TheBatt04-11-2013

thebattalion l thursday,

april 11, 2013

l serving

texas a&m since 1893

l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media

Echo Taps to honor Army sergeant Julie Blanco The Battalion

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U.S. Army sergeant and former Texas A&M student was killed Friday in a training accident at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Army officials announced Monday.

Graham Woody — Class of 2008 and member of the Third Brigade, First Armored Division — died from severe head trauma when the armed vehicle he was occupying rolled at the Ana Dona range complex of Fort Bliss.

Woody graduated from A&M with a degree in engineering technology and was a member of Company N-1 Knights in the Corps of Cadets.

Former classmates and fellow cadets from Company N-1 said they remember Woody as a friend they could always count on.

“He was a fiercely loyal guy,” said Jason Williams, a former member of Company N-1 and Class of 2008. “He was a goofball, but when it was time to work, he worked.

He was loyal to whoever and whatever he was working for.”

Since his time in the Corps, friends said Woody knew he wanted to be in the military and the Green Berets. When he joined the Army, he originally enlisted in jump school, but found his way to the armored unit where he was a personal security detail.

“He was one of the bravest guys I ever knew,” said Matt Duhs, a former member of Company N-1 and Class of 2008. “If you ever needed someone, you knew he’d be there for you.”

During his time at A&M, Woody was supportive of his fellow company members and knew how to lift their spirits.

“Whenever you were having a rough day, he would put a smile on your face,” Duhs said. “He was the voice of reason — he was definitely our sanity check most of the time.”

Ross Flynt, a former member of Company N-1 and Class of 2008, said Woody’s personable character made him irreplaceable and a person who everyone enjoyed to be around.

“Woody was the type of guy who lived in the moment and made memories,” Flynt said. “He’s just a guy full of energy. He brought life to the party.”

While in the Army, Woody served one year in Afghanistan and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.

Woody will be honored at Echo Taps at 10:30 p.m. Thursday on the Quad. Military honors for Woody will be presented at 11:30 a.m. April 12 at the Houston National Cemetery.

Courtesy

Sgt. Graham Woody, Class of 2008, was killed Friday in an accident at Fort Bliss.

Inter-fashional International week culminates in fashion show, stage performances

Lauren Simcic The Battalion

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Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION

A student in a Colombian-inspired dress poses at the front of the stage for onlookers at this years I-fashion show Wednesday evening at Rudder Theater.

inside voices | 2 Get in Gear Bikes are a clean and healthy alternative method of travel. Read why one columnist thinks there should be more of them on campus.

science | 3 Lightning detection Breakthroughs in lightning detection by A&M professor Richard Orville could lead to early strike detection — and save lives.

sports | 5 Splatter sport The Texas A&M paintball team boasts an evolved strategy and looks to take home the national title next weekend. Behind strong leadership, the secondranked squad aims to dominate the national field.

he lights dim and silence falls over the audience. A shriek escapes from the back of the theater, and dark figures begin to creep down the aisles. As the monsters slink onto Rudder Theater’s stage, a slow drumbeat begins, escalating into a frenzy.

The mysterious features of the monsters are revealed — as devils.

This performance, “The Dancing Devils of Yare,” brought the first half of the I-Show dance competition to a close Wednesday night. I-Show — combined with the I-Fashion apparel show and I-Win award session — is part of International Week, intended to showcase diversity on campus.

Thaida Garcia, sophomore history major and a participant in the Venezuelan devil routine, said the dance has cultural significance.

“We wanted to try something more traditional — something that’s not known to everyone and unique to Venezuela,” she said.

Garcia said the performance is traditionally performed nine days after Holy Thursday to highlight the importance of repentance in the Catholic faith.

Brijesh Angira, president of the Interna-

tional Students Association, said Wednesday’s programs form an integral part of I-Week.

“I-Show and I-Fashion are signature events of I-Week,” Angira said. “I-Show is a talent show, which is culture specific. It’s a beautiful depiction of dance, culture, art and traditional outfits of different countries.”

Thirty students participated in this year’s IShow, Angira said. Their outfits varied widely in color, fabric material and complexity. Two girls dressed in bouncing feathers represented Colombia, while another walked for Thailand in a sapphire blue dress with gold facial jewelry.

Nations represented during I-Show included India, the Philippines, Venezuela, Colombia, Palestine, Venezuela, Mexico and Panama. Soon after, male and female models strutted across the stage for I-Fashion representing India, Russia, Nepal, Honduras and others.

Shweta Rathi, president of India Association, said she particularly enjoyed the Indian Bhangra routine her organization performed.

This upbeat dance style was combined with a more methodical dance that focuses on gestures and facial expressions called the Bharatnatyam, See Fashion on page 7

club sports

u.s. congress

John Rangel

Gun bill amendment to reach Senate

A&M competitive cheer to vie for national title

The Battalion

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exas A&M Football didn’t bring home a national championship this year, but Aggie cheerleading just might.

The Texas A&M Competition Squad will compete at the National Cheerleaders Association’s Collegiate National Championship on Thursday and Friday. After a decade of moving toward University recognition, the squad is now prepared to flip its way to a national title.

“We are looking to rank very high, hopefully in the top three of the nation,” said Amy Benavidez, junior health major and squad president. “This is the best team I’ve been on so far.”

A&M’s competition squad began as a student organization called “AgElite” in 2001. Growing the team proved difficult at a University strongly associated with yell leaders — not cheerleaders — but Alli Schoenberger, senior education major and

Sarah Gibson The Battalion

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COURTESY

The Texas A&M Competition Cheer Squad executes a formation during a cheer performance. squad vice president, said the team finally became recognized

by A&M’s REC sports in 2009 to compete at a national level.

“It took a lot of hard work and a lot of meetings with REC sports and the University, but we’ve only grown and become better,” Schoenberger said.

