February 13, 2019 WEDNESDAY
VOL. 105, NO. 2
Parking Update pg 3
Soul Food pg 4
Heart Month pg 5
Campus | DPS
TWU DPS joins 1.5 percent of IACLEA accredited departments By KATELYN GARST Texas Woman’s University’s Department of Public Safety recently earned their accreditation by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), the leading authority for campus public safety according to IACLEA’s mission statement. By earning this award, the department is now a part of the 1.5 percent of IACLEA accredited campus departments in the nation. This equates to 58 of around 4,000 possible campus departments. Accreditation of a campus public safety department by IACLEA is recognition that the department holds to the highest professional standards for campus law enforcement and protective services. The preparation and determination require a multi-year process. After writing the directives and developing systems and procedures that comply with the 215 IACLEA standards, the department must be assessed on-site by IACLEA asses-
International | Venezuela
By JUNE COOKE Juan GuiadĂł assumed interim presidency of Venezuela on Jan. 5, 2019. As the elected representative of the National Assembly of Venezuela (NAV) and a member of the Democratic Coalition (MUD), he is challenging Nicolas Maduro’s office, with support from the allied parties, as well as Canada, the United States, and a litany of major European countries. CNN reports that GuiadĂł is currently participating in clandestine meetings with key military officials-Maduro’s last stronghold. Guiadó’s ambitions as a leader include the removal of Maduro from office, the authorization of humanitarian aid, restoration of constitutional order, and massive economic reform. The National Assembly’s Twitter page published the eight-point plan to rehabilitate the government, covered by the El National: “La Asamblea Nacional publicĂł en su cuenta de Twitter los puntos fundamentales que propuso Juan GuaidĂł como el nue-
Photo Courtesy of Michael Modecki
sors who prepare a report to be considered by the Commission Review Panel. “[Assessors] did ridealongs with our officers; they talked to members of our campus community to see what their thoughts were on our practices,� TWU DPS’ Clery compliance officer and accreditation manager Autumn Stinchcomb said. “They looked at all of my policies and procedures for the department, all kinds
of proofs of compliance.� TWU DPS’ on-site assessment was July 22-24, and they finally received the notification of their accreditation last month. While the assessors were here, they often worked 15-hours days assessing TWU DPS’ vehicles, procedures, file proofs and the like. “One of the hardest parts was just the waiting,� Stinchcomb said. “There was a longer wait
than normal.� Even now, the process is not over. TWU has received their accreditation, so they begin their 4-year maintenance stage where they redo the process for accreditation. Stinchcomb played a big role in getting the department to meet all of the IACLEA standards. “The first part of my role here at TWU is the Clery compliance part, and that’s the federal Clery
Act, so I have to make sure we’re in compliance with everything that that entails,� Stinchcomb said. “The second part, [is] the accreditation part. When they first created my position, they decided they wanted to seek accreditation, and they had to have someone to manage it all.� Stinchcomb started with TWU in 2012 as a police dispatcher, and then worked as a com-
Venezuela: liberation or usurpation? vo presidente del Parlamento.â€? Which translates to “The National Assembly published in its Twitter account the fundamental points proposed by Juan GuaidĂł as the new president of the Parliament.â€? GuiadĂł has gained traction domestically and abroad with charismatic promises of change, even adopting a catchphrase, The Guardian noted, from the Obama administration: “Si! Se puede!â€? or “Yes we can!â€? Loyalists to Maduro and the PSUV party see GuiadĂł as an usurper, even though there is evidence to suggest that the 2018 election of Maduro was fraudulent. Venezuelan election polls reported a victory of 68 percent in Maduro’s favor, curiously derived from his 21 percent approval rating. According to Euronews, the legality of Guiadó’s assumption of executive power, in light of the offenses committed by Maduro, is supported by a clause in the constitution: “Article 233 of the Constitution of Venezu-
ela provides that, when the president-elect is absolutely absent before taking office, a new election shall take place [...] and until the president is elected and takes office, the interim president shall be the president of the National Assembly�. Protests were already months along in maturity when Guiado’s Presidency
dent Union Underground Wednesday, Feb. 4. The four-hour affair, held from 4 to 8 p.m., featured classic soul food such as smothered pork chops, fried catfish, jambalaya and mac ‘n’ cheese. Television-projected PowerPoints featured black history facts, and the office of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach (DIO) set up a booth with complimentary BHM trinkets such as pencils and wristbands. The event was open to the public and TWU meal plans were accepted. • Tuesday, Feb. 19,
DIO will host Cultural TALKS: Authentic Beauty: Cultivating Body Appreciation, a workshop designed to foster body positivity. The event is aimed at creating “a deeper learning and self-reflection of one’s own body image and body positivity,� according to the TWU events page. The TALK will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in ACT 301, and is limited to TWU faculty, staff and students. Other TWU campus events
was announced. Citizens have been gathering in massive crowds since food became scarce and methods of protest have gotten desperate, according to a BBC reporter on the ground in Caracas. Aljazeera reported a high volume of demonstrators gathering for a loud renouncement of the Maduro administration Jan. 23,
