thebattalion l monday,
october 21, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
LIFE WITH THE FIRST LADY Perspective from the end of a campus celebrity’s leash
COURTESY
Kieron Lafferty (left) and Wayne Catania will perform Tuesday.
msc opas
Blues Brothers come to campus
Alexandra Slaughter
Special to The Battalion arker Smith is a normal college student. He goes to class, is a member of the Corps of Cadets, plays intramural flag football, loves football and the Aggies and is involved in many organizations. But everywhere he goes he has a constant companion — Reveille. With the full-time job of being Reveille’s handler, Smith, a sophomore general studies major, said he must leave for every class 30 minutes early to make it on time with his popular companion at his side. “When I am with her, I double my time anytime I have to go to class,” Smith said. “She normally just dozes off in my classes.” To become the handler, Smith had to go through an eight-week tryout that ended on Parents’ Weekend. “The handler comes from E-2, and it is one freshman,” Smith said. “We get the honor of taking care of the mascot. A lot of it is physical, doing runs.
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Some of it is public speaking and how you represent the Corps and her.” Smith said he knew he wanted to be in E-2, the Corps unit responsible for Reveille. Smith’s brother, Class of 2002, and father, Class of 1974, were in the Corps. “My brother lived with the handler and I always knew I wanted to be in E-2,” Smith said. “[To be the handler] was always in the back of my mind until late in the year when I realized I had a shot at it.” Being the handler does come with some sacrifices, Smith said. “The worst part is when she steals your food,” Smith said. “She’s very mischievous. When we were at my house over the summer, we all left the room and she jumped up on the counter and ate all the chicken breasts.” Smith said the position does have many perks. See Handler on page 4
Parker Smith, sophomore general studies major, serves as Reveille’s handler, and is pictured leading the team onto the field against SMU.
Tuesday performance inspired by film Elizabeth Evans
The Battalion et out that briefcase full of blues — the Blues Brothers Revue is ready to rock Rudder Auditorium on Tuesday night. Featuring hits from the original film such as “Soul Man” and “Rubber Biscuit,” the Blues Brothers and their eight-piece intercontinental rhythm and blues revue band are ready to give Bryan-College Station a night to remember. Starring Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty as Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues, the revue was designed to give the audience the same feel as a concert with the Blues Brothers. “This show is not about the film, but rather what it would be like if Jake and Elwood were doing a concert and out touring,” Lafferty said. “It’s about the music.” The show features music from the hit 1980 film, “The Blues Brothers,” as well as other songs from the band’s five other albums. “This concert is like an encyclopedia of American music,” Lafferty said. “We want the audience to take away from it a moment of joy and leave them remembering these songs and the chance to hear them played with dedication and conviction.”
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For the full story, go online at thebatt.com
Dee Huggan — THE BATTALION
Bryan Johnson — THE BATTALION
A&M ranks No. 16 in initial BCS standings
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he Bowl Championship Series released its first rankings of the 2013 college football season Sunday evening, tabbing Texas A&M as the No. 16 squad in the country. Texas A&M is joined by five other Southeastern Conference programs in the rankings — Alabama (1), Missouri (5), Auburn (11), LSU (13) and South Carolina (21). The Aggies’ remaining schedule includes two teams ranked in the BCS, both of which will come
on the road and will close the season — at No. 13 LSU on Nov. 23 and No. 5 Missouri on Nov. 30. The BCS rankings are divided into three contributing categories: the Harris Poll, the Coaches’ Poll and the average of the computer scores. A&M finished No. 13 in the Harris Poll, No. 15 in the Coaches’ Poll and averaged No. 18 in the computer rankings. James Sullivan, sports editor William Guerra — THE BATTALION
becky gates children center
Should’ve Been Cowboys wins Battle of the Bands
Center celebrates 15 years of service Student, faculty children utilize services Linley McCord The Battalion
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Caleb Stewart — THE BATTALION
Clayton Tumlison, guitar player and lead singer of Should’ve Been Cowboys, performs Friday evening at Rudder Fountain Plaza.
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tudents slowly filled Rudder Plaza Friday night, attracted by the sounds of musical tones and vocals echoing from the stage. Instruments crowded the area, signifying the beginning of MSC Town Hall’s musical standoff, Battle of the Bands. Abby and the Philharmonics, The Lounge, Should’ve Been Cowboys, King and Nation and Bad Cat offered their signature styles. All of the bands
he Becky Gates Children Center celebrated 15 years of serving the children of Texas A&M faculty, staff and students Saturday. Named after the wife of former A&M president Robert Gates, the center strives to offer a high-quality preschool program for the children ages 1-5 years of students and educators at the University. Within the center, located by the horticulture gardens off
South College, students learn everything from potty training to a kindergarten curriculum, and most students leave the center being able to read, said Kisha Lee, director of the center. “We warn parents that their kids might be bored in kindergarten,” Lee said. The center is mostly selffunded by tuition from parents and the small percentage of student fees allotted to the center typically goes to student workers, Lee said. The 50 student workers also gain experience. Students majoring in kinesiology help with physical education while See Gates center on page 3
added their own flair to the traditional drum and guitar sound, whether vocal depth, instrument variation or manner of play. At the end of the night, Should’ve Been Cowboys won the vote from the judges and $500.
inside news | 3 Prejudice and Pride Campus organizations and departments will host a screening of “Prejudice and Pride” Monday to stir Chicano identity conversation.
thebatt.com
Soccer tops Ga. Sunday The Texas A&M soccer team increased its win streak to seven games following its two-game SEC road trip to improve to 12-3-1 (7-1 SEC). A&M beat Alabama 3-0 on Friday.
Volleyball loses twice A&M falls to SEC foes Alabama and Auburn on the road over the weekend.
Mikel Moon, special to The Battalion For the full story, go online at thebatt.com William Guerra — THE BATTALION
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