The Print Edition

Track and field seeks to qualify for indoor championships

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2013

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Reflector The

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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

MSU celebrates 135 year history Rent-A-Pup returns to Drill Field

Humane Society seeks donations, support for local chapter

BY HILLARY LAPLATNEY Staff Writer

KAITLIN MULLINS | THE REFLECTOR

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

| The MSU community helped commemorate the university’s 135th birthday

Thursday afternoon in the Junction. Guests enjoyed refreshments, T-shirts and live music from Big Poppa Strang.

Oktibbeha County Humane Society Student Chapter will host Rent-A-Pup, an event to help raise money for local animal shelters, today from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the Drill Field.

At Rent-A-Pup, students and Starkville residents have the opportunity to pay $5 and spend 20 minutes with a dog from the local humane society. There will also be T-shirts for sale and a drop-off box for donations such as collars, leashes, food bowls, pet beds, puppy pads, cat litter, toys, treats, pet food, towels and blankets.

Anita Howard, shelter manager at OCHS, said the event is a great option for students whose living arrangements do not allow pets. “(Students) are given the opportunity to exercise and play with some of the puppies at the shelter,” Howard said.

Howard also said the event gives students and locals an opportunity to adopt a dog.

Sherrie Wiygul, secretary of OCHS, said this is the second RentA-Pup event; the first was held last November. “(The turnout in November) was incredible,” Wiygul said. “We ran out of time for people to rent dogs, there were so many people lined up.”

In order to accommodate more renters, two tents and 12 dogs will be at Rent-A-Pup today.

Kate Thompson, president of OCHSSC, said she hopes today’s event is even more successful than the Rent-A-Pup event last November.

“Last year we raised $715 and countless donations,” Thompson said. “By the end of the day, all but two of the dogs were claimed.

The other two had prospective owners and have since been adopted.”

Thompson said she hopes Rent-A-Pup will gain even more attention this time and will have a positive effect on local animal shelters.

“The students really seemed to enjoy Rent-A-Pup, and I know that the dogs did,” Thompson said. “(It) is the perfect way to give the students a chance to have a pet for a while without having to handle the messy stuff and for the shelter dogs to get some much needed attention.”

Students bring University passes bus routes plan to help awareness with connect campus to Starkville community Run to Rescue

BY ALEX HOLLOWAY Staff Writer

Run and walk to recognize modernday slavery and human trafficking

BY JAMIE ALLEN Staff Writer

A group of Mississippi State students is bringing awareness to slavery through a 5K run and walk called Run to Rescue held March 7 at 6 p.m. starting in the Junction.

Race directors are challenging the entire Starkville community to participate in the event and to become more aware of the issue of modern-day slavery and human trafficking which occurs all over the world, including Mississippi.

Co-director Cody Forrest, junior insurance, risk management and financial planning major, said this event is designed not only to reach the students of MSU but also the communities surrounding the campus.

Forrest and co-director, Kenan Prentice, senior kinesiology major, said together they

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started this event last year after going to a Passion conference where they learned about the extent of modern-day slavery throughout the world and in the United States.

“Me and a couple of other people had never heard of it until last January. When we heard about it, we decided to not just take the statistics to heart, but to take action and stand up and do something about it,” Prentice said.

Forrest said the goal of this event is to educate people about human trafficking because knowledge is the first step to fixing this problem.

“Our goal of this race is to bring awareness to everyone we come in contact with,” said Forrest. “We want to just put that idea that 27 million people are in slavery into people’s heads in a manner where they can understand it and believe it.”

SEE RESCUE, 2

CROSSWORD .................. ..... 5 CLASSIFIEDS...........................5 LIFE ..................................6 SPORTS...................................8

With the introduction of the StarkvilleMSU Area Rapid Transit program, Mississippi State University and local officials are hoping to extend and strengthen a public transit network into Starkville.

At a Wednesday meeting in the Colvard Student Union, Mike Harris, director of parking operations, revealed the plans for the new routes. In the fall, three new routes will be added, all of which will go into Starkville.

The first revealed route was the campus-city connector route. The route is ultimately planned to begin and end at the parking garage that will be behind the post office in the future; however, Harris said until that building is complete, the route will anchor from Giles Hall. From there, the route runs up University Drive, through the Cotton District and circles around on West Lampkin Street to run down University Drive again.

Harris said the route is expected to take 10 to 15 minutes to run a complete circuit.

A special bus that looks like a trolley has been ordered to be used on the route, which

Harris described as a historic route.

The next route announced was called the city circular route. The route will go around the city of Starkville, through areas that provide access to medical services, Walmart, residential areas, the industrial area and others.

There will be a point near campus that intersects with the sportsplex route that will allow passengers to get off and switch routes if they need to get to campus.

He said two buses will run the route. One will run the circuit clockwise, and the other will run it counterclockwise.

SEE ROUTES, 2

COURTESY GRAPHIC | MIKE HARRIS

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NEWS

FRIDAY , MARCH 1 , 2013

THE REFLECTOR

Holmes Cultural Diversity Center stands up to modern day slavery

BY JAMIE ALLEN Staff Writer

As a part of the effort by the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center to bring awareness to modern-day slavery, the Student Association at Mississippi State University is hosting Stand for Freedom on March 6 at 3 p.m.

At the Stand for Freedom event, MSU students will stand for 27 hours in honor of the 27 million people in slavery all around the world.

Amina Bahammou, Director of Special Events for SA cabinet and sophomore human sciences and family development major, said she decided to bring this nation-wide event to MSU because after hearing about modern-day slavery at a Passion conference, she became enthusiastic about bringing an end to this crime.

Participants are asked to donate $10 to the Freedom Campaign to end modern-day slavery. The goal is to raise $2,700 in honor of the 27 million slaves.

