the Prairie Cou rtesy of
Clke r.com
Volume 93
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Issue XXIV
WTAMU’s science clubs host Earth Day Fair Ryan Schaap Staff Writer
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arth Day is one of the most recognized environmental movements on the planet. It began on April 22, 1970, and has been moving ever since. WTAMU’s science clubs and local Amarillo and Canyon organizations are teaming up to host an Earth Day Fair on April 20. The fair will help educate the public about the earth and how to help the environment. The Earth Day Committee responsible for organizing the event consists of four main organizations: The Environmental Science Society, Tri- Beta, the Wildlife Society and the Geology Society. They will be at the event sharing information about erosion and the
consequences that come with it. A risk game will be played where current events will be presented and students will be asked to respond to it. Juan Gil from the Environmental Science Society Earth Day Committee said that probably the most important issue to be discussed is water usage and how it affects the Panhandle. “Water conservation is the most important topic to talk about,” Gil said. “It is a day that we recognize that we will eventually leave the earth and the activities we do will have a specific impact on earth.” Gil said that the event will help raise awareness among students. “All students should know to prove their lifestyle efficiently,” Gil said, “changing your lifestyle and spreading the word to
communicate to the masses.” Senior English major Sarah Stone plans to attend. “We need to be more conscience of our impact on the earth, whether it is positive or negative, by making changes through living more greenly,” Stone said. Although Earth Day is intended to raise awareness and take action against environmental problems, some people believe that it shouldn’t stop there. “We really should act like everyday is Earth Day,” Dusty Bryan, a senior English major, said. “We only have one planet, for now at least. We should be active everyday in being more conscientious about our wastefulness and our impact, not as individuals, but as a whole on the planet.” The fair will take place at the Pedestrian Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Spring Fling draws an all-ages crowd Team Glory wins Battle of the Bands, will open for Hawk Nelson Krystina Martinez Staff Writer
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pring Fling brought the party to WT on April 16, featuring entertainment for all ages. Sponsored by CORE, it was an opportunity for the community to come together to see local bands, play carnival games, and enjoy a good Snow Cone. Highlights included a rock climbing wall, a mechanical bull, and a game called The Wrecking Ball. Many people, young and old, tried their hand at the rock-climbing wall, one of the most popular games of the event. There was also Style Your Sole booth for people to decorate their TOMS shoes, which were also sold at the event. These custom shoes saw a variety of designs, from paint splatters to landscapes. “Style Your Sole is an awesome way to explore
Student decorating their own TOMS.
Kati Watson
your creativity” Taylor Meyer, a junior Graphic Design major and owner of Taylored TOMS, said. “I think people really enjoy the freedom they have when decorating their own TOMS.” When they weren’t playing games or painting
shoes, students stretched out on the grass to watch local bands compete in a Battle of the Bands, the main draw of the afternoon. There was a diverse array of competitors, ranging from rock groups like Archimedes Watch Out and Five Floors Above to hip hop groups like Team Glory. However, each attracted a different age group. “[Neverblu] played really well for [what looked like] a �irst time band,” JR Alvarado, a freshman theatre performance major, said. “I like [the Fordham 4’s] sound and style,” Emily LeGrande, a freshman Sports and Exercise Science major, said. Her mother, Sharon LeGrande, came to visit for the weekend and also enjoyed the diversity of the bands. “I like the cellist [of the Fordham 4],” Sharon LeGrande said. “They’re really unique.”
Spring Fling continued on p. 3
The Prairie goes green! Scan our QR code with your phone and see more pictures of events of the past week .
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the Prairie
Amarillo mayoral election makes history Eleven candidates are competing for election
Gerogia Romig Web Editor
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marillo is getting ready for the biggest mayoral election in the city’s history. Eleven candidates will be competing to take the place of former mayor Debra McCartt. According to experts, it’s not surprising to see more candidates in an incumbent-less race. “Vacancies are like magnets. They draw candidates,” Susan Coleman, political science professor at WTAMU, said. The candidates come from various backgrounds. Many are not politicians by trade: some are businessmen, others technicians, students, ministers, pastors and police dispatchers. They are older, like Roy McDowell and Drew Alexander, both 69. They are
young, like twenty-one-year old Ryan Vigil. Some candidates have attracted controversy, such as Sandra Dunn (F.E. Dunaway), 53, full-time graduate student and transwoman; and David H. Grisham Jr., 50, a Pantex security of�icer and fundamentalist pastor of “Repent Amarillo”. “It’s a unique group,” Coleman said. “We’ve had elections before with candidates who were characters.” Characters or not, they all have one thing in common: wanting to address the issues affecting Amarillo. “A number of the candidates have admitted that they are running for mayor to attract attention to particular concerns. Running for of�ice to bring light to a concern is a recognized reason for seeking an of�ice,” Dr. Dave Rausch, political science professor at WT, said. However, not everyone likes having
Art Department shows Glass Blowing technique
Chad Holliday, assistant professor of 3-D Art, demonstrates his glass blowing technique.
