wednesday
October 10, 2012
Vol. 95 • No. 15
www.therambler.org
The Rambler The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917
Lady Rams take more than just athletics from Wesleyan.
Wesleyan theatre students’ dreams become a reality.
Sports 8
Arts & Entertainment, page 6
Wesleyan athletics join the SAC Emma Fradette ekfradette@txwes.edu
The Texas Wesleyan athletic program has announced a big move in which Wesleyan will now be a part of the Sooner Athletic Conference starting the 2013-2014 academic year. Steve Trachier, head athletic director, said the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees approved the move on Sept. 4. Wesleyan has been a part of the Red River Athletic Conferece for 10 years, but the SAC will bring different benefits for student -athletes. “There will be shorter distances for competition, which will mean less time lost for student-athletes and fewer overnight trips,” Trachier said. “Also, we will have a visible presence in Oklahoma’s largest city.” Trachier said the greater presence in Oklahoma City will bring recruiting benefits. “We are hoping to draw student athletes from that area,” Trachier said. Kevin Millikan, assistant athletic director and head women’s golf coach, said the geographic location of the Sooner Conference schools is a big reason why Wesleyan moved conferences.
Mentorship supports new students Joshua Dunk
jkdunk@txwes.edu
Meisa Kelvani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Texas Wesleyan men’s basketball played Louisiana State University-Shreveport in the Red River Athletic Conference tournament at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. SAGU willl also move to the Sooner Conference with Wesleyan.
“Geographically, Sooner Conference teams are closer than most of those in the Red River,” Millikan said. “Student athletes had to miss a lot of class.” Wesleyan is not the only school moving from the
RRAC to the SAC. Northwood University and Southwestern Assemblies of God University are also making the transition to the more competitive conference. According to www.soon-
erathletic.org, the SAC is one of the top conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and was founded in 1978. The SAC has 10 teams in the conference, and Wesleyan athletics welcomed
the invitation to join. Millikan said the Sooner Conference is a great league with great teams. “Almost every Sooner Conference participant has
athletics, page 3
Walking through the halls of Texas Wesleyan can be a bit intimidating even for seniors, but especially for first-time freshmen. Through the mentorship program, students are offered a chance to work with other students, faculty and staff by giving them support and guidance. Ashley Newkirk, coordinator of New Students Programs, believes the mentorship program is a valuable resource for new students. “When students have problems or just need someone to talk to, they can turn to their mentor for direction,” Newkirk said.“The program aims to help students transition to Texas Wesleyan University.” Newkirk said the Mentorship Program matches new freshmen and transfer students with a faculty, staff or upperclassman mentor. Mentors provide the support, encouragement and guidance new students often need for a successful college experience. Julia Paige, freshman psychology major, was nervous her first couple of days at Texas Wesleyan. “I was just fresh from high school, and the summer was not enough time to be prepared for all that college had
mentors, page 3
Go Centers help students prepare for college
Rachel Peel
rlpeel@txwes.edu
Students at North Crowley High School wander around the halls aimlessly as they move from class to class. They peek in the door of a nearby classroom and see a bowl full of candy sitting on the table. One young man sneaks into the room to grab a piece of candy and is greeted with a warm “Hello” by a G-Force mentor who is a member of the Go Center project. Denelle Rodriguez, assistant director of operations with the office of undergraduate admissions at Texas Wesleyan, said the Go Center project was designed to bring college access and financial information to kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Wesleyan is a part of that project. The project’s primary goal is to create and maintain permanent Go Centers within public schools. Rodriguez said Wesleyan has partnered with this program since 2006. The initial partnership was with Polytechnic High School but now has spread to five other high schools in the Fort Worth Independent School District. Rodriguez said the Go Center’s mentors are known as G-Force mentors. The mentors are hired work-study students who are trained on
site on giving resources to help high school students get into college. “We are mentoring them on all aspects of going to college,” Rodriquez said. “To get them to think past high school.” Rodriguez said the G-force mentors also help them prepare for their SAT’s and ACT tests as well. Mentors help students sign up for the test and help them do college research and applications as well. Jetti Matthews, junior math with secondary certification major, is a G-force mentor who said she loves her job assisting students. “The reason why I want to [work at the Go Center] is to help them,” Matthews said, “to start to close the gap and to let my students know there is higher education.” Matthews said Go Centers is a perfect job for her, since she wants to teach high school math. “Pretty much any obstacle they have, we help them overcome it,” Matthews said. Trent Sandles, junior business management major, said he decided to work at the Go Centers because his high school did not have anyone to point him in the right direction when he got close to graduation. “Really just making sure the students have every opportunity that they can to get
Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Yvette Rodriguez, senior education major, helps Jaylon Williams,11th grader at Polytechnic High School search online for various colleges to apply for in the spring. The Go Center also helps students sign up to take the SAT and ACT tests.
in contact with the universities,” Sandles said. Sandles said when he was a senior in high school, having a Go Center in his school, it would have helped him understand the college process better. “There were a lot of ques-
tions that I had as a high school junior and senior, that I didn’t have the ability to have answered,” Sandles said. “Because at a 5A high school with 600 seniors, the counselors couldn’t possibly get to everybody and sit down and speak with them.”
Sandles said there were a lot of things he did not know about college, and his counselors were not available to get back and answer some of the questions he had. Rodriguez said currently the program is funded through the Texas Higher
Education Board. The grant Wesleyan has is a two-year grant, and this is the final year. “You don’t have to stop after high school, “Matthews said. “You don’t have to stay in the same place. You actually can go on and do higher and better things.”
