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Crescent City delivers 10 years of service

REBECCA ALVAREZ Associate Managing Editor Every morning Ruston resident Ron Salmon, 76, starts his day before sunrise. He washes up, gets dressed and, like many other Americans, indulges in his daily dose of coffee. Many Rustonians, including Salmon, rely on Crescent City Coffee for their daily fix. We have a crew that comes in at 6 a.m. every morning, he said. The management and service is just so great. Since Crescent City Coffee first opened its doors in 2003, the locally-owned business has become a hot spot where residents and students go to work or socialize. The coffee house industry has proven to be a struggling business in Ruston. In the past, there have been a few other coffee houses that have opened their doors to the community but closed down after only a short period of time, leaving Crescent City and Starbucks as the two prominent names for the industry in town. Sarah Keil Waller, the owner of Crescent City, said she believes the business success can be attributed to their focus on making customer service the top priority. Its our willingness and desire to mold our menu and service to what our customers want and do it with a genuine smile on our faces, she said. Its not easy, but we love it. Waller and her husband James Waller have owned Crescent City since 2010. Before the couple took over ownership, Sarah Waller had been working at the coffee house since 2007. In 2009, they were granted permission to run a catering service through the business, which saw such success that the service snowballed into acquiring ownership of the coffee house, Sarah Waller said. Despite the changes Crescent City has undergone, the goals and culture have never changed, Sarah Waller said. I wanted to keep the place open for all of the regulars I had known for so long, she said. Crescent City is a Ruston landmark, and it was important to me to keep that going. Salmon, who has lived in Ruston for 51 years, said the good service and friendly environment are factors that encourage him to walk through the coffee house doors every morning. They have such good employees, he said. They know all of our names and that makes it special. While many of the regulars are local residents, the university has also been a strong influ-

Tech pool remains dry

BLAKE BOLIN Staff Reporter Techs intramural center offers both an indoor and outdoor pool for students to enjoy, but are there ways to make it more enjoyable? There is a constant debate among students as to whether or not alcohol should be allowed on campus and specifically at the Lambright pool. There are many students who feel that alcohol should remain prohibited at the Lambright pools. One of those students is Taylor Haynie. Haynie, a junior middle school math and science education major, says it could potentially ruin the family atmosphere at the pool. When you allow college students to drink out there, it will lead to some students getting drunk, Haynie said. As of right now there are many families who enjoy the pool as a fun family activity, if you mix college kids and alcohol in that picture, it may ruin it. Chelsea Davenport, a senior chemistry major, said she also in favor of the current alcohol rules at the Lambright pool. I think allowing alcohol at the pool opens up Tech to a nightmare risk management situation, Davenport said. When someone has been drinking out in the sun all day, it can lead to them doing dumb things which just makes the job more difficult for the staff. Davenport said that while she understands other students concerns, there are other places for students to drink and hang out. There are multiple other community pools in the Ruston area that allow alcohol at them, Davenport said. While I understand the argument, Tech has created a family atmosphere at the pool and there is no reason to mess with that by allowing alcohol. Barry Morales, director of student activities said there is a reason Tech has taken precautions when dealing with alcohol. Its a valid safety issue not to have alcohol at the Lambright pool, he said. Tech is an alcohol-free campus. John Terral, a sophomore business administration major, disagrees with the current rule prohibiting alcohol at the Lambright pool. I feel like if people were allowed to have alcohol, more people would show up to the pool, Terral said. A lot of students go to other pools just because they allow alcohol. Haynie said another issue at hand is that not all students are comfortable being around alcohol, and allowing drinking would make some students feel uncomfortable.

> see COFFEEpage 6

Photo by Tyler Brown

Andy Shows, a barista at Crescent City, makes a latte.

Photo by Tyler Brown

Michael Thompson, a junior mechanical engineering major, and Kylie Arrar, a freshman civil engineering major, study at Crescent City.

NASA Speaker teaches kids at Space Days

JOHN SADLER Staff Reporter Rob Gravolet stood in front of a roomful of elementary students, pointing to a large graph behind the podium, and he asked what kind of classes a person might need to take in order to work for NASA. Math! the kids yelled. Space Days, an event put on by the Science and Technology Education Center to educate children about the cosmos, concluded Thursday after a week of activities. NASA tries to do outreach programs as much as we can, said Gravolet. I graduated from Tech, so when Space Days started four or five years ago, I was excited to come. Sometimes the kids will surprise you with what they ask, said Gravolet, a user integration manager at NASA. Ive had more intelligent questions asked by some of these kids than by the people I work with, Gravolet said. He said he had brought samples of hardware NASA uses to build rockets and capsules to let the children hold. It intrigues them, Gravolet said. They get to see that this is a real thing, that its something they can do. He said he likes to inform the kids of what they need to do to achieve their goals. Theres always at least one kid who wants to work for NASA, or to go to space, Gravolet said. I tell them what choices regarding school they will eventually need to take to get on that path. Interim director Lindsey Keith-Vincent said the children have a great time while learning and doing experiments. Its a pretty large opportunity for the Tech family to pull together and do something for these kids, Vincent said. The kids get an opportunity to explore the museum and conduct experiments that they might not be able to do otherwise. Vincent said the community outside of Tech came together to help make Space Days happen. Were really grateful to all the sponsors, Vincent said. Without them we would be

Rob Gravolet explains new NASA hardware to a group of students. completely unable to do this. Donald Schillinger, the director of assessment and accreditation, said this week his title was just hot dog cooker. Its an opportunity for kids to take part in experimental learning, he said. They get to interact with college students and experience scientific demonstrations. However, Schillinger said Space Days is not just educational. Weve got that big inflatable space shuttle outside, and every time a kid rounds the corner, they just gasp, Schillinger said. Its like a line of little gasps coming around the corner. Administrative assistant Laura Murphy said the kids have a blast. They get to do all these cool experiments, Murphy said. We do one experiment where we mix Alka-Seltzer and water together in this container and they blow up; the kids all love that one. Murphy said the kids get a glimpse of college life before most kids have a chance to. The kids get demonstrations in the aviation department, Murphy said. They get to see the experiences of aviation students. Maybe theyll remember this when theyre older and looking for colleges.

Photo by John Sadler

Murphy also said she would like the event to make an impression on the kids. This is a fun activity for kids, but its also a recruiting exercise for Tech, Murphy said. We want the kids to see that Tech is fun and have these good memories associated with it, and maybe come back when theyre older. Murphy said he could tell the children were having a good time when he saw them on the spaceship inflatable.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

> see POOLpage 6

2 The T ech T alk May 2, 2013

Campus
Bulldogs baseball to battle Bakersfield
The Tech community is urged to support the Bulldogs at 6 p.m. Friday as they take on the Roadrunners of CSU Bakersfield at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. Attendees will receive raffle tickets for a chance to win free Raising Canes chicken and signed Tech basketball posters. Free hotdogs will also be provided for all fans while supplies last. Gift cards to McKinney Honda will also be raffled off when the Diamond Dogs record base hits: $10 for a single, $15 for a double, $20 for a triple and $50 for a home run. Admission for the game is free for LA Tech students with a valid student ID, $8 for adults, $4 for children under 17 years and children under three are free. For more information on baseball promotions contact Josh McDaniel at jmac@latech.edu or at 318-257-2507.

Completing the journey

RANEY JOHNSON Multimedia Editor

KLPI to present Mayfest Friday

KLPI is hosting Mayfest 2013, the annual Ruston music festival, from 1 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday at Centennial Plaza. Mayfest offers a chance for local bands to showcase their talent at a music festival in a region that predominately favors country music. Free food will be offered and live music will be performed all day. Musical guests will include local bands Super Water Sympathy, Gashcat, Toast, Irene & the Sleepers, Engine, Nakshata, Last to Know, Sargasso, Prestor John, The Dubonauts and Prophets of the Fourth Sex. Weather is expected to be in the mid-50s and there is a 30 percent chance of rain. The event is free and open to anyone. For more information, call the KLPI 89.1 studio at 318-2573689.

