The Vista June 20, 2016

@TheVista1903 thevista1903 The Vista The University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Voice Since 1903

Monday June 20, 2016

‘Into the Woods’ out of the theater Elisabeth Slay @Eslayslay Reporter

As Red Riding Hood, Jack and Cinderella begin their journeys, little do they know that their fates will intertwine with a simple baker and his wife, who are on a quest to reverse a curse, all because they journied ‘Into the Woods.’

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Summer Stock Productions performed their rendition of the musical ‘Into the Woods’ on June 10-12 and June 1719 at Mitchell Hall.

“So far the community has responded pretty well [to the show] we’ve had good ticket sales and we’re about to get more,” Nicholas Winterrowd, actor playing the Steward, said.

Little Red (Codi McWhorter), the Stepmother (Dia Janae Baker), the Steward (Nicholas Winterrowd) and the Baker (Cody Dent) attack the narrator of ‘Into the Woods’, hoping that giving him to the angry giant, instead of Jack, may save the world. Photo by David Terry, The Vista.

Andonis Bagby @AirSkittleZ

Contributing Writer

Continued on page 3

OKC Animal Shelter celebrates ‘Adopt-a-Cat’ month

The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter hopes to provide over 200 cats with homes during June’s national Adopt-a-Cat Month. This year the shelter is hosting Meowapalooza, an event to promote the adoption of cats and to teach people to be more responsible owners in an effort to reduce pet overpopulation.

According to the Superintendent of OKC Animal Shelter, Julia Bank, the shelter took in 229 cats earlier this month due to “breeding season” which typically occurs during this time of year.

Tiffany Roberts, who works at the front desk of the

shelter, said that the huge number of kittens typically come from people who are already cat owners.

“People have cats who have litters of kittens around this time of year. They can’t keep or take care of them all so they drop them off here so we can help the kittens find a happy home,” Roberts said.

Some ways to become a more responsible pet owner are by spaying or neutering cats which has even shown to reduce some unwanted behavioral issues. It also can help the shelter during this month by reducing the number of cats that come in.

Continued on page 5

Casey McElroy

@theawesomerobot

E3 2016 shows vision of gaming’s future The Electronic Entertainment Expo, an event held last week in Los Angeles, shows gamers a glimpse into what they can expect for the upcoming year, marking the beginning of video game preview season. E3 offers video game publishers and developers a chance to showcase their biggest products to both press and consumers alike.

However, some of those announcements were undercut this year due to an abundance of information being leaked to the

press a week before the show.

Developer Bethesda Software gained premature news of the game “Prey,” as well as a remaster of popular role-playing game “Skyrim.”

NetherRealm Studios, makers of the popular “Mortal Kombat” series, a sequel to 2013’s “Injustice: Gods Among Us,” suffered their newest game being leaked, and they responded by dumping a substantial amount of information, including multiple trailers, all before E3 had even begun.

Continued on page 5

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

STAFF CONTENTS NAME AND POSITION

Kateleigh Mills Queila Omena Ike Wilcots Cara Johnson Taylor Michaud Eriech Tapia Elisabeth Slay Megan Prather Katie Standlee Elizabeth Spence Ryan Naeve David Terry

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter

3-4........................................................................CAMPUS NEWS 4-5 ……………...................….LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS 6 ..................................................................................EDITORIAL 7-8 ……………...........................................................…. SPORTS

(below) The parking lot west of Old North has been completely torn up as a part of the renovations being done to the building. Old North, the oldest building of higher education in the state, is being remodeled in order to make it more stable and resistant to earthquakes. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

Photographer Photographer

ON THE COVER Sibling kittens look out from their enclosure in the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter. The animal shelter recently took in 226 cats to adopt out. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

Stephen Lunsford, left, and Brennan Mejia play For Honor at Ubisoft E3 2016 - Day 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for Ubisoft/AP Images)

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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. LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, with a maximum of 250 words, and must include the author’s printed name, title, major, classification and phone number.

Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.

Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131.

Letters can be emailed to vistaeditorletters@gmail.com.

(below) Dave Timberlake, Cody White, Joe Muller, Don Betz, Jon Hunter, Gerry Pinkston and David Reed break ground at UCO’s softball field where a new softball stadium will be built in the coming months. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

CAMPUS NEWS Elisabeth Slay @Eslayslay

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continued from cover

Reporter

(above) In the first act, the Witch (Renee Anderson), informs the Baker (Cody Dent) that his family tree is cursed; therefore his wife cannot bear children. The first act revolves around the results of his family being cursed, as he and his wife seek ways to reverse the hex and build a family. Photo by David Terry, The Vista.