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Teen motherhood becomes socially commendable Rolandra West Staff Writer
rdwest@txwes.edu
In today’s world, teens have gone from treasuring their youth to completely stunting its value with teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is anything but new, yet it has increased in recent years whether it is because of poor knowledge or pure ignorance. Teen pregnancy is happening every day; in fact it’s happening right now. The problem has gone from being an accident to a trend where parents have no say so anymore, and babies have become the idealization of teens today. Young girls feel as if getting pregnant will keep the guy they’re with interested, but this is not necessarily so. In most cases this is only considered trapping the guy, and in the end turns into resentment. I see Facebook pictures posted every hour and statuses of young girls
who post about going to the club “for a break.” The problem, I believe, is young girls don’t understand that when they become moms there is no break anywhere in between. It’s a job for a lifetime. Although shows such as 16 and Pregnant and the Teen Mom series show the hard times and the ins and outs of being a mom. They tend to showcase teen motherhood as something to look up to. Instead of preparing for a successful life without unnecessary hardship, some teen girls believe this is the life for them. I personally, as a 20-year-old with a year left of school, could not see myself purposefully putting myself in a position that I know I couldn’t handle right now. I was taught school and work come before anyone else. Yes, I love my boyfriend of two years dearly, but there is no way I feel having a baby intentionally would be the right way to go at this point in my life. We both have too much going for us. Women who are over the age of 19 who have children, as well as those
who are married, have struggles but it is way harder for a teen mother, let alone a single teen mother, to manage. School eventually falls by the wayside for most. Now there are young women out there who do make being a single
mother, going to school and working, manageable. They can possibly maintain similar success with careers and opportunities that anyone without kids can maintain. The logic of purposely getting pregnant just to keep the baby’s fa-
ther in a young woman’s life or just to have a “hobby” is completely irresponsible. We as young women should respect ourselves more than that and realize we have a career ahead of us and successful goals we must reach without a doubt.
Romney’s same-sex marriage views raise concern didate based on what their parents or caregivrpeel@txwes ers have voted. As American citizens it is important we look at all aspects of a candidate beWith the election quickly fore we make a decision on approaching, it is impera- who to vote for. tive for college students to After watching the Remake their own decisions publican National Convenwhen it comes to politics. tion and the Democratic In some cases college stu- National Convention, I am dents usually vote for a can- still undecided about either Rachel Peel Staff Writer
candidate. Both Obama and Romney have ideas and plans that I both like and dislike. In my previous opinion piece I talked about Obama’s plans for our country. This piece is centered on Romney’s plans. Romney talks about upholding the sanctity of marriage. To me the sanctity of marriage is when two people agree to stand by each other through both the good times and the hard times.
Romney states his parents were “true partners,” but he never defines what he means by true partners. In my opinion, a partner should honor, respect and love his or her partner. Who are we to decide if it should be strictly between a man and a woman? The argument concerning samesex marriage is that it is in the Bible. To me, just because it is in the Bible does not mean we need to take every word seriously.
The Bible has been translated into so many different versions, it is impossible to know exactly what the original Bible said. Romney also talks about the promise to uphold the sanctity of life. It is my understanding he wants to make abortions illegal. I personally believe abortion is the same as taking a life, but I do not think it should be made illegal. A woman ultimately has the right to make decisions for her
own body, and it is not the government’s job to tell her otherwise. I agree with some of the things Romney says. I also like some of Obama’s ideas as well. Yet again I am torn between two candidates and unsure of my decision. With each passing day, the election creeps closer and closer, and I now have to watch the political debates to decide which candidate will get my vote.
Texas Wesleyan upgrades encourage more student involvement Emma Fradette Staff Writer
ekfradette@txwes.edu
Texas Wesleyan has been making upgrades to the university ever since I started attending in fall 2010. The updates in the past year however, have really caught my attention, and I think they have improved the school and student participation. Starting this year, I have
noticed more students on campus in general. I see more people walking around and utilizing campus facilities more than I ever have
before. Afternoons used to be dead on campus, but now people are walking around, talking to each other and using the outside sports court. Dora Roberts Residential Restaurant has made great improvements with a new paint job and more food
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“I see more students walking around and utilizing campus facilities more than I ever have before.” choices. Since I’ve been at Wesleyan, I have never seen Dora’s so packed as I have this year. Social Rams and Student Life are getting students involved more as well. Mud volleyball games and food fights got students involved and gave them opportunities to meet new people and
have something to do other than school work. I think the advertisements on the glass windows by the Sid Richardson Center and Brown Lupton Campus Center promote student involvement. Movie shows, game times and social events are always painted on the glass.
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This makes me feel like Wesleyan staff and students are trying to get more involved in what the students want to see. Last year, there wasn’t as much awareness of student events and sports, but thanks to the Social Rams’ advertisement on the windows, I know more about what’s going on around campus.
Wesleyan is also having a Midnight Madness this year, first time in Wesleyan history, and I think that is amazing. I love how students are becoming more involved, because we are what make up the university. I’ve seen more people at volleyball and soccer games than I have in the past, and this brings a greater sense of Wesleyan pride. These upgrades and more opportunities have also given students a sense of belonging, and I am proud to say I belong to such a growing and advancing university.
thumbs up Thumbs up to the Midnight Madness coming to Wesleyan for the first time and involving students throughout the university. Thumbs up to Wesleyan for re-chartering Black Student Association, and for registering dozens of voters this week around campus. Thumbs up to Wesleyan athletics for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness month by selling T-shirts and jerseys at games, and all proceeds went to supporting the cause.
thumbs down Thumbs down to the cheeseburger pie and left overs in Dora’s this past week. No one knows what cheeseburger pie is exactly, or what the ingredients are. Thumbs down to the ants in West Village and Stella. Can we please have an exterminator take care of the problem? No one likes ants in their room. Thumbs down to the cold classrooms and dorms. The rooms are extremely cold, especially in the basement of the library. It is no longer July, we don’t need the air conditioning blasting at 60 degrees.