Joe Aillet to host ASFP Suicide Walk

An American Foundation for Suicide Prevention walk will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on May 11, starting at the Argent pavilion by Joe Aillet Stadium. Multiple student organizations are working together to put on this event. It will raise awareness of suicide prevention techniques and honor first responders. The AFSP walks raise money to fund research and prevention techniques to increase national awareness and lower the suicide rate. Registration is ongoing until 1 p.m.w on May 10. Prospective walkers can register by contacting Josh Chovanec and Patti Hendricks at joshuac@latech.edu and patti@latech.edu. Registration is also available by phone at 318-257-2641 or online at asfp. donordrive.com.

Tech choirs present Spring Choral Concert Tuesday

The Louisiana Tech choirs will perform Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Spring Choral Concert in Howard Auditorium. The theme for this years concert is Earth, Air, Fire and Water, said Sean Teets, director of choral activities. Teets also said the choirs will be performing with Greg Lyons and the university percussion ensemble. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Children ages 4 and under will be admitted free of charge. Tickets will also be available at the door. For more information about the concert, contact Teets at (318) 257-5272 or email steets@latech.edu.

Spending three days in Seattle, four days in Zion National Park in Utah and five days in Yosemite are only a small part of a summer trip that took three friends 8,600 miles to complete. Roommates and fraternity brothers Evan Thibodeaux, Eric Bent and Matt Stinson decided two years ago to take a trip around the U.S. one summer. It was something Evan and Eric came up with freshman year. It was kind of a thought in the wind, said Matt Stinson. Two years later it happened. Thibodeaux said the idea of the trip came up one day while they were watching television in their apartment. We started saving money over the summer and two years later we decided to do it, said Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux said though they originally decided to take a trip around the U.S, they realized how long it would take so they made the decision to shorten it. We realized the vast majority of things we wanted to see were on the West Coast, Thibodeaux said. Thibodeaux said the trip took them 44 days exactly. He said some of the states they visited were Colorado, Montana, Washington and California. Stinson said they visited multiple national parks, but his favorite was going to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to hike up one of the highest points in the U.S. One of my favorite spots was Mount Whitney, Stinson said. He said after going to Mount Whitney, the group took a trip to Badwater Basin in Death Valley. After being at the highest point in the United States, we went to one of the lowest points, he said. It got up to 117 degrees in the shade. Bent said he agreed that Mount Whitney was one of the best spots on the trip. Mount Whitney was pretty spectacular; it kind of takes the cake, he said. However, Stinson said his favorite place they visited was Glacier National Park in Montana on the Canadian border. Everything is ridiculously big. The scale is kind of too enormous to wrap your head around, he said. Everything is beautiful. It is kind of as different as you can get from Louisiana. Thibodeaux said his favorite part of the trip was going to Washington State,

Thibodeaux, Bent and Stinson pictured at North Dome in Yosemite National Park (above) and Navajo Falls in Supia Indian Village (below).

Submitted photos

specifically to the North Cascade National Park. He said when they arrived to the North Cascade in June, winter conditions still existed. When we told them we wanted to go hiking, they looked at us like we were crazy, he said. We asked what is a good time to come and she said August; we were a little early. Thibodeaux said he learned from the trip it is possible to live outside and enjoy it. Before the trip I had never been camping, he said. I learned I absolutely love being outside. Thibodeaux said he also learned just how different people around the country are. Everywhere out West bike racks are extremely common, he said. People out West are a lot more active and laid back. It is interesting to see the different life styles they have. Stinson said he learned how big the U.S. is. Leaving Ruston to get to Denver, it was 22 hours, he said. I have only been to 25 states now, one day I will complete the other 25. Bent said one has a whole new appreciation for traveling when leaving to go new places.

There is so much more out there than where you grew up, Bent said.

Email comments to rcj008@latech.edu.

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Anthony Jackson works on the grounds keeping in the quad.

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May 2, 2013 The T ech T alk 3

Nursing students apply skills in School intramural domestic violence simulation referees trained to
T. SCOTT BOATRIGHT University Communications Louisiana Tech University Nursing 210 students opened the door to GTM Memorial Hospital and found a victim of domestic violence weeping in a wheelchair. The 17 students enrolled in Nursing 210 were part of a pilot simulation, Application of Forensic Nursing to High Risk Pregnancy, developed by Tanya Sims, an associate professor of nursing, and Patti McFadden, an assistant professor of nursing. Nursing students at Louisiana Tech are trained to care for a domestic violence victim during a simulation exercise. Students were assigned to groups and then informed of the mock scenario in which police had brought a battered, pregnant female to the emergency room after a 9-1-1 phone call resulted in the arrest of the accused. The nursing students in this scenario was actually the result of a collaboration with DART (Domestic Abuse Resistance Team) advocate Deborah Faircloth, who gave an accurate performance of the behavior that would be exhibited by an abused client and even donned an empathy belly to simulate pregnancy, maternity clothes, wig and makeup. This concept is known as a standardized patient for nursing simulations, in which an expert actor is utilized to give the scenario a realistic approach, she said. McFadden said safety was the emphasis for this exercise, with relevance to the clients emotional state, need for care of the pregnancy and the unborn fetus, and medications utilized in the scenario. She said student evaluations were positive for this simulation, which was scheduled for this time because April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

make fair calls

BLAKE BOLIN Staff Reporter

Courtesy of University Communications

Nursing students at Louisiana Tech care for a domestic violence victim during a simulation exercise. called upon skills of therapeutic communication, prenatal assessment and recognition of high-risk pregnancy complications as a result of the abusive situation in order to treat the patient. McFadden, a sexual assault nurse examiner, conducted a training session utilizing the Noelle Birthing Simulator on the collection of forensic evidence in sexual and physical abuse cases, with key points given for nurses caring for these clients. McFadden said the victim

Tech continues to develop grappling team

KAAMILYA SALAAM Staff Reporter Head locked under a forearm, face pinned to a mat, the art of grappling. David Johnson, a senior general studies major, said grappling is similar to wrestling. Grappling is wrestling with a mixture of other non-striking martial arts like judo and Brazilian jujitsu, Johnson said. Although grappling is not recognized as a collegiate sport at Tech, there are still students who participate in the sport. Johnson, said he and two other guys, Jonathan Long and Donald Harris created the team in the fall of 2010. We created the club as a way for us to represent Tech in grappling tournaments, he said. As a member of the team, Patrick Mason, a sophomore aviation major, said he is happy that Tech has a grappling team because he is able to improve

Grappling is wrestling with a mixture of other non-striking martial arts like judo and Brazilian jujitsu.
David Johnson
senior general studies major

his techniques by practicing with the other guys. Since we dont have a collegiate team, the grappling club allows me to practice with guys who are just as dedicated as I am, said Mason, a sophomore aviation major. It also helps better the members for competition. Mason also said because wrestling or grappling is not a

collegiate sport at Tech, members have to compete in open tournaments. We have to search the Internet for open tournaments, he said. They can be at various times and different places around the country. In addition, Johnson said he recently competed in a tournament with Harris, taking home the first and second place trophies. I just got back from a Gracie Regional Tournament in Tyler, Texas, he said. We placed first and second. While the grappling team is representing Tech, the recent removal of wrestling as a sport by the Olympic committee has members uncertain about their future in the sport. Mason said the decision by the Olympic committee is discouraging. Its disheartening that wrestling isnt recognized anymore, because many grapplers partici-

pate in the Olympics or World tournaments once they cant compete at state or NCAA levels. Though grappling is not represented at a collegiate or national level, team members still have hopes for the future Tagir Bertembayen, a junior computer science major, said he hopes the team will continue to develop at Tech. I would like to see the team grow and one day become a collegiate sport, Bertembayen said. Similar to Bertembayen, Mason said he would like to see more students try out for the team. I know we can be intimidating to some students when they see us, but were not, he said. We are just very passionate about grappling, so were dedicated.

Email comments to kms042@latech.edu.

