The WatchDawg

SWOSU@Sayre NewsletterVolume 11 Issue 6May 2, 2016

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Speaker for Graduation to be Jeremy Bussey

Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Sayre will hold the 73rd Annual Spring Convocation on May 6th, at 7:00 p.m., at the Sayre Public Schools auditorium. Jeremy Bussey, Principal of Hydro-Eakly High School, will serve as commencement speaker for the event. Jeremy and his wife, Jessica, live in Hydro and have two daughters: Sarah, a freshman at OU; and Abby, an 8th grader at Hydro-Eakly. Bussey graduated from Erick High School, and started his collegiate career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University – Sayre, earning an Associate in Science in General Studies in 1998. He gained a bachelor’s of science degree in Natural Sciences Education from SWOSU in 2000, and a master’s degree in Education Administration from SWOSU in 2008.

Bussey started his teaching career at Tipton High School, and then began teaching high school science at Hydro-Eakly High School in 2002. He received district teacher of the year honors from each school in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2010, was named a 2005 American Star of Teaching, and was honored with the Presidential Scholars Teacher Award from the U.S. Department of Education in 2005. His goals as an educator are to create doors of opportunity for all students and to guide them in building character.

Jeremy Bussey

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Graduation Practice is May 5

SWOSU-Sayre graduates should swing by the Sayre School auditorium at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday May 5th for graduation practice. The auditorium is straight north of the college campus. It’s the round building on the Sayre Public School Campus.

Reception Follows Ceremony

Following SWOSU-Sayre’s commencement exercises, a Graduation Reception will be held at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on the northeast corner of the Sayre campus. All graduates and their friends and family are welcome to attend. Cake, finger foods, coffee, water and punch will be served, all absolutely free, so come by the reception and introduce your family to some of your instructors and staff members here at SWOSU.

End of the Year Bash: Fun In the Sun

By Daniel Lee Essary

On Friday April 22nd, the students and faculty alike enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs, ice cream, and fun in the sun at this year’s bash, hosted by the Student Government Association, Great Plains National Bank, and Interbank. At this year’s bash, several prizes were awarded. Students ate hot dogs with all the trimmings, listened to music from Code Blue, and played bingo. The weather was truly beautiful! The students were also allowed to win SWOSU t-shirts by participating in bingo. The winners are as follows: laptop winner Marie Elgin, 32" TV winner Chrisann Bandy, Keurig coffee machine winner Lakeisha Jackson, and Yeti Travel Mug winners Erick Garcia, Clint Cook, Natalia Zambrano, Sarah Broadwater, Sydney Street, Michael Robinson, Cassandra Rogers, and Kory Easter.

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The First but Not the Last By Kurtis Clark

On Tuesday, April 26, SWOSU Sayre held its first College Fair. The fair was held in two afternoon sessions, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 5:00 to 7:00. Many visitors came to experience the various booths and enjoy the many SWOSU giveaways, as well as a chance at one of two $500 scholarships. These were won by Randy Hayward and Alyssa Carter. The fair was considered a great success as a multitude of students were registered as Bulldogs for the upcoming semesters. Attendees ranged from as close as our very own Sayre High School to as far as Cheyenne and beyond.

The food was good and the information was plentiful. From the rad tech to the computer science department, the degree programs were represented at stations with pamphlets or displays. Even the local BCM donated their Wacky Armed Inflatable Tube Man. Terry Billey, SWOSU registrar, stated that she was “pleased with the turnout of the first annual college fair and we hope to expand on that.”

Photos: (Top Left: Karia Ramos and Conner Carlucci from Elk City)

(Top Right: Sara and Sam Broadwater with Haley Haven, Molly Malson, and Garyn Batchelor from Cheyenne with Cathy Baker)

(Bottom Left: Miscellaneous giveaways flood the tables)

(Bottom Center: Sara and Sam Broadwater from Cheyenne)

(Bottom Right: Wacky Inflatable Tube Man and Mrs. Ford)

SWOSU Student’s Designs Featured in Dallas Fashion Show

Learning How To Vogue

By Danny Trevino

A SWOSU student will be modeling her own designs in a Fashion Show this summer! This glamourous opportunity is being given to La Keisha Jackson in the Prodigy Student Fashion Walk on June 18! In the photographs shown, she is wearing her own designs. How did this Elk City gal get this exciting honor? Here’s her story.

Born in Clinton, she is the daughter of Richard and Vickey Jackson. She is also the eldest of two younger sisters. Since her childhood, she had aspirations to become a designer. La Keisha didn’t realize her talents early on. Five years after graduating from Elk City High School, she experienced life and growth. She then realized that design was her passion, along with the ambition to create a life of multiple incomes.

