Texas Board of Education Considers Adding Mexican-American Studies

A&E p. 8 baylorlariat com 6 Art on Elm Avenue celebrates Waco artists and brings together East and BaylorLariat downtown Waco. WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE Wednesday | April 9, 2014 West one year later By Kat Worrall said. “We prayed with them. We Staff Writer tried to provide as much support and manpower that we possibly When the West fertilizer plant could. To see them not forgetting suddenly exploded last April, the what has occurred, but to continue media and emergency response to move forward and strengthen teams scrambled to respond. their community, we are very Now, nearly one year after the proud and humbled to be their explosion that left 15 dead and neighbors.” over 160 wounded, a panel discus- Swanton was one of the first sion and luncheon Thursday will responders to the emergency and spotlight the lessons, triumphs and served as the public information mistakes made with the communi- officer for the media. Swanton said cation following the disaster. he was “stingy” with the informa- “West Revisited: One Year Lat- tion first released, as he wanted to er” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 ensure any released information CARLYE THORNTON | PHOTOGRAPHER p.m. Thursday in the Texas Ranger was verified. Hall of Fame and Museum. West “The goal was to number one, Mayor Tommy Muska, Sgt. Pat- get out safety information to any- Laid back in a kayak rick Swanton of the Waco Police body that was possibly still there San Diego, Calif., senior Andre Jackson paddles out onto the river to enjoy a Tuesday afternoon at the Baylor Marina. Today, the Baylor Marina Department, Paul Gately from that could be affected by second- will host Dia Del Rio. The event will offer free hot dogs and drinks, as well as free tank tops to the first 250 people that paddle out to the bridge. KWTX, Waco’s CBS television ary explosions or blasts,” Swanton affiliate and Lori Fogleman, Bay- said. “Then we tried throughout lor’s assistant vice president for the night to give information about media communications, will form specifics, such as what we knew the panel. happened, the time the fire depart- Fogleman, who will serve as ment was initially dispatched, or the moderator, said she will also the time of the explosion.” speak of the university’s immedi- Texas Board of Education considers Fogleman said she agreed gath- ate and long-term response to the ering the correct facts and releas- tragedy. ing it in a news conference to the “For the community of West, SEE WEST, page 6 we grieved with them,” Fogleman adding Mexican-American studies By Will Weissert testimony, some backers of the scent and Mexican-American ist from Houston, told the board. Associated Press proposal choked back tears and culture are already covered in “It will never go back to the way others argued bitterly with skep- existing history and other classes it was. I mention that because The Texas Board of Educa- tical board members. Those op- at the high school level. Texas is behind, we need to help tion considered a long-shot pro- posed to the course say it would Even if approved, developing Texas catch up.” posal Tuesday that would add inject progressive politics into a Mexican-American curriculum Several Texas school boards, a Mexican-American studies the classroom. and appropriate textbooks means including its largest in Houston, course as a statewide high school The board’s 10 Republicans it wouldn’t actually be ready have passed resolutions support- elective, listening to dozens of and five Democrats vote on new for classrooms for two to three ing a statewide Mexican-Ameri- supporters who said such a class courses Wednesday. It’s the first years. But the debate re-ignited can studies course, and the state is the only way to understand a time Texas has considered a past ideological battles over the already offers more than 200 state where Hispanics make up Mexican-American studies class, academic curriculums of Ameri- high school electives, including 51 percent of public school stu- and specifics on exactly what the ca’s second most-populous state. floral design. Still the proposal dents and which was once part of course would teach haven’t yet “The whole world is watch- likely won’t pass. Mexico. been devised — especially since ing and the whole world is During hours of often-heated historic figures of Mexican de- changed,” Tony Diaz, an activ- SEE SCHOOL page 6 The circle of life goes Student-run ‘round with new lemur company spreads By Rebecca Fiedler “Capri Sun has been an excellent mother Southern flair Staff Writer from the time the baby was born,” Cox said. “She has