Apr. 4, 2018
ThePRAIRIE
Vol. 102 Iss. 3
Dr. Hawkins, college of agriculture dean, passes away at 56 Tova Kibal Senior Reporter Dean Earl Hawkins, 56, Dean of The Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, passed away after a fight with brain cancer on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Hawkins was a loved professor at West Texas A&M and highly valued in the community as a friend, mentor, father and advocate of agriculture. Hawkins was respected and admired by his colleagues at WT. Dr. David Lust, associate professor of animal science, met Hawkins in 1981 on the farm where Lust grew up. He described Hawkins as a person who always saw value in everyone and believed in helping others. ‘‘Dean was a fearless advocate for the things he believed in, and he unapologetically believed in students, in good people and in WTAMU Agriculture,’’ Lust said. ‘‘Dean’s [life] was a life well lived, a race well run. He has been an example to all that knew him.’’
of person who would Hawkins was born make sure you were in Groom on Oct. 2, doing alright, whether 1961 and grew up in it’s in your classes or Clarendon. He received outside your classes.’’ a bachelor’s degree in Sprague’s family knew animal science and a Hawkins well and she master’s degree in animal shared that he was a breeding, physiology of mentor and someone reproduction at Texas she could count on. Tech University, as well as “I was three hours a doctorate in physiology away from my parents, of reproduction and so he was kind of an growth from Texas A&M additional dad for me University. anytime I needed help,’’ Hawkins married Jaye she said, “whether Erin Bearden in 1995 and I needed my lawn they lived in Las Cruces, mowed at my house or N.M. where he worked Photo provided by Whitney Sprague we were part of his larger needed a tire change, as a professor at New he would have been the first Mexico State University. family.’’ Hawkins came to WT in WT Graduate Whitley person that I called and he worked with would have been there in a 2009 as the new head of the Sprague department of agricultural Hawkins in the department second.’’ sciences and proceeded to of agricultural sciences as a Hawkins valued family student worker from 2012 highly and wanted people become the dean in 2015. At WT, Hawkins had to 2015. Hawkins recruited around him to do the same. many friends from different Sprague to attend WT when Dr. Tim Steffens, assistant backgrounds and at different she was a sophomore in high professor of agricultural career levels. Lust describes school. She explained that sciences, said that Hawkins this as ‘‘perhaps his most she knew she wanted to go expected people around to WT and surround herself him to work hard, but to put significant impact.’’ ‘‘Dean placed great with people like Hawkins family first. importance on family. He after he had given her a tour “Once, when I was working around some holiday trying cherished his own family of the university. and encouraged us to do the “He was just a really good to get caught up on things, Sprague said. he found me in my office same,’’ Lust said. ‘‘He also friend,’’ made his colleagues feel that “He was always the type and told me that if I didn’t
WT Mass Comm students pick up TIPA awards
Former WT professor campaigns; gives advice
WTAMU Bateman team brings change to Panhandle
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get home to my family by noon he was going to fire me,’’ Steffens said. “Not as a real threat, but as a way of emphasizing to me how important it was to take care of family stuff and not let the job consume me.’’ Hawkins was an important force behind the growth of the agricultural sciences department and the department’s new complex. For Steffens, Hawkins was also the force behind him finding his career at WT. ‘‘He saw something in me that I wasn’t even sure I had and gave me an opportunity to have the most rewarding job I have had in my career. And for that, I will be eternally grateful,’’ Steffens said. ‘‘I hope I never let him down.’’ Hawkins is survived by his twin daughters, Callie Dean Hawkins and Hannah Bryce Hawkins, and his wife Jaye Erin Hawkins. Donations can be made to the WTAMU Foundation Dr. Dean Hawkins scholarship at WTAMU Foundation, WTAMU Box 60766, Canyon, Texas 79016.
Tradition, high expectations Buff Basketball caps historic the anchor in softball season season
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WT Mass Comm students garner TIPA awards at Dallas Nick Alvarado Editor-in-Chief Four West Texas A&M students won five awards for on-site competitions while seven others garnered awards for previouslypublished stories during the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention and competition held at the downtown Dallas Crowne Plaza Hotel on March 21-24. This year, 403 students represented 44 colleges and universities as well as 71 advisor-types taking part. TIPA is the largest and oldest student press organization in the nation. Of the four students winning on-site results, Alex Kpyfer, a broadcasting and electronic media major from Irving, picked up honorable mention honors in radio announcing and headline competitions as part of the on-site competitions held on March 22. Liz Moore, an advertising
former editor to The Prairie and a double major in broadcast journalism and advertising and public relations from Friona, received honorable mention for a column named Solidarity Amidst the Turmoil, focusing the marches in Charlottesville, Va. Senior Flower Moundnative and broadcast journalism major Allie Smith currently serves as The Prairie sports editor. She won second place in sports column competition on a piece highlighting the pep band seen WT sports. Sarah Young, an advertising and public relations major from Amarillo, picked up third place honors with former Eternal Flame Keli Lee, in story package design magazine. Lee also placed third in cover design general magazine. Another former Eternal Flame staff member Gavin
Nesbitt took top honors in feature photo, showing a campus icon. Other students took part of the trip and competitions. Austin Heinen, a senior broadcasting and electronic media major from Minden, Iowa, participated in print sports writing. Hannah Nelson, an advertising and public relations major from the town of Loop, competed in print news writing. Bailey Stickle, a senior broadcast and electronic media major from Joshua, competed in television news writing. Blake Schulte, a freshman from Wildorado, competed in two-person photo essay and Tova Kibal, a junior broadcast journalism major from Stockholm, Sweden., competed in feature writing. Alvarado also competed in sports photo. The Prairie and Eternal Flame have each won 13 awards in the past two years at TIPA competitions.
