The L asso On the scene since 1914
Student-run newspaper | Never a dull moment
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 | Vol. 101, No. 20
Denton Community
Oaktopia’s sophomore success story Denton’s local and hip-hop festival expanded to two days in year two Alex Ancira Managing Editor aancira@twu.edu
Photo by Tammi Paul
Denton has Arts and Jazz Fest for just about everyone, 35 Denton for the young, hipster-ish crowd and Blues Fest for the genre’s niche fans and those curious. You would think that that covers Denton’s music festivals — and you would be most certainly wrong.
Oaktopia in its second year is the little hip-hop and indie festival that could, bringing together hundreds of Denton and Dallas local artists, along with a few well known headliners, to the Little d for a few nights of unadulterated musical performance. While the festival was marred with a few organizational problems, most clearly defined in the September 22 Dallas
Observer article by JaimePaul Falcon, it was still two days of headliners, tiny local acts, a venue for comedy and tons of fun activities geared toward the college market. Here’s a rundown of a number of performers from Oaktopia’s weekend-long party: Brave Combo: As always Brave Combo came out and gave a great show to the town the band calls home.
When you can successfully get a group of 18-50 year-olds dancing to the Hokey Pokey, you’re doing something really right. No matter the set, Brave Combo comes out and performs with gusto for the crowd. Each show’s setting creates a unique feeling for the band’s style — but energy is a given. So while the band is literally at every Denton
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News Feature | Fracking
Fracking ban debate escalates As the vote approaches slowly, the debate heats up on whether Denton should ban hydraulic fracturing
CLEAN
HAZARDOUS
boost local economies
Affordable REGUL ATED
AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
AMERICA’S NATURAL GAS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
LACK OF ENVOIRNMENTAL CLEAN UP
VOTE
SUPERFUND SITES
EXPENSIVE
Air Pollution
UNSAFE DRINKING WATER
EARTHQUAKES
SAFE Graphic by Toi Ferguson
Matt Olson Reporter molson3@twu.edu Denton has recently entered the national spotlight for the fracking ban initiative that will be taken to the voting booth. The City Council had opposed the ban when faced with the issue on July 15, instead allowing residents to decide for themselves this November. Numerous Dentonites have
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complained about fracking sites located alarmingly close to homes and neighborhoods, and opponents to the controversial practice claim that it has contributed to air and water pollution as well as health complications, particularly high rates of asthma in North Texas children. Despite practical reasons for local objections, the ban proposal remains controversial. Supporters of fracking
insist that banning the practice will only harm Denton, particularly its economic sector. Additionally, the legality of a fracking ban can be called into question; according to an Al Jazeera America article, New York has approved such bans within city ordinances while Colorado’s voters approved bans before a judge reversed the population’s decision. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a means of natural
gas extraction that involves using chemically-treated fluids to release gas held within shale rocks. Generally, the shale is located a mile underneath the ground. Environmental activists believe the process stands the chance of poisoning groundwater supplies as well as prompting undue seismic activity. Supporters of the practice insist on its safety and deny the aforementioned claims. Denton stands as the first Texas city to
bring forth the notion of a ban. In Texas, untapped underground minerals can belong to independent owners. According to a Houston Chronicle article, these owners and their rights can take precedence over local ordinances.
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16th annual Blues Fest rolls through Denton
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Opinions
Right timing for Halloween..........2
News
Tech Talk......................................3
Lifestyle
Horoscopes..............................4
Arts & Entertainment
Creative Women’s Conference...5
Sports
Clark’s Corner..............................6
Photography by Tammi Paul
Above: Denton Blues Festival took place in Quakertown Park, with bands from all over the DFW and Denton local areas participating. Right: Festival goers have a good time dancing to the different jazz, blues and rock ensembles that made an appearance Saturday and Sunday last weekend.
Photography by Tammi Paul
Denton Blues Festival pg. 3
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Opinions
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
twulasso.com
Pioneer Perspectives
Halloween preparation: Too early or on time When is it too soon to put out decor for holidays?
Alex Ancira Managing Editor aancira@twu.edu Walking into the Family Dollar not far from the Square this past weekend, both Halloween decorations and Christmas decorations were out and ready for purchase. Neither
holiday is within 30 days, yet we’re hawking these consumer goods now? Is there a gas leak in here? Now, I love Christmas as much as, if not more than, the next guy and Halloween is a great holiday too, but don’t we deserve to have a moment of consumer
peace? November is all Black Friday, Cyber Monday and sales upon sales upon even more sales. October has always been a candy palooza; December is more Christmas shopping. The spring is Easter time plus early summer prep. When it isn’t the Fourth of July or Christmas or some other festivity, we’re preparing for one. Can’t we have one solid month where we’re not blowing money on holiday cheer? Thirty days is more than enough time to prepare for any given holiday. If you buy your Halloween costume two months ahead of time, who’s to say it will even fit? And what if a better wreath comes around in late November? Remember, you can only prepare so much before it turns into a pointless, self-indulgent habit.