Students cash in on business ideas

KAAMILYA SALAAM Staff Reporter Students, professors and sponsors sat quietly in the student center Tuesday afternoon, anticipating the announcement of the winners of the TOP DAWG New Venture Championship. Debbie Inman said the TOP DAWG New Venture Championship is an integral part of the Enterprise Campus focus at Louisiana Tech. TOP DAWG New Venture Championship is an event that gives Louisiana Tech students, faculty and alumni the chance to work together and develop innovative ideas into new ventures, Inman said. The event hosted by the Louisiana Tech student entrepreneurship organization, Bulldog Entrepreneurs, was held Tuesday from 10 a.m.2:30 p.m., followed by the award ceremony. As coordinator of Entrepreneurial Studies, Inman said the event is a way for students to pitch their ideas and learn if they can come to fruition. The preliminary event, TOP DAWG Idea Pitch, is where students pitch their ideas, and are then given the go-ahead to create an investment deck for the TOP DAWG New Venture Championship, she said. Inman also said there is no limit to the number of teams allowed to enter the competition, however there are requirements. The requirements are students must pitch their idea in the fall during the Idea Pitch, form teams, then attend training sessions and write their new venture investment deck, she said. An investment deck is an executive summary with a PowerPoint slide presentation, written explanations and an oral presentation. Inman said the competition requires teams to create a plan; several took the initiative and four won. The team Vaso-Occlusion Detection (V.O.D), won first place taking home $3,000, plus the Innovation Enterprise Fundsponsored $1,000. This team of senior biomedical engineering students Francais Decuin, Uttam Dhodary, Madison McLeod and Matthew Plaisance created an investment deck for a device that would detect sickle cell. The device is a pulse oximeter that measures oxygen saturation or perfusion levels in tissue for sickle cell, McLeod said. Though McLeods team received the grand prize, there were other wins. With KHBS receiving the second-place prize of $1,500 and Graphene Image Recognition receiving third place for $500. Connect One, a team consisting of Kaitlyn Gallegos, a marketing major, and Evan Puckett, a management and entrepreneurship major, won the Jones Walker Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, while V.O.D. added to their awards with the RustonLincoln Business Breakfast Best Presentation Award. McLeod said receiving the awards showed validation of the extensive work her team did. It just feels good to be recognized for your work, McLeod said. Especially when it brings your field of study together with business.

close calls, Essex said she feels like her referees are usually treated well by the athletes. The harassment of referIt always depends on the ees has been around since the intensity of the game, but for dawn of sports and this is no the most part I feel like playexception for the Tech intra- ers respect the referees, Esmural referees. sex said. Almost all of our Each new quarter brings referees have been associated a new set of sports for intra- with intramurals so they are murals. On weekday nights, familiar faces to a lot of the teams battle it out for the right players. to be named intramural chamSears said he also felt the pions. players remained respectful Emily Essex, coordina- toward him when arguing a tor of intramurals and sports close call during a game. clubs, is in charge of planning The players are pretty reout intramurals and training spectful, Sears said. Every referees. now and then a player doesnt Essex said each referee un- agree and loses their temper, dergoes a one-week training but overall theyre an easycourse involving going group of field training and players. classroom trainEssex said ing. At the end of while many playthe week there is ers remain rea test that all refspectful, there are erees must pass. always situations Depending where things can on the quarter, get out of hand. we will train each Our supervireferee specificalsors have been ly for one sport, working for at rather than have least two years, SEARS each one trained Essex said. They for all sports, are trained to Essex said. This handle most situgives them the ability to focus ations to prevent anything on just one and get better at from getting out of hand. that one, rather than have to Sears said while some try and learn four separate situations got heated, most sports. players had enough common After the end of the train- sense not to get out of line. ing period, referees are preI personally never had a pared to start the season, Es- situation that got out of hand, sex said. The job can become Sears said. Our supervisors difficult in close games where did a great job of never letting one call can affect the out- a situation get to that point; come of a game. Having a good supervisor Drew Sears, a junior ac- there will always make the job counting major, said he was a a little bit easier. umpire last spring during softSears said the experience ball. Sears said he felt no mat- of being a referee was enjoyter what happened in a game, able, and the management there were always going to be played a big part in making it a few controversial calls. a great job. Calls get argued pretty Refereeing was great, often in a game, Sears said. Sears said. Emily helped me There is always a different out by working around my perspective to each play, and school schedule and it was sometimes thats a different great way to meet new peoone from yours. Even profes- ple. The staff is fun to work sional athletes dont always with and Emily does a great agree with a call, but you just job organizing everything. have to keep your cool and call your game. Email comments to While every game has btb017@latech.edu.

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Insight

4 The T ech T alk May 2, 2013

IN OUR OPINION

FROM THE EDITOR

Dear deer, just stop
AUSTIN VINING Editor-in-Chief While driving down Chautauqua Road in Ruston last week, like I do almost every week from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., I was once again slowed to a near halt as a herd of bright-eyed deer awkwardly trampled across the road. This is an issue. I mean really, this cannot continue to happen. For one, I am a college student, and I obviously have a busy schedule. I do not need to have to take the time out of my schedule to stop for deer every week when I am on my way home; its just ridiculous. I vividly remember a time, circa 2010, when I drove a much small er vehicle and a deer ran into the side of my car. The deer then proceeded to fall on the ground and wail for a moment before jumping up and running off. State Farm insurance reported an estimated 1.5 million vehicles collide with deer every year in the United States alone. Furthermore, CNN Money reported deer cause $1.1 billion in property damage each year. There are further statistics showing the rise in deer-related accidents through the years. Now, obviously, since I am from Minden, I know there is a simple solution to this problem: shoot em. I also understand the trophybuck killing mentality of the south issue. Through my experience growing up around horses and ill-mannered men. I understand males can have babies with more than one females. So logically the male deer remaining would procreate with more female deer causing the population to not drop at all. Still these deer are a problem. I honestly cant go on wasting my time and worrying about my life every time I drive home. I am thinking that from this point we have two really clear-cut plans of attack. The first, which is probably also more logical, would be to impliment more strategic hunting to decrease the number of female deer in the population. Fewer female deer will cause a direct correlation in the number of babies born each year. Fewer babies born each year means a smaller chance that I will get stuck wasting my time waiting for deer to cross the road or waiting for my insurance company to pick up the phone. Another, more humane option would be to trap and transport the deer. I know this is not quite as reasonable, but I do think the deer would fare much better in some third-world country like Wyoming. Either way, something has to be done before these menacing mammals cause further harm to our society.

Waiting for E.T. to phone home

Austin Vining is a junior psychology and journalism major from Minden who serves as editorin-chief for The Tech Talk. Email comments to acv001@latech.edu.

A NEWS PAINTING
My throwback rant
REBECCA ALVAREZ Associate Managing Editor
miss being little. No, I miss the pop culture that made growing up in the 90s so special. Our generation hits this topic all the time. We reminisce so much we sound like we are 20 years older than we really are, rambling on and on about our childhoods and how things were back in the gap. We talk about the music we grew up listening to and how much better it was in sound and content; about the candy we used to eat until we felt sick; but most importantly we talk about the cartoons we religiously watched. There are an overwhelming number of memes on Facebook that remind us of the shows we watched when we were growing up. Like if you grew up watching Hey, Arnold, Rugrats, Rocket Power or Angry Beavers. The list of great shows goes on and on. I cannot think of a single show that was not worth watching, and it kind of makes me wonder why it all had to go. Sadly, my 10-year-old niece will never be able to say the same. Watching shows with her, I noticed cartoons have gone to two different extremes since most of the shows we grew up with stopped airing. On one extreme, there are the shows that are so worthless that more entertainment and value can be found in Beavis and Butthead. On the other extreme, there are the educational cartoons that seem to be borderline brainwashing. You know, the shows that have characters with the high-pitched, yet monotone voices, robotic sentence structure and lack of any kind of action or excitement and I dont mean the pre-school shows. Where did the entertainment in cartoons go? I read an article not too long ago in the local newspaper back home on a study that used Spongebob Squarepants to investigate the effects of television on childrens behavior. The cartoons today illustrate the findings of these brilliant scientists. Apparently, too much action is bad for children. I seriously doubt it was the action in Spongebob that affected the children. If a child is bouncing off the walls and misbehaving, that is a parenting issue dont blame television. Obviously if you let your child watch TV all day they are going to pick up on some undesirable behavior, but that is when parenting skills come into play. Should parents be concerned with and aware of what their children are watching? Absolutely, but the extent to which parents are going these days to regulate cartoons is unnecessary. It all comes down to what parents teach children as they observe the world around them. Well, at least that is how my parents raised my siblings and me. So, Generation Y, if you were wondering where our awesome shows went and why cartoons have flipped a 180, I think this may be our explanation. All I can say is I feel sorry for later generations they will never know a screwdriver is the most handy tool in the world.

