Vol 119 | Issue 12
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Publishing since 1913
Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University KAT Links
Fair on the Square, pg. 4
For more information about Sammypalooza ‘11, visit sammypalooza.com.
INDEX
Book Review: The Hunger Games trilogy, pg. 5
Viewpoints ...... pg. 2 Special ............. pg. 3 News ................ pg. 4
A&E ................. pg. 5 Sports ............... pg. 6
Sammypalooza kicks it old school Taking Back Sunday headlines university music festival
By George Mattingly Ats & Entertainment Editor Screaming music fans relived part of their childhood as they sang along when six bands rocked the stage for the second annual Sammypalooza at Johnson Coliseum on Friday. The lineup for this year included Last Great Assault, Vice Verse Us, Phil Pritchett and in the indoor portion. In addition to music, students also got to enjoy “Beats N’ Eats” with food from several local vendors including 3 Spoons, Farmhouse, Humphrey’s, Quizznos and The Draft Bar. Among the campus departments present were Recreational Sports, Bearkat Athletics and Program Council. The event was a collaboration of the Student Service Department, whose goal was to appeal to as many students as possible. “I don’t even know most of these bands,” said Keith — See MUSIC, page 4
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
BELTING IT OUT. Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday jams out in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum for Sammypalooza to “Make Damn Sure” of Louder Now, the band’s third album, released in 2006.
Fire on campus Thursday By McKinzie Brocail Senior Reporter
Classes were cancelled in the Smith-Hutson Building after smoke from a fire moved into the building Thursday. University Police Department Chief Kevin Morris said the fire possibly started outside the building where contractors were performing construction, although he said that not much about it was known at this time. Morris said the fire department received the call at approximately 3:09 p.m. He said although there is little known about the size of the fire, the damage seems to be minor. “It looks like something caught fire, possibly some type of panel, and dropped between where the new and old buildings are,” Morris said. “It looks like just a construction accident.” Several witnesses said the smoke filled the third floor before seeping into the second floor where a speaker event was being held. “It smelled like an electrical smoke....like when wires or something burn,” Seth Cooper, junior general business administration student said. “It definitely wasn’t organic. More like a very acrid smell.” He said that people were slow to move out of the building because of the event, but that everyone remained calm. The “Whistleblowing” series, featuring Gordon Massie, was relocated into Academic Building — See FIRE, page 4
Kats keep Runners on their toes By Zach Birdsong Sports Editor It wasn’t pretty, but the Bearkat football team scratched and clawed their way to a win against UTSA, 22-7, Saturday night. Early and often the Kats found themselves in a defensive battle as the offense struggled for yards. But with enough big plays on both sides of the ball, the Kats were able extend their record to 4-0 on the season. “I think it was good for us, especially being our fourth game of the season,” said running back Tim Flanders who finished with 91 yards and a touchdown. “At the same time, that just shows us something that we have to keep working on. Every game can’t be a blowout. We can’t run the ball against every team. Teams are going to try to pack the box to try and stop us.” A game time decision left the Kats without starting quarterback Brian Bell, who was out with concussion like symptoms. But, the defense stepped up and caused five turnovers on the night, including the game’s opening kickoff when UTSA fumbled the ball at the Kats
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
RUNNING ON FAITH. The SHSU Bearkat football team kneels in prayer prior to the start of their football game against the University of Texas - San Antonio on Saturday evening. The Kats won, 22-7.
13 yard line. “Our quarterback was injured, and we knew we had to take this and put our team on our shoulders and lead them,” defensive lineman Will Henry said.
“We knew that to win this game, the defense was going to have to play a major role, and we took advantage of this opportunity.” Later in the first quarter, Kats quarterback Greg
Sprowls would throw an interception inside UTSA’s redzone, and the Roadrunners took over at their one yard line. But the Kats defense stood their ground and forced UTSA
into a safety, putting them up 2-0. With 3:18 to go in the first half, defensive back — See #WINNING, page 3
Faculty Senate: Social media committee in the works By Stephen Green Associate News Editor A standing social media policy committee is in the works, officials said at Thursday’s Faculty Senate Meeting. Kris Ruiz, assistant vicepresident of Marketing and Communication, addressed the senate after concerns were raised about the policy’s language and its possible implications on free speech. “I have started the paperwork to create a fullstanding committee to not only review the policy,” she said, “but they can also serve as a think tank.
