WEDNESDAY
November 10, 2010
Vol. 93 • No. 23
www.therambler.org
Lady Rams volleyball finish strong on Senior Night.
The Rambler The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917
Theatre Wesleyan gears up for Crimes of the Heart. A&E, page 6
Sports, page 5
Photo by Jonathan Resendez
Counseling available to student body
TARGETED
jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu
A student shouts, polluting the air in Stella Hall with curse words. He confronts a student who is holding a large, black plastic gun with an orange tip— the same gun that spit out a 6 mm bright orange BB that strayed from its path and struck the angry student. An RA separates the students. In Elizabeth Hall, not 200 feet away, another airsoft gun, an automatic that sounds like a sewing machine, pierces the quiet and is followed by laughter and quick footsteps. Airsoft guns, gas or battery powered replica guns that shoot small plastic BBs 100 to 500 feet per second, have a presence on Wesleyan. The Officials Although Wesleyan students who keep and play with airsoft guns said they
complaints about airsoft guns last year, which led her to speak with the basketball team. “I told them to cut it out, and they did,” she said. Barnes said at this point security staff will press for violators to be punished to the full extent, because she has already warned the
GUNS, page 8
GLICK, page 3
“Students need to put the guns up. It’s not worth it. We will catch you.” Felisa Barnes
Director of Security do it for fun, the dean of students and campus security said the guns are dangerous and prohibited. Security will start cracking down on those caught with the weapons. “We see several forms of danger related to the airsoft guns,” said Dean of Students Cary Poole in an email. “In the most extreme case, a student exiting from their residence hall may be struck on the eye and receive severe injury.” According to the student handbook, “Students shall not carry a weapon on university property. Weapons include but are not limited to: BB/pellet guns, paint guns, air guns and airsoft
guns.” Prohibition of possession and use are also outlined in the handbook. The repercussions for violations include probation, monetary fines and sanctions to perform community service, Poole said. An incident involving airsoft guns was reported in mid-October in Elizabeth Hall and warnings were issued to students, many of whom were athletes. Poole said students can be placed under two probations, with the more severe not permitting the student to represent the school in any way. “In an extreme case where injury may have resulted or where repeated attempts by university of-
Photos by Jonathan Resendez Wesleyan’s director of security and dean of students have recently scrutinized the use of airsoft guns by Wesleyan students. (Above) The 6 mm BBs are made of plastic, come in a variety of bright colors and have been found all over campus.
ficials to cease the activity [were ignored], suspension may result,” Poole said. Poole also said the BBs left behind could cause one to slip and create a mess. “If you walk into the Cafe [Dora’s], you’ll see little green pellets everywhere,” said junior history major Emma Fradette. Director of Security Felisa Barnes said she received
sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu
Graduate students aiming to help others in their future careers, and students needing help working through day-today life troubles, should look no further than the counseling degree programs and Glick House at Wesleyan. “Students that seek a career in counseling have several options, including marriage counseling, guidance counseling, rehabilitative, mental health counseling and substance abuse counseling,” said DeTrae Warren, graduate admissions recruiter. Warren said the university currently offers three graduate-level counseling programs: Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and School Counseling. Students must earn a bachelor’s degree and have at least 18 hours in psychology or related course work to enter these programs. “Counseling isn’t a one dimensional degree—you can go so many ways with it,” said Jennifer Connell, coordinator for graduate counseling programs. “You can work in a corporate setting, a private practice setting, an educational setting and various other settings.” Connell said it’s a great idea, especially given the current job market situation, to get a degree that is as versatile as counseling is. “The training and knowledge that counseling majors gain in the programs make them better active listeners, see things from another’s perspective, and
Campus officials demand airsoft gun use stop Jonathan Resendez
Shauna Banks
Second candidate visits campus Jonathan Resendez
jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu
Wesleyan received a visit from Dr. Sandra Harper, President of Our Lady of the Lake College and one of two remaining presidential candidates, as part of her final interview process Nov. 8 and 9. Harper met with the executive vice presidents and provost council and toured the Burleson campus Nov. 8. “All the meetings have been very positive and hopeful about the future of Texas Wesleyan,” Harper said. Harper said most people wanted to know what her priorities would be the first 30 to 90 days in office were she to get the position. “The new president needs to have somewhat of a blend between the internal understanding of the campus and the external focus of visibility and fund raising,” she said. Pati Alexander, vice president for enrollment and student services, said although Harper and Slabach were both familiar with developing strategic plans, Harper’s questions were totally different. “She’s very focused on SACS [Southern Association of Colleges and Schools],” she said.
¡Celebracion!
Latin organizations gather to celebrate Dia de los Muertos Nov. 2 with food and drink Jonathan Resendez | Rambler Staff Vice President of the Alumni Board David Martin chats with presidential finalist Dr. Sandra Harper at a cocktail reception on Nov. 2. The Presidential Search Committee and executive vice presidents also attended the social.
“We’re going to be up for reaffirmation soon and her familiarity would be beneficial to us.” Alexander said she was equally pleased with both candidates. “Our community would love both of them,” she said. “The students would be happy with either one.” Harper’s broad-based experience that higher education is different than a regular business is a key advantage to the
financial aspect of the presidency, said Provost and Senior Vice President Allen Henderson. Concerning the strategic plan, she demonstrated her knowledge of structure planning and program assessment, Henderson said. Bill Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance and administration, also said he was impressed with Harper’s knowledge of university governance and SACS accreditation.
