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Monday, February 25, 2008Monday, February 25, 2008 Volume 81 Issue 5

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In celebration of Black History Month, Oklahoma State Rep. T.W. Shannon (R.) dropped by Cameron University on Feb. 9 to speak about his experiences as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and later answered questions about his personal beliefs regarding the month of remembrance.

Shannon, a Republican and the representative of House District 62, which encompasses west Lawton, was elected in 2006. A native Oklahoman, Shannon resides in Lawton with his wife, Devon, and their daughter Audrey Grace. Shannon is also a CU Alumni and an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.

A former congressional staff er member and acquaintance of Tom Cole and J.C. Watts, Shannon spoke of recent legislation, problems within Oklahoma that stall economic growth and actively urged voters to make the most of their right to choose during election season.

“I tend to think of voting as a privilege,” Shannon said. “If you’re not going to vote, I don’t think you get to complain. Voting is how we change things we don’t

like.”Afterward, Shannon touched on the importance

of Black History Month and shared his thoughts on why the month-long event is so important.

“I think Black History Month is really a time of refl ection, both individually and collectively, about

the achievements that Americans, not just Black Americans, but all Americans have made through the years,” Shannon said. “Black History is really American History, and I think we should emphasize that and make sure that the accomplishments of Black Americans are perceived as contributions to America as a whole.”

Shannon, a long time supporter of Black History Month, said that as a representative he gets invited to many events across Lawton, but that the lesson doesn’t end there. He includes his young daughter in the experience as well.

“Th is year we bought her some fl ash cards that talk about things like who Th urgood Marshall was,” said Shannon. “I thought it was good for her to start having her think about who she is as a person of color and make sure she knows about the sacrifi ces of others.”

Shannon went on say that he thought Black History Month was a necessity because of stifl ing history programs in the past that attempted to downplay or omit the struggles

and achievements of blacks, and that we’re just now beginning to undo the wrongs of previous generations.

T.W. Shannon visits CU for Black History MonthBy John RobertsonCollegian Staff

Photo by Jim Horinek

Destination: Cameron University

What does Black History Month mean to you?

“I see black history month as a time to acknowledge and celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions that African Americans have made to society and also at time to refl ect on the struggles that African Americans have had over the years.”

“When it was established I could see the purpose of it because blacks were not included in the history. So it was a way of bringing them in and showing society their contributions but at this point it should be more integrated. It should be a year around celebration.”

Placed strategically in February because of the correlation with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln, both who had a major hand in the history of African Americans, Black History Month was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Originally the celebration, which began in 1926, was the Negro History Week. Black History Month became the month long celebration that we know today in 1976. Dr. Woodson had a direct intention when he created the Negro History Week in 1926.

“We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate and religious prejudice,” Dr. Woodson said.

In celebration: Oklahoma State Rep. T.W. Shannon makes an appearance on campus as part of CU’s Black History Month celebrations. During his speech he addressed recent legislation and voting

Education professor, Dr. Ramona Hall sees Black History month as not only a time to recognize African American achievements but also the achievements of other ethnic groups.

“Black History Month is a very powerful reminder to people from all walks of life that every day is a day to celebrate cultural and ethnic diversity,” Dr. Hall said.

Starting just as a week-long celebration, Black History Month has seen a lot of growth. However, according to Education professor Tanisha Billingslea, the celebration may be counterintuitive.

“I think it is important to celebrate the contributions of African Americans, however I have a problem with it being limited to one month. You know they say that we are integrated but are we truly when we are still making that distinction. As if black history is not American history,” Billingslea said.

— Tanisha BillingsleaEducation professor

— Dr. Ramona HallEducation Professor

Photos by Jim Horinek

See BLACK HISTORYPage 2

The meaning behind the month

The Internet Jerk Store called.

SEE PAGE 5

CU baller refl ects on lessons learned in class and on the court.

SEE PAGE 7

The man in the Aggie mask.

SEE PAGE 9

Defense class teaches street smarts, confi dence.

SEE PAGE 3

By Jim HorinekCollegian Staff

Communications junior Bira Vidal and Finance senior Sonila Abdulla were crowned the Destination Cameron Homecoming 2008 King and Queen on Saturday during halftime of the Aggies men’s basketball homecoming game. The coronation of King Vidal and Queen Abdulla topped off an activity-filled homecoming week on-campus for CU students and alumni.

According to Ann Morris, a junior Graphic Design student and PAC co-chair, homecoming week provided a wide-range of activities which encouraged more student involvement on campus.

“We put on a lot of events to get a variety of students involved on campus,” Morris said. “I think that getting involved really does improve a student’s college experience. This week is nice because we had events every day.”

By David L. Bublitz Collegian Staff

The homecoming week’s activities began on Monday in the Shepler Ballroom with music from InPulse, an acappella group from Minnesota.

“My favorite part of homecoming week was the music from InPulse, on Monday,” Amanda Finch, Communications sophomore, said. “It is great how PAC always has something different for the events they organize for the students.”

On Tuesday the candidates for Homecoming King and Queen were introduced at the homecoming dance at the Shepler Ballroom. Voting for the homecoming king and queen began on Wednesday and continued on Thursday at the Student Activities Building.

Newly crowned: Bira Vidal and Sonila Abdulla celebrate being voted in as the Cameron Homecoming 2008 King and Queen. King Vidal and Queen Abdulla took the throne during halftime at the men’s basketball game last Saturday.

Photo by David L. Bublitz

See HOMECOMINGPage 2

News2 February 25, 2008

“I think historically that’s been the challenge. We know that many years ago there was a systematic movement to keep black accomplishments out of mainstream history,” Shannon said. “I think we’ve made some progress there, but we’ve still got room to improve.”

Putting things in perspective, Shannon closed by saying that the whole idea of Black History Month isn’t to celebrate the wrongs of the past, but to learn from those mistakes in order to prevent such a thing from happening again.

“The reason that you bring up history, even the bad parts of history, is so you don’t repeat it,” Shannon said. “So, I think that having a month where you take the time out to remember and commemorate the achievements of any group of people is worthwhile.”

“I think Black History Month is really a time of refl ection, both individually and collectively, about the achievements that Americans, not just Black Americans, but all Americans have made through the years.” — T.W. Shannon (R.)

Oklahoma State Rep.

BLACK HISTORY continued from page 1

HOMECOMING continued from page 1

According to Zeak Naifeh, Cameron’s director of Student Activities, the candidates received a lot of support across campus.

“Voters usually support candidates who are friends they know from class or from a student organization,” Naifeh said. “A very wide range of students came out to vote, and we even had some instructors actually bring their class over to vote. Overall, a good sampling of the campus is represented in the election of the homecoming king and queen.”