Opinion
My BF goes to TWU Navigating dating relationships and the ratio of men at TWU Amanda Clark Page Editor aclark9@twu.edu “My boyfriend goes to TWU” is a statement that is now available on a sticker in the TWU bookstore. While this may invoke some giggling out of most people who see it, it is a true statement for a handful of people out in the world. My boyfriend does not go to TWU, but for the first time since starting at TWU two years ago, I think I would be okay if he did. I remember upon arriving at TWU thinking through men attending our university. It didn’t quite make sense to me, and I remember thinking: “I’d never date a guy who goes to TWU.” Since starting here, I’ve become friends with many of the guys who attend our university and have found them to be just as dateable as your typical college guy. The issue is for the women of TWU who are looking to date men — the population percentage of males to females isn’t in your favor. Most won’t come to TWU to find their “Mrs.” degree. My
condolences go out to those who came here with that as a hope. In my time at TWU I’ve been in several different situations where I’ve been a witness to different female students being overly ecstatic at the sight of a male on campus they hadn’t seen before, or one they found extremely attractive. Talking with friends, we discussed how different our interactions with males became after spending so much time at a predominantly female institution. So what does all this matter anyway? First and foremost, I think there’s an issue with how we perceive men at TWU. Either we see them as a possibility, or we don’t consider them worthy of being a possibility because they attend TWU. Both of these viewpoints are devaluing to our peers because they are first and foremost human beings, and we should view them through that lens first, valuing them as a human before we immediately jump to what they will mean to us. Secondly, I think this ultimately brings up
the question for many students of whether or not they should date in college. One of the benefits of possibly not having the option to date in college is the level of focus you’re able to devote to other things. I strongly believe that every person has the right to decide when they date and who they date, but in my own experience, I always suggest that focusing on dating and finding a significant other should not be one of your primary focuses while in college. This time is crucial in figuring out who you are, what you’re passionate about, what you believe and where you’re headed. I hope that many of us get to find people to do that with, but that shouldn’t be our first goal. Let it happen naturally, and don’t worry about when it’s going to happen or making it happen. For all you know, you could be purchasing a sticker next week that says “My boyfriend goes to TWU,” but what’s great is you don’t have to know yet.
The Lasso editorial staff Editor-in-Chief
Designer
Managing Editor
Page Editors
Shelby Baker • sbaker3@twu.edu Alexander Ancira • aancira@twu.edu
Reporters
Toi Ferguson • lferguson2@twu.edu Emily Nickles • enickles@twu.edu Amanda Clark • aclark9@twu.edu
Monica Alcaraz • malcaraz@twu.edu Matt Olson • molson3@twu.edu Sarah de Schweinitz • sdeschweinitz@twu.edu
Copy Editors
Photographer
Advisor
Tammi Paul • tpaul1@twu.edu
Shelby Baker Editor-in-Chief sbaker3@twu.edu Christmas gets all the fanfare. People will set up their entire homes a month in advance and then take the decorations down months after the holiday passes. Not everyone gets excited about Christmas though. There are some, like myself, that consider Halloween the best holiday of the year. It’s not just the candy — the decorations are freaking awesome and are worth getting excited about themselves. But the earlier they come out, the more people complain. The same ones who leave their Christmas tree up through February. The middle of September is the perfect time to start selling and decorating for Halloween. It not only gives the early birds a start, but sets the tone for the month of October. November is known for Thanksgiving, and in December, you can
practically taste the holiday spirit in the air. The month of October should be one big lead-up to Halloween itself, and decorating before the month starts helps make that happen. On a less fanatical note, by setting out Halloween decor early, people have a
chance to plan and budget and save for the decorations, costumes, etc., that they want. Some people may need a couple months to prep their Halloween costume, and that’s okay. Because thank goodness Halloween has finally hit the stores.
Opinion
Stop playing the blame game Alcohol poisoning questions who’s to blame Monica Alcaraz Reporter malcaraz@twu.edu A freshman died while attending a fraternity party in Lubbock, Texas, this past summer from acute alcohol poisoning, and the family is seeking justice. He was under 21, and according to the police, there is a “criminal statute in Texas which basically [states] purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor is a class A misdemeanor.” This is the only realistic thing that those who provided him with alcohol can be charged with, and while friends of the victim feel that justice should be served, what justice is there to be served? The fraternity has since been disbanded at the university. What more can be done? Take into consideration that this was an unsupervised party, and that regardless of age, people drink. Who could have known this would happen?
With all due respect, this student made his decision — a poor one, but he made it. It is pointless to search out the person who gave him alcohol because it likely wasn’t one person, but a group of people. Looking for someone to blame will not solve the problem. It is hypocritical for peers to think that justice should be served when the majority of those peers make the same choice to drink while underage. Teenagers drink, and to point their fingers at adults and blame the providers is just making an excuse for their own choices. This student had a bright future ahead of him, and just like countless other young kids with bright futures ahead of them, he made a regretful decision. This does not mean we should find a scapegoat and send them to prison for doing what — by social standards, though not legal ones — is acceptable.
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.
