University of Central Oklahoma
THEVISTA The Student Voice Since 1903
MAR 11, 2014
PILL POPPING PREVENTION
State of Oklahoma makes efforts to curb prescription drug abuse Tyler Talley
Staff Writer
According to the PMP, prescriptions were issued to 142,369 patients in 2013, which contributes to the abuse of pain killers among college students. Photo by Aliki Dyer.
Oklahoma pharmacies filled nearly 10 million prescriptions for painkillers and other controlled substances last year, according to Oklahoma Watch. Warren Veith of Oklahoma Watch, a nonpartisan journalism service, stated that the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) accounted for 597 million doses of painkillers, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, steroids and a number of other controlled pharmaceuticals. These prescriptions reach an average of about 68 per patient and include refills. There are over three million people in the state, according to the United States Census Bureau. While a good portion of PMP’s statistics represent patients using the drugs for genuine conditions and illnesses, such a high number point to a rapidly growing epidemic in the state. According to the PMP, prescriptions were issued to 142,369 patients in 2013, which were written by 12,096 doctors, osteopaths, dentists and other medical professionals. Of those professionals, 3,529 registered prescribers ran checks through the PMP. Oklahoma pharmacists are required by law to enter data for every controlled drug prescription within five minutes of filling it, whereas doctors and other practitioners do not and often do not, with the exception of hydrocodone. The prescriber participation in the PMP system is de-
signed to deter “doctor shopping,” which refers to the practice of patients requesting care from more than one physician, often simultaneously and without making efforts to inform the physicians. The system allows caregivers the chance to see every narcotic prescription filled by a patient during the preceding 12 months, and flag patients who seek out multiple prescriptions for narcotic drugs from multiple physicians. However, state law does not require pharmacists to review any given patient’s prescribing history before filling an order. To check a patient’s history, the pharmacist requires a different computer login process than entering prescription data. If they do review a patient’s history and find any discrepancies, they have the authority to refuse to fill the prescription, alert the prescribing physician or contact authorities. The top prescriptions and overdose contributors, according to the PMP lists, are three popular pharmaceuticals: hydrocodone, which is an opioid painkiller and sold under brand names such as Lortab and Vicodin; oxycodone, another opioid painkiller sold as OxyCotin and Percocet, and the anti-anxiety drug, alprazolam, which is marketed as Xanax. Veith added that the statistics also showed that many medical professionals write or refill prescriptions before reviewing the PMP’s online database. Under the current Oklahoma law, they are not required to do so. See PAIN KILLERS on Page 4
Oklahoma ‘Anti- RadioShack to close more than Science’ Bill to a thousand stores nationwide face the Senate Sean Tolbert
Contributing Writer Oklahoma State HB 1674 passed through the Oklahoma House of Representatives on March 3 after an overwhelming 79-6 vote. The bill, referred to by critics as an “Anti-Science” piece of legislation, would seek to “assist” teachers in educating students on topics they “may be unsure of how to teach,” regarding specific topics including evolution, global climate change and cloning. One of the key points of the bill states: “Neither the State Board of Education, nor any school district board of education, school district superintendent or school principal shall prohibit any teacher in a public school district in this state from helping students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and weaknesses of
existing scientific theories.” University of Central Oklahoma Biology Professor, Sigma Xi Honor Society Chapter Secretary/Treasurer and Genome Registry Vice-President Dr. James E. Bidlack, Ph. D said that this bill looks to be a more tempered approach to legislation that has been submitted to the state congress before; however, it has the potential to create a slippery slope. “…It sounds almost as if they are supporting more open discussion in the classroom—and that could be a good thing,” Bidlack said. “However, some teachers may interpret this as encouragement to discuss their religious beliefs in the classroom and that’s not a good idea – especially if students are forced to believe in something that is not supported by measurable data.” See HOUSE BILL on Page 4
In this Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 photo, a shopper leaves a RadioShack store in Brunswick, Maine. Electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 said it plans to close up to 1,100 of its underperforming stores in the U.S. and reported a wider loss for its fourth quarter as traffic slowed during the critical holiday season. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File)
Kanesha Brown
Staff Writer After the company lost $400 million in the last year, RadioShack said
they would be closing 1,110 of their underperforming stores in the U.S. According to the company’s new release, the stores were selected “based on the location, area demographics, lease life and financial performance.”
