Manager Manning

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Kevin Luthringer

Seeing what has become of Peyton Manning, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game of football, has been an ending to remember. The man who holds the record for the most passing yards and passing touchdowns in NFL history has now become nothing more than a game manager. Who was once the most prolific passer the league has ever seen, to an old vet on his second team finishing his career with every bit of juice he can find in his tank.

On this improbable run to the Super Bowl by the Denver Broncos, led for the most part by the defense, we have seen a considerable dip in the play of a quarterback Peyton Manning. This began to occur about two seasons ago, when the Broncos made it to the Super Bowl to play the Seattle Seahawks. By those who watch consistently it was clear that Manning was beginning to lose a little bit on his throws. While he had a good season in the 2013 leading the Broncos for the majority of the season. Still, there was a noticeable decline in the production of a guy who was looking like the best quarterback in the NFL in the first four weeks to struggling in the last four weeks. Then in the 2014 season he started the year out fine, but as the weather got colder, he took more hits, and his aging body was hurting leading to another disappointing end of the season.

Peyton Manning started to make a comeback in the next season in which he broke the career passing yard record set by Brett Favre. It seemed as if we may had seen the end of the future Hall of Famer. In the game in which he broke that record against the Kansas City Chiefs he was benched for the young Brock Osweiler. Later in that week news came out that Peyton Manning, was suffering from Plantar Fascia in his heel, along with other injuries. The Broncos stated that he was going to sit out until he was fully healed while they decided who the starting quarterback would be moving forward. By saying this it seemed there was a chance of Manning not starting once he was healthy.

As this season went on, the Broncos won a few big games, and lost a few give-me games. They were winning due to the play of their league-leading defense, but were struggling to figure something out on offense. Then in week 17, the final week of the NFL’s regular season, Manning returned to action. With the number one seed in the AFC on the line due to an unexpected Patriots loss to the Dolphins, the world got to see number eighteen again. In the second half, Manning came in to replace starting quarterback Brock Osweiler. The Broncos came back to win that game and got a first round bye in the Playoffs with home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs.

Then all of a sudden the world was seeing something that we all thought would never happen. Manning was playing to not lose, rather than playing to win. Instead of seeing Manning carving up defenses, seemingly knowing what the other teams were running, and throwing darts all over the field leaving defenders looking at each other confused, we saw a game manager. With one of the best defenses the league had seen in a few years, and one of the smartest quarterback, the Broncos were poised to make a run at the title, but just how far Manning could lead them was a major question mark.

The Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots in back to back weeks to earn a chance at the title. In both games the offense has done just enough to win the games by kicking field goals and winning the field position battle. Even when it seems Manning can’t quite get enough behind his throws, or receivers are unable to make even simple catches, the defense would force a timely turnover, or have a big stop that would give the offense another chance.

In a clash between the League MVP Panther quarterback Cam Newton and the NFL’s league leading scoring team against the Broncos, the NFL’s league leading defense in points allowed, we saw that once again defense wins’ championships. The Broncos were able to leave Cam Newton and the potent Panther offense looking confused the whole game forcing them into their worst output of the season. However, on the other side of the ball it was the same story. Peyton Manning and the Denver offense continued to do just enough to win the game. The Broncos won Super Bowl 50, beating the Panthers 24-10. The Bronco offense drove down on the first drive, but stalled at the end and kicked a field goal. That was then followed by a sack-fumble by linebacker Von Miller that was recovered by the Broncos for a Touchdown, two field goals, than eventually an offensive touchdown set up by another sack-fumble by the defense.

Although Peyton Manning was not the Peyton Manning we all grew to love, and he was not the same quarterback that has won four League MVP’s, he did go out a Champion. It is not known whether Manning is going to hang up the cleats and call a career yet. However, the overall assumption is that he will ride off into the sunset and retire as a Super Bowl Champ. One thing we know for sure is that Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, and if Super Bowl 50 was his last game, it was an honor to watch him play.

Lifting Yourself

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Derrick Flowers

Most people take interest in something during the early stages of their lives. Church, music, sports, and food are just a few examples of things people might take interest in. That was not the case for me though! Growing up I was always considered a fat kid although I was athletic. I just was not happy with the way I was put together and I knew that was not how I wanted to look for the rest of my life. When I was in the ninth grade I was introduced to weightlifting and conditioning as it was a mandatory part of the football program at my high school. It was at that very moment I knew I had struck gold with something.

