The Lasso - News

Page last updated

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Archives: November 8

Motivational speaker Nancy Barry inspires TWU

Leadership Institute sponsors event for Barry, provides copies of her book

Allison Sheardy, Editor -in- Chief

TWU’s new Leadership Institute is off to a good start this year, propelled by the success of their recent event. The event, which took place on Oct. 30, featured guest speaker Nancy Barry. Her talk, titled, “When Reality Hits,” provided students and educators alike with indispensable information. Barry focused her presentation of the “soft skills” that recent college graduates need in order to be successful in their careers. These skills include making a positive first impression, maintaining an appropriate attitude, and extensive networking. Barry provided students with essential information in a laid-back, friendly manner, making her seem an approachable yet trustworthy source.

The Leadership Institute students, TWU faculty and staff, a number of local high school students, and other members of the community attended the event. Retired Major General Mary Saunders, executive director of the Leadership Institute, began the event with a warm welcome, a few bits of her own advice, ad an introduction for Barry. Barry than spoke for about 45 minutes and followed the presentation with a book signing. Copies of her book, titled, “When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know,” were given to the students in attendance. Barry also spoke at the TWU Houston campus on Oct. 29 and is scheduled to speak in Dallas this spring.

Barry spent the majority of her adult career in the business world before becoming a full-time motivational speaker. Her previous employers include The Dallas Morning News and WFAA-TV. She has a number of signature presentations that cover a variety of topics. Visit www.nancybarry.com for more information about Barry, her book, and her upcoming presentations.

This event was the first of many for the up-and-coming Leadership Institute. A holiday reception will be held on Nov. 27 to recognize the students recently admitted into the Institute. There are currently many students from the Denton and Houston campuses. The Denton students are: Monique bird, Janis Brunworth, Beverly Carlsen-Landy, Joy Cromwell, Rosemarie DeMars, Linda Gaelle Tchouaffe, Kelley Humphries, Sheryl Jackson, Kimberly Jones, Brista Michael, Lacy Phillips, Natalie Richter, Allison Sheardy, Christina Sheppard, and Crissy Smith. Houston students include: Chloe Cervin, Frances Ebo, Kellie Gayle, Suzannah Miles, and Takisha Bolden.

Let the road to knowledge begin with this book

Barry's book is a must have for recent college grads

Monique Bird, News Editor

Nancy Barry’s book, When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know, is a must have for anyone who was unable to attend the Leadership Institute event. Barry uses her work as an opportunity to unleash her passion to help recent college graduates succeed in the career world. In it, she provides young, aspiring professionals with real world examples of how to please employers and help themselves in the process. From decoding the dress code to helpful tips to remind you of all those crazy dining etiquette rules, the book includes information about every “soft skill” that managers want their employees to know but often don’t have the time to tell them.

But do not let the title fool you—the book is not just for recent college graduates. High school students, college underclassmen, and even those nearing their graduation date should take a moment to read this book because, as Barry states, “when reality hits, you’ll (want) know what your future employer is looking for.” If you’re lucky, the book will affirm that you are following the right path on your road to success; but if you are like most recent graduates, you will appreciate the time that she has taken to compile this information into an easy-to-understand and quick-to-read graduation manual for soft skills 101.

Her usefulness as a self-proclaimed career coach comes conveniently bound in book form as she explains what soft skills are and how to appropriately use them. This written collection of skills is essential for the professional world and its corresponding etiquette and includes things that you probably will not learn in any textbook or classroom (no offense to the professors). Barry leaves no page unturned (and neither should you) as she outlines the need to have passion for your work, RSVP to invitations, nurture relationships, and shed the sense of college-degree entitlement in the workplace. The list of advice is endless, so you will have to read the book to get the complete plethora of desired skills employers look for.

Barry goes beyond breaking down the necessity of soft skills. She also outlines what to expect in the workplace and how to take care of your personal self to prevent burnout. Knowledge is power, and this is knowledge that may make or break your professional career goals.

