The Murray State News by The Murray State News

Page 3 A miscount of the votes for Homecoming king crowns wrong student

THE MUR R AY STATE

NEWS

November 3, 2016 | Vol. 91, No. 10

Special Edition

Election 2016

ON THE ISSUES Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Ashley Traylor || Staff writer atraylor@murraystate.edu

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TAXES

Ensure the wealthiest Americans are not paying lower taxes than the middle class Impose a fair share surcharge on the upper class Close Wall Street loopholes Cut taxes for small business owners Provide tax relief for child care, health care and college or university costs

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HEALTH CARE

Supports the Affordable Care Act and will expand health care to more Americans Decrease co-pays and deductibles Lower prices for prescription drugs and protect against drug price increases Expand health care no matter immigration status Expand health care for women to include preventative care, contraception and abortion Increase funding for community health centers and increase the size of the National Health Service Corporation

GUN CONTROL

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ECONOMIC PLAN

Implement a 100-days jobs plan focused around infrastructure and clean energy Ensure college is debt free Raise the minimum wage and make sure profits are shared with employees Make big businesses and the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes by closing interest loopholes and a surcharge on the wealthy Fight for equal pay between men and women and provide reductions to child care

ABORTION

According to the Wall Street Journal, Clinton supports Roe vs. Wade – the court case that established a right to abortion, and she opposes a ban on abortion after 20 weeks

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Strengthen background checks for those purchasing weapons Revoke gun licenses for those who break the law Close gun loopholes

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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

According to the Princeton Election Consortium

www.TheNews.org

IMMIGRATION

Fight for rights of immigrants Create a plan to help immigrants gain citizenship, within first 100 days of presidency End three and 10-year bars – the policy that states immigrants who overstay their period in the United States and depart are not allowed to reenter the United States for three years End family detention for parents and children Seek to decrease naturalization costs and increase access to language and educational programs

@TheMurrayStateNews

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TAXES

Allow families to deduct child care from taxes Turn the current seven tax bracket to a three tax bracket Increase the standard deduction for joint filers to $30,000 Repeal the death tax Lower business tax to 15 percent

GUN CONTROL

Enforce the second amendment right to bear arms Make the right to carry legal in all states

Establish new immigration laws to ensure Americans are working in the job force Build a wall on Mexican border Move illegal immigrants out of the country on the first day of his presidency Triple the number of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials Implement entry-exit visa tracking system Trump addressed immigration in Phoenix, and he said, “Immigration reform should mean something else entirely: it should mean improvements to our laws and policies to make life better for American citizens.”

@MurrayStateNews

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ABORTION

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump supports a ban on abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

IMMIGRATION

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ECONOMIC PLAN

Withdraw United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership to increase American exports He said he will appoint the smartest trade negotiators to fight for American workers Have the Secretary of Commerce point out every violation of trade agreements a foreign country is using to harm American workers Renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement Instruct the Secretary of the Treasury to label China as a currency manipulator Bring trade cases against China to prohibit their unfair subsidy behavior Force China to stop illegal activity, like stealing American trade secrets, by using his presidential power

HEALTH CARE

Repeal the Affordable Care Act Modify the law that so individuals can purchase any health care plan, as long as it complies with the state Deduct health insurance premiums from taxes Create a tax-free Health Savings Accounts to allow individuals to save for future medical problems Make health care prices more available to consumers Give the state governments the power to regulate Medicaid Make it easier for drug providers to enter the free markets

@TheMurrayStateNews

@MurrayStateNews

Page 2

U.S.

Jim Gray

Barren County native, Jim Gray plans to focus on strengthening middle class families and increasing business opportunities in Kentucky. To increase jobs, he wants to build a modern infrastructure and make the state a place for advanced manufacturing. Gray supports strengthening the military, raising the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour and paying equal salaries for equal work. To help college students with college loans, he plans to enact a bill that will offer two years of free community college, the refinancing of student loans, and Pell Grant revisions so the grants keep up with inflation rates. He served as the president and CEO of Gray Construction and is now chairman of the Board. In 2010, Gray was elected mayor of Lexington, which made him the first openly gay mayor of the city.

News Senator

The News

November 3, 2016

Rand Paul

Incumbent Dr. Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist who owned his own practice and performed eye surgery for 18 years, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. Paul advocates for the sanctity of life, the advancement of energy security, budget cuts for programs that he says can be run better at a state or local level, lower taxes, the support of small businesses and the protection of gun rights. To support small businesses, he believes in reducing regulations and making the government “get out of the way.” In the wake of threats to national security Rand said, “I believe that defending this country is the primary and most important constitutional function of our federal government.”

Photo courtesy of Lexington Herald-Leader

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

U.S. House of Representatives District 1 Samuel Gaskins (D)

James Comer (R)

Gaskins has experience as a farmer and in the U.S. Marine Corps and later the U.S. Army, with which he fought in Iraq. He strongly opposes building a wall to shut out immigrants. He said he gained an appreciation for every race and religion while serving in the U.S. Army. If elected, he hopes to fortify the infrastructure in Kentucky’s first district. Some of the infrastructure issues include crumbling roads and bridges and overwhelmed wastewater systems. Other concerns for Gaskins include advocating for equal pay, reforming education by lowering the cost of education and implementing programs that address the needs of veterans.

Comer purchased his first farm at the age of 21 and since has been focused on improving Kentucky’s agriculture. Now he hopes to bring that same zeal to Congress. In 2000, Comer was elected state representative, and in 2011 was elected Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. Comer cares about middle class families, farmers and small business owners. As U.S. representative, he hopes to create new opportunities for farmers, limit government involvement, advocate for investing in national defense and lower the national debt. Comer supports the second amendment, traditional marriage and the pro-life movement.

Kentucky House of Representatives District 5 David Ramey (D) Ramey’s roots in this region started with studying journalism and political science at Murray State. He was the sports editor of The Murray State News and president of the Murray State Young Democrats. He has served on the Murray City Council, Murray Planning Commission and the Purchase Public Service Commission. Based on his education and family values, he wants to ensure a quality education and good jobs for future students. He supports the preservation of lakes and wildlife in western Kentucky.

Kenny Imes (R) Imes is a land developer, farmer, licensed funeral director and the former Deputy Secretary and Commissioner of the Natural Resources Cabinet. He has served six terms as Kentucky state representative in the Fifth District. “I have invested in Kentucky all my life. Now I want to invest for Kentucky and our future,” Imes said on his website. With emphasis on integrity, experience and common sense, he hopes to defend the second amendment and the unborn, keep taxes low and vote against regulations that hurt local businesses.

The News

News

November 3, 2016 News Editor: Abby Siegel Assistant Editor: Alicia Steele Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

POLICE BEAT Oct. 26

6:51 Racer Patrolreported advised Mur3:53a.m. p.m. A caller the ray State Policerubber of an abandoned smell of burnt and haze golf cartair outside the Lowry Center. in the at Hollis C. Franklin Officers were notified an inforResidential College.and Officers, mation report was the Murray Firetaken. Department, 11:42 p.mHeating An officer Central andconducted Cooling aPlant traffic stop 121 Fire North and and the atstate MarColdwater Streets. A citation was shall’s Office were notified. issued the for failure Cause to was andriver overloaded dryer.to wear seatbelt. The passenger 9:45 ap.m. A person was rewas arrested on an outstanding ported as possibly smoking marwarrant was taken Stadium to Calloijuana inand Roy Stewart way County Jail.the LiveSafe app. parking lot via 8:20 a.m.were A caller reported resOfficers notified and ana inidential college flag formation report wasmissing. taken. The

Oct. 27

3:11 a.m. An officer advised of Housing Officeinwas notified. to a information reference 11:22 p.m. A caller reported person entering a room without a motor vehicle accidentResidenwith no permission in Regents injuries at White Residential Coltial College. An information relege. were notified and a port Officers was taken. report was taken. 9:08 a.m. The Murray Police 7:17 p.m. An reported officer conducted Department receiving a traffic stopofatathe Business Building a report natural gas leak on parking lot. Aofcitation wasDining issued the outside Winslow for driving on a suspended license. Hall. Officers, Murray Natural 8:51 A callerFire reported the Gas,p.m. the Murray Departsmell of gas at Hart Residential Colment, Facilities Management lege. Fire Departand Officers, the state Murray Fire Marshall were ment, Central notified. TheHeating gas leakand wasCooling fixed Plant, MurrayNatural Gas and Gas the State by Murray and Fire an Marshall were notified. A report information report was taken.

