Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, November 16, 2015
Volume 93 Issue 9
Hometown Heroes Vicky Smith
Preserve
Managing Editor
@pinkwritinglady Since 1954, Americans have recognized United States Army. Veterans Day as a time to say “thank you” to Like Smith, McCoy has respect for the those who have fought to preserve freedom in families of veterans. the United States. “Their families sacrifice a whole At Cameron University, students lot,” McCoy said. “Personally, and faculty members joined it affected my whole life, veterans and active duty not just my dad’s life military personnel for a … Having that ceremony at 1 p.m. at support system in Veterans Grove on Nov. the family was 11. such a big deal At 2 p.m., a for him.” Remembrance Walk McCoy said took place, in which it is important participants walked to actually the Aggie Mile, where understand they observed the the real display of over 6,000 sacrifices American flags on veterans and campus. their families Staff Sergeant Eric have made. Smith, a military science “It’s not only instructor, has had four giving up your time,” - Bob Dylan deployments to Afghanistan and Singer-Songwriter McCoy said, “but it really understands the sacrifices made by is giving up your life honestly those who serve. for a certain period of time … They “I’ve spent about four years of my life can even go as far as giving up their peace of deployed and away from my family,” Smith mind; a lot of our veterans come back with said, “so for me, it’s a lot of time. I’ve missed PTSD. birthdays and holidays and events with my “Sometimes when you go down range, a family and my kids, so it’s sacrifice for myself piece of you can be left there, so it really is but also for them.” giving up your life in order to support the Smith said the families of those who serve Constitution and defend what our nation’s all can be deemed the nation’s “unsung heroes.” about.” “As the service member, I deploy or I go According to McCoy, the training he has away for training,” he said, “and I miss them, undergone as a cadet has given him a greater but they miss me as well.” appreciation for veterans. ROTC cadet Robert McCoy, a psychology “I want to stress that we are not in the major, is fifth generation military. His father military fully yet,” McCoy said, “so served 22 years as a field artillery officer in the we don’t know exactly how it is to
“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
Freedom be, but [in ROTC,] they try to simulate that as best as possible. “I see how much I sacrifice in my own life, and I know that these veterans have sacrificed so, so, so much more than I have.” Junior history major Cara Belcher, who is also an ROTC cadet, said her father also served as a fielder artillery officer in the Army, and her brother has been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Belcher said she thanks veterans when she sees them throughout the year. “I will normally shake their hand and say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” she said. “But I always get really choked up.” She said when veterans would like to share their stories, students should listen. “[Sometimes,] they need someone to talk to,” Belcher said, “and I think everyone will benefit from their stories.” McCoy said although each soldier’s
story is unique, he believes each solider wants to make a difference. “It really means a lot when you take the time out to hear how they believe they made an impact on this world,” McCoy said, “—to leave it better than when they came in.” Sergeant Smith said there are many ways people can thank veterans. “If you’re a business owner, you can hire a veteran,” Smith said. “You can volunteer some of your time to veterans’ programs in your community. You can increase awareness through social media.” According to Smith, a new social media trend that demonstrates veteran support is “Greenlight a Vet.” “You replace maybe a light in your office or your workspace,” he said, “and just change it out to a green light bulb, and they’re calling that ‘Greenlight a Vet.’ “You can take of picture of your green light, and then post it on social media: #greenlightavet … You could do [that] to show that you appreciate the service on a daily basis as opposed to just one day a year.”
Photos by Jacob Jardel and CU Public Affairs
What’s inside Dancing at Nepali Night
“I can’t stand it. I just can’t stand it.”
Preview to “The Magic of Moliere.”
