WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 2015 VOLUME 90 ■ ISSUE 34
RAIDER MMA
DEFENSIVE BACKS
PG. 6
PG. 5
PRIDE WEEK
ONLINE
INDEX OPINIONS LA VIDA SPORTS CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS SUDOKU
4 6 5 5 5 2
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Breaking Down Barriers String Project brings music to children By MICHAEL CANTU Staff Writer
Music is a common bond throughout the entire world, and it is one that breaks through language barriers. Since 2001, Texas Tech’s School of Music has been taking children under its wing to teach them how to play stringed instruments, Blair Williams, assistant professor of string music education and director of the String Project, said. The String Project serves elementary students in Lubbock and surrounding areas. To recruit students for the program, String Project administrators go around to the various elementary schools in the Lubbock area and pitch their ideas, she said. In many instances, Tech students were also performing for the children to show them what it is they would be learning to play. “This year, we did over 20 presentations between myself (and my other TAs),” Williams said, “so the three of us made a lot of presentations and met a lot of kids.” The program also hosts an open house event where the children can roam around the facilities and try out the instruments, she said, and the parents can learn the details
JUSTIN REX/The Daily Toreador
ABOVE: First-year cello students follow along to their script on the classroom overhead as part of the String Project. The String Project provides elementary school students with an opportunity to receive two years of music training before middle school. RIGHT: Teaching Assistant Nikit Desai helps a second-year viola student in the String Project with tuning his instrument. The String Project students range in age from 8 to 9 years old. about the project. There is no application process for the program, she said, and whoever would like to can join. “In the past, it has been around 20 to 40 students per year,” Williams said. “This year, we have 87 students registered, including 14 second-year students.” The String Project is also part of
a consortium that has locations and programs all across the U.S., she said. The National String Project Consortium also has a close relationship with Texas schools, and the University of Texas at Austin is one of the flagship institutions in the group.
SEE STRING, PG. 6
HEALTH
FOOTBALL
Fall allergy season in full swing Tech not motivated by Mayfield’s return By JEREMY KRAKOSKY Staff Writer
For the first time ever on Saturday, quarterback Baker Mayfield will take the field in an Oklahoma uniform against his former team. While playing an old teammate would seem to elevate tempers, this is not the case for the Red Raiders. Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury seemed to be tired of the Mayfield narrative at Monday’s press conference and said he has moved on. “That happened two years ago really, 21 months, something like that,” he said. “It’s two good football teams. I don’t want to take away from that based on that storyline.”
By EASTON WOLLNEY Staff Writer
Sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose are all symptoms indicating the fall allergy season is here. Dr. James Tarbox, an allergist at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, said the fall allergy season begins in August and usually ends in early November. “This time of year it usually involves weeds,” Tarbox said, “mainly ragweed and tumbleweed.” Some other high allergens right now include dust mites and mold, Tarbox said. Symptoms of allergies can be watery and itchy eyes, runny and itchy noses, sneezing, congestion
and nasal drip, he said, and some people may experience wheezing. People who move to Lubbock may be exposed to new allergens, Tarbox said, so someone may develop allergies that way. “Anytime you’ve got a bunch of cotton and dust in the air, everyone will react to that because it’s basically one big irritant,” Tarbox said. A good way to tell if someone is experiencing allergies or if they have a cold is the duration and itchiness, Tarbox said, because colds typically only last seven to 14 days and are not associated with itching, while allergies can last months. Tracking the allergies on a local weather channel or through an application on a cellphone are
both good ways to keep up and prepare for the allergens that are high that day, he said. “If it’s really messing with your life, you should consider seeing a primary care doctor or allergist,” Tarbox said, “and if you get on the right medicine it can really change your life.” There are also several overthe-counter medications that work specifically for allergies, Tarbox said. Andrew Bobet, a sophomore marketing major from Katy, said he experienced allergies in his hometown before coming to Tech, so he knew how to prepare for allergy season when moving to Lubbock.
SEE ALLERGIES, PG. 2
Mayfield walked on as a quarterback at Tech for the 2013 season and quickly turned heads when he claimed the starting job for the season opener. He had 460 total yards and five touchdowns in the Red Raiders’ opening weekend matchup with Southern Methodist. The junior quarterback said this game is the same as every other one. “Just another game. I can’t treat it any differently,” Mayfield said. “Obviously I have a past and a history with them, but I can’t treat it any differently. Just got to practice like it’s a normal one.”
SEE MAYFIELD, PG. 5
FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador
Former Texas Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield fumbles the ball during the game against Baylor on Nov. 16, 2013 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Mayfield will play against Tech this Saturday as the quarterback for Oklahoma.