Rebecca Alvarez is a junior journalism and political science major from El Paso, Texas who serves as associate managing editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to rha014@latech.edu.

ig black eyes, a flat nose, three fingers and sometimes a green body is the stereotypical image which comes to mind at the sound of the word alien. For years it has been a question as to whether these extraterrestrial creatures exist. Although the aforementioned Martian-like description may not be correct, there could be some form of life not on Earth. According to a ZeeNews update, Ireland is a hotspot for alien activity. Different Irish pilots have claimed to have come in contact with UFOs, even damaging an aircraft. In the same article, a UFO expert said he talked to a detective who had video footage of a triangular-shaped object shooting light beams into the ground. These pilots and that detective are not the only people with such footage or evidence. People from all over the world report finding debris from an unexplained aircraft crash or seeing flying saucers; all of which they are convinced is brought on by alien presence. Then there are extremists who believe governments around the world are collectively working together to not expose to the public the existence of aliens. In an NBCNews article, an expert expresses his disbelief and is unconvinced by this so-called evidence and the theory about the governments. The question still remains, however, are aliens real? According to NBCNews, there is an estimated one trillion planets in the Milky Way; alone that does not include the entire universe. Who is to say other planets have not developed life forms? Experts say it would be a miracle if humans on Earth were the only intelligent beings in the galaxy, much less the universe. There is no direct proof that aliens do exist, but there is nothing to prove they do not. It is a very strong possibility and with the way technology is rapidly growing and producing around the world today, it could be in the near future when such proof is finally solidified. Space science and alien research are popular topics with many unanswered questions and unexplained experiences, but people, adults and kids alike, thrive on the information. Opinions and explanations of why range from extreme to very probable, it really is all up to the individual and his or her personal beliefs. Within the Tech Talk staff alone, there are differentiating beliefs. Some members passionately believe that aliens do not exist. Then there are others who believe they do. One member even said, Aliens are totally real. Earth is a tiny footnote in the universe. What seems to be pretty consistent with beliefs and opinions is the individuals passion. Just with the staff it is obvious. Those who agreed when asked Are aliens real? had responses such as hell to the yeah or variations of the sort, and vice versa for answers in the negative. Some members do not necessarily have an opinion on the existence of aliens but just simply believe in the actuality of parallel universes. Regardless, E.T. could be real, or he could not. We guess the world will never know until he phones home.

T echT alk
The student voice of Louisiana Tech University

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CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Sometimes it hurts to be beautiful
GRACE MOORE Entertainment Editor n the past, beautiful people were revered, idolized even, throughout the world; today, these overly attractive individuals are being removed from the workplace and banished from countries. Two particularly ridiculous examples came to my attention in the last week. The first took place in late December when Melissa Nelson, a dental assistant from Iowa, was fired for being too irresistible and a threat to her employers marriage, according to abcnews.com. The second happened two weeks ago when three men were allegedly deported from Saudi Arabia for being too handsome, according to huffingtonpost.com. Who needs jealousy when it is legal to remove the folks we no longer care to look at? Nelsons case was presented to the Iowa State Supreme Court, comprised entirely of males, and was decided in favor of her employer, James Knight, that he was within his rights. When Nelsons husband tried to reason with Knight, the dentist told him he feared he would have an affair with her down the road if he did not fire her, according to abcnews.com. As a fellow Iowan, I am embarrassed that my state supreme court ruled in favor of the obvious gender bias in this case. Yes, it is inappropriate to have sexual relationships in a work environment, but termination based solely on the possibility is unconstitutional. According to abcnews.com, Nelson said, I think it is sending a message that men can do whatever they want in the work force. She was a dental assistant with the same face and body for 10 years; what happens in his pants when she walks by is under his control and no one elses. This case made big enough waves to earn a featured spot on the popular television show Tosh.0. On the other hand, perverted dentists shrink in comparison to a country, like Saudi Arabia, banishing its constituents who are too handsome. An article on nydailynews. com said, Religious police in the deeply conservative Muslim country reportedly stormed a stand manned by delegates from the United Arab Emirates at the Jenadrivah Heritage & Culture Festival. Apparently, the religious police were afraid the men might be too irresistible, which would in turn cause visiting women to fall victim to their charms. Though their identities have not been verified and this story may only be rumored, Omar Borkan Al Gala recognized himself on Facebook as one of the three men. Evidently, this banishment has proven to be a positive for Al Gala, as opposed to Nelsons case. The fact of the matter remains: outside of physical augmentation, we have no control over our looks, and it is simply barbaric to punish or exploit individuals based on those looks. If it were truly okay to remove people from certain environments based on physical appearance, we would no longer have a need to fight the obesity epidemic in America we could all be deported. We all know what will happen next. Kim Kardashian will probably be the next to go.

MANAGEMENT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR NEWS EDITOR NEWS EDITORS ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER PHOTOGRAPHERS ADVERTISING MANAGER ADVISERS ADVERTISING ADVISER PRODUCTION MANAGER ADVERTISING PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT HEAD Austin Vining Hannah Schilling Chad Merritt Rebecca Alvarez Molly Bowman Kelsy Kershaw Addie Martin Grace Moore Derek J. Amaya Raney Johnson Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay Tyler Brown Derek J. Amaya Elliott Terral Judith Roberts T. Scott Boatright Sallie Rose Hollis Dr. Reginald Owens Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc Dr. Reginald Owens

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Grace Moore is a junior journalism major from Waterloo, Iowa who serves as entertainment editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to gmm008@latech. edu.

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Arts&Entertainment The Terror terrifies its listeners

JOHN SADLER Staff Reporter The Flaming Lips have always been a band that shunned convention, flying off of the rails in different directions with every album. However, with their new album The Terror, they have ripped up the rails, thrown them in the scrap yard and blazed their own trail. And what a strange trail it is. Fans of the more recent fun, pop sound The Lips presented on albums like Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, will find few things to like about The Terror. The album as a whole is dissonant, distorted and allaround scary. It is also really, really good. Now, when I say it is really, really good, I do not mean it is a good album to pop in on the way to the lake. This is not summertime music. This is existential crisis music. Fresh from calling it quits with his girlfriend of 25 years, lead singer Wayne Coyne released a video description of the album, saying the album resembles some cult in the future transmitting distorted hymnal messages back to the present day, and their message around on this record. He sounds weak, like someone who is afraid to sing too hard for fear of drawing the attention of some unseen horror. I cannot imagine how their live show, usually filled with confetti cannons and Coyne stage-diving while encased in a giant plastic bubble, will adapt to fit these songs. The music backing Coynes new vocal style is equal parts drone and driving sonic force. The bookend tracks, Look, The Sun is Rising and Always There in Our Hearts, are a wall of sound sitting on the edge of a record filled with eerie droning keyboards and guitars. In the middle of the album, You Lust, a brooding 13-minute song, gives insight into the emotional state of the band during the recording process. Listening to the lyrics, it is not too much of a stretch to make a connection with Coynes recent breakup. Listeners who choose to spring for the iTunes version of the album will receive two bonus tracks, Sun Blows Up Today, a very upbeat return to their 2002-era pop form, and a cover of All You Need is Love, which is beautifully heartbreaking. The two bonus songs are the best on the album by far, but their stylistic differences make it obvious why they were listed as bonus. Fans of the Lips Yoshimi era should
Warner Bros. and Bella Union

May 2, 2013 The T ech T alk 5

The Terror The Flaming Lips HHHHI

Photo courtesy commons.wikimedia.com

Lead singer Wayne Coyne performs new music from The Terror at the Jodrell Bank Conservatory. is one of defeat and hope. It is an almost perfect description. After Embryonic was released in 2009, the band has gotten more and more experimental, with both their sound and their marketing. The Lips have started to release music in USB thumb drives embedded in anatomically correct chocolate hearts and gummy skulls. They have even released a few actual human skulls with USB drives inside (items that will cost prospective buyers a hefty $5,000). Their sound has been building toward this. It is a complete overhaul that brings the punk-rock sound of their early career and the recent psychedelic pop together as one. Coynes vocal style, normally upbeat, completely turns

MUSIC REVIEW

definitely pick up the digital version, if just for the added tracks. I would recommend that those readers who have not heard anything by The Flaming Lips not start here. It is probably their most unwelcoming album. Coyne has described this as his favorite Flaming Lips record. It is intensely personal, wildly dark and highly experimental. It lives up to its name. The Terror is my favorite album this year, so far. I think it is a remarkable artistic achievement, and you will be hard-pressed to find someone who is a bigger fan of The Flaming Lips than I am. Honestly, though, I might never listen to this album again.