Editors Nick Alvarado Austin Heinen
Online Editor Mason Bray
Adviser Dr. Nancy Garcia
Sports Editor Allie Smith
Staff Writers Tova Kibal Hannah Nelson
Photographer Natalia Molina
Photo courtesy of Kim Bruce and public relations major photo in the previouslyfrom Amarillo, earned two published category. on-site awards as she placed Chase Mardis, a senior third in both magazine from Burnet, won third design and print advertising place for on-site feature in a competition ccurring on photography and honorable March 22. mention for environmental Nick Alvarado, an photography. Mardis also electronic media and received honors in previously broadcast major from Plains, published content, winning received honorable mention the cover design general in radio news writing in on- magazine category with site competition. Alvarado Mollie Burtch, an advertising also picked up runner-up and public relations major awards in sports action from Lubbock. photo and sports feature Jonathan Espinoza, a
STAFF OF THE PRAIRIE
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 1,000 and is printed by The Pampa 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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Former WT professor campaigns; gives advice to students Allie Smith Sports Editor Former West Texas A&M journalism professor and current chair of communications/ associate professor at the University of North Alabama Dr. Butler Cain ventured back to Canyon last week to give advice to current students. His topic? Running a campaign for a national congressional seat. Though his campaign for the Fifth Congressional District in Alabama ended in February due to not quite making the qualifying fee of $3,480 to put his name on the June 5 Democratic primary ballot, he ran a months-long campaign that was based on community support. It was also propelled forward thanks to creative outlets he was comfortable with thanks to his journalistic roots. “The whole reason I decided to run is that Alabama is my home state and I got sick and tired of seeing unopposed races,” Cain said. “It didn’t matter the party to me. We just had a lot of people who would not run for a race so there would be no competition. I decided, at the very least, there is going to be some competition in this race.”
With one other candidate in the race to win the Democratic primary bid in this district, Cain’s race became one of the only contested races in the state. Thanks to unique approaches such as respectfulness, refusing to take donations from any corporations a n d technological ideas such as podcasts that personally connected him with his voters, he gained traction in the state following Photo from University of North Alabama the upset of Roy parties. I was not going to Moore for his national and controversial speak ill of people holding the seats right now. I told Senate seat. “I told everybody from folks that no matter what early on that no matter how happens, I am not doing any long I was going to last in of that… I told everybody the campaign and no matter that I would be satisfied no what happened, I was going matter what happens. I’m to run a positive campaign,” not doing it so let’s see what Cain said. “I was not going happens.” Cain’s legacy at WT is a to speak ill of anybody I was running against. I was similar one. He encouraged not going to speak ill of doing the right and ethical the people running in other practices of journalism even
when someone else was not around to see them happening. He also said that a journalist’s biggest duty was to the public and providing the community with information about what is happening in the world around them. “It was amazing having him as a professor and then seeing him run for office,” senior broadcast journalism major Gissel Olivas said. “His big thing was freedom of speech and he would always preach to his students about the First Amendment. I think that’s one of the main reasons why he decided to run for a position. He was passionate about it.” Cain said that he is grateful that he took this efforts on the high road rather than sinking to classic negative political standards. “The way you handle yourself and the way you treat people might open up a bunch of other opportunities,” Cain said.
“If any of you all are ever thinking of running a campaign on a local, state or national level, I encourage you highly to run that kind of campaign; not because I tried to run it, but because I really feel like that is what’s best for us and the country in the end. Try to do your thing and if it works out, fantastic. If it doesn’t, you can sleep well knowing that you tried. That’s a win as well.” Overall, Cain pushed that it was most important for people to get their voices out in a public forum. He encouraged the audience, regardless of their political views or beliefs, to make their community a better place by stepping up as leaders within it. “It is so important for many citizens, young or old, to run for any public office,” junior broadcasting and electronic media major Keila Valdez said. “Taking such a risk can be so rewarding when your voice is heard and impacting lives of many who are afraid of stepping into an uncomfortable zone. Dr. Butler Cain mentioned the importance of running in a positive manner because people will remember how you made them feel and I agree 100 percent.”