Working out and conditioning can be somewhat therapeutic for some people. Of course there will always have those individuals that dread the thought of working out, but for those who do not dread it can be extremely beneficial. Working out can be broken into two separate, but equally important parts. There is the physical part which requires exercise and conditioning of some sort, but there is also have the nutritional part of it. In my opinion getting in shape is actually seventy percent nutrition and thirty percent exercise. Think about it like this, if your car runs at maximum performance when you use supreme gas you cannot expect to put regular gas in it and it run the same as before.

It is understandable that some people have various reasons as to why they do not workout. Whether it be low self-esteem, health ailments, or lack of motivation. I cannot make anyone work out, but I can tell you that if you have the desire to workout you should definitely give it a try. As stated earlier, working out can be somewhat therapeutic for some people. Not only that but working out also puts you at a greater chance for a longer life. I am not professing to have found the fountain of youth, but that is a proven fact. Getting active supports almost every function in the human body.

Another common reason why some people are intimated by working out is the fact that there are so many different machines and equipment to use. I experienced this issue first hand when I first started working out. There are all of these big, sweaty, and intimidating people around you pumping serious iron. That would frighten most people who are new to a gym, but I am here to tell you that anyone can do it. First things first, it is mostly about confidence. Even if you are not the strongest person in the gym going in there with a clear and concise mindset will allow you to benefit just as much as more seasoned gym rats will. Secondly, have a plan. In today’s world almost everyone has a smart phone, so you can go to the app store and download a workout app. Lastly, stay to yourself in the workout room. Several people use the gym as a place to congregate…that’s how you get off track. Take your headphones or ear buds and tune out all distractions.

Everyone loves vegetables and fruits right? What about the thought of cutting processed foods from your diet entirely? I know the thought of that will frighten people for sure! As stated earlier in the essay, in my opinion nutrition is seventy percent of maintaining a healthy body. Processed foods, anything from the shelf, need to be cut drastically from your diet. As hard as it may seem, I promise you will benefit from it tremendously. Not only will you realize you have more energy by eating healthier foods, but you will also see your body start to change. Three key things you must know from the nutritional aspect: Drink water, replace desserts with fruit, and eat lean protein.

In conclusion, weightlifting and conditioning are two great ways to ensure a healthier lifestyle. Along with eating the proper foods it is almost guaranteed that you will not only look better, but you will feel better as well. It is never too late to start preparing yourself for a healthier lifestyle!

Livin’ The Island Style

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Andy Verke, Jr.

The island style is a laid back, slow-paced lifestyle. It is commonly found in the islands of Hawaii. The people of Hawaii are known to be the most friendliest people in the world. We have a vast amount of ethnic background which makes it one of the more unique places in the world as well. The majority of the ethnic backgrounds are from Asia.

There are eight total islands but visitors and locals can only visit six of the eight. One of the islands, Ni`ihau, require special qualifications in order to visit the island because they live solely off the land and have no technological advancements. The other island, Kaho`olawe, is used for military target practice. Majority of the people who come to visit the islands of Hawaii stay on the island of O`ahu. There are plenty of activities to participate in, such as: Hiking, scuba diving, going to the beach, etc.

Since Hawaii is made up of a vast amount of different ethnic cultures, the culture of Hawaii takes different aspects of other cultures and adapts it as their own. For example, before entering someone’s house you remove your footwear as a sign of respect; this comes from the Japanese. Whenever there is a family party or a party in general, everyone is required to bring or make something so they do not come empty-handed. On a side note, you will never leave a party in Hawaii hungry. More often than not, there will be enough food leftover for everyone to take home with them. The idea of everyone bringing or making a lot of food comes from the Filipinos because their culture is centered around family. The one tradition that has stuck in Hawaii from the start is the idea of “Spreading da aloha”. Aloha basically means to treat others the way you want to me treated. Family…Family is what the Culture of Hawaii is all about. They are the one’s who have been with you from the start and they will always stick with you through everything that you go through. Your family will always be there for you to fall back on when you need help to get back on your feet.