Email comments to

Hollywood stars are helping, hindering green movement

MOLLY BOWMAN Senior News Editor Over the last few years, some celebrities have been on the forefront of making green decisions and advocating awareness for these issues. Many celebrities like Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore have contributed to the green movement by creating green communities and making documentaries to keep the public aware of environmental issues. Maroon 5 has even been implementing green practices while on tour since 2008, according to CNBC.com. Some of these practices include using biodiesel-powered tour buses, promoting recycling at their performance locations and donating portions of their ticket sales to environmental charities. Some students, like Chase Browning, a senior professional

PITT aviation major, think it is a good thing that celebrities are supporting the green wave. They are just one more person to add to the movement to help the cause, Browning said. With the influx of celebrities contributing to the green movement, the Huffington Post recently published an article about how some celebrities could be potentially hindering the green movement.

DICAPRIO Donald Trump has expressed many doubts about the existence of global warming via social media, according to the article. One of Trumps tweets regarding global warming read, Global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing noncompetitive. Browning said he doesnt listen to celebrities and he likes to do the research for

GORE himself but he said it might alter a lot of peoples opinions on the issue. I think Donald Trump has a lot of influence on people because he has a high authority, he said. People recognize him and they follow him. The article also mentioned other celebrities, like Madonna, who have a high carbon footprint and who have been known to invest millions of dollars into

TRUMP some of the largest corporate polluters like British Petroleum. Flying a lot while on tour and for business is just part of Madonnas job, Browning said. But, Browning also mentioned there are developments being made in the aviation industry to try to be more green. They are trying to help with carbon emissions so it wont be as big of a cost to the environment, he said.

MADONNA Zachary Rogers, a freshman electrical engineering major, said he thinks that regardless of whether celebrities are being seen as helping or hindering the movement they will still be heard. In this society, people definitely look to celebrities and copy their actions, Rogers said. Its a trend.

Email comments to mmb041@latech.edu.

Celebrities come out to support GLAAD Awards

CODY SEXTON Staff Reporter The 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards played host to several Hollywood A-Listers who showed up in support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual community April 20 in Los Angeles. The GLAAD Media Awards are an annual event hosted by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The event was hosted by actress Drew Barrymore, who presented an honorary Advocate for Change award to former President Bill Clinton, and said it is time for equal rights for everyone. At the end of the day, there is never too much love, Barrymore said before the award ceremony began. Many see support from influential figures, like notable actors and politicians, as a step toward a more equal future. Taylor Michiels, a junior finance major, said he is happy to see these figures supporting gay rights. Its nice to see celebrities with influence supporting marriage equality, Michiels said. They can potentially change the views of others who look up to them. Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Betty White and Leonardo DiCaprio attended to show support for the LGBT community and present awards for films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which won Outstanding FilmWide Release, and television shows like The New Normal, which won Outstanding Comedy Series. Michiels, who is also the newly elected president of Techs gay-straight alliance organization, Prism, also said he is happy to see how gay people are being represented on television. New shows like The New Normal show gay people as normal people, he said. Unlike other shows like Will & Grace or Queer as Folk, where Jack was overly flamboyant or all they talked about was sex. Others believe people with influence should use it to focus on issues other than marriage equality. Shawn Trivette, an openly gay assistant professor of sociology at Tech, said though he is pleased to see influential figures come out in support of gay marriage, there is more to be done for gay rights than marriage. Marriage is just a single issue of a bigger picture, Trivette said. I would like to see them address bullying, suicide and HIV. Trivette said he does not watch many of the new television shows featuring gay couples, but said The New Normal is his guilty pleasure. It gives the opportunity to explore queer life not seen in the media, he said. Trivette said it is great that the younger generation has these role models like Lady Gaga, a prominent supporter of the LGBT community, to look up to and they need more. Not only are gay people excited about the growing popularity of equality, but many straight people are happy at the thought of seeing their gay friends treated equally. Mary Frances Quinn, a senior psychology student, said, as a straight woman, she is glad to see her gay friends treated equally. Its great to see those who have power, like the president, influence others to support marriage equality, Quinn said. Its hard to see my friends who want to get married or have a family one day be told by the government it is illegal. While the younger generation is more easily swayed, Michiels said the older generation is too set in their ways. Even if its just the younger generation who supports us, it means a lot to the community, Michiels said.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

Madonna speaks on equality in Boy Scouts at the GLAAD awards.

Photo courtesy madonnarama.com

Distractions
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 April 19 If youve had a longstanding interest in film or photography, today is a good day to explore that interest further, Aries. You will likely receive an opportunity to learn some of the intricacies of the craft. Who knows? Maybe you will decide to go into the business professionally. If this is your true love, you should find a way to incorporate it into your life in whatever way possible. Taurus Apr 20 . May 20 You may need to take the day off to replenish your soul, Taurus. Youve been working exceptionally hard lately. While your output is impressive, its coming at a high personal cost. Take some time today to let your mind and body rest and relax. Cuddle up in your favorite chair with a book, some tea, and a quilt. Let your mind wander. You may be surprised where it lands. Gemini May 21 . Jun 20 Pay attention to your dreams today, Gemini. Theyre likely to be interesting! If possible, write down your impressions the moment you wake up. They may not mean much at first, but after a few days you can review your notes and you may be surprised by what they reveal. Youre in the mood for a major change in your life, and your dreams may point you in the right direction. Cancer Jun 21 . Jul 22 You may feel great about yourself, Cancer. Its no mystery why. Youre looking better than you have in months. People are responding to you very favorably. You will get some admiring glances as you walk down the street. You cant help but draw attention to yourself. Your good feeling applies not only to you but also to those around you. Your loved ones are especially dear to your heart right now. Leo Jul 23 . Aug 22 This may not be the most energetic day, Leo. Youve been working hard lately and your body needs time to refuel. Spend some quiet time at home. Curl up with some tea and a good book and let your mind travel where it may. Even though your body slows, your mind is more active than ever. This would be a fruitful time to strategize creative changes youd like to make at home or work. Virgo Aug 23 . Sep 22 Take care that you dont spend beyond your means, Virgo. Theres no doubt about it - you like to shop! Today youre at risk of buying too much on impulse, leaving you with a closet full of clothes that may not suit you. Instead, fulfill your shopping tendencies in other ways. Browse a library or museum where you can enjoy all the artistic riches without having to spend any money. Libra Sep 23 . Oct 22 Today is a good day to join a group that shares your interests, Libra. You will find comfort in numbers, as well as some real intellectual stimulation that comes from discovering new things with like-minded people. You may have an interest in family history. If you join a genealogy group, you could learn how to trace your roots and make friends at the same time. Scorpio Oct 23 . Nov 21 You have a sharp, inquisitive mind, Scorpio. Today youre likely to put it to good use exploring some arcane fields. Its likely your chief area of interest is scientific. You will find that if you get online, your research will be particularly fruitful. See if you can link to university sites for some real high-level information. Sagittarius Nov 22 . Dec 21 The astral configuration indicates that you can expect a financial windfall of some sort, Sagittarius! This is great, but dont celebrate just yet. While it seems likely that your income is going to increase through a raise or bonus, there are signs that the money isnt immediately forthcoming. Continue to live as usual, though with the satisfaction of knowing that things are going to improve soon. Capricorn Dec 22 . Jan 19 Love and romance are in the air, Capricorn. The flame is going to be turned up a bit in an existing relationship. Perhaps you and your partner have been in a rut lately. Today you may see your friend in a new light. Your sweetie may do something unexpected like send you flowers or romantic email messages that open your eyes to who this person really is. You remember again why you fell in love. Aquarius Jan 20 . Feb 18 You have a creative soul, Aquarius, and today its working overtime. You cant stop all sorts of imaginative ideas. Even if youve never written fiction, today you will have many clever ideas for stories and screenplays. Jot them down because they arent likely to stay in your head for long. Refer to them later when you have some time to capture their essence more fully. Pisces Feb 19 . Mar 20 If youve been feeling like you want to do more to help the world, Pisces, today is the day to put those thoughts into action. There is a lot you can do locally. Sign up to help out one morning per week at a soup kitchen, or volunteer to help a child learn to read. By touching the life of just one person you have an impact on many. Dont discount the power of a single act of generosity.