They can come to [their committees] with ideas and to keep [them] informed.” She said she is “much more aware” of the implications of the policy after meeting with the Council of Academic Deans, the Student Government Association and the Provost for Academic Affairs Jamie Hebert. Many of the comments and questions directed at Ruiz were from chemistry professor Paul Loeffler and mathematics professor Bill Jasper. Loeffler repeatedly referred to the selection of whose post goes onto the Sam Houston
Social Universe wall as “propaganda.” He also questioned the methods in which the policy was implemented in the first place. “In general, policies that affect students and faculty, there is a prescribed procedure,” Loeffler said. “They go through Academic Policy Council, the Council of Deans, almost always through [Faculty Senate.]” Ruiz said that the issue was one that would be looked at by the standing committee. The committee would consist of a member from each the Student Government Association and the Faculty Senate,
as well as one member from each of the academic colleges. Also during the meeting, Faculty Senate Chairwoman asked Ruiz if there had been any editing of posts or pages up to this point. Immediately, Steven Keating, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, said no. Following his response Senator Sheryl MurphyManley, Ph.D., disagreed. “The School of Music webmaster said there were some things changed on their (Facebook),” MurphyManley said. “Kiersten Ortiz runs their Facebook page. She turned over the
Facebook passwords and she said there were some changes made without her knowledge.” Keating said Ortiz had asked for help, “in any way that I could.” MurphyManley said although that may have been the case, that changes had been made to the profile without knowledge of the page administrator. Ruiz said the issue was “probably a communication error” and would be looked into closer. Ruiz said she will be speaking to Staff Council about the policy soon, and has started the paperwork for the standing committee.
Viewpoints
Page 2 Tuesday, October 4, 2011
houstonianonline.com/viewpoints
STAFF LISTING Robin Johnson
FACULTY ADVISER 936-294-1499
Erin Peterson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 936-294-1505
epeterson@houstonianonline.com
Stephen Green ASSOCIATE EDITOR sgreen@houstonianonline.com
Karmen C. King VIEWPOINTS EDITOR
kking@houstonianonline.com
Kolby Flowers WEB AND MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
kflowers@houstonianonline.com
Zachary Birdsong SPORTS EDITOR
zbirdsong@houstonianonline.com
McKinzie Brocail SENIOR REPORTER
mbrocail@houstonianonline.com
Jessica Gomez PHOTOGRAPHER
April Sanders COPY EDITOR
Christian Pratt
GRAPHIC COORDINATOR
AD DEADLINES Tuesday’s Issue
Alumnus up in arms Rhonda Omberg calls for more action, end to unjust policies
Dear Editor: I attended SHSU from 1985-1990 as a Communications major what we used to call RadioTV-Film back in the day. If anyone knows the value of free speech, it is me. I was horrified that our wonderful university was used as an example on both left-wing and right-wing blogs to decry campus speech codes. I would think this would be the sort of thing that would happen at UC-Berkeley or even the University of Texas, but not
Sam Houston State. After sorting out the ridiculous nature of the social media policy and the ensuing protest, I sat down and wrote your present police chief and president, and told them I thought what math professor Joe Kirk did was the worst thing I had ever heard of a professor doing on our college campus. Then, I took it a step further and suggested he should have been arrested and placed on probation on the spot. Kirk needs to remember
that, like it or not, you guys as students are full of your own opinions and you should express them however you see fit whenever and wherever you see fit. Back before political correctness came into vogue and people didn’t get all up in arms about every little thing under the sun, we considered the entire university a free speech zone. So what has changed? It is not too late to affect a return to good old common sense. The students have tremendous amounts
P a ws U p “Paws UP” to football being ranked #11 in the FCS. Still looking out for #1 though!
Paty Mason BUSINESS MANAGER 936-294-1500
pmason@houstonianonline.com
Chelsea Boyd ADVERTISING MANAGER 936-294-1503
“SIDE
to it finally being Battle of the Piney Woods week. Remember, crying is not a sport.
Rhonda Omberg c/o 1990
Paw”
“SIDE Paw”
to Firefest. While we applaud the decision to not have an actual fire, a laser show just won’t have the same effect.
gorgeous fall weather we are having. It’s time to break out the hot cocoa and apple cider!
“Paws UP”
because as you well know, we still have unjust wars going on. Even if we didn’t, there is always someone being treated unjustly, and right now it is YOU. Fight for your rights. Push the envelope. Push their buttons. It is what universities used to be about (haven’t you guys ever seen “Animal House”??). Come on, now. We need you more than ever. Go Bearkats!
to volleyball’s losses last week. We’re just gonna assume they were saving it up for Wednesday’s game vs. SFA!
“Paws UP” to the absolutely
Friday 5 p.m.
Thursday’s Issue - Tuesday 2 p.m.
of power, but it is the administration that prevents you from welding it because they saw what happened in the 60s. That was when student movements helped end an unjust war overseas and helped AfricanAmericans get a seat at the lunch counters in the deep south. The irony is that the same administration that is in place now is probably old enough to have seen much of what went on then, if they didn’t participate in it outright. They should know better,
“Paws DOWN”
to the UTSA fans taking over the Kat Krazies section last Saturday at the football game. Also, when you’re playing an all orange team it’s probably best not to wear your secondary color of orange to the game.
