About The Contributors

Todd Altman is a student at MSU-B and a BIG Stephen King fan.

Michael Patrick David is the world’s greatest Catholic boy who grew up in the tough Lutheran streets of Circle, Montana. As of now, he is working on his manifesto from a shack in the woods of the Bob Marshall wilderness.

Elizabeth Davis: Om.

Kisa Kron is a freshman at MSU-Billings majoring in English with a teaching certificate option. She likes to eat the cookie part of her Oreos first and enjoys singing loudly in the car. She hails from Livingston, MT.

Gerald W. Liston: This flesh was born in 1981 and is twenty-four, six foot two, blue eyed and brown haired. The innate is a transmission from someplace past Mars and likes Reese’s Pieces with grape soda.

Kyla McCamish is a freshman, from Broadus, MT, majoring in business maketing and management.

Andrea Ogburn: Even though this is where I am supposed to talk about me, I feel that this is a possible one-time opportunity to talk to others about the importance of Art itself. My passion for Art lies in the therapy. As a psychology major I find myself in every piece I do. Art of any kind, whether it’s your personal style or the songs you write, opens tiny unshaded windows into your unconscious, unleashing all the expressions society may persuade you to lock away. Art induces freedom from restraints, norms and expectations. Avenues to capture the authenticity in every moment you live. What a powerful experience that everyone should share! I am saddened by those who say, “I am not an artist, I can’t draw or paint” or “ I doodle, but I am not very good.” Do people really believe that? Our whole world is an Artistic experience, our buildings, our dress, and our cultures. I can only encourage you to add to our culture and share with others, and me, the unique artist that you embody.

Alexis Sandru is from Twin Bridges, Montana, she has lived on a ranch her entire life. She is a sophomore majoring in Psychology with a minor in English, and plays volleyball for Montana State University-Billings.

Connie Wright Swallow is a senior at MSU-Billings pursuing an extended English degree with a teaching certificate option. She plans to travel and teach after graduation.

Linda Villareal is a nontraditional student attending MSUB full time with both of her daughters. She is beginning her junior year in the fall, seeking a bachelor's degree in Human Services. She is a teaching assistant in three online geography courses, sings and plays guitar with local classic rock band, "Zen”, and hails from Chicago but has lived in Montana long enough to consider herself a native She is both shocked and thrilled that the prestigious "Rook" wanted to publish some of her writing. Life is good!

Theresa White is a 39-year-old senior, studying communication, English, and all things dead and dying. She will graduate in May: Magna Cum Laude (Not too shabby for a D student in high school) She has been blissfully married to Stocky White for 20 years. They have one son -- a five year old Boston Terrier named Auggie. In June, Theresa will be attending a summer intensive/creative writing seminar at NYU - as well as stocking up on funky shoes. Future plans include: Running for Park County Coroner, shooting for a MFA in Creative Writing, and traveling.

Patrick Wilson is the son of immigrant Irish potato farmers and has a love for all things Guinness. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Theatre from MSU-Billings and is currently working on acquiring a second degree in English with a Teacher’s Certificate because he is a glutton for punishment.

Season Yakawich is a soon to be graduate of MSU-Billings, this summer. Running away with her degree in finger painting. Often referenced as a Bachelors of Arts Degree Extended in Studio Arts with an Emphasis in Painting and Drawing phew (phew = air admitted from pretentious explanation of degree). Now that her school books have grown legs and walked away, due to wrongful use and reassignment of management, she is in hunt of a personal assistant to take care of daily necessities (teeth brushing, sock changing, ass kissing and wiping) freeing time for Season to reach her main goal of becoming the starving, dark, and brooding artist she was born to be.