THE
ORACLE
Henderson
Wednesday September 29, 2021
Emberlynn Pendergraft Staff Reporter Content warning: This article discusses topics like self-harm, suicide, and mental illness, which may be emotionally unsettling for some readers. Four months after I turned fourteen, I was diagnosed with depression and social anxiety disorder. There I sat in a psychologist’s
office with a brand new label to the thing that had controlled more than half of my young life. I spent a large portion of time fighting something I didn’t even know had a name because of the lack of conversation and stigmas surrounding mental health, self-harm, and suicide. No one was willing to talk about this dark and brooding thing that took over the lives of thousands of young Americans. Just after I graduated
State
University
Issue 3
Vol. 119
Suicide prevention awareness month high school, I was diagnosed with severe generalized anxiety disorder, adding yet another term for the list of things I struggled with but wasn’t really supposed to talk about. I spent almost all of
Graphic designed by Freekpik.com
my time in high school using harmful coping mechanisms as a way to take control of the situation, and eventually, I began to struggle with suicidal thoughts and
behaviors. For years, I truly believed that I would not live to see myself turn eighteen. My entire day revolved around my mental (Continued on Pg. 2)
Historically low enrollment at HSU Tropical storm Nicholas Emily Henderson The University has started the determining factor. He Contributing Reporter with becoming a test optional mentioned some students
Four-hundred and twenty eight less students have enrolled for Fall at Henderson State since 2017. In 2019 the enrollment increased from 3,958 to 4,054, yet decreased in the Fall of 2020 to 3,168. It dropped again this fall to 2,914. Like many universities, this may be due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, or the fact that the “scholarship model could have been better.” Dr. Brad Patterson, Vice Chancellor of student affairs and student success spoke briefly about his concerns and excitement for the future of Henderson’s enrollment.
campus. This means incoming student’s scholarships can be based on ACT scores or highschool GPA. “Every student will get a scholarship.” said Patterson. This will help reach a broader array of students. Dr. Patterson understands test taking and coming from lower income families may make it difficult for students to attend university. Dr. Patterson explained Henderson wants students who work hard and the best way to see that is through their GPA not a single standardized test score. While those scores are still important, it will not be
have difficulty taking standardized tests, but are good students who work. Their GPA may be high, but their ACT score may be low. “They already have so much going on, and this could help.” The hope of being test optional is to take the anxiety out of it for the students. He encouraged students to take advantage of the new model and expressed his gratitude for the advising team, “They are doing a fantastic job, we have only seen positive responses.” The university has over 400 applicants and 200 already admitted for the Fall of 2022.
coastal areas up to Houston. Emily Henderson Contributing Reporter Thousands of Texans were left
Tropical Storm Nicolas moved from the Gulf of Mexico into Louisiana and Texas over the past week. Sunday evening the rain began to hit coastal areas of the two states. Tuesday morning the storm made landfall as a Category one Hurricane along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Flooding and high winds brought devastation to multiple areas. Flash flood watches left around six million from Texas to Florida expecting the worst. Rain continued to fall over the course of the week, the people were told if they received a flood warning to “Please take it seriously.” A storm surge watch was put into effect for most of Texas’
Photo courtesy of Henderson State
Students of Henderson walking across campus.
without power for many hours before it began to get restored. Many homes were destroyed by trees falling and the excessive rain mixed with high winds. The possible Category one Hurricane is making it difficult for Louisianaians to recover from the Category four hurricane, Hurricane Ida, that hit just a couple weeks ago. Some residents do not know if they will be returning to Louisiana because of the destruction. Hurricane season can last anywhere from May until October, so these back to back storms come at no surprise to the residents that live near the coasts. The Atlantic season hit its peak on September 10 with more storms expected to come.
Photo courtesy of npr.org
Tropical Storm Nicholas overview
2
Wednesday September 29, 2021
FEATURES
Need help?
