Ashley Miller
Assistant editor

In its second year, Buff Promise still holds true to its assurance.

Buff Promise is a guaranteed tuition program designed to help academically talented students from low to middle class families.

“It reassures students that they too can receive a higher education degree,” Shawn Thomas, director of admissions, said. “It lets them know that there are resources and opportunities for them and puts it into a format that they can understand.”

This program is set up for new students entering the University in the fall, but current students still receive the benefits of Buff Promise.

Last fall, 340 were fitted for this program and roughly 35 percent received benefits from Buff Promise.

To qualify for Buff Promise you have to be a Texas resident and must have an annual family income of $40,000 or less.

Buff Promise also expands on the University’s vigorous aid program that awards more than $36 million in assistance.

“It has had an impact in enrollment and knowing that we affected this number of students is significant,” Thomas said. “The real benefit is for the students.”

A reward letter is sent out to those students who receive the Buff Promise.

This year, Buff Promise is adding a new touch to its program.

The program wants to make sure that all students receiving the benefits of Buff Promise know that they truly are.

“A lot of students were disheartened,” Thomas said. “The current students that receive the benefits of this program just didn’t realize it.”

Every year, WT students must re-enroll and stay in good academic standing to keep receiving the benefits of Buff Promise.

Students who do not meet the qualifications of Buff Promise can still qualify for other grant and scholarship programs through the University.

“Its hard to measure how this program has helped students,” Thomas said. “I believe we’ve probably enrolled students that perhaps we wouldn’t have without Buff Promise.”

Ashley Miller
Assistant editor

Throughout my life I’ve always lacked self-confidence and never been outspoken. I didn’t think I was good enough and would only open up to those that were close to me.

I was always the one sitting in the corner by myself or the one just listening in to what others had to say.

During my time at WT, I’ve grown tremendously as an individual and have gained more confidence in myself.

My professors told me that they wish I would have spoken up more in class because they know I have the potential.

I have also met a wonderful guy who I am now dating that has helped me on becoming more outspoken.

He always tells me that confidence is everything and is the number one rule you should live by.

With every new day, I try to remind myself to always be confident.

I’m nearing completion of my final year at WT and it’s been a stressful one.

As a mass communication major, I had to put together a senior portfolio incorporating examples of my work during the past four years.

On top of the portfolio, I had to present it in front of members of the mass communication faculty.

It was at this point that I finally realized I could step outside my box and show others who I truly am. Graduation is just around the corner and I can see the light in the distance.

I have found the inner strength in me to go out into the real world and take on life’s endless possibilities.

Though my confidence is not where it needs to be, I am still striving to show others that I am a great person inside and out. I will no longer get bogged down with the little things in life, but instead look forward to each new day.

Ashley Miller
Assistant editor

The WTAMU dance ensemble is back on their toes and ready to perform. This year’s spring concert entitled “Dance in Motion” was inspired by an original piece of art by Chad Holiday, assistant professor of art.

“Holiday took a photo of me when I was an active dancer and interpretated it into an original work and that was what inspired the concert piece,” Leslie Meek, assistant professor of dance, said.

“Dance in Motion” will be held at 7:30 p.m., April 24-25 in the Branding Iron Theatre. The concert will open the night with the work of guest choreographers, Dennon and Sayhber Rawles.

The Rawles, based out of Los Angeles, have won numerous awards throughout their career but are most recognized for their choreography in “Staying Alive,” starring John Travolta.

Aside from doing their own choreography, the Rawles dance for the Steven Peck Jazz Company and have gained tremendous recognition.

Earlier in the semester, the Rawles only had three days to work with the WT dance ensemble on an original piece entitled “History Repeating.”

“It’s a very exciting dance,” Edward Truitt, director of dance, said.

It’s a fun powerhouse of a dance that is expressive of the genre and music and has a great sensuality.”

The concert will also include works by Leslie Meek, Crystal Bertrand, Edward Truitt and Travis Prokop.

Meek’s first work, “Monocular vision,” is a half evening long work that will portray images of telescopes.

Her second piece entitled, “Purple” is based on the sculpture “The Waltz,” by Camille Claudel and symbolizes a man and a woman’s embrace for one another.

“This is an exciting time and a time when the faculty can show off their work,” Meek said.

Bertrand is the academy director of the Lone Star Ballet and worked with the WT dance ensemble on two of her original works.

“We were going to have another guest artist come in, but she injured herself which caused a slight set back and had to pull my new 30-minute piece I had planned,” Truitt said.