Th e homecoming activities continued on Th ursday with a bon-fi re pep rally at the Cameron stadium fi eld house, and on Friday, students and alumni were entertained at the Aggie Gym by the Comedian Retta.

Friday also kicked off the Alumni weekend at Cameron beginning with an address at the McMahon

Center, where CU President Cindy Ross provided a university update and presented Gold Associate Medallions to some university supporters.

Friday’s activities for Alumni continued with campus tours, the Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni reception, and the Hall of Fame Induction dinner.

On Saturday Alumni attended a touch football game featuring CU’s 1987 NAIA National Champion Football team. Alumni receptions for the classes of 1957, 1982, and 1997 were held at the Shepler Center followed by an Alumni awards luncheon at the Shepler Ballroom.

Alumni and students alike showed their spirit and support for the Aggies at Saturday’s homecoming games as the men’s and women’s basketball teams tipped off against the Riverhawks from

Northeastern State University at the Aggie Gym.

As Destination Cameron Homecoming 2008 came to an end, the wealth of activities provided fond memories for all participants and extended historic CU homecoming traditions for the years to come.

Homecoming Dance

InPulse

Pizza and PollingPizza and Polling

Homecoming BasketballHomecoming Basketball

Photos by David L. Bublitz and Zeak Naifeh

News 3February 25, 2008

Imagine walking to your car at night and suddenly you’re grabbed from behind. You struggle to move your arms but can’t get them free. Panic and fear take over.

“The knowledge gained in a Self-Defense class can be the difference in surviving or becoming another victim of a crime,” Richard LaMonica stated in his syllabus.

LaMonica, a fifth degree black

By Amanda HerreraCollegian Staff

Students gain confi dence through self-defenseStudents gain confi dence through self-defensebelt in Kyu Kushin Kai, has been studying martial arts for the past 21 years. He has been teaching self-defense classes for 15 years, the last two of them at Cameron University.

He said many people make the mistake of thinking they will never be attacked.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that it happens to somebody else, not me,” LaMonica said. “Anybody can be a victim of a violent crime or an attack. Taking a course like this either here at Cameron or somewhere else can be beneficial because you get the experience and knowing that you have the power to hit back.”

Self-Defense is offered every eight weeks at CU, and students should leave the class with knowledge in using different hand and elbow strikes, using low

to the body kicking techniques, escaping from choke holds and learning to fight on the ground.

Throughout the course, attacks are simulated to give students the experience of what it’s really like to be targeted by a predator.

“The class helps build confidence and makes students more aware of their surroundings,” LaMonica said. “There’s no guarantee, but it gives you a little bit more knowledge because your attacker has already picked you out as a victim, and as such, they don’t feel that you’re going to fight back. Now if you land an elbow upside his head, then he’s going to start to think twice about it because it’s going to

become too much trouble for the attacker.”

Psychology sophomore Meghan Kuchynka said she is taking the Self-Defense class for the PE credit and because she thought it would be fun.

“It’s important to learn how to get away from an attacker while doing them harm and not doing much harm to yourself,” Kuchynka said. “I’ve gained a lot more confidence ever since I started this class and I feel a lot safer, you know being out by myself late at night.”

Luke-Henry Hahn, a freshman majoring in English decided to take the class after two people he knew were attacked with knives, one of which died.

“The most important thing I’ve learned would be knife techniques, because I know that more than likely someone is going to have a knife on them,” Hahn said.

Chase Mitchell, a freshmen majoring in Multimedia and Graphic Design is training to fight in mixed martial arts, and decided to take the class to reinforce the techniques he’s learned in his training. He said the techniques would also help in his career as a bouncer.

“I would recommend this class

to everybody, but mainly women,” he said. “Women have the problem with guys overpowering them and it really helps women’s confidence to learn how to defend themselves when it comes to men. I would recommend this class to my mom.”

LaMonica said the confidence gained during the course is invaluable.

“They know they can go out and if they have to fight off an attacker, they have the ability to do that,” he said.

The next eight-week Self-Defense class begins March 11, and LaMonica said there are still spots available.

Photos by Jim Horinek

Muggers beware: Multimedia and Graphic Design freshman Chase Mitchell takes a hit from Psychology sophomore Meghan Kuchynka. Mitchell and Kuchynka are part of the Self-Defense class being taught at Cameron this semester.

Step off: English freshman Luke-Henry Hahn gets experience handling himself in fi ght. According to the instructor the knowledge that can be gained through the course is something that all people should have.

News4 February 25, 2008

War is Hell.Justin Cliburn discovered that

while serving a tour in Iraq in 2006. Th e Journalism junior was

deployed during the fall semester 2005. Originally an avid supporter of American’s campaign against terrorism and the fall of Saddam Hussein, Cliburn’s views changed drastically while deployed overseas.

“Th e fi rst time I drove into Baghdad, I was surprised about how normal it was. I saw these people and they were just trying to go to work, go to the market and take their kids to school,” he said. “Right as I thought that, we sped through with sirens and pointed guns in their face trying to move them out of the way.”

Th e reality of the Iraq War was something Cliburn hadn’t seen on television. In his eyes, the media was only showing half the story.

“I remember the very fi rst Iraqi that looked at me and looked terrifi ed,” Cliburn said. “Th at really changed how I perceived them. I felt really bad for them.”

Cliburn accepted his actions. Under the circumstances, he said

Next month, Iraq veterans are making their way to Silver Springs, Md. to begin another battle. Instead of being armed with guns against terrorists, they’re going to be armed with facts against an unpopular war.

From March 13 through 16, these soldiers will be testifying in the second Winter Soldier Investigation hearings.

John Kerry became infamous during the 2004 presidential race due to the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth commercials that showcased his testimony during the fi rst Winter Soldier Investigation hearings.

Justin Cliburn, a Journalism junior, was deployed to Iraq during the Fall 2006 semester with the 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery. After a year of service overseas, Cliburn returned to the states with a new mentality.

“I used to totally support the war,” Cliburn said. “I looked back on it and wonder why. It wasn’t that I went through some long conscious checklist through my mind about what’s going on. It was just that the president said so.”

Four months after returning, Cliburn discovered the Iraq Veterans Against the War organization. Cliburn attended an IVAW convention last August. He said the convention convinced him to take a more active role in the organization.

“We’ve traveled to St. Louis and Washington, D.C. promoting the

Veterans gather for new Iraq War investigation hearingBy Joshua RouseCollegian Staff

IVAW,” Cliburn said. “After the D.C. trip, I accepted a position as regional coordinator for the south-central region which is Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.”

Cliburn has attempted to spread the word about the Winter Soldier Hearings and thought Cameron would be the perfect place.

“I want to promote this on campus because there are so many diff erent veterans here,” he said.