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Ag education student trains service puppies on campus Tova Kibal Senior Reporter West Texas A&M’s furriest “student” is sure to bring some smiles as he parades down the hallways. Agricultural education major Sara Friedmann is a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that provides full-service assistance dogs free of charge for people in need. Her four-legged friend, Brendan, is being raised at WT as a part of the program. “It’s just a way to serve [people] that is so humbling, you almost can’t put it in to words,” Friedmann said. Six-month-old Brendan is a nervous puppy who flew to West Texas from California over spring break. Since arriving, he has completed his first weeks of college accompanying Friedmann to all her classes and he is getting more secure in his new environment. Raising a dog takes about two years and Friedmann’s family has raised six dogs in total. Her previous dog, Powers, stayed at the university for almost three semesters. ‘‘When you see them graduate with the person that they are meant to be
with, it’s amazing to see,” Friedmann said. A puppy raiser’s job is to make an eight week old puppy into a obedient adolescent dog ready for professional training. The goal is that the dog will eventually be an assistance animal for a person with a disability. Becca Bell, puppy program manager for Canine Companions, believes this task is rewarding but that it takes a lot of love, energy and time. ‘‘Being a volunteer Tova Kibal/The Prairie puppy raiser for Canine Sara Friedmann poses with Brendan at the Buffalo Fountain at Companions is a unique the Pedestrian Mall on March 26. Friedmann has been raising way to give back to the service dogs since she was in high school. community and make companions that works with and started looking into the a tremendous difference in a person as well as facilitator possibilities of raising one the life of someone with a and facility dogs working on campus. She began by disability,’’ Bell said. in health care, visitation or going to Paul Fenstermaker, She explained that a education. Student Disability Services puppy raiser is able to see Friedmann started raising director. Fenstermaker the end results of their time puppies for Guide Dogs was initially indecisive, but and effort, something that for the Blind while she was Friedmann stayed persistent makes this volunteering a part of the National FFA and returned over and over opportunity unique. Organization in high school. again. She eventually got ‘‘As a puppy raiser, you get She chose to be a puppy Fenstermaker’s approval, to meet the person whose raiser as her Supervised something he has not life will be changed by the Agriculture Experience regretted since. puppy that you raised and project and raised Wyatt, a “Sara has done a see the impact that dog will dog that went on to become a tremendous job,” make,’’ she said. guide dog. She later changed Fenstermaker said. “She has Canine Companions trains organizations and came to kind of set the example, if four types of assistance Canine Companions. that program grows, what dogs, including hearing dogs When Friedmann arrived at that program is to look like.” and service dogs that helps WT, she missed raising dogs According to Fenstermaker, with specific tasks, skilled
the policies for service animals on the WT campus are guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act. He explained that students who want to bring a service animal on campus are required to register those with the Office of Student Disability Services if the disability isn’t obvious. “We do have students that come in and request that, and we want to be supportive of that but at the same time there needs to be accountability,” Fenstermaker said. Requesting to have an emotional support animal requires communication with an healthcare provider and approval both from the Office of Student Disability Services as well as Residential Living. Brendan has already made many friends around campus, and Friedmann explained that she doesn’t mind stopping and talking to people about her puppy and the organization. “Parents say it takes a village to raise a child, I say it takes a village to raise a puppy,” Friedmann said. “You give up your time, your sleep, your energy, your home, in the beginning stages, your carpet, but it’s worth it.”
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WTAMU Bateman team brings change to the Panhandle Hannah Nelson Senior Reporter Fighting for “more than 4”. The West Texas A&M Bateman team, West Texans With Purpose, brings light to pediatric cancer through the High Plains with this year’s campaign. The Bateman competition is a national contest presented by the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) where teams made up of five members and an advisor creates a public relations campaign. This year’s team members are Shea Johnson, Bailey Stickle, Kristina Burgin, Skyler Bonneau and Jackie Lopez. The advisor for the team is professor Kimberly Bruce. “The task is to research, plan, execute and evaluate an entire month-long PR campaign. The research and planning phase runs from early November to Feb. 14, and the implementation portion runs Feb. 15 to March 15,” Shea Johnson said. Each year a client is assigned for the competition by the PRSSA. This year’s client is With Purpose. The organization raises awareness for the lack of funding and research for pediatric cancer treatment.
Photo from Haley Neal According the team’s research, only 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s funding goes to researching pediatric cancer. “It was started by a woman names Erin Benson after her son, Sam, was diagnosed with DIPG, an incurable, inoperable tumor that develops on the brainstem,” Johnson said. “During their battle, the Benson’s became aware of the issues surrounding pediatric cancer and were shocked and inspired to make a change.” During the team’s campaign they also partnered with the Tatum Tough Foundation. The foundation was founded by the Schulte family to honor the life of their daughter who battled cancer and help families dealing with cancer. After gaining approval for
the partnership the team connected with the Schulte family. “Shawna was more than happy to team up with West Texans with Purpose and With Purpose. Throughout the campaign, she shared the team’s petition and events on the foundation’s Facebook page, which has more than 28,000 followers,” Stickle said. “The Schulte’s also attended many events we held as part of their efforts to create awareness.” The team began researching pediatric cancer in November. As time went on, they hosted focus groups and began planning and executing events for West Texans With Purpose. “We were able to raise awareness through a creative and engaging campaign by hosting informational booths at local schools and utilizing
social media to share campaign content, updates, surveys and a petition [via change.org],” Stickle said. The team worked to get their message out across the High Plains community. Through the use of stickers, ribbons, booths and a billboard, the team was able to spread their message. “We also wrote a petition via Change.org which received 1,520 within two and a half weeks during the campaign, which will be sent to the founder of With Purpose, the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the FDA, CDC and National Cancer Institute,” Johnson said. Even though the campaign is over, the team will still be able to use their social media pages to raise awareness. Previously, the competition did not allow this due to the time frames of the campaigns. However, this year, the rules where changed so that the team could keep their campaigns thriving through their social media. “We worked really hard to gain a following through Instagram, and we want to keep that momentum to continue raising awareness for pediatric cancer patients. We want them to know they have a voice,” Johnson said.