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News
November 16, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
Texting and driving law enacted Vicky Smith
using a navigation system and adjusting a radio. Managing Editor The website states that @pinkwritinglady texting is “by far the most alarming distraction” because Texting and driving is now illegal in it “requires visual, manual the city of Lawton. The state law banning and cognitive attention from texting and driving took effect on Nov. 1. the driver. Governor Mary Fallin signed the bill “Five seconds is the into law in May, and the Lawton City average time your eyes are Council voted to comply with the decision off the road while texting. in August. When traveling at 55mph, Violators of the law can be fined up to that’s enough time to cover $100. the length of a football field Subsection A of the law states, “A person blindfolded. (2009, VTTI).” shall not operate a motor vehicle on a Cameron Police street or highway while using a hand-held Lieutenant Charles Whitis mobile telephone to write, send or read a said people need to be aware text message while the motor vehicle is in that texting while driving is a motion.” real distraction. While their vehicles are in motion, “As an experiment,” students are no longer permitted to read tweets on Twitter, Snapchat their friends or Whitis said, “what you might do is sit down and do check Facebook notifications. a text. Say it takes you 15 to However, they may use technology that does not require the use of their hands, such 20 seconds to do the text. [Then,] go out to drive down the road, and as personal navigation devices and handssee how far you go in 15 to 20 seconds.” free car kits. According to Whitis, people need Students must still be cautious as they understand the possible consequences of use such hands-free technology. texting and driving. According to the Official U.S. Whitis said he believes the ban on Government Website for Distracted texting and driving has been needed for a Driving, distracted driving “is any activity long time. that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” “As technology grows,” he said, “we have Some of the distractions listed online to adjust our laws to that technology.” include the following: texting, eating and Sophomore criminal justice major drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, Jermaine Ford said death is the danger of
Photo by Vicky Smith
texting and driving, but students can use apps to reduce the temptation to text and drive. “It’s 2015,” Ford said. “We have computers in our hands where we can download apps that respond to text messages for us while we drive; utilize them. You have the tools for it. Save a life. Save your own life.” Ford said interaction with social media while driving can be even worse than texting and driving.
“When you’re driving,” he said, “your focus is the vehicle and the safety of others around you on the road and in your car. “It’s not to text. It’s not to Snapchat. It’s not to Facebook. It’s not to Instagram or any of that other stuff. You’re supposed to pay attention.” Ford said he does not text and drive; instead, he pulls into a parking lot to text. “All of my friends know that,” he said. “They know I won’t respond when I’m driving … Texting and driving can wait.”
Cameron remembers: observing Veterans Day 2015
Photos by Jacob Jardel and CU Public Affairs
Duty, honor, country: CU honored veterans past and present during a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 in Veterans Grove, with talks from Major General John G. Rossi, Cameron President Dr. John McArthur and instructor of Teaching and Learning Jason Poudrier.
Library offerings to appeal to all interests and ages Vicky Smith
Managing Editor
@pinkwritinglady The Cameron University Library features two new collections for students to check out: Magic Lantern Film DVDs and graphic novels. The collections are located on the first floor of the library by the information desk. Dr. Sherry Young, who holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree and a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies in Higher Education, is the director of Cameron Library services. Young said the films and graphic novels will entertain and educate students. “These are two collections that we wanted to set up for students to enhance learning and to also make it enjoyable and fun,” she said. Photo by Vicky Smith According to Young, Dr. Thumbing through: Jeffery Osei flips through John Morris, an English one of the numerous graphic novels on display at the professor and the advisor Cameron Library. These selections are located on of the Magic Lantern Film the first floor display case along with the collection of Society, donated the films to Magic Lantern Film DVDs – all available for students the library. to check out. For more information on these new “He had a collection of addtions to the library, visit libinfosource.cameron.edu. films that had been shown
for the Magic Lantern series,” Young said. “He didn’t need all of them anymore, and he wanted to know if the library would be interested in having some of them for the collection.” Some of the films to be donated were on VHS, but Young said not many people use VHS anymore. “[We decided to] go ahead and buy them on DVD,” she said, “so we have some films that he [Morris] donated to the library and then other ones that we purchased.” Morris said the Magic Lantern Film Society has shown films that are educational, entertaining and critically acclaimed. “Even movies that are basically entertainment films do provide a window on the times in which they were made,” Morris said. “One of the movies that we showed, and I think we donated a copy of, was ‘Birth of a Nation,’” Morris said. “It was a state-of-the-art-film in 1915 based on a racist novel called ‘The Clansmen.’ [It shows] how people thought at the time – the majority
of people. And, that was shown in the White House. President Wilson saw that and thought it was tremendous. It’s sort of like living history – from a jaundiced perspective.” Likewise, Young said the films hold historical significance. “We have Charlie Chaplin films,” Young said. “He was an expert at conveying messages without sound because he worked back in the days before there was any sound in movies. “We have films with Marilyn Monroe … Watching the films is enjoyable because people can see what her voice was like and what she was really like in person – maybe more than just in photographs.” Some of films available at the library include “Some Like it Hot,” Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” “Dracula,” “The Conversation,” “Field of Dreams” and “His Girl Friday.” According to Young, professors and students can check out a study room, where they can watch a film on a DVD player provided by the library.
Students may also check out graphic novels. Young said the idea for the graphic novel collection came when she visited another library over the summer. “We got the list of books from that library,” she said. “The idea was to get people interested in reading in a way that was enjoyable [to them].” Young said because some award-winning, well-known books are lengthy, some people are not inclined to read them but may reach for the graphic novelization “Maybe they’ll read it if it’s a graphic novel,” she said. “People studying art … and visual communication can learn a lot from the graphic novel books.” Some of the graphic novels available at the library include “Beauty and the Beast,” “Great Expectations,” “Macbeth,” “The Odyssey,” “Hansel and Gretel” and “A Tale of Two Cities.” To access the library’s online catalog to view a full listing of Magic Lantern DVDs and graphic novels, visit http://libinfosource. cameron.edu.
