ADHD Medication, A Problem Among College Students

      The usage of ADHD medication to stay up all night and be focused is not just a problem at Ole Miss but many other colleges as well. Students pull long nights studying for tests, finishing projects and completing homework, but for many students, coffee and energy drinks aren't enough to stay awake and focused. More and more college students are turning to ADHD medication to solve this problem.
      Many students at Ole Miss say this drug is as easy to get as sending a text message, all you have to do it ask. No one is ashamed to talk about it or afraid of getting in trouble for using or distributing it. Most students know 1 out of 5 friends of theirs that are prescribed or can easily access the drug. This medication has become very popular on college campus' among students. Is this a miracle study drug or addictive habit?

Air Borne Twins Jump for SEC University of Mississippi Track Team

Pole Vault is a risky sport.  The idea is to hope to run fast enough,  and pray that the pole lands firmly as you propel your body in the air as high as you can go.  Sounds easy, right?  Stephen and Michael Greer are as daring as it gets.  They are ambitious yet close twins who are a part of the US Air Force, students at Ole Miss and  are pole vaulters as a part of the Southern Eastern Conference.  To top things off, they even have a niche for music.  Watch the video to see their story.

Ole Miss PRAM Association in Oxford, Ms.

The Public Relations Association of Mississippi consists of approximately 600 public relations professionals from advertising and public relations agencies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, government, education, industries and others. PRAM is a source of expertise and inspiration, and a forum for networking with public relations practitioners throughout the state and the region. The Oxford/Ole Miss chapter is one of 10 chapters located throughout the state. Professor Robin Street is co-founder of the Oxford/Ole Miss chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM). Her public relations works have won the top award in their category in the state competition for the past seven years. She also serves on PRAM’s board of directors and as APR (Accreditation in PR) coordinator for northern Mississippi. Ole Miss PRAM chapter is always looking for new members. To learn more about Ole Miss PRAM visit them on FaceBook.

        Sunflower County Comes to Oxford
                                      Fundraiser aims to help get kids learning



The Sunflower County Freedom Project was started by the Trent Lott Leadership Institute right here on the University of Mississippi campus. The goal of the project is to take kids from lower income areas straight to college through the use of tutoring programs.

After Ole Miss senior, Abby, Olivier, interned with the project this past summer, she knew she had to do more to get involved. She set up a fundraiser in Oxford, MS at the Powerhouse to raise awareness and donations to support the cause. The fundraiser had musical talents such as Chris Bandi, who headlined the event. These are just some of the types of students who are hoping to make a difference in the world, one step at a time.

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies come with the changing seasons and they affect many of us. Many people do not realize if they have allergies because they do not know the symptoms. Many people take prescription drugs and others take over the counter medicine. But, many natural medicinal options can prove successful. These allergies are a pest and nuisance to many students they can be defeated. It is important to recognize the allergy and take care of it before it can have negative affects on the mind and body.

Foxfire Ranch: Keeping the Mississippi Blues Alive

Annie Hollowell works Monday-Friday in the Ole Miss registrar's office as a senior receptionist.  When she is not answering phones and working with students, her focus is set on the Hollowell family's 80-acre ranch in Marshall County.  Foxfire Ranch was opened to the public by Hollowell and her husband Bill in 2008.  The facility was originally intended to be a haven for inner city youths out of Memphis to play games, eat food, and do some dancing in the country, giving them a touch of the blues.  Before they could ever follow through with this vision, the Hollowells hosted Lightnin Malcolm and Cedric Burnside on their pavilion stage.  Foxfire has been nothing but blues music ever since. 

Over the past four years, Foxfire has held blues concerts every Sunday night featuring the likes of Afrissippi, Bill "Howl-n-Madd" Perry, and many other members of the North Mississippi artist community.  The ranch is just a short drive from Oxford and offers Ole Miss students an authentic blues experience.

"We love it.  We love entertaining the students from Ole Miss and I will stay open until the stop coming," says Hollowell "They keep me working, keep me motivated and keep me energized.  I love the blues just as much as you do."

