he Forum is the official student newspaper at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Forum is funded in part by the student activity fee; members of the UALR community are allowed one copy per edition. The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the staff and contributing writers and do not represent the official views of UALR. Advertising inquiries should be referred to The Forum’s advertising office and can be reached by calling 501-569-3319. The Forum is published 7 times in each of the fall and spring semesters. The Forum editor can be reached at 501-569-3265. All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted.
TORI TALKS
‘This one’s for the girls’
By Victoria Hickey Executive Editor editor@ualr.edu
With March being Women’s History month, I wanted to take a moment to give praise to the numerous women in my life who have been a huge inspiration and have helped me get where I am today.
Although my mom constantly says that I should strive to be better than she, in my eyes, she’s perfect. My mom is such a go-getter and doesn’t put up with nonsense. She always puts others first and will be the first to volunteer to help others. My mom has always taught me the importance of being your own person and being a leader. My mom has been through so much in her life, yet she
GUEST COLUMN
always has a smile on her face. She is a beautiful woman both inside and out. I hope that one day I can be as amazing as she is.
Two other important women in my life are my grandmothers. Both of my grandmothers are stunning in their own ways. My grandmothers have always been there for me. What I love most is that they are completely different in terms of their hobbies and interests, but they have both taught me so much. I remember learning to sew doll clothes with one of my grandmothers when I was younger. Each has a vastly different skill set that they have always been willing to
Self-care matters
Catherine Crisp Guest Writer clcrisp@ualr.edu
Feeling stressed? Feel like you have too much on your plate and too little time to do get it all done? If so, you’re not alone. Studies show increasing rates of stress among college students. One website reports that 20% of students report feeling stressed “most of the time” and that 80% report feeling stressed “sometimes or often.” Despite these findings, many students don’t seem to understand what stress is and what they can do about it.
Simply put, stress is the body’s reaction to any sort of challenge or tension it experiences. Some things we experience as stressful are good: a fire in our home or someone driving too fast on the highway.
Our body tells us to get out of the house or switch lanes to avoid the speeding car. Stress acts as a protective mechanism that keeps us safe and out of harm’s way. Over time, however, sustained amounts of stress can lead to physical and emotional problems such as muscle aches, insomnia, clenched teeth, headaches, reduced patience and attention, decreased libido and irritability.
As a busy student with too much on your plate, what is the best way to address stress? Commit to engaging in self-care, defined as activities that we engage in to maintain our health and to prevent and reduce illness and stress. If you’re like many of my students, you feel like you don’t have enough time to engage in selfcare but it doesn’t have to be complex or time consuming. Moreover, some studies have also found that proactively engaging in self-care can lead to increased productivity.
teach me.
I have had so many amazing female professors, bosses and mentors through the years that have all set great examples of how to be an amazing woman. Each day I am amazed by these women that I am lucky enough to know. They have encouraged me to follow my dreams and not give up. They have also supported me through my triumphs and failures. I know that I can go to them when I need help.
Make sure you take time to thank those wonderful women in your life!
UALR offers many services to help students respond to stress and engage in self-care including Health Services, Counseling Services, Campus Recreation and Outdoor Adventures (want to go camping but don’t have equipment? Rent it from them).
You can also start small. Sleeping an extra 10 minutes a night adds up to over an hour of sleep a week. Sit in silence or listen to the outdoor sounds for a few minutes a week. Drink more water. Journal. Color in a coloring book. Play with toys such as Lincoln Logs, Legos or Tinker Toys. Learn to hula hoop. Take a nap. Visit the UALR Art Gallery. Have coffee with a friend. Buy yourself flowers. Get a massage. Dance in the sun or the rain. Take a hot bath.
The bottom line: make time for selfcare. It will reduce your stress and may increase your productivity and improve your grades.
Catherine Crisp, PhD, MSW Associate Professor School of Social Work
POLITICAL COMMENTARY
Super Tuesday is an awesome news day for Trump and Clinton
Scott Foster Staff Writer snfoster1@ualr.edu
Businessman and TV personality Donald Trump made significant progress toward securing the Republican Party nomination by winning seven states in the Super Tuesday primary elections on March 1.
According to the New York Times (for all initial election results and campaign information mentioned here), Trump narrowly defeated Texas Senator Ted Cruz in Arkansas with approximately 33% of the vote
to Cruz’s 31%, with third place finisher Florida Senator Marco Rubio coming in at 25%. Cruz handily won his home state of Texas, the largest prize of Super Tuesday, along with the states of Oklahoma and Alaska. Rubio also picked up his first electoral victory on the day, defeating Cruz in the state of Minnesota by a count of 37% to 29%. The other two GOP candidates, Governor John Kasich of Ohio and noted neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, both finished with no victories, but so far have pledged to continue with their campaigns.
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State and First Lady of both Arkansas and the U.S., Hillary Clinton, made quite a splash on Super Tuesday by also winning
seven states. Clinton won Arkansas with ease, thoroughly trouncing the upstart campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont by garnering 66% of the vote to Sanders’ 30%. Sanders did win four states on the day, however, including Colorado, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and his home state of Vermont. Even though Sanders is well behind on both the pledged delegate and Super Delegate counts, his campaign has also committed to continue in the race. Sanders has noted that his “movement” is as much about bringing more awareness to the problems of Wall Street corruption and income inequality as it is winning the presidency, so his strategy and purposes are different than a normal campaign’s
Term limits encourage more inclusion
Scott Foster Staff Writer
snfoster1@ualr.edu
Ihave watched many of my friends debate the merits of allowing states to set term limits on their federal representatives through the years, but I have never given serious thought about taking a stand on this issue until now. After all, there are excellent arguments on both sides, and the ones against term limits make a lot of sense on the surface-level.
Imposing a term limit creates an inherent democracy problem because the people of a state may love their Senator and not wish to send them packing just because an arbitrary time limit for public service is reached. Term limits also risk forfeiting a large amount of institutional knowledge that could be put to good use when complex issues require the wisdom and experience of a seasoned representative. It takes some time to gain expertise about any subject or occupation, and it also requires patience to form good relationships with other members of the legislature. Obviously, term limits could potentially interfere with both of these endeavors.
All that said, the arguments tip-
ping the scales to the side of term limits actually reside in the same theoretical areas as some of the arguments against them, namely concerns about democracy, diversity, and inclusion. I mention democracy because the issue of term limits is a fascinating and rare one in that polls show the American people are largely in favor of them, but in a way that defies the usual ideological split one typically sees in issue stances. Republicans, Democrats, minority groups, seniors, and millennials all favor state governments implementing term limits.
Polls also show that while the favorability ratings of Congress are horribly low, the favorability ratings of individual representatives in their own districts are much higher. The fact is we know our representatives and they typically have significant, automatic advantages in name recognition, donations, prestige, and party backing. With all these things going for incumbents, you would think they would be practically unbeatable if they sought reelection… and you would be right. In 2012 for instance, the Washington Post noted that 90% of House members and 91% of Senators that sought reelection won.
Looking at all these numbers, it might be fair to suggest that incumbent advantages may have more to do with a politician remaining in their positions over time than the quality (or lack thereof) of a politi-
cian’s public service. Let’s face it: our current system without term limits heavily favors the status quo incumbents. And, not only do the polls clearly reflect the people’s disdain for the job Congress is doing as a whole, Capitol Hill does not yet adequately reflect America’s diversity. There has been improvement, but different religions, minorities…and especially women…are still woefully underrepresented. In short, instituting term limits could not only help more people get a chance to participate in our democracy, it could also speed up the process of inclusion, thereby allowing a more diverse group of citizens that are more reflective of America to serve our country.
might be.
Dr. Joseph Giammo, head of the Political Science Department at UALR, spoke in an interview the day after Super Tuesday and weighed in on what the election results meant. He first acknowledged the victories of Hillary Clinton, stating that “she is firmly in the driver’s seat now” to win the Democratic Party nomination, while pointing out her mounting total delegate count and establishment support. Dr. Giammo also believed that Donald Trump earned the advantage in the Republican Party nomination struggle due to his solid performance on Super Tuesday. He mentioned that Trump’s frontrunner position may not be quite as secure as Clinton’s at this point, howev-
er, due to a large and seemingly more vocal minority within the Republican Party objecting to his risqué behavior and lack of political credentials. Giammo observed, “I don’t know that I have seen a party frontrunner in a primary election with such a large minority of their party holding a negative view of their candidacy.”
Until the next edition of The Forum’s election watch, keep listening to the arguments of all the candidates, because the main presidential debates and the general election in November will be here before you know it. Thanks to all who did their civic duty by voting in the primary elections and encouraging their friends and family to do the same!
Better politicians, not term limits solution to Congress
Brian Gregory Sports Editor bjgregory@ualr.edu
Federal politicians are the easiest punching bag in America. Everyone wants to bash them for their lackluster effort when it comes to affecting the lives of their constituents. People are quick to say that the “Founding Fathers” did not mean for congressmen and now because of societal growth congresswomen to make serving in Congress a lifelong job. It was supposed to be something like serving in the military. You would serve for a couple of terms and then you would eventually leave. Today it is now the politically contrarian thing to say that members of Congress are serving too long and that we need a constitutional amendment that would create term limits. It is about protecting the freedom and the rights of the American electorate. However, the question becomes are term limits actually necessary.
In a study sponsored by Congress done by Matthew Eric Glassman and Amber Hope Wilhelm, they looked at congressional service in both the House
and Senate. What he found was for the 114th Congress that convened on Jan. 6, members of the House served an average 8.8 years in the House and in the Senate members served an average of 9.7 years. This means that our Representatives serve nearly 4.5 terms and Senators serve 1.5 terms. Does this really sound like they are serving a really long time. If you break it down even further 58% of House members have served between 0-8 years in the house. Only 22% of House members served more than 16 years. In the Senate results are similar 54% have served between 0-8 years, and only 22% of Senators have served longer than 16 years. This idea that placing term limits on our Senators and Representatives will make American Democracy better is a foolish idea. If you really want to make American democracy better then you need to elect better politicians. In the House, the average amount of terms served is four and for Senators the average is two terms. While we still will have lions of Congress like Ted Kennedy, Joe Barton, Thad Cochran, etc. those types of individuals are few and far between. We need to stop overreacting and elect better officials because that will change American Democracy more than any amount of term limits can.
