By Alexis Smith

The Pack women’s volleyball team lost three set to New Mexico Highlands Tuesday night, despite early success.  

Head coach Jill Muhe said the Thunderwolves came out with high energy. Within minutes of the first set starting they took the lead. They were driven with momentum and the duo of Sarah Vang and Mallorie Post. Vang totaled 21 kills and Post collected 4 blocks. Thunderwolves took the win for the first set with the score 25-19.

“You know, we came out with this great energy and this fire, and in game two, we came out and they fought back and grabbed the momentum and ran with it,” Muhe said. “We just weren’t quite able to get it back.”

In the second and third sets, New Mexico took the lead early on and ended up winning both, but not without a fight from the Thunderwolves.  “One of the interesting things about volleyball is the set format,” Muhe said. “You have these built in momentum stops which is kind of different than a lot of other sports.

It was in the fourth set that the Thunderwolves displayed immense perseverance. The score throughout the beginning of the fourth set was a back and forth struggle of who was going to take the lead, but the Thunderwolves were able to establish a solid lead. The Thunderwolves led 14-9 in the fourth set after a 4-0.

The final score was 25-21 New Mexico, but the Thunderwolves will not let this loss affect them according to Muhe.“We’ve got a couple days here so we’re obviously going to try to get ourselves in the position physically, mentally so that we can go out and compete again this weekend.”  

Muhe also said this season is a process. This year, the team is a group of young girls, so it’s about these girls finding out how to keep the momentum they displayed in the first game and running with it through the rest of match.  

Junior Sarah Vang said that she believes the team is making progress. “We’re all physically capable of beating teams like tonight but it’s just not connecting yet. It will, it’s going to, it’s just not there yet.

Staff Review

If you like good coffee and a vintage décor, Gypsy Javas is the hang out spot for you.

Located a few blocks from Pueblo’s Riverwalk, Gypsy Javas is a small coffee shop and café nestled between art galleries and boutiques. It’s hard to miss – the awning over the door proudly proclaims the establishment’s name – and its menu is sure to satisfy.

The first thing you’ll probably notice about the café is its size. It’s pretty narrow inside, but the team at Gypsy Javas has used the unique venue to its advantage. As the name suggests, the décor and artwork are heavily based on the American gypsy culture of the late 1800s. Antique-style light bulbs in wall-mounted lamps add to the authenticity of the place.

The tables are uniquely upholstered with pressed faux leather and it’s difficult to find two chairs that are the same. Every single table is decorated with a centerpiece of coffee beans inside large light bulbs. They’re an interesting touch and a nod to steampunk culture.

The best part of the shop? The drinks themselves are far more colorful than the coffee-colored walls.

One of Gypsy Java’s most famous menu items is the rainbow latte. The baristas behind the counter turn each one into a work of art and no two are exactly the same. Rainbow lattes are fun and colorful, and the designs made of cream and food coloring can range from blue and purple peacock feathers to red flames. These drinks are usually served open; that is, without a lid on the cups to leave the art visible.

They taste just as good as they look. The coffee itself doesn’t disappoint – it’s got a nice, bold flavor. If so desired, a flavored syrup can be added to the rainbow latte to further customize and sweeten the drink. If you’re not into caffeine, rainbow lattes can be made with decaf coffee. Just be sure to request it when ordering.

Aside from the rainbow latte, Gypsy Javas has a menu of classic coffee and teas. They also have a rotation of creative seasonal drinks. These are usually advertised at the front counter, so be sure to pay attention to what’s available. Specialty drinks can run a bit expensive, however, but they’re well worth it.

Gypsy Javas also offers a range of breakfast, lunch and snacking options. All pastries available at the counter are baked fresh daily on-site. As with most cafés, however, the menu items like sandwiches and omelets can run pretty pricy.

by Jacob Durran

Steven Spielberg, one of the most consistent directors in Hollywood currently and has given us what he is best at giving: A great adventure with an engaging story and well fleshed out characters.

This is a movie that proves a film can have nostalgia and pop culture references within an entertaining story all at once.