The team is at the end of their campaign and in the process of submitting their work to the the Bateman Case Study Competition. The team must submit a 50 to 60 page plans book that explains everything that the team has worked on. “The success for us in the competition is completely dependent upon the 50 to 60 page plans book that will be submitted to PRSSA by April 9,” Johnson said. “From there, teams are selected for Honorable Mention, and the top three are chosen to present to judges and are then given first, second and third place.” Although the team has yet to finish the competition, their campaign has generated a great amount of success. For Stickle, being on the Bateman team not only gave her great experience but it also gave her lifelong relations. “This campaign helped me make so many connections on campus and in the West Texas community, and I’ll forever be thankful for that,” Stickle said. “The Bateman competition introduced me to the world of professional public relation campaigns and that’s a skill that I will be able to take with me into the ‘real world.’”
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Artist Austin speaks at Social Justice conference at WT Tova Kibal Senior Reporter Independent artist, humanitarian, educator and activist Yewande Austin spoke on privilege, taking action, finding allies and the importance of love as the keynote speaker at West Texas A&M’s Social Justice Conference. “One of the easiest things in the world is to spread kindness to another, to be there for them in their time of need, to remind them that they are valuable, to remind them that their voice matters even in spaces or in systems where so many are not allowed at the table,” Austin said. “Every morning when you wake up, you have the power to make some life changing decisions.” Austin shared tips, hope and encouragement during her speech titled “Engaging with Diverse Populations in the Community” 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center Legacy Hall. The event was sponsored by the Distinguished Lecture Series. Austin is the founder of the Change Rocks Foundation, an organization that provides socioeconomic programs focused on empowerment through education, art and capacity building. Austin
The exercises were designed to create perspectives on engaging with diverse crowds, prejudice and how to deal with conflict. Austin showed the music video for her song “War,” which she explains addresses “the negative narrative that we sometimes oppose upon ourselves.” She also provided a variety of alternative ways of traditional activism such as social entrepreneurship, voting, writing opinion editorials Tova Kibal/The Prairie and “artivism.” Yewande Austin speaks duirng the Social Justice Conference on Wednesday, March 28 at Legacy Austin’s motivation Hall in the JBK. for her activism is the people that American to sing with has created the documentary those not directly affected. “Amazing Grace: Freedom’s “By taking a blind eye, these New York’s Metropolitan have fought for her and the Song” that, according to the issues grow and they become Opera, that showed her fact that she easily could organization’s website, “lifts so ingrained in society,” said the possibility to use her have been in the same the veil on global human Angela Allen, chief diversity creativity, or “artivism,” to position as the people she is helping, had she been born and inclusion officer. make an impact. trafficking.” According to Austin, “Social justice and social “We very often overlook somewhere else in the world one woman is forced into equality is every individual’s more understated forms or to another family. trafficking every 10 minutes responsibility to uphold and of activism, like music, as “I had somebody that powerful tools for social fought for me, that was in America, 50 percent of the to protect.” my mother, so I feel an world population lives on less Austin’s activism started change,” Austin said. As Austin discussed social enormous responsibility to than $1.25 a day and over 60 with her music. It was artists percent of children will not such as singer and dancer conditioning to injustice, the be a voice for the voiceless,” Baker who importance of diversity and she said. “When you are graduate from high school. Josephine Her message was clear, to devoted much of her life to how to be an active bystander, born into this world, you encourage engagement and fighting racism and Marian she also provided the crowd have a responsibility to leave various exercises. it better than the way that action from everyone, even Anderson, the first African- with you found it.”