munications training officer before being asked to be the Clery compliance officer and accreditation manager in 2013. As the accreditation manager, she worked to get policies up to IACLEA standards. “We started out with 54 policies and procedures, and now we’re at 106,� Stinchcomb said. “I would make the changes officially, so I just tried to do two a week and also make sure that those policies were in line with any state and federal laws.� Now that TWU DPS is in the maintenance stage, they experience the benefits of this IACLEA accreditation. Increasing professionalism and mitigating risks are two of these benefits, but being able to share these benefits with the TWU community is the proof that TWU DPS has truly earned their IACLEA accreditation. “There all kinds of benefits,� Stinchcomb said. “It tells everyone in the community that we abide by the standardized best practices and make sure we’re doing everything as we say we’re doing.�
coinciding with the 61st anniversary of the overthrow of dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez. But what conditions led to such a dramatic and hostile change of power? What conditions drove one million emigrants out of the country to seek food and shelter in Colombia? (Vox, Borders Season 1 Episode 3) The history of Venezuela’s descent into chaos starts long before Maduro in a time when hunger in Venezuela was a rarity. From 1950 to 1980, Venezuela boasted the highest standard of living in Latin America. Hugo Chavez ruled over a lavishly oil-rich country in his time. There was so much money in the public domain that Chavez was able to subsidize food and medicine for the citizens of Venezuela, as well as cut the poverty rate in half. Chavez built a thriving socialist society with no plan or safety net for price fluctuation in the oil market. Since the oil prices crashed in 1989 and again
in 2014, Venezuela has been spiraling into famine. Hyperinflation reaches 80,000 percent annually, according to Forbes, worse than the Great Depression and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The government has so grossly neglected the economic depression that people have resorted to eating rats, BBC News reported live from Caracas. The global perception of Maduro and Guiadó’s power struggle is a mixed bag. Maduro accused the United States of backing a military coup, and of imperialistically policing another Latin American country by supporting Guiadó. Russia, Cuba, China, Iran, Syria, and Turkey have all reaffirmed Maduro as legitimate ruler of Venezuela, while the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Estonia and Sweden are in consensus with the NAV’s decision to recognize Juan Guiadó as interim president and unseat Maduro.
learn trivia about black history, collaborate and earn prizes, according to an email sent out to students by DIO. Off-campus events: • Denton’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Black History Month celebration Saturday, Feb.16, at the MLK Jr. Rec Center. Starting at 10 a.m., the celebration is comprised of several smaller events including a “a free health fair, gospel music, fellowship and [a] guest speaker,â€? ac-
cording to the City of Denton events page. The celebration will also feature a free Zumba class at 11:30 a.m. For more information about TWU Black History Month events, contact Michelle Prudhomme-Coleman of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach at (940) 898-3634 or mprudhomme@twu.edu. Information about Denton celebrations can be found at www.cityofdenton.com
Black History Month: Denton events calendar
By AMBER GAUDET
For students looking to attend events in celebration of Black History Month, TWU Denton programming offers a range of cultural activities to honor African-American legends this year. TWU’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach is hosting weekly campus events through Feb. 19 to celebrate Black History Month. Events include: �The celebratory Black History Month Soul Food Dinner was held in the Stu-
Anissa Clark / The Lasso
honoring Black History Month include: • The student union is hosting Survey Says: Black History Month Edition Monday, Feb. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union. The “Family Feud-style trivia nightâ€? is open to TWU faculty, staff and students, and cash prizes are up for grabs. • G-Force will sponsor a Black History Month scavenger hunt Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event offers attendees a way to
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Opinions
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 twulasso.com
The Lasso Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief
Krista Simpson ksimpson9@twu.edu
Managing Editor Lacey Cutburth lcutburth@twu.edu
Copy Editor
Katelyn Garst rgarst@twu.edu
Graphic Designer Anissa Clark aclark20@twu.edu
Page Editor
Madeline Boutwell mboutwell@twu.edu
Reporter
June Cooke jcooke1@twu.edu
Reporter
Amber Gaudet agaudet@twu.edu
Reporter
AdriAnne Laky alaky@twu.edu
Photographer Caitlyn Laky claky@twu.edu
Advisor
Joseph Alderman jalderman@twu.edu
Opinion | Editorial
Roses are red, violets are blue, your pet is expecting $681 million from you By JUNE COOKE
From ancient roots, the Valentine’s Day holiday continues to expand with new traditions and rituals, accelerated by pop culture and the efficacy of internet communication. As Feb. 14 rapidly approaches, it may be interesting to familiarize yourself with the origins of Valentine’s Day, how it came to be such a popular holiday and how recent cultural trends have morphed the meaning of Valentine’s Day to focus more on expressing love for friends, love for self, and love for animals—in addition to romantic love. Observing Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 comes from a fertility festival that happened around late winter or early spring in ancient Rome. During the festival, young women would dance naked while being whipped with the blood-soaked hides of slaughtered animals, according to NPR’s “The Dark Origins of Valentine’s Day.” The holiday as we know