During the night, there will be games, music and speakers as entertainment for people standing for this

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cause. Then as classes are starting, the event will be moved to the Drill Field and around campus. Participants will be wearing their T-shirts and giving out information on modern-day slavery.

Maribeth Barfield, junior biochemistry major, is also helping plan this event. She said she encouraged students to get involved because so many people

“

I feel like people do not really acknowledge it, and if they do, they think it is in other countries, but it’s right here in our own backyard.”

- Sam Diarbakerly

do not know about this crime.

“I was just shocked about the numbers and statistics about human trafficking because I had no idea. Stand for Freedom is a lot about bringing awareness to the fact that this is happening. I think that a lot more people would care if they knew,” Barfield said.

RESCUE Last year, Run to Rescue had 300 participants and raised over $8,000 to donate to the International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that rescues people from slavery.

This year its goal is to raise $10,000 to give to IJM. Jackson Donald, junior educational psychology major, said after running the race last year, he decided to use his hobby of photography to bring awareness to human trafficking.

“This race is a great way to spread the news about it because it is a huge problem,” said Donald. “If just one slave is freed from the money we

Bahammou said the goal of this event is to raise awareness for modern-day slavery because there are more slaves now than there ever have been in history.

“I feel like people do not really acknowledge it, and if they do, they think it is in other countries, but it’s right here in our own backyard,” Bahammou said.

Sam Diarbakerly, sophomore marketing, professional golf management major, became active with Stand for Freedom through the Student Association. He said he wanted to take a stand against human trafficking because he realized how lucky he was to be born in a free country and how lucky he was that he was not forced into this slavery.

Diarbakerly said he hopes the Stand for Freedom will make people think about how common modern-day slavery is around the world.

“I think my generation has grown really insensitive to horrors like this around the world, it is important to think about ‘What if I was a slave?’

This is a real world problem; we all need to come together to end it,” Diarbakerly said.

continued from 1 raised then that is enough for me.”

Prentice said the proceeds of the race will go to IJM. Registration is $20 and all the proceeds from the registration fees and extra donations will go to IJM. “We try to let donations that are given cover the cost of the race so that everything that people pay goes straight to IJM and their goal,” he said.

For more information about the race, human trafficking or to register for this event, visit runtorescue.org. Information booths will also be set up in the Union on March 4, 5 and 7 and on the Drill Field on March 6 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

BAD DAWGS

Monday, February 25 • 9:30 a.m. A student was arrested for no insurance and no seat belt.

• 2:10 p.m. A resident adviser reported an open beer can in Hurst Hall.

• 3:00 p.m. A student was arrested for speeding and no insurance.

• 3:04 p.m. An employee reported her university-issued iPad was stolen or lost in another state.

• 3:10 p.m. A student reported fraudulent charges made off campus on his debit card.

• 3:20 p.m. A student was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident.

Wednesday, February 27 • 8:27 a.m. An employee reported a white F-250 truck dumping trash on the campus.

• 9:06 a.m. A student needed medical assistance at the Writing Center. The subject was transported to OCH. • 10:36 a.m. A student passed out in McCain Hall. The subject was transported to OCH. • 11:46 a.m. A student reported a suspicious incident in the bakery involving another student.

• 7:38 p.m. A student wrecked his bike near Cobb Institute, causing injuries. The subject refused transport to OCH.

Thursday, February 28 ROUTES

fromin1 • 1:17 a.m. A student reported his iPad stolencontinued from his room McKee seen a weekture, ago.but this is a starting point,” Harris The third route wasHall, thelast sportsplex

Citations:

route, which was first introduced last said. “What we want people to know is fall. the places the buses are going are places • 2 citations issued Harris said plans are to addwere more stopsfor speeding. they want to go.” between Montgomery and the Harrisofsaid officials would look at rid• 1 citationHall was issued for disregard a traffic device.

Sportsplex, which are thewas foundation ershipdriving. once the routes were going and, if • 1 citation issued for careless points for the route. needed, make modifications to the stops • 1 citation was issued for driving the wrong way on a one-way.

Harris also said 12 new buses have along the routes. been ordered to fill the needs created by One aim of the program is to help the new routes. reduce congestion on busy streets in “The buses have been ordered, but it Starkville, like Highway 12. takes 180 days for them to get here,” Harris also said he hopes the new Harris said. “That puts them into Au- routes will help ease some of the parking gust, so we’re hoping to have them ready strain on campus. by the time school starts. If not, we may “We want to help reduce the need for have to push things back to the next new parking lots on campus,” he said. month.”

“Sure, we can build new parking lots, He said he hopes the SMART program but is that the best use of our land? No, is will be a first step of growth over time. it should be used for new classrooms, “We hope to add more routes in the fu- residences, other things for students.”

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OPINION

FRIDAY , MARCH 1, 2013

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the voice of MSU students

THE WORD ON JOHNSON SREET | MATT TAYLOR

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO CALM DOWN | ZACK ORSBORN

N

I

Friends don’t let friends become zombies Imagine if ‘slut’ did not exist ot too long ago I pic state completely oblivious came out from under to motor vehicles, cyclists and the academic rock I life around them. They could had been under to find out get hurt.

This is a dangerous and sethat our culture has been subjected (willingly) to a massive rious affair we must address. zombie hype. I was complete- OK, maybe I am being a tad ly convinced that after the ab- dramatic, but it is extremely sence “2012 end of the world” annoying and disrespectful scenario that this zombie fad to other humans. This ignowould peacefully ride off into rance to one’s surroundings the sunset of our yesteryears. I even happens at the gym. Students have these white cords was wrong.

With shows like “The Walk- stuffed in their ears as they ing Dead,” a new Brad Pitt kick, crunch and even run on summer blockbuster “World the indoor track. Whatever War Z” and even local fun happened to look both ways runs, zombies are inescapable before you cross a road?

Or always be on the look(which is what makes them out for a crazy driver who scary as hell, right?).