No matter what stage you are in here at TWU, now, not later, is the time to read this book. Once you are finished, use the opportunities and resources here at TWU to fine-tune the soft skills Barry discusses in When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know. You, your co-workers, and your future employer will be glad you did.

Cat walk your way to a better marketing career

Monique Bird, News Editor

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, the TWU Association of Marketing Professionals (AMP) will host the “Cat Walk Your Way to the Career” Symposium from 9:30—11:00 a.m. in the Multi-classroom Laboratory auditorium, room 101. The symposium is designed for anyone who may be interested in entering the marketing field or any business professional (or aspiring professional) who would like to increase their marketing skills and build connections with marketing professionals. Businesses that will send representatives include Neiman Marcus, Del Monte, Sally Beauty Supplies, and Slexi Compras. These representatives will be on hand to discuss the businesses they work for and some of the secrets to a successful marketing career.

Students from all majors are encouraged to attend, and anyone from the community can attend the free event; registration is not required. Rosemarie DeMars, Executive Vice President for AMP, states, “The AMP symposium is great for students and community members to network with leading business professional in some of today’s top industries.” For more information about the symposium, contact Rosemarie DeMars at (940) 898—2121 or amp-twu@hotmail.com.

Pack the presents, not the pounds this year

Monique Bird, News Editor

The holidays with all of their traditional social gatherings are here, and with the gatherings come the temptations to overindulge on eggnog, dressing, and other tasty treats. The compound

of fattening holiday goodies and the sedentary lifestyles that many Americans lead is enough to get anyone into trouble. The average American gains anywhere from one to ten pounds during the period from Halloween to Valentine’s Day.

According to a study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the majority of weight gained by Americans over the year is gained during the holiday season. In addition, most Americans never lose this holiday weight. Although a one to ten pound gain doesn’t sound like much, those pounds can really add up over each holiday season. The good news is that with careful planning, you can avoid the long-term health affects that people suffer from due to accumulated years of holiday treats. But before you make another wasted New Year’s Resolution to lose the pounds, learn how to avoid gaining those extra holiday pounds while still not ruining the holiday spirit and festivity

1. Plan ahead and be aware of what you eat. It shouldn’t be a surprise that food is going to be at the holiday parties you go to—so be prepared. It’s okay to have your favorite treats during this time of year—just eat them in moderation. Instead of eating full serving sizes of everything on the menu, try appetizer-sized portions. You don’t have to deprive yourself of food or even dessert—just pick a few select favorites. Only eat the most special holiday items (after all, unless you plan to throw-up afterwards you probably won’t taste it later). Also remember that sauces, dressing, gravy and other “extras” will add unwanted calories to your meal.

2. Never go hungry. Eat a snack prior to going to any holiday function (yes, even the small get-togethers) because hunger often leads to overindulgence later. If you starve yourself in anticipation of a glorious meal, your body will store most of what you eat as fat. After you are finished eating, leave the room where the food is (you’ll be less likely to go back for that second helping of pie).

3. Avoid alcohol. This is a major problem. Alcohol adds empty calories to every holiday meal, stimulates the appetite, and it can also taint your judgment in making healthy eating decisions. Limit the number of drinks you have and alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages. Also try to avoid other high-calorie beverages such as soda.

4. Beat food at its own game. Grab the smallest plate you can find. Also try drinking plenty of water and eating off the fruit and veggie tray first (skip the dip), then go for the other food items. If you are traveling, buy healthy snacks to avoid having to purchase those unhealthy fast-food items.

5. Don’t keep the leftovers. If you’re the host of the party, be sure to send the guests home with plenty of leftovers.

6. Limit “tasting” while cooking. It’s easy to sample everything while you cook. But when you do this, you set yourself up for failure (after all, you’ll want to eat when the guests arrive as well). (Don’t try the excuse of “making sure it tastes good.”) If you absolutely need to check the food, do it only pre- and post-seasoning, and only get a little dip.