“She’s very astute where our accreditation is concerned,” he said. “She’s been around the block a few times and knows how to deal with them.” Beverly Volkman-Powell, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and chairman of the Presidential Search Committee, said the committee will meet again on Nov. 19 and will make a final decision by Thanksgiving. If elected, Harper would be Wesleyan’s first female president.
(Above) Senior psychology major Karla Rodriguez spoons salsa on sophomore English major Adam Cruz’ tostada during a Dia de los Muertos Celebration hosted by the Bilingual Education Student Organization and International Programs. (Below) Senior bilingual education major Mayra Olivas serves students corn in a cup for $1. Photos by Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff
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Opinion
November 10, 2010
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Feds seek to regulate popular drinks
ing to the doctors who examined the nine Central Eliana Mijangos Washington stuSports editor dents. emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu Rather than feeling the typical drowsy effects of alcohol, Four The freedoms provided Loko allows consumers to by the United States Con- drink beyond their normal stitution include the free- level of consumption. dom to drink whatever you However, this idea of enplease—well, almost. ergy drink mixed with liNine students from Cen- quor has been around since tral Washington Univer- 1934 when the Jager was sity were hospitalized with mixed with a German cockblood alcohol levels of .300 tail that had the equivalents due to the consumption of to an energy drink. Today, Four Lokos, a caffeinated this drink is commonly alcoholic drink that’s been sold at bars and clubs all popping up in news head- over the United States. It lines all across the country. consists of red bull and a The United States Food shot of Jagermeister. Parand Drug Administration tiers drink Jagerbombs with is looking into the damages the hopes of longer lasting, caused by this mix of alco- more energized partying. hol and energy within this Those against Four Loko drink and 40 other drinks. claim the company targets Despite the rumors, how- “young drinkers,” college ever, the Food and Drug freshmen to be exact, who Administration doesn’t go a little too far with their have regulation over caf- fun. feinated alcoholic beverThis is not a problem the ages. company should concern The future of Four Loko themselves with, but one will be put into the hands underage drinkers’ parents of Alcohol and Tobacco Tax should address. and Trade Bureau. Underage drinking is The senselessness of this an entirely separate entity recall is the fact that there than caffeinated alcoholic are several other drinks drinks. Yes, the drink is available to young drinkers sold cheap and many mithat have the same effects nors will wait outside gas as this alcoholic drink. stations for those of age to Four Loko is a 12 percent purchase them. alcoholic drink that comes However, this is a simple in a 23.5 ounce can for issue of security and law. about $3. The concern with The Four Loko brand name a Four Loko is sparked by holds strict to its support of the high levels of caffeine asking for an ID with every that cause the drinker to drink. stay awake longer, accordAccording to Phusion
Projects, the cans them- pendent on alcohol.” selves carry seven warnIn other words, no matter ings, including alcohol your age or the regularity content in “font as large as of your drinking habits, too the federal government will much alcohol of any kind allow” and a “WE ID” tag. can cause blackouts or alUnderage, inexperienced cohol poisoning. drinkers often lose sight U.S. Department of of their limit when drink- Health and Human Services ing anything. The black- gave 19 attorneys representouts shouldn’t be blamed ing 4Loko L.L.C. 30 days, on Four Loko, it should be as of Nov. 2, to prove that blamed on drinking in gen- the effects of Four Lokos are eral. not lethal. After that time Delaware County Daily period, if nothing has been Times called Four Loko a proven, Four Loko will be “legalized liquid cocaine,” removed from shelves all while several blog sites re- over the United States. ferred to it as “black-out Responsibility for under in a can.” However, if these aged drinking or simply same effects can happen af- going beyond your limit ter consuming any substan- should be placed on the intial amount of any alcohol, dividual, not the company. wouldn’t it make sense to ban all liquors? This, in effect, would be a violation of our American rights. Ac c o r d i n g to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Blackouts are much more common among social drinkers than previously assumed and should be viewed as potential consequences of acute intoxication regardless of age or whether the drinker is Photo Illustration by Barry Grubbs clinically de-
years past the original self-imposed deadline. Barry Grubbs Eikenberry said Opinion editor the revamped embgrubbs@mail.txwes.edu bassy compound will be the largest foreign embassy in the world. We When President Obama will have a troop presence announced the U.S. would beyond 2014. Count on it. begin pulling military The most incredible thing troops out of Afghanistan is not the size of the comby July 2011, I was skepti- pound or even the fact that cal. we will continue to have a My fears were confirmed significant presence in Afrecently when the U.S. am- ghanistan beyond 2011. bassador to Afghanistan, What really drives me craKarl Eikenberry announced zy is the amount of money the award of a $511 million the Obama administration contract to expand the ex- is spending on the project. isting U.S. Embassy in KaShouldn’t Americans be bul. outraged that in an economy This project is expected where so many are jobless and to be completed no sooner suffering, our leaders think it than June of 2014, which is a good idea to spend half guarantees a presence in a billion dollars to spruce up the country for nearly three the Afghan embassy?