Police Beat
Sydney Bradshaw Staff Writer slbradshaw@ualr.edu
Theft in Fine Arts Building
On Feb. 24, two officers were dispatched in response to an individual who had called about her property being stolen. The individual told the officers that she had left her jacket in the ticket box of the Fine Arts building and returned to find it missing. In it were keys to her green Hyundai that was in Lot 8. The officers were able to unlock her car so that she could get anything she needed out of it. Then, they made sure the car was secured. Extra patrols were put on duty while her car remained in Lot 8 until it could be moved. DPS recommends that you keep your keys close to you and not leave them unattended.
On Feb. 25, a student came to the UALR police department to file a theft report on stolen books. The student had left his textbooks and student ID in a sitting area on the second floor of the Fine Arts Building while he went to get something to drink. When he came back he noticed that his books and ID were missing. He checked the area and asked the clerk if anyone had brought anything to lost and found, but they hadn’t.
Graffiti in the Parking Deck
On Feb. 20, an officer was dispatched to the parking deck elevator in regard to a call about possible graffiti. Upon inspection, the officer noticed black markings beside and above the elevator. Pictures of the markings were taken and sent to CID. DPS asks that everyone report suspected graffiti as it has become a problem.
Professors Kristen McIntyre and Julien Mirvel win college wide awards
At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Social Sciences and Communication, two very deserving individuals were awarded at the college level as nominees for the Faculty Excellence Awards.
Julien Mirivel and Kristen McIntyre received recognition for being among UALR’s most dedicated faculty members. Driven to encourage change in the world, both are actively engaged in guiding others towards goals that will leave a positive impact on those around them.
Mirivel was nominated for the Research and Creative Endeavors award for his commitment to the study of positive communication. Mirivel has spent 10 years performing thorough research on interpersonal relationships. He is using his findings to improve the ways in which people connect to one another. As an associate professor of Speech Communication, he has been able to share his knowledge with students and ultimately
enhance the quality of their interactions.
However, his work is not limited to his classes. Mirivel has educated in regional and national conferences, published two peerreviewed books and written for several articles of renowned communication journals. His awardwinning papers and numerous academic achievements have been praised by students and teachers alike. These contributions have benefited not only the field of communication, but also the lives of those who employed the information. Although Mirivel admits that positive communication can be difficult, he stresses the importance of making an effort:
“I feel very lucky to be able to try and encourage people to enact these ideas . . . There’s hope to create a better place.”
Like Mirivel, McIntyre uses her knowledge and experience to promote change. McIntyre, also an associate professor of Speech Communication, was nominated for the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching due to her tireless dedication to cultivating the ideal learning environment. Her unique teaching technique has previously
earned her the 2015 award for Best Professor at UALR, an achievement that may have foreshadowed her current success. As these accomplishments suggest, McIntyre’s style is effective and constantly improving.
McIntyre’s success is a direct result of her perspective. In her words, “It doesn’t make sense to punish people for learning new things.” This understanding is incorporated into her teaching by withholding points and grades until the end of the course. Doing so eliminates the punishment, allows for more emphasis to be placed on the learning process and encourages students to constantly try their best. This method’s success has been reflected not only in her students’ evaluations, but also her colleagues’ opinions. It is a widely shared belief that McIntyre excels as a teacher for both her students and her fellow educators.
“Teaching only works if you have students willing to learn,” McIntyre said.
Mirivel and McIntyre humbly accepted their awards and thank those that listened and learned from the information they were willing to share.
McIntyre and Mirvel were awarded for their sucess in research and teaching. Courtesy of ualr.edu
Contact UALR eLearning for more info: 501.569.3003 ualr.edu/online
Annual $10,000 scholarships and $2,000 paid internships available! Arkansas needs more STEM teachers.
You need a great career that pays off. The solution? Noyce Scholarships • Priority Deadline is March 1 Applications accepted until all scholarships are awarded. Visit ualr.edu/ualrteach for an application.
Scholarship eligibility
• Must be junior or senior enrolled in STEM degree program
• Must pursue a secondary STEM teaching license
• Willing to work in pairs to teach one STEM lesson at a middle school every other week
• Scholars must remain in good standing, make satisfactory progress toward their degree and licensure, and sign a contract to teach one year in a high-needs school for every semester scholarship is received
Internship eligibility
• Must be a freshmen or sophomore enrolled in a STEM degree program
• Must pursue a secondary STEM teaching license
• Complete Step 1 and 2 classes with a grade of B or higher prior to internship
• Interns will provide workshops for CI students and work 20 hours per week for four weeks, or 80 hours as needed, during the summer
College of Arts, letters And sCienCes College of eduCAtion And HeAltH Professions
Have completed the following courses: MCOM 2350 and MCOM 3320. 3. Be enrolled in at least nine hours of coursework during each semester as editor if an undergraduate and six hours if a graduate student. Exceptions to these requirements can be made only through petitions to the UALR Publications Committee and only if the candidate has other appropriate coursework or experience.
may be obtained from Fleta Watson, Stabler 705. Turn them in to Carlton Rhodes,
Hall 705 by 5 p.m. on March 16.
Astronaut ‘Digger’ Carey ‘lands’ at UALR
Elton Tevebaugh Staff Writer ewtevebaugh@ualr.edu
On the afternoon of Feb. 25 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, astronaut Duane “Digger” Carey gave a speech to a crowd of 175 people, 75 of whom were from local secondary schools. In his speech, Carey detailed his childhood and educational backgrounds as well as his experiences as an astronaut.
Carey grew up in a lower class
family in St. Paul, Minnesota and is “proud to say that [he] spent a good portion of my childhood in the projects.” Through hard work and dedication, Carey was the first in his family to not only go to college, but also to earn a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.
In 1975, after graduating high school, Carey set out on his own on his motorcycle, living in different places, working dead-end jobs and riding his motorcycle, often sacrificing meals for gas.
After living on his own for some time, Carey’s stepfather approached him and asked what
he would do with his life. Carey wanted to be a fighter pilot. Carey had a friend who was a fighter pilot that advised him to get a four year degree.
Carey attended the University of Minnesota and majored in Aerospace Engineering, but getting in was not easy. Despite his weakness in math, Carey had help from his brother and, in conjunction with his hardworking attitude’ Carey made it into engineering school.
After becoming a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Carey enrolled in test pilot school. After test pilot school, Carey was
approached about potentially becoming an astronaut. At this point, he had the credentials to be on the short list for the mission to the Hubble Space telescope. Due to his training and his educational background, he was taken on by NASA as a pilot. In 2002, Carey and a crew of other astronauts left Earth to perform maintenance on the Hubble Space telescope. Making history, the crew performed five consecutive spacewalks over the course of five days (without any time to rest to minimize fatigue).
It was a refreshing change of pace for Carey to encourage stu-
dents not only to pursue higher education, but also offering the potential of pursuing a trade for the future of the world. Carey also encouraged students to push themselves, saying, “When you come across something that’s scary and you think ‘I don’t know how to do this,’ have some confidence in yourself and attack it.”
Carey also told students that “You always have to have an impossible goal – a kid growing up in the projects wants to be an astronaut – that’s impossible. It happens; I’m proof.”
Astronaut Carey shared his story with students from local secondary schools and UALR.
Photo by Zoë Harris
Grad student becomes CLC interim coordinator
Legg Staff Writer emlegg@ualr.edu
Starting at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in fall 2011 as a traditional student in the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) program, Williams was a lot like the usual freshman who have a hard time settling into a new place. With the help of the CLC coordinator Nick Steele, her ambassadors and mentors, Williams was able to transition comfortably into her second semester as a freshman. She then decided that she wanted to become a sophomore ambassador in fall 2013. As a sophomore ambassador some of her responsibilities were to aid in transitions and act as a mentor for a group of seven to eight freshman. Continuing on in the CLC program she decided to move up to the junior mentor position in spring 2014.
Williams used college credits earned in her time spent at North LIttle Rock High School to graduate a year early. Although she did not know what her next step would be she said “ I knew I wanted to
New interim study abroad director aims to increase global study
go to grad school, and I knew I wanted to stay within my department because I love my department in Speech Communications here at UALR.” Her area of studies is applied communication, so obtaining the new position as CLC Interim Coordinator made her a perfect fit.
As CLC Interim Coordinator her duties are to counsel students about classes, financial aid and general needs of the students. Williams is also aiding in interviewing prospective scholars, and organizing those interviews. Her involvement in future plans for CLC is figuring out how to stay connected and keeping CLC students involved at school over the summer. They are working with the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy because she said “They do a great job with their students over the summer, staying connected with them, and keeping them involved.” Together they are implementing a plan to meet that need within the CLC program. There are lots of exciting new plans being formulated in the CLC office.
Williams is enjoying her new position she said “I love it, because of the people I get to meet, interacting with students, and everybody has been so supportive.”
Barnes News Editor ambarnes@ualr.edu
Emily Bell Cox was asked to step in on interim as the new study abroad director. With students currently abroad and many study abroad trips planned for spring break and the summer, the position could not be left open. She described her transition from the Office of Campus Life as “beautifully chaotic.”
“[My new job] has been so fast . . . but at the same time, I’ve met so many new people [and] so many new students that it’s just been so
awesome. I’ve really enjoyed it,” she commented.
Cox considers herself a consumer of knowledge and education and loves learning new things. Though she has not been abroad, she has traveled extensively throughout the United States. Having limited experience abroad has posed some challenges for her on the new job, but Cox has a passion for getting more students to go overseas.
“It’s been a complete 180 from what I was doing in Campus Life,” Cox said.
She wants to start assessing what students are getting out of the programs and improve the relationships with the partnerships, programs and universities abroad.
“I want to know what the stu-
dents want out of study abroad because, as my focus was in Campus Life, it really should be a student-centered experience. It really should be a student-centered approach to everything,” Cox stated.
Cox will look at what the Study Abroad Office has done in the past and improve what they can do in the future. She hopes the number of students that study abroad will continually increase.