This week’s issue Vol. 101 No. 20
Society is made up of young adults bending and breaking the rules; it is glamorized in movies and TV, so it has become the norm. Yes, it was wrong to provide alcohol to a minor, and it was unfortunate that it resulted in a student’s death. With loss comes a lot of emotion, and sometimes trying to blame someone is the route often taken. But it is important to accept that the decisions individuals make are not within our control, and we cannot change that. This young man was a wonderful person who was loved by so many people, but it was his own poor decision that resulted in his tragic end. It doesn’t matter if it was one person or 20 people that provided alcohol that night — conducting a witch hunt won’t make it any better.
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Savannah Peer • speer@twu.edu Tiffany Lam • tlam6@twu.edu Rhonda Ross• rross7@twu.edu
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.
News
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Denton fracking ban Continued from pg. 1
16th annual Blues Festival brings Denton to Quakertown after Oaktopia Sarah de Schweinitz Reporter sdeschweinitz@twu.edu It’s a rare thing to be in a place where all kinds of people, young and old, dance together like a bunch of kids jamming out to their favorite songs. That’s how it was at the 16th Blues Fest in Denton this past weekend put on by the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce. People were letting loose left and right in the spirit of good music and good company. Denton resident since 1975 and president of the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce Reggie Hill shared what he loves about Blues Fest: “It’s the
Hickory Street construction
will go more in-depth on a particular area of diversity in each Diversity Institute.” The workshop covers discussion topics including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and more. Those who attend will be urged to think critically about their own experiences with culture. “We strongly encourage each participant to examine their own attitudes, beliefs and experiences in order to better understand others that may have different cultural identities,” stated Bewley. At this event, there will be limited seating available, and it does fill up fast. Students who register will
This Friday, Sept. 26, the first Tech Talk of the fall semester will be given starting at 10 a.m. It’s a 20-minute talk titled “Inbox Zero: Developing a System to Manage Email” that students, faculty and staff can attend either in person in ACT Room 301, or view online via videoconference on the Tech Talk website. The talk is going to focus on the improvement of our email service and teaching students how to manage their accounts effectively. Business Systems Analyst in the Office of Technology Heather
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Construction on Hickory Street running into Bell Avenue has been an ongoing process for the past several months, but by Sept. 26th the east side of Bell will be complete with the west side of Bell having travel lanes completed around the same time. These travel lanes will allow vehicles to travel along Hickory Street according to the project manager from the City of Denton office, Earl Escobar. There are five scheduled phases for the Hickory and Bell Construction, the first being completed over the summer for the sewer line construction. In phase two of the project, which is now wrapping up, water utility and electric lines have been replaced. The main project of the phase
two construction was to remove the temporary asphalt, install storm drain systems, and then install final concrete pavement. Next up for the project is for the contractor to construct parking areas as well as a sidewalk on the north and south side of Hickory between Russell Street and Bell Avenue. Escobar said: “The main improvements of the project will be wider sidewalks, landscaping, bike racks, benches, additional on street parking, an upgraded drainage system and utility infrastructure to promote redevelopment.” For more information on the Hickory Bell Construction or projects the City of Denton is working on, visit https:// www.cityofdenton.com or download the “Dig Little D” App on your phone.
Sarah de Schweinitz Reporter sdeschweinitz@twu.edu
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be provided with helpful information, handouts and lunch. Aside from the resources, Bewley said: “Almost all students who attend leave with a sense of feeling energized from the day-long training, along with a greater sense of self-awareness and understanding of diversity. Most participants also form connections with other students who are committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment.” Students interested in Diversity Institute can register for the event by calling the TWU Counseling Center at 940-898-3801 or Office of Intercultural Services at 940-898-3679.
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Amanda Clark Page Editor aclark9@twu.edu
Festival which will be taking place this upcoming January 2015. Harry Eaddy, organizer of the festival, said he wants to bring the kind of independent and artsy films to the Campus Theatre in Denton that one might see at the Angelika Film Center. He said there were some TWU students involved in the project, and he is looking for more volunteers. The booth right next to his was the Volunteer Deputy Registrar, which had information about local elections and gave people the chance to register to vote if they hadn’t already. At noon there was a ceremony dedicated to the legendary Tom ‘Pops’ Carter, who passed away in April 2012. Everyone who attended the ceremony met to see the unveiling of a 7-foot colored glass and steel sculpture of Carter created by local artist Christie Wood. Patrons could also buy T-shirts with an image of Carter’s sculpture on it. The iconic blues musician played almost every year at the Denton Blues Fest, and former mayor Mark Burroughs even named a day after him in 2011. June 5 in Denton is officially “Pops Carter Day.”