Oct. 28

1:39 p.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at the corner of 16th was taken. and Main A citation was a 12:01 p.m.Streets. A caller reported issued for failure non-owner sparking outlet in of the 300 block maintainCourts. required insurance oftoCollege Officers, the and failure to Department, notify Department Murray Fire Cenof Transportation of address tral Heating and Cooling Plant change. The vehicle was towed and the State Fire Marshal were by Burls A Towing. notified. report was taken. 7:52p.m. p.m.The A caller a 4:57 Murrayreported Police Debike stolen from Elizabeth Respartment was notified of a mediidential College. were cal emergency at Officers the Volleyball notifiedOfficers and a report was taken Courts. and Murray Amfor theft Services by unlawful taking over bulance were notified. $500. The patient was transported and

Oct. 29

2:52 a.m. A caller reported in reference to a ainformation report was taken. person with an active warrant a 3:46 a.m. Officers conducted at White College. check of a Residential person on North 12th Officers the was Murray Police Street. Theand person arrested and Department notified. The transported to were Calloway County Jail person wasintoxication arrested byin thea Murfor alcohol public ray Police Department place. A report was taken. and an information report was taken. 9:09 p.m. A caller reported a.m.detector A caller activated reported aat a8:02 smoke motor vehicle collision with noto Springer Residential College due in the White Residenainjuries hair dryer. Officers were notified tialno College lot. found. Officers and threatparking of fire was An information report taken. rewere notified and was a collision 4:42 A caller reported a theft portp.m. was taken.

Oct. 30

2:03 p.m. The Murray Police of property from a vehicle from Department reported a medical Alexander Hall. Officers were noemergency at Roy was Stewart Statified and a report taken for dium.ofOfficers, Student Affairs theft under $500 by unlawful and Murray Service taking from a Ambulance vehicle. werep.m. notified. The reported patient was 6:12 A caller the transported to Murray Calloway smell of marijuana at Hart. Officers County Hospital a medical were notified and and an information report reportwas wastaken. taken. 9:10 p.m. A caller reported a possible assault in progress at 2:47 p.m. AChi caller reported an the Sigma house. Officers unauthorized company selling and the Murray Police Departproducts onnotified. campus at Winslow ment were Dining Hall. The caller was re-

Oct. 31

11:43 p.m. Racer Patrol conducted an escort from Carr ferred to Student Affairs. 6:12 p.m. A caller the Health Building to areported residential smell of natural gas at the Old Fine college. Arts Officers, Central 11:43Building. p.m. An officer conducted Heating and Cooling Plant, a traffic stop in the WhiteMurray ResFire department, idential College Murray parkingGas lot. and A the Statewarning Fire Marshall were notiverbal was issued for fied and a report was taken. reckless driving.

Nov. 1

11:43 p.m. An officer conducted Motorists assists –8 a traffic stop–on Racer escorts 1 Chestnut Street. A verbal Arrests – 2 was issued for speeding and failure to have an operator’s Steele, license.Assistant News Editor, Alicia compiles Police Beat with materials Racer assist – provided by Public Safety and EmerMotorist assist – gency Management. Arrests Not all dispatched calls are listed. Alicia Steele, Assistant News

Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management.

Not all dispatched calls are listed.

Love Police Beat? You can check it out every week online, too, on TheNews.org.

Page 3

Mistake leads to wrong man named Homecoming king Abby Siegel || News Editor asiegel@murraystate.edu

The Student Government Association (SGA) wrongly crowned the 2016 Homecoming king before Saturday’s football game because of misread voting results. Clint Combs, graduate student from Benton, Kentucky, and SGA president, said a candidate asked to review the results and that was how the discrepancy was found. He said it’s normal procedure to allow candidates to review results of any SGA-affiliated election. Michael Mann, senior from Springfield, Kentucky, was originally crowned Homecoming king. Monday evening, he was told that there was a mistake in the count, and Austin Spicer, junior from Paducah, Kentucky, was the actual Homecoming king. “It’s a difficult situation on all ends for everyone involved and I feel bad for Austin simply because his experience wasn’t all that it could have been,” Mann said. “It was an honest mistake.” Spicer said being shocked was an understatement when he heard that he was the actual Homecoming king. Voting for Homecoming king and queen takes place on MyGate the

Wednesday and Thursday prior to Homecoming. Combs said SGA receives an email with the results on Friday that includes the number of votes cast for each candidate. He said only one person, typically the Student Government adviser, sees this breakdown prior to crowning so it will be a surprise at the football game who the winners are. “It is a very secretive process to keep it a surprise and exciting for everyone,” Combs said. “Unfortunately, what happened this year was a random, unfortunate accident.”

The results are not listed in order of highest to least votes, and Combs said the person in charge of selecting the winning candidate didn’t realize that Spicer had the highest number of votes. “Both Mr. Spicer and Mr. Mann have been very gracious and real gentlemen about the process,” Combs said. Combs said each year there is typically no review process of the Homecoming elections. However, he said the process of reviewing the results will change so now both the Student Government adviser and the Director

Austin Spicer (33%)

Cole Reichert (15%)

Michael Mann (30%)

Robert Rosa (10%)

Caleb Brannon (12%) Graphic by Austin Gordon/The News

of Student Life and Curris Center will review the results prior to crowning. He said the plans for a new crowning for Spicer are currently in the works. “We want to make sure Mr. Spicer gets recognition for this, this is a big honor to get on campus so we want to make sure he gets the proper recognition,” Combs said. Jeanie Morgan, coordinator for Student Activities and SGA adviser, said SGA took over the Homecoming queen selection in 1970, and the first Homecoming king was crowned in 2001. Before 1970, a committee comprised of administration in athletics was in charge of the Homecoming court selection. To be on Homecoming court, students are nominated by student organizations and then participate in an interview process completed by a committee of faculty and staff that selects five nominees based on appearance, how well they speak and involvement.Students then vote on these nominees. “I was honored to share the court with such deserving candidates, and I am humbled to have been selected as this year’s Homecoming king,” Spicer said. “I cannot wait to represent this community, this university and the people of Murray.”