If you are interested in studying abroad, you can attend a scholarship information session on March 31 and a general information session on April 6. For more information, you can also visit ualr.edu/ studyabroad.
Alexandria
Eva
Williams has worked her way up the CLC family tree to become the new Interim Director
Courtesy of ualr.edu
Having limited experience abroad has posed some challenges for her on the new job, but Cox has a passion for getting more students to go overseas.
Photo by Lauren Humphrey
UPC and NonTraditional Student Programs hosts annual family movie
Chi Omega grants a wish
Analee
Jones Staff Writer aejones4@ualr.edu
The Chi Omega’s grant wishes through fundraising and they try to make little kid’s dreams come true. Ayden, a 7-year-old boy, didn’t know that one wish they were going to grant would be his.
During a recent Little Rock’s team basketball game, the Chi Omega girls rushed on the court during halftime.
Jennifer Turnage, the president of Chi Omega, said, “We had to make ears and costumes for the performance. The girls set time out of their day to look prepared.”
Tanya
Triplett Staff Writer tmtriplett@ualr.edu
On March 5, UPC hosted their bi-annual family movie night. UPC served free food and at 6 p.m. showed the new Disney/Pixar film, “The Good Dinosaur.”
The UPC served popcorn, hamburgers, hot dogs, desserts, etc. and gave out tickets for children to win a dinosaur cardboard cutout. Many children got a chance to take pictures with the dinosaur cutouts. The event was aimed towards non-traditional students with children.
“Twice a year we do family movie night,” said Cynda Alexander, the Non-Traditional Students Coordinator. “It’s a not-so-serious event that we like to do,” and said that people like it “because it’s so much fun.”
Kid-friendly movies like this is shown every March and October.
UPC’s next event is poetry night on March 7 at 7 p.m. with Lady Caress as the speaker.
“Poetry is a great form of expression and lets you see local talent as well as someone more accomplished in the poetry world,” Blaise Hale, a UPC Executive Committee Member, said.
The theme was Disneyland and the girls came out with signs and a Disney theme song. Then, dressed as Mickey Mouse, one of the girls started looking for a boy named Ayden. The girls then wondered around the stadium looking and finally Ayden and his mother came walking down the stairs. Ayden’s mother looked very emotional as she was bringing Ayden down.
Turnage said, ”We had several of the girls that cried.” Ayden and his mother were swarmed with photographers and Chi Omega girls. The crowd was beyond wild for this event. Then as soon as you thought it was done, the Chi Omega girls sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman
A’Ja
Rolfe Staff Writer anrolfe@ualr.edu
Finishing a dissertation can be one of the toughest times during a college career. The year Rachel Tennial finished hers, Nelson Mandela passed away. For the first time, her favorite quote of his, “it always seems impossible,
until it’s done,” hit home for her. She obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees both from St. Louis University. Tennial is now an assistant professor in UALR’s Department of Psychology. She teaches courses like, Social Psychology and Research Methods 1. Although this is only her second year as an assistant professor, she is familiar with teaching. Her mother, aunt, grandmother and great aunt are all educators. Having been surrounded by so many great
from “Toy Story” and spelled out his name on the court.
Making this wish happen was a determination process.
Turnage stated that “Wish week and fundraising helped make it happen.” The Chi Omega’s enjoyed their experience.
“Its has been a motivating experience. The experience motivated me to truly strive to grant wishes and when we get to do something like this at the game it is very rewarding to get to share the experience with everyone,” Turnage said.
examples, she developed a profound respect for teachers.
When asked about her teaching style, Tennial responded, “I approach my classes with the air of respect and responsibility merged with care. I want them to leave with better respect for themselves, their environment and academia.
When Tennial is not in the classroom, she can be found cozying up with a good book. She prefers reading vampire and werewolf novels but also enjoys African
American and feminist literature. The last book she read was “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. Before she moved to Arkansas, Tennial was a part of an adult kickball team and the Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, for several years. Her advice to prospective psychology majors is to, “see everything you do as an investment and adopt a curious mindset. Being inquisitive, always asking questions, is not a bad thing.”
Photo by Brady Jackson
Photo by Analee Jones
Photo by Analee Jones
UALR staff members and their families enjoy a free movie night.
The UALR chapter of the Chi Omega sorority granted Ayden’s wish.
Tennial is now an assistant professor in UALR’s Department of Psychology.
Sigma Lambda Gamma hosts a week of exciting events
Analee Jones Staff Writer
aejones4@ualr.edu
Sigma Lambda Gamma recently had their fabulous week. The girls spread their love of their organization to everyone. The Gammas set off their week on Monday, Feb. 22, by playing bra pong with the Pikes and AKAs. The turnout was great and everyone enjoyed themselves. The Gammas and Pikes created their boards with flare. The week moved on to Trojan Talk with HPPE. The Gammas went to West Hall and talked about important subjects with new freshmen and some upperclassmen. The sorority is making their mark on the campus and trying to make a difference in the school.
Next, the Gammas talked about their organization at the Gamma Hoot in the Student Center. The girls explained about their sorority and used their creative minds.
Thursday was a day of bonding with high school students who wanted to know more about Greek life and what it was. The Gammas wanted to make sure high school juniors and seniors got their first look at Greek life through their organization and saw what it is really about.
The Gammas were happy with all the girls that wanted to know more about their sorority. The week concluded with a “Multicultural Flavor” event with the International Club. The Gammas created foods for the event. The girls’ week was a success in their eyes because they are now known on campus.
S G A
Student Government Association
Lela-Tamara Fluker
Staff Writer ldfluker@ualr.edu
Feb. 24 Student Government Senate Meeting
To kick off the meeting of Student Government Association, Chief Justice Rick Dierenfeldt was selected as Leader of the Week for his work in revising the Election Code and assistance at the Veterans Forum that took place the week prior.
Rolling on down to new business, the group appointed Tyler Stewart as a senator for the College of Social Sciences and Communications. Stewart is a freshman majoring in psychology and had experience in student government from high school.
He is involved in Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, University Program Council, Maroon Mob and Delta Chi Fraternity here at UALR.
College specific senators will have to run again for their positions and possibly be voted in during elections on April 4 and 5. Polls will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on both both days.
Regular candidates registration is March 28. Candidates will not be allowed to campaign and will not be added to the ballot unless they complete candidate orientation taking place March 2, March 9
and then there will be another just a few days before election.
Senate also removed Bill Soo2-2016 from the table and discussed the proposed constitutional amendments. The bill was approved by a unanimous decision. This election cycle is not affected. The amendments will be voted on during the upcoming elections and should they be approved by a majority of the votes cast, these will go in effect for elections thereafter.
“To ensure earlier and sustained service to your fellow students as a leader at UALR. It does not inhibit anyone from running [for office]. What it does require is that you serve at least one term in either an elected or appointed capacity within SGA so that you learn the ropes. That’s what leadership and service are all about. They are not self serving,” Dierenfeldt said, clearing up the purpose for the constitutional amendments after information about the matter had been misconstrued.
Meetings of SGA are open to the public. Minutes of the meetings are also archived and are public records. The organizations’ website (ualr.edu/sga) and their Facebook page have more information.
March 2 Student Government
Major Spotlight
Speech Communications
Christopher Gardner Staff Writer cagardner@ualr.edu
The speech communication major at UALR is a program designed to meet the needs of students with an interest in communicative behavior in business, education, industry and other professions. Students in this program are trained in both interpersonal and public communication skills related to human relations and
organizational communication.
The speech communication major is offered in three different formats through UALR. One option is fully online and accelerated, in which a course takes seven weeks to complete. A second option is a fully traditional program with on campus courses. This traditional format’s courses take 16 weeks. The final option for this major is a combination of both accelerated online courses and traditional on campus courses.
An admission requirement for this major program is that you must have 12 semester hours completed with a 2.00 grade point
Senate Meeting: “Kudos to you for doing what you do.”- Rick Dierenfeldt
Before official business began, a group of students sponsored by Lillian Wichinsky to attend a Social Justice Leadership Conference came in to give a speech on what they learned from attending. They spoke about aspects such as ageism, sexism, heterosexism, sizism, racism, colorism, etc. and how they can play a role in how people are treated on this campus and places elsewhere.
With a nine senator quorum and approval of the minutes from the previous meeting pushed back until the next, the group went forward to select Chief of Staff Qamar Abbas as Leader of the Week for his work with the SGA website and getting it up and running.
The meeting also introduced a potential bill for SGA to appropriate funds towards to upcoming Bone Marrow Drive on March 30. Senators Noah Asher and Shayna Underwood are working to help make the drive successful and hope to collaborate with other student organizations to get at least 1800 people to participate in the drive, hoping to take the state record which it currently held by Arkansas Tech University with 1300 swabs.
average. Another requirement for admission is to have taken and passed SPCH 1300 and RHET 1311 with a minimum grade of a C. In addition to the major program requirements, all students must also complete the University Standard Core of 21 hours, College Core of 14 hours, and Intercultural Communication Competency of six hours.
All of the information on the University Standard Core, College Core, and Intercultural Communication Competency can be found at http://ualr.edu/catalogs/undergraduate-catalog/academicpol/competencies-core/.
The speech communication major requires 34 credit hours beyond SPCH 1300 with a grade C or higher in the courses. Some recommended minors for speech communication majors are nonprofit leadership studies, psychology, management, journalism, professional and technical writing, human services and general business. For more information on the speech communication major, their website is, http://ualr.edu/ speechcomm/.
Illustration by Brady jackson
exam fever
Illustration by Jacy Andrews
There are many instances in a student’s life when he or she enters a phase where it is hard to eat, sleep or study. I face this problem just before my exams, and it seems to be happening more frequently with my midterms getting closer. Maybe I am worried about achieving the 4.0 GPA because I want to prove everyone that I have learned something. It’s the time that makes me think twice about my courses. Are they too much for me? Am I prepared for the exams? Maybe I am thinking too much about it. After all, getting a master’s degree is not easy. It requires a lot of hard work. Then there are other things in life that also need your attention. So I tell myself that I am probably thinking too much about it. This is when my friends start giving me a crash course on “how to enjoy life.”