Th e four-day event will feature testimony from soldiers who were deployed in the military since the Sept. 11 attacks. Cliburn said the testimony isn’t fabricated and it’s not an attempt to scare people.

“Th e stories aren’t presented for shock value,” Cliburn said. “But, put together, they create a larger narrative of what we believe the war is about and how it’s being misrepresented.”

Th e IVAW is paying for lodging for all the soldiers who are attending the investigation hearings. Th e organization will also pay for transportation for those soldiers who are testifying. Cliburn said many of the soldiers who will be testifying are still active duty personnel.

“Th ey’re taking leave just like any other soldier would,” he said. “It’s all completely legal and we feel like our story needs to be told.”

Cliburn expects a lot of hostility from war-supporters. While in Washington, D.C., he was quoted

in an Associated Press article. After the article was published, he said he received a lot of hate mail saying he was anti-war and anti-troops.

“A common misconception about anything of this nature is it’s anti-military or anti-soldier. We’re all soldiers, every one of us,” Cliburn said.

After the Winter Soldier Investigation is over, Cliburn said he will continue supporting the IVAW. He believes Iraq veterans deserve more respect than many are giving them and the American people deserve to know the truth about what’s going on.

“Th e goal of this is to get enough exposure, enough media coverage to where average Americans anywhere in the country will look at it and say ‘I haven’t heard this’ or ‘I haven’t

heard this from an actual Iraq war veteran,’” Cliburn said. “And maybe they will start to reassess how their leaders and congress are voting and how their parties are voting. It’s for the people.”

Cliburn welcomes anyone who wants to help support the Iraq Veterans Against the War organization.

Only veterans who have served since the Sept. 11 attacks can join the IVAW. However, he said civilians can help support the organization.

“If any non-military people want to help, I’d love for them to contact me or the organization as a whole,” he said. “Th is organization was started in 2004 by seven Iraq veterans. Th ey deserve all the help they can get.”

Photo courtesy of Justin CliburnThe other side of war: Justin Cliburn poses for a photo with Ahmed, an Iraqi boy Cliburn’s unit adopted. Ahmed was later killed in a suicide bombing.

Cameron student remembers deployment experienceBy Joshua RouseCollegian Staff

there was nothing else that could be done.

“It wasn’t that anyone was being truly malicious,” Cliburn said. “Th at was what you had to do. It was symptomatic of an occupation.”

While in Iraq, Cliburn had a routine schedule he followed. He would wake up every morning and

load the weapons on the humvees and do maintenance on them before leaving the base. He said he always escorted one military captain and three or four civilian police offi cers that were used to train the Iraq police force.

“Th e men we escorted did the bulk of the training with the Iraqis,”

Cliburn said. “I trained several guys on urban combat like kicking in doors. I never felt that’s what we should have been doing.”

According to Cliburn, the police were running death squads at night. Th ey would kidnap people and torture them for information. Many were using the tactics they had learned from their training.

“We were seeing in news

conferences where the president was saying how they (Iraqi police) were turning the corner and doing a great job,” Cliburn said. “Right around that time was when we found out our guys, or at least a signifi cant part of them, were running death squads at night.”

Th e death squads weren’t the only examples of corruption and failure in Iraq during Cliburn’s tour. He said one of the generals in charge of a police station was skimming $40,000 a month from the Coalition. During his time there, he began to realize the Iraqis were not as accepting as they once were.

“We were only alive because they liked us,” Cliburn said. “Th en, we did a few things that changed that and they started to turn against us.”

Photo courtesy of Justin Cliburn

Overseas school support: Justin Cliburn showcases his support for the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Cliburn returned from Iraq in December 2006, but could be returning later this year.

Cliburn recalled many instances where American soldiers were directly targeted by attacks.

“One time, we were going to the station and headquarters called and told us to go somewhere else,” Cliburn said. “Right as we were pulling in, a bomb went off and killed other soldiers from a unit.”

While this was going on in Iraq, Cliburn said the American people were being deceived by the media and didn’t know the real things going on. Cliburn believes the American people deserve to know what really happen.

“As they were talking about so much progress and how things were getting better, another squad found a secret torture chamber and prison within the Ministry of the Interior building,” he said. “When you think of that, it’s like someone fi nding that in the State Department in Washington, D.C.”

Cliburn returned to the states in December 2006. Th ere’s a chance

his unit could be deployed to Iraq again later this year. He said he’ll go, but he doesn’t have the same naïve beliefs as he did when he fi rst deployed.

“When we were over there, we were just waiting to go home and keep a watchful eye out,” Cliburn said. “Bad things were happening all the time.”

“The first time I drove into Baghdad, I was surprised about how normal it was. I saw these people and they were just trying to go to work, go to the market and take their kids to school. Right as I thought that, we sped through with sirens and pointed guns in their face trying to move them out of the way.”

— Justin CliburnJournalism Junior

Three Goals of the Three Goals of the Iraq Veterans Against Iraq Veterans Against the War Organizationthe War Organization

• Withdrawal of American troops• Withdrawal of American troops• Full benefi ts for the veterans who • Full benefi ts for the veterans who servedserved• Reperations for the Iraqis to help • Reperations for the Iraqis to help build their country.build their country.

If you are interested in assisting Iraq Veterans If you are interested in assisting Iraq Veterans Against the War as a civilian, contact Justin Against the War as a civilian, contact Justin Cliburn, the regional coordinator, by e-mail Cliburn, the regional coordinator, by e-mail at southcentral@ivaw.org.at southcentral@ivaw.org.

Voices 5February 25, 2008

Editorial BoardEditor-in-Chief - Jessica LaneNews Editor - Josh RouseAssistant News Editor: Jim HorinekA&E Editor - Amanda HerreraSports Editor - Kareem GuisteVariety Editor - Bira VidalAssistant Editor - David R. BublitzCopy Editor - Laura Batule

Newsroom Staff Ads Manager - Kelley BurtCartoonist - Th omas PruittFinancial Offi cer - Susan HillStaff Writers - Chris Allison, John Robertson, Alexis Del Ciello, Kerry Meyers, Brandi O’Daniel, Ashley Wilkerson

Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Keller

Newswriting StudentsJenifer Biles, Donnale Mann

About UsTh e offi cial student newspaper of Cameron University, Th e Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Letters PolicyLetters to the editor will be printed in

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

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

All letters from students should include fi rst and last names, classifi cation and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verifi cation.

Letters can be sent by regular mail or e-mail to collegian@cameron.edu, or they may be dropped off at our offi ce - Nance Boyer 2060.

