3/21/2018 Weekly Edition

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

The Official News Source of Sam Houston State University

Bearkat claims school’s first NCAA medal Senior multievents star Tyler Adams became the first-ever SHSU T&F athlete to claim hardware at an NCAA event when he won Bronze. Story on page 3 Volume 129 | Issue 20

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Paw Print ‘The Drone’ takes SHSU to new heights closure gives new meaning to meals on wheels EMILY DAVIS News/Viewpoints Editor As of March 10, the Paw Print Food Court and the C-store on the second floor of the Lowman Student Center are now closed due to renovations. This includes ChickFil-a, Grille Works, Pizza Hut and Subway.

In order to provide more food options to students, SHSU has made some additions to campus that will be available until May 11.

Two food trucks are now on campus and available for students and faculty.

“Due to the LSC closing, Sam Houston dining services saw an opportunity to provide the additional variety of casual eating concepts for the campus,” Associate Vice President of Finance and Operations Tessy Rappé said.

“The spring weather and now popular Food Truck venue are the perfect addition.”

A Chick-Fil-a food truck is now located between the College of Trucks continues on page 2

Jordan Likens | The Houstonian

Photo courtesy Wojciech Lorenc LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Sam Houston State University is the setting of a new film: “The Drone.” The movie is the vision of writer John J. McLaughlin, and Bearkat students and faculty alike have been major pieces in putting together the production.

SHARON RAISSI Campus Culture Editor The Sam Houston State University department of Mass Communication has become instrumental in an inter-departmental effort to bring a screenplay by critically acclaimed writer John J. McLaughlin to life.

Set on the SHSU campus, McLaughlin’s screenplay follows an unconventional main character as he navigates his way through college. Last October, associate professor Wojciech Lorenc signed on to be director and cinematographer of the project.

“We are trying to make this film in the spirit of WALL-E,” Lorenc said. “[The main character] is a drone, essentially a tiny robot, but we are trying to put as much humanity in him as possible. The interesting thing about this particular drone is that he is like any other human. He has a

human family. He is just a regular person.”

Throughout the short film, characters interact with him as if he is no different than the rest of them. He represents the typical freshman-age, nervous incoming college student.

“He’s about a freshman-in-college-age,” Lorenc said. “He has a hard time finding himself at the beginning of the film. He goes to a fictional, unnamed university in the beginning of the film, and he has a hard time finding his group of friends. People just don’t get him. After that, at some point in the film, he discovers SHSU, and he discovers the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication.

That is when everything changes for him.”

The script for “The Drone” comes from McLaughlin, who famously wrote the screenplay for movies like “Black Swan” and “Hitchcock.” McLaughlin is no

stranger to out-of-the-box ideas like this one.

“Him being a drone really heightens the idea that he feels like he is different than everyone else,” Lorenc said. “It really is about how he feels. All students, to a certain extent, feel that anxiety of ‘Will I fit in?’”

Chair of the Mass Communication department, Dr. Jean Bodon, suggested McLaughlin for the job.

“I talked to my dean, Ron Shields, about how we needed a video to promote the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication,” Bodon said. “I suggested that we do a different type of promotional video, like a movie rather than an advertisement. I suggested that John McLaughlin write the script.”

Over 100 people auditioned to be a part of this short film process.

Some were cast as extras, some Drone continues on page 2

HoustonianOnline.com

Cinestar of Huntsville theater sheds light on its bag policy

Photo courtesy Derek Steen

BAG POLICY. Cinemark announced a new bag policy last month that prohibits big bags from entering the theatre. Huntsville’s Cinestar will not follow suite.

TIARA DENMAN Contributing Reporter A rule change surrounding Cinemark’s bag policy recently went viral among frequent movie-goers.

With the popular theater chain banning big bags, many Huntsville residents have been wondering if their own local Cinestar of Huntsville theatre will follow suit.

“We haven’t heard anything about it, but we don’t really like to have backpacks in,” Cinestar Manager Chelsea Senaski said.

“We have had to ask people to leave their backpacks in their car because of safety issues, but we are not super strict about it.”

Cinemark states that any bag or packages measuring larger than 12“x 12” x 6” will not be allowed inside the theater unless a medical or diaper bag. The theater company has explained that the primary Bag continues on page 2

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK JOSH DELANEY GUARD

LINDSEY MCLEOD PITCHER

The junior from Harker Heights is playing at an unbelievable level as of late. Delaney scored a career-high 25 points against Southeastern Louisiana in the Southland Conference semi-finals, knocking down seven three pointers in the 86-76 loss. Delaney then followed up that performance on Monday against Eastern Michigan with a 19-point outing on five triples.