When you are a freshman and you have never taken an exam at the university, you suddenly get a fever just before exams. The symp-
Abdul Mohammed Staff Writer ggmohammed@ualr.edu
toms are: insomnia, stress eating, uneasiness, moodiness, excitement and procrastination. This is what I call “Exam Fever.” Most students are prone to this fever just before exams.
A week before my midterm, I took a weekend trip to Dallas to see some of my relatives. I did this just to get my mind off things, so that I could come back and concentrate on my exams. But, (believe it or not) after coming back from my short trip, I was more excited over my plans for spring break than studying for my exams. I knew that once I have finished my exams, I am as free as a bird and I can explore the United States.
All these mixed feelings that we get during exams are really amazing. It’s only this time in our whole life we feel this way about our exams. I am sure I am going to miss these days once I have graduated. But I intend enjoy these golden moments while they last.
Annual Student Art Competitive is accepting entries
The annual Student Art Competitive is held each spring as an opportunity for University of Arkansas at Little Rock students to showcase their talent as artists. After spring break, the exhibition will take place in
Gallery One of the Fine Arts building and will be open to the public. It is a great chance to come out and support the hard work and effort students invested into their pieces. It is not required for participants to be majoring or minoring in any art courses. However, to be eligible for submission, the student must be enrolled in a studio art course at UALR. The competition accepts up to four submissions of any medium. The art may be 2D, 3D, photography, ceramic, painting, etc. The only require-
ment being that the art must have been made after the last Annual Student Art Competitive. There is no assigned theme or topic, so any subject matter is acceptable.
From March 9 through March 11, the jurors will be accepting pieces for submission in Gallery One. All pieces will be juried by a member of the art community outside of the university. This year’s exhibition will be juried by Kathy Strause. After all of the pieces are submitted, they will be judged to determine which will continue on
Are you a 'People-Person!'?
Alexandra Vandiver
Staff Writer aevandiver@ualr.com
In a world filled with apps and video games, we surely would think the board game and card game era of entertainment was dead. But surprisingly, as if it were a phoenix rising from the ashes, table top games are making a comeback.
With a fan base made up of mostly adults, this industry is growing to be a billion-dollar powerhouse. Mostly funded by “crowdstarters” such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter, the appeal of socializing with friends and family is becoming more important to the modern adult consumer.
Games such as "Cards Against Humanity" and other adult driven table top entertainment are rising in popularity because of this. Little Rock resident, Adam Hogg, has innovated his own version of the rising trend in "People-Person!."
"People-Person!" is a card game that takes on life, as well as the situations and characters that you may encounter during it.
In your life you surround yourself with people that are there for you and assist you when you need it. They help you and you can help them. This is the idea behind the game.
To play the game you need two to six players. With quirky cartoons and descriptions, the people cards represent your friends and family. The event cards represent all of the
good and bad situations that can (and sometimes will happen) in your everyday life. The first person to score 10 points in all seven attributes (authenticity, charisma, confidence, comfort, respect, security and knowledge) becomes the ultimate people person and wins the game.
The game itself has been created by Little Rock's Adam Hogg. Hogg is a game developer parttime and an accountant, comedian and musician full-time. His dream of creating a modern version of “The Game of Life” became a reality when he received enough funds through the fundraising website indiegogo.com . "People-Person!" can be found in local stores such as The Box Turtle and Game Goblins, and it is also available to order online.
to the actual competition. Strause will then decide the winners and announce them at the exhibition’s reception.
A wide variety of awards is available for the winners. Awards come in the form of scholarships, cash or gift cards for food, art supplies or framing. The school may also choose to purchase a student’s artwork to keep for the permanent collection.
Lilia Hernandez, winner in the 2011 competitive, said, “The awards, whether it be money or a
gift certificate, gives an upcoming artist incentive to keep working and keep creating. This competition is good for students, but also for the school and upcoming students. It shows what UALR's Art department has to offer, as well as the versatility within mediums and concept.”
Submission forms will be available online and in the Fine Arts building. For more information on the competition, visit http:// ualr.edu/art/welcome/annual-student-competitive/.
People-Person! provides a fun twist on adult card games.
Photo by Alexandra Vandiver
Trojan's Trending Topics
by Mubbasher Hasham Staff Writer mxhasham@ualr.edu
What are
your
plans for the spring break?
“I will be working full-time in Hot Springs. I’ll probably go to shopping with my mom in Dallas, Texas, over the
Darby Harmon Sophomore Social Work Major
“I will be going to Florida to see my family and do some shopping.”
Tanner Morrison Junior Psychology Major
“I will be working and working and nothing else.”
Science says: the ‘chilling’ truth about cryotherapy
Victoria Mugambi Staff Writer vnmugambi@ualr.edu
It seems that winter is coming to an end and many are excited for the promising warmth of spring. Though many (including me) are tired of the frigid cold temperatures, science has suggested that exposing the human body to extreme cold can actually be beneficial for certain aspects of our health. This has led to a popular therapy known as Whole Body Cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy refers to the use of cold materials in the treatment of something, typically body ailments. The most common usage of cryotherapy is the use of spot treatments, such as ice packs, for headaches and areas that are swollen or inflamed due to injury.
Whole Body Cryotherapy, or WBC, takes the idea of using the
cold to treat the entire body all at one time. Exposing the body to extreme cold comes with promising benefits such as tissue renewal, weight loss, mood improvement and pain reduction.
So how is it possible for someone to stand in a chamber that’s minus 200 degrees without freezing to death? Well, first off, the client doesn’t just plunge into the chamber when it’s freezing cold. The chambers start out at a chilled temperature and then lower about 30 to 50 degrees at a time, over a period of two to four minutes.
The clients are also not in direct contact with the cold. In order to avoid the uncomfortable (and potentially fatal) feeling of subzero temperatures, the chamber is cooled using liquid nitrogen gas instead of water. This allows the skin to get cold while dry, which causes a reduced feeling of the penetrating chill one would experience when taking a cold shower.
Although standing in a cold
chamber sounds a little less daunting now, the question remains on whether it’s actually beneficial for your health. Though there are no sound scientific studies confirming the benefits of WBC, the stimulant responses it causes from our brain has drawn people into giving the procedure a try.
When our skin feels the cold, it sends signals to receptors in our brain alerting the brain “hey, so we might be freezing to death.” The brain, in response, releases signals to engage the body in certain mechanisms that are seen as beneficial. This includes releasing endorphins that speed up the growth of new tissue and cells, increase the metabolic and release excess neurotransmitters such as dopamine.
So the next time you want to curse Arkansas weather for unexpectedly dropping back down into the 30s, chill out a little and consider the health benefits your body may be experiencing!
Fit tip: your immune system matters
Lela-Tamara Fluker Staff Writer ldfluker@ualr.edu
•Wash your hands, the go-to tip for preventing illness. This can help ward off a great number of illnesses.
•Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. These areas have membranes that make it easier for bacteria to enter the body.
Although winter is coming to a close, the season for coughs, sneezes and sniffles is still at bay. Getting an annoying cough, runny nose or even a fever is surely not what anyone wants deal with while beautiful weather is sneaking its way back in town. However, we can't always be two steps ahead of nature and sick days do happen. It’s always best to plan ahead and work on keeping your immune system in its best shape.
•Don't go to class sick. This will just make things more stressful on you and put others at risk for being infected.
•Try simple over-the-counter remedies. Cold & Cough or Cold & Flu medicines are great at making it easier to get over a bothersome bug.
•Drink water to replenish your body. Being ill can deprive you of necessary fluids.
There are also foods and vitamins that can help boost your immune system over time and
make you less susceptible to colds and flu viruses:
•Garlic- antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. Bacteria, yeast and viruses build up no resistance to garlic.
•Tea- green tea, matcha green tea and tulsi tea work as great antioxidants.
•Mushrooms- high in protein, fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins and calcium.
There are also theories about how exercise can help in better immune health and illnesses. It is not recommended that you engage in heavy exercise. This causes stress on the body. However, a light walk and other light to moderate exercises have shown to make you feel better when you're under the weather.
Illustration by Brady Jackson
Illustration by Byron Buslig
Student spotlight: Keila Moreno Navarrete
Whitney Bryson Staff Writer wxbryson@ualr.edu
participating in the program as a child and enjoyed it.
Keila Moreno Navarrete is an international student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Originally from Mexico, what she misses most about her home country is her family, her church and the FOOD! In her leisure time, she teaches Sunday school to third and fourth graders at her church. She enjoys hanging out with friends, going out to eat, reading and decorating her new apartment. She is also involved in a few on-campus organizations; which include: Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship (MBSF) and International Friendship Outreach (IFO).
Navarrete has been a student at UALR since last January, making this her second year attending the school. She chose to attend UALR because she likes the atmosphere and the students and faculty members are very helpful.
“I applied to several schools but UALR offered me scholarships to come, and when I visited the campus everyone was really friendly and helpful," said Navarrete.
Navarrete received her bachelor’s degree in foreign language teaching (emphasis on English and Spanish) at Universidad Cuauhtémoc in Mexico. She is now working to finish her master’s degree in the Gifted Education Program here at UALR, with plans to graduate by fall 2016. Navarrete said she chose to study Gifted Education because she remembers
She said, “I was in a gifted program when I was little. So when I was looking for a masters I wanted to do something in my field but a little different. So when I saw the gifted program, I was like ‘oh I remember doing this when I was young’ and I remember loving it. A lot of the things I learned in the program, I ended up using later on.”
When asked what she loves most about the Gifted Education Program, she said she loves the support from professors. They are willing to help and clear up any doubts she may have regarding her work.
In the Gifted Education Program, Navarrete is a graduate assistant for the Jodie Mahony Center.
She said, “This experience was great. The children, since they’re all gifted, they really surprised me and we had fun.”
She also had the opportunity to work with the Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) at Booker Elementary teaching first and second graders.
With graduation nearly approaching, Navarrete would like to soon work full-time with gifted students at a local elementary school. She hopes to teach her future students how to be less selfish, be fair, collaborate with one another and that they can make a difference with anything they set their mind to.
She said, “I really want our future generation to be less selfish and I would really like to instill that in my students.”