Preacher returns to free speech zone Abby Siegel || News Editor asiegel@murraystate.edu

Ross Jackson of Revival Mission Ministries paid another visit to Murray State Monday and Tuesday, preaching in the free speech zone on campus while students circled around him. Jackson was at Murray State last October preaching on similar topics. He wore a dress shirt and tie with a body camera strapped to his chest. He held a black Bible that he thumped while speaking, but rarely opened to quote scripture in context. According to Revival Mission Ministries Wordpress website, the ministry is devoted to laboring for biblical revival in the church and in the world and is committed to preaching at college campuses, streets, block parties, festivals, pagan parades and “such the like.” More than 75 students circled around Jackson, some moving into the circle, others asking him questions or debating theology with him inside the free speech zone. The students and Jackson shouted their religious beliefs at each other. Jackson’s wife and three young children were present, sitting silently under the tree next to the Curris Center. Jacob Nasserizafar, sophomore from Newburgh, Indiana, attended his speeches on both days to hear what Jackson had to say. “I came out to listen to him completely for entertainment,” Nasserizafar said. “It has been a lot of fun

Jenny Rohl/The News

Jackson returned to Murray State on Monday and Tuesday, marking his second and third visits to campus. hearing these crazy things that he has been saying.” Nasserizafar said he is not religious and Jackson’s preaching has no impact on his beliefs. “It is quite obvious to me that what he is doing is just to get a reaction out of the crowd,” he said. “He is wearing a GoPro just waiting for someone to come up and attack him.” Two officers from Public Safety and Emergency Management were present during the days Jackson was on campus. Sawyer Rambo, senior from Cunningham, Kentucky, and Derek Stine, senior from Sparta, Illinois, said they are Christians and they attended Jackson’s speech to try to speak truth about the Christian faith to those in attendance.

Stine said he skipped class to see Jackson preach, and he attempted to engage in a conversation with Jackson about Calvinism, but the conversation was “fruitless” because he didn’t seem interested in answering his questions. “The thing that really makes me sad is that the people who are lost and don’t know Christ are going to look at this man and have the same perception they have of him and apply that to Christ himself,” Stine said. Rambo said he also tried to talk to Jackson, but he said Jackson didn’t give much of an answer to his question about the conversion of the biblical character Paul. “You can get really mad and say ‘This guy is not speaking truth,’” Rambo said. “Or you can say ‘This

is an opportunity for people to have conversations about faith and really open up about what they believe and share how you see the Gospel.’” Rambo said he wants those who aren’t Christians to see the way he and other Christians act and notice that there is a difference in the way they act from what Jackson was saying. “He mentioned that people were going to hell if they died in their sin...but what this man is not doing is preaching the cross,” Stine said. “Jesus came to this world fully God and fully man and lived the perfect life that we couldn’t live and in our place by the death we deserved to die, and because of his burial and subsequent resurrection, God is able to justify us through faith and Christ alone.”

Students attend national FFA convention Sydney Anthony Contributing writer santhony2@murraystate.edu

Fourteen students from Murray State’s Hutson School of Agriculture were among the 64,000 students from across the nation to attend the 89th National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention and Expo held in Indianapolis Oct. 19 - 22. FFA is a youth organization committed to promoting career success through agriculture education. Shelby Gore, junior from Eminence, Indiana, said she was a timekeeper for the National Creed Speaking Competition, and she also made sure students didn’t omit or add words to the FFA Creed. This is the fourth year Murray State has helped with the National Creed Speaking Competition at the National Convention and Expo. “Being an agriculture education major and having this opportunity has helped me understand what I need to prepare my students to know for future competitions as I will be an FFA adviser,” Gore said. Mason Larimore, junior from La Grange, Kentucky, said she was also a timekeeper and accuracy checker for two preliminary, semifinal and final rounds of the National Creed Speaking Competition.

Photo courtesy of Murray State Public Relations

Murray State’s FFA chapter attended the national Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. “Being afforded the opportunity to work with FFA members just confirms my chosen career path and helps strengthen my passion for agriculture,” Larimore said. Megan Terry, junior from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, said that she worked with the National FFA at the “We are FFA” booth at the convention each day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. “‘We are FFA’ is a section of FFA

that celebrates diversity in FFA and agriculture,” Terry said. “The students took a poll about bullying, watched an empowering video, wrote about acts of kindness that they could show and described what being an FFA member meant to them.” Terry said that the goal of the booth was to remind students that they are leaders, and through their leadership, they are able to show kindness to their

peers. “It is so awesome to meet so many young people from all different backgrounds and cultures who all share a common interest of agriculture and growing as leaders,” Terry said. “I suggest anyone who ever gets the chance to go to National FFA Convention to go because it will truly reassure your hope in the future of America and agriculture.”

Page 4

November 3, 2016

The News

Opinion

Opinion Editor: Hallie Beard Phone: 270-809-5873

Our View

Connor Jaschen Editor-in-Chief • 270-809-6877 cjaschen@murraystate.edu

Abby Siegel News Editor • 270-809-4468 asiegel@murraystate.edu

Hallie Beard Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 hbeard2@murraystate.edu

Gisselle Hernandez Features Editor • 270-809-5871 ghernandez1@murraystate.edu

Sarah Combs Sports Editor • 270-809-4481 scombs@murraystate.edu

Kelsey Watznauer Chief Copy Editor • 270-809-5876 kwatznauer@murraystate.edu

Austin Gordon

Selena McPherson/The News

Another choice to make The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

Online Editor/Advertising Production • 270-809-5877 agordon4@murraystate.edu

Nahiomy Gallardo Advertising Sales Manager • 270-809-4478 msunewsads@gmail.com

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Stephanie Elder-Anderson Adviser • 270-809-3937 selder@murraystate.edu

The News 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 murraystatenews@icloud.com Fax: 270-809-3175

When Nov. 8 comes around and we find out who the next president of the United States is, citizens will have a choice to make: to further separate themselves from the friends and family who voted differently than they did, or to stop the caustic feuding and mend damaged relationships. It’s a significant choice to make – one that is more directly related to the well-being of each individual than a vote – and one that could either permanently sever or restore friendships ruined by political differences. With friends and family members, this could mean having uncomfortable face-to-face apology sessions or painful rehashings of personal philosophies and motivations. Will our online friendships be remedied in the same way, or could they take even more effort to rebuild? The debate of whether or not to “unfriend” those who have political opinions that differ from ours is not a simple one. Even

The News strives to be the university community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate. The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies. The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University. The first copy is free. Additional copies are available for 25 cents at 111 Wilson Hall.

pretend virtual friendship to someone who has offensive, backward or potentially threatening beliefs. Why should we be required to entertain unproductive relationships when they hinder our own happiness? Why subject ourselves to becoming angry about others’ views if we can delete them from our vision? On the other side, some people see unfriending as a momentous act, one that could cause unnecessary pain to people who simply think differently than they do. To them, having to encounter those problematic viewpoints is frustrating, sure, but it’s not worthy of removing that entire individual’s presence from their browser. Why get angry over conflicting opinions when we could either ignore them or try to genuinely understand that person’s beliefs? Doesn’t encountering opposing viewpoints only lead us to sharpening our own and solidifying our beliefs with logic and argument? Both sides of the equation are valid; some people will com-

pletely agree with one side while not understanding the other, just as it is with politics. While we, The Murray State News Editorial Board, could pick a side and encourage all of you readers to make one decision in particular – delete anyone you find offensive or don’t delete anyone – we aren’t going to do that, just as we aren’t going to tell you who to vote for. This is your decision, and one that is contingent on your character and your values as a human being. If you have let this season influence you to the point of burning bridges, you’re either very decided on your views or you have spent too many hours debating your pixel-clad friends of the internet. We cannot make this choice for you. We can’t even tell you whether or not respecting everyone – or the concept of that practice – is enough to determine your actions on the matter. It’s up to you and your brain, your heart, your gut. Don’t take it lightly.