Let me guess, the project will somehow give our troops an advantage? No wait, we must be doing this to create a more favorable atmosphere for democracy in a region of the world where democracy will likely never take root. Maybe we should blame Congress for the decision to spend like this overseas. I have a hard time believing our lawmakers could not find a way to use $500 million to help create jobs and stabilize the economy here at home. Don’t get me wrong. Jobs are being created—for Afghans. Currently, this project employs approximately 500 Afghans. Once construction begins, the number will increase to more than 1,500 employees. That’s great news unless you are not Afghan and
Too many tax dollars going overseas
The Rambler
Staff Editorial
Campus walkway facelift overdue They say, “When it rains, it pours.” We have recently noticed that when it rains, the campus sidewalks turn into rivers. There are some drainage issues that need attention at Wesleyan, and there is little doubt our administrators are aware of them. One sidewalk along the driveway connecting Wesleyan Street to the student housing parking lots has been buried under several inches of soil, probably for years. It is still a sidewalk, but it has grass growing on it. It is not serviceable. There are several sections near the student union building that are submerged during rains and have standing water on them even on sunny days. Nobody enjoys walking between buildings in a downpour. It’s especially tough to walk through 3 to 4 inches of standing or running water just to change classes. Let’s face it, our campus is beautiful when the sun is shining, but when rains hit hard, as they did during a recent tropical storm that flooded the library basement, things get dicey. During heavy and sustained downpours, the library is not the only
building affected. The McFadden Science building experienced considerable water intrusion during the same summer storm. It’s enough to swim up and down the sidewalks to get to class but walking into a classroom to find the floor flooded it not desirable. The task of repairing so many damaged walkways is an expensive one. The extent of the damage across the entire campus is considerable. Obviously, our leaders have to prioritize their expenditures just as any other college does. It just seems like the safety and comfort of our college community is sometimes taken for granted. Texas Wesleyan is going to spend money to improve the campus for our students, faculty and staff. The Morton Fitness Center is proof of that. Everyone is thrilled to see capital improvements on that scale. There is no harm in suggesting that maybe those who make the tough decisions about spending consider some repairs and improvements to the walkways and drainage of our campus grounds. The rainy season is just around the corner.
happen to be seeking employment here in the states. There is no doubt some strategic reason our government is investing so heavily in Afghanistan. It is probably the same reason they poured hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into the infrastructure of Iraq. American citizens may not have a need to know why Bush and now Obama spend so freely in this region. The point I want to make is that we have needs right here, right now, and I believe these needs are every bit as important as our diplomatic agenda or foreign policy. I am dying to hear a truthful and logical explanation for this latest misappropriation of taxpayer funds. I hear crickets.
Do you think the government should be involved in regulating the use of alcoholic energy drinks?
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Jonathan Resendez, editor-in-chief Barry Grubbs, opinion editor Eliana Mijangos, sports editor Chuck Fain, arts & entertainment editor Dwight Conerway, college life editor Meisa Keivani Najafabadi, photo editor Erica Estrada, graphic designer/cartoonist Wendy Moore, faculty adviser Dr. Kay Colley, faculty liaison
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Jordan Skiles, junior marketing
“I don’t personally use them, and I don’t understand why people use them.”
Leslie Rodriguez, junior music education
“There’s no reason to ban it. It should have the same restrictions as beer.”
Matt Castillo, freshman business
“It’s been on the market for awhile, but they are just starting to worry about it. Why?”
Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University
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Eduardo Cejas, freshman psychology
“It would kind of be like prohibition and that’s an infringement of our rights.”
Danni Dubois, sophomore psychology
“It doesn’t make sense that they worry about this when there bigger things to worry about.”
Campus
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
School gathers bears for needy Melissa Bates
mdbates@mail.txwes.edu
The School of Arts and Letters is on a bear hunt. In 2005, professor of English and pre-professional program director Miriam Espinosa and administrative assistant to the dean for the School of Arts and Letters Patricia Ersland began collecting bears and other stuffed critters for the Fort Worth Police Department’s East Division to give to children in the midst of a crisis. Ersland said in 2009, the statistics for the zip code surrounding Wesleyan showed officers needed 350 stuffed animals to fit the needs of the children and young people who would be present when officers were on-scene dealing with a situation. The crisis situations children endure range from a car wreck to a child waiting for a Child Protective Services pick-up to a parent being arrested, Ersland said. “After 2005, we found it interesting that it’s not just the toddlers that you quiet so they’re not crying because they don’t understand,” Ersland said. “It’s even the teenagers who just need something to hang on to when all around them there’s activity that is normally dangerous.” In 2005, the languages and literature department collected 179 stuffed animals, Ersland said. Since 2005, the number of stuffed animals collected has mushroomed to 432 in 2009. Since the beginning, the School of Arts and Letters has collected 1,487 stuffed animals. Ersland said the quantity matters, not the quality. She said some of the cutest stuffed animals they’ve received have come from stores like Dollar Tree. “It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it needs to be new,” Ersland said. Espinosa said she finds it very sad to think the officers need so many stuffed animals during the year for so many crisis situations. “Then it makes you feel good to know you’ve helped, even in some
Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff The Fort Worth Police Department gives stuffed animals to children and young people in the midst of crisis situations such as car wrecks or CPS cases. The School of Arts and Letters and pre-professional program director Miriam Espinosa began collecting bears to donate to the police department in 2005.
small way,” Espinosa said. “By spending a relatively small amount of money, we can help someone so very much, and it makes you feel good to do that.” Professor of English Elizabeth Battles said she thinks the program is a wonderful idea and a great way to give children some measure of comfort and confidence and a sense of stability in a difficult situation.
“That’s simple for us to do as a charity-type thing,” Battles said. “To give a stuffed animal that can make such a huge difference.” Deliver captured stuffed animals to the dean’s office, room 256 in Polytechnic United Methodist Church by Nov. 30. For more information contact Patricia Ersland at persland@txwes.edu or 817-531-4900.
