Native Voices Exhibit
(photo taken by CSU-Pueblo AV staff)

by Ashley Schaerfl

March 2nd was the start of the Native Voices exhibit that will be open to students, faculty and the community in the Library Academic Resource Center until April 16.

The exhibit showcases the connection between community, health, spirit and nature while shining light on specific individuals like Navajo Code Talkers, Thomas & Nonobah Begay, from World War 2 and a Layton Lamsan, a junior at Stafford who is a part of the Osage Nation. “ Visitors will discover how Native concepts of health and illness are closely tied to the concepts of community, spirit, and the land,” the Native Voices site says.

These speakers come from all over the US including places like New Mexico, Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii. Thomas & Nonobah Begay, WWII veterans, talk about the importance of Code Talkers during the war, while Cathy Abramson from Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, talks about how boardings schools forced many native american students to abandon their languages and cultural beliefs.

“ You can see the pain and suffering that these cultures faced as they became apart of the american people and dream, as well as Americans’ need for their culture beliefs and more in winning wars and developing the nation,” Ceresa Kennedy, a CSU-Pueblo student, said.

The exhibit is being showcased thanks to the NLM and the Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness, in hopes to provide widespread outreach and to help the exhibit visit 103 different libraries throughout the US. “ Through a partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, the exhibition is touring across the country to public libraries, academic libraries, tribal libraries, tribal college libraries and special libraries,” Sandy Hudock Professor, Director of Education, Research, & Outreach Services University Library, said.

Students who are interested in the exhibit also have the chance to attend different public speaking events throughout the month. These speakers are covering topics that spread from holistic healing all the way up to Rock and Art. “ March 30th Lesley White Temple-Gipp, member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, is speaking,” Hudock said. “Temple-Gipp has been deeply involved with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest at Standing Rock.”

The exhibit is in the lobby of the LARC in hopes to draw in viewers. “I hope the campus will take some time to listen,” Hudock said. “ The speakers and the exhibit interviews are eye-opening and inspiring. We can provide scheduled tours upon request.”

by Tiffany Underwood

Colorado State University-Pueblo hosted 900 students from around Colorado to compete in 35 STEM based competitions on March 4, .

This event began at 9 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. The CSU-Pueblo science department hosted both high school and middle school students to participate in science a competition that has 35 different categories for students to participate in. There are 60 teams of up to 20 students. Acacia Dettman, junior at CSU-Pueblo, said, “I think it is really cool, the students participating in this event are actually trying to do good and win for their school, which shows a genuine interest in the STEM based field and we always need more young people to peruse the science field.”

The competition is STEM based which is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. The event had roughly 150 volunteers that worked the different sections of the competition. These volunteers include students and staff of CSU-Pueblo.

Many community and state governmental agencies also sent volunteers, including the Pueblo City County Health Department, the National Weather Service, TTCI, Vestas, UTC Aerospace, United States Geological Survey and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Nearly 100 upper division CSU-Pueblo students and their faculty served as judges for the various events as well. The teachers who participated in this event created the evaluation material the students were tested on. Professor Matthew Cranswick, one of the science professors at CSU-Pueblo, said, “After creating the material the students are evaluated on, it is nice to see all the young students willing to work hard in a science field and show their interest.

Abby Davison put the event together. Davison is the Director of the Science Learning Center. The SLC is also STEM based, that is the reason that Davison directed the science olympiad competition. Davison said, “I believe this is important on many levels to demonstrate the dedication of CSU-Pueblo for higher STEM based learning, it also gives the CSU-Pueblo students an opportunity to be role models for the younger students with similar interests.”

An awards ceremony followed the competition and was held at Pueblo Centennial High School from 4p.m. until 5:30p.m. at the ceremony there was a closing statement given then the results of the overall event were given. The top 15 schools in both division B and C, which is middle school and high school, will advance to the state competition at the Colorado School of Mines on April 15th.

“I worked at the Rube Goldberg machine station and when we had just started judging the children’s contraptions, I accidentally bumped into one and activated the entire series that had taken that child about 20 minutes to set up, after that the whole room glared at me and I’m sure they all hated me as he reset his entire machine. I got off to a rough start but overall it was a wonderful experience to see these intricate and elaborate machines that the children had been building for months.” Annie Mehl, junior at CSU-Pueblo, said.

by Thomas Thortvedt

The Colorado State University-Pueblo, Men’s and Women’s basketball both hosted Rocky Mountain Conference Shootout games throughout the first week of March.

