The Cameron University Collegian: October 10, 2011

Monday, October 10, 2011 Volume 86 Issue 5

Informing Cameron Since 1926

Aggie News

For additional news and features,

check out www.aggiecentral.com

Aggie A&E

Aggie Sports

Aggie Voices

CrossRoads

Academic Festival continues: Two time pulitzer prize winner Steve Coll talks about Afghanistan’s history and its relevance today. Mr. Coll is the second speaker of the Academic Festival to visit Cameron this semester.

The 2011-2012 Cameron University Academic Festival, “Afghanistan: Its Complexities and Relevance,” continued the spirit of learning achieved through Dr. Khaled Hosseini’s event by presenting journalist and author Steve Coll on Sept. 29.

Steve Coll has won two Pulitzer Prizes and authored “Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2011” and “The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century.” He also worked as the Managing

Steve Coll clarifies Afghan myths

Courtesy CU Public Affairs Office

By Megan BristowManaging Editor

See AFGHANISTANPage 2

Cameron among colleges with “Least Debt”

For the fourth consecutive year, Cameron University has earned a prestigious position in U.S. News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” rankings.

According to America’s Best Colleges 2012 report, for the year 2009-2010, Cameron University graduates had the third-lowest debt load in the nation of the 672 regional universities including institutions that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs.

The report, which encompasses tabulated debt load, does not include parents’ loans but loans taken out by students from colleges, private financial institutions and federal, state and local governments. Notably, only

32 percent of Cameron’s 2010 graduates completed their degree work with any debt.

President of Cameron University Dr. Cindy Ross said that generous donations and scholarships offered to students by continuous donors is the reason for Cameron’s sustained growth.

“Cameron’s commitment to affordability has made it the ‘University of Choice’ for students by helping to eliminate financial obstacles,” President Ross said. “For three consecutive years, Cameron University has experienced record enrollment growth—up more than 20 percent since 2008. The continued growth is due to the generosity of our committed donors who help Cameron offer private scholarships to ensure students graduate with little to no debt at all. We are

By Ishia SaltibusNews Editor

See LEAST DEBTPage 2

See you at the poleStudents gather at flagpole for prayer

By Teewhy DojuteleganNewswriting Student

Cameron University students, staff and faculty gathered around the flagpole in front of the Administration Building to pray on Sept. 28.

Organized by the members of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM), the event, “See You at the Pole,” is a nationally recognized, student-initiated, student organized and student-led event.

Danny Toombs is the Director of the BCM, which is a Christian organization whose members come together to worship God, study the Bible and collectively seek spiritual growth.

Although predominantly made up of Baptists, the BCM is open to other Christians of different denominations.

According to the “See You At The Pole” website, www.syatp.com, the movement started in 1990 when a small group of teenagers in Burleson, Texas, had a vision during a “DiscipleNow” weekend that they should go to three different schools to pray for their friends, schools and leaders at the school flagpoles.

The website also stated that the teens shared their vision with over 20,000 attendees at a teenage rally in Dallas and by Sept. 12, 1999, about 45,000 students met at the flagpoles of over 1,200 schools in four states.

The event has continued to attract participants annually and

at present, it has grown to great proportions. Syatp.com reported that each year over 3 million students from around the world, including the countries of Canada, Ecuador, Japan,

Korea, Kenya, Nigeria and predominantly Islamic nations such as Turkey, pray at the flagpoles of their schools and colleges.

At Cameron, other religious organizations were invited to help organize the event this year. The Cameron Campus Ministries, (CCM), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, (FCA) and the Sigma Alpha Omega sorority (SAO) all had members that read bible verses and prayed.

Rebekah Bowers, a senior Biology major, believes that prayer brings change.

“I believe prayer is the way change happens,” Bowers said. “Prayer is powerful.”

The event started with a worship song called, “Ruin Me” by Jeff Johnson and was led by the BCM’s Josh Wall, a Health and Physical Education senior and by Biology senior Emake Ugiomoh.

Wall said that they picked that particular song because of its connection with the event.

“We picked a song that was associated with the event, which we could all associate with,” he said. “It is a call for prayer.”

Rent-a-text: Programs like CU’s book rental are one of the reasons why the university was selected in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” rankings. This is the fourth year that Cameron has earned the prestigous position.

Photo by Ishia Saltibus

Aggie of the Week

Page 3

580 Roller Girls

Page 8

truly appreciative of the donors who provide scholarships for Cameron students.”

One component of Cameron’s commitment to providing increased financial support to students is the initiatives from

“CU $upport You,” which was launched in the summer of 2009.

Scholarship Banquet

Men’s Tennis

Made in America

Page 5

Page 7

Page 4

Editor of the Washington Post and is currently president of the New America Foundation.

Approximately 30 years of war have plagued the country of Afghanistan following a tumultuous history with various internal revolts. The media coverage of these events combined with the perception of Afghanistan drawn from the acts surrounding Sept. 11, and the war that followed, has led to the circulation of various myths.

A significant portion of Coll’s presentation was regarding three myths that he believes

to be both common and unfounded regarding

Afghanistan today.The first myth that Coll

addressed is the idea that there is no Afghanistan and that it is just composed of various warring tribes. Coll argued that a halcyon Afghanistan existed in previous years before the invasion of the Soviet Union.

“History makes it absolutely plain that there is an Afghanistan nation,” Coll said. “It existed in peace with itself and its neighbors for almost a

century from 1920 to 1975.”According to Coll, in previous

years, scientific discovery and a rare culture marked an Afghanistan that many Afghans still remember today. He said that Afghanistan traditionally held a great sense of nationalism with the people having an irrefutable feeling of pride and belonging in their country.

The second myth that Coll wished to dispel was the rumor that Afghans are perpetually at war.