Analyst Scott Tilghman estimated that 5,000 to 10,000 employees will be affected from the store closings. Some workers will get the opportunity to move to other locations. See RADIOSHACK on Page 4
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MAR 11, 2014
OPINION
THE VISTA 100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 (405)974-5549 vistauco@gmail.com The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, semiweekly during the academic year except exam and holiday periods, and only on Wednesdays during the summer, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained. EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
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STAFF
Management
Editorial
Sarah Neese, Editor-In-Chief Cody johnson, Managing Editor Stevie Armstrong, Copy Editor Rick Lemon, Sports Editor
Brooks Nickell, Senior Writer Josh Wallace, Staff Writer Tyler Talley, Staff Writer Natalie Cartwright, Staff Writer Kanesha Brown, Staff Writer Rachel Brocklehurst, Staff Writer Olanrewaju Suleiman, Staff Writer Leilei Chen, Staff Writer Austin Litterell, Sports Reporter
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“I’m going to Daytona Beach”
The Business of Bosiness Editorial by: Sarah Neese (Editor-in-Chief) “I am woman. Hear me roar.” These lyrics by Helen Reddy have been used to embody women’s search for power for a few decades. Let me start off by saying this. I am not a hardcore feminist. In fact, I’m not even sure what degree of feminist I am, if any. But, what I am is a young adult woman, who has a passion for success, and fully expects to make her career goals a reality. Unfortunately, this usually equates to a certain persona and label being assigned to me. “Alpha female.” “Bossy.” “Bitch.” To be perfectly honest, sometimes I can see where these stereotypical labels come from. There is no doubt in my mind that some successful, driven women fit at least one of these labels, if not all of them. In fact, I have been caught myself thinking and feeling not-so-nice things about the nearest alpha female. However, I recognize that not all successful women are like this, or even portray anything close to these labeled characteristics. Recently, I have found inspiration from and admiration for Sheryl Sandberg, the author of Lean In and the COO of Facebook, after watching one of her TED Talks at a TEDWomen conference. She focuses on strengthening women’s presence in the workplace and attempts to help all women achieve success, while also earning respect. After the successful release of her novel Lean In, Sandberg announced earlier this week that she will be launching a “Ban Bossy” campaign, which attempts to change the descriptive language used against women and girls. Time Magazine summarizes Sandberg’s campaign, “Her ‘Ban Bossy’ campaign hopes to change a culture in which men are bosses, but women are ‘bossy.’” The article on Time Magazine’s website continues by highlighting a number of important woman and the titles that they’ve been labeled with in the past. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was
“My plans are saving up and working the entire week”
“I am going to Panama City Beach, Florida”
CAMPUS CARTOON
Cartoon by Brenda Chavez Quintero
called “not that smart and kind of a bully on the bench.” Janet Yellen, the first female Chair of the Federal Reserve, was labeled as “Janet Yellen: the Bitch of the Fed.” Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, has been called “bossy and cold and manipulative,” as well as “a stereo-
typical bitch.” All of these women have experienced labels, yet still rose to success. As a female who dreams of holding a powerful position in society, even becoming my generation’s version of Sheryl Sandberg, I am inclined to cringe at the thought of the labels
waiting for me in the near and distant futures. However, I am more than ready to take on such labels head on, and rise to the success that I know I can possess. I am woman. Hear me roar. Oh, and don’t call me bossy.
MAR 11, 2014
Opinion
, y l e r e c n i S e i v e St
Every Rose has its Thorn By Stevie Armstrong
It’s not until the show is over that I realize I’m back in Oklahoma and not on the same tropical love-story island that’s on the TV. Although I hate to admit it, I’m one of those Bachelor-obsessed females. I wait all week in anticipation for the show’s freshest drama and broken hearts. As these seemingly innocent women scratch through each other in order to force love upon themselves, my eyes and mind become absorbed with it. I then fall into the spell of the show and place myself in their shoes, sometimes so much as to shed tears when they do. When did falling in love, and more so failing to fall in love, become entertainment? I guess when romance movies and novels become too old-school, we needed to use real lives to entertain ourselves. The reality may be sad in several ways, yet I am so guilty of being infatuated with it. But,
has it gone too far? When I stare at the screen, I see unrealistic romance. The show sets up extravagant dates in exotic places that no realworld man could actually pull off. But that doesn’t keep a girl from wanting those dates. The show displays beautiful people enjoying scripted fairytale love, which causes many girls to strive for impractical expectations. The show features one man dating, kissing and eventually spending the night with multiple women. And on the show, it’s seen as OK. When in reality, no girl would be OK with that. Or does the show subconsciously make women question that? This show that America adores so much would never call what they condone, “cheating,” because the participants are well aware that the featured bachelor is dating multiple women. Does that fact make the be-
NEWS
havior OK? I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it. Can true love come from someone who is also seeing someone else? Can you be happy and in love as long as you ignore the fact that there are other women? TV can make it look pretty easy to do. But TV can’t show the paranoid thoughts that keep the brain up at night. It can’t show the pain that the heart feels when a woman knows she’s not the only one. And it can’t show the loss of trust that a woman loses for all men after being cheated on. When you love someone enough who has mistreated you, do you forgive them and continue the relationship? Do you leave them anyway? Or do you ignore it and just live with it because you’d rather be disrespected and be with them, than not be with them at all? Whether you’ve been in a relationship for three years or
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three weeks, I would like to think standards remain consistent. But I know that’s not the case. Someone is going to fight a lot harder for the person they’ve been with for a long time. And it’s a lot easier to let go of someone you haven’t developed history with yet. In prospective, The Bachelor does not portray reality even though it’s “reality TV.” And honestly, I’m not going to quit watching it. But it is important that we don’t allow ourselves to be fooled by shows, movies and books. I’d much rather go pick my own rose and get stuck by its thorn, than be handed a rose that someone else has been given, as well. Sincerely, Stevie Follow me on Twitter @StevieArmstrong
Workshops & Forums with AwardWinning Composer David Maslanka
The photo features award-winning composer David Maslanka, who will be at UCO from March 10-13 of 2014. Photo provided.
Olanrewaju Suleiman
Staff Writer The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music will be hosting awardwinning composer David Maslanka.
Maslanka has writer over 40 original compositions. They range from orchestras, to wind ensembles and bands. He has been featured in the “Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians” and the “International Who’s Who in Music.” Maslanka has been a guest composer at more than 100 colleges and universities. He has also performed at music festivals and conferences around the world. He will be part of a series of guest artists having workshops and performances. Maslanka’s visit will begin with the workshops that will be followed with forums. The piano master class will be March 10 in the Radke Theatre in the Center for Transformative Learning. Dannyel Montago, sophomore music major, plans on attending the workshops. “I want to go to at least one,” she said. “It seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so it’s best to take it while I can.” Music major Montago hopes to attend all available workshops. “I think that the point of college is to learn things,” she said. “Plus the workshops are free, so I think it’s best to go.” Montago encourages all Central students to attend. “Even if you’re not a music major, I think it would still be good to go,” she said. “You never know what you might learn.” Central students and faculty will collaborate with Maslanka in a series of performances featuring many of his
original compositions. They include a chamber and piano recital. UCO Professor of Theatre Bob McGill, Ph.D. will read a passage from a book that is inspired by one of Maslanka’s original compositions. It is called The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Maslanka will be at UCO from March 10-13. The first day will be when the master classes will be taught. Tickets to the March 11 recitals are free. The March 12 and 13 shows are $8 for adults and $6 for faculty and staff. Student admission is free with a valid Central I.D. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Mitchell Hall Box Office at 405-974-3375 or visiting http://click4tix.com/uco. For more information on the events and performances from the UCO School of Music, visit www. uco.edu/cfad/events. Award-winning composer David Maslanka will be conducting workshops, forums and a master class. He will be at Central from March 10-13 of 2014. Photo provided.