Tech Talk on student email
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Diversity Institute is right around the corner and is exclusive for TWU students. This day-long workshop is sponsored by TWU Counseling Center in both the fall and spring semesters. The cultural diversity liaison Dr. Marshall Bewley said: “Our mission is to create an open and safe environment to allow for cultural diversity discussions along with challenging all participants to grow. We discuss components of diversity, concepts of privilege and marginalization and we
something like this happens. It means a lot to me. It’s a little bit of an older style of music but it’s very near and dear to me.” His lively band got quite a few people on their feet with their original songs and some crowd favorites, like “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and “Foxy Lady” by Jimi Hendrix. At one point, the horn section even got off stage and played among the dancing crowd, which sax player Preston Lewis said was certainly a first. Besides the main attraction, the music, there were many vendors there supporting local endeavors. One was the Denton Black Film
Photo by Tammi Paul
Diversity Institute scheduled Savannah Peer Copy Editor speer@twu.edu
friendships and it’s the good music. People of all genders, races, color, whatever — you name it, — are in harmony together. That’s what I love about it. It’s one the most diverse concerts I’ve been to and been involved with in a long time.” Texas Blues artist Chris Watson of the Chris Watson Band attended high school in Denton and still enjoys playing music in his home town. When asked what Blues Fest meant to him, Watson said: “It’s really cool to me to get to be a part of it. I appreciate all the people that come out to support a genre of music that doesn’t really seem to be that popular until
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Student Threat A student threat was made on Sept. 18 at Jones Hall. Harrasment A report of harrasment was made on Sept. 19 on Administration Dr. Denton, TX. Criminal Trespass On Sept. 21, a call was made to DPS regarding a criminal trespass on N. Bell Ave that didn’t result in arrest, but a CT warning. Sexual Assault A student was sexually assaulted on Sept. 22 at Stark Hall. This resulted in the student obtaining physical injuries. No arrest was made. Criminal Mischief A call was made reporting criminal mischief on Sept. 22 in the parking lot in front of Jones Hall. THe crime resulted in property damage. Warrent Arrest A call was made reporting someone who had a warrant for arrest on Sept. 23 on Austin St. The call resulted in a arrest.
Blues Fest rolls through Denton
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Campus Blotter
children. In addition, the ‘Rainy Day Fund,’ which is periodically used...to balance the state’s budget and to fund infrastructure programs, is almost 100% funded by the Oil & Gas industry.” However, Smitherman also brushed aside Dentonites’ concerns about environmental and health-based factors regarding fracking, referencing Russian attempts to maintain market dominance in Europe’s oil and natural gas supply by challenging fracking in the European Union. Summarizing his take on this element of the issue, he wrote: “It would therefore appear that not all efforts to ban hydraulic fracturing are grounded in environmental concerns.” The issue remains sharply divided along political lines; Republicans support mineral owners’ “right” to frack while Democrats defend the citizens and environment threatened by the process. Regardless of one’s political position, the issue sees a small town taking a stand against a multibillion dollar industry. Whether voters side with their town or with gas and oil companies, the ballot will likely not put the matter to rest.
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Denton | News
Tex as
In the wake of a potential fracking ban, if Texas was to side with the owners and their rights to access their minerals, then Denton stands the chance to be on the losing side of a legal and monetary struggle. The mineral owners could sue Denton in the event that a ban passes, which could negatively affect the city and its funding. Prior to the City Council vote, Railroad Commission of Texas chairman Barry T. Smitherman sent an open letter expressing his support of fracking and the economic progress the practice has allowed. Smitherman compared the production rate of oil before fracking — “95,000 barrels of oil per day” — with the production afterwards — “over 2.1 million barrels of oil per day” — and suggested that the practice has strongly affected the United States’ decreasing dependence on oil from foreign suppliers. Smitherman additionally underlined the importance of jobs and money brought to the state by gas and oil companies: “In recent years, the Texas Oil & Gas industry has paid billions in taxes to state and local governments, as well as royalties to education funds...which directly benefit our school
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
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Davis explained that the title “Inbox Zero” is referring to a certain philosophy of utilizing your email account effectively with minimal stress. “It’s a way to keep your inbox in a place where you’re not afraid of it so you can go into it and make it a useful tool instead of something that’s taking up too much of your time and attention,” Davis said. Some of you may remember that last spring the Students Advisory Committee for Technology gave students a survey to find out which email system we wanted to move to, and the majority chose Google as opposed to the current Outlook service. Davis said that they
are working through the process and are hoping to have it up and running by Spring 2015. Davis shared that originally, Tech Talks were professional development opportunities geared towards staff and faculty, but it has now spread to aid in student development as well. She would like to see more students attend and also give feedback about what kind of Tech Talks they would like to hear, which they can submit through the Office of Technology Service Desk. For more information, go to http://www.twu.edu/tis/ tech-talks.asp.
DSS, in conjunction with the Counseling Center, is pleased to announce the availability of a new support group for students with visible and invisible limitations. This 6 week group, led by Dr. Erin Schraeder, will begin in early October and meet in CFO 106.
Come and share your concerns in an accepting environment that encourages discussion around the unique challenges of living with a disability
Groups are FREE & CONFIDENTIAL
Potential topics include: - Balancing health, school, and social life - Navigating academia with a disability - Communication with professors, families, friends, doctors, & health professionals - Finding & sharing resources & coping strategies with peers - Areas for campus improvement related
If interested or to ask questions, please contact: JoAnn Katy Jay Laura
dss@twu.edu
940.898.3835
CFO 106
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Lifestyle
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Community | Events
TWU Horoscopes: Month of September Monica Alcaraz Reporter malcaraz@twu.edu
Reporter Monica Alcaraz reveals the mystical secrets of the stars Aquarius (January 20-February 18) - Look on the bright side. Things may seem out of sorts for the moment but there is hope for a better outcome. Pisces (February 19- March 20) – Meeting someone new is on the horizon and will provide a pleasant surprise.