given him superb care, so we have By Madi Allen Many people typically wouldn’t pair the not needed to interfere at all. We haven’t Reporter words Snickers and fuzzy together. Howev- weighed the baby at this point because Ca- er, the Snickers found at Cameron Park Zoo pri Sun is taking such good care of him. He What happens when you combine southern tradi- isn’t a furry candy bar – it’s a tiny baby ring- looks very healthy, and until she feels com- tion, moderately priced clothing and a flair for busi- tailed lemur, born March 18. The baby has fortable letting us handle him, we won’t try ness? You get The Southern Gentleman, a clothing been out for the public to see as of Saturday, to.” company owned and operated by Dallas junior Jackson clinging to his mother’s tummy. The pregnancy was planned by the zoo, Vaughn and Nashville, Tenn., sophomore Scott Dalton. Born of a mother named Capri Sun and as are most of the animal pregnancies. Cam- The company started out as a simple way to gain father named Sprite, Snickers joined the eron Park Zoo has species survival plans entrepreneurial experience and has since grown to be- ring-tailed lemur family at the zoo after be- with all threatened and endangered species come a full-time business. ing kept in a special holding habitat with his throughout, Cox said. The zoo partners with Vaughn said the idea of The Southern Gentleman mother for the first two weeks of life. Soon biologists and experts who come together came to him in a dream. He dreamed of a world where Snickers will have a new cousin to join him. and create breeding plans for each species. people no longer had to use their entire bank accounts His pregnant aunt, Crystal Light, is due to Though Snickers has not been weighed just to buy a T-shirt or sell their souls for a bow tie. give birth at the zoo a week from now. yet, Cox said he is tiny. According to the Southern Gentlemen website, the Snickers hangs on to his mother’s tummy “He’s a real cutie,” she said. company wants to provide a great product at an afford- most of the time, said Terri Cox, program According to National Geographic, ring- able cost. “The Southern Gentleman prides itself on and exhibits curator at Cameron Park Zoo. In tailed lemurs are an endangered species of our southern ideals and dedication to fine clothing,” the the next week or so he will begin to venture primate. The species’ endangerment is large- COURTESY ART off of her, and the zoo will try to have him Snickers, a newborn Lemur, hold on to his mother’s stomach. website states. voluntarily step on a scale so they can weigh SEE LEMUR page 6 His mother, Capri Sun, has cared for him without Cameron Park SEE SOUTHERN, page 6 him. Zoo’s staff having to interfere. Inside WEB NEWS p. 5 SPORTS p. 10 The Lariat sat Woman convicted of Despite it being a down with each murdering her boy- rebuilding year, the student government friend by stabbing Lady Bears has a candidate. Check him with her stiletto successful season. out their videos. heel. Vol.116 No. 40 First copy free. Additional copies 25 cents each. © 2014, Baylor University Opinion Wednesday | April 9, 2014 2 The Baylor Lariat Edwards the right man for you Fellow Baylor Bears, God-given talents, he must be able to articulate a compelling reason I write to you today after much for why he is the premier candi- prayer and contemplation to dis- date and explain why he is called cuss something that is imperative to serve. From his campaign, it to the future of student representa- is difficult to recognize that clear tion on this campus: the selection message. of our next student body president. To best develop Chase for his For the last two weeks, I have own future success, I do not rec- been alongside you while our can- ommend him for this position didates have campaigned, and I until he has garnered more experi- have attempted to be as unbiased ence on-campus and grown a more and educated a voter as possible. complete understanding of the of- Given my perspective, it is with a fice of the student body president. sober mind and a caring heart to Baylor Student Body, it was both men that I endorse Dominic Wes Hodges | Student Body President from your support that I carried Edwards for student body presi- the authority to serve you this year. dent. provided a consistent and coherent It is now time for you to make your My experience with Dominic is structure to student government. decision again. limited to my close work with him He is a remarkable man whose To build a better Baylor, choose as fellow Student Body Officers this leadership is proven to thrive in the candidate with the superior ex- year.

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