it was born out of an act of rebellion against the oppressive Roman government in 496 AD. Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage between his soldiers and their partners in an effort to separate his warriors from the distractions of love, but Saint Valentine married couples in secret anyway. Claudius discovered Valentine’s betrayal and had him beheaded. Folk legends say that the couples married by Valentine visited his grave and left letters of gratitude and love. Valentine’s Day celebrations today have developed into a hallmark festival of candy hearts, romantic comedies, and candlelit proposals, but to assert that Valentine’s Day is just about the medias portrayal of love is narrow and untrue. Many people celebrate the holiday by expressing love for their best friends, their family, and themselves. While the materialistic, consumer-culture aspect of the holiday is off-putting to many, analyzing spending habits can shed
Opinion | Taxes
The definitive student guide to filing taxes in 2019 By AMBER GAUDET
Whether you are a firsttime filer or a pro, a little friendly advice goes a long way when it comes to taxes. This how-to guide features the latest tips and tricks for navigating the filing process this tax season. Who needs to file? Taxpayers who made over a certain amount of qualifying income are required to file a return. Most individuals can use the Forbes chart below to determine if they need to file based on their age, filing status and income. When to file Experts say that filing early is essential to getting a return this year, given the IRS backlog and the possibility that another government shutdown could mean more delays. “At least a week in delays can be expected,” according to Yahoo Finance senior reporter Jeanie Ahn in a CBS Moneywatch report. “The IRS reopened Monday, but after 35 days in the longest government shutdown ever, the tax agency is struggling to get through the backlog.” For those less concerned with getting returns quickly, the deadline to file taxes is Monday, Apr. 15. Filers unable to meet the deadline can apply for a six-month extension to avoid late penalties, though the extension does not apply to paying a tax bill. Where to file First-time filers may be most comfortable with traditional filing services like H&R Block, in which individuals provide the necessary documents, and professional tax preparers
Pet cat Pet dog
Friends Graphic by Anissa Clark / The Lasso
light on how traditions evolve and change. For example, pop culture creations like “Galentine’s Day,” derived from an episode of Parks and Recreation, influenced more people to spend money on their friends, according to The Atlantic in “Galentine’s Day: How a Beloved Fiction Became a Beloved Tradition.” The spending habits get more interesting when you consider Finder’s report on average dollar amounts spent not only on oneself
and friends, but on pets. Finder’s data shows the relationship relative to the estimated dollar amount for Feb. 14 in the following chart: Myself $235.56 Friends $208.10 Pet cat $95.90 Pet dog $81.56 Valentine’s Day is one of the most lavishly spent upon holidays, beaten of course, by Christmas. According to Annemariejohn. com’s “Top 5 Most Expensive Holidays List” Valentine’s Day ranks third be-
Opinion | Staff
STAFF
PIC KS
ANISSA CLARK
JUNE COOKE
Dear DS, You are the light of my life. I’ve never known someone who knows me like you do. I love everything about you, especially when you ramble about video games no one has heard of. You’re so smart, kind, thoughtful, and you always know just what to say. Love you!
Dear Sequoyah, You taught me how to give a good and genuine compliment. You like all the books I recommend, and I listen to your spotify playlist on my way anywhere. Yesterday, I called to ask what’s up, and we ended up playing chess on the phone for four rematches; these things make a time zone feel smaller. I’m so lucky to have a friend like you, Squid. Love from Texas, Joiniper. P.S. Toyota (the cat) misses you too.
LACEY CUTBURTH
KATELYN GARST
AMBER GAUDET
To my rock, I love you with all that I can give. Thank you so much for always supporting me in everything I do. Thank you for accepting me for who I am and always lifting me up. My heart has so much love to give, and I’m glad I can give it to you.
Benjamin, I am eternally grateful that I get to love your heart, mind and soul. Now and forever, you are my partner in crime and in Christ, for which there is no greater joy. You will always be worth every mile, tear and hour spent apart. See you on the other side of tomorrow.
Dear Rob, You worry that distance will drive us apart, but I think it can only make us stronger. We’ve faced so many challenges over the years, but we have always faced them together; this separation is just one chapter in a lifelong story. You are my rock, my biggest supporter, and forever my Valentine.
ADRIANNE LAKY
CAITLYN LAKY
Love Letters
All photos by Caitlyn Laky / The Lasso
file for them. Though this option can be pricier than self-preparer options, customers have the peace of mind of having taxes prepared by experts, and, often, the option of getting an advance on their return. Affordable, convenient self-preparer options like TurboTax are growing in popularity. While many self-preparer programs offer guidance and support, they may not be the best option for individuals with complicated returns or those who do not want the responsibility of selffiling. How to file Electronically filing is the most popular option, featuring the fastest turnaround time. Paper filing is cheaper, though less convenient, and does not come with verification of receipt as e-filing does. Deductions and credits To maximize returns, students should take advantage of common, education-specific deductions
Myself
hind Mother’s and Father’s Day in second place, and Christmas as the number one spending event of the year at a whopping $630.7 billion. A survey by The Entrepreneur called attention to the grand net worth of the season in “Shocking Valentine’s Day Stats That Will Make You Rethink Your Marketing.” The survey pool reported spending $681 million on their pets. There are ways to celebrate Valentine’s day without shelling out $100 or more of course. Stay in, watch a movie, eat some take-out and treat yourself well. If you are looking for a social event this V-day season, the Student Union building will be hosting Palentine’s Day on the Denton campus Tuesday, Feb. 12. There will be a fuzzy friend workshop where you can build an animal and take them home with you. Happy Valentine’s Day to TWU students, staff and all the dogs and cats out there expecting $681 million net worth in gifts this year.