Axe the Jacks!
Paws Down
cboyd@houstonianonline.com
Meagan Ellsworth PRODUCTION MANAGER
mellsworth@houstonianonline.com
Chrystal Golden
COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST cgolden@houstonianonline.com
Today in history: 1227 – Assassination of Caliph al-Adil.
All comics courtesy Creators.com
1582 – Pope Gregory XIII implements the Gregorian Calendar. In Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain, October 4 of this year is followed directly by October 15. 1636 – The Swedish Army defeats the armies of Saxony and the Holy Roman Empire at the Battle of Wittstock. 1876 – Texas A&M University opens as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, becoming the first public institution of higher education in Texas. 1883 – First run of the Orient Express. 1927 – Gutzon Borglum begins sculpting Mount Rushmore. 1940 – Meeting between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini at the Brenner Pass. 1941 – Norman Rockwell’s Willie Gillis character debuts on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. 1965 – Becoming the first Pope to ever visit the United States of America and the Western hemisphere, Pope Paul VI arrives in New York. 2003 – Maxim restaurant suicide bombing in Haifa, Israel: 21 Israelis, Jews and Arabs, are killed, and 51 others wounded.
DC on DC: Obamanomics - Write Beca for advice at
Recurring columnist David Cullen explains how Reagan and Obama are not so different on taxes advice@houstonianonline.com You may not know this today, but Ronald Reagan actually spoke about closing the tax loopholes for millionaires, much like Obama now, only this was in 1985. On June 6th, 1985 to be exact, Ronald Reagan gave a speech in Atlanta, Georgia in which he said the following words: “We’re going to close the unproductive tax loopholes that allow some of the truly wealthy to avoid paying their fair share. In theory, some of those loopholes were understandable, but in practice they sometimes made it possible for millionaires to pay nothing, while a bus driver was paying ten percent of his salary, and that’s crazy.” I note this because you have this Obama speech from September in which he proposed the “Buffet Rule” to close the loopholes on investment versus wage tax for the wealthy in this country, so that middle class families do not end up paying less than the wealthy in taxes. You follow this with Republican leaders in Congress, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and John Boehner of Ohio, claiming that this would be class warfare, when in fact their favorite leader and commander of the right, Ronald Reagan, proposed the same idea a quarter century ago. This baffles me because I simply question whether or not Reagan would actually be
accepted in today’s Republican party. As I now look at his policies and his ideals and note that he, as an American of great patriotism, would probably be in the middle somewhere, either a centrist Republican or a yellow-dog Democrat. Remember folks that he was from California and is a true Republican, not this new brand of Republican that has become more and more extreme and defiant in the face of change or even commonsense politics. I am not saying that any of the Democrats are right or wrong, but that in today’s Tea party driven Republican Party, people like Bob Dole, Ronald Reagan, and other traditional Republicans would be left out to dry with people like John McCain, who find themselves on the outside of their own party wondering what happened to the center of the Big Tent they claim they occupy. After all, I always was taught that the Republican philosophy was a Big Tent, but now it seems that tent is left only for Evangelical Christians, big business corporatists, and crazy people with crazy ideas.
- David is a sophomore Political Science major.
Letter to the Student Body Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni: The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body. We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor. If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to email your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian. Karmen C. King Viewpoints Editor kking@houstonianonline.com
The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers. Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call 936-294-1495. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Press and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
News
Page 4 Tuesday, October 4, 2011
houstonianonline.com/news
Fighters...what makes the grass grow? By Stephen Green
Associate News Editor
The man raised his sword behind his back and raised his shield high up in front of his face, which was covered in an all-encompassing helmet. He swung his sword fullforce against his enemy, who held his shield aloft. The sword slammed against the shield with a resounding thunder. The 40 to 50 audience members surrounding the two men cheered in excitement. Finally, the man thrust his sword over his enemy’s shield and under his helmet. “Hold!” The unique factor in this medieval battle: you could walk a few yards to the right and buy a purse or win a trip to Las Vegas. The Raven’s Fort barony of the Society of Creative Anachronisms was one of more than 100 vendors who attended the yearly Fair on the Square on Saturday. But for the members of the group, the yearly event is just one way members show-off what they practice year-round. Raven’s Fort is a subgroup within a kingdom called Ansteorra, which encompasses Texas and Oklahoma, minus El Paso. Diann Thedford, aka Mistress Shanahan the Fey, joined the SCA in 1971 after attending one of the camps, or tournaments, and reading Paul Anderson’s “The Broken Sword.” She and a group of friends founded the group, “Stargate” in Houston. “It’s fun. It’s similar to the Civil War recreationists… researching the Middle Ages and the Renaissance periods and trying to recreate it,” Thedford said. “You get to get away from the modern world for just a little while. It’s an interesting feeling to get away from all of that.” Thedford, who retired from office management, researches jewelry and
All photos by: Stephen Green | The Houstonian
ASTEORRA. Raven’s Fort members, study several forms of medieval fighting including single-sword fighting and rapier combat. Members use those styles fo fighting in tournaments, including those that select who will be king by right-of-arms. The kingdom in which Raven’s Fort belongs also has the distinction of having the first female king, and the first female knights.