See PRAYERPage 2

MCT Campus

Aggie News2 October 10, 2011www.aggiecentral.com

Crosswords

8 Carolina university9 Luxurious10 In a fog11 Simple place to rest12 Chess champ after Fischer13 __ 5114 Original name of the radio show “Gang Busters”15 Brutus’s being22 Increase one’s home’s value, in a way24 McCartney song inspired by a dream25 Baking aid26 Bride’s accessory27 Star known by her first name29 Al’s nemesis30 Shiny shell lining31 Rough cloth34 Rage35 Not a whit36 __ Friday’s37 Filmmaker Peckinpah38 Recording giant47 Like some inspections49 Knitter’s pattern51 Minneapolis suburb

Across1 Unexpected delivery16 War novel that became a Gary Cooper film17 Cypress and others18 ‘03 retirees19 Get ready to dry20 Window shopper’s buy?21 Nabisco trademark23 Ring up?25 Gem28 The Oscars, e.g.32 Start of a cheer33 Numismatist’s prize39 It has collars and stays40 Hoop spot41 Source of many tiny animals42 Some bling43 Jazz __44 Fix the boundaries of45 Cinnabar, vis-à-vis mercury46 Western resort at 6,200 feet48 Suspensefully held in50 Phil, for one53 Annual employee re-view contributor55 AMA and ADA58 Chemist for whom a flask is named60 Uses up one’s minutes, and then some64 Dissident’s request67 Tons to do68 Military priority

Down1 Pollen is produced in them2 Sci-fi vehicles3 Many a Lewis Black bit4 Break site5 Whistling zebra?6 “If Only __ a Butterfly”: Imogen Heap song7 Comic intro? Solution on Page 5

52 Behind-the-lines job53 Reacted to bad news, maybe54 Remove55 Shimmering swimmer56 Caramel-in-chocolate brand57 Latch (onto)59 “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” prop

61 Film composer Menken with eight Oscars62 Protests63 Hook’s right hand65 “My mama done __ me ...”66 Letters on the beach

“CU $upport You” is a comprehensive student assistance program that is aimed at helping students cover the cost of tuition and helping to eliminate financial stress. The program includes a textbook checkout program known as ‘Check It Out uBooks,’ participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans, assistance for displaced workers and an emergency loan program. In 2010, the CU Bookstore launched “Rent-A-Text,” a textbook rental program to further reduce the cost of books.

Additionally, more Cameron students are receiving scholarships and in higher amounts. This includes the significant increase in resident tuition waivers, private scholarships and university scholarships. Tuition waivers and university scholarships increased by seven percent compared to last year and private scholarships have increased 189 percent in the past eight years.

Senior Multimedia Design major Markita Nash, who graduates in December 2011, said that with the help of tuition waivers, departmental scholarships and state funding, she is able to graduate this year debt free.

“I am excited that I do not have a school loan to pay when I graduate this semester,” Nash said. “Cameron has helped make it possible for me to graduate with no school debt. Thanks for the tuition waivers, federal aid and the Fulbright Helvey Scholarship that I have received for the past three semesters. If it was not for these scholarships and other funding, I would have not been here.”

The U.S. News World Report has been compiling data and publishing “America’s Best Colleges” for more than 25 years and in the past 10 years, Cameron has increased funding for tuition waivers and scholarships by 156 percent from $759,000 to $1,946,200.

Students can find more information about the “CU $upports You” program at www.cameron.edu/cusupportsyou.

LEASE DEBT continued from page 1

PRAYER continued from page 1

Junior Business major Sharna Hossier, junior Elementary Education major Jordan Kauk and sophomore Lacy Reinke of the FCA read Bible scriptures while Alli Brown, also of the FCA, started the prayer session after which students were invited to pray individually.

Sean Watson, the Associate Director of the BCM, said that everyone needs prayer to make the right decisions.

“When we are able to pray for our country, our leaders, our faculty, staff and students, it puts in the perspective that we understand that these people need prayers to do what God wants them to do,” he said.

Bowers said that people should be thankful they have an opportunity to pray without fear.

“I went to a country a few years ago that didn’t [have the freedom to pray],” she said. “Then you have to pray in secret.”

Toombs is certain that God has ultimate power over all things and he said that he believes in the power of prayer as a tool for changing people.

“Prayer changes people,” he said. “God orchestrates people to change things.”

The BCM is located behind the Cameron University Village apartments at 2614 S.W.E Ave. Bible study is open to everyone and starts at 8 p.m. on Mondays.

CU recognizes Aggie SpiritBy Tiffany Martinez

Staff Writer

Proud Aggie: Freshman Electronic Engineering Technology major Stacy Hill poses for a picture in the Graybill Courtyard in honor of Aggie Spirit. Each Proud Aggie of the Week receives a gift certificate from a local business.

Photo by Tiffany Martinez

Cameron University is reviving its tradition of Black and Gold Fridays this semester, also known as Spirit Fridays. This weekly happening began approximately ten years ago as an effort to boost school spirit.

Vice President of Student Services Jennifer Holland oversees Spirit Fridays.

“We wanted to create a day that we could emphasize Aggie spirit,” Holland said. “On Fridays we simply ask the students and faculty to wear Black and Gold to show their Cameron University pride.”

Holland said that the first two people she sees sporting school colors, one staff member and one student, each Friday wins the title of Proud Aggie of the Week.

Photo by Office of Public Affairs

“Each week we recognize one faculty member and one student who have on Cameron gear and they receive $25 CamCash that they are able to use at the food court in our student union,” Holland said.

Sodexo, the food service provider for CU and the University has teamed up to make this possible, according to Holland.

Holland said that she has spread out the time in which she selects a Proud Aggie of the Week rather than choosing the winners early in the morning as she had initially.

“I don’t want to miss people that may be on campus a little later,” Holland said.

She said she chooses a new and random place at CU each week to pick out the Proud Aggies of the Week.

Department Secretary of Public Affairs Marty McCoy won Proud Aggie of the Week in the beginning of September.

“I think Black and Gold Fridays are a great idea,” McCoy said. “I think it’s important to show your school spirit and this is a nice way to encourage people to do so.”

Photos of Proud Aggies of the Week will appear in the Aggie Update, which is the new online week-to-week newsletter that Senior

Director of Public Affairs, Josh Lehman prepares and distributes.

“Aggie Update is an effort to keep faculty, staff and students informed of events going on around campus,” Lehman said. “The faculty member and student who are chosen as Proud Aggies of the Week are also selected for inclusion in Aggie Update.”

Aggie News 3October 10, 2011www.aggiecentral.com

TRIO Program assist VeteransBy Elijah Morlett

Assistant Managing Editor

Veterans who have been out of school for several years can gain the needed help to continue their education. Veteran’s Upward Bound, a U.S. Department of Education TRIO program, aims to help prior service members move forward with post-military careers.

Forty-seven locations nationwide offer the program and East Central University operates Cameron University’s program. Although the program is from ECU, local veterans are able to request needed help to enroll in Cameron, Platt College, another online school or at the Great Plains Technology Center.

Susan Pease, the VUB Academic Counselor assigned to the Cameron office, said that the program gives veterans a good start on pursing higher education.

“We brief the veterans coming out of the military on post to help them get a start,” Pease said. “We start their education process by doing skill assessments, helping them apply for school and setting

up their placement tests.”VUB helps veterans in

the program by utilizing an online remedial tutoring program, assisting with finding financial aid and walking through enrollment procedures, among other methods.