Anissa Clark / The Lasso
and credits, which include: The Lifetime Learning Credit, available to taxpayers who are taking college courses at eligible institutions to improve job skills. The credit is worth $2,000 annually and available at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. There is no limit to the number of years a taxpayer can claim this credit. The American Opportunity Credit. Eligible applicants will be enrolled at least half time for a minimum of one academic period during the filing season and will have not yet completed their first four years of higher education. Students can file deductions for eligible education-related expenses such as tuition, fees and books. Less common items such as computers or required software applications can also be claimed under the American Opportunity Credit if such items are required for college attendance. Students or alumni can deduct paid student loan interest for up to $2,500 annually. However you choose to file, know that a range of options and support are available to get the most out of your filing experience. For more tips, visit the IRS website at IRS.gov.
To my dearest Hazel, Thank you for being the best dog a girl could ask for. You have stuck with me through the hard times and the good times. From the moment you first entered my life I knew we would have a bond that I would cherish forever. I love you always, Adri
If you’re reading this, Know that I love you and I see you- I see the pain and determination in your sparkling eyes. This life is hard and know that you have the power to change your life. Keep your head up and know whatever you are stressing about right now shall pass. In His love, Caitlyn
KRISTA SIMPSON
I never expected for you to happen, yet here we are spending every moment we can together. I told myself I wasn’t going to fall so fast or so hard this time around, but then you made that impossible to do with your radiant smile, your belly laughter, and your sweet gestures that catch me off-guard every single time. We’re just beginning, and I can’t wait to see where God takes our story.
Campus
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 twulasso.com
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Campus | Career Connections
Career Connections Center paving the road for success By ADRIANNE LAKY According to Julie Way, Associate Director and Employer Relations of the Career Connections Center at the Texas Woman’s University Denton campus, it is the goal of the center “to make it as easy as possible for students to get jobs and attract employers to our talent.” The Career Connections Center guides students in two main ways. One major focus of the center is giving TWU students the
opportunity to meet possible future employers and gain necessary interview and networking experiences. The center does this by hosting a number of career fairs pertaining to numerous different majors, holding mock interviews to fine tune effective interview skills, providing free professional headshots, and helping build strong resumes. The other main focus of the center is on TWU students who fall under the career exploration cate-
gory. The center works to provide students who are unsure about what they want to do for their career a variety of evaluations and career placement assessments to match the person to a career they may be compatible for or enjoy doing. This side of the Career Connections Center can be a useful tool of development for anyone who feels either undecided about their future career options or indifferent to what they think they should do.
The Career Connections Center also has many options for freshman students on campus, who may think that it is too early to begin thinking about internships or networking. The center offers learning opportunities to underclassmen about the possibilities for their future and knowledge of what they could perhaps do with the degree they are receiving. An important feature of the center is the abundance of career fairs it
hosts throughout the year. Way advocates that “the whole reason you come to school is to get a job,” and the center works to provide the opportunity of obtaining a valuable and rewarding career by hosting these career fairs. Some upcoming career fairs include a Nursing Career Fair at TWU’s Dallas campus on Monday, Feb. 11th from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and a Career and Internship Fair at TWU’s Denton campus on Wednesday, Feb. 13th
from 12 - 3:00 p.m. Another Assistant Director and Employer Relations of the Career Connections Center, Glenn Jensen, says his one piece of advice to students preparing for the workforce is to start early and build networking relationships with recruiters. He encourages students to do so by showing up to career fairs and reaching out to the center to take advantage of all the tools for success that the center offers.
