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From the The Oklahoma Daily to the New York Times

Photo provided by Jason Ride

Jason Rider on set of a shoot in the Arizona Dessert.

With each page running through your fingers, the fabric in the pictures comes to life. Clothes that many never even dream of owning seem with in arms reach and for a second the world stops. Each page is flawless and every unique detail makes it unlike any other, it’s the T Magazine, The New York Times style magazine.

Jason Rider, fashion assistant for T Magazine knows first hand the time and effort that goes into producing a successful magazine. But it was not long ago that he was just another student at the University of Oklahoma. For many students, working at such a prestigious company is a goal but not necessarily a reality, and that’s exactly why I chose Jason Rider for my final. The fact that he was once in the same place as many of us makes me feel like my dreams can become a reality.

The magazine industry seems like a glamorous industry where sample sales and high-end work trips are a common occurrence, and according to Jason it is that glamorous, but the numbers would beg to disagree. With the down turn of the economy the media industry is struggling to stay afloat and the magazine industry is no different. The content of most news magazines has changed drastically from celebrity news being a chart topper to national news taking over people’s interest. An advertising slump that occurred in 2008 left the magazine industry at a loss, according to The New York Times, advertising revenue has significantly decreased in the last year and with less money that means less jobs. Though for Jason Rider the poor economy has actually helped him secure his job. Jason said that having come from a diverse background he was able to be more of an asset to the publication. Also because of his hard work and dedication he is admired by many of his old professors such as Kathryn Jenson White.

Jason is not the typical New York Times employee; having come from Oklahoma, Jason’s experience in the fashion industry was self-motivated. His mother’s love for fashion rubbed off on him at a young age but it was his diverse range of minors at the University of Oklahoma that set him apart from other applicants. With a major in Professional Writing and several minors such as Film and Video studies and Liberal Arts Jason’s non-traditional route led him exactly where he wanted to be. By blogging about fashion and religiously reading magazines Jason was able to take his love for fashion and turn it into a profession.

After researching the magazine industry I have found that it is exactly what I thought it was. I firmly believe that everyone deserves to have a job they look forward to going to every morning when they wake up, and for me this is that job. Though the economic times are tough, the people I have talked to about the industry have yet to notice the effects of the down turn. For me working in the magazine industry is worth every sacrifice it takes to get there.

Tayler Pierce is a Sophomore at The University of Oklahoma, she has drive, motivation and will power, all things you need to be a great athlete. Tayler runs miles each day training for her upcoming marathon but practice alone is not enough to help Tayler overcome the challenges she faces, she also needs doctors. When she was 16 Tayler was diagnosed with MRSA a form of staph that cannot be treated with medication. Since then she has had to undergo many surgeries and takes extra precautions, but all of these obstacles have yet to keep Tayler from doing what she loves.

baby steps for baby feet

Photo by: Ana Valentine

Pro-Life Ambassadors fight to save the lives of unborn children at risk of being aborted.

Students are faced with choice each day, they have the option of standing up for what they believe in or taking a step back, a year ago a group of students decided to take a stand against something they were passionate about. Pro-Life.

Last fall Jared Clary with the help of students from Pursuit College Ministry decided to make and start the Pro-Life ambassadors.

The group is dedicating to educating Oklahoma Students on the issues of abortion and also reaching out to students in a crisis pregnancy situation.

“We hold organizational meetings to discuss plans and become better educated on the abortion issue. We also engage in campus activism events like booths in the Union and displays on campus,” President Jared Haines said.

The issue of abortion is a controversial subject and one that many students steer clear of, but last November the Pro-Life ambassadors made it hard avoid by putting graphic diagrams along the South Oval.

Like many times in life there are always people who will not agree with you.

“Some pro-choice people here at OU aren't willing to have a civil conversation where they admit flaws in their arguments,” Haines said.

The group is open to new members or people wanting to help out.

Member Casey Merick said they try and bring people to speak at the meetings who have more knowledge over the Pro-Life position in order to help members learn to better argue their position.

For more information on the group and their upcoming activities you can visit askaboutbabyfeet.com

Bright Lights... Big City...

Photo by: Ana Valentine

As the year progresses and students becomes more involved on campus they begin to reek the benefits of being active in The University of Oklahoma’s wide range of student organizations.