The story is one that is adapted from the book Ready Player One and does what adaptations should do, stay faithful to the book, while adding fresh material and making it appealing to all audiences. It contains lines and events straight from the book as well and changes for the better. The pacing is a great balance of comedy and drama and moves at the proper pace.

Overall, the synopsis is that the OASIS, a virtual reality program created by James Halliday who leaves an Easter egg out for users of the program to inherit his fortune and control of the Oasis. Wade Watts and his friends all team to win the Easter egg and the prize with it.

The acting and characters work hand in hand in the movie as our protagonist Wade (Tye Sheridan) known as Parzival in the Oasis and Samantha (Olivia Cooke) known as Art3mis in the Oasis, all develop throughout the story with a solid antagonist named Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn). Nolan is the head of Innovative Online Industries the rival to the OASIS and is competing to acquire the Easter egg.

Each performance is top-notch and not one stands out in a negative way.

Visual effects are the most essential part of the story and help with showing off all the pop-culture characters and also enhancing the action. Luckily for this movie the visual effects are handled with care and all look stunning.

The editing works wonders as it helps keep the action clear and allows everything to be seen on an impactful level. It helps the action flow and shows references in and about the world of The Oasis. As with most Spielberg movies, there are no quick cuts or shaky cam to be found.

Steven Spielberg’s directing, similar to most of his filmography, exceeds expectations. With the type of movie presented he could have coasted and relied on the nostalgia and pop culture references but didn’t. His vision was one of a film that balanced nostalgia with good characters and has his traditional attention to detail with all aspects being spotless.

The musical selection has a truly original and unique orchestral score from Alan Silvestri It lends a sense of wonder and adventure to an entertaining film. Licensed songs are also used and they are all well utilized and fit organically.

Overall, Steven Spielberg has delivered again with a movie that has an engaging story and entertaining and exciting characters. In terms of the adaptation, it honors the book while building on and improving upon it.

I would highly recommend this treat offered by Steven Spielberg.

By Alex Purcell

The team at Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Office of Student Affairs have been working hard to improve the efficiency of the Howl app, and they’re finally seeing the fruits of their labors.

“We received an update at the beginning of the school year to make (the app) more user-friendly,” said Bonnie Fruland, the assistant director of Student Affairs. Since then, she said a few periodic updates have helped streamline the app’s functionality.

The good news is students do not have to get used to a completely different app. “It’s still the same app,” said Fruland. “It just looks a little different since the upgrade.”

To help promote the app, Fruland said incoming students were encouraged to download it as part of the online orientation process. This resulted in a noticeable increase in the user base. “A lot of new and transfer students are aware of (the Howl) now,” she said. “I think that’s awesome. I think it’s worth having and I think it’s worth keeping.”

Fruland said the app is a great tool to help students be aware of happenings around campus. “They can still add events to their schedule and get push notifications 30 minutes prior to that event happening,” she said.

Fruland said the updates also make the app an excellent resource for student organizations on campus. “Students can go in and see all the student orgs,” she said. “On the Resources tab, the orgs can link things to webpages, like links to Packlink.”

For example, Fruland said during Veteran’s Week last semester, all the events were listed in the Resources tab, which made it easy for interested students to see what was going on.

“If any student club or organization wants to have a Resources tab, I’m open to adding one,” Fruland said.

Fruland said feedback from students has been mostly positive. However, she said several students reported the Howl crashed often. “Since the update, those items have been improved,” she said.

Other feedback dealt with the lack of functionality in the Android version of the Howl. Fruland said updates have eliminated most of the issues. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced during development was difficulty maintaining uniformity between devices with Android and iOS, but Fruland said she did not expect it to be a problem in the future.

The CSU-Pueblo Howl app can be downloaded via Google Play and the Apple Store or by scanning the QR codes printed on the Howl calendars around campus.

By Jacob Duran

One of the best picture nominees at the upcoming 90 Academy Awards “Dunkirk” is a war movie, that shows the battle and evacuation of Dunkirk, France. The movie gives perspectives from the ground, the sea and the air.  This war movie is like no other, as it shows the raw intensity of the battle in some new and effective ways.

