Vol. 5, Issue 6 The Summa - Dec. 4, 2012

The Summa

FEATURES

Seniors thrive in leadership Find out how the Seniors are leading the Men’s Basketball team to new heights.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol. 5, Issue 6

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

New Year, New Fashion Not all of us are lucky enough to be in NYC when the ball drops, but find out how you can look like you are!

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STUDENT GOV’T

CAMPUS LIFE

SGA Starts Process to Bring Changes to Transfer Argentinean Course Credit, Concurrent Enrollment Policies Tango Trio Makes US Debut at Cullen Hall

Petition emerges to allow concurrent enrollment at other colleges while at UST

Jorge Retamoza Trio mixes tango, jazz and contemporary music

By STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ

News Editor

After officially enrolling for classes at the University of St. Thomas, students are only allowed to take courses for credit towards their degrees at St. Thomas, with only extenuating circumstances making allowances to this policy possible.

This differs from other universities, where students can enroll in courses during the summer and seasonal minimesters at local community colleges. These course credits then transfer back to the students’ degree-granting institution, where they are enrolled at the same time.

This year, the Student Government Association

By STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ

News Editor

James Ramos / The Summa

CLASS CHANGE The Student Government Association is beginning the process of creating changes in transfer course credit and enrollment policies that will allow students to be dually enrolled in another university, while taking courses at St. Thomas. These proposed policy changes are currently only in their beginning stages.

(SGA) began the process to allow students to take course credit hours at junior colleges after enrollment.

“The request for this policy change is that due to

CHRISTMASTIME

the rise in tuition increase, we need to see other ways how we can actually save some money for students,” said Jose Bolivar, SGA President.

Bolivar claimed that a big

deciding factor for students to choose UST as their university of choice is dependent on the amount of financial aid they POLICY, Page 2

On Nov. 13, the University of St. Thomas music department hosted a rising star of the tango genre, the Jorge Retamoza Trio.

The Trio is becoming wellknown for the unique fusion of traditional tango music with jazz and contemporary music. The showcase featured professional tango dancers who performed throughout the show.

“I travel around the world conducting, and when TANGO, Page 2

CAMPUS LIFE

Campus Ministry Travels with Students Fundraise for Trafficking Survivors Las Posadas Christmas Tradition SWAT, Model UN

By STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ

News Editor

For the third year, the UST Campus Ministry hosted the “Las Posadas” procession on Friday, Nov. 30.

Las Posadas is a Hispanic tradition typically celebrated over the course of nine days.

The Spanish word “posada” means lodging, and the tradition brings to life the experience of Mary and Joseph as they sought lodging after their journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth.

The Rev. Mike Buentello, UST chaplain and director of campus ministry, founded the event three years ago.

“I wanted to do something that was celebrating popular religion within the Catholic Church, and this was something that I experienced

for the first time in Detroit, Michigan; I had never been a part of a Posada until I was in Detroit,” said Buentello, “I thought the experience would be wonderful to do here, given our traditions here at the university, so it just built up. What we do here is both in Spanish and English; we sing traditional Christmas Carols, but we also do Spanish songs. So we adapted it for our community.”

Beginning at Guinan Residence Hall, those who attended the event traveled in procession, going door-todoor, knocking on or visiting different houses and buildings on campus.

The Las Posadas procession travels around the campus, typically stopping by those department buildings who are also hosting Christmas POSADA, Page 2

raise money for YMCA trafficking assistance program

By STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ News Editor

Sunday, Dec. 2 marked the 2012 United Nations International Day of the Abolition of Slavery. To commemorate this event and bring awareness of the issue, several student clubs worked together to host a fundraiser for victims of human trafficking.

The Society of Macrina, Students Working Against Trafficking (SWAT), and UST Model UN will be selling baked goods and hot drinks on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Seal.

“I first discovered SWAT during the first semester of my senior year, but found out too late in the semester to really get involved,” said

UN Photo / Paulo Filgueiras

UNITED SOLUTIONS Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) greets Demi Moore, actress and Co-founder of the Demi and Ashton Foundation (DNA) to eliminate child sex slavery and human trafficking, at the launch of the UN’s Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking on Nov. 4, at the United Nations in New York City.

Senior Chris Powers. “After returning to UST, I decided to get involved with SWAT by running for the position of treasurer. Since then, I have managed the budget reports and attended the events SWAT has put on or been a part of.”

All of the proceeds from the bake sale will go to human trafficking survivors at The YMCA Trafficked Persons Assistance Program, a Houston based branch of FUNDRAISER , Page 2

2

The News

The Summa FUNDRAISER Continued...

the YMCA’s international services that seeks to identify and assist victims of human trafficking, regardless of their legal status.

“Most of the items will be made using fair trade products, especially chocolate,” Powers said.

The groups will be selling cookies, brownies, and homemade chocolate covered pecans and almonds, Powers said. Fair trade coffee and tea will also be sold.

The UN is one of the most preeminent organizations on both human rights policies and research about human trafficking.

“In December 1976, after the United Nations was founded, they wrote the Declaration of Human Rights.

One of the main amendments they wrote in was the abolition

of modern day slavery,” said Samrat Bhattacharya, secretary general of the UST Model UN. “At the time, people thought that slavery was gone since it had been abolished in the United States after the Civil War, but modern day slavery still exists as human trafficking.”

Because the missions of the two student clubs share similarities, both SWAT and Model UN will head up the fundraising bake sale.

“Model UN got involved when SWAT asked, given that the event is to raise awareness of the UN International Day of the Abolition of Slavery,” Bhattacharya said. “It is important that we, as students, raise awareness and we need to say that slavery still happens.”

The bake sale fundraiser will be set up today, Dec. 4, by the University Seal, during activity period.

POSADA Continued... parties that night.

A part of the Las Posadas celebration consists of people dressing up to play the roles of Mary and Joseph, as well as a few angels and other live action roles.

“We (had) a baby to play the Baby Jesus, a donkey for Mary to ride, and we (had) other children to be little angels and saints,” Buentello said.

According to Buentello, last year’s event was attended by an audience of over 70 participants, primarily made up of students and members from the surrounding neighborhood who showed up

for the procession.

“This year, one of our student workers (played) guitar for the Posadas, and I helped with coordinating before everything happens,” said Christine Nguyen, a junior and student worker at Campus Ministry. “Participation has been pretty consistent, and we have a big group of students who attend, as well as people who go to Mass at St. Basil.

It’s really nice to see not only students but the community attend as well.”

The Las Posadas procession ended at the Campus Ministry House, where Hispanic foods such as tamales, pan de dulce, and chocolate were served.

CORRECTIONS: Concerning the Nov. 1 2012 article on the Venezuelan elections, an error was made in the reporting of the percentage of votes Hugo Chavez gained to win the Election. The error stated was that Chavez won 98 percent of the votes. The correct number of votes that won the re-election was 55.3 percent, as reported by the CIA World Fact book.

POLICY Continued... are offered. This year, 92 percent of freshmen students at St. Thomas are receiving financial aid, according to Bolivar.

Currently, the policy change is only in its beginning stages.

“If the policy changes for concurrent enrollment goes through, it mean that freshmen, sophomores and juniors would be able to take a course at a junior or state university, and that course would be able to transfer to UST,” Bolivar said. “You could take classes over the winter and summer break, and you would be able to save money; it would also help you to graduate on time.”

SGA began the process earlier in the year with hopes that students will soon be able to benefit from the policy change.

“The SGA sends a

TANGO Continued...

I went to Buenos Aires to conduct down there, I went to a performance and saw them,” said Glenn Garrido, chair of the music department.

“It created the connection, so they contacted me and I set it up. They are based out of Buenos Aires. Jorge Retamoza is a saxophone player, and composer that plays with the Buenos Aires Symphonic band, and travels around the world with his Trio.”

The Argentinean government takes an invested interested in promoting the Argentinean culture throughout the world, enabling bands like the Retamoza Trio to travel and perform.

“He is basically a representative of Argentina;

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 resolution to the UCC (University Curriculum Community),” Bolivar said.

“The UCC is in charge of all these committees at UST. If all these committees approve the change request, it is sent to (President) Ivany, who can then veto or sign it. Right now, our policy of concurrent enrollment as passed the first step, to pass a resolution through SGA.” The policy will then need to be passed through the UCC, and the Academic and Student affairs committees, Bolivar said.