According to Pease, the remedial program offers aid in subjects such as math, reading, science, writing and

computer skills.

Photo By Tahira Carter

“Our overall goal is to use our remedial program to ensure that they will not have to take remedial classes,” Pease said. “This way they aren’t using their benefits for classes that do not count for their degree.”

If other documentation is necessary, such as getting high school or college transcripts, the program can help the veterans get the items so they can proceed with enrollment.

The program, in conjunction with the other Veterans Affairs offices on campus, helps veterans begin using the earned education benefits, such as the Post 9-11 and Montgomery GI Bills.

VUB also has a computer lab on campus for veterans use. The lab provides student access to the Internet and to a printer for the tutoring program and other personal education needs.

Pease said that the VUB office would try to help as many veterans as possible, regardless what education benefits they choose to use.

“Any veteran that has any type of discharge other than dishonorable can use our resources,” Pease said. “If the veteran needs help, we will help find a resource.”

Pease said that help is available to veterans beyond that which the VUB program provides.

“Once the veterans finish our program, we will look at sending them to Student Support Services and see how we can assist them during college,” Pease said. “If any other counsel is needed, such as medically, we will try to redirect to the resources we have come across to try and get the veterans

Photo by Elijah MorlettTrio: Senior Sociology major William Shane is a veteran that has benefited from Veteran’s Upward Bound. The program has prepared veterans on pursuing higher education.

taken care of.”The VUB office and computer lab are located

on the third floor of South Shepler and are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

MCT Campus

Visiting Writer previews “Lay Me Down To Sleep”By Tahira Carter

News EditorCameron University welcomed award-winning

novelist, free-lance journalist and university professor Dennis Covington for a literary reading and book signing on Sept. 30.

The event featured readings from “Salvation on Sand Mountain” and “Lay Me Down To Sleep” and took place in the Centennial Room of the Shepler Towers.

Covington began with a reading from “Salvation on Sand Mountain,” which he said was his favorite because he felt that the book was a gift to him from a higher power.

“I felt like I had a spiritual experience. I had never been in a church where it was so clear that God was a spirit that was present and could be touched and felt,” Covington said. “I just felt that when I finally sat down to write that I was in a state of Grace and I hate to talk that way because it sounds like ‘God did it, like he wrote it’ but I did feel that it was a blessing for me and I am proud of the book.”

According to Covington, he did not set out with the intent to write such a spiritually fulfilling nonfiction novel, but when he was asked by his editor to write a book about the south, from the point of view of snake-handlers, the experiences he would encounter would prove to be life-changing.

“Originally it was the result of a newspaper article I was doing for the New York Times about the trial of a snake-handling preacher who tried to murder his wife with rattlesnakes,” Covington said. “At first I did not want to do it because I

thought that they probably wanted something that would make fun of the people but I realized in talking with the handlers that they really were sincere, and that this for them was a spiritual experience. I hung out with them for a couple of years, and I became one myself,” Covington said.

Covington said that the actual novel would have nothing to do with the attempted rattlesnake murder or the trial, however. Covington empathized with the snake handlers and endeavored to find roots of snake handling in his own family. Covington said that his story is one of

self-discovery and spiritual renewal.Although Covington has published five books, both fiction

and nonfiction, for his second reading he chose to read from an unpublished novel entitled “Lay Me Down to Sleep.”

Based on fiction, “Lay Me Down To Sleep” tells the life story of a female journalist born in Texas in the 1960s. Covington said that the novel was a work in progress and could not predict a release date.

“It just may be posthumous,” Covington said. “I have written it from beginning to end but I am still struggling with portions of it and I just can not let it go to my agent until I feel sure about it.”

Senior English major Amber Harrington enjoyed the readings from both of Covington’s books but especially liked his nonfiction work in “Salvation on Sand Mountain.”

“I love coming to these readings just to get to know authors and pick up a book. It is kind of cool that you can say I met this person,” Harrington said. “I really enjoyed his reading. He is really funny and I have also been very interested in non-fiction this semester so it was really pretty cool for me.”

English and Foreign Languages Instructor Aaron Rudolph is a friend of Covington and was able to persuade him to give a reading at CU.

“Generally I am not on the committee that makes the decisions about which author would visit, it is Dr. Godsave and Dr. Jones,” Rudolph said. “Dr. Godsave said they were looking for a nonfiction writer to bring for the school year and I said that I know the perfect person. He has great credentials and he knows me so he will be likely to come regardless of what we pay him. We are fortunate that Dennis agreed to come and read,” Rudolph said.

Rudolph said that the department of English and Foreign Languages receives funding for three visiting writers per school year but the members of the unit attempt to add more diversity by inviting additional writers.

“Normally they have funding for three per school year, but they usually bring another three just out of their own pockets or for free if it is people that they know,” Rudolph said.

Visiting: Professor Dennis Covington reads from his book “Salvation on Sand Mountain.” “Salvation on Sand Mountain” is one of the five books he has published.

Steve Coll clarifies Afghan myths continued from page 1

nationalism within Afghanistan. It is sort of the opposite of ‘There is no Afghanistan,’” he said. “There is an Afghanistan that is so nationalistic that it is skeptical about international armies coming into its space who do not have its best interests at heart.”

He said it was true that the Afghan nation has a history of uprising against unwelcome armies or unjust rulers.

“That history, I would argue, should not control our thinking about our positive ideas for success or failure,” he said. “That is actually not what is going on in Afghanistan right now.”

According to Coll, American public opinion of the country seems to be against the idea of the chance of a peaceful Afghanistan. However, he said that even though both sides have made errors

throughout the 10 years of war in the country, there are not many citizen uprisings in the street toward the American presence or many of the Afghan army switching sides to join the Taliban.

Coll expressed concerns on whether an idyllic society in Afghanistan was possible at this time. He said that over 75 percent of the country’s citizens are under the age of 25. The citizenry is composed of people who want their country back, have seen nothing but war, and may possibly be willing and capable of changing that especially with their increased knowledge of technology.

Coll said that the country is preparing for civil war, which

“For much of the 20th century, they simply were not. Now there are local conflicts continually in Afghanistan,” Coll said.

He said that the role of war and violence in Afghanistan has not been about conquest, but rather a tool with which to negotiate and to balance society. Coll said it might appear that the Afghans are constantly fighting; the local conflict is not aggressive in nature but rather a form of collective bargaining.

The third myth that Coll spoke about was the popular notion that Afghans hate foreigners due to their resistance against the British and the Soviet Union and the fear that they will show the same opposition to Americans.