Corvette Rescues Continue in Kentucky Bruce Schreiner
Accociated Press Two classic Corvettes re-emerged Monday from a giant sinkhole that gobbled up those and six other prized vehicles still trapped beneath the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky. Workers in a cage painstakingly hooked straps around the cars before a crane slowly hoisted them one by one from the enormous pit that opened up last month. Onlookers cheered after each car was rescued, but the joy was more subdued for the second car, which had more extensive damage. The first car hoisted out — a 2009 ZR1
Blue Devil — showed only minor damage that included cracks on lower door panels, a busted window and an oil line rupture that oozed oil, said Chevrolet spokesman Monte Doran. Workers were able to get that car running. Cheers went up as the engine revved at the Bowling Green museum. “It sounded awesome, just like before,” said museum executive director Wendell Strode. Doran said the car was in “remarkably good shape. You could have that car back on the road in a couple of days.” Not so for the other car retrieved Monday, a 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary Corvette. The body panels and window glass need replacing, but the vehicle is salvageable, Doran added. The frame looked to be “pretty straight,” the underbody appeared intact and the steering gear worked, he said. “Mechanically, it looks to be in remarkably good shape.” Chevrolet will oversee restoration of all eight cars swallowed up last month when the earth opened beneath a display area while the museum was closed. No injuries were reported. As the rescue operation began, workers in a cage were lowered to hook straps around the cars be-
fore they were hoisted out. The hole is about 40 feet across and up to 60 feet deep, said museum spokeswoman Katie Frassinelli. “It’s been a huge relief,” said Mike Murphy, construction manager for the project. “It went better than expected.” Next up is a 1962 black Corvette, which workers hope to recover as early as Tuesday, Frassinelli said. The museum cautioned that removing the black Corvette will be much “trickier” because a huge concrete slab is partially resting atop part of that car. Two cranes will be used to lift that car and the slab. The other five cars will remain buried until workers further stabilize the sinkhole, Frassinelli said. That work could take two or three weeks, she said. Strode estimated the recovery could take until mid-April. The museum plans to display the damaged cars through Aug. 3. The vehicles then will go to a Michigan plant for repairs. The other cars damaged were a 1993 ZR-1 Spyder, a 1984 PPG Pace Car, a 1992 White 1 Millionth Corvette, a 2001 Mallett Hammer Z06 Corvette and a 2009 white 1.5 Millionth Corvette. The eight cars are widely believed to have a total value exceeding $1 million, the museum said.
Sinkholes are common in the Bowling Green area, which is located amid a large region of bedrock known as karst where many of Kentucky’s largest and deepest caves run underground. The museum is open except for the area where the sinkhole occurred.
One of eight Chevrolet Corvettes is removed from a sinkhole in the Skydome at the National Corvette Museum, Monday, March. 3, 2014, in Bowling Green, Ky. On Feb. 12, a large sinkhole swallowed eight prized cars like they were toys, piling them in a heap amid loose dirt and concrete fragments. (AP Photo/Daily News, Alex Slitz)
MAR 11, 2014
NEWS
4 Pain Killers
Stopping prescription abuse Tyler Talley
Staff Writer Darrell Weaver, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD), told Oklahoma Watch that numbers show that Oklahoma has a clear and obvious prescription drug problem. “We’ve got to be aggressive in doing something to drive these numbers down,” Weaver said. “We’re all in this together. We’re not going to arrest our way out of this problem. We’ve got to have our physicians involved. They’ve got to police themselves.” According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), Oklahoma ranks number one in the United States in painkiller abuse and fifth for painkiller deaths. In 2012, the most recent year in which date is available, 844 Oklahomans were killed by overdoses, most of them being accidental. That’s well over the 708 killed in vehicle crashes that particular year. Mark Woodward, spokesman for the
OBNDD, added that Oklahoma has seen a 137 percent increase in painkiller and other prescription drug related deaths in the past 10 years alone. He attributed the state’s pain killer problem on compassion and economics. “We are a compassionate state. No one wants to see a person in pain, and a lot of our doctors will prescribe pain medication just to ease their patients’ suffering,” Woodward said. “The other reason would be economic. It’s not as expensive to live here and many people see painkillers as a free high that insurance will cover.” Woodward also stressed that pain killer addiction is not a problem limited to Oklahoma and is an issue that is consuming the rest of the country, as well. A student at the University of Central Oklahoma, who has opted to remain anonymous, admitted to have taken various types of painkillers recreationally and described their appeal. The student stated that while he himself was not addicted, that he knew plenty of friends that were.
