The Prairie Vol. 95 No. 7 by The Prairie WTAMU

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nEws

Students gear up to vote on Nov. 6.

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SuNNy 830/550 October 16, 2012 • Vol. 95, No. 7

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Homecoming festivities a hit

Laci McGee RepoRteR

he 2012 Homecoming week was an eventpacked week for WTAMU. The entire week was filled with parades, concerts, and the torch-bearing Pigskin Review leading up to the Homecoming football game on Oct. 13. “We hoped to grow the event by combining it with the concert,” Matt Maples, associate director of C.O.R.E. said. Though there was no bonfire this year, WT President Dr. O’Brien lit the Eternal Flame along with Student Body President Nick Goettsche. The Pigskin Review was put together by the Student Alumni Board, the C.O.R.E. office and Student Government and according to Shaun Leutwyler, a junior Criminal Justice major and a member of the Student Alumni Board, set up for the Pigskin Review took all semester. The event contained performances by the Maroon Platoon, WT band and three performances each by the WT

sPorts

Football slaughters ACU 36-0.

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oPinion

A recent study shows that young voters are less engaged.

PAGE 11 AlEx MontoyA/thE PrAiriE Jeremy Tarango and Allison Ashby were crowned Homecoming King and Queen on Oct. 13.

Cheerleaders and Pom Squad. The big event of the Pigskin Review was the announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen Finalists. The three king finalists were Omar Garcia, Job Najera and Jeremy Tarango and the three queen candidates were Allison Ashby, Amanda Jones and Brianna Moore. The winners of the

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Spirit Competition went to the Maroon Platoon. The Homecoming Parade followed on Saturday morning. The parade started at the First United Bank Center and traveled down Fourth Street. The parade ended in downtown Canyon Square, where Fair on the Square took place. A variety of organizations and local

business had booths on the square. Afterwards, tailgating commenced at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium prior to the football game. The night ended with celebration as not only Jeremy Tarango and Allison Ashby were announced Homecoming King and Queen, but also WT shut out Abilene Christian University 36-0.

fEAturE

Local authors impact the Panhandle.

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NEWS

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Students on campus get ready to vote GeorGia rominG reporter

n Oct. 8, the Jack B. Kelley Student Center was filled with students looking for something other than lunch -- a chance to register to vote. “We want to get college students aware of voting rights,” Temitayo Fakiyesi, senior Health Science major and deputy registrar with the NAACP, said. “We just want everyone to vote. It’s our passion to make students aware.” Some students registered for the first time, like Jonathan Rolden, sophomore Psychology major. “It’s not complicated at all,” Rolden said. “I liked that it was so straightforward. This is my first time voting. I’m excited to vote.” Others, like Fakiyesi, are also going to be first-time voters in the upcoming election. “Well, this is my first time getting registered and actually, it’s my first time voting,” she said. “I’m definitely passionate about it as well.” As of Oct. 9, voter registration

STAFF Editor-in-ChiEf Krystina Martinez

ASSiStAnt Editor Ashley Hendrick

WEB Editor Daniela Fierro

Ad MAnAGEr Zivorad Filipovic

has ended in Texas. However, registering may not be the final step for many student voters. Students who live outside of Randall Country must either travel home or vote absentee. “You register to vote where you live, and the challenge for students would be defining where they live,” Dave Rausch, political science professor, said during a registration drive in Centennial Hall. “I know in some cases, you live where your parents tell you to live. So, I know some students in my class, they’d like to register to vote in Randall County but their Dad says they have to vote in Wheeler county. So that’s one issue.” Marie McNutt, Randall County Clerk, agreed. “They’ll need to contact their county and ask for an absentee ballot. Their county would send them the application,” she said. Victoria Stone, sophomore Mass Communication major and absentee voter said the process for absentee voting was fairly simple. “They send you a ballot and

you fill out what election you want,” Stone said. “They can send you multiple applications and then they send you the ballot. They will send me the election ballot in November and I will have to send that back to the election clerk back in my county.” Although absentee voting may be simple, it’s been a difficult year for Texas lawmakers and voting rights activists alike. According to reports by Emily Schultheis from Politico, the state’s controversial voter identification law has been overturned. Supporters of the law say it combats voter fraud in the Lone Star State. Opponents, on the other hand, argue it disenfranchises minorities, according to the Texas Tribune. The controversy has left some students unclear about what they need to bring to the polls. “There is definitely an issue there, with the IDs,” Rausch said. “It’s still being held up in court, so you don’t need an ID to vote. If you don’t have your voter registration card, then