County fair back in full force
THE ORACLE
volunteer nature of the advice based on CDC with a programmed toll on many Blanton Matthews color-changing light businesses,” Contributing Reporter fair, it would probably guidelines. have been difficult at best to enforce any such policies. However, organizers did place dispensers of hand sanitizer spread throughout the fair grounds and posted signs in windows offering definitions and
There may have been fewer carnival rides and attractions than in some years of recent past, such as the notable absence of the large fun house, some of the present rides looked to be newer models such as the ferris wheel
The previously annual Clark County Fair returned at full force last week on Wednesday, September 15 after events faced an unprecedented total cancellation in 2020 due to, of course, the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and ran until Saturday, Sept. 18. The fair boasted a typical lineup of events and exhibits; art contests, commercial booths, livestock on display, rodeo, and classic carnival rides. “It was great to have the fair back on this year and have such a tremendous turnout,” said fair organizer Jennifer Hawthorn. The largely outdoor fair had little in the way of COVID safety protocols, nothing like mask requirements or vaccination mandates for volunteers, and considering the all- View of the county fair in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
arrangement that made for an impressive sight as far away as the back of the parking lot. There were also fewer commercial exhibitors as in times before the pandemic. “The last year and a half have taken its
small said
Hawthorn. Still, Hawthorn described the turnout as having recordsetting numbers for each night of the fair. It seems people were ready for some longoverdue fair play.
Photo by Blanton Matthews
Kick-off to Hispanic Heritage Month
celebrate and appreciate the contributions and influences Hispanic Americans have had on the United States as well as the world as a whole. What originally started as a week-long celebration in 1968 was later turned into a monthlong commemoration in 1988. These dates were chosen because they follow the independence date of many other Hispanic countries. The Student Activities Board had their table set up on Garrison Photo courtesy of SAB street during dead hour SAB members at table handing out HHM t-shirts. on Tuesday. Students Phoebe Darley off Hispanic Heritage would sign in using the Contributing Reporter Month on September Corq app and fill out 14. This month of the questionnaire sheet Henderson State celebration runs from of Hispanic Heritage University’s Student September 15 to October Month trivia. The sheet Activities Board kicked 15. It is a time to included trivia questions
about important dates, people, and countries relating to Hispanic Heritage Month. Once students completed the trivia questions they received a green shirt celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Students not only got a t-shirt to represent Hispanic Heritage Month but also got to learn a little about its history and importance. Kayla Streepey, a sophomore here at Henderson, stopped by the table to play the trivia game where she said, “I had heard a little about Hispanic Heritage Month in my spanish classes that I have taken, but getting to do the trivia and talking to the
representatives of SAB (Student Activities Board) at the table I got to learn more. I did not know all the answers to all the trivia questions but I had the opportunity to research and talk to my other friends about the facts I did not know. I really enjoyed the experience” Even if the students did not get all the answers correct everyone got the prize for playing the game. It was an amazing educational experience for all the students who participated. The Students Activities Board will have other events to celebrate the month which can be found in Dr. Salazar’s weekly events email.
Common book on pause Suicide prevention awareness month (cont.) Juliann Reaper Features Editor
The Common book, or Reddie Read book, is on pause this year. There has been concern that it would not be coming back and that the school had “done away” with it. However, this is not the case. James Hunt, the Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, is one of the people who helped to make the decision to pause the program. He only came to Henderson in October of last year and he is not the long term person for his position. That being said, he is doing his best to make Henderson all that it can be. He explained that, at this
time, the Reddie Read is just paused, not discontinued. “I think having the common book is a good idea, we are just pausing to look at it and see how it fits in the first year experience,” Hunt said. WIth Covid and the fact that Henderson State is in a transition period made the book a bit difficult this year. Hunt said that nobody was reaching out and trying to take charge of it and because of this it seemed that the best thing to do was to pause and reevaluate. The reevaluation is not due to feeling it does not have a place but rather out of desire to make the Reddie Read all that it can be. Hunt wants to use it and make the most of it in order to enhance the Freshman experience.
stability. From the time I drug myself out of bed to the time I finally went to sleep, I was miserable, but eventually, I accepted help. I finally got to a point where I realized that talking to a professional was not a waste of time and that getting help did not make me weaker. However, my story is not customary. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness regarding mental health and suicide prevention across the country. Yet, many college students still avoid discussing the
topic or reach out for help. The World Health Organization (WHO) study found that between 30 and 80 percent of people with mental health issues don’t seek treatment. This is especially evident in college students. “Often, students will only seek help when they find themselves in a mental health crisis, requiring more urgent resources,” says Boston University mental health researcher Sarah Ketchen Lipson. “The traditional college years of life coincide with the age of onset for lifetime mental illnesses,” says Lipson in
an interview with Boston University’s “The Brink”. This means that getting help during your time as a college student can make a significant difference later on in life. If you are struggling with mental health, consider seeking counseling at the Student Health and Wellness Center by calling 870-2305102. For more information, visit www.hsu.edu. If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or call 911 immediately.
3
Wednesday September 29, 2021
FEATURES
Need help?
to the meet and greet every Wednesday until October 14. This includes a paint party, an HHM live cooking show, and even an indoor soccer tournament. Along
with this, the Huie library’s book club will be hosting meetings to discuss the book “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros.