Whether or not there are could accidentally put you in the hospital, real zomunless it was bies (minus We can increase our of course the those that chances of safety and fault of the trip on bath decrease the amount pedestrian salts and stepping out gnaw off of ‘my bads’ if we just traffic the faces pull our heads out of our into thinking of homeasses and look up a few the world less men) will stop the zombie more times.” for him or apocalypse her? When did we start to aslives and feeds on our minds.

Recently, I have noticed sume that the world happens this zombie influence living in around us and not to us? I the students on this campus. could have sworn Copernicus Living may be a stretch here debunked that belief back in because what it actually seems the 16th century…

I am not saying that we like is that people are dead but still functioning. Dead shouldn’t bite the bait our to what? Their surroundings. iPhones dangle in front of us as we walk to and fro on this The world. Nature.

I see students walk from large campus.

I am just saying look up class to class completely immersed in something else and around every five seconds than what is actually going on or so.

This makes us responsible around them. They cross engineering row in a hypnopom- for our own actions. Acci-

“

MATT TAYLOR Matt Taylor is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. dents happen extremely fast (yes, I have seen someone get hit by a car on this campus) which is why we have a hard time seeing them.

But we can increase our chances of safety and decrease the amount of “my bads” if we just pull our heads out of asses and look up a few more times.

Being aware of your surroundings really isn’t that hard.

Actually, your long walks will be a little more interesting as you can pay attention to the color change of the tree outside Paterson or the birds singing in the trees between Swalm and Mitchell.

When you tune into the background noise to find a beautiful song hidden in the static, it’s a wonderful surprise. You might look up to be met with an infectious smile from someone who is having a fantastic day.

Our phones are fantastic pieces of technology and the ability to enjoy music is a gift, but we should not let things turn us into zombies. End rant.

magine with me for a sec- a donut.

Two consenting adults ond.

A girl wearing a short choose what they want to skirt and high heels struts do with their bodies because down the street with last this world does not see sex as night’s make-up smeared all some deviant, evil force. Sex means expressing freedom. over her face.

Another girl, who is seem- Sex doesn’t mean that someingly opposite with her con- where down the line, someservative blouse and perfectly thing went wrong.

Educators teach sex educabrushed mane of brown hair, bends down to pick up a con- tion and talk about wrapping dom that has slipped from the it up in order to protect everyone from diseases. first girl’s pocket.

Someone can buy condoms She hands it over with a in Walgreens without catchsmile.

No preconceived no- ing a disapproving glance from the cations about whether or Two consenting adults shier.

Whispers not the girl choose what they or text mesis about to want to do with their sages aren’t drop it like sent back it’s hot in a bodies because this and forth strip club world does not see sex c a p t i o n e d or if she is as some deviant, evil with “omg, headed to Beth slept some kind force.” with Dillon of steamy sex house forms in the second last night! that’s like the third person she’s slept with, what girl’s mind.

This interaction happened a whore!!!” Or “Beth must be because, in this imaginative going thru something tough, world of wonder in which a bless her <3.”

The human body isn’t seen person’s sexual activity holds no weight, the word “slut” as something that must immediately be blurred out, ceases to exist.

Double standards do not taped up or strictly covered.

No one holds the power exist.

Men get down and freaky in deciding what is deemed “sexy.” just as much as women do.

People do not giggle or feel And no one says a damn thing about the actions or shame when the word “masturbation” pops up in conver“consequences.”

Women can offer their bod- sation.

And people aren’t viewed as ies as a service just as a dentist offers a service of cleaning immoral or deviant just beplaque off teeth. Men can sell cause they want to feel a natutheir goods like a baker sells ral pleasure.

“

ZACK ORSBORN Zack Orsborn is the life editor at The Reflector. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.

The word “prude” has no meaning either. If you do choose to not have sex, then by golly, that’s what you choose. You aren’t a “dirty virgin.”

This world does not repress sexuality involving pro-gay rights or prostitution.

And most importantly, this world does not show a link between social conservatism and the increasing rate of “teen pregnancies, abortions and sexually-transmitted diseases,” according to AlterNet. org.

With the word “slut” deleted from existence, the world becomes a less harsh place.

Men and women have equal power over their bodies and aren’t deemed pariahs for exploring as many bodies as they want.

Now that we’ve all stepped through the magical wardrobe into Sexy Narnia (has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?), we can see how labeling someone as a “slut” because he or she wants to feel pleasure regulates behavior that can bring about a guilt that shouldn’t exist.

CONTRIBUTING WRITER | ANNA WOLFE

Congress must move past stubbornness, work to meet deadline

L

ast May I wrote an article that expressed my concerns over an increasingly uncooperative Congress regarding the members’ inability to make budget cuts and implement a plan to put our country on a path out of economic disaster.

A “super committee” was formed, agreeing to raise the debt ceiling by $2.8 trillion while promising to cut $1 trillion in spending and find $1.8 trillion in savings.

Failing to complete this task would trigger deep, undesirable cuts in defense and social programs, providing an incentive for both parties to compromise.

In November of 2011, Congress was not successful, forcing the mandatory cuts of the sequester to take effect.

To my surprise, we have yet to see the drastic ramifications of this congressional failure.

More than a year after the super-committee’s creation and many attempts to avoid the cuts, the sequester is to be carried out today.

Some assumed that the sequestration issue would have been solved last minute before taking effect, but as it approaches, my hope is diminished.

There will be a series of across the board cuts of both non-military government agencies and defense branches.

While many social programs are thankfully exempt from these cuts, including food stamps, Medicaid, Social Security and Temporary As-

The

Reflector Editor in Chief Hannah Rogers

Managing Editor Kaitlyn Byrne

Life Editor Zack Orsborn

Multimedia Editor Eric Evans Sports Editor Kristen Spink

Campus News Editor John Galatas

Photography Editor Kaitlin Mullins

Copy Editor Candace Barnette

News Editor Emma Crawford

Opinion Editor Mary Chase Breedlove Copy Editor Rachel Burke

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Editor in Chief/Hannah Rogers

Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu.

Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Kaitlyn Byrne 325-8991 managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Emma Crawford 325-8819 news@reflector.msstate.edu News tips/John Galatas 325-7906 news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Mary Chase Breedlove opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/Kristen Spink 325-5118 sports@reflector.msstate.edu Life Editor/Zack Orsborn 325-8883 life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Kaitlin Mullins 325-1584 photo@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising sales/Julia Pendley 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu

CORRECTIONS

EDITORIAL POLICY The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff.

The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

sistance for Needy Families, ment for not doing their job. many are not. Some of the No matter your fiscal views, alternative changes need affects into take place Congress’s inability clude slashto get our makes each member es to Meals country out responsible for allowing of debt. on Wheels, childcare I personAmerica’s economy to and vacally would continue deteriorating.” rather cines. see Some say the very rich the sequester will result in minimally affected (by higher children being kicked out taxes) than the poor and elof childcare and close to 10 derly forced into even greater thousand fewer children re- uncertainty. ceiving vaccines.

The way Congress decides While we could also see to allocate funds to balance damaging effects on our the budget, however, is less economy along with a great worrisome to me than the amount of job loss, I feel prospect of Congress avoidhelpless as to what alterna- ing the sequester again, pushtives there are. ing the deadline further.

Having these consequences This could be more dangerlaid out for Congress is im- ous than any proposed cuts, portant — a sort of punish- proving to Americans that

“

Congress is entirely unable to get our debt under control.

Congress’s inability makes each member responsible for allowing America’s economy to continue deteriorating.

Although the consequences of the sequester could be devastating for people who depend on the programs being cut, the provision is necessary due to the inefficiency of our divided leaders.

If Congress had been responsible enough to come to an agreement, moving past its desire to be stubborn (appealing to the voters of the far left or far right) we would not be facing these extreme cuts.

I’m criticizing Congress pretty harshly, but in all reality, the members are not solely to blame.

We did, after all, vote each member into office.

Our polarized, partisan views have made us responsible for the attitudes of the individuals leading our country and making crucial economic decisions.

Whether you identify as a Republican or Democrat, our responsibility as young people is to demand leaders who will rise above petty partisanship to come together and make necessary changes.

When voting, remember to look for candidates who not only hold your views but also are cooperative and willing to make compromises.

Do not be fooled by popular politics to believe that cooperation is a sign of weakness. Without it, our democracy fails.

ONE LITTLE SPARK | WHITNEY KNIGHT

‘Chick lit’ degrades women, promotes stereotype

R

ecently, Virginia Tech released a study claiming chick lit badly influences body image.

In the study, researchers took passages from two novels, — Emily Giffin’s “Something Borrowed” and Laura Jensen Walker’s “Dreaming in Black and White” and changed the character descriptions to various heights and weights.

The researchers found readers’ self-esteem plummeted when they read the passages with lower body weights and when the characters’ expressed low self-esteem.

Here’s the thing. I’ve read a lot of so-called “chick lit.” Not once have I heard a character mentioned of below average body weight, and rarely have I even heard a character’s size mentioned without immediate commentary on the way society views size.

I am sure books exist which may portray body dysmorphia without critiquing it, but many more exist which simply portray the pressures on women to be thin in an honest and critical manner. This also means the reader who begins a book reading about a character worried about losing weight will often find that same character has ad-

dressed that challenge in some way by the end of the book.

Counter to the logistical problems with the conclusion of the study is the question of what in the world “chick lit” is anyway. The term gained popularity in the 90s after Bridget Jones gained immense popularity, and even then was not very well defined.

Now, “chick lit” seems to mean either “stuff that is packaged in pink with trite bylines” or simply “stuff that’s written by women, about women, for women.”

No matter what it’s defined as, the term is rarely used as a compliment, instead becoming a catch-all term used to label certain books as sub-par simply because they portray the experiences of women.

If we need proof that the quality of these stories bear little relation to the “chick lit” marketing publishers are pushing on them, we need look no further than our very own Barnes & Noble. Search any classic novel written by a woman on Google Images, and you will probably find that it has recently been “chick litified,” bearing a pastel cover, maybe with an image of a hot dress on the front.

These novels are not “trash,” but they do have a lot in common with the modern novels which also bear these covers: they were written by, for and about women, often as honest critiques of the challenges the average woman faces.

Likewise, Marvel has recently released a “chick lit” line of comics about She-Hulk and Rogue with bright colors and descriptions like “climbing the corporate ladder by day and battling villains and saving the world by night — all while trying to navigate the dating world to find a Mr. Right who might not mind a sometimes very big and green girlfriend.” My question to the publishers and critics of these comics is what exactly makes this storyline different from every other superhero storyline on the market?

Clark Kent and Spider-man juggle ordinary life with their superhero identities all the time, but we don’t see descriptions like this about them.

All of these things point to the conclusion that the marketing makes a genre but the content.

Creating a category for women’s writing which denigrates it is just a bad idea. Many chick lit novels are not light or friv-

WHITNEY KNIGHT Whitney Knight is a junior majoring in English education.

She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. olous, but tackle real issues in thought-provoking ways. But even if they were all light-hearted, what’s so bad about that anyway? Using contemporary voices and pop culture references do not make a book useless.

Sometimes we just need something relatable to read on the beach. These books don’t need to last 10 years to make a difference. All they need to do is portray our society honestly and give women a space to understand themselves and their generation.

The term “chick lit” probably isn’t going away anytime soon. But in the meantime, we can refuse to judge books by their covers, read broadly and refuse to allow critics make us feel bad for doing it.