Four days after leaving for New York City the Magazine Interest group returns home to Norman Oklahoma with a new experience under their belt and information to help them further their careers in the magazine industry.

The group visited Parents, People, Glamour and New York Times magazine while in the Big Apple. They met with some of the top editors in the business and were able to tour the magazine to get a feel for the ways things were run.

“New York City gave me the opportunity to meet influential people in the Public Relations side of the magazine industry and helped me branch out and make connections,” Senior Kim Jones said.

Not only did the students visit four magazines they also had a free day to explore the city and see a different style of living.

“When I walked into the sculpture room at the met I actually cried,” Senior Kristi McMullen said. “I was so overwhelmed, it was incredible.”

Out side of Oklahoma and campus life is a completely other world and trips to other places gives students the opportunity to see what else is out there.

“Students need to go beyond the borders of Oklahoma because life is so much bigger than your home state and lets students find out where they want to work or where they don’t,” Advisor Kathryn Jenson White said.

The Magazine Interest Group will be hosting other events this year such as magazine swaps, resume writing and resume critiques.

“It feels great because all the hard work put in has proven to be a success because everyone gained so much from it,” Vice President Chinh Doan said.

Everybody was Kung-Fu fighting...

Photo by: Ana Valentine

Students join the Alpha Delta Kappa Phi sorority in a self-defense class led by the Student Martial Arts Association.

Discipline, passion and athleticism are some of the things a martial artist needs to succeed in the sport, or for the Student Martial Arts Association just pure interest will do the trick.

Started last year the SMAA has kicked things into high gear and has opened the organization to any one who has an interest in martial arts, whether it’s the lifestyle, the culture or the desire to learn some new moves.

Armed with a President who has 15 years of martial arts experience the organization has started to branch out to get involved on campus.

President Kevin Windham said the group participates in service projects, OU’s Big Event, UFC watch parties, the science of fighting lectures, and even self-defense seminars.

“Self-defense is a martial artists quick and dirty way of introducing broad concepts to people in order for them to defend themselves in a violent conflict setting, and essentially how to get away as quickly as possible to safety,” Windham said.

Last week the SMAA reached out to other organizations and lent a helping hand to a sorority on campus.



In honor of their lost sister, the sorority and the SMAA hosted a self-defense class.

“We do workshops so we can help others use the lessons that martial arts can teach us, to help take care of ourselves,” Pledge Class President, Yen Le said.

“I think self-defense saves lives, and encourages women in particular to have a sense of confidence in themselves and know that they are by no means defenseless when an aggressor comes to them.” Windham said.

The group will meet again next Sunday from 7-9pm. For more information you can visit their website http://ou.edu/ousmaa.

Who let the dogs out

Photo By: Ana Valentine

Second Change Animal Shelter had puppies like this beagle/hound mix for adoption at Dog Day Afternoon at Reeves Park sunday.

Hundreds of volunteer hours and public awareness campaigns are things that look good on paper for the Animal Volunteer Alliance group, but it is the hearts they touch that make the biggest difference.

With Oklahoma having the second most puppy mills in the United States, the Animal Volunteer Alliance also known as A.V.A is an animal welfare group on campus that strives to make changes in animal treatment in Norman.

“We believe we should help because we have an advantage over animals there for it is our job to care for them,” President Kathryn Hodges said.

The group was started last year and has been continually growing ever since, volunteers are required to have 5 hours of volunteer hours a week, but many exceed this.

As many of us are animal lovers, the group focuses on educating students about proper animal care and raises awareness about the responsibilities of animal ownership.

President Kathryn Hodges said that many college students do not think of the time and responsibility that come with owning an animal. They think about what they want, rather than if the animal would benefit from having them as an owner.

“I got a dog from the shelter because I knew they had no other life if i didnt help.
there are so many dogs that die daily and I wanted to help, also shelter dogs come with all the shots and they are fixed,” student Rebecca Redcorn said.

Redcorn said that she later sold the dog because she realized he needed a home that could give him more attention and afford him financially.

The group will be participating in various volunteer activities through out the year such as the Wild Care Open house and Second Chance events. For an opportunity to give back you can donate a bag of cat food to the A.V.A box in the Union.