7 WT students help Amarillo Angels support panhandle foster families Apr. 4, 2018
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Allie Smith Sports Editor Most of the foster families engaged within the United States remove themselves from the system within the first two years of their involvement. Amarillo Angels, a nonprofit that has been small but mighty in its year and a half existence, is looking to change that. After getting involved with an advertising and public relations research class on campus last semester to gain knowledge about a new marketing plan, the group proceeded to launch their event, Love Out of the Box, earlier this month. “Through Love Out of the Box, the nonprofit organization will mobilize volunteers to donate items that foster families can use and enjoy,” the group said in a press release. “The supplies drive will end in a celebration for foster families as they receive their bags of supplies and attend a day camp experience filled with activities.” Amarillo Angels enlisted the students at WT with foster kids and families in mind. “Established in 2017, the Amarillo Angels seeks to change the statistics that surround foster care
through giving hope and love to children,” their press release said. “Eighty percent of the prison population was once in foster care, and within one year of aging out of foster care, 66 percent of youth will be homeless, incarcerated, trafficked or lose their lives. Children in foster care move an average of 7.5 times and lose four to six months of educational attainment with each move. The number one reason that families give for ceasing to foster is a lack of support, and the Amarillo Angels provides the support that foster families need
through enrichment events, seasonal bags, and monthly Love Boxes that include supplies and notes of encouragement.” The supplies drive, which is a tri-annual event and was formulated by students from the class to generate as much help for the group as possible, was for supplies ranging from movies and beach towels to books and art supplies. “Families and volunteers will then gather at the High Plains Retreat Center on March 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day camp experience, which will
include lunch, games, rope courses, crafts and more,” the press release said. “At the end of the event, families will take home their bags to encourage them in their journey.” The first of three events, this event turned out to be a hit as 77 people came to help pack the Love Boxes and write notes of encouragement for local foster families. Many of these items had an Easter theme and went to 29 families in the panhandle. Students at WT said they are proud and humbled to have been able to help this nonprofit with its
honorable mission. “Working with Amarillo Angels was one of the best projects I have ever been a part of,” senior advertising and public relations Jackie Vianney Lopez said. “Not only is their mission a great one, but the whole team is so passionate about helping the Foster Care families here in the panhandle. They love what they do, and they do it because they care so much for the people they work with. Working with them was one the greatest things I ever did.” “Amarillo Angels is important because not only are they raising awareness of the importance of foster care but they are making a difference in the community by helping foster care children and their families,” senior advertising and public relations/ electronic media major Charity Garrison said. “Working with them made me feel like I was a part of their team because they greatly appreciated and applied the research and hard work my group did. I also feel like a parent in a way because of how I got to see Amarillo Angels grow and develop in social media and their company overall.”
8 SPORTS
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Spring football returns as Hughes enters second year Austin Heinen Co-Editor
adapted to how we practice and the way we do things and I think they fit in well with us.” One of those newcomers is Louisiana-Monroe transfer running back Duke Carter IV. Knowing that Hughes is giving everyone a shot to show their talents for a starting spot is motivating for Carter and the whole team. “When coach said all and any position is wide open, that should get everyone excited,” Carter said. “That
means there is going to be competition every day, which makes everyone better by just competing. That’s why we’re out here is for everyone to get better, seeing who really wants it, and whoever really wants it is going to rise to the top and will be starting on the field.” With some newcomers like Duke, and others already working and competing with the team it can help build chemistry before the fall season arrives. To junior defensive lineman
Gerred Johnson, says with the newcomers coming in, this is one of the keys to improvement for the spring football season. “We got a lot of transfers,” Johnson said. “ Duke is an efficient running back I’ve seen a couple of the quarterbacks play, Mitch Hood should be good for us too. A big thing is working on our chemistry with each other, there’s lot of new starters and beginners so it just gets down to team chemistry.”
Spring football has returned to West Texas A&M. After last year’s 3-8 season, the team looks to build some momentum, as they prepare for the 2018 season. One of the main points for this spring practice has been creating competition. With some of the new recruits from this year’s signing class already on campus, has helped create exactly that. Head coach Austin Heinen/The Prairie Hunter Hughes Head football coach Hunter Hughes talks to the players after spring practice on March 27. says in result of that many positions for the next season are wide open. “We told everyone that it’s a competition, and it’s wide open,” Hughes said. “Nothing is set in stone as in who’s going to start so anyone can come in and take a spot.” This, of course, includes all newcomers to the program this year. “The new guys have come in and adapted really well,” Hughes said. “In the first day of of pads they have
Being five practices in now, Hughes has already seen differences in this year’s spring practice compared to last year. In the head coach’s vision, the excitement and competition seems more intense. “Guys are running around, they’re excited about being out here, ”Hughes said. “We’ve gotten after it in pads now and I like that. We a little more spirited, we’re moving in the right direction but still got a long way to go.”
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Buffs historic season comes to a close with Final Four appearance Austin Heinen Co-Editor West Texas A&M’s historic men’s basketball season came to an end in the program’s first ever final four appearance. After defeating LeMoyne in the elite eight round, WT met their match against the eventual national champion Ferris State in the final four to end their historic season. Head coach Tom Brown after the game spoke on how proud he was for the
team and the overall season. “I was extremely proud of our guys,” Brown said to the Amarillo Globe News. “Our guys battled. They just kept chipping away and chipping away. I thought if we could get the game tied or down one or two, I think we could’ve got them to crack a little bit, but I give Ferris a lot of credit. They didn’t crack and they made big shots.” The Buffaloes trailed by as much as 17 points with
just over nine minutes to go in the second half. The Buffs once brought the game within three points but the Buffs never were able to capture the lead as they fell to the Bulldogs, 85-79. “ I just wanted to keep fighting and clawing,” Chavlovich said to the Amarillo Globe News. “That’s all I know how to do. I just wanted to keep trying to motivate these guys to keep trying and trying. We came up a little short.”