At present, there are special circumstances where concurrent enrollment is permitted.

“It’s on the books as being allowable,” said Arthur Ortiz, assistant vice president for enrollment management.

“While the policy exists for students to take classes at Houston Community College and other community colleges, it can only happen after

going through a special process and attaining approval from their department chair.”

While the clause does exist, the school could do a better job at communicating the inclusion of the policy to students so that they know it exists, Ortiz said.

The aim of the policy resolution being put together by the SGA senate is to make this policy less exclusive and more available for students.

“If we see that members of those committees are hesitant about these changes, that’s when we need to start getting student signatures for the petition, to tell the members of these committees that this is an important issue to students,” Bolivar said.

“During these hard economic times, we need to do whatever we can to be able to retain the students here at UST, for students to graduate on time and for students to not graduate with so many loans to pay for.”

they sent him to Europe and now they are sending him to the United States,” Garrido said. “He is a Music Ambassador... In countries like Latin America, the musicians, singers, dancers, and other artists are employees of the government.”

The university received the honor of being the first place to host the Trio in the United States.

In addition to performing, students of the music department were able to get training from the Trio on what it’s like to be a professional performer.

“We are honored to have them here with our students,” Garrido said. “I always try to ensure that my students get a learning experience from hosting these performers.”

The day before the

concert, students in the Jazz Ensemble Band received oneon-one lessons with the Trio.

The four students who were able to participate in the tutoring session were very excited to work with the Trio, who in turn shared their passion for their music, said Rector.

“They were very informative,” said Malcolm Rector, an assistant professor of music and director of the Jazz Ensemble Band. “The students were getting advice from people who eat, drink and live this music as part of their culture. Working with them made me want to incorporate tango music in a concert, because it’s exciting. If you don’t move when you hear tango music, you must be dead from the neck down.”

YOUR GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS AT ST. THOMAS While the thermometer says 70 degrees, here are some holiday activities at St. Thomas to help make sure it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

TODAY - 12/4 DECK THE MALL - ACADEMIC MALL - 4 TO 8 P.M. Throw a snowball made of fake snow, make a craft for your mom, pet a zoo animal and even ride a camel, this UST tradition is a definite must even if you’re Scrooge. The snow doesn’t melt that fast, we promise. Dr. Ivany will host the Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m. followed by a family friendly live nativity. Hit Dr. Ivany with a snow ball and see what happens, we dare you.

Don’t forget he was in the Army.

CHRISTMAS IN THE MANSION - LINK-LEE MANSION - 6 TO 8:30 P.M. Hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Ivany and Alumni Relations, join fellow St. Thomas alumni in celebrating the Christmas season. Bring a toy to donate to Catholic Charities.

UNIVERSITY SINGERS CONCERT - CHAPEL OF ST. BASIL - 8 P.M. Listen to the University Singers choir perform Advent and Christmas choral works, directed by Dr. Brady Knapp with Courtney DaniellKnapp guest conducting.

SUNDAY - 12/9 CELTIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS - JONES HALL - 2 TO 4 P.M. Make your Christmas a little more Irish by listening to “Celtic Christmas Carols with Danny O’Flaherty and Noel Nash.” Hosted by the Center for Irish Studies, there is a $15 admission fee, but UST students, faculty and staff are free.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year from the staff at The Summa! “...And that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

The Opinion

The Summa

3

“What one has not experienced, one will never understand in print.” - Isadora Duncan

Is it the End of the World?

By MARIELA GARCIA Staff Writer

Well, here we are. In the last two months of the year we have seen several major events happen around the globe.

They may have been unexpected, and even catastrophic. Maybe they were not the expected unexpected events that you are looking forward to. Ironic, I know.

All of us hold a different view on the “End of the World” phenomenon. You could be a believer, holding fast to the idea that we are all going to die or go down one way or another, with no where to run.

Or you could be a real skeptic. You are probably thinking, “What a waste of newspaper space,” or, “I have Christmas presents to open and a New Years party to go to.”

Or, you are like me: I don’t know what is going to happen, and I don’t really care, but at least once it happens I’ll stop hearing about it.

Whatever happens, let’s hope it is for the best.

Where exactly did the idea that we would all, human and animal, die at the same moment sprout from? You may have wondered that, too.

Amidst all the crazy talk of the end of the world, you deserve a decent answer.

Here is a brief explanation of this phenomenon for your enlightenment: according to various internet sources, the Mayan calendar is comprised of several cycles, each tracking certain lengths or periods of time.

The one that most closely correlates with Western calendars is called the Long

Count calendar. Many rituals performed by the Mayans were in relation with completions, and yearly observances of recurring cycles.

Thus, a new individual cycle would begin after each one.

Now fast forward to the present. The specific date is Dec. 21, when, according to the Long Count, marks the end of a 5,125 year-long calendar.

The modern age interpretation is that this year in reality marks a significant transformation for Earth and its inhabitants, leading us into the beginning of a new era, a new light and a new age.

If this all seems like a bit of a jumble to grasp, it’s okay.

Look it up, it is actually quite interesting. It will definitely give you something to think about.

Plus you will have an intelligent answer next time someone brings up the “end of the world” in conversation.

I have already discussed it a couple of times; it makes you feel even smarter than you already are!

My aim here is not to steer you away from your personal opinion. Go ahead!

Indulge in your ultimate splurge, do what you always said you would do before you die, act silly and use the “end of the world” excuse. Besides, no one will object. I mean no one really knows if it will happen, right?

Either way, let’s look forward to these holidays and every holiday as if they were our last. That’s how it should be anyway, right?

Happy holidays to everyone, and a cheerful New Era!

A RECYCLING HAIKU PLEASE READ THIS COPY THEN PASS IT ON WHEN FINISHED THEN PLEASE RECYCLE!

The Summa

University of St. Thomas Student Newspaper

3800 Montrose Blvd. • Houston, TX 77006 • 713.525.3579

The Summa is the official newspaper of The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. It has a circulation of 2,000 copies. The Summa is a student run organization, whose purpose is to inform, comment, and interpret events of local, national, and worldwide importance.

This paper serves as an open forum of student expression and welcomes letters from the UST community. All submitted materials are due by the last Friday of the month.

The Summa is dedicated to serving as a model of ethical journalism, acting with honesty, objectivity, and integrity.

PERSPECTIVE

Study Abroad Students at UST nationalities. The melting pot the semester. As a result, I had

By ORIANE OLIVIER Staff Writer

Studying abroad is a great experience that everyone should try once in their life.

My name is Oriane, I am French, and I decided to be a Celt for one semester at the University of St. Thomas.

This experience has completely changed my opinion about studies, relationships and life in general.

Going abroad for several months is the best way to open your mind to other ways of thinking, ways of working and living.

I met so many different people here, and each one taught me something else about life, organization, studies, being positive everyday… it is impossible to stay blind and insensitive to all of these different minds.

What surprised me the most about Texas has been the hospitality. I have been welcomed in Houston as I have never been anywhere else. Southern hospitality is not just a myth, it is a reality. I have had three students invite me to get coffee after knowing me for only five minutes; only in Texas!

Moreover, there are so many different countries represented at UST. I was able to speak both Spanish and English, as well as being surrounded by numerous

of America has been the best part of studying abroad, and one of the things I will never forget about Texas.

Talking with people from different countries, who speak different languages, can be an obstacle for some students.

However, in 15 days, your brain adapts to the changes and is able to understand almost all the conversations around you.

Of course, it was not always easy for me to follow entire lessons. Concentrating during one hour in an English class required three hours of normal concentration in a French class at first.

I was very tired, but all my teachers were sympathetic and helped me a lot, and I quickly was able to follow and speak during each class. Don’t let a language barrier keep you from studying abroad!

The American education system is very different than the European system, which I had to adapt to. Neither system is better than the other, they are just not comparable.

For example, in France, university is synonymous of ‘autonomy.’ Students have to manage their time, including how and when to review notes from their classes. Readings are not assigned beforehand, leaving the students to just go to class and take notes that can be reviewed later.

There usually is not homework, unless the class requires an essay at the end of

to adapt my way of studying to deal with homework and reading assignments before class. This new way of studying has taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of.