To start the week, the women faced off against South Dakota Mines & Technology, Feb. 28. The women were able to feed off of sophomore, Molly Roher’s 23 points in a 69-65 effort.

The pack men were also able to dominate the turnover battle, forcing the South Dakota Hardrockers to commit 23 turnovers. The pack were able to convert those turnovers into 20 points for themselves.

The pack had 20 more points in the paint than the Hardrockers and that is thanks to Roher’s 23 points. The game was tight throughout all four quarters but Roher and junior, Taylor Long led the pack, scoring 15 of the teams 19 points in the fourth period.

The victory against South Dakota Mines & Technology guaranteed that the rest of the RMAC Women’s Tournament will be held in Pueblo.

The CSU-Pueblo Men’s Basketball hosted the RMAC shootout quarterfinal against Colorado Christian University Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The men fell short 54-52. The pack were able to go into the half with a 30-27 lead but the Colorado Christian Cougars came out strong in the second half and won the scoring battle 27-22.

Junior, Will Newman, was able to accumulate 21 points and knock down five 3-pointers for the pack. Newman also added four rebounds, four assist and four steals. “I just wanted to lay it all out on the line,” Newman said. “Doesn’t really mean much when you don’t get the victory though,” he added.

Senior, Nelson Kahler, also contributed 13 points, grabbed seven rebounds and totaled three blocks, moving him to 92 for the season.

Colorado Christian finished off the game on a 11-0 run that brought the game to 52-47 with only 30 seconds left, forcing the pack to foul but couldn’t get the Cougars to miss at the free throw line.

The men will know their NCAA Tournament fate on Sunday, March 5 at 8:30 p.m. when the NCAA streams its selection show on NCAA.com.

With the loss of the men’s team, ending their RMAC shootout run, the women returned to the court Friday, March 3 to face Regis University.

On Jan. 28, the women were able to beat Regis 65-51 but the outcome this past Friday was different as the Regis Rangers beat the pack 77-71, eliminating the Thunderwolves from the RMAC tournament.

The women trailed the Rangers for the entire game, starting off the game on a 7-0 run. In the first quarter the pack went 1-of-10 from the field. The score was 18-13 after one period, after the pack knocked down eight free throws.

Katie Cunningham, junior, picked up her fourth double-double of the season sinking 16 points which was a season best and also picked up 11 points from the foul line. Senior, Angie Moore had an 11 point night and also recorded two blocks against the Rangers.

RMAC player of the year, Molly Roher, led the team with 19 points and also tallied two blocks, giving her 68 total blocks for the season, that is second most in school history.

Head Coach, Jim Turgeon, said his team has been waiting for the NCAA tournament for a few weeks now. “The first thing is we need to take a couple days off to get physically and mentally rejuvenated after this long season.” Turgeon said. “It’s been our number one goal all season to get to the Elite 8 so I think we’ll bounce back from a tough loss.” He said.

Have being No. 1 in the South Central Regional Rankings poll heading into the tournament, The Thunderwolves will figure out Sunday, March 5, if they will host a NCAA regional game.

by Dillon Wolf

For high school students wishing to get a head start on their music career, the annual Festival of Winds at Colorado State University- Pueblo took place for high school students across Colorado and neighboring states.

The festival was started nine years ago by professor Alan Mills, who wanted to give young musicians the opportunity to play in an honor band, even if some of them may not be considered for a traditional honor band.

“Most honor bands are based on auditions,” said professor Ryan Van Gilder, organizer of this year’s festival. “The band directors nominate these students to the festival which allows some of the students who may not make the other honor bands an opportunity to develop.”

Students who play wind instruments and percussion instruments are nominated by their school band directors, who then audition for one of four symphonic or orchestral bands.

“The experience that these students get playing with students from other schools and learning from the conductors and music department faculty is very valuable in their development as young musicians,” said Van Gilder.

Alena Akse, a student attending Manitou Springs High School, was at CSU-Pueblo auditioning with a group of her peers.

“It’s mostly people from Southern Colorado auditioning,” she said, “but people come from all over.”