Written by Stephen Sondheim, the musical is similar to a puzzle, because it combines some of the most famous stories ever told.

Each character such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel and even Granny are all important pieces that come together to form a unique story about wishes and choices. “It’s a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The music in it is incredible, beautiful and thought provoking,” Sondheim said.

Those involved in the production had to work extremely fast and diligent because they only had a little over a month to prepare for opening night.

“It was pretty hectic. There’s a lot of music in this show. It’s known as, in the theater world, as ‘Into the Words’,” Winterrowd said.

From children to college graduates to more seasoned performers, this show has an extremely diverse cast.

“It’s very eye opening to see the different processes of ages whenever you’re learning musical,” Winterrowd said.

Although there are several different people

in this program, everyone has meshed well.

“The cast has been really awesome. Everyone has really gotten along. Everyone is super dedicated to the show,” Kylie Groom, actor playing Cinderella, said.

While the audiences have been small, people have responded well to the show because of its different qualities.

“It has a sense of humor throughout the whole thing that’s kind of dark at times, but also it has such an important message. When there is so much tragedy going on in the world it’s important to spread this message of togetherness, hope and love,” Groom said.

In addition to the actors, those who handle costumes, sets, music and other such aspects, have worked hard to produce a wonderful program. “[People] don’t think about the technique aspect of [the show]. There’s so much that happens behind the curtain that people don’t think about. Without the lighting grew you wouldn’t see us. Without the sound crew you wouldn’t hear us,” Winterrowd said.

David Terry @dat_terry2015 Photographer

(above) The wolves, Joseph Burleigh (left) and Anthony Wilkinson (right), sing “Hello, Little Girl” as a duet while in pursuit of Little Red (not pictured). . Photo by David Terry, The Vista

(above) (from left) the bakers wife (Jeana Forman Gering), the Baker (Cody Dent), and Little Red (Codi McWhorter) wander through the woods after they were altered and the town was destroyed. Photo by David Terry, The Vista.

(left) “My, what big teeth you have!” The wolf (Joseph Burleigh) wraps his furry paws around Little Red’s (Codi Mcwhorter) throat before devouring her. This iconic scene has been replayed in many children’s stories and plays throughout time. Photo by David Terry, The Vista.

CAMPUS NEWS

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Katie Standlee @kkkkkatiemarie

Adopt a Future Broncho

Reporter School supplies donations are being accepted in the Off-Campus Life office in Room 212-C in the Nigh University Center.

The big shopping event will be held for student-parents on August 17. Parents will be given a backpack to fill up with school supplies that they need for their children.

“Last year we helped about 100 kids get school supplies. We are trying to get more school supplies donated this year, because last year we ran out in the first 30 minutes of the shopping event,” Kenedie McAdams, Off-Campus Life Coordinator, said.

McAdams stated that the goal for this year is to help at least 150 Adopt a Future Broncho allows student parents to provide their kids children get school supplies. The with the school supplies they need, without breaking the bank. Photo list of school supplies that is needprovided by Pixabay. ed for the program is listed on the Adopt a Future Broncho is a program by Off-CamOff-Campus Life website. pus Life that helps student-parents get school supplies Following the success of the first run, this is Adopt a for their children. Off-Campus Life is asking those who Future Bronchos’ second year hosting the event. can to donate school supplies to Off-Campus Life for “We realized it was a need, but we didn’t realize how this program. much of a need it was,” McAdams said.

Donations have been collected since the end of McAdams mentioned that last year some people Spring and will continue to be taken until August 15. donated money instead of school supplies. Money do-

nations are also accepted instead or with school supplies donations.

The money donations help assist and complete the shopping trips for school supplies: McAdams can fill all additional or last-minute needs through the use of money donations.

Off-Campus Life has been hosting student-parent programs for quite some time now, according to McAdams. For some student-parents, it is difficult to make ends meet while attending college and raising children.

Off-Campus Life has made it their goal to help student-parents in need to set them up for success in their college experience.

This office has been helping parents not only by getting their children school supplies, but also by providing student-parents with family-friendly programs to bring their children to for fun nights out. Off-Campus Life has also provided a list of summer camps for children.

“I would definitely encourage people to donate. Even just five dollars can go a long way. You can make an impact on someone’s family,” McAdams said, referring to Adopt a Future Broncho.

McAdams mentioned that if anyone wants to donate but is unable to make it to the school, Off-Campus Life can possibly help, depending on the situation.

For further questions or information about Adopt a Future Broncho or making a donation, contact Kenedie McAdams at 405-974-3654 or offcampuslife@uco.edu.

