Oklahoma Institute for Diversity in Journalism

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2015 Archive - page 2

Cell phone use may lead to unexpected injuries

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Alan Espinosa, 15, is a Del City High School sophomore who plays soccer and clarinet in band. Like many teens, he has a cellphone and considers himself “obsessed” with it. Espinosa said he checks his iPhone constantly, up using it for about 10 hours a day. He said the extended use has led to “headaches and a tingling sensation in my hand while I’m on it for long period of time.” He is not alone; in fact, there’s even a name for his affliction. Among physical therapists, “there is a new term: ‘game-keeper’s thumb’,” said Matt Miller, a physical therapist…

As mental health ails more students, colleges increase resources

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Kaela Moore smiled all the time. Unbeknown to many, the Northeastern State University student experienced five to eight panic attacks a day. Crippling depression once brought her to a place “no one wants to go,” she said. Moore, now 19 and living in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, attempted suicide during her freshman year of college. Although television sensationalizes college life in a grand and flawless manner, Moore’s reality proved somber. She said she often contemplated killing herself. In a sea of statistics, her struggle stands as one individual in a national mental health epidemic across college campuses. According to the World Health…

Former ‘Oklahoman’ editor becomes Gaylord College dean

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  Ed Kelley knew his calling at a young age. From working at a small-town newspaper to taking over as the new dean of his alma mater at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, he constantly yearns to meet new people. Although Kelley first started writing about sports, he also has an interest in politics and history. By age 8, Kelley knew the presidents in order, and his family constantly encouraged him to read about politics. “I really liked history, studying politics; I liked sports too. My parents obviously encouraged me to read and…

OU’s Campus Corner keeps it predominantly local amid century of change

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Campus Corner, which is right across the street from the University of Oklahoma and features more than 70 businesses, has been a popular destination for more than a century. Even in an era when chain businesses are increasingly prevalent across Oklahoma, Campus Corner still keeps it predominately local. The area features 10 corporate chain restaurants compared to four locally owned chain and 18 non-chain restaurants. The mix keeps it full of loyal customers during both the summer and school year. “I like to go to local restaurants,” incoming freshman Zach Armendariz said. “It’s more personal. People start a restaurant because…

Roses rugby: Blood, broken bones and family

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Chelden Love and Rachel Fisher walked through their clubhouse, smiling as they reminisced and cited awards accumulated over the years. These, they said, were earned through pain, sweat and blood — lots of blood. So goes rugby. In her first game with the University of Oklahoma (OU) women’s club rugby team, dubbed the Roses, Fisher recalled colliding with an opponent and flattening the player’s nose. Blood flowed “as though you had turned on a faucet,” Love said. “It all came rushing out.” Fisher, 20, played the next three games with an egg-sized knot on her head and, she later learned,…

First-time voters look ahead to 2016

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For many teens, turning 18 means joining the military, moving out of their parents’ house or maybe going to a casino. It also means finally having the right to vote. Joe Buettner is among those teens who registered the same day he became legal to do so. “On my 18th birthday, my mom took me to the tag agency and registered me to vote,” he said. Buettner, who first voted in the 2012 election, said taking an American government class during the election got him involved and helped him be more informed. Other high school students also said they wanted…

Shelters give homeless a chance to escape the heat

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When someone walks into Food and Shelter Inc., they are likely to discover its small-town aura. Everybody seems to know everybody else. People eat and talk at the same time. They joke, play games such as dominos, watch TV or use the two computers. Upon entering the dining area, to the right is a wall covered with posters advertising local events and outreach programs. Under the posters are boxes of fresh fruit. Atop and under a table to the left are computers, games, puzzles and books. Straight ahead is the kitchen, which prepares breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and lunch at…

Too often novels lack character

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An unlikeable protagonist is an instant story killer. In the increasingly popular world of young adult and new adult fiction novels, there are a couple character traits that can turn the heroine we’re supposed to love into someone we love to hate — in a way that the author never intended. The first trait, codependence, is probably the most common of the two. More and more these days, we see characters such as the ever-unpopular Bella Swan from the “Twilight” saga. She spends the entire series repetitively stating how much she loves Edward and doesn’t ever want to be without…

Murals show Norman’s true colors

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Recently, the City of Norman has come to life with bright and vivid detail. Some hard to miss new contributions are murals, which adorn the skylines and walls of businesses and office buildings. One such mural is the newly finished project embodying the mission of the ReStore, 1100 W. Main St., in the former Homeland building, which the mural adorns. The currently untitled mural intertwines visions of Peter Max’s style and late ’60s graphics. Artist Skip Hill is responsible for this piece of artwork, but he hardly considers it his own because of the community’s heavy influence and involvement. “I…

Summer a dangerous time for animals

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With temperatures hovering in the low 100s, Norman, Oklahoma, animal shelter managers are on the lookout for signs of animals suffering from heat exhaustion. The employees at the City of Norman Animal Welfare in south Norman are careful to make sure the dogs in their care have plenty of water when they let them outside in the morning. Amy Jones, adoption coordinator at the shelter, said the dogs usually go out once a day, while their cages get cleaned. They remain outside for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. “They can’t cool off as effectively as people,” Jones said…

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