The junior right-hander tied a Sam Houston State University school record 14 strike outs in the second game of a doubleheader against the University of Incarnate Word on March 9. Since then, McLeod has been on a tear. The junior from Austin recorded 10 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout on March 16, defeating the preseason favorite McNeese 5-0.

What’s happening at SHSU? INTER-OPERA-NAL, P. 2 SHSU’s opera will be performing “Dido and Aeneas” in collaboration with a Japanese program.

TYLER ADAMS, P. 3 Adams shares the secrets to his amazing success during his collegiate track and field career.

BETWEEN THE LINES, P. 4 Baseball is ranked as the No. 22 team in the country

by Baseball America thanks to their hot start.

“USELESS” MAJORS, P. 5 Opinion: Cassie Knust offers insight on a popular fallacy about majors considered “useless.”

CLYBOURNE PARK, P. 6 The theatre department has announced their next show. Find out all the details about it.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/news | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Page 2

Opera hits the high note, works with Japan EMILY DAVIS News/Viewpoints Editor Sam Houston State University Opera and Kobe College presents “Dido and Aeneas,” a tragedy by Henry Purcell, in the dance theatre of the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center March 23-25.

“Dido and Aeneas” is presented in collaboration with SHSU Department of Dance, SHSU Center for Early Music and Research and Performance and Kobe College Dance and Music from Japan.

This is one of the first English operas ever written, composed in approximately 1688 by Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate.

“The opera is a tragedy in three acts and is based on Book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid,” Associate Professor and Director of Opera Workshop Rebecca Grimes said.

“The story outlines the love affair between Dido, Queen of Carthage and the Trojan hero Aeneas, and her despair when she is abandoned by him in his quest for the founding of Rome.”

Photo courtesy shsu.edu

THE VOICE HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD. Sam Houston State University’s opera is collaborating with Japan’s Kobe College Dance and Music.

Drone continued, page 1 — have more featured roles. Many Fine Arts and Mass Communication departments are involved in the production. The School of Music will write the score for the movie, the Department of Art will provide some animations and the Dance, Theatre and Musical Theatre departments will also pitch in.

“The collaboration from everyone involved really is a testament that this is a supportive environment,” Lorenc said. “I am very new to the college, so it is actually a great discovery for me to see that we have all these different departments and all these creative people who are really excited and enthusiastic about collaborating on this. I think it speaks so much about the environment here at school, and again, another reinforcement for me that this film really is worth making.”

The short film started shooting last weekend and has 17 more days of shooting throughout the semester. Lorenc plans to hold a screening of the short film in Fall 2018. and prevention methods.

Bag continued, page 1 — reason for this policy change is safety, but customers have questioned the franchises motives.

“This new law is not really protecting anybody,” sophomore forensic chemistry major Desiree Stoker said. Stoker attended a movie over Spring Break and had to put her purse back in her car because it did not meet the size requirements. “People can’t try and sneak in snacks anymore, but that doesn’t mean just because you have a smaller purse people are not going to do anything.

This world is crazy. [The policy] is useless because I paid for this

big purse, and now I can’t even wear it at the movies.”

According to Senaski, she is understanding of the policy, but it is not in effect right now at Cinestar.

“I understand the whole banning big bags because we don’t allow outside food or drinks, and a lot of people do sneak in food which is bad for our business,” Senaski said. “Nobody has talked to us about this because we are not affiliated with Cinemark. We’re individually owned, but this would be something we would definitely be interested in.”

Trucks continued, page 1 — Humanities and Social Sciences building and the Lee Drain Building. They will be serving chicken sandwiches, chips and bottled beverages from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Smoken Sammy’s food truck is another new addition to campus, featuring a five-day rotating menu. Smoken Sammy’s will be located between the CHSS and LDB as well, and open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. all week.

“Smoken Sammy’s is probably the best thing that’s happened to Sam Houston,” Freshman Mass Communication major Mario Trevino said. “I think Sammy’s is a great edition, because we’ve never had burgers like that.”

A covered seating area with picnic tables and trash cans is available by the food trucks to allow students the option to sit and eat outside but away from the sun. Both food trucks accept Bearkat bucks.