News
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
October 10, 2012
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Sexting brings mixed feelings to students Emma Fradette
ekfradette@txwes.edu
With technology updates being as common as they are today, new innovations have made it possible for college students to participate in “sexting.” Sexting means receiving or sending sexually-orientated text messages, whether it is a naked photo or intimate and suggestive messages. Dre’a Davis, senior exercise science major, said she doesn’t think sexting is good at all. “Sexting is bad because it starts with what respect you have for yourself, your body and your reputation,” Davis said. “Also do you trust the person you are sexting 100 percent to know that they will keep that information between just the two of you. I think not.” Samantha McComas, senior
Mentors
history major, said sexting can have a positive side to it. “For people who are in a committed relationship, sexting can be fun and a good idea,” McComas said. “It can keep a relationship fresh and healthy adding spunk and unexpected fun to it.” McComas said that sexting should only be done in a committed relationship and for those who aren’t, sexting should not be done. The University of Rhode Island Department of Human Development and Family Studies conducted research about college students and sexting. According to their website, http://www.uri.edu/, more than half of the students have admitted to receiving sexually suggestive images and 78 percent have said they received sexually suggestive messages.
The issue with sexting is messages and pictures can be forwarded to other people for them to see, because 10 percent of students have also admitted to receiving sexual messages without the consent of the person who originally sent the message. In the state of Texas, there are laws against sexting, but generally they are implemented to protect those under age 18. Davis said she thinks people who sext are just looking for attention from whomever they are interested in. “If people chose to do that then that’s their business not mine,” Davis said. Kevin Pressley, senior history major, had a different interpretation of sexting. “I think it’s fine if people are sexting, but I just find it odd to find out people sext often and
Photo Illustration by Meisa Keivani Najafabadi
never go for the real thing,” Pressley said. “It’s like saying
Athletics
continued from page 1
in store for me,”Paige said. “I feel the Mentorship Program would be great for me and my friends because we really don’t know as much as we think we do.” According to Newkirk the Mentorship Program was created around spring 2005 to assist with student retention. It was originally offered to freshmen students, but in fall 2008, the program was extended to transfer students. Newkirk said the program has 103 mentees and 46 mentors this semester. New freshmen and transfer students are encouraged to participate as mentees. Upperclassmen, faculty and staff have the opportunity to volunteer as mentors. Newkirk said in order to join mentors and mentees, one must fill out a short application and
submit it in person or via email to New Student Programs. This is Newkirk’s first year at Texas Wesleyan, and she said she can already see the positive impact the program has on the lives of the students. “I’ve had many former mentees sign up to mentor new students,” Newkirk said. “Their excitement about being a mentor indicates that they had a great experience and they want to provide the same type of support and encouragement to new students.” Stacy Dissinger is the advising center assistant director and has been a mentor in the Mentorship Program for 5 years. “I feel this program helps you get in touch with students that you don’t see on a daily basis,” Dissinger said. “You get to know your mentee
you love baseball but all you do is read the almanacs, never
on a more personal level and for them to know they can rely on someone to be there for them. ” Dissinger said the Mentorship Program allows others on campus to get to know students and be more involved in activities with their students. “There are a lot of opportunities to engage with our mentees such as going to Theatre Wesleyan, or music concerts on campus, luncheons,” Dissinger said. Newkirk said she thinks the program can also help ease the minds of some parents, because they know their son or daughter has a personal connection with someone on campus. “I regret not having a mentor during my college days,” Newkirk said. “The wisdom and support of a mentor would have been very helpful.”
OCTOBER 22-26
BOOT CAMP
watched a real game or played the sport.”
continued from page 1
every sport Wesleyan has and is similar to Wesleyan’s competitiveness,” Millikan said. The SAC is a very competitive conference. The Sooner Conference men’s basketball teams have competed in 15 national championships, and women’s basketball teams have won 10 national titles. Baseball has won a national title in the SAC as well. Men’s golf has won eight national titles along with five from the women’s golf teams. Trachier said Wesleyan will be very competitive in most sports. “For some of our new sports, like women’s golf, there will be a gap to close,” Trachier said. “However, I believe that the best way to improve quickly is to compete against the best teams possible.” Trachier said the SAC teams will have to bring their “A” game
every night. “The conference is very balanced and very competitive,” Trachier said. Chelsea Boles, junior catcher for the softball team and exercise science major, said she thinks this move will be a good challenge of talent. “Since I was a freshmen we have been playing teams from the Sooner Conference in pre-season, and they are all competitive and talented,” Boles said. Boles will be a part of the SAC move next year, and she said she is ready. “I think we will respond well to the competition,” Boles said. “It might be hard at first not being the dominating team of the conference, but it’ll make the programs better with the better competition.”
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October 10, 2012
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Diversity among students ties Wesleyan together Tristian Evans
“I’m the type of person who likes
Tkevans1098@txwes.edu
It’s 6:30 a.m. on a Monday morning. Candace Johnson, senior mass communication major, is up and getting her son Sebian ready for school. After he’s on the bus, Johnson goes for a run with their great dane. She returns home, prepares for school, hops on her motorcycle, a Kawasaki ZX-1200, and arrives at Texas Wesleyan by 9 a.m. for Dr. Kay Colley’s survey of public relations class. Johnny Jordan, sophomore mass communication major, will arrive at school an hour later to make it to Dr. Colley’s 10 a.m. feature writing class. Johnson is also a member of the class. They both work determinedly on the first assignment for the class. After that, they both head to Dr. Ben Hale’s audience analysis class. In both classes they are outspoken and inquisitive. At Wesleyan, someone would be hard-pressed to find two people who are alike, even if they have the same major, or the same classes. Not only does the school have diversity among ethnicities, but also, diversity of the lifestyles of students. Johnson and Jordan are two such people. Jordan is a part-time student who loves sports, video games and hanging out with his friends. Jordan is returning to Wesleyan for the first time since the end of last fall. He took the spring semester off. Jordan spent his freshman year of college at Tyler Junior College and said like most freshmen, he wasn’t ready for the college life. He attended Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus and took classes there before transferring to Wesleyan in fall 2011. “I decided to come back to school; I’ve [had] to work my way back into things,” Jordan said. Jordan said during the semester he took off, he realized that school was where he needed and wanted to be, and by next spring he plans to come back full time. Jordan grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 2009. He said he was
to ask questions and be able to talk to the professors.” Candace Johnson
“I
decided to come back to school; I’ve [had] to work my way back into things.”