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

COLLEGIAN

Founded in 1926veritas sempiterna

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

A Strange Case:Changing from real-world Jekyls into cyberspace Hydes

As anyone who hasn’t been living in the wilderness for the last 15 years can tell you, the Internet is drastically changing the way people live their lives. It’s changed how we get our information, the way we interact with others; how we express ourselves and has heralded a paradigm shift in the way people entertain themselves. Unfortunately, not all of the denizens of the Internet are what you’d expect. Th ere’s a downside.

Th e Internet turns people into jerks.

As it turns out, anonymity is a heady tonic. Normally sane and well-mannered people come home from their jobs and sit at their computer only to undergo a transformation that would leave Robert Louis Stevenson reeling. You may laugh at the idea of Mr. Hyde sitting behind a keyboard threatening someone about their choice of music on their My Space

page, but it isn’t really that far off the mark.

If you can name a topic, somewhere across the vast expanse of digital space there’s someone arguing about it. Not just arguing, mind you. Th ey’re outright threatening each other. Religion, politics, boxers or briefs, there are entire communities dedicated to slandering each other with words that some would at best consider unsavory and Internet-tough-guy antics that would make a cage-

fi ghter blush.In this regard, no community

holds the power that college students do. It turns out that people our age are already the most assimilated into the technology to make use of it, and since we grew up with it already available, we’re a little looser with our tongues than some would deem appropriate. Th e Internet itself is a haven for technologically savvy young people who want to better communicate with their friends, launch businesses, show their creativity or just make a web page featuring dancing bananas set to an obnoxious music loop. Entire

businesses operate on the income generated by our age bracket because, oddly enough, you can’t sell a T-shirt featuring Winnie the Pooh dressed as a pimp to your average grandmother.

Even among college students, the Internet community tends to fracture along party lines, so to speak. Th ere’s no better example of this than the gaming community. I guarantee you that if I were to log on and say that the “Halo” franchise was the best thing to come out of the video game industry since its inception that within mere hours I’d be swarmed with replies about how “Halo” is for punks and that the real legacy of video games is “Th e Legend of Zelda.”

Even more interestingly, the larger a user base a game has, the more likely it is that there will be even more sub-communities. “World of Warcraft,” which boasts over 10 million active users, has a community that plays the exact same game but can’t seem to agree on any aspect of it. Hardcore players have a grudge against more casual players and role-players have a bottomless

contempt for anyone they see as a threat to their more grown-up social network. ‘World of Warcraft” players can’t even agree that the game they all play is worth playing at all.

So does this mean the Internet is a breeding ground for negativity? It would be easy to interpret it as such, but I like to think that the Internet serves as a valuable means of free speech. It’s actually quite refreshing when you think about it. While the Internet serves its normal purposes of information and social networking, it also gives

people a place to vent their

frustrations about any topic they choose without repercussions. Do you think Macintosh users are pompous naggers? Go tell them. Th ey’ll love it. Do you think PC users are behind the times? Make a forum post about it. You’ll get 15 pages of angry replies dripping with epithets. At least.

To go even further, I think the Internet is healthy. I can’t imagine the vitriol being channeled into countless forums and Web pages that would otherwise worm its way into everyday life. Behind their digital identities, people can let go of the things that bother them without harming or truly off ending a soul. Th ey can say things they wouldn’t dream of saying in the real world and walk away feeling like they got something off their chest.

Th e Internet may be the cheapest therapeutic tool in history.

John Robertson

Get off the couch, exercise moreWe all have those courses that

are at the bottom of our list to take. If you are a Communication major it may be general biology you are trying to avoid. If you are a Science major it may be fundamentals of speech. However, courses at the bottom of my list are those pesky physical education credits. You know what I am talking about, those general education courses that you have got to pass to graduate.

But, I guess I was too quick to fi ll my schedule with other classes, ultimately avoiding physical education courses until the end of my junior year at CU. Th is semester, I am enrolled in a wonderful physical education course (Step Aerobics I) instructed by Professor Worthington. Th ough it may be a pain to get ready all over again for the second half of my day, it is well worth the trouble.

After leaving step aerobics, I feel energized, ready to go another round and pumped to do whatever the day may bring.

American obesity has been a hot topic during the last few years, and the recent eff orts of the Lawton community and surrounding areas to battle and curb this current epidemic, caught my attention.

It is great to see programs being implemented that encourage children and adults alike to literally take action and actively seek activities that benefi t their daily living.

For example, the Goodyear Lawton plant newspaper reported a “Weight Watchers at Work” program to help Goodyear

associates, dependents and contractors lose weight. Th e program will consist of a built-in support system and opportunity to focus on healthy choices during long hours, instead of heading for the all too convenient vending machines.

Cameron University’s Fitness Center is off ering a free course for faculty, staff and students called “BODYPUMP.” Th e class started on Feb. 20, so call the CU Fitness Center for upcoming classes.

Not only are corporations and campuses off ering ways to improve our health, but so are some of the churches in Lawton.

For a positive environment fi lled with love and excitement, First Baptist Church off ers a ministry called “Upward Sports Basketball” during the spring. Th e program is open to all kindergarten through sixth graders (regardless of denomination or church background) within driving distance of the church located at 501 SW B Ave. Th e program off ers

a one-hour practice and one-hour game every week for two months. Not only are the practices and games focusing on physical health, but the program focuses on spiritual growth for young children and adults. It helps kids understand how to exercise their faith and invite friends that may not know Christ as their Savior. How much more could a parent want in a program that promotes physical health, teamwork, every child being a winner, equal playing time, Bible study and scripture learning?

Elementary schools have introduced “stacking” and jump rope teams. At home, Nintendo Wii and Dance Dance Revolution get players up and moving. We can bust the “couch potato” simply by the example we set every day and by making the right choices.

Heredity, poor exercise and eating habits are some of the causes

of obesity. Th ough more factors come into play when assessing the causes of obesity, I have to say “thank you” for making me take physical education classes to meet graduation requirements. I may not WANT to get started at the beginning of every class, but I just remind myself of the energized feeling that follows a good workout. All I have to say is stop complaining and get off the couch. I did.

Alexis Del Ciello

MCT Campus

Graphic by David R. Bublitz

Sports6 February 25, 2008

For Reggie Th eus, it’s good to be King

Th e reporter asked what many had before, checking in with Reggie Th eus on a midseason night in Utah to see how his inaugural NBA coaching campaign was going.

“So being a rookie coach ... “ he began.

“Don’t call me a rookie,” Th eus interrupted with a serious tone.

“Um, well sorry, but ... ‘’Th eus and those around him

laughed hysterically, the Kings’ coach patting the young man on the back and apologizing for the humor that had come at his expense.

While the moment was funny, it was also true. Th eus, whose tenure began when he was the surprise hire to follow Eric Musselman back in June, remains a rookie in every respect.