6 The T ech T alk May 2, 2013

CROSSWORDPUZZLE
Across 1. Medicinal amount 5. Former French currency 10. Throw 14. Thames town 15. Artists support 16. Buck follower 17. ___ extra cost 18. Minneapolis suburb 19. Places to sleep 20. Containing fossils 23. The fifth sign of the zodiac 24. Sick 25. Comprehensible 33. Hair net 34. Hard ___! (sailors yell) 35. ___ Lobos 36. Structure for storing grain 37. Ready to hit 39. Civil disturbance 40. RR stop 41. Currency unit of France and Germany, among others 42. 1980 Dom DeLuise film 43. Make lurid 47. Barcelona bear 48. Vane dir. 49. Treat by psychoanalysis 56. centavos 58. ___-car 59. Bring forth young 60. Canadian gas brand 61. Staggering 62. Tirade 63. Env. notation 64. Eye drops 65. Son of Zeus in Greek mythology

Go back | Print | Help

www.bestcrosswords.com
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BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #1 for August 6, 2012 Across 1. Unhearing 1amount; 5- Former 2. Medicinal Director Preminger French currency; 10- Throw; 143. Juniors, perhaps Thames town; 15- Artist's 4. Slaughter of baseball support; 16- Buck follower; 175. Tentacle ___ extra cost; 18- Minneapolis 6. Wirelesses suburb; 19- Places to sleep; 207. Clueless catchphrase Containing fossils; 23- The fifth sign of the zodiac; 8. Hawaiian goose24- Sick; 25Comprehensible; 33- Hair net; 9. Woodwind instrument 34___!" (sailor's yell); 3510. "Hard ___ rasa ___ Lobos; 36- Structure for 11. Mine finds storing grain; 37- Ready to hit; 12. Civil Lay down the lawn 39disturbance; 40- RR 13. Distress call unit of France stop; 41- Currency 21. ___ Three Lives and Germany, among others; 4222. Shoppe sign word 1980 Dom DeLuise film; 43Make lurid; 47- Barcelona bear; 25. Join forces 48dir.; 49- Bushnell Treat by 26. Vane Atari founder psychoanalysis; 27. Scoob-___ 56- 100 centavos; 58- ___-car; 59- Bring 28. Off-limits forth young; 60- Canadian gas 29. ___ carte brand; 61Staggering; 6230. Vigorous attack Tirade; 63- Env. notation; 6431. Unfettered Eye drops; 65- Son of Zeus in 32. This, in Tijuana Greek mythology;

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33. Flat sound Down 37. Absolute ruler 1Unhearing; 2- Director Preminger; 3- Juniors, perhaps; 4- Slaughter of baseball; 5- Tentacle; 638. Part of TNT 54. Writer Grey goose; 9- Woodwind LASTWEEKSSOLUTION Wirelesses; 7- "Clueless" 8- Hawaiian instrument; 10- ___ BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #1 for August 5, 2012 39. Thor Heyerdahl craft catchphrase; 55. Tolkien tree creatures rasa; 11Mine finds; 12Lay down the lawn; 13Distress call; 21___ Three Lives; Shoppe S I F T I L E 22D E R A S Across 41. New Orleans is The Big 1- Separate a sieve; 5- ___ Seed Bushnell; of a legume sign word; 25- Join forces; 26- Atari56. founder 27-byScooby-___; ___ O D 28I E Off-limits; N I S E 29I A A R E Three Lives; 9- Periods; 13___ Comics canine; 14- Japanese57. Cornerstone abbr. Y A sound; R D S 37A T Absolute E S R Iruler; T E carte; 30- Vigorous attack; 31- Unfettered; 32- This, American; in Tijuana; 3316- Bern's river; 17- Flat American football measure; 1842. Part Bloodsucking insect I 42N A Bloodsucking N E R O L L E R 38of TNT; 39Thor Heyerdahl craft; 41- New Orleans is The Big ___; Fills to the gills; 19Religious practice; 20- Silly; 22- Wheel; 24- O N G O I N G F A R O 44. Already? insect; 44- Already?; 45- Less cluttered; 46- Historical records; 49Continuing; 27- Gambling game;Hey, you!; 50- Roll call call; Separable component; 29M O D U L E R E E D B U C K 45. Draft Less cluttered 51classification; 52- Vega's constellation; 53-28365 days; 54African antelope; 33- Clear the Writer Grey; 55- Tolkien tree boards; 34- Female child; 35E R A S E G I R L E N O L Hydroxyl compound; 36- LBJ's creatures; 56- records Seed of a legume; 57- Cornerstone abbr.; 46. Historical N A O M I T R A successor; 37- A Judd; 38- Song R M N syllable; 39- Assignment; 4149. Hey, you! T A S K A U D I A D I E U Quattro maker; 42- Old French expression meaning "goodbye"; A L K A L I Z E O T H E R S 44- Deacidify; 46- Not us; 4750. Roll call call Plunge head-first; 48- Chicken D I V E B L E U cordon ___; 49- Bicycle seat; 5251. Draft classification Night spot; 53- Vex; 57- Et ___; S A D D L E B E D R I L E 58- Synagogue scroll; 6052. Vegas constellation Baseball stats; 61- Fail to hit; 62- A L I I T O R A H R B I S Actress Verdugo; 63- Alpo alternative; 64Apiece; 65M I S S E L E N A I A M S 53. 365 days Bunches; 66- Sea-going eagle;
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www.accuweather.com
WEDNESDAY

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HIGH 65 LOW 44

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HIGH 72 LOW 49

MONDAY HIGH 75 LOW 50

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DAILY U

Email feedback to dwyer@latech.edu

SUDOKUPUZZLE Sudoku-Puzzles
www.

www.sudoku.puzzles.net
.net

Difficulty VERY EASY Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
8 7 5 5 9 9 6 6 8 7 2 4 8 3
www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Sudoku, Kakuro & Futoshiki Puzzles

Sudoku 9x9 - Very easy (133325256)

1 3 1 7 5 9 3 2 5 4 1 4 7 9 2 6 5 8 1 9 7

LASTWEEKSSOLUTION

> COFFEEfrom pg. 1

ence on the Crescent City culture, Sarah Waller said. We have a lot of support from locals, which is crucial to success in any college town, but we cant overstate the impact of Tech students, she said. Mary Kate McFarland, a sophomore business major, and Shawn Turja, a sophomore finance major, said they frequently visit the coffee house to study or when they simply want to spend time with friends. You can come here and hang out, study or just relax, McFarland said. They dont care if you are here for hours at a time. Turja said he prefers to study at the coffee shop be-

cause the environment provides a balance for socializing and studying. Its got a fresh college environment, he said. You dont have to stay confined in the library or your room. Crescent City is wellknown on campus for its 24hour operation during finals week, and because the hours have seen such success in the past, the business has made the 24-hour schedule permanent. We wanted to go the extra mile for our customers and build off of the success of our long-standing finals week service, Sarah Waller said. As Ruston natives, we also knew there was a need for safe and friendly late night options for students and young adults. McFarland said the latenight hours and calm environ-

You can come here and hang out, study or just relax. They dont care if you are here for hours at a time.
Mary Kate McFarland
Sophomore Business Major

ment add to what makes the shop so enjoyable. There arent many places you can go and just hang out except for bars, she said. The environment here allows you to interact and just relax.