The festival allows high school students to perform in a large group, as well as get in front of CSU-P professors and show off their talents.

“The students who are seniors and make the select Wind Orchestras are offered scholarships to attend CSU-Pueblo in the fall,” said Van Gilder.

This year, there were more than 360 participants taking place in the festival, with thirteen different instruments that they could audition for.

After auditioning, students were then placed into symphonic or orchestral bands, and compete for positions in their respective sections.

Akse, who was there auditioning with a clarinet, was hoping to get placed in a high seat in one of the orchestral bands.

“Getting top chair, that would be fantastic,” she said.

After participants were given their individual placements and chairs in their respective sections, the United States Air Force Academy concert band played for the students. In past years, the faculty, the Fountain Creek Bass Band, and the University Wind Ensemble have all played for the festival.

According to the festival’s website, the event also sees support from Colorado organizations, such as Marck Time Music, Percussion Concepts, and the Colorado Institute of Musical Technology, who all maintained booths for students this year.

After being assigned their places in their respective bands, participants then left to practice before finally going to perform at the Sangre De Cristo Arts Center.

Any high schools wishing to enter the festival of winds can access the application and find information on the CSU-Pueblo website.

by the CSU-Pueblo Today

Like a cartoon cloud that anthropomorphizes itself into a menacing skull, clouds of smoke choke students as they attempt to safely travel between their lecture rooms. Second hand smoke permeating their pristine bronchi, the oblivious victims walk through the napalm of their negligent offenders as they puff away at their obsession. A forced assault on their respiratory system that over time, could prove deadly. Put simply, if students want to get to their classes, they are going to have to breath in lungs-full of the toxic smog. It is Colorado State University-Pueblo’s responsibility to protect its students and enforce the smoking policies laid out in its bylaws.

Smoking on campus is becoming a major concern for CSU-Pueblo students. There is no way to navigate the campus while completely avoiding the smokers. Neither should the responsibility fall on the shoulders of the large majority of non-smoking students to divert their paths in avoidance. Furthermore, the cigarette butts are piling up in common areas including the cafe. It degrades the campus grounds and it is against the law to litter in the state of Colorado.

Thirty percent of all college students smoke in some capacity according to a recent Harvard study. It’s a staggering number considering the voluminous research warning of the hazards of doing so. There’s even labels on the package, in case it went unnoticed. Second hand smoke is responsible for 41,000 deaths a year per the American Lung Association. Contained in the exhale of smokers are deadly chemicals, including formaldehyde and arsenic.

“Cigarette smoking is a huge way of disrespecting the people around you.” claims Ryan Champagne, CSU-Pueblo student.

The bylaws are clearly laid out in the Pack Guide which states that smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings, in campus-owned properties, in campus-leases and in campus-owned vehicles. This includes e-cigarettes. Smoking is permitted outside University facilities only if it is 25 feet away from all building perimeters. This is not nearly far enough.

“I think it needs to be more enforced” says Jessikah Campbell, another CSU-Pueblo student.

When the CSU-Pueblo Today visited the Security/Police Campus office we were told that it is campus policy and should be posted at every entrance. However, upon further investigation it was discovered that there are no signs to make students aware of any such policy. Campus police were unavailable for interviews.

The CSU-Pueblo Today went around campus picking up and tallying every third cigarette butt we found. We accrued a bounty of 253 butts by walking the perimeter of the campus. This did not include the grass areas. With thousands of cigarette butts lying around campus, the ball is being dropped and it is the administration’s responsibility to pick it up.

The public smoking bans throughout the world are evidence that change is needed. A TIME magazine study recently concluded that respiratory issues in food and beverage industry workers were significantly reduced in cities that banned smoking in bars and restaurants. Cardiovascular emergency visits were down also. The effect of second hand smoke is well documented and in an enclosed area it can be quite menacing. But even outdoors, smoke can have lingering effects and over time the danger of negative effects from exposure increases.

“There is no risk-free level of exposure to second hand smoke.” The US Surgeon General said in 2006.

Do the students of a university not deserve to be protected by the institution? The dangerous effects of smoking and secondhand smoke are not debatable. Putting unwitting students in harm’s way is negligent at best, if not complicit. When a person’s right to breath non-toxic air is trampled by another person’s personal freedoms, those personal freedoms need to be examined.