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FRIDAY , MARCH 1, 2013

THE REFLECTOR

THE CONSTANT | MARY CHASE BREEDLOVE

THE JEW POINT | JOEY FROST

Core classes provide solid Do not blame veterans for foundation for life, any major war frustrations, care for them

A

Our generation relies on fter nearly eight semesters of college, I have immediate satisfaction.

The idea of taking classes become very thankful for my broad course require- for the sake of learning has bements from the College of come less popular.

We want to take the classes Arts & Sciences.

I can’t believe I just said we think we need for our major to graduate and then move that.

I, like many others in my on.

We don’t want to waste our department, have spent much time complaining about the time with classes that may not classes I’ve had to take to earn immediately peak our interest.

I think my disdain for the my Bachelor of Arts in communication. I want to write, “core classes” comes from edit, read and produce for a more than a generational atliving. Did I really need to titude.

I despised taking math betake three science classes and cause my math teachers in one with a lab?

Those classes had nothing high school made me hate it.

I can remember the exto do with the writing and editing classes I’ve taken within act moment I started hating my major, but I’m thankful I math, in fact. I was in the eighth grade. took them.

The entire first semester of We chalk our frustration of having to take sciences and algebra I was doing well (at other “unrelated” subjects up that point, my grades in math to blaming how left-or-right- were exceptional so I was albrain dominant we are, but in lowed to skip ahead to a high reality, those classes make us school level) and midterms well-rounded, informed stu- were right around the corner.

I took the test and found out I dents. At least it should.

As crazy as this may seem, made an 84 … which was a C. I wouldn’t call Earth science I was devastated.

I studied so hard and didn’t unrelated to my major. I may get that benot be a paloved A. I leontologist, If we take these core didn’t even but I’m a classes seriously, instead get a B. In journalist my book, I (at least I’m of skimming by with may as well on my way minimal effort, we’ll leave have failed. to becomcollege with not only a I was used ing one). to makIf I’m ever specialized education ing good required in our major but also a grades. But to report working knowledge of instead of on climate feeling like change, I’ll much more.”

I could talk have a basic scientific understanding of with my teacher and get some help understanding what I what I’m writing.

I understand more about missed, I felt intimidated by recycling, natural resources my teacher. I felt like he didn’t and the importance of ener- care about me. So I kept quiet. gy conservation than I would Math has been a struggle ever ever understand without tak- since.

Am I grateful for the two ing a class on the study of the grueling math classes I was Earth.

“

T MARY CHASE BREEDLOVE Mary Chase Breedlove is the opinion editor at The Reflector.

She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. forced to endure in college?

Yes, I am.

I hated every second, but for the first time in a very long time, I understood what I needed to learn. I was able to move past my high school bitterness about math and actually learn the material.

Teachers lay the foundation for how well you perform in a class, sure. But I think the big moment for me was understanding only I was responsible for how well I did in classes.

If we care enough about getting the best education we can and learning as much material as possible, taking the “unrelated” subjects won’t discourage our learning.

Regardless of whether I will use the quadratic formula as a journalist, at least the eighth grader inside triumphed when I did well in the college classes.

Understanding the value our liberal arts education could change our future. We shouldn’t complain about taking classes like history, literature, politics or social sciences, in spite of our previous performances such courses.

If we take these classes seriously, instead of skimming by with minimal effort, we’ll leave college with not only a specialized education in our major, but also a working knowledge of much more.

he United States mil- urge you to thank a veteran itary has proven to be the next time you see one.

No matter if he or she one of the strongest forces in the world. There served in Korea, Vietnam or are hundreds of thousands of recently in Iraq or Afghanbrave Americans who sacrifice istan, we should thank and their personal liberties, time respect these veterans.

I can almost guarantee with families and sometimes you veterans their lives so the rest I believe we need a better will greatly appreciate of us can system for helping our you took continue veterans readjust to the time to to enjoy thank them. the freecivilian life once they anted, doms we leave the service. There I Gr may have have. are far too many cases a somewhat There skewed view are cerof homeless veterans. on this issue. tainly Whether the solution My father people was a pilot out there comes from the who do government or a private for the U.S. Air Force. not agree organization, something Because of with some him, I grew of the needs to be done.” up on planes. wars our I feel at home in the air. I, military is engaged in, and that is perfectly acceptable. too, am planning on joining Part of what our soldiers are the air force to become a pidoing is giving you that right lot.

If you are reading this and to decide you disagree with are feeling charitable (assumthe government.

The thing that gets under ing you are not a broke colmy skin is when someone lege student), I have an orgashifts his or her dislike of nization I believe is worthy of the war from the war itself your donations.

The Wounded Warrior onto the soldiers. This is just Project has always piqued wrong.

The soldiers who are risk- my interest. This is one of ing their lives have absolute- the most honorable charity ly no say in what conflicts in organizations in the U.S. As stated on woundedwarriorwhich they take part.

Decisions of that nature project.org, the organization’s come from the head of the purpose is to “raise awareness government. Soldiers in our and enlist the public’s aid for military deserve nothing but the needs of injured service the utmost respect. members, help injured service Whenever I see a man or members aid and assist each woman in uniform, my heart other and provide unique, swells with pride. direct programs and services Whether he or she is a sol- to meet the needs of injured dier, sailor, airman or marine service members.”

I feel an unparalleled sense of Even if you feel soldiers do patriotism. I go out of my way not deserve respect, I would to give the person the respect hope you at least have some he or she deserves. moral sense. Realize while you I think you should, too. I may not agree with the cause

“

JOEY FROST Joey Frost is a junior majoring in political science. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. those brave soldiers fought for, they are still human beings. They deserve every opportunity to obtain a normal life after the sacrifices they have made.

Care packages and contact from back home help soldiers through their deployments.

If you have any spare time, do your best to put a simple package together. Include in it some candies, magazines, books, letters, movies or anything that could help a soldier deal with homesickness.

We need a better system for helping our veterans readjust to civilian life once they leave the service. There are far too many cases of homeless veterans.