THE ORACLE
Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet and greet Kaela McKim Editor-in-chief
On Wednesday, September 15, Henderson’s League of Latinos (LOL) kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a bang hosting a meet and greet event geared towards hispanic students, staff, and faculty with the goal of meeting people “just like you.” At this event were hispanic foods and drinks such as quesadillas, taquitos, and horchata. There was also a trivia game to test the attendees knowledge of hispanic history and famous hispanic artists, musicians, actors, and athletes. “This is the first time that we have hosted this event so it is really important to us that we
get our name out there and that the hispanic population here at Henderson know about us,” said Nicole Fernandes, President of the League of Latinos. Fernandes then went on to explain that LOL is partnering with Hendersons Student Activities Board (SAB) to make this month the best it can be in terms of celebrating what the month is about. “I came to this event because I was really hoping to make more hispanic friends,” said freshman aviation major Crystal Navarrete. “I definitely want to go to more of these because I know I can make a better connection with people like me at Henderson.” Throughout the next few weeks there will be events similar
For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month, all activities and dates can be viewed on Dr. Veronikha Salazar’s weekly events email.
Photo by Kaela McKim
A picture code to Henderson’s League of Latinos Instagram and Groupme chat.
Dancing the night away with the Digital Media Committee William Matthews Contributing Reporter On Tuesday September 14 the Digital Media Committee (DMC) at Henderson held an event in the Garrison Ballroom. The DMC invited all students to partake in a Just Dance competition. Participants would download the Just Dance Now app onto their phones to play along. Players would have to keep the app open and just hold their phone as they follow the dance moves on the screen. The game would track everyone’s dancing skills and at the end of every song would list the scores. The DMC had ten dollar Walmart gift cards for the top scorers for every other song that they would play, announcing it ahead of time. Winners would not be able to win the prize again, but were still encouraged
Photo by Blanton Matthews
Students at Henderson playing a dance video game.
to participate in the dances. The song list for the night would feature many popular and classic songs to dance to. The Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache” was the warm up and Lady
Gaga’s “Applause” was the first to feature a prize. A few notable songs were Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” and “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj. Those pieces required players
to pick a certain character to follow the moves from. For the most part, everyone had the same moves to follow, but there were some sections that required different moves from each
player. It created cool moments where waves of students would perform different moves at a time, and for 19 students to do that synced to the game was amazing to watch.
4
Wednesday September 29, 2021
FEATURES
THE ORACLE
A relaxing and educational painting experience William Matthews Contributing Reporter
Last week on September 21, the Student Activities Board held an event that is one of several that will be put on across campus for the following weeks in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM). On that Tuesday between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. the Student Activities Board held a painting party for all students to enjoy. Everyone was originally going to go out on the Henderson Quad to paint out in the open and socially distanced. However, it had been raining on and off the
whole day and was moved into the Reddie Cafe inside the Garrison building. This was more of a problem for the amount of people that could participate, but it was definitely a great spot to move to. The stage made it perfect for everyone to follow along with the guidance of the instructor. The HHM Paint Party was led by Senior Art Assistant Emily Golden. She led a group of 13 students to paint along with her as she recreated the art piece “Hispanic Heritage” by Oscar Ortiz. Everyone seemed engaged in the painting. The whole thing reminded me of videos of
Bob Ross teaching viewers how to paint. It was a relaxed and educational experience. It was really great to see a student-led event like this. The SAB will be hosting another HHM event this coming Tuesday on September 28. They will be showing the movie McFarland USA on the quad and serving margarita flavored snow cones. If you cannot attend that one then be sure to follow the SAB social media pages to find out when their next events are taking Photo by Blanton Matthews place and what they are. You Students following along side Emily Golden in painting “Hispanic can find them on Instagram at Heritage” by Oscar Ortiz. @hsusab and on Facebook as @HendersonStateSAB.
Sharing the Reddie spirit with the whole family Brett Thompson Contributing Reporter
On Saturday September 25, 2021, Henderson State University celebrated its annual Family Day, which is a great way for parents and siblings to experience what the University has been offering for their related students. The families are treated to a meal, football game and plenty of other fanfare to make them feel connected with the school. The day started with all kinds of activities all centered around the Wells Center. The activities included inflatables, lawn games and coloring stations for the kids. There were also complimentary snow cones to cool off in the Arkansas heat. Plenty of Reddie fans were there tailgating that had their own activities and smiling faces to offer as well. The activities were followed by the Reddie Walk. The walk featured
the entire Reddie football team making their way into the stadium for the game that came shortly after. This gave all the families a chance to cheer on the team as the Showband of Arkansas played music to get everyone excited. The football game was a sight to see, with the Reddies beating Southern Arkansas University 56-49. The halftime show featured the band accompanied by high People of Henderson enjoying a game of corn hole. school students from the surrounding area that were shadowing the HSU band to get the Reddie experience as well. The day was a success, with Peyton WIlbanks, a Junior majoring in English Education, saying “I love that I get to share this time with my family, and that they get to see what my college experience is like.” Hopefully everyone left having the same great experience, taking a little bit of the Reddie Spirit with them.