I also heard a lot of funny stereotypes about my country, like all French are mean, dirty, smoke, eat cheese and frog’s legs and walk around the country with an overblouse, a beret and a French stick.

The most incredible stereotype has been the idea that French women do not shave!

I am sorry but, these are all false. However, it made me think about the students studying abroad in France.

Exchange experiences offer the opportunity not only to learn more about yourself, but also about your country.

I am leaving for France in a few days, but I do not want to leave. Coming to UST for a semester has changed my life.

I will never forget Houston, Texas or UST. Thank y’all for your warm welcome, your friendship, and all the great moments I had here, all thanks to you!

Celt forever!

For more information on how you can study abroad, contact UST’s study abroad director, Dr. Balderas at balderj@stthom.edu.

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Jeremy Heallen • Faculty Advisor Katie Thomson • Editor-in-Chief Chelsea Ferramosca • Managing Editor Stephanie Hernandez • News Editor Megan Viola -Vu • Features Editor

Staff Writers & Photographers Claudia Calero • Aliyah Cole Sandra Efraimson • Chelsea Feramosca Yessica Flores • Mariela Garcia Bianca Gomez • Stephanie Hernandez Marium Nisa • Oriane Oliver Sarah Oyarce • Rida Qadri Isaac Truong • Megan Viola-Vu

Chelsea Ferramosca • Opinion Editor Sarah Oyarce • Entertainment Editor Sandra Efraimson • Health Editor Claire Logue • Sports & Clubs Editor Michael Brannon • Photography Editor

Design Editor James Ramos

Distribution Aamir Mazhar

Copy Editors Syeda Batool Hosain • Bianca Gomez Brittany James

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The Summa

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Helping Houston’s Homeless

By BRITTANY GARZA & LINDA HERNANDEZ Guest Writers

The SleepOut at UST brought students, teachers, alumni and members of the community together to raise awareness about homelessness and hunger in Houston. After we listened to a discussion on the issue of homelessness, we slept outside in front of the Chapel of St. Basil, with only our sleeping bags and pillows.

At some point during the night it began to rain and we moved to a covered area inside the Mall. Before the SleepOut, we could not imagine living outside. After the experience we know how it feels being hungry, cold, wet and desperate to find shelter. This was only one night surrounded by friends, but we still felt abandoned.

Homeless people face the reality of the elements day after day, without having any respect from society. People pass by and ignore them. We thought of what it would be like if we were homeless and knew someone had more than enough to share, but was unwilling because we were different from those who have plenty- we were living on the ground.

The heart of the SleepOut event was listening. We listened and heard the experiences of previously homeless and currently homeless Houstonians.

We listened at night to the traffic. We listened to restless animals and sometimes to just stillness. When you sleep under an open sky you feel very small, even with your friend sleeping beside you.

Many misconceptions we had about the homeless were clarified that night. One of our misconceptions was that a homeless person sleeping outside in the middle of the day was a bum that was wasting his life away.

Now that we are more aware of the plight of the homeless, we realize that sleeping at night, without shelter, leaves them vulnerable to countless dangers, while sleeping during the day, with the shield of human traffic, might be the smartest option for the homeless to stay safe.

Misconceptions like these are not questioned enough. At the SleepOut many were discussed with a greater insight than I had ever imagined possible.

We addressed the issues, and most importantly talked about solutions. One speaker mentioned how, “We are all one tragedy away from homelessness.” We do not realize that many of the homeless were not born on the streets, nor did they choose this way of life. A majority of them suffer from mental or physical handicaps that prevent them from working.

A friend we made that evening, who is currently homeless, said she and her husband are not defined by homelessness. Rather, they are only homeless for this moment of their lives. After discussing the issue we realized that homelessness itself can be eradicated in Houston.

In the Houston area, 15,000 people are homeless, a much smaller amount than the hundreds of thousands in other major cities. There are many ways you can help fight homelessness in Houston. SEARCH and New Covenant are charities that aid the homeless and always have volunteer opportunities.

Are you an education major or just love kids? House of Tiny Treasures is an early childhood development center dedicated to helping homeless children grow and learn. For more information on how to help, visit www. searchhomelessness.org or www.covenanthouse.org/ homeless.

Please do not ignore these human beings. We want to motivate everyone to not avoid the situation, but ask how you can help.

If nothing else, offer a warm smile or give information on these charities.

Now that we are aware of what we can do to help the homeless, we are hopeful that Houston will one day be a city where everyone has a place to call home.

Linda Hernandez and Brittany Garza participated in the National SleepOut on Nov. 11 on the Academic Mall.

For more information, contact Dr. Livia Bornigia, at bornigl@stthom.edu

The Opinion

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

PERSPECTIVE

Pillar of Freedom was Israel’s Right

By CHELSEA FERRAMOSCA Opinion Editor

Imagine being a government official in charge of assuring the safety of your constituents in a land surrounded by those who wish for nothing more than your nation’s demise. The people have come to expect conflict, but they rely on you to keep their children and their hopes for peace alive.

Now, imagine missiles raining down on your constituents from your neighboring nation, with whom you have long had conflicts with.

What would you do? The answer is easy; you eliminate the threat and protect your people, as you were elected to do.

Now take out the hypotheticals and replace them with Palestine and Israel, who have fought a much too long and deadly conflict since 1948.

Does knowing that the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are the threat to the Israeli people make the hypothetical scenario more complicated?

Not for me.

I would still eliminate the threat, but that is just me. I have always been an Israeli sympathizer, which seems to be the politically incorrect position to take these days.

Oh well.

The current conflict between Israel and Palestine began in late October when Israel was bombarded with rocket and mortar fire from the Gaza Strip for a 24 hour period. The firing from Gaza ended after Egypt helped calm the Palestinians, but it didn’t stop Israel from retaliating in what would become “Operation Pillar of Defense.”

Pillar of Defense began with the assassination of the head of the military wing of Hamas (a Palestinian political activist group or terrorist organization depending on who you ask), Ahmed Jabari.

According to Palestinians, the assassination, “opened the gates of hell,” as each side began firing missiles on one another. The attacks lasted seven days and resulted in few deaths and countless injuries for each side. The fighting ended after the United States, speaking for Israel, and Egypt, speaking for Palestine, helped to negotiate a cease fire between the two countries.

The most pressing question surrounding the incident is whether Israel was acting in selfdefense or violent offense. Palestine has claimed that they did not instigate the conflict, and that the 24-hour bombardment was perpetrated in response to countless Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Israel begs to differ, claiming that they did not attack Gaza in a manner that was unprovoked, or for any reason other than to

protect the safety of it’s citizens.

The United States firmly stood by Israel, with President Obama stating, “The precipitating event here...that’s causing the current crisis...was an ever-escalating number of missiles; they were landing not just in Israeli territory, but in areas that are populated. And there’s no country on Earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens from outside its borders. So we are fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself from missiles landing on people’s homes and workplaces and potentially killing civilians. And we will continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

I agreed with the President, but after reading my Facebook feed, I realized that most of my friends did not. I think that Israel had every right to defend itself against Palestinian aggression, even if the firing had ceased. To allow Gaza to rain missiles down on Israel for 24 hours with no response would send a message of weakness. Israel had to take action to show Palestine that attacks on their people will not, under any circumstances, be tolerated.

There is merit to the saying, “If you wish for peace, prepare for war,” but in Palestine’s situation, military attacks will never lead to peace. Israel has one of the most powerful, organized, trained and elite militaries in the world. This combined with United States and United Nation’s support makes them virtually unbeatable.

If Palestinian officials had an ounce of common sense they would put down their weapons and begin negotiations, because they will not win this war. Even if Middle Eastern countries fought with Palestine, the rest of the world (barring Russia, China, and the annoyingly “neutral” states like Switzerland) would fight with Israel.

We win.

Countless people die.

No point in trying.

Of course the United States can’t actually say this to them, that would anger the portion of the world that we are already iffy with, but if Palestine engaged in an end-all-war, America needs to arm Israel, and let nature take it’s course. We can’t prevent the deaths that would follow, but maybe the conflict would finally end.

Until then, we will continue to act as a facilitator to Israel in negotiations and watch as Palestine risks the lives of it’s own people again and again in an attempt to shove Israel off the map, each time ending in failure.

