SHSU Update for Week of September 24

• Neill Working for Nutrition Solutions
• Ballet, Pilates Training Offered
• 'Our Town' Scheduled Oct. 4-7
• Online Counseling Journal Launched
• Discounts Offered for Kat Wins
• Surplus Property Auction
• Speech Group Schedules Scramble
• Briefs

Neill Working for Nutrition Solutions

Neill, assistant professor in health and kinesiology, will be presenting two workshops on eating disorders at the upcoming national conferences of the American School Health Associations in New Orleans in October and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in Cincinnati in March (2001).

This past summer she participated in the national Nutrition Summit in Washington DC, the first such event since 1969, when a national movement was begun to reduce hunger in American and promote good nutrition.

Despite the fact that in 1999 one in six Americans were being helped, Neill reports there are still problems. Too many individuals and families report not getting enough to eat, and an estimated 10-15 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 17 are overweight.

"Although the causes for the rising numbers of obese children have not been established," Neill said, "poor dietary habits, increased consumption of calorie-dense foods and decreased levels of physical activities contribute to the problem. Children have become more sedentary in the last 30 years because they spend a lot more time watching television."

Neill's interest in school nutrition dates back to the early 1980s when her children were in elementary school. She has spent the past 15 years as an advocate for better school nutrition programs. She has done consulting work for the state of Ohio and with Tom Kordinak, professor of psychology, for a school district in North Carolina.

Neill has presented 10 research sessions on the North Carolina project at national professional meetings. Last spring she was one of 20 selected nationally to meet at Penn State University to set the upcoming research agenda for school nutrition programs.

Ballet, Pilates Training Offered

Sarah Imhoff-Jones, assistant professor in dance, said the ballet programs provide a strict preparation for those who aspire to continue ballet training academically or who seek to become professionals.

Sam Houston Prep began with fall sessions on Aug. 28, which end Oct. 6. New sessions run Oct. 9 through Nov. 17. Spring sessions are scheduled Jan. 8 - Feb. 16 and Feb. 19 - April 6, with a recital on April 14.

Discipline is emphasized at Sam Houston Prep, said Imhoff-Jones. Girls, for instance, must wear pink tights, black leotards and pink slippers. Boys must wear a snug white T-shirt, dance belt, black pants, thin black socks and black ballet slippers.

"Miscellaneous talking" is not allowed during class, and no jewelry or watches may be worn. There are other rules as well.

Joe Pilates (puh-LAH-teez) was a German wrestler, physical trainer and founder of an exercise system that emphasizes flexibility and body strength without bulk. The method has become increasingly popular since it has been reportedly used by athletes and movie stars including Sharon Stone, Courtney Cox, Minnie Driver and Julia Roberts.

Pilates classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. For registration information, call Imhoff-Jones at 936.294.1300.

'Our Town' Scheduled Oct. 4-7

Wilder described "Our Town" as "the most beautiful little play you can imagine...It's a little play with all the big subjects in it; and it's a big play with all the little things lovingly impressed into it."

In the small town of Grover's Corners, N. H., two families, the Webbs and the Gibbs, are bound together by the love of their children, George (Trey Huguley) and Emily (Sofia Gomez).

With the community of Grover's Corners as a backdrop, the Stage Manager (Jayson Rivera) emphasizes the importance of enjoying life and always living it to the fullest. Chronicled by the Stage Manager, the beauty and simplicity of their everyday lives are shown to the audience with poignancy.

"'Our Town' has a universal quality that transcends time and place, making it a true classic of the American theatre," said Penelope Hasekoester, theatre manager.

'Our Town' is directed by James R. Miller, who chairs the Department of Theatre and Dance. Other principal roles are played by sophomore theatre majors Erin Forester and Sean Parker, freshman theatre major Patrick Vasquez, and sophomore musical theatre major Andrea Haring. Senior theatre major Kassity Fojt stage-manages the show.

Faculty members Jerry Hooker and Thomas F. Soare designed the set and lighting, respectively. Costumes were designed by senior theatre major George Curry.

Tickets are $10 or $8 for SHSU students and seniors. For information or reservations call the University Theatre Center box office at 936.294.1339.

Online Counseling Journal Launched

Edited by Judy DeTrude, associate professor, and Mary Nichter, assistant professor, the electronic publication seeks to move SHSU's Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling into a position of national leadership in the field.

"This new journal reflects the momentum in the counseling program as we seek national certification and write a proposal for a doctoral program," said DeTrude.

The journal's editorial board is composed of respected professionals from SHSU, colleges in universities in Texas and across the country, community mental health providers and outstanding graduates of the counseling program at SHSU.

According to the journal's electronic front page at http://www.shsu.edu/~piic/, the journal will publish manuscripts that report, synthesize, review or analyze scholarly inquiry on current professional issues in the field of counseling.

The editors invite counselor educators, supervisors, practitioners, and counseling students to submit manuscripts regarding current professional issues in counseling.

Their first issue is expected by the end of the fall semester or beginning of the spring semester.

Discounts Offered For Kat Wins

The Barnes & Noble University Bookstore is offering percentage discounts on Mondays equal to the number of points the Bearkats win by on Saturday. The discounts apply to all SHSU emblematic clothing and gift items.

The offer is effective with the Sept. 23 game against Texas A&M-Kingsville. It excludes sale merchandise, school supplies, computer software, general gift items, trade books and textbooks, and may not be used in conjunction with any other discount.

Surplus Property Auction

Other items include chairs, washing machines, basketball goals, office equipment, tables, typewriters, air conditioners, televisions, guard shacks, ice machines, overhead projectors, air filters, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, copiers, transformers, doors, room dividers, ceiling tile and a garbage truck.

The auction is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at the university's property warehouse in the Sam South Complex, 2424 Sam Houston Ave. The auction items will be available for inspection from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on the day of the auction.

Auctioneer for the event will be Kevin McMillian. For more information call Wayne Frosch, property coordinator, at 936.294.1903 or 936.294.1908.

Speech Group Schedules Scramble

Entry fees are $40 per person, with a $40 deposit per team due by Oct. 11. Proceeds go to the scholarship fund for Speech Communication students at SHSU. For more information, contact Terry Thibodeaux by e-mail or at 936.294.1400 during business hours.

Briefs

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
Sept. 24, 2000
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