UCO welcomes new mental health advocacy group

Cara Johnson @cara_johnson_ Photo Editor

During the upcoming Fall 2016 semester, The University of Central Oklahoma will launch a chapter of Active Minds, an advocacy group that strives to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness by raising awareness through education.

Active Minds, a national organization, not only educates college-aged students on issues of mental health, but it also operates as an ally to struggling students, Chapter President Alyssa Compton explained.

She noted that this is the first university chapter in Oklahoma.

Compton said the idea to bring Active Minds to UCO occurred after she attended a leadership conference last fall.

“I was inspired to find a way to create change on campus,” Compton said.

She and co-founder Bree Clark then decided to introduce the chapter at UCO. The two began the organization process in January. Work continued throughout the spring, with five active members by the end of the semester.

“It felt like forever, but we are so glad to finally be up and running,” Compton said.

Compton mentioned they hope to work with other mental health advocates on

students in attendance.

Other plans Compton has for the organization include bringing attention to the counseling center, teaching freshman about mental health and self-care and

campus, including Peer Health Leaders, To Write Love on Her Arms University Chapter and the UCO Counseling Center.

They have scheduled event collaborations with Peer Health Leaders, such as open-mic nights in October, where they plan to distribute self-care kits to

educating students on how to take care of themselves from the start of their college career.

“We hope to bring a positive environment to promote education as well as positive attitudes toward talking about mental illness,” Compton said. “We want to empower students to know how

to seek help, help a friend or just know when it is time to take a moment and breathe.”

Compton said any student who would like to join the Active Minds chapter can add the group on the campus engagement website OrgSync, visit the organization’s table at the Student Involvement Fair scheduled for the fall semester or email her at acompton2@ uco.edu.

Dr. Christy Vincent, member of Healthy Campus and Organizational Communications professor at UCO, will serve as the sponsor of the group.

Active Minds is a college-based mental health advocacy group which strives to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. (Photo provided by activeminds.org.)

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LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

continued from cover Andonis Bagby @AirSkittleZ Contributing Writer “One way to keep down the amount of cats we get this time of year is for owners to be responsible by spaying and neutering their pets,” Bank said.

Other tips involve; keeping cats inside to prevent them from getting hurt or sick, keeping a tag on them so they can be

returned home faster if they get lost and treating your cat like you would a kid by feeding them and fostering a loving relationship.

For anyone wishing to adopt a cat, the first step is to look on the shelter’s website under the adoption tab or on the website

The influx of cats and kittens has the OKC Animal Shelter overrun with feline friends available for adoption. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

Casey McElroy

@theawesomerobot

Petfinder. Another option is to visit the shelter where employees encourage people to interact with the cats to see if they are a perfect fit.

OKC Animal Welfare reserves the right to deny adoptions to anyone they see as unfit to provide an appropriate home for a pet.

The employees will then help fill out the paperwork to adopt.

Anyone looking to adopt must have a photo ID and the $30 fee for cats under six months; however, adopting an adult cat is free.

The OKC Animal Shelter, located at 2811 SE 29th St., is open for adoptions from noon to 5:45 p.m. every day and closed on holidays. Every third Wednesday of the month, the shelter does not open until 2 p.m.

For more information, go to the Animal Welfare website at www.okc.gov/departments/ animal-welfare, or call (405) 297-3100.

A cluster of kittens huddle together in the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter. In early June the shelter recieved over 200 cats to adopt out. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

continued from cover

Contributing Writer

Microsoft was hit the hardest due to leaks of the developer’s biggest press conference surprises being revealed days before.

Games like “Forza Horizon 3,” “Halo Wars 2” and the announcement of the “Gears of War” character General Raam appearing in “Killer Instinct Season 3” lost their element of surprise.

Once E3 beE3 2016 attendees interact with newly announced gan, however, the games and experiences at the Xbox booth at E3 2016 common theme in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Photo by was a large focus Casey Rodgers/Invision for Microsoft/AP Images) on virtual reality integration. With Possibly the biggest single leak was the reveal of Ubisoft’s “Watch the recent release of VR platforms like the HTC Vive and the Oculus Dogs 2.” Everything from the Rift, console makers are making game’s setting and protagonist to a significant effort to corner the full gameplay video was leaked market. prior to Ubisoft’s June 13 press Numerous new titles were conference.

shown that take advantage of the new technology. Actress Aisha Tyler, while hosting the Ubisoft press conference, called VR the perfect technology for making gaming more accessible.

While showing off a new Star Trek themed VR game, actor LeVar Burton summed up his enthusiasm for the new medium.

“We have been waiting in anticipation for so long for the technology of virtual reality to catch up with where we imagine we should be and where we want to go,” Burton said.