Aries (March 21-April 19) – You will soon find something that you thought you lost, keeping it is what is up to you.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) – Don’t let petty things get in the way of finding your own happiness, it is important you stay focused in the coming weeks. Gemini (May 21-June 20) - Things will to start going your way soon, stay positive and look forward to the things to come.
Cancer (June 21-July) - Let loose this weekend, it’s been a tough one staying on top of your workload but it’s ok to stop and have a little fun every now and then.
Leo (July 23-August 22) - You have been under a lot of pressure lately – physically and mentally – but just remember the good things in life and try to stay positive.
Virgo (August 23- September 22) – You are not at fault for other people’s mistakes and issues, you have no control in their lives only yours.
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Community | Events
Pioneers of Fashion: Fall fever Freshman Fashion Design major Taylor Brown inspects TWU’s fashion sense Taylor Brown Guest Columnist tbrown28@twu.edu Hello TWU community, welcome to the first article highlighting TWU’s trendsetters of the week. Being that TWU is a predominantly women’s university, it’s important that fashion is captured on campus. Fashion is a lot more than people think. It’s self- expression and even at times art. As you all know, fall is approaching, and there is nothing better than fall trends, from warm boots to colorful scarves. This week’s trendsetter is first-year Katherine Rodriguez, a double major in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising. Rodriguez had a simple but chic look that worked perfectly for her. She paired black spandex tights with a green striped knit sweater which looked so cozy to wear. But what really made the outfit a fashion statement were her very stylish black leather, gold-accented boots. The boots really pulled her outfit from a comfy casual to a classy casual. I guess we can say Katherine knew what she was doing when she pulled this outfit together. I interviewed Katherine and asked a couple of questions addressing her outfit of
Photo by Taylor Brown
choice. Q: What does this outfit say about you? A: “I was going for a cute, casual look and wore the boots because it was raining outside.” Q: Is there a story behind what you are wearing? A: “Actually, my mom picked the sweater out for me because it reminded her of the soft knit blankets that are made for newborns.’’ Q: What brands are you wearing? A: “The leggings and sweater are from AGACI and the boots are from Charlotte Russe.’’ Katherine had a trendy outfit to start off the fall
season right. But we cannot forget about the dashing men of TWU, so let’s get a take on what kind of men’s fashion is running around campus these days. We have first-year Az Henry making an appearance in this week’s article. He had a particular style that is relatable for most young men of this generation. He decided to wear a dark teal Nike shirt with bright orange lettering and paired the cool men’s tank with sand-colored khaki pants. But we can’t forget about the sneakers — it’s essential to a man’s wardrobe in today’s society. Az pulled his outfit together with a pair of Nike sneakers which had a base color of teal with bright orange outlining and hints of purple near the bottom of the shoe. I can say that Az had a very urban look that really fit his personality. Q: What does this outfit say about you? A: ‘’I like to make a good first impression.” Q: What brands are you wearing? A: “The shirt and sneakers are from Nike, the pants are Levis.’’ These students really expressed themselves through stylish and trendy pieces of clothing. Until next time, remember: always dress to impress.
Lasso 100 | Photography
Lasso 100: A Visual History
Libra (September 23- October 22) – A new look may be what you need, a haircut could be a weight off your shoulders or a new pair of shoes could be just what you need to kick those worries away.
Scorpio (October 23- November 21) – A financial turnaround is ahead, keep an eye on your bank account.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) – This week you will go on a journey you never thought possible, a good book is calling your name.
Capricorn (December 22- January 19) – Focus on spending some quality time with loved ones.
Photo courtesy of TWU photo archives
Above: Journalism students at TWU setting type for headlines at the Old Main Building printing press. The photo is circa 1959.
The Lasso will publish photos from the last 100 years twice a month, with weekly updates on twitter
for Throwback Thursday. The date for The Lasso’s centennial birthday, Nov. 6, is approaching. The first student
organization on campus invites you to help us celebrate through a variety of events during the year.