The April 15 showcase took place at Mary Moody Northen Hall and was opened to the public.
Pictures courtesy of Dr. Butler Cain
so many choices. There have been complaints that the race has turned into a “circus”, according to reports from both the Amarillo-Globe News and Channel 7. Though the number of candidates may be unusual, the issues are familiar ones for Amarilloans, such as the development of downtown. “It seems like most of the campaign rhetoric has focused on future economic development. ‘Should we continue to develop downtown? What sort of development should there be in downtown?’,” Rausch said. “Amarillo’s economy is relatively robust compared with other cities and yet there are a number of candidates who believe there are problems in the city.” Property rights are a factor as well, says Coleman, as those who own businesses downtown worry they will be forced to pay redevelopment costs.
There is also the matter of districts. Historically, Amarillo has been an atlarge district (goes by the number of votes, without representing districts), rather than a single-member one (where each district, no matter the size or population, gets a vote in elections), which some believe is not representative. “Different parts of the city feel they are unrepresented,” Coleman said. “[Some feel that] most of the power comes from various powerbrokers in town. They feel excluded. It’s a continuing refrain. I suspect if we had singlemember, people would be arguing for at-large.” Early voting starts May 2-4, however, for those who can’t wait until voting day, Rausch is taking a Pre-Election Poll at https://wtamuuw.qualtrics.com/ SE/?SID=SV_5oj7VNVtohjsVCc.
The Prairie Editorial Staff 2010-2011 Editor- Maria Molina Assistant Editor- Katelyn Garrity Managing Editor- Randi Hudson Copy Editors- Krystina Martinez & Eva Harder Web Editor - Georgia Romig Faculty Adviser- Butler Cain
The Prairie is a student-operated publication 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 students. The editorials that appear on these pages represent the opinion of the Prairie editorial board. The views expressed by other columinsts are the writers’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the board’s views. Advertising rates are available upon request at (806) 651- 2410 or at theprairiemail@yahoo.com. WTAMU Box 60754, Canyon, Texas 79016. The Prairie has a circulation of 1,500 and is printed by the Amarillo Globe-News.
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the Prairie Spring Fling continued from p. 1 Team Glory brought something different to the competition with their slick beats and Christian rhymes. By the end of their set, people were dancing and wanted to take pictures with the group. “We expected that people may or may not like us,” Mike Loera of Team Glory said. “We’re different, but some people like that.” Attendees voted for their favorite band via text message, and in the end, Team Glory won. The group will open for Hawk Nelson on April 21 in the First
United Bank Center. “This will be a great opportunity for us,” said Loera. “A lot of people know them and we’re both Christian groups.” As for the Spring Fling, party-goers seemed to enjoy themselves and some students expressed a desire to see such an event happen again. “We should have more events like this,” Jacob Kemp, a General Studies major, said. “It would be cool to get more organizations involved in the future.”
Team Glory wins Battle of the Bands.
Krystina Martinez
5 Floors Above in Battle of the Bands. Kati Watson
GRADUATION MESSAGES COUPON Bring this coupon and receive a $2 graduation message. Messages cost $3 without coupon. The Prairie reserves the right to review and not publish content if it is deemed inappropriate.