“Their behaviors range from being extremely considerate and real to being the biggest fucking liar you could ever meet,” the student said. “Someone who would sell you out without reservations for their next fix.” He added that the reasons for taking painkillers could range from their intended use to simply getting high. “It really just depends what you’re looking for,” the student said. “You can achieve actual pain loss if you’re sore or exhausted. Then on the recreational side, you just feel like everything is OK, and you aren’t phased by anyone or anything. You’re basically numb to the world, which can be a good and bad thing.” A new law introduced last November now prevents automatic refills on prescription painkillers in hopes to lower the number of pills that end up on the streets. Patients will now have to see a caregiver each time he or she needs to have prescription refilled. This law will not only be inconvenient for people in the state taking pain-
killers for non-medical purposes, but also for people that have chronic pain conditions and require prescription narcotics. “There’s no one magic bullet to make this problem go, but as the state and as providers, we have a responsibility to at least try to do something,” Dr. Andrew Revelis said to Lori Fullbright of New On 6. Woodward added that another bill is going through the motions and has the support of the OBNDD. Senate Bill 1821 looks to implement required PMP checks by physicians before writing subscriptions for painkillers and other opioids to their patients, much like the state’s pharmacists do. Woodward concluded by encouraging Oklahomans with old medication to bring them to one of the 100 medication deposit boxes located throughout the state. For anyone with any prescription drugs in their household, Woodward suggested safeguarding the drugs.
Prescription pills spilled out of their bottles on a table. Photo by Aliki Dyer, The Vista.
UCO students to attend Chemistry conference Rachel Brocklehurst
Staff Writer
Dr. Mike Ferguson and the UCO students attending the American Chemical Society conference on March 16-20, 2014. Photo by Quang Pho, The Vista.
Anti-Science Bill
Science classroom discussions Sean Tolbert
Contributing Writer Bidlack stated that, while science and religion are not mutually exclusive, each have appropriate locales for being taught. “A science classroom should be just that – a place where science is discussed,” he said. “And a religious classroom should be where religion is taught. Sure, there can and should be interplay of topics in both classrooms, but not to the point that administrators have the ability to dictate how this is approached.” Students who may subscribe to religious explanations for scientific events would not be “penalized” according to the bill, but it makes clear that students would still be obligated to obtain a working knowledge of the curriculum set before them, stating that no student shall be exempt: “…from learning, understanding, and being tested on curriculum as prescribed by state and local education standards.” Bidlack feels that this sort of legislation complicates an educator’s most fundamental role.
“I do not believe it is the government’s responsibility to dictate how this is approached in the classroom,” he said. “A teacher’s responsibility is to present the facts, inspire the students to learn, and allow them to come up with their own conclusions.” Bidlack also said that it is a student’s responsibility to cultivate for themselves the ideas they choose to believe. “We should allow students to apply the scientific method to come up with their own conclusions, rather than requiring them to conform to the beliefs of others.” HB 1674 now moves to the Oklahoma State Senate for consideration and debate. Oklahoma State Representative Gus Blackwell (R-District 61) introduced HB 1674 to the state legislature in February with cosponsorship from fellow Representatives Arthur Hulbert (R-District 14) and Sally Kern (R-District 84), as well as from Oklahoma State Senator John Brecheen (R-District 6). HB 1674 follows in the footsteps of a similar bill, HB 1551, which was proposed in 2011 that died in the Senate before a vote could be conducted.
UCO students will be attending a conference, hosted by the American Chemical Society (ACS), from March 16-20 in Dallas. While at the conference, students will present research from the past year. The American Chemical Society is a congressionally chartered independent membership organization, which represents professionals at all degree levels and in all fields of chemistry and sciences that involve chemistry. There are about 800 student affiliate chapters in the country, including one at UCO. Most of the attendees from UCO will be from the Chemistry Club, however, UCO professors and volunteers will also be in attendance. One of the co-sponsors of the Chemistry Club, Dr. Mike Ferguson, a professor of Organic Chemistry, started working at UCO in the fall of 1995. “The UCO chapter, the student affiliate of the American Chemical Society, we call it SACS for short, was incorporated in 1961,” Ferguson said. “We have different activities like outreach for promoting chemistry at schools, or in the malls. There’s also raising money for stuff or doing some charitable project.” “One of the things the students did was build a house for habitat for humanity. We didn’t do a habitat house, but those are the sort of things you’d see on the posters,“ said Ferguson.
In total, the Chemistry Club has between 50-60 members. Jessica Laverty, a member of the Chemistry Club, said, “What I’m looking forward to most from the conference would probably be information about graduate school, or career ideas.” Nicolas Shaffer is not in the Chemistry club, but is working with Biology Adjunct Mary Tappert on a protein application for the conference. “I guess what I’m probably looking forward to most is going to other professors talks, and seeing how much of it I can actually comprehend, and how much of it goes over my head,” he said. Chemistry Club President Kelsie Magiera said, “I think the thing I’m looking forward to most is reconnecting with some of the people I’ve got to network with from the previous year and seeing them again,” Magiera will graduate sometime in 2015. “Last year, Caitlin and I toured and found other universities from Oklahoma, and talked to them about, potentially, at some point in the future, working with them, and teaming up to do a bigger event relating to chemistry and just seeing what activities they do, and telling them about the activities we do,” Magiera said. In addition to networking and educational talks, the conference raises awareness of different fields of chemistry, some of which are largely unknown to students. “It’s not really stuff you can do as an undergraduate,” Kriewall said. “It definitely peaks your interest in that area of stuff you might study.”
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MAR 11, 2014
NEWS
5
RadioShack
RadioShack closes stores with sub-par performances nationwide Kanesha Brown
Staff Writer Chief Executive Officer Joseph C. Magnacca said in the company’s new release, “Our fourth quarter financial results were driven by a holiday season characterized by lower store traffic, intense promotional activity particularly in consumer electronics, a very soft mobility marketplace and a few operational issues.” The fourth quarter summary on
the news release states that the total net sales were $935.4 million, compared to $1,171.4 million made last year. Last December, the company completed a new financing for existing debt and corporate purposes. The financing totaled to $835 million, including a $585 million asset-based credit agreement, also called the “2018 Credit Agreement,” made by corporate retail finance, GE Capital. A $250 million loan was also made my Salus Capital Partners, LLC. Radio Shack was giving consent under the credit agreement and loan for the proposed store closings.