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you have to show some form of ID. Issues that matter most for some students in the voting arena include immigration reform and education. “Definitely what’s going on with college student loans,” Fakiyesi said. “Things that will apply to me as a college student, that will affect me... for instance, just retirement and things like that so I know what’s going on.” Other students are more concerned with the economy. “Debt and all the other stuff that I, personally, have issues with,” Stone said. “Certain things come into play, but that’s

about it. I just don’t really want the economy to go further down then it has.” No matter the issue, Rausch emphasized the importance of voting. “It’s still important to vote,” Rausch said. There are local elections. Next year we’ll be voting in a bunch of local elections. Next spring we’ll have Canyon elections and there’ll be Amarillo elections and some school board elections next year as well that. In local elections, your vote makes much more of a difference.”

Need more information on how and where to vote? Go to

www.votetexas.gov Robin Mosier Katie Nichols Lauren O’Brien Chelo Rivera Phoebe Sinclair Haley Sprague Rebekah St. Clair Preston Thomas Rubi Valencia Keltin Wiens

Connor Woods

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The Prairie is a student-operated newspaper at West Texas A&M University. It functions to inform, educate and entertain readers accurately and responsibly. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, faculty or staff. The Prairie verifies the legitimacy of the advertising appearing in The Prairie, but cannot be held liable for any advertising claim made in this publication. The Prairie has a circulation of 1,500 and is printed by the Amarillo Globe-News. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -- First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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Put it where you want it Brooke Self reporter

n Tuesday, Oct. 23, students at WTAMU will have a chance to create their own T-shirts, tote bags or mouse pads. Put It Where You Want It is a free event put on by a company called Cutting Edge Productions, Inc. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Jack B. Kelly Student Service Center Commons. “You can bring an image [or] photo on flash drive and print it on a t-shirt,” Stephanie Brackett, CORE Asssistant Director of Student Activities, said. The t-shirts, tote bags, and mouse pads are supplied. They can feature the school’s name, logo, homecoming or other phrase. Students will then get to choose from 150 templates to superimpose their face or head into so they can create pictures for their custom item of choice. “We had them come last fall,” Brackett said. “It’s a great way to get shirts for

your organization.” The event is sponsored by Campus Organizations, Resources and Entertainment (CORE). Students are allowed one t-shirt per person. “These events are a good way to get out and socialize with other students,” Brackett said. Christa Glasgow, senior Broadcast Journalism and Advertising and Public Relations major, said although she thinks it could be an interesting event for students, she probably won’t be attending the event. “It could be fun, but I probably wouldn’t mess with going to it,” Glasgow said. “I’m not big on stuff like that, as in I really just have time to go to class.” However, other students are excited about the opportunity to get a free shirt for their organization. “I think it’s a great opportunituy for us to get shirts for our sororities,” Lindsay Pannell, junior History major, said. “Plus it’s free, which is always a good thing.”

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Students learn in Little International WT Rifle Club shooting for competition Addie dAvis RepoRteR

he Principles of Animal Science and senior level Agriculture Education classes joined up and held the Little International Showmanship and Leadership Competition on Oct. 8 and 9. Over 200 students, faculty and volunteers gathered at the Nance Ranch to make the learning experience a success. According to Dr. David Lust, Instructor of Animal Science, the competition is designed to get students engaged in their first semester at WTAMU. “We want them to get excited, get involved and meet new people - not only their classmates, but their upper classmen as well,” said Lust. “We also want them to learn factual information about livestock, their breeds, characteristics and weights. We hope to teach them leadership traits and qualities.” The Little International competition has been held at WT for about 62 years. This year, 213 contestants entered hoping to win cash prizes, WT cutouts, bags and goodies.