November 10, 2010
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gain insight in themselves,” Warren said. “They also learn to be encouraging, yet realistic with clients and the people in which they engage.” In addition to offering degrees in counseling, Wesleyan also offers counseling services to all students, faculty and community members. “Our practicum students, aided by our faculty, offer these services through the Glick House Community Counseling Center,” Connell said. “They also serve beyond Wesleyan students and faculty, and offer affordable counseling services to the surrounding community.” A variety of services are offered in the Glick House, including marriage and family counseling, substance abuse, anger management, parenting, grief counseling and relationship counseling. Individual counseling for students and faculty is free, while counseling for indi-
viduals outside of the Wesleyan community comes with a sliding rate, meant to be affordable for all families, couples and single people. The university also has Scott Methvin in the Glick House, a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist, who also helps to provide these services. “This facility is the training ground for our many great students,” Warren said. “They see some undergrad students, staff, family members related to staff, faculty and students, and others referred to them by outside professional organizations.” However, students in the counseling programs do not usually see other students in the graduate program of counseling and faculty due to professional ethics. “Counselors are natural helping people; these programs lead to career paths that provide helping services with issues that plague many in our society,” Warren said.
Counseling services offered: •Individual Counseling (free for students and faculty) •Marriage and Family Counseling •Parenting Classes (English and Spanish) •Adolescents •Anger Management •Grief Counseling •Substance Abuse •School-Related Issues •Partner Violence Counseling •Relationship Counseling What Graduate Counseling students will learn: •Goal setting techniques •How to help individuals recognize their strengths •How to find solutions to everyday problems •How to challenge themselves •How to be better active listeners •How to see things from another’s perspective •Encouragement techniques •How to be realistic with individuals
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Campus
November 10, 2010
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Math graduates enter teaching fields Melissa Bates
“It gives you a great feeling that you’ve
mdbates@mail.txwes.edu
Secondary schools need more math teachers, and this year they got four of them from Wesleyan. Between December 2009 and August 2010, four Wesleyan graduates got their secondary certification in math and were almost immediately hired to teach in secondary schools. “If we don’t have good math teachers, students who come out of high school won’t have the math background they need for college,” Jane Moore, mathematics professor and department chair said. Moore said she believes 50 to 60 percent of high school graduates take a developmental math class upon entering college. Carlos Martinez, school of education dean, said even though the U.S. is in a rough economic market for teachers, math and science continues to be the greatest need. “If you can teach secondary science or math, you’ll get a job in five minutes,” Martinez said. “If you’re willing to teach junior high, you’ll get a job in five minutes. If you’re willing to teach junior high in an urban environment, in two minutes you’ll find a job.” Henry Ly, 41, served two tours in Iraq and was an engineer before returning to school to teach math. He teaches 220 freshmen at James Bowie High School in Arlington. Ly said he loves it when he can give a student an “aha!” moment. “It gives you a great feeling that you’ve accomplished something, and you don’t get that in the daily
accomplished something, and you don’t get that in the daily workforce.” Henry Ly (right)
freshman math teacher, James Bowie High School workforce,” Ly said. “That’s what drove me to become a teacher.” But Ly said he’s in a delusional stage right now. “I did two tours in Iraq,” Ly said. “I’d rather be in Iraq than teaching secondary math. That’s the delusional stage feeling I have.” Sandra Schneider, 29, is doing her internship at Central High School in Keller. She teaches 150 freshmen and sophomores. Schneider said the state certification exam all secondary math graduates take is one of the hardest certification tests. Schneider and another graduate, Rebecca Couey, passed the exam on the first try, which is rare. “When you come into teaching, you forget all the basics,” Schneider said. “You’ve spent so much time in higher level that going back to basics is an adjustment.” Schneider said she has several potential math majors in her high school classes. One student told Schneider she wants to attend Harvard. Schneider said she told the student to bring a pennant back from the Ivy League school so Schneider could say she taught a Harvard student. Rebecca Couey, 33, teaches at New Horizon High School, an alternative school in Joshua. She is the only math teacher for all
ninth through 12th graders. Couey said she always wanted to teach at an alternative school. “I was an at-risk child as a teenager and got really close to dropping out of school,” Couey said. “If I’d had an alternative school, it would’ve made a big difference in my life.” Couey said she’s different than most math majors who want to go into engineering and technical jobs. “I don’t like the applications of mathematics,” Couey said. “I’d rather teach it than do it every day. Engineering is not for me.” Couey said she was determined to work at New Horizon. Couey said she knew there would be an opening by May 2010 because of a retiring teacher. She took 33 hours in spring, about 20 hours at Wesleyan and the rest at Hill College. Couey graduated July 7 and signed the contract with New Horizon five days later. Luz Padilla, 23, is doing her internship at Forest Oak Middle School in Fort Worth. She teaches 69 eighth graders. Padilla said she always wanted to work with immigrant students. Most of the time immigrant students are told to learn English then go out and get a job, she said. “I believed if I got into
Wesleyan Blanket and Jacket Drive
Donation centers will be set up at different locations on campus. Please bring warm blankets and jackets from November 1st—19th so that we can share the warmth with others this November.