Tom Hardy plays Farrier a pilot who is taking down Nazis. He witnesses the British army evacuating by sea as well as average citizens coming in to aid.

Christopher Nolan directed the film. This plot was similar to a film he previous directed, “Inception”. The movie tells a multi-layered story that is connected, but attention must be given to all the characters involved.

The movie is not a character driven movie, however the actions of the characters are all of equal importance.

The cast is made up of many less known but up and coming actors along with more well known actors names who anchor it. This cast did a great job in making the viewer feel the fear and intensity of the battle.

The directing also exceeds expectations as Nolan continues to prove mastery of his craft.  This was no easy movie to direct, considering it also has a real life connection.

The effects and music play a key role in the intensity of the movie. Nolam used as many practical effects along with period authentic sound effects. Hans Zimmer, musical composer for the film also worked wonders with his musical score that only got more intense. The drama of the movie would not have reached its peak without the music.

The musical score utilized a pocket watch and other sounds mixed in with music. Zimmer has earned an Oscar Nomination for his work in Dunkirk.

Overall, I feel this movie is worthy of a best picture Oscar nomination. Dunkirk is one of the most fresh and unique war movies released in a long time. The effects and music work wonders on the film along with excellent directing.

By Victoria Ruiz

Colorado State University-Pueblo marked the opening of the Occhiato Student Center after a $34 million renovation, Monday, Jan. 15.

To students like Ericka Standiford, a sophomore social work major, the approximately $30 million in student fees which was allocated for the renovation was worth the “homey” feel of the building. Standiford said, “I could see that as something (students) would want.”

The OSC saw the return of the Pack Café and Einstein Bros. Bagels. It also welcomed Tacos Navarro, a local restaurant in Pueblo which serves street style tacos and other Mexican influenced food.

This addition excited some students and left them eager to eat on campus. In fact, Standiford said, “I was really surprised. I think it’s awesome that they were able to incorporate (Tacos Navarro).”

Tacos Navarro and the other food venues were a reaped benefit of the new building for students who enjoy having a variety to choose from, as Standiford does. “I’ve eaten there already and I love the food,” she said.

Still, some students feel as though they may not benefit from or utilize the building. Diana Adame, a junior pre-nursing student believes the funds allocated for the new building could have been better used to renovate existing classrooms.

She said, “I was kind of underwhelmed. I think maybe the money could have been used to make some (classrooms) not seem as old.”

However, staff of organizations now housed in the OSC believe the new location will help to better serve students. “When we were downstairs (before renovation) we didn’t get very much student interaction,” said Fredlina Atencio, interim Office Support Specialist for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “I think we’ll have a better chance here because we’re on the main level.”

Atencio says she believes the position of the office is beneficial because they are in an ideal environment for students. She is not alone in this opinion.

Some student employees of organizations in the OSC believe something as simple as the way the rooms are designed make them better equipped to assist students. Jaime Huerta, a freshman majoring in athletic training and a work study for Student Engagement and Leadership said, “It’s pretty cool how you can see through (because the walls are made of windows) so students don’t hesitate to go in.”

SEAL and the ODI are simply two of the organizations dedicated to serving students that are now operating from the OSC. Others include: the campus bookstore, the Associated Students’ Government, the Pack Pantry and Auxiliary Services.

Overall, the student response to the OSC has been a positive one. Huerta, who directly interacts with students on a daily basis with SEAL said, “I have definitely seen reactions where (students) say this is exactly what campus needed.”

By Victoria Jimenez

Students living on campus got toasty with Wolfie and Pack Athletics at the s’mores bar social event in Culebra Residence Hall.

The event was held to bring attention and gather support for CSU-Pueblo sports programs from on-campus students.

Haley Robinson, 27, Director of Marketing for Athletics at Colorado State University-Pueblo, said “the purpose is to get more awareness for Pack Athletics for winter and spring sports and to do something fun for the student body.”

Robinson graduated from CSU-Pueblo in 2012 and has many plans for students to get directly involved with the sports programs, such as a hot wing eating competition during halftime at an upcoming CSU-Pueblo home basketball game.

Antoria Mason, a CSU-Pueblo senior and Residence Assistant, said it was important for on-campus residents to have a meaningful experience while living in the residence halls.