Letters To The Editor The Summa welcomes letters from students, faculty, staff and alumni. Please include your name and classification or position. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

The Summa reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and inappropriate content.

Submit your letter to The Summa by e-mailing thesumma@stthom.edu Legal Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in The Summa are those of the writer of the article, the editor or the Editorial Board. They are not necessarily those of the UST administration, the Board of Directors or governing organization.

The Features

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

The Summa

5

“When I was about 7 years old, my brother and I asked for skateboards and a bike. On Christmas morning, we found little toy skateboards and bikes in our stocking.

Our parents tricked us before we found the real gifts.”

“When we were in Hawaii, I almost drowned in a kayak.”

Jacqueline Vo freshman

Oscar Maldonado junior

Mall Talk: What is the craziest thing that has happened to you during Christmas?

Features Editor Megan Viola-Vu talked to students on campus, asking them, “What is the craziest thing that has happened to you during Christmas?”

Photos: Isaac Truong / The Summa

“When we are trying to stay up until midnight, my family will play bingo. We get really greedy about it! Right before it turns midnight, we play blackout bingo and we all just get crazy and start yelling.”

“During Christmas one year, I skated shirtless in Central Park.”

Quy Nguyen Vo senior

Joveline Ollero sophomore

UST alumni band ‘The Beans’ to release new album in late December

By MARIUM NISA Staff Writer

UST alumni band, The Beans, have been in the studio recording their self-titled debut album, and invite you to get your hands on one at their CD Release Party Dec. 29, at Fitzgerald’s. The fourman, blues based rock band has Sam Griffin on

The Beans / Courtesy Photo

vocals, Christian Galatoire on guitar, Daniel Taylor on bass and Brendan Hall on drums.

“We came together a little less than two years ago as a way of putting our real lives on hold,” Hall said.

And so they thrived.

In the past two years, The Beans have made a name for themselves in

the Houston underground music scene. The band has had the opportunity to play with The Meat Puppets, the White Rabbits, The War On Drugs, Lotus Plaza, Fat Tony and opened for American female rock legend, Wanda Jackson.

Their new album, a year in the making, holds eleven tracks and exemplifies every aspect of their talent.

“I think it captures our live, raw and gritty sound, while expressing it through the medium of the studio

and all its intricacies,” Hall said.

As you delve deep into the album, you will discover the unique sounds attributed to the band.

Their sound is very natural and unlike many youth bands of the age that rely on auto tuning or incorporate electric aspects that define our dubstep generation.

“The recording process of our album was an extremely natural one,” Hall said. “What we played is what you’ll hear.”

The group did not spare any attention to detail in the recording of their album.

“Sam Griffin’s vocals are completely raw and unaltered,” Hall said. “That’s the way our engineer, John Griffin, wanted to record us, and that’s the way we wanted our album to sound. Soul is what we strive for. It’s a continual process. We want our emotions and energy to bleed out through our music, otherwise, there is no point in playing.”

In reference to how the song titles were given, Hall expanded on their process.

“The lyrical idea for ‘Devil Woman’ in

particular, came from a Charles Mingus tune of the same name and then was morphed and expanded based on our observations,” Taylor said.

“Mainly, that even in the most loving and caring of r e l a t i o n s h i p s , sacrifice is required and pain suffered, and pain caused is inevitable from both partners over a long period of time.

“So, given the amount of pain that comes with the ending of a heartfelt relationship, it might be better to be involved with partners that you don’t really care about in order to avoid pain and promote individual freedom,” Taylor said.

Their music is inspired by experiences and their outlook on world issues.

The songs are crafted using literary and philosophical references relatable to anyone and everyone.

You can regularly catch them playing every Friday night at Avant Garden on Westheimer.

For more information, find them on Facebook, follow them on twitter (@losbeans), or stream their music on Sound Cloud, and be sure to catch a copy of their debut album at Fitzgerald’s Dec. 29.

6

The Features

The Summa

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Ronnie Piper / Courtesy Photo

Men’s basketball team’s leaders take a look at team’s victorious start of season

By MEGAN VIOLA-VU Features Editor

The energy around school has been a change from past years. After the Celts beat Northwood 91-49 in their season opener, the tone was set for a strong year.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES What team would not be complete without its strengths?

Although the team was only established four years ago, the players have a lot more strengths than most would believe.

“In our first three years we have improved every year, we went from 10 wins, to 13 to 18 wins last year,” said Men’s Basketball Coach, Todd Smith.

“My hope and long term goal is to improve on that, whether it is 19 or 20 more wins. Our second goal is to make it to the National Championship.”

Instead of setting many long-term goals, the team focuses more on their short-term goals. By concentrating on the short-term, the team has created the motto of “win today.”

“We feel like our long-term goals are taken care of if we just come and work and compete every single day,” Smith said.

“That’s just going to set up a better tomorrow.”

Several of the players would agree with Coach when he says that one of their main strengths is their ability to defend.

The team has been one of the better defending teams in the area and country in the last couple of years, Smith said.

The team has been in the top 20 during the last two years in regards to the amount of points allotted per game.

“The sky is the limit for us,” said Senior Caleb Williams.

“We’re just trying to take it one game at a time.”

Even when the team is down a few points, one of their strengths has been the ability to compose themselves.

“The talent that we have all the way through is probably the best we’ve ever had,” said Senior Barrett Lauer. “When we’re able to rebound the ball well, we’re really hard to beat.”

However, a team with strengths does not come without its weaknesses.

“Our ability to shoot it is going to be key,” Smith said.

“This year we have the ability to shoot the ball really well but we’re a little inconsistent.”

With the newcomers, Morales said that off-season practices were tough trying to get them up to the intensity level the rest of the team was used to playing on. Compared to last year’s team with only one or two new guys, this year’s team has about six new players.

“We have had to learn a lot of new things and reteach everything,” said Junior Bryan Kaase. “There have been a lot of little mistakes here and there that we were not making in the past.”

Some players have found that their weaknesses have been resurfacing in the game after having been injured. For some, like Kaase, it has been nerveracking and scary the first few games, not knowing how his knee would hold up.

“It’s been hard because guys are really going after each other,” Lauer said. “We realize that this year could be something really special. The guys are working harder during practice than ever before.”

LEADERSHIP During the first three games of the season, many have probably noticed the full bench UST has this year. With so many newcomers the team was in need of great leaders

and seniors such as Williams, Lauer, Adrian Morales, Travis Lampley and Andrew Graves, made sure of that. This year’s captains are Lampley, Lauer and Kaase.

Lampley, an accounting major, has played on the team as the point guard since he enrolled at UST, and has been the captain of the team for the past three years. He was an Honorable Mention All-American in the past year.

“Our point guard, team leader is having a great career,” Smith said. “So I think it’s one of our strengths.”

Morales, a general study of marketing and communication major, has been on the team for two years after transferring from San Jacinto College where he also played. Many

“They are accountable, dependable leaders... we’re very lucky to have a senior class like that.”

Todd Smith Head Men’s Basketball Coach

would know him as the one racking up the points on the scoreboard when the team is at its lowest with his 3-pointers, which are pretty consistent throughout the game.

The team prepares for their games the same each time. They have their pre-game shoot around, meal together and then about an hour and a half to themselves.

“We pretty much do the same thing every game. We go to Subway with the team and then Barrett, Nate and I go to our apartment to play some Call of Duty,” Kaase said.

Williams said he is terrible at first person shooter games so he likes to play his old games like Donkey Kong on his Super Nintendo.

When preparing for a game during his hour and a half alone, Lauer likes to listen to slow jazz to mellow out before the game. In terms of a routine, he always puts his left sock on before his right and then the left shoe on before the right.

Lauer, a marketing major, has played for four years on the team. His defense has been the most noticeable. While the other players are stronger in offense, Lauer’s defensive skills have most offenses beat.

Williams, a marketing major, has played for four years as well and says that collegelevel ball is much different than high school and hopes to one day maybe go pro.

“High school basketball was not as serious. Players could just show up and beat most teams. The college level game is a lot more intense,” Williams said.

More than one player agreed that the game changes from high school to college.

“In high school you can warm up into the game,” Lampley said. “First quarter goes by, second quarter goes by. It’s kind of like you’re just feeling out the opponent. In college...they’ll punch you right away.”