“The Food Trucks are an additional option for dining that allows students to decide whether they prefer a sit-down meal at General’s Market or Old Main Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.

Although this opera is over 350 years old, according to Grimes, “Dido and Aeneas” has themes of love and loss portrayed by complex characters that the audience will still find relevant.

“This is a great first opera to see,” Grimes said. “It is only about an hour long, and is in English, and the music is beautiful! It also features dance as well as early musical instruments that folks may not be familiar with.”

To make this possible, Grimes is collaborating with SHSU Director of the School of Music Scott Plugge, Professor of Dance Dana Nicolay Director of CEMRAP Mario Aschauer, Professor of Cello and acting coordinator of this event Daniel Saenz, and Professor of Saxophone and project translator Masahito Sugihara.

“In March, students and faculty from Kobe College [are traveling] from Japan to participate in the opera production at SHSU,” Grimes said.

The first performance was held March 13 at The Centrum/ John Wesley Methodist Church in Houston. March 23-25 will be performed in the SHSU dance theatre of the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center

Photo courtesy shsu.edu

GOING GREEK. “Dido and Aeneas” is a three-part collaboration tragedy and will be performed by the SHSU opera this Friday through Sunday.

at 7:30 p.m.

“SHSU students and faculty will travel to Kobe, Japan in May for a repeat performance on the Kobe campus,” Grimes said. “During each exchange, students and faculty will participate in joint recitals and master classes. In a time of so much uncertainty and social fracture, this project represents several groups of people coming together to create something beautiful that is greater than ourselves. It also provides the students an opportunity to learn about people who have a dif-

ferent world experience, which is invaluable. The creative arts are a vehicle that allows these things to happen.”

The opera will be performed at Kobe College on June 1 and 2.

Tickets for the SHSU performances are $15 general, $12 seniors and $5 for SHSU students.

To purchase tickets visit www. shsu.edu/box office or call 936294-2339.

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Building Credit: Tips for students RHONA SLATER Staff Reporter It is important for students to build their credit wisely while in college. Credit cards become a little harder to obtain upon graduation until one can provide proof of income and financial stability.

Credit Card Insider (https:// www.creditcardinsider.com/) is a website that helps students find credit cards that fit their budget and needs; it helps users choose the right credit card that can help them build good credit. The website has tools and resources to help people stay on track with their credit and not fall behind on their payments.

Credit Card Insider is described

by Jacob Lunduski, Director of Community Outreach for Credit

Card Insider, as being “created with the goal to educate people to use credit cards to their advantage. This stems from learning how credit cards work and how to build credit.”

Lunduski believes students can reap benefits from utilizing Credit Card Insider, as the website provides detailed information on all aspects of your finances.

“As you may have seen, we only encourage responsible and disciplined credit card use,” Lunduski said. “If you follow our content, you should be able to avoid fees and credit card debt. We don’t encourage any attempts to manipulate credit scoring systems or constantly applying and canceling cards. We offer a ‘Learn’ section of our website that teaches you everything you need to know

about credit cards and how to use them. Also, we have a large breakdown of each credit card and how to get the most value out of that card. We offer a safe way to connect to the card you want to apply online. There are many fraudulent sites and links out there. We want to make sure you get the card you want safely and securely.”

An “excellent” credit score is 760-850, a “very good” score is 700-759, a “good score” is 660669, a “fair” score is 620-659, a “poor” score is 580-619 and a “very poor” score is 500-579.

“You should always strive to have the best credit possible,” Lunduski said. “You are legally entitled to one free credit report Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.

Police Blotter: SHSU’s Finest Keep the Campus Safe March 15th: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia An officer while on patrol in the P21 parking lot, 2133 Avenue I, observed an occupied vehicle.

The officer immediately detected the overwhelming odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. The officer located a clear plastic bag containing a small amount of marijuana in the driver seat. He also located a water bong with marijuana residue on the mouth piece. The student was issued a citation and the non-student a criminal trespass warning.

March 15th: Assist Outside Agency: An officer was dispatched to the area of the Building Services building, 2432 Sam Houston Avenue, in reference to a suspicious person soliciting for money. A male was asking for money, when he did not receive any he used profane language and left the premises northbound on Sam Houston Avenue. The officer located a male subject that had two warrants. The officer transported him to the Walker County Jail and issued him a criminal trespass warning.