November 16, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
Student Life
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Celebrating Nepali Night 2015
Photos by Jacob Jardel
A night of celebration: The Cameron University Nepalese Association (CUNA) celebrated Dashain and Tihar with the CU community at Nepali Night 2015 on Nov. 8 in the MCC Ballroom. Cameron Nepalese students ran and hosted the evening’s festivities. The night featured talks from CUNA members and advisers past and present, authentic Nepali food and various cultural performances. Students performed group dances to traditional and modern Nepalese music, sang both English and Nepali songs and participated in a cultural walk showcasing fashions from their home country. CUNA Adviser Dr. Gokul Kadel thanked Sodexo, Cameron University and the rest of the CU community for their continued support.
Cameron Campus Ministry hosts capture the flag from the same school. He said both ministries are pursuing the same Staff Writer purpose. “It’s getting the two Cameron Campus Ministry organizations (CCM) in conjunction with Baptist together to Collegiate Ministries (BCM) held strengthen both Capture the Flag (CTF) at 8 pm on of them in our Nov. 5 2015. presence on campus,” CTF is a game composed of two he said. teams vying to win the game by Dollarhite capturing the flag of an opponent. said any Brandon Dollarhite, the students campus minister for CCM and are more the organizer of the event, said than participants would dress in dark welcome to clothing, and try taking the join them in opponent flag without being caught. participating in the fun as they play “The object of the game is to games every Thursday at the CCM. protect your flag,” he said, “but at “We have done paint walls, slip the same time, you have to go across n’ slide kickball, coffee house and campus and find the other team’s pumpkin carving” he said, “all our flag and bring it back”. events are open to everybody on Brandon said the partnership campus.” with the BCM is to foster Dollarhite said BCM and CCM relationships between students serve the same mission, which
Isaac Acheampong
is to initiate and nurture active ecumenical conversation, study, ministry and mission. “There is no pressure, even in our worship,” he said, “we are here to have authentic conversation, hang out together and have fun.” Danny Toombs, Director of BCM, said CTF was a fun way for students
to show support for the ministry and dispel any idea of rivalry between the two ministries. “We want to demonstrate that we are not in competition with each other,” he said. “We are working together and on the same page.” Toombs said working with
CCM on the event was a great way for students to participate, have fun and learn what it means to be a team. “It’s more of a sense of team”, he said, “We are on the same purpose and just want to work together.” Toombs, who joked about the process of playing Capture the flag, said the game is about burning some calories because of the exercise involved in winning the game. “The price was that everybody was sore”, he said. “A lot of running, but it was good.” Skyler Hudson, a junior allied health science major, said he attended the event to become more acquainted with other Cameron students. “I wanted to see what it was like,” he said, “have fun with friends and meet new people.”
Hudson jokingly talked about the energy in playing the game, since it was his first time but still enjoyed the event. “I was pretty exhausted and tired,” he said, “but overall I had a good time, and would want to do it again.” Sophomore music major Jeremy Redbird said the event was a lot of fun. “I really wanted to win but it didn’t happen,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it was still good fun to meet and hang out with new people. “My competitive side showed a lot though,” he said, “but it was good to get to know the CCM members who had asked us to play; fellowship is always a good thing to do.” For more information, contact Rick Lowe at BCM, 581-2981 or contact Gary Buckley at CCM, 581-2885.