wirework of the pre-17th centuries. She began by making headpieces, commonly referred to as Juliet caps, which is also a part of her main research now. “It’s fascinating to me to see how things are interconnected and interrelated,” Thedford said. “It makes me wonder if there were ways for someone of that age to look down on us now, what they might think…seeing their arts being performed now. They’d probably get a kick out of it.” Thedford said a typical headpiece might take anywhere from 12 to 18 months for her to complete. She uses her headpieces as an example of dedication to a craft, similar to what other members do. “[Members] can take it as serious as you want, or as little as you want,” she said. “It’s up to you. It’s just
fun.” John Reuter, aka Brian du Val, practices “hands on history” in the form of making armor. This includes metal work and leather work for other members of Raven’s Fort. “It’s not really work,” he said. “I really enjoy what I’m doing. It’s a hobby that I get a great deal of satisfaction from.” After taking an early retirement from his 23-year career at the Texas prison units in Huntsville, he now helps to raise his daughter. Reuter gets choked up when he speaks about his daughter and her involvement in the organization. “I’ll find her corralling the younger kids and introducing them to other people,” he said. “She and the other children want to do what mommy and daddy are doing so bad that we had to give them an outlet.” Children’s activities
Homecoming theme celebrates 1960’s By Cody Lewis
Contributing Reporter
This year, Sam Houston State University will relive the 1960s and celebrate Homecoming with its theme, “Peace, Love, and Bearkats.” The SHSU Homecoming Committee developed three themes and “Peace, Love, and Bearkats” was voted this year’s theme by the student body. And since Homecoming is such an alumni derived event, the theme is sure to be a hit. “I think this theme is really great. It’s nice to have something different and I know that Student Activities is always on the look out for new ideas. It pretty much embodies our university style of operation,” Jessica Oswald, employee of Student Activities said. There are many events that will take place during Homecoming week leading with the Homecoming Kick-Off on Oct. 10 starting at noon in Bearkat Plaza. This rally will include various SHSU organizations such as the Sam Houston cheerleaders and the Orange Pride dance
team and the introduction of the Homecoming King and Queen nominees. All King and Queen candidates have to be either a junior or a senior and are voted on by all students. On Oct. 12, The SAM JAM Carnival will take place on the Holleman Field Parking Lot at 7 p.m. This free carnival will include food and many rides, including a Ferris wheel. At the end of the night, the finalist for Homecoming King and Queen will be announced. The Homecoming Parade will be making its way down Sam Houston Avenue on Oct. 13 starting at 6:30 p.m. ,and it will give students and the people of Huntsville a taste of the school spirit we have here at SHSU. “With several thousand viewers and participants each year, [the parade] is such a great opportunity for the university to celebrate and connect with the local community,” Associate Director for Student Activities, Brandon Cooper said. SHSU will honor
alumni that have been graduated for at least 50 years in the Golden Circle Reunion on Oct. 14 in the LSC Ballroom. And at 6 p.m. that night, SHSU’s seven “Distinguished Alumni,” will be recognized at the annual gala that will also be held in the LSC Ballroom. “During the week, students are able to learn the university’s rich history and what amazing accomplishments our Alumni have achieved,” Cooper said. “And our alumni get to feel the current ‘pulse’ of the university, and see what students are currently accomplishing.” And on Oct. 15, for the Homecoming finale, Bearkat fans new and old can head down to Bearkat Alley starting at noon to tailgate before the football game versus Nicholls State beginning at 2 p.m. “Homecoming is such an amazing time of year for the university,” Cooper said. “We get the opportunity to unite former students with current students, which ends in a better understanding and appreciation of our university.”
Photo courtesy official Homecoming website
include arts and craft for children, arts and sciences for children in elementary and older, all the way to limited combat for teenagers. Full-combat and armor comes in adulthood. “Fighting isn’t the biggest aspect,” he said. “The research of what you like to do is also fun. Some people research the plague and that’s their big thing. Some people are just interested in jousting and equestrian activities.” Kids and adults alike were mesmerized by the fighters each time a battle commenced. Fair attendee Robert Orman said the group was dedicated and entertaining. “Everyone needs to experience the past and how we got to where we are today,” he said. Attending events like the fair help spread the group’s main goal, according to Thedford.
