Pi Kappa Phi dinner pushes for America

by KELLI FONTENOT and TAYLOR GRAVES

Published March 11, 2009 in The Current Sauce

At one of a dozen tables in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom Tuesday night, junior journalism major Cody Bourque leaned over his plate of lasagna to turn on his iPhone without using his hands.

The rest of the people at his table chuckled as they watched him repeatedly hit the touch screen with the tip of his nose.

"I'm updating Twitter," he said.

Across the table, another diner - who was blindfolded - said, "I feel so left out of this joke."

A few people chuckled, but a long pause followed as everyone realized the depth of his comment.

While the statement was offered in jest, it illustrated the alienation that people with disabilities encounter on a daily basis. Bourque explained that his work with such people and their families has inspired him to support Push America.

At Pi Kappa Phi fraternity's benefit banquet for Push America Tuesday night, three people at each table received a colored poker chip. Each color represented a different disability that the person was expected to portray for the rest of the evening. The rest of the people at the table were instructed to help their friends.

'Assassins' trust no one

by KELLI FONTENOT

Published March 11, 2009 in The Current Sauce

The parking lot adjacent to the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) building was left sparsely populated Monday morning, when it is normally difficult to find a space.

This curious change was due in part to the strategies of several students who are taking part in the second annual "CAPA Assassins" game.

"This is a really great way to meet people because you're trying to find somebody you don't know, or you're looking for someone who doesn't know you," senior liberal arts major Joshua Nuss said.

Nuss, the treasurer of Phi Mu Alpha fraternity, is monitoring the game this year.

Rock concert benefits pageant's philanthropy

by KELLI FONTENOT

Published Jan. 28, 2009 in The Current Sauce

Dead By Morning, a local band that includes several student members, is making its long-awaited return to Natchitoches at a Push America benefit concert in the Friedman Student Union this Friday at 7 p.m.

The band's last performance at NSU took place more than a year ago.

Bass player and senior music education major Mitch Moehring said that after touring in Louisiana and Texas, the band is excited to perform for all of their friends in Natchitoches again.

In an interview, band members described their sound as "hardcore," "metal," and "inspirational." Among the bands' favorite fellow performers are The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Marilyn Manson and August Burns Red.