At first glance, El Dia de los Muertos may appear to be the Latino version of Halloween However, those who grew up celebrating the day know that it is much more. Held on Nov. 1 and 2 of each year, El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), is a reflection upon the deceased. It is a time for their family and friends to remember them and celebrate the lives that they lived.

The celebration varies throughout the Latino cultures, but there are many common threads running through the tradition. The mood of the holiday is bright, and emphasizes celebrating and honoring the lives of those who have passed into the afterlife, while simultaneously celebrating the continuation of life. Those who celebrate the day understand that death is not only the end of life, but rather the beginning of a new stage.

Some families honor the deceased by visiting churches or cemeteries. Families will often clean and decorate the graves with offerings. These offerings, or ofrendas, may include toys for deceased children (los angelitos, or little angels); flowers (flor de muerto, or flower of the dead); or favorite foods (such as pan de muerto, or bread of the dead) candy, beverages, or items the loved one was close to in life. Families may also set up an altar inside their home and decorate it with similar ofrendas. The offerings are left as a welcoming gesture for the dead and may include pillows and blankets so that the deceased can rest. The altars often include a Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Virgin Mary, candles, and pictures of the deceased. Many families will also pray around the altar and tell stories about the deceased. The decorations and offerings are typically bright and colorful.

The Office of Intercultural Services (OIS) along with the Multicultural Student Network will host an event celebrating El Dia de los Muertos on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, in the Student Union room 207, room 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. to celebrate the holiday. Guitarist and story-teller, Martha Salazar from Zeni Music Production, will be present to sing and play traditional music for participants to enjoy. She will utilize her story-telling skills and discuss what the holiday is, how it works, and what the holiday means to her and her family.

A number of TWU Latino organizations have come together to help make this event a success. Chi Upsilom Sigma, Sigma Lambda Alpha, Lulac and Beso will each participate in the event. OIS and the student organizations will capture the spirit of the holiday by decorating altars to commemorate the life of someone who has passed on with things that person would enjoy in the afterlife, such as a favorite food or music. In addition, construction paper and chalk will be available for participants who wish to create a tombstone for a lost loved one. An open mic will also be available for participants who wish to share their experiences or stories of loved ones who have died. Of course, food and refreshments will be available.

Scarlett Pope, Staff Writer

You can find them in our school. They could even be in your class. I happened to sit next to one in my Quantitative Literacy course last year. I sat next to Sheri Pipes, a non-traditional student. It never occurred to me that she was defined as non-traditional; in fact I thought the most unconventional thing about this Sheri was that she didn’t mind talking to me when I sat down next to her in class. Every morning Sheri would smile and say, “Good morning!” She would then fill me in on the news I had missed in class. It was very unique, and I never forgot the kind gesture of her saying, “Good morning” every day. Knowing non-traditional students has enriched my experience in college, and there is no doubt that their presence enriches all of TWU. So to kick off next week’s “Non-traditional Student Week” lets get to know some of these exceptional students.

When asked why she is considered a non-traditional student, Sheri Pipes replied “I believe I can be classified as a non-traditional student because I am a 40 year old mother of two fabulous children.” Pipes’ life is truly an entire world of experience;

“From the time I started at TWU in 2003 until present, I have lost two grandmothers, got a divorce, my eldest son had kidney surgery, [I] moved twice and yet I still smile and thank God everyday that I have my life and my children are healthy.” Pipes is also the Vice President of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the non-traditional student honor society. “The hardships were tough but my professors and friends I have made here at TWU have been instrumental in my keeping a smile on my face,” she says. Pipes, a psychology major, is graduating from TWU in December and will begin graduate school at Keller Graduate School, then go onto Kansas State University with the intention of obtaining her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Sheri said that obtaining her undergraduate degree in December will be her greatest accomplishment, even though she started working towards it 18 years ago, “[My B.A.] is an accomplishment I am most proud of.” Sheri’s adventures in an out of college have taken her from Wyoming to Scotland to Texas and many other places in between. “After taking a little 12 year hiatus, I managed to direct myself back on the road eventually achieving academic success.” For Pipes, getting the word out that there are other students like her is what Non-Traditional Student Week is all about. “I, for one felt a little out of sorts when I first started here until I began to notice other “older” students with chaotic lives going on as well. It wasn’t until last semester that I was even aware of [Alpha Sigma Lambda] therefore, it is important to get the word out, in my opinion, in as many ways as possible.”

Kendyll Castles is featured on TWU’s website and is also an Orientation Leader for the school’s incoming freshmen—most people probably don’t realize she is in fact a non-traditional student.

When asked why she is considered a non-traditional: “I am non-traditional because I am a single parent.  I have a beautiful, wonderful, firecracker of a daughter.  She’s almost three years old and such a joy.” Castles is currently working towards a B.F.A. in Art with a concentration in painting, as well as a B.A. of Art History. Her favorite class this year is sculpture, which she says is, “allowing me to deal with all various three-dimensional media to flesh out my ideas.” Castles answered a pretty ambiguous question of mine: Are non-traditional students treated differently? She replied: “Of course we’re going to be viewed a bit differently.  Many of us have families, jobs, and very full lives.  Being a single parent in particular is a constant struggle, and I think sometimes we can feel like our accomplishments are overlooked.  We are working so hard to achieve our personal goals, and striving for a better quality of life for our children.” In addition to that she said that just because she is a non-traditional doesn’t mean she wants any special treatment. “I don’t want to be given slack because I’m a single parent.  I want to work and achieve and earn respect just as everyone else on campus.” Castles can often be seen on campus riding her bike to class and saying, “hello” with a big smile to the many people she knows. “I’m extremely crazy super involved, especially for a single parent.  I’m the SGA Executive Treasurer, an Orientation Team Leader, and the Vice President of Delta Phi Delta, to name a few things I do.” Castles is in for the long haul, she admits she wants to learn everything. “I plan for my college education to continue my entire life… I’m planning on earning an M.F.A. and Ph.D.  Then I’ll work as a hamburger flipper for a while, and try to (very) slowly become a full-time, tenured professor.  Life-long learning--that’s my plan.”

Whatever your plan may be, wherever life has taken each of you reading this, remember that education is for everyone. Non-traditional student week starts on November 1st. That first week of November is committed to celebrating the fastest-growing population of student’s world wide, Non-Traditional Students. These students have careers, children, and families outside of their lives as TWU students. We are proud to have them as a part of our campus. Should you come across one in your classes during the next week, don’t be afraid to give a word of encouragement--or just say good morning.

Christina Truelove, Staff Writer

Close to Home

Texas is one of four states to participate in a pilot program called “Virtual Visitation.” This is a way for divorced parents living far away from each other to be able to visit their children through web conferencing. The Texas state legislature is supporting this type of Virtual Visitation with a new bill that carries the same name. Now judges can order visitation to occur on certain days or times, via the internet. This program is not intended to replace traditional visitation, but to be used in conjunction with it. 13-year-old Betsy Speer told WFAA-TV reporters that it makes her feel more connected with her dad and less awkward when she does get to see him in real life.

Throughout the Nation

This Halloween, a couple in Berea, Ohio exchanged vows at the haunted house where they both work. Tina Milhoane, 22, and Robert Seifer III, 24, were wed in front of the entrance to the Seven Floors of Hell haunted house’s outdoor cemetery with the Grim Reaper presiding. The audience was dressed as zombies, witches. Even the lead character of Carrie made her appearance. The groom arrived in a hearse and was carried by six pallbearers to the alter in a coffin. This is one way to celebrate Halloween.

Around the World

The first Chinese lunar probe was launched last Wednesday, October 24—the first step in China’s 10-year plan to send a rover to the moon and then return it to earth. This comes just weeks after Japan launched a probe into orbit around the moon. India is also planning to join in by launching their lunar probe by April.

China wants to join forces with the US and Russia in building a space program. The US is leery about allowing a Communist country into the space program, but a decision still has yet to be made. In 2003, China was the third country in the world to send astronauts into space, seceded only by the US and Russia

Christina Truelove, Staff Writer

Close to Home

If you use a credit or debit card when you go out to eat, you will need to be extra careful. A Dallas waiter at the new House of Blues restaurant was recently arrested for stealing customers’ credit card information. Demetrious Jackson is now facing federal charges for his actions. Jackson was apparently using skimmers--which are devices that download the information from credit cards. He was using this information to purchase flat-screen televisions and gift cards. Jackson also recruited servers in other restaurants to do the same thing, offering them cash incentives.

Because of these allegations, House of Blues promptly fired Jackson. Other restaurants such as Maguire’s are thoroughly checking their credit and debit receipts to find any evidence of fraud.

Throughout the Nation

Approximately 1,400 firefighters were called out to Malibu on Sunday in an attempt to extinguish a wildfire that broke out. By late evening, it had covered 2,200 acres and destroyed 25 structures including five homes, a glass company, and Malibu Presbyterian Church. The fire has since spread to Santa Clarita and two rural communities east of San Diego where residents are being evacuated. Those refusing to leave are causing firefighters problems, taking them away from their task at hand to aid in rescue attempts. The 2003 Cedar fire happened in much the same way, killing approximately a dozen and consuming more than 280,000 acres.

Around the World

A prize has recently been developed to reward excellent leadership in African countries The new award is called the Mo Ibrahim Prize. The first recipient was Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mozambique. He was awarded the prize at a ceremony in London by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He was selected because of his efforts to bring peace and democracy to his country. He is celebrating his 68th birthday on Monday while mediating peace talks between Ugandan rebels and their government.