Johnny Jordan
an outgoing student in high school. “Everybody knew me there,” Jordan said. “Those were probably the best four years [of my life].” Jordan is the youngest of five children and said that for a while he struggled with the responsibilities of young adulthood. “I’ve been babied all my life, and I’ve always gotten what I want,” Jordan said. “Now I’m growing up and trying to get out of that [role]. I think that’s why it was so hard for me to really [adjust] when I left [home] for school.” Jordan said although he had to learn the hard way, he now realizes he has to go out and get things on his own. The concentration of Jordan’s major is radio-television. He said he hopes after he graduates from Wesleyan, he can make a living as a sports journalist and commentator. Jordan said Dr. Ben Hale, professor of communications, is one of his favorite professors, and he loves the easy - going atmosphere of Hale’s class. Hale said he enjoys having Jordan in his class as well. “He’s an attentive student,” Dr. Hale said. “He comes to class and seems to pay attention. I think he’s a good student.” “His class is so laid back,” Jordan said. “He doesn’t throw too much at you at one time.” His classmate, Johnson, is someone who knows all too well how to juggle multiple things
thrown at her at one time. Johnson is a single mother and a full-time student who has come to Wesleyan after years of putting college on the back-burner because taking care of her son and earning a living took precedence over getting her education. Johnson was born in Georgia, but moved to Texas with her mom when she was 2 years old. Over the years, she would go back and forth from staying with her mom in Texas and staying with her dad in Georgia. Johnson graduated from O.D. Wyatt High School in 2000. Johnson said over the 12 years since high school graduation, she has been to roughly six different colleges. She and her ex-husband met at UT Austin. They left when her ex-husband joined the Navy, and they transferred to Maine where she was a housewife. After they divorced, Johnson said she spent years trying to balance school and work, and she kept finding herself having to choose. “It just became too hard to try and go to school full-time and work fulltime,” Johnson said. “I’m not necessarily one of those people who can do both at the same time. I know some people can, but I can’t.” Johnson spent time as a student at the University of Maine; she attended UT Arlington twice, and also attended Texas Woman’s University. “If I failed too many classes or [if I did]
something to where I couldn’t [go] back, I would just switch schools,” Johnson said. Johnson said after her stepfather died, her family began to receive his VA benefits. With that, she was able to finally just focus on school. Johnson said she chose Wesleyan because of the small classes and nice general atmosphere. “I’m the type of person who likes to ask questions and be able to talk to the professors,” Johnson said. “One of the reasons I think I failed some of my classes [at those other schools] was just not being able to get that one-on-one I needed with the professors.” Johnson said coming to Wesleyan worked out in her favor, and the general environment of the university is what she needs at this stage in her life. Johnson said at age 30, she has an idea of where she wants to go and how she wants to get there. “I don’t know specifically what I want to do career wise, but I know the public relations and communication area is it,” Johnson said. “I just want to narrow down what area I want to focus in.” Johnson said she hasn’t always been as outgoing and outspoken as she is today. Johnson said after getting divorced, she realized she had to take care of herself and her child, and to do that, she had to speak up. “I’ve learned that it’s good to be more social,” Johnson said. “You don’t
have to be the biggest social butterfly, but don’t be just a hermit crab either.” Johnson said she enjoys riding motorcycles, and attributes that to her tomboyish nature as a child and describes herself as a thrill seeker. Johnson is also a member of Big Dream Riders, a biker club that in addition to coming together over their mutual love of motorcycles, does community outreach with youth and the elderly. “If we have the resources, we’ll do whatever we can to help,” Johnson said. Johnson said Dr. Carol JohnsonGerendas, is one of her favorite professors. “She’s really awesome,” Johnson said. Dr. Johnson-Gerendas enjoys having Johnson as a student. “[She] is highly engaged with the subject matter,” Dr. Johnson-Gerendas said. “She has an open and inquiring mind,” It’s a Wednesday morning. Neither Jordan nor Johnson has classes on Tuesday, so the hustle and bustle returns. Johnson gets her son Sebian out of the door, goes for a run and gets ready for class. A little later, Jordan is up and getting ready for the 10 a.m. class.. They may have the same major and some of the same classes, but their lives couldn’t be more different.
— Photos by Tristian Evans
Try the new Fast Food Line Pizza • Hot Dogs • Chips Sausage • Pasta
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@ Texas Wesleyan University Dining Services
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Guitar FW brings classical to Martin Hall Pop Culture Junkie Tristian Evans Staff Writer
tkevans1098@txwes.edu
Underrated director slowly rises to top I think Joss Whedon is one of the most talented, creative and, unfortunately, underrated writer-directors in Hollywood today. He has recently gotten a lot of attention for directing The Avengers, which really is one of the greatest superhero movies ever. But Whedon has been creating fascinating, thought provoking stories for the screen since the ’90s. He is the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dollhouse. While all of these shows are science fiction, fantasy and horror, Whedon managed to tell real and universal stories with all of his characters. One of the things that Whedon does very well is character development. I hate shows where the characters are constantly the same season after season. Whedon’s characters evolve and grow over time just like real human beings. By the last season of Buff y the Vampire Slayer, Buffy Summers, is no longer the shallow, selfish, teenage girl we meet at the beginning of the series. She has evolved into a strong, caring and determined woman who can deal with anything life throws at her. Natural or unnatural. So did her friends, Xander and Willow, who went from being shy and meek to strong and authoritative individuals. Whedon believes in grounding his characters’ lives and personalities in reality and making their actions realistic, even if the show is anything but. He wants the viewer to relate to the characters’ emotions and personalities, even though the viewers don’t live in their fantastical world. His characters are strong, smart, pop-culture savvy and a reflection of not only their world, but ours as well. Joss Whedon’s ability to make his characters feel like real people is a gift. A gift that only the greatest of storytellers possesses. I love Joss Whedon’s work, and so should you.