Opinion | Love Letter
Love letter to The Lasso The Lasso occassionally receives guests columns and opinion peices from readers. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we are printing a letter we have received anonymously from a Texas Woman’s University student. By ANONYMOUS Dear John, We first met back in elementary school. We were classmates for roughly 7 years and at one point I despised you. You seemed like such a know it all and I thought you had everything which in turn made me jealous and dislike you even more. Now I have everything by having you. Finding you again after roughly 6years while in college has really turned things around for me. I’m happier, lighter. I’m just more at ease and comfortable with you. I swear we’re turning into some cheesy special on hallmark. I mean your mom joined us on our first outing, now if that doesn’t say romantic comedy I don’t know what does. And I know we’ve just got around to saying that terrifying L word, but I mean it. You’re just like a nice tamale on Christmas day, something I look forward to seeing all year, warm, and packaged beautifully. We cringe a little everytime we get all
cheesy and I thought what’s cheesier than professing my love for you in a letter? Te amo. Eres como una taza de café despues de un dia largo y frio. Un abrazo calido despues de un dia dificil. La sonriza que yo necesito para poner me las pilas. Ahor que te tengo en mi vida de nuevo no se si voy a poder dejarte ir otra vez, sera imposible para mi. Entonces eso significa que estas atrapado aqui con migo. I love you. I’ve uttered those 3 words to past partners, but with you, I realize it was an infantile feeling. It doesn’t compare to what I feel for you and it definitely doesn’t hold the same emotion, the same passion. I love you just the way you are, I think you’re perfect now and that you don’t need to change. Having said that I know you want to and I want you to know I support you. I want to help you. I understand that you just want to better yourself so I’ll be there for the ride. I love you so much that it hurts me when you put yourself dowe or when you tell me about your injuries, it physically
pains me and when it gets bad I want to cry. I don’t know how to help sometimes so I listen and I’ll listen as long as you want me to hear. I’ll offer my comfort and love and when we’re apart I’ll show you in different ways. I know I can’t fix anything either, but I hope that I can show you it’s okay to make mistakes and while everyone has room for improvement you’ll always be perfect in any stste. Te amo tanto que no puedo parar de pensat en ti. Cada vez que trato de ser un trabajo solo puede pensar en tu sonriza, el tono de tu voz cuandome dices que me quieres, tu riza cuando sabes que solo yo te puede escuchar, la manera en que hablas cuando me cuentas de algo emocionanteque te ha pasado, como cambia el color de tu cara cuando confieso mi amor enfrente de todos. Apuesto que cuando lees esta carta hasta tu cuello se va poner el color de un tomate. I love you, you big nerd
All rights reserved. The Lasso is a weekly student publication of Texas Woman’s University, written and produced by students and printed at DFW Printing. Editors develop their own editorial and news policies. The presentation of news and editorials and the personal opinions expressed in The Lasso are those of Lasso staff and writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, staff, students, administration or the Regents of Texas Woman’s University.
We value reader submissions. As a university newspaper we have certain criteria that limit what we will place inside our newspaper. Please limit letters to 300 words. Columns submitted should be no longer than 600 words. Please include your name, address, phone and email. Your contact information will not be published. Unsigned submissions will not be published. All submissions are also edited for length and clarity. Submissions become property of The Lasso.
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Campus | Crime
Crime Blotter By KATELYN GARST This week’s blotter will cover Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. •Bradshaw St. – A non-TWU affiliate was arrested on Bradshaw St. for driving while intoxicated Tuesday, Jan. 29. •Guinn Hall; University Dr. – Marijuana odor
was reported at Guinn Hall off of University Dr. Tuesday, Jan. 29 and was unfounded. Additionally, a theft of a bike greater than or equal to $100, but less than $750 was reported at Guinn Hall off University Dr. Monday, Feb. 2. This case was still active as of Feb. 4. •Guinn Hall Lot, North – Citations were
issued for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than two ounces of marijuana in the north Guinn Hall lot Tuesday, Jan. 29. •Windsor Dr. – A non-TWU affiliate was arrested for driving while intoxicated with an open alcoholic container on Windsor Dr. Monday, Feb. 2.
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Community
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 twulasso.com
Community | Black History Month
Community | Houston
Houston officers involved in shooting By LACEY CUTBURTH
Photo by Caitlyn Laky / The Lasso
Soul food dinner honors traditional Southern,African-American cuisine By AMBER GAUDET TWU kicked off Black History Month with a little soul. Wednesday, Feb. 6, was TWU’s Soul Food Dinner, a celebration hosted by the office of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach (DIO) to honor Black History Month. The event was held in the Student Union Underground from 4 to 8 p.m. and featured music, an informational booth and plenty of down-home cuisine. DIO staff decorated the dining area with colorful tablecloths and custom-made balloons that read “Black History Month: Remembering the Past, Shaping the Future.” A booth set up at the entrance to the Underground featured complimentary, BHM-themed wristbands and pencils, along with informational flyers and bookmarks. Featured dishes at the event included smothered pork chops, mac ‘n’ cheese, southern green beans, vegetable jambalaya, peach cobbler and three types of cornbread. Though “soul food” can be considered an ambiguous term in the culinary world, it has a storied past. Soul food originated in the Southern United States during slavery, when slaves were given only leftover cuts of meat
to make meals. As African-Americans traveled north during the Great Migration, this regional-ethnic cuisine began to take root nationally. Today, soul food restaurants can be found across America as many continue to celebrate the culture and flavors of this deep-South tradition. Given soul food’s rich history, organizers said that it was a natural choice for the event. “[We chose it] to celebrate the black culture – and it’s a tradition, too, we do it every year,” Demarion Pace, student assistant for Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach, and senior general studies major, said. Included in this annual tradition are the chefs of the Underground who said they look forward to special events like these that allow them to flex their creative muscles. "I don't know if you've come to some of the events - like yesterday, we had the Year of the Pig, and we got to decorate a little bit more and do some more creative things," executive chef Kolton Broumley said. “That’s whenever I let my kitchen supervisors add a little bit more feel to the food.” Sophomore psychology major Madison Hough emphasized the importance
of having events like these to African-Americans’ struggle for equality. “You know, some people will say ‘where’s White History Month,' but it's been so beneficial for white people for so long – let’s have Black History Month, come on,” Hough said. Senior and dietetics major Faith Henderson, who attended last year’s celebration, echoed statements from other attendees that, though this February’s fare is a step up, turnout appears lower. “The food is better… [but] there was a bigger turnout [last year],” Henderson said. Pace, who also helped organize last year’s celebratory dinner, agreed, attributing the dip in attendance to changing student demographics. “I think previous years [there] has been a little bit more traffic, I would say,” Pace said. “A lot of people commute so they might not even be here.” Regardless of crowd size, attendees were optimistic about the impact the festivity had on the TWU community. “I think doing these celebrations keeps everybody included, and that’s a good thing,” junior biology major Yamikea Evans said.