Local | Recreational sports
Fit and Rec’s Intramural Soccer League opens for students First round of intramural soccer on campus will run through mid-October Matt Olson Reporter molson3@twu.edu
Hosted by TWU Fitness and Recreation, the Intramural Soccer League began its first round of games last week on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and continued this week on Tuesday, Sept. 23. Games will continue until Oct. 7, after which the league enters playoffs on Oct. 14. The teams include
Gotham City United; Baywatchers, a team headed by campus lifeguards; Legion Of Boom; and five free agent teams, with eight to twelve players per team. Recreation Sports Supervisor Gabe Cruz explained his goals for campus intramural sports: “I want to provide a sport a certain target market on campus likes to play. I try to do this with everything I program for intramurals. Eventually, I hope to
have reached everyone on campus whether it’s with sports, water activities or video games. I think no matter what intramural tournament or league a student, faculty or staff from TWU participates in, they will build friendships and relationships that were formed through recreation and intramural sports.” Sophomore Family Studies major, Pioneer Soccer Club treasurer and Gotham City United
“Eventually, I hope to have reached everyone on campus whether it’s with sports, water activities or video games.” - Gabe Cruz, Recreation sports supervisor
captain Crystal Gonzalez said of the league: “I would say it’s a good way to meet people and exercise. I think that’s what Fit and Rec is trying to do.” She elaborated on her experience with the league last year and added: “It gives people something to look forward to. Last year, before I even knew about the soccer club here, everyone was saying, ‘You should join intramurals.’ I wasn’t sure what it was, but I said, ‘Okay, I’ll do it.’ So I signed up, and then I met people there. That’s how I got to know most of the Pioneer Soccer Club people and joined the organization.” Gonzalez plays midfielder and forward for Gotham City United. The team’s advisor and one of
its defense players, assistant to the associate provost for Institutional Improvement Nora Sierra, has been involved with the campus’s intramural leagues for years. She said in an email: “I’ve been playing since I was a student. I’ve played soccer, flag football, softball, volleyball and badminton.” Sierra added of the leagues: “I love playing sports, and it’s a fun way to meet new people.” TWU has included intramural sports on its campus for at least two decades, adding a greater sense of community for students. The Intramural Soccer League promotes sportsmanship amongst its players and requires that teams and players must maintain good
conduct. Uniforms and equipment are required, and official soccer rules and regulations apply. The league is co-ed, and teams are required to have either four men and three women or three men and four women in play during the games. The deadline to sign up for intramural soccer — as well as 3-on-3 basketball, flag football, and Madden ‘15 — has already passed. However, students interested in intramural sports can still sign up for recreational volleyball, competitive volleyball, elite volleyball, and table tennis tournaments. The deadline to sign up for these activities is Oct. 9. For more information, visit http://www.twu.edu/fitandrec/ intramural-sports.asp.
Arts & Entertainment
twulasso.com
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
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Lifestyle | Women’s Interest
Creative Women’s Conference offers inspiration DPL hosts a series of seminars relating to women in creative careers Sarah de Schweinitz Reporter sdeschweinitz@twu.edu Calling all creative people. This coming Saturday, on Sept. 27, the first Creative Women’s Conference will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Branch Denton Public Library. The event will consist of hands-on activities and listening to experienced professionals speak about their work in video game production, graphic design, film and more. The Public Services Librarian at the North Branch Library Juli Gonzalez is hoping to see TWU students there. “I think students would benefit from attending because this conference will
showcase successful women who have taken their art and their joy and turned it into their profession. Students will be able to hear stories and get ideas and inspiration from the presenters. They will also be able to ask questions and get business advice from successful entrepreneurs. There will also be some creative action happening, and two local artists working on their art and selling some of their products,” said Gonzalez. Creator of Dusk Comics and the founder of CWC David Doub said he and his partners started back in March of 2014 and have been waiting for the right moment to host a conference. “I decided to do a show
that not only celebrated women creators and their creations but also to have them share their experiences with others who may want to one day be creators themselves,” Doub said. For young women who are interested in or are already pursuing a creative field such as comic books that is mostly male-dominated, Doub had some advice: “The status quo won’t change without people working at it and the more it changes the more some people will fight against that change.” He also wanted to remind people on a positive note that no matter what you end up doing with your life, there will always be other people involved that will have your back.
“Not only will you be making space for yourself in your chosen field, you will be helping others find their place too, Doub said. “It’s very much a group effort, even if at times you feel like you are going at it alone.” He should know — he collaborates with six other creators from all over the U.S. (and one person from Sweden) on Dusk Comics. The event will have two panel rooms booked solid with talks from “The Ins and Outs of Creative Promotion and Marketing” to “Blue Collar Women – Talk about women in such roles as manufacturing, warehouse and labor based jobs” to “Women of the Internet.” There’s something for everyone.
Oaktopia’s sophomore success story Continued from pg. 1
Any Fashion majors out there might be interested in the hands-on “Recycle Art and Fashion” portion, and parents might find the “Balancing Act — Juggling Time for being a Parent and an Independent Creator” talk at the very least interesting, and at the most, helpful. Drama majors could check out the talk “Acting, Performance and Media Productions.” More than anything, this conference is an opportunity to learn new things and meet new people. And don’t let the name fool you — men are more than welcome to join. Doub just wanted to dedicate this event to women because he knows what they are capable of and wants to give them their
moment in the spotlight. “It’s good to remind folks of what women have created and what they will create if you give them a chance,” Doub said. Finally, Doub had one request for anyone who hears about this event: “I just hope that everyone, female or male, will come out and take a moment to absorb everything. Even if we have guests or topics that don’t fit with your goals or plans, you never know where inspiration will come from.” For the complete schedule and more information about the event, go to http://www. creativewomensconference. webs.com.