In addition to weekly blues shows, Foxfire hosts the annual Hill Country Picnic every summer, attracting visitors from around the world.  The ranch makes a genuine taste of Mississippi blues available to a wide variety of people.  Hollowell shares more of her story here.

Premier venue helps small town music scene thrive.

The Lyric theatre has elevated the music scene in Oxford, attracting more popular bands by giving them a premier space to preform. The building was originally built in the 1800s. During the 1920’s it was converted into a theatre for live performances and silent films. When motion pictures evolved it became oxford first movie theatre. The Lyric stopped operating as a movie theatre in the 1970’s and was left abandoned for many years until the early 1980’s when it was restored into office spaces and a health center. the theatre took on an extensive renovation in 2007, and has been restored to provide an entertainment space for all of Oxford. In the few years of the venues new makeover  its attracted popular artists like Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, and Modest Mouse.                                                   

Ole Miss PRAM association in Oxford, MS.

Ole Miss Gamma Chis Give Up Social Media

     Ole Miss prides itself for a thriving Greek community. The University of Mississippi Panhellenic Council is responsible for all potential new members and their recruitment experience. In order to assist in the process of recruitment, members from each sorority are encouraged to apply as a Gamma Chi. Gamma Chis are the women behind the scenes during formal recruitment. They manage a freshman dormitory floor of potential new members, guide the girls before, during, and after rush, and oversee a fair and beneficial recruitment process for all those involved. However, Gamma Chis not only sacrifice their Greek affiliation during rush, but their access to social media as well. In order to conceal ties with a specific chapter on campus, Gamma Chis are required to deactivate their Facebook accounts and make their Twitter profiles private. One could argue that our generation uses smart phones and savvy laptops in a productive way, but for the most part, college girls are constantly tweeting and Facebook stalking. While sacrificing these habits may be a challenge, the Gamma Chi experience makes it all worthwhile. To gain personal insight, view the video below:
 

                                                           

Oxford Square offers Breathalyzers

Have you ever wanted to know what your BAC is when your out drinking at the bars? Breathalyzers that look like vending machines are showing up all over the Oxford Square. With the swipe of a card or just a few dollars these machines aim to let bar patrons know when they have had too much to drink. 

The IntoxBox is a touch screen machine that measures a customer's blood alcohol content. The machines are currently located at six locations including Funky's and The Levee. Casey Rains has the story.

To keep up with the breathalyzers and state your opinion follow the IntoxBox on Twitter and Facebook. 

The Library Bar in Oxford, Ms prepares for Double Decker:

Double Decker weekend is a 17 year old tradition. Businesses all over the square look forward to it's economic boost. Employees work extra long shifts in order to keep up with the massive amount of people the weekend will draw. It is safe to say that Double Decker is just as big, if not bigger, then any home football game in Oxford. Double Decker is a spring favorite at Ole Miss, and the bar tenders at The Library are gearing up for the anticipated 30,000 people that will pass through her doors this weekend. 

Ole Miss Graduates Are In For A Rude Awakening As They Enter The Job Market

According to a new Associated Press study, 1 in 2 college graduates of 2012 will be unemployed or underemployed when going out into the working world.  Ole Miss students are not exempt from these numbers.  In fact, Jonathan Harrington, Associate Director for Employer Services at the Ole Miss Career Center, said that only one-third of students graduating in May 2012 have set job opportunities so far.

Harrington recommended starting the job search "as early as Sophomore year in order to get the appropriate internships and experience," to land a job straight out of college, but he said many wait until the last minute--some even just weeks before graduation.  With tools given by the Career Center, this shouldn't be the case.  Everyone knows that job market is in a downturn, but with enough research, work, tenacity, and use of facilities offered, finding a job isn't that hard.  