PLUS: teachings in both scholarship and service
“It’s such a natural thing to Student Life Editor do for some of us,” @tyla_eakins he said. “I was the Presidential Leaders and University president of my Scholars is a scholarship awarded to high school’s Key high school seniors who excel in areas of Club, and I was also academics, leadership, involvement and in student council, community service. multicultural club They are now in their 35th year and are [and] National welcoming 20 freshman who come from Honor Society.” across Oklahoma. Day has made The four-year scholarship provides the transition from students with financial support. an active high The program, which comes along with school student to maintaining a Cameron PLUS scholarship, is an active college designed to train students to become better freshman with leaders. ease due to his This academic year, the scholarship is background, and he providing recipients with a full tuition waiver has also benefited for up to 18 hours per semester, a double from Cameron’s Courtesy of Robert Day room waiver, and stipends depending on the Introduction to student’s academic standing. University Life class. PLUS Scholars: Cameron’s 2015-2016 freshmen presidential scholars will enhance their student and leadership skills through Cameron’s PLUS program. It was May when freshman biology major “You have to Robert Day found out he was one of this participate in at least year’s recipients of one of Cameron’s most first time this year, we are putting on the “I think it’s funny because one of the one organization prestigious scholarships. campus Kids’ Christmas. It’s basically just questions I get all the time is, ‘How do you and be a very active member,” he said. “I “I felt ecstatic,” Day said. “I knew that a toy drive for donations – just a little cool do it?’: through the strength of others around personally am involved in PAC and SGA, I wanted to go to Cameron since half way thing that we get to do.” me and the strength of the lord,” he said. but I also have joined a new club here called through my senior year, so that’s why I filled Circle K.” Day said the pressure of maintaining the Day said for many PLUS recipients the out PLUS.” program becomes a major part of their daily PLUS has several requirements recipients scholarship can be overwhelming. Becoming a PLUS scholar is a journey “I do psych myself out a little bit, but I’m life. must meet to maintain the scholarship as that begins in high school. Students who fairly confident in my abilities,” he said. “I “PLUS for most us, it’s not just a well as a project to complete. become PLUS recipients need to show they wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.” scholarship, it’s kind of like a way of life,” he “You have to have 16 community service possess what is needed to be a leader. He said maintaining the scholarship on said. hours a semester, you have to attend five Day was just as active in high school as he campus events and then each plus year has top of an already busy schedule is made Students intersted in applying for PLUS is now in college. easier through support. can visit http://www.cameron.edu/plus. its own different projects,” Day said. “The
Tyla Eakins
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Voices
November 16, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
Tribune News Service
Peanuts’ guide to relentless failure He runs at the ball. He’s going to kick it this time, he thinks – no, knows. He’s finally going to do it. And then Lucy pulls the ball from him. And then he flies in the air with an “aaugh” and lands on the ground with an emphatic thump. In the 50-year run of the “Peanuts” comic strip and the numerous film adaptations, not once has Charlie Brown kicked that football. Yet, with relentless optimism, year after year, he goes for it – even if that optimism leads to an equally relentless failure every single time. This duality of endless hope and disappointment continues to follow around everyone’s favorite blockhead. He’s whiffed at every kick, lost nearly every baseball game and failed to fly a kite without that darned tree snagging it. In short, Charlie Brown embodies the near-memetic opening line of Coldplay’s “Fix You”: “When you try your best but you don’t succeed.” Such is life, though, is it not? We all feel those moments from time to time, some more than others. It makes many, like “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz, ponder about the nature of constant failure. Writer John Serba said this aspect makes “Peanuts” unique. “‘Peanuts’ was, at its heart, Schulz’s existential prodding for an answer as to why we must suffer,” Serba said. “There was a great, profound truth in his melancholy, summed up with two pithy words, Charlie Brown’s catchphrase, ‘Good grief!’” Dan Kois of “Browbeat” agrees with Serba on this assertion. “The role of Charlie Brown in the ‘Peanuts’ universe is to be ever hopeful, and to be ever disappointed,” Kois said.
“Charlie Brown tries; he fails; he can’t stand it, he just can’t stand it; he tries again.” This unfortunate cycle of try, fail, ruminate and retry applies to many aspects of Charlie Brown’s experience. One dilemma, though, seems to encompass all the other problems with an added twist of realism and a few bolts of fiery red hair. On Nov. 19, 1961, the “Peanuts” Sunday strip featured Charlie Brown sitting for lunch and pondering his many anxieties as he eats lunch. He then glimpses at someone new in the schoolyard, yearning for her to come sit with him. With that strip, the fable of the Little Red-Haired Girl came to life on the page. For the next 50-plus years, Charlie Brown has pined for her in numerous iterations, admiring her from afar and coming up with endless schemes to talk to her before eventually reneging and fading to his relative obscurity. The feeling of wanting to say something to an admired person but feeling too nervous is a rather universal concept. It can, will and has happened to the best of us. Fear overcomes us. Nerves paralyze us. Something just makes us stop and rethink everything in life. And, like good ol’ Chuck, we end up running from the doorstep before we even ring the doorbell. “The Peanuts Movie” was the most recent production to feature an animated depiction of the unnamed Little RedHaired Girl. Once again, Charlie Brown sees her after she moves to town and grows mesmerized with her, hoping she will somehow notice him. He tries in vain to return her pencil. He writes an entire book report to impress her, only to have it literally ripped to shreds in comic fashion. He