Schoenberger said the team has faced challenges with spreading the word that Texas A&M has a competition squad. She said the biggest hurdle has been dispelling the misconception that the team would change A&M’s traditions, but acceptance and

bipartisan amendment introduced Wednesday morning to an already-proposed gun package advocated by President Barack Obama — which will undergo a Thursday vote — could be the first sign of compromise on gun laws between Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania unveiled a bill that would expand background checks for all commercial gun sales in person and online.

Toomey said his new bill doesn’t fit the definition of “gun control.”

“I have to tell you candidly that I don’t consider criminal background checks to be gun control,” Toomey said at a Wednesday press conference. “I think it’s just common sense.”

Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., Democrats called for stricter gun laws in an effort to reduce gun violence. Republicans and gun-rights activists have said stricter gun laws would violate

See Cheerleading on page 8

See Legislature on page 4

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opinion thebattalion 4.11.2013 page 2

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Letters to the editor

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Thomas Storey — THE BATTALION

From Katie Estep, sophomore business administration major Bicycles are probably the most effective way to get around campus. The amount of time it takes to get from place to place is easily cut in half. Walking just takes longer, and the buses are a hassle. With so many bicyclists on campus, there needs to be clearer bicycle and walking areas.

Sidewalks are barely wide enough for two people to walk in opposite directions, much less two people and a bicycle zipping past.

This poses a safety threat to walkers and bikers. Walkers can’t see the bicyclists coming up behind them and normally can’t get out of the way fast enough for those coming toward them. Bicyclists are often going too fast to change their course and are forced into the stream of traffic. With clear bicycle lanes throughout campus, there would be designated areas for bicyclists and walkers. Those walking, biking or driving would benefit from these lanes. Walkers would be able to reclaim the sidewalks; bicyclists would have their own space; drivers would not have to worry as much about walkers and bicyclists in the street. Each of these groups has complaints about the others.

With improvements, safety and complaints will change.

Get in gear Alec Goetz: Greater support for cyclists would benefit campus

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ast year for my birthday I was given the best gift I’ve ever received. It wasn’t a puppy, or an iPhone, or a fifth of aged scotch. No. It was a bike.

From Andrew Lindstrom, sophomore computer engineering major

Take a piece of Texas a&M hisTory wiTh you · Reserve your 2014 Aggieland The 112th edition of Texas A&M University’s official yearbook will chronicle traditions, academics, the other education, sports, the Corps, ResLife, Greeks, campus organizations and seniors and graduate students.

Distribution will be during Fall 2014. Go to the optional services box in Howdy when you register for fall.

· Order your 2013 Aggieland (if you haven’t)

The 2013 Aggieland yearbook will be a record of the 2012-2013 Texas A&M school year. Books will be mailed out during Fall 2013.

· Purchase the 2012 Aggieland (if you haven’t)

The 2012 Aggieland is a photojournalistic record of the 2011–2012 school year.

By credit card go online to http://aggieland. tamu.edu or call 979-845-2696. Or drop by the Student Media office in the Memorial Student Center, Room L400. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday–Friday.

Texas A&M has recently seen some controversial political situations that did not reflect well on Student Senate and A&M as a whole. Senate exists to to represent the student body. But who exactly is representing us? I knew much more about the SBP and Yell Leader candidates than I knew about candidates for Senate during student elections. When I looked at the candidates for Senate, my vote was determined only by which name sounded the coolest. I had no face or platform to put with anyone’s name. I believe this is a huge problem, especially since these are the people who are supposed to represent us more closely than anyone in SGA. I believe that if the people who run for Senate truly desire to represent the student body as best as they can, it would be important to have some place where people can know who they are voting for. This could be done through campaigning, websites, a URL to a list of names/faces/platforms on the voting ballot. Nowhere at senate.tamu.edu did I see anything about who the senators were, let alone a picture that I could match with their face. I want to know who I am voting for. I want to know who is representing me.

Most of all, I want to support SGA through my informed vote. I hope that we, as Aggies, can stand with the Student Senate by voting for those we believe to be the best for the job.

A road bike, to be specific: single-speed and fixed gear (to match my beard and black-framed glasses), light and fast and perfect for riding to campus and back from my apartment.

At a glance, College Station may not seem like a bicycle-friendly town. But bike lanes on some streets immediately adjacent to campus make commuting on your choice of wheeled steed possible, provided you’re up for dodging bus stops and lane-hogging F450s each morning. Add to that College Station’s batch of high-quality independent bike repair shops and an already robust number of student riders, and almost everything necessary to turn this town into a cyclist’s paradise is in place. Texas A&M has the power to be the driving force behind that change, if it wants to.

In some ways it already is.

One of the most readily apparent changes is the geography of campus.

The University has opened campus to cyclists by finishing much of the road construction around the main campus — taking the appreciated step of adding bike lanes to most, if not all, of the revamped streets — and the building of an underpass between west and main campuses will make crossing between the two much safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists alike. A small bikeway on the north end of campus gives cyclists an easy route to Northgate as well (though getting back on bike after a night out is another challenge altogether).

But if the University is serious about promoting biking, there are more improvements that could be made. Increasing the visibility and

EDITOR’SNOTE The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.

MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be

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The Independent Student Voice of Texas A&M since 1893

Direct all correspondence to: Editor in chief of The Battalion (979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com

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Alec Goetz is a senior English major and Lifestyles desk assistant for The Battalion.

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fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters will be read, but not printed.

The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is verified.

the best

availability of the Borrow a Bike program would be a good place to start. A “basic” form of a bikesharing program by Transportation Services’ own admission, Borrow A Bike allows students to check out a step-thru MaroonBike for a day at no charge from the Customer Assistance Center up to 30 times a year.

While this is no doubt a helpful service, having to check out bikes from an indoor office renders it all but invisible to the student body at large. A more publicly visible bikesharing program would increase the number of bikes on campus — borrowed or otherwise — and generate more interest in the service. Further increases in the number of bike lanes and designated riding areas around campus would also cut down on the number of bikers trying to weave in and out of crowds between classes and give students more reasons to ride.