Readership WT share Cambodian experience 12 freshmen go on novel journey to foreign country Ryan Schaap Staff Writer
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group of WTAMU students visited the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia as part of the freshman Readship WT experience. 12 freshman students won an allexpense paid trip to Cambodia through an essay contest discussing The Road to Lost Innocence, the Readership book for 2010. Over 300 students submitted an essay of which 12 students were chosen. “The trip was life-changing and it opened my eyes to ignorant issues in
the world, such as educational learning,” Samantha Pearson, a freshman Special Education major, said. Pearson met some children on the river who “were shy at �irst but once they opened up they had a lot to talk about.” Freshman Broadcasting major Sabrina Meck said Cambodia had a different infrastructure. “There was no trash management and the streets were very dirty,” Meck said. “Children wore ratty clothes and wore them everyday.” Due to the Khmer Rouge, a dictatorial regime that killed nearly two million
Cambodians in the 1970s, the average age of the Cambodian people is very young. “I saw a lot of children running around playing,” Meck said. “I also saw a group of young boys doing Taekwondo. If the kids were not in school, they were in the streets.” Even though these people lived in poverty, they treated their guests with the upmost hospitality, sleeping on a wooden bench under an elevated house. “The people were very loving,” Pearson said. “They gave us their rooms that didn’t have any air conditioning and
no light. We had a small mattress to sleep on and a mosquito net to keep away the bugs.” This trip was a moving experience for the students. Each of them returned to WT with a different story to tell. Meck said that her favorite experience on the trip was when the Readership group visited a rural area where they waited for a bus to pick them up. However, the bus didn’t arrive on time, so the students had time to visit with children who were swimming in the river. “Instead of trying to change people,
the Prairie
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Sports
Buffs win series against ACU Lady Buffs shock #7 ASU MELISSA BAUER-HERZOG Team wins crucial LSC series Staff Writer
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he Buffs gained momentum for the last two weekends of the season on April 15-16 as they won a three game series against Abilene Christian University 3-1. On April 15, they led the Abilene Christian Wildcats 11-1, only allowing a run in the first inning of the night. The Buffs scored six runs in the first inning and continued the streak all game, scoring in all but two innings. On April 16, they brought a double header against the Wildcats, and the Buffs carried on their winning ways from Friday night into Saturday as they won 13-8. Abilene Christian had no answer for the Buffs in the first inning as they had no runs on three hits. The Buffs scored three runs off of four hits in the first inning and continued rolling in the second with four runs from five hits. Abilene Christian rallied back with five runs in the second, third, and fourth innings but it couldn’t stop the Buffs’ momentum as the Buffs had hits and runs in almost every inning. The player that led WT at the plate was Jess Cooper, who went 3-for-4 with five RBI while teammate Trey Horn brought in three runs in the game. The Buffs won the first game of the double header 13-8.
Melissa Bauer-Herzog Brad Elders at first base.
The second game of the double header saw more fight from the Wildcats as they refused to go home quietly after having only three hits in the first four innings of play while the Buffs earned seven runs in the same amount of time with four runs coming in the first inning alone. Abilene Christian struck back in the fifth with three runs and continued their roll, scoring ten runs in the second half of the nine inning game. The Buffs could only score twice in that time frame and left the fifth and sixth innings with no hits and only one player left on base. The player that led WT at the plate was Jordan Eason who brought in four runs with two homeruns in the 10-9 loss. “The first game was a good game. We’re playing well right now and we’ve got two big weeks after this,” Buffs Head Coach Matt Vanderburg said. “Right now, I feel pretty comfortable about how we’re going with our season.” The Buffs’ record now stands at 29-14 overall for the season with a record of 16-11 in conference play. The Buffs travel to Angelo State University for a three game series on April 22-23 before returning home on April 29-30 to play Tarleton State University at Wilder Park.
EVAN GRICE Staff Writer
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ady Buff yard played host to two ranked teams on the weekend of April 15-16 as the #23 ranked WTAMU Lady Buffs took on the #7 ranked Angelo State Rambelles in a three game series. WT struck first in the bottom of the second inning in game one when junior Kristina Myles hit an RBI single to score Kaitlyn Witte to make it 1-0. ASU however showed why they are ranked so high with four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 4-1 lead. Witte struck again in the bottom half of the inning to cut the lead to 4-3. ASU though was one step ahead again and increased the lead to 6-3 in the top of the sixth. WT fought hard but eventually fell 7-4. Junior Marci Womack was tagged with the loss (16-5) giving up four runs on three hits while striking out four batters in 4.2 innings of work. WT responded in game two with a flurry. After two complete innings the Lady Buffs were on top 3-0. Angelo however, came back with four runs of their own and took the lead at 4-3. In the bottom of the third the Lady Buffs retook the lead with three more runs to make the score 6-4.
