While I was watching Sarah Jessica Parker’s latest film, “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” my roommate walked into the room and asked which “Sex and the City” movie it was. I laughed at her, but she really wasn’t that far off. “I Don’t Know” plays as a sort of alternate-reality “SATC,” where Carrie is a high-powered investment broker and mother of two instead of a perpetually single columnist. SJP’s character, Kate, even fills the movie with inquisitive, open-ended voiceovers, just as Carrie did. The many, many people that aren’t fans of the franchise that made Parker famous will dislike “I Don’t Know How She Does It” just as much.

I am not one of those people. While grossly disappointed by “SATC 2,” I am generally a huge fan of the series; “I Don’t Know” was right up my alley. I’m perfectly aware that this movie will not win any awards, but it was a good way to spend an otherwise boring afternoon.

SJP is her usually bubbly self throughout the film. She giggles and makes breathless pronouncements, but doesn’t do any outstanding acting. She basically plays a slightly older Carrie; I’m not sure that she’s really capable of playing a different character.

The funniest part of the whole movie is Olivia Munn. She plays Kate’s coworker, a woman named Momo who is completely obsessed with her job. Momo fails to understand Kate’s family-centric life-style, ridiculing her for “checking on her kids every day.” Munn plays this role completely straight-faced, and her deadpan delivery helps ground a movie that often veers toward the ridiculous. Parker scratches desperately at her lice-infested scalp during a business meeting, for example. These kind of gags would have become exhausting without the breaks from Munn.

Busy Phillipps is another high-note in this film. She plays the perfect stay-at-home-mom that Kate emulates. The film frequently cuts to Phillipps’ character at the gym, where she supposedly spends the whole day while her kids are at school. Phillips comments on her and Kate’s lives in a hilarious, passive-aggressive way, adding yet another layer of tart to a movie that is dangerously close to being too sweet.

The rest of the movie is pretty unremarkable. Greg Kinnear and Pierce Brosnan, as the men in Kate’s life, are just okay. They’re not especially charming, and their characters aren’t particularly special.

Again, don’t rent this movie expecting to be impressed. If you’re interested in a couple hours worth of distraction, rent “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” You won’t miss the $1.20, and you may just get the perfect chance to paint your fingernails.

“The Debt” tells the story of Mossad secret agents Rachel (Chastain), Stefan (Marton Csokas) and David (Worthington) living undercover in Germany in 1965 to catch a Nazi war criminal. The film flashes back and forth between the characters in 1965 and their future counterparts in 1997. The ramifications of their actions in the ‘60s are catching up to them, and the audience has to sit in suspense to find out exactly what happened to them thirty years earlier.

The true stars of this film are undoubtedly the two women that play Rachel. Chastain has been everywhere in the past year, from her role as Celia Foote in “The Help” to Brad Pitt’s wife in “The Tree of Life.” What prevents audiences from tiring of her is her incredible ability to transform. Chastain’s portrayal of ‘60s housewife Celia is completely different from how she plays ‘60s woman Rachel. Rachel is tough and confused, speaks several languages flawlessly, and is simultaneously sexy and ruthless. Chastain embodies all of these qualities well, making the audience’s immersion into her story simple.

Rachel of 1997 is played with the same panache by Mirren. The audience is not privy to all of the details concerning her skittish and scarred personality, and that adds greatly to the intrigue of the story. Mirren plays Rachel beautifully. All of her characters pain is apparent, and a brutal fight scene is especially impressive. Mirren is 66 years old, and she fights with more tenacity than I’ve seen in many actresses forty years younger. Mirren truly commits to her role.

The Nazi war criminal that the agents are pursuing is the Surgeon of Birkenau, an obvious nod to Josef Mengle, the butcher of Birkenau. The man who plays this “surgeon,” Jesper Christensen, is great in his role. He is creepy and terrible, but just charming enough to make his dominance believable. Seeing him as a mainstream doctor in Germany especially made my skin crawl – knowing that this character hurt and killed so many, and then seeing him practice legitimate medicine was an interesting and affecting contrast.

This movie is absolutely worth the $1.20. The acting is superb and the story is incredibly interesting. Rent this movie only if you’re ready to be completely absorbed for a couple hours; this isn’t the kind of movie you can watch for homework background noise.

The film begins with the main character Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) suffering the loss of his mother after a tragic accident.  His father, Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), is now forced to raise the boy on his own.  While struggling with the loss of his wife, Jackson wants to send his son away to a baseball camp for the summer.  Joe is doesn’t want to go and insists on staying home to help his group of friends direct a zombie movie for an amateur film competition.  Both are forced to change their plans when tragedy strikes their town.

While filming a scene for their movie at an old train depot outside of town, a disastrous train crash occurs that almost claims the lives of the group of friends.  The friends soon discover that the train wreck was no accident and that their lives may be in danger for witnessing it.  Something on board the United States Air Force train is set free and the military will stop at nothing to get it back.

Joe’s best friend Charles (Riley Griffiths) is the director of the zombie film.  He wants to keep making the movie amidst the chaos of what is beginning to unfold in their town.  Meanwhile, Joe is developing a mutual crush on his friend, Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning), the girl set to play the damsel in distress in the zombie film.  After experiencing the train wreck, Alice wants nothing more to do with making the film.  It is up to Joe to convince her otherwise.  However, there is just one problem; Alice’s father is indirectly responsible for Joe’s mother’s death.  Despite the reckless actions of Alice’s father, she decides to keep working on the movie.

With the train wreckage and military swarming throughout their town, Charles decides to use all the commotion in his film for production value.  It’s not long before the kids realize what exactly is going on and the danger they are all in.  After Alice vanishes, it’s up to Joe and the gang to rescue her from whatever was on the Air Force train.

The film is written and directed by J.J. Abrams (“Forever Young,” “Star Trek”) and produced with the help of Steven Spielberg (“E.T.,” “Saving Private Ryan”).  The movie takes us back in time to 1979 when there were no cell phones, World Wide Web or camcorders.  The nostalgia in the film is well portrayed and planned. It makes a great setting for the story.

This film is not your traditional sci-fi movie. In fact, you can’t even tell it is a sci-fi film until well over halfway through it.  The special effects are gripping and will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Although teenagers, Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning’s acting makes the film worth watching alone.  The two are very talented and undoubtedly have successful careers in the film business.  The movie is full of clever jokes and plot twists.

The movie lives up to the claim of being the 2011 blockbuster of the summer.  If you are looking for an action packed film that will make you feel like a kid again, as well as scare the heck out of you, then rent “Super 8.”

With cold, wet weather in the forecast, students need to dig out those warm clothes in preparation.  For those students who don’t have any cold weather clothes, here are a few suggestions on where to shop for some.

Located at the Shoppes at North Village in St. Joseph is a T.J.Maxx department store.  It is a perfect place to pick up name brand clothing for a fraction of the price.  A coat that may be a J.C. Penney for $150 could be  at T.J.Maxx for $75.  The same goes for all of their clothing.  Cold weather socks at Foot Locker are $12 for three pairs; the exact same socks are at T.J.Maxx for $5.  T.J.Maxx is one of the cheapest stores in town, offering a wide selection on discounted name brand clothing.  So check out T.J.Maxx if you want quality products at lower cost.  As college students we all can stand to save some money.

Missouri Western student Steve Belding says he prefers J.C. Penney and Dillard’s because they tailor to his needs.

“Since I need to shop for Big and Tall I usually try Penney’s and Dillard’s first,” Belding said. “Their Big and Tall sections usually have nice looking things.”

Gordmans is another department store that has a wide selection of winter clothing.  It opened this year in the East Hills Mall, and is loaded with clothing for everyone.  They have a wide selection of women’s warm boots under $30.  This is a pretty good deal, considering the cheapest boots at Dillard’s department store are over $50.  Yes, the ones at Dillard’s may be a better name brand, but no one will notice the tiny little emblem stating what brand they are while you’re trudging through the snow.  All you should be concerned about is if they are keeping your feet warm without breaking the bank.  Gordmans also has a huge sale on warm clothes right now, and a lot of stuff is buy one get one half off.

Those of you looking for some extreme cold weather gear need to visit The Duffel Bag, located in historic downtown St. Joseph.  They offer military grade clothing from armed forces all over the world.  If you want an authentic Russian fur coat or a Russian ushanka, you’ll find it there.  You want some of the highly sought after Austrian military clothing, you’ll find it here.  The Duffel Bag has tons of military grade long underwear, gloves and extreme cold weather Gore-Tex.  The clothing they sell at the Duffel Bag is pennies on the dollar compared to what it cost soldiers new at a PX.

Bill Field, the owner of the Duffel Bag and retired Army veteran, says if it was made by the military it’s usually very good stuff.

“You can find about anything warm down here, regardless of whether you’re a man or woman,” Field said.  “We get different stuff in here every week, so be sure to stop in and browse our goods.”

St. Joseph resident Jesse Cline shops at the Duffel Bag quite often for all sorts of things.  He loves the store and always finds a good deal.

“I come here to get high quality clothing for a fraction of the price,” Cline said.  “The gloves, socks and long underwear a better quality than anything you will find at a department store.”

If you need some warm clothes this winter, definitely shop around.  Don’t just run into a popular department store and buy something because it’s name brand. Even if that’s what you want to do, check T.J.Maxx first because chances are they will have the same product at a lower price.  Don’t be afraid to stop in at the Duffel Bag and take a look around. Just because it’s military doesn’t mean it is not stylish.  What it does mean is that it is quality and will keep you from shivering in the next couple of months.

Students at Western are doing all sorts of things, some mischievous and some not so mischievous, such as working.

Elizabeth Hiley, an elementary education major at Missouri Western, says she will be spending her Halloween at the doctor’s office and work.

“I will be working at Subway, but I still plan on dressing up and passing out candy,” Hiley said. “I’ll be getting a sonogram that day, and I’m really excited to find out what I’m having; I hope it’s a boy.”

Most students are doing the same thing they do every year:  dressing up and heading out to house parties or pubs.

Alex Bear, a history major, said he plans on dressing up as the doctor from Dr. Hook and heading to the Flying Saucer bar in Kansas City’s Power & Light District.  Bear said his girlfriend is making him dress up, but he enjoys Halloween.

“I feel it’s a good reason to get together with people; I like hanging out with my friends,” said Bear.

If you are looking for a terrifying scare this Halloween then head to Atchison, Kan.

Less than 20 miles south of campus lays a small town on the banks of the Missouri River.  Proclaimed by the Travel Channel to be the most haunted town in Kansas, Atchison is home to many ghostly attractions.

Atchison offers many ways for people to experience its haunted aura.  One way to experience nearly all of its deadly attractions is the haunted trolley tours.

The haunted trolley takes its victims to the infamous Sallie House, where a young girl who died during an emergency operation continues to terrorize the living today.  The Sallie House has also been featured on the television show “Sightings,” which documented violent attacks on people living in the home by the poltergeist.

The trolley tour also takes its riders deep into the woods of Jackson Park to an infamous location where a woman named “Molly” was brutally murdered and hung from a tree.  The place has for decades been referred to as “Molly’s Hallow.” Local lore has it that some nights you can see an apparition hanging from the tree or hear blood curdling screams coming from the woods.

If the haunted trolley ride is not enough to cure your hunger for a good haunt, then maybe you would enjoy having a meal with the spirits that haunt the Riverhouse Steakhouse, located at 100 Commercial St. in Atchison.

Built in 1870, the Riverhouse building was a depot for the railroad for several years.  In 1908, the building was purchased by Lulu Howard and operated as a brothel.  After much anguish, the City of Atchison was finally able to shut Lulu down in 1913.  Today the building is a restaurant and leased by Dustin Hundley.  Hundley himself has had several strange encounters with spirits in the building.

“I was closing up the restaurant one night and had my first experience with one of the ghosts who haunt this building,” Hundley said.  “Floating across the dining room was a woman dressed in Victorian clothing; it scared the hell out of me.”

Several similar incidents have been reported at the Riverhouse building.  Early one morning in 2008, a craftsman completing renovations in the upstairs bar reported a long, one-sided conversation with a person he assumed to be his co-worker.  When he looked up, the man he had been talking to was gone.  Stories like this make the Riverhouse the most ghostly dinning experience in the area.

If you are interested in some of the haunts Atchison has to offer, such as trolley ride times, restaurant hours or more haunted attractions, all information can be found at http://atchisonkansas.net/HauntedAtchison/home.html.

Missouri Western freshman sports recreation major Barnett has been Olympic-style weightlifting since she was 9 years old. Olympic-style lifting is in her blood.  Her older brother Brandon used to lift, and most famously, her uncle and 2-time U.S. Olympian, Wesley Barnett, lifted as well.

Barnett is currently one of the top seven lifting prospects age 20 and under in the U.S.  She has represented the U.S. five times in competitions outside the country.  She has competed in Mexico, Peru, Thailand, Bulgaria and Malaysia.

Barnett is currently working hard to prepare for the Olympic Team Trials that will take place March 2 through 4, 2012.  She says she has been training extremely hard to get her strength up and believes that she will do well in the trials.

“I have had five opportunities to represent the USA already, but as far as the Olympics, that is my ultimate goal,” Barnett said. “To represent Team USA would mean the world to me.”

Barnett had the option of moving out of state to train at an Olympic training center, but chose to stay in St. Joseph and attend Western.  Not many people would have turned down an opportunity of that magnitude, but Barnett states that several factors kept her from going.

“There was the issue of where I would attend school while I was there,” said Barnett. “I am happy with the decision I made to stay here because it’s good to train with a coach I am used to, and I also have friends here I couldn’t live without.”

Dennis Snethen is Barnett’s lifting coach at the Wesley Center, which is named after Barnett’s uncle Wes.  Snethen is a Missouri Western Alumnus, class of 1981.  He has been coaching weightlifters in St. Joseph for 31 years.  His accomplishments include coaching over 100 national champions, as well as coaching Olympic weightlifters Pete Kelly and Wesley Barnett.

Snethen says he has really enjoyed coaching over the years, even though it has been a lot of hard work.  He believes that Barnett has the potential to be the best and possibly bring home a medal in the 2012 or 2016 Olympic Games.

“Brianna is a great athlete, and I believe that the 2016 Olympics will be her biggest shot,” said Snethen.

Barnett speaks very highly of Snethen.  One thing she is very grateful for is, when she was having trouble getting back and forth to practice, Snethen and his family let Barnett live with them for a year so she wouldn’t miss practices.  Barnett currently resides in the Missouri Western dorms.  She is without a vehicle right now, so Snethen’s son picks her up and takes her to practice.

“Dennis has been there through thick and thin, and he always speaks the truth,” said Barnett.  “He and his family have helped me out so much.”

Snethen currently coaches over 130 male and female lifters, starting in the third grade.  The cost for lifting at the Wesley Center is $15 per month, but Snethen says that he would never turn anyone who wanted to lift down whether they can pay the $15 or not.  Anyone interested in Olympic-style lifting can contact the Wesley Center at 816-238-4511 or www.inter-serv.org/wesley.htm

Along with Snethen, junior Keri Lorbert, who has listened to Barnett’s unique experiences as a weightlifter, feels Barnett has led an intriguing life and hopes she will do great things in the future.

“I think it’s a really cool thing Brianna’s doing,” Lorbert said. “I wish her the best of luck.”

The party starts at noon on February 12, 2011, and participants “take the plunge” at 2 p.m. sharp. This charitable celebration will take place at Lake Contrary here in St. Joe. All potential plunge-takers are asked to fill out a registration form online and raise at least $75 dollars for the charity by the date of the event. You can create your own page online to help raise funds, and email friends and family to invite them to donate and attend. Everyone planning to join the party must wear a swimsuit and shoes, and many choose to show up in hilarious costumes.

Since this is a citywide event, and most college students can’t resist a party (no matter how chilly), many of Missouri Western’s students are planning to attend. Some will be participating, and some will serve as spectators. Sophomore friends Ceasera Robinson, Stacey Weidemann, and Sarah Gordon had this to say about the upcoming event.

“It gets people together,” Ceasera says, “They help each other for one cause.”

When asked if they planned on joining in on the frosty festivities, Sarah said, “I will if you guys will.”

“Yeah,” Ceasera agreed, “I’ll do it.”

“I will not.” Stacey laughed.

Even though Stacey’s not planning to swim this year, she does intend to donate to Ceasera’s and Sarah’s team.

In addition to the crazy costumes and shivering swimmers, Polar Plunge offers music, dancing, talking, and laughter – just like any great party! After the event, awards will be given to participants. Awards are presented for Top Fundraising College, Top Fundraising School, Top Fundraising Team, Top Fundraising Law Enforcement Agency, and Top Fundraising Individual. In addition to these honors, one person or team will be bestowed with the Golden Plunger for having the best costumes.

Even if you don’t find yourself in possession of one of these icy awards, every participant receives a gift. Remember that $75 you must earn before Saturday? That guarantees you a Polar Plunge 2011 t-shirt! Plungers who raise $250 will receive their choice of a Travel gift card, music and media pack, or a Polar Plunge 2011 beach towel. $500 gives you the choice of a Polar Plunge sweatshirt blanket, Polar Plunge fleece jacket, Polar Plunge duffel bag, or Polar Plunge hoodie. And $1000 lets you choose a Polar Plunge Columbia jacket, Polar Plunge Men’s/Women’s jacket, or Polar Plunge Travel backpack.

This year the goal is set at $45,000. So far, Plungers across the state have raised $15,876.58. Even if you don’t plan on taking the plunge, you can always donate toward the cause and help the other Plungers reach their goal.

Estes is a prominent sculptor and ceramicist, working primarily with clay and wood. Native to the American Midwest, most of his pieces reflect the irregular and beautiful landscape of Missouri and its neighbors. They even feature roads and trails, as if you are looking down upon a map of the land. His newer works can be seen across Western’s campus in the form of large metal sculptures, most recognizably ‘Passages’ – the red, yellow, and blue sculpture in front of Potter Hall.

Estes was honored to receive the title, but said that he did not set out seeking the distinction.

“My father groomed me to be an attorney,” Estes said, “But I said ‘I think I might try art out.’ I didn’t care how much money I made, I’d rather do something I wanted to do.”

Estes first got started in the field in high school, and was inspired by instructor Joe Neff.

“He was enthusiastic,” Estes said. “He showed me a side of art I hadn’t seen before. I fell in love with the act of making something. And that is the first thing all artists must do.”

Assistant Professor of Art, Geo Sipp worked closely with Estes and even participated in an art exhibition with him. Sipp described the time he spent working with Estes since 2001 as an invaluable experience.

“He was, and still is, a real worker, and generous to a fault,” said Sipp. “Students knew he wasn’t just a teacher. He had their respect and admiration, as well as that of his peers.”

Besides teaching at Western and providing the sculptures that decorate the campus grounds, Estes was also responsible for starting the ceramics program in his early years of teaching. Sipp said it began as a project in a small building on the east side of campus, and, because of Estes, it is still active today.

Dr. Allison Sauls, chair of the art department, said Estes was fabulous to work with.

“He’s sensible, he’s practical, and he gets things done,” said Sauls. “I was sad when he retired, and I miss him very much.”

Sauls said Estes will be leaving behind a legacy in the form of his students who are now working in the field of art, and in the aesthetic improvement of campus provided by his sculptures.

“Just look at the campus. It’s gorgeous,” said Sauls, “It makes a statement. It’s absolutely wonderful to see.”

Estes’ art has also been featured in magazines and in more than 140 exhibits across America. Estes said he does not work for a cause; he creates for himself as much as for his audience, and he wishes to see more of that in art today.

He is leaving Western after 38 years of education and service. His colleagues in the Art Department agree that he will be missed, and that he is indeed more than deserving of this great honor.

The small cart in Hearnes is managed by Food Services director Jim Maides. Maides knows Dameron himself, and said that she leaves a lasting mark on students by being someone they can look to for comfort. She always knows the names of her customers, and even their favorite items.

“She’s such a sweet lady,” Maides said, “She’s made a huge impact.”

Even before Java City brought its goods to campus, Dameron was working for Western’s Food Services. For five years she was employed at the food court. In 2006, when the library was remodeled and the coffee cart was added, Dameron was asked to take over at the new location.

“It was the best decision I ever made about a job,” Dameron said, “It is so much fun!”

Besides being a constant landmark for students, she also has a husband and three sons at home.

“I still have one [son] in high school,” Dameron said. “It’s all family stuff when I leave [campus].”

Her favorite aspect of her job, and her life, are the students, her family – all the people.

“And I just love making great coffee!” Dameron said.

Students take notice of Dameron and her service. Java City customers Claire Hendren and Mariah Stegman said they visit the coffee cart two or three days every week.

“We’re here almost every other day,” Stegman said.

“And Pam’s always in a good mood,” Hendren said, “And she makes [the coffee] so fast!”

Dameron’s friendly demeanor and attention to detail, as well as the coffee that the students love, have earned her a place in Western’s heart. As students continue to forge ahead in their studies, they will also continue to seek out Dameron’s positivity, compassion and mocha lattes.

“Actually, I ran my first [marathon] in November,” Taylor said. “I never intended to run a marathon. The thing about running is you start and it’s an ongoing challenge.”

The marathon will take place April 30 in Eugene, Oregon. He said he is really geared up for this one, because it is in the town where he did his graduate work. Taylor got his start at a gym in Portland, Oregon, in 2009.

“It just sort of built upon itself,” Taylor said. “I was to the point where I was running a mile, and then it was two miles, and then I thought well maybe I can run a 5K, which is three miles. Then I ran a 10K, which is six miles. And if I can run six miles, maybe I can run ten miles. It just creeps up on you.”

Taylor said he uses Nike’s six month marathon training course on his iPhone. With this app he can train whenever and wherever he wants.

“It consists of essentially building up endurance for long runs,” Taylor said.

Taylor has even spoken to his students about his imminent departure for the Oregon marathon. Lauren Crabtree is a student in one of Taylor’s courses. Crabtree said he talks about the training in class, and she thinks it is really cool.

“I’d do it too if I was in shape,” Crabtree said.

For students looking to take up running, Taylor had some advice to give.

“Start slow, and pay attention to your form,” Taylor said. “Running is a sport with a high injury rate.”

Despite this warning, Taylor does encourage everyone to try out running. He said there are several rewards in it along with the challenges.

“One is rediscovering the joy of movement,” Taylor said. “And thinking about what we can do, pushing ourselves, taking on new challenges. Talk about it; tell people what you’re doing. And of course eat healthy and get lots of sleep. Those would be my words of wisdom.”

Darin Smith is leasing the main floor of the building to open Way2Kewl & Trendy. Way2Kewl & Trendy will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Darin and his wife Terry Smith have another thrift store that is also called Way2Kewl & Trendy. This store is located at 1824 Fredrick and is open Fridays and Saturdays.
“Here in St. Joe we need more stores like this,” Terry Smith said.

Darin wants to see the United Store come to life again. He also hopes that this store being open again will help the downtown area of St. Joseph come back to what it was when the United building was open.
“What we hope to create down here is buying, selling and trading clothes of the spring and summer fashions with the hustle and bustle of what this historical building used to be, and bring back what once was on Felix street downtown,” Smith said.p>

The United building was constructed in 1918, but was not opened as United Department Store until 1931. The United Department Store remained open until 1987. The United Department store had a nickel and dime basement, but its main floors were higher end than the nickel and dime stores.
“I think it would be really neat to bring back the United Building. I have very fond memories of that story as do a lot of people in St. Joe,” WHO IS THIS PERSON Marty Lawrence said.

Way2Kewl & Trendy will take clothes on consignment and will have different fashion venders in the United Building with them. Some of the vendors will be permanent and others will vary week to week. Smith wants there to be new merchandise in the store all the time so people will come back.

The Smiths would like college kids to both consign their clothes and shop.

“How cool is it going to be for people coming in from out of state to see our fashion, trade with our fashions, make some money while they are at school and do fundraisers and things like that,” Smith said.p>

Smith would like to someday have a cafe on the mezzanine where future artists could put their art work up and sell it with no cost to the artist for the space.
“I am working with other vendors to put in a cookie counter and a cafe,” Smith said.

Smith also wants to start a program called shopping dollars (rather than gift cards) that people can use to buy products at the united building. He hopes with the shopping dollars he will have more repeat business. The hours of operation of the store are meant to draw people in who are going to the downtown area for dinner and drinks.

Starting this fall semester, Students at Missouri Western will be able to dive into the new language for three credits if they so choose. If they are able to pass the course, then they can take the advanced courses just like the other foreign languages.

“The idea is for it to be the same sequent as the other languages,” Foreign Language Coordinator and French Professor Susan Hennessy said. “In the spring semester they will be able to take the next class.”

The new class will be sponsored by the Fullbright Grant. This grant helps colleges and professors help establish programs and pay for them so a college can have the opportunity to adopt a new language to teach.

“The goal is to help schools establish programs,” Hennessy said. “They will cover all the cost.”

Hennessy also said students have been asking for this language for a few years, and with more Chinese students arriving on campus, the school decided to go ahead with the plans.

This class will be available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. until 1:50 p.m. as well as 2 p.m. until 2:50 p.m. The new language will also be available from 6 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. on Monday and Thursday.

Students have been worrying why they can only take one class of language when a student needs at least six credits of foreign language for some majors, but Hennessy said that there will definitely be more courses. She said it didn’t make much sense to add the advanced classes when no students could sign up for it right now.

Junior Aaron Smullin said while there is no guarantee he is going to take the class, he thinks it is a great idea for the new language to be on campus and that he is interested in learning Chinese.

“I never personally had the opportunity to take Chinese,” Smullin said. “It will be something different.

Smullin, a Public Relations major, said he didn’t plan on taking much of the course however. He knows it will be difficult as does Hennessy, who stressed that students have to take this course seriously and try hard because the level of difficulty is far more than the other languages offered at Western.

Also offered in this course will be the study of the culture, foods and the way of life in China and surrounding areas. Anybody interested in taking the course will be able to understand the characters and put them to use in variety of sentences.

Many schools in the midwest are starting to teach Chinese, with Kansas University even offering a major in the language. The culture is rising and now Western will be able to learn more about it.

“First and foremost it is a language course,” Hennessy said.

Perhaps after that, students will likely have a better understanding of the life in China, and that is something Western is really excited about.

The President of WAC, Keisha Caldwell, is not only involved in WAC but also plays a role as a program assistant in the Center for Multicultural Education. This places her in a unique position to represent students in both organizations.

“I know what my constituents want and I represent them and their interest,” Caldwell said. She admits that she used to be very shy and claims that serving others has helped her to overcome shyness. It was the second semester of her freshman year when she went to her first WAC meeting. “I loved it and I never left,” Caldwell said.

Q: What attracted you to this line of work?
A: When I first started going to MWSU I attended CME programs and really enjoyed them. I particularly like the way the program challenged my thinking. Before you go to college you have the influence of how you parents have molded you into what they want you to be, what they want you to think, who your friends should be, and what school they want you to go to. The CME programs challenged me to think for myself.

Q: Which black leader would you say is your role model?
A: It actually changed over time; right now it is Harriet Jacobs. I went to a play depicting her life story. She is my current role model because even with years of sexual harassment from her slave master she held strong and never gave in to him. While watching the play I realized, as a black woman, I have choices.

Q: In what way do you think black leaders have had the most impact on society?
A: The greatest impact has been the civil rights issues that were championed by Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Reverend Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, and President Obama; they laid the foundation to where we are today.

Q: In the last ten years, how do you think black leaders have affected America?
A: There are really so many. Even lately I heard that Rev. Al Sharpton went on a hunger strike and lost 40 pounds to bring attention to his cause. For me it is more local. The CME organization has changed me and others by creating good leaders.

Q: How was the election of the first black president affected your life?
A: I was a sophomore when President Obama was elected. I will always remember being in the CME as we experienced him taking office. I thought to myself, how he is taking power in my lifetime. I get to experience it.

Q: What does it take to be a black leader in America?
A: You must be strong and stick to the basics principles you know are right. Speak for your constituents.

Q: What do you hope students/people in general learn from Black History Month?
A: I hope they will continue to learn about black history past February. This month should wet their appetite to learn all year long.

Q: What do you feel is the most important aspect of multicultural studies?
A: It enables you to think outside of what you know and were raised with. You can find out about others and learn from other culture believe and think.

Q: What do you believe is/was the biggest impact black leaders have had on society?
A: The opportunity to educate yourself has had the biggest impact but a close second is the right to vote.

I went to Center for Multicultural Education programs beforehand and I really liked the types of programs they provide to students regarding diversity, so this definitely grabbed my into being in the office and coming up here and talking to whoever was here.

Which black leader would you say is your role model?