Why does it matter how many people ride bikes around here? Besides being the cleanest, healthiest, fastest way to get around town — come rush hour — and a lot of fun to boot, biking helps reduce traffic congestion and overall pollution, resulting in a living space that’s easier to get around. The more cyclists on the road, the more the town will evolve to accommodate them, so saddle up, pedal out and don’t look back.

Just remember to wear a helmet.

Trevor Stevens Editor-in-Chief

The Battalion is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs.

Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; email: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com.

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Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@ thebatt.com.

Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Call 979-845-2696 for mail subscriptions.

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4/10/13 10:56 PM

news

page 3 thursday 4.11.2013

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Skyscape cartography

news for you state news

Bryan man found guilty for Texas State bomb threat

Storm chasers document and photograph a cloud-to-ground lightning storm in New Mexico.

Courtesy

A&M prof unveils Houston lightning map John Rangel

The Battalion ouston is the Capitol of Texas – for lightning, that is. Thousands of strikes each year make Houston exactly the highly charged area Richard Orville, A&M professor of atmospheric sciences, needs to implement a revolutionary lightning detection system.

Known as the Houston Lightning Mapping Array, LMA, Orville said it is a system well suited to mapping Houston’s charged skyline.

“The Network [LMA] detects virtually all the lightning that occurs within 100 miles of Houston,” Orville said.

While lightning detection is nothing new, the way in which Orville’s LMA maps lightning makes it the first of its kind. Conventional systems plot lightning in two-dimensions along the ground and only record surface strikes. This leaves meteorologists in the dark as to how electrically charged a cloud is and when and where the next strike could occur.

“Radar can map a storm’s ice and wa-

H

400

people are hit by lightning each year.

50

About people are killed by lightning each year. ter, but now we can do the same with lightning,” said Orville about the LMA. Orville’s system uses a lightning’s radiation to plot its existence in three dimensions, opening up new ways to analyze and eventually predict a storm’s behavior.

“We can monitor the ‘health’ of a [storm] or hurricane, and the more we understand the radar and lightning characteristics of storms, the more we can pre-

pare for them,” Orville said.

Twelve detector stations make up the LMA, 10 around Houston and one each at A&M Galveston and College Station.

Matthew Cullen, atmospheric sciences graduate student and one of Orville’s student workers, helped build and install the detector stations and now analyzes the LMA’s data. He said the project’s goal of better understanding lightning has a public safety aspect in addition to that of scientific curiosity.

“Can lightning be used to predict the first and last ground strike?” Cullen said.

“Statistically, those are the strikes that harm people the most.”

Cullen said the LMA gives both meteorologists and the general public a tool to assess the safety of a storm. The LMA’s data is open to public access online in real time, and the ability to measure a storm’s lightning along with wind and rain allows for safer decision-making.

“One of my passions is to empower people in decision making roles with the best data,” Cullen said. “They could be summer day camp counselors, public pool managers, or even a person walking his dog, but I want to help them make their decision.”

Predicting a storm’s lightning is still currently out of reach but John NielsenGammon, regents professor and Texas State Climatologist, said Orville’s work may make it possible.

“Right now, the only way we can tell which storms have dangerous lightning is by looking at their instability,” NielsenGammon said. “[The LMA] might help us identify dangerous storms beforehand.”

Nielsen-Gammon said this ability would help forecasters predict which storms are electrically active before the first ground strike, giving public safety officials early warning. It would also help re-

texas legislature

“Right now we are developing software to be able to plot lightning in real time within a thunderstorm, which would give us ways to predict where lightning will occur, and can save lives.”

— Richard Orville, professor of atmospheric sciences

searchers understand how electrical charge is distributed throughout a thunderstorm.

Orville said the most immediate challenge to accomplishing these goals is developing methods to analyze the LMA’s data.

“Right now we are developing software to be able to plot lightning in real time within a thunderstorm,” Orville said.

“This would give us ways to predict where lightning will occur, and can save lives.”

Student Senate confirms leaders The Battalion

Some Texas applicants for welfare would be subjected to drug testing and would be permanently cut off if they fail three times under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Senate.

The bill covers Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program applicants. The program, which provides the poor with money for food, clothing, housing and other basic needs, distributes about $90 million to more than 100,000 Texans annually. The amount of the payment depends on family size and income.

“Taxpayer money should not be used to subsidize someone’s drug habit,” bill sponsor Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said before the bill sailed through on a 31-0 vote that sent it to the House.

The program already requires adult TANF applicants to sign a pledge not to sell or use drugs. Nelson’s bill would move Texas in line with seven other states that require testing. It would not cover other welfare programs such as food stamps or other state benefit programs.

Not all applicants would be tested, but all would be required to undergo a screening assessment, likely a questionnaire, to determine their risk of drug use. Anyone with a previous felony drug conviction or failed drug test or who is otherwise deemed a high risk for drug use would be tested.

Applicants who test positive would be barred from collecting benefits for 12 months. They could reapply in six months if they complete a substance abuse program.

Three failed drug tests would result in a permanent ban.

Associated Press

Committee debates abortion ban

W

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Texas Senate approves drug testing for welfare

texas legislature

Aimee Breaux ith nearly unanimous votes, the 66th Session of Student Senate confirmed four top executive council members under Student Body President Reid Joseph and voted on the remaining four officer positions within Senate.

Executive council members presented their visions for the upcoming year at the Wednesday Student Senate meeting, repeatedly bringing up the goals of increased intergovernmental communication and updated record keeping.

Holly Scott, junior political science major and newly confirmed chief policy adviser, said she hoped to create an online database for Student Government Association that allows anyone to track bill progress.

Amanda Hatheway, newly confirmed chief of staff and senior business honors major, said she has plans to provide knowledge of SGA-wide initiatives.

