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THEVISTA
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Fall semester comes to a close Holiday season begins • Parade of Lights this weekend Stor y by BROOK S NICK EL L , Staf f Writer
Miss Edmond Liberty Fest 2011 Alicia Clifton, left, and Miss Edmond Liberty Fest Outstanding Teen 2011 Heather Rasmussen pose for a picture before participating in the Parade of Lights, Thursday, Dec 1, 2011. Photo by The Vista Archives
Baseball in December Page 7
THURSDAY• December 6, 2012
The Edmond Electric Parade of Lights is going on its fourth year and once again the University of Central Oklahoma will be one of the main attractions along the parade route. Michelle Trimberger, Program Coordinator for Edmond Electric, allowed that this year’s growing amount of entries, totaling around 50, is largely due to the day of the parade being switched to Saturday. The change was made not only in hopes of gaining more parade entries but also as an attempt to free up traffic during the event. Trimberger also expects to see a significant increase in onlooker turnout and expressed her gratitude towards UCO’s willingness to offer up university parking lots. “UCO has been a partner with us in many things for years. There’s not a lot of empty space for parking in downtown Edmond. The University has graciously allowed us to use their parking lots.” Trimberger added that the Downtown Edmond Business Association had worked with UCO and its yearly program Winter Glow before the passing of the Christmas parade torch, four years ago to Edmond Electric. Trimberger said that UCO’s Christmas Lights always were a natural fit for the parade. “UCO does such a wonderful job lighting their campus. When you come down Campbell and you get to see Old North, It’s just gorgeous.” This years Parade of Lights will kick off at Shannon Miller Park in Edmond on the corner of Jackson and First
Street behind the Library. The Mayor’s tree lighting ceremony is the first event and starts at 6 p.m. The Mayor will also be announcing the winners of an essay contest from local Edmond schools. The winners will be featured in the parade, which starts at 6:45 p.m, riding on trolleys. Cash prizes will be awarded from the Downtown Edmond Business Association to the winning parade entries, based on “lights and the theme of the season.” First place will take home $300. Second will receive $200 and third $100. Other events will be taking place at this year Parade of Lights alongside the parade. Participants can enjoy makeand-take arts and crafts at the territorial schoolhouse, strolling carolers, free wagon rides and even a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Trimberger allowed that there would be sights to see that promise to be just as dazzling as the Edmond Community itself. UCO’s own chair of the Business Department, Stacia Grey will be bringing miniature horses, from Grey Family Horses, that will be adorned in Christmas lights along with other festively decorated attractions like Edmond Electrics own bucket trucks. “Edmond is a wonderful community, were just proud to be a part of it. There were a few years while the parade was in transition that it didn’t happen and were just glad to be able and bring it back to the community,” Trimberger said. “To see the kids lining the streets is just a part of that Christmas tradition here in Edmond.”
UCO SEEKING STUDENTS FOR PAID
•SEMESTER ABROAD IN KOREA• • ADAM HOLT, Staff Writer •
UCO has entered a partnership with a South Korean university to send students on a paid semester abroad. Pukyong National University (PNU), in conjunction with the South Korean Ministry of Education (SKME) and UCO, will begin to send students to Busan, South Korea in the summer of 2013. UCO students who are chosen to for the program will have their round trip airfare and housing paid for, and will also receive a stipend of approximately $823 a month. The stipend will easily cover the UCO tuition costs, and students should come out ahead on the trip. The program, entitled “Let’s TaLk” (Teach and Learn in Korea), was created by the SKME to help South Korean children learn English, specifically from Western speakers. UCO students will help an instructor teach English while also attending class full time. All classes taken at PNU will transfer back to UCO. Applicants do not need to speak Korean. Also, all classes students attend in South Korea will be in English. To qualify for the program a student must have completed two years of college. All majors are welcome. Students will apply through UCO. The South Korean Ministry of Education selects the students who will participate. Marco Rodriguez, coordinator for the Centre for Global Competency and International Services, says the SKME are looking for students who handle new situations well. “The need students who are will-
ing to teach English, to share American culture, and can adapt to Korean Culture,” he said. Students who participate in the program will come away with a leg up on competition in their career. “You become more responsible, and adapt to new scenarios,” Rodriquez said. “The new set of skills you gain, that is what companies are looking for. Skills you will use for your entire life.” Students will arrive in Busan one month before the fall semester. This will give students ample time for the training and orientation needed for teaching. Once school starts, students will co-teach English to young South Koreans for nine hours a week. In an email interview, Wheldon Rice, coordinator of the University of Central Oklahoma Korea office, and South Korea resident, said the experience is much more than just the classroom. “The traditional culture is so easily accessed. Students will not only take away a great time, but a truly life changing experience,” he said. “They will have the opportunity to experience first hand a culture and way of thinking totally opposite of what they are used to.” Rice also said student should not have any fear of being rejected by the South Korean population. “They love to meet Americans and other westerners. Most of the kids will say hello to you and many people will try to strike up a conversation in English with you,” he said. “The students at our partner universities are all friendly and I know the international offices of these univer-
The skyline of Busan, South Korea is seen from above. Earlier this year, UCO established an office inside Pukyong National University, allso located in Busan. File photo
sities work hard to make the students from UCO to feel welcome and help them.” Rice also wants students to know that they will attend a top-notch university. He also speaks highly of the culture and nightlife of Busan, South Korea’s second largest metropolitan area with approximately 4.4 million people. “The University is the second highest ranked University in Busan, which is very important in Korea,” he said. “Pukyong National University is a hot spot. The metro station can easily access the most popular parts of Busan in a short time. Everyone in Busan knows that place because there are so
many places there for eating, drinking and having fun. Applying for the program will begin in January in the International Services office in the Nigh University Center. An FBI background check is required and will not be supplied by UCO. The check takes approximately two months. Rodriguez said it would be best to apply for the background check early and do not wait to the last minute. For more information about the “Let’s TaLK” program visit the International Services office in the Nigh University Center in room 137, or call 974-2447.