Between You and Media

TheNews.org The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Submissions should be 600 words or less, and contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the university. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Monday of each week via email to hbeard2@murraystate.edu. Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News.

our Editorial Board was divided when discussing the issue, which hinges on not only political values, but moral and ethical ones. On social media sites like Facebook, the process of removing a friend is all too simple: one click and that person’s views – however unpoliticized they may be for the rest of the year – are gone forever. Out of sight, out of mind, right? This becomes more complex, though, when dealing with online friendships that also extend into our physical lives. Grandma can be deleted from our daily timeliness, but she can’t be deleted from Thanksgiving dinner or the family gift exchange. At some point, we must face the physical profile of the virtual one we clicked away. But for relationships that are purely virtual, is it wrong to remove someone whose views are in direct conflict with ours? Some people see the act as painless and inconsequential. To them, they do not owe their

Do talk to strangers? Rachel Wood || Contributing writer rwood7 @murraystate.edu Don’t tell your mom, but I think it might be a good idea for you to talk to strangers. I remember in the early days of the internet when we were overwhelmed with fears of online predators, we were constantly warned to “only talk to people you know in person” and “never share anything about yourself.” We were bombarded with these warnings for good reason. Now that we’re older, though, I think it’s time we loosen up a little. I know social media started out as a way to share our life stories with friends, but these networks have become so much more than that. It’s a place where anyone can share their voice, and I think it’s time to start listening. You’d be amazed at some of the online communities that are present on the social networks you already use: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. These are great places to discover people that share your interests – but maybe not the exact same opinions. Let me give you an example: my parents, through Twitter, have become friends with

people from roughly twelve different countries. While they all share one common interest – Premier League Football – they each have different cultural, economic and social backgrounds. They can talk about soccer for hours, but these connections also give them the chance to discuss the glaring political situations of the world. Lately, it seems like our Facebook and Twitter feeds have become places to share our own views on the actions of others and judge our friends for their differing opinions. Maybe it’s time for us to stop talking, and listen instead. Listen to the people you don’t normally listen to. Learn what problems occur in their daily lives, and see how our decisions will affect their world. Though it seems like we don’t want to admit it, the United States is not the center of the world. Our generation is more globally connected than any generation before us, so what’s

“

Go out and find someone who is truly different from you...

”

stopping us from learning about other cultures? Is it fear of what we don’t understand or fear that we might be proved wrong? I love being right just as much as anyone else, but maybe “I told you so” isn’t the response we should be begging to say right now. This week, see if you can interact with someone online that has a different background than your own. And I’m not talking about that one kid from your high school that has some weird theories about gluten – that’s too easy. Go out and find someone who is truly different from you, whether in race, sexuality or religious background. The internet should make this an easy thing to do. Don’t simply do it to state why you think their opinions are wrong; listen and try to empathize instead. It’s amazing how easy that can be when you can reread and really take in what someone has to say. So, while we’re making a pretty big decision within the next few days, remember this is a choice that doesn’t just affect you. It affects everyone else, too. In the words of John Green, “There is no them. There are only facets of us.” Don’t forget that we’re all just human beings in the end.

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Hallie Beard Opinion Editor

Dylan Doyle Junior from Marion, KY

John Muenzberg Lecturer of philosophy

Robert Valentine Senior lecturer of advertising

Rachel Wood Junior from Birmingham, AL

The News

Opinion

November 3, 2016

Page 5

Letter to the editor

Some Things Considered

The struggle By Hallie Beard, Opinion Editor

Got opinions?

We want to hear from you!

The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. See details on 4A!

Jeers to ... No blizzards

Cheers to ... Our website!

Halloween was great and all, but it was also incredibly depressing because it was the last day Dairy Queen was open. Now, we have to wait until March again for those heaven-sent, delicious cups of ice cream and goodness. How are we supposed to make it through the winter without DQ blizzards? How do we do it every year?

Did you guys notice? Our beautiful new website – complete with our very own logo – is up and looking fabulous, if we do say so ourselves. It took a lot of hard work and many, many long Editorial Board meetings to come to a consensus, but we think we did a pretty sharp job. Kudos to Austin Gordon for the logo design! Visit TheNews.org and check it out.

CHEERS & JEERS Cheers to ... Slow drivers

Jeers to ... Commenters

You know those times when walking all the way to the crosswalks on 16th Street is just a bit too much effort, so you stop at some other point on the sidewalk and hope the traffic clears up or drivers are nice enough to catch your drift and let you cross anyway? You know when the drivers are slow and nice enough to actually let you go? Yeah, we love that.

Sigh. It happens every year – one of our Opinion columns randomly attracts a very passionate crowd of readers with torches and pitchforks. Why so angry, readers? Remember, please, this section is called Opinion for a reason. We’re not trying to indoctrinate you with our dangerous agenda, only make you aware of it. We’re mean like that.

Cheers & Jeers is written by The Murray State News’ Opinion Editor. Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to hbeard2@murraystate.edu Rational Animal

The power of liberal arts John Muenzberg || Contributing writer jmuenzberg@murraystate.edu A recent article in the Washington Post by Eli Saslow details the transformation of a man from white supremacist to an advocate for multiculturalism. While one could describe this story as the power of the liberal arts to transform individuals, that would be too simplistic. The details of his transformation can teach us about the difficulty of changing our beliefs, especially if that means rejecting what your family and friends believe. The article is about Derek Black. His parents are central to the modern white supremacist movement. Black spoke at rallies and radio shows and was being groomed as a spokesperson and future leader. After Black enrolled in New College of Florida to study Medieval European history, he encountered new ways of thinking, new viewpoints and a new circle of unlikely friends. These encounters slowly changed Black’s thinking until he publicly repudiated the white supremacy of his family. Black did not reject white supremacy because of a diversity seminar, a novel he read nor even a very special professor. At first, he rejected many of the things that he was taught at school. Only over time did he realize that many of the things his family talked about were false. Only after mul-

tiple classes did he learn information that he was unaware of. It took a semester studying abroad to encounter ways of living that truly challenged his own. But this was still not enough. Black had begun to question individual things that he was taught, but he still thought of himself as an advocate for white people. He still believed that immigration would lead to “white genocide.” Black’s prior work in the white supremacist movement became known on campus, and he encountered resistance from other students. But a few students decided that rather than ostracizing Black, they would approach him with an offer of friendship. He accepted, and over the course of weeks and months they got to know each other and began to discuss his views. There was no single epiphany. No pithy comment or biting insult changed his mind. His change of attitude came after repeated discussions with a group of people over the course of several months. Their friendship engendered trust between them, but that alone did not change his mind. It was the fact that they actually discussed their attitudes towards race and culture, even though they disagreed. One factor that kept Black from renouncing white supremacy was that he would be renouncing what his family believed. Saslow documents

how Black was reluctant to admit his change of attitude to himself because he was reluctant to contradict his father. Ultimately, he released a statement to the Southern Poverty Law Center and the press rather than confront his father directly. This article has several lessons for professors and students concerning personal development and intellectual honesty. First: a change of mind is not usually from a single encounter or a rousing speech. It happens over time and after repeated exposure to ideas. Second: insults, threats or even ostracism do not generally change people’s minds. As an individual, it might be necessary to remove someone from your life for your own well-being. Widespread ideas and social movements cannot be changed this way. Communities need to band together, encounter people and change their ideas through effort. Lastly: history and family ties are not easy to overcome. Even when we recognize new ideas, it can be hard to accept them if they are counter to ideas we were raised with. This also applies to parental ideas of success. It can be hard to fully realize your interests or life choices if your parents reject them. For Black, this required fully rejecting the family business. For most of us, this disagreement will be less dramatic.