“Teaching and passing knowledge down is the point of SCA,” she said. “Hopefully it can restore some of the lost information that we have found out in our research. The stuff that has been buried, to bring it up to the surface again.” She said the group has gone into museums and corrected some displays that were wearing incorrect armor, or wearing it incorrectly. “At first they would just laugh at us,” Thedford said. “But then we would go out, put on the same armor and show them how it was impossible to wear the armor in that manner.” She said that reaction to the group has been mixed, but college kids are reacting in the best way. Such is the case with the on-campus group Raven’s Guild, which acts independently of Raven’s Fort, but participate in many of the
same activities. “They are friends with our group, and we are hoping by the time they graduate they will join our group,” she said. The group’s kingdom has several major distinctions that group members said shows dedication to the organization. Their kingdom had the first female king, selected through a combat tournament, and the first female knights. In terms of where Ansteorra reaches, the kingdom has claimed some far away property. “Ansteorra has even claimed the International Space Station,” Thedford said. “There are also floating ‘shires’ on several U.S. aircraft carriers. They have been seen even during the Cold War.” SCA existed since 1966 as an afterschool event at Berkley College that developed into a 100,000 member strong organization. The group members constantly talk about dedication and commitment to the group as well as the fellowship. After the man with the sword claimed victory over his opponent he walked out of the arena and looked at his friends sitting a few feet away and yelled, “Fighters, what makes the grass grow?” Immediately they responded, “Blood!”
From FIRE page 1
IV. Morris said the cause of the fire is currently unknown and that the building will be locked for the remainder of the day. Only those who have property in the building and staff will be escorted in and out to retrieve their belongings, due to the health risks from the smoke levels. Morris said there will be additional air quality tests to determine is it is safe for students to attend classes.
UPD Update September 28, 2011 Officer was assisting the Huntsville Police Department in the 1500 block of 11th Street at 2:05 a.m. with a disturbance. While on scene, officer checked the welfare of a 20 year old male from Cleveland, Texas. While speaking with the male, the officer determined that he was highly intoxicated. The male was arrested and charged with Public Intoxication, a Class C Misdemeanor. Officer responded to the a university storage area located in the 2200 block of Avenue M at 1:41 p.m. due to a report of a tampered lock. Upon arrival, officer observed that a door to the building was partially ajar. It appears that someone attempted to pry open the door. An offense report into this incident was completed. September 26, 2011 While conducting a traffic stop in the 900 block of 11th Street at 3:52 p.m., officer determined that the driver, a resident of Madisonville, Texas, was in possession of contraband. The driver was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor. September 25, 2011 While investigating suspects involved in a burglary of residence, officer identified a male who was staying in University housing that was not a student. The male was issued a criminal trespass warning for all SHSU property. While assisting the Huntsville Police Department with a three vehicle accident at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Sam Houston Avenue at 7:26 p.m., officer was informed that two males were interfering with the Huntsville police officer’s investigation. Upon making contact with the two males (one a male university student, the other a resident of Houston, Texas), officer determined that both males were intoxicated. Subsequently, both males were arrested and charged with Public Intoxication, a Class C Misdemeanor. Officer responded to the 2600 block of El Toro Drive to assist the Huntsville Police Department at 9:44 a.m. in reference to a fight in progress report. Upon arrival, officer located the two individuals involved in the incident (one a male university student and one a resident of Lufkin, Texas). Both reported that they were just “slap boxing” in a parking lot, but not involved in an altercation. While speaking with the males, the officer noted that they were intoxicated. Subsequently, both males were arrested and charged with Public Intoxication, A Class C Misdemeanor.
Arts & Entertainment
Page 5 Tuesday, October 4, 2011
houstonianonline.com/a-e
Tables turn on School of Music Professors perform for students at faculty gala
By Marissa Nunez
Contributing Reporter
The tables were turned for music professors and students as members of the faculty showcased their talents in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall on Thursday night. The gala, hosted by the School of Music, started off with a fast-moving solo by Kyle Kindred, Ph.D., followed by a sonata by Patricia Card, Ph.D. on clarinet, and Dmytro Perevertailenko on violin and Ph.D., and Ilonka Rus, Ph.D., on piano. John Lane, Ph.D, intrigued gala guests with his percussion Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian performance titled “After Dark: Fireflies”, which he “Rare Times”: Javier Pinell, Ph.D., was among the several professors who performed for students commissioned himself. The and guests at the annual Faculty Gala on Thursday. gala continued with a duet rendition of The Beatles performed by Javier Pinell, dramatic close. by Hayoung Lim, Ph.D., “Blackbird” by Robert Ph.D. on violin and Sergio Later that night, on cello and Mieun Lee, Daniel, Ph.D. A fast- Ruiz, Ph.D., on piano, Interim Director of the Ph.D., on piano, and a tuba moving, energetic duet, brought the evening to a School of Music Scott
The Hunger Games trilogy too good to put down By Erin Peterson Editor-in-Chief
The Hunger Games are, in a word, intense. Suzanne Collins’ trilogy sucks you in almost instantaneously, as the story takes place in North America, long after the United States has fallen and the rest of the world has fallen with it. The US has been replaced by Panem, a nation composed of a capitol and 13 districts, though the story begins with only 12. 75 years prior to the story, District 13 stepped too far out of line, and the Capitol bombed it into oblivion. We first find the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, poaching in the woods with her best friend Gale. Hunting at all in any of the districts is illegal, but the Capitol doesn’t care too much about Katniss’ home of District 12, a poor mining community. Poaching is what keeps food on the Everdeen’s table, as well as many other prominent tables in town. After all, poaching is illegal for the mayor and the Peacekeepers as well.