Harriet Jacobs. She was born into slavery and her family were slaves. I saw a play last semester – it was a trip that was provided by the Center for Multicultural Education, and the play depicted her life. She was sexually harassed by her master and she stood strong against him. She stood up against him and wasn’t afraid of him. She made the choice to have two children by a white male lawyer and to make her master stop harassing her, but he didn’t. So she pretended to escape to the north, but really she was in her grandmother’s attic for several years. Learning about her story made me appreciate being a young black woman with choices. Back then if you were a black woman, you didn’t have choices. You didn’t have rights. You didn’t have anything to protect you. You didn’t have leverage or anything like that. Her story truly made me appreciate the choices I can make.

In what way do you think that black leaders have had the most impact on society?

Our black leaders are educated and articulate and that they are promoting change in our community and inspiring young black men and women to follow in their steps and push forward. So, to have our very first black President has definitely impacted our community. You have various leaders that have given people in communities that are probably known as statistics; you’re giving them hope. So, they’ve definitely impacted our community.

In the last ten years, how do you think black leaders have affected America?

I think they’ve brought about issues, certain issues in the black community, such as poverty. I don’t think anybody has truly paid attention to poverty in the past 10 years, especially during the 1980s during the whole drug reign. Of course I wasn’t born until the last year of the 80s, but I read up on my history. You would go into the communities and see black people strung out on drugs but nobody really got down to how this was happening. So over the past 10 or even 20 years, you’re starting to see people be aware of issues like poverty. It’s one of the biggest things, as well as education.

How was the election of the first black president effected your life?

That was just amazing. I was a sophomore at the time, a sophomore here. And I remember seeing the “Vote or Shut Up” campaign where they had rallies and events. The night that President Obama was elected, we were over in the CSE watching it. It definitely impacted me because there was so much student participation, no matter what race you were. There were so many students involved in that election, it was amazing. I don’t know how to describe the initial feeling of it. I almost cried when he was delivering his speech. It just gave you hope that you can go above and beyond. In the past there’s always been a white president. Never have you seen a color or anything like that. Now that President Obama is president, you’re starting to see more people of color involved in politics. I truly appreciate that. Him being elected definitely gave me hope that I can go above and beyond what people say is possible. He made the impossible possible.

What does it take in your opinion to be a black leader in America?

You definitely have to stay true to your morals. Because if you’re not, then nobody that helped you get to where you are is going to believe in you anymore. You’ve just got to have integrity and be true to yourself and true to your constituents. Also, you definitely have got to be willing to speak up for yourself. You have to stand up for what you believe in and be an advocate for your community. You need to speak about the true issues at hand. Don’t push your own agenda, push what your constituents want. Know their wants and needs and what your wants and needs are.

What do you hope students or people in general can learn from Black History Month?

I would hope that they would want to learn more about black history beyond Black History Month because, being involved in education and being a student, I only hear about black history during Black History Month. I want black history to be an actual class on this campus. I’ve talked to Dr. Daffron and she’s looking into it; I really want African-American history to be learned on this campus. I want people to learn, beyond Black History Month, about everything. There’s so many things involved in black history that you just can’t fit everything into 28 days. You just can’t; you can’t fit everything. It has to be brought out. It takes a lot. There’s stuff that I don’t even know. I didn’t know about Harriet Jacobs until a few months ago. I want students to go above and beyond to learn about black history – and not just people that are black. People that are white, people who are Hispanic, people who are Indian – whatever. I want them to go above and beyond and learn about black history because we are on a diverse campus and in order for us to grow we’re going to have to learn about people’s heritage. And I think it’s important that if you are another race, you learn about different race’s heritages.

What do you feel is the most important aspect of multicultural studies?

Learning how to communicate with different cultures. Even beyond the language line, but to learn how to communicate with them, how to talk with them and express things to them. We’re going to be out in the world soon. I’ve noticed here that we are so in our bubbles. It’s expected that if you’re black, you’re going to hang out with black students and if you’re white, you’re going to hang out with white students.  In college, it’s still going on. What happens when you go out into the real world and get a job? What happens if your employer might be a different race from you? So how are you going to talk to them if all your life you’ve been around your own culture? It’s important to learn how to communicate with others, learn how to handle situations, learn how to respect people and  be sensitive to some things that you say. Because what you say, you may think has no power, but it may have power to somebody else.

What do you believe is the biggest impact black leaders have made on society?

I think one, education. When Brown vs. Board of Education was passed, it was definitely influential in integrating schools: allowing black and white students to be all in the same school. I think that was tremendously important because before then, you had schools that were for white students that were funded well, they had busses, they did all this. But then you had black schools – they had poor textbooks: the leftovers from the white schools. They didn’t have any busses – black students had to walk miles just to get to school. For schools to be integrated, I think that was one of the biggest things ever. Back at home, I was a part of the desegregation program where they take inner city kids, who are mostly black, and they go out to suburban county schools. I was able to go to a really good school. That was definitely influential because the St. Louis public school system is not a good school district. It’s so behind, and my mom didn’t tolerate that. She wanted us to get the best education. So when I transferred over to my new school district, I had to catch up. I was behind about two grades. I had to catch up, and I did, and it definitely influenced me to go to college to go even higher to grad school. Brown vs. Board of Education was influential. The second thing is voting. For black people to be allowed to vote, I think that’s one of the biggest rights that we have is to vote and voice your opinion. I make sure any time there’s an election, a primary, a midterm election – I make sure I go out and vote. I don’t care if I don’t know the people on the ballot – I research them. I watch the debates. I look up on the internet who’s the best candidate for me.

What do you hope students learn from your particular organization?

I hope people learn that we are what we call “the grass roots department.” We are small, but we are effective. Last semester we did the “what does it mean to be” series. That series was focused on different social identities so, so we did Latino in America, gay in America, black in America, religious, spiritual in America – we pretty much hit everything. And it was very impacting. People are still talking to this day about “are you going to do a part two?” It was so impacting because you weren’t listening to paid speakers, you were listening to people on this campus talking about their adversities, their struggles, and how they overcame. You listened to students, faculty, staff and community members telling you and relating to you. That, to me, was definitely one of the most impacting programs that we have put on and it cost nothing to put them on. It was so impacting. I want students to come to the CME, come in, talk to us, listen to what we have to say, be involved, because they are really going to need it. They may not think they need it right now, but what we teach you in our program is going to help you out throughout your lifetime. Trust and believe.

What impact do you believe culture has on the way people live and interact?

It definitely affects it. Especially your upbringing – what your parents teach you and your friends. Cluture just has a huge impact on you. Hopefully, like for me, I was growing up in a black household and my mom was very strict on family, and I remember one time I said I hated my sister and she slapped the mess out of me. She said “you never say you hate your sister.” So, family values were truly important. Also, with my culture, my mom taught me that I had to respect everybody else. Don’t use stereotypes, because I hear them a lot. My friends might make a joke about someone being white or black. Of course, we have our own stereotypes. Your culture can definitely bring out good qualities in you, but sometimes people take those qualities and turn them bad. But it’s important that within your culture you learn about other cultures so you know how to act around other people.

MWSU veteran counselor, Steve Potter has been assisting students for more than twenty years and gave advice Friday Jan. 28 about managing stress in a presentation at Eder Hall. The goal was to help students with the stress they encounter every day

 “We do a great deal of class-schedule type counseling or career counseling but our bread and butter is working with students with personal concerns and issues,” Potter said. There are some differences in concerns from freshmen to non-traditional students but the issues are surprisingly similar. “If you are going to lump them into categories there are three, depression, anxiety and stress.”

Potter also pointed out that stress can come from good things such as weddings, buying a car or having a baby. In some cases these otherwise positive events can lead to negative reactions to stress. The key to stress management he said is to react in good productive ways.

“I would like to redo this event at a better time so more students could attend,” event organizer and Non-Trad Program Assistant, Shannon Ebling said. “The event was so full of information that students really need. I found many ideas for overcoming stress in my own life.”

Potter discussed the “ABCD’s” of the mental chain of events in a stress response. The letter “A” is the “activating” event or stressor. The “B” represents what one “believes” about the event whether it is rational or irrational. Next is the “C” or “consequence” that people feel about an event as a result of their perception. Then the “D” is representative of “disputing” an irrational belief to bring out a more positive consequence. An irrational belief, explored in the hand out material, may be that students feel “just can’t stand it” when actually they can.

Jenifer Gawatz attended the event and said, “I will use the ideas learned at this event to overcome some of the stress that I have. I’m going to get a hobby. I need the distraction because I’m dealing with an ex-relationship.” Gawatz also said she would go again if the event is offered.

Many students, according to the literature, fall into the “fairy tale” response category believing that things should be different. Students in this category think that things should always be ideal or the way they want them to be. This type of belief system is not founded in reality and increases stress. Another category labeled as the “Monster” is a belief that there is danger where no actual danger exists. This is sometimes the stress students feel when experiencing test anxiety. 

Students can have the “I’m no good” or “others are no good,” complex. These are overgeneralizations according to Potters literature and they exaggerate normal failures or imperfections. Another stress factory is the “Doomsday” category which tends to make a situation seem more tragic than it is. These individuals make mountains out of mole hills and find stress at every encounter.

The goal of the presentation was to assist students in identifying the stressors in their lives and plan ways to react to those stressors in a positive realistic way. Potter believes that students need to practice relaxation and do it the right way. He has developed a way of identifying stress by measuring hand temperature. Using this detection method he can not only measure stress but also measure how well his clients are relaxing. Potters theory is that improved relaxing methods with practice can lead to stress relief.

Tips For Stress Relief

The following is a summary of ideas conveyed by MWSU Counselor Steve Potter during his recent presentation about stress management.

The first tip for relieving stress is to understanding one’s self. To do this, listen to the body. Students sometimes don’t know when to quit. People can also use feedback from others. Be aware though, sometimes friends won’t tell friends what is wrong with the way they are acting when asked. People have an obligation to be honest with themselves. Students need to set limits by discovering what they can control in their life and what they cannot. Also, they need to watch and learn how they react to situations. It’s best to actually keep notes of how you react and how you feel when situations arise. Then analyze those reactions to see if they are positive or negative.

Next it is necessary to develop healthy attitudes. Positive thinking is not normal for some without practice. This is where counseling can help. It is important for people to accept what they cannot change and realize that they’re human and therefore are not perfect. Everyone needs to learn to love their self as they are without expectations. Many forms of stress come from past experiences or worry about future events. These are negative actions and keep us from living in the present. It is important to recognize the things that have been accomplished and successes fulfilled. Those events need to be celebrated. Students need to realize that leisure time is important and beneficial if used wisely.  Everyone needs to understand that they and their time are limited and they must learn to say no. Nobody can do everything.

Controlling emotions is difficult for some. People need to ask themselves, how do I feel? Then share those feelings with someone who will listen. This is often called venting. When someone is venting it is not necessary to respond just to listen as the one venting gets it out of their system. If there is no person to vent upon then students can often feel better after writing down the event and how it made them feel. This is done by writing letters that never get sent or keeping a journal. The main idea is to not keep those feelings bottled up.  Find a way to express them.

People who want their way all of the time need to think about others and their point of view. It helps to give in once in a while. Not every issue is a “hill to die on.” It is normal to look for those responsible and attach blame to people for situations but this is negative behavior. People need to learn to share their feelings honestly. Always be willing to find new friends. Learn to listen to others and not give advice until they ask. People need to learn to risk love when dealing with close relationships.

It is important to keep a regular sleep schedule, exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals. Caffeine and nicotine increase stress. It may feel better to light up but maybe the time to get away from a situation and think is the real therapy. One of the best tips is just learning to relax. Counselors can help you learn breathing techniques and other activities so a little relaxation can go further. Being overweight is an automatic stressor. It is best to keep weight at a moderate level.

Then there is the age old idea of living one day at a time to enhance healthy living. This gets back to living in the present and not worrying about regrets from the past or possible events from the future. It is important to have alone time along with socializing. Try to be more self reliant so others have less of a chance to let you down. Stress really is relieved by having a hobby. It’s a way to escape the stressful situations for a while. Successful stress managers guard their private alone time and let others know that it is valuable to them. It is important to take vacations and breaks to relieve stress. Keeping a variety of activities is important to maintain balance. Keep in mind that it is best to plan changes and don’t make too many at once. It is best to avoid impulsive changes these cause stress for everyone involved. Overall remember to slow down and relax.

It is rewarding to really enjoy the career successes as they come. People should never fear failure but accept it as a normal part of living. Nothing enhances your career and life like improving your skills. The end result is more confidence and less stress.

<h3>Stress Busters</h3>

Taking Charge

People must to realize that they need to handle the situations they face. Other people can help but they make the necessary changes in their own lives. People are stronger than they think. They need to learn to be responsible for the choices they have made and learn from the situations they cause. They can also learn from the good outcomes of making good decisions and doing the right thing.

Be Realistic

No one can do everything or make everyone happy. Students need to realize their limits and set realistic expectations for themselves. Setting unattainable goals only leads to stress and frustration. People need to learn that it is ok to say no.

Be Flexible

Students should not expect perfection of themselves or others. Making mistakes is normal and if mistakes are expected they can be accepted more readily. People can get along better if they keep an open mind and are tolerant of each other. It doesn’t mean that you have to give up your values to allow someone else to have theirs. It is easier to get along when people replace the need to be right with the need to be kind.

Lighten Up

People need to have a healthy since of humor. Students need to take what they do more seriously and themselves less seriously. Students are more productive, happier, and successful when they have a good since of humor.

Stop your “Stinking Thinking”

Students can enhance their environment by just thinking of things in a more positive way. Many need help with this process and help is available at the MWSU Testing and Counseling office. It is better for all when people stop finding the negative in every situation and focusing on only the bad result of an unfortunate situation. Finding something good is harder but much more productive.

Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude

Students can benefit by learning to take a moment and count their blessings. People need to be more thankful for the good things that happen to them and the good relationships that they have with others. When people keep these ideas in focus it is hard for stress to sneak back into their lives. It is helpful to focus on ways of helping others.

Give yourself a “Helper’s High”

Nothing can make someone feel as good as when they come through for someone else. When they do that thing that means everything to another human being, it gives them strength to overcome their own stress. People who have never experienced this “High” need to volunteer or do something so they can get this experience. It could change their life.

Take Good Care of Your Body

As much as people need to take this advice it is more important now than ever. Medication for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and stress are the top three prescriptions written today. Most doctors agree that most could get off of their medication if they just learned to diet and exercise properly. Cigarettes, caffeine, sugar, alcohol and illicit drugs are stress enhancers. Rest is essential for good stress management and good health.

Love Yourself and Everyone You Meet

People need to know that it is ok to love themselves. It is equally important to love others as well as they love themselves. It may sound corny or religious but without love those feelings of loneliness, despair and stress increase exponentially. Students need to learn to risk loving others.

Find the Bless in the Mess

People and situations will disappoint us. It is a given. As people focus on being more open honest and positive it should become easier to overcome the stress related to disappointment. Students can apply this to their lives by learning to expect disappointment and planning how to handle it in a healthy way that doesn’t increase stress in their lives.

Live in the Present

People are healthier when they learn to “give it up,” or “let go of it.” Holding on to something from the past only serves to enhance stress. As well, worrying about something that may never happen is equally destructive. Only when people learn to enjoy where and when they are can they loosen the bondage of stress.

Get Social

People are most healthy and stress free when they feel real bonds to others. It is healthy to share life’s little moments with others even if it is funny or embarrassing it only invites others to share and increase bonds and connections that can fight feelings of loneliness and stress.

Don’t settle for paying for your entire education, step up. Get educated on how to earn financial aid and start the process now.

The first step to applying for scholarships is becoming knowledgeable about what scholarships will apply to you. To do this it’s best to make a list of all your qualifications.

Dividing this list into sections will come in handy later, too. Start with a section of every extra-curricular activity you have ever been involved with. Make a separate list of activities from high school and college as some scholarships are interested in both of these, while others are strictly going to look at activities from college.

Make sure you include sports you’ve participated in, clubs inside and outside of school, volunteer work, out of class projects, church activities, jobs, awards you’ve won, and any honors you’ve received.

While being well rounded does look good on scholarships this is not the only thing scholarship boards consider, don’t discourage yourself if your list of extracurricular activities isn’t a mile long.

The next list to make is a list of your goals for the future, academically and personally. If you have any interest in different careers outside of your major write those down, too. Many scholarships are willing to offer scholarship money in return for work, such as substitute teaching.

It’s also smart to keep in mind your place of employment if you have a job; some employers offer scholarships to college students if they continue work during college.

To be able to apply for all the scholarships that pertain to you it’s also necessary to be familiar with what ethnicity your family members are, and where they attended college, if that applies. Virtually all schools give scholarships and financial aid to students with alumni family members or parents.

To apply for scholarships most effectively, it’s best to be confident and know what you have to offer before filling anything out. It’s also not a bad idea to have a teacher or student advisor proofread all your essays and make sure your information is up to date.

Applying for scholarships is made into an easy process by most colleges and universities. Like other schools, Missouri Western has an easy access page, which allows students to apply for scholarships on a broad scale by filling out general information about classes, GPA, qualifications and interest.

To access this link, on the Missouri Western home page, under the “current students” tab, click “financial aid.” On this page if you follow the “scholarships/grants” link, the general scholarship form will be available. Just select either “new students” or continuing students” accordingly and begin your process.

Under the financial aid section there are also links to help you with all other financial aid questions. Don’t procrastinate on finding financial aid, most scholarships are due at the same time as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is March 1.

The 4th Annual Global Women’s Leadership Summit, which will be held April 9, 10, and 11, is a chance for both women and men to understand gender roles in today’s society and ultimately better themselves as people. The summit, sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education, will cost $20 for students and $30 for non-students and is themed “Girl, Woman, Lady, A Trilogy of Self Worth.” It will consist of keynote speakers, workshops for both men and women, a fashion show and a special event entitled “A Walk in Her Shoes.”

In this special event, MWSU male students and faculty will walk around a track in a pair of women’s shoes in an act to stop domestic abuse and gender violence.

CME Director Tay Triggs explained how this Women’s Summit is very unique and will give both men and women something to meditate on and ultimately better themselves as individuals.

“There are a lot of reasons why it would be beneficial for students and the general St. Joseph community to come to the summit,” Triggs said. “I believe that more and more we need to start developing our students holistically; meaning mind, body and soul. I don’t think we do that well and concentrate on students developing completely.”

Among developing students in this particular manner, the summit also plans on building unity. Every year the summit organizers survey and talk to students asking what type of women issues and conflicts they see.

“Sometimes we get really negative feedback on what the women on this campus think of each other,” Triggs said. “We tend to be really clickish. That’s really sad because we are missing out on some great relationships and friendships that we can be building. In order for women to get past all the atrocities we are facing, we need each other. There must be some sense of global sisterhood.”

For this year’s summit, multiple students and members of the community have already purchased their tickets. The last day to sign up for the women’s summit is April 6. Missouri Western freshman Danielle Davis plans to attend the event and is excited about the issues the summit will cover.

“I think it’s a good idea to have the summit because it gives women the opportunity to gain confidence and self esteem in becoming who you are,” Davis said. “I plan to attend because I want to learn how I can better myself.”

Western freshman Brandonne Primous adds input from the male perspective.

“It’s good to learn what women think and their point of view,” Primous said. “You can also learn self-worth.”

To purchase tickets contact the CME (816-271-4540), Tay Triggs (ttriggs@missouriwestern.edu) or Western student LaShoya Harper (lharper@missouriwestern.edu).

Campus Parking
According to the Missouri Western State University Parking and Security Services, residential students must park in their assigned lots from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and off campus students, campus workers and professors can park anywhere but the residential parking lots during the same time. If you break these rules, you will get a ticket of $25. Both Western on and off-campus students haven’t been satisfied with the parking regulations and space.
Residential Assistant Clarisha Blaylock talks about current parking issues. “Students are always fighting for parking spaces,” Blaylock said. “[Campus Police] should be more lenient since they know the parking is bad.”
So, campus residents have to decide whether leaving campus is worth losing a decent spot. Sophomore Sarah McClure who lives on campus, knows the importance of being parked in a good place.
“It’s impossible to find a spot remotely close after you leave, “ McClure said. “Parking spots are very valued here.”

Attendance Policy
Certain students like Sophomore Jeff Daniels wonder if the strict attendance policy is really necessary, especially with department policies being even more strict. Take some classes in the Art Department for example that clarify that after three absences, your grade will be dropped by a full letter.
“If you’re doing the work, it shouldn’t matter if you show up or not,” Daniels said. “It’s still your job to do the work, though. You still have to earn it.”

Student Fees
Students have to pay for classes, yet also have to pay certain fees along with the billing process. Last year’s $75 facility access fee has doubled to $150 this year, which Senior Kelly Findley is not hip on paying for.
“I already have a class over in [the Baker Center], so I shouldn’t have to pay to use the building when I have to be there for class anyway,” Findley said.
Other expensive fees include $60 for Max Experience and for Student Governing Association and a $45 computer intensive course fee per class. The technology fee is for classes that are held in a computer lab. Senior Luke Akers believes it is to make up for the money they could have gotten with the recycling fee had the student body not voted against it last spring.
“We were given the choice to pay the recycling fee or not,” Akers said. “Yet when we turned it down, they added the technology fee anyway without telling us. The whole point was that we didn’t want to pay any more fees. All I’m saying is that they didn’t have to be so sneaky about it.”
Professor of Journalism and Yearbook Advisor Ann Thorne agrees with Akers when it comes to the late introduction of the fee. Some of her courses, like Introduction to Mass Communication, do not use the computers very often. So in order for her students to avoid paying the $45 in those classes, she quickly switched her classrooms from Murphy Hall to Wilson Hall.
“The faculty didn’t know about the computer fee until right before school started,” Thorne said. “Had I had known about it sooner, I could have scheduled my classes that don’t need computers to rooms without them since we pick our rooms a year in advance.”

Required Meal Plan
Western residents must also pay for a meal plan while living on campus. McClure is against the mandatory meal plan and thinks it’s probably cheaper to buy groceries instead.
“I have the smallest meal plan and I still don’t eat that much,” McClure said.
Then again, Blaylock understands from a financial standpoint why a student wouldn’t want to pay for a meal plan; however, she feels there is a valid purpose for it.
“From a residential life point of view, I think it is important to ensure that everybody on campus will eat if they need to,” Blaylock said. “You never know what people’s financial situations are. At the end of the day, if you don’t have any money but you’re living here, you can still eat. It’s for our own good.”

Campus Living Rules
On-campus residents can hang out with friends of the same sex and the opposite sex until midnight. After that, any classmates or visitors of the other gender have to leave the building according to the Residence Hall Guide. Spencer thinks college students should be allowed to have anybody over, no matter what their sex is. Some students aren’t patient enough and don’t like to fill out the worksheet to check in themselves and visitors to their assigned halls. Head Softball Coach Jen Bagley puts into perspective why checking in is important and uses a saying that could be used for everyday life.
“Would you rather stand in line to check in or not and find a stranger in your room? Bagley questioned. “Taking the two minutes to check in sounds a lot less worse. That’s why we need to guard against the worst case scenario.”

English professor Cynthia Jeney has been involved with Study Away since 2008 and this spring she will bring her English 361: Tales & Legends of King Arthur class to England. Jeney believes Traveling abroad is really the only way to cultivate a cosmopolitan mind; however she is aware that each person experiences their trips abroad in a unique and personal way.

“My hope is to open those emotional and mental conduits, so that students will truly be able to capitalize on the wonder and the fascination of their travel destination,” said Jeney.
Jeney also offers a bit of advice to students interested in traveling.

“Arrive in new places with open eyes, heart and mind. This kind of enriched travel is a privilege and an exciting way to immerse yourself in language, culture, ideas, history and different societies,” said Jeney.

Student Kelly Findley has studied abroad in Greece, Italy, Croatia and London. Her favorite part is seeing other countries and trying their foods. She thinks it’s important to take advantage of these opportunities, but to always stay focused on your assignments.

“Always realize that school comes first and you are there to learn,” said Findley.

Findley also reminds students that simple common sense can make a trip run that much more smoothly. She advises not to bring anything you would miss if it were lost, be nice to the locals and be prepared for the work that lies ahead.

Studying abroad does present some challenges since it is different from traditional learning in the United States. The program encourages students to engage in a self-assessment of their strengths and weaknesses before enrolling.  This helps to determine the type of studying best suited for the student.

Director of Study Abroad and Exchange Programs, James MacGregor thinks the impact of globalization is everywhere and the best way to gain understanding is through personal experience which studying abroad can offer many students. Not to mention it looks great on a resume or graduation school application.

“It is essential for all students to understand the similarities and differences between themselves and other people around the world,” said MacGregor.

The first step to getting involved in these programs is by asking your teachers about possible trips, visiting the Study Away office in Popplewell Hall room 203, or by checking out the website at www.missouriwestern.edu/studyabroad.

Baum graduated from Western last year, with a B.A. in Convergent Media.

“She was one of the most hard working and dynamic students in convergent media because she enjoys the potential of it,” Professor Kenneth Rosenauer said. “She has lots of talent and I’m sure some day I’ll say, ‘I knew her when.’”

Baum is now attending grad school courses at the University of Kansas, and working at Smallcakes, a Kansas City area cupcakery. Their store and staff were featured on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Challenge” twice, and Baum was able to go on the second appearance.

“I was very excited,” Baum said. “It was pretty hard. The network people are helpful but the challenges are real.”

If they had won the challenge, one of the rewards would have been the opportunity to host a Grammy Nominee luncheon. Their motto for the event was “go big or go home,” so they accepted the challenge of making cupcakes to a rock and roll theme. The ingredient options offered by the network were selected considering that theme. They selected potato chips and beer.

“We made potato chip cupcakes with a chocolate stout frosting which has real beer in it,” Baum said. “All the judges liked them; we were surprised when they said we were selected to go home.”

Not all the news is bad though. The store has received over 40 e-mails of support from viewers who claim that Smallcakes was robbed. The exposure the team received from the television program did get the attention of Beautiful Brands International (BBI).

They have signed a contract to market Smallcakes as one of their nationally offered franchises. The Kansas City area stores will train all of the future employees of the new stores planned for Florida and other states across America in the near future. Two of the stores are in Kansas, and a third opening in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

“You can’t really help but smile when eating a cupcake,” said Jeff Martin, owner of Smallcakes, in a recent news release. “That’s really the idea behind Smallcakes; we wanted to provide a product to families and individuals where they can experience joy and happiness all by eating a cupcake. We’re thrilled that we can join with Beautiful Brands to take our successful business and expand it worldwide.”

The television program was filmed at Food Network’s studio in L.A., but Baum has even more plans for the city of L.A. She is moving there in August to attend school.

“I want to become an actress,” Baum said. “This experience cemented my desire to go to school in Los Angeles.”

“It’s just such a hard sport that you can’t ever perfect it,” Feist said. “I mean, you can go undefeated in basketball for a season, but you’ll never win every single tournament you play. Tiger’s probably the best that’s ever lived, and he wins maybe 50 percent of the tournaments he plays in. it’s just something that you’ll never perfect. You’re always faced with really tough shots on the course. The reward to actually hitting the shot how you’re trying to hit it, and the result ending up good.”

Last summer, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, Feist had to take a nine month break from golf. He’s now preparing for his first season back, after receiving a medical red shirt last season. The NCAA allows players with injuries and illnesses to sit out a season with the red shirt distinction.

“I took a lot of time off,” Feist said. “I stopped playing at the beginning of August for the first surgery and I didn’t really play until the following May. I’d never taken that much time off from golf. Ever.”

In June 2009, Feist began to suffer from unexplained back pain.

“I went to the chiropractor like five different times in two weeks, and it didn’t help at all,” Feist said. “It was really bad pain, the worst I’ve ever had before. Other than that, I completely felt fine.”

Feist knew that the back pain was linked to something more serious; a couple of weeks earlier, he had found a lump in one of his testicles.

“I had kind of looked up on the internet after I found the lump, and was like ‘uh-oh,’” Feist said. “But at the same time, I’m like ‘No, that can’t be it.’ Being 21, you don’t really think you’re going to have cancer.”

Feist knew, however, what his eventual diagnosis would be. All of his internet research pointed him to cancer.

“It was kind of a surprised to think that that’s what it could be,” he said.

After being diagnosed on July 22, 2009, Feist went through months of treatment. His first surgery, on Aug. 3, removed the effected testicle. This operation is called an orchiectomy. After the surgery, he went through 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Following the chemotherapy, effected lymph nodes were still found in his belly and aorta. His doctors were not sure how to handle his treatment.

“I was not a by-the-book case,” Feist said. “They originally sent us home, thinking I was going to start another two cycles of chemotherapy.”

Feist’s doctors contacted Lawrence Einhorn of the University of Indiana, a prominent specialist in the testicular cancer field.

“He is one of the doctors that treated Lance Armstrong,” Feist said. “He’s like the specialist in the United States about this cancer.”