Graves, a marketing major, came from a 3-A high school and played all four years before attending UST, where he has been a member of the team for three years now. From his experiences, players entering college had a whole new ball game to learn.

“You have to change your game mentally and physically,” Graves said. “The talent is just as good as you, if not better.

You have to be much more disciplined and have to dedicate a lot more time as well.”

The expectations of all the players this year, aside from having fun and playing

the best that they can, is to win the Red River Conference Championships and be able to go on to Nationals in Iowa. Last year was the first year the team had made it to conference and ended up tying for fourth.

The team would not be where they are today without the guidance of their coaching staff. Smith had coached for a number of years in a couple D-1 schools, including Rice University and the University of Tulsa.

“Having a coach that has D-1 experience, he offers something that maybe a lot of other programs at our level won’t have,” Williams said.

Coach Thomas Henderson has coached high school basketball for 10 years and this year will be his first year at the college level. Henderson joined UST because of its family atmosphere. He had coached Lampley a few years back in high school.

“Coach Henderson has really been a great addition to our team,” Graves said. “He is very passionate about basketball and has a desire to win games.”

Lauer explained that the leadership of the seniors this year is less vocal than the year before. This year is more about leading by example, he continued.

“You definitely have to have people who are loud and get in the guys faces and yell,” Lauer said. “But we definitely just do things the right way, play hard and lead by example.”

Smith said that his seniors play a very significant role both on and off the court. He also said that their involvement and visibility on campus is no different than when they are on the court.

“They are accountable, dependable leaders,” Smith said.

“As a coach, we’re very lucky to have a senior class like that.”

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

The Entertainment

The Summa

7

Take the hassle out of gift-giving: creative Christmas gifts at a great price

By RIDA QADRI Staff Writer

Christmas is just around the corner and finding gifts can be a hassle. When you are looking for someone’s gift, it can get expensive; here are a few ideas to help you find creative Christmas gifts at a great price.

A collage with photos can show all the wonderful memories you have shared, and it would be a gift that a person would always cherish.

You can frame it or embellish the frame as a creative gesture.

Another option would be a basket filled with baked goods; finding an inexpensive basket should not be hard.

The trick is to fill the basket with cookies, pastries or other treats.

If the person you are shopping for is a big reader, then a book would be the perfect gift. You could choose some of their favorite author’s works, and tie them together in a bundle with ribbon.

Cocoa in a jar is a warm and quick-to-make drink that screams out winter. Just package some delicious hot cocoa powder and some marshmallows in a winterthemed mug and you have got

a creative gift perfect for the season.

Gifting a potted plant is a symbolic representation of a new friendship that has started, or just a cute plant growing in a vase that you can decorate yourself.

A movie rental basket can be a perfect gift for a couple that wants some alone time. You can fill the basket with romantic movies, or any movies that the couple you are gifting to is interested in. You can also fill it with popcorn, kettle corn, peanuts or other snacks that are perfect to munch on with your loved one.

Board games in stock at stores are not as expensive as they used to be. You can get games like Life, Taboo, Monopoly, Jenga and others that are the perfect entertainment to play with the family.

If art is something you have always been into, buy a plain white mug from any store. Grab your most colorful sharpies and let the inner artist within you come out and create your own Christmas mug.

A friendship bracelet can be an inexpensive present you can hand make. Make a fun, colorful bracelet with string and beads for your significant other or friend that will be a

Alice Harold / Courtesy Photo

small gesture, but will look like you really took the time to make something special.

Desserts are always a welcomed gift so go grab some cake mix, frosting and sprinkles and bake a masterpiece; if you want to be daring, start from scratch.

An inexpensive gift for a girl would be something we all like is nail polish. Buy some of

her favorite color nail polish that you know she will like and put it in a gift bag.

The typical boy can always appreciate a good video game.

I am not saying to go buy a PS3, but maybe just a game. Here’s a secret: If you go to Game Stop, they have a whole section of used games that are almost half off that work and look just as good, they will never know.

Giving back is always a great activity during the holiday season. Volunteer at any soup kitchens, retirement homes or hospitals in your area.

Sometimes a smile can mean the most to someone.

Go visit them and smile, and when you see them smile back, that will be your greatest Christmas present this season.

Bring in 2013 with style: what to wear to your New Year’s Eve party

By YESSICA FLORES Staff Writer

The end of the year brings many festivities, one of those being the New Year’s Eve party. There is no better way to end 2012 than with your family and in style.

New Year’s is the time of the year where being extra bold, and wearing too much sparkle is not seen as overlygaudy, but encouraged. It leads to a more confident start for the upcoming year. You can wear a sparkling outfit, or an outrageous faux fur coat, and still look acceptable. It almost feels like playing dress up.

Things to consider for this coming New Year’s Eve outfit are not only shiny things, but also other textures like leather, fur, feathers, lace and suede.

Mixed textures are a big trend this season. If you can wear more than one texture at once while still feeling comfortable, go for it.

If you are going to a formal event, consider a glitter dress. For a more subtle look, but with some sort of shine, wear a matte sequin dress.

Remember that colors affect the boldness of your look.

Brighter colors like bright red, cobalt blue, green, white, yellow or gold draw more attention than colors like navy blue, maroon, dark green, dark purple, black or a caramel color.

For a casual look, colored bottoms are a must. If you can get bottoms with some sort of pattern on them, even better. Pair the bottoms with a textured top. A black coat or an accessory can always bring the boldness down of your outfit if you feel uncomfortable.

Going back to basics is always encouraged because they never fail. You can wear a black dress, dark denim jeans, a white T-shirt, a dark blazer or tall boots. You can still be festive wearing basics as long as you pair them with bold accessories. Wear a black dress with a sparkling, bold necklace. Wear a faux fur vest with a white T-shirt and tall boots to bring the look from casual to more formal.

Wear dark denim jeans with embellished shoes. Wear a dark blazer with bright, textured or print bottoms. The basics mixed with a statement piece will not only keep you comfortable but also in style.

If sparkling jewels are

not your favorite, studs and gold accessories are great substitutes. If you do not want to wear anything shiny at all and want to be more at ease, but still be in style, go for a faux leather pant, a suede blazer or a lace top.

Also, do not forget the trends this season, which include the baroque, the

oversized, the animal, the Western and the textured.

Those are always a safe bet.

New Year’s Eve is an amazing time of the year because not only is it a new beginning, but it can also be, a new, more confident way to start the year. This can be achieved by emboldening the way you dress.

Wearing bold clothes can not only help you to draw attention, but can also give you the confidence you need to achieve the things you want.

There is no better way to start the New Year than with great clothes that will give you the confidence you need to accomplish your New Year’s resolutions.

Chriselle Lim / Courtesy Photo

8

The Summa

The Entertainment

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Taking Back Sunday gets personal with the fans during their Houston show

By BIANCA GOMEZ Copy Editor

Nov. 3 could not have come any sooner, or have gone by any faster.

Growing up in my awkward adolescent years, I had my music to cling to. One of the bands was Taking Back Sunday, whom I still listen to today. While I am not an avid fan of anything after Where You Want To Be, I still find myself blaring the same music in my room, just as I did when I was in middle school.

Their show at the House of Blues was everything I could ask for – I did see Taking Back Sunday at Warped Tour this past summer, but it was nothing compared to what I witnessed that Saturday night.

The fact that they were playing the entire Tell All Your Friends album, easily their most popular album, gave more reason for me to skip out on studying and go to this show.

Even as I walked into the venue, it was pretty packed. I could tell everyone was just as excited to see the band play.

I cannot remember who the

opening band was, but they were able to get the show going.

The next opening band was the other reason I was extremely excited as well – Bayside. Each time I see Bayside, they always kill it.

They have been around as long as Taking Back Sunday, and from the way people were singing along to them, I could tell that they are not going anywhere anytime soon (although, I would have really liked it if they played their acoustic song “Don’t Call Me Peanut,” since it is one of my favorites). But let’s move on to Taking Back Sunday.

Even while they were setting up, people were getting antsy and trying to move to the front. My two friends and I were some of those people.

Eventually, we were able to squeeze pretty close to the front (but with me being short, it would not even matter where I stood; everyone towers over me).