Sponsored by Student Life
90 Years of Leadership
2010
1920 Contact Us at Phone: 817-531-7550 Email: stugov@txwes.edu
Visit us at
OC Hall 202 and 204
“When you come into teaching, you
forget all the basics. You’ve spent so much time in higher level that going back to the basics is an adjustment.” Sandra Schneider (right)
intern, Keller Central High School
“I was an at-risk child as a teenager
and got really close to dropping out of school. If I’d had an alternative school, it would’ve made a big difference in my life.” Rebecca Couey (right)
teacher, New Horizon High School teaching I could reach some of those students who’ve immigrated to the United States and give them the option, if they want to, to go to college,” Padilla said. Padilla said if people want to teach math they have to really like math and children to be able to handle the rigors of the job. “It’s a lot of work—way more work than I expected,” Padilla said.
Padilla said Forest Oak is a low-income school that is 50 percent Hispanic, 40 percent African-American and one percent white. Sometimes she has to supply the children with items they need to do their work. “I have days where I question why I’m here because the students seem to not want to learn,” Padilla said. “I have to tell myself that’s why I’m here.”
Padilla said students are used to teachers quitting. She said when she has to do off-campus training, the students will ask if she’s quitting because they’re bad. She has to constantly reassure them she will not leave. “I’m trying to influence them and help them to see what’s out there,” Padilla said.
Sports
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
November 10, 2010
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Seniors leave on high note Eliana Mijangos
emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu
The Lady Rams volleyball team slid past Southern Nazarene’s Crimson Storm to get a win on Senior Night Nov. 2 in the Sid Richardson Center. The Lady Rams started slow, unable to make any solid returns. Nazarene capitalized on Wesleyan mistakes taking a 25-15 win in a short-fought battle. In game two, the Lady Rams refused to step down. Kristen Venhuizen, senior outside hitter, capitalized on the errors of the Lady Storm by killing them with three solid spikes. Lynsay Buell, freshman middle blocker, came off the bench with lots of energy and some vital returns giving them a 10-6 lead. Haelee Horne, freshman outside hitter, finished the game off with a block, setting them up for a 25-10 lead. Taking an early lead in game three, the Lady Storm’s errors made for an early four-point lead. However, Nazarene’s Kira Roberts, freshman middle blocker, came into the game sweeping the Lady Rams with a powerful block and kill that Wesleyan failed to return. This put the Lady Rams above the Storm 20-16. The Lady Rams’ back row jeopardized the lead as Nazarene took a 23-21 lead with some irretrievable kills. Venhuizen tried to pick up the team’s tempo, but the Lady Rams fell 25-23. Both teams kept the game close in game four, but Venhuizen pushed the Lady Rams ahead to take a 12-7 lead with several solid serves. Jennifer Kline, freshman middle blocker, and Buell had two double blocks in a row sending a message to the Storm that they brought their umbrellas and wouldn’t go down easily. Marissa Rangel, junior defensive specialist, and Stephanie Dominguez, freshman setter, played a strong back line sealing
Angie Ruiz | Rambler Staff Senior outside hitter, Kristen Venhuizen, sets up for a dig during a close game against Southern Nazarene University. The Senior Night game honored Wesleyan seniors Nov. 2.
the Lady Ram lead. Venhuizen shut down the Storm with a powerful kill assisted by senior setter, Evoni Darling, to seal a 25- 15 win. “I think it was a great win,” Rosenbush said. “We all played hard to win for the seniors because we will miss them so much.” The Storm scored early in game five as the Lady Ram fans sat on edge, but Wesleyan quickly took the 8-7 lead. A serve by Nazarene’s Roberts that the Lady Rams couldn’t re-
turn gave them a 13-11 lead. Errors on the Storm’s side left them with a 13-13 tie. Kline came out of the time out with a powerful kill setting the Lady Rams up for a 15-14 lead, and Katherine Rosenbush, freshman middle blocker, followed close behind with the winning serve that the Storm just couldn’t handle. The Lady Rams finished the game 16-14 as they celebrated Senior Night for Darling and Venhuizen. “The win over SNU was a great
Angie Ruiz | Rambler Staff Senior setter, Evoni Darling tops off her Red River Conference “Setter of the Week” title with an assist to freshman middle blocker, Lynsay Buell for a game-winning kill.
win for us going in the conference tournament. We showed discipline, fought for every point earning the match,” said head coach Christy Clawson. Darling was named Red River Athletic Conference setter of the week as of Nov. 1 with 69 total assists. “As for the seniors, they have given so much to this program over the course of four years. They have been leaders and mentors on the court
and in the classroom, and friends to this young team. They have grown and matured into two young ladies I am proud to say that I have had the opportunity to coach and been involved in their lives,” Clawson said. “Although some of the freshmen haven’t had as much time with the seniors as I have, I know we will all miss their leadership and, more importantly, their friendship,” said sophomore middle blocker Christina Daniel.