Einhorn suggested that Feist’s doctors wait before performing any surgery. The wait might allow the lymph nodes to die off on their own. Feist’s doctors waited two weeks before operating. During eight hours of surgery, they removed 40 lymph nodes from Feist’s abdomen. They were all dead. The lymph node in the aorta was left.

“The lymph node in my aorta is in such a tricky place to get to, that they didn’t take it out,” Feist said.

At Feist’s most recent check-up his doctor labeled him as “cured.” This is obviously great news to the golfer, who is more than ready to start the new season. He has been playing as much as possible since treatment, and feels he is now in the same shape he was before the cancer. Feist has worked hard to redevelop his skills.

“I lost a lot of weight: a little bit through chemo and most of it through my second surgery,” he said. “Just the effects from that and rebuilding your muscles. It was weird to swing a golf club; you almost lost muscle memory. It took a while to get it back. But now there’s not any difference than what it used to be.”

While he is physically the same as he was before treatment, he does feel that some things have changed.

“Nothing like this had ever hit my family; never really had any disease or anything like that,” Feist said. “No heart attacks, nothing. I’d never dealt with it before. I guess I’m kind of more aware of things like that. I think I’m better prepared to handle it.”

Feist also has a different outlook on life off the golf course.

“You kind of realize you have to take your opportunities when you can get them,” he said. “If you have an opportunity to go on a trip that’s kind of once in a lifetime, you better figure out a way to do it. If I have the opportunity to do something that’s not ‘everyday,’ then I try to do it.”

Testicular cancer is most prevalent in males between the ages of 18 and 34. Feist wishes to spread the education that he does not feel he had on the topic.

“I was kind of mad because I wasn’t really educated,” he said. Even though you have physicals every two years for sports, like in high school, I was never really told. I didn’t know what they were looking for, you know?”

Feist especially wishes to get the word out to his fellow athletes.

“They’re so stubborn,” he said. “Recognize things that could be harmful. Pain that’s not caused by something is not normal. Obviously if you hit your knee on somebody else’s knee at basketball practice, you obviously know where that came from. My back pain came out of nowhere. It’s just not normal. Don’t be so stubborn.”

“We want our organization to grow,” McMinn said. “As it stands, we do not have many members, and honestly it’s a little strange. We believe we don’t have many because students see us as partisan, but we’re not. If anything, that is the most important point. We are about critical and current issues facing our country, our school and our families. We believe everyone has the right to be informed and we provide the information for free.”
The organization is not just sitting around talking about local legislation or issues we are facing today; the organization is becoming involved with charities in the area.
“We actually had a fairly decent fundraiser right before the Christmas break,” Judd said. “About $180 was raised and we donated tons and tons of socks and underwear, hats, gloves and all kinds of things we had took in.”
The Missouri Western Democrats are not a picky bunch. Anyone is allowed to attend the meetings even if they are not a member. The main goal for this organization is to introduce politics to the students with the hopes the students will understand what is happening in the world.
“People kind of have a stigma about politics and about government, but particularly it is something that affects us as students,” Johnson said. “There is so much that is happening in legislation with about education. That affects us and if you get involved, whether you are Republican or Democrat, chances are you can do more about it.”
The students involved with this newly formed organization have a plan to take it to a new level. It is slow to become recognized on campus, but the students are handing out flyers and posting everything they can on bulletin boards in hopes to create a stronger following.
“Right now, since we just started, we have eight official members,” Johnson said. “I am hoping to get more because once I leave and the rest of the board graduates next year that we have a strong core that can continue. Democrats have kind of come and gone on campus, so I am hoping we will have a stronger following, especially with the presidential election after I am gone.”
The organization is consistent on their meetings. Order is a major part of what goes into politics and the Missouri Western Democrats have not missed a beat.
“We meet twice a month every month,” Johnson said. “We do one educational meeting and one social meeting. We meet in Spratt 205 every other Monday at 7:30 P.M. our next meeting will be on April 4 and then April 18. We will then have a final meeting which will just be a get together and start making plans for next semester.”
The organization will not be handled just during the school year; the official members will stay in touch and work out details on events for the fall.
“The great thing about working with the community Democrats is they keep us together,” Johnson said. “They keep events going for us. We participate back and forth throughout the summer, we go to their events and they come to ours. They also help with advertisement and keeping it going in circulation because they have more channels and connections then we do.”

The obvious and undeniable star of the show is Steve Catron as Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is an awful, selfish, crotchety old man, but he’s also the protagonist of the story. The audience has to love him despite all of his faults. Catron pulls this off wonderfully, bringing a level of humor to Scrooge’s character that I did not expect. Catron has been equally impressive in his past roles at Western, especially in “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” last year, but this role allowed him to shine in such a different way. Instead of playing a character role like in “Laughter” or a completely straight role as he did in “Phantom” and “Romeo and Juliet,” Catron’s role as Scrooge combined humor and seriousness into a great, involving experience for the audience.

Erin Williams was perfectly cast as the Spirit of Christmas Past. Her jovial character was very much like a female Santa, and I do mean that in a complimentary way. Watching her munch on popcorn during a serious scene between Scrooge of 21 and Belle added comic relief to the moment without distracting too much from the scene the audience should be focusing on.

The abovementioned serious scene accomplished everything that it should have: it intrigued the audience, making us want to know more about Scrooge and Belle’s relationship, and it highlighted the great talents of Jeremy Edwards as Scrooge and Morgan Robinson as Belle. I wouldn’t mind watching a spin-off play featuring those two characters one bit.

Jeff Jones’ take on the Spirit of Christmas Present was especially memorable. His elaborate costume, complete with a sort of Carmen Miranda headpiece, was amazing, and perfectly represented the opulence that is traditionally associated with his character. Jones’ jolly laugh rang throughout the theatre, making me absolutely believe that he was capable of spreading the Christmas cheer his character threw around in handfuls of glitter.

The moments with the Cratchit family were sweet and moving. Sebastian Smith, as Bob Cratchit, was a definite standout. Smith conveyed to the audience the complicated nature of Bob’s character well. From his very first scene, I could see the struggle and hope in Smith’s face, which I believe are qualities inherent to poor Bob’s character. Bob’s constant cheeriness makes his eventual breakdown all the more moving, and Smith pulled off this transition well.

My one complaint about the production involves the set. I loved the overall idea, and thought that the pop-up book feeling of the set was well-executed and really enhanced the magical feeling of the show. However, I know that the whole audience was not able to see all parts of the stage equally because of protruding set pieces. I was sitting stage center left in row 7, and I had a hard time seeing the entrance of the Spirit of Christmas Present. His entrance was dramatic, and I would have loved to have seen the whole thing. I know that audience members sitting further stage left than I was couldn’t see it at all, and they really missed out.

In the scheme of the whole play, that detail hardly matters. Henry and his cast absolutely succeeded in bringing Christmas spirit to Missouri Western. Everyone should go see the show before leaving for break; it runs this weekend and next weekend. For specific showtimes, visit the Theatre & Cinema website. In the words of Tiny Tim, “Merry Christmas, everyone.”

Henry, who has worked with children in the past but not on stage, has said having kids in the play has been quite an experience.

“Adding children to a show could be a nightmare, but in my sense, it’s kind of a wonderful experience when you see them do it right on stage,” Henry said.

Some may think having rug rats running around the theater would be a hassle, which is why some of the college students were deemed “kid wranglers.” They make sure the younger actors are where they are supposed to be and that they have their props. And, because Henry wanted the show to be kid-oriented, the kid wranglers also make sure the children assigned to a prop are putting them in correct spots during scene changes.

“They can be a handful because, you know, they’ll miss their cues, or they won’t go on stage and so you got to kind of sit on the kids and say ‘OK, you have to pay attention,’” Sebastian Smith, who plays Bob Cratchit, said.

For the most part, though, the children are where they need to be. Fortunately, they have their lines down, but that’s not necessarily hardest part about working with kids, Henry said. The children are not allowed to look into the crowd, which can be difficult for them.

“It’s not the lines — they get the lines better than the adults because they go home and work them,” Henry said. “They’re wanting to see acknowledgment, and they also want to make sure if something happens that I see it.

“I make the adult actors, if they break character, do 25 pushups, so as a joke we said we would started making them [the children] do five pushups if they look at me.”

No, Henry doesn’t make them do pushups. However, in order for the actors to bond with the younger ones, the Cratchits sit and hang out in the same area — which the children have no problems with. Smith, who plays the father of the Cratchits, always finds his Tiny Tims, Zephaniah Siebler and Anna Bracciano, on his lap.

Smith believes bonding is a very important aspect of working with kids.

“You do build a bond with them, and with children you have to — you have to build a bond because they can’t fake that, they have to have that basis of reality in order to really bond with you [on stage].”

Seven-year-old Zephaniah, who has been taking singing lessons for the play, feels like he has a good relationship with his “family.”

“I’m friends with my whole play family, and rehearsals are fun,” Zeph said.

Nine-year-old Anna, who played Penny the Dalmatian in the play “101 Dalmatians,” is also having fun during rehearsals and is excited about her solo. She has also really become her character as Bob’s son so much that she doesn’t call him “Sebastian,” but something else more appropriate.

“I call him ‘Daddy’ because it’s just easier,” Anna said.

Smith goes with it, following Anna when she grabs his hand to go toward the stage calling him “Father.” Smith has had to deal with some “fatherly-type questions” with his pretend sons as well as take care of a few of their needs.

“Tying shoes is in my job description,” Smith said, while he tied Zeph’s shoelaces.

Smith has had a good time being on the set and believes all the children in the play are talented, fun and have been doing well so far. He also said he will miss working with the kids once the plays are over.

“Overall, it’s been a very rewarding experience to work with the entire cast,” Smith said. “I’m probably going to have some attachment issues after I have to say goodbye to these little kids and never see them again.”

The director of the production, Theatre & Cinema assistant professor Dallas Henry, took the challenge of casting this multi-actor character head-on.

“In this production there’s four opportunities for four different Scrooges, and how they run off as one … I love that visual of that happening,” he said. “He runs off one side and then he runs back in and he’s older, so we kind of get that transition.”

Henry referred to the cinematic quality of these transitions, which is heightened by the actors’ differences in appearance.

“You see the height difference in each one, which is kind of fun to see,” he said. “And transitions, as far as, when they don’t have facial hair, and then they have facial hair. You look from the time that Jeremy comes out, and then you see Steve there, so you see the transition of how he’s aged.”

To age Steve Catron, the actor playing the oldest Scrooge, Henry is bringing in a makeup designer from the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, his alma mater. Catron is not excited to get to this part of his costume.

“While I am excited to see me in old-age, I’m more not liking the fact that I have to take it on and off every night. I am not looking forward to that. At all.”

Catron is actually 20, but, according to him, playing a man forty years older than he hasn’t been much of a challenge.

“Elderly is nothing; if you’re good at doing what you’re doing you can play any age,” he said. “Some people can’t pull it off. For some reason, I look awkward enough to play an old guy. Plus I just throw in an old accent and that’s it, that’s Scrooge.”

Henry thinks that there’s a little more to Catron’s performance than Catron’s simple explanation.

“Steve is a wonderful actor,” Henry said. “What Steve brought to the table, is he brought the comedy to Scrooge. That’s amazing. I think people see him as a one-dimensional kind of guy, and you have to find all these other levels to him.”

Henry really wanted this production of “A Christmas Carol” to be different than some productions that focus only on the sad side of the story. Catron has helped Henry achieve this goal.

“Steve has added this wonderful comedy,” Henry said. “He can be scared, but you laugh at the way he delivers it. He puts a spin on it that no one else, I think, could do. You believe Steve. When he’s in character, you believe he’s 60 or he’s 50.”

Henry applauded Kiefer Helsel, who plays Scrooge at the age of 13, on his ability to find the youth that his character needed. Helsel looked to his past for inspiration.

“I’m pre-pubescent Scrooge,” he said. “Let me go revisit my boyhood.”

The youngest Scrooge, however, is played by five year old Ian Rhoad. Rhoad’s father, Johnathan, is an assistant professor in the chemistry department. Rhoad actually plays several small roles in the play, but his favorite is Young Scrooge because he gets to sing a song about baby Jesus. Rhoad’s method of getting into character is relatively simple.

“Oh, I don’t know. I just focus on the play,” he said.

Jeremy Edwards’ role of Scrooge at 21 rounds out the Scrooge character. Henry is very happy with his decision to cast Edwards in this role.

“As far as Jeremy, I would like to say he’s come such a long way as an actor in this piece,” Henry said.  “He’s rooted. Sometimes he’s a little character, but in this one he’s rooted; he’s an ingénue as Scrooge.”

Edwards is excited to take full advantage of the opportunity he’s been given with this role. His favorite scene is the last scene in Act I, where Scrooge is left by his love, Belle.

“I like that scene because it’s something I’ve never been asked to portray as an actor before,” Edwards said. “I’ve done the love story, and I’ve done the best friend, and all that. I’ve never been the person being dumped.”

Edwards has been working very hard to make sure that the Scrooges, especially his and Catron’s, are believable as one person, just at different ages.

“I’ve been trying to watch Steve’s performance especially,” Edwards said, “to see how when he’s sitting at the desk and what he’s doing, where his rigidness is, mainly to keep this character believable; that this is the same character, which is an amazing challenge.”

Scrooge is famous for being an unlikeable character, but it’s important that the audience at least sympathizes with him. Henry was well-aware of this challenge.

“I think you’re up against a wall with Scrooge. He’s the protagonist, and you have to like him, but you hate him,” he said.

Henry purposefully cast especially likeable and charismatic actors in the younger Scrooge roles.

“You have to make the characters around him loveable, then you’re like ‘Oh, he was a great guy at one time,’” he said. “You have to have people who you like. Young little Ian is like 5 years old, and he’s adorable. Then Kiefer has that great look; you know, he’s a great-looking guy. And then Jeremy looks young, so you kind of fall in love with these guys, and then you see Scrooge and you go ‘What happened?’”

Catron has worked so much to stay in character on-stage that his Scroogeyness has filtered into his everyday life. Henry mentioned that he sees Catron slip into the Scrooge character while he is playing other characters in acting class.

“When you play something for a long enough time, sometimes it just comes out of you,” Catron said. “Yeah, the weird, old, cranky bastard comes out of me sometimes.”

Bob Cratchit is the father of the loving family, and director Dallas Henry believes Bob Cratchit is such an iconic role in “A Christmas Carol” because he’s a character that everybody is already in love with. Henry took this into account when casting Sebastian Smith as Bob.

“Sebastian has this wonderful voice,” Henry said. “When he came and auditioned he was instantly Bob Cratchit to me – you just can’t be mean to him.”

This will be Smith’s first time on the stage at Western, and he is really excited and hopes to make a good impression. Smith said it’s not hard at all for him to get in the mindset of Bob.

“Being poor wasn’t hard to imagine; I am a college student, so I don’t know anything else,” Smith said.  “Dealing with Scrooge isn’t hard for me — everyone has had a mean boss or professor that you just had to deal with.”

Bob was an easy pick for Henry. However, he said it was difficult casting the other members of the Cratchit family because there are five others. What he didn’t expect, though, was that he would cast college students as the sons and daughters.

“I always imagined the Cratchits being kids, but when our students came in and auditioned, they did a great job,” Henry said.

Chance Umstattd, who has never been in a play production until now, was cast as the older brother, Peter. Henry felt Umstattd is very lovable, which he thinks works well for chemistry of the Cratchit family.

“I tell them every night my favorite scene is the Cratchit scene because to me that’s the true meaning of hardship, but you’re still getting through it,” Henry said.

Playing Bob Cratchit’s wife, Mrs. Cratchit, is Western student Robin Ussher.  She said the actors playing the Cratchit family have developed a bond that goes well beyond the play, and that working with the family outside of rehearsal has created a family dynamic for her and has really helped her come into her part.

“My character has a very emotional part in the play, so I need to find a dark, somber place to get ready,” Ussher said. “Especially in the part where they imply that Tiny Tim will pass away.”

In fact, Henry moved the Cratchit scenes down stage closer to the audience because of the moments the Cratchit family shares throughout the play.

“He knows what an intimate and pivotal scene that part of the play is, I think he wanted to try and imitate the closeness that the family has to make it more personal,” Ussher said.

Other Cratchit family members include Lindsey Stubbs as Martha Cratchit, Maggie Truesdale as Belinda Cratchit and Zephaniah Siebler and Anna Bracciano as Tiny Tim Cratchit.

RJ Jackson, who plays a charity solicitor, tries to convince Scrooge, played by Steve Catron, to donate. Bob Crachit, played by Sebastian Smith, looks down at Catron

Read More: No ‘kidding’ around for this young cast | ‘Bah humbug’ : Four different Scrooges to take stage | Cratchit family inspires Christmas Cheer

“This is only my second play that I’ve had an acting role in,” Jeff Jones said. “It is my first kind of major role though, so I’m excited to just get out there, get it done and have a fun time.”

Jones’ first play with an acting role was “Romeo and Juliet.” He will be taking on his biggest role so far as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Another student participating in “A Christmas Carol” whose first play was also a role in “Romeo and Juliet” is Larry Clifton. Clifton has a degree in business and is now taking theater classes. Clifton will be playing the role of Fezziwig, the jolly Christmas party thrower that Ebenezer Scrooge was an apprentice for as a young man.

“People are going to laugh,” Clifton said, “and when they finally see the change in Scrooge, it’s going to be touching. It’s going to be a fun play. Dallas has really done a fantastic job with it.”

Dallas Henry, the director of the play, wanted to convey a different tone to the audience than what is traditional.

“I’ve really made this Christmas Carol funny,” Henry said. “I want the audience to enjoy themselves and not make it so dark.”

Henry has also thrown in a little something else for the audience to enjoy. As of now it can only be labeled as a “surprise” for the viewers.

People interested in seeing the production should visit MWSUtix.com, where you have the possibility of reserving seats of your choice in advance. You will also be able to view a commercial on the site. The performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Potter Hall from Dec. 9-11 and 15-18, with additional 3 p.m. showings on Saturdays and Sundays.

(Left to right) Vice President Jamal Ahmed, with new members DeAndre Diamond, Shedrick Christian and Mark Bush, show off their alpha symbol as they pose for the picture.

Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Jamal Ahmed explains that the hiatus was due to both academics and an established reputation that the fraternity did not adhere to.

“We went through what we call an internal digression,” Ahmed said. “We let our grades slip and put ourselves on a self-made suspension. We were not taking care of business like we were supposed to. We had to get our acts together before we promoted Alpha.”

In the fall of 2010, the Alphas decided to take their personal suspension off and begin rebuilding their fraternity. This rebuilding included pledging three new members: DeAndre Diamond, Shedrick Christian and Mark Bush. Ahmed explains that choosing new members after the suspension was a long process as they were looking for high-caliber members with exceptional quality.

“A lot of guys that were interested did not meet our expectations,” Ahmed said.  “These three gentlemen have went above in beyond in meeting and setting the bar of those expectations. I’ve been talking with these guys for awhile and priming them. I’m very confident.”

In 2010, 2008 and 2007 the Alphas won fraternity of the year. In edition to this, they won organization of the year in 2009. 2008 was also the year the Alphas pledged their last member before the hiatus took place. This member was former Student Government Association Vice President Ernest Chamblee. With all of these accolades, the Alphas have already started planning and preparing to maintain their campus status.

“There is definitely a lot of grandeur coming out after a 3-year hiatus,” Christian said. “We have big plans to uplift the chapter even more and put it back on that pedestal that it needs to be. First and foremost is making sure our own academic standards are met. We want to raise that bar back up to previous years’.”

These academic standards include maintaining a 2.5 GPA and being enrolled in 12 credit hours. The members must also be involved in at least two campus organizations and be a registered voter, along with being a person of outstanding character. Currently, numerous members of the fraternity are involved in organizations that include Black Student Union, WAC, Griffon Arts Alliance and Chemistry Club. One member has even started his own personal cake business.

“Pretty much any and every aspect of student life we want to be apart of,” Christian said.

A major goal of the fraternity is to unite the Missouri Western campus as a whole.

“We had a meeting with Dr. Peralez,” Ahmed said. “[We felt] the minorities on this campus are kind of outcasts. They don’t have much to do. What Alpha Phi Alpha is trying to do is act as an ambassador to unite the campus, giving everybody one group instead of two separate societies.”

According to the Alphas, uniting the campus begins with exposing themselves as positive campus figures. The Alphas plan to host a clothing drive and a pie-an-Alpha fundraiser to raise money for the community. The Alpha’s first event will be held during Alpha week, which begins Nov. 28 and ends on Dec. 3. During the week, the members will host a women’s appreciation day and a formal discussion on sexual education.

“We want to not only uplift the chapter, yet the campus as well,” Diamond said. “What we have planned is to bring a lot of exposure to Western.”

Among exposing positivity on campus, the Alphas plan to maintain a strong brotherly relationship with all of their members.

“With a fraternity you have a more intimate relationship with the members,” Bush said. “It makes you accountable.”

Diamond feels that this brotherhood will be something that he will appreciate even after he graduates.

“For the overall experience the organization is going to make me a better person,” Diamond said. “The time I have with the men is going to be a time I cherish in my life.”

Ultimately, the Alphas want Missouri Western to remember their successes and contributions, just as we remember their historic ancestors that once led our country.  As the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was the first established African-American fraternity, Missouri Western’s chapter plans to go back to their historic standards of academic achievement, social rights and business administration.

“Our persona is that of business men,” Ahmed said. “We are about our business.”

Chance Umstattd takes a break from drinking his beloved Dr. Pepper long enough to smile for the camera.

“It’s everywhere,” Umstattd said. “It’s so easy to get now.”

When it comes to Dr. Pepper, he just can’t turn it down.

Umstattd’s Dr. Pepper addiction all started when his mom told him that he needed to stop drinking so much Diet Coke. It was then that he found and stayed true to his first love, the “doctor.”

If downing the famous 23 flavors 24 times in one day isn’t enough to prove his love for the drink, maybe going to the original Dr. Pepper factory is. Umstattd recently took a trip down to Dublin, Texas. Dublin is the place of birth for the first ever Dr. Pepper.

“It was the greatest day of my life,” Umstattd said. “I went to Texas to visit family, but I couldn’t pass up seeing the history of Dr. Pepper. My priorities in order are family, Dr. Pepper and then school.”

To most people, putting a drink ahead of school would mean that education isn’t very important to them. This isn’t exactly the case for Umstattd. If you didn’t already know about his love for Dr. Pepper, you would guess that school is what he loves the most.

Umstattd is in his senior year, majoring in Theater & Cinema, hoping to one day work for either, or both, the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. He wants to be a part of their video production team any way he can, through the editing part or the camera work. He credits the Theater & Cinema faculty for helping reveal his love for video work.

“Dallas Henry is like my Mr. Miyagi,” Umstattd said. “I think that when I look back at school some day, I will realize that his teachings were my biggest influence.”

Theater and cinema definitely isn’t the only thing that he gets involved in. Umstattd gets involved any way he can, from WAC to homecoming committee to the Northwest game half time “flash mob.” He goes from playing “Humans vs. Zombies” to grabbing a roll in the upcoming play, “A Christmas Carol.”

Umstattd actually hated the theater part when he first got into the department. He went from hating to respecting to loving theater while in school. Although he has not acted in a play since his “Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn” performance when he was in the first grade, Umstattd is excited to try stepping back into the spotlight.

However, at first impressions, Umstattd is very shy. He comes from the small town of Adrian, Mo., where everyone knows each other’s names and stories. Stepping from a class of about 50 kids to a few thousand was terrifying at first. He was able to find a comfortable place in college by sticking to his good nature.

“I love that kid,” friend Sebastian Smith said. “No one has ever had a mean or rude thing to say about him.”

Once he got around to meeting a few people, he never stopped. Even with as many people that have met him from all the activities he has been involved with, haters seem to be nonexistent.

“Chance is a one of a kind,” friend Andrew Setter said. “He is a good friend in the fact that he would go out of his way just to make somebody feel better.”

Although he will be graduating in May, his good nature has spread kindness across campus enough so that his influence on people will still be here years down the road.

At the Glore Psychiatric Museum numerous mannequin pose as a representation of the many people that were harmed or committed harm to themselves in history.

Probably not, unless you are the man featured in the Glore Museum who ingested these items. As for what happened to him once he ate these things, the Glore Museum can lend more information, along with other eerie displays.

The Glore Museum is located at 3406 Frederick Ave, along with the St. Joseph Museum, the Black Archives Museum and the local Civil War Museum. These museums detail different aspects in time of the rich history of St. Joseph. With more than 22,000 visitors per year, the museums always have plenty of visitors daily.

The museums offer an abundant amount of displays that include artifacts and models that are designed to give the visitor a glimpse back in time. The Glore Psychiatric Museum has been, according to their website, recognized as “one of the 50 most unusual Museums in the country,” and it is also featured in a book called “1,000 Places to See Before You Die in the USA and Canada.”

Kathy Reno has worked for the St. Joseph Museums for 28 years. Reno says she feels that the museums are of great importance to the St. Joseph Community and is partial to the Glore Psychiatric Museum. Her favorite exhibit is of an embroidered sheet that was made by a schizophrenic patient who could not speak, so she communicated through the embroidery.

“My feelings are, when you know where you are coming from it helps understand how far we have actually come,” Reno said. “This is especially true in mental illness.”

As soon as one walks into the Glore, an eerie feeling descends. The treatment displays offer great insight into how they dealt with mental illness in the past. Some are very disturbing and leave the visitor with a feeling of sadness for those who went through them.

The Glore may be the most famous of the museums, but the others do not disappoint. The Civil War Museum is very expansive in detailing the impact it had on St. Joseph and the State of Missouri as a whole. Displays outline the timeline of the Civil War in Missouri, complete with original artifacts that are overshadowed by the original Confederate Flag of one of Missouri’s most famous regiments. No doubt Missouri Western history majors would get an awakening experience from it.

Jackie Lewin, executive director of the museums, has worked for the St Joseph Museums since 1973. She feels that all of the exhibits of are equal importance with its own history.

“It would be extremely difficult for me to single out one to be my favorite,” Lewin said. “I would like to see students and the community to come out and judge for themselves.”

Lewin also encourages any students looking to volunteer or intern to stop by the museum or give them a call. She says the museum has had several Western students work there in the past and some have even designed displays in the museum.

Wilma Walmsley, a retired secretary from Nebraska, said she has been to the museum six times. She continues to bring friends and family to see all the museum has to offer. Walmsley also said she loves history and believes it has great benefits to anyone wanting to learn about the past, whether it be the Civil War or the evolution of methods in mental health. The one thing that really saddens her is the lobotomy display.

“The first time I came to these museum was by accident,” said Walmsley “Every time I come back here I see something new that I must have missed on one of my previous visits; it’s just a wonderful place.”

The museums are very entertaining. It is a great place for Western students to come out and do some research or find a topic for a paper. The museum offers something useful for almost every major at Western. Students in the nursing and psychology departments at Western are usually encouraged to tour the museums. Students can gain admission to all of the museums for $3 with a student I.D.

Here, two students engage in a content tutoring session. At the CAS, students can receive math tutoring, English tutoring and specific content tutoring.

In October, the CAS was re-certified for another five years. This re-certification, through an international organization called the College Reading and Learning Association, promotes a tutoring program with special skills and assets that can be beneficial to every student at Missouri Western.

Assistant Dean of Student Academics, Corla Dawson has been at the CAS for over 15 years. She is currently the CAS director and writing coordinator. She helped push the certification process through and is very excited about the CAS’s hopeful future.

“If we follow CLRA guidelines to train our tutors and to certify them, we think we get high caliber tutors as a result,” Dawson said. “It allows us to offer a lot of training when we hire tutors, especially math and writing tutors. We put them through the certification training process as a result of the certification. Then, as they complete level one or level two, they become more highly trained, and, as a result, it benefits the students that they work with.”

Dawson also explains that the re-certification process this time was a lot more difficult then in the previous five years. Only 800 programs are currently certified in the U.S. and eight other countries.

“They required a lot more documentation,” Dawson said. “We were waiting and waiting to hear. I think we had everything probably in May, and we just learned we were re-certified in October.”

CAS Administrative Assistant Karen Luke feels that in addition to more proficient tutoring, the certification will also keep the tutors and program in check.

“Their program is set up to where they give us good guidelines and expectations,” Luke said. “It keeps us in line with what we need to be doing as a good qualified program. The training and the workshops we provide are geared to what tutors need to be focusing on to provide the best services possible to our clients.”

In addition to the certification, the CAS also received comments about the center and their tutoring services.

“One of their comments was that they felt our tutoring program was very solid,” Dawson said. “That was good to hear. They were very complimentary with their comments. That further validates the re-certification.”

Veteran tutor senior Gary Weidemann has been tutoring at the CAS for three and a half years. He feels the certification gives students a better knowledge in the program they need help in.