In addition to its new extended hours of operation and a made-to-order menu, Crescent City has also begun to host art shows for the North Central Louisiana Arts Council and late-night music events for local artists. Waller said they have also begun to work closely with local organizations and businesses for fundraisers and other promotions. Everything we do boils down to making the best customer experience possible, Sarah Waller said. I cant say that other shops didnt do the same, and I support any locally owned business, even if its competition to Crescent City, but we believe in our product and are passionate about the community.

Solution: > POOLfrom pg. 1

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Email comments to rha014@latech.edu.

Right now, students have a place to relax, have fun and not worry about having to deal with alcohol, Haynie said. While you would have more people coming to the pool because alcohol is allowed, you would potentially lose a large chunk of students who do not want to deal with alcohol. Terral said he understands why some students are against alcohol being allowed, but feels like the administration should take more feedback from students. I know there are people who disagree with alcohol being allowed, but there are just as many students who would support alcohol being allowed, Terral said. I feel like the university should at least take a poll of student opinion and then make a deci-

sion from that point. Davenport said she agrees that there are obviously differing opinions in regard to alcohol, and is understanding of that. I feel like everyone is entitled to their own opinion, Davenport said. If the majority of Techs campus wanted to allow alcohol at the pool, I would accept that. I just feel like that is not the majority opinion on campus. Haynie said she feels the rule was put in place for a reason and will remain in effect for at least the next few years. I think that the rule is in place to keep a family atmosphere, Haynie said. Not allowing alcohol will continue to encourage the Ruston community to come out and enjoy the facilities that the Lambright center has to offer.

Send comments to btb017@latech.edu.

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More Talk

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Donkeys serve as watchdogs for predators on South Campus.

South Campus
breeds education
HANNAH SCHILLING Associate Editor LaTech students have a farm, ee-i-ee-i-oh. But most students have not set foot on it. South Campus is a section of campus located further down California Avenue where students majoring in science or education focused around animals take classes to learn in a more hands-on way. Hannah Vincent, a sophomore agriculture education major, stood proudly beside her sheep, Millie, and told me about her major. The best thing about my major is getting to work with animals, being outside and learning about agriculture more and more every day, Vincent said. For Vincent, her major was an easy choice because she excelled at showing animals in high school I raised and showed sheep and pigs, she said. Raising animals is interesting and joyful because it is you being responsible for another being. Tanner Roberts, a sophomore animal science major, said she gets to work on South Campus with many classes involved with his major. I get to spend the majority of time here, Roberts said. South Campus is often overlooked, but there is not a more welcoming place. Vincent Bahm, a junior agriculture education major, said he feels the same welcoming sentiment when working on South Campus. I have learned that no matter where you go in life, you can always depend on someone raised in the country, less Rodeo, Lil International Bahm said. On South Cam- Student Livestock Show and pus, we are all family. Dog Dips. Bahm said that throughout I think that because South his life he has raised different Campus is separate from main poultry species such as chick- campus, many people dont ens, ducks, quail, turkeys, pi- know that we exist, Robgeons, geese and peacocks. erts said. Thats why we love Every bird has a different events like the Horseless Ropersonality, he said. Instead deo. It gives people a chance of the normal pets like dogs to come join in the fun and see and cats, I had poultry as my what we are all about. pets. Vincent said students who Vincent said she learns do not have majors involving things like woodworking, small animals should always feel engines and welcome. welding along South with a variety Campus is full of informaof knowledge tion about that isnt just South Campus is animals. animals and I learn often overlooked, but the farm, she something said. We all cool and new there is not a more arent from every day, the farm, eishe said. Like welcoming place. ther. We are now, I am takfrom all difing a poultry Vincent Bahm ferent kinds class and we junior agriculture education major of backare learning Louisiana Tech Meats Lab worker grounds. We all kinds of have tons of things about events going chickens, on here. which may seem boring to The Tech Farm Sales Room some but it is interesting and is also another aspect of South fun. Campus that brings the comRoberts said she learns the munity in. most from the animals. Bahm, who also leads worI have learned and done a ship music for the South Camlot of interesting things with pus Bible Study and works in the animals on the farm, she the Meats Lab, said people said. I know all of this knowl- wait in line for greenhouse edge and hands-on experience vegetables. will be extremely valuable to The salesroom works as bring with me to vet school. an extension of the Louisiana Animals on South Campus Tech Meats Lab and greeninclude pigs, sheep, goats, cat- houses, he said. The Meats tle, horses and donkeys. Lab processes everything from Besides being valuable to whole chicken to ground chuck students with majors involving to be sold, while the greenanimals, South Campus is also houses grow poinsettias, bedhome to events like the Horse- ding plants and vegetables.

Submitted Photo

Hannah Vincent poses with her sheep, Millie, that she is raising for one of her classes on South Campus.

Bahm said the Meats Lab is where they slaughter commercial swine, beef cattle, goats and sheep and process the carcasses into retail cuts for sale in the Tech Salesroom. They also make pan sausage, link sausage, smoke cured bacon and smoke cured hams. We sometimes have second thoughts about being open about the Meats Lab because some people might get offended or not understand what happens there, Vincent said. But it is a great place to learn and experience the anatomy of animals and about the cuts and preparation of meat. Bahm has a passion for agriculture and said he cannot wait to get into his career field to show others why it is so important. I believe that I will take to teaching agriculture as a duck takes to water, he said. Agriculture has always been a part of my family and even more importantly, it keeps me close to God. If I can instill the importance of agriculture in the students I teach, I believe we shall never be hungry, without clothes or homeless. From the Meats Lab to the Salesroom to the fields of goats and pens of pigs, all three of these South Campus students vocalized the same message: Anyone and everyone is welcome at this special spot on Techs campus. If you want to experience an event or anything, come over to Reese Hall, and anyone would be happy to show you around or tell you what all is going on, Vincent said.

Email comments to hms017@latech.edu.

Photos by Tyler Brown

Above: A hog on South Campus smiles for the camera. Right: Flowers grown in the Lomax Hall greenhouse are sold in the Tech Farm Salesroom.

Social sites swing sports

DEVIN KING Sports Reporter Its a trend changing the world of journalism as we know it. Traditional media such as newspapers and television have taken a backseat to social media in sports, said Louisiana Tech head golf coach Jeff Parks. You do not have to a read a newspaper to find about student athletics, Parks said. You can just get on the Internet and find different information about an athlete (or sport). In todays sports world, fans, recruits and scouts can find several things about a program or student athlete through social media. Social media has not only changed sports, but it has revolutionized the usage of different social media sites by student athletes and their fans. It starts as soon as a student athlete signs their national letter of intent to an university, said Patrick Walsh, associate media relations director at Louisiana Tech University. You see fans out there following them on Twitter and they are still in high school. Once a student signs to a university he no longer just represents himself, he represents the school as well said Malcolm Butler, media relations director at Tech. A lot of student athletes think they can do what they want on social media sites, Butler said. You do not only represent yourself but also Louisiana Tech University, so you cannot just post anything you want. At the beginning of the school year, the schools media relations sits down with all major student athletes in the major sports to explain the impact social media has. All you have to do is Google about different players who have gotten suspended, lost their scholarship or gotten in trouble because things they have posted on Facebook or Twitter, But- ler said. We try and educate our student athletes about being smart on things to post on a social media website. In 2012, senior high school football player Yuri Wright from Ramsey, N.J., lost his scholarship to his dream school, the University of Michigan ,because of tweets he sent out on Twitter. He was sought after by all major college football conferences. Wright got expelled from high school and lost his scholarship over sexually explicit and racially-charged tweets, according to espn.com. Wright was ranked 40th in the ESPNU Top 150 high school players in the country. Even though social media can have a negative impact on a student athlete, it allows fans to interact with the athletes on a daily basis. Social media have allowed your average fan to feel a sense of bond with the student athletes, Walsh said. They are able to follow the kids after wins, after losses, af-

Sports Talk

8 The T ech T alk May 2, 2013

Online media find new influence in athletics

ter practices and their days off. It gives them different ways to interact with the athletes. Even though the average fan can form a bond with an athlete, it is important fans do not break National Collegiate Athletic Association rules with the use of social media sites, Walsh said. If you are a fan contacting a potential athlete, it could be considered an NCAA violation, Walsh said. It is important to step back and be a spectator and do not reach out and talk to the students until they are on campus. Also, make sure you respect the wish of the coaches and the university. Despite the controversy surrounding the use of social media by a student athlete, not all of them are negative, said Butler. He said there are positive ways a student athletes can use social media sites. We encourage our student athletes to use it to promote games, Butler said. It is another way to communicate with the rest of the student body. The Lady Techsters softball team uses Twitter to update the schedule of their games and the scores of each game throughout the season. Dont ever use social media when you are emotional: like after a loss or a bad practice, Butler said. When you are emotional you tend say things that you dont mean. Readers can also find The Tech Talk Sports Desks Twitter page at twitter. com/techtalksports.