But as the Kings near the fi nal stretch of this season of survival, Th eus’ rookie status has been more of a help than a hindrance. His growth as a coach has been praised in relation to his relative inexperience, his downfalls mostly forgiven and often cast aside as, well, rookie mistakes. Th e coach’s coaches, meanwhile, approve thus far.

“It’s a learning and growing experience for him, and I think that’s going to go on for a while,” Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said by phone last week. “Even though (he) played in the (NBA) years ago, then had two years as an assistant coaching (at Louisville) and two years as a head coach in college (at New Mexico State), just learning the league is not an instantaneous process.

“Th at goes from everything from learning the other players in the league to the other coaches in the

By Sam AmickMCT Campus

MCT Campus

The boss: Sacramento Kings head coach Reggie Theus, center rallys his troups as they prepare for a 123-118 double over-time victory against the New York Knicks at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, November 16, 2007.

league and your own players, and the fact that the games. Once they start the preparation time is really limited. It’s all those things. To this point, he’s holding up well.”

In the eyes of the ownership, too.

“I think Reggie’s done a nice job,” Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said. “Sure, he’s made some mistakes, but he’s learned from his mistakes and that’s what happens when you’re a fi rst-year coach in the NBA. Overall, I think the positive thing is that the guys _ by and large _ are playing hard and they’re doing everything that he expects them to do.”

Which, all things considered, is no small statement.

A recent three-game losing streak aside, the Kings’ ability to remain competitive despite so many injuries garnered Th eus signifi cant league-wide praise. Th e extended absences of Mike Bibby, Ron Artest and Kevin Martin meant the Kings dealt with more roster problems than perhaps any other team in the league. To be anywhere near .500, as the Kings were before losing four of their past fi ve games before the All-Star break, was seen as impressive. Yet for most of the season, the reviews from within the Kings’

organization didn’t match the ones outside of it.

Much of the internal wariness pertained to off -court goings on, among them Th eus’ candid nature with the media and the negative way in which it aff ected the players and people he worked most closely with. But on coaching merits alone, his bosses say there has been steady progress.

Th ere were tactical concerns early, when Th eus insisted on running an inside-out off ense that left many of his colleagues scratching their heads because the Kings lacked the post personnel to make it happen. But a few weeks in, a system that involved more pick and rolls and ball movement was installed, and Th eus began to run

much of the off ense through Artest down low after the small forward returned from his seven-game suspension to start the season. He has since allowed the veterans to utilize the age-old “corner” off ense as well, with elements of the system used under former coach Rick Adelman that came second nature to the likes of Brad Miller and Martin. Scoring had rarely been a problem for the team ranked 10th in the league in points per game (100.2).

Game management was an early issue, too, specifi cally a stretch in mid-November in which the Kings either found themselves out of timeouts in key late sequences or not using timeouts when they should have. Slipping up, if only occasionally, on the learning curve.

“Given how so many games are so close in our league at the end, you want to try and make sure that you usually have some timeouts left,” Petrie said. “And then things like matching up and needing plays in special situations. (But) I think we’ve gotten better as we’ve gone along there.”

Artest, by most accounts, has been his biggest challenge. From his bouts with frustration in public and private to the way in which he is sometimes treated diff erently than his teammates, the way in which Th eus handles him has had a profound eff ect on the locker room. And while Th eus has likely helped himself by acknowledging numerous times recently that the NBA for better or worse is a player’s league, he appears committed to keeping one player in particular happier than the rest.

As Artest said recently, he had concerns about Th eus in the beginning in regards to his off ensive role.

“Th e only thing I didn’t like about coach at fi rst was early in the season he said he wasn’t going to depend on me to score,” he said.

Before long, he would depend heavily on Artest to score, so much so on occasion that some Kings players would complain that the emphasis often came at the expense of the others. It was a repeat of what had occurred under Musselman, and a bit perplexing, considering Artest is neither considered the team’s best scorer or a major part of the organization’s future.

At his best, he was alternating between scoring, passing out of double teams to fi nd others or driving and kicking out to teammates. At his worst, he was pounding the ball and sparking an ineffi cient off ense. But if there was any question as to how Artest would react to being minimized off ensively, his on-court outburst in Detroit on Jan. 18 brought the answer.

After a play in which Bibby

didn’t pass to him in the post, Artest yelled at Th eus to “get me the (expletive) ball.” Th e behavior was problematic for reasons beyond the obvious. Earlier in the season, John Salmons and Mikki Moore had been fi ned $5,000 each for relatively minor transgressions, as Salmons had left the locker room in postgame frustration Nov. 14 in Minnesota and Moore had complained publicly about his off ensive role at New Jersey on Dec. 18. But Artest received no fi ne for what some viewed as far more destructive behavior, and talk of a double standard that had already been in full swing only grew.

“He’s got to manage his player-coach relationships with each of those guys and the communication that he has on an ongoing basis with them,” Petrie said. “Th at’s getting to know what works with some guys and what doesn’t work. What motivates some guys and what doesn’t. And again, I think that’s probably an ongoing process, too.”

Th e Kings’ braintrust met for a lengthy state-of-the-team session at the team’s practice facility Jan. 29, with all topics up for discussion and the consensus that a unity among the decision-makers needed to remain. Petrie, Th eus, and Joe and Gavin Maloof met for nearly two hours, with Petrie and Th eus continuing their talk long after the owners departed.

“We went through everything,” Gavin Maloof said, “so that we have a good rapport and that we are communicating which is important.”

Petrie, who by this point last season was bypassing chances to give Musselman a vote of confi dence, said the relationship between he and Th eus is working just fi ne. He, like many others, credited Th eus for being willing to adjust when necessary and moving past problems both on and off the court before they evolved into something worse.

“It’s not any diff erent, for the most part, with any of the other coaches I’ve had an association with,” he said of his relationship with Th eus. “It’s his team to coach, primarily, and I’ll periodically tell him what I see and what I think and give him ideas. Ultimately, (the insights) are for him to use, to not use, to consider, whatever. But that’s coaching.

“At the end of the season, we’ll sit down, say, `What did we accomplish here? What did we do well? What didn’t we do well? What do we need to try and do?’ that kind of thing.”

While Th eus has a three-year contract worth approximately $6 million, only the fi rst two seasons are guaranteed and the third is a team option. By all appearances at the moment, he is on his way to surviving his rookie campaign.

Sports 7February 25, 2008

For Aggie Business major and men’s basketball guard Maurice Cubit, college is a time to be competitive, take the ball, and put some points on the board.

Hailing from Wright City, Oklahoma, Cubit is proud to have been given the chance to play basketball for the Aggies.

“I come from a small town, small school. Where I come from there are not a lot of people who get the opportunity to play,” he said.