Smoking areas need to be clear of foot traffic and better disposal methods are a necessity. Larger signs need to be put up throughout campus. Students that don’t comply to the regulations need to be ticketed, after an initial warning. Most of all it requires enforcement of all guidelines from campus police.

by David Buck 

Colorado State University-Pueblo offers state of the art recreational facilities to all students and alumni. For students, membership is included in student fees. For alumni, membership can be purchased at the front desk.

The CSU-Pueblo Student Recreation Center offers a variety of athletic services students may not be aware of.

The rec center features a large gym, featuring free weights and weight-lifting machines on one side of the gym. On the other side are several exercise bikes, elliptical machines, and a rowing machine. Set within, overlooking the basketball court, is an indoor running track.

Lockers are free to those whom provide their own lock. Lockers can also be rented for $25.00 per semester.

In addition to the gym facilities, the rec center offers a wide variety of leisure activities. A 13-foot deep pool is available to students, with full instructions and hours here: https://www.csupueblo.edu/student-recreation/aquatics.html.

On top of that, a climbing wall is available, that, per the rec center website, changes regularly and has several different challenge levels.

A basketball court and four racquetball courts are in the main hall of the rec center and equipment may be checked out for use by a student. When students walk into the Rec Center – even if they’re only passing through – they will need to have their Student ID ready to check in with the front desk. A notice, to remind students of this, is posted on the front door of the center.

Outdoor activities such as a volleyball set and a ropes obstacle-like course are available. Outdoor Pursuits, CSU-Pueblo’s excellent outdoor activities resource center is also located in the Rec Center.

Business and athletic training student, Austin Walrod, uses the center daily except for Sun. because he believes they are closed. However, according to posted hours on the website, the Rec Center is actually open on Sun. from 2:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.

Walrod said he is familiar with outdoor pursuits, planning to check it out sometime. He uses the rock wall once a month and said he would be likely to use it more often if I had more time.

“They change it up every week and that’s pretty cool,” he said.

Walrod uses the rec center daily for his normal exercises, but rarely utilizes some of the activities. He was unaware of programs like Outdoor Pursuits until he started doing his daily workouts, but he thinks racquetball and ping-pong look like fun.

Students should remember to make sure they wear a T-shirt while working in the weight room and to be courteous of other members working out. Official Rec Center policies require students to wipe down any equipment they use and to have a closed water bottle – no open containers are allowed – for their workout. Open-toed shoes are also prohibited.

When students finish, or before they start, their workout, a massage therapy area and wellness check area are available. Ask the front desk for details.

For more information – and to check out rec center policies – check out https://www.csupueblo.edu/student-recreation/index.html or call 719-549-2085. Rec Center Hours are
Mon. -Thurs. from 6:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M. and from 6:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. on Fri. On Sat., hours are 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. and Sun., 2:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.

by Thomas Thortvedt

The Colorado State University-Pueblo University hosted an event for micro aggression in the psychology building yesterday at noon.

Micro aggression is a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group, program manager for student affairs at CSU-Pueblo, Bonnie Fruland said.

Micro aggression is more than just race said Fruland. “Its gender, criminality, its everything that involves a stereotype towards a person or group.” Fruland said.

This type of aggression includes other types of implicit insults, such as dominant, individual, subordinate and aversive. Each type of micro aggression is a type of insult imposed on from one person to another.

Director of Diversity and Inclusion at CSU-Pueblo, Jennifer Detuna-Alanis, said that people who’re exposed to a micro aggression are not exactly sensitive and have the ability to speak up for themselves. “I don’t have a direct answer but I can say who you are and the person’s core values play a role.” Alanis said.

The people who attended the event were able to look at past case studies at different universities and had to point out the micro aggression that was being used.

A video was also shown in the presentation called “Micro Aggression in Everyday Life.” Professor at Columbia University, Derald Wing Mue, spoke about micro aggressions and how they can be nonverbal as well on Sep 8. 2010.

Mue also said that humans should experience experiential reality because it is important in interacting with people who differ from someone in race, culture and ethnicity.

The presentation concluded after Alanis and Fruland asked the audience to see if anyone has experienced a micro aggression and also asked how they reacted to it. Both Alanis and Fruland participated in recalling a time they experienced a micro aggression in their past.