Lady Rams miss their conference title goal Eliana Mijangos
emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu
The Lady Ram Soccer team competed in the first round of the Red River Athletic Conference tournament in Brownsville Nov. 4. The Lady Rams faced the Louisiana Shreveport University Pilots in the quarter finals. Jessica Watton, sophomore forward, came into the game leading the RRAC conference with 43 points. She scored an early goal, setting the tempo for the Lady Rams that remained throughout. This first goal was assisted by Karissa Olsen, freshman forward. Pilot’s Heather McCutchen, midfielder, tied the game 1-1 right before the half. The Watton-Olsen duo came out the second half refusing to settle for anything less than a lead and took another early
goal. Leah Valtman, freshman midfielder, quickly followed as she scored and gave the Lady Rams a 3-1 lead. Shreveport tried to get back in the game with a last minute goal, but Katy Houchin, junior goal keeper, made four saves to seal the 3-2 win. This win advanced the Lady Rams to the Oct. 5 semi-final round against the Red River Athletic Conference winners, Northwood University. “When you play the regular season champion, you have to perform to near perfection, and we weren’t able to do that,” said head coach Josh Gibbs. The Lady Rams took a hard 3-0 loss to Northwood, with all three goals scored in the first half. A free kick at 10:26 was goal one. Goal two came from a corner kick by Northwood’s Natalie Cater, sophomore for-
ward, who 10 minutes later scored again. “I thought versus Northwood we had a bad day, collectively, at the worst time,” Gibbs said. The Lady Rams finished conference play 13-6, taking fourth place in the RRAC. “I promised my team that I would be whatever they needed me to be whether it was the best forward in the conference or the best cheerleader on our bench,” Watton said, “So all the sacrifices and injuries were all worth it, and I’d do it all over again.” The Lady Rams will lose six seniors to graduation. “We lose one of five players in the back that set school records for fewest goals allowed in a season (20) and best goals against average (1.05),” Gibbs said. Watton led the Lady Rams
Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Ramble r Staff Junior defense, Kayla Mason (as shown hustling for an assist at Martin Field) was one of four Lady Ram soccer players receiving Second Team All- Conference mentions for the Red River Athletic Conference. Karissa Olsen, freshman forward, Jodi Blowers, senior mid-fielder, and Jessica Watton, sophomore forward joined Mason in these honors.
in goals, assists and shots. Houchin led the team in saves,
and Olsen was ranked National Association of Intercol-
legiate Athletes Division One for total points and goals.
Let’s Let’s -RRAC Tournament Women’s Go Go Volleyball TWU vs. Southwestern Assemblies of RAMS! RAMS! God University Fri. Nov.Let’s 12th 12:00 pm Let’s Go -TWU Women’s Basketball Go RAMS! RAMS! Let’s -Men’s Basketball Let’s Go Go RAMS! RAMS! vs. Tarleton State University Nov. 13, 7:30 pm -Home Opener vs. TX Lutheran Nov. 16th 5:30 pm
Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Jessica Watton, sophomore forward, (shown preparing to cross her defender from Lubbock Christian University) was named Red River Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Player of the Week Oct. 18-24. She was also named Second Team All-Conference, a title that comes with her eight division one national rankings for points, assists and goals. “Everything I accomplished this year wouldn’t be possible without the team or coaches I had behind me. I was just being what they needed me to be to win,” Watton said.
vs. Southwestern Adventist University Nov. 15th 7:30 pm
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Arts & Entertainment
November 10, 2010
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Crimes take the stage at Theatre Wesleyan
Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Above, sophomore theatre major Cassandra Beltran, and junior theatre major Elise Plaskonos try different dresses for Theatre Wesleyan’s production of Crimes of the Heart. Rachel Peel
rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu
A Pulitzer Prize-winning play will debut at Theatre Wesleyan Nov. 11. The Wesleyan Theatre department will perform Crimes of the Heart Nov. 11-13 and Nov. 18-21. The production was written by Beth Henley, a Southern Methodist University alumna. “It’s a show I have really loved for a long time; it’s a Pulitzer Prize winner,� said theatre professor and director Brynn Bristol. “We have so many girls in the department right now that are really good it was actually really hard at auditions to decide who to use I had call backs a couple of times because we had so many good auditions.� The play is set in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, just outside of Jackson in
the 1970s. It’s about three sisters who were raised primarily by their grandparents because their father ran off and their mother committed suicide. The youngest daughter Babe married a rich senator. The middle daughter pursued a singing career in California, and the oldest daughter still lives at home, Bristol said. “It’s a comedy-drama, a little bit like a chick flick or chick play,� Bristol said. Auditions for the play began right after the presentation of Chekhov’s Vaudevilles. About 40 people tried out for the play, and only six were cast, Bristol said. Senior theatre major Cari Watson auditioned for the parts of Chick and Meg and was cast as Meg. It took her about two weeks to practice her lines and be completely off book, she said.
“I think the script is lovely,� Watson said. “I think that it’s a great indication about how time and distance can’t change the past, or keep you apart from bounds that are just innately there.� Watson said she practices about five hours a day on campus and at home. She also says she is really excited about playing the role of Meg because her character is relaxed and hip. “I was really happy to be involved with any part of the production,� Watson said. “I’m happy from sweeping the stage to being the lead.� The students working behind the scenes make everything possible. “I just make sure the show runs smoothly,� said Jesica Valadez, sophomore theatre major and stage manager.
Photo courtesy of Erica Maroney The stars of Crimes of the Heart prepare for the show’s debut. From top to bottom, senior theatre major Joy Millard, senior theatre major Cari Watson and sophomore theatre major Cassandra Beltran.
Valadez said she will manage nine people for this show ranging from hair and make-up to lighting and sound. “You have to be very organized, and I love being organized. It’s one of my favorite things,� Valadez said. “You know everything and you’re kind of the go-to person, and it’s really cool, because you are kind of in the middle of everything.� Valadez says every time she isn’t
in class, she is working on the show. Even when she is eating she is talking about the show. “At times it can be stressful, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it,� Valadez said. Crimes of the Heart will debut at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Thad Smotherman Theatre. Tickets are: $8 General Admission, $6 for faculty and staff and $4 for Wesleyan students with ID.