Whether the solution comes from the government or from a private organization, something needs to be done. If you want to disagree with a war, that is your prerogative. But do not hate the soldiers for something they cannot control. Instead, you should voice your opinion in a proactive manner by contacting your representatives.

After all, it is they who make these decisions. To me, the servicemen and women who fight for our country are some of the bravest people there are. Veterans take great courage to sacrifice so much, while asking for so little in return.

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THE REFLECTOR

Life & Entertainment Blackberry Smoke brings southern rock to Rick’s

BY CASEY SMITH Staff Writer

Blackberry Smoke brings its distinctive southern rock sound to Starkville once again Friday at Rick’s Cafe.

Rick Welch, owner of Rick’s Cafe, said everyone could expect one thing from the band tonight.

“Put simply: badass southern rock,” he said.

The Atlanta-based band consists of Charlie Starr, Richard Turner, Brit Turner, Paul Jackson and Brandon Still. The band members are signed with Zac Brown’s recording label Southern Ground. Blackberry Smoke’s website describes the band as a mix of gospel, bluegrass, arena rock and a touch of outlaw country.

The band is busy touring the country spreading its southern rock sound to all who will listen. More often than not, the listener likes what he or she hears. Every live concert Blackberry Smoke plays, the band goes home with a larger fan base. Welch said word is spreading about this talented group of guys and for one simple reason.

“The music,” he said. “These guys are packing rooms all over the nation now.”

Starkville is just one of the many stops the band is making on its journey to national fame. Welch said he does a lot of research before he picks a band to play at his bar and, every now and then, he comes across a band he knows has huge potential.

“Sometimes you can tell from listening to their music and watching their videos it’s just a matter of time before these guys get big, and I better jump in while I can still afford them,” he said.

He said Blackberry Smoke was one of those bands. He is per- Blackberry Smoke will offer a sonally a fan and said Starkville is a great place for the band members to play because of their appeal to all types of music fans.

“Even if their music isn’t specifically your thing, you certainly have to appreciate their talent and the love for their music is completely apparent when watching them perform,” he said. “Any music lover can appreciate that.”

Opening up for Blackberry Smoke is local band Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy. Blackberry Smoke allows the option of booking support, and Welch decided the two bands would make a great combination. Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy was quickly chosen after he sent songs to their management. He said Starkville should be proud to have one of its own opening up for Blackberry Smoke.

“They’re amazing and talented in their own right and have been playing here for years,” he said. “Seeing them both on the same stage on the same night will really be a treat for me personally, and I’m very glad it worked out like this.”

He also said the bar has a personal connection tie to Friday’s show. David Oswalt from Columbus worked at Rick’s Cafe until he moved to Atlanta and began working with the band as a member of the crew.

COURTESY PHOTO | SHORE FIRE MEDIA

mix of gospel, bluegrass, arena rock and outlaw country at Rick’s Cafe in Starkville.

David Williston, graduate mechanical engineering major, has seen Blackberry Smoke live four times and looks forward to making it a fifth time Friday. He said he enjoys the band’s music because it is a good mix of southern rock and country.

“They are the kind of band recorded music just doesn’t do them justice,” he said.

Williston said the band puts on an amazing live show.

“I would describe the experience of seeing Blackberry Smoke live as a beer-drinking, face-melting extravaganza,” he said.

Welch also said he is certain the talented band will put on a great show Friday.

“This isn’t a front. They are the real deal,” he said. “They have slowly and patiently built a strong and extremely loyal fanbase all over the nation.”

Fans do not have to wait much longer to see the band in action. Doors open at 8 p.m. tonight. Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy will kick the music off at 10 p.m. with Blackberry Smoke following at 11 p.m.

Day of show tickets are priced at $15. To purchase tickets or read more about the band visit rickscafe. net.

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

SPORTS

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

FRIDAY , MARCH 1, 2013

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THE COACH’S CORNER | FORREST BUCK

Slay, Banks, Boyd compete at combine

N

ow that the NFL season is over, the offseason full of coaching changes, contract negotiations, free agency and, most importantly, the draft is here.

One of the biggest pre-draft events is the NFL combine held annually in Indianapolis, and the top prospects from college football are invited to come showcase their talents for scouts, coaches and general managers as they try and improve or maintain their draft stock.

Three MSU players were invited to the combine: cornerbacks Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay and defensive tackle Josh Boyd. Banks has been one of the top prospects all throughout the college season, but after a disappointing 4.61 time in the 40-yard dash, his stock will fall. For now, he’s likely looking at being a second-round pick, late first-round at best. Banks can play and can be a legitimate starting cornerback in the NFL, but I doubt teams will want to use a first-rounder on a corner who runs a 4.6.

Slay, on the other hand, had a terrific showing at the combine, running a 4.36 in the 40, the fastest official time of any defensive player and fifth fastest overall at the event.

After being a fourth-to-fifth round projection coming into the combine, I estimate Slay has jumped all the way up to second-to-third round discussion.

Slay is now in a great position as he has great measurable times to go along with his production on the field.

Sometimes players produce on the field and don’t measure well, and that gives NFL scouts pause. But Slay performed well on the field, has good measurables and did it in the top football conference in the nation, all of which solidifies him as a big time prospect at cornerback.

Boyd had a solid outing at the combine and more than anything, confirmed what most people already knew about him: he is strong. Boyd had 32 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, which was the fourth best mark among defensive lineman at the event, and he proved himself to be one of the strongest prospects in the class.

His 5.14 time in the 40, however, also reaffirmed what people already knew about him: he’s most likely not going to be an every down player due to lack of pass rush ability. This makes him a middle-round guy.

Perhaps the guy with the

FORREST BUCK Forrest Buck is a junior majoring in sport pedagogy.

He can be contacted at reflectorsports@gmail.com. most to prove at the combine was Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o. Te’o is coming off the worst game of his career in the BCS National Championship game, and on top of that, he became victim to one of the biggest scandals in sports history shortly after the game.