Despite humble beginnings, Cubit has made the most out of his time at Cameron by not only being eff ective on the court, as shown by his 35-point game against Oklahoma Panhandle State last December, but also by using basketball to grow as a person.

“It has taught me a lot; I’ve learned great respect for everybody – the coach, the referees. It’s a challenge. Nothing is given to you, you have to go out and take it,” Cubit said.

Cubit speaks about his role as CU guardBy David R. BublitzCollegian Staff

Mavs hoping NBA title is a done deal with Kidd

Jason Kidd, one of the NBA’s all-time sleight-of-hand playmakers, has a fl air for the dramatic. Why else would he choose the No. 2?

Forget his claims about a second chance with the Mavericks or that when fl ipped over, the numeral’s curves resemble his old No. 5.

Th is 2 has one meaning, as in two seasons, this one and the next_the remaining time on his contract_for Kidd to shotgun the franchise to its fi rst NBA championship.

“People always talk about the window and, to me, the window is this year,” Dirk Nowitzki said Tuesday evening after the team’s fi rst practice with their new point guard. “We feel like with his fl oor leadership, with him running the point and guiding people that we have a better shot in close games and closing games out.”

Th e arduous, sometimes torturous, week-long trade negotiations fi nally became offi cial Tuesday with the league’s stamp of approval. Fourteen years after

the Mavs drafted him and 12 since they traded him, a soft-spoken Kidd returned to Dallas, along with guard Antoine Wright and forward Malik Allen.

Th e Mavs sacrifi ced a chunk of their future to get Kidd now. At the forefront is point guard Devin Harris, along with DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell and Maurice Ager. But it was Keith Van Horn, dusting off from semi-retirement, who cleared the way for the completion of the roller-coaster deal.

Th e Mavs also threw in $3 million and fi rst-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010. A heavy price, but one coach Avery Johnson believes bought the engine his team lacked.

“We haven’t had a quarterback like this,” Johnson said. “We’ve got somebody who, when you are in the red zone, can help you get touchdowns.”

Kidd’s second tour starts Wednesday night in New Orleans with high drama against the conference-leading Hornets and young point guard Chris Paul. If ever there was doubt Kidd would start, Johnson extinguished the

notion in a hurry.“What do you think?” he said.Nowitzki attended the news

conference and smiled when Mavs owner Mark Cuban said he had been kept abreast of the trade and had approved it. Following practice, Nowitzki answered honestly what he believed the team was missing and why Kidd will bring it.

“With me playing with (Steve) Nash for so many years, some of the passes you just took for granted,” Nowitzki said. “Over the last couple of years those looks just weren’t there. Th is is going to be great to catch the ball when you’re open in the right situation. (Kidd’s) one of the best at doing that.”

Th e trade was not a reaction to deals made by the Lakers and Suns, team president Donnie Nelson said. Talks with New Jersey, he said, began before Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal joined their new teams.

Cuban, believing the team had reached a plateau and stalled, said it needed a spark.

“Not that the guys weren’t playing hard, it wasn’t that there

were any specifi c issues. It’s just they were going to work,” Cuban said. “It was like everybody was waiting for the postseason to start and I just don’t think that you can turn it on at the postseason. Jason, not only from a talent perspective and an experience perspective, but from being that kind of iconic All-Star will spark life.

“And the fact he’s coming back to Dallas makes it all the more exciting.”

Kidd led New Jersey to the Finals twice, but lost to the Lakers and Spurs. He referenced his return to Dallas, noting the fi rst time he didn’t get a fair shake. Young and naive, he said, he thought he knew what it took to win.

He said he was wrong. Disgruntled in New Jersey, the trade has provided a spark for Kidd, too. A month before he turns 35, Kidd is looked upon to guide the franchise beyond the excruciating defeats of the past two postseasons.

“I’ve never looked at things in life as pressure. I love the challenge,” Kidd said. “Th is is another challenge that I look

By Jeff CaplanMCT Campus

forward to. I am very excited about it because of the talk of being old or not being as good as Nash or those other guys.

“I think a lot of us who play this game, it’s important to be a champion and win the ultimate prize. Th ere are no guarantees.”

Not even for $17 million, the amount Cuban had to spend beyond the cost of the original deal that fell through when Devean George blocked it last week by utilizing a little-known no-trade clause, and when Jerry Stackhouse’s remarks smacked of a prearranged deal to return him to Dallas might have plucked him out of the package.

“It’s a little better basketball-wise (than the original deal),” Cuban said, “a little more painful checkbook-wise.”

Perhaps painful is the loss of Diop, which leaves Erick Dampier as the lone center. After waiving Nick Fazekas to sign Van Horn, the Mavs have two roster spots open. A post player is on the shopping list.

Th e Mavs still hold their $5 million exception and Cuban said he’ll use it for the right addition.

MCT Campus

New Kidd on the block: Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson (far left) and his new players Jason Kidd, Antoine Wright and Malik Allen participate in a press conference at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Cubit said that the idea of taking what one wants, especially in terms of putting points on the board, has been a big part of how Head Coach Maurice Leitzke approaches the game.

“Our head coach is great. He gives us more freedom to play on off ense. We have a run and gun team this year,” Cubit said.

In addition to his enthusiasm about how Head Coach Leitzke coaches the game, Cubit was also appreciative of how active the coaching staff has been, making sure the players succeed off the court as well as on it.

“You

have to go to class in order to play. You have to make good grades. We were required to do study hall this year, which we should have been

doing anyway, but I think that it helped a lot. And the coaches are always asking if we need any help, so we can go to them any time,” Cubit said.

Cubit was particularly thankful of Assistant Coach Ryan McAdams for his academic assistance.

“I give a lot of thanks to our assistant coach because he did a lot with us - early mornings and late study halls,” Cubit said.

Th e late night study sessions may prove to pay off in the end.

Maurice plans to use the knowledge he has

gained through his management

classes once his time at

Cameron has come to a close.“Since I’m into general business,

I want to focus on the insurance business like State Farm. I kind of want to move down to the Dallas area or Arlington. Mostly, I’ve been taking a lot of management classes, so I want to start my own business eventually,” Cubit said.

While Cubit has his plans for the distant future well thought out, his main focus is on the near future. He anticipates playing the most is the game against Southwestern because they are one of the ranked teams.

All competitiveness aside, Cubit was mostly just glad for the chance to play basketball with and against people from around the United States.

“I’m thankful for getting the opportunity to play. It’s a good experience to play with other kids from other states.”

For more information on Cubit or the other aggie basketball players, check out the Aggie men’s basketball Web site at goaggies.cameron.edu.

Photo by David R. Bublitz

A&E8 February 25, 2008

She started writing songs when she was only 14-years-old and now at 27, she has won two Grammy’s. Alicia Keys has gone from an unknown R&B singer to a major music sensation and the skyrocketing sales of her new album “As I Am” says she is still on the rise.