Jason Jones Wins 2012 Chucky Mullins Courage Award

Chucky Mullins played defensive back for the Rebels from 1988 to October, 1989, when he suffered a career ending hit during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt, leaving Mullins paralyzed from the waist down. Each spring a Courage Award is given to a Junior defensive player who demonstrates discipline and character, in which this year’s winner will have the honor of wearing Mullins’ #38 for next season. Archie Manning’s #18 is the only other number in Rebels’ football history to have been retired, in which in years past the award winner would wear a 38 patch on his jersey.

Jason Jones is this year’s winner and is the 23^rd recipient of The Chucky Mullins’ Courage Award, joining a list of fellow Rebels including Patrick Willis, Kentrell Lockett,  and D.T. Shackleford.

How To Beat The Gas Prices

The average price of gasoline is nearly four dollars nationally once again. High gas prices are a result of supply and demand, and people are feeling the pain at the pump. Summer vacations are around the corner and gas prices are expected to continue rising.
Many people are changing their lifestyles and making wise decisions to keep a few dollars in their pocket. Hybrids and E-Cars have been made to combat high gas prices and be safer for the environment. For the people with less money, fuel saving techniques like: carpooling, public transit, use of online sites for paying bills and choosing smaller vehicles if possible saves you money. Myckel Buford has the story.  

Mississippi and the Issue of Abortion

 Mariel Parman does research on the latest about the progress on the Fetal Heartbeat Bill.

Recently the Fetal Heartbeat Bill "Senate Bill 2771" was killed on the Mississippi Senate floor. The bill said that if an abortion is performed after a heartbeat is discovered then if would be considered homicide. The bill was considered unconstitutional due to restrictions on federal law.

The topic of abortion has been gaining heat before the November elections with Governor Phil Bryant supporting Proposition 26 (a bill for restrictions on contraceptives and abortions). He has even posted articles on his official website about the steps he's taking in protecting all life in the state.

Mariel Parman, a University of Mississippi student and a member of the UM Feminist Majority staged a protest in November to speak out against the state taking away women's health rights such as abortion and contraceptives.

Cy Rosenblatt, a University of Mississippi Political Science professor and former member of the MS Senate says that he feels that Bryant definitely has a passion for the issue of being pro-life.

Popular women's blog "Jezebel" named the entire state of Mississippi as being one of the worst places for women's health. One of their reasoning was due to the strict access to abortion one has in the state.

Other states are following in Mississippi footsteps such as Oklahoma and Ohio. 
 

Students on Limited Parking Space

Students are not at all ecstatic about parking on campus. Decal prices have went up and space is limited. The biggest issue may be the constant, massive increase in freshmen for this past academic year and the upcoming one. According to the admissions office, there were close to 3,600 incoming freshmen and will be about the same this year. If the trend continues, how will students feel? Both the current ones and the potential, incoming ones?

Behind the scenes with Cajun Crawfish Co.

Cajun Crawfish Company is the neighborhood's local southern boiling haven with crawfish tails and hollowed heads stacking up on wooden tables each weekend in Oxford, Mississippi. Cajun Crawfish Co. is conveniently located at the Chevron on South Lamar Boulevard. Owner, John Michael Belk, takes pride in running their two crawfish trailers. The first location, in Southaven, Mississippi, has been in business for three years. The Oxford location has been open for one year and is already having great success. Cajun Crawfish Co. provides cooked crawfish by the pound, live sales and catering to the public. The trailer is open Thursday-Sunday outside of special catering events.

Grove Bowl Week encourages Rebel Fans

Rebel fans, excited about change, welcomed new athletic director Ross Bjork and new head football coach Hugh Freeze Grove Bowl weekend.

Freeze was able to showcase the progress of the 2012 Ole Miss Football team as Rebel fans traveled to Oxford for a weekend of events with the program.  Showcasing a new coach and a new athletic director, the weekend was rather exciting. 

