Surrounded by Talent

When I was in high school, a friend and I would always write these silly little songs when we were supposed to be in class and we were absolutely proud of them. But in all honesty, they weren’t really that good. As I entered college my musical abilities were maturing (thank goodness) along with every other aspect of my life. As I got to know everyone, I came to realize that all of my peers were extremely talented musicians. It was rather annoying really. As hard as I still try, it’s significantly hard to compete.

Since Butler is nowhere near a large body of students you get to know the others pretty well. There have been many to stand out but just to name a few: Donnie Chauncey, Kelsey Colby, Cameron Bedell, and James Williams. These kids have so many possibilities for greatness in their future along with most of the others in the fine arts department.

So the biggest vocal concert of the year is coming up on the first weekend of May. The show will feature many solos with some good ol’ classics to some fun new tunes. The whole program will be fast paced with lots of running for costume changes and panicking backstage, I’m sure. Though with the professionalism they teach here, no one will let any of it show.

While the competition is stiff, I’m glad it’s this way. If everyone was subpar around me that wouldn’t make me strive to be better. I would be confident and comfortable with where I was at. Instead, I will appreciate their talents and grasp the opportunity to see them before they get to be famous when I’ll have to pay to go to their shows. As for now I’ll attempt to keep evolving and growing as a musician by comparing and competing with all their skills.

-rachel hoeffner

Wanna have a Fling with Elvis?

Hi Everyone!!!

It's that time of the year yet AGAIN!!! Hooray!! SGA as well as other Butler organizations are gearing up for the up coming SPRING FLING! We have a lot headed our way in terms of events and cool prizes! And Elvis will be there to kick off the show..what could be better?!!

In Andover, the date for to keep in your calender is April 21st from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the New Student Union, everyone head out there and get some FREE GRUB while you're checking out the various booths!

In El Dorado, the show kicks off from 3:00 PM to 7:00PM on April 23rd mainly in front of the Bear Neccessities.. A Slam Dunk contest will be held at the basketball court from 3:30pm with Amaizing prizes to be won, at 5:00 Elvis opens the show for those of us who are aspiring singers in the Karaoke Contest! PLUS, FREE GRUB for Everyone!! You have to be really SLOW not to be there!!!!

~ Joyce Kinyange

Hitting the road after Butler

Everyone has such high hopes for their breaks, whether it is their winter break, spring, or summer. This is no different for me for my summer plans I hope to set up a short road trip. I was inspired by my cousin Nick who is currently taking a two month sabbatical traveling around the state of Texas, up to Kansas, and making his way to California. His trip is a little more extensive and way more expensive than I’m willing to go. I plan on maybe hitting up a few towns in Ks, and then headed south to Georgia or Texas; it’s obviously still in the beginning stages of planning.

Nick started his trip on the 21st of this month. I’ve heard nothing but bragging for how much fun he’s having. Nick and his traveling companion, Eric, have figured it out to how they have somewhere to stay and someone to feed them everywhere they visit. Since my trip would be considerably shorter, it wouldn’t be that hard to figure that out for myself. Though I have to admit, I’m way jealous of his life at the moment.

I will probably spend the majority of my time in Amarillo due to the fact that I have so many close family members. That’s actually where I spent my spring break. I drove down by myself and stayed with Nick, we didn’t do that much besides just hang out and watch some movies, but I did have a ton of fun. One of the days we spent on Palo Duro Canyon; hiking and whatnot. It was beautiful up on top. We split up into three groups and competed to see who could get down first. My group jogged almost the entire way down, we won by almost five minutes. Other than that we just got as many free meals from Nick’s parents as possible and roamed around town.

I can say that I had more fun that I truly expected to have considering we had nothing really planned at all. I came to my final decision to go about three days before spring break came about anyways. Obviously there was no real thought put into this trip besides whether or not I had money for fuel, but I’m glad I went and I hope that my summer trip will be just as fun if not better.

~ Rachel Hoeffner

Poverty simulation, not a game

Last month, Butler's Service Learning program sponsored a Poverty Simulation to give students a glimpse at how difficult life can be for the financially struggling. Every 15 minutes represented a month as teams hopped to various stations that represented schools, workforce centers, pawnshops and hospitals.

Butler President Dr. Jackie Vietti played the constable for the day, investigating crimes and placing juveniles in the detention center.

Students filled out job applications at the General Employment table to make money to pay rent and other bills.

Some students became parents throughout the course of the simulation and visited with counseling services to help cope with the economic struggles.

Students were teamed together in households and neighborhoods, trying to bring enough income to the family to stay afloat.

When students failed to pay their bills, eviction noticed were placed on the "houses,"effectively leaving families homeless. They then petitioned to reside at the shelters available to the community.