“I’ve seen it all, I’ve been in committees, I’ve been in Senate, I’ve been on the executive branch,” Hatheway said. “I feel like I have a little bit of everything in my past experience. I want to use those past experiences and past relationships and make sure that the executive council is well informed of everything in SGA.” Kyle Kelly, newly confirmed execu-

Dereon Kelley of Bryan was found guilty for communicating a bomb threat to an academic institution, a U.S. Attorney announced Wednesday.

The 22 year old was accused in federal court of three counts of using the Internet to convey a false threat involving an explosive device in order to intimidate individuals at Texas State University.

After a two-day trial, the verdict was returned within one hour of deliberation.

Kelley used his cellphone to access his former girlfriend’s email account to send three Dereon Kelley emails threatening to bomb the Admission’s Office at TSU, according to evidence and testimony presented in court.

Kelley’s sentencing is scheduled for May. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

Kelley also faces charges connected to a bomb threat that caused the evacuation of Texas A&M’s campus on Oct. 19.

Staff Report

Aimee Breaux — THE BATTALION

(From left to right) Graham Shelby, Kyle Kelly, Amanda Hatheway and Holly Scott are sworn in to the executive council under Reid Joseph, Wednesday at the Student Senate meeting. tive vice president and junior industrial distribution major, said he hoped to work toward financial self-sustainability by fundraising to increase the size of the SGA endowment fund to $1 million.

“Something that is very crucial and we are very excited about is building this endowment to where the interest to this endowment will fund SGA and we will not use student fees for student government,” Kelly said.

Closing the executive council presen-

tation, Graham Shelby, junior finance major and newly confirmed internal vice president, echoed a sentiment common throughout the presentation in saying that his main job would be to support Joseph.

The Senate also voted in Tyler Mandry as chair of the academic affairs committee, Brandon Clingman as community relations chair, Austin Springer as legislative affairs chair and Hannah Weger as student services chair.

A Texas House panel is debating hot-button legislation to ban abortions in Texas after 20 weeks, the point at which anti-abortion activists contend a fetus can feel pain.

Gov. Rick Perry has joined some of the Legislature’s most conservative voices in cheering a bill being considered Wednesday by the House State Affairs Committee.

Current federal law allows complete bans on abortions after 24 weeks but leaves procedures done between 12 and 24 weeks into pregnancy subject to state regulation.

Abortion rights activists say scientific studies have given no evidence to support the contention that a fetus feels pain after 20 weeks’ gestation.

Nevertheless, Arkansas and several other states have recently passed bans after 20 weeks, but also have faced legal challenges.

Associated Press

4/11/13 12:20 AM

page 4

Unplanned Pregnancy?

thursday 4.11.2013

news thebattalion

Open Adoption was the right choice for me.

See my story at

PregnancyOutreach.org

Matt Wong — THE BATTALION

Members of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority stomp for a large crowd in Rudder Auditorium Wednesday night during Stompfest.

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he University of Texas Student Senate quickly responded to the recent A&M Student Senate action.

After a veto by Student Body President John Claybrook of Student Senate’s Religious Funding Exemption Bill, the student senate at UT unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday in support of continued funding for its campus’ Gender and Sexuality Center.

Bill authors said the resolution, AR1, came as a response to A&M Student Senate’s bill, which passed 35-28 on April 3 and advocated that students be allowed to opt out of various services according to disagreement on moral and religious grounds. Another prompting cited by AR1 bill authors included a movement from Republican state Rep. Bill Zedler, who proposed — and later retracted — an amendment that would prevent state funds from reaching centers such as A&M’s GLBT Resource Center.

A bill co-author to AR1, Nosa Aimuyo, said the bill is a statement to legislatures around the state.

“It’s a way to let legislatures know that not all of the big universities in Texas are against anything such as our Gender and Sexuality Center at UT,” Aimuyo said.

Scott Bowen, senior chemical engineering major and Senate speaker at A&M, said UT’s legislative actions aren’t of concern to him and his fellow senators.

“We answer to Texas A&M students, not students at t.u.,” Bowen said.

Fernando Sosa, student senator and sophomore political science major, said while he couldn’t comment on the provisions of AR1, both universities have a shared interest in an inclusive environment.

“Despite the diverse fiscal views and principles on campus, we should all agree that our universities should provide an inclusive environment for students of all backgrounds,” Sosa said.

Legislature

censed gun dealers would conduct the background check. It would be a felony to sell a gun without a background check to a prohibited buyer, but some private guns sales, such as between family and friends, would not require a background check.

Zach Kolm, sophomore mechanical engineering major, said the background checks would be useful, especially if it will prevent criminals from buying guns and help curb gun violence.

However, a potential Republican filibuster, which would be the second in two months, could postpone voting. Last month, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky postponed the confirmation of John Brennan’s CIA nomination for 13 hours in protest of Obama’s refusal to rule out the domestic use of drones.

Freshman Texas Senator Ted Cruz is one of the Republicans who may filibuster Thursday.

“Critics say we need to have a debate and need to have a vote,” Cruz said on the Laura Ingraham radio show Wednesday morning.

“We are debating. We will vote. We should vigorously protect the Second Amendment and the Bill of Rights, and this is really what this fight is about.”

The bill will be officially introduced Thursday with the new amendment. Reid has called for a cloture vote, in which more than 60 senators would vote in favor of the bipartisan agreement and thus disallow senators from filibustering. The bill would then proceed to Senate debate, which could last one to two weeks before a final vote.

In a recent CNN/ORC International poll, 86 percent of Americans are in favor of background checks.

Continued from page 1

The Toomey-Manchin agreement would be an amendment to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s earlier proposed gun bill package, which included an expansion in background checks to encompass almost all private transfers, new penalties imposed on gun traffickers, bans on high-capacity magazines and $40 million allocated to bolster school safety, among other things, according to The Washington Times.

Chase Mazzilli, junior mechanical engineering major, and Patrick Penman, senior history major, agree that background checks, while not a perfect solution, could be effective.

“I don’t know if this will keep people from buying guns on the black market, but it is a good idea,” Mazzilli said. “They shouldn’t pass it if it makes guns too hard to buy.”