Determined to follow through with the plan to starting her career, she began to sketch fashions. After perfecting the art of sewing, she wanted to test her talents by challenging herself to create her first piece of clothing. She set out to make a skirt and surprisingly enough, sewing came natural as the skirt turned out exactly the way she imagined it to be.

A year later La Keisha has made countless pieces, raising the difficulty level with each piece made. She posted her finished work on social media sites, along with self-advertisement by wearing her pieces while traveling. She was presented with the opportunity to showcase her work in a fashion show. La Keisha created her first collection, labeling it LSJ Kollection. Confident, strong willed and determined; she enrolled into college for a Business and B.S. in Fashion Marketing Degree.

Fear and self-doubt came when she made the decision to better her life, as her family was unaware of the vision and plan she had set toward pursuing her career, and she wanted to surprise them. With the initial plan of moving to Edmond to attend UCO, she began the search for apartments and jobs. She received the letter she had been anticipating from UCO, but to her disappointment, she was not accepted. As she began to doubt the strength and ability she had to attend college, she did not give up. La Keisha enrolled at SWOSU. Soon she ran into financial problems, because she has helped maintain her own household since the age of 19 and filed as an adult. However, with the financial aid’s age requirement, she was still considered a dependent of her parents. She had wanted to surprise her family with exciting news, and she wanted them to be proud and boast about how she had decided to attend college without their help or knowledge. In tears, she broke down and told her family she needed their help. Astonishingly, after telling her parents about her aspirations and goals, she found that they were supportive and provided her with the requirements needed for the financial aid.

Her ambition was to achieve her dream and ultimate goal of having a fashion franchise, her own business of architectural floor plans, and a baby gear collection. La Keisha proceeded with the determination to overcome those fears by finishing school with both degrees, making her family proud, and living in her creativity. This is A Designer’s Dream.

The BCM Holds Grand Tournament By Kurtis Clark

The room was tense. The light smell of sweat and fear was wafting in the air. The crashing noise of plastic against wood reverberated. All looked on intensely, waiting for a mistake, waiting for the score. Then it happened, a swing, and a miss. A point scored and a game won. The tournament was over and the competition had a winner. The first BCM Ping Pong Tournament had been won by EJ “The King” Greteman. In second place came Clink Cook, and rounding up third was Erick Garcia.

Sponsored by the BCM and ran by Benny Lockler (pictured above), the tournament was a rousing success. With ten total participants, the competition was intense; and to go with the show, just like every Wednesday, food was given and eaten with relish.

(Left: 1st Place – EJ “The King” Greteman; Center: 2nd Place – Clint Cook; Right: 3rd Place – Erick Garcia)

Where to Now?

By Ron Ham

While the mainstream media is chock-full of stories concerning the current election cycle, most of them feel used and worn out; a topic that has been replayed and rewritten only to discuss the same points continually. The points, that many would agree, have become tired and completely irrelevant to what should be discussed concerning the highest office in the land. Although such tabloid-styled headlines and’ gotcha moments’ drive ratings up, and this leaves little substance to be offered to the public at large, but does the public even care?

We find ourselves in a time where the behind-the-scenes smoke and mirrors game of the establishment is being brought to the light almost daily. It is easy to see that in many places across the country, the ones in power shall determine who you are allowed to vote for. In Colorado, for example, there is not even a primary or caucus held for the Republican nomination process; the delegates chosen by the GOP allocate their vote as they want. This year their votes went to Ted Cruz, who received every single delegate for the state.

While the Democrats have the Super-delegates who can vote for whichever candidate they choose, the Republicans have a similar system in place to ensure that the establishment candidate gets the nomination. First, the rules committee for the convention (where the nominee is announced) meets and decides on the rules that will be used for a candidate to be nominated the week before the convention. This means that the rules to be nominated for the 2016 election will be decided after all the primaries have been completed. Second, during the convention is where the unbound delegates come into play for the republican establishment. These individuals are similar to a super-delegate, but they are used in the convention to vote for whomever they please--the will of the people is quite irrelevant to them. They will tell you who your choice is.

Although no system is perfect and even the best democracy is a work in progress, we as the stewards for future generations need to leave a far better approach to governance than we have been given, or better than the one we allowed those in power to create for us. We watch a government that continually creeps into our personal spaces at will, with no regard for each of our individual liberties. It is the right and obligation of the American citizen to hold those entrusted with the governance of these United States accountable to the oaths taken for each of their elected offices, to govern in a manner that is just and is directed by the people and for the people.