Enter the Games The first book begins the day of the Reaping, the first part of the Hunger Games. The Reaping is the lottery system by which competitors for the Hunger Games are chosen, and only applies to 12 to 18-yearolds, called tributes. The Hunger Games is the barbaric system by which the Capitol keeps the districts in line. How? They pit the tributes against one another in an arena where not only must the tributes fight and kill one another,
but they also must overcome their environment as well. The tributes make their way to the Capitol for publicity and training, and then the Capitol drops them into the arena. The publicity part is important, as those tributes who play their part well receive gifts from various districts whilst in the arena. At age 12, a child’s name goes into the basket one time, with the possibility of extras if they sign up for tesserae, a year’s supply of grain and oil. When Katniss first entered, she put her name in four times. Each year, the previous four entries stayed in and continued to add up. At the start of the story, Katniss’ name is in the basket 20 times; Gale’s is in the basket 42 times, as he has to keep food on his family’s table as well.
A Bold Sacrifice
When Katniss’ 12-yearold sister Prim, who only had one piece of paper in the basket with her name on it compared to Katniss’ 20, is selected as the female tribute for District 12, Katniss does the unthinkable and volunteers in herself instead. All of Panem is astounded, as they have no memory of a volunteer tribute in District 12, and they only have one living victor in all of the 75 years the games have taken place. This survivor is a drunk by the name of Haymitch. Katniss’ classmate Peeta is chosen as the male tribute, and they’re whisked off to a room to say goodbye to their families. The games serve to remind the districts that the Capitol controls
Plugge took time to honor former Chairman of the Department of Music, Fisher Tull, Ph.D., and to announce the winner of the Fisher Tull Scholarlship. Nominees for the scholarship vary from the music department and must be a freshman nominated by his or her professor before going through a rigorous audition process. This year’s scholarships, each for $2,000, were awarded to clarinet player Cori Reebenacker and trombone player Ramsey Hampton. “This is a huge accomplishment for me,” said Reebenacker, who was honored to receive the prestigious Tull Scholarship. The gala also served as an opportunity for students to really experience and appreciate the art and craft of music being performed
From MUSIC page 1
Scholastic Inc. | Flickr.com
COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN: Lionsgate bought the rights to turn the trilogy into a movie which hits theaters March 23, 2012 and stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Liam Hensworth as Gale and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta.
everything, except Katniss, who has never played by the rules of District 12 because she isn’t used to that kind of control. She plays the nation’s wild card throughout the story, and keeps the story moving very fluidly.
Thrills for All
When I first picked up a copy of the first book, I read it in a single day. Then I purchased the next book on my Kindle and was continuing the story within seconds. The next day, I bought book three. It helped that I was on a road trip. The barbarianism in the story is just that: barbaric and gripping. You’re appalled the entire time you’re reading at the thought of a nation doing that to its people, specifically its children. And the writing is amazing. A first person narrative told through Katniss, The Hunger Games are wild and intricate in that poetic way that only nature knows. The characters are vivid,
and the moments where Katniss literally goes insane and you follow her stream of consciousness are so intense that you can’t help but continue on. I recommend this series to everyone. Seriously, go out and get a copy. Actually, save your peace of mind a little and buy all three. You’ll be thankful that you did when you finish the first and start scrambling around for the second, and then the third. If you’re into adventure, this series is for you. It’s got a little something for everybody. Happy reading!