7. Exercise. While the holiday season may not be the best time to start your workout routine, you can make small changes in your holiday routine that can keep you from gaining those extra pounds. Before or after a meal (especially the ones where you feel a little guilty), try a brisk walk for about 20 minutes. In addition to losing unwanted calories, you’re more likely to be conscious of what you eat when you exercise. If you are already in the habit of exercising regularly, then by no means stop during the holiday season. It’ll be harder to try to get back into the exercise habit later than it is to stay committed now. Exercise also reduces stress (another reason for over-eating during the holidays).

8. Focus on the event, not the food. While many people connect the holidays with food, we have to remember that the holidays are about spending time with people—not food. Change your mindset to anticipate the people you will see and not the food you will eat. Instead of eating the entire time, try chatting with family and friends or dancing to the music. When you leave the party, wouldn’t you rather having lasting memories with family and friends rather than lasting pounds from the food?

Looking for more education options at TWU?

Distance education offers new opportunities

Christina Truelove, Staff Writer

The popularity of Distance Education in colleges has steadily grown in recent years, and Texas Woman’s University is no exception. With an ever-growing number of non-traditional students enrolling in TWU, the demand for flexible classes is higher than ever. Since 1998, TWU has been offering Distance Education classes to support the needs of these non-traditional students. A class is considered DE if over half of the content is delivered via Internet, satellite, compressed video, or any other electronic means. Since the start of this program, TWU has doubled the number of DE courses offered to students.

Non-traditional students not only need flexible class schedules—some cannot make it to campus at all due to work and family schedules, or physical distance from the campus itself. There are options for these degree-seeking individuals as well. The Bachelors of General Studies degree offered at TWU can be taken mostly, if not entirely, online. This gives students the ability to study at an accredited university and earn a Bachelors degree, even if they are unable to attend traditional classes.

Online classes are primarily conducted via Blackboard, which is an interactive website software that allows instructors and students all the tools necessary to enjoy an enriched learning experience. Students are able to communicate through email and discussion forums, read any notes or handouts the professor posts, conduct group projects, turn in assignments and even take real-time tests which deliver immediate score results.

One drawback to Distance Education, however, is that the student may not feel connected to their school since they do not need to show up on campus. That is where departments such as the Office of Lifelong Learning come in. They make sure that the needs of the DE students are taken care of and that they feel like a welcome part of the campus community. One way they go about doing this is by supporting National Distance Learning Week.

Everyday next week, DE students and faculty and staff will receive emails about Distance Education at TWU. Allison Mabry, M.J., Coordinator of Distance Education Communications will be keeping you aware of current information on Distance Education and where the program is headed. There will also be an appreciation reception held at the Denton campus on Tuesday, November 13. All faculty, staff, and students involved in Distance Education are invited to attend. It will be in the ACT Lobby from 2-3:30pm. If you are not a DE student but would like to read these informative articles, they will be available on the “TWU Connection”—the DE student blog. You can find the link on the DE website.

If you have any questions about Distance Education, the Office of Lifelong Learning would be more than happy to address all of your concerns. You can find them at http://www.twu.edu/dl. Their phone number is 940-898-3409.

Also, do not forget that the TWU Library has an extensive online catalogue and database. All you need to access this helpful resource is your Pioneer Portal username and password. Visit www.twu.edu/library for more information and to log on.

Little Too Much Student Body? Get in Shape for a Healthier You!

Victoria L. Marino, Contributing Writer

Is the first thing you think about when you are eating, “I wonder if I met my fiber requirements today?” Or is it more like, “This tastes so good. I’m starving?” With tests, projects and other obligations college students deal with, who has time to think about eating a balanced diet? Well, the consequences of this attitude may begin to show in both the body and in school performances.

Is the “Freshman 15” real?

Several studies have been published documenting weight gain in college in an attempt to discover the depth of truth in the famed “Freshman 15.” An experiment done by Levitsky, Halbmaier, and Mrdjenovic, followed 60 freshman students over a twelve week period starting in the fall semester. Over the semester, the average weight gain was about 4 ½ lbs. The participants wrote that overeating, eating junk food and snacking were the main causes for the weight gain. Another similar study showed that the weight gain was due to fat gain rather than lean muscle. Although the weight gained is not 15 lb, more weight can be added over the years, which can lead to obesity and other serious health complications in the future.