“It is true that there is a streak of strong

is a possibility if the U.S. pulls out too quickly. He explained that the people of Afghanistan do not want the local conflicts that have been so much apart of its history, but are preparing for it in case it should happen.

“We cannot assume that the past will govern the future anywhere in the world anymore especially in these countries dominated by young people who are wired together by technology,” he said. “In Afghanistan, the strength of the younger generation that is coming up poses both a risk and an opportunity. Afghans have a living memory, a desperate memory that leads them to seek restoration of their country.”

Although Coll expressed concerns about the U.S. pulling out too quickly, he also said that it is difficult for us to stay there as well due to the price that Americans have already paid and the financial burden that it has created on the nation’s budget and that a lengthy continued presence there would have to be justified.

Coll’s observations come from personal time there in his days as a war correspondent for “The Washington Post,” personal research and visits he has made to Afghanistan.

Coll’s presentation was the second of five lectures by international speakers about the history, issues and future of Afghanistan.

Cameron’s seventh Academic Festival, “Afghanistan: Its Complexities and Relevance,” will continue at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26, with Vietnam War Veteran, former U.S. Senator and Georgetown professor Chuck Hagel.Reservations for tickets became available Monday, Oct. 3, through the CU website.

Photo by Office of Public AffairsAfghanistan: Pulitzer Prize Steve Coll speaks at the special session held for Cameron University students. The session was held at the McCasland Ballroom in the McMahon Centennial Complex.

Editorial StaffManaging Editor - Megan BristowAsst. Managing Editor - Elijah MorlettNews Editors - Tahira Carter, Ishia SaltibusCrossroads Editor - Ashleigh FletcherA&E Editor - Rashmi ThapiliyaSports Editor - Aaron GillCopy Editor - Dianne RiddlesAggie Central Editors - Elijah Morlett, Mitch Watson,

Newsroom StaffFinancial Officer - Susan HillStaff Writers - Tiffany Martinez, Teewhy Dojutelegan, Sarah Szabo, James Meeks, Amber Spurlin, Brandon Thompson, Brenna WelchCirculation Manager - Matt ThompsonAdvertising Manager - Megan BristowPhotographer - Kelsey Carter

Newswriting StudentsJames Meeks, Aaron Gill, Nicole Bucher, Cody Gardner, Scott Haney, Kelsey Carter, Teewhy Dojutelegan, Adrian Alexander, Megan Bell, Tyler Boydston, Leah Ellis, Troy Flewellen, Angela Goode, Simone Graves, Jack A. McGuire, Cassidy Morgan, Markita Nash, Lizzie Owoyemi, Miranda Raines, Dianne Riddles, Alexander Rosa-Figueroa, Thomas Smith, Lindsey Yeahquo

Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Keller

About UsThe official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Edmond Sun via the Duncan Banner.

Letters PolicyLetters to the editor will be printed

in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to [email protected] or they may be dropped off at our office - Nance Boyer 2060 or at www.aggiecentral.com.

Our Views The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

COLLEGIANFounded in 1926

veritas sempiterna

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Aggie Voices4 October 10, 2011www.aggiecentral.com

Brandon ThompsonStaff Writer

Rachel EngelStaff Writer

I was raised in a small town where, in the fall on Friday nights, shops closed down for football games, and during the winter you had to leave 30 minutes early to get a seat in the gym.

On the Fourth of July, the whole town had a picnic and local singers, many of whom were veterans, sang patriotic songs all day long. We would finish the night off with a fireworks show that could rival the ones in Washington D.C.

When I was a young boy, I spent countless hours watching my dad build fence around a farm that lost money nearly as many years as it made it.

As I got older, I helped him out occasionally, even though it made no sense to me to waste my time building fence ruining a perfectly good pair of Lucky jeans and my new Nikes.

When I turned 16, I thought about buying a new Nissan 350Z, but my dad quickly shut down that idea. Instead, I ended up driving a 1967 Mustang that he and I spent countless hours working on.

I always thought my dad was old school and had everything backwards. His old stories about spending everyday in the watermelon patch seemed outrageous to me.

After I graduated school and worked a couple summers on my grandfather’s farm, I began to understand why my dad thought the way he did. In fact, I began to realize I was the one that was wrong.

My dad was living the real American dream. He worked his entire life to build a better life for his family. He taught my sister and me to value the things

he thought made the United States the greatest country in the world.

The other night, I was driving home after a softball game and the Toby Keith song “Made in America,” came on the radio. I could not help but smile thinking of how it reminded me of my dad.

I began to think, what if there were more people in this country that thought like my dad? I truly believe the country would be in better shape now, if more did.

The song’s lyrics begin by saying, “breaks his heart seein’ foreign cars, filled with fuel that isn’t ours and wearin’ cotton we didn’t grow.” I think if we all looked at these things the same way as described in this song we could begin to fix some of our

problems.As a country, I think we

have become too dependent on foreign goods and it is time that we make a change. I am tired of seeing politicians give tax breaks to corporations that send American jobs overseas. I am tired of seeing Nissan and Toyota’s sales exceed Ford and GM’s. I am tired of people hiring out illegal aliens to save a buck on payroll.

I am always cautious to criticize this country I love so much, but I feel like I need to say something. We have let it go long enough. It is time to become the world leader in innovation, industry and agriculture again. We should not be borrowing money from China. It is time to get these things fixed.

Next harvest, I say that we should set the price of a bushel of corn at the same price as a barrel of crude and I bet we would see gas prices drop. We should push for more drilling in the United States and become less dependent on foreign nations.

I want my kids to know the same America I know, the America that places value on independence. I want my kids to know what it is like to have a small town parade, spend a day building fence or go to the local grocery store.

I want my son to look back someday and say, “He won’t buy nothing he can’t fix with WD-40 and a Craftsmen wrench; he ain’t prejudice, he’s just made in America.”

American Raising: Thompson’s father sits behind young Brandon on the seat of an American-made farm machine as he tries his hand at the steering. His father’s dedication to his country and its products has made a lasting impression on Thompson’s mind and heart.

Photo Courtesy of Brandon Thompson

Room in the heart for new memories

“Made In America” inspires reflection

Throughout my life, there have been moments that I will remember forever: watching my parents’ walk across the stage to receive their undergraduate degrees and saying my wedding vows to my husband are the major ones.

I thought reserving a special place in my mind for these kinds of memories was the best I could do, until last Tuesday, when I experienced the most powerful and emotional moment of my life when I gave birth to my daughter. This memory is not just reserved in my mind, but forever etched directly onto my heart.

The minute she was born, 1:05 p.m., to be exact, and placed on my chest is that

heart-etched moment. My husband was on the phone that my sister was holding to my ear, calling from Iraq, and I remember crying, telling him how beautiful she was over and over again.

Before I had her, I could not even get excited for her arrival because I was so terrified of the childbirth process. Not just the obvious pain that everyone talks about, but everything leading up to it: the insertion of the IV, the issuing of the epidural, the unknown pain levels of the contractions, how long labor itself would end up being; as a girl who has never even had her ears pierced, there was no end to my fears.

Now, I would do it all over again a thousand times if I could be certain I would end up with the same result: the most beautiful little human ever to grace the face of the earth. Yes, the mom gene kicked in right away, too. Did you know that she is also really advanced for her age?

As I sit here typing and listening to her mechanical swing belt out “Rock-a-bye baby” over and over again, (which under normal circumstances would make me go bonkers, but given a choice of that song on repeat, or a crying newborn, the lullaby wins every time), I am amazed at how my outlook on the world

has changed so instantaneously. Everything I do during my day is now for her, and I would not have it any other way.

I mean, I gave up sleep for her; I have never given up sleep for anyone. Talk about sacrifice.

In order to be okay with that sacrifice, though, I had to be ready. And I was. I was ready to give my life over to someone else, to make my time their time and put their needs above my own. Going through each day, and dealing with everything that comes with having a newborn, I honestly do not know how teenage mothers do it. I could not have dealt with this responsibility as a 16 or 17-year-old. I would have gone crazy. I was too selfish back then, as most teenagers are, and should be. What other time in life do you get to be selfish except when you have no responsibilities or worries?

For example, it has taken me three days to write this column. It is not for lack of content or procrastination, but because I simply could not find the time. Even now, I am typing with one hand as I give my daughter a bottle. Even when doing something for me, I am doing something for her.

It has also been an

adjustment being without my husband as I went through the labor process, and now the newborn phase. If he were here, he would be able to help me, and give me time to sleep and get things done. As it is, things are done when they are done, and if they do not, then oh well. If the kitchen is a little messy at the end of the day, then I just deal with the mess until I can get to it.

But again, as cheesy as it sounds and believe me, I always did think it sounded cheesy, as soon as I look into her eyes again, all thoughts of sacrifices and the things I gave up are gone, and all I see is her, and she is worth every bit of it, and then some.

My husband Skypes with us each night so he can see her, even just for five minutes and even if all she’s doing is sleeping in my arms. I cannot wait until he comes home so I can share her with him, even though a small part of me is going to miss having her all to myself. Nevertheless, as I said, selfish-time is over. Being a family finally is going to be fun too, and I have a feeling there are more heart-etched moments coming in the future. I hope my heart has room.

Photo courtesy of Rachel EngelPrecious: Sydney Engel is the newborn daughter of Collegian staff writer Rachel Engel. She was born at 1:05 p.m. on Sept. 27.

Worth It All: Rachel is currently acting as a single mother to baby Sydney while her husband is deployed. Although it is difficult at times, Engel says it is worth it all.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Engel

Aggie A&E 5October 10, 2011www.aggiecentral.com

CULTURAL COLLAGE FOR A CAUSEInternational Scholarship Banquet continues the fourth year

By Rashmi ThapaliyaA&E Editor

Cameron University International Club will be hosting the fourth annual International Scholarship Banquet at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, in the McCasland Ballroom.

According to Marcella Gustafson, coordinator of International Student Admissions, the purpose of the banquet is to get the students, faculty, and community members involved in helping to raise scholarship funds for the international students at Cameron.

“We don’t have a lot of scholarships for international students,” Gustafson said. “There was no scholarship just for international students and there was a need for one when we started the banquet.”

Gustafson said that the community has been supportive by purchasing tickets for the event.

“The people of the community think that it is a fun night,” Gustafson said. “They enjoy the food as well as the cultural performances by the students.”

According to Gustafson, interested students should apply for the scholarship at the CU financial aid website. She said that the deadline to apply is the last Friday of July every year. Gustafson said that the criteria for scholarship require that the applicant be an international student with an F-1 visa and to be an active member of the International Club. Gustafson said that the applicant should also submit a letter describing the financial need, a transcript and reference letters with the application.

Gustafson said that she is also planning to have an endowment scholarship for international students.

“Since we have had the banquet, we have been putting the extra money from the banquet in a fund for the endowment scholarship every year,” Gustafson said. “So far we have $7,000 in the fund.”

According to Gustafson, once the endowment scholarship fund is established, the interest from the fund will help to provide scholarships for the international students.

“We need $10,000 to establish the endowment scholarship fund,” Gustafson said. “We are almost there.”

Four students have already been awarded the scholarship: Nicole Griffin from St. Kitts and Nevis; Vinetta Stanton from Grenada; Nitesh Verma from Nepal; and Minh Le from Vietnam.

Minh Le, a junior majoring in Accounting is the newest recipient of the scholarship. He said that the $1,000 scholarship is going to be a great help for him.

“I have to pay a lot of money for my books and there are other expenses too,” Le said. “The scholarship will help me to be more independent by putting less financial burden on my family for my studies.”

Stanton is currently working at the School of Education and Liberal Sciences at Cameron

as an Educational Project Specialist. She said that the scholarship helped her when she was an undergraduate student.

“We are so far away from our home and it is expensive to study and live here,” Stanton said. “It feels good to see the community being part of this event and showing their support for us.”

Judy Baer is a social worker and a community member of Lawton. She and her husband, Dr. Charlie Baer are also the friendship family for six students from Nepal. She has been involved in getting the support from the community for this year’s International Scholarship Banquet.

“An event like this will help to bring a unifying force for the international students at Cameron,” Baer said. “This is an opportunity for the community members and the faculty members at Cameron to form a relationship with the international students and also help them.”

According to Gustafson, this fall, CU international student enrollment has grown to 341 students from 48 different countries, compared to the 1998 international enrollment of about 35 students.

This year, the banquet will feature a buffet of Asian, Greek, German, Caribbean, and Italian cuisine, as well as live entertainment provided by international students from Nepal, Nigeria, and the Eastern Caribbean islands. The International Club will also hold a silent auction throughout the night. Kundan Rai, a 2008 Cameron graduate and a native of Nepal, will provide the keynote address. Rai graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Design.

Tickets are $20 per person, $140 for a table of 8 or $15 per student. Students may order tickets by calling the CU International Student Admissions office at 580.591.8019.

Global taste: Guests enjoy the food from around the world during the banquet. This year the menu will include Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Greek, German, Caribbean, and Italian cuisine.