“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Survey Says:

Informal Political Poll Taken

By Danny Trevino

A poll was taken at SWOSU-Sayre campus to see if anyone still cares about the political scene. While most indicated that they would vote, their comments were less than enthusiastic about their options, and 22% were not into voting!

If the election were held today on this college campus, the winner would be Ted Cruz.

The college consensus percentages are as follows:

· Hilary Clinton - 8%

· Bernie Sanders - 6%

· Donald Trump - 22%

· Ted Cruz - 36%

· Undecided – 6%

· Not Interested – 22%

One planning to vote for Trump stated, “If we’re going to hell, we might as well go in a handbasket.” Another said, “I’m voting for whoever is against Hillary. She’s a criminal.” Another said “Cruz’s platform aligns with my morals.”

Want to Stress Less?

By Sydney Street

In college as in life, stressful moments are just a necessary part of dealing with hurdles that come your way. For proper student health, here are some tips for de-stressing and relaxing so you can focus on what needs to be done.

· Do yoga or meditate. Yoga is effective for promoting relaxation, tension relief and restfulness.

· Get plenty of sleep. Sleep replenishes your body with energy and revitalizes the brain. Get 7 to 8 hours a night. Take naps during the day to stay focused.

· Eat a healthful diet. Eating too much junk food weighs down, not only your body, but also your mind. Comfort food is okay in moderation, but when you’re really stressed, you want to give your body healthful fruits and veggies. Foods to improve memory and focus include fish, blueberries, green tea, walnuts and almonds.

· Drink plenty of water. Water flushes toxins out of the body and makes you less sluggish. It also hydrates you so you’re functioning at peak efficiency.

· Exercise or join a sports team. Go to the gym, visit the rec room, go to a park to throw a ball around with a friend, run up and down the stairs, bike around campus. Physical exercise gets the blood pumping, stretches out the muscles, eases tension and sweats out the stress.

· Talk it out. Call your poor mother and talk about life. Or Skype your friend cross-country on a Saturday afternoon. Write a letter to your Nana about college life.

· Keep a diary or journal or blog. Writing your feelings down helps you process what is going right as well as wrong in your life. Stressful times require a bit of reflection.

· Commune with nature. Walk a nature trail, swim in a pond, have a picnic, rake leaves, go bird watching, cuddle with a cat or dog, walk on a beach, climb a tree. Seeing Mother Nature in action is man’s way of realizing that everything is not always about him.

· Buy a friend a cup of coffee. Invite a friend to hang out with you. Talk about school and classes and ways you can work out the stressful parts of college life.

· Indulge your hobbies. College students sometimes get lost in all the work they have to do. Whether it’s painting, photography, or playing an instrument, by taking time to do something you like to do, you will feel less overwhelmed by schoolwork.

· Watch or listen to your favorites. Take some time out to just chill and listen to some of your favorite tunes. Or watch a favorite movie or television episode. Seeing or listening to something you love will bring back happy memories and relax you.

· Go to church. If you’re a religious person, find comfort and relaxation in your house of worship. Talk to a clergyman, pray for guidance, light a candle.

Here are some more quick and easy ways to de-stress:

• Cook a meal or bake some cookies.

• Take a drive; discover a new store or restaurant.

• Clean your room. A decluttered living space equals a decluttered mind.

• Go dancing.

• Soak in a hot bubble bath.

• Give up smoking.

• Take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. Then breathe out slowly.

• Do aromatherapy by sniffing: a cup of coffee, a freshly peeled orange, fresh cut grass, a rose.

• Buy yourself something nice (but not too expensive, or else you’ll have even more stress).

Study Strategies for Finals

Final exams are right around the corner! Here are 5 study tips, according to examtime.com, that will help you achieve the final exam score you desire:

1. Understand your study topics in your own words. Anyone can memorize information for a small amount of time, but if you really want to succeed then you need to be able to explain what you have learned to yourself using your own words.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask study questions. The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to develop your own explanation of what you have learned. Teachers appreciate students who get involved in class discussions so ask away!

1. Quiz yourself. Once you feel that you have a pretty good understanding of the topic you are trying to learn, test yourself. Eliminate distractions such as cell phones, televisions, and chatty people! Producing flashcards with questions on the front and the answers on the back are a good way to quiz yourself and then check your answers.

1. Use online study tools. The internet has much to offer when it comes to studying. You may find online flashcards, mind maps, videos, and mnemonics (example: a pattern of letters that aid in memory).

1. Set your study goals and create a flexible study plan. You need to know what you want to achieve as far as actually studying goes so that you can set goals and work towards them. If you plan to study for 30 minutes each day leading up to the exam then you need to actually set aside 30 minutes of each day to study. Some may prefer to study in the morning while others prefer to study right before bed. Whatever your preference, make sure you take the time to achieve study goals once you have them set!