Playstation manufacturer, Sony, has even gone as far as to create their own VR hardware called— what else?—Playstation VR. A large section of Sony’s press conference was devoted to showing off games such as the newly announced “Resident Evil 7” and a Star Wars flight simulator that would support the new hardware.

“2016 is a seminal moment in virtual reality,” Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Shawn Layden said. “The time has

finally come for everyone to enjoy VR in their homes.”

Not to be outdone, Microsoft unveiled the newest version of their Xbox One console. Dubbed the Xbox “One S”, the new console will be 40 percent smaller as well as be capable of output in 4K resolution.

Xbox’s Phil Spencer also announced that Microsoft is already working on the next iteration of Xbox consoles.

Known simply as ‘Project Scorpio”, Spencer stated that Microsoft believes it will be the most powerful console ever built.

Thus, another year of announcements and promises has been made to the gaming public. Only time will tell if these promises are kept, but one thing is for sure: delays will be announced, excitement will be met with disappointment and E3 will come around again next year.

All that’s left is waiting. w

EDITORIAL

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Dear Orlando; #OrlandoStrong Dear America

Cara Johnson

@cara_johnson_

Photo Editor Dear Orlando,

Many of us have been racking our brains, trying to find the right things to say. Words like “massacre”, “shooting”, “violence”, and “victim” fill our news feeds and our hearts grow heavier with each refreshing page.

As we learn more about the tragedy you faced early Sunday morning, and we begin to learn the names of those lost; it is not just your citizens who mourn. It is not just the LGBTQ+ community. It’s all of us. It’s the absence of 49 people felt so deeply. It is 49 families whose pain we could never know or understand. It is 49 names that are now spoken with heaviness that we will always feel but never comprehend. It is 49 voices that will never be heard again; 49 words that we cannot seem to find.

Orlando, we hurt with you. We feel this pain with you. LGBTQ+, we hurt with you.

We stand by you.

Dear America,

A sea of candles lit the night as during a candle light vigil on the steps of City Hall Wednesday, June 15, 2016, in Houston. Mayor Sylvester Turner and representatives from faith-based organizations, the LGBT community, other elected officials, the NAACP, LULAC, the Houston Consular Corp, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston, Bayou City Choral and youth. (Steve Gonzales/Houston Chronicle via AP)

The alarm has been going off for too long.

We have pressed snooze too many times to count and let it still be acceptable. Being this late is not okay. Maybe we missed the introduction, the starting line, the front page; the headlines called for a change and we’re begging you to keep reading, keep fighting for that change. But it isn’t too late.

There is no excuse, no reasoning, alibi, or sensationalizing that will make this hate, or any hate, okay. No words can ease the pain of aching hearts and restless, frightened minds.

Wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up. Let this be the pinching fingers that pull you from this nightmare.

Dear Orlando,

We are raising our flames to you in solidarity.

Vigils as far as Australia, and as close to us as Oklahoma City, are being held as we all beg for a change. We know that this is no longer politics. It is no longer a matter of who is right and who is wrong. We know it is no matter of Democrats or Republicans, Donald or Hillary.

Humanity has failed you. We have failed you and continue to fail one another by letting our own hate blind us.

But we promise you that we will fight to make this right again, we will fight for you and your lost and loved ones, and we will fight for our future together.

Dear America,

How sickeningly ironic it is that we must continue to fight to end violence, and stand strong until hate subsides into tolerance. How sickening it is that these things have to happen for us to open our eyes.

We need you.

We need you to

stand up to end this once and for all.

Open your eyes, America. Open your eyes, and your ears, and your heart and listen to the voices crying for help. Listen to the screams begging for a change that is so desperately needed.

Wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up.

Dear Orlando,

Sorry will never be enough. It will never cover every bruise and broken heart. It will never hold every shaking hand or ease the pain.

Dear America,

Don’t apologize. Take action. Do not offer condolences. Offer change. Do not let your heart pour out; pour out promise of new beginnings and make them happen.

Dear Orlando,

We stand beside you, as brothers, sisters, and friends.

Dear America,

We’re asking you to stand with Orlando, with the LGBTQ+ community, with the 49 families, with all of us.

It’s your move. What will you do with it?

