed by. “I found the community both extremely helpful and lots of fun,” said freshman Macayla Newsom. “I had
a long day of classes, so I wasn’t going to go at first, but one of the upperclassmen told me they were giving out free stuff so I went.” Newsom went on to explain that the community fair was a great way to introduce this year's freshmen to Arkadelphia, and it even gave her a sense of belonging. Freshman are not the only ones who enjoyed the fair as students of all levels stopped by to enjoy everything it had to offer. The community fair has become a tradition over the years, even HSU alumni remember experiencing it during their time as a student. “I was actually a student at Henderson, so I knew it was coming up,” said Saybra Scott, the director of communications at the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce. “One of our targets are students, so this kind of helps us get the word around.” For more information about these organizations, visit their facebook pages at Humane Society of Clark County, The Call in Clark County, and Arkadelphia Alliance & Chamber.
Governor Hutchinson issues statement on July unemployment rate Asa Hutchinson AR Governor LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson released the following statement on the decline in the unemployment rate for July. “Our unemployment
rate continues to be significantly below the national rate, and the fact that unemployment is now down to 4.3% reflects a growing economy in the state. The job opportunities are abundant with virtually every employer in Arkansas needing more workers. The
challenge is the number of Arkansans who have not returned to the labor force after they lost a job early in the pandemic. There is a constant need to increase the number of workers in order to keep our economy vibrant.”
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image: Freepik.com
Fall Events
Upcoming Events September 15-18 Clark County Fair September 22 Motorcycle Cannonball
Recurring Dog Days of Summer July 20 - August 26 (TWR 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) Now showing at the Arkadelphia Arts Center, “Dog Days of Summer,” a collection of dog themed art and objects. Cat art is also included in this fun exhibit. Some of the proceeds from sales will go to the Humane Society of Clark County. Visitors may bring Purina dog and cat food to the center during this show, which will then be donated to the humane society at the exhibit’s conclusion. Other items needed at the shelter include bleach, cat litter, laundry soap, and old towels. Tue, Wed, Thur. (870-245-7982) ♦♦♦ Friday Night Magic The Gathering - Atlas Gaming ♦♦♦ Alcoholics Anonymous hosts two meetings a week in Arkadelphia. The meetings are open to anyone interested in AA’s program of recovery. The Arkadelphia Group meets at 7 p.m. every Tues. in the Sturgis Building at North 9 and Caddo Streets. For more information on the Arkadelphia Group Meetings, call 870-403-3001. The U-Turn Group meets at 7 p.m. every Thurs. on the front, upper level of Park Hill Baptist Church, 3163 Hollywood Road. For information on that group’s meetings, call 870-230-2975 or 870-260-9277. ♦♦♦ With Late ‘til 8, local businesses stay open to 8:00 pm so that customers can shop and also win door prizes! this is a monthly event that happens every first Thursday of every month. ♦♦♦ Pediatrics Plus is excited to announce that our brand new facility is now open. Our new facility is located at 702 Hickory Street. The new facility offers includes a Developmental Preschool and Therapy Services that include: ABA, Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy. In addition, our brand new, state-of-the-art facilities include a House Next Door suite which offers a homey feel for children learning daily living activities like cooking, feeding therapy, making the bed, getting dressed, and more! Other features of the new facility include a new playground, gross motor gym, high stimulation and low stimulation gyms, and a library! Enroll Now to get a spot in our new location! ♦♦♦ Al-Anon meetings, designed to help family and friends affected by alcohol, are held three days a week in the Arkadelphia area: • Tues. at 7 p.m., Sturgis Building, corner of 9 and Caddo. • 870-403-2019; Thurs. at 6:30 p.m., Park Hill Baptist Church. • 870-403-2019; Fri. at noon, Clark County Library, 609 Caddo St., side door. 512-750-2292.
Oracle:CE
Thursday, August 26, 2021
News 3
Daredevil:A Super-COVID Story Blanton Matthews Staff Reporter The pandemic does not exist in superhero universes. It can’t. Superhero comics tend to avoid specific, real world tragedy because when they do address them, it can be awkward and goofy despite the best intentions of creators, such as the time
Doctor Doom cried on 9/11. But when the entire world has been rattled by a mass-death event for almost two years now, it makes sense that writers and artists want to make something about it. So what do you use for a virus story in a genre that relies on identifiable villains and big action? Chip Zdarsky took over as
writer of Marvel’s Daredevil in 2019. Since then, Matt Murdock Daredevil has gone to prison—as Daredevil, getting a new mask in prison orange thanks to a legal loophole created by the superhero Civil War some fifteen years ago—and Elektra Natchios has become the active Daredevil of Hell’s Kitchen. Everyone in New York has been told to stay indoors and at home because people are dying in random incidents nobody can really control or stop yet. The virus in this case is the sniper supervillain called Bullseye. Daredevil (Volume 6) #33 “Lock Down Part 3” was written by Chip Zdarsky, drawn by Marco Checchetto, colored by Marcio Menyz, and lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles. Checchetto has been a stellar constant in a fantastic rotating lineup of artists since this volume of Daredevil began. His designs, gritty, debris-filled locations, and the physicality of his figures have defined this era of the book much
like John Romita, Jr. and Al Williamson in the 1980s and Chris Samnee early last decade. Elektra Daredevil’s hair fills panels and expertly conveys action and motion while framing and drawing the eye towards her face to emphasize reaction and emotion. The first pages of the issue flash back to weeks before the Bullseye pandemic and show us Wilson Fisk—the hulking mobster-turnedmayor Kingpin—ordering a group of scientists to create a Bullseye he can control, which they attempt by cloning. Much like how the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 was created by powerful politicians’ and lobbyists framing of COVID safety measures as assaults on freedom. These people invented talking points to prevent people from getting vaccinated while the virus continues to kill people, encouraging spread of the disease. Mayor Kingpin literally created variants of a deranged mass-murderer in a misguided attempt to further his political goals in Hell’s Kitchen. The pandemic never had to be as bad as it is, but it was egged on by powerful villains who saw profit in it, and now not even all the superheroes of the world seem able to save us, so we all go out and hope we don’t get sniped while healthcare heroes play whack-a-mole.
Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 update
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HOW TO REACH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Arkadelphia Mayor Scott Byrd 700 Clay Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-6745 Arkadelphia Treasurer Shacresha Wilson (870) 246-9864 shacresha.wilson@ arkadelphia.gov Prosecuting Attorney Dan Turner 414 Court Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-9868 dan.turner@ClarkAR.us Clark County Judge Troy Tucker 401 Clay Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-5847 Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson 406 South 5th Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-8859 Governor Asa Hutchinson 250 State Capital Bldg. Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2345
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2007 State Senator Alan Clark P.O. Box 211 Lonsdale, AR 72087 (501) 844-6800 Congressman Bruce Westerman 130 Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3772 U.S. Senator Tom Cotton B33 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3772 U.S. Senator John Boozman 1 Russell Courtyard Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-4843
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Editor in Chief: Lance Brownfield General Manager: Keyuna Thrower Oracle Editor: Kaela McKim Sports Editor: Donovan Lee Staff Reporters: Phoebe Darley, Blanton Matthews, Tierra McCraney, Juliann Reaper, Aaron Weatherford, Jaylon McKewen, Madison Hardcastle, Haven Hughes Adviser: Steve Listopad
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4 Sports
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, August 26, 2021
8/30 4-7pm Tennis: Fountain Lake vs. Arkadelphia
9/02 4'30-8pm Volleyball Bauxite @ Arkadelphia
9/03 AHS football @ Hot Springs (non-conference)
Last Tuesday night was a great night if you were a Centerpoint Knights fan. The Knights hosted a preseason scrimmage that was thought originally to be a tough battle. Both junior and senior high squads took the field at Diamond Bank Stadium Tuesday night to face a familiar powerhouse in Class 2A, the Foreman Gators. “We knew they weren’t going to come in and bow down even if it was a scrimmage,” said Head Coach Cary Rogers. “They know how to win a state title and we took that into consideration.” The scrimmages included both teams running three sets of 10 plays on offense. The Junior Knights wasted no time in the first game. Centerpoint scored 28 points while holding the Junior Gators to zero. “I was really happy with how the kids played and competed,” coach Rogers said. The Junior Knights showcased a mixture of passing and catching in their dominating win along with a big offensive line up front that offered huge holes for a number
of running backs, on their way to a 28-0 victory. In the senior high game, Centerpoint showed the haters and non-believers that they were for real. The game began with both Centerpoint and Foreman stalling on their first two sets of 10 plays. Then, Centerpoint opened it up when senior quarterback Josh Lawson tossed two touchdowns to classmates Kaden Owens and Dylan Fox midway through their third set. After the teams had finished their three sets of 10 plays, a twelve minute quarter was played. The Knights took control from The Centerpoint defense armors up for a big defensive stop. the first snap. Dathan Vaught, the talented senior linebacker, ran in two touchdowns for the Knights. Centerpoint’s defense was stellar while keeping the Foreman offense from passing the 50 yard line the whole quarter. The final score was 23-0 but really should have been more with the points from the sets of plays not accounted for. Coach Rogers and his staff are highly anticipating a historic season for the Knights. Centerpoint will begin its 2021 campaign this Friday as they host the Hampton Bulldogs at Diamond Bank Stadium. The Junior High Knights celebrate following a 23-0 victory.
9/10 AHS football @ Greenbrier (non-conference)
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Centerpoint Jr. and Sr. High cruise to victories in preseason scrimmage Aaron Weatherford Staff Reporter
8/27 AHS football vs. Camden Fairview (non-conference)
Photo courtesy of Paul Shepard
Photo courtesy of Paul Shepard
Badgers to the bone
9/24 AHS football vs. Nashville (conference)
10/01 AHS football @ Robinson (conference)
10/08 AHS football vs. Fountain Lake (conference)
Photo by Donovan Lee
The Badgers will host Camden Fairview for their first nonconference game of the year tomorrow on Ruggles Field at Haygood Stadium. Kickoff is 7 pm.
Arkadelphia Badgers 0-0 0-0 21-20 8-2 38-27 2020
To have your organization’s events featured, email oraclecommunityedition@gmail. com.
vs.
Camden Fairview 0-0 0-0 20-21 6-5 26-23 2020
Current record Current conference 2020 game score 2020 record playoff record last playoff appearance
Reddies receiving votes in preseason AFCA poll HSU Sports WACO, Texas — Henderson State received 24 total votes in the first AFCA DII Coaches Poll on Monday and sits just outside of the Top-25 to begin the 2021 season. The Reddies, who finished 9-3 overall in 2019 and earned a bid to the Live United Bowl,
were ranked as high as No. 20 nationally two years ago and spent the final five weeks of the regular season inside the AFCA Top-25. HSU returns 12 starters this fall, six on offense and six on defense, and is in search of its fourth Great American Conference title since 2012. The Reddies are one of just three programs in the league to
have won a GAC football championship. Henderson opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 2 when it travels to Weatherford, Oklahoma to face Southwestern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. The home opener for HSU comes on Saturday, Sept. 11 when it hosts Northwestern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m.
Photo by Donovan Lee
Junior Arkadelphia quarterback Donovan Whitten looks to lead the Badgers as they seek to make it to the playoffs as they did last year.