Born Alicia Augello-Cook, Keys offi cially began her singing career with the release of her fi rst album “Songs in A Minor” in 2001. Before the release of the album, she recorded a song for the movie “Men in Black” entitled “Dah Dee Dah (Sexy Th ing).”

“Songs in A Minor” was a success for Keys. Th e album found many of its songs on the top of the charts for weeks in a row and quickly became a multi-platinum album.

Keys quickly capitalized on her seemingly overnight success with the release of her sophomore album “Th e Diary of Alicia Keys,” in 2003, in which she reveals her personal life and thoughts. According to Keys, her recent compilation, “Th e Diary of Alicia Keys” refl ected her emotions better than the fi rst album.

Keys has received critic acclaim for her second album and was awarded four Grammy’s including: “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance,” “Best R&B Song,”

“Best R&B Album” and “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.” Th e album set a new record for Keys and gave her the chance to explore new music styles and rhythms.

Th e 2005 “Unplugged” album emphasizes Keys’ resonating keyboard notes and perfect, smooth voice. Th e album was recorded at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and was part of the MTV “Unplugged” series. Th e album has sold over a million copies in the United States.

And when fans were lest expecting, Keys released her third album, “As I Am.” Keys stated in 2007 that she had been working on a new album and a new production. “As I Am” took fans by surprise because of the feeling poured into it and it introduced a new style for Keys.

Since its release in 2006, “As I Am” is another successful album. Earning two Grammy’s, Keys was given the opportunity to participate on a historical performance of the song “Learnin’ the Blues” with Frank Sinatra in the 2008 Grammy Awards.

Keys’ 2008 Grammy’s Awards were for “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance” and for “Best R&B Song” both for her hit single “No One.”

Th e awards demonstrate how Keys has grown throughout her

career. But they also express a side of Keys that she has not reveled before. “As I Am” as stated by Alicia Keys, has a special personal signifi cance to the singer.

“Th is year… how can I explain it? It has simultaneously been the best and worst of my life! Th is year, I know God took me, turned me around and forced to look at myself in a mirror of refl ection,” Keys said.

Th e strength and range of Keys’ songs, voice and keyboard notes make this latest release diff erent from previous albums. Her music taste has evolved from a combination of classical and R&B to a perfect fusion of pop, classical and R&B. Th e album delivers all possible emotions to the listener.

Currently, Keys has launched a recording studio with Kerry “Krucial” Brothers. Th e studio is located in Long Island, N.Y. and is named KrucialKeys Enterprises. Brothers has been Keys’ partner in her production and song writing processes. Together they have produced most of Keys’ award winning albums.

It is evident Keys has given her all to her latest album. Th rough every song she shows how she feels about love, physical contact, hurt feelings and loss. Keys shares with us her best work to date in “As I Am” and promises to deliver much more in the future.

Spotlight on Alicia Keys:Career mounts with success of new album

By Bira VidalCollegian Staff

MCT Campus

Entertaining the masses: Alicia Keys performs during pre-game festivities prior to the NFL Super Bowl XLII football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants on Feb. 3 in Glendale, Ariz.

P̀retty’ doesn’t equal t̀alent’ - or `different,’ SimonBy Rich MacialekMCT Campus

For the Chinese it’s the year of the rat; for the 2008 season of “American Idol” it’s the year of the babe. One managerial school of thought is that when you can’t fi nd “talented” you take “good-looking.” “Idol” has taken that to heart because they are packing the show with good-looking girls this year. Fortunately for the viewers, most of them can sing quite well, too.

Th e producers talked about how things would diff erent this year and this is what they must have meant. Other than that, the show is so similar to prior years you have to wonder if you’re watching reruns half the time. Th e only other thing that is even slightly diff erent is the fact that judge Paula Abdul seems sober most of the time.

Honestly, can you blame the woman? If you had to sit between two gasbags like her fellow judges every week, you would be throwing them back too.

On one side you have a man with so little street in him that he probably mows his yard in a cardigan, dawg. On the other side you have a guy whose shirts are so tight if it gets below sixty degrees you can use his nipples to hang hats on. Add a host that dresses like the most popular kid in your local junior high school

and acts like he sells real estate on weekends, and you have three of the most narcissistic people west of the nation’s capital.

During the fi rst few weeks they show some of the people who try out. Votefortheworst.com has an interesting article that shines a light on this process and changes how you watch the show. You realize that people aren’t passed through the judges based on talent so much as their ability to make good TV. Unfortunately for the viewer, this seems to mean showing us hours of people who can’t sing very well.

What’s really disturbing about the TV show is its willingness to use people who suff er from mental illness or are developmentally challenged to provide entertainment. What’s scary is when the judges don’t seem to notice or care, and treat them as the butt of jokes. Stay classy, Hollywood.

So why watch this sad excuse for a show? Because every once in a while one of them will sing like an angel. So far this year the winner so far is Samantha Sidley. A shy girl with zero ego and a voice like a pro. A voice so full of sincere sultriness that it makes you lose interest in every other singer you ever listened to. It’s moments like these that make the whole show worthwhile.

A&E 9February 25, 2008

Unmasked:Ole’ Kim’s identity revealedBy Bira VidalCollegian Staff

I walked through the students with the dark red bag over my shoulder containing all the material necessary for the big surprise of the week. Th e butterfl ies in my stomach had just decided to come out to play that night and it made me very uncomfortable.

For me, the next hour would become one of the best hours in the whole semester. I have been keeping that secret for some time now, about a year and six months. And it was going to be a relief for me to take off “the mask” I had been wearing for all this time.

Early that week I had been doing some campaigning for Homecoming. Following in my family’s footsteps, I decided to run for Homecoming King. I became interested in running when my brother, Gabriel Vidal, was crowned King last year. I thought “it’d be mighty cool if I could keep the Homecoming tradition in the family.”

And I intended to keep it that way.My best friend, Sonila Abdulla, had been telling

me since Oct. 2007 that we would make a great couple to run for Homecoming King and Queen. She was so excited and she convinced me we might have a good chance to win.

Sonila has been so far my best friend and my rock through all the good and bad times. So I thought again, “it’d be really nice if I won with a friend who I consider part of the family.”

We started campaigning at eight in the morning of Feb. 13. We had everything ready to go and we started right away. We had T-shirts ready, fl yers ready, sidewalk chalk ready and the high level of stress was defi nitely already there.

But then on Feb. 15, I got a phone call related to the upcoming Homecoming festivities. Th at call would change and perfectly adjusted my strategy to win the Homecoming competition.

In the previous years I had been a cheerleader for Cameron. I did not suspect that the call would bring me back down the cheer leading path, and force me to carry once more that red bag with the head inside.