Help! It needs to be stopped!

Proper diet and exercise can help to control a person’s weight and keep them healthy. To lose one pound of fat, a total of 3500 calories must be burned. This may seem like an enormous amount of calories, but it is cutting out or burning 500 calories per day. The Mayo Clinic suggests walking for 30 minutes or more per day is a great way to burn calories. A person can burn anywhere from 120 to 200 calories, depending on speed and incline, walking 30 minutes a day. The Mayo Clinic also suggests performing “lifestyle activities” such as gardening, washing the car, walking to class, or using the stairs. Another great way to get in shape is to have a personal trainer. TWU has personal trainers with lower rates for students on a budget. Packages come with different prices: three sessions for $45 dollars, six sessions for $90. All packages come with one on one instruction and demonstration, written workout routine, and individualization. For more information, view the website at http://www.twu.edu/o-sl/Wellness/Personal%20Training.htm.

Diet is also very important in weight management. Eating right alone can help a person to lose weight. Breakfast is essential to start the day because the body has been without food (fuel) for about eight hours and that fuel needs to be replenished. Numerous studies show the importance of breakfast for performance in both physical and mental tasks. Other important dietary factors are replacing high fat dairy and meat products with lower fat options, reducing portion sizes, and increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has a lot of useful tips on how to incorporate a healthy lifestyle into a person’s already full schedule. Some other tips include recognizing real hunger, eating snacks that are only 100 calories, and much more. Visit them at www.eatright.org and look under Food & Nutrition Information.

IWH's program helps students assess Fat, Facts, and Fiction

Monique Bird, News Editor

On Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, in ACT 301 at 6:00 p.m., the TWU Institute for Women’s Health (IWH) will host the Premiere Lecture and grand opening of the Exercise and Sports Nutrition Clinic. The clinic’s Wellness and Sport Evaluation Program is designed to provide health-related and sports performance-related education, resources, and individual assessments of lifestyle-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

The Power of a Healthy Woman Premiere Lecture is the first in a series. Denton Mayor Perry McNeill will be present and will declare Nov. 8 Power of a Healthy Woman Day in Denton. In addition, keynote speaker Dr. Charlotte Sanborn, Chair of the Kinesiology Department, will present “The Fat, Facts, and Fiction of Exercise.” The grand opening will conclude with a reception and tour of the new clinic facility and demonstrations of the clinic’s services and equipment. Over 500 local health care professionals have been invited to this invitation-only grand opening.

The clinic will officially open to the public on Nov. 13 and is located in the Human Development Building, room 011.

The program will focus on providing health, fitness, and sports assessments through services including flexibility assessments, nutrition evaluations, and weight management programs. Through its services, the clinic will help the TWU and Denton community combat common health concerns. According to Dr. Nancy DiMarco, Director of the IWH, “The newest report from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) shows that thirty-one states now have reported increases in obesity and Texas ranks twelve among the most obese states. We want to make a difference in people’s lives here at TWU and the clinic is a way to start.” She adds that often physicians will diagnose a patient’s lifestyle-related ailments, but may not provide resources as to what the next steps should be. DiMarco hopes that the clinic can bridge this gap and help people gain knowledge about how their lifestyles affect health and understand how they can make positive changes in their lives.

The services will be free to TWU students; reduced rates will be available for TWU faculty and staff and students from the University of North Texas and North Central Texas College; regular prices will apply for all other users. The revenue generated from the program will help to fund the program and student research and travel within IWH.

Time commitment by clinic users will depend on the services selected. For example, the weight management program will last twelve to fifteen weeks and will include an initial assessment, goal setting, weekly meetings, and follow-ups to ensure that participants see progress and permanent weight change. On the other hand, most assessments and services, such as the muscular endurance test, can be completed in one day.

Staffers for the clinic will include professionals within the kinesiology, dietetics, and exercise and sports nutrition fields. In addition, master’s students in exercise and sports nutrition will gain hands-on experience and training as they earn practicum hours and perform a community service.