“For a lot of people, it’s their first time away from home,” said Mason. “The more involvement you have, the more support systems you can get.”

Mason, a social work major, is familiar with the communication processes between students living on campus. She hopes to improve the quality of events and develop more advertising so students can be more aware of what events are going on.

A goal for Mason is to increase the amount of student attendance at programs, like the s’mores event. “It’s one problem we have getting people to come” said Mason in response to the history of program events, citing issues such as student’s conflicting schedules with jobs and homework. “It has to do a lot with time management,” said Mason.

Joe Yevara, Residence Life Coordinator for on-campus housing, said that he wants students living on campus to “cherish the college experience.” “Give students an experience that will help their education and something they can be proud of,” said Yevara.

Yevara is no stranger to the on-campus lifestyle; he lived on campus when he completed his undergraduate studies at Colorado State University Fort Collins, and later spent a few years working at the University of Arkansas. Yevara wanted to be closer to home back in Colorado, so he came down to Pueblo.

“I like it a lot better because it’s a lot friendlier,” said Yevara when comparing the two different sized universities. Yevara emphasized that students on a smaller campus like CSU-Pueblo can be focused on and helped more than a huge student body at once.

Yevara said he was excited for “new, fresh techniques to enhance the experience on campus” for students living in the residence halls.

Valentina Pons, 19, freshman, said she has met many new people from living on campus. Despite living in a hall with many busy student athletes, Pons said she has fared well for her first year of college. “Being on my own, it was rough at the beginning,” Pons said. Pons said living on campus allowed her to “experience new things” and “meet new people.”

A full schedule of CSU-Pueblo sporting events can be found online under the ‘Athletics’ tab on the school’s home page.

By Victoria Jimenez

Colorado State University-Pueblo’s School of Nursing hosted its annual Nursing Convocation at Hoag Recital Hall Jan. 18.

The Nursing Convocation was a formal introductory ceremony to welcome the newest class members to the official nursing program at CSU-Pueblo and to inspire continuing and graduate students for their future careers in the expanding health care industry.

The event began with a brief introductory speech from Ashley Jones, a Senior Nursing student and President of the Southern Colorado Association of Nursing Students. Jones welcomed students and their families in attendance, followed by a brief performance by the CSU-Pueblo cheerleaders to rally school spirit from the crowd.

Ashley Jones said she hopes to leave a legacy in the nursing department when she joined SCANS two years ago. Jones and her nursing peer created a mentorship program last year to “provide a connection between a sophomore and a junior student.”

“We hope that this program will not only provide an academic connection between students, but also create an environment of caring and connection throughout the entire department,” said Jones.

Established in 1964 and formally known as the department of nursing, CSU-Pueblo’s School of Nursing has had significant impact on the city of Pueblo.

The School of Nursing has been around for 54 years and plays an integral part of training student nurses and directly helping the community of Pueblo, according to Dr. Bruce Raymond, Interim Provost of CSU-Pueblo. It is the school’s anniversary since becoming the official School of Nursing last year Jan. 19.

Raymond indicated the greater need of each student nurse in the program. “The National League of Nursing estimates in 2018 alone, there would be a shortage of 7,000 registered nurses in the state of Colorado,” Raymond said.

Supporters of the event included Centura Health, Colorado Department of Corrections, Parkview Medical Center, Sigma Theta Tau Iota Pi Chapter, and more, some of which hosted small table booths before the event for students to interact with.

Dr. Sylvester A. Kalevela, Dean of the College of Education, Engineering and Professional Studies, supplied life-long advice for the nursing student body. Kalevela said, “anything worth doing is worth doing well.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Wanona Fritz, with a highly decorated  and significant nursing career spanning over 50 years, spoke highly and honestly of the nursing profession in her presentation, “Envisioning Your Future.”

Her speech highlighted the importance of each student nurses’ dedication to their career and provided thorough life stories and experiences to document her experiences. Her presentation covered topics from the history of nursing, to international relations, big data, and the driving forces of the health care industry from 2010 onward.