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The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
makes an attempt, and he fails The weird part is that in outlandish fashion. (Beware most of us can relate with for one more spoiler later.) the feeling. In everyday Much like everything bouts of existentialism, we Charlie Brown has done and talk ourselves out of doing likely will continue to do, it something we want but feel is follows the endless cycle of out of our reach. Sometimes, it try, fail, applies to a person; try again others, it refers to and hope a goal. for the Either way, we best. Then can commiserate again, with Charlie such is Brown in some the nature way, whether of life – a we participate point the in the “fail and comic strip try again” loop as a whole or we capitulate conveys. to our anxious “It fears of rejection establishes and ostracization right from before we even get Jacob Jardel the get-go to the “try” phase. that this But what is Sports Editor isn’t just it about the air @JJardel_Writing another surrounding the strip about the adorable Little Red-Haired Girl that adventures of precocious makes her stick out among the children,” blogger and reviewer missed kicks and failed flies of Tyler Talley said. “It’s going to a kite? be about the cruelties and even Part of it could be in the hardships of growing up.” fact that the character was And what crueler growing based in Schulz’ reality. He pain is there than unrequited based her off of Donna Wold love? Schulz admitted it (née Johnson), a redheaded himself. woman with whom Schulz “I can think of no more shared a dating emotionally damaging loss relationship than to be turned down by before she someone whom you love very married much,” Schulz said. “What a another young bitter blow that is. It is a blow man. This to everything that you are.” memory stayed Maybe that’s why Charlie with him Brown completely and utterly enough that avoids talking with the Little he created the Red-Haired Girl. Nathan unreachable, Radke said that this common ineffable Little Charlie Brown phenomenon is Red-Haired part of the very foundation of Girl of Charlie existentialism. Brown’s “The very possibility that affections. he could go over and talk to She was a her is far more distressing than character so its impossibility would be,” he indescribable said in his essay “Sartre and that Schulz Peanuts.” refused to draw THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Vicky Smith Asst. Managing Editor - Krista Pylant Sports Editors - Jacob Jardel, Krista Pylant Student Life Editor - Tyla Eakins Copy Editor - Joel Frambes Aggie Central Editor- Charlene Belew
Newsroom Staff Financial Officer - Susan Hill Circulation Managers - Krista Pylant, Vicky Smith Advertising Manager - Charlene Belew Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
her. While the movies and specials all depict some form of the Little Red-Haired Girl, the strips only ever showed a silhouette of her in 1998 – two years before Schulz’ passing – as the only canon representation. “He said it was so every man could consider the little redhaired girl in their life,” Wold said in an interview. “Someone that he knew, and loved, and didn’t have.” Herein lies the main reason the redheaded existential conundrum rises above the rest. Most every human, regardless of identification, has experienced a person who “got away,” didn’t reciprocate feelings or came in at the wrong time (if the movie “Imagine Me and You” is accurate in any way). In short, while we all know Charlie Brown’s pain, this particular wound cuts even deeper. At the end of “The Peanuts Movie,” the Little Red-Haired Girl and Charlie Brown share an exchange as she’s about to leave for summer camp. To summarize, she’s noticed all the good things he’s done over the year and admires him for them.
She promises to write over the summer before departing, leaving Chuck with a warm sense of unexpected triumph. While many may find this action a stray from the traditional “Peanuts” feel, it says one thing about the nature of love – and life in general. Sometimes, even through the cycle of attempts and failures, a success shines through. Maybe that’s why Charlie Brown keeps practicing a brand of relentless optimism that some would interpret as borderline insanity. Maybe this time will be the time it happens. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll land on his feet instead of literally falling all over himself. If history is any indication, though, he’ll likely end up on his back once more – as will we all at some point. That’s when we start to stare at the sky and question everything. Like Charlie Brown, we wonder why good things happen to everyone else and why nothing but failure comes our way. Just as quickly as the question arises, though, the answer reveals itself to him – and to us. “Maybe, just this once, it will happen to me.”
Tribune News Service
Letters Policy
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@cameron. edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.
A&E
November 16, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
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It’s a good movie, Charlie Brown and separate, still manage to bridge the traditional with the modern. But animation is not the only way in which the new and old come together. Indeed, the movie still adheres to the formula that made the comic strip a cultural staple, even years after Schulz’ passing in 2000. Take a kid with relentless optimism to counter an equally relentless hopelessness, include is gang of friends on wild adventures and have them all ponder adult concepts of life from their less developed points of view. Tribune News Service This premise is The Peanuts return: Sixty-five years after the release of the first Peanuts comic strip, Charlie the foundation for Brown, Snoopy and the gang hit the big screen once again in “The Peanuts Movie,” released Nov. 6. “The Peanuts Movie.” Spoilers lie ahead. featuring stylization akin to something creator Jacob Jardel The movie itself Charles Schulz himself would draw and plays out less like a movie and more like a Sports Editor animate. series of episodes, much like the comic strips. @JJardelWriting This stylization has come to generally The overarching goal is the same, though The recent release of “The Peanuts Movie” mixed reactions among reviewers, citing – Charlie Brown just wants to succeed at proves that Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the that they do not mesh well for one reason or something – even if that something is avoiding Peanuts gang remain relevant and entertaining another. John Serba of M Live postulates that the kite-eating tree or pitching an unhittable to all ages. some of these complaints may come down to fastball in the dead of a snowy winter. Sixty-five years after the release of the first personal preference. True to “Peanuts” fashion, though, Chuck comic strip, everyone’s favorite blockhead and “The colors pop, and angles and fails spectacularly. He gets tangled up in his his never-aging friends graced the big screens perspectives vary wildly in comparison to the kite, Snoopy peppers the pitch back to the once more. This iteration is the fifth “Peanuts” franchise’s old two-dimensional side-scrolling mound and Charlie ends up on his back in a feature film – the first since “Bon Voyage, animation,” he said, “for better maybe. For physics-defying comedic spin. Charlie Brown (and Don’t Come Back!!)” in worse, maybe, too, but any such objection feels Once the Little Red-Haired Girl moves 1980. superficial.” in across the street, though, Charlie Brown’s The release coincides with the golden Still, the animation styles, both together main focus is to connect with her without anniversary of “A Charlie panicking at the thought of Brown Christmas,” a talking to her. He spends the quintessential holiday rest of the movie trying to get television special released on her to notice him. Dec. 9, 1965. But, again, Chuck has a A look at “The Peanuts tendency to fall flat on his Movie” shows just how far back – both figuratively and the animation has come. Blue literally. What makes matters Sky Studios took the lead worse is that the majority of in bringing the traditionally his friends remind him about two-dimensional cartoon to it constantly. Yet, Charlie life in a 3D landscape. Brown still keeps going with However, the studio did the support of his faithful dog not completely forsake the Snoopy and his best friend traditional hand-drawn Linus. animation for a complete In the end, he may not CGI overhaul. There get the girl in the traditional Tribune News Service were numerous sequences sense, but he finally interacts
with her without running away or tripping on himself. Throughout the movie, most every “Peanuts” trope comes into play at least once. Lucy solicits nickels in exchange for “therapy.” The world finds some way to ruin Charlie Brown’s mojo, if only to elicit his signature “Good grief ” exclamation. Snoopy gets involved with everything imaginable. In fact, Charlie Brown’s faithful four-legged friend plays a bigger role than just comic relief. After finding a typewriter in a dumpster after yet another foiled attempt at going to school, Snoopy finds himself on his doghouse trying to find inspiration for the great American novel. He finds this inspiration in the World War I Flying Ace’s journey to down the Red Baron and save his pilot girlfriend Fifi. This quest to find and rescue love acts equal parts as allegory and as the photo story to the frame narrative of the rest of the movie. As Chuck succeeds, Ace does as well, and vice versa. This device proves to be one of the more intriguing aspects of the movie, providing viewers with two different perspectives on very similar stories. When mixed with the relentless childhood optimism and disappointment, the story screams “Peanuts” from open to close. Another aspect of the movie that holds true to tradition is the sound. Minus the newer pop tracks from Meghan Trainor and Flo Rida, the soundtrack features the traditional Vince Guaraldi tracks like “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmas Time Is Here” plus a newer score from Christophe Beck. No matter the composer, the piano tracks make this movie feel like a “Peanuts” special. On top of the soundtrack, the voice acting followed the series’ trend of forsaking celebrity cameos for bringing in children to voice act the gang. What viewers get is an authentic characterization that brings out the nostalgic in everyone. The lone celebrity cameo came from Kristin Chenoweth who voiced Fifi. Chenoweth, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews (the adults in the movie) and Bill Melendez (Snoopy and Woodstock) all contributed conversational blips, barks and womps. Indeed, the movie did pretty much everything to the “Peanuts” formula. Instead of falling flat, it soars as an exemplary part of the series’ repertoire. While there may be some flaws – such as the lack of Linus’ oddly precocious musings – most of them are based in personal preference. Overall, “The Peanuts Movie” proves to be a quintessential movie for fans of the series and newcomers alike. – 9 out of 10 blue security blankets.