Monday, Jan. 28, five Houston officers were injured in a drug raid, four from gunshot wounds. When the narcotics unit entered the home, the first officer through the door was immediately attacked by the houses dog, which the officer shot and killed. The two suspects living in the home, Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, were shot and killed by police. The investigation started Jan. 8 when the Houston Police Department received an anonymous phone call stating that, the caller’s daughter was ‘doing drugs’ inside the Harding Street home,” according to the Houston Chronicle. However, when police showed up to the home, there was not any suspicious activity. Afterwards, the HPD went into a full-on investigation to get better intel on the Harding Street house. A confidential informant, a person who works for the police to get inside information but is not necessarily an officer, was sent into the home. After the informant left the house it was stated that he came back with a brown powdered substance, described as
“boy,” which is slang for heroin, according to the Houston Chronicle. Police were also made aware that there were “large quantities of drugs” along with firearms. After receiving a “no knock raid” or “no knock warrant,” meaning that a judge has issued a warrant where police can enter the home without giving prior notice to the home owners, the officers entered the home. Following the gun battle between the police and Tuttle and Nicholas, officers found no heroin or the specific 9mm handgun, like the informant had described. The police did find small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, two 12-gauge shotguns, a 20-gauge shotgun, a .22 gauge rifle and a second rifle. Because of this raid not equaling to what the informant had told police, people have had mixed reactions. Friends and family of the suspects have made statements about how the 59-year-old disabled Navy veteran and his wife were not drug users. A friend of the couple, Monique Caballero, said, “I firmly believe they went to the wrong house.” The Houston Police Department’s Union
President Joe Gamaldi responded to the statement with, “To be clear, officers were not on the wrong street and entry was not made at random. We would refer you to the call slip from that location on Jan. 8, over two weeks prior to the shooting.” As of Feb. 1, two officers were still in the hospital. A 54-year-old veteran who served 32 years in the force was shot in the neck and remains in serious but stable condition. The second officer still in the hospital is a 40-year-old officer with nine years of experience in the department who was also shot in the neck and is in serious but stable condition. The officers who have been discharged include a 50-year-old sergeant and 25-year veteran of the force who was shot in the face. The next is a 50-year-old sergeant and 27-year veteran that underwent a serious knee injury that required surgery. The third officer, a 33-year-old officer and 10-year veteran of the force, was shot in the shoulder. As of Feb. 8, the investigation continues.
Community | National Heart Month
Community | Denton
Materials Hard + Soft By JUNE COOKE
The Greater Denton Arts Council is hosting this year’s Materials Hard + Soft Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition. The show will be drawing in talent in craft and sculpture to introduce the future of three-dimensional expression. Most artists in the show are from the United States, but the exhibit will also feature submissions from Taiwan, Canada, and Germany. The grand opening was Feb. 1, but the displays will be up until May 4, so there is still time to visit the Patterson-Appleton Arts center to recognize and admire the hard work of 70 artists. Georgia Leach Gough started the exhibition in 1987. For 32 years and counting, the exhibition has focused on showcasing artists from across the world who are able to create a convergence of innovative and provocative expression with the medium of their choice. Media in this year’s selected pieces include metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, fiber and glass. Exhibition juror Janet McCall said the hardest part of her job is deciding between two pieces while
making selections for the show. “Since there is so much talent brought to us, and so much opportunity in a show, it’s very difficult to make a decision,” McCall said. Over 1,100 pieces were submitted to compete in the show from twelve countries across the world. However, the selection had to be narrowed down to just 68 pieces. The criteria McCall said she uses to judge a piece include whether or not the piece conveys a sense of social justice, inclusivity, diversity, or empowerment. In fourth place, for her “Red Lining Tapestries” was artist Kim Rice. In third place or her textile piece “African American Women’s Voices” was local Denton artist Marie Batter. Second place winner Maria Valentina drew loud claps from the awards ceremony audience for her kiln fire glass work “Wonder Woman,” portraying the expectations placed on women in everyday life. Finally, Noelle Mason of Tampa, Florida won first place for her enormous tapestry “Ground Control,” depicting a satellite image of Colorado’s River Delta.
Mason constructed the 120” x 120” piece from hand-woven wool. The National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the City of Denton are all partly responsible in bringing together the funding and support for the event. Janet McCall also took a moment in her awards speech to mention the TWU Department of Arts’ contribution, as well as the independent efforts of Abigail Wharton and Shelley Peterson in making Materials possible. Jenny Bates, Exhibitions Coordinator for the Greater Denton Arts Council, said in an interview at the opening that, “Although [putting on] the show is hard work, the recognition and exposure the artists get is well worth it. It’s just great to see people’s work get the attention they deserve.” All Materials Hard + Soft exhibits can be found in their 2019 catalog online at https://issuu.com/dentonarts/docs/issuu_2, or, visit the gallery in person. The 32nd annual Materials will be on display through May 4, 2019 at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center.