Penman said background checks could give gun sellers insight into their customer base.

“I am not big on gun control, but retailers should have an idea of who is buying their guns,” Penman said. “The background checks will give [sellers] an idea about [a buyer’s] criminal past.”

The NRA said in a statement issued Wednesday morning that it was discontented with the preliminary bill.

“Expanding background checks at gun shows will not prevent the next shooting, will not solve violent crime and will not keep our kids safe in schools,” the statement read. “The sad truth is that no background check would have prevented the tragedy in Newtown, Aurora or Tucson.”

In the proposed amendment, federally li-

Staff Report

4/11/13 12:05 AM

sports

thebattalion 4.11.2013 page5

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Splatter sport

A&M paintball club evolves strategy, gives sport new edge James Sullivan The Battalion

B

unkers, projectile weapons and a kill or be-killed mentality — to a majority of Texas A&M students, all words of war. But for the 30 members of the A&M paintball club, these words are simply routine.

According to Robin Operhall, club vice president and senior interdisciplinary studies major, paintball as a sport has a competitive edge and goes beyond its initial use as a recreational activity.

“Simply put, we don’t play in the woods,” Operhall said. “This is a very competitive, very athletic sport. It’s very fast, very intense. That’s why we all play

it, for the adrenaline rush.”

Founded in 1996 for players of any skill level to convene and play recreationally, A&M paintball has evolved into the largest collegiate paintball organization in the country. Gaining the status of an official Texas A&M rec sport three years ago, paintball has continued to expand its membership and received the title of A&M’s Club Sport of the Year in 2012.

“The program has been established for a long time,” J.D. Woody, club secretary and senior biomedical sciences major, said. “Right now, A&M has the biggest program in the nation for paintball. We sent five teams to one tournament, and that’s unheard of.”

With 30 active members, the Aggies

Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION

Chris Spletter, club treasurer and senior chemical engineering major, fires rounds at his mirror attacker during a “snapping” drill during practice.

Paintball travels to national tourney The Texas A&M paintball club travels to Lakeland, Fla. for the national tournament to compete for the collegiate title April 19-21.

track & field Two Aggies snare SEC Athlete of the Week honors following Oregon meet

Athletic director Eric Hyman announced Tuesday the hiring of Jason Cook as the senior associate athletics director for external affairs. Cook, who has served A&M President R. Bowen Loftin as the vice president of marketing and communications since 2008, will control marketing, communications, event management and broadcasting initiatives for the A&M athletics department starting on Monday.

Jason Cook

Texas A&M seniors Chris Humphreys and Henry Lelei earned SEC Field Athlete and Runner of the Week awards, respectively, following their performances at the Oregon Pepsi Team Invitational this past weekend. Lelei broke his own A&M school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, recording a world-leading time of 8:32:94 in the event. Among the collegiate ranks, Lelei currently stands a full nine seconds above contenders in the event. Humphreys, in returning to the same field where he won the U.S. Olympic Trials in javelin last summer, dominated the competition with a winning mark of 256-3, a solid 18 feet beyond the remainder of the field.

Humphreys has led the event since the beginning of the season, only improving upon his distance since then.

Staff Report

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are consistently competitive on the national level, finishing in the Top 5 over the past three seasons. In 2009, A&M even closed the season as the runner-up for the national championship.

Currently, the club sport stands as second in the National Collegiate Paintball Association rankings and will travel to Lakeland, Fla. for the national championship tournament, which runs from April 19-21.

For Michael Forginone, club president and junior kinesiology major, the sport has morphed into a game built on strategy and preparation, an ideal stressed during the team’s weekly practices.

“We’ve been preparing a lot for nationals — a lot of drills, a lot of scenarios,” Forgione said. “The sport has evolved to where everyone needs to be athletic, everyone needs to be fit and have endurance. There are players of all different skill sets in college, ranging from beginner to professional.”

Practices run similarly to those implemented in a football or basketball program, focusing on drills and building skills necessary for success on the paintball field. Leaders on the team pester younger players with questions during shooting sessions, forcing them to evolve better communications skills amid the chaos of a paintball match.

On non-tournament weekends, the team scrimmages at a self-constructed paintball facility off-campus. Club treasurer and senior chemical engineering major Chris Spletter said the new field cut costs while also giving the team a way to demonstrate the nature of competitive paintball.

“This year, we built our own field a little ways off campus. It’s a lot cheaper and a lot more accessible,” Spletter said.

“A lot of people don’t know what competitive paintball is. They think it’s just a bunch of guys going out in the woods and shooting each other. It’s not.”

For Woody, the paintball course represents a key component and advantage for A&M, considering it’s one of just a few in the nation.

“I think there’s only one, maybe two, other programs in the country that practice on their own field that’s selfmaintained by the team,” Woody said.

“That’s been our pride and joy this year.”

athletics A&M spokesman hired as associate athletic director

Staff Report

OPEn

@battsports

4/10/13 11:06 PM

classifieds

thebattalion 4.11.2013 page6 PLACE

AN AD Phone 845-0569 Suite L400, Memorial Student Center Texas A&M University

ANNOUNCEMENTS I buy used textbooks. Carousel Paperbacks, 4415 S.Texas Ave. 979-846-5280.

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TO CALL 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Insertion deadline: 1 p.m. prior business day

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2bd/2ba 4-plex. Spacious floorplan, W/D connections, close to campus. $550/mo. www.aggielandleasing.com 979-776-6079.

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3/2 duplex, 1922 Holleman Dr. West. Available August. Great location, wood floors, tile, new carpet, newly updated, fenced backyard, W/D, shuttle, bike to campus. Pets ok. $1095/mo.

979-731-8257. www.brazosvalleyrentals.com 3/2 Duplexes, prelease August, very nice, 5mins to campus, W/D, lawn care, security system, $900-950/mo. 979-691-0304, 979-571-6020.

3/3,3/2 Houses, Townhouses &Apartments, 1250-1400sqft.