The premiere lecture and reception are being sponsored by the TWU Institute for Women’s Health and the TWU Leadership Institute.

Those interested in the services of the clinic may call (940) 898-2799 for further information or to make an appointment.

Meet The Lasso's new Opinion Editor

An introduction to the student body

Scarlett Pope, Opinion Editor

Hello beautiful readers! Today is the anniversary of the 93rd year of The Lasso being in publication. This will also be the starting point of my tenure as the opinion editor of this historic publication. First off, I’d like to extend an open invitation to all Lasso readers to write me with their own opinions—this means you! This page will strive to incorporate the many different viewpoints on campus about issues you care about—big or small. TWU and The Lasso value freedom of speech, and as my fellow Americans, so should you. I am hoping to make this page worth reading every Thursday when The Lasso comes off the printing press.

Also, there are few details about me I would like to enlighten my new audience about so that you get a fuller picture about this opinionated new editor. I was born in Santa Maria, California. The little town is famous for nothing more than the Michael Jackson trials. I hale from the once little town of Grapevine, Texas where I have lived since I was seven years old (nineteen years total).

This is my second semester at TWU and I am nursing major. I have changed my major no less than three times during my entire college career and I am known for my wanting to do “everything.” I am hyper-involved on campus—perhaps overly so—but I treasure the people I have met here in the organizations I have joined just this semester.

In fact, last semester I was quite hermit-like. I went from class straight home, didn’t go to events, didn’t join any organizations, and was infamously known as having written in a scathing letter to The Lasso about a furry creature they had let scuttle on to the first page. My joining The Lasso this year was more of a grand opportunity for me than a “if you can’t beat em’ join ‘em” type of deal. I don’t take this job lightly, and I see it as my responsibility to write with passion in every article.

This year has been the fastest moving and most fulfilling of my entire life. I have volunteered the past two summers in the little nation of Haiti—the poorest country in our hemisphere. I feel like I have gained a whole lifetime of experience because of this, and to know me you really must understand the effect this has had on my life. Seeing their little to no access to basic medical care is what made me decide that the best thing I could do with the education I have is to become a nurse.

Being in a largely illiterate country has also made me less able to take for granted the importance of the written word—how much information is valued among those without access to it. You reading a newspaper right now would be seen as nothing short of a miracle for some of the friends I made in Haiti. Haiti made me realize how much I have to offer and that if I really utilized all the opportunities around me—I could change the world.

In fact as soon as I am finished with school, I plan to. Even if that change is small and unnoticeable I have learned that it will be just as important. So here I am writing this to you, so that you know I am not just doing this because The Lasso is paying me. I am writing with this paper because I believe in this work, and my intentions are aimed to inform you—not impress you. I don’t let life pass me by, and I’m less of a whiner and more awesome because of that. I am proud to be representing you, and hoping that if you feel unrepresented, that you send me your thoughts and opinions through our email address. This space is just as much mine as it is yours; this is place for all TWU students to be given a voice for their thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you!

Scarlett Pope

TWU I-pod shuffle: Is everyone dancing to their own drum on campus?

Scarlett Pope, Opinion Editor

Have you ever wondered what people are listening to as they pass you by with their stylish little Ipods? All day Monday I was out and about on campus asking passing students with those signature Ipod buds in their ears “Hey, what are you listening to?” After the usual “What?” The students took out their ear pieces and proudly told me what beats they were grooving to while coming from or going to their classes. Out of the 30 students randomly surveyed through out campus, the most popular genre was hip-hop. In second place was country, and in third was rock and roll. I will now highlight some of the music some individuals were listening to. Two of the 30 students were actually listening to the same artist: Rascal Flatts. Two out of the 30 surveyed were also listening to rapper Lil’ Wayne. I had never heard of the group prior to this coincidence. Rascal Flatts is a country-rock group known for their heart pacing lyrics that usually revolve around sex. There were three out of the 30 listening to Spanish music of Shakira, Julieta Vengas, and even Ricky Martin. Here are some of the notable songs of every genre your peers are listening to while walking silently walking to class:

The TWU Shuffle List:

“Colt 45” By: Afroman- (Hip-Hop)

“I believe I can fly” By: R. Kelly- (R&B)

“Good news for people” By: Modest Mouse- (Indie-Rock)

“Burnin” By: Daft Punk- (Electronica)

“Pray to the Lord” By: Lil’ Wayne- (Rap)

“Donde esta lo ladrones?” By: Shakira- (Spanish)

“What hurts the most” By: Rascal Flatts- (Country-Rock)

“I’m not okay” By: My Chemical Romance- (Emo-Rock)

“Boats and birds” By: Gregory and The Hawk- (Indie)

“Back at your door” By: Maroon 5- (Rock-n-Roll)

“I tried you” By: George Strait- (Country)

“Reakoner” By: Radiohead- (Alternative/Experimental Rock)

“Don’t take the girl” By: Tim McGraw- (Country)

“I’m not my hair” By: India Arie- (R&B)

“New Shoes” By: Paolol Nutini- (Rock-n-Roll)

Now you know what they’ve been listening too!

They played as hard and as fast as they could

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

Freshman volleyball outside hitter Alyson Vincent hit her career-high record of twenty-three kills against the University of Central Oklahoma Broncos. However, the Broncos reciprocated with an amazing offensive attack. The Pioneers’ multiple errors included nine service errors, three ball handling errors, and twenty-one attack errors.

“Our mistakes were the difference in the match,” says Coach Shelly Barberee. “We played well in spurts, but every time we would start to get a little momentum going, we would shoot ourselves in the foot with a careless error. This match was there for the taking, and we let it slip away.”

There were a few other girls that stuck out on the court. Freshman outside hitter Danielle Veitenheimer and sophomore setter Jessica Crow did a great job with thirteen kills and one block assist from Veitenheimer and fifty-three assists and two service aces from Crow. Coach Barberee remarked on the performance of Vincent and Veitenheimer,

“Alyson and Danielle were outstanding tonight. They both just kept banging the ball down and because of them; we had a chance to win. I’m very pleased with the improvement that they have made this season.”

We were so close, yet so far

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

It came to a tough end for the TWU Pioneer soccer team with a loss to the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions. The game ended with a tie of 1-1. However, TAMU-Commerce beat TWU in the penalty kick shoot-out 5-4. TAMU-Commerce goalkeeper Jennifer Alvarado was on her toes and just moved too quickly for our girls.

“That’s a tough way to lose,” says Coach Fleur Benatar of the ending. “We had a chance to win in the shootout, but—and you’ve got to give her credit, Alvarado made three big plays in a row. First she stopped Romy and Jacqueline. Then, she stepped up and put in the game-winning goal. I’m disappointed for my kids though, they did enough to win today and came up just short.”

With the loss, the TWU Pioneers soccer team set their season record at 8-9-3 in the regular season and 5-4-2 in LSC play.

Speed, agility, AND brains!

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

Six TWU Pioneer soccer players received LSC academic awards this week. Aly Vincent, Romy Luna, and Jacqueline Horner were all selected as members of the 2007 Lone Star Conference Women’s Soccer All-Academic Team.

Natalie Harrison, Christine Hornisher, and Chastity Hayter were proudly placed on the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

What does it take to be placed on the All-Academic Team and Commissioner’s Honor Roll? Every girl must be at least a sophomore with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher. Those who academically qualify but are not placed on the All-Academic Team make the Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Great job to all the girls who know how to really balance their school work and their love of soccer.

TWU soccer players on LSC All-Conference team

Amanda Smith, Opinion Editor

The TWU Pioneer soccer team is proud to announce that 55 of the team’s players were placed on the 2007 Lone Star Conference All-Conference Team. Sophomore Chastity Hayter was the only girl from TWU to be placed on the All-Conference first team. Following her, on the second team was senior defender Sue Cribbes and junior defender Theresa Sanches. Both senior midfielder Romy Luna and sophomore midfielder Jacqueline Horner were given honorable mention.

Also claiming the spotlight is junior goalkeeper Aly Vincent. Vincent was placed on the 2007 ESPN Magazine’s CoSIDA Academic All-District VI College Division Women’s Soccer Second Team.

