The Vista April 03, 2007

Page 1

www.thevistaonline.com

INSIDE

11-1E

The Student Voice of the University of Central Oklahoma Since 1903

page 2 page 5 page 7 page 14

The Round Table Greek Week Did you know Sports April 3, 2007

UCO holds 2007 International Pageant by Abha Eli Phoboo Staff Writer

by Vista photographer Laehyung Lee

Michael Hermann from Ivory Coast and Ilia Pant from Nepal win Mr. and Miss UCO International 2007 March 30 in Constitution Hall.

Mr. and Miss UCO . International 2007 Scholarship Pageant took place March 30 at the Nigh University Center. There were 12 participants in the contest: six males and six females. The countries represented were Colombia, India, Japan, Indonesia, Nepal, Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Pakistan. The contestants were judged on the basis of their presentations in the various rounds: Introduction, Casual Wear, Talent Competition, Evening Wear, and Interview. Ilia Pant of Nepal was crowned Miss UCO International 2007 and Michael Aka Hermann of Ivory Coast Mr UCO International 2007. Each won scholarships of $750. Both had danced in the talent round and given answers in the interview round. "I didn't expect to win, but I'm so very happy to have been able to represent my country

and to win the title. My friends gave me tremendous support and believed in me more than I believed in myself," Pant, freshman biology major, said, As the new Miss UCO International, Pant hopes to be able to help the international community on campus address problems that foreign students are faced with. "Many students are bewildered and in culture shock for a while, even months after they arrive. It takes time to reach a stable state of mind and I want to be make it possible for such students to have their voices heard, to meet their country representatives on campus," said Pant, who herself has been in the States for three months only. Mr. UCO International 2007 Hermann echoes the same sentiments. "I want to contribute to the improvement of the international community on campus," he said. A finance sophomore, Hermann recollects the ela-

see International, page 5

by Vista photographer Laehyung Lee

Ilia Pant from Nepal showcases her traditional dance March 30 at Constitution Hall.

Music Theatre demonstrates songs from the silver screen by Lyndsay Gillum Staff Writer

AP Photo by Steven Maupin

A tornado touches down in a rural area south of Silverton, Texas, Wednesday, March 28. The storm swept through the Texas panhandle from the Rockies, killing at least four people in three states, authorities said Thursday.

Nature's weapon of mass destruction UCO students need to be aware of what to do in case a twister makes its way across campus in the middle of classes. by Andrew Knittle Staff Writer

Spring is officially upon Oklahoma, bringing with it pleasant weather, good moods, the promise of summer and potentially lethal swirling vortexes of earth and debris capable of destroying millions in property in mere seconds. A fact of life in This part of the country, tornadoes are a very real threat in the Edmond area. Despite this looming danger, Department of Public Safety Chief Jeff Harp said many residents don't take the prospect of tornadoes too seriously — at least not at first. "Most of us are Oklahomans; we just go outside and watch the storm until it's time to act," Harp said "Then we start moving." Harp said the DPS has start-

ed to take the seasonal precautions associated with severe weather, which includes thunderstorms as well as tornadoes. "This week was the first glimpse of tornado season and we've started to prepare," Harp said. "By next week, we'll be more ready and so on." Tornadoes have already claimed the lives of two Oklahoma residents this spring, the first in nearly six years. A Beaver County couple died March 28 because the pair couldn't hear the emergency sirens at their country home, according to media reports. Because it's not a matter of if a tornado will hit, but when it will hit, UCO students need to be aware of what to do in case a twister makes its way across campus in the middle of classes, Harp said.

Watch News Central Channel 6 @ 5 p.m.

Detailed instructions are available on UCO's website, under the Administration and Finance heading, listed as the Environmental Health and Safety option. Included in the data are tips on what to do before, during and after a tornado, as well as evacuation procedures for particular buildings. Harp said this information is important because not all buildings have adequate basements or sealed spaces to protect against the enormous forces that accompany tornadoes. For further information regarding tornado safety and evacuation procedures, visit UCO's website or call the university's DPS at 974-2345.

The UCO Music Theatre Department will pay tribute to the music of the movies with "Blame it on the Movies" at 8 p.m. April 12 through April 14 at the UCO Jazz Lab. "Blame it on the Movies" is a fun-filled musical celebration of songs from the silver screen, according to the College of Arts, Media and Design website. It is a fast moving variety show that pays tribute to the classic tunes from the movies of the 1930s and 1940s. The musical features unforgettable tunes from movies such as "The Wizard of Oz," "Rocky," "Gone With the Wind," and "Footloose." Movie music fans will hear such familiar songs as "The Way You Look Tonight," "You Stepped out of a Dream," "The Way We Were," "Something's Gotta Give," "What's New Pussycat," and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." "Blame it on the Movies is a terrific show for the students to work on," said Billie Thrash, show director and choreographer, in a press release. It represents a vast variety of song styles from the wonderful songs of the thirties that also became pop hits to contemporary melodies. We even touch on film scores, not

Photo Provided

Music Theatre students (left to right) Becky Merkley, Heather Rouba and Mick Gelona in "Blame it on the Movies."

just songs. There will be singing, dancing and comedy." According to Musical Theatre International, the original production had a long run in 1988 at the Coast Playhouse in Los Angeles. The original cast included Bill Hutton [the original Broadway Joseph], Barbara Sharma, Anne Marie Runolfsson [Les Miserables] and Michelle Nicastro, who has since recorded two popular solo albums of movie songs. The show was so successful that it spawned. a sequel, which was performed in the fall of 1988. "Blame it on the Movies" pays respect to movie musi-

cals, comedies, westerns, thrillers, action-adventure flicks and historical epics. The musical is classified as a comedy, mystery/ thriller, nostalgia and romance. UCO Music Theater students Becky Merkley, Heather Rouba and Mick Gelona are among the featured performers. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the Jazz Lab. Reservations are strongly recommended. For further information, call the Jazz Lab at 359-7989.

Lyndsay Gillum can be reached at lgillum@thevistaonline.com .

Normans play dress-up at fair by Justin Langston Staff Writer

The UCO Medieval Society returned to the annual Medieval Fair held in Norman for the 13th year in a row. This year, the Medieval Society focused on the Normans at War. "This is a way for UCO students to show their knowledge with thousands," Stephen

Andrew Knittle can be reached at aknittle@thevistaonlinacom.

Law, chair of Humanities and Philosophy Department said. "This becomes more real as they engage the interests of the public." The Medieval Society presented three suits of handcrafted Norman chain mail; one suit was mail ordered. A UCO alumnus made one and Law

see Medieval, page 3

"There is no statement so absurd that no philosopher will make it." TUE. 74/60 - Cicero

WED. 66/47


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
The Vista April 03, 2007 by The Vista - Issuu