“It allows [tutors] get more in-depth on certain aspects and gives them more qualification,” Weidemann said. “They should know that we are here to be used as a resource. We can provide them with the help they need.”

Sarah Noe, grasping a nerf gun, goes back to back with another Zombie hunter to protect themselves from the infection.

Thanks to the Western Activities Council, HvZ is officially legit at Missouri Western. The game has grown just enough that not a student on campus didn’t notice a few bandana-ed maniacs or Nerfed out versions of Rambo walking around last week.

“The best part was running around in a zombie horde,” Josh Smith said, who was awarded first place in the top zombie category. “It was an awesome feeling chasing the humans with a group of like 20 zombies.”

After HvZ ended at noon on Halloween, the award ceremony was held in Blum Union later that night. Joe Bridgman, one of the moderators for HvZ, announced the summary of the game with the best zombies and winning teams, while Lauren Dillon, vice president of WAC, handed out gift cards. The two teams that were awarded were team “Rush” and “Pink Swag.” Teams were not allowed to have more than five players. According to Bridgman, Over 200 students were registered to play, making our campus the third largest HvZ game in the nation at the time we played.

As Team Rush member Brian Hamilton went up to get his reward, he referenced the movie “Zombieland” saying, “Remember guys, the first rule is cardio.”

Cardio is the first rule in “Zombieland,” but it’s not necessarily the first rule in HvZ. According to the official rules on the HvZ website, the most important rule is: Don’t be a douche bag.

As weird as it may sound, HvZ is a gentleman’s game, meaning the game will be fun if the players respect the game. Because of the “d-bag clause,” moderators were needed in order to keep to the code. The moderators were basically hidden referees to make sure people wouldn’t try to cheat. You could compare it to playing dodgeball as a kid. People who enjoyed playing would have loved someone to watch specifically for people who tried to stay in after they were hit.

“When you sign up, you are committing to play,” Bridgman said. “We want people to be honorable to the rules. Since this was the first official game on this campus, we didn’t really know what rules people would try to break. We gave a general list of rules and watched what happened so we could see what changes we would need to make for next year.”

One of the changes that will be made for next year is official HvZ bandanas. This will make the players more recognizable and prevent confusion with people who wore similar attire to the players.
Another part of the game that might need some changes is the rules for people playing who live off campus. There were approximately 80 humans who were never turned zombie, which was way too many. A large number were players who lived off campus. This wasn’t exactly fair for zombie players who lived on campus and needed to “feed.”

Although this was the first official game on our campus, it showed to be a huge success. The game will be looked over and changes will be made for the better. For more information about this official rules, visit humansvszombies.org, the official HvZ website.

There is little doubt that next year’s game will have more players and in turn be even more intense.

Dr. David Ashley has been teaching for 32 years and for 28 years at Missouri Western. He desires all his students to discover what interests and inspires them.

Ashely sure doesn’t want his students to believe they are doing anything less than their best. Ashley was a typical student once, wandering from class to class with no motivation. Midway through his college career was when it all changed for him. Rabalais was a faculty member at Bowling Green State University, a university Ashley attended. The influence Rabalais had on Ashley was enough to change his life and mindset forever.

“He was my mentor,” Ashley said. “What he was to me is what I want to be to my students.”

Ashley has been teaching for 32 years, 28 of them at Western. His goal as an educator is to push his students to not only take on the responsibilities expected of them, but for students to realize they need to go beyond just showing up to class.

Additional research or activities related to a student’s field of interest is a great way to further education. Ashley, for example, was first interested in the field of biology because of his interests in marine biology and helping world hunger.

Ashley soon became interested in bats and their contributions to the environment, an interest he still continues to work with today.

Ashley held a presentation in Spratt Oct. 26 called “Batty for Bats.” It was an informational presentation, open to the public, about the basics of bats and their importance to the environment.

Students and members of community attended the presentation, including biology health science major Moriah Guldan.

“It was really interesting to hear how beneficial they are to wildlife,” Guldan said. “A lot of people don’t realize how important they are, and they are the people who give them a bad reputation.”

People often picture bats as blood sucking mammals, even though vampire bats are only found in parts of South America. No one really knows how the story of Dracula ended up in Transylvania, since there are no vampire bats there. People also think of rabies when they think of bats. Although bats are carriers of rabies, raccoons are the real kings of rabies. Raccoons and skunks both are higher on the list of carriers than bats, according to Ashley’s presentation.

Ashley has been a strong supporter of applied learning throughout his teaching career. For years he has taken trips to do studies on multiple subjects, most often involving cave exploring. Some of his biggest contributions to biology have involved bringing awareness of newly listed endangered animals and studying environmental changes when certain animals are taken out of the picture. An example would be a study on “white-nose syndrome,” a deadly disease that is rapidly spreading within the bat community.

Ashley will say that he feels his biggest contribution to the field of biology is being an educator. His biggest goal in his career is to successfully train students who are pursuing careers in field of science.

“I push all my students to make them do their best,” Ashley said. “I want my students to find out what interests them, work their hardest for it, and it will be fulfilling.”

Several TKE members crowd around DUI speaker David Stern and ask questions about his experiences. Stern was also a TKE in college.

Sterner first interacted with his audience, asking them to answer several questions about whether they had done this or that while they were drunk. Then he told the college students to wait 10 seconds before they answered his next question: Have you have gotten drunk, driven, then killed your three best friends? Luckily, the crowd stayed silent.

Sterner was 21 when he was charged with three counts of 2nd degree DUI manslaughter on the last day of his spring break vacation in Florida. They were there for six days; five of the days, the TKEs took turns being the designated driver. The sixth and final night, however, nobody wanted to volunteer, so they chose the least drunk, Sterner who had a blood alcohol content of .17 — two times the legal limit in Florida.

Sterner played a video of him with his four other friends drinking and having a good time. They took shots. They drove to the bar going over 100 mph. “I better slow down so I don’t get arrested for DWI,” Sterner said in the driver’s seat. They danced ridiculously. Less than three minutes after the tape stops, his friends were dead. Pictures of the crash appeared on the screen.

All five of the TKE students were thrown from the vehicle as the car hit a tree. None of them wore their seatbelts. Sterner woke up in the hospital a week later, and he was visited by the police.

Sterner was out of sight after he started the video; he returned wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Sterner went to prison for three years. The maximum sentence was 45, but his friends’ parents didn’t want that. While incarcerated, Sterner was beaten up just for being a college student. Nobody likes prison, but if it involved his friends, he would stay there.

“I would’ve gone to the worse prison just as long as I got my friends back.”

He was ashamed of letting his parents down, but the thought of his best friends being dead hurt him the most.

“I would’ve given up anything just to have my friends back for 10 minutes so they could say goodbye to their families,” Sterner said.

Sterner’s words about envisioning having to tell his best friends’ parents their sons were dead really hit home with Samuel Goodroad, who is a member of TKE. The other members felt the video and the pictures really added a personal feel to Sterner’s presentation, and some, like Zack Kimmel, couldn’t help but tear up.

“I had to hold back; I was about to cry,” Kimmel said. “I don’t even care if anybody saw me.”

Not a day goes by where Sterner doesn’t think of his best friends, and, unfortunately, there’s nothing he can do about it but warn college students all over the nation.

“The message that he gives is more than what everybody needs to hear, especially if you’re in college,” TKE member Justin Edwards said.

Some other students, like recently crowned homecoming queen Jordan Carney, were grateful for Sterner’s presence at Western.

“It was really moving what he did,” Carney said. “I really appreciated him coming to speak, and I just can’t even imagine having to relive that over and over in your head, but if it helps somebody else not have to go to through it, I guess it’s definitely worth it.”

Sterner’s really got across his message to students when he brings up an old saying.

“There is the famous saying ‘time heals all wounds,” but it’s just not true.”

Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) is a 15-year-old high school student who is desperate for a mate and craves to keep his distant parents together. Tate jumps on an emotional roller coaster as he falls for mischievous pyromaniac Jordana (Yasmin Paige) who agrees to be his girlfriend, but he also finds out that his mother (Sally Hawkins) may be having an affair with her ex-lover, who happens to be the Tate’s neighbor.

This dramatic comedy set in Wales is unorganized, random, dark and will make you snooze. It doesn’t succeed in humor either. It is depressing and slow with all of the elongated scenes of Tate staring into space pondering the obstacles he must face.

Roberts’ performance was accurate as he played a believable depressed teenager. However that is an easy character to play, because it’s very flat. Even when he showed emotion, he was flat. Paige played an atypical teenage girl who thinks love is gross, which is another easy role to play. The parents didn’t do anything, and there weren’t very many scenes with the neighbor. So let’s just say there just weren’t actors and actresses in this movie that will be receiving an Oscar anytime soon.

The only thing going for “Submarine” is it’s unique style of shots. It is filmed in a unique Baz Luhrmann-Martin Scorsese style with flashbulb cuts and unusual kaleidoscope shots with Tate or Jordana’s face in the middle. An interesting example would be when Tate accidentally pushes a girl into a pond—she falls backwards halfway and freezes. The shot is very creative as she and her things can be seen from all angles, stuck in time.

Other than the style of the shots, though, don’t waste your time. You might as well spend your $1.20 on a McDouble at McDonald’s instead.

Western cheerleaders Ashley Stegall, Kerri Jewell and Jake Cunning join in on Extreme Griffon Takeover in Potter Hall Theater. They moved props and curtains out to be organized and then replaced back in storage.

In the past, homecoming has become too repetitive: same events after same events every year. Motivation becomes lost in students when things become too routine. This year’s involvement is definitely moving this school in the right direction when it comes to school spirit and pride.

“Most high schools get really involved in homecoming,” Taylor Kram, student homecoming director, said. “Most students come into college thinking that its homecoming will end up being a high school homecoming on steroids, and they never end up getting that feeling. This year’s the year where it’s finally happening: a homecoming on steroids.”

This is Taylor Kram’s third year as homecoming director, and this is the first year she has seen real major changes in one year’s homecoming from the last. This freshmen class will be getting a homecoming that previous freshmen classes never had a chance to see or participate in.

“I was a freshman last year, and homecoming felt like it never really happened,” Michelle Stevenson, a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee leader, said. “The only thing I knew about was the football game, but this year people are doing a lot better at communicating when events are.”

Kathy Kelly is the new adviser for homecoming this year, and, according to director of community service Lacie Thompson, Kelly has wanted to turn homecoming around, starting with the theme. Thompson has been on the homecoming committee for two years now, and she said this year is going to be totally different.

“We’ve never done anything like this,” Thompson said. “It’s nice because it’s a lot different from what we normally do. All the events are completely brand new, and it’s just a new atmosphere overall.”

This year there will be a record breaking participation number with 31 student organizations involved, which is a big step from the average of 17. Not only are there more organizations involved, but the rules for students not in organizations are out. Every event is now open to everyone, whether or not they are in an organization or not.

For the first time there will also be things going on that were not based on organizations participation.

Throughout the week, there will also be gift card prizes given away to random students at random times, according to Kram. The only qualification to receive a gift card is to wear “Griffon Gear.” As long as you have on Missouri Western apparel, you have a chance to have a gift card randomly given to you.

The Extreme Griff Takeover took place Tuesday, Oct. 18 when students gathered in Potter Theater to help clean up various areas of the stage. Around 175 students from Greek Life organizations to athletics to even the Law Enforcement Academy were working together to tidy up the stage. Thompson was pleased with the turnout as well as the teamwork between the organizations.

“It’s definitely nice to see everybody working together,” Thompson said. “There is a lot of unity. I think it creates a tighter bond with everybody.”

Although the Extreme Griff Takeover already took place, the entire community will still be able to see nationally known comedian Josh Blue perform on Thursday. Josh Blue was a “Last Comic Standing” winner, and has had his own episode with “Comedy Central Presents: Josh Blue.” Blue will be performing in Looney Complex following the “Last Griffon Standing” event that starts at 6:00 p.m. Oct. 20.

Overall, Thompson believes this year will just be one of many good homecomings for years to come.

“It’s definitely a lot better this year, and it’s going to help us grow — each year is just going to get better and better.”

The Missouri Western ROTC program specially trains men and women to become an elite class of military officers.

Missouri Western has had a Reserve Officer Training Core (ROTC) since 1971. A training program couldn’t last 40 years if it wasn’t legit. The ROTC is a leadership development program that specifically trains men and women into becoming an elite class of military officers. When a student who has completed the program joins the Army, they automatically start out as a Second Lieutenant. Those who enlist without the training of ROTC start out as privates, and would have to work their way up over time for an officer’s position. For Western student Noland Stark, the leadership role is definitely something he wants to take on.
“Naturally I am a little nervous at the thought of being deployed, but the nervousness doesn’t compare to the excitement for the opportunity to serve my country and lead others who want to do the same,” Stark said. “I’m confident because I know that if I do get deployed, I’ll have a great set of skills that the Army prepared me with.”
Stark has known since high school that the military was the path he wanted to go down, even though the thought of being a leader in the military was nothing new to him. After all his parents met in ROTC, and two of his older brothers completed the program before him.
Not everyone in ROTC had it all planned out before they came to college though. Not Patrick Klein anyway, who didn’t know it was what he wanted to do until after he enrolled for classes at University of Missouri, Kansas City. Klein got information on ROTC and joined after he found out the financial benefits it would produce and the career options it would offer.
Financial benefits from the ROTC could add up to paid tuition, additional scholarships and allowances for books. People who join ROTC in the midst of their college years can receive numerous scholarships and grants to pay for additional schooling and existing student loans.
“I’m a criminal justice major, and being in ROTC has opened so many doors for me,” Klein said. “It’s going to help put me through law school, because my ultimate goal is to become a lawyer.”
Another way ROTC helps individuals career-wise is its correlation with specialty schools. Most people in the ROTC program want a slot in attending one of the offered specialty schools. The different schools students try to get into are Airborne, Air Assault, Cadet Troup Leader Training and Cadet Culture Language Program. CTLT consists of shadowing and observing different officers throughout the country, while CULP is an internship-like program that sends you to a foreign country.
Rosy Padialla participated in the three-week airborne program. The program taught her everything she needed to know in order to jump safely. She went from learning how to jump and land on the ground, to jumping and landing from towers, to jumping and landing from planes.
“ROTC is really a life-changing experience,” Padialla said. “I never knew when I first enrolled in college that I would be jumping out of planes before I graduated. I’m doing things that I never thought I could do.”
The ROTC program has produced highly-qualified individuals for leadership positions for the last 40 years and is continuing to do so. Anyone interested in more information on the program can visit www.missouriwestern.edu/rotc or visit the ROTC office on the first level of Wilson Hall.

'Hanna' a thriller about a teenaged assassin stars Saoirse Ronan and Cate Blachett.

I was originally rather hesitant to watch this movie. After sitting through one (or five) too many movies about rogue CIA/FBI/military agents starring some Jason Statham-like actor, I was pretty bored with the genre. What made “Hanna” interesting to me was the unique protagonist. How often do movies revolve around badass sixteen-year-old girls?

Hanna is a trained assassin. She can kill with her bare hands and wield many different types of weapons. She can speak ten languages fluently and knows almost all there is to know about survival. This training is thanks to her father, a defected CIA agent. He raised Hanna in an isolated cabin in the wilderness of Finland. Hanna has never had a friend, never listened to music and has never seen anything powered by electricity. Her father ends every day by reading her a bedtime story out of the encyclopedia. As a result of all this, Hanna is an incredibly advanced operative, but an incredibly stunted teenager. This contrast allows her character to be thousands of times more interesting than the typical hulking agent.

Hanna is played by Saoirse Ronan perfectly. Her slight frame, porcelain skin and angel-blond hair allow her incredible violence to be even more arresting. In a particularly violent sequence, blood is splattered across her face. Since Ronan never seems to flush as she exerts herself, the blood seems especially garish against her glowing, ethereal skin. Beyond the physical nature of her character, Ronan pulls off the contradictions of Hanna perfectly. In a particularly poignant scene, Hanna is frightened by the many electronic devices in her hotel room. The fluorescent lights buzz, the TV shows scenes of war, the phone rings and the electric kettle whistles. Hanna cannot handle this much stimulation at once and runs out of the room, not before trying to turn off the ringing phone with the remote control for the TV. Ronan does an excellent job of portraying the transition from wonderment to panic as more and more electronics turn on. Ronan was the perfect choice for Hanna. While I originally thought that her waifish looks would be too contradictory to her violent actions, any worries are erased in the first few minutes when she kills that moose.

While Ronan is the real star of the movie, Cate Blanchett is a close runner-up. Blanchett plays Marissa, a CIA agent out to kill Hanna. The audience doesn’t understand her motivation until the end of the film, but this uncertainty only adds to the tension. Blanchett plays the stiff-jawed Marissa with an incredible strength. Marissa does horrible things, and the audience often has no explanation for her actions. No emotions cross Marissa’s face besides a ruthless determination; this shows great range on Blanchett’s part. She plays Marissa so calmly that any other actress would have come across as flat. Blanchett is cast just as perfectly as Ronan.

“Hanna” pleasantly surprised me. What I expected to be just another action movie turned out to be a crazy, badass ride. Verdict: definitely worth the dollar.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the titular character in “Hesher.” Natalie Portman, in the background, also stars.

The movie “Hesher” is about a teenager named T.J. who loses his mother in a car accident two months previously and attempts to get the totaled vehicle back after his dad Paul (Rainn Wilson) sells it to the junkyard. While he tries to stay focused on getting the car back, T.J. gets distracted by Hesher, a perverted “I-don’t-give-a-crap” attitude sort of bum who, after T.J. blows his cover living in an abandoned house, forcefully moves into T.J.’s house. T.J. also has to deal with his high school bully Dustin (Brendan Hill), who is constantly out to beat him up as well as lulls over Nicole (Natalie Portman), a grocery store clerk who saves T.J. from one of Dustin’s violent attempts.

After T.J. meets the foul-mouthed Hesher, Hesher becomes an evil fairy godmother as he frequently watches over T.J. wherever he is. One day, Hesher notices Dustin bullying T.J., so he decides to help T.J. out. Hesher draws an inappropriate image of a naked body on the side of Dustin’s bright yellow convertible with a permanent marker, which gives Dustin even more reason to injure T.J. T.J. doesn’t thank Hesher, but who would? Unfortunately, Hesher’s “charitable actions” don’t end there.

Though Hesher causes a lot of mischief and won’t step down for anybody, he does let his guard down when it comes to T.J.’s grandmother, who oversees Hesher’s flaws and appreciates him due to the absence of attention from her depression-stricken son and grandson. Hesher befriends T.J.’s grandma,  splurges on her food and orders T.J. to skip school to walk with his grandma (but he doesn’t, which comes into play later).

All in all, although Hesher is profane as all get out (makes sexual jokes in front of T.J., Paul and T.J.’s grandmother, encourages T.J. to get intimate with Nicole, recovers the porn channel for the household, etc.), he manages to affect T.J. and his dad in a positive manner as well as teach some valuable lessons through perverted—but valid—analogies, one comparing the loss of his left testicle to T.J. and his family losing his mother.

“Hesher” has made a comedic drama possible. While “comedic drama” sounds like an oxymoron, it’s the only way to describe the movie. It is dramatic in how death takes a toll on the characters, but it is also humorous through Hesher’s (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) ridiculous, random actions and perverted mindset along with the continuous beatings that T.J. (Devin Brochu) experiences (i.e. gets hit by a couple of vehicles and falls off his bike—in fact, in the opening scene, T.J. has a cast on his arm). With the mixture of both comedy and drama genres, “Hesher” will reach out to various types of moviegoers, yet is not a movie to see with the parents or kids.

Gordon-Levitt has branched out by playing such a jolting yet satisfying role in the film. His appearance, language and overall attitude are fairly different than the characters he has played in the past, from the sarcastic teenager in “3^rd Rock from the Sun” to the love struck guy in “500 Days of Summer” to the intelligent and smooth man in “Inception.”

Wilson has also tried out a new character, totally different from the goofy “Dwight” from “The Office.” While he is mainly a disheartened widower throughout the movie, which is hard to watch because his role is so dark compared to his other characters, Wilson nails it. He is very believable in a way that one may really think he lost his wife.

However, for fair warning, pay attention to the clues. The movie starts out slow, but that’s mainly because the director wanted the viewer to figure out what it is about instead of telling it through dialogue. Sometimes the scenes do not make sense — thanks to the poor organization — but give it a couple scenes, and the clues will make sense. Do not let this keep you from watching the film because the feel-good ending will sum up the message.

Students and faculty rely heavily on Apple products, especially Macs, for their majors and classes. Associate professor of art Theresa Harris, who teaches graphic design and typography, has been using Macs for a long time and believes they are necessary for her classes.

“[Apple] is the industry’s standard,” Harris said. “It’s what over 95 percent of the graphic design industry and design field use as well as fields in video and animation. Everybody is an Apple fan. Jobs’ influence on the graphic design industry cannot be understated. He totally revolutionized the field.”

Graphic design major Khalid Spry agrees with Harris when it comes to using Macs for his major.

“His products will help me launch my business designing clothing.”

As Harris said before, Apple products have been being used for the field of video and animation as well. Jobs was also the owner of the animated film company Pixar. Theatre & Cinema major Carlos Gomez works with Macs all the time for his major and says it’s essential that students can be able to use the technology at Western.

“At Western, the Mac labs have been absolutely necessary for our cinema and digital animations majors, which seem to be expanding with the current entertainment industry,” he said.

“Mac or PC?” has been a very popular question that has been asked in past years, and Gomez explains why Macs works better for his major.

“Apple has the rights to use more powerful software in their computers,” Gomez said. “Apple has the rights to the big filmmaking software, like Final Cut Pro. Although software, like Adobe’s Premiere, is both for a PC and Mac, it was first created for Mac, so the brand trust is with Apple.”

Macs have helped a lot of other majors, like journalism for laying out newspaper and yearbook pages, but Apple technology has also changed this generation as a whole.

“[Jobs] connects with this generation in terms of music and the visuals and animation in the movies,” Harris said. “It’s a beautiful thing: The way he has this marriage between design and technology, and it just comes together in a wonderful package that is efficient and functions well. He made using technology an experience and made us all want to be a part of that culture.”

Even though Jobs has passed away, Spry believes he will not be forgotten.

“Steve Jobs will live on as long as you see the Apple mark.”

The tone was set immediately upon entering the theater: a slideshow of authentic Civil War photos, interspersed with quotes from Civil War soldiers and their families, was shown on in front of the curtain as audience members took their seats. Some punctuation errors in these slides took from their message, but this slideshow was a nice touch overall.

The somber character of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy was apparent as soon as the curtain rose from the dim lighting and spare set pieces. What people often forget, however, is how filthy Shakespeare’s sense of humor really was. The serious tone set at the beginning of the show is quickly lifted as actors Jeremy Edwards and Brian Duskey, as Benvolio and Mercutio respectively, took the stage. After several hip thrusts and mimed sexual acts, the audience was laughing easily.

Duskey had an especially impressive stage presence. His Mercutio seemed to fill the stage without being over-the-top. Duskey’s energy on stage was infectious, and seemed to rub off on his fellow actors. As Duskey established Mercutio’s character as a fun-loving wild man, the energy levels on stage began to increase, until the audience really believed that the Montague clan was heading to a party and not just off into the wings.

On the Capulet side of things, Sarah Noe and Matt Wright, as Lord and Lady Capulet, were outstanding. Their chemistry as a married couple was easy and believable (and that probably has only a little to do with their real-life relationship). The anguish they exhibit after (SPOILER ALERT) Juliet’s untimely passing is touching. Noe is heart-wrenching as a mother in grief. Her eye makeup ran from the tears that Lady Capulet cried over her daughter’s dead body. To me, that is a mark of a dedicated actress, fully in character.

As far as the titular characters, director Tee Quillin could not have cast any better. Misty Ballew’s Juliet is the perfect mix of vixen and innocent, and her love for Romeo is convincing. Her interpretation of Juliet’s famous balcony monologue was well-executed. She injected feeling into each line, instead of letting the words jumble together into a pile of lovey-doveyness. Juliet is angry in this monologue: She has found love, and it is besmirched by her love’s stupid name. Too many times have I seen this monologue butchered; Ballew’s sassy delivery nailed it.

Ballew’s Romeo, Kiefer Helsel, was the absolute star of the show. His portrayal of the tortured teen was funny, earnest and touching. The looks he gives Juliet, from the first meeting at the party to the last time he sees her alive, are a perfect balance between love and lust. And when Romeo finds Juliet’s supposedly dead body, Helsel’s range as an actor was truly demonstrated. Helsel cries over Juliet’s body in a decidedly restrained way. Yes, he is emotional, but he did not go to the extreme wailing and gnashing of teeth that it is so easy to resort to. Helsel’s Romeo absolutely loved his Juliet, and that is very apparent.

The chemistry between the leads was frankly bewitching. They looked so perfect together, their slight frames allowing them to really look like the teenagers they are portraying. Their kisses held none of the awkward stiffness that stage kisses sometimes hold—Helsel and Ballew are totally dedicated to their roles, and the development of their characters’ relationship is all the better because of that.

“Romeo and Juliet” will be showing Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. More information can be found at mwsutix.com

Cast members rehearse in full costume, preparing for the Thursday opening of “Romeo and Juliet” on the Potter Hall mainstage.

The Theatre & Cinema department is showing no signs of slowing down the roll they have been on since summer. Not only are they moving forward in the renovations and advancements going on in Potter Hall, but their creativity is moving them right into a spotlight Missouri Western has never seen on stage before.
“Romeo and Juliet” will now be closer to us than ever before, as its setting is moved from Europe to right here in 1861 Missouri. An idea since last semester in the mind of Tee Quillin, director of “Romeo and Juliet,” became a reality.
“This is an outreach to the city of St. Joseph,” Quillin said. “There will be things put into the setting of this play that really existed here, while being relatable to what people still live with everyday.” The living history of St. Joseph will come alive on Oct. 6 on the Potter Hall mainstage. “Romeo and Juliet” will be put into a new perspective for us all.
People that have never seen “Romeo and Juliet” before, or Shakespeare at all, will have a great opportunity to really see a performance of one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written.
“We fail if the audience doesn’t understand what’s going on,” Jeremy Edwards, senior playing Romeo’s cousin Benvolio, said. “If we do our job, people will walk away with a new appreciation for Shakespeare.”
People involved in this production want the audience to see and understand the connection they have with “Romeo and Juliet” and how it relates to their own lives.
“The themes in this play are universal,” Sarah Noe, the actress playing Lady Capulet, said. “There are great life comparisons, and I want the audience to feel the roller coaster of emotions that are happening.”
The cast of “Romeo and Juliet” know about things that can really get to your emotions. With only weeks to prepare, Shakespeare’s advanced dialogue sure wasn’t the easiest thing to pick up, along with rehearsing blocking without the use of the theater stage.
Everyone’s hard work and time consuming efforts put into this play will be shown from Oct. 6-8 at 7:30 p.m. and October 9 at 3:00 p.m. in the Potter Hall Theater. The first 25 students with student I.D. will get in free. Tickets can be purchased for $6 online at mwsutix.com, where you can also see a YouTube preview of the play.

2011 is the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, and St. Joseph has a rich history during the period. Director Tee Quillin felt it essential to set the traditionally 16th century play in 1861.  Quillin’s plan is to create a great performance and honor St. Joseph’s past.

“I wanted this to be an outreach to St. Joseph,” Quillin said. “I wanted to get as many people from the community involved in this as possible.”

One thing Quillin has done to get the community involved is asking the Missouri State Guard Civil War re-enactors to entertain audience members. The Guard will be setting up replica camps for the Thursday and Saturday performances. The camps are designed to give people a glimpse of what it was like during the time, complete with tents, campfires and horses.  The re-enactors will be doing some simulation drills as well.

Quillin is confident that Shakespeare’s play will fit perfectly in the St. Joseph area and 19th century timeframe.

“The story is timeless,” Quillin said. “The moment you have your first crush on a girl, you can relate to Romeo’s balcony speech.”

There is only one Union soldier in the play, but there will be plenty of action. The play isn’t about the American Civil War, but about a man and a woman in love with each other who are hindered by their quarrelling families. Separated by a war and a river, Romeo and Juliet are destined to fall in love.

Andy Tyhurst, who is playing the part of Tybalt, feels that the story fits well with St. Joseph and the American Civil War era. Tyhurst explains how ecstatic Quillin was when he came up with the setting for the play.

“He became fascinated with the history of St. Joseph,” Tyhurst said. “It’s such a bold vision, and I’m telling you: It works.”

Setting a play in the Civil War brings up some potentially uncomfortable issues dealing with race. Quillin dealt with the issue sensitively and with humor, according to Jeff Jones, one of the black actors in the cast.

“We made a joke about ‘Oh wait, he wants to make me a slave?’” Jones said.