As soon as they opened with “What’s It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?” the crowd ramped up and pretty out of control.

Unfortunately, it got to the point where I had to squeeze

Matt Vogel / Courtesy Photo

myself out of the front of the crowd and stay at the back. But being in the back did not break my spirits, in fact, lead singer Adam Lazzara would jump off of stage and sing in various spots of the venue room.

Even though he did not reach my area, the fact that he was willing to get off the stage and sing for fans from all over told me how much he cares for his fans, and how much they

mean to him. When another friend and I talked after the show, she said that she ran to him and squeezed through the crowd when he played one of her favorite songs and she is shorter than I am.

At one point of the set, I found myself crying to “Your Own Disaster.” Not that I could really relate this song to my life as of right now, but the song itself struck me (and

acoustic songs tend to get me emotional for some reason).

When the show was over, it gave me the feeling of, “That’s it?” Seeing one of my favorite childhood bands more than once in the same year is easily on the top of my list for greatest moments. Even as I am typing this review, I am wearing the Taking Back Sunday tank top I bought at the show.

Out and About: Houston in December Compiled by Sarah Oyarce

Dec. 1: Reik will be playing the Arena Theatre Dec. 2: Rush will perform at the Toyota Center Dec. 2: Metalocalypse: Dethklok and All That Remains will be at the House of Blues Dec. 4: Odd Future will play at the House of Blues Dec. 4: Trash Talk will perform at Walter’s Dec. 6: Civil Twilight will be playing at Fitzgerald’s Dec. 7: Dom Kennedy will play Warehouse Live Dec. 7: Katt Williams will perform at the Toyota Center Dec. 8: Amanda Nagurney will be playing Minute Maid Park Dec. 8: Brian Regan will be performing at Bayou Music Center Dec. 12: We Are The Union will be at the Scout Bar Dec. 13: Rick Ross will perform at the Reliant Arena Dec. 14: The Rocketboys will be playing at Fitzgerald’s

Odd Future Incase / Courtesy Photo

Dec. 15: The Molly Ringwalds will play the House of Blues Dec. 16: Joan Sebastian will perform at the Arena Theatre Dec. 17: Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe will play at Shakespeare’s Pub Dec. 18: The Sword will be performing at Fitzgerald’s Dec. 20: Better Than Ezra will play the House of Blues Dec. 21: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be performing at the Toyota Center Dec. 21: Boys Noize will be playing the House of Blues Dec. 22: Los Lonely Boys will perform at the House of Blues Dec. 27: Robert Earl Keen will play the House of Blues Dec. 28: Aries Spears will be performing at the Arena Theatre Dec. 28: Hayes Carl will be playing at the House of Blues Dec. 29: “Disney Live!” will be playing at the Reliant Arena Dec. 29: Kendrick Lamar will perform at Warehouse Live

Civil Twilight

Dec. 30: The Adolescents will play at Fitzgerald’s Amber Stokosa / Courtesy Photo Dec. 31: Trey Songz, Miguel and Elle Varner will perform at the Reliant Arena

The Entertainment

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

The Summa

9

Denzel Washington delivers another memorable performance in Flight

By ALIYAH COLE Staff Writer

Academy Award winner Denzel Washington has been in many memorable movies such as The Book and Eli, The Great Debaters, American Gangster, Training Day, Glory....well, the list goes on.

Flight may be one to add to that list.

The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis, who has had an extensive career. He has directed many excellent movies including The Polar Express, Forest Gump, and the Back to the Future series. This is Zemeckis’ first live-action movie since 2000 with Cast Away.

The film is about an experienced pilot named Whip Whittaker, who miraculously lands a plane after it malfunctions. Whittaker is deemed a hero for saving the lives of many. However, the conflict begins when questions

arises as to what really happened on the plane. Was it really the mechanical failure that caused Whittaker to land the plane so abruptly, or was it because Whittaker was intoxicated during the flight?

This movie is about more than what happened on the plane. It’s about a man who must seek redemption and confront the truth about himself.

You can tell from the start that this film is interesting.

The first scene starts out with Whittaker waking up, hung over, next to a naked woman in a hotel (much different than the poised, mannerly roles we are used to seeing Washington act). It becomes very clear that Whittaker is not the protagonist you were expecting.

Washington does an excellent job playing Whittaker, a hero that is difficult to root for as he battles with his alcohol addiction.

Yet, Washington was not the only actor that made the film

when the plane made its rough landing. This scene is what makes the movie so thrilling.

Another scene worth noting is when Whittaker and Nicole meet Mark Mellon, played by Tommy Kane, a cancer patient. Mellon talks about God, fate and whether or not disasters can be prevented, setting the theme for the movie.

The movie is not epic, but it is very dramatic. There is more dialogue than action, but it still manages to hold the audience’s attention. Zemeckis did a terrific job with the movie, though people should not expect anything less.

If you are looking for a film that is full of twists and turns that will leave you hanging off the edge of your seat, then Flight is highly recommended.

My only warning is that it might not be a good idea to watch this movie if you are planning to fly in the near future.

Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Photo

dynamic.

Kelley Reilly plays an intriguing character named Nicole who is a drug addict.

Her role may seem unrelated at first, but her path intertwines with Whittaker when, after taking a heavy dosage of heroin, she ends up in the same hospital as Whittaker.

Don Cheadle also delivered in his small but crucial role as Hugh Lang, Whittaker’s attorney. Nonetheless, it was John Goodman who brought

most of the comic relief that was much needed for such an intense film. Goodman plays Whittaker’s close friend, Harling Mays, who is also a drug dealer.

Needless to say, the movie’s most suspenseful scene was the landing of the plane. The special effects for the plane crash were so well done you almost feel as if you are in the plane the moment it takes a nose dive. I was practically holding my breath

PUZZLES CORNER December Crossword

Sudoku

1

2

Created by Sarah Oyarce 3

4 5

6 7

8

9

10

12

11

13

14

Riddle of the Month!

What goes up and down without moving?

A: Stairs

ACROSS 1. Late Dallas star Larry 5. Artist who has most viewed YouTube video of all time 6. Area of under attack because of the Palestine/Israeli conflicts 7. X-Factor judge Simon 8. Famous soccer player retiring from the LA Galaxy

David 9. “New York, New York” singer Frank 11. “R.I.P.” singer Rita 14. Rapper Jay-Z’s wife DOWN 1. Company that threatened to close down after employee strike 2. Rapper Drake’s middle name 3. Batman in The Dark Knight

Rises Christian 4. Group of owls 10. Most famous reindeer 12. Fashion photographer Richardson 13. Chairman and CEO of Starbucks Howard

10

The Health

The Summa

Look twice, save a life: Motorcycle safety

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

MY STORY: Student Health Advice Column

Watch Out For Motorcycles; There Are No Fender-Benders

By CLAUDIA CALERO Staff Writer

The wind blowing in your hair, the power you feel gliding through the currents, the crunch of different roads underneath you; there is no mistaking the experience of riding a motorcycle. I always wanted to own a bike, ride up to school, weaving through traffic and squeezing in unknown parking spaces.

My father used to race motorcycles professionally until he got into his third accident. He then moved onto working on cars, but anyone could tell in his eyes that he missed those days.

When my two older brothers came home with bikes (beautiful red Ninja 650r and red CBR600rr), my father taught them in 10 minutes how to ride and off they went for practice runs. They got their licenses and took me for a test drive down in Galveston.

I had no idea what I was getting into with the loss of control one feels riding in the passenger seat of a

motorcycle. Needless to say, it was the last time I tried that.

I almost wiggled out of the seat trying to turn the bike myself, as I could not trust my own brother with the uncertainty of the road.

The next thing I know my father came home with a Honda Scooter and I felt comfortable enough to handle that amount of power, in all its average 40 mph.

It was not until I witnessed them riding that I saw my big strong brothers seem so fragile and unprotected.

My heart squeezed anytime an aggressive driver sped past them or when a huge Hummer or CRV got extremely close to them. I began to take notice for other motorists, and maybe in the back of my mind hoping I would not see my brothers in those accidents you pass by on the highway.

I took more care into stopping to give right of way to motorcyclist, keeping an eye on my blind spot for them, as well as not trying to rush them when they are at their most vulnerable, which is starting /stopping.