The Buffaloes end their season with a 32-4 record, which is the best record in the program’s history. Though the program will return a lot of players next year, they will be moving on from players like Tommy Gove, Ryan Gerber, Jordan Evans who broke multiple three point shooting records, and the Lone Star Conference’s alltime leading scorer David Chavlovich. “They are guys who have been in the program for a
long time,” Brown said. “When we and by we I mean it’s the team and the staff that gets it done, there was nothing, there were no basketballs to be found. To be able to get these guys to WT and tell them what we are going do and what we want to do, they really believed in us as a staff and I really thank them again for coming to WT and having the trust in us.”
Buffs sweep UTPB on the road, stay perfect in conference Nick Alvarado Editor-in-Chief The West Texas A&M baseball team completed the sweep of UTPB this past weekend in Odessa, extending their winning streak to nine games. The pitching staff received their test in depth, with two games ending in extra innings. In the came to complete the four-game sweep of the Falcons, UTPB struck first with three runs in the bottom frame of the second inning. The Buffs had their response with a RBI sac fly from Luis Amaro that scored Justice Nakagawa to cut the UTPB run down to
two runs. After UTPB extended their lead off a wild pitch that brought in a run, Christian Loya hit a two-run RBI single to center field that brought the Buffs back into striking distance but remain to trail, 4-3 after six and a half innings of play. UTPB had their response with a Dalton Drury RBI double into left field, extending the lead to 5-3 after seven complete innings. Jimmy Cubillos three-run RBI single down the middle, scoring Blake Weaver, Tommy Williams and Ethan Washburn to tie the game at five apiece in the top of the eighth inning. A wild pitch then scored a run that brought the first lead for WT
in the game. In what was a back-andforth affair for most of the game, UTPB had a response once more with a Drury RBI triple into center field, and again tying the game at six to extend the game into extras. No runs came in the 10th inning but WT changed that in the top of the 11th, as Brandon Marrero hit a double into center that scored Jamie Boyd for a 7-6 advantage. After a fielder’s choice hit from UTPB to knot the game up again at seven, the 12th inning was the key in the series sweep. Nelson Paredes kicked off the scoring with with a RBI single to left field, bringing
home Nick Guaragna. Weaver followed suit with a bunt that resulted in a single that brought in Williams for a 9-7 advantage with no outs in the inning. Cubillos then hit a crucial two-run RBI single to the left side that scored Weaver and Paredes, extending the lead to 11-7, which showed to be the game winning hit. On the mound for the Buffs, Tate Huebner picked up his first win of the season after a two inning showing with striking one one and allowing no earned runs and a hit. Offensively, the Buffs were led by Cubillos, who went two-for-five from the plate, hitting five RBIs. Loya finished two-for-six at
the plate, hitting two RBIs. The Buffs depth was also key in the second game of the series, picking up a 9-6 win in 11 innings. Just like in the series finale, WT plated three runs in the final inning as Nick Canas kicked off with a RBI single, scoring Marrero to lead, 7-6. Darius Carter and Guarangna hit respective RBIs to plate two runs for the 9-6 win. The Buffs, who are 8-0 in conference play, will look to stretch their winning streak with a conference series against Cameron at home, with the first game starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13 and the series wrapping up on Sunday, April 15.
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LINEUP
Apr. 4, 2018
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Tradition, high expectations propel WT softball amongst new changes Nick Alvarado Editor-in-Chief As the saying goes, tradition never graduates. This season, the tradition that is the West Texas A&M softball team has continued its excellence and tradition in the first year of the Candace Abrams era. The Lady Buffs are currently on a six-game winning streak and are one of the hottest teams in the conference heading into a key weekend series against rival Texas A&MCommerce. “We build on every game and use it as a learning experience,” junior first baseman Kylee Moore said, who has hit 20 home runs on the season. “We continue to get better every week and compete at a very high level.” “We expect to be the best in every aspect that we do,” sophomore shortstop Alyx Cordell said. “Downfalls happen at times but it’s all about learning and moving forward. We’re moving at a great pace this eason and not letting anything get in the way of our expectations.” With the pace of the Lady Buffs this season, the past eight of the last 10 games have ended in victories and
force in the circle and I absolutely love it.” With Halbert’s recent success, pitcher and left fielder Shayne Starkey has also become a force in the circle with a 11-0 start to the season and striking out 52 batters in her 64 and two-thirds innings of action this season. “We really compliment each other well,” Halbert said. “Her coming in lefty spinning it and I throw it harder righty, I think we really compliment each other.” The Lady Buffs Nick Alvarado/The Prairie will travel on the Kylee Moore comes home after hitting a home run during the game against UTPB on March 29. Moore road this weekend as hit 20 home runs so far this season and has recently won the best junior in division two poll on HERO on April 6-7 as they sports. face conference frontrunners, Texas high expectations the leader in all-time wins after the UTPB series, the the team has seem to hit their and the tradition that the and shutouts with the series A&M-Commerce, in a crucial series in terms of the stride at the right time and coaching staff expect to see finale victory over UTPB. conference championship. every game. “It’s just excitement,” received a key confidence “Our expectations are Halbert said. “Just knowing “We are going to take the boost. “It was a good weekend high. We try to play perfect I been here all four years confidence into Commerce for us to take care of some annd at our level and don’t and sticked it out and take a and do what we know how things,” WT softball coach play down to other teams record while I’m here. It’s a to do,” Moore said. “It will be a good weekend good feeling.” Candace Abrams said. “We levels.” Moore said. “It’s fantastic for somebody for us,” Abrams said. “We are getting better and better As the leadership has taken every time on defense and a key role this season with a like her,” Abrams said. “She’s control our destiny. If we successful senior class, the worked her butt off since take care of our business that’s all I can ask for.” Despite the two dropped pitching staff has been a key her freshman year and she’s and what we need to do games against rival Angelo aspect defensively as Kilee got better every single year. going into this weekend.” State, the scorelines reflect Halbert has recently became She’s become a dominant
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EDITORIAL 11
What about the #MarchForOurLives? This week, our social media feeds have been full of news regarding the controversial nationwide # M a r c h Fo r O u r L i v e s . Based around the idea that gun laws should be stricter to prevent future mass shootings, such as the most recent one in Parkland, Florida, this event has gained massive attention nationally and even internationally. Gun reform is not an easy topic to conquer. It is never going to be a situation fixed with a one-size-fits-all solution. Our goal at The Prairie is simple. We aim to present the best information possible for our readers to make educated decisions. As journalists, this is what we are called to do and we pride ourselves on providing quality information to encourage an educated public discourse.