Truitt is incorporating an older work of his own which has also been performed in Karnoyarsk and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Finally, the concert will conclude with Prokop’s work, “Our Trouble,” which was also chosen for performance at the American College Dance Festival Gala in March. This inclusion marks the first time for a WT student to be chosen in 15 years.

This contemporary dance by Prokop features seven WT dance students. Prokop has also been selected to appear on a dance TV show.

“We’re very excited about him being selected to appear on this show,” Truitt said.

We think he’ll do really well and we hope he makes it to the top.”

With the support of the Guest Lecture Series, WT dance program will also bring in an agent from McDonald Selznick and Associates, the top dance agency in the country.

MSA also represents producers, directors and packages talent for film, TV and stage productions.

Shelli Margheritis will view the show and do a general lecture from 4-5 p.m., April 24 in Mary Moody Northen Hall room 189, about the business side of the entertainment world.

The lecture is free and open to anyone that is interested.

Another lecture will be held on Saturday and is exclusively for dance majors.

“Most dance programs don’t bring agents out,” Truitt said.

It’s really valuable to the students to get the opportunity to talk to them.”

The WT dance ensemble started working on the chorography last fall and has put in an expansive amount of time.

“It has been the dancer’s flexibility, ability and willingness to adapt and put in extra hours for these last minute dances,” Truitt said.

I enjoy seeing their willingness to work hard and their commitment to excel.”

The students train year round.

“They work their tails off,” Meek said.

We are really blessed to have talented dancers whose first love is to be on the stage.”

Tickets are free for WT students, faculty and staff if they present a valid Buff Gold Card, $10 for general admission and $7 for seniors and children.

PHOTO BY AMANDA GARCIA | CONSTRUCTION RESUMED: The AT&T High Definition Production Studio resumes construction after being halted in the Fall 2006. The studio will incorporate more virtual sets by using chroma-key technology and will be equipped with the Pro-tools multi-track audio system. When construction of the facility is complete the install will take place and the studio is projected to open in late August or early September.

Ashley Miller
Assistant Editor

Construction of the AT&T High Definition Production Studio has resumed.

The studio was shelled out when the Fine Arts Complex was completed in 2006. With the donation of Harrington funds, the construction has resumed during the last four months.

When complete, WTAMU will be one of three universities in the nation to house a high-definition studio.

“This studio puts us over the top as far as one of the premier facilities in the U.S.,” Dr. Leigh Browning, director of broadcasting, said. “You would be hard pressed to find a studio that has all the pieces in one place.”

This HD studio will be equipped with Pro-tools multi-track audio, chroma-key technology (green screen), maroon-painted walls and pure HD formatting.

“It’s a studio that will be used primarily as an education space to teach students about HD technology four to five years before it becomes standard,” Randy Ray, assistant director of broadcasting, said.

Expected to be finished in mid-June, the new studio will appeal not only to the mass communication department but the entire campus.

“I love technology and not may people get the opportunity to design the studio from the ground up,” Ray said. “I feel really lucky we’re fortunate that the administration really supports our desire to keep up with technology.”

Available only to mass communication students, the HD studio will also bring in new programming to the University.

The broadcasting program plans to produce more programming in the new HD studio such as cooking or sport shows.

“We’ll be able to do a lot of things and shooting in pure HD format is a huge deal,” Browning said. “We also want to tag up with national non-profit agencies and forge relationships with the arts by shooting things in the studio.”

Classes will be taught in the studio and the University commercial will be produced in it as well.

Mass communication students will be able to put together resume tapes and projects in this new studio as identified by faculty.

“Students will get a good grasp on what working with HD is like,” Ray said. “It’s an opportunity that most students don’t get and will give them a leg up.”

Once construction is complete, the install will take place and the facility is projected to open in late August or September.

“Generally construction isn’t always enjoyable but this team has done everything they can and I’ve enjoyed thinking and envisioning about what it’s going to be like,” Browning said.

Several faculty members are going to a convention in Las Vegas to look at new, cutting edge technology.

“The hard part about buying technology is learning how to be on the edge,” Ray said. “We have to look in our crystal ball to see what it will hold.”

Traditionally when a new facility opens there is some kind of event or sponsorship to promote it.

Browning suggests that there will be a President’s state of the University address.

“I’m certain AT&T will come back and usually whatever is shot in a brand new studio is relatively historic,” Browning said. “This will be live to tape and would most assuredly involved the administration.”

The new studio will have endless possibilities and will incorporate a new learning process.