Great job to all the girls and all of their accomplishments. TWU is very proud of you.

New girls are taking the court

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

The TWU Pioneer basketball team came up just short of a win against the UT-Arlington Mavericks. The Pioneer girls suffered a 75-68 loss. However, first-year head coach Beth Jillson was thrilled with the girls’ performance.

“I can’t say enough good things about the way we played,” said Jillson. “UTA is a tough Division I team, and we were right there the whole game. My kids played hard, and everybody that I put out there really stepped up for us. This effort tonight should give us a great deal of confidence as we get ready to start our season.”

The Pioneers have one exhibition game left against the Oklahoma Flyers here at the Kitty Magee Arena on Saturday, November 10th at 6:00 p.m. Good luck girls!

Another TWU volleyball loss

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

Pioneer volleyball lost another one, ending their regular season with a three game loss to the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs. However, it wasn’t the Bulldogs’ intense skill that lost the game for the girls. TWU had six service errors; three block errors, and three ball handling errors.

“We were just way too sloppy,” says Coach Shelly Barberee. “The bottom line is, if we make that many mistakes, we’re not going to be able to win. We didn’t execute offensively or defensively today and that really hurt us.”

One of the few people that actually showed some skill on the court was junior middle blocker Kandis Schroeder who finished the games with ten kills out of twenty-four swings.

We hope for the best in the upcoming Lone Star Conference Tournament games in Canyon, Texas. Good luck girls.

Old themes parallel modern concerns in

Across the Universe

Luis Rendon, Entertainment Editor

I realize Across the Universe was released in early October, but until recently Dentonites have had to travel all the way to Dallas or Fort Worth to see this visually stunning musical. Now with two showings a day at the local Cinemark, I ran to see the movie that so many of my more hardcore cinema-obsessed friends lauded.

When watching this movie you have to constantly remind yourself that you are watching a musical and not get caught up in the romance or drama too much, because the moment you let yourself believe you are watching just another regular movie a colorful pimp will pop onto stage and start singing, or choreographed businessmen will begin dancing through the streets and you might feel a little let down. Keeping in mind that Across the Universe is a musical; the movie is full of some of the most beautiful and significant sequences of the modern musical. The dialogue of the movie is seamlessly interwoven into covers of Beatles’ favorites such as “All You Need is Love,” “Hold my Hand,” and “Hey Jude.” The music of the Beatles offers perfect dialogue between all the characters and could not have made the writers of this movie’s job any easier.

Across the Universe follows Lucy (the beautiful songstress, Evan Rachel Wood) and Jude (Jim Sturgess—reminiscent of a Moulin Rouged Ewan McGregor) as they fall in love during the turbulent times faced by the United States during the Vietnam War. Many different characters also come into play from the farthest geographical stretch of the States (Across the Universe anyone?), really exposing and displaying the full spectrum of people who were affected during the time.

Some of the best moments in the film parallel the same troubles the Unites States faces today. Musical numbers about homosexuality, the military draft, anti-war protesters, and the hardships of war had my heart racing as I thought of the soldiers over seas today and the fight many families face with the war in Iraq. In reflecting the present without being too obvious and political, Across the Universe shines. Of course, the love story between two beautiful people with amazing singing voices doesn’t hurt either.

There are some times when the story seems a bit slow. And if musicals and love stories are just not your thing, sitting through all two hours and eight minutes of this movie may prove to be difficult. The movie is only moved forward by the music, and some of the sequences are so over the top that it sometimes teeters on the edge of mass confusion. Bono, while delivering a good musical performance, is forgettable and completely irrelevant to the plot. The dialogue-less cameo from Salma Hayek is much more appealing and satisfying. Also a bit disappointing is the ending of the musical hayride. While the actors crescendo toward what appears to be a beautiful finale, the movie abruptly ends without even a goodbye kiss from our two lovers. The freeze frame ending reminded me of bad 80’s cinematography—movies with kids frozen in mid leap.