I met with the people responsible for the Homecoming Pep Rally twice to make sure everything was understood between them and me.

Th e show was ready to begin.

Th e subsequent days of the week were fi lled with apprehension from me for both the Pep Rally and the Homecoming King and Queen results. I knew I would have to wait a few more days for the results of the Homecoming voting, so I decided to channel all my energy into the next day, the Pep Rally.

I arrived at the Aggie Gymnasium early enough to touch base with the Director of Student Activities, Zeak Naifeh. Everything was in place and I was wearing the outfi t I thought I would never wear again. I marched right through the whole skit the cheerleaders had performed with me, and then they forcibly took my head off .

I was Ole Kim, Cameron’s mascot. When I opened my eyes, I saw all the people loudly cheering and the noise seemed to echo all around the gym. Th e smelly head, the uncomfortable shoes, the sweaty outfi t, none of that mattered because at that moment I was feeling really great wearing all of it and being part of this exciting event.

I never believed I would feel such strong emotions, but being Ole Kim for the Homecoming Pep Rally had brought so many good memories of cheer leading and all the silly and great moments I have had wearing that outfi t.

All the children that have been fascinated by Ole Kim and all the adults who still think it is funny to shake a hand that only has four fi ngers had inspired me to be the best Ole Kim I could be throughout the past eighteen months.

It has been the best Homecoming of my life. Well, not that I have experienced many Homecomings in the past, but this time it felt complete. I ran for Homecoming King with my best friend – my borrowed sister, and at the same time I was able to be Ole Kim again.

Weekly Horoscopes Aries (March 21-April 19) Th is week is a 9. Pay attention to the details this week. Th e little things are very important. Give someone a hug who doesn’t expect it. It could do wonders for them.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Th is week is a 7. Life is a musical, sing it. Make sure the people you care about know it. Watch out for pessimists, they’ll only bring you down.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Th is week is an 8. Make sure you are giving yourself time to do the things you love. Timing is everything this week, stick to a schedule the best you can.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Th is week is a 7. Politics are of importance to you right now. Investigation is key. Give pets special attention this week.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Th is week is a 6. Humor can brighten your week. Remember when things get tough, sometimes laughing them of is the best solution.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Th is week is a 9. You may feel you are in a rut right now, but things should get better as the semester progresses. You are in for an amazing summer.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Th is week is a 7. Th ings are getting better for you this month. You should come into a fi nancial gain at the end of the month. Cook at home this week.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Th is week is an 8. You are not always right about everything. Listen to others this week. You may accept something you were closed to in the past.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Th is week is a 7. Th e early bird gets the worm. Try to avoid sleeping-in this week. You could be in for a nice surprise.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Th is week is a 5. Not everyone is a good friend. Beware of people’s intentions. Remember, it’s not the critic who counts.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Th is week is a 7. Stand up for yourself this week. Others will be proud of you for sharing your voice.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Th is week is a 9. Th ings are going your way this month. Keep the fi re burning. Studying a few extra hours could make the diff erence.

Off with his head: Bira Vidal shares that he is Ole’ Kim during the Homecoming Pep Rally last Thursday.

Courtesy photo

Variety10 February 25, 2008

AA

Photos by David R. BublitzPhotos by David R. BublitzPhoto Collage by Bira VidalPhoto Collage by Bira Vidal

Th eater production explores Shakespeare life scenarios in

“I Hate Hamlet”

Final decision: Final decision: Play protagonist Andrew Rally (Chris Jefferson) decides to stay Play protagonist Andrew Rally (Chris Jefferson) decides to stay on stage rather than on camera. Actress Christan Gillis shares the stage with on stage rather than on camera. Actress Christan Gillis shares the stage with Jefferson in “I Hate Hamlet.”Jefferson in “I Hate Hamlet.”

Gothic, brownstone theatrical set and haunting classical music with mystic overtones welcomed those who attended the light comedy, “I Hate Hamlet,” at the Cameron University Th eatre this weekend. As the plot unfolded, the talented acting troupe had all in attendance believing the ghost of John Barrymore was alive and wreaking delightful havoc on the lives of all those he encountered.

Junior Th eatre major Brian West portrayed the tight and tunic clad Barrymore with the same fl amboyant fl air and panache that Mr. John Barrymore must have incorporated into his renowned 1917 performance of Hamlet. His introduction said it all as he drolly announced, “John Barrymore. Actor. Legend. Seducer. Corpse.”

Having a fi rm grasp on his obvious mortality, or immortality as it may, leaves all to believe that his mantra is, as Tennyson wrote, “I will drink Life to the lees.” West not only drinks life, he drinks everything in sight and his fermented wit is not lost on his protégé, Andrew Rally, played by Christopher Jeff erson, a CU sophomore majoring in Th eatre Arts.

Like an alchemist, Jeff erson combined the angst felt by a young, recently unemployed actor with the confusion felt by a dramatically untapped thespian that Barrymore has chosen to mentor. Add a dash of sexual frustration caused by him dating a 29-year-old virgin and the chemical reaction that ensued fueled Jeff erson to embrace Shakespeare, Hamlet, a virgin and his ghostly mentor.

Deirdre McDavey, played by CU played by Christan Gillis delighted audiences with her passion for Hamlet, her desire to fi nd one true love and her inability to see the ghost of Barrymore. Gillis, is so desperately searching for true love that she wants to be cast as Ophelia opposite her actual and imagined true love, Hamlet.

Amanda Billings, a CU junior, majoring in theatre, as Felicia Dantine, New York City realtor, rivaled Fran Drescher (Th e Nanny) with her snappy one-liners delivered with deadpan wit and a perfect New York accent.

Gary John Lefkowitz, played by freshman Th eatre major Michael Buckner, personifi ed the quintessential fast-talking Hollywood mover and shaker. Director of the recently canceled television series in which Jeff erson starred, Buckner treks to New York with the hope of luring his talented star back to the fast-food world of acting with a promise of a huge paycheck, but little personal satisfaction.

To round out the ensemble, an icy-hot contradiction was added to the mix with CU freshman, Th eatre major, Leah Mazur playing Lillian Troy, Jeff erson’s ailing agent who once had an aff air with the late Barrymore. Mazur plays her gruff , German accent and sharp wit perfectly against her passionate reaction to her former lover.

“I Hate Hamlet,” was a light comedy that was entertaining and provided the cast and crew members a perfect venue to showcase their talents. Students should mark their calendars and plan to attend the next theatrical production, “Nine,” a musical, premiering April 17-19, 25-27 at the Cameron University Th eatre. For more information visit the CU Th eatre Department Web site at www.cameron.edu/theatre_arts/ or call 581.2346.