As graduation approaches for me and many of my friends, I’m noticing more and more when people make that dreadful statement: “just wait until you graduate/get a real job/support yourself. Then you’ll understand what stress/anxiety/tiredness really is.” I love telling people who complain about being stressed to get over it, mainly because I’m the biggest complainer I know and need to be told that often. And though I’ve looked back on my struggles from freshman, sophomore or junior year and laughed, too, I can’t help but be a little annoyed when people minimize a college student’s stress. Once you’re out of something, it’s hard to regain the understanding or remember the feelings you had while you were in it. When high school students complain, I have to remind myself how much griping I did, too, over things that now seem very insignificant or easy to manage. But what we have to remember before laughing at or condescending younger friends, family members or colleagues is that, if they are in a specific stage of life like high school, college or even being unmarried or unemployed, that is their reality. They cannot minimize their issues because those issues are the only ones they know. Sure, I don’t know how hard it is to raise children or have a mortgage, but that’s just it – I literally do not know what those experiences are like because I haven’t reached them yet. So if I complain about homework, it’s not because I think that is more challenging than having a “real” job. It’s only because I haven’t encountered anything more challenging yet. The idea that college students are silly or immature for complaining about our workloads also bothers me because our schedules are often legitimately intense. For example, my Monday consists of five hours of class time, two hours of work at one of my jobs, and anywhere from two to five hours of reading, writing and other homework to complete once I get home. That means when I wake up Monday morning (usually not well-rested from staying up late doing work the night before), I know I won’t be done with my scheduled work until 8 p.m. and my homework until around midnight on an average night. Then, I get another night of non-restful sleep followed by a usually eight to twelvehour day in the newsroom (which is nothing compared to how long our Editor-in-Chief is here) with class sandwiched in there, too. Oh, yeah – and I have to schedule some time to eat food, because that’s a thing humans should definitely do throughout the day. Even though my schedule seems dreadful to me, I know there are students who have it even worse. More classes, more jobs, less support, less time. On the other hand, I know students who don’t have nearly as many academic or extracurricular commitments – but I tell myself every day not to envy them or assume their lives are easier than mine. Maybe John Doe has fewer classes than I do or doesn’t work during the week, but maybe he’s struggling with mental or physical problems I know nothing about, or maybe he views one of my easiest tasks as one of his most difficult. In this at-times horrible buffet line of college, everyone has a plate that is full. The foods will vary from plate to plate, and some foods might seem to not have any substance, but each student will no doubt eat what they can and have plenty leftover to deal with. As we prepare for the last stretch of the semester, let’s remember that all of us, no matter where we are in our careers, have valid reasons to be stressed. Instead of looking down on someone who has it easier than you, from your perspective, do them a favor and share your wisdom if you know their situation so well. Be a friend, and always aim to enlighten, not condemn. hbeard2@murraystate.edu

Comic It’s almost here by Selena Mcpherson

Page 6

November 3, 2016

The News

Sports

Sports Editor: Sarah Combs Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews

Win for Homecoming weekend Football program tops ranked team for second consecutive week

Collin Morris

Contributing writer cmorris29@murraystate.edu

Murray State upheld its tradition of earning a victory on Homecoming weekend with a 38-31 upset against No. 25 Tennessee State Saturday. The Homecoming festivities began at Roy Stewart Stadium with Tent City, which continued into the pregame ceremonies. Before kickoff, Racer fans were introduced to the Homecoming court, as well as the winner of the best Homecoming Parade float. At halftime, the 1986 OVC Championship football team, along with their head coach and Murray State Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, was recognized in accordance to

the Homecoming theme of “Decades: Building Memories.” Tennessee State converted a 31-yard field goal to open the game, but Murray State responded with a score of its own. Redshirt senior quarterback KD Humphries threw a 25-yard touchdown to freshman receiver Tyre Gray to give the Racers a 7-3 lead. Following the touchdown, the Racers’ defense forced a turnover on downs against the Tigers and set themselves up for another drive lasting 1:08, this time ending in a 52yard touchdown pass from Humphries to redshirt junior running back Demetric Johnson. After a brief sequence of plays and an official’s ruling

giving the Tigers a field goal attempt with one-second remaining, the Racers went into halftime trailing 20-17. Murray State and Tennessee State then went back and forth with each team getting multiple stops, leading the teams to a score of 31-23, Racers up with 9:09 remaining in the game. The Racers re-

ceived a punt and ended their drive only 13 seconds later. Humphries, shrouded by man coverage, found a neglected Jordon Gandy, junior receiver, at the end of a 75-yard heave downfield with no defender in sight. Tennessee State went on to score

Who’s Next?

once more and succeeded in a two-point conversion attempt but ultimately lost the game after a missed field goal and final clock-depleting drive by the Racers. Humphries led both teams in total yardage, as well as touchdowns with a 398-yard, five-touchdown performance. Jesse Blackburn, senior receiver, led all players in total receiving yards with 132. Johnson followed closely behind with 91 receiving yards and two touchdowns. On defense, junior linebacker Marico Paige and senior defensive lineman Zuri Elrington split a pair of quarterback sacks, while Nigel Walton, freshman defensive back, and Zach Shipley, redshirt junior defensive back,

DETAILS:

each had an interception. Toby Omli, senior defensive back, also led all defensive players with 11 total tackles. Humphries said it was humbling to have won in his senior Homecoming game in front of Frank Beamer and the 1986 OVC Championship team. “Just having those guys’ support and going out there and playing for those guys who have put in their blood, sweat and tears is a big win for us,” Humphries said. “We kept the tradition going; one thing at Murray State is you don’t lose on Homecoming.” The Murray State football team will look to continue its streak at noon Nov. 5 in Richmond, Kentucky, as it takes on Eastern Kentucky.

TIME: Noon DATE: Saturday PLACE: Eastern Kentucky

Chalice Keith/The News

Former Head Coach makes Homecoming appearance Quinnen Taylor

Contributing writer qtaylor1@murraystate.edu

Murray State Homecoming greeted and reunited the 1986 football team and featured a guest appearance from a historic head coach, Frank Beamer. Beamer was born and raised in the small town of Mount Airy, North Carolina, and played the cornerback position at Virginia Tech from 1966 to 1969. He took his first coaching job at the University of Maryland in 1972 as a graduate assistant and soon after became the head coach for Murray State in 1981. Before taking the job, Beamer recalls the uncertainty he had in becoming head coach and the adventures he and his wife had when they came for a visit. “I never thought I’d be taking this job,” Beamer said. “Sure enough, I took the job and now she’s driving in with me. It was late at night and we come in on these two-lane roads down here around the lakes and she said something like, ‘Where in the heck are we going?’ So I tell people, when I brought her here, she was screaming and hollering, ‘where are we going?’ Then she made so many great friends and we had such a great life here.” While at Murray State,

Beamer had the chance to coach quarterback Michael Proctor and the 1986 Racer football team to a 7-4-1 record and an OVC Championship. The Racers finished regular season play with a six-game winning streak and a ranking of No. 18 in the nation before falling in the first round. Proctor, who returned to Murray for the Homecoming festivities, said Beamer’s character and his respect for the players set him apart from the other coaches. “Beamer was awesome and that’s one of the reasons I definitely wanted to make it back this year,” Proctor said. “He was a player’s coach. He was someone that if he said something, he meant it. He was well-respected. You look at that and you know your coach has your best at heart and you’re willing to play for them.” His stint with the Racers ended in 1986, when he received the head coaching job at Virginia Tech. As Virginia Tech’s head coach, Beamer had the opportunity to instruct a standout quarterback in Michael Vick, who went on to play in the NFL. In 1999, Virginia Tech, led by Vick, finished with an undefeated regular season record at 7-0 and an overall record of 11-1. Their only defeat came at

the hands of Florida State in the Sugar Bowl, in which they lost their opportunity to play in the national championship game. Beamer, however, followed up the 1999 season with an 11-1 overall record in 2000 and four more 11-win seasons. He continued on as the head coach of the Hokies until 2015. After his stint as head coach, Beamer accepted a position as Virginia Tech’s special assistant to the athletic director. Beamer concluded his head coaching career with a 65 percent win percentage and an overall record of 280-144-4. With his return to Murray, he reflected on his favorite memories of Racer football. “That horse running around the track and the time we beat Western (Kentucky),” Beamer said. “It was one of those that was a tossup game and everything went our way and then playing for the OVC Championship and winning – that was special.” For Beamer, the city of Murray isn’t just another place he coached, but it is a place he can call home. “Some of my best days ever have been right here in Murray, Kentucky,” Beamer said. “I always thought if you found the right place, you don’t leave it and that’s the way I thought about Murray.”