The island style is a laid back, slow-paced lifestyle. The average speed limit on the freeways around the island is 50 miles per hour, as where in the continental United States, the average is approximately 65 miles per hour. Besides from the workplace or school, whether or not you are on time is socially acceptable. There is a saying “I not late, I stay on Hawaiian time!” and Hawaiian time is slow and at your own pace. Also to the island lifestyle is going to the beach every weekend and enjoying time off from reality and being with family and friends. Majority of the people in Hawaii does not speak the native Hawaiian language but a broken english called pidgin. Pidgin is a mix of German, Filipino, and Japanese which was created in the sugar cane fields; It was recently recognized as an official language.

Because Hawaii is a culturally diverse place, we have a lot of different types of foods ranging from everywhere around the world. The most common type of imported foods that we have are from Asia. We still have the places that sell your typical Hawaiian food such as Poke (po-kay) raw fish, Lomi Salmon (Salmon and tomatoes), Kalua Pig (steamed pork butt), Lau Lau (Chicken/pork and fish wrapped in a luau leaf). There are many more foods that could be described but I have listed the most common foods you will typically find. Some of the best Asian foods are found in Hawaii simply because we do have Asian immigrants who come to Hawaii and bring their culture with them.

Hawaii has also produced multiple world-class athlete’s as well. Some of them include Brian Clay (Track and Field), Shane Victorino (Baseball), Marcus Mariota (Football), and Olin Kruetz (Football). From generation to generation, Hawaii produced some of the greatest athletes in the world but also a few Hollywood stars such as: Bruno Mars (Singer), Dwayne The Rock Johnson (Actor), and Yvonne Elliman (Singer).

In conclusion, Hawaii is one of the world’s wonders and it is definitely a place that everyone needs to visit before they pass on. Hawaii has the friendliest people you will ever meet in your life. We are also known for having some of the best food in the world. It is a very unique place, in the fact that, no matter what everyone is treated with respect. The only thing that the locals of Hawaii ask is that you clean up after yourself and that you respect the culture. The culture includes: all sacred grounds, the lava fields, the ocean, the beaches, and its people.

The Beauty of Soccer

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Leslie Arietta

My parents always told me, “no hands,” so I would run around the front yard with my hands up saying, “no hands.” That was the moment I became a soccer player. Soccer has been a part of my life for seventeen years. This sport is what I know best and I surrounded my life around it and it will always be a part of my life.

I chose soccer to be a part of my life because soccer to me is a unique sport. There are no constant set plays in soccer, there are no timeouts, and it is a one point game which makes it intense for the audience. Soccer is beautiful because there is so much freedom for the athlete to use their technical and tactical skills. On the field there are so many decisions to make, whether to release the ball and be a play maker, or keep the ball and use your skills to open up more space on the field. Whoever has the ball at their feet makes the decisions of the game.

Soccer is a dynamic sport. It contains eleven positions on the field, each having their own importance. Starting with the goalkeeper, this is the only position that is allowed to touch the ball with their hands. The goalkeeper is important because the keeper has the vision of the whole entire field. They are the directors and the voice of the field. Without a keeper there would be plenty of goals scored and the game would be too easy.

In front of the goalkeeper is the defensive line, which consists of; a left and right outside defender and two central defenders. Being a defender their job is to be mentally and physically smart. They have to be able to stop the opportunity of a goal happening.  The defensive line is important because if the ball gets through everyone else they are the last line to prevent the ball reaching the goalkeeper. The defenders are the ones who must distribute the ball to get the play to the other side of the field.

Before the ball gets to the defense it has to get through the midfield. The midfielders are considered the brain of the game. They have the most possession of the ball in a game. Midfield consists of one left and right outside mid, and three central midfielders. In the center midfield there are usually two attacking midfielders and one defensive midfielder that stays back to hold the midfield down. The attack midfielders are the play makers of the game these players have to be very technical and tactical in order to distribute the ball properly around the field. The outside midfielders are the marathon runners of the sport. Outside midfielders typically stay on the lines of the field to open up space and they distribute the ball with crosses to switch the field or to create an opportunity towards goal.

In order for the opportunities for goals to be created the team must have a forward. The forward position plays a huge role in the game of soccer because usually they are the targets on the team to get the ball to. Forwards mostly contain speed in short distance and their purpose of the game is to be able to make runs on the field to receive the ball. Forwards have the most pressure to score for the team because that is their one and only priority. Typically a forward should have the most goals scored in a season.