According to Quillin, he cast the play with colorblind eyes.

“Several African Americans were set on lead roles,” Quillin said. “I came close, very close, to casting an African-American Juliet with Caucasian parents—I’m all about colorblind casting, and I would’ve never given it a second thought.”

Jones is playing Friar John in several of the matinees and at the Saturday night performance and is playing a Capulet servant the other nights. Jones said that the latter role did not make him uncomfortable.

“The way that they do productions around here, it’s very dignified. They’re respectful,” Jones said. “Some people in this production have to go places they don’t like to go, but they go there for the sake of the production.”

Quillin agreed that the black actors have faced the issue with professionalism.

“They [African-American cast members] all said ‘No, no, this is history; our grandparents and great grandparents had to go through this, and that’s what we’re doing,’” he said. “They jumped in and said ‘Don’t hold back, we want it to be like it was.’”

Keifer Helsel, in his first production at Western, stars as Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet.” According to various cast members, Helsel shines in this role.

Kiefer Helsel’s heart beats quickly as he waits for his name to be called in to audition for a spot in Western’s first production of the year. Others are waiting with him, just as nervous, but he keeps to himself. Kiefer Helsel? He takes a deep breath and steps on his mark on the stage; this is where he comes to life.

Sophomore Helsel acted in several productions throughout high school, but he has never been a part of a Missouri Western production—until now. After showing up for auditions for “Romeo and Juliet,” Helsel unexpectedly took away the lead role as Romeo.

Director Tee Quillin said it never even crossed his mind that Helsel hadn’t been in a Western play before.

“I’m just glad Tee gave me the opportunity,” Helsel said. “Going into it, I knew there were a lot of townspeople and servants, so I said ‘all right, hopefully I can nail one of those down.’ I would just take what I get because it was my first audition, so I went in thinking I just hope I get in.”

Helsel got in, all right.

“I was checking for errors; I reread it like three different times like ‘Are you sure?’” Helsel jokes. “I had a good mixture of shock and disbelief at first, then the elation and gratitude for being chosen to be a part of the production.”

Helsel hates the auditions the most because he gets nervous, but once they are over, he is ready to roll. Helsel has been working hard to get in the mindset of Romeo.

“I’ll make sure I listen to music I wouldn’t normally listen to, like folk and bluegrass,” Helsel said. “Those kinds of things help me get into it.”

Helsel also went home and downloaded a southern speech coach on his computer in order to learn the accent for the play. Not only has the accent has been challenging for him, but learning the Shakespearean language in general has been tough. However others, like Misty Ballew, who is playing Juliet, see it differently.

“He’s been doing fantastic because this has been kicking my butt in lines, and I’ve been doing this for three years already,” Ballew said.

Helsel has been doing well with his lines according to fellow cast members. He hasn’t played a role as prestigious as Romeo before, so he has been working on bringing out a new version of Romeo.

“It’s been interesting because I haven’t ever had a part that’s so well known, so everyone is going to know what this part is supposed to be,” Helsel said. “In that same sense, I don’t want my character to be the Romeo that Leonardo DiCaprio played.”

Quillin is also helping Helsel find his own version of Romeo.

“I’m not having Kiefer play it the same way that you normally think of Shakespeare being played: that he’s falling all over himself in love and sighs; it’s not your traditional play.”

All in all, Helsel wants to display his character as a typical teenage boy that experiences atypical situations.

“I would say he’s young, he doesn’t really know a lot about life and by the end, he probably finds out a little more than he would’ve been looking for in the beginning.”

It’s love at first sight for Romeo and Juliet, portrayed by Misty Ballew and Kiefer Helsel.

Ballew has been involved in many plays at Missouri Western, such as “Night of the Living Dead,” “The Illusion” and “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.” Now, as a junior Theatre & Cinema major with a concentration in performing and directing, Ballew is the leading lady in Western’s production of “Romeo and Juliet.”

Although she wouldn’t have minded playing the male roles of Benvolio or Mercutio, her main goal was to play Juliet. She was not worried about getting the callback, but she was a little wary about not being cast in the play at all.

“It was the final decision that was stressing me out,” Ballew said. “Only four girls were called back for the role of Juliet, which was the only part I was called back for.  So if I didn’t get that part, then it was either get the lead or nothing at all.”

Ballew’s audition impressed Quillin when she rubbed off on other people at her tryout.

“During the auditions, when they read with a group of people, the energy that [Ballew] was giving to the other actors in the scene was energy that they could take and use in their own performances, which, in turn, fed her energy in the scene,” Quillin said. “She created an energy cycle, which is what a scene has to be, and she was doing that almost instinctively.”

Quillin said it was a tough decision casting each of the roles, especially for Juliet, but he felt Ballew had a “command of the language” and that she just looked right next to Romeo, played by Kiefer Helsel. Ballew knows Quillin has confidence in her.

“After Tee said that, I felt so much better about being casted,” Ballew said.

After getting the part, Ballew focused on getting in the mindset for Juliet.

“I just try to sympathize with her,” Ballew said. “I mean, how horrible would it be to get married to the love of your life and then find out you have to marry someone else, someone who is way older than you, ugly, and you are only thirteen and you wonder what is going to happen. I just think of how I would feel if I had to be taken away from my boyfriend and marry some old guy that I didn’t like.”

Ballew not only had to work on her character as Juliet, she also had to practice her chemistry with her Romeo, Helsel. Helsel and Ballew met for the first time at the audition.

“The first few times we didn’t really have any communication, but once we had to buckle down and just deal with it, we got it down,” Helsel said. “It’s not that I had a problem with her, I just didn’t know her. I didn’t really know how to go about saying ‘Let’s go practice this love scene.’”

The attraction between the two is the main idea of the play, and now that they know each other a little better, it will come more naturally.

Overall, Ballew is ready to be Juliet.

“My favorite part about Juliet is she is so tragically beautiful in everything she does. She is just one hot mess, and she’s good at it. She is a beautiful disaster.”

A piece of notebook paper holds the place of Western Wildlife Society's International Chapter of the Year award.

Western’s student chapter of The Wildlife Society has been chosen as the 2011 International Student Chapter of the Year.

Cary Chevalier, associate professor of biology, said this is the first time in history that a student chapter from the state of Missouri has won this award.

“This is the most prestigious award that a student chapter can receive within its discipline,” Chevalier said. “There is no greater honor within natural resource management and wildlife management than this.”

This is an outstanding achievement. Western was selected from a field of 119 other student chapters across 50 states, Guam, Costa Rica and 14 Canadian provinces and territories.

Sophomore Ben Olsen is secretary of Western’s chapter of TWS. Olsen said he and other members of the chapter have donated over 1,800 hours at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, which is a Society-wide record for the most hours students have volunteered. This is just one of the many accomplishments the TWS is being recognized for.

“We broke the record the previous year with over 1,000 hours, and we just broke the record again with an additional 800 hours this past year. A full-time employee works 2,080 hours, so we almost matched a full-time employee,” Olsen said.

Olsen said the chapter seriously deserved to win from all the hard work they put in.

“We get up at 4 a.m. and work until 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. at night just volunteering,” Olsen said. “We are not getting paid for it; we are helping places like SCNWR [Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge] and the Missouri Department of Conservation. It’s not just about studying; we are out doing things we want to do while learning and getting certifications. We have proved that we are responsible.”

The hard work and effort has paid off well; Western’s TWS has put Western above many other well-known schools. Texas A&M, Purdue and Wisconsin-Stevens Point universities are all considered to have the biggest and best wildlife programs, but now Western is the school to be recognized as a top contender.

“To be able to say that little old Missouri Western beat these schools is really cool,” Olsen said.

Western’s TWS won Chapter of the Year for the North Central Section in 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010, but taking the international stage was a major feat for them.

TWS will be going to the National Conference for The Wildlife Society on Nov. 5 to officially accept the award. The conference will take place in Hawaii, where students will be immersed in an environment of professionals.

Todd Eckdahl, chair of the biology department, said it will be really exciting for these students to be around professionals at the conference and expressed how pleased he is with them all.

“Missouri Western is the applied learning university,” Eckdahl said. “That’s our state-mandated mission, and what these wildlife students have done has really taken that applied learning to heart. They have taken what they have learned in the classroom and, through the vehicle of the student chapter of The Wildlife Society, they went out into the world and tried to apply what they have learned in the classroom conducting service projects, engaging in professional training. These are all examples of applied learning at its very finest.”

Domique Goblet is a European, world renowned graphic artist that is spending two weeks visiting and helping art students here at Missouri Western.

Pablo Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, Norman Rockwell and Dominique Goblet– the average student may recognize most of the names on this list, but for students in the art department, Goblet’s name stands out as the world renowned graphic artist who recently interacted with many of the Missouri Western students.

“I discovered her work in Amsterdam in 1998, when I was doing a research project in Russia and stopped in there for a few days,” Geo Sipp said, associate professor of art. “I went to a book store that specialized in comics and experimental artwork, and I found a book of hers and I fell in love with it.”

That was before social media, explained Sipp, who spent some time tracking down a way to contact the artist, eventually sending her a message on Facebook.

“I thought that, because comics are so popular in the United States, that we ought to bring her to Missouri Western for a couple weeks to talk about her work,” Sipp said. “She is extremely well known in the field of graphic arts and comics, and see if we could share her with other institutions.”

Goblet has visited Northwest Missouri State University, the University of Kansas and the Kansas City Art Institute during her visit, which ends Sunday.

“I am working only with art students,” Goblet said.  “I’ve done a lot of very experimental work in my field, which is comics, and I’d like to share these experiences and make people see different aspects of what they know about comics, which is linked to what they see here in America.”

“Here the background of comics are more superheroes and so on, and I try to offer a new point of view and what has happened in Europe and explain that their comics are completely involved in the process of contemporary art,” Goblet said.

While students in the art department initially didn’t know who the graphic novelist was, they found her advice and experience very helpful.

“She’s helped me out a lot,” senior art student Andrew Setter said. “ She has made us think outside the box a lot. Normally we draw positively, and she has asked us to draw the negative spaces first. It’s been a great experience. Some people might not like her art, but she knows her stuff and she will get you where you are trying to go with art.”

According to Goblet, her style of art can help students expand their horizons and see things in new ways.

“We think all about limits and how to find new ways of expression,” Goblet said. “I think when people from different parts of the world meet, they sort of discover from each other.

“I’ve learned a lot from the students here, and it’s a different spirit,” Goblet said. “Even a simple exercise of selecting photos from the internet, they pick different than what people around me would choose. We can see that the spirits are still different, which is a happiness because I wouldn’t live in a world where everything was the same.”

Guturist and Vocalist Rob Frommel is a Missouri Native whose first CD release, “A Thousand Times,” combines 16 years of fine-tuning and reworking. Frommel currently plays locally with his bands Bitterspoon and Complete Strangers.

Never judge a musician by how they look. I took one quick glance at the front and back of Rob Frommel’s new and first CD, “A Thousand Times,” and thought I had him figured out.
With the picture of Rob Frommel on the back (a spitting image of the well known country singer Travis Tritt) and the dirt image on the front, I would have bet my life that this guy was another country singer. I learned quickly that not everyone with a scraggly beard, Bo Bice hair and a flannel shirt sings country.
The first time I listened to this CD all the way through, I couldn’t recall a single catchy sound. My view completely flip-flopped when I finished listening to the CD the second time through.
Frommel is your average modern mellow-rock style singer. The CD starts out with a Tommy Emmanuel sort of vibe on the guitar. Emmanuel is arguably one of the most talented acoustic guitarists alive right now, so when I heard this CD start, it didn’t quite fill me up with the jaw-dropping guitar work that I expected.
The songs jump around and change from purely acoustic to soft electric. It even throws in a small taste of a saxophone. A handful of the songs had instrumentals that made me expect Jack Johnson to slide in with some smooth lyrics.
Since the CD kind of psyched me out of hearing what I expected to hear, it didn’t do anything for me. After researching a little biography on Frommel and listening through again, I had a completely different view.
I applaud Frommel on “A Thousand Times” because it was put together with 16 years worth of songwriting work. Every song had more feeling the second time through once I knew this. He waited until each individual song sounded exactly how he wanted it to sound.
Yes, he could have sung someone else’s lyrics with an auto-tuned voice and a new single every three weeks, but he didn’t. He chose to head down the path that leads musicians to the title of an artist, instead of the label of just another singer. Although Frommel is fairly average musically, I would recommend listening to him over any average singer with a pimped out microphone.
I have yet to hear a lyric from any of the songs that explains why he chose the title “A Thousand Times.” I could come up with a pretty good guess saying he probably wrote, played, edited and revised every song about “a thousand times” over the years before officially putting them together on a CD.
It’s not one of those albums where you say in the middle of a conversation “hold on, I love this song!” If that is what you are looking for, your next favorite is not likely going to be from this CD. If you listen to music because of what it is, how it’s made, and the effort you know that was put into it, “A Thousand Times” is definitely worth listening to.

Giamatti, Ryan and the actresses that play the two girls are shining points in this hilarious film.

I’d never heard of “Win Win” before my trip to the Redbox Sunday afternoon, but after seeing that it starred Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan as a married couple, I knew I had found the movie I’d be reviewing this week.

Giamatti plays Mike Flaherty, a struggling small-town lawyer practicing elder law by day and coaching high school wrestling by night—well, afternoon. Mike obtains legal guardianship of one of his clients in order to collect the handsome monthly check and accidentally obtains the client’s 16-year-old grandson, Kyle, along the way. Though much of the movie after Kyle’s appearance revolves around wrestling, potential sports-phobic audiences should not be deterred: “Win Win,” directed by Thomas McCarthy, is a funny, insightful, perfectly cast film.

Giamatti is fantastic in this Official Selection from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Mike’s choices early in the film are less than admirable; in the hands of another actor, it would be easy to write Mike off as selfish. The likability that Giamatti lends to the character makes it very easy for the audience to see his motivation and, in turn, understand his choices. Mike’s boyish manner and nervous “ahems” are the perfect foil to his wife’s aggressive personality, portrayed flawlessly by Ryan.

In my opinion, Ryan can do no wrong, and her turn as Jackie Flaherty is no exception. Ryan’s Jackie is a brash Jersey girl turned adult; her accent and Jon Bon Jovi tattoo are intact, but her wild ways have been translated into a fierce love for her family. Ryan’s portrayal never falters—her accent is subtle enough to not be noticed immediately, but grating enough to be realistic.

The true star of the movie, however, is Alex Shaffer as Kyle. Shaffer is wonderfully understated in this role. His character comes from a background of drugs and crime; at the age of 16, his hair is bleached, and he is tattooed many times over. It would have been easy to overdraw this character into a cursing, smoking ball of rage. The subtlety that Shaffer brings to the role makes it so easy for the audience to become absorbed in the film. There is no distracting “performing,” but only the sad story of a young man fighting to escape the world created by his drug-addicted mother. When Kyle finally lets a smile slip through, the audience feels just as gratified as Mike does.

The amount of wrestling in this movie should not deter the audience. The front of the DVD may show Kyle in his singlet, but the wrestling only serves as a metaphor for the struggles of the rest of the characters. Kyle’s wrestling style is a little unorthodox (apparently, though I wouldn’t know one wrestling style from another). While explaining it to his teammates, he tells them to just do whatever it takes. This wrestling motto serves as a metaphor that translates to the rest of the characters in the film: they are all fighting to make it and have to do whatever the hell it takes to succeed. This extended metaphor may sound cheesy, but I think that the varied problems of the characters, and the hilarious situations they get themselves in, serve to alleviate this problem.

“Win Win” received a 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and this accomplishment is truly deserved. I think that everyone should go rent this movie; it’s more than worth the dollar.

When dusk set in around 80 people were already sitting down in their chairs or mingling with other guests as they waited for the show to begin. Student Life Director, Isaiah Collier, and Administrative Coordinator for Vice President of Student Affairs, Kathy Kelly, were just a few administrators that left their offices to come see the show. Members of sorority Tri Sigma also arrived early so they can have a perfect seat before the show began. Tri Sigma member Theryn Johnson expressed her anticipation for the event, as she not only came to support the show, but also her sorority sister, model Charnelle Starling.

“This is my first time,” Johnson said. “I think fashion is really cool. I think it will be cool with the fountain and natural light.”

Johnson also includes what she personally likes about fashion.

“I like new styles. I want to see wild clothing: something people wouldn’t wear,” Johnson said.

Another audience member was Daniel Banks, who came to see some fashion and support his friends that were both models and the show’s side talent. The talent included a duo with drummer Daniel Cole and singer Mary Fulk, rapper Louis Erby and singer Christina Williams.

“I like fashion, designs and clothes,” Johnson said. “I’m an artsy person. I enjoy Oriental design and anything with bright colors.”

Banks, who has been to a few Missouri Western fashion shows, remembers how well last year’s BSU fashion show turned out, which was in Remington Hall.

“It was fun and well choreographed,” Banks said. “Though this show has a good outdoor feeling, I still like Remington better. This show is probably not going to top last year’s show.”

Though it might now have topped last year’s show, which had roughly 150 in attendance, it certainly brought new attention with new clothing styles, new talent and new designers. The show, which lasted about an hour, had roughly five segments, each with new clothing and new faces. The first segment included a dark theme, as all female models dressed in all black. This segment had a wide range of clothing from bathing suits to party outfits. The next segment was all males in an urban chic style. The next included fall clothing such as dresses and long pant rompers, and  the next segment included jeans and fancy accessories.

The final segment was party themed, with models in hot pink colors and mixed-and-matched skirts and tops. This was designed by 17-year-old designer Jimmy Rand. Rand not only featured these models in bright, attention grabbing clothing, but had them walk around the circular stage in a drunken fashion. Though it stunned the audience, it was the ultimate highlight of the show.

“I had an idea of different kind of scenes,” Rand said. “I had the drunk teacher who just came from work and is going out. Then I had a little girl who was getting drunk for the first time. She sees her older sister and they kind of have on the same outfit. Then I had a school girl. I just wanted to have different elements.”

Though the crowd might not have understood the concept, they certainly paid close attention to the models staggering so close to the water fountain that they almost slipped in. The models were also holding bottles that mimicked alcohol bottles, which added to the developed concept.

“I think they understood my concept because it was different,” Rand said.

Among the modeling and the talent that was showcased in between segments, the show’s urban concept and message of creativity was something the audience could definitely take home.

“My favorite thing about tonight’s show was to see everybody drunk,” Rand said jokingly. “Art is something I have a passion for and is something I want to do. To see me do it is kind of exciting. I accomplished one of my goals, which was to be in high school and have a fashion show in college.”

“I just stayed to myself in high school, so [modeling] is me coming out and doing something fun in college,” Taliaferro said. “I love doing the fashion shows. I’m taking it very serious right now. It could be an occupation for me.”

According to Taliaferro, who before college didn’t have any modeling experience, her model walk was actually one of her best runway features.

“I did dancing for four years throughout high school,” Taliaferro said. “So my walk was kind off natural to me. I didn’t have to practice as much.”

But posing for her was just the opposite, as it took her a little time to learn.

“I had to practice my posing because I wasn’t sure of what type of posing they wanted or how they wanted me to look,” Taliaferro said.

Though Taliaferro likes the people who put on the show, she does admit that not everything is perfect behind the curtain.

“It’s really hectic,” Taliaferro said. “People are always running around everywhere. Before I come, I make sure I have everything done. Some people come to practice and waste their time. And when they do come to the final practice, they don’t know what they are doing. It kind of frustrates me.”

Taliaferro encourages everyone to give modeling a chance, as it will help motivate people and give them some new experiences.

“People with low self-esteem that don’t think they are pretty should try modeling,” Taliaferro said. “They don’t have to do it as a career but as something to motivate them to get out and talk to people.”

Clevon Jones is the owner of Mgot Clothing which stands for Money Grows on Tress. His clothing is currently being sold in Kansas City.

My name is Clevon Jones and I am the owner of Mgot Clothing which stands for “Money Grows on Trees.” I started the company when I was 18 with 20 dollars. With hard work and sacrifice, I have been able to see places and meet many people like the likes of Russell Simmons, Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Porter and Young Joc to name a few. You can purchase the apparel at Method boutique located in Kansas City at 18th and wyandotte and soon a store near you. Keep in contact with me: follow me on Twitter @MGOT_Clothing and Facebook MGOT Clothing.

“The fashion shows are a good contribution to what we do as women,” Ford said. “It holds a positive aspect to teach young women about expressing yourselves through clothing. “

For Ford, the hardest thing to learn about modeling was the walk. It took two or three weeks worth of practice to fully get it down.

“It was something that I wasn’t used to,” Ford said. “I had to be taught over and over to make it look natural. Eventually I became immune to it though.”

Another thing for Ford to learn was posing, which also took some time to perfect.

“Poses are not supposed to be stiff, but like artwork,” Ford said. “It took me a while to understand that concept.”

For Ford, the fashion shows are a hobby that she continues to enjoy.  The very first fashion show she did was for her church at home. Yet Ford continues to do shows to express herself and to show off her personality.

“Fashion expresses myself as far as  my appearance,” Ford said. “People can judge my personality off of what I wear. You get to experience different cultures and get to know other people on campus. You can pretty much just have fun.”

Although Orlowski is visually impaired, it would be hard to tell if you see him around campus.  Despite his condition, his classes and work load are no different from any other students.  Orlowski feels that he receives the same opportunities as every other student at Western.  Orlowski also believes that the university is making learning for him possible through the use of alternative text, adaptive software and note takers.

Originally from Leavenworth, Kan., Orlowski currently resides in St. Joseph.  Orlowski transferred from Kansas City Community College a few semesters ago and has really enjoyed his time at Western thus far.

“My experience at Western has been much better than KCK because there are much more resources here,” said Orlowski. “I would recommend Western to anyone with a condition similar to mine.”

Orlowski is currently taking 16 credit hours at Western as well as working 40 hours a week at Sam’s Club in St. Joseph, where he stocks shelves at night.  He cannot operate a vehicle so he currently takes taxi cabs back and forth to school, which cost him roughly $15 per day.  Co-workers help him get back and forth to work.  In addition to a hefty work and school schedule, Orlowski is also married.  His wife Janelle, who is also visually impaired, attends Western as well.

Orlowski says the most challenging thing he has had to deal with at Western is navigating the campus during the winter months.

“The only thing I wish Western would do better is taking care of the sidewalks during winter,” said Orlowski.  “The sidewalks get pretty slippery and that can lead to some tough falls.”

When asked if he had a favorite professor at Western, Orlowski stated that all the ones he has had have been so great to him it would be impossible to pinpoint one.

Being a music education major, Orlowski enjoys singing as one of his hobbies.  He also enjoys sports, especially basketball because he played it for a time in his youth.  Orlowski is a big fan of the Missouri Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Orlowski also takes pleasure in bowling and bowls every Tuesday night at the Belt Bowl.

Mike Ritter, disability services coordinator, states that it has been challenging assisting visually impaired students at times, but he really enjoys his job at Western and is very proud of the work he does in Disability Services.  Ritter also states that the staff at the Instructional Media Center and Adaptive Technology has been very helpful to visually impaired students.

“Students with disabilities have the same hopes and dreams as anyone else, and to be part of making sure they have the same opportunities as their peers is really rewarding,” Ritter said.

As the models frantically run around from the make-up station to the hair station, and of course to the bathroom to practice their struts and poses, they await for the final three hours before the lights dim, the host comes on, and their opportunity finally arrives.

This is the typical setting before the annual Black Student Union Fashion Show, which is coming to Western this Friday, Sept. 23 in front of the Eder building at 6 p.m. Both the models and designers have been preparing for months to make this show top the shows from years past. The first conclusion was the change in venue, as this year will be the first BSU Fashion Show to ever be outside with a circular runway around a fountain. Events Coordinator Leah Hayes explains the other avenues that BSU took to try to make this show one of the best.

“This show is going to be something you’ve never seen before,” Hayes said. “We are also trying to gain a profit this year. Here at Western there are no African American scholarships. We are wanting to use the money earned at the fashion show for a scholarship. We are also going to have a mini art gallery and are looking to get a violinist.”

The scholarship will be granted to applicants that are African American, involved in a Western organization for at least one year and maintain a GPA of 2.65 or higher. In addition to the scholarship fundraiser and change of scenery, 36 models have also been selected very differently than in the past years. This year, the modeling was open to anybody, including members of the St. Joseph community and students from other schools.

The show is titled “Urban Chic” and costs $5 for general admission. Exclusive seating is $8 and VIP is $12.

“Each year we have at least 200 people,” Hayes said. “If we reach 250 people, we will reach our project profited amount for our scholarship.”

For more information about the show, contact Hayes at lhayes1@missouriwestern.edu or President of BSU DeAndre Diamond at ddiamond@missouriwestern.edu.

Sidney Chleborad is a freshman fashion merchandising major from Northwest University. She hopes to one day be a clothing consultant and dress models.

News from the Runway: Sidney Chleborad

Sidney Chleborad is a fashion merchandising major from Northwest University. This is her first semester at Northwest as she originally started her college career at Western in the spring of 2011. Chleborad feels that the fashion shows are perfect for her, as she plans to have a future within the fashion industry.

“I want to be a buyer from clothing companies, so I think it’s pretty awesome to choose clothes for different people. [The fashion show] is kind of perfect for me.”

Chleborad admires the true nature of fashion from the clothing trends to the outrages styles that are only seen on runway.

“I like crazy outfits, like big hats and really big sleeves; just out of the ordinary stuff that you don’t see everyday,” Chleborad said. “It’s just different. I experiment with different clothes. This is kind of my way of expressing my fashion.”

Chleborad gains inspiration from watching shows such as “America’s Next Top Model.”

“I’m hoping [the fashion show] will give me a greater appreciation for the models who go through with this stuff, put themselves out there and give it what they got,” Chleborad said. “It definitely gets you out of your comfort zone. I think everybody should experience it at least once in their life. It’s really different from anything else.”

Caresse Owens has been in six modeling shows for Missouri Western and has worked with numerous designers in the metropolitan area. Though her major is in nursing, she hopes to one day work with some of the best female models in the industry. Photo by Austin Goacher | Staff

Nursing major Caresse Owens has been modeling for 4 years now, and she has been in six fashion shows put on at Missouri Western.

“Modeling expresses who I am as a person,” Owens said. “It’s really interesting to do, and it’s something I have a passion for.”

The passion that Owens, who also tried out for America’s Next Top Model just two years ago, has for modeling is shown through the hard work she and the other models have to put in for a show.

“It’s a rigorous type of thing,” Owens said. “You have to have the designers come and have a fitting, you have to be measured, you have to practice everything down to the tee: the walk, the spots you’re going to pose in and how you’re going to come out. You want it to be perfect.”

The models this year will be walking around the Eder Fountain outside, which is a change from previous shows.

“Modeling outside will be very different because of the weather and the audience, plus this year we’re having students outside of Western modeling as well,” Owens said. “But it should be a different kind of outlook on the show.”

Although the show will be in a different venue this year, Owens is still ready to model.

“I have a lot of faith in the show and Leah [Hayes],” Owens said. “I want everybody to come out and see us model.”

However, the story truly begins in 1959 when a craft from Cybertron crash lands on the moon, kick starting Earth’s space race with the United States and the Soviet Union competing for first contact.

The integration of the US/Soviet moon missions could have been an interesting plot point. However, it becomes nothing more than a reason to include archival footage of President John F. Kennedy and President Richard Nixon, along with two of the worst impersonations of these presidents I have seen.

Skip ahead 50 years and we meet up with Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Freshly graduated from college, his previous adventures with Autobots have earned him a presidential medal and a new girlfriend, Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley).

Sadly, like so many in today’s tough economic times, Sam has been unable to find a job where he can mean something. While his predicament is understandable (how do you go back to being just another person after you have saved the world…twice?), it begins to border on annoying.

Sam’s misfortune gives us a device to meet some of the supporting cast. While it is great to see these beloved actors and there is great respect for them all, the comedic timing seems a bit off and almost seems forced.

My main point of contention here is editing. Considering the complete plot, it is an interesting integration of an important time in mankind’s history and the science fiction story now embedded into the memories of most. There actually is a lot of story in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon;” however, an hour in and few action scenes will leave even the die-hard fans wondering why they paid the ridiculous cost to see this movie when it was in theaters.

Towards the end of the movie, the action heats up, culminating with a full-on battle scene unlike any other. Make no mistake: this is an epic fight in the biggest arena possible! Sadly, this battle begins to drag on – almost to the point of wondering if you really care which side wins.

Look, Michael Bay brings an incredible style, grace and elegance to “Transformers.” The stunning computer-generated imagery provides an experience that truly brings the Autobots and Decepticons to life; I doubt anyone would argue with that. As always, the voice acting is unmatched: each voice actor allows you to connect with his or her character. For many this is a large part of why people actually enjoy the movies.