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Jenkins, Director of Recreational Sports Department. “But it’s really about appealing to as many students as we can.” This year, Sammypalooza took advantage of social media in order to connect with students who got to vote for the artists they wanted to see. This year was mainly based on the alternative rock genre. Before bands took the stage indoors, a select group of 30 to 40 students got the chance to meet the bands, who for most students were a major part of their lives in junior high and high school. “If I went back in time and told my high school self that I would be meeting these bands, I would have never believed it,” said senior theater major Carlos Salinas. Although it was their first time in Huntsville, for members of Vertical Horizon, performing at Sammypalooza was a chance to pay their debt to the fans in Texas that supported when they first began touring. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to Texas,” said Matt Scannell, lead singer for Vertical Horizon. “People from all over this state really encouraged us and supported us and bought tickets to see us play time and time again.” With music that is influenced by personal experiences and themes of heartache and lost love, Scannell said he hopes “people can feel it’s coming from the heart, that it’s coming from a true place and that it’s not manufactured.” Students filled the room with their own voices as they cheered and sang along when Vertical Horizon sang “Everything You Want” and “You’re A God” which, according to the Scannel and fellow band member Ron Lavella, is always a surreal moment because they are able to form an “incredible bond” with the audience. The performance at Sammypalooza was the first for Taking Back Sunday after returning from their European tour. The band released their latest self-titled album in June, and for members John Nolan and Adam Lazzara, it represented their return to their original intentions for their music after getting back together. While the band has gone through some changes over the years, they continue to maintain a family dynamic.
by the people who teach them every day. The performances by professors were a culmination of the lessons and methods that professors aim to teach students in the classroom. “It’s different from sitting in the room when you’re the one playing,” said sophomore music student Katherine Gonzalez. “You just get to see everything come together.” “It’s one of the rare times the students get to see the professors perform” said Plugge. The gala marked the beginning of a semester full of events from the School of Music with a variety of performances happening every week. To find the full calendar of events, visit their website at http:// music.shsu.edu/events/
“It’s definitely like a brotherhood,” said Nolan. “It’s kind of like Eddie’s a single dad and we are all his kids.” “His unruly children,” added Lazzara. For the band, based out of New York, music has become a way of life. When asked about what motivated them to get involved in music, both said they felt the same way they did when they started out. “I don’t think any of us could really have done anything else,” said Nolan. “I think we’ve always known that since we were all in high school.” “There is little that we do that doesn’t have something directly connected to music, whether it be ours or other bands’,” added Lazzara. For music lovers, the performance by Taking Back Sunday was a chance to relive part of their childhood in junior high and high school. “Taking Back Sunday is old—they’re like nostalgia for me,” said junior Joel Labrada. Bright red lights lit up the stage as the band came on to perform their first song. Right from the opening of the show, they brought with them a high level of energy and excitement that was reflected in the crowd as they screamed lyrics at the top of their voices, and jumped and cheered out of excitement. Their set list on stage included their songs “Cute Without the E”, “Number 5 With the Bullet,” “You’re So Last Summer” and “Decade Under the Influence.” “I hope it (the music) is an outlet for them and their emotions just the same way that the music that we love can be an outlet for us,” said Nolan. Due to the success of Sammypalooza and the high demand from students for more concerts, plans are to have another large scale concert series next semester. But, with the cost of Sammypalooza at about $140,000, Jenkins said in order to get bigger named acts that students want, students may be charged for their tickets in the future to cover the cost. However, to some students, paying for tickets did not sound like a bad idea. “I wouldn’t mind paying for a ticket,” Labrada. “As long as it isn’t more than college students can afford.”
Sports
Page 6 Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Stumbling away from home
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Volleyball loses two conference road games
By Cheval John Sports Reporter
The volleyball team lost to both the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners and the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders. The losses drop the Kats record to 3-2 in conference play and 9-9 overall. The Bearkats lost to the Roadrunners in straight sets 25-21, 25-18, 25-10 Thursday night. Senior outside hitter Carli Kolbe led the Kats with 14 kills and seven digs while senior middle blocker Kim Black and junior outside hitter Kendall Cleveland each contributed with five kills. Senior outside hitter Elise Huskey led the Roadrunners with 10 kills, eight digs, two blocks and an ace while freshman middle hitter/ outside hitter Dempsey Thornton contributed with nine kills and seven digs. Saturday afternoon, the Kats lost to the Islanders in five sets 25-22, 21-25, 2025, 25-21, 15-11. Junior outside hitter Kaylee Hawkins led the Kats with 16 kills, 26 digs and an ace while Black and sophomore middle blocker Haley Neisler each contributed with 12 kills. “Kaylee stepped up big time and led the team in kills and played great defense,” assistant coach Jason Curnalia said. The Islanders took the first set of the match while the Bearkats took the second set to even the match at 1.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
GOING UP. Sophomore Kelly Stewart goes up to spike the ball against Central Arkansas. The Kats were able to get the win, 3-2. This past weekend, the Kats struggled against UTSA and TAMUCC and lost both matches. The team is now 3-2 in Southland Conference play and 9-9 overall.