Photo courtesy of Keila Moreno Navarrete
Graduate student, Keila Moreno Navarrete, wants to teach her future students to be less selfish, how to be fair, how to collaborate with one another and that they can make a difference with anything they set their mind to.
Enjoy springtime by exploring the 'Natural State'
Caitlyn Sample
Arts and Leisure Editor casample@ualr.edu
Things seem to come back to life in spring: grass is greener, flowers bloom, leaves grow back on the trees and temperatures warm up. With spring break approaching, you may want to spend your time outside enjoying spring.
Arkansas has many great State Parks to spend a weekend or an afternoon at. One of these parks is in UALR’s backyard, Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Pinnacle Mountain is over 1,000 feet tall and overlooks the Maumelle River.
There are two different mountain bike trails, several picnic sites, guided horseback rides and a variety of hiking trails at the park.
The Arkansas River Trail is also located in Little Rock. The Arkansas River Trail connects the Pinnacle
Mountain State Park to several different parks located in the central Arkansas area. The 88-mile loop runs through Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway and Maumelle. There are many points of interest along the trail, including the longest pedestrian bridge in the world, The Big Dam Bridge. Just an hour southwest of Little Rock is Hot Springs. Located in Hot Springs, Garvan Woodland Gardens is a great place to visit in the spring. The 210-acre botanical garden is bursting with color
as flowers bloom in the springtime. For more information about Garvan Gardens, visit www.garvangardens.org.
Lake Catharine State park is also located in Hot Springs. The lake is about 2,000 acres and is located near the Ouachita Mountains. The park offers cabins to rent, campsites for campers or tents and four different hiking trails.
An hour and a half northwest of Little Rock is Mount Nebo State Park. Mount Nebo is located near Russellville and Lake Dardanelle
State Park. Mount Nebo State Park is one of the state's only two State Parks that offers hang gliding, with two launch sites atop the 1,350foot Mount Nebo. There are several trails located at the park for mountain biking or hiking. There are also 34 campsites and 15 cabins to rent. Whether you go north or south of Little Rock, or you decide to stay, the Natural State has much to offer to enjoy the spring weather. For more information regarding Arkansas State Parks, visit www. arkansasstateparks.com.
AD TEAM NEEDED!
Photo by Caitlyn Sample
The view of Maumelle River from atop Pinnacle Mountain.
‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ is a descent into madness
Jack A. Webb Staff Writer jawebb@ualr.edu
Over two decades have passed since the “trial of the century” captivated the world involving O.J. Simpson and the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. A trial filled with racial tones that reflect today’s America which makes “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” fascinating to watch through the lens of 2016.
From the mind of Ryan Murphy (“American Horror Story,” “Glee”), “The People v. O.J. Simpson” is the first installment in the anthology series of “American Crime Story.”
Like its predecessor, “American Horror Story,” this series will change its subject every season, focusing on an infamous crime that shaped our country. The premiere season couldn’t have been better selected, or more controversial.
This season is based on the book “The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” by lawyer Jeffrey Toobin. I haven’t read the book yet in order to be an unbiased viewer.
Big props to the people in the casting department. Cuba Gooding
Jr. (“Jerry Maguire”) is the titular O.J. Simpson, John Travolta (“Pulp Fiction”) is the narcissist defenseattorney Robert Shapiro, David Schwimmer (“Friends”) is O.J.’s best friend Robert Kardashian, and my standout favorite Sarah Paulson (“12 Years a Slave”) is the no-nonsense district prosecutor Marcia Clark.
So far I’ve only seen the first three episodes, but they do a good job setting the drama up into a modern thriller.
I particularly liked how the pilot’s opening scene showed both the Rodney King beating and riots. It sets the mood for things to come. For those that are familiar, these riots were in protest to the acquittal of the four Los Angeles police officers involved in the senseless beating. This happened two years before the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. This, I credit, is the beginning of citizen journalism, which is so prevalent with the injustices that the AfricanAmerican community faces with law enforcement today.
As someone that was barely one-year-old at the time of the murders, I’ve grown up in a world where the trial is part of the daily lexicon and pop-culture. I never knew O.J. as the Heisman winner
or the actor. To me, he’s always been the murderer. “The People v. O.J. Simpson” does something I haven’t seen before--it doesn’t label guilt or innocence; it shows the facts and humanizes a character in history that is typically looked at from one angle. You see the emotions from a man that otherwise is seen as emotionless.
The series is a total callback to the 1990s. From the outfits to the early mobile phones, the style is unmistakably 1990s. Everyone, particularly Marcia Clark, smokes indoors--at home, in her office, during meetings--this was honestly shocking to me. Most importantly, “The People v.” shows us a forgotten world in which we weren’t trying to keep up with the Kardashians (but of course the whole brood is still there, “Uncle O.J.” is their godfather after all).
I know how the story ends but that’s not even a fraction of what I hope to learn from the remaining seven episodes. The trial played out during my infancy and I’m so glad that Murphy and gang are revisiting it now.
“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” is on Tuesdays at 9 p.m., on FX. It is rated Mature for language and violence.
Bluetooth wireless technology to an app that gives users control of frequencies and audio effects. The technology works by detecting sound waves and combating them with sounds that can either eliminate or modify them. The resulting sounds are relayed through the device’s miniature speakers.
Have you ever found yourself struggling to cancel out distracting noises and voices while you were desperately attempting to study for an exam? Needed a quick translation while you were studying abroad? Desired a quick fix to those pesky dorm fire alarms? With the new Here earbuds, all of these situations can be resolved.
Technology allows people better control and interpretation of the world around them. Just as Google Glass offers the greater use of our sense of vision, the Here Active Listening system opens the door to many promising opportunities for hearing. The Here earbuds could revolutionize the way we perceive our surroundings.
The system, developed by Doppler Labs, is designed to give wearers the ability to alter and manipulate the sounds of their environment.
The earbuds are connected by
The buds are very similar to a microphone in their manipulation of incoming sound waves, but they have the capability to accomplish much more. The Here Active Listening system has flourished in growth and development due to the massive amount of supporters donating to their Kickstarter.
The reason why so many people are standing behind this technology is its enormous potential. The earbuds are predicted to act as a translation device for live dialogue. With the capacity to modify sounds in under 30 millionths of a second, they could actively interpret a conversation without any significant lag. This could transform entire approaches to communication. Currently, the Here earbuds are unavailable for mass consumption, but there is a wait-list comprised of 25,000 individuals anxious to receive this new invention.
What’s happenin’ in
Winter Jam 2016: April 2
Just around the corner is the annual Winter Jam, which is happening at the Verizon Arena.
Doors open at 5 p.m. for the prejam party with the show starting at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door, with no advance ticket sales.
This is Christian music’s biggest annual tour, with some of the genre’s most popular recent artists.
First in the lineup is For King and Country. They are best known for some of the songs “Fix My Eyes,” “Proof of Your Love,” and “It’s Not Over Yet.” Matthew West, singer/songwriter of the latest radio hit “Strong Enough,” is second in the line up. Other talented artists such as rapper KB (Kevin Burgess), Lauren Daigle and others will also perform.
For more information, visit http:// www.jamtour.com
Nitro Circus: April 16
Thirty of the best athletes from motocross, BMX, and other extreme sports will perform at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 16. Nitro Circus travels the world from Australia to Europe and now they are headed to our very own Little Rock, Arkansas.
They are known for putting on a thrilling, fun, adrenaline pumping spectacle.
If you are a Nitro Circus fan, then you probably already know that Travis Pastrana (X Games gold medalist, RallyCross racer, NASCAR racer and stuntman) and his team will be there. Shows almost always sell out, and the entertainment is bound to excite your mind.
The show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets can be bought in advance, online or at the door. They start at $19. To purchase tickets online or to get more information, visit http://nitrocircus.com/tour/
Eva Legg Staff Writer emlegg@ualr.edu
Illustration by Byron Buslig
‘Suspect Witness’ charms and thrills
Tanya Triplett Staff Writer tmtriplett@ualr.edu
“Suspect Witness” written by Ryshia Kennie, and published by Harlequin Enterprises Limited, tells an interesting and suspenseful story that features healthy portions of both death and romance.
The main characters are CIA agent Josh Sedovich and Erin Argon, who is a supposed witness to murder.
The story opens in the fall in Singapore, with agent Sedovich talking to a coroner about a woman that has been killed.
“Probable murder, potential arson, and an unknown assassin; he’d been on the trail of this case for the past three weeks. Now one person was dead and still, miraculously, the witness lived. Not only lived but thrived over days that had turned into weeks and weeks into months.”
Next, the book shows what has happened to the witness. She has run away to Malaysia. Naturally, she has changed her appearance and her last name, which is now Kelley. Erin becomes a schoolteacher for Malaysian children. She temporarily lets her guard down in Malaysia until her car explodes, killing a new friend of hers.
The book switches viewpoints between agent Sedovich and Erin, showing each one’s side of the story. This keeps things interesting and makes you want to read more. This structure also keeps the book from becoming monotonous.
There is a ton of suspense in this story. How it is all going to end and is Josh going to be able to bring Argon back home safely?
This is when the story gets really interesting. You cannot help but wonder what she is going to do next and whether agent Sedovich will come in with her and keep her safe.
My favorite part of the book is when she does finally come in contact with agent Sedovich, because now she finally has someone to protect her.
Erin meets the CIA agent at an airport, where she pretends that he is her boyfriend, while he pretends to be a tourist. He is tring to gain her trust. Ironically, they eventually do eventually fall in love with each other. That is why the story is loveable and interesting. It is not only full of suspense but also involves romance.
The best character in the book is agent Sedovich. He is very brave and handsome (based on the picture on the front cover). Also, he feels bad for the women that have been murdered. This lets the read-
Eat beat: gyro-ing up to try Layla’s
Victoria Mugambi Staff Writer vnmugambi@ualr.edu
Little Rock is home to many ethnic eateries that offer a diverse range of dishes to indulge in. Finding a good ethnic restaurant around the city isn’t hard, but finding a great one is life-changing. Located in a small strip mall on Rodney Parham is the delicious Mediterranean eatery known as Layla’s.
I’ve always been a fan of Mediterranean food, especially gyros, so I was super excited to try it out for myself. Though the restaurant doesn’t look like much, the mouthwatering smells and homey atmosphere make the place warm and inviting.
On my visit, I ordered an appetizer and two entrées. Within minutes of ordering, my appetizer came out; hummus with a side of pita bread.
The sourness from the tzatziki sauce complemented the savory taste from the gyro meat, making the dish indescribably delicious. Next I tried the Mediterranean pasta. It came with sautéed bell peppers, onions, olives, gyro and feta cheese. Though the pasta was a little greasy, it still tasted very good. The feta cheese was a delicious addition to the pasta, and gave the dish a sharp, tart flavor. Combined with the sweetness from the sautéed bell peppers and onions, and the bitterness of the olives, the dish came together in decadent harmony. The gyro meat in the pasta was the same type I had in my other entrée, and it tasted just as good in the pasta as it did in the gyro.
er know that he is caring and is another reason why he is the best character.
There are other books written by Kennie. According to this one, “Ryshia Kennie has received a writing award from the City of Regina, Saskatchewan, and also been a semifinalist in the Kindle Book Awards. She finds that there’s never a lack of places to set an edge-ofthe-seat suspense, as prairie winters find her dreaming of warmer places for heart-stopping stories. They are places where deadly villains threaten intrepid heroes and heroines who battle for their right to live or even to love. “
I loved this book and I would rate this “Suspect Witness” a perfect 10 rating.
The hummus was simply heavenly. Made fresh at the restaurant, the hummus was the perfect consistency, and had a slight tartness from lemon juice and a little kick from the paprika on top. The pita bread that came with it was warm and soft, as opposed to the hard pita chips I’m used to eating my hummus with. Needless to say, this hummus blew the store-bought versions clear out of the water.
After the hummus, my entrées arrived. The first plate I tried was the gyro plate, which came with more pita bread, tzatziki sauce (a yogurt based sauce with typically prepared with garlic, cucumber and olive oil), thinly sliced gyro meat and a small salad.
The gyro was amazing. The meat was tender and wonderfully spiced, and when I tried everything together on top of the pita bread it was absolutely mouthwatering.
The only downside to the restaurant was its small space. With the close space between the tables, it’s sure to get slightly uncomfortable on a busy weekend night. Overall, I give Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria a 4 out of 5. The food was delicious and the service was very friendly and welcoming. The restaurant has two locations in Little Rock; 9501 N. Rodney Parham Rd, and 6100 Stones Rd. Their hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Photo courtesy of Harlequin
‘Zoolander 2’ is a hidden gem
Elton Tevebaugh ewtevebaugh@ualr.edu
“Zoolander 2” was over shadowed in theaters by the likes of “Deadpool,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “The Revenant.” It also got horrible reviews. Despite these factors, “Zoolander 2” is worth watching as it is a hilarious movie with a great cast and is easily as enjoyable as 2001’s “Zoolander.”
“Zoolander 2” is directed by Ben Stiller, who also stars in the title-role, and most of the main cast from “Zoolander” also returns. Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell return to reprise their roles of Hansel and Mugatu. Christine Taylor (Arrested Development) also reprises her role as Matilda (Derek Zoolander’s wife).
Between the movies, Taylor’s charac ter dies, and is only seen as a ghost for most of the movie.
The addition of Jon Daly, Penelope Cruz, and former or present cast members of “Saturday Night Live” (Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen and Kyle Mooney) definitely bolstered an already strong cast.
“Zoolander 2” uses the same sort of ridiculous, and sometimes over the top, comedy as the origi nal, and has quite a few references to its predecessor.
Like the original, there are many celebrities in the movie. Justin Bieber, Sting, Kiefer Sutherland, Skrillex and Demi Lovato are just the tip of the iceberg. This familiar scheme is on par with the quality in the original.
Mugatu’s interactions with Zoolander are hilarious, as Zoolander is easily outsmart-
into releasing him from his straightjacket and Zoolander puts it on himself. At some point during the exchange, Mugatu asks, “You really are amazingly stupid, aren’t you?”
The sheer eccentricity of some of the new characters also aids in the entertainment value of the movie. Mooney plays a jerky, hipster character who is constantly alternating
menting people who he may, or may not, actually have any respect for. Mooney nails the part, and shows everything that is wrong with the hipster culture.
Kristen Wiig steals scenes as a fashion designer that dresses in strange clothes and speaks in a twisted way, so it is hard to understand thoughts she is conveying at
Fred Armisen plays a character named VIP, which is visually interesting. The character is a child with Armisen’s face is digitally superimposed on a child’s body. I’m still not sure if it was a real child’s body or if the entire visual aspect of the character is digital. As a sequel coming out so long after the original, with a modernized form of the same comedy style, Zoolander 2 is a hilarious movie. If you have seen “Zoolander,” and enjoyed it, then you should like the new one. The movie is quite similar to its predesessor. I have personally have seen “Zoolander” at least 50 times (including once in theaters). I have also seen the sequel twice in theaters, so far. As a fan of the original, I have to say that the sequel holds up nicely. I found myself laughing very hard throughout the sequel. On a scale of 10, I’d rate both the original and the sequel both at seven stars.
Illustration by Jacy Andrews
A classic alternative: ‘Modern Times’
Tanner Newton
Entertainment Editor tgnewton@ualr.edu
complement this issue’s review of “Zoolander 2.”
In the “Zoolander” films, Ben Stiller’s Derek Zoolander is an idiot that everybody else sees. Chaplin’s character, The Little Tramp, is the opposite. He is the only intelligent man in the Chaplin movies.
to the factory. He destroys many of the huge machines and assaults many of his coworkers.
was, “The illegal traffic in drugs.”
Possibly the funniest movie ever made, Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times” proves that silent movies can be very entertaining.
Few people that I know have seen a full length silent film. People always tell me that they can’t stand silent movies because they are too boring. I then know these people have never watched the films of Sir Charles Chaplin.
I have decided to write about Chaplin’s “Modern Times” to
This comedy is set during the Great Depression and the Tramp works on an assembly line. He has to tighten bolts as they move down a conveyer belt. The machine speeds up, bolts coming faster and faster. Chaplin desperately tries to keep up. You have probably seen Lucille Ball do this bit with chocolate, but Chaplin does it better.
Overworked to the point of extreme exhaustion, the man snaps and hilariously brings chaos
While doing this continues to tighten every bolt he passes. A female coworker is wearing a skirt that has several buttons on her rear end. He chases her, till he sees a woman with two big buttons on the chest of her coat.
His antics land him in jail. This type of comedy was very risqué. The movie came out in 1936; two years after the Motion Picture Production Code started being enforced. The Production Code was created due to people’s concerns that Hollywood was perverting its viewers. The code forbade, “Any inference of sex perversion.”
Also forbidden from movies
So it is very surprising that the Tramp gets high on cocaine while in jail. The scene works because of Chaplin’s facial expressions. It’s all in his eyes. This is a perfect example of what Gloria Swanson meant in “Sunset Boulevard.” When talking about silent films, she said, “We didn’t need dialogue. We had faces!”
Like most of Chaplin’s movies, the Little Tramp has a love interest. This time it is a poor woman named Ellen. Devastated by the Great Depression, she has to steal food just to stay alive. Ellen (played by Chaplin’s wife, Paulette Goddard) is not as memorable as some of Chaplin’s other leading ladies. Virginia Cherrill’s Blind
Girl in “City Lights” and Paulette Goddard’s Hannah in “The Great Dictator” are more interesting and funny than Ellen.
The comedy is visual and it is slapstick. This is the appeal of silent movies. They were universal and timeless. Anybody, anywhere can watch this film and understand every minute of it.
Most comedies lose their impact as they age. “Blazing Saddles” was once seen as a very risqué movie. Today that movie would probably get a PG13 rating. This is because language always changes. What is taboo today will be common place in 10 years.
This is the ultimate downfall of the talking picture. Talkies show their age. Chaplin’s films do not.
Illustration by Byron Buslig
by Zachary Tallent
by Chris Graham
by Byron Buslig
Trojan Seniors cap home season wins over rival Red Wolves
Brian Gregory Sports Editor bjgregory@ualr.edu
In a rare Tuesday doubleheader, the Little Rock Trojans defeated the Red Wolves 72-71 in the women’s game and 89-80 in the men’s game in front of a raucous home crowd. Visiting the Red Wolves on MLK Day proved to be a stumbling block as both teams lost. However, since that, both teams are 12-1 while achieving a top two seed in the conference tournament. Both teams could potentially advance in the NCAA tournament.
In the women’s game, Little Rock's team jumped out to an early 13-4 lead over the Red Wolves. As they have all season, Little Rock was living and dying by the play of senior Shanity James and junior Kaitlyn Pratt in the paint. These two were leading Little Rock's team throughout the first half. After the first media timeout, the Red Wolves began to show why they were the number one team in the conference and on an 18-game winning streak. Andrea Gamble began to take advantage size wise of sophomore Monique Townson.
She began to drive into the paint and at the end of the first quarter the game was tied 22-14. In the second quarter, Little Rock's team continued more of the same in the paint. This led to the Red Wolves switching to a zone, which stymied the offense for Little Rock's team. On the defensive side, Gamble along with Jessica Flanery on the outside began to have their way offensively. Khadi Brown-Haywood could not get going because of foul trouble. At the end of the first half the score was 36-30 Trojans.