Two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth propelled the Lady Buffs to an 8-4 victory. Senior Kasey Henderson led the offense for the Lady Buffs with three RBI in the game followed by junior Kristina Myles with a two-run homer that sealed the game. Womack picked up the victory on the mound for the Lady Buffs (16-6) giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out nine batters in the complete game effort. The Lady Buffs claimed the series in game three thanks to a five run third inning. WT held off the ASU rally and came away with a 5-3 victory. Witte had another outstanding day at the plate highlighted by her second grand slam of the season and her sixth homerun of the year. Junior Shelbey Cockrell picked up the victory pitching (16-6) giving up three runs on six hits while striking out seven in 6.0 innings of work. Womack picked up the save (1). WT’s overall record now stands at 32-12 overall with a 9-6 record in LSC play. The Lady Buffs will play host to St. Edwards on April 19 in a doubleheader. First pitch from Lady Buff Yard is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Melissa Bauer-Herzog
Melissa Bauer-Herzog Kendall Boone at the plate.
Bryce Baugh running to first base.
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the Prairie
WTAMU offers students GRE prep courses LISA HELLIER Staff Writer
FRANKIE SANCHEZ Students are required to take the GRE exam to attend graduate school.
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tudents preparing to attend graduate school have a few dif�icult steps to take before they can begin to work on their master’s degree. Certain requirements are needed to get into graduate school and an important one includes the General Records Examination (GRE). The GRE is a standardized test that
is an admission requirement for many graduate schools. It is administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey. Generally, it is a computer-based exam but print versions are available in certain geographic locations where needed. The cost of the exam can vary from $160 to $210 depending on different factors such as location and circumstances. The typical components of the GRE include verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. “It’s not testing all this knowledge you gained in your entire college education”, Kristina Drumheller, Communications assistant professor, said. “It’s not going to cover your major. What it is really meant to do, what we’re hoping, is that it has predictive value of your ability in graduate school” WTAMU offers students the chance to partake in GRE prep courses that allow them to practice and review for the exam. It cost $100 to attend four classes that are three hours each. Two of the classes focus on the quantitative
aspects of the test and the other two classes review the analytical and writing portions of the exam. A book and other supplemental material are given to students who take the prep courses. “GRE scores are important to graduate schools during their admissions process,” Reanne Campsey, Graduate Student Association president and Communications graduate student, said. “ You are doing a disservice to your very valuable time and to your hard earned money if you do not take the time to prepare for this test.” The GRE prep course instructors are very knowledgeable about the exam and its components in order to help students do their best to prepare. “Taking the GRE prep course is very helpful because the instructors have a great deal of extremely helpful information about taking the test and they can help you reason through the dif�icult questions that you encounter while studying,” Campsey said. The GRE prep courses helps students by providing them with a
better idea of what the exam will be like and what kinds of questions it might include. It reviews the general set-up of the test and its instructions. “Obviously the material is going to be different when you get into the test but having the exposure and experience to the types of questions that are asked is valuable to you,” Drumheller said. “You want the spend the time to really �igure out the answers to the questions and not all your time reading the instructions.” Campbell found the classes very helpful when preparing for the exam. “I had not taken a math class in several years, and it helped to have a person to answer any questions I had,” Campsey said. “I also learned a lot of strategies for taking the GRE.” Students can check out the WT website to sign up for the GRE prep courses and can locate the GRE website to register to take the GRE. Students can contact the graduate school for more information.
FBI questions Libyan residing in the U.S Government fears spies may be living in the country MELISSA BAUER-HERZOG Staff Writer
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he Libyan con�lict has taken a new turn as the FBI has started questioning those with ties to the country who reside in the United States. While the United States government isn’t reacting to a speci�ic threat or plot, there is fear that Gadda�i will retaliate against coalition forces or install spies in coalition countries. While some say the interviews remind them of the questioning of Japanese-Americans during World War II and Iraq-born people living in America in 2003, Professor of Political Science Dr. Dave Rausch believes the questioning is acceptable in this case. “Interviewing Libyan visitors and students may be the only way to collect information on any possible threats on this country from the Gadda�i government.” Dr. David Rausch, professor of political science at WTAMU, said. All the interviews that are conducted are voluntary and Arab-American organizations are assisting the United States government by sending media releases to people who may be affected. “If the FBI wants to interview someone who doesn’t want to be interviewed, the agency will have to arrest
them with all the appropriate rights and limitations that apply to an arrest,” Rausch said. The FBI is focusing on areas in the United States with the largest population of Libyans and has reassured the public that they will inform Libyans of their civil rights in case they feel threatened. But international student Yun Lip Kim believes that the questioning and all the events happening in the country have a far-reaching effect that doesn’t just involve students from Libya or the Middle East. “When anything happens, people look at us a different way,” Kim said. “When Virginia Tech happened everyone looked at me a different way. Whenever something happens in a different country, they look at all of us in a different way and even sometimes make fun of us.” So while the con�lict in Libya may appear to only affect those who have ties to the country, the recent interrogations have far-reaching consequences that affect all foreign people who are in the United States. Dr. Rausch feels that while the interviews may raise some questions about the rights of those being interviewed, as long as the government is following appropriate guidelines, there should be no problem. “The rights of non-citizens or legal residents in any country are always questionable,” Rausch said. “If those being interviewed have the right to have an attorney
present during any interview, there doesn’t seem to be a constitutional issue even if we consider the fact that they might not be covered by the U.S. Constitution.”