This Tuesday, March 4, 2014, photo, shows Radio Shack store in downtown Cincinnati. RadioShack said it plans to close up to 1,100 stores in the U.S. and reported a wider quarterly loss after a disappointing holiday season. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
RadioShack is known for carrying electronic products such as the smartphones seen above. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The company’s total debt accumulated on Dec. 31, 2013 was $614 million. Magnacca mentioned in the conference call that they were trying to do too much in a short time frame to turn the company around. Other issues that he said contributed was that they didn’t have enough of their in-demand products when the company cut the product lines too much. He also said that the company had stores that were within miles of each other. On an article on USA TODAY about the confessions of a RadioShack shopper, Nancy Blair said, “Truth is, though, why in the
world is there another store about a mile east down Geary Boulevard? Or that other one just a few blocks away?” Blair also said that RadioShack has been her go-to store for electronics, but she admitted that she has never made a big purchase or bought a gift at the store. Magnacca said, “Even in this environment, we’re continuing to make progress on the five pillars of our turnaround plan: repositioning the brand, revamping the product assortment, reinvigorating the stores, operational efficiency and financial flexibility.”
‘Bags of Hope’ gives back LeiLei Chen
Staff Writer
Brianna Swinderman a senior at Rio Rancho High School and creator of the “Bags of Hope” project. Photo provided.
Brianna Swinderman is a senior at Rio Rancho High School in Rio Rancho who launched a project called “Bags of Hope” in 2011. “Bags of Hope” is a project that mainly focuses on collecting suitcases and duffel bags and distributing them to NMCYFD and domestic violence shelters. The purpose of this project is to help all foster kids and domestic violence victims. Swinderman’s project earned her the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award. She was also named as New Mexico’s Top Youth Volunteer in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Both, the New Mexico Senate and New Mexico Legislature have recognized her. Her mother, Alisa Swinderman, who is a former Texas Child Protective Services worker, influences her. She went to work with her mom when she was 15. She found a pile of trash bags at the office. She realized that most
of the children in foster care move around to different places and their belongings are often thrown into trash bags. She felt it would give negative influence to foster kids because they only own trash bags. She wanted to raise public attention of this situation. Swinderman shared her goal to give hope, dignity and self-esteem to the foster children. “I plan to take Bags of Hope to additional cities in New Mexico, then throughout the state,” Swinderman said. “I have collected and donate about 2,600 bags throughout New Mexico and I hope to make my project a long-term program, and finally become national to help more kids.” Oklahoma is the first state that Swinderman is approaching. Brianna has ties to Oklahoma because her maternal side of the family lives in Oklahoma City and surrounding cities. “It is hard to work in other place, so we urgently need community help.” Swinderman is also interested in photography, music and technology. Swinderman’s project is looking for volunteers to help at events and transport donated items.
Oklahoma springs forward
Some children play at the daycare located on UCO’s campus. Photo by Quang Pho, The Vista.
An art statue sits in front of the College of Business’ building on UCO’s campus. Photo by Quang Pho, The Vista.
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MAR 11, 2014
CLASSIFIEDS
EMPLOYMENT Now Hiring Looking for an energetic teacher for our one year old classroom. If you are interested in this position please apply at Ms. Felicia’s Blessed Ones Childcare 1130 Chowning Avenue Edmond, OK. No phone calls please.
SLIM CHICKENS NOW HIRING All positions Flexible hours and schedules. Competitive pay. Apply in person at: Slim Chickens 555 S. Kelley or online at slimchickens.com
Help Wanted HANDY STUDENT. Lawn maintenance, painting, general maintenance and repairs. Will train. P/T near UCO. 641-0712.
Sales Tuxedo Junction at Quail Springs Mall needs part-time help for our busy prom & wedding season. Some sales or customer service exp. needed. Salary + incentives Call Ms. Roberts for appt. 946-7853
Now Hiring Become a distributor in the direct sale ofenergy. Energy Deregulation is law.Now is the time to become an Energy Consultant.Call 405.474.7708 Help Wanted Professional insurance and financial service office seeking a dynamic individual for part-time position. The qualified individual needs to have a positive attitude, excellent work ethic and be able to communicate effectively with both clients and agent. Website experience helpful along with excellent computer skills. For the right person, the position could evolve into a full time position. $10-12.00/ hr. E-mail resume to croberts@farmersagent.com Help Wanted River Oaks Golf Club is hiring in our food & beverage department. Flexible schedules work well with students. Come apply at 10909 clubhouse road Edmond, OK 73013 or email résumé to mbivens@uco.edu
CAR FOR SALE “2006 Nissan Sentra, 91,000 miles”, “sales price: $5,900”, “phone contact: 214717-7074” RANDOM FACTS The world famous State Hermitage Museum began as the personal art collection of Catherine the Great. The Hard Rock Café got its name from a now-defunct bar that appeared on the back of the Doors’ album Morrison Hotel. RANDOM QUOTE Forgiveness is almost a selfish act because of its immense benefits to the one who forgives. - Lawana Blackwell
CROSSWORD Across
13. Blatant
1. Political leader
14. Department store department
10. Type of memory chip, abbrev.
21. Bender 22. Likeness
15. Dissolute person
23. “Land ___!”