Soccer is more than just putting the ball in the back of the net though. It is more about what you do to get the ball in the back of the net. The dynamic thing about soccer is the tactics of the game. There are multiple formations you can play, but you have to be smart depending on the team you are going against. The two most common formations on the field are a 4-4-2; four defender, four midfielders, and two forwards, or a 4-5-1; four defenders, five midfielders, and one forward. Throughout the game the formation can change depending if you are trying to attack aggressively or maintain the game.

A lot of people believe soccer is boring because it is a low scoring game, but being a soccer player makes the game more intense. The game of soccer is about the decision making each player makes to get the ball in the back of the net. The game is exciting because it takes a lot of effort to score one goal. With football if you are down by a touchdown they can call timeouts to waste time or they can easily gain yardage in two minutes to score. In basketball it is possible to score in seconds and they are allowed to call timeouts. Soccer separates itself because one point is not simple to get under two minutes and there are no timeouts so the time is ticking as the team is trying to catch up. One goal in soccer has so much excitement behind it compared to three touchdowns in football because it’s a team buildup of getting the ball to the goal. A low scoring game makes the goals more memorable and important.

The fact the game of soccer is so dynamic and builds creativeness on the field makes it easy for me to be passionate about it. Many people have passions, but this sport has been my passion for seventeen years and now I am finally ending my collegiate career. I may no longer play soccer, but my interest in soccer remains. Everyone in this world has that one interest that will always be a part of their life. This is my interest because I know the ins and outs of this sport and as I look at it in a different perspective I continue to learn and develop on the game of soccer. Soccer will forever be a part of my life.

The Crisis in Flint…Coincidence or Environmental Racism?

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Anthony Hamilton

By now we are all aware of the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan. There are an unacceptable amount of people in the city who are living below the poverty level and also over 60% of them happen to be African Americans. Whole families have been poisoned by drinking water that was never fit to drink, yet they’ve been fed this water for a period of time, and now there are many health problems beginning to show up because of this.

This story is actually not as new as one might think. It was first broken in 2014 that there was potential contamination in Flint’s water system. Al Jazeera America was first to break the story. The story was then largely ignored until recently when Flint became news again with residents showing the news samples of the brown water they are expected to drink, cook and bathe with, and it doesn’t appear to be fit for any type of human consumption.

The homes of Flint residents have been tested and their homes show there are 10 times the amount of lead that is considered the norm. As a result of this, members of the community who would wish to leave will not be able to sell their homes in any move, because it’s illegal to sell a home that has lead issues.

In all of this, it’s amazing that the Governor of Michigan isn’t indeed facing criminal charges over this situation. According to an article in archive.freep.com, Michigan has a 500 plus million dollar surplus, as well as a rainy day fund, yet the governor has said that removing the lead containing pipes is not even a priority to him. There is also strong evidence that he knew about the contamination as early as 2014 when he began shipping cases of bottled water to state employees but not everyday citizens.

When the first attempts to gather clean water for the residents of Flint, an amazing thing happened. Cher revealed, during an interview on CNN that she attempted to gather water for the citizens of Flint, and no American bottled water company was willing to donate any water to the poverty stricken, predominantly black community of Flint. Cher had to go outside of the United States to get water for them.

The Michigan National Guard was called in to distribute the water, but they declined taking it to the so-called worst areas of Flint, saying it would be too dangerous. This from people we would count on to help protect the U.S. during times of war.

The Flint police have also been using this situation to their advantage. According to articles on Bing.com/news and Trofire.com, under the guise of delivering water filters to the residents, they are in fact taking advantage of the opportunity to arrest those residents who have warrants. As an ex-law enforcement person, I do not agree with their actions at all.

According to westsidegazette.com as well as newpittsburgcourier.com, this disaster has indeed been labeled as a man-made disaster caused by the emergency manager that the state installed, in a cost-cutting measure that went horrible wrong, which again leads me to wonder why they are focused strictly on the emergency manager when he is simply a scapegoat meant to do the governor’s bidding.

When the change was made from the Detroit water system to the Flint River in 2014, the residents immediately began to complain about the smell and taste of their tap water, but they were largely ignored according to nytimes.com. Now they can no longer be ignored because they’re too black or too poor to have a voice. The entire world is now aware of what has been done.