CU Theatre to put Students edit for the Oklahoma Review on two-act show Collegian Staff
Cameron’s Department of Theatre Arts is putting on a twoact production titled “The Magic of Moliere” from Nov. 19-22. Department Chair Scott Richard Klein discovered some of Moliere’s work in summer 2014, deriving much interest from “The Miser.” He wanted to showcase it but also knew he would need another one-act play to go with it. Upon further reading into Moliere’s other plays, he decided on “The Pretentious Young Ladies” as the other act. Klein said people should come see this play for its lightheartedness. “It’s funny and will offer a lot of laughter,” he said. The Theatre Department website described the production as an amalgamation of two classic one-act plays from the acclaimed playwright. According to a press release, in the first play “The Pretentious Young Ladies,” “two young ladies are seeking their future mates. They spurn their father’s selections, so the jilted suitors send their servants to woo them and … fall for these new candidates.” In the second act “The Miser,” an elderly man has been pursuing his bride, but she is stolen away by another suitor. Klein also mentioned that the aesthetics of the play were panning out well, adapting to both the fancy and impoverished settings of Paris in 1650. From the settings to the costumes,
Klein felt the different aspects of the play add to the student-actors’ experience. “It’s educationally neat for the actors because a lot of them are in both plays and will have to do a costume change during intermission,” he said. Payton Williams will play Mascarille in “The Pretentious Young Ladies” and Cleante in “The Miser.” He said his favorite part of this play is the wrap. “At the end every actor comes on stage at once,” Williams said, “We get to interact, and that’s kind of fun” Mark Branson will play the Gorgibus in “The Pretentious Young Ladies” and Harpagon in “The Miser.” He said he is a big fan of the playwright. “Moliere stands out in theatre history as one of the truly great comic playwrights,” Branson said. “His works have a very sitcom type of feel, which plays well with modern audiences.” Branson added that viewers should come to see a production as unique as this one. “Anyone who comes to the play should expect two very well-written and preserved versions of sitcoms from an era which they may only really know about from history books,” he said. For more information on “The Magic of Moliere” or any of the Theatre Department’s other productions, visit www.cameron.edu/ theatre_arts/season.
Kristen Bass
around the country,” Godsave said, “but with a preference and eye out for work from Staff Writer Oklahoma, Texas and surrounding states.” In the year 2000, Cameron students and Contributors to the Oklahoma Review are faculty, including former faculty member Teri usually professional writers or students in McGrath, started The Oklahoma Review. graduate writing programs, but submissions Dr. Bayard Godsave, an associate professor of are open to everyone. English and foreign arts, said the Oklahoma Godsave said students work on the Review is published twice a year. magazine as editors. “The Oklahoma Review is an online “I believe it was [established] to give magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, students a unique opportunity to work on all nonfiction and art from writers and artists aspects of magazine publishing in order to enhance their professional portfolios,” he said. According to Godsave, the magazine has blossomed over the past four years. “We’ve worked with students in the art department to come up with a consistent and recognizable design scheme and have tried to include work from contributors that ref lects the experience of living in Southwest Oklahoma,” Godsave said, “but that also tends to lean a little more experimental than you might find in other magazines.” For more information on the Oklahoma Review and how to get involved, visit http://www.cameron. edu/okreview or email Dr. Godsave at bgodsave@ Courtesy of Bayard Godsave cameron.edu.
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Sports
November 16, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
Volleyball defeats Texas A&M Commerce
Photos courtesy of Mike Mazzo
Krista Pylant
attack errors and two Commerce kills brought the Lions the 5-3 advantage. Off a 6-6 tie, Cameron grabbed the lead Sports Editor back after Williams put down a kill. @KristaPylant8 The Lions were two points back of CU at 14-12, when the Aggies went on a four point chain to widen their lead Despite falling in the first set, the Aggie volleyball team battled back to defeat Texas A&M-Commerce (24-26, 25- to 18-12. Cameron held the advantage, taking set two, 25-19. 