With so much pressure on him and so much to prove, it would seem the distractions were too much for him as Te’o ran a disappointing 4.82 time in the 40, despite reports that he ran a 4.6 in his own personal workouts.

Obviously, 40 times are not everything, especially at the MLB position. Former Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes ran a 5.1 at his pro day back in 2010 and is now one of the better players at his position in the league. But low 40s will hurt players’ draft stocks whether it’s fair or not, and with the cloud that is hanging over him, Te’o has little to no room for mishaps. Luckily for him, he still has the pro day to make a final impression on scouts.

I have always been a proponent that way too much stock is put into the combine.

We have seen way too many “workout warriors” who did little on the field and got picked high because of a great workout but who fall short of expectations in the NFL. A perfect example is the two teammates Banks and Slay. On Tuesday, Slay’s workout was the talk of the campus, and I even heard people saying maybe Slay should go higher than Banks. This is the problem with the combine.

No disrespect to Slay, who is a solid player, but he is not better than Banks and neither are a lot of the other corners who may have run better than Banks. With whatever speed or lack thereof Banks possesses, it was enough for him to be one of the best corners in the best conference in football the past two seasons in a row.

The tape matters, and all the 40 times, vertical jumps and bench presses are nice, but at the end of the day, it comes down to if you can play.

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

Owen makes immediate impact plate,” Owen said. “Vann (head coach Vann Stuedeman) has been working with Softball pitcher Alison me on my spins and helping Owen has been a Bulldog her me focus on a pitch-by-pitch entire college career but not a mentality, and she’s just the best pitching coach in the naMississippi State Bulldog.

Owen transferred from tion.”

The success on the mound Georgia after her sophomore year to play at State. Owen is not new to Owen, however. said she loved her time at She had a combined record Georgia, but it was time for of 28-7 in her two seasons her to open up a new chapter at Georgia and had an ERA under three both seasons. in her life.

“I cannot replace the mem- She also pitched in the Womories that I had there or the en’s College World Series her teammates that I had there,” freshman year in the semifiOwen said. “It was so awe- nals of the tournament.

Owen said pitching in the some to be able to have the opportunity to pitch in the CWS was a great experience College World Series, and she can never replace.

“The Women’s College meeting those teammates and having those relationships, World Series was one of the and I’d like to thank the pro- most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. I will never forget gram for the opportunity.”

After sitting out the 2012 those days or the teammates I season, she has finally been went with,” Owen said. “But able to take the circle in 2013, I can’t wait to go back and get and she is already off to a re- there again with State because cord-breaking start. She was all of us are working so hard, named co-SEC pitcher of the and that’s our goal.”

Owen said she considered week after back-to-back montransferring to other schools, ster games on the mound.

Last Saturday, she broke the but after visiting MSU and record for strikeouts in a game hanging out with Stuedeby an MSU pitcher with 15, man and the softball team, and then the following day, she knew State was where she she broke her own record with needed to be.

“I wanted to stay in the 16 Ks. Owen is part of an MSU SEC and go to a school with a pitching staff that leads the good pitching coach, and here SEC with 143 strikeouts and at State, I could have both. a .159 opponent batting av- Vann is one of the top pitching coaches erage and is in the nation, second in the The Women’s College and it is really league only World Series was one awesome for giving up 51 hits. of the most amazing me to be able to play for Even with experiences I’ve ever her,” Owen all the success said. “It’s not she has found had ... But I can’t about already this wait to go back and just softball with season, Owen get there again with her; she really has remained cares about us humble, alState.” as people and ways giving the Alison Owen, teaches us life credit to her junior pitcher lessons, and teammates and that is why I coaches.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it wanted to come to State.”

Stuedeman said she knows without the animal defense behind me and Sammy (Sam the impact Owen can have on Lenahan) and Logan (Foulks) the MSU softball team. After doing a great job behind the Owen was named co-SEC

BY FORREST BUCK Staff Writer

“

COURTESY PHOTO | MSU MEDIA RELATIONS

Alison Owen tranferred to MSU from Georgia and broke the school record for strikeouts on back-to-back nights last weekend. pitcher of the week, Stuede- fan; I grew up loving it,” man called Owen a program Owen said. “Georgia football will always have a place in changer.

“We knew when she said my heart because I grew up a yes it was a big yes for Missis- Georgia fan and I have friends sippi State,” Stuedeman said. there, but I’m a huge Missis“She’s been fun to coach. She’s sippi State Bulldog fan.”

Julia Echols, who also transreally in control of all of her pitches, and she really enjoys ferred from Georgia and is a going out there and compet- childhood friend of Owen, said she is a great teammate ing.”

Off the field, Owen is a and leader.

“She’s an unselfish teamnormal college student. She enjoys spending time with mate who’s always looking out her roommates and friends. for what she can do for someSome of her hobbies include body else,” Echols said.

Owen’s off-the-chart ability writing, painting and playing pool. She is really close on the field is complimented with her family back home in by her great attitude off the Georgia and said she skypes field. Despite being very talented at what she does, she them all the time.

Owen also said she is a very has a humble attitude and is unselfish, which makes her big SEC football fan.

“I’m a huge SEC football talent that much more special.

Bougard, McBride shine for track and field

BY ANSON KEITH Staff Writer

Mississippi State University’s women’s indoor track and field team looks to continue its winning ways as the Dogs enter the week ranked No. 25 nationally.

The top-25 nod was foreseen by head coach Steve Dudley after a superb showing at the SEC Championships last week.

In a press release, Dudley said Bougard performed like a champion over the weekend.

“I couldn’t be prouder of how our women performed this weekend,” Dudley said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we’ll rank in the nation’s Top 25. If we keep doing our job, we’ll be even better in the years to come.”