“It’s good to get the freshman engaged in class and experience a group project that is unique to this university,” Royce Kratz, senior Agriculture Education major, said. “They get to have someone to look up to who has been here for four years and not just in the show pen, but also in class and around campus.” Students in the Principles of Animal Science class were given the choice of showing horses, cattle, sheep or pigs. After choosing which animal they wanted to show, the students were given two to three weeks to work with their animals. “I showed pigs all through high school, but had always wanted to show a steer, so it was really great to get an opportunity like this,” Mechelle Underwood, freshman Agriculture Business and Economics major, said. Little International was not just about showing livestock, but it also served as a learning opportunity with the Quiz Bowl contest. “I didn’t realize how competitive the quiz bowl contest would be, but I was very happy to have won it with the help of my team,” Madison

Bagwell, junior Agriculture Business and Economics major, said. “I definitely learned a lot from this experience.” Little International is put together by two classes at WT, who partnered up to make the whole event happen. The Principle of Animal Science class and the senior level Agriculture Education class joined forces to make groups with upperclassmen as leaders and the underclassmen as the contestants. The upperclassmen serve as the freshmen’s mentors and guides through the experience. According to Lust, the upperclassmen gain teaching experience, mentor freshmen and it helps to create a learning community so the freshmen get involved early in their first semester and go on to be successful at WT. “It was a great way to bond

Tell us whAT you Think! The Prairie welcomes letters to the editor.

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with my classmates and the upperclassmen, like our group leaders,” Kimber Kiker,

freshman Agriculture and Communications said.

Media Huner FitHen major, reporter s students across campus set their sights on October activities, organizations from all over take aim to draw new members into their ranks. One group has taken this to heart, and will be starting things off with a bang. The WTAMU Rifle Club will be hosting their first annual trap shoot from 1:00 to 4:15 p.m. on October 20th, at the BeatyWilson Range. Along with members, students and gun fans alike are welcome to come out for some competitive shooting. “We’d like to introduce people to some different sides of the rifle club and get them excited with a little competition,” Keagan

Addie dAvis/The PrAirie Students competing in Little International show in the cattle class.

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Folkerts, senior Communication Studies Major and WT Rifle Club President, said. The club states that their primary goal is to promote safety and proper respect for firearms in all their uses, while helping to build responsible sportsmen, hunters and competitive shooters. Word of the event has been spreading, and students continue to grow more and more interested as it approaches. “I think it will be a great event that will teach students how to safely use a rifle, as well as relax some,” junior Biotechnology/ Biochemistry major Jonathan Picker, said. “It should be a fun time for all involved.” For students interested in the

trap shoot and plan on going, be sure to reload afterwards for the third annual pumpkin shoot that will be held from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. on November 3rd, again at the Beaty-Wilson Range. The rifle club has asked the rhetorical question of “What better way to get rid of the left over pumpkins?” They encourage anyone and everyone to think over this question, and to come have some fun at a fall themed shoot with some friends. As an added bonus, hamburgers and hotdogs will be served. Having more than just one event to look forward to in the coming weeks is getting people’s attention, and building

PULSE to host Alcohol Aw a r e n e s s We e k pHoebe Sinclair reporter

ULSE will be hosting Alcohol Awareness Week from Oct. 15 through Oct. 19. Not only is WTAMU holding an alcohol awareness week, but many schools around the nation will be participating as well. This event’s purpose is to educate students about drinking and the devastating effects it can have. The week will kick off with a drinking and driving simulator, where students will get an idea of what drinking and driving looks like. PULSE will be educating students about alcohol poisoning on Tuesday, Oct. 16. There will be a beer goggle obstacle course on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Students will have the chance to experience what it is like to be under the influence of alcohol. On the last day of Alcohol Awareness week, PULSE and students across cam-

pus will pay tribute to those who have died from alcohol-related incidents. According to some WT students, Alcohol Awareness Week is very important and shouldn’t be overlooked. “Alcohol Awareness Week is good because it saves people’s lives,” Melissa Hansan, junior Math Education major, said. Another student at said he agrees drinking and driving is dangerous. “Don’t drink and drive because you might kill someone you love…like your momma,” Chance Autry, junior Business Education major, said. For some students at WT, Alcohol Awareness Week has a special meaning. “I never got to meet my grandpa,” Bob Buckles, junior Social Work major, said. “Someone was drunk, crossed the median and a head-on collision occurred. He never even got to see his children get married.”

anticipation as well. It has caused multiple students to become interested in what else the rifle club might have to offer. “I think this is a great way to bring guys who are interested in rifling together to share a common interest and have a

great time,” freshman Musical Theatre major Angelo Mincey, said. “I wouldn’t call myself a fantastic shot, but it still sounds like it would be fun.” These are just two of the upcoming events the rifle club has planned, and more are expected to follow.