“I’m unable to even fathom what our students will get out of the new studio,” Browning said. “Just what I’ve thought about will increase their skill level by a full degree and our younger students will be paving the way for other students to come.”

Meredith Keller
Multimedia editor

You know you love it, whether you are a boy or girl, young or old your guilty pleasure is probably MTV’s “The Hills,” and thankfully it’s back.  If you missed Monday’s two part season premiere then you missed out.

Having been a fan myself for the past four seasons, this is definitely the most drama filled of them all.  Already, viewers have been captivated by the disappearance of Spencer’s flesh colored beard, and his new identity-fight club member.

In the first ten minutes Spencer Pratt downs one too many tequilas, picks up a new chick, a.k.a the bartender, and bloodies up his sister’s ex-boyfriend for telling Heidi all about it.

And if you heard the rumor, its true, Heidi and Lauren reunite at Lauren’s 23rd birthday party, conveniently thrown on a boat so Lauren couldn’t run away.

Heidi made her surprise appearance dawning a gold sparkly dress, which if you ask me was a little much when you are trying to remain behind the scenes.

Heidi’s other accessory was Laurens gift, a Chanel purse, probably the only reason she wasn’t thrown over board.

As expected, by the end of the party they were both crying, and in one another’s arms over their long lost friendship, and probably drinking a little too much champaign.  The two left cordially and in Lauren’s words, “ We will have a drink and go from there…”  Who knows what will come from this, but for entertainment sake lets hope it’s filled with catfights and name-calling.

The season premiere of drama filled, high-fashion entertainment, and bar room brawls will certainly have me stuck to my couch watching what will happen next.

With another potential wedding for Spencer and Heidi, and Audrina’s bad girl side peeking through, this season will definitely be a show stopper, and its only fitting considering it is rumored to be the last season.

If your distraught about missing “The Hills” then clear your schedule for next Monday evening at 8 when the premiere will re-air, with the new episode airing at 9, or go to MTV.com to watch the full episode now.

Ashley Miller
Assisstant Editor

In the 15 months since the start of the recession, employment has fallen by 3.7 percent, but unemployment continues to rise by nearly 0.5 percent every month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

WTAMU Career Services located on the second floor of the Virgil Henson Activities Center, offers a variety of resources and opportunities to help students who are nearing graduation.

The services include resume workshops/critics, interviewing resources, job search strategies, online database and career counseling.
Steve Sellars, Career Services experiential education coordinator, suggests five helpful tips to help graduates in their search for a career in the ever-fleeting job market.

Networking
Establishing strong, beneficial, mutual relationships with others in the job market is a great way to network.

Networking opens up opportunities since most people find jobs through direct recommendation.

“Networking is knowing how to talk to people about jobs,” Sellars said. “Networking is the best venue right now and people should utilize as many different sources as they can.”

It also opens up a knowledge base for potential graduates to gain knowledge from others to help them.

Whether through close relationships or connecting with others, networking is the main key in finding a job in today’s market.

Good Resume
Career Services now has a database, Buff Jobs, where students can post their resume so that employers can view them.

Former WT graduate and now Transocean operation support engineer, Tyson Welch, believes that a strong resume is essential.

“It’s the employers first impression of you,” Welch said. “It is also important to have work experience, even if it’s not in that related field.”

A resume speaks for itself and is one of the first things an employer will see.

Polished Interviewing Skills
Interviewing is always the toughest part in getting a job and it is not always easy.

“Employers constantly tell us that they want people who are polished,” Sellars said. “Interviewing doesn’t come naturally.”

On the Career Services Web site there are many resources and videos which can help out with polishing interviewing skills.

Some questions employers might ask are:

• Why should I hire you?
• What are your long tern goals or objectives?
• What is your best quality / greatest weakness?

The questions won’t always be easy, employers will ask some hard questions so always be prepared for anything and dress to impress.

Optimism
Having a positive attitude and a good outlook is important to searching for a job.

“Put yourself out there to as many companies as you can,” Welch said. “You never know which one will bite and you can always turn them down if a better opportunity comes along.”

Business is still operating and companies still need people.

“I think there still are jobs and people are hiring,” Sellars said. “Don’t take this bad economy for granted just look a little closer.”

Career Services is seeing more student interested in events and more participation since the economic downfall.

“Don’t get discouraged and buy into what your hear on the news,” Sellars said. “Always keep a positive attitude.”

Narrowing the search

Career Services offers couseling to help speed through the process of narrowing a student’s job search.