19, 26-24, 25-22) on Nov. 7. Four kills and a block brought Texas A&M Commerce The win moved Cameron’s overall season record to 16-7, an early 5-0 edge to start set three. The Aggies worked and the Aggies are 7-7 in Lone Star Conference play. to tie the set at six helped by three kills and a block assist Cameron’s offense was guided by Paige Dixon, Jordan Williams and Jenna Gillean who paced the Aggies with an from Dixon and then grabbed a 7-6 lead following a Lion attack error. even 13 kills each. Back and forth action ensued as the set tied six times, Williams added 11 digs to record her seventh career with the Lions robbing the lead. double-double, while Madison Holle had 36 assists, her Cameron knotted the score three more times late in career high. Cristina Viera led CU’s defense with 34 digs the set and remained down until the final tie at 24-24 in addition to recording 3 aces. where the Aggies would win 26-24 following a kill from Overall, Cameron recorded 60 kills, 89 digs, 9 blocks Williams and a Commerce attack error. and a .233 attacking percentage, while Commerce In set four, the Aggies held the lead until Commerce registered 59 kills, 58 digs, 9 blocks and a .188 hitting clip. went on a five point chain off of four kills to lead, 13-9. The Aggies started set one strong but ran into trouble Both sides traded the lead, knotting the set for the final when Commerce went on a nine point run to take their time at 21 before Cameron scored three to reach set point, first lead of the set, 17-10. 24-21. However, CU battled back to tie the set at 18 after The Lions would get in a kill, but CU’s Dixon would errors began to unravel the Lions. The set tied again at 20, and the Aggies went on a three put down a kill to win the set, 25-22, and match. Summer Alford led Texas A&M-Commerce (15-12) point run following kills from Williams and Gillean to with 15 kills on the night. take the lead, but the Lions would catch up, tying the set The Aggies will conclude their regular season schedule once more at 24-24. at home Nov. 13-14 for matches with Angelo State and Two back-to-back kills from Commerce awarded the Tarleton State. Lions the first set, 26-24. CU began set two with a 3-0 start, but three Aggie Tarleton and Angelo sit at one and two in the Lone Star
Conference standings. The Aggies lost to both teams on the road earlier this season. Against Tarleton, Cameron controls the overall series 24-15 while holding a 14-7 record in the Aggie Gym. Cameron has dropped their last 12 matches to the TexAnns with their last home victory dating back to 2006 when the Aggies swept TSU in straight sets. Tartleton is 25-3, winning four of their last six games after falling to non-conference opponents Lubbock Christian and Newman. The TexAnns are 13-1 in Lone Star Conference (LSC) play, with Angelo State being their only conference loss. Angelo State holds a 12-28 overall record against the Aggies, with Cameron’s last home win versus the Rambelles coming in the 2004 season. The Belles are riding a seven-game winning streak to bolster their record to 26-5 on the season with a 12-2 conference tally. The Aggies climbed up into the top eight in the NCAA South Central Region with the release of the second of three postseason polls on Wednesday afternoon. The regional poll is comprised of teams from the Heartland, Lone Star and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conferences with three slots reserved for a league tournament champion. The other five slots go to at-large bids. Cameron has qualified for the NCAA National Tournament twice in program history in 1998 and 2001. Prior to this season Cameron, has not appeared in the regional poll since 2006. Angelo and Tartleton are the top two teams on the poll.
Aggies drop a five-set matchup to Texas Woman’s Krista Pylant
total with 62. Meanwhile, CU logged 100 digs versus Sports Editor TWU’s 99. @KristaPylant8 TWU ended the match with the better attacking The Cameron volleyball percentage, hitting at team fell in a five-set battle with Texas Woman’s (25-22, .222 clip compared to the 14-25, 19-25, 25-15, 7-15) On Cameron’s .200. After tying the board three Nov. 6 in Denton, Texas. times early, TWU took an The Aggies are now 15-7 on the season and 6-7 in Lone early lead in set one. Cameron inched toward the Pioneers’ Star Conference play. lead with the set knotting Freshman Jordan three more times. Williams recorded her sixth The teams tied for a final double-double of the year, time at 13 before the Aggies contributing 13 kills and 12 digs for the Aggies. Freshman went on a three-point run propelled by kills from Jenna Tori Luckenbill followed up with 20 digs and 39 assists Gillean and Paige Dixon to for her tenth career doubletake back the set. Cameron double. would retain the lead, taking Cameron and Texas set one, 25-22, notching 19 Woman’s recorded nearly kills and a .348 attacking identical numbers overall percentage. after the Pioneers notched Set two was all in favor one more kill over the Aggies’ of Texas Woman’s. The
Pioneers jumped to a quick 4-0 start, holding the lead for the entirety of the set. They won set two, 25-14 with 16 kills and a .300 hitting clip. The Aggies only managed nine kills and a .067 attacking percentage. The Pioneers maintained their edge during the third set to win 25-19, but the Aggies staged a comeback in the fourth. Cameron pulled in front with a 3-0 advantage off three straight TWU errors. Errors continued to plague the Pioneers as the Aggies would hold them to a .093 hitting percentage. Cameron kept the match alive, taking set four, 25-15. Late errors proved to be Cameron’s undoing in the fifth frame. The set was tightly contested early on, with four
Photo by Krista Pylant
ties and three lead changes. With the set knotted at five points apiece, TWU would grab the lead off an Aggie
attack error. The Ags pulled closer, getting within three points behind the Pioneers at 10-7.
But five consecutive Cameron errors awarded TWU the set, 15-7, for the overall match win.