Kanye’s new album kills the competition Jonathan Resendez
jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu
Mullet-rocking, skinny jean hipsters and longhaired metal heads need to know. Country fans and deaf people need to know. Everyone needs to know. Kanye West’s album My Dark Twisted Fantasy, dropping Nov. 22, will be a sonic masterpiece—if the songs are the same quality as the songs on his movie Runaway. I’m writing this article a week before publication, and I can already hear people moaning and rolling their eyes. For those still reading, I can assure that if the tracks on the album sound re-
motely similar to the gems featured in his movie, or the ones he’s been releasing every Friday since late August, there is hope for the music industry yet. I might even buy it. Jaded by the garbage rap music on the radio, it’s hard to stomach mainstream rap—let alone think it will last more than a couple of months. But Kanye blends, dumps and splices soulful samples reminiscent of his early years with the electronic and technical prowess of someone who’s lived in the studio for 100 years on cuts such as The Joy. With most of the tracks running longer than the traditional hip hop song, West
5 1 8 6 7 6 2 7 1 5 3 7
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Photo courtesy of contactmusic.com
millions he has spent recording in Hawaii or how
much he pays his hot food chef. But that’s not what
makes my face scrunch up. It’s the music.
Texas Wesleyan University Š Puzzles provided by sudokusolver.com
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knows he’s on to something. The rapping overall is nice, but certain rappers have more chemistry with the beat and each other than others, which might be what holds the album from an overall classic rating. West, however, murders all of his verses: “Pull down your pants, they can kiss both cheeks like we living in France.� The songs are chock full of money and flaunting references a la trash radio rap—except West gets a pass because it’s different and more creative than everything else out there. I could easily write 600 words about the first 6 minutes of his 35 minute video Runaway, which is a masterpiece, but no one would read that. I could write about the Taylor Swift incident or his disappearances to Europe. But that’s not what makes my neck jerk. I could write about the
Religious Life at Texas Wesleyan University Chapel: Live music with brief time of worship Tuesdays at 12:15 in PUMC Chapel Free lunch after on PUMC 3rd Floor – Room 312
Common Meal:
Free lunch and discussion/dialogue Thursdays at 12:15 in PUMC Chapel PUMC 3rd Floor – Room 312 “Faith seeking understanding� – ALL are welcome! For info: http://www.txwes.edu/religiouslife/index.htm
and
The Department of Music present
Music of the Americas Concert Music Department Soloists November 11 at 7:30 p.m. Martin Hall
Guitar Fort Worth: Classical Series @ Wesleyan Laura Young, guitar November 12 at 7:30 p.m. Martin Hall
Cliburn Concert Series Vladimir Feltsman, piano November 16 at 7:30 p.m. Bass Hall
For more information, visit http://www.txwes.edu/music/music/index.htm or call 817-531-4992
Arts & Entertainment
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
November 10, 2010
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Wesleyan welcomes poetic performances Dwight Conerway
dconerway@mail.txwes.edu
The English honor’s society Sigma Tau Delta and literary journal Aries teamed up with Subway owner Ricky Harden to host an open mic night Nov. 2. A crowd of about 10 people gathered to hear author Rodney Greenwood and local talent perform spoken word. “Poetry is my way of releasing my hidden feeling about my past life,” Greenwood said. “We all have a story to tell, and this is the way I keep myself focused to move on with my life.” Greenwood is a 20-year Navy veteran who was raised by his grandmother after being abandoned by his birth mother on the steps of a San Antonio police station more than 30 years ago. Greenwood began writing poetry in 2003 and has been performing since 2004. Sigma Tau Delta and Aries will host an event from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday at the Rosedale Subway except for Thanksgiving until the end of the semester. “I want to offer the Wesleyan students who are far away from home a place to go for local entertainment without having to go far from the campus,” Harden said.
Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Poet Rodney Greenwood (right) prepares to perform at the Sigma Tau Delta/Aries poetry reading at the Rosedale Subway.
Smokey’s BBQ exceeds culinary expectations Angie Ruiz | aruiz@mail.txwes.edu
RESTAURANT REVIEW This review is the fifth in a series The Rambler staff is working to bring you featuring potentially overlooked dining spots on East Lancaster Avenue. Barbecue is a famous southern cuisine. And though I may be biased, I feel confident in saying that Texans know their barbecue. Many of us have our favor-
ite barbecue places to visit such as Riscky’s, Dickie’s and Cousins. But if you’re in the Wesleyan area, you need not look any further for some good, home-cooked barbecue right from the pit. Smokey’s BBQ is located at 5300 E Lancaster Ave., right across from a recent favorite, John Carter’s Place. The location is small but unique.