New Yorkers create a makeshift memorial for Orlando after the shooting Saturday night. LGBT community members, New York officials and citizens gathered to pay their respects and show their solidarity with the victims and their families. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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SPORTS FEATURE

Kevin Durant’s Free Agency Talk

Ike Wilcots @ikewilcots

#ThunderUp

Sports Editor

(above) The Vista Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (35) speaks during a news conference at the team’s practice facility in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 1, 2016. (Nate Billings/The Oklahoman via AP) (below) Durant may not be ready to talk about his free agency yet, but it’s one of the biggest issues facing the Oklahoma City Thunder after losing in seven games of the Western Conference finals to Golden State. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

The Summer of 2016 is the summer of Kevin Durant’s free agency. With his health back to normal and the league’s cap salary rising, teams will definitely seek out max contracts and make room for the 7x All-Star.

Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder finished strong this season, taking the defending NBA champions, Golden State Warriors, to game seven in the Western Conference Finals. Durant averaged a team high 28.4 points while adding on 7.1 rebounds in postseason play.

During the press conference of game seven’s loss, Durant was asked about free agency, he replied with “I’m just embracing my teammates and just reflecting on the season.” This could be interpreted by saying he will think about the free agency later. However, it is now “later” and teams are ready to pursue the 2013 League MVP. Here are three teams, other than OKC, I believe will likely sign Durant at the end of the summer.

Miami Heat: Pat Riley has a history of bringing star talent to South Beach to play alongside Dwayne Wade.

It has been a successful trend for the organization, first with 4x NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal winning one championship in 2006 for the Heat.

hopeful healthy Chris Bosh and veteran superstar Wade.

Washington Wizards: Like LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavilers, Du-

Then having recent success with LeBron James winning back to back championships for them in 2013 and 2014.

History may repeat itself if Miami can somehow get Durant on the team with a

rant has an opportunity to go back to his home state to compete for a title.

The Wizards have a good young back court with point guard John Wall and shooting guard Bradley Beal. Having

a great scorer on this team like Durant will not only put them back into the playoff scene but will help them compete for the eastern conference title against LeBron and the Cavs.

One big detail about this Wizard squad is their new coach, Scott Brooks.

Brooks was OKC’s coach from 2008 to 2015 taking them to the finals in 2012.

Reuniting with the his old coach in a new city could help the Wizards become successful faster than most will expect.

Boston Celtics: Imagine another Celtics dynasty. This could be a sure thing if Durant decides to take his talents to Boston come fall.

The young talented Celtics squad are a threat to the east with rising stars Isaiah Thomas, Kelly Olynyk, and Marcus Smart. With a young and developing coach, Brad Stevens, the only thing this organization needs is a star. Boston showed in this postseason that they are the scrappy team that can compete in the East.

This would be the team if Durant does go East that would compete with the Cavs in the eastern conference championship year after year.

SPORTS

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The Endeavor Games: Building a Legacy at UCO

Ryan Naeve @itwasryan

Photographer

Jason Bick catches a ball thrown by Michael Thompkins during a wheelchair basketball game in the Wellness Center on Friday, June 10. The two teams in this game were The Twisters and Team 3, and The Twisters won with a final score of 11-6. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

Dennis Clemons lifts 142 kilos during the powerlifting competition at the Endeavor Games on Friday, June 10. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

Kateleigh Mills

@KateleighSuz

Editor-in-Chief The 17th Annual Endeavor Games returned to the University of Central Oklahoma on June 9-12 where athletes of all ages with physical disabilities competed against each other in sporting events crafted to meet their physical needs.

The multi-sport event included archery, cycling, powerlifting, air-rifle shooting, swimming, table tennis, track and field, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and a triathlon.

Some of the sports required athletes to bring their own gear, like archery, while others had

equipment provided.

Heather Kohl, the Coordinator for Adaptive Sports and Coordinator for the UCO Endeavor Games, said that the games were able to bring in around 100 military veterans with the help of the Department of Defense.

“They [military veterans] love it. We start getting calls in January from people all over the country asking about it,” Kohl said.

The first Endeavor Games began in 2000 on UCO’s campus by a nonprofit organi-zation.

Their mission was to provide sporting events

Lloyd Howard Jr., a former marine, takes aim during a target shooting competition during the Endeavor games at UCO on Saturday, June 11.

Howard, who suffers from nerve damage, said he enjoys competing in the Endeavor games because it allows him to keep in touch with his fellow marines and continue their comraderie. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

and competitions geared towards athletes with disabilities in Oklahoma and around the country. When the games first began, it offered sporting events to only 91 athletes from seven states. Now, the games bring in hundreds of athletes from all over the country.

In 2004, UCO saw the importance of the games for the community and took over for the nonprofit. Due to UCO’s involvement with the games, it was designated as a U.S. Paralympic Training Site in 2005 and would later become a U.S. Olympic training site.

Rachel Fredericks, Anthony Rios, and his service dog, Bugsy relax on the sidelines of the fieldhouse basketball court before Rios competed in target shooting. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.