Judge Greg Mathis, in an interview with journalist Roland Martin on Newsone Now likened this ordeal to a terrorist attack. “Every day, our homeland security’s biggest fear is terrorists poisoning the water,” Mathis said. “The Secretary of Defense talks nervously about it.” Mathis continues, “In this case, the government has poisoned the water, causing permanent loss of health.”

Mathis also speaks on the possibility of criminal charges in what he calls the poisoning of an American city.

Now there are children experiencing symptoms of lead poisoning, including headaches, anemia, dental problems and their internal organs not functioning properly. Adults are experiencing hair loss, skin disorders, and seizures as well as weakening of teeth and bones along with many potentially fatal cases of Legionnaires’ disease.

This whole situation is remarkably similar to the response to hurricane Katrina where the upscale areas of New Orleans immediately received aid, but those who, like the majority of Flint residents were poor, and less fortunate were left to fend for themselves and die. The same can be said for the residents of Flint.

I read an article on www.mlive.com about the General Motors plant in Flint having ceased using it for fear that it will corrode the metal, yet residents are expected to drink, cook and bathe in that water, and continue to receive water bills for water they can’t use.

I wonder how long this would have been allowed to go on and how quick it would be fixed were Flint an upscale community. Here’s to the hope that they receive justice, and those who perpetrated this tragedy upon the get what they deserve.

“To Infinity and Beyond”

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Have you ever dreamed of having a job at the “Happiest Place on Earth?” Where going to work means putting smiles on faces young and old? Then after a long day, lying back and watching some of the most extravagant firework shows in the world? As Cinderella famously put it, “A dream is a wish your heart makes.” If this sounds like a dream you’ve been having, your heart could be wishing for a spot as a cast member in the Disney College Program! By the way, this opportunity is open to you ladies AND gentlemen out there!

As magical as this program may be, getting in isn’t as easy as “Bippity Boppity Boo.” Each year there are a whopping 50,000 students that apply, and only 5-10,000 are accepted. However, this doesn’t mean to go into this process with an Eeyore attitude! In fact, two of us from A&M-Texarkana have had the opportunity to participate.

“What should I do before I apply?” is the most important part of the application process. Even though this is an awesome opportunity, be aware that you could be moving up to 1,600 miles away from your family for up to eight months. So if you are a daddy’s girl, like Belle, or a mama’s boy, like Tarzan, this might be something worth evaluating. Keep in mind that colleges have different requirements for the program, so talk to your academic advisor before beginning the process. Disney recommends only taking up to two classes at a time, preferably one online class through your college, and one class offered at Disney. The “Disney Look” is a big deal for many people. They require cast members to look clean, polished, and natural. This means no crazy hair colors, and wild makeup is NOT acceptable. You can review exact requirements at disneycollegeprogram.com. Also, take into consideration that there is a fee you have to pay within ten days of your acceptance. The Orlando fee is roughly $400, while the Anaheim fee is in the $900 range. More important than all of these, ask yourself if this program is right for you. Will you benefit within your major or your future career from participating? If the answer is yes, I cordially invite you to continue reading.

Congratulations! You have decided to be one of the many to take a shot at this chance of a lifetime. So when do you apply? Spring applications open in August and close in October, and Fall applications open in February and close in March. So be on the lookout, because Disney never gives the exact date! Let’s go over some of the job opportunities. Some of the most popular roles as a college program cast member are attractions, custodial, character attendant, lifeguard, and merchandise. Before applying, check out all positions offered!

Let’s move on to the application process. To begin, go to disneycollegeprogram.com and click the big green button that says APPLY NOW. It will have you create an account and then your application appears. It will ask you some pretty general stuff like your name, college, major, and etc. After this, you will be asked to select which jobs you are open to having on a scale of highly interested, moderately interested, and not interested. Some advice from Zoe Iscas, a former cast member is, “Even if you would prefer not to work a job, select it anyway. You can create magic with any role given at Disney. Recruiters like openness. By the way, custodial isn’t as bad as it sounds. You get to walk around the parks freely all day, and talk to guests as much as you want without a script.” Then comes the part that matters most. You will be asked to list all of your work experiences and how they benefitted you. Each application is reviewed thoroughly before they offer you an opportunity to move further in the process. So list every job you’ve ever had. From community service to working as a hostess at your local restaurant. Now it’s time to click submit! Usually within a few hours you will receive a response email. It will say either “Thank you for your interest (that’s the email you don’t want to get)” or “Immediate Action Required Web-Based Interview.”