Arts | Director interview
Alumna returns to direct a show Vickie Washington returns to direct play “Speech and Debate” Emily Nickles Page Editor enickles@twu.edu
event from Blues Fest to Greenfest to Arts & Jazz to Oaktopia to Denton Radio.com shows, at least you know it won’t ever be boring. Let’s Polka. Bone Doggie and the Hickory Street Hellraisers: Another Denton staple, Bone Doggie is a local legend. As a Gypsie Blues band (a self-enforced offshoot of Americana), Bone Doggie and his cohorts bring an alluring mix of horns and standard rock instruments with Bone Doggie’s trademark gravelscorched voice. A mix of Tom Waits and Gogol Bordello, according to the group’s Reverbnation, Bone Doggie represents one of Denton’s most distinctive musical touchstones. Locals who haven’t seen Bone Doggie and the Hickory Street Hellraisers can’t really claim to be Dentonites just yet. Aesop Rock with Rob Sonic and D.J. Abilities: Aesop Rock, like Immortal Technique, is an underground hip-hop icon. With hits peppered throughout a career that traces back to the late ‘90s, Aesop deserves the respect he garners with rap purists. His performance was slightly underwhelming to say the least, but even the emcee himself admitted that on Twitter. However he also clarified he felt rather sick: “Kinda
Below: Male acrobat performs unbelievable acts of agility and flexibility while using a hoop hung from a tree.
Photo by Tammi Paul
Above: Belly dancer prepares for performance garbed in colorful, festive decorations. feel like I owe Denton a better show. Felt terrible on stage and ended up vomiting all night. I did my best but it wasn’t great.” The fans seem to disagree that it wasn’t great, but we would welcome you back anytime Aesop. Neon Indian (DJ Set): Neon Indian is ex-local with gallons of talent, and even with a few mishaps he was able to showcase those skills on Saturday night for Dentonites to experience. After waiting over an hour for the show to start Friday night, Neon Indian was forced to reschedule due to technical rider fulfillment problems — namely that certain equipment was not there. Locals still had the opportunity to enjoy the show, but not when they expected they would. Lines ran down the block from Dan’s Silverleaf to get in to Neon Indian and the set was good, if not a bit late. This list doesn’t even include the
Photo by Tammi Paul
dozens of local bands such as ADd+, The Infamists, AV the Great, The Boombachs and Jesse Rya. With hundreds of bands out and tons of different opportunities for fun, Dentonites enjoyed a great year two from Oaktopia. Here’s looking forward to year three, with more local quality and amazing headliners soon.
TWU’s small community often results in long-lasting connections. Learning and working together, we build relationships and a reputation that can last a lifetime, or at least our working career. In the case of returning TWU alum, Vickie Washington her reputation while attending college and later within the DFW community has surpassed her. After receiving her bachelor’s in Speech and Drama, Washington has had the opportunity to direct a multitude of plays while still acting in productions and coaching the younger generation of actors. This fall, Washington was invited back to the department to direct “Speech and Debate” by Stephen Karam. In addition to her new endeavor through the TWU Drama Department, Washington also holds the position of theatre director at Booker T. Washington High School of Performing and Visual Arts. She is currently working on a play by Jonathan Norton, “Mississippi Goddamn,” through the South Dallas Cultural Center, in addition to her work at TWU. Washington stays heavily involved in the community and in political issues. For example, by participating in the Facing Race Conference. She’s also supporting the “Stop the Takeover” to prevent the “No Home Rule Charter District” in Dallas. Between acting, directing and coaching, when asked about whether she prefers one over the other, Washington responded: “I do love acting, however I really, really value the craft of theatre. I value all aspects of it. As a director, I love watching an idea, a concept, take shape, come together and fly. As an actor, I love researching and fleshing out the character and working with other artists to bring the story to life.” When recalling her time at the university Washington shared: “TWU was a beautiful,
fun and tremendously thorough training ground for me I continue to be deeply appreciative fo learning the basics and the value of them.” Her “TWU was a beautiful, Photo by Tammi Paul
fun and tremendously thorough training ground for me I continue to be deeply appreciative for learning the basics and the value of them.” Her passion for theater is evident in her diction. She stated that the Redbud Theater she knew while attending TWU is quite different than the current one, which has replaced the old campus theater completely. Washington is more than passionate about her career. Even though she changed her major from Social Work, she still finds ways to serve others. Washington’s coaching to young actors and involvement in the community demonstrates this virtue. One of her personal successes is being the founding director of r.t.w.~reading the writers, which is a Readers Theater series that showcases black theater. In fact, Washington revealed: “I learned and practiced Readers Theatre right here at TWU. I was in a class, and if memory serves me correctly, I was in a Readers Theatre touring group that was wonderful!” As a teacher of the arts, Washington has some tough love advice for aspiring actors and actresses, but words worth hearing: “Know why you are in it. It is said quite a lot, and yet I think it is very true. ‘If there is anything else that you think you want to do, do that.’ I think it is very important to follow your dreams ... to define and to identify for yourself what ‘success’ will look like for you. And have fun! Try it, go for it, go after it; you can rock in a chair later.” This advice carries on to other majors and career choice. Take it from a former student, successful director, and content individual.