Over all, I think Across the Universe is a visual and auditory masterpiece that runs about half an hour too long. The performances are on point and the issues and topics covered in the film are not only significant, but beautiful. Across the Universe gets four out of five strawberry fields.

TWU Drama Department goes down the rabbit hole this weekend in Alice and Wonderland

Luis Rendon, Entertainment Editor

Audiences are sure to be familiar with Lewis Carroll’s literary classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. This fall TWU Drama presents a new twist on the traditional work—an adaptation with puppets, music, and movement.

Co-creators Lake Simons and John Dyer are restaging their production with TWU actors this season. Lake Simons of New York, locally known for her work at the Hip Pocket Theatre in Fort Worth, is director/choreographer for “Alice in Wonderland.” Lake Simons studied at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq School in Paris, France, has received two Jim Henson Foundation grants and has traveled to Buenos Aries with the Basil Twist Company to perform “Symphonie Fantastique.” John Dyer of New York is the composer for this new adaptation; he is a progressive vocalist, guitarist and lyricist who has been writing and performing original music since 1990. This will be the third production of Simon’s and Dyer’s adaptation; its inaugural performance was held at Fort Worth’s Hip Pocket Theatre and it was most recently performed off Broadway at the HERE theatre in New York City. Another professional artist, Nikki DeShae Smith, will be lighting designer for “Alice in Wonderland.” TWU Masters candidate William Walker will be designing and constructing Edwardian costumes for this production. Cast and crew will be building over seventy puppets to make this classic come alive on stage at the Redbud Theatre.

Alice, portrayed by Brandianne Kramer of Haltom City, TX will encounter the oddest and maddest of characters through the novel’s famous episodes. Audiences might recall episodes such as the trip down a rabbit hole, the advise from a caterpillar, a mad tea party, and of course the Queen of Hearts with her game of croquet and her missing tarts. Acting as stage manager for this production is Crystal Holub of Irving, TX, and assistant to the director is Christina Williams. Performances of “Alice in Wonderland” will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday November 8, Friday November 9 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday November 10 at 2:00 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at the new Redbud Theatre Complex located in Hubbard Hall on the TWU campus. Tickets are $10 for children, students and seniors and $12 for adults. For reservations or more information, call the TWU Box Office at (940) 898 2020.

This will be the second show of the 2007-2008 season for the TWU Drama Program in the new state-of-the-art Redbud Theater Complex.

For ticket reservations call (940) 898 2020.

Stunning dance at Southern Methodists University

Ellen Chenoweth, Contributing Writer

Doug Varone provided a full evening of contemporary modern dance from New York at Southern Methodist University’s McFarlin Auditorium on November 2 and 3. There were three meaty works in the program, all created within the last few years. But it was the second course that will stay with me the longest. It made me feel like my seat in the audience was the absolute best place in the world to be for those thirty to forty minutes the piece lasted.

The title, Boats Leaving, gave just enough of a narrative hint that you could shape the movements into your own story. The eight dancers started in dark stillness with only their silhouettes visible. They slowly, haltingly, crackled into movement like statues coming to life. The motions seemed constrained, both by the dancers themselves and by each other, as if they yearned to freely bound around the stage.

During the first part of the work, the dancers stayed so tightly drawn together, grouped into a single organism, that I felt cold when they separated. Their sudden isolation from each other was so chilling that I felt it 200 feet away. There were several times where they were frozen for a few seconds and you wanted to just press pause on the remote control and drink it in with your eyes for much longer. They were so astoundingly gripping. At one point each dancer held their arms as if they were semaphores, signaling to each other how to find their way home. The stage was bathed in a blue glow, with heavenly light emanating from one side of the stage. The ending had the dancers forming a final diagonal line and then calmly exiting the stage with a measured walk, one by one, walking into the light.

The dancing was accompanied by choral music by Arvo Pärt, the haunting Te Deum, which set a mood of haunting languor and complemented the dancing nicely. It is a rare dance that is slow and solemn and yet you want it to go even slower, so you can savor it for even longer. Doug Varone has created such a piece in Boats Leaving and I enjoyed being a visitor to his world.