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1104 Taurus Cr. $1100/mo.

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3/2/2 huge house. Walk to campus. 3905 Oaklawn, $1250/mo. 979-693-5885.

3/2/2 huge huge house! Walk to campus. 4000 Oaklawn, $1300/mo. 979-693-5885.

3/3 Spacious Duplexes off Graham. All Appliances, Tile Floor, Available August 3.

979-571-3036.

3/3 Spacious Duplexes off Graham. Aggie Owned. 1411sqft.

W/D and lawncare included.

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713-397-3444 or Lweaver00@hotmail.com.

3bd/2ba mobile home on one acre, 3131 Cain Rd. CS, $550/mo, call 777-2395.

3bd/3ba townhome, newer, granite, ceramic, shuttle, cable/Internet included. May and August.

Broker/owner 979-777-5477.

3bd/3ba, with 3-reserved parking spaces, @Fox Run Condominiums, 801 Luther Road West. Gated community, $1500/mo+utilities.

281-414-7676.

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FOR RENT

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4-bedroom houses close to campus, large yards w/decks. $1300-$1600/mo. Call JC/broker (254)721-6179.

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Newly remodeled large house.

216 Redmond. $1,750/mo.

979-595-5800.

4/2/2 house, 1203 Westover. Available August. Close to campus & multiple bus routes. Recently updated, large fenced backyard.

Pets OK. $1495/mo. 979-255-9432.

August Leasing. 4bd/2ba house.

Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079. www.aggielandleasing.com

4/2/2 huge house. Walk to campus. 3903 Oaklawn, $1350/mo. 979-693-5885.

Available August. 4/4 house in Buena Vida. W/D, new appliances, granite, fenced. gigem95@verizon.net 713-252-5555.

4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Houses, Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing, excellent specials.

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Available now 2/2 duplex, fenced yard, pets ok, great location, and on shuttle, $700/mo.

979-693-1448.

Available now 3/2 house with two car garage, remodled on inside, large fenced backyard, stainless appliances. 1708 Treehouse Trail. $1300/mo. 979-693-1448.

4/4 University Place condo, W/D, private bath, pool, on shuttle, student community, $300/room, Call 979-690-8213 or 979-422-9849.

Bedroom for rent in 4-bedroom house. On bus route, $475/mo. all bills paid. Available June 1st. Female only, 2-roommates. To inquire: 830-660-9882.

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High ceilings, huge closets, large front porch, tile floors, all appliances, fenced backyard, many extras. $1750/mo. Preleasing for August. 979-229-6326. See photos and info at http://www.texagrentals.com/

Brand new luxury condos, granite countertops, tile flooring, great location. 979-693-4900.

C.S. Spacious 3/2 duplex, Wolf Pen Creek. W/D, shuttle. Available May. $895/mo. 979-693-0551.

4bd/2ba house on bus route.

Lease can start May or August $1450/mo. Call or text Matt 254-289-5683.

College Station: 3/2, 1240sqft.

Newly remodeled! New stainless steel appliances, tile, cabinets!

Close to shuttle, W/D, lawn/pest/maintenance included. 905 Balcones (off Welch), $1,000/mo. KAZ Realty 979-324-9666.

4bd/2ba house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, granite countertops, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079. www.aggielandleasing.com 4bd/4.5ba house available in August, Southern Trace Subdivision. $1,700/mo, pets ok.

979-314-4505.

College Station: 3/2, 1240sqft.

Newly remodeled! New appliances! Close to shuttle, W/D, lawn/pest/maintenance included. 905 Balcones (off Welch), $850/mo. KAZ Realty 979-324-9666.

Brand New, 4bd/4ba houses. walking distance from campus, AAF 979-693-4900.

4bd/4ba private bathroom, $325 per room, Summer $260 per room, Wood/tile floors, large living room, new refrigerator, w/d, central a/c, walk-in closets, on shuttle. Student community, large pool, basketball court, sand beach volleyball. 979-574-0040, 281-639-8847.

Duplex available 8/1/13 for serious minded student or professional.

2bd/1.5ba $700/mo + utilities, 1.5 miles from campus, on bus route, W/D included. Privately owned, great landlords! Contact sw8914@gmail.com 713-240-9725, 281-788-6659 for more info and e-flyer. See it Parent Weekend by appt.

4bd/4ba University Place Condo for rent starting August 2013. $1660/mo. All utilities paid including internet. No pets. www.collegestationrent.com/tx/collegestation/227678-4-bed-4-bathcondo-all-bills-paid. Fred 281-460-0439.

Duplex, CS, nice 2bd/1ba, 3-minutes from campus, W/D, remodeled, fenced front and backyard, beautiful with many extras, one week free, $570/mo, 979-422-3427.

Free locatoring service, Houses Duplexes and Apartments, 979-693-4900.

4bd/home off Rock Prairie, built 2008, 3-rooms available June1st, two at $525/mo. (shared bathroom), one at $600/mo. master bedroom w/bath, all bills paid including wifi, 361-463-1515, publisher@rockportpilot.com for information.

Horse Lover’s Dream. 3bd/1ba, covered carport on 4acres wit pond and horse facilities. Minutes from TAMU. Recently updated all appliances including W/D. Pet and livestock friendly.

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5/4.5, like new. High ceilings, huge closets, large front porch, tile floors, all appliances, many extras. $1750/mo. Preleasing for August. 979-229-6326. See photos and info at www.texagrentals.com

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2-duplexes, 1202 Vineyard Ct., Both 2bd/2ba. Plantation blinds, W/D, ceiling fans, fenced backyard, lawn care provided. Near A&M bus stop and dog park. $800/mo+utils. (210)213-8823 or (210)213-9177.

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see ads at thebatt.com

Just available! Close to campus, College Main and Eastgate areas.

2bd/1ba., some w/dishwasher, 1-fenced, some bills paid. $325-$450/mo. 979-219-3217.

Cotton Patch-College Station now hiring servers and greeters.