There was doubt that “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” would be a summer blockbuster hit. As for my recommendation, I say rent it before you buy it… on Blu-Ray, of course. While you wait, you should check out the soundtrack for the movie, because the music is absolutely amazing.

Only weeks away from their 20-year anniversary on campus, Alpha Phi Alpha is still making a strong impact within the community. APA is a historically black fraternity who definitely emphasize the business aspect of what they do.

“When it comes to community service leaders in the city, they know us by our first name,” Vice President of APA Jamal Ahmed said. “We take care of business and work hard to be the best at everything we do.”

This has been proven true in the past with multiple nominations and wins for numerous community service related awards such as the Most Outstanding Fraternity Award and the Glenn Marion Service Award, which is awarded to the organization that goes above and beyond the typical terms of providing community service.

“We separate ourselves through deeds, scholarships and services,” Ahmed said. “We set the bar as high as we can, because we don’t shoot for the minimum.”

APA is a fraternity that truly challenges themselves in what they can do for their community. They also have a lot of fun events coming up on Oct. 21-22, for everybody to participate in when they will be celebrating the 20-year mark as a Western fraternity.

Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Sigma Theta is a historically black sorority that has been at Western since April 20, 1996. It are a public service organization who is all about giving back to the community. Not only do they look to help out on campus, they do what they can to help out the community of St. Joseph as well. DST maintains focus on what is important to them by keeping to the “five point thrust.” The five point thrust is a system of five topics that they strive to improve within themselves and the community. The five consists of educational development, economic development, international awareness, political awareness and physical and mental health. One of the ways DST reaches out to help students is by their Confidont Program.

“Our Confidont Program mostly reaches out to freshmen women,” DST President Jessica Criss said. “Like how Griffon Edge prepares you for school and your classes, the Confidont Program takes it a step further and helps you overcome any obstacles with great lifelong lessons.”

Criss, a senior communications and public relations major, encourages freshmen to do research on the organization and see if they have similar priorities with DST.

“We’re not just about stepping and strolling at parties,” Criss said. “We want people to see how much we do for the community and realize how important it is to us.”

Phi Beta Sigma

Promoting brotherhood, scholarship and service, the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity has been present on campus since Mar. 1, 2000. “Culture for service, service for humanity,” is the motto the organization lives by, according to the Vice President Niyaa Daniels. Brotherhood, scholarship and service are exactly what they emphasize most in their organization. PBS continues to participate in numerous community service programs like their three national programs: Bigger Better Business, Education and Social Action.

“We believe in putting education first,” PBS President Arion Duncan said. “Education is needed for life, and so PBS is an organization that lets you be who you are, while helping you grow academically.”

Phi Beta Sigma would like to tell interested freshmen not to allow fraternities to persuade them to join, but for them to research different fraternities first and see what fraternity will benefit them the most.

“We let people be who they want to be, and we don’t judge anybody,” Daniels said.

PBS will be having a social event on Sept. 23 and 24 where people can come out and have a good time. They will have a lot of fun events going on, including one of their favorites: stepping and strolling.

The film Paul is filled with tons of great humor and action.  Pegg and Frost stay true to their roots in making Paul.  If you enjoyed any of Pegg and Frost’s other films than you will definitely like this flick.  With a much larger budget and a star studded cast, this movie may be their best film to date. Pegg and Frost’s cheeky British humor mixes brilliantly with the American comedic style of Rogan.  Playing the voice of Paul is one of the best roles Rogan has done and is a much needed refreshing break away from his redundant pot humor.  With some extraterrestrial action and some gut busting dialogue, Paul is a must see movie for comedy and sci-fi lovers.  Paul is rated R and runs 104 minutes.

Mad Chad is a nationally recognized juggler and is most know for his chainsaw act.

Lights flicker on each of the “Mad” and “Chad” suitcases placed apart on the stage.  A man dressed in a black shirt and vest with blue sweatpants sprints out to the center of the platform grasping a chainsaw.  He “accidently” flings it toward the crowd, but they are relieved when he snatches it back with a rope.  He laughs satisfyingly as he jogs to the “Mad” suitcase to grab his next props.

When “Mad Chad” Taylor fired up three very real, very sharp and very functioning 15-pound chainsaws, audience member 13-year-old Rasheed Henderson would take no part in sitting in the front row as he rushed his way to the aisle. As the audience laughed, Taylor, also known as the Evel Knievel of comedy, tossed the running chainsaws above his head with no effort.  After a couple rounds, he switched it up and weaved them strategically through his legs.

Dangerous? Yes. Could he have gone more dangerous? Yes. He closed the “Chad” suitcase, set a round plastic container on its rolling side and placed his skateboard opposite the wheels on top of the container.  As he held the chainsaw, he balanced his feet on both ends of the skateboard, turned on the chainsaw and tossed it up, rotating it with two small pink balls.

He finally catches the objects, jumps off the skateboard without a sweat. The audience screams and Taylor thrusts a fist above his head.

Because of Student Affairs, chainsaw juggler Taylor was able to close family day by showing off his wild and dangerous stunts when he took the Potter Hall stage Sept. 10.

Taylor, who is from Santa Monica, Calif., learned to juggle chainsaws when he was asked to do it for a Miller Lite commercial.  He practiced for a while, and he ended up surprising the director when he got on set.

“I learned it and once I got there to shoot it, they didn’t expect me to actually do it running—they were just going to put a sound effect over it later,” Taylor said. “They thought it was totally crazy.”

Chainsaws weren’t his first items to juggle, however. He had to start small. Once Guinness World Record holder Taylor was given a “learn to juggle” kit for Christmas when he was young, he couldn’t stay away from it.

“I started juggling in junior high,” Taylor said.  “I was obsessed. I was literally practicing for four hours a day.”

While he jokes that he had way too much free time as a kid, it has paid off.  He performed acts on Venice Beach and worked his way up to juggling on shows like “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and the TV series “Time Warp.”  He has several videos on YouTube and has his own website www.madchadtaylor.com. He has been performing his acts for 12 years.

Although his main attraction is juggling chainsaws, Taylor’s act also consisted of juggling tricks mixed in with quick jokes, fake props, comical stories and a lot of jawing with the audience. He even had a segment for his show titled the “Audience Challenge” where people from the crowd voted on an object for Taylor to juggle with an egg and a shot put. A large purple purse was chosen, and Taylor had no problems as he hurled them in the air.

“The audience entertains me,” Taylor said.

Taylor feeds off his viewers’ reactions, especially when he bounces a fake shot put off his forehead, attempts and succeeds at juggling five tennis balls (three were glued together) and flings a dozen eggs into the crowd (only all the eggs were connected to each other and the carton by a string).

Student Pierce Karguth enjoyed the show and Taylor’s passion for shocking his audience with his clever tricks.

“I had many favorite parts, and most involved his crowd interaction,” Karguth said. “He captivated the whole audience. He made us laugh, and even gasp at the fake injuries that he would inflict on himself.”

Along with crowd interaction, he brought three people up to the stage, including Karguth and the young Henderson who sat in the front row, hoping to get chosen to help out Taylor. Henderson got what he wanted as he ran up on stage and aided Karguth in steadying an unusually tall unicycle for Taylor to hop on and eventually juggle knives while eating an apple.

Because Taylor’s act was for people of all ages, Student Life Director Isaiah Collier, who has seen Taylor perform before at the college he used to work at, believed he was a good fit for the end of family day.

“When I saw [Taylor] at Bradley University, I thought he would be a perfect cap at the end of family day,” Collier said.

Collier thought right. Henderson and Karguth both agreed they would go see Taylor in the future if they had the chance.

“[Taylor’s performance] was probably one of the best acts that Missouri Western has brought on the campus,” Karguth said. “It isn’t everyday you see a juggling comedian who likes to scare the audience with his dangerous stunts. I loved the show.”

Name: K.C. Ramsell

Sport: Women’s Soccer

Year: Freshman

Position: Forward

Stats this week: Shots on goal — 6; Total shots — 8; Goals — 4

Ramsell scored four goals in her first two games as a Griffon. Last season, the team totaled nine goals all year. The Griffon’s lost their first game in overtime despite Ramsell’s breakout performance, but won their second game 2-0.

According to americankenpo.com, this style of  martial arts is characterized by quick, ceaseless movement, designed to overpower the opponent. American Kenpo is derived from Japanese and Hawaiian roots.
Elliot realized that American Kenpo was her true passion in life when she started out by taking classes in Cameron, Mo. It was there that she realized American Kenpo would change her life. Not only did it show her how to overcome self confidence issues, it also was through Kenpo that she would meet her future husband Braden. Braden, a third degree black belt, and Elliot, a third degree brown belt, will be the co-owners of the academy together.
“Our academy is definitely focused on self-defense,” Elliot said. “Not only does it give you the ability to defend yourself, it also gives you the confidence to do everyday tasks, such as speaking in public or going to a job interview.” 

Elliot is definitely someone who is aware of the possible anxiety issues that come out with public speaking and audiences. She is a Theater and Cinema major in her junior year here at Missouri Western. She plans on becoming a high school theater teacher when she gets her degree. Education and American Kenpo are what she always wants to be a part of. Elliot has always looked up to the creator of American Kenpo Ed Parker, and she lives her life by Parker’s saying “condition and guts take over where knowledge and skill end.”

Condition and guts are exactly what American Kenpo gives you, and has given Elliot. This was proven when Elliot broke her wrist the day before her first  tournament. She decided to deny getting a cast on it in order to stay qualified to compete. Not only did she compete with no cast on a day old broken wrist, she took first place in her division. “Scholar and Warrior Kenpo Academy” was named “Scholar and Warrior” to emphasize exactly what is important to them.

“You can’t just train your mind, you can’t just train your body,” Elliot said. “You have to train both.”

The academy already has approximately 15-20 people ready to start Kenpo classes and are inviting more to join. Elliot and Braden are eager for newcomers into Kenpo to at least give it a try. For the people who have never tried American Kenpo before, the academy is having their first two classes to be free of charge. You can find more information about the academy at www.swKenpoacademy.com or by calling (816)-689-3669. Carol and Gene are ready to welcome anyone interested into their new facility at 709 Edmond St., right next to the Missouri Theater.

“Hypnosis” is the Greek word for “sleep,” which is what Master Hypnotist Tony Lucero specializes in. Thanks to the Western Activities Council, Lucero was able to perform his comedic hypnotist show August 30 in the Kemper Recital Hall.

Lucero, who has been a master hypnotist for nine years, decided he wanted to study hypnotism after he met Michael Johns and was hypnotized during his comedic hypnosis show in Las Vegas.

“I was standing in line for the show and a guy tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I was going to see his show,” Lucero said. “I said yes, and we started talking. After awhile, I told him that I’d love to learn how to do what he does, so he told me to come see him after the show”

“We became friends and [Johns] said ‘I’ll take you under my wing and I’ll teach you everything,’” Lucero said.

A determined Lucero practiced in the mirror, on his three kids and wife, and even on his dog. Three months later, Lucero was on the road full time performing comical hypnosis acts in places like Los Angeles, New York and even Las Vegas where he had first seen Johns.

Most recently, it was Missouri Western’s turn to get a hilarious taste of Lucero’s hypnotism. Lucero, who considers himself more as an entertainer than just a hypnotist, kicked off the show by explaining what he does and allowing volunteers to come on the stage.

“I don’t have ‘powers’ or a ‘hypnotic spell.’ What I do is I guide you to a state of relaxation,” Lucero said.

There were 10 students total on stage were hypnotized, but several members of the audience became hypnotized as well. Lucero encourages people in the crowd to participate.

“Sometimes my best people come from my audience,” Lucero said. “That person you’re sitting next to could be the rock star of the show.”

Speaking of rock stars, Lucero told the 10 students they were celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, The Spice Girls and DJ Kasamota. With wigs and props, the students danced to their singer’s songs appropriately (including Jackson’s unforgettable moonwalk and the “worm”) as they played randomly through the segment.

Not only did the students’ dance moves keep the crowd enticed, so was their subconscious willingness to cling to each other for warmth when Lucero painted the picture in their minds that they were on a beach with 165 degree weather to 20 degrees.

Although they may have held on to each other for warmth, they might not recollect it like student Alex Whitaker.

“I know I was on a beach, and then I remember people cheering, but that’s about it,” Whitaker said.

Lucero stated that being under hypnosis is like having a dream, waking up from it and trying to recall all of it- it’s not easy. Student Deraan Washington could only recall certain things toward the end of the show, but what she anticipates is an easy night of sleep.

“I’ve always heard that when you get hypnotized that you get the best sleep that night so I’m looking forward to that for sure,” Washington said.

Not only did Lucero give the students the power to relax deeply, he also left them with good fortune.

“I’m going to leave you with something in your mind so you have an amazing year and whatever you’re trying to accomplish this year will happen very easy for you.”

Check out Lucero on YouTube and keep an eye out for his new reality show “The Pyramid Thing” which is about six entrepreneurs who change lives.

Photos by Dave Hon

Sororities:

Sigma Sigma Sigma

As the first recognized sorority at Missouri Western, Tri Sigma is all about school and community.  They hold quite a few fundraisers, as well as walks for breast cancer and autism.  They also adopt a highway to clean each semester.

As for school, Homecoming and Greek Week are a must for participation.  Tri Sigma also has a rule that 75 percent of the chapter must show up to each school event that takes place.  According to junior and long-time Tri Sigma member Jordan Oldani, who is from Hawaii, the 75 percent rule gave her the chance to get involved on campus more as well as meet new people.

Tri Sigma not only takes community and school seriously, but sisterhood as well.  After meeting the members of the sorority for the first time, Oldani knew Tri Sigma was the place for her.

“I fell in love with Tri Sigma.  Everybody was friendly and caring from the very first time I walked through the door.”

With the motto “Faithful unto death,” each member must treat each other with respect and have each other’s back, which comes easily Oldani said.

“What I noticed with Tri Sigma was that they didn’t just build friendships— they built a sisterhood.”

Alpha Gamma Delta

Founded in 1995 at Missouri Western, Alpha Gamma Delta’s goal is to improve their lives and the lives around them and in the community.  With their motto, “Inspire the woman, impact the world,” Alpha Gamma Delta raises money for the Alpha Gamma Delta foundation, which is for diabetes research and awareness.  They take donations through their Teeter-totter-a-Thon event in the fall, which is when they teeter-totter on campus for 24 hours straight, as well as hold a Mr. MWSU Pageant each year.

Senior and President of Alpha Gamma Delta Celeste Hass has been a member of Alpha Gamma Delta since her freshman year.  She says she became a member because of the principles they stand for, the friendly atmosphere, and the ability to become better involved with the school and the community.

“They made me feel comfortable from the very beginning,” Hass said. “I could be myself around them. I felt that they were real-true friends.”

Hass would like students to check out Alpha Gamma Delta in the near future.

“We are a very diverse group of women. You should get to know us and see what we’re all about.”

Alpha Sigma Alpha

With their motto “Aspire, seek, attain,” Alpha Sigma Alpha focuses on the intellectual, physical, spiritual and social development of their members.  The members attend various school events as well as help out with the Special Olympics each year.  In fact, working with the Special Olympics changed senior and President of Alpha Sigma Alpha Amanda Benjamin’s mind about what she wanted to do after college.

“Before I joined Alpha Sigma Alpha, I wanted to be an elementary school teacher,” Benjamin said.  “After working with people with disabilities, I now want to be a special education teacher.”

Benjamin, whose sister was also a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, has been a member since her freshman year.

“I already knew lot about the sorority before I joined because of my sister, but when I walked in the room for recruitment I just knew Alpha Sigma Alpha was right for me,” Benjamin said.

Alpha Sigma Alpha has members from all different clubs including cheerleading, basketball, honors programs, Student Government Association and Western Activities Council.  No matter what organization or group students are involved in, Benjamin says Alpha Sigma Alpha can provide a good college experience.

“Being a member has taught me leadership skills, encouraged me to keep up my GPA and has overall left me with a lot of great memories.”

Fraternities:

Tau Kappa Epsilon

Founded in 1899, Tau Kappa Epsilon is a fraternity that raises money for St. Jude’s Children Hospital while also running events for the community and Missouri Western.  In order to raise money for St. Jude’s, Tau Kappa Epsilon has various cookouts on campus.  The food is free for all students, and donations are welcome.

With the motto “Better men for a better world,” Tau Kappa Epsilon also helps out with the Special Olympics by operating the track and field events and presents the medals.

Junior and Vice President of Tau Kappa Epsilon Tanner Shelton says he not only joined because his dad was a member, he joined because of his soon-to-be brothers.

“Although I am a legacy, I checked out Tau Kappa Epsilon, liked the guys, and decided to join,” Shelton said.

Not only do the other members make it worthwhile, Shelton believes there are other reasons why Tau Kappa Epsilon might be a good fit for students.

“If you want to have fun, meet a lot of new people, help out the community and start networking, you should give Tau Kappa Epsilon a chance.”

Phi Sigma Kappa

Founded in 1971 at Missouri Western, Phi Sigma Kappa is the oldest active fraternity on campus.  Their cardinal priniciples are to promote brotherhood, stimulate scholarship and develop character.  Their core values are to demand excellence, commit to lifelong learning, meet challenges with innovation and to value brotherhood above self.  They raise money to donate to the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation.

Phi Delta Theta

With the motto “Become the greatest version of yourself,” Phi Delta Theta focuses on five principles: academic excellence, social involvement, public affairs, campus activities and rituals.  Phi Delta Theta raises money for various organizations but mainly donates to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) Association.  In order to do so, they hold volleyball and softball tournaments throughout the school year.

Phi Delta Theta also participates in Habitat for Humanity, Homecoming, Greek Week and spends time at the nursing home.

Senior and President of Phi Delta Theta Ryan Vanbelkum has been with the fraternity since his freshman year.

“I chose Phi Delta Theta because it was the right fit for me,” Vanbelkum said.

Phi Delta Theta has numerous members in other organizations such as Western VIP, Griffon Edge and members that are Residential Assistants for the school.  Vanbelkum would like students to check out this fraternity because he does not want students to miss out.

“Come out and get a feel for our organization,” Vanbelkum said. “We stress for academics and want productive members of society. It’s not like you see on TV, and it’s not just a party- but we do have a good time.”

Isaiah Collier, Student Life Director

After budget cuts were made last year, Missouri Western called in Isaiah Collier to take over as the new Student Life Director.

Collier, who is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and attended the University of Akron, was employed at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. before he found Missouri Western.

“I was looking for a change,” Collier said. “When I visited campus and met with everyone, I knew this would be my next ‘home’.”

As the new student life director, Collier will advise Western Activities Council and oversee Greek Life Community, Registered Student Organization, Family Weekend, Western Warm-Up, the Non-Traditional Center and Orgsync.

He’s not just setting up shop, however.  He has a plan.

“My goals for this year are to become better acquainted with students and to develop some cutting edge programs geared at challenging them to grow,” Collier said.

Criminal Justice major Angela Sousley-Horn agrees that getting to know the students is very important.

“He should get to know everyone because you might be surprised at how much help you can get out of the students and their families if they know you are there for them as well,” Sousley-Horn said.

Besides meeting students, Non-Trad senior English Literature and Childhood Studies major Staci Hersh expects a lot from the new Student Life Director.

“Communicate with us: we have learned that actions speak louder than words; so if you say you are going to do something it is important to follow through,” Hersh said. “Understand us: we are a group of hard working, community minded adults who also happen to be students at MWSU with families, jobs and real life issues. Utilize us: we have a lot to offer through our experience, thoughts, suggestions, ideas and like to get things done.”

Hersh continues with more hopes and wishes of Collier.

“Be accessible: let us know you are there for us, that you will help be part of the solution instead of part of the problem,” Hersh said. “Listen to us: let us know that you have heard our concerns and respect our feelings, even if you don’t agree. Encourage, support and empower us: help us eliminate the road-blocks and obstacles that inhibit our ability to get the most out of our education and time at MWSU,” Hersh said.

Like Hersh, sophomore Sousley-Horn believes Collier will have a lot on his plate.

“[Collier] is going to have a lot of responsibilities in his new position, and I’m not so sure that one person is going to be able to handle everything that needs to be handled in each department,” Sousley-Horn said. “However, I’m sure he will do the best that he can do given the fact that the school budget situation has pretty much dumped all the responsibilities into this one position.”

Collier will have a lot of tasks in front of him, but students like Sousley-Horn are eager to see what he has in store.

“I actually look forward to seeing what he has planned for student life this semester.”

Juliet (Swank) is an ER doctor, living in a run-down hotel after her boyfriend’s cheating forced her out of their apartment. She finds a beautiful apartment in Brooklyn that seems almost too good to be true: the rent is affordable and the landlord, Max (Morgan) is friendly and handsome. Juliet quickly moves in, and the uneasy tone that consumes the movie sets in: Juliet wakes the first night in the apartment to strange noises and searches everywhere for their source. She sees nothing suspicious, but the audience sees the tall, male shadow. This is a pattern throughout the film—the audience knows exactly what is happening to Juliet while she remains largely oblivious. This adds nicely to the overall tension of the film. The audience becomes aware of Max’s consuming obsession with Juliet very early on in the film, but Juliet is not as quick to catch on.

This film watches a lot like a prelude to a “Law & Order: SVU” episode. In the “L&O” episode, detectives Benson and Stabler would be chasing the bad guy, bringing justice to a crime that has already been committed. “The Resident” lets the audience see the actual crime as it unfolds, from the peepholes that look into the apartment to the entryway in the back of Juliet’s pantry. Every time that Juliet gets naked—which is often—the audience knows exactly how Max is peeping in on her. If you’re not interested in seeing Swank naked, skip this movie. You see basically everything in the first fifteen minutes.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Max and Hilary Swank as Juliet in horror thriller 'The Resident.'

Swank and Morgan both deliver solid performances; the script is what keeps this movie from being better than average. Max is obviously a damaged character, but the explanation of his psyche is full of holes. His grandfather describes him as a pervert, “just like his father,” and a weird, confusing memory montage shows a newspaper clipping with the headline “Man shoots wife, then himself.” These half-explanations would be better left out of the film if they were not going to be more fully explained. They are confusing and distracting.

Besides the suspense, the best part of the movie is the set. Juliet’s place is apartment porn at its finest. Her newly renovated Brooklyn loft has hardwood floors, huge windows and gorgeous views over the river and into Manhattan. I could write an entire glowing review about the kitchen alone (besides the hidden entrance, I guess).

Overall, The Resident is genuinely entertaining, if not critically excellent. To have a better viewing experience than I did, I suggest a nighttime screening with some friends and something to drink other than coffee. I offer that suggestion with a disclaimer, however: Don’t watch this movie if you’re planning on moving into a new apartment like, ever.

“It’s amazing the amount of talent that’s flowing through St. Joe right now,” local musician and Western graduate Drew Ames said.

Ames is one of St. Joseph’s many talented musicians that jams in an weekly open mic session at Magoon’s Famous Delicatessen.

Magoon’s is one of the three local venues that currently host weekly open mic jam sessions.  The Café Acoustic and Bottoms Up Bar have equally successful open mic jams and all three venues are free of cover and open to everyone over 21 years of age.

“Everyone always talks about how there is nothing to do in St. Joe,” local singer-songwriter Marcus Words said.

Words, who goes to almost all of the venues on jam nights, hosts the jam at Bottoms Up and co-hosts the jam at Magoon’s. For him, the open mic nights are a way to help change peoples perception of the entertainment available in St. Joseph.

“It’s amazing how it’s starting to blossom,” Words said. “It’s more than St. Joe has ever had. It’s our scene… that’s all there is to it.”

Bottoms Up Bar

After reopening last year under new ownership, Bottoms Up has become the newest addition to the open mic circuit. Owners Bruce and Seth Hall, who are musicians themselves, wanted to be part of the open mic scene in St. Joseph. Every Thursday night, host Marcus Words kicks off the jam around 9:30 p.m.

“The really important thing to understand about what we do every Thursday is that it is a culture built around encouragement. The encouragement to get out of your basement, get off your couch and hang out with a bunch of like minded people,” Words said.

Encouragement is exactly what first-time performer Jon Bond got last week. Bond, with some encouragement from Words, made his open mic debut.

“It was one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done.”  Western graduate Bond said. “I got to check it off the bucket list.”

Be it the bucket list, or just a love for music, Bottoms Up Bar and Words are always happy to have new faces.

“You don’t have to be some guitar virtuoso,” Words said. “It’s more than fun… it’s therapeutic. It’s something we need to do as musicians and as music lovers”

Café Acoustic

“This is where it all started,” local singer-songwriter Chris Jameson said. “Every night of the week when they first opened it was open mic.”

Nowadays this is not the case, but every Wednesday you can count on Jameson hosting an open mic jam at the Café. You can also catch many other nights at the Café with an open mic format.

“I’ve been all over the world and this is the first place I’ve ever been to that had more open mic nights that anything else,” Jameson said.

The Café Acoustic has probably the loosest format for their jam nights. Musicians wanting to jam are welcome to let the host and/or owners know and arrangements will be made.

“You see a lot of people who wouldn’t normally jam with each other,” Jameson said.  “It’s cool when you can make music together on that perfect spontaneous light of creativity.”

Jameson went on to explain that for him its all about the connection, admitting that he had met most of his friends jamming at the Café.

Jam sessions start at the Café around 10 p.m. on Wednesday nights. All of-age instrumentalists, vocalists and music lovers are welcome.

Magoon’s Famous Delicatessen

For over five years Tuesday nights at Magoon’s have been a destination for local musicians and music lovers.

“It’s the highlight of my week seeing some of the best musicians with the best equipment getting to let it wail,” said owner Barry Woodhall. “What I like about it most is the opportunity to see people grow. Since we started doing this I have seen tons of musicians blossom.”

Jams at Magoon’s are likely to include a trombone, saxophone and bongos in addition to the normal guitar, drums and bass guitar.

“It is an open jam, which means you can bring your instrument,” host Colby Walter said. “One thing I always enjoy about the jam is the variety of music.”

Magoon’s crowd on Tuesday nights is big. So big that Walter uses a sign up sheet to help keep things fair for the jammers. The jam begins at 9 p.m., but it is not unusual to see names on the sign up sheet hours before.

“Our crowd is a wonderful crowd, all self selecting mood music lovers, all respectful of different styles and personal tastes of different people,” Magoon’s bartender Doug Snyder said.

The blend of music tastes and styles at Magoons is what makes this jam so special.

“I think of Magoon’s as a community resource at times,” Walter said. “It a good place for musicians to gather and get to know one another. Jammers come back every week or few weeks and it turns into one big jamily.”

Drew Ames is a big part of the Magoon’s jamily. He hasn’t missed a week since it started.

“Every Tuesday it’s a break from my normal day,” Ames said.  “Everyone here enlightens me with their wonderful abilities. Everyone should come down and enjoy it ‘cause it’s magical; for real magical.”

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Aaron M. Schildknecht is a 19-year-old freshman here at Missouri Western. In June Schildknecht will be putting down his textbooks to gain his sea legs at boot camp for the United States Navy. Schildknecht explained the reason he chose to come to college first instead of enlisting strait out of high school was so that he could get at least a couple of semesters worth of general education courses under his belt before he went to boot camp.

Instead of having a burning desire to serve his country, Schildknecht has two very different reasons for joining up.

“It seems to be a family tradition, my dad was in the Navy CB Reserves and a couple of my uncles have served in the Navy as well,” Schildknecht explained. He also remembers when he was young, going down to watch the CB drills and the occasional air shows they would put on. “It was all kinds of fun,” he said, “I figured if they get to have fun now, what happens when I’m old enough to serve? It’s got to be fun then.”

His parents, Mark and Karen Schildknecht, were not 100% surprised when they heard the news but they were still taken back by it. Both felt that even though he had expressed interest in the Navy over the years, he never really came out and said that this is what he wanted to do.

“He had been talking about it for quite sometime but never really seriously,” Mark said. “Then one night he came home and said guess what I joined the Navy. We were kind of surprised.”

Karen believes that even though she will miss her son’s humor and jokes, this is a great experience for him to grow as a person.

“I think with the Navy he will get a good back ground on work ethic, not that his work ethic was bad, but it will give him a good back ground in a different field,” Karen said. “He will learn what is expected of him and to get the job done to the best of his ability and not just to slide through and get it done with as little work as possible. Work should be something you are really, really proud of.”

Schildknecht thinks that once his six-year stint is done with the Navy, instead of turning it into a career he would much rather start his own business in Kansas City. He hopes to leave the open seas behind and trade in for a good burger, a cold beer and rock music.

“I’m going to open up a bar and grill,” Schildknecht said. “It’s going to be something high quality that’s going to knock the competition out of the way; something like Hard Rock Café only better.”

In the end, Schildknect explains that it is not his family, friends, or even his home town that he thinks he will miss the most while he is gone.