The restaurant has a down-home feel, furnished with picnic benches and red checkered table cloths. The only thing missing is iced tea served in mason jars. For $8, I received generous portions of jalapeño sausage on a homemade bun, sweet coleslaw, mustard potato salad and the biggest cup of iced tea I’ve ever seen. This may seem like a lot already, but there’s more. Smokey’s offers an assortment of smoked and barbecued meats such as ribs, brisket, sausage, wings and even turkey. The sides are self-serve, delicious and limited to all you can eat. Aside from the coleslaw and potato salad, Smokey’s
offers one of the most amazing sides I’ve ever tasted: baked beans. Now, these aren’t the ordinary Texasstyle baked beans with bacon and onion. These baked beans are infused with a sweet and tangy sauce and topped with chunks of brisket. That’s right, brisket — my kind of meal. Sweet iced tea and country-style lemonade are also available to wash down a meal like this, and if you’re lucky—you may even get the pie of the day on the house. If you’re in the mood for some wings and fries, all the Angie Ruiz | Rambler Staff mouth-watering sides you Smokey’s sausage sandwich comes on a homemade bun and can eat, chopped brisket, is served on a metal tray. ribs, sausage and all things barbecue, Smokey’s is where This hidden Lancaster Don’t forget to check the enyou want to be. gem will be sure to please. trance doors for daily deals.
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November 10, 2010
College Life
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Seminar teaches students financial responsibility Jonathan Resendez
jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu
Constant rain didn’t stop a crowd of more than 30 students from attending Monster.com’s Ultimate Money Skills presentation Nov. 2 in the SUB. Sponsored by Bank of America and Wesleyan Student Life, the presentation focused on student budgeting and saving, credit and financial planning for the future. It took professional speaker Brandon Walker five seconds to elicit student interaction with questions about Starbucks and Red Bull. “If you’re a college student, caffeine plays a significant part in your life,” Walker said. “The average college student spends $4.30 a day on caffeine. The same amount of money can do something significant.” Walker said if students traveled to
GUNS
Wal-Mart or Target at the beginning of the week and made their own coffee, they could save $4.30 five times a week. Based on an average 8 percent return, a 22-year-old student would have more than $100,000 by the time he was 64, Walker said. “The little things make a huge difference,” he said. Walker said most people don’t know their credit scores, and that it’s the No. 1 financial problem among students. He cited interest, fees and owner discipline as the most problematic credit card traits. “Set your credit limit high enough to get you out of trouble, but not enough to get you into trouble,” he said. In 2009, U.S. banks made $36 billion in fees alone—money they made for doing nothing, Walker said. To prevent such fees, Walker said students should take advantage of text
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offenders more than once. “We know students have a life outside of class,” she said. “But at this point, if you made your bed, whatever happens—happens.” The danger airsoft guns pose to other students, along with multiple student complaints, have pushed security to the point of zero tolerance, she said. “[Students need to] put the guns up,” she said. “It’s not worth it. We will catch you.” The Students (names withheld) The Crosman Pulse R73 airsoft gun generates muzzle velocities of up to 225 feetper-second. A shot from it feels like a pebble ricocheting off of a lawn mower blade. It creates a small welt that trickles blood and has the lingering sting of an ant bite. Although freshmen Rusty and Jack are on the same “team,” Jack’s been on the receiving end of Rusty’s Crosman.
“He looked out of the hall at the wrong time,” Rusty said. Wesleyan students with airsoft guns formed teams and took turns ambushing one another, sometimes stealing the other team’s guns a-la capture the flag. Rusty and Jack have spent about $200 at Wal-Mart and Dick’s Sporting Goods to equip themselves. The going rate for 10,000 BBs: $10. Although Rusty and Jack said they enjoy terrorizing fellow hall residents, they often go play outside. “Some nights we’ll run around playing for a couple hours,” Rusty said. “It’s like [the videogame] Call of Duty, but we get exercise.” Rusty and Jack’s athletic team hasn’t received warnings from their coach or security about the airsoft gun use— not so for some of the other Wesleyan students packing airsoft heat.
The average college student graduates owing $4,000 in credit card debt.
$ $ $
Beware of store credit cards: a one-time saving can increase exponentially over time. Pay more than the minimum amount due, otherwise you’re just digging yourself a deeper hole.
Don’t skip payments. A single non-payment can drop your credit score up to 100 points. There isn’t room for error when 850 is the highest score you can have.
messaging alerts that notify bank customers when their balances are below a certain amount. Maribel Solis, junior Spanish major, said she found Walker’s moneysaving tips helpful.
Senior Curtis said his team had a meeting after their coach received an e-mail saying the guns were getting out of hand because people were bothered by the amount of BBs in the hallway. “They were talking about kicking people off campus— especially athletes—so we had to calm it down,” Curtis said. “But at the same time, it’s like what else are we going to do?” Curtis said playing with the guns wards off the boredom caused by the lack of activities at the university. Although the students play to pass the time, the guns also offer a sense of protection from others who have them, Curtis said. “The first part that makes us keep doing it is—first off, there’s nothing else to do,” he said. “It’s like, ‘If you shoot at me, I’m going to shoot back. If you shoot at me, it’s a wrap.’” Curtis said he sees nothing wrong with the guns as long as they pick up the BBs when they’re done.
Photo and graphic by Jonathan Resendez | Rambler Staff Brandon Walker discusses the importance of financial responsibility.
“Going to the club once instead of three times on the weekend makes a big difference,” she said. Likewise, junior bilingual education major Lorena Perez said Walk-
er’s practical tips hit home. “He was talking about the real stuff,” she said. “You might think, ‘Oh, it’s a couple of dollars’, but the stuff adds up.”
Jonathan Resendez | Rambler Staff An arsenal of airsoft guns in a student’s dorm. Some students have spent up to $300 on guns.
He believes droves of students would sign up for an airsoft gun league, which could even benefit the university. If
airsoft guns were restricted to league use only, he said he would still play with them in his free time.
“That’s like saying you can go to the movies but can’t watch a DVD at home,” he said.