The legend returns Jenny Rohl/The News

Former Head Coach Frank Beamer talks to President Bob Davies.

Just what the Proctor ordered Bryan Edwards

Contributing writer bedwards16@murraystate.edu

Jenny RohlThe News

Michael Proctor embraces former teammate during Homecoming festivities.

Murray State had many familiar faces return to campus for Homecoming last weekend. Among that crowd was the 1986 OVC Championship football team. One face in particular that returned was four-year quarterback and Murray State legend Michael Proctor. Proctor was born and raised in Sylvester, Georgia. He played three sports throughout his childhood; football, basketball and baseball. Proctor stuck with football because of how exciting the sport was. “I thoroughly enjoyed baseball and football,” Proctor said. “There were bigger crowds at football games, and I always loved the straight competition

football brought.” Out of high school, Proctor committed to Murray State. Proctor said that one of the main reasons he decided to come to play for the Racers was because Head Coach, Frank Beamer. “Frank came to my house and met my parents, and was a good, open and honest guy,” Proctor said. “I was small, and he came and gave me an opportunity to play big-time college football.” Beamer said that he was a fan when he first saw Proctor. “Some guys from South Georgia called me and told me that I needed to take a look at him,” Beamer said. “I saw him on video and thought he was pretty good, and when I got him here to work and saw how good he was, I thought that I had a bigtime quarterback.” Proctor joined the program and made an impact in the Mur-

ray State record books, passing for a Murray State record 8,632 yards in his career. Proctor is the current OVC total yardage record holder with 9,886 yards. Proctor had All-OVC honors in 1988 and 1989 and was also chosen as the OVC Player of the Year in 1989. Proctor holds eight offensive records at Murray State and adds three OVC offensive records. During his stay at Murray State, Proctor was given the nickname, “The General,” and he said that his love of competition and his desire for success led to him receiving the nickname. “I tried to be demanding and I tried to lead by example,” Proctor said. “If things were going well, it was great, but if things weren’t going that well, I wasn’t afraid to step up and speak out and help get people

to move in the direction that we needed to be.” Proctor played under two different coaches as a Racer. He played under Frank Beamer for one year, and Mike Mahoney for three after Beamer left to take a coaching job at Virginia Tech. After Murray State, Proctor went on to play in the World League of American Football during the inaugural season in 1991. He spent a season in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992, and then participated in the Canadian and Arena Football leagues throughout the remainder of his career. Proctor was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2000, and had his number 11 jersey retired, which makes him one of two people in Murray State history to have achieved that honor.

The News

Sports

November 3, 2016

Page 7

Racers win share of OVC Championship, to host tournament Blake Sandlin Contributing writer bsandlin1@murraystate.edu

Despite a 0-0 draw against Austin Peay State last Thursday, the Murray State women’s soccer team claimed a share of the OVC regular season title with Eastern Kentucky but will still host the OVC Tournament after beating the Colonels earlier this season. The match took place in Clarksville, Tennessee, and was the last regular season game for both teams. The Racers have remained undefeated in the OVC this year, finishing with a conference record of 7-0-3. Two overtimes weren’t enough to decide the winner of this match, though both teams had their chances. The Racers had ten shots with four shots on goal while the Governors of Austin Peay had 11 shots with five shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald had five saves on the night. Lindsey Todd, junior goalkeeper from Austin Peay, had four saves. Junior forward Harriet Withers is currently leading

the OVC with the most shots per game, had six shots with two on goal. Austin Peay’s Kirstin Robertson had three shots for the Governors with one on goal. In a match that came down to the final buzzer, Head Coach Jeremy Groves said he had pride in his team’s ability to battle with their regular season title at stake. “This was an extremely hard-fought match,” Groves said. “I’m so proud of the girls and how hard they fought to get this one tonight. We’re very happy to win the OVC Title and we’re looking forward to hosting the OVC Tournament at Murray State next week.” Because Thursday’s match ended in a draw, Murray State will receive a bye as well as home-field advantage when it plays its semifinal match in the OVC Championship. The Racers will begin their postseason campaign at 2 p.m. Friday at Cutchin Field, where they play Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the semifinal match. Tennessee Tech takes on Eastern Kentucky in the other semifinal at 11 a.m. Friday at Cutchin Field.

Kelli O’Toole/The News

Senior Ali Critcher advances the ball during Murray State’s 3-0 win against Eastern Kentucky Oct. 9.

Rifle hits the mark against UT Martin Bryan Edwards Contributing writer bedwards16@murraystate.edu

The No. 2 Murray State rifle team competed in its third tri-match of the year last weekend as it hosted both of UT Martin’s mixed and women’s teams. The Racers came out on top, finishing with an aggregated score of 4,718, shooting 2,353 in smallbore and 2,365 in air rifle. UT Martin’s mixed team followed the Racers, shooting an aggregated score of 3,427 while its women’s team rounded out the scores with an aggregated score of 3,412. Although the Racers got the win today, the big storyline from the match was the record-breaking performance by the team. Their aggregated

score of 4,718 in smallbore beat out West Virginia University’s previous NCAA record 4,717. Head Coach Alan Lollar was glad to see the team rewarded for their efforts. “I am really proud of the hard work that this team has put in so far,” Lollar said. “I think the record validates their effort and our process. It’s nice, but now it’s time to go back to work.” Leading all shooters was Ivan Roe, junior from Manhattan, Montana, who ended the match with a score 1,186. He shot his career high 592 in smallbore and closed out his shooting on the day with a 594 in air rifle. After Roe, the Racers had four other shooters finish within the top five individually, helping to push the

Racers towards a win. Bobby Broadstreet, junior from Ozark, Missouri, finished with scores of 590 in air rifle as well as smallbore, to help his team prevail against the Skyhawks. Lollar was pleased with his team’s performance in this conference matchup, but believes it’s just the beginning. “This was a good match to start a big three week road swing for us,” Lollar said. “We approach the season in sections. This is the beginning of the second part of our season. It was a good start, but it’s only the start. The journey has just started.” The Racers will continue their journey when they face off against Morehead State at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Button Rifle Range in Morehead, Kentucky.

Men’s golf wraps up fall season Collin Morris

yard course, was the tournament’s venue as Samford University played host. The Racers fell within only four strokes of 4th place finisher, Tennessee Tech University. Matt Zakutney, senior from Paducah, Kentucky, again led the Racers. Finishing in 15th place on Monday, Zakutney played from behind on Tuesday, posting a 7th place individual finish on scores of 74-78-71—223. Avery Edwards, freshman from Paducah, Kentucky, finished in 8th place on both days with

Contributing writer cmorris29@murraystate.edu

The Murray State men’s golf team placed fifth in the Samford Collegiate tournament after two days of play on Monday and Tuesday, completing its fall season. As a team, the Racers shot 44-over-par throughout the course of the tournament with scores of 304-305299—908. Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, a 7,206

scores 75-74-75--224. The tournament marks the sixth and final fall tournament for the Racers, closing out their schedule with three top-five finishes. Throughout the fall season, Murray State saw five different golfers finish top three for the team. The Racers will return to play in the spring, with their first tournament taking place on Feb. 25-27 in Goodyear, Arizona, as they compete in the Loyola Intercollegiate hosted by Loyola University Maryland.

Women finish sixth, men take eighth in OVC Staff Report The 2016 OVC Championship meet was Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, at Percy Warner Park, where both Murray State men and women cross-country teams competed. The Murray State women finished sixth in the conference while the men finished eighth. Vallery Korir, junior from Iten, Kenya, was awarded AllOVC First Team. Korir placed third with a time of 17:18 during the women’s 6K race.

Mark Ventura, junior from Slade, Kentucky, had a best time of 25:44 in the 8K race putting him in 15th place. Ventura is the first Racer to be in the top 15 since 2002. Following Ventura’s footsteps was Gavin Galanes, junior from St. Charles, Missouri, with a time of 26:29 in the 8K race. No OVC awards were given to any of the competitors on the men’s team for Murray State. Meagan Smith, junior from Danville, Kentucky, was one second off from making a per-

sonal record with a time of 18:08, putting her in 23rd place. Two women did manage to make a personal record at the championship. Rebeka Priddy, sophomore from Austin, Texas, had a PR of 18:11, putting her in 25th place. Ida Mutai, sophomore from Nairobi, Kenya, had a PR of 18:35, putting her in 40th place. The NCAA Regionals, that both Murray State cross-country teams will compete in, are on Nov. 11 in Earlysville, Virginia.

Kelli O’Toole/The News

Members of the 1986 OVC Championship team celebrate the Homecoming Parade as it goes down Main Street Saturday.

FANTASY FOOTBALL Nov. 4 Nov. 6 Nov. 8

Week Eight LEADERS

RB David Johnson - 149 pts WR Julio Jones - 105 pts

TE Greg Olsen - 74 pts

Kicker Adam Vinatieri - 90 pts

Next three

GRIZZLIES

WARRIORS

7 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Clippers Trail Blazers Nuggets

Nov. 3 Nov. 5 Nov. 7

Nov. 3 Nov. 4 Nov. 7

9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.

Thunder @ Lakers Pelicans

CAVS

PACERS

QB Matt Ryan - 175 pts Defense Vikings - 92 pts

NBA

7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m.

@ Bucks Bulls @Hornets

Nov. 3 Nov. 5 Nov. 8

7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m.

Celtics @ 76ers Hawks

HOCKEY PREDATORS Nov. 3 Nov. 5 Nov. 8

9 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

@ Coyotes Hurricanes Senators

BLUES Nov. 3 Nov. 5 Nov. 6

7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m.

Avalanche @ Stars

Stars

@ Stars Blue Jackets Avalanche

RED WINGS

BLACKHAWKS Nov. 3 Nov. 5 Nov. 6

7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m.

Nov. 4 Nov. 6 Nov. 8

6:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m.

Jets Oilers @ Flyers

The News

Sports

Page 8

November 3, 2016

Volleyball prepares for home stretch Bryan Edwards Contributing writer bedwards16@murraystate.edu

The Murray State women’s volleyball team traveled to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on Friday to match up against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks and then Martin, Tennessee, on Saturday to square up with the Skyhawks of UT Martin. The Belmont Bruins ended the Racers’ streak of 13 consecutive sets won in their last match, but Murray State started a new streak, defeating the Redhawks in straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-23). Murray State opened the match with three straight points and jumped to 16-11. After the Redhawks rallied to get the score to 22-21, the Racers finished the set on a 3-1 run, ending the game 25-22. The second set had backand-forth action throughout, but the Racers squeezed through to get a 20-14 lead. The Redhawks rallied fivestraight points, and after a Murray State timeout, the Racers took the set 25-21. The first part of the third set was closely led by the Redhawks, who managed to squeak out a three-point lead at 19-16. Murray State sparked a 9-4 run, capturing the set 25-23 and the match in

a straight sweep. Murray State was led by Kristen Besselsen, senior and commander of the right side. Besselsen recorded a double-double with a team high of 16 kills and also recorded 11 digs in the contest. Senior outside hitter Scottie Ingram posted a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs. Senior libero Ellie Lorenz led the way with 19 digs and senior setter Hannah Stultz recorded a team high of 40 assists. H e a d Coach David Schwepker thought Ingram and Besselsen played very well in this matchup. “They’re both just amazing players and we’re so fortunate,” Schwepker said. “It’s huge for our program and I’m happy to have them on the team at the same time.” After their victory on Friday, the Racers traveled to UT Martin. The Racers won their second straight match in straight sets with another 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-19, 25-15). Murray State and UT Martin played point for point during the first half of the match, but with the score at 13-11 in favor of the Skyhawks, the Racers sparked an 8-1 and take the lead at 19-14. Murray State kept the lead and take set one 25-20.

UT Martin started the second set with a 13-11 lead, but the Racers held the Skyhawks to only eight points for the rest of the set, taking set two 25-19. Murray State opened the third set with a 13-1 run, scoring the first nine point. Murray State held the lead and won the third set 25-15 to take the match in straight sets. Seniors Scottie Ingram and Kristen Besselsen led the team with 26 of the team’s 48 kills, while senior libero Ellie Lorenz racked up 22 digs and senior setter Hannah Stultz served up 32 assists in the winning effort. Schwepker said he was very pleased with the weekend performance from his team. “I was happy with our mental preparation throughout the week,” Schwepker said. “I like to go in and see my team battle, and that was exactly what they did this weekend.” Murray State faces Eastern Kentucky at 2 p.m. Saturday in Racer Arena for its first of three-straight home games to end the regular season. The Racers take on Eastern Illinois Nov. 11 and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Nov. 12 before the conference tournament begins Nov. 17.

Chalice Keith/The News

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November 3, 2016

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The News

Features Editor: Gisselle Hernandez Assistant Features Editor: Brianna Willis Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

Features

Stepping with purpose

‘You can do anything’ Clark crowned Black & Gold queen

Brianna Willis

Assistant Features Editor bwillis2@murraystate.edu

The lights were off, the music was loud and the thrills were high on Saturday night in Lovett Auditorium. With themes like “The Purge” and “Life” the movie, the National Panhellenic Council’s Step Show brought the laughs and the horror. For Percy Sani, sophomore from Nigeria, she said what stood out most to her was the informative nature of some of the performances as well as the fun atmosphere. “I wasn’t expecting to learn something,” she said. “But I really liked that. I like being able to learn something from anything I do, even if I went to just have a good time.” Sani specifically said the “Black Lives Matter”–themed performance from Zeta Phi Beta Inc. moved her. She said it was a current issue, something that was informative and powerful. However, it was the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. who walked away with a win in the sorority division that night. “I started screaming as soon as they announced who won second place,” Jocelyn Rhimes, president of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., said. Since Zeta Phi Beta Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Inc. were the only two sororities who participated in the step show, as soon as the runner up was announced, performers such For the fraas Rhimes knew instantly they ternity side, the had won. This came as a relief to men of Alpha Phi Rhimes as well as Tiara Bell, seAlpha brought home nior from Louisville, Kentucky, the first place trophy. who both said they were anxTheir “Life” themed perious before their performance. formance brought about Because of technical difficulties, laughter and cheers. Simithe Deltas had a minor delay larly, throughout the show in their performance that was there were moments of hilarity, “The Purge” theme. with audience members laugh “We went right after intering and engaging with the comission, and the DJ and the median host Dukk. Balancing this Host got intermission really were moments of seriousness like live, so we were really anxthe ladies of Zeta Phi Beta wearing ious especially when the shirts in honor of black men killed technical difficulties by police officers this year. kicked in,” Rhimes said. Sani said it is because of this bal This did not deter ance between community and felthem from bringing lowship, as well as moments of their best energy they thought and information that she said. All the practice would like to come back to Step and getting things set Show next year. She said she enup worked out in courages others to bring a friend and their favor as they an open mind. secured a win.