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Modern day gladiators

Keltin Wiens KWts sports Director

elcome to the 2012 Rome: where we pay our gladiators millions of dollars and you pay too much to park. In the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Matt Cassel, went down with a concussion after he was bulldozed by Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata. When this happened, some of the Chiefs fans started cheering. Yes, that’s right, they were cheering that Cassel was hurt. After the game, Chiefs tackle Eric Winston went on a rant about this act. “When you cheer somebody getting knocked out, I don’t care who it is, and it just so happened to be Matt Cassel -- it’s sickening, it’s 100 percent sickening,” said Winston. “We have a lot of problems as a society if people think that is OK.”

Let’s make something clear; this is not a column about me trying to defend fans heartlessly cheering for a struggling quarterback’s injury. I hate it when players get injured. Period. But what does this act show us about ourselves? Are we as fans really that much above the jeering crowd at Arrowhead? If we call ourselves football fans, the answer is no. The ratings of the NFL and the subsequent profits have been steadily rising in recent years. Thanks to football’s popularity, the NFL is the nation’s most favored sport. This means we, as fans, want to see more of the NFL and media coverage intensifies. When we fans are inundated with football in the same way we see Lindsay Lohan’s poor driving skills, our football players are relegated to the same category as Lohan: entertainment. When we watch football, entertainers become confused with athletes. Thus, the violence and pain, that

has always been part of football, just becomes amusing for fans. No sympathy for the players during games and we don’t care what happens when the players step off the field, just give us our entertainment. In Kansas City, Matt Cassel hadn’t entertained fans (five touchdowns compared to nine interceptions this season). But they weren’t cheering for Matt or his injury, they were cheering because he had been pulled offstage and a new act is about to come on. I’m sure that fans of Roman gladiators weren’t cheering because the fighters had died; they just wanted to see another person have a shot at the lions, tigers and bears (oh my). Viewing players as entertainment should never happen on any level of sport. Entertainers have never been a part of sports. Let’s get back to the days when we cared about an athlete’s passion and talent, not their entertainment value.

n the first two games over a closing road stretch, the Lady Buffs took control of the Lone Star Conference with victories over Texas Woman’s University 1-0 on Friday, Oct. 12 and TAMU Commerce 2-0 on Sunday, Oct. 14. On Friday, it was freshman midfielder Hailey Girard who came up big with her first goal in her college career early in the game to sweep the TWU Pioneers for the season. “It was an awesome feeling scoring my first college goal,” Girard said. “This was an im-

portant weekend toward our goal of winning the conference and I’m so glad to be a part of this great team.” The Lady Buffs would ride on Girard’s goal and a sturdy defense, led by junior Yvette Bedoy’s four saves, to the victory. Following the win against TWU, the Lady Buffs overcame the wet conditions and even its campaign series with TAMUC with senior striker Leslie Briggs knocking in her 14th goal of the year as sophomore striker Jasmine Schultz recorded the assist against the Lions. “This weekend was a good

indicator of who we are going to be in future games,” Schultz said “I’m very proud of this team and our performance this whole season and I look forward to the upcoming victories in conference play and in the tournament.” Schultz’s assist brings her total assists up to two for the season. “We came to Dallas and did what we needed to do which is to win both games,” Briggs said. “Overall, it was a really good weekend, not only did we win but we also had a shutout weekend. I don’t think we have done that since I’ve been here.

Volleyball gets swept WT football shuts out ACU for Homecoming win MAtt WAtKins sports eDitor

he No. 8-ranked WTAMU Lady Buffs volleyball team traveled to Abilene to play the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Oct. 13. The Lady Buffs got swept in straight sets for their second Lone Star Conference loss. The loss makes the first time since 2005 WT has had multiple conference losses. The Wildcats jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first set before the Lady Buffs scored four consecutive points to cut it to 7-6. With the score 15-13 in favor of ACU, a 10-4 Wildcat run clinched set one 25-17. ACU scored the first seven points of the second set and led 9-1 when a WT run of 9-2 cut the deficit to 11-10. Both teams would trade blows back and forth throughout the set. The Lady Buffs had a 20-19 lead when a 6-2 Wildcat run clinched the set for ACU. WT had a quick 5-1

Lady Buffs soccer sweeps weekend tyler AnDerson sports reporter

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With Incarnate Word losing today, [our win] allows us to grab hold of first place.” With the two road victories, the Lady Buffs improve to 8-3 in the Lone Star Conference and 9-5-1 overall. TWU falls to 4-5-1 in the LSC, 5-7-2 overall and TAMUC limps to 4-8 in the Lone Star and an overall record of 5-10. The WT Women continue their tour de force as they travel to San Antonio to avenge their earlier loss against Incarnate Word on Friday, Oct. 19 before looking to sweep the Rambelles of Angelo State for the season in San Angelo on Sunday.