16. Automatic transmission setting
24. Bed board
17. Traveling from place to place
25. Daughter of Zeus
18. Interlaced
26. Samoa’s basic monetary unit
19. Bon ___
27. Addition symbol
20. Grimace
29. Student getting one-on-one help
21. Life ___, candy
30. Big bore
22. Brook
31. “___ on Down the Road” 32. Coaster
23. Track event
34. Ziti, e.g.
24. “Fiddler on the Roof” setting
37. Wander aimlessly
27. Bridge and Rummy, e.g
43. Lime-deficient soil fertilizer
Down
38. Deodorant type
44. Cuban cigar
1. Big loser’s nickname?
40. Take care of
45. Jaywalking, e.g. (hyphenated)
2. Josip Broz, familiarly
41. Asian shrub yielding flaxlike fiber
3. Not much (2 wds)
42. Javelin, e.g.
4. Big ___ Conference
43. One channel sound transmissions
5. Recluse
44. Door fastener
6. Boardwalk diversion
45. Auto parts giant
7. Cat sound
46. Acquire
53. Expressions of regret
8. “Green Gables” girl
47. Fencing sword
54. Fizzle, with “out”
9. After expenses
48. Amount to make do with
55. Tennis boundaries
10. Anthony ___, “ER” actor
50. Family dog, for short
40. Piled high
11. Temporary
51. Computer-generated image (acro-
41. Empathize
12. Split
nym)
28. Car dealer’s offering 29. Supports a particular faction (2 wds) 33. ___-bodied 34. Blender button 35. Face-to-face exam 36. Same side players 38. Biscotti flavoring 39. Assail
46. Come together 49. Change, as the Constitution 50. Art depicting natural scenery 52. Because
WORD SEARCH
Axis Crescent First Quarter Full Moon Gibbous Illuminate Moon Phase New Moon Orbit Revolve Rotate Third Quarter Waning Waxing
E O C R E S C E N T S A E T G R A R O E R K A S F D Z U I E N T R R E A U S O A I O E A U I I Y N H A T A I Z H R L W A R R N E R E S O N O R P S M R E I E A P I B W A L G A N T X E T R T W J O J E M U A S O Q X V A I R A F U A R U O N E O U A O T U A A U N D S Z A O A M A I L O Y U R L A E J E W W N E R L V R N Q S L X D N D A O P I T G E U T D U M I T N S X R B N E X V L A R A O S D A F I B A G R E F A I I O O M I N M N I G I B B O U S H I N D L W O G T R D O R E O J T S U F I L L U M I N A T E G M D B E
MAR 11, 2014
7 University of Central Oklahoma
VISTA Sports The Student Voice Since 1903
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Basketball’s cinderella run ends in MIAA tournament finals Aaron Santelmann
Contributing Writer It was a wild weekend for UCO men’s basketball, who charged all the way to the finals in the MIAA tournament only to lose to Missouri Southern State University, 84-72. The tournament started smoothly for the Bronchos who easily defeated Missouri Western State University by 17 at Hamilton Field House. Next, the Bronchos hit the road to Kansas City where they played the rest of the tournament. In a huge upset, the Bronchos defeated a strong Fort Hays State team who had beaten them just two weeks earlier. The Bronchos hit 23 straight points from the free-
throw line to blow past the Tigers in the MIAA quarterfinals. The Bronchos continued the hot streak as they edged out a victory against Northeastern State by one point in a low scoring contest, 61-60. All roads led to the finals, as the Bronchos matched up against the Lions from Missouri Southern, who beat them in their previous meeting by 13 points. The Bronchos came out and continued their solid playing and led the Lions by one point at halftime, 40-39. The Lions could not contain Josh Gibbs, who led the team with 18 points at the break. But in the second half, the Bronchos played like a completely different team. They went cold as if someone had put a lid on the hoop. The Lions responded on the
defensive end by shutting down Gibbs, who didn’t score until under seven minutes to play and only scored six points total in the second half. Sophomore guard Aaron Anderson did his best to take the lead role, but could not do it alone. With 3:05 to play in the game, Above: UCO sophmore Seth Heckart driving the ball into the paint. the Bronchos had only scored 23 Taken from The Vista archives points as a unit and were shooting 7-27 from the field and 2-12 from behind the arc. Smelling the victory, the Lions continued to assail the Bronchos inside and out. The Bronchos did not match up well with the Lions and had no answer for Slim McGee, the Lions 6’11 center that scored at will in the paint. The Bronchos ended the season losing three of their last six games and ending with a 20-10 record.
Right: UCO senior Josh Gibbs driving and putting up a contested shot against the defense. Taken from The Vista archives.
Sled Dog Racing
Iditarod coming down to the last stages for race leaders Mark Thiessen
Associated Press NOME, Alaska (AP) — As Jeff King attempts to hold off other mushers in the last stages of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the town famous for the finish line is getting ready for the teams to come in. The finish line banner was set to be hung Monday morning on Front Street in Nome with help from the local electric utility. On Sunday, city crews moved the actual finish line, the burled arch, into place, and public works employees trucked in snow to give the mushers a path once they leave the Bering Sea ice. “Yeah, I know, it’s funny to see people dumping snow on a street instead of taking it off the street,” said Greg Bill, the Iditarod’s development director. “To really dress it up and make it safe for the dog teams, we have to spread a layer of snow down for them to run on.” About 200 volunteers also have descended on Nome to make other last-minute preparations, including getting the dog lot ready to receive teams, constructing the finish chute
and prepping the souvenir stand. Bill McCormick of Greensboro, N.C., volunteered for his first Iditarod in 1998 and has been back every year since. “I like being part of putting something on,” said the retired engineer whose job as a volunteer in Nome is to drug test the dogs. “I enjoy the people. It’s like family now.” Scott Hughes was helping hammer in the final nails at the finish line Sunday afternoon. The University of Pittsburgh student made his first trip to the Iditarod and the nation’s northernmost state as part of a church group doing mission work. “It’s amazing,” Hughes said of his visit to Nome. King, a four-time champion, was leading Aliy Zirkle by eight minutes as the two departed from the Elim checkpoint early Monday morning. Zirkle, a 44-year-old musher from Two Rivers, Alaska, led hours before when she arrived at the Norton Bay village of Koyuk one minute ahead of King on Sunday afternoon. King rested his 12-dog team at the Elim checkpoint for one hour and 26 minutes, while Zirkle and her 11 dogs took a break for one hour and 14 minutes. King departed Elim at 12:53 a.m. Monday, while Zirkle got back on the trail at 1:01 a.m.
