thebattalion ● wednesday,
november 28, 2012
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2012 student media
Photos by Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION
Members of the Ross Volunteer Company exemplify moral values such as service, integrity and honor, acting as representatives of the University.
Selfless Service Ross Volunteer Company exhibit humility, serve namelessly Chris Scoggins The Battalion
I
t was a clear and brisk fall day. The fading leaves were a sign of the passage and frailty of life all too present in the minds of those who attended the funeral of Lt. Col. David E. Cabrera, Class of 1992. Through the eyes of Daniel Bernhard, there was only one comfort he could provide as he and his fellow Ross Volunteers stood.
As they quietly escorted the body of Cabrera, killed in combat in November 2011, they were there to provide comfort in a time of loss, to remind everyone that Aggies never have to grieve alone, that Aggies never forget their fallen. The Ross Volunteer Company of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets attends events like these on a regular basis, serving as an elite unit of cadets who exemplify selfless service
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finals
johnny football
Grand theft auto Police officers were faced with a multi-car theft and subsequent chase on Monday afternoon. Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Jones Butler Road and Harvey Mitchell Parkway South to probe a major accident. Officers were informed that one of the vehicles involved was stolen. While driving the getaway car, suspect Coty Joe Lohse of Bryan hit a vehicle at the intersection of West Villa Maria Road and Wellborn Road, and fled the scene of the accident. A witness followed the suspect until he became involved in a second crash. The suspect then stole the ambulance dispatched to check for injuries and drove toward Holleman Drive. The suspect fled to the McDonald’s at George Bush Drive and Marion Pugh Drive where he ran the ambulance into a concrete pillar. CSPD said the suspect was taken into custody and is being charged with first-degree felony theft. The case remains under investigation.
and moral values in an effort to give back and represent the University. “The purpose of our organization is just to give back what we’ve been given,” said Scott Lovett, senior finance major and Ross Volunteer tree platoon leader. “We don’t ask to be recognized for different things. We don’t try and put our name out there. All we do is we try and go out there and serve. We don’t ask for anything other than
just allowing us to come help out and serve in any capacity.” The Ross Volunteer Company was established in 1887 and remains the oldest student organization in Texas. They have also served as the honor guard of the governor of Texas since 1950 and serve as escorts of special guests and dignitaries. In addition, they have represented the University out of state as the personal guard of King Rex at the Mardi Gras Parade and attend weddings and funerals at the request of former students. Despite the numerous services they do on behalf of the University, the volunteers always attempt to serve without pomp and circumstance. “We’re just here to serve the University, and there’s nothing that we love more than doing that,” said Corbin Flores, senior sociology major and Ross Volunteer Company historian. Besides attending Muster and Silver Taps, “People do recognize the fact that we are Ross Ross Volunteers are escorts of special guests and dignitaries including the See RVs on page 4 state governor.
Meet the press
Proper study habits foster exam success Elise Brunsvold
Aaron Cranford — THE BATTALION
Johnny Manziel speaks to the press in front of cameras for the first time this season on Tuesday afternoon at the Bright Complex .
Chandler Smith: Manziel has superhuman stats, normal persona
F
or two consecutive afternoons, the national sports scene — including ESPN and Sports Illustrated — held its breath in eager anticipation, focusing absolute attention upon the quaint town of College Station, Texas. They wanted an answer to a simple question. Who exactly is “Johnny Football?” It was one of the best and worst kept secrets in college football. As a freshman under Kevin Sumlin’s media policy, the 19-soon-to-be-20year-old quarterback, Johnny Manziel, could not speak to media — at least not with his voice. What the youthful gunslinger did do was take the college football world by storm with magical, and sometimes unimaginable,
on-field performances. Though in his Tuesday press conference debut, and with utmost humility, Manziel was quick to credit his fellow players. “The individual success that I’ve had, the records that have been broken — without my teammates none of that would’ve been possible,” Manziel said. “Our team success is us coming to together as a unit and because of that, I get the chance to get up here when there could be five linemen up here.” Still, the media attention remains upon A&M’s beloved signal caller. For weeks, comparisons were drawn as sports writers and fans deliberated who Manziel most resembled. Legendary names surfaced of days of yore — the likes of Doug Flutie, Fran Tarkenton and Brett Favre — among others. Johnny Football became a national sensation. His uniquely endearing style of play and knack for making everything out of nothing piqued See Manziel on page 3
The Battalion Though the act of studying proves to be difficult for many students, the process of learning how to study and how to do it well can present an even greater challenge. With procrastination, distractions and chaotic schedules rampant among students, establishing effective study routines for tests and quizzes is vital to achieving good grades and valuable habits. From mnemonic devices to highlighting text, the approaches used to memorize and absorb information are all effective in their own way. Lyle Slack, a director for the Academic Success Center, said premeditating what’s going to be on an exam and becoming familiar with a professor’s testing methods are the first steps in putting these techniques to use and achieving a high grade. “Knowing what to look for going into the test helps you to focus on the learning style and skills you need to focus on,” Slack said. “You need to decipher what kinds of See Study on page 2
student government
SBP vetoes controversial concealed carry bill Annabelle Hutchinson The Battalion Student body president, John Claybrook, vetoed “The Texas A&M Personal Protection Bill” on Nov. 20. This brings the bill, which advocates for concealed carry in campus buildings, back to the Senate floor for another vote Wednesday at 7 p.m. Student Senate passed the concealed carry bill with a 3819 margin on Oct. 31. Scott Bowen, senior chemical engineering major and speaker of the Senate, said a new vote on the bill will take place and a two-thirds majority is needed to override a veto by the student body president. The bill passed with exactly a two-thirds majority. Claybrook said he vetoed the bill because he did not think the majority of students supported concealed carry in campus buildings. See Senate on page 4
11/27/12 11:08 PM