Photo Courtesy of International Club

Photo Courtesy of International Club

Graphic Courtesy of International Club

Scholarship winner: Nitesh Verma from Nepal was the winner of International Scholarship for 2010-2011. So far four students have received the $1000 scholarship.

Music in the air: Three fall performances are on their way

By Amber LindsayStaff Writer

Gearing Up: Cameron/Lawton Community band gets together for a practice. The band will be performing on Sunday, Oct. 16 this fall.

Photo Courtesy of Music Department

Cameron University will host three performances by the music department between Oct. 13 and Oct. 16.

According to Dr. James Lambert, chair of the Department of Music and director of the Cameron/Lawton Community Band, the concert performances are so close together because of difficulties in booking the theatre.

The first of the three concerts will be a piano recital by Professor of Music, Dr. Hyunsoon Whang, Endowed Chair in Music. Dr. Whang said that the recital, entitled “Liszt and Friends,” would feature various pieces of music composed by Liszt, Chopin, Mozart and Clara Schumann.

Dr. Whang said that she has performed at over 500 concerts around the world since she started performing at the age of 12.

“I have been playing since I was four years old,” she said. “I have played over 500 concerts in several different countries since I preformed in public at age 12.”

Dr. Whang said that she would perform at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 13, in the CU theatre.

According to Dr. Lambert, the next performance that the music department will be hosting is a concert by the Cameron University Concert Choir and the Cameron Centennial Singers, presented at 7:30 p.m., on Oct. 14, in the Cameron theatre.

Dr. Lambert said that the Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Earl Logan, will perform songs such as Eugene Butler’s

“A Voice from the Temple,” Anna Page’s “Set Me as a Seal upon Your Heart” and the Alice Parker and Robert Shaw arrangement of “My God is a Rock” along with several others.

Dr. Lambert said that the Centennial Singers, conducted by Doris Lambert, will follow the Concert Choir and will perform “Wie der Hirsch schriet” by Felix Mendelssohn, “Dobru noc (Good Night)” by Karel Husa and “Daniel” by Rollo Dilworth among others.

Dr. Lambert said that Yiuka Chan Spannagel will accompany the Concert Choir on piano and will feature student baritone soloists Jeff Humphries and Jonathan Miller, and that Kristina Henckel will accompany the Centennial Singers on piano along with Matthew Stringfellow on string bass, Melissa Delgado on flute and Kimberly Garza and

Quinton William on percussion.The final concert will be

by the Cameron/Lawton Community Band at 3 p.m. on Oct. 16, also at the CU theatre.

Dr. Lambert said that the band, which includes musicians from around the Lawton and Fort Sill community, has performed once each semester since he started at Cameron 36 years ago.

“The Cameron/Lawton Community Band has been in existence for almost 40 years,” Dr. Lambert said, “and is a collaboration of Cameron University with our area constituents in music who are either enrolled in area public schools, private schools, have formerly performed on concert

band instruments, are currently Cameron University students, faculty or staff, or are retired music educators from the area. It performs two campus concerts per year.”

According to Dr. Lambert, the band will be performing pieces such as Johh Higgins’s arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner,” Nolan E. Schmit’s “Fanfare and Dance” and Keith Foley’s “Resonance” among others.

According to Dr. Whang, admission to all concerts is $10 for adults, $5 for students and free to CU students, faculty and staff with a valid ID. She said that all proceeds from her recital would benefit music scholarships on campus.

Aggie Sports6 October 10, 2011www.aggiecentral.com

Cross country has another great finish

By Aaron Gill Sports Editor

Women’s tennis will not advance to ITA nationalsBy Brandon Thompson

Staff Writer

The Cameron University running Aggie cross-country team is making some noise around the Athletics Department after another impressive performance.

The Aggie runners collectively placed sixth in the 75th annual Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree. The Aggies pulled together with some great individual performances to run a team time of 2:14:25.95.

Two-time Lonestar Conference Runner of the Week Hilary Kirwa

Runners to your marks, go: The Cameron University cross country team gathers at the starting line for a pre-race warm up before a meet earlier this season. The running Aggies went on a road trip to Stillwater earlier this month for the 75th annual OSU Cowboy Jamboree where they finished sixth.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

The Lady Aggies tennis team returned to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Tournament from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, with high expectations.

The Aggies made their presence known as they finished up with a top 8 in the singles tournament and a semi-final appearance in the doubles tournament.

Head women’s tennis coach James Helvey was content with the Aggies performance in the tournament. He said that the Lady Aggies had some strong performances, but the doubles team fell short of last years’ ITA Championship appearance.

“My number one doubles team got beat in the semi-finals,” Helvey said. “Last year, they were in the finals. They stopped one round short, but to get that far is great.”

Junior Julia Puckhaber made the singles top eight appearance. Helvey said that Puckhaber played a great tournament and that he was proud of the way she handled herself throughout the tournament.

“Julia did really well; she was in the final eight,” Helvey said. “I was really pleased with her play.”

Helvey said that he thought all of his girls played extremely well in the tournament and that he takes pride in his teams’ ability to be competitive against any competition.

Helvey said he would have liked to see one of his girls or doubles teams make it to the finals, but the tournament was a success regardless of the lack of a finals appearance.

“Our team was really strong last year and we had everyone back,” Helvey said. “I would

have liked to have somebody in the finals, but that is alright.”

Helvey said that the team can take away many things from the tournament, one of which he described as a wakeup call.

“Sometimes it is a bit of a wakeup call and now is the time to have it,” Helvey said.

The offseason is around the corner for the Lady Aggies and

Helvey said that he expects a lot out of his team in the spring.

“We have a good winning tradition and I expect a lot,” Helvey said.

According to Helvey, the tradition rich Aggie tennis program makes a big difference during tournaments.

“I take a lot of pride in my program; we have never had

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

contributed most for the team after he won the race with a time of 25:00.93.

However, Kirwa was not the only Aggie who helped the team in a big way. Senior Brian Mulwo finished 21st with a time of 26:35.84 and junior Moses Kipkosgei followed shortly behind finishing 24th with a time of 26:42.78.

Coach Matt Aguero said he was pleased with how his team pulled together for a solid finish in the race.

“Hilary ran great and set a new PR in the 8k,” Aguero said. “Brian and Moses also broke into the top 30 and helped us out.”

The rest of the Aggies finished a little lower in the rankings but were still a contributing factor to the overall finish. Freshman Alfonso Lozoya (27:45.85), freshman Tyler Jacobs (28:10.12) and sophomores Eli Hernandez (28:35.90) and Marcus Trevino (28:55.85) rounded out the pack for the sixth place finish.