Bella Utley Contributing writer

iutley@murraystate.edu

Ebony Clark was named the 2016 Miss Black and Gold queen, held by the Zeta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on Oct. 28. The theme of the night was the “essence of a queen,” and the pageant’s proceeds will go to its philanthropy organization, March of Dimes. There were eight contestants in the pageant from different areas and majors. The women were judged in six categories, including introduction, swimwear, creative/performing arts, formal wear, interviews and scholarships. Awards included Spirit of Alpha, Miss Congeniality, Quarles Elliot, Most Talented, Second Runner Up, First Runner Up and Miss Black and Gold Queen 2016. Clark, sophomore from Brownsville, Tennessee, said this was her first pageant and she never imagined she would win. She said she wasn’t nervous about the experience and she is most excited to participate in the next level of competition. “I just want to encourage women everywhere and anywhere that if you feel you want to do something, you can do anything you set your

mind to,” Clark said. Tara Hawthorne, cohost of the event, said the women have been working all semester in preparation. “This has happened the Friday before Homecoming for so many years,” Hawthorne said. “It is a Homecoming tradition.” She said every chapter of the national fraternity holds a Miss Black and Gold Pageant, and the winners from each chapter go on to compete regionally and nationally. Hawthorne said there is an application process that the women go through, as well as a review on their grades. “The winner is in charge of different programs on campus that empower women,” Hawthorne said. “She is now a representative of Alpha Phi Alpha.” Brooke Parsons, 2015 Miss Black and Gold queen, said she grew more confident as a woman and felt as if she helped empower other women during her time as Miss Black and Gold. “This was my first pageant. I was so nervous and shy,” Parsons, senior from St. Louis, said. “I had a lot of people encouraging me to do it so I just went ahead.” She said she recommends this pageant to any young woman because it is about more than the title or money. “My favorite part has been working with the new girls,” Parsons said. “Last year I was them, but this time I was able to teach and push them just like I had to get pushed.”

Jenny Rohl/The News

Gisselle Hernandez Features Editor

ghernandez1@murraystate.edu

Jenny Rohl/The News

Men in fishnets, women stripped down to their underwear and a lot of makeup are key ingredients for the annual Rocky Horror Picture Show that was held on Monday at the Curris Center Ballroom. Based on the 1975 comedic musical by Jim Sharman where a newly-engaged couple stumble upon a mad scientist’s mansion, The Rocky Horror Picture Show movie was blown up on the big screen on Halloween night as student actors from the Sock and Buskin theatre organization shadowed the show onstage. The audience, full-clad in Halloween costumes, yelled and threw things at the cast like toilet paper, rice and vulgarities – an endearing custom that happens at every Rocky Horror show. Ania Diallo, freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, and Chelsea

Costello, freshman from Elton, Kentucky, were “Rocky virgins” – a term for those who had never seen the show before. Their labels were marked on their foreheads: a giant “V” in lipstick. Both said the show was not what they were expecting it to be. “I knew it was inappropriate because I had heard of it and I’ve seen pictures but never seen the movie,” Diallo said. “I don’t know if it was the commentary of the guy in the back, but I mean we could’ve done without it because I never really got to understand the actual movie because people kept talking.” Costello said she plans for dressing up for the next one, and both students said they will come back for the duration they are at Murray State. They said they liked the cast, especially “Rocky,” who was played by Zachary Ryne. Collin Mayes, senior from Henderson, Kentucky, who played the lead, Dr. Frank-NFurter, said even though he was stage manager for the show before, this was his first time actually performing in the show. “I don’t know why [I decided to perform],” he said. “It seemed like fun to grind on people.” He said the first time he saw

it was about five years ago in his hometown and he didn’t know how to initially react. “It was more the audience interaction that I didn’t know how to deal with it during the show because I knew the movie already so I was kind of like ‘Oh, they’re screaming, what is happening, I hope they never do that to me,’ and now here I am,” Mayes said. There were almost 600 people in attendance, most of them well-versed in the Rocky culture, hollering, dancing and screaming at the screen. Laughter followed the cast members whenever they filtered through the audience, one even pulling certain people out of the crowd to dance with them. Mayes said he isn’t sure if he will perform again next year since rehearsals last about a month, acting out a different scene each night. “The hardest thing was trying to line it up with the movie, since actually learning the lines weren’t too bad,” he said. Many audience members cheered for the more sexual parts of the movie, but Mayes said his favorite part was the big reveal for his character. “I get to rip off my cloak and let everybody know who I am what I’m all about,” he said.

Photos by Jenny Rohl/The News

Rhyne (blond) and Mayes performing the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Page 10

Quidditch & Spiders add to magical month-long series Gisselle Hernandez Features Editor

ghernandez1@murraystate.edu

Gravity did not deter students from targeting the Golden Snitch on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Quidditch match held by the Honors College at Oakhurst Lawn. The Quidditch match preceded a lecture on spiders from assistant professor Laura Sullivan Beckers at Wrather West Kentucky Museum, called “I solemnly swear spiders are up to good.” These events were part of the Harry Potter series hosted by University Libraries from Oct. 10 to Nov. 4.

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Features

November 3, 2016

Quidditch Paige Andrew, senior from Murray, organized the Quidditch match at Oakhurst, saying the University Libraries asked the Honors College to host it after they did a match last semester. Although multiple teams registered online for the match beforehand, only a few Murray State students and some middle schoolers participated in the actual match the day of. Andrew said this was probably because of tight schedules around Homecoming and how busy this time of the semester gets. In preparation for the match, they studied the official rules and

regulations of Quidditch from a website, and Andrew’s friend built the hooped goal posts from wood and hula hoops. Teams were split into two – Gryffindor and Hufflepuff – and the “Snitch” was one of the participants with a tennis ball inside a sock hanging from their waistband. The players had an audience (parents of the middle school kids) as they sprinted across the lawn, dodging Quaffle balls and trying to snatch the Snitch. After the game was over, President Bob Davies, who was cheering the players on, invited everyone in

to his home for cookies. Andrew said she was glad the University Libraries reached out to the Honors College to host the event. “We also got to partner with some of the organizations on campus, so it was nice because our student council doesn’t always do things as much with other groups,” she said. “So, it was nice to have a diverse game.” The Honors College hopes to host a Quidditch game again in the future and perhaps do one specifically for middle schoolers or high schoolers.

Spiders After the Quidditch game, the University Libraries held a lecture on spider communication and reproduction at Wrather West Kentucky Museum. Beckers, who students have dubbed as the “spider queen,” presented the data she had gathered from her research with spiders while actual spiders were placed in small plastic containers on the table in the lobby. Beckers said her interest in spiders first began with foreign languages, a far cry from even the field of spiders. “Then I decided to go into biology and the reason why was I was fascinated by how birds learned their songs,” she said. “Once I got into bird language, I found it was easier to do research for small invertebrate animals so I did my Ph.D. with insects and studied their communication, and while I was doing that, I learned spiders are really smart and that’s how I got into spiders.” At the end of the lecture, Beckers invited the attendees to admire what she called the creepy crawlers, saying bees and wasps are actually more dangerous to humans than spiders. Beckers’ student Bryson Dahlberg, senior from Las Vegas, said he thinks the tarantulas are cute because they’re fluffy. Dahlberg, who has been studying spiders for about two semesters now, said he was afraid of them before but not anymore.

Beckers (left) lecturing on reproduction of spiders. Dahlberg (right) showing attendees the spiders.