March 16th: Public Intoxication: An officer observed a male subject walking northbound of the sidewalk in the 2300 block of Sam Houston Avenue stumbling and exhibited extremely poor balance. The officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. The officer transported the subject to the Walker County Jail.

March 19th: Burglary of a Habitation: An officer was dispatched to a sorority house, 1619 Avenue J, in reference to a burglary of a habitation report. The complainant stated an unknown person(s) entered her dorm room and removed items without her consent. She stated she would like criminal charges filed if a suspect(s) were named. Both roommates stated over a lengthy period of time she has discovered several clothing items missing.

The officer did not observe any signs of forced entry.

Jordan Likens | The Houstonian

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The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Page 3

Tyler Adams: Bearkat star, bronze medalist SHSU

TYLER JOSEFSEN Associate Editor Tyler Adams has experienced a surplus of success as a member of the Sam Houston State University men’s track and field team. The multievents senior has literally jumped over hurdles on his way to becoming the 2018 Southland Conference Men’s Indoor Athlete of the Year and winner of Outstanding Field Events Performer.

Adams tremendous success is nothing new. He holds the school record in the men’s indoor high jump (2.17 meters) and ranks in the top three in outdoor high jump, indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon. His presence was felt the moment he put on his SHSU uniform for the first time four years ago, and he has been a shining star ever since he was named 2015 SLC Indoor Freshman of the Year, an honor that fellow Bearkat Zachary Johnson took home this year. “[Zachary] is a phenomenal ath-

lete and even better guy,” Adams said. “He works hard and definitely has the talent. I hope and pray that he surpasses anything that I’ve ever done.”

His accomplishments reach beyond the bounds of the university. His performances at conference meets have jumped off the page. During his freshman year he took the top spot in three different events: two indoor and one outdoor. He took the title in both the indoor and outdoor high jump (2.16 and 2.12 meters, respectively). He also won the indoor heptathlon that year, tallying 5,221 points.

He defended that title the following year when he placed first once again in the heptathlon with 5,227 points. 2016 also saw Adams at the top of the field in the outdoor decathlon where his 7,259 points took home first place.

“The secret is to never let the success get to your head,” Adams said. “Always pushing, always trying to get better with everything you do and never

settling for any place or score you get.”

Adams, an engineering technology major, also prides himself on his performance in the classroom as well as on the track.

He picked up another incredible honor in 2016 when he was named the SLC Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Student-Athlete of the Year; he was also named to the SLC Track and Field AllAcademic Team that year.

“Your studies are always important,” Adams said. “At some point in your career, track is going to be over, and it’s what you have to fall back on that gets you through the rest of life.”

SHSU’s team success in recent years is impossible to ignore.

With the men’s and women’s teams both taking the crown at the 2018 SLC Indoor Championships, the Kats have now swept the conference meet three years running. The program has been nothing short of dominant during Adams time at SHSU, and this year he got the opportunity to showcase his skills at the

NCAA Track and Field Indoor Championships.

His fighting spirit led him to shine on the national stage as he won the heptathlon high jump with a mark of 7-feet 2-and-ahalf inches, a new NCAA Indoor Championship record. His triumph shifted to the big stage as he became the first SHSU athlete to ever bring home a medal at an NCAA Championship event.

Adams claimed the bronze as his school-record 6,081 points was enough to finish in third place.

His victory was bolstered by his personal-best 5.97 second time to win the 60-meter hurdles.

“The NCAA event was very fun,” Adams said. “There were great competitors. It was an amazing experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. There were top level athletes from around the nation.

It was top-notch competition, and it was great to be part of that.”

With graduation approaching the rest of the SLC basically staring up at Adams on top for the last four years, he will pass the torch to his younger teammates that will look to continue SHSU’s dominance for years to come. As for Adams, he hopes his time on the track might not be over quite yet.

“If track keeps going the way that it’s going I plan to pursue that maybe for a couple more years and see where that takes me,” Adams said. “I’ll probably look into construction management jobs. I really enjoy that.

I have some decent resources out there, and hopefully there is more to come. You never know what path life is going to take you down.”

Adams will leave behind a legacy at SHSU. The 6-foot 3-inch senior out of Buffalo High School credits his faith, excellent coaching staff, trainers, family and friends for his dedication in the classroom and success of the track. His name will live on in the record books of the university, the conference and the nation.

football releases 2018 schedule

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Softball Coach Bob Brock to retire after 2018 season JORDAN SMITH Sports Reporter Sam Houston State University Bearkats softball head coach Bob Brock announced that he will retire following this season after 17 years.

Athletic Director Bobby Williams appreciates the work that Brock has put into the softball program.

“We have been very fortunate to have a legend in the sport of softball lead our program,” Williams said. “We appreciate what he has done for us. By making this decision now, this will give the appropriate time for him to get every recognition he deserves throughout the season.”

In his 17 seasons to date, Brock has become the winningest coach in Bearkat softball history with 418 wins since his tenure began in 2002. The next

coach behind him in the all-time rankings is Wayne Daigle, who coached from 1979-1983 and notched 225 wins in his fouryear run with SHSU. A Member of the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame, Southwest Conference Hall of Fame and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Brock says that something he will miss the most is not always between the foul lines.

“The one thing I am going to miss the most is these kids,” Brock said. “To see their face when you make them an offer and all of this stuff. Of course, I’ll be missing the softball part of it. But, there’s nothing like that. Recruiting, looking forward to seeing them come in their freshman year in the fall—I’m really going to miss that. I love these kids out here and being around them all the time and every day for nine months, I’m

going to miss that.”

Brock is a graduate of SHSU’s class of 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice as well as a Master’s degree from Central Texas University in 1978.

In eight of the last 11 seasons, the Bearkats have reached the Southland Conference postseason tournament and have reached the tournament finals in 2005, 2007, 2012 and 2013. To put that in perspective, the Bearkats all-time from 1980-2001 had only reached the Southland Tournament three times.

Sam Houston State University also reached the NCAA Regionals in 2007. It was the first ever NCAA Division I Championship tournament appearance in program history. The only other appearances by the Bearkats came in the NAIA World Series back in 1981, NCAA Division II Championship tournament in

1982-1986 and a couple of NIT appearances in 1989 and 1993.

Even though everyone else is focused on his retirement and saying their final goodbyes, Brock is looking to take this final season and use it as an opportunity to go out on top.

“Well, the first thing I want to do is have a really good year and go out on a high note,” Brock said. “I think we are doing pretty good. It’s early. This is a conference where teams do lose games

and then you have a chance to win the conference tournament.

So, that’s kind of what my goal is, the first thing. Then after that, it’s all question marks.”

The Bearkats will begin an eight-game road trip, starting with a double header against the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears Friday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The next home game for SHSU will be at 3 p.m. on Friday for game one of a double header against the Lamar Cardinals.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Page 4

Baseball slides safely into Top 25 ranks

Jordan Smith | The Houstonian NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT. Bearkat Baseball has jumped out to a 16-4 start in 2018, and the team is receiving recognition on the big stage. Sam Houston State University has battled its way into Baseball America’s Top 25 collegiate teams in the country, coming in at No. 22 in the March 12 standings.

TYLER JOSEFSEN Associate Editor The Sam Houston State University Bearkats baseball team has cracked Baseball America’s Top 25, sliding in at No. 22 according to the College Top 25 updated March 12.

Heading into Tuesday night’s matchup against the talented University of Texas Longhorns, the Kats held a 16-4 record, including a thrilling walk-off win against the No. 12 Vanderbilt Commodores at the College Classic Tournament and a victory over the Baylor University Bears that snapped BU’s fivegame winning streak.

SHSU has made easy work of most opponents this season, picking up series sweeps against

Cincinnati, Prairie View A&M (where the Bearkats outscored the Panthers 22-1 in two games) and the Lamar Cardinals to open conference play. When the standings were released March 12, the Kats were on a five-game winning streak where they dominated opponents—outscoring teams 38-5 during that stretch.

Half of SHSU’s four losses have come against very tough, nationally ranked SEC opponents. The Bearkats participated in the 18th annual Shriner’s College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston March 2-4 and landed the toughest three-game schedule of any team in the field. The Bearkats played the only three teams in the tournament (aside from themselves) that played in an NCAA Super

Regional in 2017. After an exciting 6-5 extra-inning victory over Vanderbilt, SHSU fell to then-No.7 Kentucky (now No. 4) 7-2 and No. 21 Mississippi State 4-1.

It is no secret that SHSU deserves the ranking it received from Baseball America. The only question, perhaps, is what took that recognition so long. The Bearkats were likely plagued by their poor performance at last year’s Super Regional, where an unfortunate combination of weather delays and pitching fatigue resulted in SHSU being swept by the powerhouse Florida State University Seminoles. That showing along with the arguably “weak” strength of schedule in 2018 compared to high-ranking SEC, ACC and Pac-12 teams likely prompted Baseball America’s delay in ranking the Bearkats until they felt SHSU proved itself this season. Now that it has, there are two questions on the table.

How does SHSU remain in the Top 25?

This is the easier of the two questions. It may seem obvious, but the answer is to keep the loss total as low as possible.

Currently at the top of the standings are the Oregon State

University Beavers of the Pac12, who one year ago finished with an outstanding 56-6 record and have already jumped out to an 18-1 record to begin 2018; SHSU ended 2017 with a 44-23 record. Looking at other Top 5 schools like No. 2 Florida, No. 3 Stanford, No. 4 Kentucky and No. 5 Clemson, finishing 2018 with less than 20 losses (ideally 15 or 16) would be monumental for the Bearkats to secure a higher spot in the rankings.

The biggest threat to the Kats is themselves; SHSU needs to close out games. The offense needs to never let up and pitchers need to be on their game in the late innings. Ideally, the Kats would never see a lead at the end of seven innings slip out of their grasp the rest of the year. They have shown resilience early in the season, and now is the time for stamina and relentlessness to take over.

The other key to victory is that SHSU needs to win the games they are supposed to win.

One of the many aspects of baseball that makes the sport great is the ability for any team to rise up on any given day and beat another team. There is no shortage of talent in college baseball, but the Kats need to put down opponents—especially conference opponents—that simply do not match up with SHSU’s winning talent. Picking up victories in games that should easily be won makes it much easier to rally together in tougher matchups down the road.

How high can SHSU climb in the rankings?

With head coach Matt Deggs at the helm, the diverse offensive approaches SHSU takes with its lineup anchored by junior infielder Andrew Fregia and junior outfielder Hunter Hearn, and a core of starting pitchers led by sophomore Hayden Wesneski starting to find their groove, it is very possible that

the Bearkats can ride their “Pac Baseball” mentality up the Top 25. Questions remain, though, about how far they can get.

The current Top 7 seems pretty stable. Those teams may shake things up with each other throughout the season as the SEC teams battle each other, but overall those spots will be tough to overtake. Oregon State, Florida, Stanford, Kentucky, Clemson, Florida State and Arkansas are big name baseball schools that are used to sinking its teeth into the top ranks.

The 8-10 spots are appealing, though, to teams sitting near the bottom of the Top 25. Texas Tech, Texas Christian University and Texas A&M currently occupy those positions. All three of those teams dropped from the previous week’s rankings. Texas Tech fell three spots from No. 5 to No. 8, TCU dropped a couple spots down from No. 7, and the Aggies fell from No. 9 to No. 10.

The biggest surprise is seeing the No. 9 TCU Horned Frogs who have a 10-7 record still in the Top 10. Baseball America’s Week in a Sentence about them reads “The Horned Frogs have yet to go on any prolonged streaks and had a mixed Dodger Stadium Classic, but they’ve generally handled themselves well against a tough slate of opponents.”

If a program like that can hang around No. 9, it provides some motivation for lowerranked programs like Southern Mississippi (Conference USA), UCLA, LSU (who has a surprising six losses on the year), and SHSU to battle it out for a Top 10 spot. Realistically, the Bearkats could be in a field of seven to nine teams that will end up contending for three Top 10 spots. It is an uphill battle to say the least, but if the team can dig its heels in and not look down, it is a battle that can be won come the NCAA Regionals June 1.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/viewpoints | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Page 5

Letter to the Editor: A Cadet’s experience What’s the

WORD on the

STREET? How do you feel about this yea’s Sammypalooza lineup (Gucci Mane, Daya, We The Kings)?

Photo courtesy shsu.edu

SHSU ROTC. Devin Kamyk attributes so much of his success in life to the experiences he had while in the ROTC. The program has provided guidance, leadership opportunities and chances to grow as a person. He encourages others to check out how the ROTC can maximize their potential.

DEVIN KAMYK Contributing Writer When I came to Sam Houston State University I was both worried and unsure of what the future might hold. I had been out of a school-like environment for over two years because of my training with the Texas Army National Guard, and I was worried about what it would be like starting college in a very new environment than I was used to. I had known that I was going to be joining the ROTC program at SHSU ever since I graduated high school, and I was looking forward to expanding my capabilities as a student at SHSU and a Cadet within the

ROTC program.

From the first day in the program I knew that it was going to be very different from my previous experiences in life and was going to help me learn and grow as a leader from the lessons that ROTC shows me on a daily basis. There have been many challenges that ROTC has presented me with and has given me the tools and the knowledge to overcome them and continue to strive towards my personal goal of becoming a U.S. Army Officer. The program continues to support me and many other fine future leaders through the process of finding, expanding and challenging our abilities to make a difference in the world

we live in, living up to our motto of “The Measure of a Life is its Service.”

I encourage anyone who is looking for a place that will challenge your comfort zone while building your abilities of leadership and perseverance to an achievable goal to talk with a member of the SHSU ROTC program. They’ll tell you what the program is really like; consider trying out the challenge for yourself.

SAVANNAH REAGOR

Junior Mass Communications

“I love it. I love Gucci Mane.

I don’t know the other two people but I think it’ll be nice.

I think it will be fun!”

/HoustonianSHSU @HoustonianSHSU @HoustonianSHSU

‘Useless Majors’: Who defines their limits?

CASSIE KNUST Contributing Writer “What can you even do with your major?”

I’m willing to bet you’re all too familiar with this question, particularly if your major is focused on liberal arts or majors considered “outside the box” so to speak; maybe you have even asked this question yourself. It’s easy to wonder why someone would invest thousands of dollars in a major that will seemingly leave them out of a job postgraduation, but often people fail to realize what all is out there.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors have the advantage of specialized areas. If they’re studying physics, math or engineering, their options are a probably a great deal more

secure—and narrow. They still have options, but their chances of finding a secure job are stereotypically higher than someone pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree. Often, those pursuing less risky job markets are baffled and left wondering how the rest of us are going to manage to find a job, much less financial security.

Let’s look at the stereotypes for a moment. Art and Music majors can either become teachers or freelancers struggling to make ends meet. History majors can become teachers or maybe work in a museum. Film majors can get lucky or shoot weddings.

Nobody seems to really know what Communications or Mass Communication majors do. The walls set up for these areas of study are pretty confining and look depressingly pointless. Unless you want to become a teacher or manage to catch a break, it seems like a waste of a collegiate experience.

Now, break open the box; it’s time to think outside of it. Not only is college a time of exploration, it’s a time to figure out what you want.

“People need to keep their options open and experiment,” Biomedical Science major Morgan

Barrentine said. “When I was a Health Science major, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I took classes I wasn’t sure if I was going to like or not, because I wanted to figure out what I didn’t want to do. Now I know what I want to do.”

The world is as big as it is wide. If you get creative, you can find jobs you didn’t even consider were out there. Art majors can design logos for companies, as well as design merchandise and websites. Music majors can write jingles for commercials or go into music therapy. Film majors can also do commercials, training videos and news. Mass Communication majors can do just about anything as well, from television to writing to public relations, and the list could go on. You can specialize in one thing, such as Business Finance, and merge it with The Wall Street Journal, for example.

“To me, there aren’t any use-

less majors as long as you know what you like doing,” Barrentine said. “If you know what you like doing, then do it.”

Many people think that liberal arts majors only want to make it big. They have this misconception that Hollywood or New York is the end goal, but really there are attainable and realistic jobs with just as much quality and satisfaction to be gained.

In fact, liberal arts jobs are everywhere in your daily life.

“See the clothes you’re wearing, the movies and TV shows you watch, the books you read, everything you learned in school [that wasn’t STEM] – generally the result of a liberal arts major,” sophomore English major Quinn Kobrin said.

Having a Bachelor of Arts degree doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have options. On the contrary, you have an incredible amount of options. You just have to look for them.

MARIO TREVINO Freshman Mass Communications

“Gucci Mane is legit. Gucci is going to be a lot of fun, and the other two I feel like are solid performers, but the energy with Gucci is going to be out of this world for sure.”

ANTHONY KAMBISS

Freshman Criminal Justice

“Personally after seeing the poll on Twitter I think that for the headliner, there could have been better people, but I think it’s going to be good no matter what, because it’s free. I don’t know who Daya is, but I love We The Kings.”

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

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‘Clybourne Park’ opens at SHSU KELSON JENNINGS Contributing Reporter The Sam Houston State University Theater department’s next big show is “Clybourne Park.” The production is directed

by Kevin Couch and assistant director Hannah Meade. The show has a cast of seven, and each actor plays two characters – one for each act. The cast includes Charles Mitchell as Russ and Dan, Brita Fagerstrom as Bev and Kathy, Joshua Folsom as Jim and Tom, Ephraim Tallerine as Karl Lindner and Steve, Ally Marion as Betsy and Lindsey, Kyle Ward as Albert and Kevin and Brianna Odo-Boms as Francine and Lena.

“Clybourne Park” is a satire about the politics of race. In response to the success of Lorraine Hansberry’s play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” playwright Bruce Norris sets up “Clybourne Park” as a two-act play that ties in with Hansberry’s piece. These two acts are set fifty years apart from one another. Both acts are set in the same house in northwest Chicago that is featured at the center of “A Raisin in the Sun’s” plot.

“Since the cast is so small, we got to really talk about the issues together and how the audience will see it and how it will speak to the audience in an intimate level,” Meade said. “We sat down with this text for a long time and went over and over with it because it says so much.”

Act I takes place before the events of “A Raisin in the Sun”

while Act II takes place after the events of “A Raisin in the Sun.” In 1959, Russ and Bev are moving out to the suburbs after the death of their son. Involuntarily, they sold their house to the neighborhood’s first black family.

50 years later in 2009, the tables have turned when a young, white couple buys the lot in what is now a predominantly black neighborhood. In both instances, a community showdown takes place— “pitting race against real estate with this home in the suburbs as the battlefield.” The show tackles topics throughout the years such as racism and communication.

Director Kevin Couch hopes the boundaries of this production will stretch beyond the walls of the theater.

“I want the audience to continue the conversation,” Couch said.

“Some people refer to the ‘act three,’ and the ‘act three’ in this show is the car ride home for the audience. I hope the conversation continues. How we talk about race— how we talk about how far we think we’ve come as a society.

Have we come that far? Are we as improved as we think we are? I think the show really talks a lot about how far we may have come or how far we may not have. In the current political climate, I think it is a good conversation to continue to have.”

“Clybourne Park” is running March 21-24. The play will be held at the University Theatre in the Showcase Theatre. The ticket admission is $10 and is open to anyone.

Opportunity for Hispanic journalists TIARA DENMAN Contributing Reporter The Sam Houston State University chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) had very few members the last three years due to its lack of promotion. Now, the NAHJ chapter is back and ready to pick up where it left off.

The organization is designed to help aspiring Hispanic journalists. Junior Mass Communication major and president of the organization Julissa Garza looks forward to what is to come this semester.

“During the meetings I am hoping that people will learn more things [they have] to benefit from NAHJ: meeting new people, to learn, to grow, to network,” Garza said.

Before Garza was president of NAHJ, she was interested in joining the organization but did not know how because it had not been promoted around campus; Garza felt that it was time to change this.

“I looked up orglink and found out that LeeAn Muns was the advisor and talked to her about joining the organization,” Garza said.

“She connected me to the president, and with her graduating this spring, she decided to step down and hand over the organization to me, and I was honored.”

Garza and her vice president, Lisette Hernandez, are now ready for a major turnaround.

Their goal is to promote the organization by hanging flyers around campus.

Joining NAHJ provides scholarships, internships and tours of actual news stations. One of the opportunities NAHJ has to offer is a trip: every year they attend a convention in a different state. In 2016, NAHJ had a joint convention with the National Associate of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Washington where Hillary Clinton was one of the speakers.

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Netflix’s ‘The Ritual’ review LINDSEY JONES TV/Film Reviewer Netflix adds another cult-worthy success to its shelf of gamechanging horror films, reminding mainstream filmmakers and film fans that memorable horrible films can be created. “The Ritual” stands out among the many Netflix Originals — and hundreds of cash-grabs pouring out of Hollywood — as an unsettling-turned-terrifying delight. The film’s rising crescendo of paralyzing moments befalling the dedicated cast, captured in an evocative Scandinavian environment elevated “The Ritual’s” haunt-factor and fulfilling its deliverance of a tale as promising as “The Babadook.”

Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Adam Nevill, “The Ritual” follows four college friends who reunite six months after the tragic death of their friend as they set out to hike through Sweden’s untouched wilderness in honor of his memory. When the decision to take a

shortcut leads them into a mysterious forest of Norse legend, the group trip becomes increasingly horrifying as there is an ancient Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.