King last won in 2006 and is trying to be only the second musher to win five races. Zirkle has come in second place in the last two years in the nearly 1,000-mile race to Nome, 171 miles west of Koyuk. She is seeking to become only the third woman to win the race, and the first woman to win since the late Susan Butcher in 1990. Other front-runners Monday were 2012 champion Dallas Seavey, who left Elim at 2:52 a.m., followed at 4:40 a.m. by four-time champion Martin Buser. Defending champion Mitch Seavey, father of Dallas Seavey, was next out of Elim, departing at 4:47 a.m., followed at 5 a.m. by veteran musher Sonny Lindner. The racers, who have three more checkpoints after Elim and before Nome, are expected to begin arriving in Nome no later than Tuesday. Teams must take an eight-hour layover at the checkpoint in White Mountain, 77 miles from Nome. Temperatures in Nome hovered slightly above zero Sunday, which brought clear skies and brilliant sunshine. Snowfall has been light this winter in the frontier town of nearly 3,700, so the city has been stockpiling snow, which was being trucked to Front Street for the final stretch to the finish line. What little snow was on the ground, along
with the cooler temperatures, were welcomed by fan Nina Cross of Brandon, Miss. She attended the start of the race last year in Anchorage, fell in love with the event and decided she needed to see the finish in person, too. She said she remembers as a child reading about the 1925 serum rum by sled dog teams to deliver diphtheria serum to Nome after an outbreak. “Nome was this mystical destination, and it never occurred to me that I would get there some day. So, for me to be here is a real event in my life,” she said. And she loves the dogs. “Any dogs that can laugh when they run, with their tongues hanging out, they got my heart right now,” said Cross, who just learned about the volunteer programs and already is making plans to be back in Nome next year. The race began March 2 in Willow with 69 teams. As of Monday morning, 16 mushers had scratched, leaving 53 teams on the trail, which was marked by long stretches of bare and rocky ground that made for an icy, treacherous trail in the early part of the race. The first to reach Nome receives $50,000 and a new truck. The 29 teams after that win cash prizes decreasing on a sliding scale. All other teams finishing the race receive $1,049.
Follow The Vista sports writers on Twitter Austin LItterell
Rick Lemon
@alitterell729
@lemon_rick
Cody Johnson @ch_johnson91
Upcoming Broncho Games Tuesday Women’s Golf at UCO Classic (Hosted at Kickingbird Golf Club) (All Day) Men’s Golf at 64th SoCal Intercollegiate Championship (Hosted by UC- San Diego at Maderas Golf Club) (All Day)
Above: In this March 13, 2013 file photo, Musher Michelle Phillips of Tagish, Yukon Territory, Canada, makes the final push in the Iditarod, on the Bering Sea for the finish line outside Nome, Alaska. Warm weather during much of the winter across Alaska nearly prompted officials at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to move the start to Fairbanks for the first time in a decade. But temperatures have dropped, and the 42nd running of the race across Alaska will start just as normal this weekend in Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Wednesday No Events Scheduled
Thursday Women’s Track and Field at Southwestern College Relays (Winfield, Kansas)
Friday Softball at Missouri Southern State University 1:00 p.m. Women’s Tennis vs. Newman University 2:00 p.m. Baseball vs. Lincoln University 2:30 p.m. Softball at Missouri Southern State University 3:00 p.m. Wrestling at NCAA D-II Championship (Cleveland, Ohio) Women’s Track at NCAA D-II Indoor Championship (Hosted by Winston Salem State University)
Nicolas Petit, of Girdwood, who will use a new sled design that holds a dog kennel in back, wait for the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Willow Lake, Sunday, March 2, 2014, in Willow, Alaska. He’ll use the container to rest dogs as he races. The race will take mushers nearly a thousand miles to the finish line in Nome, on Alaska’s western coast. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News, Marc Lester)
8
MAR 11, 2014
SPORTS
Softball
Softball starts conference play with sweep Austin Litrell
Sports Reporter Broncho softball finally had their home opener on Sunday afternoon against Lindenwood. It was their unofficial home debut. After playing in three different states to begin the season, UCO played at Edmond North while their field is under construction. The Bronchos were not rusty despite not playing a game since their trip to San Antonio in February. UCO was able to get a sweep to improve to 11-7 on the season. UCO is on the right track by beginning their MIAA conference schedule 2-0. The Bronchos were dominate from the start and were able to extend their home winning streak to 25 games. Kalynn Schrock started both games for the Bronchos and she was in command. In the first game, UCO shutout the Lions 7-0. Only three Lions reached base the entire game and nine went down on strikes to the senior pitcher. UCO did not have
that problem, however. The Bronchos had six hits in the game, led by Kaylee Brunson’s two. Ally Dziadula drove home a total of three runs in the game, leading the way for the Bronchos. The second game of the doubleheader ended early as the Bronchos run-ruled the Lions with an impressive 9-1 victory. Schrock put in another strong performance on the mound. She gave up just four hits and one run while striking out six more batters. The bats came alive again as the team totaled 13 hits in the game. Four of the nine runs came in the fifth inning for UCO. Fur players recorded multiple hits and three had multiple RBIs. Devyn Frasier went 3-5 on the day and Ally Dziadula sent in five runs to give some support for Schrock. The Bronchos will now also have a doubleheader Tuesday against Lincoln in UCO Sophmore Ally Dziadula attempting to throw out a runner at first. Taken from Vista a rescheduling of Saturday’s games that Archives. Baseball were cancelled because of weather conditions. The Bronchos will once again play at Edmond North and the games are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the afternoon. The Blue Tigers come into these games with a 2-7 record on the season.