The amount of balance and focus they have is threefold to ours. They cannot stop or start very suddenly due to the risk of losing control. I think it is a mixture of uneducated masses and unawareness that we treat motorcyclist with such a passing fancy.

We see them, almost enviously, glide through traffic, see the wind blow

Elvert Barnes / Courtesy Photo

across them, and yes, at times see that occasional person who is reckless. The problem is, that is not all they are, they are a brother/sister, a cousin, a nephew/niece, they are us.

My brother Oscar was going to the store to pick up some medication for his sick fiancé, and as he was passing a fork-way, a 16-year-old uninsured teenage girl thought she could make it and sped across his path, knocking him right into the middle of the massive minivan. He was stuck, straight out, through the middle of the vans’ automatic doors.

All his belongings were scattered, and we never would have known he was hurt if it was not for the fact that he happened to be right in front of my cousin’s neighborhood.

She saw his bright red bike and body lying on the ground, and rushed to him.

He was incoherent with blood oozing from his mouth and ears. She thought

the worst. I received a the message about Oscar hitting a van, and to be at the hospital as soon as possible. I thought the worst as well.

With my heart in my throat, my family and I rushed to the hospital. The doctors told us they could not give any information yet.

Those minutes seemed like hours, until finally we got the OK to see him. He was bandaged, swollen, bruised and bloody...but luckily he was in a fighting spirit.

The doctors told us that whenever they get a motorcyclist in an accident, it usually never ends in good news. We joke about it now, saying it is all the milk and protein he eats, but in reality it was a mere mix of logistical chance that the van hit him at a certain angle.

The most common stereotype is that motorcyclists are speed devils taking chances with their lives, but my brothers’ case proves

otherwise. He was going at a moderate speed, being careful, and in no rush. The van driver was inexperienced, heedless, and treated my brother as another driver of a car to save time or to make it across faster.

I see a few bikes around campus and smile as they ride off into the distance, or walk around with helmets.

It reminds me of my college student brother, and sometimes makes me sad since he and his fiancé do not trust to try their chances again with a motorcycle.

My heart still squeezes when my other brother, Carlos, rides off, or when I see it begins to rain or get especially windy, due to fear of a bad phone call. I still find myself looking for his white motorcycle on the way to school.

It is this point that I share my story with you all, so you can connect those bodies and machines with faces, spirits, and families.

Please be careful not to blast your horn at a person getting on or off their bikes, do not speed past them to get ahead or across them, and do not try to intimidate them with your massive cars!

I know I say this in a general way, perhaps and that I am not accounting for the amount of recklessness that some motorcyclists also participate in, therefore motor safety in general is important, but to put an end to this is just to simply look twice for motorcycles please.

How to make a homemade soup: recipe from scratch

By SANDRA EFRAIMSON Health Editor

Many students face challenges in the kitchen, especially while living in the dorms or in apartments away from home.

When I began to cook, I took everything that I learned from my mother and made it healthy. I learned the basics, such as making sure that I never let my cooking utensils touch raw poultry and then touch other foods, such as vegetables, to avoid the cross-contamination of bacteria like salmonella. She taught me how to make my own broth form vegetables and use it in soup.

As Houston gets cooler this December, I would like to share a recipe for a soup that I threw together a few days ago using everything that was in my fridge. All you need is four chicken thighs, two medium potatoes, three medium carrots, one red bell pepper,

a quarter of an onion, three stalks of celery, a can of tomato sauce, a little salt and basil.

I usually prefer chicken breast, but for soup with a homemade broth, it is best to use poultry with bone in it, such as chicken thighs.

Bring a medium pot of

water to boil. When the water comes to a boil, lower the heat to medium and place four pieces of raw chicken in the water.

Let the water continue to boil for 10 minutes and add a pinch of salt and some basil for flavoring. Then put

Xavi Villalvilla / Courtesy Photo

in some cubed pieces of potato and carrots (bite sized), these vegetables take longer to soften than other vegetables.

To make a nutritious broth, I added a can of tomato sauce, just enough to give it some color and light flavor.

I love vegetables, so 10 minutes later I added a few pieces of red bell pepper, minced onions and chopped up celery.

You could add almost any vegetable of your choice. The order in which you put in your vegetables goes based on how long they take to cook and you can tell by how dense the vegetable is compared to others.

30 minutes into boiling it, I put in some noodles and let it boil for another 10 minutes.

The chicken should be boiled for at least 35-40 minutes, but you can let it boil with low heat for another 20 minutes if you would like the flavors to infuse even more.

I did not mind the chicken thighs, but if you only like chicken breast, it would be best to grill it on the side because putting it to boil would dry it out from its natural fats, and make it more chewy. Enjoy this homemade soup and stay warm!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

The Health

The Summa

11

Stress less workshop offers techniques to students on how to get through finals

By SANDRA EFRAIMSON Health Editor

Methods on to deal with stress are heavily sought out during the end of the semester.

For students at the University of St. Thomas, December means finals and holiday plans.

At this time, stress seeps in while juggling school, work and a social life activities.

One of the greatest advantages of attending UST is that there are services available for students when they are at their wit’s end.

The Counseling and Disability Services offers services that are aimed at helping you sort out how to deal with stress and balancing your life.

Jennifer Norten offered a stress workshop for St. Thomas students on Oct. 30, at Crooker Center. In her workshop, she discussed how wellness is a balance of six major components: religious/ spiritual, academics, emotional, physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Stress happens as a response of being overloaded.

It can be a good thing, when it is ‘Eustress,’ because it can be a motivator to getting things done.

However,

distress is when the stress no longer has a positive effect.

To understand stress, one must first understand and recognize the stages in which stress manifests itself.

First, you have stage one: the alarm reaction. This is when your body goes through what is refereed to as the “fight or flight” response.

When you face stress, your body interprets it as it would in the face of danger, and physiologically, it goes through chemical and hormonal responses. These responses are meant to make you very focused on the problem at hand and lower other important functions, such as the immune system.

The second stage the body goes through is resistance.

“Maintaining high levels of stress causes the body to adapt,” Norten said. This constant level of stress takes a toll on the body mechanisms and can cause a disturbance in homeostasis, which can result in illness.

Norten explained that the third stage was exhaustion and said that this is the stage when, “the body begins to break down.”

Stress can manifest in various ways including fatigue,

Sandra Efraimson / The Summa

sleeplessness, irritability, anxiety or depression, a change in appetite, aches or chest pain, a noticeably negative attitude, numbness, feeling overwhelmed or out of control, poor concentration, little things bothering you, frequent crying, muscle spasms, diarrhea, shortness of breath and difficulty controlling your temper.

She said that this stress induces us to eat more junk food or have eating disorders, can make you vulnerable to illnesses such as the flu and colds, due to an impaired immune system, or physiological disturbances

such as high blood pressure, increased memory loss, heart disease or diabetes, among other effects.

So how do you deal with this stress? Try one of the following techniques: relaxation, exercise and meditation can help you calm your mind.

According to literature provided by UST’s Counseling and Disability Services, start by doing some deep breathing.

This will cause your body to release endorphins which naturally re-energize.

“Do this exercise for three to five minutes whenever you feel tense.”

Another technique is visualization.

Find a quiet place to sit and listen to your own breathing.

“Now try focusing on one peaceful thought, or create a picture in your mind of a beautiful place,” she said.

Remember these techniques when you start getting overwhelmed with thoughts of finals and grades.

It is best to spare your body the toll that stress causes by taking time to destress yourself, so that you can balance your life in a happy and healthy manner.

Sandra Says: Avoid binge eating temptations during holiday get togethers

By SANDRA EFRAIMSON Health Editor

Holidays are here and with Thanksgiving, we start eating everything we have deprived ourselves of all year.

Everyone goes into a holiday binge because it is hard to avoid all the cookies, cakes and candy floating around in the name of festivities.

It is tempting to tell ourselves, “I will start a new crash diet next year,” but this drastic change in diet is not good for your metabolic system. It is referred to as “yoyo dieting.” This is dangerous because doing it repeatedly actually causes weight gain and serious health problems.

When you make your body crash, you may think that you are saving yourself calories, but in actuality you

Celeste Lindell / Courtesy Photo

are adjusting your metabolism to think that you are starving.