The game was more competitive in the second half as the Red Wolves and Little Rock's team traded the lead several times. The guards for Little Rock began to take over in the second half. Junior Sharde Collins and Senior Alexius Dawn were the leaders in the third quarter with James in foul trouble. Dawn shot two threepointers and Collins continued her brilliant shooting on the floor. On the Arkansas State side, Gamble and Flanery continued to lead the Red Wolves. In the fourth quarter, it turned into the “Shanity James Show.” She scored seven of her career high 25 points in the quarter and her moves in the pain flummoxed Red Wolves defenders. James also had 14 rebounds. The game came down to the final possession as the Red Wolves had a
chance to send it into overtime or win the game outright. Little Rock’s defense prevented them from getting out from a final shot. After the game Coach Foley said about Tuesday’s game that it was “one of the great college women’s game” and “it was very intense.” Foley also complimented the maturity and growth offense to beat what he called “the best team in the conference.” Two seniors were honored at halftime of the men’s game. Both James and Dawn were honored with framed jerseys with their families present as well. Dawn, in her final game at the Stephens Center, finished with 12 points, three assists, and three steals. The men’s game was definitely not as climatic, but just as intense. The men controlled the game early by hitting a lot of contested jump shots. However, the Arkansas State Red Wolves a brilliant offensive team nearly tied it up at 28-27 with six minutes left in the first half. There wasn’t any real offensive flow, until about four minutes left in the quarter when Little Rock went on a 20-7 run that led to Little Rock's team leading at halftime 48-38. Seniors Josh Hagins and Roger Woods led the team with 15 points each in the first half. In the second half, the Red Wolves would come closer than nine points as Little Rock's team defense kept them at
bay and the offense led by Roger Woods led them to stretching the lead by as much as 15 in the second half. It was anticlimactic night of sorts, but Little Rock's team got the win with Roger Woods scoring 30 points and Marcus Johnson soring 17 with a majority coming in the second half. Jermaine Rutley,
Josh Hagins, Roger Woods, and Daniel Green were all honored at the beginning of the game for their senior night. Little Rock's team finished their season at the Jack Stephens Center undefeated and they played in front a record crowd of 5,619 people. It was a great end to a dream season.
Tap Water vs. Bottled Water
1. Tap water is often cleaner than bottled water. There are no standards that define how bottled water is filtered.
2. Tap water is WAY cheaper than bottled water. In fact, bottled water costs THOUSANDS of times as much as tap water.
3. Single-use water bottles are filling up our landfills. It takes hundreds of years for a plastic water bottle to degrade.
Take the pledge to avoid using plastic water bottles when possible. Text "I heart tap" to 69866 and help us make a difference!
*This information is courtesy of the UALR Sustainability Committee.
Kaitlyn Pratt corralls a major rebound in the Trojans 72-71 nailbiting win over the Red Wolves.
Photo by Lauren Humphrey
Hot Corner
Hypocrisy right here at home
Brian Gregory Sports Editor bjgregory@ualr.edu
After attending the Little Rock Trojans game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves, I noticed a lot of things.
When I saw that there was only standing room against the Red Wolves, I nearly had tears in my eyes. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to see a sellout crowd in my time as a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Seeing the student section full for the men’s game, and having so many people come and support #LittleRocksTeam was and is a thing to see. Throughout this season, as the team’s record has started to grow, so have the crowds. It has really been a beautiful thing to see the support among students and the community for the team.
But I have to call out the UALR and the Little Rock community for their hypocrisy. Just last year, we had a women’s team that broke a school record for wins 29-5. They went to the NCAA tournament and nearly advanced to the Sweet 16. Their crowds last year were only at maybe 1,000-1,500 people, if that. This was a team that was a top-five defensive team in the nation, and they also had a top-25 offense. This was a team that is an exact replica to the men’s team of this year, but their support, comparatively, was non-existent.
Now I am no fool, women’s sports always have less attendance than men’s games. However, even
Basketball and table tennis seasons end, volleyball begins
this year, as they were on the team’s now 12-game winning streak, crowds were sparse and almost non-existent. Students rarely attended their games this year.
Last night’s game had a big crowd for two reasons. First is that we were playing Arkansas State which is always the biggest crowd of the year. Second, if people didn’t get there early there was a chance that you wouldn’t get a ticket for the men’s game. I am sure that the crowd last night would have been the biggest women’s crowd in Little Rock’s history. We don’t know that because, of course, we didn’t announce the attendance for the women’s game.
The athletic director, Chasse Conque, has taken great strides in making games more fun for this city and this university. He has done a tremendous job. The promotion of men’s team this year is well-deserved, as Coach Chris Beard has done a great job with this team. He is a young coach, and if this team does well in the tournament the big name schools will come calling. They will want him for the jobs out there. Coach Joe Foley has rejected numerous offers after producing consistent seasons of excellence. Yet the community and the students have not rewarded the women’s team with the same support over the years that they have given the men’s team this year.
This is not anything against anyone, but I am tired of the hypocrisy that surrounds attendance and support for women’s sports.
Lauren Humphrey Campus Life Editor lehumphrey@ualr.edu
The 5v5 basketball season ended on Feb. 24 with the playoffs. The Warriors placed first for the men's team against PWA. The score was 59-39. In the season, the Warriors and Pike both had four wins and one loss. PWA was in third with three wins and two losses. For the women's division,
the Hoopers beat the Powerpuff Girls in the playoffs, 39-23. During the season, the Hoopers were undefeated and stayed at the top of the rankings with a record of 4-1. Powerpuff girls stayed in second with a record of 3-1.
Table tennis ended on Feb. 18.
The Classic Pikes beat Dirty Dan and the Pinheads in the men's playoffs 2-0. During the season the Classic Pikes were undefeated with a record of 4-0 and were first in the standings. No co-rec or women's
teams played in the table tennis season.
Volleyball seasons began of Feb. 29. Many students signed up to play. After two games, Straight Up Ball Slappers are in first in co-rec A. Chi Alpha and Pikes and Ladies are tied for first in co-rec B. In men's B Qatif and The Punishers are tied for first.
Indoor Soccer and Tennis are the next seasons that student's can get involved with. Registration ends on March 14.
The Hoopers dribble the ball down the court to shoot the ball in the last half of the final game.
Photo by Lauren Humphrey
Quin Wilkes is a force on and off the field
Zoë Harris Staff Writer zcharris@ualr.edu
Quinn Wilkes is sophomore here at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. She plays a major role in the athletic department on the Lady Trojan soccer team.
Wilkes is an Illinois native, as she was born and raised in the small town city of O’Fallon. Taking heed of the many opportunities, Wilkes moved down here on a full-ride scholarship earned both from academics and athletics. She is currently majoring in biology, where she plans on going into the field of health science or physical therapy.
Since she was seven years old,
Wilkes has played soccer. She started off taking karate classes, and then she joined the dance team. After realizing that karate and dance weren’t exciting enough for her, Wilkes decided to join the soccer team. Ever since then, Wilkes has made a commitment to be one of the best players when she takes the field.
This past season, Wilkes garnered five goals, two assists, for a total of 12 points. Wilkes took forty-eight shots and while also getting two game-winning goals. One of her game-winning goals was against their archrival Arkansas State Red Wolves. That goal had a lot of importance because it put Little Rock in the Sun Belt Conference soccer tournament. All of the hard work paid off for such an athlete, who puts in at least 2 ½ hours of training four days a week, followed by an hour of lifting. Evan
Drexler, with the Little Rock athletics, said “Quin is great asset on the field, one of our best scorers. But she is really great off the field as well. She is definitely a dedicated student athlete that means a lot to this program.”
Although soccer is one of her main priorities, Wilkes is involved with other things in campus life as well. She is a part of the Science Scholars, where she often attends lectures and seminars. Wilkes is also the President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
In her spare time, Wilkes enjoys eating frozen yogurt and her favorite sugar cookies. A fun fact about Wilkes is that she was born on leap year. Technically she only turned five this year. What major accomplishments for a five year old! For next season, Wilkes is striving for 10 goals in conference and to maintain a 4.0 GPA.
Little Rock’s historic season ends in first conference title
Analee Jones Staff Writer aejones4@ualr.edu
On Thursday, Feb. 25 Little Rock's team played UT Arlington in the Jack Stephens Center. The team played with a full house to watch. Some of the recent reports show this was the second largest turnout for the Jack Stephens Center sitting 5,253. The Trojans enjoyed having their fans there to cheer them on. Coach Beard stated in the press conference that he would like to “Thank the crowd. Our vision was to create where it was hard to buy a ticket.”
Little Rock's team started off the game with possession and did what they do best. They worked the ball on the outside wings till someone was open. UT Arlington worked their defense by pushing the Trojans to their limit with missing shots. But, the boys played great defense and forced many turnovers. The main scorer, in the beginning, was Senior Josh Hagins with eight points total with 11 min remaining. UT Arlington tried to weaken our defense and get through gaps but our Trojans tried
to keep them off. However, Junior Jalen Jones, off of UT Arlington, used those gaps for opportunities and scored 5 points.
Little Rock's team didn’t let that shake them. With eight minutes left in the first half, Jackson shot a jumper from inside the paint. That led to a media timeout. The score was 24-15 and Little Rock's team was winning. There was a technical foul called on UT Arlington’s Kennedy Eubanks which then Senior Josh Hagins got to shoot two. The foul led Little Rock's team to get an edge on UT Arlington.
Coach Beard said, “Arlington was good with breaks and using the backboards. You have to give their guys credit with some of the shots. They kicked us in Arlington but we kept our composure.” Junior Lis Shoshi made his appearance with blocks and using his height to resist some of the opposing teams plays.
Fouls were called and our boys used that to get a few extra points.
UT Arlington although came back to fight with increasing pressure and taking risky shots. The half ended with our boys leading 36-25.
It was UT Arlington’s ball after the half. Little Rock's team pushed pressure and regained possession.
Junior Jalen Jones saw his opportu-
nity and took it and make a threepointer from left wing. They played well but, UT Arlington looked for foul shots. Little Rock's team went on a run that pushed the lead to double-digits. They put up a good fight and continued making consecutive three-pointers. The guards continued to work the wings and pass in when they had the chance. With 6 min left in the half, Junior Marcus Johnson Jr. At the end of the game, Junior Marik Isom scored a layup and a 3 pointer to seal the deal. Little Rock's team won the game 72-60.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, the Trojans were at home again hosting Texas State. This was another Pack the Jack day but, also a trap game. Coach Beard commented on Texas State saying, "We knew it was gonna be a hard fought game and it was a panic moment at the time. But, I'd like to thank the crowd for the capacity and there is nothing more important than the home court advantages.” If Little Rock's team won, they would become Sun Belt Champions. They went in calm, cool, and collected and played it like any other game.