Photo by Clover Wagner
Photo by Lauren Whitehead
People playing cornhole at the Henderson Family Day event.
Tips on handling work and school
time while also handling their schoolwork. Whether it is a work-study or a job in A lot of college students the work-force, it is a lot to either work part-time or full- handle on top of homework Kolby Reck Contributing Reporter
1
and other activities related to school. The bottom-line is, most college students need some kind of income for support.
Classes are a priority Be sure that you make your school schedule first. You can schedule work around your classes, but you can not always schedule classes around work. Most college jobs are temporary and keep in mind that your degree is more important.
2
Do not procrastinate Kameron Whitmore, a senior at Henderson, works for Arkansas Fence and Guardrail while being a full time student. “I focus on staying ahead with my school work and I treat work like an extracurricular activity,” said Whitmore. I find this to be the most important thing. I try to do at least a half-hour to an hour’s worth of homework each day, even if the assignment is not due that day.
3
Manage your free time efficiently I have class three days a week and I have two hours in between my last two classes on those days. I use this time to go to the library and stay ahead with my schoolwork. If possible, eliminate having to do your homework at night after work, especially if you have a job where you do not get off until late.
As a student at Henderson State University and owning a lawn business, I can say that it is definitely not easy. There are benefits, but also
4
a lot of downsides. Whether you do not have a choice or you choose to work, here are some tips on how to make it as easy as possible.
Utilize the weekends If you can avoid working on the weekends, use some of that time for homework. As a college student, there is a lot going on during Friday and Saturday nights. “I am off on weekends, but I like to hangout with my friends on Friday and Saturday nights. When that is the case, I take a lot of time on Sunday to do homework,” stated Whitmore.
5
Do not overload yourself Going right along with tip four, if you have a full weekly schedule with school and work, do not work on the weekends. If you decide that you want to work on the weekends, have some days during the week in which you do not work. If it is possible to draw in enough income part-time, go with that option. Communicating with your employer will help with not getting too wrapped up with work. They understand that you are a student as well.
Remember that college becomes a top priority when you decide to get a degree. If you decide to get a job on top of school, keep these tips in mind to help make the process easier.
5
Wednesday September 29, 2021
Emberlynn Pendergraft Staff Reporter Lil Nas X released his debut studio album “Montero” on September 17 to critical acclaim. After nearly three years in the spotlight, he has now successfully proven to be more than a one-hit-wonder. The album, titled after Lil Nas X’s birth name, gives personal insight into the artist behind it. Instead of the made-to-market singles he’s known for, “Montero” is a moodier and more emotional project than anything Lil Nas X has released so far. A far cry from his hit single “Old Town Road,” his new album takes a step away from the country-rap genre he originally debuted. Instead, “Montero” explores the pop genre, boasting features from Elton John, Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Jack Harlow. “Montero” secures Lil Nas X a place as an established artist after years of being labeled as a one-hit-wonder. Even with the success of singles like
OPINIONS
Need help?
THE ORACLE
Lil Nas X is here to stay
“Panini” and “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”, many believed he was riding off of the fame of his first hit single. Since his breakout in 2018, many have criticized Lil Nas X’s music because of its marketability. Songs formulated to chart and big marketing schemes made to promote his singles (like his lawsuit with Nike earlier this year) almost completely overshadowed his actual music. However, with the release of “Montero”, Lil Nas X proves there is more to his music than its marketability. Now that he’s in a stable position in his career, he shows he no longer has to rely on marketability, and can instead focus on the music itself. In an interview with NPR, Lil Nas X said, “I thought about the people I look up to the most – Kanye, or Drake, or Nicki – what really connects is when they’re saying the things that are happening internally.” “Montero” explores a theme the audience didn’t expect from an artist known for his stereotypical rap lyrics. Where his past singles
Photo courtesy of Ashley Buenrostro
Artist Lil Nas X.
have focused on his almost overnight success or resilience in the music industry, “Montero” brings light to the darker side of Lil Nas X’s experience with notoriety. The album’s distinction doesn’t end with the lyrics, though. Lil Nas X has exceeded expectations production-wise as well. Musically, “Montero” is something that the rap genre
hasn’t heard in recent history. Everything from the ethereal and harmonious piano in “One of Me” (courtesy of Elton John), to the steady rhythmic trap beats in “Dolla Sign Slime” work together. Track by track, the album manages to switch smoothly from trap beats and sweeping martial trumpets to moodier R&Binspired melodies.
