Social event celebrates past

Interpretations, crafts and local actors made up the seventh annual Turn of the Century Social on April 28.

The event celebrates both history and literature through costumes and performances.

Claire Dunlap, senior from Paducah, Ky., was part of the promotions committee for the event.

“The Recreation 302 class, taught by Kelly Rogers, was in charge of the event along with the Interpretation class, which is taught by Mike Gowen,” Dunlap said. “We split up into committees who took charge of different things: promotions, operations, talent and acquisitions. Each week we would set goals for ourselves. We would go out into the community and access resources. We contacted businesses and asked for sponsors. Then at the end of the week we would come back to class and focus on the details.”

Students in the recreation and leisure services department interpreted three different historical sites: the Calloway County Courthouse, the one-room schoolhouse in the Murray-Calloway County Park and the Train Depot.

Students dressed in period costumes, from 1822 to the early 1900s.

“Along with the different historical interpretations, we also had things like a trapping interpretation and different things like kettle corn,” Dunlap said. “We had children’s games from that time period and volunteers from the community came out with different talent like corn husk doll making, and kids’ crafts.” … Continue Reading

Department closes year with melodrama

Ben McGrath/The News

The Murray State Theatre Department left suspense in the air Thursday night with their production of “Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie in the Robert E. Johnson Theater.

“Mousetrap” is a theatrical production written by one of the most well-known mystery playwrights, leaving it with all the makings of an intriguing murder mystery. It follows the movements of a group of people snowed in at a boarding house, one of whom is a murderer.

Lissa Graham-Schneider, associate professor in the Theater Department, is directing the show. She describes “Mousetrap” as a classic, archetypal mystery with much visual beauty in spite of its dark plot.

“It’s a classic production,” she said. “While it is mystery and drama, we’ve also added a lot of light humor and you really can’t tell who the murderer is.”

Since the play is such a long-running classic that is known for its unforeseen plot twists and suspense, Graham-Schneider said “Mousetrap” has its own rituals and secrets that go along with it.

“There is a tradition that goes along with ‘Mousetrap’ where they ask you not tell anyone who the murderer is once you leave the show,” she said.

She said her cast asks that viewers do the same for their production.

It is one of the longest running productions on the West End, the most popular area in London for theatre, with shows being performed for nearly 60 years. It also spurred many of the mystery stories in pop culture today, such as the popular game and movie “Clue.” … Continue Reading

Students, community gather in Quad for annual event

Allie Douglass/The News

Check out our photo gallery from All Campus Sing here.

Set-up began early Wednesday morning as Murray State’s campus prepared for All Campus Sing. By 9 a.m., people were already sitting in the Quad or laying blankets reserving spots for the activities to come.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon, the organizations gathered on the steps of Lovett Auditorium for a sound check. Listening to rehearsals and just being anywhere near the Quad early on Wednesday allowed students the joy of having their own soundtrack.

This is the 54th year All Campus Sing has occurred on Murray State’s campus.

The first All Campus Sing took place on the steps of Pogue Library in 1958. It wasn’t until the mid ‘70s that the singing competition was moved to the steps of Lovett, Paul Radke, announcer for All Campus Sing, said.

“It is one of the most rich and time-honored events here on campus,” Radke said.

The event was hosted by the ladies of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraterniy. This year, Amanda Benson, sophomore from Brookport, Ill. and Madeline Hart, junior from Lexington, Ky., were co-chairs. … Continue Reading

Groups prepare for campus-wide annual event

Ben McGrath/The News

It’s all anyone on campus can seem to talk about. All Campus Sing is just next week and everyone involved is doing his or her best to prepare for the event.

All Campus Sing is a tradition that has been at Murray State for the past 54 years.

Different organizations on campus compete against one another in song and dance on the steps of Lovett Auditorium.

“There’s a winner in each category,” said Madeline Hart, chair coordinator for the event and junior from Lexington, Ky. “There’s first, second and third in independent, residential, sorority and fraternity.”

Planning for the event started as far back as last semester.

“We start fall semester by getting info meetings together to just let the groups know what the rules are, what they need to do, what deadlines are and then we just keep up with all of the organizations that want to compete and keep them up to date with everything they need to do: application deadline, tech sheet deadline,” Hart said.

They’ve also received some help from different professors and organizations on campus.

“We work with Student Affairs and with Dr. Robertson, and he really helps us along the way with buying trophies and plaques and making certificates and checks and everything like that,” she said. “Then we work with the Alumni Association because they donate most of the prize money then Student Affairs covers the rest.” … Continue Reading

Students to compete in Best Racer competition

File photo

Murray State seems to host a variety of competitions throughout the year and next week is no different.

Murray State’s own Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps will host the 2012 Best Racer competition from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hamilton Athletic Field.

The competition will consist of 10 different events contestants will take part in. The events are pushups, pullups, situps, tug ‘o war, high crawl course, sand bag relay, tire flip, humvee pull, team carry race, water jug dash and monkey bars.

“Racer Challenge is a series of 10 events that tests your physical fitness, mental endurance, agility, stamina, all that stuff, it’s pretty tough,” said Colby Davis, senior from Paducah, Ky., who coordinated the competition. “These are events that we do on a weekly basis. It’s a different in life for people who are civilians or just college students, but it’s a good workout.”