Joshua Dunk
jkdunk@txwes.edu
Sitting from any seat in Texas Wesleyan’s Martin Hall, whether it be for lectures, student events or concerts, audience members can hear just about anything perfectly. Guitar Fort Worth is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving the traditions of classical guitar and expanding the instrument horizons through outreach and education. Its members were intrigued with the sound that Martin Hall carried and started up a series of concerts. Guitar Fort Worth will present its classical series at Martin
Hall at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12. John F. Fisher, chairman of the music department at Wesleyan. was approached by Guitar Fort Worth in the fall of 2004. “Martin Hall is acoustically near perfect and as a classical guitar player you would want to hear every nuance of the string as well do your audience,” Fisher said. He said Guitar Fort Worth started with five players in 2004. According to its website, guitarfortworth.org, Guitar Fort Worth serves student, adult and professional members by offering resources and activities relating to classical guitar in the
that can affect your emotions if you let it,” Bierschenk said. “It affects your soul the way you think and eventually the person you will become” Brianna Carter, junior liberal arts major, said she loves music and the impact classical music can have. “I am a trained dancer and choreographer and classical music is always great, it gives me an emotion, a focus a place to pull from,” Carter said. The Guitar Fort Worth Classical Concert Series admission price is $15 for general admission, $25 for reserved admission and $10 for students. For more information visit guitarfortworth.org.
FW library exhibit brings Quanah, Cynthia Parker to life Rolandra West
rdwest@txwes.edu
Memoriam all around the four walls, Comanche Warrior suits and weapons modeled in glass cases, and the life of Quanah and Cynthia Parker was a site to see as I walked into the exhibit. The breast plate of Quanah Parker, beaded with red and yellow embroidery, captured my eyes. I could vividly picture Quanah walking across the hall inviting me into his family’s history. I just knew I was in for a tremendous trip in history. After taking a trip to the Fort Worth Central Library to visit the Quanah and Cynthia Parker exhibit, I found myself intrigued and more knowledgeable about the Comanche Indians. I had no clue who exactly Quanah and Cynthia Parker were until I set foot in the building. All I could see was artifacts, pictures and apparel emulating their overall history. Their history is most important to me because most of it took place in Texas and Oklahoma. For those who don’t know, Quanah Parker was a Comanche chief and the last leader of the Quahadi band (Comanche warriors). He led his people on their reservation and became a wealthy rancher and an influential person in Comanche and European societies.
Rolandra West | Rambler Staff Ben Tahmahkera family collection at the Quanah and Cynthia Parker exhibit.
His mother, Cynthia Parker, was a European woman who was a part of a large frontier family in Texas. She was kidnapped once as a child by Comanches during the attack of her family’s fort (Fort Parker) near Groesbeck, Texas. This was exciting to me because I have family from there, and we have roots that proclaim our Native American heritage. It’s amazing what you can find out by going to visit exhibits nearby.
Concerts
and the Comanches. Visiting this exhibit made me realize how important these people are to our history, and it makes me want to research my own ancestry and see who I could possibly be related to. If any student is as interested in history as I am, this exhibit is a perfect place to visit. The Fort Worth Central Library is located on 500 West 3rd Street in downtown Fort Worth. The exhibit is at the library until Dec.20.
Events
Oct. 19th Flo Rida College Park Center 7:30 p.m. Brian McKnight Verizon Theatre Grand Prairie
Oct. 13th Melissa Etheridge The Majestic Theatre 8 p.m. Toadies Billy Bob’s Texas 10:30 p.m.
Oct. 20th Awolnation House of Blues Dallas 8 p.m. Madonna American Airlines Center 8 p.m.
Oct. 11th Howl-O-ween Great Wolf Lodge (All-day event)
Oct. 19th Bloomin’ Blue Grass Festival & Chili Cook-off Farmers Branch Historical Park (All-day event)
Oct. 15th Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets American Airlines Center 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12th The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Casa Manana Theatre 7 p.m. The Legend of Zelda-Symphony of the Goddesses Strauss Square 8 p.m.
Oct. 20th Body Art Exhibit Underworld Art Gallery in Dallas 7:30 p.m. World Fest Addison Circle Park 12:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Family Fall Festival at Delaney Vineyards in Grapevine
Music
Wesleyan
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PRESENTS
October 12 at 7:30pm Guitar Fort Worth: Classical Series @ Wesleyan Josinaldo Costa, guitar Martin Hall © Puzzles provided by sudokusolver.com
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Cynthia Parker was adopted into the Nocona band of Comanches and later married Chief Peta Nocona. Their first child was Quanah Parker, and later the two had another son and a daughter. On the site of the exhibit were pictures of Quanah’s tribe and of his life and his mother Cynthia. The room was completely filled with glass cases at each corner holding articles of clothing and utensils from Quanah
Concerts & Events
Oct. 12th Josh Turner Billy Bob’s Texas 10:30 p.m. Mac Miller Dr. Pepper Arena 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 15th Die Antwoord House of Blues 8 p.m.