The Aggies have had three meets so far this season in which they have placed fourth, second and sixth respectively.

Being half way through their season the running Aggies have one meet left before the conference meet,

which will be on Oct. 22. Coach Aguero said that he

is looking forward to having his full lineup ready to go for the University of Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival, as senior Julius Korir makes his way back on to the course after battling a recent injury.

“He tore his meniscus,” Aguero said. “He just started running hard last week.”

Looking past Chile Pepper and Conference, Coach Aguero said that he is looking for his team to run their best in the regional meet in Wichita Falls, Texas on Nov. 5.

“Our goal is regionals,”

Aguero said, “that is where we want to peak and that is where we have the last couple of years.”

According to Aguero, the Aggies have had some great performances so far and they are not ready to stop just yet.

With three major races left in their season the Aggies plan on getting some hard training in hopes to bring both a Conference and a Regional title back to CU.

Runner Biographies, race schedules and statistics about the running Aggies are available at www.cameronaggies.com.

Aggies define tennis: Junior Amanda Moberg sets up for a backhand against an opposing volley in a recent match at the CU Tennis Complex. The Lady Aggies hit the road earlier this month for the ITA Regional Tournament in Springfield, MO where their fall season ended ust short of making it to the ITA Nationals Tournament.

a losing season,” Helvey said. “Cameron, in the tennis world, means something.”

Helvey said that some schools use the CU tennis program as a measuring stick for the success of their seasons. He said that players from other schools have told him that their season is defined by the way they play against Cameron.

“It’s a compliment to our program when players from other teams tell me their measure for success is how they do against Cameron,” Helvey said.

Helvey said that the tradition of success is something that he instills in his players as freshmen and it carries over from year to year.

Aggie Sports 7October 10, 2011www.aggiecentral.com

Men’s tennis falls short at regional match

By Brandon Thompson Staff Writer

CU cheer squad to hold clinic for community youth

By Aaron Gill Sports Editor

Photo by Kelsey Carter

The Cameron Aggie cheerleaders will present a Cheer Clinic Saturday, Oct. 15.

Head coaches Brooke Wojcik and Korie Brox will be the Camp Directors as members of the CU cheer squad compose the actual coaching staff.

The Cheer Clinic, which is open to children is similar to the one that was held last fall in which campers performed the routines that they had learned during the camp for a

crowd in the Aggie Gym.Coach Brox said that the

clinic would be a one-day event at the fitness center.

“The Clinic will be held in the fitness center from 8 a.m. to noon,” Brox said.

The Clinic will be a great learning experience for the campers, as the CU cheer squad will be separating the campers into different squads based upon age. Each squad will learn a different routine.

“The kids will be split up by age,” Brox said. “Each age group will be taught a different dance and will have separate coaches.”

After getting a bid to Nationals over the summer, the CU cheer squad has been trying to raise money for the trip to Florida. This event will be a big part of the fund-raising process for the squad this fall.

“The cost is $25 per camper,” Brox said. “This will be a fundraiser to help them raise money to go to NCA College Nationals in Daytona, Fla., in April.”

The campers will get a genuine look into what it is like to be a collegiate cheerleader by learning from collegiate cheerleaders.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

The Aggies tennis team finished out there fall schedule with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Tournament held last weekend

We’ve got spirit, yes we do: Sophomore Frances Bennett shows her school spirit by cheering for the Cameron University volleyball team in a recent match at Aggie Gymnasium. The CU cheer squad received a bronze bid to NCA Nationals in Daytona, FL in april and have been fundraising for the trip.

Coach Brox and Coach Wojcik are excited to see how the campers progress in the day that they will attend the clinic.

“We are really looking forward to being able to teach young athletes the basics of cheerleading,” Brox said.

The one thing that makes any volunteer happy is seeing a positive outcome from what they have done for their community. For cheerleaders excitement is something that definitely has to be routine for anything they do.

Coach Brox said that he looks forward to the campers’

excitement. “Seeing the kids excitement

as they get to perform what they’ve learned in front of their friends and families at the volleyball game is always something to look forward to,” Brox said.

Campers will have the chance to show off the skills they learn at the Clinic for the community and university at an upcoming volleyball game against Texas A&M Kingsville.

“The performance will be at the home volleyball game against Texas A&M Kingsville at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20,” Brox said. “Students who attend the camp and their families will get in the game free.”

Sign up for the camp is still open and applications are acceptable until the morning of the Clinic.

Anyone in need of information for the upcoming Clinic can contact any of the Cameron cheerleaders or visit with Coach Brox or Coach Wojcik in the Athletics Department on the fifth f loor of South Shepler.

in Springfield, Mo. The Aggies trip to the ITA

Regional marked another winning season for head coach James Helvey.

According to Helvey, he was happy with his team’s performance against the

represented,” Helvey said. “I was very pleased in how we played.”

Helvey said that the singles tournament included the region’s 64 best players and that it is impressive for his team to have such a good showing in such a competitive tournament.

“It is such a brutal tournament,” Helvey said. “It is 64 of the best players in the region, so just to get out of the first day is a major feat and to have three make it to the final 16 is something.”

Helvey said that he was proud of all his players’ performances at the tournament, but that he was especially pleased with his freshman, Nicolai Furrigno.

“I am most proud of my freshman,” Helvey said, “because being a freshman and being able to play like he was playing was great.”

Helvey said that Furrigno was almost able to play his way into the final four and that Furrigno had a gutsy performance in the final match.

“He was one or two points away from being in the final four,” Helvey said. “I am looking forward to see what he can do in the future.”

The Aggies doubles teams also experienced their share of success at the regional last weekend.

The doubles competition started with 32 teams. The Aggies had two teams that

won three straight matches to make it to the final four. Neither Aggies team was able to advance to finals, but Helvey said he was happy with how his men played.

“We had two doubles teams make it to the final four,” Helvey said. “I was really happy about that.”

Helvey said that seeing his doubles teams succeed made the tournament rewarding for him.

“I’m proud of my doubles teams,” Helvey said. “It was nice to see them succeed.”

According to Helvey, the success the team had this fall is a good measuring stick for what fans can expect to see in the spring.

“If we are having that kind of success,” Helvey said, “then we are going to have a good year.”

Although the fall schedule for the Aggies is over, the Aggies will begin their offseason workouts in just a couple weeks.

Helvey said that he is looking forward to the spring because the team is loaded with young talent and during the offseason the weight and conditioning programs should only help his team improve.

“We have some down time now,” Helvey said. “Then we will start pounding the pavement and weights.”