The first half started out with Little Rock's team having ball possession. Off the bat, Senior Roger
Woods was assisted and threw in a dunk. The crowd went crazy for the first shot. Texas State wasn’t gonna go un-noticed. Kevin Tilbury, Texas State player, recovered and scored a layup. During the next three to four minutes, Marcus Johnson Jr, Marik Isom, and Josh Hagins all made threes. The team worked their defensive pressure but, it caused a few fouls. Texas State did well with moving the ball to the outside. Little Rock's team then led their streak with Senior Marcus Johnson Jr scoring 11 points in the first half with Senior Marik Isom
following with nine. By the end of the first half, Little Rock's team was up 35-21.
Texas State came back in the second half but, the boys played it by the play. The second half was filled with fouls and extra points. The crowd was furious at some of the calls but were very supportive. Little Rock's team fought for their well-deserved title and Senior Roger Woods secured their champions fate with a dunk at the end. The end score was 73-68. Little Rock's team is now the Sun Belt Champion.
Quin Wilkes is well-known for exploits on and off the soccer field.
Mareik Isom goes up strong for a layup against Texas State to clinch SBC title for Little Rock.
Photo by Zoë Harris
Photo by Zoë Harris
Little Rock's women's team back at it
Dawn made her comeback with a three-pointer from the right wing. UT Arlington then fouled and Senior Alexius Dawn got 2 shots from the line. The Lady Trojans ended the game with a score of 49-43.
Analee Jones Staff Writer
aejones4@ualr.edu
On Feb. 25, the Lady Trojans played the UT Arlington Mavericks in an exciting game of basketball. The shooting averaged out to 28.6% which is good for the shots they put up in the basket. The Lady Trojans were out to win against UT Arlington.
The Lady Trojans started out the first period rough but they kept up their defense. The Lady Mavericks held their defensive end enough to catch a few free shots. With four minutes left in the first period, Junior Sharde Collins hit a threepointer from the left wing. The
Lady Trojans then put up a defensive barrier so the Lady Mavericks couldn’t pass through to the basket. However, the Lady Mavericks defense got two straights stop and made two jumpers. Sophomore Monique Townson pushed back with a three-pointer from the right wing that led into a media timeout. When returning, Senior Alexius Dawn came running with a threepointer at the shot clock buzzer. With 2 minutes left, the Lady Mavericks came with the pressure that scored them eight points. The Lady Trojans had the ball after the first quarter. To begin the second quarter, there were continuous turnovers on each side but it ended with Junior Keanna Keys shooting a jumper and Junior Kaitlyn Pratt to follow. The remaining of the half consisted of fouls on both sides.
Each side had a few extra points added to their score. The score was 28-22 with our Lady Trojans leading by a little. The third and fourth period were more intense than the first two. The girls continued to push themselves to not come with a loss on the home court. Coach Foley stated that “Good defensively but need to work offensively. Kind of struggling offensively.” With two minutes left in the third quarter, Senior Shanity James shot a jumper from the inside of the paint. The quarter ended with fouls and unhappy fans. The score was still in favor of the Lady Trojans but it was too close for comfort. In the last quarter, the Lady Trojans tried to secure their second seed in the conference with continuous passing and jumpers. Senior Alexius
On Saturday, February 27th, the Lady Trojans were back in the Jack Stephens Center to square off against the Texas State Bobcats. The game had a slow beginning, the Bobcats drew first blood when Senior Raven Burns nailed a two point jumper from the paint. Unfortunately enough, it took the Trojans almost two minutes to score their first basket with a layup by Senior Shantity James assisted by Senior Alexius Dawn at the eight minute mark; and so the game was underway. Peppering the play were several missed baskets and turnovers for both teams. Leading into the 6th minute, the Lady Trojans gained the lead with a layup in the paint by Senior Shantity James; however the Bobcats were able to catch back up at the 4th minute mark with a layup by Sophomore Taeler Deer. At 2:17, the Trojans gained the upper hand as junior Keanna Keyes scored a two point jumper after an assist from junior Sharde Collins. After an amazing steal, senior Alexius Dawn gave the Lady Trojans another two points at the end of the fast break. At the one minute mark, Taeler Deer of Texas State scores a two point layup, ending the first quarter with the score Texas State six, Lady Trojans eight. About one minute into the second quarter, senior Alexius Dawn drains the first three-pointer of the game to give the Trojans a five point lead with a score of 11. Down in the paint, senior Shanity James achieves a good layup giving the Trojans a seven point lead; howev-
er a foul 30 seconds later by James allows the Bobcat freshman Kiani Lurry to score two free throws. At the 7th minute, the Bobcats come back with their own three-pointer, shot by senior Ayriel Anderson. The second quarter ends with the Lady Trojans having a tremendous ten point lead with a score of 27 and the Bobcats having 17.
The Lady Trojans came out swinging, beginning the 3rd quarter off with a good layup by Junior Kaitlyn Pratt down in the paint. After a foul by the Bobcats, the Trojans score two more points off of free throws giving them a 14 point lead at 31 points; but the Bobcats respond with their own twopoint jumper sunk by Sophomore Whitney Apari, followed by a three pointer by Senior Raven Burns. The intensity of the 3rd quarter comes to an end with the Lady Trojans still maintaining a doubledigit lead over the Bobcats going into the 4th and final quarter. The score is now 47-33 with the Lady Trojans in the lead as the 4th quarter begins. Shortly into it, at the 9th minute, senior Shantity James makes a layup after a fast break into the paint. After several turnovers, substitutions, and missed baskets, we come to the third minute of the game with the Trojans still holding the lead with 53 points to the Bobcat’s 40. After fouls on both teams within a one-minute time span, both advance by two points, Lady Trojans still maintaining the lead. A layup by sophomore Monique Townson gives the Lady Trojans an even greater lead nesting them at 57 with one minute of play left. A three-pointer by the Bobcats at the 5-second mark closes the game with the Lady Trojans claiming another win and second seed in the Sun Belt Conference.
Shanity James scores two of her 18 points in the third quarter of a win against Texas State.
Photo by Zoe Harris
Sun Belt basketball standings
Men’s
1.Little Rock Trojans 27-4 (173)
2.LouisianaMonroe Warhawks 19-12(15-5)
3. UT MavericksArlington 22-9(13-7)
4. Louisiana Ragin Cajuns 16-13(128)
5. Georgia Southern Eagles 14-16(10-10)
6. Georgia State Panthers 16-13 (9-11)
7. Texas State Bobcats 14-15 (8-12)
8. South Alabama Jaguars 13-8 (8-12)
9. Arkansas State Red Wolves 11-20 (7-13)
10. Appalachian State Mountaineers 9-22 (7-13)
11. Troy Trojans 9-22 (4-16)
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Forum basketball power rankings
NCAA
1. Kansas Jayhawks 27-4 (15-3)
2. Michigan State Spartans 26-5 (135)
3. Villanova Wildcats 27-4 (16-2)
4. Virginia Cavaliers 24-6 (13-5)
5. Xavier Musketeers 26-4 (14-4)
6. North Carolina Tar Heels 25-6 (14-4)
7. Oregon Ducks 25-6 (14-4)
8. Oklahoma Sooners 24-6 (126)
9. Miami Hurricanes 24-6 (13-5)
10. Indiana Hoosiers 24-6 (14-3)
11. West Virginia Mountaineers 24-7 (13-5)
12. Utah Utes 24-7 (13-5)
13. Louisville Cardinals 23-8 (126)
14. Maryland Terrapins 24-6 (125)
15. Purdue Boilermakers 23-7 (11-6)
16. Duke Blue Devils 22-9 (11-7)
17. Arizona Wildcats 24-7 (12-6)
18. Texas A&M Aggies 24-7 (13-5)
19. Kentucky Wildcats 23-8 (135)
20. Baylor Bears 21-10 (10-8)
21. Texas Longhorns 20-11 (11-7)
22. Wichita State Shockers 24-8 (162)
23. SMU Mustangs 25-5 (13-5)
24. Iowa State Cyclones 21-10 (10-8)
25. California Bears 22-9 (12-6)
NBA
1. Golden State Warriors 55-6
2. San Antonio Spurs 53-9
3. Toronto Raptors 41-19
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 44-17
5. Los Angeles Clippers 40-21
6. Oklahoma City Thunder 43-20
7. Boston Celtics 38-26
8. Memphis Grizzlies 37-25
9. Miami Heat 36-26
10. Atlanta Hawks 35-28
11. Dallas Mavericks 33-29
12. Chicago Bulls 31-30
13. Charlotte Hornets 33-28
14. Indiana Pacers 33-30
15. Portland Trailblazers 33-30
16. Detroit Pistons 31-31
17. Washington Wizards 30-32
18. Utah Jazz 29-33
19. Houston Rockets 30-32
20. Orlando Magic 27-34
21. Milwaukee Bucks 26-37
22. Sacramento Kings 25-36
23. Denver Nuggets 24-38
24. New York Knicks 26-38
25. New Orleans Pelicans 23-38
26. Minnesota Timberwolves 20-43
27. Brooklyn Nets 18-45
28. Phoenix Suns 17-46
29. Los Angeles Lakers 13-51
30. Philadelphia 76ers 8-54
* As of Sunday, March 6 from
1 He could be consumed with a lust to become crystal-user (6)
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10 Kingdom that's in possession of year-old Japanese painting (5-1)
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25 A series that's tied? (6)
DOWN
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4 Sent academician translation of Proust that's about acceptable (9)
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19 One charges, taking pound from hero-worshipper (7)
CORRECTIONS FOR FEB. 24- MARCH 8, 2016 ISSUE
UALR’s Department of Public Safety provides active shooter training in partnership with the university’s Division of Student Affairs.
DPS Sgt. Jennifer Lusk provides self-defense training.
An article in the Feb. 24-March 8 Forum failed to mention the division’s role in the training. The article also incorrectly stated that Lusk instructs active shooter training on campus to anyone expressing an interest.
Students, faculty and staff who are interested in active shooter training may contact the Division of Student Affairs at (501) 569-3328.
Student Spotlight: Megan Everett
Correction: In an article printed in the Feb. 10-Feb. 23 issue, it was stated that Everet swims professionally. Everett swims for the Little Rock