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Dallas/Fort Worth area. Guitar Fort Worth sponsors the Wesleyan Masters Concert Series, bringing international guitarists to Fort Worth, the Community Guitar Series. “They are bringing in critically acclaimed international players from all over the world from Spain, South America and from our home country the United States,” Fisher said. Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Wesleyan, said he feels the Guitar Fort Worth program is great and it relates to the importance of music ideas that he places on his students. “It’s a life changing medium
October 16 at 7:30pm Faculty Recital: Songs of the Americas Julie McCoy, soprano Keith Critcher, piano Meg Griffith, flute Martin Hall October 26 at 7:30pm The Stephen Barr Memorial Concert Gabriela Martinez, piano Martin Hall
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October 10, 2012
THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org
Theatre students fulfill childhood dreams
Rolandra West
rdwest@txwes.edu
Some kids want to be doctors, lawyers and teachers when they grow up. But for some, everything around them screams fame, and the spotlight and stage are calling their names—the first and only thing that comes to mind is theatre. Theatre students don’t only dress the part, they act the part. They are the part of something greater than they could ever imagine, especially Texas Wesleyan theatre students. Any theatre student can say it hurts when their work and [theatre] art is unappreciated. Brittany Adelstein, junior theatre major, said she first realized theatre was her calling when she was in her late teens. She had been in theatre since she was five. “It’s important to me, because it’s something that obviously I’ve worked for. I’m so glad that I have a passion for something. People say ‘But you’re getting a degree in theatre, like you’re going to starve, and I know that,” Adelstein said. “However, I would much rather be getting a degree in something that I eat, live, breath, sleep than something that I just kind of want to do for the money.” Adelstein said she has probably been in more than
100 shows starting from when she was a little girl until now; such as Grease, Footloose, Hairspray, Into the Woods, Children of Eden, Annie, Cinderella and the list goes on. Adelstein has also acted in plays at Wesleyan such as Spelling Bee, Cabaret and more. Adelstein said what she loves most about theatre is becoming the character and being able to portray it on stage, and for the audience to grasp it as well. “I just can’t see myself anywhere but on stage. This is where I’m supposed to be,” Adelstein said. Adelstein said theatre is generally underappreciated, and some people just don’t get it, including parents who see their child developing in theatre. “There is so much to be appreciated about somebody that is artistic, just thinking in a different way and on a different level,” Adelstein said. “I don’t think like a scientist, but I appreciate those who do. I don’t think that people necessarily think the same way about art, especially performing arts.” Krystalyn Lasater, freshman theatre major, said theatre is a rare form of art. Although art is visual, Lasater said theatre itself allows her to connect with herself and know who she is.
Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Brittany Adelstein, junior theatre major, currently is full-filling her dream of being a part of a theatre production while attending school at Wesleyan. Adelstein has been a part of more than 100 theatre productions since she was a little girl. Adelstein decided in her late teenage years she would pursue a theatre major in college because it is her passion.
“I personally love theatre because it gives you an opportunity to express yourself and know what’s going on on the inside,” Lasater said. Lasater said she fell in love with theatre during her very first performance at the Cats Theatre in Arling-
ton, in which she played in the Littlest Angel at 10 years old. Kaila Saffle, freshman theatre major, said her first role was when she was 10 years old in The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe. Saffle has also performed in roles such as Beauty and
Superheroes fight villains, author captures readers BOOK REVIEW
Recent movies such as The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises have helped to continue the ongoing popularity of the superhero genre. If they’ve managed to do that for superhero movies, then Adam Christopher’s Seven Wonders will do the same for superhero novels. Christopher’s debut novel, Empire State, hit shelves last spring, and also featured superheroes, but through the point of view of a detective trying to track down and stop one. This time, he tells the story of an ordinary man becoming a superhero. Seven Wonders tells the story of Tony Prosdocimi, an everyman who very suddenly gains a host of superpowers. Tony decides he wants to introduce his new super heroic identity to his fellow citizens of San Ventura with a bang. He decides taking down the city’s legendary villain, The Cowl, is the way to go. Tony assumes the premier
super team of San Ventura, The Seven Wonders, will be thrilled to have a new super powered member to help them defeat the Cowl once and for all. But very quickly he learns that the so-called noble Seven Wonders have many secrets of their own. Seven Wonders is a an action-packed novel full of battles, blood and betrayal. The book is engaging, entertaining and well written. Christopher’s detailed prose makes it easy for the reader to imagine the battles taking place between the super powered men and women on the page. He also does an excellent job of deconstructing the idea of what a “superhero” and a “super-villain” are. Like most good fantasy and science fiction authors, Christopher does not shy away from including themes and messages that will resonate with readers. There is no clear cut good and evil in this novel, just shades of gray. His characters are just as complex and multi-layered as any human being. Tony, the protagonist, is brave and doesn’t back down from what he believes in.
the Beast, Much A Do About Nothing, Over the River and through the Woods, The Wedding Singer and more. She said theatre is often overlooked. Saffle said the reason why she loves theatre is because it tells a story through characterization.