Recaps of every match for the fall season can be viewed at www.cameronaggies.com

Game, set, match: Junior Jorge Gerosi comes in for the kill against an opposing hit in a recent match at the CU Tennis Complex. The fall season for the Aggies ended early this month as their trip to the ITA Regional Tournament was not as successful as the Aggies hoped for.

tournament’s stiff competition.Helvey said that in the

singles side of the tournament Cameron had three players make it to the final 16, which was a big accomplishment.

“We had three guys in the final 16; we were very well

CROSSROADS8 October 10, 2011www.aggiecentral.com

International Festival rocks the Lawton

CommunityBy Amber Lindsay

Staff WriterCitizens of Lawton, Fort Sill and the surrounding areas had the opportunity

to experience cultures from around the world at the 32 Annual International Festival held from Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 25.

According to Bobbi Whitson, Chair of the International Committee, the weekend began with the Parade of Nations, which gives people of different nationalities the chance to walk across the stage in their native dress, identify their country and say hello in their native language.

Whitson said that many Cameron University students participated in the Parade of Nations and that Lawton has a tremendous amount of cultural diversity.

“Our Parade of Nations was very large this year and I would say that at least half of those that walked were Cameron students,” Whitson said. “Between Cameron University and Ft. Sill, the diversity is great.”

The Administrator of the City of Lawton’s Arts and Humanities Division of the Parks and Recreation Department Billie Whipp said that following the Parade of Nations, the Naturalization Ceremony was presided over by Chief Justice Vicki Miles-LeGrange and Court Clerk Robert Dennis. Whipp said that 14 people representing 12 countries became U.S. citizens at this year’s International Festival.

According to Whipp, the Festival has seen major growth since it moved from the Library Plaza to Elmer Thomas Park. Whip said that the estimated attendance of this year’s Festival was about 39,000 people.

Whipp said that the feedback from vendors is an accurate indication of the Festival ’s success. According to Whipp, though most of the vendors are repeats, some were new to the Festival this year and plan to return next year.

“We had several new vendors this year whose sales were high and are excited about coming back to the Festival next year,” Whipp said. “I think that when you get a new vendor and they want to come back to your event without you having to ask them, that also shows some level of success.”

One of the Festival ’s performers not only represented a different culture, but also represented a different time. According to Janice Kirksey, who is known as Audridelyon, Her Excellency of the Barrenly of Sodden Hills, the Society for Creative Anachronism has brought sword fighting, bag-pipes, kings, queens, dukes and knights to the Festival since its creation.

Sonia Hastings, the daughter of director of the Mexican Folkloric Dancers Isidra “Chila” Chavez, said that their group has been a part of the International Festival since its beginning and she has danced in the Festival every year.

Whitson noted that performers are only one part of the cultural experience. She said that in recent years, new activities have developed in which different groups or individuals can participate and interact with others. She said that the YMCA hosted Zumba, which was one of the most popular activities this year.

Lorrie Runnels and her husband Vint said that they had been attending the International Festival since 1975 and that their favorite part of the Festival is the food.

“We love the food, especially the Philippine booth. They have the best shish kabobs,” Lorrie Runnels said. “Unfortunately, they aren’t here this year, but the other booths are great too.”

Whitson said that she was grateful for the volunteer parking help from CU and the Lawton and Fort Sill communities.

“It takes several hundred parking volunteers over the weekend working in conjunction with the park and grounds staff to keep things running smoothly,” Whitson said. “Without Cameron volunteers, we would be in serious trouble, so we appreciate the help tremendously.”

Photo by Kelsey Carter

The Day of the Living Derby match marked the end of the 580 Rollergirls’ first season on Sunday, Oct. 9.

The Rollergirls have 38 skaters and continue to grow. The team members have been skating together for nearly a year and competing for about nine months at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton and at regional away bouts and matches.

However, the girls of the 580 Rollergirls do much more than just compete.

According to 31-year old Punky Bruised-Her, the Rollergirls have a clear mission for women and the community.

“These girls are amazing about helping each other out. It is sisterhood,” Bruised-Her said.

By Brenna WelchStaff Writer

Photo op: The Rollergirls pose with a fan while taking a break at the Lawton Rangers Rodeo. The Rollergirls value the spport they recieve from the community.

I want to try: A little boy stares up at one of the carnival rides at the 32 annual International Festival. The international Festival saw much success this year with a great turn out and many returning vendors.

During the previous year, the Rollergirls have made numerous charitable contributions to: Lawton Food Bank, Salvation Army, J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter, Moonlight Walk Against Drugs, 2011 Fire Victims, Lawton Public Schools, MacArthur Drumline and Colorguard, Joplin and Chickasha Tornado Victims, Cure for Alzheimer’s Walk, Ronald McDonald House in OKC, Rock, Stock, & Barrel Hunger Ride, Red Cross of Oklahoma and United Way.

“We’re all about empowering women and making the community a better place,” 33-year old Ova’ Kill said.

In addition to various charitable contributions, the Rollergirls take part in community activities. The

team had a booth at Fort Sill M.W.R. and Family’s Oktoberfest held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Team members also made appearances at popular local businesses such as on Oct. 5, when some members visited Gert’s Pub N Grub.

Team events will continue for the Rollergirls, even after the bout season is over.

According to the Rollergirls, the team will be participating in a 5k run and will be appearing at area festivals during their off season.

Punky Bruised-Her said that it is important for them to give back to the community.

“If we don’t have community support, then we’re not able to put on bouts,” she said.

According to the Rollergirls, bouts give them

the chance to interact with other teams and compete. However, the team members all agree that competing is about more than having the community support and getting to know other rollergirls.

According to 580 Rollergirl Ova’ Kill, winning is among the teams top priorities.

“We are always hoping we can bring home a win for Lawton,” Ova’ Kill said.

Even though the season is closing, the 580 Rollergirls are always looking for new skaters, and will be holding Fresh Meat Recruitment at 6 p.m. on Oct.

10, in their warehouse located at 2507 SW. Washington Ave.

Countess Concussion, 27, is a new member to the team. She said that she had her doubts about being a roller girl, but did it anyway.

“I thought I couldn’t do it, but you never know until you try,” Countess Concussion said.

For more information about upcoming bouts, charity and community events, the skaters or Fresh Meat Recruitment, fans can visit the website at www.580rollergirls.com.

Photo coutesy of 580 RollergirlsPhoto by Mary Cook

Photo by Jimi Curry

All aboard: The 580 Rollergirls skate in a train at the Medicine Park Blues Ball. The 580 Rollergirls participate in numerous community events and are always looking for fun ways to give back.