This causes your metabolism to slow down and your body begins to store any fat it can.

Any weight you may have lost while crash dieting has to do with the body’s breaking down of muscle tissue and its depletion of glucose. According to TheSite. com, “It isn’t because you are losing fat, but because you are using up your body’s store of

glycogen, and, with the used glycogen, water.”

Once you return to your normal consumption of calories, your metabolism has not adjusted back so you immediately gain any weight you may have lost back. Your body will want to replace any energy that was lost with fat because that is the easiest to store and it has the most potential for energy, so you never really lose fat from a

crash diet.

When you crash diet repeatedly, you increase your chances of developing heart disease and can weaken your immune system.

You are also likely to lose important vitamins and minerals that are necessary for normal functioning.

Yo-yo dieting may also have a psychological effect.

The stress you put on your body from depriving yourself

of calories can leave you confused and depressed when the results are not what you anticipated.

As the Live Strong website points out, “Crash dieting can make dieters weak, irritable and much less able to resist inevitable food cravings.

When crash dieters give in to these food-related temptations by eating too much or eating foods forbidden by the crash diet, they feel unhappy with themselves and more likely to try increasingly outlandish crash diets in an attempt to break the cycle.”

Eating disorders can arise and cause a long-lasting cycle.

There are no magic fad diets or crash diets that will give you the quick and easy results that many claim.

Your body has different systems that require balance.

To maintain health, one should avoid doing anything drastic and instead lay out a long-term plan if weight is an issue.

If you do not want to gain weight, a better plan this holiday is to eat small portions, do not stop exercising and learn to, most of the time, say no to the delicious fresh-baked cookies.

12

The Sports & Clubs

The Summa

Upcoming Events Tuesday, Dec. 4

The Fine Arts & Drama Department Presents “Velveteen Rabbit” 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Jones Hall

Tuesday, Dec. 4 Deck The Mall 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Academic Mall

Tuesday, Dec. 4

Christmas in the Mansion 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Link-Lee Mansion

Tuesday, Dec. 4 University Singers 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Chapel of St. Basil

Wednesday, Dec. 5 Late Night Breakfast 9:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Crooker Cafeteria

Saturday, Dec. 15

Winter Graduation Mass & Reception 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Cullen Hall

Thursday, Jan. 3

UST Women’s Basketball vs. Northwood University 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Jerabeck Gym

Men’s basketball ranked first, as seniors take lead

By MEGAN VIOLA-VU Features Editor

The Men’s basketball team started their fourth season against Rice, a NCAA D-1 school. Coming in as the underdog, the Celts had a lot to prove at the beginning of the night against the Owls.

The Celts were off to a slow start, trailing 10-3.

That quickly changed after senior Adrian Morales and his 3-pointers entered the game.

All the credit does not go to him though. With several assists and basketballs from fellow Senior Travis Lampley, Junior Henoc Jean, Junior Bryan Kaase and Senior Caleb Williams, the Celts were up 38-21 at the end of the first half.

This was not the first time the team had played a D-1 school. UST had played against Rice two years in a row, ending in losses. This year was different.

It was an incredible win at the start of a promising season for the Celts, but a huge upset for the Owls on their season opener.

On Nov. 12, the Celts were off to a rough start in the first four minutes of the game against Jarvis Christian.

Although the Celts were down

0-8, they did not let that get to them. The guys were able to rack up points in the next three minutes bringing them to a 1418 trail behind Jarvis.

Before the first half ended, the Celts were struggling to move ahead in the game. The two teams continued to juggle the lead back and forth every couple of seconds.

With the team’s motivation, seemingly reinforced by their fellow students and family members in the stands, they were able to pull through with a 36-31 lead at the first half.

The second half of their game was not any easier, becoming a game of free throws. As the two teams continued to foul each other, the Celts lead slowed down to 50-49. The Celts came through to win a close game of 79-72.

Through the second half, the teamwork proved worthy.

Even when their morale was low, the team worked together to keep their lead.

This year, the team’s five seniors have proved to be a powerful group of leaders, taking the Men’s basketball team to the top of the Red River Athletic Conference with a 5-1 record.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Vietnamese Student Assoc. wins Dragon Boat Cup

By BIANCA GOMEZ Copy Editor

There are many clubs on campus that participate in various events throughout the year, ranging from social, volunteer and competitive.

However, few get to say that they take part an ancient Chinese water sport – Dragon boat racing.

A tradition started by past president, James Bui, the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) had the opportunity to compete in this race, and took home the gold. The 9th annual Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta took place at Brooks Lake in Sugar Land, TX from Oct. 20 -21.

“I think it was important [for us to win first place] because we had so many new rowers and we weren’t expecting this at all,” Senior VSA member and past officer Jonathan Pham said.

“We expected to do well since we like to set our expectations so high.”

VSA has been participating in the Dragon Boat Regatta for three school years and has competed in four races.

“The very first year that we did it, it was the May race and it was the festival in Allen’s Landing and we won second place,” VSA president Elevia Le, who is a senior and captain of the team. “We’ve won first place in our division before, [but] this is our first time winning first place overall.”

Among the in-state and outof-state teams participating in the race, there are five different types of team categories: corporate, community, youth, Breast Cancer and competitive.

VSA was competing as a community category team with

other familiar teams, such as the University of Houston’s Vietnamese Association, Pharmacy Student Society and Houston Baptist University.

“I know that there’s a lot of teams that compete in different categories...it just depends what you’re registered for,” Le said. “We [competed] in the community one and we were against 30 teams.”

The race was broken down by two time qualifier races, where the judges took the average of those two times and placed the teams in certain divisions. VSA finished their first time trial with 2:03 minutes and the second with 2:02 minutes – their average time placed them in division A, which was the division for the top three teams.

“The brackets are different competing levels, and the A group that we competed in was better than the rest,” freshman VSA member Charlie Thai said.

“I think the first two races we did okay, and we could’ve done better, but the last one we gave it all we got.”

According to Pham, each division (A, B, C, et cetera) consists of three teams and there are no official qualifications to meet the requirements for each division – it is based on the averaged times.

“There’s no [official] qualifications to qualify for the A cup, it all depends on how the other teams do. It’s [based on] the fastest top three times and the next top three for the B cup,” Pham said.

VSA competed against two teams during the final race, the City of Houston Gavel Dragons, who finished second at 2:03 minutes, and the Lone Star Veteran Association, who finished third at 2:04 minutes.

VSA finished the race with first place at 1:56 minutes. Not only did VSA win first place in their division, but they also took home the title of grand final, meaning that between them and the 30 teams, VSA had the fastest time.

“It means a lot [for us to win first place], they worked really hard and I’m really proud of them,” Le said. “And I told them right before the race that if we win first place and take it home; I was going to take them out to eat. And we did, we went to Kobecue and I took the whole team out.”

According to Le, in order to practice for the Dragon Boat, VSA held weekly meetings at the Jerabeck pool to practice synchronization and the club was able to have one practice at a facility with an actual Dragon boat provided by the organization holding the festival.

Some may underestimate the essentials needed to row the 40 foot boat – proper form.

“When you row you can’t just use your arms because your arms will get tired, so you have to use your entire body to rock,” Le said. “You don’t have to be the strongest person; it’s who can keep their form and keep it up for the whole team.”

The festival holds two races every year – one in May and the other in October. While the May race falls on the day of the biology final for the freshmen on the team, the upperclassmen hope to continue to pass on the tradition of practicing in the race.

“We definitely want the freshmen, when they become upperclassmen, to be doing this even when we’re long gone,” Pham said. “Hopefully this is a tradition that continues.”

SIDELINE HTX: UPCOMING GAMES Support your favorite Houston home teams at upcoming December home games around town in professional sports.

Houston Texans (NFL)

Reliant Stadium, 8400 Kirby Drive

Dec. 16 Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Dec. 24 Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings

Houston Rockets (NBA) Toyota Center, 1510 Polk Street

Dec. 8 Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks Dec. 10 Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs Dec. 12 Rockets vs. Washington Wizards

Houston Aeros (AHL)

Toyota Center, 1510 Polk Street

Dec. 7 Aeros vs. Peoria Rivermen Dec. 11 Aeros vs. San Antonio Rampage Dec. 16 Aeros vs. Oklahoma City Barons