Recently Published Books The Casual Vacancy J.K. Rowling Released: Sept. 27
Live By Night Dennis Lehane Released: Oct. 2
The Mark of Athena Rick Riordan Released: Oct. 2
Does This Church Make Me Look Fat? Rhoda Janzen Released: Oct. 2
The End of Your Life Book Club Will Schwalbe Released: Oct. 2
Mad River John Sanford Released: Oct. 2
In Theaters Now
Courtesy of Adam Christopher
Throughout the novel this gets him into some pretty dangerous situations with both his enemies and allies. I, like most readers, enjoy reading about protagonists who are strong, gutsy and don’t back down. Readers can admire and root for characters who they wish
they were. Seven Wonders is a well told, well written science fiction novel. If you like superhero comic books, cartoons or movies, you’ll definitely enjoy this book. Tristian Evans
Looper Starring: Bruce Willis Released: Sept. 28
Pitch Perfect Starring: Anna Kendrick Released: Sept. 28
Hotel Transylvania Starring: Released: Sept. 28
Taken 2 Starring: Liam Neeson Released: Oct.5
Won’t Back Down Starring: Viola Davis Released: Sept. 28
Frankenweenie Starring: Released: Oct. 5
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“I get to help people understand theatre. I think when they see a character on stage, they find something to relate to that character and it helps them understand themselves more,” Saffle said. “I think humanity is an art form, and in theatre you get to express that art.”
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THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org
Sports Column Emma Fradette Content Producer
ekfradette@txwes.edu
October 10, 2012
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Where Wesleyan stands in Red River Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball
19-5
Women’s Basketball
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
19-5
7-3-1
7-2
Midnight madness migrates to Wesleyan
Men’s Baseball
Softball
Men’s Cross Country
Women’s Cross Country
16-10
20-4
.......
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Midnight Madness has been a tradition for colleges and universities all over the United States. Students go to the gymnasium around 10:30 p.m. to watch a preview of the men and women’s basketball teams. Wesleyan is finally joining the Midnight Madness bandwagon, hosting its first Midnight Madness Oct. 6 in the Sid Richardson Center. Typically there is a dunking contest, a three-point shooting contest, and both teams have a separate scrimmage. This event not only gives the students an exclusive viewing of the upcoming basketball teams, but also allows the students to enjoy each other in a fun environment. I am interested to see how it is going to go but more importantly, excited that it is here. This event brings a “big college atmosphere” to a smaller campus. In many instances, college athletics brings the whole university together, and students go to support their school through athletic events. When Oklahoma State University has home football games, they turn their water fountain orange, and students rally in front of it and go to the game together. That is a sense of unity and pride that college sports can bring to a university. I am proud to say Wesleyan is making great changes to continue to bring this excitement to campus. Not only has Wesleyan brought Midnight Madness to the university, but now the fountain in front of the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Science and Technology Center turns blue for home games of all types. College sports and events unite universities, and I am ready to see the new and improved Wesleyan Ram pride.
Men’s Golf
Volleyball
Men’s Track & Field
Women’s Track & Field
1st place
5-4
4th place
1st place
Sooner Athletic Conference Standings (top three schools) Men’s Basketball Oklahoma Baptist 19-3 John Brown
15-7
Roger State
15-7
Men’s Baseball Oklahoma City
26-4
Lubbock Christian 21-1
Lubbock Christian 6-2-2
Southern Nazarene 10-1
Southern Nazarene 16-6
Oklahoma City
USAO
Softball Lubbock Christian 18-3 Oklahoma City
Rogers State
Southern Nazarene
Men’s Golf
21-4 7-6
Volleyball
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Baptist 14-0
Oklahoma Christian
Southern Nazaren 11-3
Wayland Baptist
Lubbock Christian 10-4
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Let us know.
Oklahoma City 10-0-1
21-1
@theramblertwu
USAO
Women’s Soccer
9-1
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Baptist 22-8 21-10
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Basketball
5-3-2
Men’s Cross Country
Women’s Cross Country
Oklahoma Christian
Wayland Baptist
Wayland Baptist
Oklahoma Christian
Oklahoma Baptist
Oklahoma Baptist
Men’s Track & Field
Oklahoma Baptist Oklahoma Christian Oklahoma City Southern Nazarene Wayland Baptist
7-4
Women’s Track & Field
Oklahoma Baptist Oklahoma Christian Oklahoma City Southern Nazarene Wayland Baptist
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October 10, 2012
THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org
Lady Ram graduates shoot for career world Rachel Peel
rlpeel@txwes.edu
From the basketball court to business offices, the 20112012 Lady Ram graduates have transitioned from college life to the every day hustle and bustle of adult life in the business world. Despite their transition, they have taken more than knowledge from the halls of Wesleyan, they have taken teamwork. Brittany White, exercise science major and guard, graduated in May 2012 and is currently working at a recreation center with an after school program. She recently received her teaching certificate. White said playing basketball at Wesleyan was a great experience, and she enjoyed having team members who took the extra step to help her out. “I love my teammates,” White said. “We always could count on someone to have our backs no matter what.” White said she hopes to teach a technology class and coach basketball, or just teach physical education. White said she has always wanted to coach basketball. It has been her dream. “We could always count on someone to help us if we were tired or if we just couldn’t play,” White said. “Overall I love my team; it was just a good experience to play at Texas Wesleyan.” One of the main things White took from her years on the team was perseverance. “Anything could happen, but you have to overcome any situation, even as
a team,” White said. “We’ve been through a lot, but as a team we stuck together and still pushed through.” Ashley Bringol, marketing graduate and guard, agrees with White, in that she took her team spirit off the court and into the business world. “Being a part of a team for all four years really prepared me,” Bringol said. “I am a member of a marketing team here [A-Z Pediatric Therapy], so I am still in the team mode.” Bringol is a marketing representative for A-Z Pediatric Therapy in Dallas. Bringol is over all of the Dallas area and goes from doctor’s office and family clinics to speak to their referral coordinators. “It’s not just all about me,” Bringol said. “It really helped me work together with my peers, and their needs and look out for them.” Bringol also said being a part of the team came with competition, and she has to deal with competition daily. “It’s a very competitive market; we do speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy from birth all the way to the age of 21,” Bringol said. “So, it’s all over Dallas, so it is pretty tough. There are a million therapy companies out there.” Bringol said using everyone at Wesleyan as a resource, helped her get the job where she is currently working through somebody she knew who directed her to the job. “Networking was a big deal,” Bringol said. “It [Wesleyan] taught me a lot about networking.” Octavia Mullins, general business graduate and forward, said she took more
Erica Estrada | Rambler Staff
Kristi Alexander | Courtesy
Kristi Alexander, criminal justice graduate and former point guard, trades in her basketball shoes for combat boots as she transitioned from being Wesleyan’s women’s basketball starting point guard to a cadet in the Grapevine Police Academy.