“Bitter are the roots of study, but how sweet their fruit.” -Cato

Need a Good Laugh?

By Sydney Street

· Q: Why did the student throw his watch out of the school window?

· A: He wanted to see time fly.

· Q: Why do they never serve beer at a math party?

· A: Because you can't drink and derive...

· Q: What do you say when you are comforting a grammar Nazi?

· A: There, Their, They're

· Q: What's another name for Santa's elves?

· A: Subordinate Clauses.

· Q: Why did the student take a ladder to school?

· A: Because he/she was going to high school!

· Q: What three candies can you find in every school?

· A: Nerds, DumDums, and Smarties.

· Q: What's a teacher's favorite nation?

· A: Expla-nation.

· Q: Why didn't the skeleton go to the school dance?

· A: He didn't have any body to take.

· Q: Why didn't the quarter roll down the hill with the nickel?

· A: Because it had more cents.

Kidnapping Becomes a Federal Crime

After Lindbergh Baby

Every parents’ worst nightmare is that a child could be stolen from them. We are all familiar with the AMBER Alert, an acronym for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, named after the kidnaping and brutal murder of Amber Hagerman, a child in Texas in 1996. It changed the way police worked kidnapping cases. But do we know about the other milestone in kidnapping cases?

By Katina Nichols

This crime seized the attention of the whole nation. On March 1st 1934, Charles Lindbergh III, 20 month old son of celebrity Charles Lindbergh, is kidnapped from the family’s mansion in Hopewell, New Jersey. Lindbergh became an international celebrity when he flew the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Lindbergh and his wife Anne came across a ransom note that demanded $50,000, in their son’s room. The kidnapper used a ladder and climbed through a second-floor window leaving muddy foot prints in the room.

The Lindbergh’s were overwhelmed with offers to help and with false clues. Surprisingly, Al Capone offered his help from prison. Investigators found nothing for three days, then a new letter arrived and demanded $70,000.

After some time, the kidnappers gave instructions on where to drop the money, and when it was delivered, the Lindbergh’s were told that their baby was on a boat called Nelly, off the coast of Massachusetts. After a full-scale search there was no sign of the boat or the baby. Soon after, the baby’s body was found near the Lindbergh mansion. He had been killed the night of the kidnapping and was found less than a mile from home. Heartbroken, the Lindbergh’s donated their mansion to charity and moved away. In September 1934, a marked bill from the ransom appeared, after a gas station attendant accepted the bill he became skeptical of the driver. The bill was traced back to a German immigrant and carpenter, Bruno Hauptmann. After a search of his home detectives found a good deal of the ransom money. Hauptmann declared that he was holding the money for a friend and that he had nothing to do with the kidnapping.

The trial caused a furor across the country. The evidence, besides the money, was the testimony from the handwriting experts stating that the ransom note was written by Hauptmann. The prosecution also tried to connect Hauptmann with the type of wood that the ladder was made of. With the evidence and the extreme public pressure, Hauptmann was convicted and electrocuted in 1935.

The Lindbergh kidnapping was the most famous crime of the 1930’s, after which kidnapping was made a federal crime.

Protect Your Children

For a free video to show to your children about stranger danger, click on this link: “Protect Your Children” The cartoon characters of Sophia and Caleb will demonstrate to children how to trust their instincts, listen to their conscience, say “No!”, run away, and tell an adult.

This free website also features printable coloring pages other family-oriented projects—perfect for this summer when the kids are out of school and saying, “I’m bored!”

Caleb and Sophia can help!

Teacher Appreciation Day is May 3

“Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” -Malcolm Forbes

By Kristen Archer

Nicely timed for Finals Week, Teacher Appreciation Day (or Student Suck-Up Day) is slated for Tuesday, May 3rd. But is it really about getting (or giving) a little gift or a free fast food item from the local watering hole? Most teachers when asked, don’t expect anything and actually don’t even realize it is Teacher Appreciation Day, until a little bag of candy from the Student Association appears on their desk.

“I think some people get mixed up and think this day is all about teachers wanting gifts, but most people do not realize that teachers are not there just to collect a pay check; the kids do matter,” said one SWOSU-Sayre student. “Teachers educate, innovate, encourage, and support. Every day, they touch the lives of children, and their work and impact extends far beyond the boundaries of a classroom,” said Caren Hughes, and elementary teacher at Elk City.

What does Teacher Appreciation Day mean to them? “It’s a nice gesture, but I feel more gratified when the kids actually take an interest in learning, and when kids begin to understand the value of knowledge, this is when I feel appreciate,” said Brian Archer, Elk City middle school teacher.