“Hooray!” You have made it to the next step, a web-based interview. You are expected to complete this within three days of the email. It is suggested to complete it the day upon receiving. Allot at least an hour and a half for this section. The Web Based Interview is basically a way for Disney to figure out if your personality and work ethic would correspond well with the company, so answer honestly. The biggest advice from former applicants is to use strong answers. Disney likes you to be sure of yourself. For example, if you are asked “Are you generally a positive person?” Either put “Strongly Agree” or “Strongly Disagree.” Don’t settle with “Agree.” However, if your answer to that question is “Strongly Disagree,” Disney might not be the best fit for you. Also, don’t over think or freak out. Yes, this portion is timed, but, they give you an ample amount of time to complete it. Some say this is the most stressful part of the process, because you are immediately denied or accepted for continuation upon completion.

If you have made it to this point, you are probably doing a happy dance in front of your computer, or running through the house full of joy. Why? You have been asked to schedule a phone interview! This is the final step before you take your carpet ride to the Magic Kingdom. Recruiters can call 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after your scheduled time, and interviews last 15-20 minutes. This means you need to allot at least an hour for your interview. Schedule it for a time of day you have your best attitude, and when you will not be disturbed. When they call, answer with an upbeat voice. “It sounds silly, but make sure to smile during your interview. It gives off a good vibe, and your recruiter can tell,” this advice from a former cast member. Also, always remember to call your recruiter by name. Be open to suggestions, seem invested, and DO NOT sound scripted. It is okay to research possible questions, but don’t keep answers fully written out. You want responses to come from your heart, not paper. Last but not least, have a super fantastic answer for “Why do you want to be a participant in the Disney College Program?” This will define your entire interview. Once you hang up the phone, there is nothing more you can do. You could be waiting for a final decision for up to a month. Keep in mind that this process is one long waiting game.

If you are not accepted, don’t be discouraged. You can re-apply during the next recruiting season. Always remember, like Mulan, you will bring honor to your family no matter the outcome.

After all of this, if you are accepted, get ready to go “to infinity and beyond!” for an internship you will remember for a lifetime.

A Stitch in Time

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Allison Hall

Commonly, sewing is said to be boring, and too much work, but, in reality, it’s beneficial and easy. The machine tends to be the scary part, but in actuality a switch is flipped to turn on the machine and light, a pedal is pushed, and hands are kept away from the needle. It only takes slight guidance for fabric to stay on track under the needle. Things such as the  patterns for your project and the speed of the needle and/or machine work on a level scale meaning that if something seems too difficult there are typically alternatives to that process.

The sequence can be lengthy, but fun if you make it your own. It usually starts with cutting a pattern, which can be store bought or self-made, cutting the patterns from the fabric, and then lining the fabric edges up so as to know what to sew together. When it comes to the act, the only major technical things in relation to the machine are the needle position, stitch width, stitch length and seam length (seam meaning the stitch combining your fabric). All of these are located on the machine and are spelled out fairly simply. For needle position, stitch width, and stitch length it’s only a matter of choosing what suits you or what is listed on the pattern’s “how to” chart. You would then move the dial to the corresponding number, letter, or symbol, depending on the machine’s details. When it comes to seam length, the machine is marked with measurements to indicate how much fabric should be from the edge to the seam and most of the time that would be entirely up to you. One of the greatest things about sewing is that a lot of it remains up to you.

Aside from the machine, there is also hand sewing, which, admittedly, I don’t know all too much about, but I do know from experience that it is just as much fun and easy. Typically with hand sewing it will take much longer and there are a lot of things you cannot do with it that you could do with a machine like fixing certain holes or sewing anything bigger, such as a purse or a shirt. However, both are fine ways of art and relaxation.

If the incredible ease of sewing is not convincing enough, consider the benefits. Creating garments for oneself tends to be cheaper than purchasing them in the end, and everyone likes to save money. That’s part of the reason that it’s for everyone rather than specific groups. Another reason remains that there’s nothing particularly feminine about clothing or the making thereof. Everyone wears them and sewing would not be here if it were not for men. In fact the first patent for a sewing machine was made by a man, Thomas Saint, in 1790. Relative to gender roles and self-expression, it is also valuable that so many things can be made by means of sewing. Creation ranges from underwear to full outfits as well as everyday items like pillows, wallets, or teddy bears. Patterns for all sorts of things are rather easy to find. There are tons of free pattern designs all over the internet. Pinterest is a very good website for finding unique patterns. It shows a wide variety of sites where patterns are available. There are certain patterns that you will not be able to find free online, but the different options ensure that there are always possibilities of finding an alternative.