“Being a part of a team for all four years really prepared me. I am a member of a marketing team here [A-Z Pediatric Therapy] so I am still in the team mode.”
Ashley Bringol
Wesleyan marketing graduate, former women’s basketball guard
than just a degree from Wesleyan. She learned life lessons. “Even if you have a lot of stuff going on, you got to stay focused on the task at hand,” Mullins said. “The world is not going to stop for you.” Mullins is currently working for Enterprise Car Rental,
but in the future she is thinking about joining the Air Force. “You got to stay focused and determined if you want to get ahead, and finish what you got going,” Mullins said. Mullins said playing basketball was her stress relief, playing basketball was a way to ex-
press herself everyday, a way to free her mind. “I just want to see where everything leads off,” Mullins said. “Living the adulthood life.” Kristi Alexander, criminal justice graduate and former point guard, said one of the things she has taken from
Wesleyan is motivation and determination. “Being a hard worker in everything you do,” Alexander said. “Putting effort in whatever you do.” Alexander said she is currently in the Police Academy for the Grapevine Police Department.
Rangel trades in jersey for polo Rolandra West
rdwest@txwes.edu
MONDAY
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Lift, Sweat, & Tears
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
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11:30pm - 12:30pm
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Zumba
(Armando)
Let’s Have a Ball
5:30pm - 6:30pm
3:00pm - 4:00pm Kickboxing (Amber)
5:30pm - 6:30pm
12:30pm - 1:30pm
(Cassie)
(Armando)
Zumba (Cassie)
Zumba
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5:30pm - 6:30pm
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Free $50-6 Months $100-6 Months $100-6 Months
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Kickboxing: An energetic class bending a wide range of techniques and stances from multiple martial arts disciplines. A great workout, and fantastic calorie burner. Turbo-Kick: A unique blend of intense intervals and endurance training, perfectly choreographed to motivating music. Zumba: A high energy class that combines motivating Latin music with unique moves and combinations that allow you to have fun and dance your worries away. Let’s Have a Ball: An explosive 45 minute workout that shapes & defines legs, arms, and shoulders. Burn 500+ calories with sports drills & exercises for dynamite abs and a solid core. Lift, Sweat & Tears: A barbell class that strengthens & tones your entire body. This 60 minute interval workout focuses on all major muscle groups and will test the individual’s strength & endurance. CHAOS: A 60 minute high energy & calorie consuming interval workout. While participating in CHAOS you will burn 700+ calories all while enjoying simple moves & pumping music. This is the most intense workout the Morton Fitness Center has to offer.
Morton Fitness Center Director: AAron Whaley 1210 S. Collard St Fort Worth, TX 76105
awhaley@txwes.edu 817 - 531 - 7589
For most student-athletes the dream of being involved on a collegiate team is over after their four semesters of playing with the team, but Marissa Rangel, senior liberal arts major, manages to have the glory of preparing for graduation and coaching as a student assistant for Wesleyan’s volleyball and softball programs. Christy Clawson, head volleyball coach, said Rangel is a great asset to the team as a recent volleyball player and coach. “She is an intelligent volleyball player,” Clawson said. “She knows the game, and the fact that she has played with some of these guys [returning volleyball players] before, they respect her opinion and she gives them good feedback about what she sees that they can correct.” Clawson said the players go to Rangel and ask what they need to change or do differently. “I wouldn’t just let any student be an assistant. She’s been there, and she gets it,” Clawson said. “She [Rangel] has a very high volleyball I.Q. She understands the game and the concept of the game.” Clawson said if she had to pick one quality that stands out the most about Rangel is that she is relatable to the team. “She can relate to them on a different level than myself or my assistants,” Clawson said. Clawson said when it comes to a student coach the quality that holds importance over any other is knowing the game. “Most players don’t get it [the game], but it is a developmental process,” Clawson
Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Marissa Rangel has gone from the court to the sideline as the new student assistant for the Lady Rams’ volleyball team.
said. “Some will graduate as seniors and still really not grasp the concept of the game and be able to play the game ahead in their mind and act out on the court. [Rangel] does that very well.” Stephanie Dominguez, junior mass communication major, said when she found out that Rangel was going to be a student assistant, she was relieved, because the team had just lost its assistant coach, who meant a lot to the team. “Marissa is the missing puzzle piece we needed this year to keep us all glued together. Personally she’s like my safety blanket, someone I can trust without a doubt,” Dominguez said. Not only has Rangel made an impact on her coaches, but she has made an impact on team players like Dominguez Rangel said what she likes most about being a coach is she gets to share her knowledge of volleyball with others and help them get better.
She said the most important thing in her job is patience. “Patience is the biggest thing I have learned,” Rangel said. “Yes in the beginning it was extremely hard to transition from player to coach, because at any moment I just wanted to throw a jersey on and play.” Rangel has learned to differentiate her player mindset and coach mind-set, but she has not done it alone. “I owe both coach Shannon Gower and Clawson a huge thanks for allowing me to get the experience and be a coach with them,” Rangel said. Rangel said she is excited to graduate this year, but she is bittersweet about leaving behind the first collegiate team she has coached. “After I graduate I am hoping to attend graduate school with a graduate assistant position,” Rangel said. “I am excited to graduate and have the diploma and to feel accomplished, but I’m pretty sad about leaving the team.”