The best way to appreciate your teacher doesn’t even involve any cash output. Terry Ford, SWOSU instructor of Language Arts stated, “The gift that brightens my day is to find a sticky note left on my desk from a former student saying, ‘Just wanted to say hi.’ I always save them because it means I was part of an important time in their lives.” Receiving this e-mail was a highlight for her this year: “I love you! Because of you, I am where I am. You are a huge reason why I came back to school this year. As you know, I don’t have a lot of support at home and you have pushed me! And I appreciate that”

Sherri Griffin, a retired teacher of 26 years stated, “That one kid, the one that would drive me craziest--that one kid would warm my heart with a smile when the light bulb finally clicked.”

Janalyn Taylor, principal at Frederick, makes a good point: “Teacher appreciation means letting educators know how much they are valued, And not just teachers—a school with a great climate considers every staff member who works in the building to be a teacher.” It takes all of the staff to assist students at our college. Where would we be without all the people in the administration building? The SWOSU maintenance staff doesn’t just clean the buildings. They are outside cooking hot dogs and hauling out food and setting up chairs for special events. They do so much to make this a better place for the students.

The Graduating Class of 2016

Associate in Science –

Taylor Chanele Adler

Rebecca Janette Aldridge

Renessa Gwynn Aldridge

Brett A. Baldwin

Emily A. Baalman

Connie Leigh Bentley

Katelynn Marie Black

Ashley Boyer

Darian Iman Bradford

Taylor Elizabeth Bromlow

Landon Wayne Brown

John Bui

Tyler W. Burch

Letycia N. Camarena

Caitlyn Paige Cart

Hugo Enrique Chaparro

Jeewa Ching

Devin Nicole Connell

Lexi Brookes Cook

Jenna Lynnette Coons

Alicia Diane Crum

Nathan Blake Cullen

Molly R. Dickerson

Taylar Diehl

Jami Danielle Dixon

Mallorie Sharea Dunn

Austin Charles Eaton

Logan Taylor Ellzey

Courtney Ann Ernst

Kylie Brianne Evans

Julienne Clara Fielder

Stormy Mae Foley

Michael Connor O'Brien Garcia

Alexandria Marie Garza

Chelsi Ann Gilliland

Taylor Goad

Jennifer shay Healer

Colton Dale Henricks

Amanda Holt

Otto Lawrence Holthe, Jr.

Jeff D. Huddleston

Amber Dawn Huerta

Caitlyn Victoria Johnson

Kjelcea Marie M. Johnson

Brittney Michelle Jones

Rachael Marydith Keahey

Kaitlin Faith Kemp

Shaylee Elizabeth Williams Kilhoffer

Camrel Bene' Kimbro

Sarah Gayle Reed King

Chelby Lynn Mansel

Savana Marie Marsh

Paityn Nicole Matthews

DaLey Layne McGuire

Bethaney Noelle Meier

Allison Kay Chapuis Mills

Khanh Kelly Nguyen

Katina Michelle Nochols

Adrianne C. Nwankwo

Abigail Faye Odle

Trisha J. O'Quinn

Lawrence Philip Penner

Chance Leon Perry

Zandalee Madelyn Plummer

Rebecca Lynne Plunk

Lauren Evelyn Prewett

James Tyler Ray

Latosha Leann Morgan Redd

Christopher Robert Reyes

Keemo Richardson II

Kathryn Alex Rodgers

Samantha Jane Royce

Hannah Ruble

Elibeth Sanchez

Kenytra Scott

Alexys Patrice Shadowens

Delaney Macall Sharry

Abby Marie Sheik

Carlos Lamont Smith, Jr.

Taylor Jolene Smith

Karen Ashley Stansbury

Amber Kaye-Lea Stark

Sydney Mikayla Street

Toni Lane Tait

Jennifer Paloma Torres

Jerry Drake Varnell

LaVonna Wallace

Rachel Michelle Watkins

Emma Claire Griffin Wedel

Kerry Michael Welch

Pansy Denise West

Darcie Winn

Taylor Jordan Willis

Taylor Wiss

Associate in Applied Science –

Magdalena Betancourt

Kolbi M'lyn Bishop

Taylor Reann Carnes

Dacia Rhaye Cooper

Jordan Lea Delp

Abigail Kaye Hamilton

Danielle Colleen Hammand

Rachael Marydith Keahey

Alisha Marie Kupka

Rachel A. Randall

Kristina D. Rhoades

Megan Renee Roth

Charles Wayne Shilling

Kelsie Shockey

Britney Marie Widener

Jennifer Anette Wing

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