Just like the genrebending that Lil Nas X became known for in “Old Town Road”, “Montero” explores multiple genres in an effortless and graceful manner. Though the album is labeled as poprap, the music is flawlessly diverse, switching from genre to genre fluidly through clean melodies and memorable hooks.
The Met Gala and its impact on HSU’s theatre Jose Santana Contributing Reporter
The annual Met Gala was held last Monday to end New York’s 2021 Fashion Week and this year was “rather interesting”, said Dr. William Henshaw, a costume designer for the theatre production here at Henderson State University. The Met Gala is an annual fashion event hosted by the Editor in Chief of Vogue Magazine, Anna Wintour. This year’s theme was “In America: A Lexicon In Fashion.” Celebrities had to be vaccinated in order to attend and since there was not a Met Ball last year due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many big stars were not in attendance this year like Billy Porter who is a public figure that Henshaw says he looks up to for fashion. “It was not as over the top as it could have been… this year’s fashion
did not outrank the past Met Galas” said Henshaw. Commentators of the Met Gala say this year the celebrities did not go far enough in fashion to fit the theme that was chosen. Henshaw agrees with those comments and says he likes the idea of American Fashion and paying homage to America, but he wished everyone would have stuck to the theme and made the most out of it. As a costume designer, Henshaw has looked for inspiration from past Met Galas for his work. He was inspired by Met Gala fashion for his work in Hotel Cassiopeia. This is also one of his most favorite pieces he has done, he says and calls it very much “dream fashion.” Henshaw announces that the fashion for the upcoming plays and musicals for HSU will be based on the time periods they are playing in. We will see 2000s fashion and 1860’s
fashion, there will also be an “interesting twist” which he isn’t allowed to spoil just yet. Anna Wintour announced there will be a part two of “In America: A Lexicon In Fashion” and is set back to its original date for the first Monday of the month of May. Many celebrities will once again walk the red carpet on May 2nd, 2022. Hopefully celebrities who could not or did not attend this past Monday can attend in May. Stars who are always anticipated for their fashion who did not make it Monday are Zendaya, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Jay Z, Kylie Jenner, and many others. “Fashion is the epitome of what we do, its high society. Those who can’t afford can’t do and those who can afford to try.” Says Henshaw when asked what Photo courtesy of John Shearer is the meaning of fashion. Billie Eilish at the 2021 Met Gala in a sheer dress, inspired by old Hollywood and Marilyn Monroe.
Reddie Radar J.T. Dickens Contributing Reporter “The Band CAMINO” - The Band CAMINO
After an extensive run of EPs, singles, and a feature on All Time Low’s new album, The Band CAMINO has finally released their debut album, and it was well worth the wait. The band, both in instrumentals and lyrics, remains as consistent as they were back in 2017. One of the deeper cuts, “Underneath My Skin,” almost sounds like a part two to the track “Hush Hush” in its drums, as it talks about a girl that wants the lead singer Jeffery Jordan back, though he knows she’s doing it for attention. The track “Sorry Mom” is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking and will definitely resonate with those that want to make their mothers proud. Overall, if you’ve been dying to hear a whole album from this group or if you want to hear a new alternative artist, this is definitely one to listen to.
“A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships“- The 1975
“The F-ing Internet,” are the three words that frontman Matty Healy used in a video interview with Pitchfork to describe this album in 2020, though it’s way more human than that. “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships” is really more about the human experience and the throughline being how the majority of our communication is done through the internet. The track “How To Draw/ Petrichor” is really the thesis statement with themes of addiction, self love, and the destructive power the internet can bring. But even though this theme can get lost at times, the tracks absolutely make up for it. The album’s instrumentals, while having the signature sound the band is known for, go all over the place. The track “Be My Mistake” is very sparse, with only Matty’s vocals and an acoustic guitar. The lyrics are very good too. While one would think the lyrics of the track “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) are about a girl he was once with, it’s more about the relationship he had with heroin, which he has since gotten clean from. All in all, if you’re looking to get into this band, this is the best album to start with and I highly recommend it.