The women finished No. 11 overall in the SEC final standings in Fayetteville, Ark., last weekend. Sophomore Erica Bougard led the way in scoring for her squad as she put up 13 of her teams 18 total points.

Many of those points came from her record-breaking performance in the triple jump competition. The Byhalia, Miss., native broke an MSU record that had gone nearly 15 years without being touched with her 41-09.25 showing.

COURTESY PHOTO | MSU MEDIA RELATIONS

Sophomore Erica Bougard set four personal records in the pentathlon last weekend at the women’s SEC Indoor Championships. This weekend select players will compete in a last chance meet.

In the first day of the com- the Bulldog team of Bougard, Bougard said she did not purposefully try to break the re- petition, Bougard set four Ocian Archer, Jody-Ann Muir cord but that it just happened. personal records in the pen- and Kanishia Carey broke the “Breaking the school re- tathlon and won the 60-meter school record with a time of cord was pretty awesome even hurdles and the long jump. 3:39.28. though I had no intentions She ended the day with a Bougard said she does not on doing so,” Bougard said. second place finish in the look at herself as the main “The triple jump isn’t one 800-meter run but was later leader because everyone leads of my main events. It’s just disqualified for stepping out and helps each other out in something my coach thought of bounds, moving her to times of crisis or need.

I could do and excel in, so I 13th place.

“We all motivate one anIn the 4x400-meter relay, other from time to time,” went out there and tried it.”

Bougard said. “Mentally, I “As a team the goal would just focus on the positives be to qualify more people to all the time, and of course I go to Nationals, but personkeep in touch with my family ally I would like to break my throughout my entire compe- country’s junior record for titions. They help with that a outdoor competition,” Mclot.”

Bride said.

The men do not have an This weekend, select playofficial indoor team, but Ca- ers will travel to South Bend, nadian Brandon McBride will Ind., to compete in the Alex compete in various indoor Wilson Invitational, which is competitions at Nationals. a last chance qualifier meet.

While he is very focused on This gives the athletes one fidoing well at Nationals in the nal chance to qualify for the indoor department, he said he 2013 NCAA Indoor Champiis really looking forward to onships. the outdoor competitions as For the men, the 4x400-mewell. ter relay team of Daundre “We don’t really have an Barnaby, Scottie Hearn, Ranofficial indoor men’s team, dy Patterson and McBride so I just compete in various will compete along with Jason events. Also, I’m very tall, so Harper in the triple jump and indoors isn’t Marcus Jackour main focus son in the high As a team the goal at this time,” jump. Barnaby would be to qualify McBride said. and McBride more people to go to will race in “But I’m still the 400-meter going to comNationals, but pete to the dash.

Muir personally I would like will fullest of my repreabilities.” to break my country’s sent the lady McBride, Bulldogs and junior record for who signed compete in outdoor competition.” the 400-meter with MSU in February dash.

Brandon McBride, of last year, For those freshman distance is looking to who qualify, runner make a big imthe NCAA Inpact this year. He said making door Championships will be Nationals is on the mind of next Thursday through Satureveryone on the team. day in Fayetteville, Ark.

“

SPORTS 8

|

FRIDAY , MARCH 1 , 2013

THE REFLECTOR

STAT OF THE DAY:

SOFTBALL PITCHER ALISON OWEN IS THE ONLY PITCHER IN SCHOOL HISTORY TO PITCH A COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT IN THREE STRAIGHT STARTS.

RIVALRY WEEKEND SATURDAY HOOPS: OLE MISS AT MSU 4 P.M. , FSN

As the only unbeaten team in the league, Dogs host St. Joseph’s

BY ALDEN THORNHILL Staff Writer

The only remaining unbeaten team in the SEC, the Mississippi State Bulldogs, come into their weekend series against St. Joseph’s on a roll, starting the season off

on an 11-game win streak.

The No. 5 Bulldogs look to stay perfect as the Hawks of St. Joseph’s (2-4) out of the Atlantic 10 Conference make the journey down to Dudy Noble Field.

The Maroon and White’s offense has heated up the

past few games, particularly with the help of junior first baseman Alex Detz, who now leads MSU batters with 12 RBIs, batting .423 on the year. Detz’s impressive season has been a surprise to some but not to shortstop Adam Frazier.

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“I knew he (Detz) could hit. I played with him a couple of summers ago,” Frazier said. “He knows the strike zone really well.”

Detz is not the only Bulldog contributing to the outstanding offense so far. Frazier currently has a six-game hit streak and has gotten a hit in 10 of the Bulldogs’ 11 games this season.

Frazier is also batting .465 with five RBIs on the 2013 season. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe has driven in nine RBIs on the season.

In two midweek games, State defeated Rhode Island 13-2 and 17-5. In those two games MSU, scored its most runs since 2010 by bringing in 24 combined runs.

In Wednesday’s game, senior Sam Frost drove in four runs, and junior Derrick Armstrong and freshman Jacob Robson each recorded four RBIs. Frazier and Detz each picked up three hits against Rhode Island.

Ross Mitchell picked up

IAN PRESTER | THE REFLECTOR

Junior Evan Mitchell is part of a Bulldog pitching staff that has held opponents to just .181 batting average on the season. the win, moving to 3-0 on the season.

St. Joseph’s could pose a challenge for the Bulldogs’ bats as the Hawks have three pitchers throwing a .270 ERA or better while striking out 51 batters on the season. The Hawks’ pitchers will also have a challenge since the Maroon and White batters have are batting .336 on the season, the best average amogst SEC teams.

Head coach John Co-

hen said he plans to stick with the same rotation he used last week with Jacob Lindgren starting today, Evan Mitchell taking the mound Saturday and Kendall Graveman and Will Cox getting the starts Sunday.

The Bulldogs and Hawks will begin their four-game series today with the first pitch at 4 p.m. Saturday, the teams will play at 12 p.m., and Sunday will include a double-header starting at 1 p.m.