6
Sports
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Sports Column | Opinion
twulasso.com
Sports | Soccer
Soccer banks wins at home Pioneers on the road to a successful season Page Editor Amanda Clark shares her opinion on last weekend’s volleyball game
Amanda Clark Page Editor aclark9@twu.edu Last week I shared how soccer has surpassed my expectations for the season. For a while there, I felt the opposite about volleyball as they struggled in the beginning of this season. The biggest issue with the TWU volleyball team this season is finding chemistry to work together as one team. With a large portion of the team graduating last season and the addition of five first-year students to the team, the volleyball team has been in a process of building and learning how to play with one another for the past couple of weeks. Last weekend in the Texas A&M-Commerce Tournament, the TWU volleyball team walked away with one win and two losses. This was extremely upsetting and disappointing to see because I know the type of team we have had and the potential we have for the future. However, I will have to say that when the TWU volleyball team falls, they work hard and pick themselves back up. The past four games played by the Pioneers have resulted in
Photo Courtesy of TWU Athletics
victory, improving TWU’s overall record 7-4. In the Lone Star Conference, the Pioneers have a record of 3-1, which gives them a strong start for the season. The one LSC game they lost was to nationally ranked No. 25 Angelo State, a strong competitor. Even so, TWU still managed to win in one set against the Lady Rams. The Pioneers did lose two games at the Commerce Tournament, but managed to win their third game, setting them on course for a winning streak. Tuesday the Pioneers played Tarleton State, battling it out in five sets to come out victorious. On Friday, TWU played Midwestern State, winning in four sets, and on Saturday, they played Cameron, winning in three sets. Seeing this natural progression of improvement was extremely encouraging and affirmed that even when the TWU volleyball team builds up some losses, they have the ability to evaluate, plan and come together to win future games.
Head volleyball coach Shelly Barberee said in reference to Tuesday’s game against Tarleton State: “We played a very good team in front of a big crowd, and this is big conference win on the road. Our defense was outstanding with 14 team blocks and 64 digs. All the girls played hard and our bench was part of a lot of points because they were calling the ball in and out to help the defense.” I love Barberee’s statement about the players on the bench because I think this displays how the team is growing together as a unit to communicate well and by extension play well together. With some wins under their belt, some strong players leading out and a push for increased communication, the TWU volleyball team still has to make this season an even better one than its last one. The key is for them to keep moving forward and allowing obstacles to challenge them and help them grow as a team.
Emily Nickles Page Editor enickles@twu.edu
Photo Courtesy of TWU Athletics
TWU’s first home game garnered an audience of friends, families and loyal TWU faculty excited to support the team. Opposing team Ouchita Baptist brought their own following with them from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, making it a decent turnout. The game began with typical warm-ups before the kick off at 2 p.m. During the first five minutes of the game, both teams’ players appeared to be dancing as they tested each other’s movements and organization by weaving across the field and between other players. Within the first 15 minutes of the game, TWU Pioneers made their first score by first-year Rachel Rupp, her first goal of the season, and by sophomore Natalia Diaz. They demonstrated good offense during the first part of the game and continued to keep a good defensive formation
as they were pushed back by the opposite team on occasion. The second goal of the game was scored by Rupp, her second of the season, who was assisted by senior Emily Davila. Following the second goal and good offense by the TWU team, Diaz injured her ankle in a fumble. senior Candice Davies substituted for Diaz and charged for the third goal of the game, her second of the season with an assist by sophmore Nancy Chavez. TWU Pioneers exhibited good teamwork and relation to where players where during the game, demonstrating great passes and even a few fake-outs at the opposing team’s players. Davies later was injured by a hit to the head by the soccer ball and was replaced by sophomore Hailey Faul. Shortly after the game took a five minute half-time with TWU leading at 3-0 against Ouchita. Followed by a slow start, the fourth goal for TWU was made by
Chavez, her first of the season, and assisted by Davies. Minutes apart, Davila made her first shot of the season, unassisted, rendering the score 5-0 against Ouchita Baptist. This season was full of firsts, but for Diaz, who made the winning goal, it was her fifth of the season. The final score for Friday’s game was 6-0. Ouchita Baptist picked up their a-game in the last half, but TWU made three shots for the goal in the final 15 minutes of the game without scoring. Sunday’s game on Sept. 21 was set against nationally ranked No. 18 St. Edward’s University. The game started out with zero goals for either team. In the second half of the game, TWU made three goals, first by Chavez, second by Diaz, and the final shot made by Diaz. Chavez made a shot in the final two minutes of the game and was fouled, so Natalia Diaz took the penalty kick goal and made a final shot that did not count towards the game score. The final score was a victory for TWU at 3-1. The TWU Pioneers are now scored at 4-1-0 for the season, the best start that the soccer program has ever had, according to TWU Athletics. Julia Morrison, who was goalie for the full game, blocked five shots to the net, only missing one. St. Edward’s made more goal shots than us, but we still made it out victorious. Cheers to a great start to the season.