The first Best Racer Competition was in 2010. The organizer, Lt. Jeff Slinker, came up with the competition in December 2009.

“He was the brains behind this,” Davis said. “He drafted this up as his project so the actual official first Best Racer didn’t start until April of 2010.”

The competition is not only good exposure for the winning team or Murray’s ROTC program, but it also helps to get word out about the organization it benefits. … Continue Reading

Resale stores are plentiful in town

Kylie Townsend || The News

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That seems to be a common theme in the local resale stores in the Murray area.

In the mix are thrift stores, consignment/resale shops and antique stores, all places where great deals can be found.

Murray alone has 12 shops and that’s not counting any others in nearby towns or cities.

Some shops are independently owned while others in the area are chain storeswith locations all across the country.

Goodwill is a great example of the latter. Located right off Highway 641 you can find anything within the store from movies and books to clothes and shoes. Goodwill takes donations and allows any person who donates to receive tax receipts.

According to the Goodwill website, its mission is to, “enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.” … Continue Reading

Students stay healthy on campus

Austin Ramsey || The News

Allyson Putman
Staff writer

With spring break just around the corner, students have spent the last few weeks taking advantage of the Wellness Center and warm weather by jumpstarting their exercise routines. Whether trying to get a “bikini body” or simply relieve some stress – there are many ways to achieve the wanted results.

For some, working out alone can result in little motivation or success. If this is a problem, the Wellness Center offers many fitness programs for students and the community – ranging from the peaceful art of tai chi to fast-paced cardio workouts and everything in between.

Amber Miller, junior from Owensboro, Ky., is a Zumba instructor at the Wellness Center. Zumba is the newest fitness craze on campus, with more patrons attending its classes than any other exercise program on campus.

“On average we have about 75 to 100 people on Mondays and Wednesdays,” she said. “It’s the most successful of the Wellness Center programs.”

Its slogan, “join the party,” defines the Zumba experience as a fun and energetic way to exercise. Miller said the people attending Zumba are those who do not normally engage in an exercise routine. … Continue Reading

Groups prepare for annual step show

Jesse Carruthers || The News

Savannah Sawyer
Assistant Features Editor

The Alpha Step Off event, hosted by the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha and Zeta Omicron Chapter at Murray State, will take place just before Spring Break.

The event has been put on annually for the past 12 years.

“Alpha Step Off originated in the spring of 2000 by the chapter brothers,” Phillip Hudson, senior from Paducah, Ky., said.

The show is put together every year for a few reasons – one being it helps bring together different organizations on campus.

“The event is all about bringing all the organizations on campus together in an entertaining, but competitive way,” Jessica Stevens, freshman from St. Louis, Mo., said. “It is also a way for organizations to support Alpha Phi Alpha’s philanthropy.”

The other reason the event is put on is to raise money for a specific organization. … Continue Reading

Drag queen shares character experience

Allie Douglass/The News

Ryan Steele
Staff writer

In the life of a drag queen one thing is for sure. You have to live up to the title. Audiences must be amazed, sponsors have to be pleased and emotions must be touched. In the life of a drag queen, Kara Belle never disappoints.

Belle was one of the featured queens in the Murray State Alliance semiannual drag show. She was also featured on the advertising poster for the show. On Thursday, she showed every audience member why.

Bringing everything she had, Belle rocked the house with her explosive performances. Most notable was her emotional tribute to the late Whitney Houston, performing her hit “I Will Always Love You,” garnering a standing ovation when it was over. Alongside that emotional performance, Belle performed an explosive version of Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock,” which brought tips flying in from the audience members.

Getting ready for these shows is by no means a short venture. Participants have to be there hours early just to prepare.

“My usual routine is about 45 minutes for makeup, sometimes 60 minutes, and then usually about 15 minutes to get the wig on and make sure everything looks good,” Belle said. “I do apply my own makeup though, so it can take just a little longer to get it on.” … Continue Reading

Online piracy acts leave students concerned

Graphic by Erin Jackel/The News

Becca Schimmel
Staff writer

Threatening the safety and freedom of the Internet brought attention to online petitions and students.

The Stop Online Piracy Act is no longer being reviewed. However, the Protect (IP) Act is still under consideration.

PIPA does not penalize for any false claims that a copyright holder makes. Anyone claimed to be violating PIPA and later proved innocent of those claims still has to suffer from court costs.

These bills are designed to block access to unauthorized websites that contain stolen copyrighted material. The idea behind these bills is to stop intellectual American property from being stolen by foreign countries.

Europe has a version of these bills called anti-counterfeiting trade agreement. It has been met with controversy and protests. ACTA was discussed with little inclusion of the public.

The Internet is free and many people would like to keep it that way. However, there are problems of piracy and companies are losing money over file sharing.

“I think (SOPA/PIPA) encouraged a lot of people to sign online petitions but not necessarily become more politically involved.” John Eads, junior from Somerset, Ky., said. “Try to take away our social security or health care and no one says anything but mess with the Internet and it’s on.” … Continue Reading