“I think I’m going to miss going fishing because even though I’m going to be surrounded by water on a ship nothing beats Missouri fishing.” Schildknecht said, as his eyes glaze over and his mind seems to drift back to the banks of a crystal blue lake during a warm summer day.

Student Jeff Martin poses with his bike. Contributed photo.

Being a 52-year-old non-traditional student is hard enough, but being a 52-year-old student who had his leg amputated one year ago would have to be even harder. Jeff Martin, a junior computer science major, was diagnosed with diabetes. Last year was he was told he would have to have his leg amputated or lose his life, due to an infection in the bone of his foot.
“Infection was spreading and we had to get rid of it,” Martin said. “I lost my leg a year and 10 days ago. Since then, on June 9, 2010, I got my prosthetic and on July 24 I rode the bike portion of a triathlon. “
Not only did he lose his leg just a year ago, but he began to ride in the bike portion of a few triathlons. In September he rode 15 miles in a Make-a-Wish Foundation fundraiser. Martin then began to think of something much larger.
“I needed to step it up a notch, so this summer I am riding my bike all the way across America,” Martin said. “From 15 miles in an hour, to all the way across America: I guess that is stepping it up. I don’t know where I will go from there. What can you do beyond that one?”
The event will be long and grueling, but for a great cause. The riders will be stopping by rehabilitation centers to speak with recent amputees and tell them from a first person point of view how their lives will be affected.
I’m going to be the youngest one on this ride,” Martin said. “There will be two in their 70s, one in his 60s and one in his late 50s. We are going to start in California and end in Florida. We are going to stop at 20 rehabilitation centers along the way. The main point of the ride is to stop and give hope to the ones who are hurting. We are thinking we will encourage some people and give them hope, and that is why we are doing this ride.”
The ride will be a way to pass on some help from people have already experienced it. Most students at Western do not know what the ride is for, but once they hear it, it only shows how much people care. Kynslie Otte, a junior English major, was very intrigued by what Martin would be doing.
“It is crazy to think of what he will be doing,” Otte said. “Once I heard he had only done 15 miles before and is now going to go across the country—that just blows my mind. It’s wild how some people will do so much for other.”
It is an adventure to go from one side of our nation to the next, but to be able and speak with people and help their lives out along the way just adds to how great the experience may be. Casey Carpenter, a senior philosophy major, was just as amazed as others.
“To think he just had his leg removed a year ago and now he is doing something so big,” Carpenter said. “Going from riding a few miles for foundations to riding across America in less than a year is just incredible. Just to spread some hope to everyone who could use it.”
The adventure will start on June 1 and go for nearly eight weeks until July 22. The winds may blow the riders all around, but the experience they will experience may be worth all the troubles that come along with a cross-country ride.
“One of the rehabilitation centers will be a Shriner hospital,” Martin said. “It will be all young children. I think it will be the toughest and the most rewarding, all in the same day. I will take all the prayers I can get right now.”
The men involved in the ride will be keeping a daily blog about how the trip is going throughout the entire eight weeks. Anyone can check in on the tour at either www.amputeesacrossamerica.com or on www.winningthebattles.com.

Schneider answers questions about her native country of France during her presentation last Wednesday. Haley Jennings | Staff

The United States has long been known for its diversity of cultures. Missouri Western State University has also become a gathering place for students of many different races, languages and religions. One such student put together a presentation to better educate our students on her culture.

Melanie Schneider is a business major at Western, but she is not from St. Joe. Schneider hails originally from France. Western has an exchange program set up with six other universities in six different countries. Schneider came from our French exchange school, Université d’Angers, pronounced ‘onshay’. Schneider’s hometown is called Le’Mans (‘la mon’), and is about an hour from Paris. In addition to learning the English language, all students in France must study abroad. Schneider says she signed up late, and the only school available for a business major to attend was Western.

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I don’t regret it,” Schneider said.

Wednesday, April 13, Schneider presented a PowerPoint all about life in France. It was focused on French culture and also talked about what school there is like for students. For example, when they go to college, it costs about 350 Euros to get a bachelor’s degree. In American money, that’s only about $525. It sounds like a great idea, but their curriculum is very different from ours as well. They don’t have midterms, but they do have finals, and unlike ours, these exams contain only essay questions: no true/false, no multiple choice. Like us, the classes aren’t mandatory – it’s the student’s choice to show up or not. But in French schools, you really want to be sure and go to class because their professors don’t print notes or post them on the computer or use a textbook for their assignments. If you miss a class, you miss the notes; if you miss the notes, you fail the class. And if you fail a class in France, you don’t just retake that class. You must retake the entire year of classes!

Another trait Schneider talked about was learning languages in French schools. From the time they turn 11, French students begin learning English. It is a mandatory class. In high school, they can choose to learn Spanish, German, Italian, or many other languages as well. There was only one drawback.

“The English they had us learning was British English,” Schneider said. “It was quite a shock to come over here and find out that Americans don’t talk that way.”

European English sounds very different than American English, but Schneider learned to speak with Americans very quickly. In fact, she’s only been in America since August 2010. Guess those lessons in grade school paid off.

Americans are also culturally very different from France. For one thing, a topic that we openly discuss quite often in America is religion. In France, your faith and beliefs are considered very personal and are never talked about in public. Something else that would never happen in France that Americans do all the time: we greet strangers on the street. Schneider was very uncomfortable with this when she first came here.

“[In France] people you don’t know, you don’t talk to.” Schneider said.

Remember our discussion on how much school costs in France? $525 for a year compared to our $13,000? Well, there may be a very good reason for that. Have you also noticed everyone complaining about the crazy climb in gas prices? Let’s do some more French math. Our gas is almost $3 a gallon right now. Theirs is 1.50 Euros a liter. That’s about $2. But there are four liters in one gallon. So their gas costs about $8 to our $3. This is also why the vast majority of French inhabitants, students and career-men and -women alike, walk or take the trains and buses to their destinations. Few of them own a car. Not to mention their driving school is almost like real school. You have to pay 2000 Euros and take so many hours of training classes to get your license.

Sharon Moore, a French major hoping to teach English abroad, attended Schneider’s presentation.

“[I learned] that the university system is much more affordable,” Moore said.

Ceasera Robinson, an English education major minoring in French, was also in the audience.

“I learned that gas prices are high and that I can’t be too friendly to people on the street,” Robinson said.

Schneider has enjoyed adjusting to life here in the States and other students enjoyed learning about France from her.

The out of state students will be adding on at least $164 to next semester’s bill. Jennifer Webber will be a sophomore at Western majoring in physical education. The problem with the tuition increase is that it will not affect some students as bad as others.
“The increase will not be too bad on me,” Webber said. “I will take out extra student loans to take care of the raise. In the end I will have to pay for the loans, but I will worry about that when the time comes.”
Peralez believes the increase is necessary for the university to move forward. The increase will show little effect to the students, but should better results to the school. Peralez believes the students will be fine with the increase as soon as they decide on the ways to payment option that fits them best.
“Some of the students do get the grant money and that does pay for the tuition,” Peralez said. “We do know they won’t be increasing Pell Grants. They usually had extra money from that. Probably most students will use the loans to pay for it. Also, many of our students work many hours, so I am sure they would be responsible and work more hours or just know they will need to be working more.”
The increase will only benefit the university, but will be a slight discomfort for the students to overcome. The university will know in the near future on whether or not the increase will happen. The university will let the students know as soon as they are informed of the change.

of the script requires her to do so.
Mulligan is great in her role as Kathy, but perhaps even more moving is Isobel MeiklProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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Small as young Kathy. Meikle-Small conveys the unique combination of innocence and maturity that is needed to embody Kathy’s character. She starts off as a strong character, falling hard for oddball Tommy, but her vulnerability quickly becomes apparent as Tommy slips out of her reach. When she first sees Ruth holding Tommy’s hand, the tears that well in her eyes are truly convincing; in that moment, the audience sees how much she has lost.
Knightly, as Ruth, is less convincing. Her pouty whisper does little to convey the jealousy that her character consistently exhibits. Several sex scenes proved to be more uncomfortable than titillating; Knightly’s bony figure doesn’t look particularly healthy, especially for a donor, who is supposed to hold health above all else.
Garfield fills Tommy’s shoes well; his longing indecision between the Ruth and Kathy is convincing, and he’s not bad to look at, either. Garfield’s lanky frame lends a goofiness to Tommy’s character, a pleasant relief from the seriousness of the movie. And serious it is—there are barely five light minutes in the entire hour and a half long film. A nice distraction is the brief appearance of the actor who plays Bill Weasley in the “Harry Potter” films. It became harder and harder to enjoy his scenes as I focused more and more on determining which Weasley, exactly, he played.
“Never Let Me Go” was an emotionally draining experience; following three characters to their certain deaths is nothing but depressing. Adding in several doomed romantic relationships does nothing to lighten the mood. I also felt cheated somehow—although the film was emotional and heartbreaking, it could have been more so. The story felt incomplete, and the most moving relationships were sadly underdeveloped. At its best, “Never Let Me Go” is a beautiful love story. However, the love story ends up being so underdeveloped that it falls short of being as heartbreaking as it has the potential to be. Nevertheless, for a beautiful and moving experience, check out “Never Let Me Go.”

Though the bleachers were not completely overflowing and the crowd wasn’t constantly fighting towards the front of the stage, the concert grew over time and topped close to 800 in attendance.

Jeremih was the first act to cross the stage, as he opened for the show. Though his performance lasted merely 25 minutes, he was able to play the majority of his popular songs including “Down On Me”, “I’m a Star,” “I Like” and “Birthday Sex”. When Jeremih sang “Birthday Sex,” a piano was bought on the stage and Jeremih sang it a cappella, showing the crowd his natural singing ability.

During the “I Like” performance, Jeremih bought two dancers on stage: neither famous, nor well known. The dancers gyrated and moved their hips and thighs, yet looked quite bored in their faces. One dancer starting bouncing her butt up and down and as she did so, Jeremih put a dollar in her underwear.  This made the opening more trashy then classy. Ultimately, the Jeremih opening was pretty average, yet the bored looking booty clappers could have been done without.

The average night took a turn for the better when J.Cole hit the stage. His strong presence and loud lyrics made the crowd more enthusiastic and made the people in the bleachers get up and move towards the stage.

J.Cole worked the stage as much as he could, jumping around from left to right and reaching over to touch the crowd. He also gave a great introduction to his D.J. and let him take the mike to show the crowd his New York music mixing style. At the end of the D.J.’s short act, the he gained a loud applause.

J.Cole sang the majority of his songs including  “All I Want is You,” “I’m Coming Home,” “Who Dat,” “Lights Please” and “In the Morning.” As J.Cole continued with his songs, the crowd kept screaming for more, yelling other songs for him to perform.  J. Cole sang song after song non-stop until the end of the concert.

After the concert, J.Cole stepped off the stage and walked around to the front of the audience, shaking everybody’s hand in the front row.  He even held small conversations with the fans.

All in all, the concert could have been better, but was ok at the least. Perhaps it would have been better if J.Cole would have had a better opening act, or just did the whole show on his own.

Heather Seever is a junior at Western, double majoring in chemistry. As a hardworking student and mother of two, it is very important that Seever save as much as she can. But Seever believes all students can benefit by following her example.

Heather Seever has been affectionately, and appropriately, dubbed Missouri Western’s coupon queen. Seever has perfected the fine art of clipping coupons and using them to her advantage. And this strategy is an option for students all over campus. All you need is a newspaper.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” Seever said. “Especially for dorm students who have easy access to the Sunday paper. I get lots of good coupons from it.”

Students perhaps are in the most need of money saving techniques as they are the demographic with the least ‘disposable income’. Seever says it is very easy to save. She recommends using websites like coupons.com or refundcents.com. Seever has been a subscriber of RefundCents for a year, and although it costs a small amount to join this money-saving site, she assures students that it is worth it.

RefundCents has been a coupon provider for twelve years running. You can print coupons for anything from breakfast cereal, to diapers; from nail polish, to chewing gum, cleaning supplies, and baking goods. Coupons.com is a free version of RefundCents, where you can search a variety of coupons, both local and general. Members receive exclusive offers and savings.

“It pays for itself,” Seever said. “In the year that I’ve used it, I’ve saved $10,000.”

Since this is almost the cost of tuition for students here at Western, it is an amount that most would be keen on saving rather than spending.

Seever also says she would like to start teaching a small class here on campus to help students learn the ins and outs of coupon-clipping and money-saving. It would be almost like a small-time business course, and could benefit the students of Western greatly. Until then, Seever is ready and willing to help any students who come to her for advice.

“I am open to people asking questions,” Seever said. “I’ll help them!”

But Seever has a warning for students as well. Coupon-clipping is fine and works very well, but the one big mistake people can too easily make is this: coupons in newspapers and even in magazines are readily available but can only be used once. And you must never use a photocopied coupon as a substitute for the real thing. This is an actual crime known as ‘coupon fraud’ and can land those who commit it in prison.

In short, it is highly recommended that students use coupons and other means of money-saving. But it is important to know the dos and don’ts to keep them out of trouble. To contact Seever with any questions or concerns, simply send an email to hseever1@missouriwestern.edu.

Rascal Flatts' drummer Jim Riley will perform at Western this Thursday and Friday. Photo from jimrileymusic.com

The Missouri Western State University music department is putting on their ninth annual Extreme Percussion show. The show will start tonight, April 14 and tomorrow evening, April 15. The show will start at 7:30 PM both nights in Potter Hall Theater.

This year Jim Riley, the drummer for Rascal Flatts, will be a featured performer, along with Kevin Rodgers, who is a studio guitar player and recording artist. Most people who are attending the performance are excited to see Riley play, but Dennis Rogers the percussion professor at Missouri Western State University is excited for other reasons.

“The students are going to have four drum set work shops with Riley,” Rodgers said. “He is providing three master classes, that 15 of our percussion students who are drum set focused will be having five, one hour sessions with him.

Riley has further plans for Western Music students.

“He will give a one-hour master class to the whole music department that focuses on his recently published book called “The Nashville Number System,” Rodgers said. “And he is going to create an interactive environment where guitar players, vocalists, pianists, bass players and drummers come together in the band room.”

Every spring this show is put on for the students to perform in front of a large audience. Students begin training as early as August with the drum line during football season. The intense training for the show begins in the spring semester. Jamie Haffner a junior musical education major, believes this show will be even bigger than before.

“There has been a lot of publicity this year,” Haffner said. “We have seen billboards up throughout town and I know a local radio station is giving away free tickets and we have flyers on every bulletin board all over campus. The school website also has all our information up. It could sell out; that is a very likely possibility.”

With a wide variety of music being played during the performance, the audience will be able to see a different side of percussion. The performances vary from a drum line ensemble to a steel drum band. Matt Musselman, a junior musical education major, believes the show is more than just the music.

“The show is great entertainment,” Musselman said. “If I were able to go out and sit down at the show, I would love to do that. I don’t know which I would love more, to sit and see it or to perform in it. There are a couple of blackout pieces that will be phenomenal. Everything will just blow your mind hopefully.”

The show has about 18 performances taking place on the evening, with many of the students being in multiple numbers. Musselman is in 15 of the performances throughout the evening. The students are not the only reason to come view the show.

“Riley is actually composing this piece for his performance,” Rodgers said. “Missouri Western State University and myself have commissioned him to write this piece. This will be a world premiere; it’s really cool this will be taking place here.”

The students have their hands full with a night of entertainment. The percussion departments set their goals high for this show and have put a lot of time in rehearsing for it. Rogers is excited for the two nights of performances this week.

“There is one piece I am very excited about. It will be a blackout and there will be four people who will perform with the sound of a lighter and flames, so you will hear rhythms and see flames while they are all synchronized. It’s just really neat stuff.”

Tickets will be available at the door if they do not sell out. Tickets are $4 for students and $6 for general admission. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Western percussion department’s upcoming performances.

Seven years in the future, Kassie has a job offer to move back to New York and reunite with her friends. Wally meets Kassie’s son Sebastian and immediately notices the kid has a few similarities to himself. Throughout the film the two begin to bond with one another and find out the ins and outs of their lives. The humor of the Wally and Sebastian together is funny: they talk about fears of diseases and other random things a normal 6-year-old kid should know nothing about.

In the beginning of the film, you can see how Wally is attracted to Kassie, but she shows no interest in him. As the film moves along she shows small signs of affection towards him, but begins to date Roland, played by Patrick Wilson, who is the sperm donor from seven years earlier.

Roland is the exact opposite of his supposed child Sebastian. Sebastian is quiet and very timid, while Roland tries to make him more athletic and social. The two clash from the beginning, but Wally seems to step in every chance he has.

The dry humor goes a long ways in this film. There were not too many scenes where a viewer would find themselves laughing out loud, but many of the scenes are able to put a smirk on the viewer’s face.

The filmed seemed to be quite predictable; it ended with the same happy ending most romantic comedies have. It did not ruin the film and the entire time, you keep questioning whether or not it will turn out to be his kid. All the signs point to yes, but sometimes movies decide to make crazy twists. If you are a fan of a subtle laugh here and there, then “The Switch” is a good movie for you.

Dr. Bill Church reads at the Lit Out Loud reading. Photo by Jason Brown | Staff

April is National Poetry Month in the United States. To kick off this month of creativity, Dr. Bill Church, assistant professor of English, along with creative writing instructor Dana Andrews and poetry instructor Megan Thompson brought St. Joseph the Lit Out Loud annual poetry reading.

Church is a graduate of Western, and wanted to give back an experience he got as a student.

“We used to have readings when I was in school,” said Church. “I feel that I should have them for my students.”

Lit Out Loud took place at 7 PM, March 31 at Whiskey Mansion Bed and Breakfast located at 1723 Francis Street in downtown St. Joseph. Students and community members alike were invited to attend. Anyone who came could read their own creative works or simply be an audience for those sharing their pieces.

This turned out to be a great experience for poets and writers of all kinds. And it was not just limited to St. Joseph residents – Thompson says students from Lawrence have made the trip in the past.

“I’m always impressed with the diversity,” Thompson said. Thompson also read a work aloud at the performance, but she said this night was mainly about the students.

Readers were hesitant at first, but as more people read, others wanted to read, too. English Literature major Jes Baltezor enjoyed the event as an audience member and as a participant.

“This was my first time coming to a reading,” Baltezor said. “I enjoyed every piece, and found the variety interesting.”

Baltezor’s stories included “An Open Letter to Frank Capra” and “Real Dolls,” both original works. “An Open Letter” was inspired by an out-of-season viewing of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Seeing it without the Christmas context seemed to take the innocence and magic out of it, according to Baltezor.

“Real Dolls” told the story of a man who ordered a lifelike female doll off the internet because he could find love nowhere else. The most interesting – or perhaps scariest – aspect of this story is that Baltezor’s details were based on fact. She researched such a website to get her inspiration (details).

Events like this help to promote writing, as well as build writer confidence; the audience is not there to judge. It also gives these young poets a sense of belonging. Like the Writer’s Circle here on campus run by Andrews and Thompson, Lit Out Loud is a place for student writers to get together and receive input on their work.

“A big part of writing is being part of a community,” Thompson said. “We try to create that.”

Swan tells the story of Portman’s Nina, a talented ballerina poised to take over as lead dancer in her company. Nina is an extremely talented dancer, and easily fetches the role of the White Swan in her company’s production of Swan Lake. But Nina’s unfailing addiction to dance leads to her downfall: one dancer is traditionally cast to play both White and Black Swans, and Nina is deemed too inexperienced, too virginal, and too technically perfect to play the Black Swan. This film is not, however, a boring movie just about ballet. Nina’s overwhelming obsession with perfection is quickly revealed, and this fixation leads the audience on a suspenseful, trippy journey through Nina’s dark psyche.

Dancing does play a huge role in the film, but the dance scenes are filmed and performed in such a way that they become comparable to any edge-of-your-seat car chase. The audience cannot help but to hold their breath as Nina whirls around and around en pointe, the floorboards ominously creaking under her. The audience gains a new appreciation of ballet as Nina’s downfall is depicted in dance. Nina’s mind begins to play tricks on her, and self-inflicted wounds appear one minute and disappear the next; both Nina and the audience begin to have a hard time distinguishing the real from the imaginary.

Winona Ryder has very little screen time in Swan, but her role is pivotal. She plays the dismissed prima ballerina, Beth, forced out before she could gracefully retire. Ryder beautifully captures Beth’s sense of desperation—her constant drunken state and ill-fitting, slightly-off clothes help the audience see her as the it girl of days past. Ryder leaves an intense impact in a short period of time, and was not recognized enough for her work in this film.

Another underappreciated player in Swan is Barbara Hershey, as Nina’s coddling, controlling mother, Erica. Erica is a retired dancer, and shoves her failed dreams on Nina; it is easy to see how Nina may be so easily pushed over the edge. Nina lives at home with her mother, in the same pink and lace room she occupied as a small girl. An extra bedroom in their apartment is devoted to Erica’s paintings: portraits of Nina, in varying stages of realism, line the walls. Erica treats Nina as a little girl, and Nina’s deviations to this ideal cause an incredible rage from Erica Hershey pulls this off incredibly. She is terrifying; close up shots of her face resemble an angry dragon: eyes flashing, face flushing and veins popping.

Finally, Natalie Portman is amazing as Nina. Her whole body is devoted to the role—an already petite Portman shed ten to fifteen pounds and trained for many months to achieve the ideal dancer’s figure. Her training allowed her to do much of the dancing herself, although, reportedly, not the incredibly difficult en pointe technique. The shots of Nina on her very tip toes were handled by a double. Regardless, Portman’s literal embodiment of Nina allows the audience to be entirely immersed in the story: the audience cringes as Nina tears her own flesh, their hearts quicken as Nina performs for the first time, and their heads swim as they try to make sense of the whole thing. Portman wows in this near “perfect” film.

The movie takes place over five days on the adult psychiatric floor of a hospital in New York City. Craig (Keir Gilchrist, known from “United States of Tara”) checks himself into the ward and immediately regrets the decision, but must wait the required five days before he can be released. During these five days, he meets an amazing and varied group of people, including Galifinakis’ Bobby, a Hasidic Jew addled by too much acid and a woman driven out of her mind by the possibility that her phone may have been tapped post-Patriot Act. A standout is Craig’s roommate, Muqtada (Bernard White), an Egyptian man who is terrified to leave his bed. White is mute throughout much of the film, which only allows the audience to appreciate his wonderfully understed performance even more.

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Graham (of “Gilmore Girls” fame) and comedian Jim Gaffigan make solid appearances as Craig’s parents.

It is their influence, along with their young daughter’s, that prevents Craig from committing suicide in the film’s opening scene. Graham is the concerned mother and Gaffigan is the workaholic father; while this character formulation could have easily come off as contrived, their son’s unique situation (which includes uncontrollable stress-induced vomiting) helps to keep the story fresh and interesting.

Craig is very convincingly acted by Gilchrist. His character’s continual anxiety is demonstrated by a consistent shaky, sweaty, pale appearance that fades as his condition betters. His voiceovers tell his story in wonderfully written asides, to which Gilchrist lends a compelling, honest air. Craig is a perpetual overachiever, and Gilchrist shows this earnestness easily. When Bobby is nervous for a group home admission interview, Craig offers to help him practice, as if the interview is the same as one for college admission. Craig genuinely wants to help Bobby, and Gilchrist’s execution of the scene prevents Craig from coming across as annoying. Craig never brags; he is smart, and only wishes to use this skill to help others.

The biggest standout in the film is Galifinakis. His range as an actor is beautifully demonstrated as a father separated from his daughter by his mental illness. Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time, he is remarkably matter-of-fact, delivering many of his lines with the deadpan attitude that made him famous in films like  “Hangover” and “Due Date.”

This reviewer would strongly recommend “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” to anyone: there are so many different stories told throughout the film that anyone would be able to find something to relate to. The balance of comedy and drama in the screenplay is executed wonderfully by the talented cast.

Behind the scenes of this event is junior Alexandra Dalsing. Dalsing is a print making major who is also a member of the Art Society. The exhibition was her idea.

“If you volunteer to do something, they give it to you to do all by yourself,” Dalsing said.

Each entrant must pay a $5 fee; however, they can enter up to three pieces with this payment.

“I wanted to do something to earn money so students can enter other exhibitions or buy art supplies,” Dalsing said.

Pieces will be judged and winners will be picked by three faculty members. Western’s president and provost will name the best in show. There are six different categories to be judged: painting, drawing, digital media, 2D mixed media, sculpture and photography. The first place winners of each category will receive financial assistance.

Drawing and 2D design instructor Eric Fuson is also working with the society for this event. He is the Art Society’s faculty sponsor.

“We’re hoping to give the art students a chance to get some exposure,” Fuson said. “We want to get them out of Potter and into the community.”

Fuson commends Dalsing and all the other GAS members on their hard work toward making this event successful.

Art students are quickly finishing their projects and preparing them for the show by the March 28 deadline. Digital animation major Sarah Gordon will be entering a piece she just recently decided to put in.

“It’s a great way for us to show off our artwork,” Gordon said. She thinks the show will be a good experience for students in their field.

Once the show ends, Dalsing would like to keep a few of the pieces on display in Remington. She wants the show, and art in general, to be something the whole community can enjoy.

“Hopefully it will expand to others, even non-art majors,” Dalsing said.

The first shot of the movie is an extreme close-up on the Texas flag, flapping in the breeze. What follows is a series of establishing shots, showing cowboy boots, beer, longhorns, pickup trucks and rampant Republicanism. This opening sequence proves to be unnecessary as soon as the characters open their mouths. From the first scene, it is evident where these characters are from: a land where big hair, push-up bras and sundresses are everyday wear for a struggling mother of three; a place where a mother will tell you “knockers up!” instead of asking you to stand up straight; a state where accents cannot be too thick and people actually use the expression “hell’s bells.” From this description alone, it is apparent what kind of movie “The Client List” is—a fun, ridiculous romp, following a mother’s journey from hot housewife to hooker.

Believe it or not, Hewitt was nominated for a Golden Globe (Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television) for her role in this film. Hewitt is surprisingly strong in her role as Sam, a fairly outrageous character. From the very beginning, she struts around in Christian Louboutin pumps and false eyelashes, her four-carat engagement ring flashing; it is easy to see how her family got in such a financial pickle. Hewitt takes Sam’s most outrageously awful lines (“I promise you’ll leave here satisfied, ‘cause when I do something, I do it right.”) and creates a character that the audience can root for. Hewitt easily takes Sam from sobbing mess to impeccably made-up call girl, and back again. Hewitt stands out from the rest of the cast starkly. Especially stiff are Sam’s girlfriend/lawyer Laura (Kandyse McClure) and her husband Rex (Teddy Sears).

In the beginning of the film, Sam often talks to an angel ornament on the dash of her pick-up. She vents to the small trinket, defending her choices; by doing this, the screenwriters are allowing the audience to hear Sam’s conscience. What starts off as an awkward device becomes ridiculous as Sam begins voice her streams of consciousness everywhere: not just in the car, but in the kitchen, in the hallway while her Johns are undressing in the next room, etc. This uncomfortable monologuing only shows the weakness of the screenwriting, and majorly slows down the salacious action of the plot.

“The Client List” will probably be forgotten in the next few years. But Redbox users should snap up this entertaining DVD while they can: Sam’s story is perfect for a girls’ night in, an afternoon spent procrastinating, or a reminder that, while your problems may be bad, they could always be worse. You could be a prostitute… Or a housewife in Texas.

Sarah Waters as La Carlotta shows off her "divaness."

“Phantom” is based on the book with the same title by Arthur Kopit. His book is based on the novel “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux. The leading role is Eric, a tortured soul who lives in the basement of an opera house. He is the disfigured love child of a stage manager and beautiful performer who has died before the time of the opening scene.

Eric, played by Raymond Johnson, wears a mask at all times after seeing himself in a puddle of water as a youngster. It may be the number of vocal works performed by Johnson that won the hearts of the audience or his strong baritone voice. Either way, he moved through the scenes with unwavering grace and confidence. Only Eric’s father, Gerard Carriere played by Steve Catron, knows his identity and has protected him for years from the public and opera house performers.

Catron’s performance Sunday started out almost as a carryover from his character in his last performance, “Laughter on the 23^rd Floor.” He almost type-casted himself but quickly recovered. In his best scene Catron moved the audience through an emotional father and son bonding moment when Eric is mortally wounded. The urgency to bond and explain everything was masterfully portrayed to the degree that sniffles could be heard throughout the crowd.

Eric’s entire world is the basement of the opera house. He plays there as a youngster in a park of artificial prop type trees. He sleeps on a bed from a different production and teaches a costume girl how to sing in a set that must be from an opera of horror genre. After hearing grand opera all his life Eric knows good performance and talent. Both are developed in his protege, the lovely costume girl Christine, played by Morgan Breckenridge, with whom he falls in love.