“Give any opportunity a chance then decide if it’s really what you want to do,” Welch said. “You will have a job that pays you and the experience will end up helping you in the long run.”

Having a narrow job search can help students find the employers that are more likely to call them for an interview.

“It’s very easy to get discouraged, but having a good outlook is the biggest thing,” Welch said.

The ability to get jobs hasn’t changed, you just have to keep on searching and find what’s right for you.”

Ashley Miller
Assistant Editor

Timothy Vela, senior speech communications major, was voted in as the new student body vice president with 566 of the total 984 votes made for vice president.

Vela, from Dalhart, is involved in the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Circle K International, BuffGreen, Student Senate and the new Gay/Straight Alliance that will be on campus next year.

Vela became interested in Student Senate after studying abroad in England.

“I saw things that I wanted to change and make better,” Vela said. “I also wanted to make a difference in the student body and change the way people thought about the way student government works.”

He gains his inspiration from General George S. Patton Jr., one of the most colorful generals of World War II.

“Running for this position was worth the struggle,” Vela said.

The only way anything is worthwhile is if there is a struggle. Otherwise the ends don’t justify the means.”

As the new student body vice president, Vela wants to improve the Student Senate and give the students more avenues.

“I want to restructure the Student Senate committees to do more things on campus and around the community as well as improving communication through creating a more open government,” Vela said.

He hopes that the students will speak out on issues concerning administration, student government and whatever else that concern them.

Improving the student body will be his main priority.

“I want to open my doors for these avenues in any way possible, so we can get feedback from the students on campus, thus improving the student body itself,” Vela said.

Vela’s intentions for student government are straightforward.

“I want to create an open office where anyone can come in,” Vela said.

I think there are a lot of issues that the students would like to address, but do not have the avenue to do so, or if they know these avenues, they are afraid of possible backlash.”

Vela is proud to have been chosen as the new student body vice president and is grateful for the student support he received.

“I feel amazing, it’s great to know that I have so many supporters out there,” Vela said. “I will enjoy getting to work with a large group of different people.”

Ashley Miller
Assistant Editor

PHOTO BY RIK ANDERSON

The current student body chief justice has been chosen as the new student body president for 2009-2010. During elections, 1,026 students voted for president and Justin Kirk Scarbrough took 625 of those votes. Scarbrough, a junior speech communication major and Holliday native, is looking forward to this opportunity.

“I’m more excited than anything else,” Scarbrough said. “This is a huge time for the University–with the expansion of the campus as well as the thriving student programs and organizations. We truly are at WT in some amazing times.”

Aside from working with the student body, Scarbrough is the president of Circle K, a peer leader intern, secretary of Lambda Pi Eta, a president’s ambassador, an Attebury Honors student and a college facilitator for teen leadership in Amarillo and Canyon.

He credits his position as the student body chief justice on preparing him for student body president.

“It has allowed me to work next to the current student body president and vice president and see the time commitments, responsibilities and possibilities of this position,” Scarbrough said. “I hope to use these things I have learned and expand on them in the next year in order to pass on the legacy of successful student leaders in the future.”

As the new student body president, Scarbrough’s main goal is to give every voice of the student body equal presence. He plans on creating a student advisery board that will be designed specifically for the student body president and will consist of all facets of students: graduates, undergraduates, Greeks, athletes, commuters and others.

“This will create a cabinet-like system that will advise me on the problems that are arising among the student body that often go unseen,” Scarbrough said.

Students are looking forward to a new change in the student body and think Scarbrough will be a great asset to the University.

“I think he’s going to have a better time getting the needs of the students met,” Amanda Almanza, senior general studies major, said. “I just think he is going to be the president that reaches out and listens to what the student body has to say.”

Scarbrough also wants to broadcast the happenings of student government, as well as the other student organizations, through podcasts that will be available through iTunes, Facebook and other technological means that students utilize.

Over the course of next year, he plans on focusing on student representation and diversity.

“There is a plethora of diversity that is often overlooked and we as students, must begin to recognize and respect these differences,” Scarbrough said. “Student representation is also a huge thing for me and I don’t believe a certain type of individual is superior and I wish to change this mindset that only those at the top are the ones with the power.”

He is ecstatic about the new year and is proud to have been chosen as the new student body president.

“It is the student body that elected me and it is the student body that I will serve,” Scarbrough said. “I can’t wait to garner a positive response from those who have supported me (and those who didn’t) along the way. The sheer knowledge that I will have the ability to make everyone’s college experience as great as mine has been something that I look forward to the most.”