advantage in set three before the Wildcats came back and tied it at five. Trailing 14-11, the Lady Buffs went on a 9-3 run out of a timeout that gave them a 20-17 lead. ACU would rally and outscore WT 11-6 to win the clinching set 28-26. “Worst loss of my career,” said Head Coach Jason Skoch. “It was the worst because we have worked on team building all week and we are not a team.” The Lady Buffs were led offensively by sophomore Kameryn Hayes with 14 kills; senior Erin Dougherty and junior Halie Harton each had nine. Senior Lacy Hayes dished out 37 assists and senior Lauren Beville tallied 18 digs. WT is now 16-3 on the year with a 7-2 mark in LSC play. The Lady Buffs’ next game will be Oct. 16 versus Eastern New Mexico at 7 p.m. in Canyon.

Matt Watkins sports Editor he No. 20 WTAMU Buffalo football team hosted the Abilene Christian Wildcats for Homecoming on Oct. 13 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The Buffs blanked ACU 36-0, marking WT’s eighth consecutive Homecoming win and the Wildcats first time being shutout since Oct. 13, 2001, exactly 11 years

to the day, after a string of 121 straight games. WT’s first touchdown came with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter when junior Dustin Vaughn connected with fellow junior Trevor Hammargren for a 14-yard score to make it 7-0. Junior kicker Sergio Castillo, Jr. kicked field goals of 35 yards and 56 yards to give the Buffs a 13-0 halftime lead. Senior Khiry Robinson

gave WT a 20-0 lead on their first drive of the second half with a fouryard touchdown scamper. Vaughn threw a 75-yard TD strike to redshirt freshman Jarrian Rhone with 8:37 left in the third to make 27-0. Junior defensive lineman Shane Pennix sacked ACU quarterback Mitchell Gale for a safety with 00:57 left in the third that made it 29-0 going into the fourth.

Vaughn completed the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown pass to junior Nathan Slaughter with 11:53 to go in the game. Vaughn finished 32 of 45 passing for 359 yards and three touchdowns. “We put points up, but there is always room for improvement,” Robinson said. Robinson carried the ball 15 times and gained 102 yards with one score.

Rhone led the receivers with nine catches for 106 yards and a score. Slaughter caught eight passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. The Buffs are now 6-1 overall and remain the only team undefeated in Lone Star Conference action at 5-0. WT will next play Eastern New Mexico in Portales on Oct. 20. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Baile folklórico brings culture to WT

Alex GonzAlez RepoRteR

here are many new organizations this year at WT. Many of them range from academic to social, but there’s a new one that has to do more with traditions and culture. A new WTAMU dance group, called Corazon de Tejas, or Heart of Texas, specializes in baile folklórico. Baile folklórico, meaning “folk dance” in Spanish, is a collective term for Latin American dances that highlight local folk culture. Animal Science major Daniel

Guadian heads the group. Guadian has performed the traditional Mexican dance for the last twelve years, throughout high school and junior high, and has performed all over the country. He placed second in a national competition held in Los Angeles, and wanted to continue it his passion and extend it beyond high school. “Last year, [we were asked] to do a dance at Dias de Los Muertos, and we had so much fun doing it that we decided to form a group out of it,” Guadian said. He also said as soon as their

group comes together, they would bring in a choreographer from Dallas and start to compete. Already 20-25 students are interested in joining the new group. “I am the advisor and very excited about promoting artistic expressions of culture and introducing this style of dance to the WT and Panhandle community,” said Dr. Yvette Castillo, the Chair of the Counselor Education Program. “The group hopes to promote cultural awareness through dance showcasing authentic Mexican customs and celebration.”

Corazon de Tejas has a unique challenge facing them, as many people aren’t familiar with baile folklorico. “It was kind of hard putting the group together, because a lot of people didn’t know what it is,” Corazon de Tejas Vice-President Lluvia Vidaña said. One of Vidaña’s favorite moments was last year’s Dias de Los Muertos performance, when the audience reaction was so overwhelming that it inspired them to collaborate. They are still recruiting, with hopes of a big group. “There is really no limit [in

members], especially for the girls because the skirts are sometimes so heavy that you need rotations when they are dancing,” she said. Vidaña hopes to show a different cultural group to WT and showcase a traditional culture that many have been forgotten. Corazon de Tejas is currently searching for interested students who would like to participate in a week-long dance training starting Nov. 12 through Nov. 16. Auditions will be held Nov. 16. Plans for a spring showcase of baile folklórico is in the works.