FROMTHESPORTSDESK
with DEREK J. AMAYA

One step closer to equality in sports

Illustration by Harold Foster Jr.

Email comments to dki008@latech.edu.

Throwing the fastest fastball

KALEB CAUSEY Sports Reporter This is the third entry of a four-part series about the science behind sports. One of the most heated debates among pitching coaches is regarding ways to increase velocity for pitchers. One side argues strictly pitching from the mound is the best way to increase speed. The other side argues throwing the ball at maximum effort at longer distances than the sixtyand-a-half feet lying between the pitchers mound and home plate. Kineseology professor Dr. David Szymanski said this is one of the greatest debates hes seen between pitching coaches. [Coaches favoring mound only] want their pitchers to work on their pitching mechanics, not throwing mechanics, Szymanski said, who is an expert in sports science. On the other hand, there are pitching coaches who believe that long toss will strengthen the pitchers arm since they are throwing at maximal effort. Brian Rountree, assistant coach for the Louisiana Tech University baseball team, said he prefers to use a combination of the two. Pitchers are explosive like sprinters, Rountree said. They explode when they throw the ball and then they rest. Rountree said the long toss is a beneficial way to help train pitchers to use their full bodies in those explosions. If Im making a throw thats 250 feet, Ive got to be able to coordinate all of the muscles in my legs, arms and the rest of my body, he said. If Im making a throw from the mound, I dont need all those muscles most of the time. He said training your body to use all those muscles by long tossing transfers well to the mound and allows for an increase in velocity over time. Szymanski said some pitching coaches worry about long tossing changing the pitchers mechanics when he pitches. In order to throw for maximal distance, an individual changes how they throw the ball, he said. For example, they will probably drop their back shoulder to throw to create leverage and throw the ball on an arch to travel farther. This is completely different than throwing downhill from a pitching mound. However, he said if pitchers use the same mechanics in both long toss and pitching, there should be a carry-over effect, which would cause an increase in velocity. Szymanski and Rountree agreed that long tossing from a maximal distance does not work as well as long tossing for sub-maximal distances. I recommend throwing from the pitching mound at maximal efforts, he said. As well as throwing for sub-maximal distances relative to the players age. Rountree recommends the same type of workout for pitchers. I wont necessarily put an exact number on distance for a pitcher to throw, Rountree said. I want them to do what feels comfortable to them and listen to their arm.

Science
The Of

Sports

File photo

Sophomore pitcher Tucker Ward warms up for the game against Grambling State while assistant coach Brian Rountree looks on.

Email comments to ktc013@latech.edu.

Lady Techsters softball hosts 2013 WAC tourney

DEVIN KING Sports Reporter The Louisiana Tech softball team hits the home stretch of its season this weekend against Seattle University. This is not an ordinary series as the Lady Techsters are in control of their own destiny to play in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. The Lady Techsters play Seattle twice on Friday and once on Saturday before the WAC Tournament starts. Before the Lady Techsters can prepare for the WAC Tournament, they must win one out of three games on the road against Seattle or risk losing the opportunity of playing in the WAC Tournament. We (Tech softball team) have two ways to get into the WAC Tournament, head coach Mark Montgomery said. We have to win one game this weekend or the University of Texas Arlington has to lose a game this weekend. The UTA Mavericks are on the road and play against the University of Texas at San Antonio. The Mavericks are 1-11 on the road while UTSA is 11-7 at home. Even knowing those facts, Montgomery said the Lady Techsters softball team still needs to go out there and handle business this weekend. We feel confident that we will play in the WAC Tournament. He said. We want to take care of business ourselves without anybody doing it for us, and if we do so we should have no worries. Even with the different scenarios the Bulldogs have to reach the WAC Tournament, Montgomery said he is not changing his approach to this weekend game. We are going to out there and play every series the same, Montgomery said. Which is to be competitive, do everything we can do to win a game and just be us. Lets prepare for this weekend just like any other weekend. Be the best Louisiana Tech softball team we can and everything else should play out. Senior infielder Meghan Knowles said she knows the importance of this weekends series. This weekend is intense, Knowles said. It is do or die, either win or do not get the opportunity to play on your home field. We are going to try and not think about the pressure of this weekend. Despite the urgency this weekend has for the Lady Techsters softball team, Knowles said the team is ready for the challenge. The Lady Techsters stand at 2324 overall and hold a conference record of 8-10. With the opportunity this weekend brings, Montgomery and Knowles have high expectations once Tech makes it into the WAC Tournament. I believe we are going win it, said Montgomery. Our goal is to win it and get a berth to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament, Knowles said. The 2013 WAC Softball Tournament well be held May 8-11 at the Louisiana Tech Softball Complex. For more information on softball and other Tech athletics, follow The Tech Talk Sports Desks Twitter page at twitter.com/techtalksports.

am a 20-year-old, straight Catholic sports editor and I support Jason Collins coming out about his sexuality. I almost did not write this column because it has become a story heard way too many times. However, I started to read what people were posting on their social sites, and could not believe the reaction from some people. Well start with my religious circle. Many were questioning why the media was making a big deal of Collins story and not how openly Christian Tim Tebows release was not as important. The majority of them believe marriage is meant for man and woman, not man and man or woman and woman. My opinion on the matter: I believe a majority of the players in the four major sports are openly Christian. What makes Tim Tebow so special? Besides, stats prove he is not at all the best quarterback in the league. Peyton Manning, statistically one of the best quarterbacks of all time, is a Christian, but nobody brought it up when he signed with the Broncos. To the point of whether gay marriage is right or wrong, I believe marriage is more about love than the genders of who is getting married. I respect the opinions of the ultra religious, its just not mine. At the end of my life, God will be the judge if I was right or wrong. My second group of friends would be the non-religous, possibly atheist clique. Some, not all, seemed to be posting statuses preaching hate on Collins just because he is homosexual. What I say to those individuals is, How can you be so ignorant? I was raised to love everyone. Whether they are of a different race, religion or sexual orientation, we are all Gods children and we should all love one another Granted, I am not the most religious person, and I sometimes get flak for it, but I do believe we were brought to this planet to love one another, not hate. My final group of friends are the ones who supported, but did not claim Collins as a hero. I feel like I fall under this category. I 100 percent back what Collins did because I know how it feels to be judged because of what I believe in and because Im a multiracial human being. But I do not view Collins as a hero. I view him as an individual who wanted to finally be free of being judged and show the world there can be homosexuals in sports. He was a voice of the many sports players of the gay community and thats about it. It was a very historical day for the gay community, but I think Collins does not even view himself as a hero. In his own words, he says why he came out. He said about how the NBA lockout gave him time to think and find his own identity because he was not worrying about training for the upcoming season. In that time, he realized he wanted to be free and truly be himself to the rest of his friends and family. I am proud of Collins and what he accomplished. In a world where many feel unequal, he gave people a reason to feel free again. I applaud his actions and hope this starts a new trend for players who want to come out about what they believe is right or wrong. Not what society tells you what to believe in. Derek J. Amaya is a junior journalism and marketing major from Metairie. Email comments to dja014@latech.edu.

Submitted Photo

Email comments to dki008@latech.edu.

Senior Jana Frandrup and the Lady Techster softball team are preparing to host and play in the 2013 WAC tournament.