Editorials, however, do give us the liberty to take a stance as a staff. Similar to the rest of the country, we do not think one course of action will solve this complex situation. We agree that things have to change and that there is a common ground between all schools of thought to figure out the best way to protect our citizens. We also strongly feel that standing idly by without making any changes is the same as accepting that it will continue to happen. We believe hardware such as bump stocks and highcapacity magazines should be left to the military. We believe that the recent bill in Florida which requires a three-day wait period between the purchase and retrieval of a firearm is a step in a positive direction. Mental health checks, similar to the ones required for a concealed carry
license, should be a given. Counseling should be a priority. It should be offered in the same ways that WT offers its students access to Counseling Services. We also agree that gun sales should be registered and approved between citizens; not just when they are sold from the store. Lastly, we support stronger legal repercussions for those who illegally possess and use guns. This is where debates get sticky and where even we as a staff have differing opinions. Some of us agree with our leaders, who have taken the stance that arming teachers and training them to properly use firearms is the best way to prevent school shooters. Yet another involves more security personnel on school campuses, which could pull from the pool of retired veterans or regular paid security guard services. Some believe that
banning certain models of guns will keep them out of criminal hands. Others say that metal detectors and clear backpacks should be required, hopefully catching guns before they have the chance to be taken out of the bag. Some think that more steps to protect students from bullying is the answer. In the end, we think that everyone agrees that something has to change. This has become an epidemic, spanning from Sandy Hook to Las Vegas and Parkland. It has to stop. Our students should not be nervous to go to school. Our society tends to stray from controversial c o n v e r s a t i o n s . Unfortunately, this is a tough exchange that has to happen. As we can see in our own newsroom, we will not agree on every detail of how to move forward. However, moving forward
on the pieces that we do agree on should be the biggest priority, followed by later debates about the smaller details of our plan to halt the violence that is currently plaguing our society. We cannot continue to ignore the opinions of our younger generations because we do not agree with them. Just because they are young does not mean they do not deserve an opinion on the matter. In our opinion, victims deserve every possible opportunity to be heard. We cannot stand by and do nothing just because we think we will not agree. We can find a common ground. Maybe that means we all have to make sacrifices and compromises. But isn’t losing a debate better than losing another life to gun violence? Our pride is not worth the lives of those we should be protecting.