Fruland, who is bisexual, remembered a time where she felt out of place in a room full of straight people and said the micro aggression she felt was nonverbal.

Alanis, who is both Italian and Mexican, recalled a time where a man commented on how good her English was. Alanis said that it what a verbal micro aggression to her because she has always been in the United States and knew English her whole life.

Fruland, before letting the attendees go, said that micro aggressions aren’t a bad thing. “Don’t dismiss the experience of micro aggression as an isolated incident,“ Fruland said.

by Tiffany Underwood

Colorado State University-Pueblo hosted Sundie Seefried, the CEO of Safe Harbor private banking, to discuss cannabis banking and how important it is Wednesday Feb. 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the general class building.

Seefried hopes to bring awareness to the community to change understanding so that she can promote safe banking to cannabis companies and get away from the all cash companies.

Safe Harbor banking for cannabis companies has no contact with the cash from the companies. What they do is take a secure banking truck and they take it directly to the bank, so there are no legal concerns for the people in the banking company with the possibility of unsafe money.

According to the Safe Harbor website, they are a private banking is the first and only subscription-based banking program. Their bank is one of the first that is willing to work with cannabis industries to change an all cash banking system to something that is more safe and secure.

“In 2004 I was ready to retire with all my benefits ending, I had nothing to lose and I wanted to help make a change.” Seefried said. She discussed how because of the recent change in Colorado law regarding to medical and recreational marijuana there also needs to be a change in understanding on a federal level.

This event was put on by Timothy McGettigan, sociology and anthropology professor. He said that he put this event on and plans to put on more similar events to aid the new cannabis research program at CSU-Pueblo. The goal of the research program is to find both the good and bad sides of cannabis, then to take that bad and give it to people who are able to work towards fixing the bad.

“Governor Hickenlooper urged CSU-Pueblo to create the cannabis research institute in 2016 to work with the changing laws on cannabis to understand the good but also the bad so it can be solved and not be a bad thing,” McGettigan said.

The event was in a classroom with almost all seats filled, the audience members were people from the Pueblo community and some members who are in collaboration with Safe Harbor banking.

Seefried is also the writer of a book about cannabis banking named Navigating Safe Harbor: Cannabis banking in a time of uncertainty. This book is about Safe Harbor banking and how they work with cannabis companies to work on safe secure banking.

She discussed how difficult it is in this time where medical and recreational cannabis is legal but federal laws prevent these companies from opening checking or saving accounts legally. At the end of the event Seefried went outside into the hall where she was available to sign her books, which were also available for purchase.

“I feel the event went really well, I think it was informative and everyone got the necessary information needed, I do wish this would have been longer for more opportunity for questions,” said Seefried.

by Thomas Thortvedt

On senior night, Colorado State University- Pueblo Men and Women’s basketball both won their games and conclude the regular season next week.

The CSU-Pueblo Women’s Basketball were able to clinch their first outright Rocky Mountain Conference title last night after an 80-72 win against Colorado Christian University. The win puts the pack at a 25-1 record, the women also set a record with their 19th RMAC win of the season, most in school history.

Head Coach Jim Turgeon said the team celebrated but the team also have different goals in mind. “What was really cool is the fact that we didn’t cut down the nets because we have other goals we want to accomplish,” he said. “But I can assure you we celebrated in a private locker room after the game.” Turgeon adds.

Last night was about the seniors, the pack started four to begin the contest and jumped out to a 5-2 lead thanks to Jaszymn Johnson. Johnson and fellow seniors, Ana Gurau, Maddie Beagley and Angie Moore will leave Pueblo with the most wins of any senior class.

The Thunderwolves throughout the game won the battle of bench points, outscoring Colorado Christian 50-9 in the category. The pack coming out of the second half would trail 43-38 with 3:14 left. At that moment is when junior, Taylor Long would catch fire, making three after three and gave the pack a 13-3 run leading into the fourth quarter.

Colorado Christian University wouldn’t get much closer after getting the lead to 60-56, the pack were able to go on a 8-0 run to close the game and were able to knock down 9-of-10 free throws after the Colorado Christian Cougars extended the game by fouling.