The possibilities of individuality and self-accomplishment are endless. You have the ability to design anything and eventually, once acquainted enough with the skill, you may even be able to create your own patterns to follow. Along with that, or maybe even before, you could use specialized machines that allow for even bigger accomplishments. There are some that do astounding things just short of sewing for you and are highly technical, calling for great detail meant for the expert seamstress, seamster, or tailor; however, there are also machines or even handheld equipment that make it fun, like buttonhole accessories, which is exactly what it sounds like.

Some machines even act as easy to use embroidery machines (embroidery meaning that it has the capabilities of stitching designs onto the project). In most cases these machines are only technical as far as having touchscreen capabilities, therefore, you would just put in what you wanted the machine to design onto your fabric and watch the magic happen. There are patches, buttons, trinkets, and so much more that can be added to whatever you want, therefore making it a successful product made by you to be proud of, which is truly the benefit of sewing.

It is something simply done that can produce vast amounts of self-gratification as well as prove to be useful in future endeavors. If your destiny does not call for needlecraft then it is at least one more thing you can say you have under your belt, or maybe even use as a lovely conversational piece. Who does not like to have a fun fact or at least a comment on something seemingly arbitrary?

We Got 99 Stories and This Ain’t One

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We appreciate the great interest taken by our readers this past semester in the relaunch of TAMUT’s digital newspaper, Eagle Eye. The Fall 2015 MCOM 310 class published about 100 stories in just a few months. Their names appear all over the next 10 Web pages. We intend Eagle Eye to resume in Spring 2016 with new writers, stories, and viewpoints. Until then, have a safe and restful holiday season, and like us HERE.

Pelicans Beat Cavaliers in Thriller

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Percy Davis

December 4, 2015, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the New Orleans Pelicans. This game was a battle to the finish, going into overtime to decide who would win the game.

Cleveland led the first quarter 27-21 but Anthony Davis and the Pelicans weren’t going away quietly. They ended the half only down by one point at 53-52.

Late in the fourth quarter the Pelicans went up by 10 points on the Cavaliers but superstar LeBron James wasn’t going down without a fight. He scored 21 of Cleveland’s last 24 points and also made the shot to put his team into overtime. James finished with 37 points, eight assist and 23 of those 37 points came in the fourth quarter.

Although James had an amazing fourth quarter it wasn’t quite enough to stop Anthony Davis and The Pelicans who won the game 114-108 in overtime.

Lebron James goes at Anthony Davis for a layup. Photo credited to (AP Photo)

Lebron James goes at Anthony Davis for a layup. Photo credited to (AP Photo)

New Orleans Pelican Anthony Davis had a wonderful night finishing the game with 31 points and 12 rebounds. He also had some game changing big shots to lead his team to the victory over Cleveland.

Life after Undergrad

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TiAna Marshall

Less than a week from today 200 students will walk across the stage in A&M Texarkana’s greatest tradition–graduation.

Already, the pure thought of it is overwhelming for multiple reasons. Financial hardships, family struggles, will all lead up to that moment when names will be called. Degrees will be given, and happy tears will be shed.

I’m one of those graduates, and I am having constant flashbacks of where I was when I first came to A&M and where I am now. So many incredible people have touched my life in one way or the other, giving a push (sometimes friendly, sometimes not) whenever I needed it. To think that is all coming to a close in what seems such a short time, breaks my heart.

I will sit next to the rest of those graduating with me, I know I will feel a sense of pride. Being able to watch this school grow and the growing up it has caused me to do.

December 11th. A date echoing in my mind, as I am sure it is in the other 199 graduates. But what happens next? For some it will be grad school, while others will begin their careers. As for me, I’m willing to go where opportunity leads me, and I am not scared to have only that to say. The thought of life after graduation once scared me, but now it lights a flame of excitement.

As cliché as it is to say, there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel. What I once felt as fear is now an incredible feeling of confidence. There is no better feeling than to know that I can be proud of what is soon to be my alma mater. I can conquer the world if I choose to, and I have my A&M family to thank for that.