12 ENTERTAINMENT
Apr. 4, 2018
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Terror Billy returns to cause some American Mayhem Will Amos Senior Reporter “Wolfenstein: The New Order” was a great return to form for the classic grandfather of First Person Shooter (FPS) games. “Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is an ever better return than The New Order.” The game begins directly after “The New Order”, so I shall refrain from talking about spoilers for any who haven’t played either of the recent Wolfenstein games. The game stars William “BJ” Joseph Blazkowicz, a US army Captain who is currently trying to destroy the Nazi Regime that has taken over most of the planet. He isn’t alone in this colossal endeavor, but that would be the previously mentioned spoilers coming into focus. Overall though, the story does cover quite a bit of racerelated topics. This is to be expected as the game literally involves killing all sorts of Nazi people. Other than that, the story is well paced and packed with a surprise that is given some good foreshadowing. The shooting is
just as good as “The New Order”. Blazkowicz seems to never skip arm day as he can easily dual-wield most of the weapons in the game that aren’t the artillerylike weapons some of the bigger enemies carry. Even the almost fully automatic shotguns can be used in an akimbo style with ease. “The New Colossus’ still includes the perk tree of different play styles to upgrade BJ with passively. The stealth gameplay still feels a bit lackluster as it did in “The New Order”. While the levels somewhat accommodate for stealth as a viable tactic, the mechanics of the game don’t support stealth much. Besides some up-close and brutal takedowns with a
hatchet, the game give the player only throwing hatchets and two silenced weapons, a pistol and a submachine gun. The game feels better built to be played fast and loose, similar to 2016’s “Doom,” but sometimes that style of play is punished by a overwhelming swarm of enemies. This wasn’t quite enough to detract from the game for what it’s worth. Scattered throughout the levels are weapon mod kits that allow for upgrades on weapons, such as silencers or fast reload clips. There’s also some collectables to find in the levels that are more for completionists or highly observant people. They provide nothing more than concept art, 3D models
to stare at, and a look at the staff of Machine Games, the developers of the game. The presentation is excellent with energetic music for the battles and more moody music for the non-combat sections. The graphics are unsurprisingly up to snuff as well. The voice actors all do a fantastic job in giving the cast of characters their own personality. The german characters frequently speak their father tongue, giving the world a better oppressive atmosphere. There’s even a small section where Blazkowicz visits a 50’s styled small town, same-styled dinner included. The contrast of the german oppression with the American style speaks
loudly. The otherwise revisionist sci-fi style is never an eye sore and keeps the world interesting to marvel at. Everything about the presentation of the weapons allow for the combat to be more satisfying, whether that be the firing animations or the great sound design. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus comes in at a respectable eight out of 10 handheld German laser cannons. Much like a handheld laser cannon, the game can be slightly unwieldy in it’s design, yet the experience is made worthwhile by the grandiose of it all. The game is available for PS4, XBOX One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
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ENTERTAINMENT 13
Skillet, for King and Country to headline tour in Amarillo Hannah Nelson Senior Reporter Powerhouses Skillet and for KING & COUNTRY are set to bring their spring tour to Amarillo Thursday, April 12 at the Civic Center Coliseum. “joy.UNLEASHED | The Tour” with double headliners Skillet and for KING & COUNTRY will be making its way through a variety of cities this spring. The tour kicks off in Amarillo on April 12 and ends in Miramar, FL on May 6. “I am excited about the tour because we have known for KING & COUNTRY for years and in fact, I knew their family before they had started the band so we are kind of family friends,” Skillet lead singer John Cooper said. “When they came out, I just thought their music was so great.” This tour will be the second time these bands have toured together. Cooper believes that collaboration is a great way for both bands to be introduced to new fans. “In a certain way, our shows are a bit similar even though our styles of music are very different,” Cooper said. “But the shows feel similar in terms of the excitement on stage, the intensity, the drama. They
Photo courtesy of The Media Collective are very theatrical, and we of stage. They headlined the are very theatrical in our own very first tour we were ever way, it is just different genres on! It’s a real honor and joy for us to have the privilege of of music.” The Australian brothers touring together.” Along with the two bands, that form for KING & COUNTRY have received Jen Ledger, drummer and two Grammy Awards during vocalist for Skillet, will be their career. They have also opening the show with her received a great amount of solo project “LEDGER.” “I am glad that she is getting praise for their latest album “Run Wild. Live Free. Love do [this project], Cooper said. “This is her first [time] Strong.” “We have so many she has fronted a band.” Skillet has traveled memories when it comes to throughout the world, our friendship and history shows and with Skillet,” Joel and Luke headlining of for KING & COUNTRY performing alongside many said in a press release. “As other artists and bands. For teenagers we remember John and his wife Korey watching their sets from side Cooper, who plays guitar in
the band, they have done this w h i l e having their family on the road as well. “ W e have been married the whole time and we have been on the road the whole time with kids who have been on the road since they were born,” Cooper said. “We are very lucky. I think it makes everything feel more stable and it makes everything feel more familyoriented.” Cooper has noticed that the family dynamic of the band has had an effect on the fans. He says that the fans make up a unique community. “That is what I think is so great about a Skillet show,” Cooper said. “It literally is for every genre of music, or creed, what people believe and age group. Everybody comes together and it is very much like a community at a Skillet show.” Skillet has produced
a variety of hit songs throughout their career. The band’s latest release is their deluxe album “Unleashed Beyond (Special Edition).” The album features new songs, such as “Breaking Free”. However, the album still includes songs from “Unleashed,” including the single “Feel Invincible,” which received a Recording Industry Association of America Gold Certification. “I think fans picked up on the inspirational nature of the album,” Cooper said. “It was just fun to listen to and I think that helped us.” Many fans have taken notice of the band’s latest record based on its sound. For Ruben Galvan, sophomore political science major and a long-time Skillet fan, he said that he has enjoyed the new music. “It’s refreshing to see a new side of Skillet,” Galvan said. “It shows that they are not a one-sided band.” For their shows, fans can expect a high energy and exciting performance. Cooper believes that what makes a Skillet show is the emotion and feeling behind it. “Every show needs to be special, every show has to have 100 percent of your heart into it,” Cooper said.
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GAMES
Apr. 4, 2018
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Apr. 4, 2018
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COMICS
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PHOTO
Apr. 4, 2018
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Buff Basketball’s Final Four Appearence Caps Historic Season
The Prairie/ Natalia Molina