The Optimist
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8th Time’s the Charm: Ciufo refuses to let surgeries ruin her cheer

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Anna Ciufo rememberes the sunny daylight as she rode the bus next to one student, Merissa Ford, and across the aisle from another, Anabel Ried. "I feel like we were talking about goats or llamas or something like that," Ciufo said with a laugh. The rest, she said, gets fuzzy. "When I woke up, they said I remembered running off the road ... [Read More…]

Third Culture Kids travel to Oklahoma

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Eighteen students traveled to Oklahoma this weekend for a cultural retreat with several other Christian universities. Third Culture Kids, a group of students who have spent part of their lives in more than one culture, traveled to Quartz Mountain Christian Camp in Lone Wolf, Okla., and bonded with 42 fellow Third Culture Kids from Oklahoma ... [Read More…]

Where’s Willie?

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He'll never win MVP or even play a single minute. But being a good sport, he'll still suit up for every game. Even with no sweat to show for, Willie the Wildcat is a real athlete. "Anyone who has ever been a mascot can agree, you're essentially in a giant parka for various reasons from August to May," said DJ Acevedo. "It definitely takes a ... [Read More…]

Music fills Linebacker’s life off the field

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The hard-hitting linebacker Blake Rudd is able to express himself off the field through playing the guitar. Rudd was inspired by his uncle to pick up the guitar in 7th grade; the same time he picked up a football. Even with his hectic schedule, Rudd still manages to find the time to play and relax. Video/editing by: Kara Stutesman ... [Read More…]

Big-shot: Student is 3-time national champ

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Students may not be aware, but ACU is the home of a national champion. Kyler Faulkner, freshman engineering major from Abilene, is the three-time wheelchair national champion sporting clays shooter. Sporting clays shooting, a variation of clay pigeon shooting, takes place on a course of 10 to 15 stations. Clays of different sizes, speeds and ... [Read More…]

World’s Backyard: More than just games

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Sunday afternoon, the World's Backyard organization was off to the races, celebrating its fourth-annual Turkey Derby with kids crafting and competing. The student-led ministry hosted its Thanksgiving event as a special and separate occasion from its usual Wednesday meeting time. "Wednesdays become these kids' favorite day of the week, and ... [Read More…]

Diabetes walkers raise awareness

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An ACU student hosts a Distance for Diabetes Walk to raise awareness and funds for treatment and research for diabetes. There is no registration fee for participants, but donations are strongly encouraged. Ariel Combs, junior biology major from Waco, took it upon herself to organize the walk because of personal experience with the disease. "I ... [Read More…]

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