Raymond Johnson (The Phantom) shows off one of several masks made for him by the art department.

Breckenridge makes both her relationship with the Eric and The Count Philippe De Chandon seem real because Christine loves each man for different reasons. The energy is equally played between her character and the phantom and she and the Count played by Brian Shewell. Nearly every available girl on the set claims to be in love with the Count and Shewell artfully strings them along while pursuing his new found talent and love Christine.

MWSU President Robert Vartabedian is credited with the idea for a production involving the music, art and theater departments, Director Tee Quillin’s program notes. The idea is more than bold. Only perseverance and discipline of each performer could bring about the cooperation of each department on this large scale production. In the words of Eric, “People are born for many things.”

This performance was nearly constantly accompanied by a music score by Maury Teston. The execution was so well performed by the live orchestra that the audience could almost forget it occupied the pit. Conductor Rico McNeela kept each moment of “Phantom” a seamless emotional experience with talented Western students. The company of artist played four times to a sold-out house.

If that sounds familiar it’s because “Phantom” comes on the heels of Dallas Henry’s direction of “Laughter on the 23^rd Floor” last fall which also enjoyed sold-out performances. Henry was the box office/house manager of this production and shared a funny but nervous curtain speech with Director, Tee Quillin. Both of these gentlemen are fairly new to Missouri Western but have hit the ground running with these two pieces.

The company has earned their audience’s highest compliment. At the end most were hoping the house lights wouldn’t come up so quickly that fellow audience members could see their tears.

The cast of "Phantom"

Bryan Smith is president of the Alpha Phi Alphas. He has spent 3 years in the fraternity. He is a senior Sports Management major and has been attending Western for 6 years.

Q. What attracted you to the fraternity?

A. Just the history. Like, it has a real rich history of being involved in the Civil Rights Era. It was involved in the First World War and just fighting for the rights of African-Americans.

Q. Which black leader is your role model?

A. Currently, I would say Barack Obama since he has made so much history being the first African-American president. And, in history, I would have to say Martin Luther King; he is also my fraternity brother. I have just admired his will for the fight that he had, what he believed in.

Q. In what ways have black leaders had the most impact on society?

A. I would have to say in the historical aspect: just getting things done as far as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other bills that were passed in the past.

Q. In the last 10 years, how do you think black leaders have affected America?

A. I believe they have made strides in the world and the United States to take African-Americans more serious, because you can go back to Condoleeza Rice where she was under George Bush’s cabinet. You can go now to Barack Obama where he is the President of the United States and just the strides they have made the last 10 years.

Q. How has the election of the first black president affected your life?

A. It has affected my life by just now that I can be anything I want to be as long as I work hard towards it and put forth the effort.

Q. What does it take to be a black leader in America?

A. It really doesn’t take much, because just about any black person and about any person in general can be a leader, but as long as you have a purpose of what you are doing or what you are fight or what you are standing up for you can be a leader.

Q. What do you hope students or people in general will learn from black history month?

A. Just don’t recognize our achievement for one month. If you are really interested in black history or if not just black history, but history, celebrate it 365 days a year.

Q. What do you feel is the most important aspect of multicultural studies?

A. Understanding: understanding the different cultures, what they believe in, what they don’t believe in. Just understanding and respecting.

Q. How important do you think it is for students to be familiar with the various cultures, including their own?

A. I think it is very important, because the more diverse you are and understanding other peoples cultures, the better person I believe you will be.

Q. What do you believe is or was the biggest impact black leaders had on society?

A. To go back to 1964 in the Civil Rights Era. Back then, because if that bill wasn’t passed or if they wouldn’t have did what they did back then, we wouldn’t have the rights we have today. I wouldn’t be sitting here in Saint Joseph at Missouri Western.

Q. What do you hope students learn from your organization?

A. I hope they learn that we develop leaders and our leaders on campus as well as role models.

If you’re looking for a tense psychological thriller full of surprising twists and turns, stay away from “After.Life,” starring Christina Ricci, Justin Long and Liam Neeson. Director Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo struggles to turn her screenplay into an interesting movie, full of suspense, but ends up creating a movie full of annoyingly obvious symbolism, nonsensical plot twists and far too much nudity.

Ricci plays Anna, a young teacher in an unhappy relationship. After a fight with her boyfriend Paul (Long), she gets in a car accident. When the audience next sees her, she is laying in the funeral home, a laceration on her forehead and a confused look on her face. Anna is convinced she is still alive, and Neeson’s funeral director, Eliot Deacon, is there to convince her otherwise. Deacon claims he has a gift, a sort of “Sixth Sense,” that allows him to communicate with the dead. The audience discovers very early that something is off about Deacon— he is shown lingering in front of a cabinet full of the belongings of the dead and a collection of Polariods bearing their likenesses. The bulk of the movie follows Anna as she struggles to discover whether or not she is, in fact, dead.

From the beginning, it is clear that this movie will be devastatingly awful. Long is not quite able to pull off the brooding lawyer with the perpetual cigarette between his lips. Ricci does nothing to help matters: for most of the second half of the movie, she does little more than lay around naked and pout. The movie presents her decaying body as Playboy presents their centerfolds, seeming to forget that corpses rarely succeed in being sexy.

Neeson is the one bright spot in this cast: his Eliot Deacon is like a creepy Mr. Rogers, entering the morgue and removing his blazer and dress shoes, to change into a smock and Crocs. He then sets to work on his “neighbors,” the corpses that he considers his friends. But Neeson’s acting skills cannot save Deacon from the ridculousness of most of his lines and the inconsistencies in the story.

The movie is consistently presented with stark colors (lots of white, gray and black) punctuated with splashes of red. Originally, this was visually appealing, but the reds quickly became gimmicky: Anna in an all-white tiled shower, getting a nosebleed, Paul fighting through traffic in his lipstick-red Volvo, Deacon applying maroon blush to the cheeks of his corpses. And, perhaps the worst of all, Anna colors her hair, and the dye rinses down the drain the same bright color of arterial blood. This awful pseudo-symbol is used twice in the film, as if the screenwriter couldn’t get enough of it the first time.

A whole cast of creepy characters enter the story to assist in confusing the audience: Anna’s obsessed young student, Jack, and his albino, catatonic mother; Anna’s hateful, wheelchair-bound mother; and a necrophiliac police officer. None of their stories are ever resolved, and, in the case of everyone except Jack, they are hardly mentioned after their introductory scene. It seems unnecessary for them to ever have been mentioned in the first place.

By the end of the “After.Life,” the audience is too busy working out the conflicting story details to remember to be in suspense. Ricci and Long do nothing to help this movie off the ground, and, as a result, the movie is more annoying than scary.

In light of the success of shows like Glee, the a cappella genre has experienced a recent resurgence in pop culture. The Blanks, a self-proclaimed “Cool-pella” group boasts a strong fan base. They describe themselves as, “The most interesting a cappella group that has ever sung in a fictional hospital hall on a comedy sitcom.”

Members of the band include Sam Lloyd, tenor; Philip McNiven, countertenor; George Miserlis, baritone and Paul F. Perry, base. This quartet stands apart from other a capella or barbershop style groups. In fact, the group resists being categorized with genres similar to their own.

Perry freely admits that The Blanks came into their a cappella career by happenstance.

“We didn’t have money to get an accompanist. We just started to sing,” Perry said. “We’re not barbershop, we’re barber-not.”

The group’s cult-like following spurned last year’s highly successful national/ international tour, as well as an upcoming UK tour. In 2004, the band released their debut CD “Riding the Wave.”

The group is best known for its role in the highly successful NBC sitcom “Scrubs”.

The group reached success following Sam’s notable role as “Ted Buckland” in the syndicated hospital dramedy. Sam’s performance as the downtrodden underdog of Sacred Heart Hospital earned a great deal of recognition. According to the group’s biography, Sam and the members of The Blanks performed at a cast Christmas and secured the group’s role as “Ted’s Band,” or as they are sometimes known, “The Worthless Peons.”

Rather than simply singing, the group demonstrates their ability to integrate their well known vocals with their sketch comedy backgrounds. By utilizing talking toys, fancy footwork and flawless harmonies, The Blanks pack a powerful punch into their hour and half long show.

Audience member Tara Brock considers herself a big fan of The Blanks so her front row seats were certain to provide a great vantage point of the evening’s performance. Brock, however, was in for an even more exciting night when she unexpectedly became a part of the act. Despite her trepidation about getting involved, she had a good time.

“It was really embarrassing but exciting, and fun!” Brock said.

Currently Missouri Western State University is the overall season sponsor of the Performing Art Association and Missouri Theater. Christina Lund, executive director of the Performing Arts Association introduced The Blanks to the Missouri Theater audience in attendance at the performance on Jan. 29. She expressed her appreciation for the community support the programs have received from the community as well as the University.

“Missouri Western is so wonderful to be our overall season sponsor for this season of performances and additionally we feel very fortunate to have a student from out at Missouri Western who plays an active role on our board of directors, Mr. Karl Wellenkoetter,” Lund said. “[We]  appreciate that connection there in addition to the marketing effort of the university, the full support of the college to the community and then back again.”

According to Lund the event was a success, box office sales reached nearly 700 tickets.

“It was phenomenal,” Lund said. “We sold over half the theater. So that was a very good showing and a very good show of support from St. Joe and the surrounding region.”

The goal of the Performing Art’s Association, as stated by the organization’s mission statement, is to, “Support the development of the Missouri Theater into a regional center for the performing arts.”

Sidebar:

CD Tracks

“Riding the Wave”

Superman

Charles in Charge

Testy Tiger

Facts of Life

Speed Racer

Happy Halloween

Commandos (Attack!)

Flipper Theme

The Full Monty

Tour Dates

2/7/11 Lancashire, UK  at “53 Degrees”

2/8/11 Chester, England at “RB’s Nightclub”

2/9/11 Swansea, Wales at “Sin City”

2/10/11 Aberystwyth, Wales at “Aberystwyth University Students Union”

2/11/11 Cardiff, Wales at “Millennium Music Hall”

Missouri Western State University alumni, Elizabeth Woolery, was diagnosed with melanoma in March of 2010, but instead of worrying so much about herself, she is reaching out to the community to warn others about what caused her cancer.

Always a smile on Woolery's face

Woolery had a mole on her hip and realized it had started looking swollen and red, but attributed it to rubbing on her pants and didn’t think much of it. She let it go for a while until a friend suggested she should get it checked out. After getting a second opinion, Woolery was diagnosed with melanoma and is in stage three.

Western nursing student, Stevie Smith, said any stage of cancer is serious and can easily spread through the body.

Since being diagnosed, Woolery has kept her spirits high and made it a mission to inform others about the dangers of tanning beds. She has spoken to the Community Health Nursing Class and is working closely with the Student Nursing Association to form awareness projects. Other upcoming plans for Woolery are to speak at Savannah High School. She is currently seeking to speak at other schools and events.

Woolery would like to see more warnings at tanning salons to let people know there are real dangers involved and is not satisfied at all with the current warnings posted in the salons.

“They need to put the word out there that tanning has a direct correlation to skin cancer. The only thing advertising I ever see is the fact that you can get vitamin D from tanning,” Woolery said.

Many people have the misconception that this is not going to happen to them or that it only happens to older people, but according to the American Cancer Society, Melanoma is the number one cancer killer of women between 25-30 years old. The ACS also said that melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer.

Not only has the cancer affected Woolery, but her family as well. Woolery has had to go through many surgeries and her parents are there for her to help support her in every way. Woolery said her father is a huge emotional support.

“It doesn’t have to be anything I say to give her positive reinforcement, just a loving hand to encourage her to stay strong, Terry Woolery said.

Staying strong is exactly what Woolery is doing. She talks in good spirit and is serious about educating the public on the dangers of tanning, and especially tanning beds.

Reasons why people should be concerned come straight from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDCP said that melanoma is associated with the highest case-fatality rate of all skin cancers.

For cancer information, answers and support, call your American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-800-227-2345.

Woolery is a Registered Nurse and graduated from Western in the spring of 2007.

What exciting things do you have planned?
Myself, and my e-board including my members are finding programs that are not costly, but will have the same effect with students. We are going to have a membership week and a night of madness with a Wii, playstation, a big giant twister and a movie series. We will have the Spring concert and lots of good things in store.

What specific things would you like to see happen this semester?
Everyone really enjoyed the comedy shows, so I will be working on putting together a series of comedy shows. We are going to have some local hip-hop artists from Kansas City and St. Louis come and showcase what hip-hop is about making the entertainment educational.

Given low attendance in the past, what is going to be done to increase attendance?
Attendance always goes up and down, but our approach is called gorilla marketing. We post flyers around campus and word of mouth is always a good thing. Networking and building connections with other groups is definitely a plus to bring in their crowds too, but we have to be real creative marketing our programs to make them successful.

When planning these events, what type of audience are you targeting?
Working with other organizations and targeting people outside about certain events and helping them remember ones from the past will help. We really need to get the word out in advance more, that will really help.

Junior Jessica McMinn is the Corresponding Secretary of the Young Democrats that is being brought to campus this month. The goal of the Young Democrats is to inform, educate and involve students in the political process. McMinn is an advocate of student voting.

“If you don’t vote, you don’t care,” McMinn said. “A lot of people say that [their] vote doesn’t count, but it does! Looking back two years ago, Obama won in Buchanan County, and I attribute that to the hard work on campus and across St. Joe.”

Most students and professors agree that there is a lot of interest in politics within our student body; we just need to see the action to back it up. Voting is a huge part of our country, and our generation needs to remember that.

There have been candidate panels on campus and a focus on students understanding the process, which goes hand in hand with the active political groups on campus who are working towards a greater voting turnout.

Professor Kay Siebler is adamant about students utilizing their voting power. She recognizes the attempts that Western has taken in educating student voters.

“The most important thing we can do as a citizen is vote,” Siebler said. “If we don’t vote we don’t have any way of determining our fate as citizens of a country.”

With the recent establishment of the Young Democrats on campus, there is a renewed effort to bring out the voters. A concern of some is the use of absentee voting for those students who are away from home while here at Western. Robin Carnahan, current Secretary of State, has information on her website www.sos.mo.gov on how to apply for absentee voting.

The political groups on campus are interested in helping bringing up the voter turnout in Buchanan County. As Siebler noted that after the great voter turnout of the presidential election, we need to make sure our generation is keeping that up.

“A lot of people come to college and its their first opportunity to vote,” Siebler said. “So getting into the practice of voting and knowing this is an election, is so important,” Siebler said. “Your generation came out in droves and elected Barrack Obama, which is fantastic! Now will you sustain that in this election, …which is just as important, if not more important?”

The political groups are hard at work bringing the information to the student body, so if you are a registered voter be sure to do your part in the effort of this country. If you are able to use absentee voting, be sure to do that. Lauren Hicks, Junior, knows that her vote is important.

“I feel like I have to vote, because I can so why wouldn’t I?” Hicks said. “After everything those women went through to be able to mark a name on a ballot, it would be ridiculous for me, or anyone else, not to vote!”

So make sure you are a voter for the State of Missouri General Election on Tuesday Nov. 2, 2010.

There may be great talent at the show. Western has numerous dance teams, rap artists, poets and choir members, so great musical abilities should be gracing the stage on Friday night. However, not every competitor can get an A plus in talent. As the talent acts prepare their voices and bodies for success, the audience will be piling in. The attendance for this show has always been successful, says WAC director of major attraction Lauren Dillon, who is organizing the show.

“We usually draw a very large crowd,” Dillon said. “About two years ago, we had 600 people. Last year we had about 300. Potter Hall has a capacity of about 350, so we are expecting a full house.”

Dillon also emphasizes why attending the talent show could be a lot of fun for students.

“It’s really awesome to go out and see your peers’ talents,” Dillon said. “It’s another event to get involved so they are not just sitting in their rooms on a weekend. There will be prizes to award people for their talent.”

This year’s talent show will be hosted by Ventriloquist Lynn Trefzer. Dillon explains why WAC chose Trefzer to host this year’s show.

“We weren’t really sure what we wanted,” Dillon said. “So, Keisha (WAC president) started talking to her agency and they recommended her because she’s really good at keeping the crowd involved and entertained.”

According to Dillon, the talent show has been going on for at least 8 years. Usually the show consists of about ten to twelve acts, all ranging in a wide variety of activities. Freshman Chase Owens, who is considering auditioning for the show explains why it’s a good opportunity to let others see your creative abilities.

“I think it would be a good experience as far as getting my name out there as a performer,” Owens said. “The experience is a benefit overall.”
Junior TJ Brooks, who plans on attending the show, suggests that the acts truly take the chance seriously.

“It’s a way to show your creativity,” Brooks said. “It’s an opportunity to show your talent and your own style.”

So, Friday night’s talent show might be an interesting event for you get out of the house and show the campus what you have to offer; or at least watch others attempt it.

“Everybody should come out,” Dillon said. “We’ve had a lot of interesting acts and we hope to have more good ones.”

The primary goal of the ROTC is to develop leaders that can eventually serve our country. The ROTC also offers great scholarships that help give students a chance to go to school for a reduced cost.

Ernest Chamblee, a Western senior cadet, joined the ROTC for several reasons.

The new freshman of ROTC go through new drills that they are being taught. The ROTC program at Western is linked with a Military Science major. Completion of this bachelor’s degree allows students to be able to enlist in the U.S. Army at the rank of Second Lieutenant. Photo | Debo'ra Baskin

The opportunity to get college paid for and have a job immediately upon graduating is a major motivator for many students to join, according to Second Lieutenant Andrew Moffet.

“I would love to say that it’s because we’re patriots, but a lot of it is because of money and scholarships,” Moffet said. “We do have a lot of people that do it for patriotic reasons, but I think a lot of what it is is something else to strive for and scholarship.”

However, being involved in the ROTC program isn’t simply an easy ticket to a free education.

“It’s almost like being an athlete on steroids,” Chamblee said.

ROTC members work out every morning at 6 a.m. and take the same average of 15 credit hours as traditional students plus 5-6 hours of ROTC courses. In the ROTC classes, students learn about military related things like explosive devices, how to train a unit, and how to be a leader. Another part of the evaluation process is how the older cadets prepare their younger counterparts.

“For example, me being a senior, I have three junior cadets that are under me and I’m in charge of them,” Chamblee said. “It’s a chain of command as it would be in the army, but you’re doing all that while in school. It changes your daily activities a little bit.”

Moffet explained the different ways that ROTC students live the college experience.

“We take students and we turn them into cadets,” Moffet said. “You take ROTC just like any other class, but what you’re learning is different.”

Students participate in several army-like simulations. For instance, Moffet mentioned that students could be provided with a bunker and paint ball guns to practice a combat situation.

“Then we’ll see how they do,” Moffet said. “Do they make the correct decisions, do they make decisions at all, or do they just freeze? Once they’re at the senior level, we’ll put them in a leadership role.”

Moffet discussed the amount of dedication it takes to be in a program as demanding as the ROTC. While it is a great way to get school paid for and to develop great leadership attributes, it takes a special kind of person to make it all the way through.

“It takes the ability to handle stress,” Moffet said. “You have to the right heart for it. If you don’t, you won’t make it.”

This is a growing problem even for the Missouri Western campus with 97 student violations so far this year, and the numbers increase each week. Nearly all of the downloading occurs in the Residential Halls. Songs are most commonly downloaded using software programs like Gnutella and BitTorrent. It seems like a harmless act, since these illegal files are readily available on the internet.

Sophomore Michael Woodland sees the appeal for other college students to get involved with illegal downloading.

Graphic | Andy Inman

However, there are consequences linked to this act if the student is caught.

Director of IT Services, Mark Mabe, receives notifications of illegal file sharing from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and DtecNet, Inc. These are the two entities that scan the Internet for illegal sharing of copyrighted files.

“They report the violations to us and we are obligated by law to take action against the person committing the violation,” Mabe said.

If a student is caught downloading, they are initially given a written warning and must provide the ITS department with a written confirmation that the files have been removed from their computer and that the file sharing parameters are turned off. After that, the consequences get steeper. A second violation results in the user’s computer being denied access to the Western network for internet use, then they must have a discussion with ITS. After a third violation, they are again denied internet access at Western, must meet with a hearing panel, and in some cases sent to the assistant dean of student services for additional disciplinary action.

“Consequences from illegal downloads can be substantial and in the most extreme cases can lead to lawsuits and financial penalties for the violator,” Mabe said.

Junior Sarah Despain used to live in the Residential Halls and she admits to downloading a few times, but like many students, doubted she could actually get caught.

“I think I’ve done it once or twice,” Despain said. “It’s something I definitely won’t do again.”

In addition to the consequences mentioned, things such as viruses are much more susceptible to computers that are set to share files.

These viruses can eventually get to your personal information or keep the computer from running correctly. For additional information regarding illegal downloads go to www.missouriwestern.edu/compctr/filesharing.asp. There are also alternative web sites with legal and free downloads of music and movie files listed.

The laughter was contagious during each of the performances by Doug Williams, Cory “Zooman” Miller and Nema Williams.

They mainly based their script around college, ethnic groups, music and relationships while calling out students in the crowd.

During Miller’s part of the show he took the suggestion, “roaches and bologna,” from a student and improvised a rap out of it. He also did a President Obama impression that students thought sounded just like him.

These comedians have toured with Cedric the Entertainer, worked with Martin Lawrence and have opened shows for other well-known comedians. Nema Williams, a standup comedian for 13 years, said comics are all connected through their work and travels.

“In L.A., you might be at the Laugh Factory and then right behind you comes Dave Chappelle or something,” Williams said. “Everybody who works in the television business, no matter how big they are, is aware that you are a comic.”

Yet no matter how big the name is, all comedians are capable of creating a positive uproar in a club or theater. However, constant laughter isn’t always what is desired. Silence is something that Cory “Zooman” Miller appreciates while on stage.

“I like the silence because it’s like you are controlling the crowd,” Miller said. “Most comics are scared of silence, but it’s a mark that you have their full attention.”

Nema Williams also enjoys the stillness in the room, but more importantly the quick transformation of noise from thunderous laughter to calm in seconds.

“It’s not just the silence, it’s when you can quiet a room,” Williams said. “When it’s rowdy and you’re killing, then you pause and there’s that moment when everybody shuts up. It means they’re waiting for the next joke.”

The crowd of students was captivated and eager to hear more. Western Activities Council President, Keisha Caldwell, was very pleased with turnout of students as well as the skills of the comedians.

“I think it’s really important when it comes to being a performer that you are aware of your audience,” Caldwell said. “Our crowd was very diverse and they knew their audience.”

Because they paid attention to their audience, Caldwell said they were able to put on a good performance.

“The comedians used the energy the audience gave them and it was a really good vibe throughout the entire show,” Caldwell said.

Miller and Williams don’t focus on whether they had a good or bad show because they don’t believe one show will make or break a comedian. Instead they concentrate more on the bigger picture when it comes to standup.

“At the end of the day, we get to do what we love to do,” Miller said. “It’s a win-win situation.”

The band teamed up with Director Brian Hicks and video production company, Outpost Worldwide, both based out of Kansas City. They left all of the creative concepts up to the professionals, having little input on the direction the video was to go in, with the exception of one rule: No lip syncing or air band performance.  They wanted something different from the normal rock videos, and in the end, were incredibly happy on how it turned out.

As a fan of The Roman Numerals himself, Director Brian Hicks was inspired by the nights he’s spent on the town listening to their music. He wanted to be a part of a music scene that is close to home and that he respects.

“When I heard there was a call out from The Roman Numerals to visual artist, I for sure came lurking around with interest,” Hicks said. “These guys have put so much into an aspect of the culture/counter-culture here in Kansas City that I gladly find myself participating in often.”

The band consists of Steve Tulipana on bass, guitar and vocals, Billy Smith on guitar and vocals, Shawn Sherrill on keys and bass, and Ryan Shank on drums. Given the fact that it’s officially the internet-age, and record labels are dwindling down by the hour, The Roman Numerals decided to take a different approach on getting their new music out there by digitally releasing singles through http://www.topspinmedia.com/blog/.

They take the same stance on releasing their music videos as well.

“The video projects are in conjunction with the singles,” Tulipana said. “As we did with the music, searching out engineers we respect and giving them carte blanch.”

The Roman Numerals are certainly open to new and modern ways of spreading their music, including being a part of more than just one group in the area. They consider themselves to be a collective of local artists that write and perform in several bands, varying in genre. These bands include: Olympic Size, Thee Water Moccasins, Unknown Pleasures, Be/Non, Season to Risk, Dirt Nap and Mannequin Skywalker.

“We feel that for an underground music scene to thrive in this post-record label world artists need to collaborate and support each other to the fullest whether your medium is music, art or video,” Tulipana said.

Brendan Price, a junior and acoustic musician, thinks it’s a good idea for bands to take a more hands-on approach to releasing music and keeping the local scene thriving.

“I think it’s cool what The Roman Numerals are doing,” Price said. “It’s important to stick together with other musicians in a local setting.”
Check out their official website for more information on the band at theromannumerals.com.

WAC is a program that is sponsored by the Student Government Association, and students voted to pay a $60 fee for it. The money goes toward the annual spring concert (which will have hip hop and R&B style music this year) as well as the homecoming comedy concert, where comedians will be present. WAC has already invited the performance by “Step Afrika,” and will have a talent show coming up in October. Auditions will take place in Spratt Hall on Oct. 11-12 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Last week, WAC organized a barbeque, watched “Wanted” on movie night and had free five minute massages by licensed massages therapists. Overall, WAC was pleased with the turnout of all the activities, and students, like freshman Kenny Turner, benefitted.

“It was so relaxing,” Turner said after his massage. “I don’t know why some students wouldn’t want a massage. You’re paying for it [through fees] anyway so you might as well.”

Now that Turner knows what the program is all about, he is looking forward to attending future WAC events this year. Senior President of WAC, Keisha Caldwell, wants more of Western’s new additions plus previous students to get a feel for the organization and even submit some ideas in order to help WAC come up with events that students will enjoy. The more the students speak, the better the activities will be.

“Just because I am the president doesn’t mean I am the only one who comes up with the ideas,” Caldwell said. “I like to have an ear as well as making it a team effort during open discussion.”

Students are encouraged to voice their suggestions to the council for activities in the future, and students may find they are pleased enough to join the council, like Western student and prospective member Lashondra McKinney. She is a sophomore transfer this year, and WAC is her way of blending in to the school.

“Because this is my first year at Western, I wanted to make new friends and have fun,” McKinney said. “The only way to have fun is to be involved on campus which is why I wanted to join WAC.”

While McKinney is new to WAC, President Caldwell has been with the council for two years and has many positive experiences.

“I used to be extremely shy in high school and even my first year of college I was still shy,” Caldwell said. “But after WAC, I had to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I made new friends and also gained teamed building skills as well.”

Caldwell was sold on WAC after she attended her very first meeting. She claims for the program to be “addictive,” which could be what their motto was derived from.

“Once you go WAC you never go back,” Caldwell said.

Meetings take place in Blum 223, 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, and anyone can share their ideas. Students must acquire a 2.0 grade point average, attend three consecutive meetings, attain two office hours or work two events and fill out the application to be voted in to the program.

Pass the Power Adult Literacy is a community outreach program driven by the Western Institute to help the adults in the area who lack basic skills such as reading, writing and math skills. The program trains volunteer tutors to be able to help these community members receive their GED’s and to give these adults the skills they need.

With a lot of concern on early childhood development, this program especially helps to educate mothers who as of now cannot help their children learn. By educating the parents on literary skills the children also benefit in being able to learn and grow in the early childhood.

“Literacy for individuals is vital for the community,” said Deborah Ellsworth, program director. “This program allows the university a chance to give back to the community.”

Pass the Power addresses the issue that is happening in our community in a very positive way. By helping these individuals learn to read gives them the skills to read a job application, a common problem in this community, which in turn helps get families back on the right track.

Lhie Glenn, student of pass the power is in the process of achieving her GED. She has been tutored by the community program since 2003, and says she is getting closer with every session.

“It is a good environment to learn in and brings a lot to the community and its people,” Glenn said.

Tutor Mike Mathew has been a part of Pass the Power since January of 2008.

“The public has to take care of those who can’t read,” Mathew said.

Mathew is a retired professor of Western who still teaches as an adjunct professor part time. He feels helping these adults get to the level they need to be can be frustrating but is nonetheless a rewarding experience.

“It’s a job that needs to be done,” said Mathew. “I have the time so why not?”

Mathew enjoys seeing a student progress, like he has recently. Trying new things and bringing a student a different angle sometimes helps the student learn something in a new way. He has experienced the times, though, where he is talking and talking and the student just doesn’t comprehend, which can get frustrating.

“Some days can feel like you hit a brick wall, and others you break through and you feel great that your student learned something that day,” Mathew said. “That always makes me feel great for the rest of the day.”