Local pumpkin farm hosted a youth Zombie Dash

MeGAn MooRe RepoRteR

ombies lurked through the corn maze at Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm for the annual youth obstacle course run on Oct. 13. Second through eighth graders participated in the Zombie Dash. They wore belts with flags attached and ran from zombies who were trying to steal their flags. “[The race] was hard at the end,” first place winner Bella Price, a third grader from Fritch Elementary School, said. “The zombies were fun, but I was scared a little.” The goal of the race was to make it through the whole obstacle course without losing the flag from your belt. The obstacle course included a tire drill station, a climbing wall and cargo nets. The bloodstained zombies were placed at each station throughout the corn maze. “I like the zombies,” Dannar Price, first place winner and

second grader from Fritch Elementary School, said. “They’re cool. I watch zombie movies sometimes.” The race was half a mile long and sponsored by Amarillo Athlete. They provided the prizes for the first place winners of each grade division that included a lime-green drawstring backpack and a $50 gift certificate. Amarillo Athlete recruited volunteer zombies from Amarillo College. “They asked us in class if we wanted to help out and if we did, we just signed up on a piece of paper,” Zachary Romero, Amarillo College sophomore, said. The $15 race fee also covered the admission fee for the racers so they could spend the day at Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm. Other activities at the farm included the corn maze, rope maze, pumpkin pickin’, corn cannon and more. They host field trips for schools and are also open on weekends.

Congratulations to this week’s winner:

Valeria Rodriquez! Can YOU finish first? Danner Price and Bella Price pose after winning first place.

We are giving away $10 iTunes gift cards. Finish the three puzzles with the correct answers and turn it in at FAC room 103.

Seventh graders take off at the starting line.

Last Week’s ansWers Zombies chase fourth grade racers.

Racers crawl through the cargo net.

10 FEATURE

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opinion 11

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Local authors impact the high plains Decision 2012: Make it yours Connor Woods reporter

or years, local writers have graced the high plains with their work, which gives insight to the Texas Panhandle and what it’s like to live in the area. “Its unbelievable how many people come through doing research on the area,” Sharon Stevens, co-owner of the Buffalo Bookstore, said. “When somebody comes to Canyon and they want to know more about the area, they will come in to look for a book on whatever it is they are interested in.” Stevens said that by purchasing books written by local authors, customers can find what they are looking for and spread the culture of the Texas Panhandle. “Local authors in our area provide information

through their stories on the area,” Stevens said. “It’s about spreading our culture as far as we can get it.” One of those authors is Jodi Thomas, who has written countless novels that take place in small towns similar to those in Texas. “I write a contemporary series called ‘Harmony’ that’s about a small town in Texas and you will see the flavor of Canyon in every book,” Thomas said. “I think writers incorporate what they know and the feeling in Canyon is so unique and I like to pass that along.” Author and speaker Timothy Lewis believes that local authors in the community are important because they give people the stories of Texas that they want. “Texas local authors are important because people are

interested in Texas,” Lewis said. “Authors ultimately are important because they expose people to the Texas people are interested in. Texas is a big seller in the market. Texas in the title means money in the bank.” Thomas has seen the benefit of writing novels about small Texas towns as she has hit the New York Times and USA Today’s best-seller list multiple times. “I’ve had several books that have hit the New York Times Best Seller list,” Thomas said. “The last book I wrote hit the Print list top 15, and when you hit the top 15, your books get delivered not only to bookstores but small venues such as grocery stores and truck stops.” By being on the best sellers list, Thomas was able to not only grab the attention of readers across America, but

major choir concerts, two per semester,” said Pullen. “This semester they are spread out, but next semester both concerts will be in April.” The choir began preparing for the fall concert in August. “[We] will spend every day until our concert putting our finishing touches on our repertoire,” Pullen said. Seventy-eight singers make up the choirs this semester and they are still looking for more. “I’m looking forward to performing a Russian piece we are doing called Veniki,” Music Education major Maggie Gannon said. “It’s challenging and fun.” This fall concert will be

Gannon’s second one with WT. “This will also be our first concert with [Pullen],” said Gannon, “It’s a pretty exciting event for us.” Sophomore Cecilia Martinez said she has participated in Fall Choir before. “I go over diction a lot,” she said. “Especially the text that is in German.” Martinez said the fall performance will have a few solo pieces that will be performed at the beginning. “People always come to a show with expectations,” Martinez said. “Our job is to make them surprised with what they hear.”

spread interest in small towns in Texas as well. “I think a lot of people try your books when you are on the New York Times,” Thomas said. “So I get a lot of new readers who then become interested in small towns in Texas through reading” With many local authors, comes an organization that brings them all together. “We have such a treasure since we are home to the to the Panhandle Professional Writers,” Stevens said. “It is the second oldest writers group in the United States. Every other month we have a meeting and it is to promote and support the local authors.” Whether it’s fiction or

nonfiction, local authors allow visitors a look into the culture of Texas. “I think a lot of people stop in the Buffalo Bookstore or other stores and find the books of local writers, because when people visit a place, they like to see the flavor of it,” Thomas said. “I’ve made a lot of fans who pick up a book from a book store that features me as local author and they take that book to Maine or Washington or wherever they are from.”

he country will decide its next president in four weeks. It’s crunch time for President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney. In the next four weeks, they are tasked with impressing uncommitted voters. Typically, they make an extra push towards women, minorities and young voters. However, it seems like all of the work they are putting in isn’t enough. Young voters – classified as people between the ages of 18 to 29 - are less engaged with the upcoming election than they were four years ago. In a study conduct-

ed by the Pew Research Center, only 18 percent of young voters follow the campaign news closely, down from 36 percent in 2008. Sixty three percent of registered voters plan to cast their ballot, down from 72 percent in 2008. The 2008 election season was highly charged, probably due to the excitement of two new presidential candidates. Despite the differences in the country’s mood then and now, it’s still a startling conclusion among young, college-age voters. Frankly, it’s a little frightening. Other than chatter about Big Bird and an empty chair,

Annual Fall Choir to perform

daniela Fierro Web editor

he WTAMU Chorale and the Collegiate Choir will be performing in Mary Moody Northern Recital Hall. The free Fall Concert will take place Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The choirs will be performing music by Johannes Brahms. “The choirs will be singing a variety of styles from formal to informal,” Director of Choral Activities Sean Pullen said. “There will also be selections of good old-time gospel favorites.” Pullen said that this is his first concert directing the choirs. “This year, there will be four

CouRtesy Photo/PeW ReseARCh CeNteR

what do college-age voters know about what’s going on in this election? How are they finding this information? Are they researching this for themselves or are they hearing the viewpoints from their parents and friends? It’s understandable why college-age voters may not want to engage. Who can ignore the attack campaign ads, heated political conversations among their parents and vitriolic social media posts? Election season drags. It really does. Every four years, everyone from the political scientists to the media whines about how the process is too long – from the caucuses and conventions to the debates and talk show circuits – but nothing changes.

The election season can be frustrating because the issues can (and do) take a backseat to candidates’ mistakes on the campaign trail. As fun as it can be to pick apart their mistakes, we need to know where they stand on issues that matter. Typically, newspapers will endorse a candidate for president in their editorial pages. The Prairie is not. We want our fellow students to make this decision for themselves. Check out some of the many resources out there that specifically fact check what these candidates are saying. It’s okay to not affiliate with the same political party that your parents do. You’re a voting adult now. The choice is yours.

Question of the Week

“If the candidate of your choice isn’t elected, would you leave the country?” “I haven’t left the country yet!!” -Carol Rountree Gardner “Yes, I would move to Greece or somewhere in that area.” -- Chance Autry (@cda91)

The Prairie will be asking a Question of the Week every Tuesday through Facebook and Twitter. Reply to our Question of the Week post on Facebook or use the hashtag #thePrairieAsks on Twitter to respond. Student responses will be printed in the next edition of The Prairie.

PHOTOS

October 16, 2012 | theprairienews.com

This Week in Photos: “Coming Home” Alex MontoyA Photo editor

Sophomore Tobie Browder helps cook for the Midnight Weenie Roast on Oct. 9.

Students get up and “wobble” in the Dining Hall during Midnight Pancakes.

Sophomore Brittny Herbert gets hotdogs at the Midnight Weenie Roast held by RHA

WT’s pom squad performing at Midnight Madness.

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Students show off their best “Gangman Style” moves.

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