Bronchos win three out of four against the Bearcats Trey Winfrey
Contributing Writer
UCO Senior Cesar Wong looks to prevent a runner from taking home after making the play. Taken from The Vista archives.
The UCO baseball team was back in action this weekend at Bolivar, Mo. this past weekend. They opened up the four-game set Thursday against Southwest Baptist University. The Bronchos jumped out to a two-run lead in the fourth and fifth innings behind RBI singles by Jake O’Brien and Philip Wilson. But the Bronchos pitching staff would walk eight batters throughout the game, including three in the bottom of the ninth inning, to lose the first game 3-4. “Basically when you do not play clean baseball and walk people, you are going to lose a majority of the time,” head coach Dax Leone told bronchosports.com. “We came out flat and credit Southwest Baptist for making us pay for it.” The two teams met again on Friday for a doubleheader. The Bronchos played close with Southwest Baptist, but once the fourth inning came around, the first game was over. The Bronchos scored 16 unanswered runs to beat the Bearcats in seven innings. Ricky Reeves threw well in the shutout, going six innings and striking out eight Bearcats in the win. The Broncho bats picked up 17 hits, including four homeruns in the rout. The second game saw the Bronchos’ start-
ing pitcher, Mason Justice, leave the game after a third of an inning. The Bronchos took a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning behind a Ryan Stoup two-run homerun to cap off the five unanswered runs. The Bronchos would go on to win the second game 10-6. Tyler Price picked up his fifth win of the year on the mound in relief of Justice. “I’m really proud of our players today,” Leone told bronchosports.com. “Yesterday’s loss hurt them as a unit, but winning both games today on the road says something about our club. Ricky Reeves was on point today and we swung the bats with conviction all day.” In the fourth and final game of the series, Jared Sterling pitched his second straight complete game shutout. The Bronchos got all the run support needed in the sixth and seventh innings behind a Matt Johnson RBI double and Dillon Argo’s two-run homerun. Sterling went nine innings, striking out eight and walking five. “Today was a total grind in all phases, including the weather,” Leone told bronchosports.com. “Game time temps were in the 20s with mist and sleet. I can’t say enough about Jared. He is a flatout winner and we played great defense behind him.” The Bronchos are back in action next weekend at Wendell Simmons Field in Edmond. The Bronchos are 12-4 overall and 8-4 in the MIAA conference.
UCO Seniors Matt Johnson, Wacey Henderson, and Ross Rose celebrate a big play. Taken from the Vista Archives.
Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball season ends in quarterfinals Emily Haan
Contributing Writer Central Oklahoma women’s basketball end-of -season spurt ended last Thursday in Kansas City, Mo. as they fell to seventh ranked Emporia State in a 77-68 victory in the quarterfinals of the Mid American Intercollegiate Athletic Association post-season tournament. It was the third time the Bronchos have met the Hornets this season. In the other two meetings between the two teams this season Emporia outscored UCO by a staggering 44 points. However, Olivia Mason’s backdoor layup off of a pretty pass from Marley Anderson gave Central Oklahoma its largest lead with a score of 23-11 with 11:48 left in the first half. Jill Bryan made one of UCO’s five early
made three-pointers. The deciding factor in the game was Emporia State’s dominance inside the paint. UCO was outscored by Emporia 36-14 in the paint, with a margin of 24-8 in the second half. Emporia’s Merissa Quick had 17 points and seven rebounds, as she announced her presence in the lane on Thursday night. “I’m really proud of my girls,” head coach Guy Hardaker said. “They played their hearts out tonight against one of the best teams in the country and we had a chance to win the game.” “We stayed with ‘em and I hoped we’d get a chance to maybe have panic set in on them a little, but they kind of wore us down with how physical they are inside. We had some bad possessions in the second half and really a lot of that was fatigue from having to play such a physical team.” The dynamic senior duo of Britney Mor-
gan and Jill Bryan led the Bronchos in the final game of their collegiate careers. Morgan dominated from behind the three-point arch with five three-pointers and 15 points. Bryan had 12 points of her own, four rebounds and four assists. Julia Mason had 11 points and seven rebounds. Bryan is now just the 11th player in Broncho history to score 1,000 points. At halftime, Central Oklahoma led Emporia State 36-33. However, the Hornets returned to the court ready to take the lead and quickly tied the game at 40. Emporia took their second lead of the game when freshman Kelly Moten made a three-point play with 15:12 left. Minutes later, they advanced the score 55-50. Morgan then made a long range three-pointer to make it 55-53 and the game was tied 5959 after Jill Bryan made two free throws at 6:31. Emporia State
then hit five of six free throws to seal the win and advance them to the semifinals. The Bronchos ended up shooting just 31.7 percent (19-of-60) including only 22.6 percent (7-of-31) in the second half, committing a staggering 22 turnovers. Central Oklahoma ended their season with a record of 12-16 overall, and 6-13 in the Mid American Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Emporia State won their second straight MIAA championship 75-71 over Central Missouri in the finals of the tournament with a record of 28-3 overall and 16-3 in the MIAA.
14140 Broadway Ext Edmond, OK 73013 405-478-3260 www.gatewayedmond.com two, three, and four bedroom floor plans Private balconies/Patios World-class management Fitness Studio Pet Friendly Gated Community Garages Left: UCO Senior Rachel New chasing an opponent as they attempt to bring the ball down the court. Taken from The Vista archives.
Student Discount