Graphic by Anissa Clark / The Lasso
Healthy Hearts By LACEY CUTBURTH “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease,” according to healthfinder. org. Thankfully, heart disease can be prevented. February is National Heart Month, which aims to educate people about how to maintain a heart healthy lifestyle. There are multiple ways to help stay heart healthy, and some even require little day to day life changes. The first major contribution to a healthy heart is eating healthy. Eating healthy does not mean avoiding all the sugars or salts, it means adding moderation into the daily diet. “Try to eat foods in their natural form, as they come from the ground,” Julie Zumpano, dietician at the Preventative Cardiology and Nutrition Program, said. Healthy nuts like walnuts and almonds can help curb hunger along with keeping the heart healthy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, red wine,
in moderation, can keep the heart happy along with dark chocolate and the “comfort-food, oatmeal.” Staying active not only keeps the body healthy, but also keeps the heart pumping the right way. According to the healthcare company Kaiser Permanente, 30 minutes of exercise on most days can help lose weight, improve cholesterol and lower blood pressure up to seven points. “Just as exercise strengthens other muscles in your body, it helps your heart muscle become more efficient and better able to pump blood throughout your body,” according to Kaiser Permanente. “Smoking further raises the risk of heart disease,” according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NHLBI states that the best thing to do is to avoid cigarette smoke all together. By quitting, you reduce the risk of developing heart disease. “If you smoke and already have heart disease, quitting smoking will reduce your risk of sudden cardiac death, a second
heart attack, and death from other chronic diseases,” according to NHLBI. It is important to know that secondhand smoke is just as bad as smoking a cigarette, says the NHLBI. Those at risk for heart disease include those who have high cholesterol or blood pressure, smoke, are overweight, and those who do not get enough physical activity or eat healthy, according to HealthFinder. There are some factors that make people more at risk than others. Having a family history of heart disease, women over the age of 55, men over the age of 45, if your brother or father had/has heart disease before the age of 55 or if your mother or sister had/ has heart disease before the age of 65. TWU offers a Student Health Services “Go Red: Walking Wednesday” event inside the Fitness and Recreation Center from 3 - 4 pm every Wednesday in February to help students get active. This event is done at the students’ own pace.
THE ADVENTURE
CONTINUES... INFORMATION TABLE AT THE STUDENT UNION UNDERGROUND
February 11, 2019: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm February 18, 2019: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
INFORMATION SESSIONS Feb. 5 at 6:00 pm - Student Union (Room 113) Feb. 6 at 6:00 pm - Guinn Commons Feb. 6 at 7:00 pm - Lowry Community Center
OPEN HOUSE February 6-8, 2019 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm February 11-15, 2019 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Parliament Village Tours every 30 min. beginning at 3:00 pm February 16, 2019 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Parliament Village Tours every 30 min. beginning at 1:00 pm February 19, 2019 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Lowry Woods Community Center Tours every 30 min. beginning at 6:00 pm
THE BIG FROOMIE (FIND MY FUTURE ROOMATE) EVENT February 14, 2019 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
STEP 1:
Sign your contract and choose your roommate online at bit.ly/priorityroom from February 11 – 22, 2019
STEP 2:
Select your room and meal plan online ROOM SELECTION DATES Family housing re-apply for same space 02/26/19 - 03/01/19 Continuing First-year and rising Sophomores room selection 02/26/19 - 03/01/19 Rising Juniors and Seniors room selection 03/05/19 - 03/08/19 Residents who completed their contract after 02/22/19 and residents who wish to change their requested room 03/19/19 - 03/22/19
CREDIT HOURS
(Please include current semester hours) First-Year: Sophomore: Junior: Senior:
0 – 29 30 – 59 60 – 89 90+
COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY
(All hours include current semester credit hours) Parliament Village: Students having less than 60 credit hours & under the age of 21 Lowry Woods Apartments: Students over the age of 21 or having 60 credit hours or more; family housing
CONTACT HOUSING AND DINING www.twu.edu/housing 940.898.3676 housing@twu.edu #twuhousing
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Sports
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 twulasso.com
Sports | Gymnastics
A day in the life of a student athlete
To give the layman an inside look at how a student athlete manages their time, gymnast Jenna Cashmore summarized her day in a Q&A with the Lasso over email. Cooke: What time do you wake up? Cashmore: I typically start my day around 8 a.m. Cooke: What’s the first thing you do in the morn-
ing? Cashmore: The first thing I do when I wake up is brush my teeth, wash my face, then read my daily devotional. Cooke. How many hours do you think you spend in the gym? Cashmore: I typically spend 4 hours in the gym, plus an hour in the training room. Cooke. How much time
do you spend around your team mates? Cashmore: The entire 4 hours in the gym working out, we all train together. A lot of other teams don't have this option so we are very fortunate. Other than in the gym, I live with 2 of my teammates so I am with them 24/7. We also always have the freshman over so I would say I see my teammates about 8
hours a day. Cooke: Is it hard to keep up with school work while you’re working towards athletic goals as well? Cashmore: Honestly, it is all about time management. Of course there are times where I believe I could be more successful in aspects of schooling if I just had a little more time, but overall as long as I stay accountable with
my planner, I stay on the right track. Cooke: Tell me a little about your gymnastics routine, your workout schedule, how and when you practice? What do you do to keep yourself in competitive condition? Cashmore:To keep myself in competitive condition, I make sure to stretch and rehab as much as possible. Having it incorporated into my workout helps a lot and am very thankful for the coaches allowing me to do that in the gym. I also have a pretty clean diet, eating sufficient amounts of nutrient based foods to make sure I am ready to go for the next day, as well as recovering from practice effectively. Lastly, I am pretty confident in all aspects of life and I believe that really helps my competitive condition. Staying above the negative thoughts and pain felt every day is something I really focus on. Just having fun my last year and getting to enjoy these last moments and memories with this team.