Lunch availability desired. Apply at Rock Prairie and Hwy-6. An equal opportunity employer!

Large 2bedroom with office or 3bedroom. Recently updated, fenced, 2car carport, W/D, biking distance to TAMU. Rent $750-799/mo. Available August.

4units available! aggielandrentals.com 979-776-8984.

Data entry w/excellent computer skills. Part-time, South College Station. 979-574-3910.

Large 4bd/2ba with gameroom.

Granite, 2car garage, large patio/deck, fenced, updated.

Lawncare included.

1404 Dominik. $1799/mo. aggielandrentals.com 979-776-8984.

Looking for: huge closets, vanities longer than bathtubs, dedicated shoeracks, covered parking? 1/1, 2/2, 2/2.5. Falcon Point Condos.

Broker/owner 979-777-5477.

New townhouses close to campus.

4bd/4ba and 2bd/2ba available.

On TAMU shuttle. Call JC/broker (254)721-6179, www.gamedaybcs.com Newer 1/1, 1/1.5 loft, 2/2, 3/3.

Granite, ceramic, w/d, walk-in closets, cable and internet, shuttle. $820-$1560. Broker owner 979-777-5477.

Nice! 4/2 2013-Rayburn. $1550/mo. Available Aug1st. Call Scott at 979-229-5007.

Northgate. Newer 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 and 3/2. Washer/dryer. Walk to campus. Summer and 1 year leases okay. aggievillas.net. Call 979-255-5648.

Now Leasing and pre-leasing for August! 4bdrm/2bth houses. Spacious floorplans. Great Location.

Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, w/d, fenced yards, refridgerator, icemaker,lawncare.

979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com Now preleasing large 3/2 duplexes, May-Aug leasing options, off of Holleman, on shuttle, view duplexes seven days a week, 979-774-4575.

One month free rent on efficiencies and 2-bdrms, great move-in specials, free cable and ethernet. aggieapartment.com. Tamu shuttle route. 979-693-1906.

Pre-lease for May or August 2/2 Duplex with large fence backyard.

Pets ok, walk-in closets, great location, and shuttle. $775/mo.

979-693-1448.

Storage for rent. Climate and non-climate. Starting at $29/month, and one month free.

979-693-0551.

Summer house sublease.

2bd/$350/mo. W/D. University Oaks. Utilities paid.

281-865-2247.

Sutter’s Mill 2bd/1.5ba Condo, $850/mo. deposit required, pets ok, pool, bus route, W/D, 361-563-8214.

Two newer built 5/4’s for lease.

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281-814-0665

FOR SALE Huffy 24in. Blue, 15-speed ladies bike. Excellent condition, $60.

Also have new cable-key lock, $10. (409)365-9726.

New townhouses close to campus.

4bd/4ba and 2bd/2ba available.

On TAMU shuttle. Call JC/broker (254)721-6179, www.gamedaybcs.com

GARAGE SALES

AggieNetwork.com

HELP WANTED

Antiqueables Grand Opening!

A&M items, collectibles, furniture and more, 1301 South College Bryan, TX.

Help needed to house-sit and care for animals at a ranch house in Plantersville. Person with some knowledge of horses required.

Free rent, utilities, & horse boarding offered to chosen individual or couple. No yardwork required. Contact Debbie/Harry. hander1240@aol.com, 936-894-2767.

Immediate opening. Energetic, high-energy office assistant for tele-marketing and busy real-estate office. 12:00-5:00pm.

Call 979-693-3700 and ask for ext 437 Little Guys Movers now hiring FT/PT employees. Must be at least 21 w/valid D.L. Apply in person at 3209 Earl Rudder Freeway.

979-693-6683.

Part-time architectural autocad drafter.

ENDS and COSI only.

Call 694-7059.

Part-time job helping handicapped. Male student preferred. $360/mo. 5-10hrs/wk.

979-846-3376.

Part-time summer help, apply in person, Conlee-Garrett Moving and Storage, 600 South Bryan Ave., Bryan.

PT leasing agent, Saturdays a must. Call 979-693-1906.

PT openings, customer sales/svc, no experience necessary, all majors welcome, start now for summer, internships available, 979-260-4555.

Retail sales associate, now thru September 1st, P/t. Evenings weekends, additional hours if your schedule permits. 15-35/hrs.

Apply at Once Upon a Child 2220 Texas Ave. STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in College Station. 100% free to join. Click on surveys.

Wanted: Energetic people for Kids Klub After-School Program.

Fall semester employment begins 08/19/13. Application deadline May 3. www.cstx.gov/kidsklub, 979-764-3831.

PETS 2 male Yorkie puppies, 2-3lbs, 4mo. old, $800, linda_d_54@yahoo.com, 979-324-2866.

REAL ESTATE B/CS. Sell/Buy/Invest! Michael McGrann TAMU ‘93 Civil Engineering 979-739-2035, mike@aggierealtor.com Nadia McGrann 979-777-6211, Town & Country Realty.

New 2bd/1.5ba townhouse for sale, near TAMU & Blinn, all new appliances, $68,999, Open House: Sat. All Day, Sun. 1-4, Bea Green Beag@century21bcs.com, 979-777-8527.

ROOMMATES 2 or 3 roommates needed for 4bd/4ba apartment. Fully furnished with W/D. $475/mo includes utilities. Contact Kendall at k_aggie14@neo.tamu.edu.

2-rooms available in 4bdrm home off of Graham. Female, non-partiers, mostly furnished. $450/mo. 903-456-6543.

Female roommate wanted, $499/mo utilities included, pets welcomed, call 281-380-8428.

Need female roommate, 4bd/3ba, 2400sgft house, Dove Crossing, huge closet, $450/mo, 713-516-2044.

TUTORS HELP WANTED Ags! Looking for summer work?

Earn $9000.00 this summer, build your resume, great experience, call Taylor, 214-707-9145.

Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. aggieresponse@gmail.com Book Keeper to work full-time w/benefits. Good computer and phone skills are a plus. Contact 979-574-3910.

City of Bryan now hiring lifeguards and water safety instructors, do not have to be certified, apply online bryantxjobs.com call 979-209-5222 for more information.

Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment.

BAT_04_11_13_A6.indd 1

Need a Tutor? Friendly, helpful one-on-one private tutors for all subjects at TAMU/Blinn and Sam Houston State. Check us out at www.99tutors.com, 979-268-8867.

the

battalion Classified Advertising Easy Affordable Effective For information, call 845-0569

4/10/13 2:19:12 PM

news thebattalion

state news Testimony expected on casinos in Texas Lawmakers held their first hearing on Wednesday for a piece of legislation that would push for a statewide vote on resort casinos and slot machines in Texas. State Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, spoke in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 64, which calls for Texans to vote on whether they want to change the Texas Constitution to allow

page 7

Attention: Freshman & Sophomore Students

Annual Mathematics Contest

thursday 4.11.2013

Thursday, April 11, 2013 Milner Hall 317 7:30pm-9:30pm

destination resort casinos and slot machines at approved horse- and dog- race tracks.

The resolution calls for the creation of a Texas Gaming Commission, which could set up nine destination resort casinos and slot machines at horse and greyhound racetracks. Casino gaming would be allowed on tribal lands for three American Indian tribes in Texas. Proponents have said that 80 percent of Texans want the opportunity to vote on the issue. Carona said the measure could produce 75,000 jobs.

Associated Press

6 awards from $75-$200 Questions? Contact Doug Hensley dhensley@math.tamu.edu For sample problems: http//www.math.tamu.edu/~doug.hensley (For purposes of this contest, only first and second-year undergraduate students may participate. ALL majors welcome!)

Don’t drag it home to Mom!

Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION

Students from A&M’s salsa club perform a dance to end the I-show and begin the I-fashion show Wednesday night at Rudder Theater.

Fashion Continued from page 1

she said.

“These two dances are very unlike each other,” Rathi said. “I feel like this performance brings two different sides of India together. India isn’t just one thing. It’s a mixture of both.”

Winners for the night included India Association for greatest overall involvement, “The Dancing Devils of Yare” for best in I-Show and the Honduran Student Association for IExhibit. A male-female pair representing India clinched first place in I-Fashion.

In contrast to India Association’s awardwinning enthusiasm, participation among some other student cultures was minimal.

Wafi Alzawad, a junior electrical engineering major, said he had hoped to see more Arab international students on stage.

“I saw two models in the fashion show, one

BAT_04-11-13_A7.indd 1

from Tunisia and one from Egypt,” said Alzawad, a Saudi Arabian international student.

“That is not the Middle East, though. There were not representatives of the Arabian culture.”

Alzawad did, however, say he enjoyed the elaborate dance performances by A&M’s Venezuelan and India students. Low representation of his own culture might prompt him to volunteer for I-Show and I-Fashion next year, he said.

At the end of the program, emcees acknowledged Student Body President John Claybrook for his support of the International Student Association.

“John Claybrook is one of the humblest student leaders I ever met,” Angira said. “He has always supported international students in our student body.”

Though Claybrook was not present to accept the award in person, he will receive a plaque at a later time, Angira said.

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news

page 8

Official Healthcare Provider for Reveille

thursday 4.11.2013

Aggie Pets Love Their Aggie Vets Small Animal Hospital 979.845.2351

Large Animal Hospital 979.845.3541

Did you know?

• A&M students and staff members can receive a special discount on their pet’s medical care • We offer 24/7 emergency services • We have cat and dog packages to promote preventative care • You can drop your pet off for treatment while you are in class • Our large animal ambulatory service makes farm calls • The only veterinary school in Texas is at Texas A&M • Your veterinarian can refer cases to the VMTH

thebattalion

state news Senate confirms supreme court justice

lone star stabbing Officials say suspect chose randomly

Texas Senate has confirmed the appointment of Jeffrey Boyd, a former top aide to Gov. Rick Perry, as a justice on the state Supreme Court. Boyd has already been serving on the court since Dec. 3 and his nomination faced no opposition in the Senate. The Supreme Court, the state’s highest civil court, is Boyd’s first job as a judge. Before serving as Perry’s chief of staff, Boyd was the governor’s general counsel and previously worked in the state attorney general’s office. Boyd replaced former Supreme Court Justice Dale Wainwright, who resigned Sept. 30 to go into private law practice.

A man accused of stabbing more than a dozen people with a razor utility knife at a suburban Houston community college chose his victims at random, authorities said Wednesday. All 14 of the people who were injured are expected to recover.

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia said while the suspect, Dylan Quick, has been cooperative and forthcoming with investigators, the motive for the attack remained a mystery. “He has shared with us that he’s had fantasies about stabbing people since the age of 8,” Garcia said.

“He did share that he had been planning this event for some time.”

Associated Press

Associated Press

COURTESY

The Texas A&M Competitive Cheerleading Squad poses after a performance.

Cheerleading Continued from page 1

support has steadily grown.

“This Sunday we had our show-off at the REC,” Schoenberger said about an exhibition to show the student body what the squad had accomplished. “Many people came and President Loftin came. It was a benchmark moment for our team.”

In four years as a University club sport, the competition squad already holds a strong record. Last year it finished No. 10 overall within the NCA and it currently ranks No. 5 in the nation in STUNT cheer, a more competitive and athletic division within cheerleading.

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Benavidez said the team is ready to seriously compete for the top rankings.

“We’ve practiced this routine all year and we get to perform it twice [at the NCA national meet], and once more if we make it to finals,” Benavidez said. “If we do a great routine, we could bring home a national championship.”

Landing a perfect routine is a challenge but Madeline Schultz, freshman English major and squad member, said the national championship couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We are all really focused, and we’ve been on a good schedule to go to competition,” Schultz said. “Right now, we are peaking at just the right time.”

4/10/13 10:55 PM