Grove Bowl weekend was an overwhelming success.  The week included many events to get Ole Miss Rebel fans ready for new great and exciting things.  Along with the BancorpSouth Grove Bowl, there were many events leading up to the exciting reveal.  Acting as a week long pep-rally for fans, several events were held on campus including, the Rebels Choice Awards, the Chucky Mullins Courage Award Banquet, a free concert in the Grove with Gavin DeGraw and Craig Morgan, an NFL panel discussion featuring Eli Manning and a SEC baseball series at home.

OLE MISS STUDENT TERRELL GRANT USES MUSIC TO PURSUE HIS DREAMS

                           

Dreams and aspirations are something many individuals have in today's society. At Ole Miss students are encourage to go beyond their potential and utilize their skills in a special way. Students express their talents in the classroom,on facebook, twitter and even on youtube .

Ole Miss football player, Terrell Grant  has taken this concept from the university and his love for music, to help him pursue a life long dream in the music industry. However, T.O has alot of competition to overcome if he wants to live out his dream of being signed to a major label. Joel Kight has the story in the video below

Not Just Your Average Student

Brittani Acuff is a student at the University of Mississippi, where she is not just a student, but involved in extracurricular activities such as a Sorority called Kappa Alpha Theta. Brittani has supported her sorority in such events as Theta Encore which is an event that  raises money. However she finds herself on Tuesday nights as senator dealing with issues such as the smoking ban for  ASB, and just when you think she has done it all when balancing out her studies! Brittani is also a Newswatch anchor, covering daily stories, and events.  For more on the story please click on the   Link.

UM meal plans and food costs on the rise

      Meal plan hikes were approved state wide on Thursday and are expected to increase starting May 7.  Not only will the price of food go up, but the cost of each meal plan will be lowered, causing students to get less food for more money.

     Freshman Michael Puglisi says the price increases are not fair to the students.  "The price of food in the Union is already so high that one meal plan usually isn't enough to cover the cost," says Puglisi, "I usually have to use my Flex money to cover the difference that my meal plan doesn't pick up."

      Although the majority of students are upset with the higher costs, most say that it will not stop them from continuing to eat on campus.  "A lot of freshman eat here because it's convenient," says Melinda Szafranski, freshman education major at Ole Miss, "and some students like me who do not have a car don't really have a choice but to eat on campus."

      For more on the story, click here.

Ole Miss Public Events Assistant Director Retires

   If you attended an event at the University of Mississippi in the past several years, you probably have Martha Webb to thank for making it happen.  As the Assistant Director for University & Public Events at Ole Miss, Webb helped coordinate events involving students, faculty and the chancellor.   She even took care of non-university related events such as the 2008 Presidential Debate.  Webb even had the privilege of meeting high profile people such as the ambassador of China when he visited the Ole Miss Campus last fall.

    Before her time as Assistant Director, Webb worked at the Ole Miss Box Office.  After working at the University for many years she has decided it is time to retire and enjoy life with her husband without the stress of work.  Retirement will not be an entirely brand new adjustment as she has been working part time since January getting used to spending days not behind a desk working a 9 to 5 job.

For more on Martha Webb please click here to watch a video
   
(Photo Courtesy of Ole Miss Public Events)

Behind the Scenes at The University of Mississippi's Newswatch

Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at a television news station? You would be surprised to know that everything is planned well beforehand, and everyone has a duty to perform to ensure a successful broadcast. The student's of Newswatch at Ole Miss took time to speak with me to discuss the daily routine the news crew takes leading up to the live broadcast. Nick Will, the technical producer, handles the sound and video to confirm it is on cue. Kyle Dutton, the floor director and camera man, is responsible for overseeing everyone's duty in the news room and setting up the camera angles. Andrew Mattrick, the meteorologist, has to constantly watch the weather throughout the live broadcast to verify the weather is up-to-date since weather is unpredictable. To catch a glimpse of how these Ole Miss students prepare the daily news, play the video below. 