and Maggie Stephenson. Sadie Bish is a first-year gymnast on the gymnastics team at TWU. Bish is originally from Wilmore, Kentucky, and she is majoring in kinesiology. She has been competing in gymnastics since she was seven years old and has dedicated many years, time and energy of her life to this sport she loves. “The reason I compete with my full heart is for all the little girls at home watching me,” Bish said. “I want to be a role model for them and show them that with heart and determination, you can reach your dreams and goals. This is why I chose gymnastics.” Maggie Stephenson is
also a first-year student at TWU, where she plays for the Pioneer basketball team and majors in biology. Stephenson is originally from Spring, Texas where she graduated from Klein High School. Stephenson said she chose basketball because she loves to learn, and basketball is constantly changing. “This sport is a great outlet for all of the stress of school,” Stephenson said. “It’s fast-paced, and you have to rely on a lot of instincts and fundamentals, which I love.” Love can come in all shapes and sizes. For some, it is a really delicious hamburger, for others, it is a beautiful paint-
ing, and for others, still it is the comfort of coming home to their soulmate every night. But for Sadie Bish and Maggie Stephen-
son, it is not just gymnastics and basketball, but what those two sports represent. It is the opportunity to work hard and
achieve their goals. More than that, it is the chance to inspire others to chase after the things that they love.
By JUNE COOKE The dedication required to compete or perform on a college-level team is steep and demanding; spending 20 hours a week in a gym is like having a job while going to school. The NCAA even made a rule about overtaxing student athletes’ time, in order to leave room for studies and recuperation. From the NCAA website: “Under current NCAA rules, during a playing season and while school is in session, athletes are supposed to spend no more than 20 hours a week on required athletic activities. In sports other than football, that limit drops to eight hours per week during the offseason.” Being a full-time student and a full-time competitor leaves little room for lazy days or movie nights. A careful allocation of time between practice, competition, schoolwork, and a social routine is how one TWU student manages her favorite sport in conjunction with her pursuit of a degree.
By ADRIANNE LAKY When thinking about Valentine’s Day, most people think of relationships, cheesy pick-up lines and oversized stuffed animals in various shades of red and pink. However, Valentine’s Day is so much more than the things that commercialism leads one to believe. The history of Valentine’s Day is one of passion and sacrifice, two things every person has dealt with in their life. In fact, no one knows more about passion and sacrifice than the student athletes of Texas Woman’s University. Two such athletes that have dedicated their lives for the love of their sport are Sadie Bish
Graphic by Anissa Clark / The Lasso
For the love of the sport
All the know on sports By LACEY CUTBURTH Early into the month and the TWU Softball team has already had multiple games. The past few games have been a loss for the Pioneers. However, on Feb. 2 the game ended with a score of 4-3 TWU against the Washington Washburns in Conroe, Texas. This week the girls have four upcoming games starting on Monday Feb. 11 at 2 pm in Oklahoma City against Oklahoma Christian. Friday, Feb. 15, the team takes on Texas A&M - Kingsville at 6 p.m. in Kingsville, Texas. Saturday, Feb. 16, the two battle again at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Kingsville. So far, February has
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been a successful month for the TWU Basketball team. Both games at the start of the month have resulted in the girls coming out on top. The final score on Feb. 2 was 7658 against Western New Mexico and on Feb. 7 it was 66-65 against Texas A&M- Kingsville. This week, the Pioneers take on Texas A&M - Commerce at the home court in Denton Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. The next game is Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. against Tarleton State in Denton. February has also been a good month, so far, for the Gymnastics team, leaving them on top at Century College (Louisiana) with a final score of 192.875,
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leaving TWU ranked 52 nationally. Currently the team has a total rank of 55 on vault, 47 on bars, 45 on beam and 64 on floor. Friday, Feb. 15, the team will head off to their second road meet at the GymQuarters Invitational where they will compete against Iowa State, Southeast Missouri and Lindenwood starting at 2 p.m. To listen or watch any TWU sports game you can visit the Athletic homepage, where livestreams are available for viewing. Locations and times for future games can also be found on the TWU athletic page.
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Graphic by Anissa Clark / The Lasso