The third set was a battle between the two teams as there were six ties and two lead changes. With the Islanders leading 15-13, the Bearkats scored two points to tie it at 15 on a kill by outside hitters sophomore Kelli Stewart and Hawkins. The Islanders took a 16-15 lead on a kill by sophomore outside hitter
Isabella Arcidiacono, but her attacking error on the next play evened it at 16. The Islanders scored the next point to make it 17-16. Hawkins’ added a kill that tied the score at 17. The Kats would score the next three points on an attacking error by junior opposite hitter Shannon Hullum and two kills by
senior Kolbe. They would score five out of the eight points to take the third set. But, the Islanders rebounded and took the fourth set to set up the pivotal fifth set. The fifth set was a struggle between the two teams as there were seven ties and three lead changes. With the Kats leading 6-4, the
Islanders rallied by scoring the next six points to take a 10-9 lead. They would go on to win the set and take the match. “It was a well fought match and the Islanders are a decent team,” Curnalia said. Kolbe finished the match with nine kills and nine digs while senior setter Kym Loving contributed with 47
assists, six kills, 12 digs and two blocks. The Kats returns home on Wednesday to face rival Stephen F. Austin on Student Organization Night. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and admission is free for students. For more information about the volleyball team, visit gobearkats.com.
ByAmy Turek
Since the inception of the women’s soccer program at Sam Houston in 2003, the Bearkats have only beaten Texas State once, that win coming in 2006. On Sunday, in San Antonio, the Bearkats were shut out 2-0 by the Roadrunners. UTSA’s Laylia de Crus scored a goal just six seconds before halftime. In the 63rd minute the Roadrunners scored an insurance goal to go up 2-0. Though they were shut out, the Bearkats took eight shots, two of which were on goal. “It’s a very small margin of what’s going to be victories and what’s going to be losses in this conference,” Brown said. “I think if we come in and we play hard every day, things will go our way.” With the weekend losses, the Bearkats drop to 4-81 for the season and 0-2 in conference. They next face Northwestern State and Central Arkansas in conference matches on Friday and Sunday in Huntsville.
Soccer starts on wrong foot, 0-2 in SLC Contributing Reporter
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
GETTING TO IT. Sophomore Emily Edenstrom hustles for the ball against Louisiana Tech. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
From #WINNING page 1
Kenneth Jenkins intercepted his first pass of the night. The Kats marched down for a 32 yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 2 yard pass from wide receiver Richard Sincere to running back Keyshawn Hill, and they took an 8-0 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, the defense continued to cause turnovers and Henry recovered a fumble on the Kats 41 yard line. One the next play, SHSU ran a reverse play, and wide receiver Torrance Williams was able to break a 59 yard touchdown run, and that put the Kats up 15-0.
“It’s good to take a shot after a turnover. Our defense got that for us,” Williams said. “After that, we called a reverse and it was there. We couldn’t have asked for any better blocking. I made one cut and that was it. The game’s all about momentum and when you get a play like that, everybody on our sideline got more confidence and we were ready to execute on all three sides of the ball.” Late in the third quarter, Kats receiver Brandon Closner fumbled the ball on a punt return. UTSA marched the ball 39 yards and got their only score of the night on a one yard touchdown run by quarterback Eric Soza. With eight minutes to go, Flanders was able to
make a couple of big plays. On a crucial third down, Flanders off a shovel pass from Sprowls, ran the ball for a 45 yard gain, placing the Kats at the UTSA 10 yard line. On the next play, Flanders got into endzone on a 10 yard run. Still trailing 22-7, with 34 seconds to go, Soza threw up a pass, and Jenkins intercepted the ball, sealing the game for the Kats. Next up for the Kats is the Battle of Piney Woods game against rival Stephen F. Austin. The game will be held at Reliant Stadium in Houston, and kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. For more information about the football team, including ticket sales, visit gobearkats.com.
The Bearkats kicked off conference matches this weekend with away losses to Texas State and UTSA. Friday, the Bearkats suffered a hard 1-0 loss to the Bobcats in San Marcos. The only goal was scored by Texas State’s Felicia Leask in the 65th minute. Goalkeeper Mallory Garthwaite was there to make the save, but the ball rolled through her legs. “Basically what a goal is, is just a mess up on someone’s part,” Garthwaite said. “A mess up for me personally.” Despite the loss, Head Coach Tom Brown said it was one of the best games the girls have played this season. “It was an unfortunate goal that we allowed,” Brown said. “But I thought that after that we did a good job of continuing to try to press them to try to force them to turn the ball over.” This loss marks the eighth loss in nine tries against Texas State.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
GETTING PRESSURE. Defensive tackle Preston Sanders goes after UTSA quarterback Eric Soza. Sanders would get to Soza and cause a safety. The defense created five turnovers in the 22-7 victory.