A Local Taste: Big Bad Breakfast

A Local Taste: Big Bad Breakfast

Established in 2008 by local chef John Currence, Big Bad Breakfast has brought ordinary to extraordinary breakfast options here to Oxford Mississippi. Located just north of the downtown square, this breakfast diner has an array of option for the everyday customer. Ranked Oxford’s best breakfast, BBB has confined the title with the cured meats from local farms, house-made jellies, and house made spice to make your breakfast experience one to remember. 

        

Ole Miss Soccer Player Travels Home for a Chance to Represent Her Country in the 2012 Summer Olympics

Rafaelle Souza  came to the University of Mississippi to play soccer and study civil engineering.  Born in Salvador, Brazil, this Olympic hopeful is competing for a spot to represent Brazil in the 2012 Summer Olympic games.  This star student athlete understands the importance of setting and obtaining goals.  The talented 20-year-old became a major player on her country's national women's soccer team, which played in the World Cup Championship.  In Souzas sophomore season she led the team in goals, assists and points.  She ended the year one goal, one point, and one assist away from breaking into Ole Miss' single season record book for each category.  Souza finished the year tied for fifth in the SEC in game - winning goals, ninth in points, and tied for ninth in goals.  Souza says she is enjoying her time at
Ole Miss   but misses her family and home in Brazil.

Click here to watch Rafaelle Souza's  story.  

Smithville, MS still Recovering from Tornado

      Last year was one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks since March of 1925. The outbreak destroyed many towns including Smithville, Miss. It has been a year since Smithville, MS was destroyed by an F-5 tornado. The storm destroyed 153 homes, 14 of the 16 businesses, and killed 16 people. Before the storm the town's population stood around 900; today, the population is around 500. Smithville needs businesses and people.
       The town is hopeful that they will come back from this tragedy and be even better than they were before. "We're going to be back. Smithville folks are devoted to rebuilding stronger and better," says mayor of Smithville, Gregg Kennedy.

For more on this story click here

Addy Photography: One of a kind business, One of a kind family

In the small town of Oxford, Mississippi, there are many independent and family owned businesses. Addy Photography, established by Jerry Lamar Addy, is one of the most well known and has flourished over the past 34 years. Since Addy Photography is the only photography business that does school pictures in Lafayette County, such as Bramlett Elementary, Della Davidson Elementary, and even schools in South Haven, it will always be important to this town and it's surrounding counties.

The University of Mississippi's Luckyday Success Program is More Than a Scholarship

The Lucyday Success Program is a scholarship program created by Frank Day. Day, a graduate of the University of Mississippi's, mission was to provide less fortunate high school students from Mississippi with a chance for a college education. The Luckyday Success Program is a great chance for students to learn how to go from high school to college. The scholars are more than happy for the opportunity and say that Luckyday is more than a scholarship.

Red Meat: Cut Back, Don't Cut Out

The thought of a premature death due to red meat consumption hasn’t steered University of Mississippi students away from hamburgers and hotdogs at Oxford’s Sonic fast-food restaurant. “These pickle-O’s are probably worse for me than this burger,” said junior Walker Wroe.

A recent Harvard study suggested that individuals who consume red meat more than twice a week would increase their mortality rate by twelve percent. The conclusion of the study, which was published in the Internal Archives of Medicine, found that heart disease, colorectal cancer and high cholesterol were all associated with increased red meat consumption.

“It is important to note that an association does not mean a cause, and because of that, we are not telling people to quit eating red meat,” said Teresa Carithers, a registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at the University of Mississippi. Carithers said that the study’s findings as well as any other related research shouldn’t altogether alter a person’s diet, but that it should instead serve as a reminder that we need variation in what we eat. Jennifer Peterson reports.

WFAA-TV in Dallas, TX works on social media policy

Some have called this the age of social media. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have grown incredibly in the past few years. For example, Facebook currently has more than 800 million users with expectations that it could pass one billion by the end of 2012.

Television news operations are trying to figure out how to reach those massive audiences. That includes WFAA-TV in Dallas, TX, which has some of the highest-rated local newscasts in the country. But WFAA is still struggling to understand the role of social media in its news reporting. Brad Schultz has more on this story below: