October 18, 2012

TODAY’S FORECAST HI: 79o LOW: 52o AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Paul Kitagaki Jr.

Chance of Rain:

Hyde: Posey will win NL MVP, rookie Trout will win AL MVP

0%

Austin Hall to be rededicated after renovations conducted in summer

Volume 122 / Issue 15

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Volleyball team wins eighth straight game, prepares for conference rival

www.HoustonianOnline.com

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Campus News

Health, student center renovations approved in Homecoming election JAY R. JORDAN Staff Reporter Students voted to increase student fees to build a new Student Health Center and expand the Lowman Student Center to accommodate the growing student body at Sam Houston Student University.

The approval of the health center came through a landslide 74.6 percent “yes” vote by students, with 21.93 percent saying “no”and 1.72 percent not participating.

Students also gave the green flag to expand the LSC with 63.48 percent approval.

Michelle Schiffer, a freshman history major, says that she voted “yes” because of the new features of the health center.

“It [won’t add] that much more to next year’s tuition so I felt it was worth it,” she said.

The referendum approval will raise the student health fee $37 in spring semester of 2013 to offer new services to students such as same-day appointments, a 24-hour

nursing and counseling hotline, and an expanded pharmacy. The new 28,000 square-foot building will house health services and the counseling center.

The referendum will also the Student Center Fee to its legislative cap of $100 to fund the expansion of the LSC to accommodate high demand for student meeting space and a growing student population.

Tiffanie Roberson, sophomore criminal justice major, voted “yes” to the expansion because it will benefit future students.

“I voted for it because I didn’t want to be selfish, she said.

“Somebody had to vote for the current student center, and I wanted to pass that along.”

The addition to the LSC will be split into two phases. Phase one will build on the empty lot where Smith-Kirkley stood while phase two will include renovations to the existing facility.

Phase one is the construction of the new facility including new food facilities to the bottom floor with more indoor and outdoor

seating while the second level will feature more meeting rooms, event space and a grand ballroom.

Phase two will expand the current LSC to include adjustments to third floor offices and meeting rooms and transforming the Paw Print area into an entertainment area with an arcade, bowling alley and a pub.

Construction on the Health Center is anticipated to begin in the early summer of 2013 and is scheduled to be completed by fall 2014.

Students ‘Jam’ for Homecoming MCKINZIE BROCAIL Senior Reporter Excited shrieks, screams and animated banter could be heard from down the street as hurried feet rushed toward the carnival. The Holleman Field parking lot carried an energized charge that fed off the neon flashing lights from various carnival rides and events that made up the eleventh annual Sam Jam. Spinning and whirling rides like the Sizzler, the Hurricane and Round-Up were big hits among the brave Bearkats willing to risk their lives and their dinners.

“It was intense,” Blocker Duncan, political science junior, said about the stand up gravity ride the RoundUp. “It feels like your stomach is going through a washer machine. My roommate threw up right at the end.”

Connor Hyde | The Houstonian

LMFAO’s “Party Rock” and PSY’s “Gangnam Style” blasted through the DJ’s speakers, competing with the thrilled conversations and squeals and mechanical noises escaping the amusement rides.

The ever-popular Ferris wheel was a crowd-pleaser, as were the three-seater Fun Slide and the NBA JAM basketball game, water gun races and other tossing games.

“I’ve been on every ride so far except the Ferris wheel,” Terence King, criminal justice sophomore, said. “The Round-Up was the best!”

Aside from the attractions, nearly 2,500 Bearkats and Huntsvillians enjoyed assorted free festival concessions like candied apples, popcorn, caramel apples and cotton candy.

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CARNIVAL, page 6

Megan Laurie | The Houstonian

SAM JAM CARNIVAL Students lined up for free drinks, apples, and amusement rides for the 11th annual Sam Jam carnival as part of the homecoming festivities. The event also included carnival-type games.

Missing

Murray remembered one year later MCKINZIE BROCAIL Senior Reporter

A candlelight vigil will be held tonight for a Sam Houston State University student who has been missing for one year today. The vigil and a 5-minute moment of silence will take place today at 8:30 p.m. at Rookies Sports Bar in Spring.

Thomas “TJ” Murray, Jr., disappeared from the parking lot of Rookies Sports Bar on the night of Oct. 18, 2011. He had borrowed his father’s truck to go barhopping with friends that night.

The truck was still in the parking lot, but his cell phone was found in a nearby ditch.

“I still can’t believe it’s been a year. I am told, ‘time heals all wounds’, but for me the pain and sense of loss hasn’t diminished

24-year-old Murray.

“He told us he was going to the bar with his high school buddies since one of his friends is in the military and was going to be shipped overseas,” Ian Hollifield, SHSU studnet and Murray’s neighbor at the time, told the Houstonian last year.

There is still an on going investigation according to Lt. Dan Norris of the Montgomery County Sheriff Office.

“We would desperately like Courtesy Bring TJ Murray Home Safe Facebook answers to what happened that BRACELETS. Former SHSU students night and to know where TJ is,” sold bracelets to raise awareness about Snyder said. “The ‘not knowing’ Murray’s disappearance. has been the hardest part for me personally.” much over the last twelve months.

This isn’t the only tragedy to We all miss him so much,” Justin strike the Murray family in the last Snyder, Murray’s cousin, said. year- on July 17, William Murray, To be out of contact with his one of TJ’s three younger brothers, family was unlike the almost drowned while swimming in

the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels.

“With TJ missing and then losing Will in July, our feelings of loss and grief have been overwhelming,” Snyder said. “The last year has been very hard, an emotional roller coaster.”

Snyder often updates a Facebook page dedicated to helping find TJ. The “Bring TJ Murray Home Safe” page has more than 6,000 people devoted to finding him and praying for the family.

The Murray family is looking for hope.

“Hope is what keeps me going,” Thomas Murray, father of TJ and William, said. “I miss my boys so very much, parents should be the ones who depart before their children do.”

Their father reminisced about his sons’ most missed features.

“TJ’s bright blue eyes and Will’s smile, or ‘shit-eating grin’ as we like to call it, are missed dearly.”

TJ was taking business and psychology classes and William was a criminal justice major.

“My two boys loved Sam Houston, they made so many new friends,” Thomas Murray, Sr., said. ”[It] was their new home. I want to thank the student body and SHSU for all of their support, prayers, kindness and donations; it is appreciated so very much.”

TJ is described as 5’6” and weighs 140 pounds. He has blue eyes and has blonde hair.

Anyone is welcome to join the vigil at Rookies Sports Bar, located at 305 Sawdust Rd, Ste B, Spring, TX 77380.

Anyone with information should contact the Montgomery County Sheriff ’s Office.

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News

Thursday, October 18, 2012 houstonianonline.com/news

Ceremony to honor SHSU’s connection to the past GEORGE MATTINGLY News Editor After a rigorous makeover, the oldest building at Sam Houston State University will be reintroduced to the campus in a rededication ceremony on Saturday.

The Office of the President and the Alumni Relations has collaborated office to recognize Austin Hall.

“It’s [the university’s] way of opening Austin Hall back up on campus for the public,” Maggie Collum, Director of University Events, said.

With the rededication, Collum said she hopes to reintroduce the building’s presence on campus after an extensive renovation project in January.

According to Collum, the $2 million project was needed to repair years of deterioration and interior problems to preserve the 160-year-old structure.

The rededication will feature words from several academic and city officials including President Dana Gibson, Mayor of Huntsville Mac Woodward and Brian McCall, Ph.D., chancellor of the Texas State University System.

Also scheduled to speak is Light Cummins, Ph.D., professor of history at Austin Community College.

Photos by: Connor Hyde and Megan Laurie

THEN AND NOW. After an extensive renovation earlier this year, Austin Hall will be reintroduced to campus community as the President’s Office and Alumni Relations Office host a rededication ceremony on Saturday. The hall was builit in 1851 and has survived the Civil War, Reconstruction, and several hurricanes.

Cummins previously served as the State Historian of Texas as well as editor of “Austin College”; a book that chronicled a pictorial history of the original Austin College campus in Huntsville, where SHSU now stands.

The ceremony will conclude with a performance from the SHSU Marching Band and an Alumni Reception.

“We’re trying to encourage

alumni to attend so there’s a good crowd there,” Charlie Vienne, Director of Alumni Relations, said. “Typically we have an alumni coffee, but with the rededication, we’re collaborating with the president’s office to have one major event.”

Collum noted the rededication will also recognize the importance of the building to campus culture and its connection to SHSU’s

history. “[Austin Hall] is our extension of the past, and connects us between then and now,” Collum said. “It’s the oldest, continuously used higher education building west of the Mississippi River.

[The rededication] is a celebration of SHSU history and who we are today.”

Built in 1851,Austin Hall opened for classes at Austin College in

1852. It has lived through the Civil War, Reconstruction, several hurricanes and even a devastating fire in 1982 that destroyed Old Main. Today it is used for campus special events and receptions.

The event will begin at 3:30 with a pianist inside the building and food for guests. Remarks from speakers will begin at 4 p.m.

The rededication is free and is open to anyone to attend.

Faculty, staff say Haven helpful in addressing diversity on campus SOPHIE NELSON Staff Reporter Faculty and staff at Sam Houston State University say the Haven training was helpful in recognizing and addressing diversity among students on campus.

The Counseling Center collaborated with the Department of Residence Life to host Haven training for a group of 25 faculty members to help them know how to provide resources and support to the university’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) population.

Erin Cassidy, assistant professor in the library, thought Haven did a great job of making faculty aware of diversity among students on campus.

“Haven is a really wonderful training program that increases awareness and acceptance for the diversity that takes place among students on the campus,” Cassidy said. “The program is beneficial for not only the professors and faculty, but also for the students as well.”

Niranjan Shrestha | Associated Press

SPREADING AWARENESS. Faculty and staff who attended the Haven training at SHSU agreed the session provided useful information about diversity among students on campus. Have will host a student session on Oct. 27.

Thomas Cox, of the history department, attended Haven for the first time and was pleased with what the information in the session. Cox felt the training addressed some important

issues on campus and was very productive for those in attendance.

Maryim Ilahi, Ph.D., one of the training leaders for Haven, was pleased with the reaction from faculty and staff in attendance.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how much knowledge the faculty already had of the issues we discussed,” Ilahi said. “I think what we shared with them was very well received.”

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Nancy Baker, assistant professor in the history department, was pleased with the program as well, and added that the training session gave her just what she needed to answer the questions students bring to her.

“In the past, I have had a few students come to me with problems, but I just didn’t have the information I needed to be able to answer their questions,” Baker said. “This program helped tremendously with answering my questions and now I have resources I can give to my students who ask. It definitely makes me feel more prepared.”

Lisa Shen, assistant professor and reference librarian, thought that the program was very insightful to those able to attend, but suggested that the program be available to more people in the future because she knew colleagues who wanted to attend but could not due to limited spaces.

Haven will hold a student training on October 27 in the LSC. The session has already been filled.

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Viewpoints

Thursday, October 18, 2012 houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

First world problems not so bad

PAWS UP

TAYLOR LIKENS Staff Reporter

PAWS UP to the university for beginning diversity training for students and staff.

Malala Yousufzai, a 14-yearold girl from Pakistan, has been a widely known advocate for womens’ rights since she began blogging about her struggles in 2009. Insisting on attending school, she and many other girls in the region have been met with acts of violence from the Tehrik-iTaliban Pakistan, a Taliban related terrorist group that opposes the education of women.

Last week, the TTP raided Yousufzai’s school bus in an attempt to take her life. Yousufazi narrowly survived a gunshot to the head and is now being treated in the United Kingdom.

Doctors are said to feel

PAWS UP to Sam Jam being a success. Free rides, food and t-shirt giveaways are awesome for broke students.

optimistic about her recovery.

I don’t remember any of this being a part of growing up when I was 14. Perhaps that’s because I didn’t grow up anywhere near anything having to do with the Taliban, or anyone else who has vicious intent to kill or maim me.

In that sense, I was an extremely fortunate child.

Stop and think for a moment.

How do you feel about the United States right now? However you answer that question, you can’t possibly say with a straight face that something like that would have happened in America.

The United States is basically an island in the middle of nowhere.

Meanwhile, all across the world, hundreds of nations with generations of conflict exist right next door to each other: North Korea and South Korea, China and India, Israel and everyone who isn’t Israel.

As far as hostile environments go, the U.S. only has two bordering countries, neither of whom have ancient vendettas against us − although Canada can often be an annoying neighbor in a Ned

Flanders sort of way. To say that we’re not remarkably privileged in terms of security is being a little stingy with your definition of “safe.”

Altogether, there’s only about 25 countries commonly considered to be a part of the first world − and not all of those are automatically ideal places to live, depending on who you are. With less than a quarter of the world population residing in developed nations, Americans are among the few lucky enough to have a substantially higher standard of living than the vast majority of the world, and the relatively unchallenged safety to lounge around and enjoy it.

Don’t get me wrong − one does not need to merely settle for what they have to be appreciative of it. A society must never stop improving, never stop criticizing itself and its leaders, or it faces stagnation. Just because millions of Africans are dying of AIDS doesn’t mean that I should be satisfied with a subpar healthcare system. Just because homosexuals are stoned to death in Iran doesn’t

mean that in America they should just settle for a right to live.

We must always pursue a better society but never forget that what we squabble over is merely the fine details of an already marvelous existence. It is near impossible to imagine anything like this incident happening here in the United States- where less than five percent of the world’s population lives and that alone is something none of us should forget.

With everyone so occupied by the upcoming election, such heated arguments may lead one to think that the fate of the universe is being discussed. Ultimately, no matter who wins, America won’t transform into Somalia overnight.

There won’t be a civil war, we will still have air conditioned bathrooms and the average citizen won’t have worry about being shot in the head for not conforming to another man’s religious code.

In a time where the American people are so dissatisfied with their government and uncertain about their futures, such knowledge is invaluable.

BRANDON K. SCOTT Staff Reporter does well in class.

The logic is that there is no way to turn white institutions into non-white or anti-white. Again, there are too many white people to do this, and you won’t find any research that says white kids are more likely to do anything after high school other than go to college. White kids are going to college. There’s no argument there.

But here’s the problem with blaming quotas for whites who are turned away: it assumes that consideration ended with the quota, as if the minority cap is the admission cap and there’s no need to keep reviewing applications past that.

It shouldn’t be a news flash, but the quota has to be low. That’s why these people are called minorities; there are fewer of them. Even past the quota, which has its own disingenuous effects, white people can still get in. Check that – white people will still get in.

As of last year, up to 75 percent

of the incoming freshmen class at UT could be selected from students in the top 10 percent of their class. This clearly establishes who’s so qualified of an applicant that they can say they “deserve” to be there without question.

After that, it’s a competition that fluctuates. In 2009, for example, UT accepted about 45 percent of roughly 31,000 students who applied. Only 51 percent of those who were accepted actually enrolled.

First, this tells us that not everyone wants to go to UT. It also shows that even when the sample size narrows down from 31,000 to around 7,000, the university is still half white – with Affirmative Action.

So it’s important to remember that white people are mostly competing against each other, and rigorously at that.

There are not enough minorities to disenfranchise the white race, just maybe enough to disenfranchise you or the next guy.

Society requires a lot for racial compassion and we’ve seen that through our history. You will have to tell more about the plight of the white man. Much more. Don’t just point out that something isn’t fair, because the “life isn’t fair” concept is the one being addressed in the first place.

Instead, come up with a reason why anyone should care. That’s

more difficult than we’d all like it to be, but if you want to take on racism, these are the struggles you have to be ready to encounter – institutions not caring about your struggle.

You have a long way to go, white people. I didn’t make the rules and almost feel for you.

Unless there’s something compelling that says the UT isn’t accepting white kids outside of the top 10 percent of their high school class − and the university is still 50 percent white, or that there aren’t enough qualified minority applicants to meet the quota without burdening whites − this is going to be hard to challenge without it coming off as an excuse for why someone couldn’t be one of the white people that makes up half of a campus.

The painful truth is with or without Affirmative Action, “qualified” white students are still likely to become Longhorns or anything else they want to be. This, unfortunately, can’t be said with such confidence about minorities. I’m not making that up or using that idea as hyperbole.

Whether or not minorities need these preferences, guilt and stigma are connected to predominantly white institutions in America.

It’s hard to say how many white kids will have to settle for Sam Houston State instead of UT for this to become an issue people can rally around.

Whites still new to racial struggle

SIDE PAW to the LSC and Health Center referendums passing. We’re excited but not to pay more tuition.

Affirmative Action is being challenged for its supposedly flawed concepts that allow discrimination against white people. The criticism isn’t totally off-base, though most of us are unfamiliar with the “plight of the white man.”

But when there’s institutional racism aimed at black and brown people, we fight against that, so why not fight for our white brothers and sisters in a similar situation if we really want to be fair and progressive?

The dilemma with Affirmative Action is that it allows someone to reasonably claim racism from either side of the argument. For white people who believe they don’t get hired or accepted into a university because of a racial quota, it’s easy to see why they feel disenfranchised.

At the same time, for white people like Abigail Noel Fisher, who sued the University of Texas at Austin on the basis that she was denied admission in 2008 because of race, it’s easy the understand the entitlement that goes along with the family tradition of attending UT. Fisher’s father, sister and friends went to UT. But for minorities, simple math and percentages show there’s only so much room for them anyway because these are white institutions, still filled with mostly white people, no matter who scores highest on the tests and

PAWS DOWN

PAWS DOWN to SHSU Twitter misspelling Bearkats with a “c”.

PAWS DOWN to the mosquitos on campus because of the weekend rain and humidity.

Follow us today! @TheHoustonian

“

Ashley Baker Senior

I have been very involved in on campus as well as off campus organizations and contribute to the community as a whole. I am a proud Bearkat and I would not trade my experiences here for anything. I would be honored to be this year’s SHSU Homecoming King!

Senior

Editorial Staff Robin Johnson

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Shane Rankin

Stephen Green

Matt Frazier

936-294-1505

Web & Multimedia Editor mfrazier@houstonianonline.com

George Mattingly

McKinzie Brocail

Misti Jones

Connor Hyde

Cody Lewis

Eric Fite

sgreen@houstonianonline.com

News Editor gmattingly@houstonianonline.com Viewpoints Editor mjones@houstonianonline.com Sports Editor clewis@houstonianonline.com

Senior

Molly Waddell

A&E Editor mwaddell@houstonianonline.com

Editor-in-Chief

Jacob Brock

Senior Reporter mbrocail@houstonianonline.com Sports Reporter chyde@houstonianonline.com Graphic Designer efite@houstonianonline.com

Megan Laurie Multimedia Reporter

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Multimedia Reporter

Samantha McCarl Copy Editor

Brandon K. Scott Sophie Nelson Jeremy Kleiber Cheyenne Simpson Jasmine Brown Morgan Mears Allyson Wiley Taylor Likens Jay Jordan Joselynn Taylor Cody Cobb Cristina Baumann Caitlin Adamcik Karmen King

“

I’ve been involved in student orgs since my first week of attendance and have continued to be a positive influence of campus. I’d be a great representation of the student body and SHSU as a whole.

[I am] actively involved in numerous organizations on campus. One thing that [I] love about Sam Houston is the wide opportunities that the university provides.

Staff

Faculty Adviser

936-294-1499

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Ashlyn Voight Senior

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Junior

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Risa Mitchell

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I feel that homecoming queen is a [huge] honor. I think that I am a great role model and that I have the ability to represent the university in a positive way and encourage students to really be involved!

I would love to be homecoming queen to represent the school that has molded me into the person I am proud to be. It would be just another way for me to give back to the school that has given me so much and represent SHSU.

At SHSU, I have made many friends, enjoyed various opportunities, and grown as a young woman. I am excited to represent the university that has done so much for me and my peers.

MORGAN MEARS Staff Reporter

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Photos courtesy of SHSU Homecoming Page

2012 Homecoming King and Queen finalists

Ashton Winfree Senior

Business Staff Paty Mason

Business Manager 936-294-1500

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Ad Deadlines Tuesday’s Issue Friday at 5 p.m.

Thursday’s Issue Tuesday at 2 p.m.

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Arts&Entertainment

Thursday, October 18, 2012 houstonianonline.com/a-e

Huntsville Youth Orchestra provides positive, safe environment for local child musicians

Provided by:Hunstville Youth Orchestra

MUSIC FOR ALL. The Huntsville Youth Orchestra gives kids from ages 7-18 a chance to learn how to play an instrument, or get better at what they already know. SHSU Music students help with teaching the members of the Orchestra. There are also instructors on staff at the HYO.

JASMINE BROWN Staff Reporter The Huntsville Youth Orchestra is a community children’s orchestra for children ages 7-18, organized to provide children who want to play string instruments a place to learn and perform. The Huntsville Youth Orchestra gives the youth of Huntsville a positive place to focus their energies.

The children have the opportunity to gain and utilize skills on the standard string instruments violin, viola, cello or bass, in a group setting. The organization has its roots in 1986 and has been serving the

community by molding musically talented youth since the days it began.

HYO is sponsored in part by the Huntsville Arts Commission and contracts with Sam Houston State University students and faculty for conductors, instructors, and facilities. The organization uses the SHSU School of Music facilities to practice every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. for beginner players and 6:30 p.m. for advanced players.

The most advanced group consists of nine to ten young musicians, but the total HYO enrollment is 45. The beginner and intermediate groups are trained and groomed to enhance their musical abilities to one day

move on to the advanced group.

Students who have never played a string instrument are still welcome to come and learn with the Huntsville Youth Orchestra.

HYO offers a beginning strings class known as Huntsville Strings Unlimited. This class has twelve rehearsals and one recital per semester and is geared towards the beginning student with the intent that they should eventually perform with HYO. “My older brother and sister started playing in [HYO] at the ages of 8 and 10. My parents wanted me to follow in their footsteps and as soon as I was old enough to join I did,” HYO viola player Grant Means said.

Twitter gives fake people face time

CHEYENNE SIMPSON Staff Reporter Twitter has become the central hub for celebrities, politicians and die-hard fans around the world to talk about trending topics and share Instagram pictures with all of their followers. Most celebrities, politicians and fan accounts are based upon their lives while the rest are based on making fun of their lives.

These accounts are known as parody accounts in which they may have a certain persons name and may have a description fitting that person but are in fact in imposter acting as that person. Some examples of these accounts are, @ChuckDamnNorris, @ Lord_Voldamort7, @ObamaTranslated and @MittR0mney.

The imposters of these parody accounts communicate as if they were the celebrity or politician, tweeting about themselves or other well-known figures.

For those Twitter fans who like to follow the current Presidential nominees, they may chose from a variety of parody accounts that have a variety of tweets from the fake nominees.

The account @ObamaTranslated is intended to take the words of President Barack Obama and translate them into his true feelings. This account is run by two comedians that host the show “Obama Translated” on Comedy Central.

The comedians post tweets like, “OBAMA: Thank you and goodnight! TRANS: YALL

UNDECIDED NOW! YA MIND’S MADE UP? THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT!” The Dark Lord, @Lord_Voldemort7, tweeted, “#ReasonsWhyWeDontGetAlong.

You’re a muggle”.

The Dark Lord would have been successful in defeating Harry Potter if he had as many death eaters as he does twitter followers.

Lord Voldamort’s current count of Twitter followers is 2,287,375.

Mean girl Regina George under the name @RelatableQuote, keeps her followers entertained as she retweets quotes from her role in “Mean Girls” and makes comments that relate to her personality.

“So Karen dated Channing Tatum in Dear John & then Regina dated him in The Vow. Isn’t that against the rules of feminism?” @ RelatableQuote said.

There were no less than three “official” Rachel McAdams accounts on Twitter, none verified. @RachelMcAdams33, if not the Mean Girls star, does a good enough job impression to garner 23,000 followers, all unverified.

There are a variety of parody Twitter accounts that are available to follow, from reality starts to A list celebrities there is a fake Twitter account for them.

These accounts are clearly indicated in their description that they are a parody of the real person or character. The comments made are only the view of the imposter writing them and in no way reflect the views of real person.

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The parents, members, and instructors have a strong desire to see HYO continue to provide training, music education, and entertainment for the Huntsville area.

“I have two violinists, one cello player, and one viola player.”

HYO Parent Board member Lynise Means said speaking of her children involved in the Huntsville Youth Orchestra, “I really had an interest in my kids learning to play string instruments.”

This wasn’t a problem for her son Grant.

“I’m homeschooled, so for me HYO is a good way to make friends,” Grant Means said.

Registration is $60 per

HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED: This is one of the many fake accounts on Twitter.

semester. Second players from the same family are discounted to $40 and any students beyond that are free. First time students in the fall of 2012 are charged $30 for the first semester. All students associated with the Huntsville Youth Orchestra must provide their own instruments and take private classes, however private lessons are offered to them by SHSU students for $10 a week.

The group’s next performance will be Nov. 27 in the PAC. It will be open to the public and free of charge.

For more information on the Huntsville Youth Orchestra visit huntsvilleyouthorchestra.com.

Page 5

Sports

Thursday, October 18, 2012 houstonianonline.com/sports

Volleyball’s win streak at eight JEREMY KLEIBER Staff Reporter “Intensity is not a perfume; you can’t just spray that stuff on.”

When asked about the catalyst of the Sam Houston State volleyball team’s recent success, Coach Brenda Gray could not have worded things more flawlessly.

After all, it takes a little something extra for a team to go an unstoppable 8-0 in their last eight matches and own 24 of their last 26 sets. They know discipline.

They know focus. And ultimately, they win from within.

Although Bearkat Country has been buzzing from the recent impressive streak, the volleyball team remains even-keeled, never straying from the principles that got them we they are-- tied for second in the Southland Conference standings.

“We don’t go into any one match any different that another match,” Coach Gray commented on their consistency. “We respect everybody, but don’t fear anybody…although we may adjust our game to hone in on a team’s weakness, we adjust our mentality for no one…it stays the same.”

That exact mental toughness has shaped a type of performance that leaves the Southland Conference office talking Bearkat Volleyball by the water cooler.

Outside hitter Deveney WellsGibson, the reigning Southland Offensive Player of the Week, is coming off a career-best 27 kills against Lamar, including a kill on set point that would have put the Cardinals on top two sets to none.

Two points later, Wells-Gibson then served an ace-set point.

Her 317 kills this season holds supreme in the conference.

Huntsville’s own Kim Black, who was chosen to wear the Southland Defensive Player of the Week honors, has not only accepted her role—she’s commanded it.

Defying “senioritis”, she has led the Bearkats in blocks in eight consecutive matches and 19 of 22 contests this year. Her 109 blocks this season ranks second overall in the Southland Conference.

Tayler Gray allows the Bearkat offense to hit on all cylinderscontributing 10.59 assists per set and 837 assists this season.

With such outstanding numbers, it makes one wonder: What’s the team’s secret?

“We play hard, we practice hard, we laugh hard,” Coach Gray said. “It’s a matter of everybody accepting their role...we don’t talk about winning and losing…you will never hear that come out of my mouth.”

By focusing on work ethic instead of results, the Lady Kats’ accomplishments are hardly limited to inside Johnson Coliseum. With an overall team GPA of 3.5, they continue to live out the team’s motto and “finish first”. According to Gray, this theme keeps the Bearkats absorbed with the task at handno matter what it may be. By finishing strong at whatever mission is in front of them, they find themselves developing the habits that may have them eventually “finish first” ahead of the Southland competition.

“I’m an old school mentality type of coach,” Gray said. “And I’m a firm believer that discipline and structure will lead them [ the Bearkats] in the right direction.”

Sam Houston (13-9, 8-2) aims to break the second place tie as they take on Texas A&M -Corpus Christi (15-6, 8-2) tonight at 7pm at Johnson Coliseum.

Eric Fite | The Houstonian

Young MLB stars make case for MVP CONNOR HYDE Sports Reporter

October is in full swing. Texas’ redemption fell short to Baltimore and somehow the Yankees made it to the ALCS thanks to wonder boy Raul Ibanez. Late game homeruns have decided who continues in the brackets as pitching continues to dominate opponents.

As for the MVP race, Giants’ catcher Buster Posey is hands down the NL MVP where the AL MVP is a coin flip between Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and rookie phenom Mike Trout.

Throughout the 2012 regular season, Posey has proven to be a consistent threat to pitchers in the Giants’ lineup. Hitting for .336 with 24 homeruns, Posey’s numbers aren’t outstanding but they’re consistent. For the past three years the catcher’s batting average has been in the top tier in the NL. Driving in 103 RBI’s (ranking sixth in the NL), during the 2012 regular season and scoring 78 runs, Posey is a producer.

According to Bleacher Report, although Posey is consistent at the plate, he’s slow around the bases. Since 2009, Posey has only five total stolen bases combined; not impressive when compared to NL MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen who nabbed 20 bases during the regular season.

But where McCutchen falls short, Posey has proved to be a threat in the postseason. In Game 5 of the NLDS series between San Francisco and Cincinnati, Posey broke the pitching battle in the fifth inning with a massive grand slam to start a six run rally for the Giants to clench the series.

What separates McCutchen and Posey is that the Giants’ catcher assumed the role Melkey Cabrera left by continuing to push the Giants’ towards post-season

success and possibly into the World Series.

As for the American League, it’s between Angels’ homerun thief Mike Trout and recent Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.

Trout made his presence heard throughout the league with his power swing and his ability to defy gravity and rob homeruns. The rookie will reign supreme over the Triple Crown winner because he is an all-around player compared to Cabrera’s one dimensional abilities as a player.

This season Cabrera led the league with a .330 batting average as well as dethroning Josh Hamilton as homerun leader by hitting 44 homeruns combined with 139 RBIs. Cabrera’s bat is well known around the league as lethal but what separates Trout from Cabrera is the third baseman’s lack of range at third base.

Bleacher Report comments that the veteran Tiger’s speed and lack of quickness hinders his reaction at the hot spot as well as base running; stealing only four bases this season compared to Trout’s 49. Although Cabrera is the first Triple Crown winner since 1967, his batting ability alone will not claim the AL MVP. Outside the fact that Trout, who is only 21, finished his rookie season with a .326 batting average, 30 homeruns with 129 runs scored, and 83 RBIs, Trout’s only downfall is that he strikes out too much (21 K percentage, reports Bleacher Report) and the Angel’s fell short of sneaking into the postseason.

Outside of recording more strikeouts, Trout has defined the next specimen for the coming generation of prospects into the league. If the rookie can continue to display performances similar to the 2012 season he will surely make his way into the Hall of Fame.

Follow @HoustonianSports for play by play updates

Page 6

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Approach the Bench M aking the decision to attend law school is huge.

Deciding which one to go to can be intimidating.

Our program offers:

t BO FYDFQUJPOBM GBDVMUZ t UIF CFTU BEWPDBDZ QSPHSBN JO UIF OBUJPO t BO BXBSE XJOOJOH MFHBM SFTFBSDI BOE writing program t B CSPBE BOE ĘFYJCMF DVSSJDVMVN UIBU JODMVEFT FYUFOTJWF DMJOJDBM TLJMMT QSPHSBNT t DPOTJTUFOUMZ BGGPSEBCMF UVJUJPO SBUFT t B IFMQGVM BOE LOPXMFEHFBCMF TUBČ t B EPXOUPXO MPDBUJPO JO QSPYJNJUZ UP major law firms and corporations for enhanced job opportunities.

We rest our case.

CARNIVAL,

Megan Laurie | The Houstonian

page 1

“We like the rides, and free food, and this is bigger than we thought it’d be,� freshmen Cne’ Alverio, Morgan Perry and Holly McIntosh said together.

The Student Activities sponsored fair also included corn dogs and SHSU decorated cookies for the hungrier appetites.

With lines that went by quickly and enjoyment everywhere, the overall atmosphere of Sam Jam was captivated amusement. “It’s really lots of fun and the popcorn was good,� Holland Behn, Mass Communication junior, said. “I was terrified [about some of

the rides], but the slide was fun.�

During the events, the Homecoming King and Queen finalists were announced.

The King finalists are Aston Winfree, Shane Rankin and Jacob Brock. The Queen finalists are Ashley Baker, Risa Mitchell and Ashlyn Voight.

The Homecoming festivities will continue today with the Homecoming Parade on Sam Houston Ave. at 6:30 p.m. Friday will feature movie night with “The Dark Knight Rises� at 6 p.m. in the LSC Theatre and Saturday is jam-packed with tailgating at Bearkat Alley of Bowers Stadium from 5-7 p.m., followed by the Homecoming game against McNeese State.

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