After being told she was not college material by her college I, Fritz had a successful nursing career in the military and around the world from Vietnam, Jordan and the United States, offering life advice to the audience. Fritz said, “go where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Fritz was presented with an award of recognition by Dawn O’ Keefe, Graduate Student in Psychiatric Mental-health nurse Practitioner and Associated Student Government Representative, for her decorated history and dedication of work to nursing and the health care industry across the world.

Dr. Joe Franta, Associate Dean of Nursing at CSU-Pueblo, revealed that the department was in the final stages for approval of the doctorate of the nursing practice for the fall of 2018. Franta said that there were even more developments coming for the School of Nursing.

“Thanks to the support of Parkview medical center, the CSU Chancellor and the CSU President, we have received approximately $1.4 million for three years… to increase the undergraduate program and start the doctorate nursing practice,” Franta said.

The school plans to increase admission sizes into the nursing program according to Franta. “We will increase our admissions by another 10 students next year to bring that annual undergraduate admissions to 130, a 30 percent increase overall,” Franta said.

“This year, our plan is to admit 120 undergraduate students to the basic and accelerated programs, where two years ago,” Franta said. “We were admitting 90 students.”

Franta continued to reveal more on the future of the Nursing program, stating that they are in the final stages of approval with the doctorate nursing practice; he estimates that it would be finalized by summer for fall 2018. “At capacity the graduate program will increase from 80 students to 160 students,” Franta said.

The accelerated growth and student success in class and field work are results of the hard work students and faculty have been dedicating to the nursing program since 1964.

Carisa Medina, a Junior Nursing Student at CSU-Pueblo, spoke highly of her experiences in the nursing program. Medina said the program was is a really great experience where she is able to learn a lot about nursing opportunities through supportive peers and faculty members.

“Through being in the program, you definitely learn to network yourself,” Medina said. Medina is completing her education at CSU-Pueblo alongside a field externship with Parkview Medical Center.

In response to the hypothetical potential of the School of Nursing being expanded in the future past the halls of the Technology Building, Medina said she hopes for the same level of expansion as the Hassan School of Business to handle a potentially large influx of students as the Nursing program grows.

Trish Mathis, a Senior SCANS faculty representative, wishes to see the new class of nursing students at CSU-Pueblo lessen their anxieties about the program and realize the opportunities each student has to get the help they need to succeed. “Be passionate about what you do and you’ll be successful,” Mathis said.

The convocation ended with a short student-produced parody music video about thanking your nurse and the overdramatized lives of nurses in hospitals, which drew much amusement from students and their families in the crowd.

By Alex Purcell

Bowling is often overlooked when considering nighttime activities, but it’s a fun, affordable way to kill some time. Downtown Pueblo boasts a unique venue for doing just that.

Bowlero Lanes is a family-owned business located on the lower floor of the Midtown Shopping Center.

The facility features 32 bowling lanes, 16 of which have optional bumpers, a full service snack bar that includes fast food options such as pizza and french fries, a lounge and a pro shop.

“As a family-oriented business, we offer cheap prices and a clean environment managed by friendly staff,” says a mission statement on their official website. “Customers of all ages—from children and teenagers to adults and seniors—are welcome to have fun on our premises.”

According to the official website, Bowlero Lanes offers exclusive events on a weekly basis. Every Tuesday night is “College Night.” Students with a valid college ID are offered the opportunity to bowl from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for a flat rate of $8. The fee covers unlimited games during these hours as well as shoe rental.

Cosmic Bowling is offered Wednesday nights. Bowlero Lanes features a system of black lights and other lighting rigs throughout the facility, which are put on full display for a unique effect during Cosmic Bowling. From 9 p.m. until midnight, bowlers can enjoy four games and a shoe rental for $7. Bowlero also offers discounts on pitchers of beer during Cosmic Bowling.

On Friday nights, starting at 6 p.m. and continuing to 10 p.m., patrons can pay $3.50 per bowling game. From 10 p.m. until midnight, unlimited games and shoe rentals cost $11 per person.

According to the venue’s website, they first opened in 1959. In 1978, the Pinelle family took over the bowling alley and have maintained ownership since then.