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the Prairie
Hispanic media grows in area
V-Me and Mi Revizta seek to avoid stereotypes in content MARIA MOLINA Editor
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n the United States, the Hispanic population is increasing at a high rate, leading to the necessity of increasing the Hispanic media. The 2010 Census reports that 16.3 percent of the population is Hispanic or Latino. They also report the Hispanic/ Latino population increased by 43 percent between 2000 and 2010. More locally, President of V-Me (Hispanic TV channel) Carmen DiRienzo, said that 25 percent of Amarillo alone consists of Hispanic people. Furthermore, according to College
Board, 26 percent of students at WTAMU are Hispanic/Latino. In fact, the University´s Strategic Plan explains that Hispanic enrollment is expected to grow 38 percent for the period of fall 2018. With these statistics in mind, the media in the United States are also shifting to target the Latino/Hispanic audience. An example is V-Me, the first Spanish language national public television channel. DiRienzo has built and launched V-Me nationwide, guiding the network to become the fourth largest U.S. Spanish network, reaching 77 percent of Hispanic TV households. “One of the things that
inspired me was the idea that this [Hispanic] huge and dynamic population should have some connection with the media,” she said. Although not of immigrant descent, DiRienzo said she was amazed with immigrant stories, especially of Latino descent. “What can be more courageous than people who leave their countries and families behind to give better opportunities to kids?” she asked. DiRienzo also explained that in Spanish TV and in the general market, there is portrayal of stereotypical Hispanics. Commonly Hispanics are depicted as criminals or dramatic like in novelas.
“The program philosophy is to provide [programming that is] appealing and entertainment, but focuses on kids, life style, drama that is not novelas,” she said. Mi Revizta, a Hispanic monthly magazine of the Panhandle area, is also a media outlet that is trying to reach Hispanics. “The important thing is that there is a relevant plataform,” Fernando Ballin, Founder and Publisher of Mi Revizta,” said. “[It is important] to bring a sense of pride and placement for the Hispanic community. He agrees that the media usually stereotype Hispanics and said that it is important to avoid
misconceptions. “We need to be able to share who we are, our customs and traditions,” he said. Both Mi Revizta and V-Me are appealing to audiences outside of the Hispanic population. Both said that, in the majority of countries, people speak more than one language and their media outlets are helpful for those who want to learn the Spanish language. “It is important for both sides to understand,” he said. “We term bilingual, but it is important to also recognize cultural background.”
WTAMU will host Relay for Life event Community helps raise awareness and funds FRANKIE SANCHEZ Photographer
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very year, the community gathers to help raise awareness for the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life. “The ACS sponsors the Relay For Life and it’s a great way to raise money not only for cancer research but also for the families affected by this desease,” Team Coordinator Stephanie Brackett said. This year, West Texas will host the event on April 29 in the new Buffalo Sports Complex. This event is held for 24 hours and represents the
life cycle of a cancer patient. Walking through the day into the dark night resembles the hardships that a cancer patient has to cope with. During the night, bags that have been decorated will be illuminated along the path honoring family members and friends who have either passed away or are currently living with cancer. The sunrise represents the hope and bright future of a cancer patient. Along with the teams walking in honor of their loved ones, there will also be booths set up for entertainment such as food, drinks and games.
Relay for Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s also symbolic of the fight against cancer. It starts at night, when the sky is dark, but in the morning, the sun rises, symbolizing the hope for a cure. “I would really encourage everyone to come out and participate in this truly inspiring event,” Broadcasting major Colton Harada said. The event will start at 7 p.m. and it is opened to the public. For more information about the event, contact Stephanie Brackett at sbrackett@wtamu. edu.
the Prairie
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Entertainment
No winner last week Finish the three puzzles first for a chance to win the last $10 iTunes gift card.
Turn your finished puzzles at the FAC room 103.
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Spring Fling
the Prairie
Shack-A-Thon
Pictures by Frankie Sanchez and Krystina Martinez
Lao New Year