Melanie J. Knox, Author at The Optimist

SA reps must commit

February 18, 2004 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor As I Wish Members of the Students' Association who made commitments to the student body and the administration, but shirk those commitments, have lied to their constituents and discarded both responsibility and integrity. Recent letters to the editor seem to imply that the Optimist has called for SA members to ... [Read More…]

Small town pride still goin’ strong

December 5, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor As I Wish My prom date dumped me a week before senior prom. Determined that I should attend, my best friends hooked me up in a Popeye's parking lot with a friend's boyfriend's friend who lived in a town near ours. No one thought twice about it. That's right. For Christmas, I'll be going home to Corsicana: ... [Read More…]

Businesses, churches, homes across Abilene light up the holidays

December 5, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor Strings of colored lights, lit up Santas and jingle bells dashing through the dust. And for some, Christmas is not complete without driving around to look at the bright displays. For the 13th year, organizations, businesses, churches and other groups have set up a free drive-thru display of Christmas lights and ... [Read More…]

Synchronized swimming club formed for spring

December 3, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor A couple of months ago, Carissa Martus began the process of setting up a synchronized swimming club to begin in the spring semester. Martus, freshman music education major from Aloha, Ore., participated in a synchronized swimming club for four years, competing at the U.S. Open twice. "I've missed it," Martus ... [Read More…]

Taste of Italia: ACU employees own new Italian-themed coffee shop

November 21, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor Harry is a builder and good with numbers. Barry is Italian and more creative. Together, Harry and Barry hope they have the perfect mix to make their new restaurant, di' Italia, a smash hit. Barry Pupella, financial aid counselor for the university, had dreamed of owning a coffee shop for 10 years. When a ... [Read More…]

State budget slashing continues to affect student scholarships

November 7, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor When the Texas Legislature faced a 12.5 percent shortfall in expected revenue, the resulting reductions affected students. Tuition Equalization Grant funding was reduced by 14.5 percent, said Carol McDonald, president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas. The Legislature appropriated $162.2 ... [Read More…]

California wildfires edge close to Pepperdine

October 29, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor The wildfires in California continue to rage, destroying more than 1,100 homes and ravaging more than 600,000 acres. Firefighters cannot control or extinguish the flames, and the fire's far-reaching heat has even reached Abilene through the worries and thoughts of students. Katie Brophy transferred to Pepperdine ... [Read More…]

Campus life restricts time pledges can spend on floats

October 24, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor A distinction exists between some men and women's social clubs regarding the construction of Homecoming floats: men begin the week of Homecoming and women begin at the start of pledging. "We've usually done some background checking and brainstorming, but nothing big," said Jeffrey Rasco, who is in charge of ... [Read More…]

Lyrics of Michael W. Smith song rewritten for Chapel worship

October 22, 2003 by Melanie J. Knox

By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor A chorus change to the song "Above All" has been used twice in Chapel this semester, causing some confusion as students adjust to the change. Dr. Jeanene Reese, assistant professor of Bible, missions and ministry, said she rewrote the chorus to point back to Christ. "It's such a majestic song; he is above all, ... [Read More…]