The ThunderWolves will finish the regular season on a two game road trip that starts Friday Feb. 24 at Western State Colorado University at 5 p.m. and conclude the road trip and regular season at Colorado Mesa University Saturday Feb.28 at 5:30 p.m.

The Colorado State University-Pueblo Men’s Basketball also had senior night last night. The men were able to hit seven 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the second half after going into halftime trailing 39-37.

Before the contest, the Pack recognized five seniors from the team. Two out of the five, Nelson Kahler and Rico Spikes were able to post double-doubles, making it Kahler’s third and Spike’s fifth.

The teams leading scoring was junior, Mark Williams. Williams kept the team in the game early by scoring 17 of his 21 points in the first half and also was able to collect six rebounds and three assist.

The Men’s team, just like the Women’s were able to win the bench points category, winning the battle 25-2. The Colorado Christian Cougars were able to shoot a higher field goal percentage but it was the Pack’s 8-for-16 (50%) 3-point percentage that was the game changer and ultimately changed the momentum of the game.

With the win, the ThunderWolves improved to 18-7 and 16-4 in conference play. The Pack sit at third place in the conference behind Colorado School of Mines and Fort Lewis College, who’re both sitting at a 17-3 record.

The men also head on a two game road trip to conclude the regular season. The pack will play Western State Colorado University Friday and Colorado Mesa University Saturday after women’s play.

by Victoria Ruiz

On Wednesday, students at Colorado State University- Pueblo had a reason behind their rhyme. The first Southern Colorado Reading Series event of the year took place in the General Classroom Building and featured award winning play wright, poet and essayist, Idris Goodwin and spoken word poet Nico Wilkinson.

The event was organized by Juan Morales, associate professor of English and the director of creative writing who partnered with the Black Student Union (BSU) and the English Club. The SOCO Reading Series has brought Goodwin to CSU-Pueblo in the past. In fact, Morales said, “We’ve known each other for several years now.”

Roderick Reed, a business major with a marketing emphasis and BSU event coordinator helped Morales as part of the student organization’s support of Black History Month events. He commended Goodwin saying, “(Goodwin is) a very knowledgeable person that’s able to put that in art.”

Seven students took advantage of the poetry slam sign-up which took place before the two featured presenters. Morales called them “brave souls” and asked that the audience give them encouragement and support. The students who presented were both veterans and novices to the experience. Some performers read from papers while others had their pieces memorized. Morales did comment on the use of profanity after one piece, he seemed neutral about it saying, “Language takes us where we want to go.”

There was no formal protocol for how the audience reacted to the performances with both applause and snaps could be heard. Morales joked about the inconsistency in the audience, he said, “I left my script in the car.”

After the open-mic performers, Goodwin and Wilkinson were introduced by Morales. It was also mentioned that limited editions of Goodwin and Wilkinson’s chapbook, Inauguration were being sold. Morales said, “It’s still warm,” in reference to how new the publication was.

Inauguration is a collection of poems that highlight current events from, as Goodwin put it, their “specific lens.” Goodwin and Wilkinson have known each other since Wilkinson was a student. She commented on her partnership with Goodwin saying, “It was such an honor to be able to work with someone that mentored me.” According to his website, Goodwin currently teaches in the Department of Theater and Dance at Colorado College.

The poets from Colorado Springs were enthusiastic about sharing their pieces; Goodwin said he was “really excited about this new endeavor.” He went on to encourage students to enroll in English classes saying, “Everyone in college should be in a writing course.”

Goodwin also expressed excitement about sharing his work with Pueblo and “bridging the gap” between Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Goodwin said, “You guys have been a tremendous audience, as I knew you would be.”

In fact, more people continued to join the initial audience throughout the poetry slam portion of the night. By the end of the event, Reed suspected there were approximately 65-70 people in attendance. “This was way more than what’s happened in previous years,” said Reed.

Morales was also surprised at the turn out and the inclusion of community members, such as a representative from La Casita Grande Editores. According to their website, http://www.lcgeditores.com, La Casita Grande Editores is a publishing house whose main purpose is to “fill a void” in Latino and Caribbean literature. Morales said, “The outcome was unexpected. I didn’t envision people from the community.”

According to the SOCO Reading Series Facebook page, the next event will be Friday, March 10 and will feature Nicky Beer and Wayne Miller. For current updates on the next SOCO Reading Series, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSoCoReadingSeries.